Streetcar Line
Good Happenings on the Right
A hodgepodge of encouraging signs.
It is good news when so much positive energy is being generated on the right that there isn't time or space to do justice to the examples. Forgive, then, the brevity of each item of this roundup, but don't hesitate to jump in and help if any of these endeavors impresses you.
First, consider the Contract From America. Yes, from America, not with America. That older Contract with America served its purpose in 1994 and will not be duplicated. Instead, the new Contract From America takes advantage of new technology to create a "collaborative grassroots effort to create a document that offers real change in Washington D.C. and the state capitals." This isn't just "viral marketing," it's viral policy creation. The only thing imposed from above is the Preamble -- and it's a good one. I love the part in the first sentence that says a new contract is needed "in order to protect our country from those who seek power and authoritarian control under the false guise of compassion and altruism." And yes, it certainly is a false guise that today's left is wearing. Anyway, the three short parts of the Preamble pledge fealty to individual liberty, limited government, and economic freedom. In a nutshell, that's what modern conservatism -- otherwise known as classical liberalism -- is all about.
All of the programmatic details of the new Contract are to be worked out by the thousands upon thousands (the organizers hope) of participants across the nation.
Do take a look. It's a great idea.
Second, consider the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity. To quote liberally from its mission statement, the Franklin Center sponsors "programs that promote journalism and the education of the public about corruption, incompetence, fraud, or taxpayer abuse by elected officials at all levels of government. The Franklin Center will accomplish these goals by networking and training independent investigative reporters, as well as journalists from state based news organizations, public-policy institutions & watchdog groups." The Center just went public about a month ago. It helps put donors together with local investigative reporters and news bureaus. The idea is, of course, to shine a light on government corruption and waste -- you know, the things that traditional newspapers already are supposed to do, but somehow miss because they get co-opted either by power elites or by their own ideological blinders.
Of course, the Center's grantees will break basic political news too. For instance, in Nevada, the Franklin-backed Nevada News Bureau broke the story that a Republican former state senator named Joe Heck, who had been running for governor, instead would switch gears and run for Congress against incumbent Democrat Dina Titus.
Eventually, if the Franklin grantees break the news, other news organizations will be forced to report the news as well. But they won't be able to put the original liberal spin on the news that heretofore has so often been the province of whatever news-organization behemoth first airs or publishes the report. The early bird defines the worm. In more and more places, the Franklin Center will be that early bird -- thank goodness.
Third, consider the plethora -- a growing plethora, if a plethora can grow -- of conservative websites and blogs that do a better and better job of spreading truth and wisdom far and wide. There is no way, of course, to list them all, and I hesitate to list any for fear of offending some people by leaving them out. All I can do is to promise to make amends later for sins by omission -- but here are some ones I've stumbled on recently that impress me. Robert Belvedere has Camp of the Saints. Jeff Perren and Michael Moeller have Shaving Leviathan. My friend Bob Jones IV has The Shrinking Cleric. Jerry Kane has The Millstone Diaries. The Wanderer is anything but new, but I include it because writer Dexter Duggan has been incredibly thoughtful and merits a wider audience. James Kidd runs PublicSquare.net, which features thought-provoking, extended debates. And while Jewish World Review has been around for years, I and many other conservative writers owe a great debt of gratitude to its proprietor, Binyamin L. Jolkovsky, who has been serving constructive conservatism so well for so long.
Finally, for now, a little advertisement for some colleagues at the Washington Times. The Water Cooler and The Conservatives.com are two blogs there that are breaking news and doing great stuff.
There: That's enough for now. I'll try to update this list in the future, many times. Obviously, a number of conservative websites are already well established, and I shied away from most of those here. But I just think it's time to start acknowledging new talent coming along, or to thank some who I haven't adequately thanked. Mutual support among conservatives is essential for the movement, and the cause.
About the Author
Quin Hillyer is a senior editor of The American Spectator and a senior fellow at the Center for Individual Freedom.
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Binyamin L. Jolkovsky| 10.15.09 @ 6:29AM
To get me speechless ain't easy. Just ask anybody who sits next to me in synagogue. (The rest of the time I'm sitting here at the keyboard). But you have definitely managed to do so.
At 6:20 am, just as I was finishing up working through the night to get today's issue out, I received a "Google alert" with "Jolkovsky" as the subject. It lead me here
All I can say is that I'm truly touched. And, of course, thank you!
Big Leo| 10.15.09 @ 7:11PM
Been following JWR for years. Keep up the great work! G*d Bless!
Melvin| 10.15.09 @ 7:15AM
I read a speech by Oliver Cromwell to the Long Parliament and adapted it to present day. All elected officials should read this Democrat and Republican alike.
It is high time for this Country to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonored by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practice of every vice; you are a factious crew, and enemies to all good government; you are a pack of mercenary wretches, and would like Madoff sell your country for a Ponzi scheme, and like Judas betray your fellow Americans for a few pieces of gold.
Is there a single virtue now remaining amongst you? Is there one vice you do not possess? You have no more honor than a common thief; power, and corruption is your God; which of you have not bartered you conscience for bribes? Is there a man or woman amongst you that has the least care for the good of the Country?
You sordid prostitutes have you not defiled this sacred place and turned our nation's Capitol into a den of thieves, by your immoral principles and wicked practices? You grown intolerably odious to the whole nation; you were elected here by the people to get grievance redressed, are yourselves gone! So! Take away that shining city on a hill and lock the doors. In the name of God, go!
Paddy O'| 10.15.09 @ 8:20AM
Did Cromwell say this before or after he began slaughtering the Catholics of England and Ireland?
Louis Jenkins| 10.15.09 @ 8:35AM
Melvin:
That about sums it up. But, dear Paddy O', it ain't the Catholics that are fixing to be slaughtered by Cromwell this time around. It's the United States that is going to the chopping block. I'm sure our heads will look just fine mounted high on spikes for the UN to see. Hope our hair doesn't get mussed up.
Al Adab| 10.15.09 @ 2:45PM
The obvious point here is this: If we are to avoid and off with their heads civil war in this country we must restore Constitutional government and PDQ. The alternatives to restoration are anathema. If we fail, future generations will curse us as a new dark age descends on this world.
Howard| 10.15.09 @ 9:37AM
I'm excited that many good things are starting to brew for conservatives. We need it!!. Also, a quick endorsement of Mr. Jolkovsky, who commented above. He produces a very nice recap of conservative columnists, cultural pieces, and Jewish articles. By no means is the site for Jews only. Any good conservative or realistic moderate leaning person will enjoy this site. http://jewishworldreview.com/
Ken (Old Texican)| 10.15.09 @ 9:43AM
Thanks Melvin
I have a shorter speech to congress:
YOU'RE ALL FIRED!
Unless you personally convince me you are on the side of "we the people".
Lynda Boots| 10.16.09 @ 11:14AM
Right on! Be a mighty small group left.
Pingback| 10.15.09 @ 10:40AM
Twitter Trackbacks for The American Spectator : Good Happenings on the Right [specta links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Bob Belvedere| 10.15.09 @ 12:39PM
Like Mr. Jolkovshy, I too, Quin, have been rendered speechless. Thank you for the kind words. Since I entered the blogosphere about a year-and-a-half ago, you and Stacy McCain have provided me the encouragement to keep on keeping on. I owe you a debt which I can never pay for your generosity, fellowship, encouragement, and kindness. Thank you.
The Battle Rages On...
SandyC| 10.15.09 @ 12:58PM
supra shoes- Shouldn't you be contacting the site owners, and purchasing advertising, rather than looking for free advertising in a comment section?
SandyC| 10.15.09 @ 12:53PM
Thank you Mr. Hillyer- I appreciate your positive article concerning the Conservative movement. Seeing some hope goes a long way in getting more involved to take our country back. To constantly read just what a pickle we are in, and the constant dire warnings, may be good in some cases with making people angry enough to get involved, however, there must be some good and positive reports as well. I am tired of living in a constant state of fear, and can escape that feeling, even momentarily, when I read about the growing successes of the vast right wing MOB.
Pingback| 10.15.09 @ 1:48PM
Conservative Support Is Essential for Success « THE MILLSTONE DIARIES links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 10.15.09 @ 1:49PM
Dodgeblogium » Am. Spec. on Contract from America links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Jerry A. Kane| 10.15.09 @ 1:58PM
Quin,
You’re most generous. I truly appreciate your endorsement for the cause. It’s encouraging news that people in fight need to hear. Thanks for spending your energy and time to write such an inspiring piece.
Mark| 10.15.09 @ 4:19PM
Time to get the politicians to support a platform FROM the people, not the other way around. Contract FROM America is a concept whose time has definitely come! Way to go Tea Party Patriots for sponsoring this initiative. Truly grass roots!
Jeff Perren| 10.15.09 @ 6:19PM
Though I don't label myself a conservative - or any other widely recognized persuasion - I'm immensely grateful to Mr. Hillyer for the mention.
There are few compliments higher than to be honored by someone you admire, and the higher the admiration the greater the compliment.
This is one to treasure.
Simon Templar| 10.16.09 @ 2:36AM
You failed to mention Big Hollywood, PJTV, and NewsBusters. Lets not forget how much Fox News has grown over the past year as well. Yes, this is all a good start but just a beginning. Conservatives must take back the cultural institutions that shape the minds and memories of the electorate from the schools to the universities to the entertainment industry. If we do not begin making a significant presence there we will loose this civilization to the ignorant and the barbarians.
Louis Ruhl| 10.16.09 @ 10:41AM
In the Contract From America one of the provisions should be that before the Dept. of Edu. gets a penny in it's budget that any school or school district that receives federal funds must have as part of it's curriculum the teaching of the
founding of the United States and the Constitution of the United States of America. We seem to have enough teaching of Marx, Mao, Che, Castro and Mohammad not to mention introduction to the Gay and Lesbian agenda.
Tenn Slim| 10.18.09 @ 10:21AM
FINALLY. I was getting key board cramp sending and rxing desparate e mails. NOW, I can send some POSITIVE news. HOO RAH
Semper FI
end
Pingback| 2.1.10 @ 7:29PM
Good Happenings on the Right links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
www.us-bapeoutlet.com| 4.5.10 @ 9:48PM
www.us-bapeoutlet.com
Nathan| 5.21.10 @ 1:38PM
Just for the record, Jerry Kane and his son were the two men who killed 2 West Memphis Policeman yesterday.... Thoughts?