MONDAY through THURSDAY, September 27 through 30, 2004

The debates are coming!   So, what can we expect that will be new and different, especially given the sanitized rules that will apply?  Not much that is new or different.  In the first debate tomorrow, Senator Kerry will say that this was the wrong war at the wrong time.  President Bush will say, although not so eloquently as he said recently at the U.N., that this was an action that had to be taken, given the then-existing intelligence, and even in hind-sight.  (See "U.N. Speech A Study Of Conviction", by Cal Thomas, in The Day, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2004, Commentary, pA7).  Kerry will say that we have no allies.  Bush will prove that that is patently wrong.  (See "Who Said America Is Short On Allies?", by George Melloan, WSJ, Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2004, Opinion, pA23).  Kerry will say that Bush's actions are inflaming the Muslim world.  President Bush will say (I hope) that the world - and right now primarily the USA is in a struggle against terrorists and anarchists who have little to do with Islam but who are merely using that great religion as a screen.  And he will say (I hope) that the struggle over the next years will be between democratic countries and Islam on one side...and those terrorists on the other side.  That is already occurring in the two largest Muslim democracies in the world: Indonesia and Bangladesh.  (See "Islamists vs Democracy", by Maneeza Hossain, WSJ Monday, Sept. 27, 2004, Opinion, pA18).  Neither candidate will mention Israel unless pulled into it.  But then (I hope) both candidates will clearly point to the cynical anti-semitism of the UN, the rabid anti-semitism of the Palestinian (and Arab-supporting) power base, the self-delusion of the Arab world regarding the permanency of the State of Israel, and also some self-defeating actions of the current leadership in Israel and their settler-supporters.  (See "Anti-Semitism and the United Nations meet at long last", by Jeff Jacoby, The Day, Monday, June 28, 2004, Commentary, pA7).  That's my prediction.  But make sure to tune in, anyway.

GS

SUNDAY, September 26, 2004

Why am I not surprised?  The Day (theday.com) in today's edition has already endorsed John Kerry.  After some conclusory statements, all highly disputed, the editors basically admit to their position: "Anybody but Bush", thus dismissing anything that he does between now and November 2 regarding the extremely fluid situation in Iraq.  This, by a good newspaper that has been both heading and heeling to port since their current Editor and Publisher came aboard.  And what is their first argument?  America's worldwide "relationships".  With reference to de Tocqueville, he would not be surprised by, and would have admired this America's goals and actions following 9/11, policies and actions entirely consistent with the spirit of the 1800's decades of danger and decision.  Lincoln, too, did the right thing when he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, a very unpopular action at the time, in the midst of a Civil War that his side seemed to be losing.  "The U.S. and its allies should have waited while United Nations inspectors continued to search for weapons."  Waited for what?  More cynicism, hypocracy, fraud and irrelevance?  "John Kerry has only begun to define himself to the American people."  Right.  What he needs is four more years to do so.  Meanwhile, Americans need to give President Bush and our troops in the field a clear endorsement to the current policies and actions, in order to leave no doubt in the minds of friend or foe.  That's how we will materially improve America's security at home and abroad.  Not by ruminating in the "newspaper of record", the N.Y.Times today, about "What If America Just Pulled Out?" (by Roger Cohen, Section 4 - wk p1).   And not by issuing a premature and worried endorsement of "Anybody but Bush".

GS

SATURDAY, September 25, 2004

• Interesting.  In the Friday, Sept. 17 "rapid response", I began the comment on the U.N. with "Who Cares".  In the Thursday, Sept.23 edition of the WSJ, Victor Davis Hanson offered an article entitled "The U.N.? Who Cares..." (Opinion, A14).  True to form for articles published in that newspaper, the author marshalls his case like a medical research paper.  "Our skepticism has turned, at last, to indifference".  Exactly!
• John Kerry is desperate, as well as confused.  Now that he can no longer mount a credible case about the economy after four hurricanes have garbled the national numbers for the foreseeable future, he has left his time-warp in Viet Nam and is concentrating on Iraq.  But the war was justified and necessary, not "grotesque".  The handling of the post-war can justly be criticized, as I have been doing for fifteen months.  But you don't also criticize and diminish the work of the Iraq leader who is offering his life daily to help his people and us in the most difficult circumstances.  That is beyond stupid.  Senator Kerry, more and more you remind me of Neville Chamberlain.
• All right, time to lighten up, again.  We are reading reports that this summer there has been noted a substantial increase in road-kill.  The explanation has been offered that this year there is a smaller supply of nuts available.  Can it also be that most of the nuts are on the road?

FRIDAY, September 24, 2004

Nuclear energy, Si; nuclear weapons, No, at least for any countries that do not yet have them.  This sounds arrogant and unfair.  But the current situation is bad enough, the product of the Cold War.  Any further proliferation invites world-wide disaster, especially in view of the irresponsible actions already taken by wanna-be countries like North Korea and Iran in their relationships with terrorist groups.  And we can forget about the U.N. and its perennial pronouncements on the subjects, however well-intentioned.  I believe it was Josef Stalin who asked: "How many divisions does the Pope have?"  The U.S. and other willing nations must offer to empower non-nuclear nations with the ability to have nuclear energy, as a means also to reduce our dependence on Middle East oil.  But as far as nuclear weapons, and the steps leading to that goal, are concerned, we should make it very clear: "You build it, we break it!"  To that end, the recent American approval of a sale of 600 "bunker-buster" bombs to Israel is a good start.  Does anyone have any better idea on the subject?   The period we are currently in reminds me of the inaction of the world during the 1930's regarding the illegal and war-like activities of Germany and Japan.  This time, if there is a World War III, there will not be a World War IV.

GS

THURSDAY, September 23, 2004

• On Iraq, again.  Interim Prime Minister Allawi spoke before Congress today.  He was optomistic and realistic.  Above all, he reaffirmed his long-standing message to his Iraqi people that this is their time, their war, their opportunity.  Only they ultimately can win the peace and a new future.  God bless him.
• If you just remember to take your anti-nausea pills before tuning in, National Public Radio is still worth listening to, despite its head-spinning left-ward spin.  Today they interviewed Generals Jay Garner and Jack Keane, both well-acquainted with Iraq.  The generals were cautiously optomistic, citing a great number of good things occurring in 3/4 of that country, although never reported in the press.
• Projections regarding Social Security and Medicare, out to the year 2040.  The assessments are bleak...but the assessors are unimaginative.  Doesn't anyone think that seniors will continue to opt to stay in the work force in coming decades, as they are doing today in increasing numbers, while continuing to pay social security taxes?  I never hear that being taken into account by all the Cassandras.  And so far as Medicare is concerned...and all of health care costs, for that matter...what about RATIONING/PRIORITIZATION of medical treatments and procedures on purely medical grounds and  regardless of ability to pay?  And what about actually implementing SELF-DETERMINATION through universal advanced directives, a desire and intent of the vast majority of Americans, anyway?  Where are all the Big Thinkers?
• Now, how about a little levity, even if it is from the left.  I hear that Jon Stewart has just come out with a new book, entitled "America".  Those who complete the book are given a Charter with which to start their own country.  How about that!

MONDAY through WEDNESDAY, September 20 through 22, 2004

• For anyone who needs a concise summary of the world-view, strategy and tactics adopted by the Bush administration after 9/11 to deal with world-wide terrorism, read President Bush's address to the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday.  Or read an analysis of that presentation by Glenn Kessler of the Washington Post ("Bush Speech Distills His Views, Shows Differences With Many In U.N.", in The Day, today, pA9).  Then compare that with the tripe coming from John Kerry on the subject.  To put the difference as plainly as possible: global commerce, Si; global governance of the U.S.A., No.
• Nevertheless, neither the Bush candidacy nor the electorate can long endure the daily load of bad news, car bombings, indiscriminate loss of life, and beheadings without our significantly evening the score while belatedly establishing the security in Iraq which was and is our responsibility, especially in preparation for coming Iraq elections in January, 2005.  This cannot wait until after the election.  In fact, such continued delay will likely lose the election for Mr. Bush, a loss that under such circumstances would have been earned.  So, we cannot allow the interim Iraq government to dictate the terms of our failure there through veto power of our military activities.  And we need more troops to do the job.  50,000 troops from Germany, South Korea, and the Balkans would be a great help.  Is anybody listening?

SATURDAY and SUNDAY, September 18 and 19, 2004

• Regarding Iraq and American politics.  Of course, we made mistakes after the war.  I have been commenting on that in this section for 15 months.  And if allowed by the electorate in November, this administration is prepared to address those mistakes by belatedly establishing security in that country in preparation for the January, 2005 Iraq elections.  But meanwhile, the interim Iraq government is telling our forces not to deal with some of the worst problems, as it tries to establish itself and as all involved try to get an Iraqi military force up and running.  Now come some Republican Senators, as well as all Democrats, covering their own rears with gratuitous advice for President Bush, who alone has his re-election on the line based on events in Iraq.  It all sounds normal to me, under these circumstances.
• Hold on to your hats.  Foggy Bottom and related foggy thinkers are at it again, wringing their hands over recent events in Russia.  Yes, we want a democratic Russia.  But more immediately and importantly, we should want a stable Russia.  Especially in a nation which is really more Oriental than Western in its personality, societal stability and security always trump individual rights - and that's the way the vast majority of the populace want it.  So never mind, until world terrorism is put back in its cage, the great ethnic and religious diversity of Russia.  President Putin has a responsibility to maintain security and defend Russia's present borders as he attacks terrorists and their supporters pre-emptively.  Sound like another great and diverse nation currently under attack?
• And let's be clear about terrorists: they are not "insurgents"; they are not "rebels" or "freedom fighters"; they are not "combatants" under the Geneva Rules of War; they are not even "criminals". Their actions warrant swift and summary justice within their own unique category.
• Other relevant news about Islam and western culture.  A gigantic clash is not inevitable or necessary, if Muslims realize that they are being used by world terrorism.  In Indonesia, with the largest Muslim population in the world, democratic elections are being held today.  So, what America is doing in Afganistan and in Iraq is just what it should be doing, as the de-facto leader of the world.  What is missing is the active support of other countries that would rather practice cynical self-interest than leadership.  They will not be forgotten.
• Finally, I have been trying to stay out of the Dan Rather/CBS debacle, in spite of having read Bernard Goldberg's book entitled "Bias: A CBS Insider Exposes How the Media Distort The News" (Regnery Publishing, 2002).  But any journalist who says something along the lines of the following deserves ridicule and retirement: "Even though I haven't presented valid evidence, you should believe the serious charges I level at the President of the U.S...because I say so".

FRIDAY, September 17, 2004

• "Who cares?"  That's a frequent reflex response that slows me down when I occasionally hear some of the "answers" on "Jeopardy".  It has also become a reflex response whenever I read anything about the U.N.   ("U.N.'s Annan Calls War In Iraq 'Illegal'", by Patrick E. Tyler, in The Day today, World, pA2).  This is not only not news, but undermines the efforts of the new Iraq government.  It is also likely another clumsy foreign attempt to influence the American elections.
• An important and fascinating insight into the connection between terrorism and Islam (hint: the latter is being duped by the former) appeared in yesterday's WSJ on page A1: "How Russia's Chechen Quagmire Became Front For Radical Islam".   This report should be read in toto.  It could be that we can avoid another Crusade, and that - if the Muslems come to their senses - we will all be on the same side eliminating the great threat of world-wide terrorism.
• Point - Counter-point. Compare John Kerry's most recent exposition of  "My Economic Policy" with the piece entitled "Muddled and Maddening" by Jagdish Bhagwati (WSJ, Monday and Wednesday of this week).
• More on the "defective, unreasonably dangerous" product on the market: computer software, especially Microsoft, about which I have commented several times in this section.  See the column by Walter S. Mossberg in the WSJ, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2004. Marketplace, pB1.  Until some group files a Class action suit in Product Liability against these software manufacturers, "The single most effective way to avoid viruses and spyware is to simply chuck Windows altogether and buy an Apple Macintosh".

TUESDAY throutgh THURSDAY, September 14 through 16, 2004

• Will this election compaign never end?  It's not as much the bilious gases coming out of both compaigns as it is the paralysis of public policy and decision-making that goes with such a period in our national life.  How else to explain the fits and starts of American action going on in Iraq, allowing the crazies to get stronger and stronger.  Since the Spring of 2003, I have been criticizing our conduct of the post-war in this section, thanks to Donald Rumsfeld's insistence on doing the job "on the cheap".  But it has been the presidential compaign that has prevented us from correcting the problem.  Understandable...but certainly not laudable.  President Bush needs to level with the voters now regarding our exit strategy.  We are not in Iraq, post-Hussein, to impose democracy or to guarantee democracy, but rather to offer it as a choice to be made and won by the Iraqi people.  So far, these people, with AK-47's under every mattress, have not yet chosen nor fought to win democracy.  Thus, they may not deserve it.  Our strategy should be to establish security throughout the country now by whatever force is necessary...as we should have done in the spring and summer of 2003, including by imposing martial law...through the Iraq elections next January.  Then we should announce our departure within one year.  At the same time, we should substantially expand our military troop capability to be prepared for other problems...like Iran and North Korea  We have had enough of our troops being there as target practice.  Enough with the rose-colored platitudes!
• Please note that the above has no mention of John Kerry.  Your can't beat something with nothing.  And, in this area of national self-defense, he has nothing.
• "Abortion Opt-Out Gaining Momentum", (by David Crary, AP. in The Day today, Nation, pA4).  A number of states have long given legal protection to all health professionals whose morals and beliefs preclude their participation in this stain on America's fabric.  Finally, the Federal Government is in the process (hopefully) of adopting such protections.  We are living a difficult compromise in this country regarding abortion; but this is a "no-brainer".
• Meanwhile, our fearless leaders spend their time cynically passing bogus legislation.  Examples: 1) the McCain-Feingold Election Reform Act, passed with much fanfair, and now determined by a Federal judge reviewing the Federal Election Commission to possess no teeth; 2) the automatic weapons ban of last decade, and its sunset this week, a law which was originally shot full of holes before it was allowed to pass in the first place.  Is this the best we Americans can do with our highly-vaunted democracy?  If so, our prognosis as a nation is guarded.

SUNDAY and MONDAY, September 12 and 13, 2004

For a country that prides itself on its democratic electoral process, there seem to be too many ill-conceived ideas sprouting this time around: eliminating the Electoral College; changing the "winner take all" rule for State Electoral College votes (see the pending initiative before the voters in Colorado); using poorly tested electronic voting methods without paper backup; first passing, and then undermining the McCain-Feingold election financing reform Act; absentee or pre-voting for convenience; sloppy identification procedures that allow some people to vote in more than one jurisdiction.   All this on top of governmental action distorted, if not entirely paralyzed, during the never-ending election year (or two years...).  Maybe we do need Jimmy Carter and an international commission to monitor our election.  And maybe we're losing our minds.

GS

SATURDAY, September 11, 2004

• September 11, 2001.  A day of great sadness and great rage.  The sadness will always be there, just as in the tragedy of a parent losing a child.  The rage has changed to determination that - if not "never again" - such attacks will always have severe consequences for all involved.
• Meanwhile, the Bush doctrine of pre-emption will remain alive and well.  For we have only to read the book recently published entitled "America The Vulnerable", by Stephen Flynn (Harper-Collins, 2004), and to hear his talk on the subject last evening at the Coast Guard Academy, to know that this is one shaft of a trident against the world-wide terrorism of this new century.  A second shaft must be America's demand that our multiple governmental agencies charged with home-land security coordinate their efforts into an effective whole, something that does not now exist   In this regard, President Bush has taken two important steps of designating an over-all chief of intelligence...and approving one who has budgetary powers over all the disparate elements.  The third shaft is, as Commander Flynn so aptly argues for, an entirely feasible hardening of our homeland targets: air, land, sea and domestic (water, energy sources, communication...).  That will also require this country to be able at all times to have knowledge of the one common denominator in the terrorist equasion: the human beings within its borders, those entering and those leaving.  Such a capability need not seriously limit our liberties and privacy.  What will clearly abrogate those liberties is an over-reaction by the people and the government to another tragedy, if such safe-guards are not in place.  ACLU, take note.  Remember the Japanese-Americans after Pearl Harbor, some German-Americans and Italian-Americans soon afterwards, the McCarthy era excesses in the late 1940's and early 1950's?  Such reactions are much more likely to happen again after our home land has been directly hit.  So, a vital part of the third shaft of this trident must be cooperation by all Americans in all of this...and more.  This is our life, for decades to come.  Remember the typing class practice sentence: NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL GOOD MEN TO COME TO THE AID OF THEIR COUNTRY.
• But then comes, on this day, the Editorial in The Day (theday.com, Opinion, pA6) entitled "Keep Some Things Sacred": "An occasion which should inspire solemn remembrance is instead being used as a political pawn to justify debatable policies....Good leadership is never based on fear".  Right.  But there is nothing more important to debate today than America's most effective response to the great dangers that face us...right here at home.  And good leadership is based, not on fear, but on reality - something in very short supply on the Democratic side of the debate.  My prediction for this election is that a strong majority of Americans will vote twice: once for George W. Bush; and once against John Kerry.  Sounds good to me!

FRIDAY, September 10, 2004

• What's going on in the Bush Campaign staff?  Is there someone there who is "kinder, gentler"...and stupider?  About ten days ago, President Bush was advised to "clarify"a perfectly honest and accurate reply that he had made to one of those "gotcha" questions by Matt Lauer regarding "winning" the war on terrorism.  (See a recent offering in this section).  Now, Dick Cheney is prompted to "clarify" a perfectly logical statement regarding another terrorist attack in America and the results of this Presidential election.  And that required Dr. Rice to "clarify" the clarification today on the Today Show; ie. John Kerry's stated approach to terrorist attacks, after the fact, will very likely result in more attacks than the pre-emptive self-defense strategy of President Bush.  It's not a question of "if" but when, how many, and how large.  So, whoever you are on the staff, you are not playing lawn tennis. Wise up!
• Talk about pre-emption.  President Putin seems to be awaking to the fact that he, too, has a dog in this fight against world-wide terrorism. The geography of Russia should make him a valuable ally...if our State Department doesn't re-ignite the Cold War with its mis-placed efforts to democratize a Russian territory; ie, Chechnya.  Will the right hand please tell the left hand what's going on in American foreign policy?
• The FDA.   We have known for a long time that the farm industry runs the Department of Agriculture, the airline industry has great influence in the FAA, some Indians run the BIA (to the detriment of their fellow Indians)...but the FDA?  More and more of their positions (or refusal to take a position) suggest that they are carrying water for the Pharmaceutical Industry, to the detriment of us all.  Of course, all this is made possible by the venality and sometime criminality of our fearless leaders in Congress.  But this connection would go too far.  The FDA is the first and last line of defense in our health care system.  We Americans must not tolerate corruption there.  Contact your "leader" on this subject.

WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY, September 8 and 9, 2004

• On the 7AM segment of the Today Show yesterday, Colin Powell and Madeline Albright were interviewed as the current and immediate past Secretaries of State.  Both had something to say and had their own points of view.  But Madam Albright was placed in front of a wall of Kerry posters.  Tacky.  And when she wasn't referring to apparently secret plans that John Kerry has for solving all our national problems, she was using her own word, "internationalize", that always gives me a queezy feeling.   Once again I say:

• Former President Carter on Zell Miller...Who cares?!
• More on the continuing saga of public education.   I have long said and written that the Education Profession is the only body of people working with human beings that is allowed to do raw research on human subjects...with terrible consequences during the last thirty years.  Now comes statistical research proof of that observation (Teaching Isn't Guided By Research, by Paul Clopton and Bill Evers, The Day, Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2004, Commentary, pA7).  "For example, a 1998 report to the California State Board of Education examined 8,727 published studies of mathematics education and found that only 110 met minimal validity criteria."  How is all this allowed to go on?  Choice, anyone?
• Great news about Viagra.  Now there may be another use for this vasodilator besides reviving organs that have been tolerized by the constant barrage from our sex-obsessed "culture".  A new medical report finds that Viagra may prevent or offset the symptoms and serious bodily effects of altitude sickness.  But wait.  There's a problem.  Now, mountain climbers may be able to "get it up", but may never get up there!

TUESDAY, September 7, 2004

The following is not, and is not intended to be, medical advice.  But, in view of the great and appropriate interest in former President Clinton' s current problem, the following are my personal procedures and goals.

• A blood pressure nearly always below 135/85.  Medications if necessary, long-term.
• No smoking, not even one at any time.
• Weight within 10% of optimal.
• Mild alcohol intake.  Substitutes are Welch's Grape Juice and/or dark chocolate, daily.
• Cholesterol / LDL levels below 200/100.  HDL, the higher the better (mainly hereditary).  Medications if necessary, long-term (ie. the "statins")
• Mediterranean Diet and Life-style.  More on that coming soon.
• Daily physical exercise, at least including brisk walking.
• Aspirin, 325 mg. daily.
• Folic Acid, 1 mg daily.
• Vitamin C, 500 mg. daily.
• Vitamin E, 200 units daily.
• Optimism / Spirituality.
• And Remember: THE FIRST RULE OF SERVICE IS SURVIVAL.

MONDAY, September 6, 2004

• One last word on the recent Republican National Convention.  Columnist John Foley seems to have enjoyed it as much as I did (see his vignettes in The Day today, Region, pB1).  I even had my son, David, there as an alternate delegate from Colorado.  And we all enjoyed Zell Miller's old time religion.
• Labor Day.   A day's honest work has always been valued, almost sanctified, from at least the times of the Bible.  Here are some random, personal thoughts on the subject, well known to our children.   1) "I fight poverty - I work!" 2) When you grow up, do what you really want to do. If that also pays the bills, wonderful.  If it doesn't...do what you really want to do - and drive a bus to pay the bills.  3)  There are three kinds of money: old money, new money...and enough money.  4) For many years, a worker in no trade, craft or profession has been able to rely merely on his early training and education (including post-graduate and doctoral degrees) to guarantee his or her relevance and employability in subsequent decades.  We must all keep adding to our market basket constantly with constant continuing education and re-training.  No one simply "deserves" a particular job, no matter how many of his family members held the same job.  The mantra of the marketplace is: "What have you done for me lately?"  5) To the extent that unions create collective bargaining strength, they are good.  To the extent that they protect seniority...and mediocrity...at the expense of meritocracy, they are bad. 6)The trade union movement would be well advised to avoid being taken for granted, as they and blacks are now taken for granted by the Democratic Party.   7)Something must be done, and Now, to provide all Americans with adequate and portable health insurance.  8)"Where Have All The Jobs Gone?" (The Day Editorial, today, Opinion, pA6).  This is a good articulation of the problem.  The solution lies in massive re-training and recruitment for an investment in America's infrastructure and future not seen since the initiatives of Great Depression.  Things like: re-designing our cities for their current needs and uses; resurrecting the domestic nuclear power industry as a vital alternative to our dependence on the crazies of the Middle East; designing a massive public works project to transfer excess water from the East and South to the shriveling West; etc.  9) Where do we get the money for all this?  Make sure that every individual and every corporation pays his fair share in taxes, something not at all true now; consolidate our resources in the U.S., not all over the world, as is now the case with our Military; put Federal Government on a fiscal diet, to the benefit of State and personal initiative; and Grow the Economy, world-wide, with firm and fair rules developed and enforced by our government and not by individual corporations for their own advantage.  All of this can and must be done, if America is to avoid entering into a prolonged and fatal decline not seen in a world power since the fall of Rome.  All of that is what this Labor Day should be about.

SATURDAY and SUNDAY, September 4 and 5, 2004

It's not difficult to sympathize with President Putin of Russia these days.  The most recent example of "Islamic" terrorism there evokes the same feelings as occurred on 9/11 here in America: sadness and rage.   Just picture a situation wherein either or both Mexico and Canada were hostile nations harboring and supporting terrorists plying their terrible violence in our border states with the aim of seizing those states.  That's what President Putin is faced with.  What do you think we would do?  Of course, the liberals would gladly give up Texas for a little peace.  But seriously, after trying to dissuade any foreign supporters by threat of direct action, we would invade and pursue a scorched earth policy reminiscent of Sherman's march to the sea.  That might or might not produce peace.  But it would produce control.  That, in addition to developing his own "homeland security" department, is likely what Putin will now do.  Is this a "war of civilizations"?  No.  Is it a war of conquest?  No.  But it surely is a war, and a war that will likely last a generation.    What's the alternative in the short term?  As Karl von Clausewitz said in the 19th century: "war is merely politics by other means".  Sad but true.  In the long term, whether now in Iraq or later throughout despotic lands of whatever "religion", the people will have to throw off their own yoke with politics of whatever means.

GS

FRIDAY, September 3, 2004

President Bush's acceptance speech: good substance, form and delivery.  He proposed several needed initiatives, including re-training of segments of our work force whose jobs have been eliminated through globalization.
And what did John Kerry have to say "at midnight"?  "I'm not going to have my commitment to defend this country questioned by those who refused to serve when they could have and by those who have misled the nation into Iraq."  Oh, yes you are, if that's all the desperate and untrue retort that you can come up with.

GS

THURSDAY, September 2, 2004

• Wow.  We were expecting "red meat", but someone must have told Zell Miller to "SUPER-SIZE ME!"  Even when read rather than heard (which was great), his speech was full of facts and obvious conclusions based on the facts of John Kerry's 20 year record as a U.S. Senator.  It wasn't "hate"; it wasn't "attack"; it wasn't "hell"; and it wasn't "personal".  The truth just sounded like that to the ultra-liberals.  And Dick Cheney wasn't so bad , either.
• When Matt Lauer asked the President recently, "Can we win it?" (the war on terror?), Mr. Bush was direct and honest: "I don't think you can win IT. (his emphasis).  But I think you can create conditions so that those who use terror as a tool are less acceptable in parts of the world."  By contrast, John Kerry answered the same question later that day with one word: "Absolutely"!  What hutzpa  from a man whose only revealed plan to date to deal with such problems has been to "consult with allies" and to depend on "sanctions".  Sound familiar?  So, the President did err later when he stepped back from his statement: "We meet today in a time of war for our country, a war we did not start, but one that we will win".  Senator McCain also commented that "it didn't need cleaning up...."  Wake up, folks.  In a world where "respected" and highly influential Muslim clerics (like Qaradawi in Egypt today) keep declaring fatwas against both civilians and soldiers aligned with America, look for honesty and committment...and not expediency and vacillation...in our national leaders.
• Saved by the Editorial.  I was dreading having to comment...yet again...on the disaster that is called Public Education, particularly in New London, CT.  I am not mean-spirited, but my comments on the subject over several years might be construed as such (see the relevant category on this web-site).  So, after being faced with the execrable results for New London High School student testing, I was relieved to read today's editorial in The Day (New London's Disgrace, Opinion, pA8)...although it does not go far enough.  Every grade level with such results should be left back to repeat that year...both students and teachers.  Serious consideration should be given to closing the High School and to transferring New London students to real schools.  And the State of Connecticut should be sued for its mis-handling of the Open Choice program, whether representing mis-feasance or mal-feasance.  We've come a long and disgraceful way since I ran for and served on the Board of Education in the 1960's under the banner: "Excellence In Our Education Industry".Choice, anyone?

WEDNESDAY, September 1, 2004

Some observations, so far, on the National Republican Convention:

• For those of use who sometimes complain about the RINO's, there is so much more to complain of in the Democratic world-view that a "Big Tent" for the Republicans does just fine.
• As an original New Yorker ( the Bronx), I get all warm and fuzzy when I hear a person like former Mayor Rudy Giuliani "tell it like it is".  What a difference a State makes (i.e., versus Massachusetts).
• A memorable comment, by actor Ron Silver, regarding  9/11: "We will never forget.  We will never forgive.  We will never excuse".
• Another memorable comment, by the wife of a passenger who died thwarting the plane over Pennsylvania: "His last words to me were 'we're gonna do something'.  So let us all "do something".
• Most of the liberal commentators (which means most commentators) are going to need professional physical therapy to get out of the pretzel - positions they have gotten themselves into trying to contort the convention stories to their ends.