The American Spectator : The Men on the Streets

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The Men on the Streets

By Jay D. Homnick on 2.15.10 @ 6:07AM

Why it's too late for the Obama crowd to try triangulation, strangulation, or any other gimmick.

There is a truly evocative scene in the Jewish tradition concerning the return home of the warriors of Gad and Reuben after the war to conquer Israel. The Bible describes the arrangement Moses made with the tribes of Gad and Reuben (Numbers 32:1-33, Deuteronomy 3:18-20). They could keep the two lands won in a defensive war on the Moabite plain if they would cross the Jordan River to fight alongside their brethren for the land of Israel. The verses in Joshua (1:12-18, 22:1-9) record that they kept to the bargain. However, their arrival back to their families is not depicted in the verse, only in the oral tradition later written as Midrash.

It took fourteen years to capture and settle the land. The men of Gad and Reuben headed back en masse, traveling like an army. Back inside their cities, the women and children saw an immense battalion converging on their territory. This odd society had few children below 14, but had many strong young warriors between 20 and 33, since only men over 20 had gone across the river to fight. Seeing an invading horde approach, they took up arms to confront. They marched directly into the face of the menace.

Suddenly one of the older group, sensing they were being greeted hotly not warmly, shouted: "We are your fathers!"

WHETHER THIS IS INTENDED literally, its underlying message is a poignant truth. When fathers are absent, the sons assume the protective role. When the father reappears he is inevitably undermined to a degree. Barack Obama and the Congressional Democrats would do well to take this lesson to heart.

Obama and company are assuming the downtrend in his fortunes may be remedied in ways tried by past Presidents and mostly true. Make some centrist noises, schedule encounters with the opposing party, issue some banal statements about bipartisanship, thus forcing the other side to look extreme if they persist in roundly rejecting the agenda. When Dick Morris guided President Clinton successfully in this direction, the technique was known as triangulation; when Howard Baker tried it with Ronald Reagan it was more like strangulation. It usually works more or less.

The difference this time is the people have exploded out of their ennui and become engaged, sensing the fate of their beloved country is on the line. Like the children of Gad and Reuben who would have preferred to have a childhood with a strong daddy at home, our citizenry would rather cast their quadrennial ballot and hibernate peacefully while Washington does its thing. Once we are roused to repair the breach, it is difficult for us to repair back to the beach.

The White House erred grievously in disparaging the Tea Party demonstrators as refugees from the fever swamp. Now ordinary people are feverishly swamping the Democrats from all sides. Independent voters have abandoned the Dems, leaving them with only the dependents. But more important than the willingness to vote against Democrat candidates to weaken the President is the sense of having arisen to take back the reins. The Scott Brown victory in particular was a case of a referendum masquerading as an election. At his celebration, the crowd did not chant, as might ordinarily be expected, "Scott! Scott!" Instead they chanted "Forty-one! Forty-one!" This was not to honor Tom Seaver, but to proclaim the death-knell of the health-care bill, amenable to sabotage by forty-one Senate naysayers.

Once the people have been awakened they won't be put back to sleep easily nor be counted as sheep. Republicans can occasionally govern if people are alert, if they embrace their principles of reasonableness, but Democrats never can. The governing coalition of the left is achieved by marrying the know-it-alls to the know-nothings. Once people start paying attention, Democrat politicians are forced to blockade themselves inside NPR. The left relies heavily on gonna-control and when the militia shows up they are thoroughly disarmed.

Incidentally, until recently deficits never excited the masses into revolt. It seemed too green-eyeshade a subject to take into account. No longer. Once Obama brought the word "trillion" into play, he became typecast as Mister T. When there are too many zeroes in Washington folks in the heartland become willing to get their digits dirty. Obama and the Democrats in Congress can no longer save themselves; the only ones who could still possibly pick them off the floor are… you guessed it, the Republicans. They don't believe in gun control and too often shoot themselves in the foot.

topics:
Triangulation, Deficits, Tea Party

About the Author

Jay D. Homnick, commentator and humorist, is a frequent contributor to The American Spectator. He also writes for Human Events. Here he performs his original composition, "Buy You (Bayou) a Drink".

Letter to the Editor View all comments (66) | Leave a comment

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 2.15.10 @ 7:15AM

Your article could go one step further and point out that Obama and his Kool Aid drinking minions have become the protectors in the absence of their political fathers: Stalin, Marx and Che Guevara.

The Obama faction reaches out to the Islamofacists and the collectivists factions worldwide. That is his style and that's why the nation is in revolt.

Alan Brooks| 2.15.10 @ 10:53PM

You're so impatient you can't wait 'til the midterms? Attention spans must be very short today.

Bottom-up dumbing down?

martin j smith| 2.15.10 @ 7:37AM

The people got it. And, over a year of lies is enough. Obama and the Democrat Left have no margin unless they pass legislation that is totally contrary to their current agenda. The likelyhood of this is zero--but stay tuned

WRTolkas| 2.15.10 @ 8:09AM

Gentlemen,

Firstly, I read American Spectator and the comments every morning. I have come to respect many writers who leave these comments.

The One will be speaking at the University of Michigan's commencement ceremonies. I do not know what the body of the speech will be; however I do know how the speech should end:

"And finally, I congratulate all of you fine engineers that have toiled for the last four to five years to earn your engineering degrees. Unfortunately, your parents, unions, state government, and federal government have had a hand in destroying any chance for you to find jobs in Michigan. So immediately upon the end of this commencement, buses and flights will be awaiting as you file out to transport you to other states for employment. Good luck and G_d's speed."

Regards,

WRTolkas

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 2.15.10 @ 8:18AM

What a concise and accurate rendering of the facts!

sdfsd| 2.15.10 @ 11:41AM

Was that God's speed?

WRTolkas| 2.15.10 @ 1:00PM

Dear sdfsd,

You are correct. I never write His name for fear of unknowingly disobeying the 3rd Commandment.

Thank you for asking,

WRTolkas

BackTo Basics| 2.15.10 @ 11:58PM

And a few million H1-B Visa people will be riding those buses and flights with you often getting preferential treatment over you, especially if you are a white male. Good luck again.

Marc Jeric| 2.16.10 @ 6:01PM

Must be added to this truth: "But if you join government employee union we will forgive your student loans!"
Equal protection under the laws? Forget it - we are all socialist now! So said Abu Hussein from Kenya, our Community Organizer-in-Chief.

Howard| 2.15.10 @ 8:36AM

I especially like the line about "know it all's" joined with "know nothings". Sadly, that has become the modern Democratic party. What once was a vibrant blend of Southerners, Blacks, Jews, labor, small business, farmers, and yes. academics. It is now a ragged crew of Blacks, academics, some Jews, trial lawyers, teachers unions, and Wall Street. The upper and lower strata is over represented; the Middle is missing.

Franklin| 2.15.10 @ 1:02PM

The progressives (uber left) have hijacked the DFL. That's why Obama can't get anything done (thank God).

If the real Democrats knew what was happening, they would kick the progressives out and let them create their own party.

Shhhh, don't tell them!

TomP| 2.15.10 @ 9:06AM

Obama - The tribe has spoken!

David Jack Smith| 2.15.10 @ 10:42AM

Tribe?

Isn't that a word associated with native peoples. I think that makes you a racist. Yep, I just checked with the Obama and his lumpen Marxetariat handbook.

I bet you drink tea too. That makes you a tea bagger.

Richard Baker| 2.15.10 @ 9:12AM

The day before his inauguration, I was telling my friends and family here in Florida that a year from then that the country would be howling. I hate that my prediction came true but there is great hope for the Restoration, a word I've seen written in the last 6 months. Liberty and Freedom are in our DNA regardless of the thugs who run the government. Sic Semper Tyrannis.

Ken (Old Texican)| 2.15.10 @ 9:27AM

Mr. Homnick, thanks.

I find myself looking forward to your columns, for the wit, as well as the simple reasonableness of your insights.
It is fun, learning neat historical tid-bits from you, but I was struck by "We are your fathers!"

We old farts do have a role to play. Over long lives, some of us have witnessed enough stupid, not to be fooled again.
A year ago, I was deeply discouraged. All around me people were grumbling, but not "locking and loading" and preparing for battle. I am thrilled to see the "militia" finally getting their stuff stacked, and their lines dressed.

Our sniper fire from all the surrounding woods is now beginning to tell, and it is becoming pretty cool to be a part of the effort.

These days, I am concerned by two things. First, I wonder just how desperate the communists, (pardon the shorthand), are going to get as we back them into retreat. (Gotterdamerung? (sp?)

Second, while our would-be governors are busy trying to wreck our country internally, a hostile world out there seems to be smelling a window of opportunity to hit us very hard in the flank.
Thoughts?

pugsley| 2.15.10 @ 10:41AM

Ken-I think the enemies of America know all they have to do is stand back and let the lawn jockey and his crew finish tumbling America off into a black hole of deficits. I wonder though, maybe about 6-7 years ago all you heard was stories of middle eastern looking men taking pictures of all sorts of high value targets here in the country. When confronted they would scatter in all directions never to be heard from again. That seems to have died down but what of the information that was gathered? I feel at the right time we will be hit from all sides, not just a few targets. Maximum damage and confusion will be the order of the day and from what we are seeing out of DC it wont take much to put this country into total gridlock. But I guess we can take comfort in the fact that Janet Napalatono is watching out for our best interests. I would say sarcasm off but I broke that switch about 15 years ago.

ontheright| 2.15.10 @ 11:23AM

Unfortunately I have a more dreadful view of today's events (past year). If the Nov 2010 elections don't repel the communists at the gate, I'm afraid we are doomed to be attacked - this attack, whether coordinated or one-offs - will be the "crisis" lynch pin that this administration will use to declare military rule within our own borders. I pray that this is not the case, but the administration has already made comments like, "...never let a crisis go to waste" - Rahm Emanuel. I for one, believe they, in the last throws of death's convulsions, would not hesitate to try to turn the military against its own people. My 2 cents. Lock & Load!

Franklin| 2.15.10 @ 1:15PM

"turn the military against its own people".

I have thought about that possibility for the last year. My belief is that the military is too smart for that - they know that their "Commander-in-Chief" hates them.

Remember Honduras?

We would see, rather than the military act against the people, a military coup (that’s pronounced ‘coo’, little o – the p is silent!).

The lowliest potato peeler in the military has more honor in their potato peeling pinkie than little o has in his entire body (no offence to potato peelers – my dad was one in WWII. He just had too much spunk!).

Warrior| 2.15.10 @ 1:39PM

Orders have to be lawful. Just because the Comannder in Chief issues an order does not mean the military will respond blindly.

MikeD| 2.15.10 @ 2:49PM

You show great wisdom and forethought. The obama thugs are just looking for any excuse to cry 'Martial Law'; but how many of our National guard, State Police, Sheriffs, and Regular Military would be willing to fire on their friends, families, and fellow citizens when they have all sworn, directly or indirectly, to defend the people and the Constitution of the United States?

I have lived a year of wondering just what the evil crowds in Washington, led by obama, reid, and pilosi are doing every night and weekend when they're not under scrutiny. These people have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that they do not give a damn about what the people really want. They must be either insane, or secure in the knowledge that their thuggish allies from ACORN AND SEIU have their backs covered through well planned vote fraud and theft. When combined with eric holder's convenient failure to prosecute the most glaring case of voter intimidation in modern history, the case for a stolen election gets stronger. Then, add in all the 'irregularities' from 2008 involving ACORN and the morons from hollywood who bought and paid for obama's 60th senate vote in alfrankendork, it gets more possible.

I hope and pray that I am dead wrong, but I can't understand how these supposedly intelligent and logical people would do what they're doing unless they were assured they couldn't lose. If obama and his thugs manage NOT to lose the House and Senate, THEN don't be surprised to see the guns and blood. If THAT happens, that's the spark obama will need to destroy everything in his gamble to involve the armed forces. Which way would they go? Politicians like obama, or friends and families? Worse, could ANYBODY have ever imagined even having a discussion like this in America?

BackToBasics| 2.16.10 @ 12:10AM

Unfortunately, I have imagined such a discussion. I've been calling Democrats the Communist Party for 35 years. And the Republicans did not have enough stomach to fight them off. If left unbridled and largely unchecked, human nature in a society sinks lower and lower until you've got what we have today - and it can go lower still. Let's hope enough people wake up to stop it and give the society in America the strong medicine it needs. If we don't the medicine will be forced upon us first through civil war and then possibly by the Chinese or Islamofacists if we are weakened enough.

SoCon| 2.16.10 @ 4:43AM

Google "Oath Keepers"--Guardians of the Republic.

This rapidly growing organization is comprised of men and women in the military, (active and retired), civilian police officers, reserves and National Guard who took an oath to defend the Constitution from all enemies, FOREIGN and DOMESTIC--and they meant it.

Our military will not turn on us--and Obama knows it.

Thank God for American patriots!

A. C. Santore| 2.15.10 @ 10:02AM

Marcus Aurelius wrote that there is nothing more hateful than the fake friendship of the wolf for the lambs.

This time, the lambs have it figured out and will not be first fleeced and then devoured, but will instead drive the wolf pack out of their D.C. den.

And good riddance!

Dave| 2.15.10 @ 10:34AM

On the eve of the election when Obama's victory seemed assured, I told a friend of mine that in a year we would know that we had elected the wrong man. In two years, we would be desperately trying to get rid of him.
If anything, my timetable was too conservative.
That said, how do we get rid of a President before the end of his term, or at least completely neutralize him?

Everly Waverly| 2.15.10 @ 11:42AM

Neutralize him, maybe the next election will do it, although it's still along ways away.

This is harsh, but my solution would be for a unilateral military decision to declare Marshall Law. Example: One early morning a troop of MP's march up the White House drive, inform all security to stand down, the White House detail would probably be hoping for this action. This troop would be followed by a sufficient number of moving vans. The commanding officer in charge of this detail would inform the upstairs occupants that they had an hour to gather-up enough belongings to hold them over until they reach their chosen destination, Chicago maybe. Loading of the vans with all personal household goods would be done and shipped immediately.

A Commanding General would take charge of the United States, mind you temporarily. Elections would be held at the next even year, although if that year didn't fall in such a way as to allow a decent interval, allowing time to select competent candidates, the next even year would be chosen.

Okay, I'm dreaming, this will never happen, but I continue to dream this nightmare will end.

Let'r rip...Gentlemen start your outrage!!!

cnewman| 2.16.10 @ 3:54PM

When you consider that the honest candidate must win by a significant margin to overcome fraud and 1994 happened anyway; I find myself dreaming of no Demonrats being elected anywhere to anything. Then those with un-expired terms resign in frustration and are replaced, creating veto proof majorities in the House and Senate. His majesty and Joe could (and likely would) then resign allowing the new speaker to become president. Yeah, I know it's unlikely.

martin j smith| 2.15.10 @ 10:37AM

The relevance of the Republican Party in our political system as a party of opposition will soon be clear. If mainstream Republicans want to be relevant they have two choices: The Rino way or the Conservative way. Guess which one will make them relevant at least for this writer.

Jocon307| 2.15.10 @ 11:31AM

"The governing coalition of the left is achieved by marrying the know-it-alls to the know-nothings."

I found some of the phrasing in this piece too cute by half, but this statement is spot on.

Yves Bauer| 2.15.10 @ 11:40AM

The people who call Obama a Marxist are first of all ignorant, and if they understood anything of Marxism would see that no comparison would stand up to any analytical vigour. Continue to write your hate filled commentaries here. You are useless to society anyways.

sdfsd| 2.15.10 @ 11:50AM

A bit testy this morning..... ignorant, hate, useless?

Just leave us alone here, we'll try to muddle through somehow.

Simon Templar| 2.15.10 @ 12:22PM

Analytical vigor? Your comment like many of your liberal progressive brethren appears as if it was generated by a template lacking in any analytical depth, originalty, or intellectual honesty. The claims that he is a liberal progressive with Marxist sympathy and socialist political understanding is so well documented, it is ridiculous to suggest that he is not. His own writing, past associations, education, training, mentors,and previous work experience as a Saul Alinsky inspired organizer leaves no doubt about what he believes and what his worldview is. He has appointed self avowed communist to government positions. Please stop with the hate accusations..it is old, tiring, boring, stupid, lame.....typical liberal lying and self projection.

yves Bauer| 2.15.10 @ 1:13PM

Give some links and I will read your sources. Please no KKK or other garbage websites. Academic sources would be the most appropriate. Oh wait, that might be hard to find :x

Ray| 2.15.10 @ 1:52PM

And where are your links, specifically the ones that show that commentaries like these are "hate-filled? and that Conservatives are "useless to society?" Academic sources would be the most appropriate.

Ken (Old Texican)| 2.15.10 @ 3:32PM

yves,
The only link you need is to me.
http://judgeroy.wordpress.com

PS: I have never called Obama and crew "marxists".
I have only called them communists, (pardon the shorthand.)
The only "link" we need is the youtube segment where O talks about spreading the wealth around and the one where he talks about his desire to change the constitution to a "living document" wherein he steals my earnings and hands them to ghetto dwellers.

..."links" my red arse. You and I could swap "links" all day.
You sir need a raise. Soros should pay you more.

Simon Templar| 2.15.10 @ 12:05PM

Obama and the Democrats in Congress can no longer save themselves...
Really? Ok, here is the reality..the remaining unspent stimulus monies will be flooding the economy via politically manipulative democratic party legislation in the next 8 months to assure Dem victory in November 2010 elections. Why do you suppose they been holding unto it? Please remember that this is straight out of their playbook and they did the same in 1934. My advice is that we do not get cocky and so self assured..they still control the media, universities, the schools, most of the economy, and hollywood. To suggest that this fight is over and they can no longer save themselves is ridiculous.

BackToBasics| 2.16.10 @ 12:21AM

I agree and if the Republicans take control of congress and Obama signs off on their slightly left of center bills (when way right of center is needed) it may make him suddenly seem "reasonable" and may save him in 2010 just as the Republican Congress saved Bill Clinton in 1996 when he "triangilated" with the new Congress.

Publius | 2.15.10 @ 12:21PM

Hey sdfsd,
Yves is probably from Montreal and many Canadians are experts at telling us how to run our country. Sure he's testy. He couldn't make it to the Olmypics to destroy property because his '67 Volkwagen minibus broke down.

Yves Bauer| 2.15.10 @ 1:45PM

Publius, you are correct I am Canadian. No I am not telling you how to run your country. We in Canada laugh at individuals like you because of your backward views. Here in Canada, we have health care. I do not care what you think, the health care system here works perfectly. If somebody needs medical care, they get it. No need to call the insurance to see if it will be covered. Here preexisting conditions do not bar you from care. In fact it is encouraged to disclose them so individuals can be treated more appropriately. Our banks, are the only ones in the Western world which did not need a bailout. Here all individuals are equal under the law and receive the same rights. Here gays can marry and serve in the military, our country is still standing. No we do not live in igloos, and we have functioning cars. Our HDI is higher than that of the United States.
The biggest problem of the United States is that people are afraid of change. But more fundamentally, Americans think that they are the best- they have the best country in the world. I am not saying that you are not the best country in the world, but that blind belief prevents Americans from moving forward. Hearing Americans say they have the best health care system in the world is a joke. Millions are uninsured. Yes, the United States might have the best medical facilities in the world for treating illnesses such as cancer, but the fundamental problem is that level of care is not offered to EVERYONE. Only a select few. If you can pay, you do indeed get the best care in the world. Canada may not be perfect, but we are content with what we have. Our country is not crawling into debt. Do not chide Canadians, and in turn I am not making fun of Americans. In fact, we are neighbours and we should treat each other like it. We can both learn from our mistakes and imperfections and seek to create a better way of life in both our countries. What kills me is that you say Obama is a socialist, because he wants to bring health care to all in the United States! How is that socialist? Obama wants to redistribute the wealth? Bush, gave tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans, but let the middle class rot. If we in Canada or in Europe are deemed socialists, then that is fine. We are happy in our countries, and we can only hope that the United States can get beyond partisan divides and seek to create a better union. Ask most Americans who come to Canada, and they will tell you that they like our "socialist system". People here can make a decent living, get health care and a social safety net, children can go to universities without accumulating an unimaginable amount of debt (on that note Europe is much better, why is that Canada and the United States cannot offer our children a decent education without having to fork out incredible sums of money. Excellent universities in Europe only cost 1300 euros). Moreover, I hope we can get over our differences and make a better future for both the United States and Canada. As John F. Kennedy once said: "Geography has made us neighbors. History has made us friends."

MikeD| 2.15.10 @ 3:13PM

Yves,

You Canadians may observe all you want, but, one thing you alleged is correct: It's not your fight; butt out! Why is it that your citizens who can afford to do so come to the U.S. for medical treatment? Next: Please don't make unqualified statements using unquantitative numbers, like "millions'. Next: Like the Europeans, you Canadians got a 'free ride' through the Cold War as we paid for your defense. You paid for all those neat satellite weather images, or GPS satellites and technology? We did. Frankly, all my Canadian friends are wonderful people, and the military personnel I've worked with from Canada were also first class. But, a liberal's a liberal; and you have nothing to offer. You probably never served in the Military. Most likely, you're a civil servant; maybe even a school teacher. And, you probably think obama's just wonderful. If so, GREAT! You can have him; we do not want him or his thugs ruining our Country.

We have no 'healthcare crisis' that wasn't either contrived or easily solved by a few 'tweaks' to our insurance regulations concerning interstate sale of insurance policies. The number of 'uninsured' changes constantly, from 47 million to 16 million. The truth is that most of the uninsured are composed of two classes: Those who thing they're invulnerable because they're young, and illegal aliens.

Regarding 'redistribution of wealth', that is a total misnomer. It's called STEALING! But, it wouldn't be a huge stretch to call all the dollars we've spent on YOUR defense over the years as the same 'redistribution' since it was tax money that WE paid to protect YOU.

Your comment about the Bush tax cuts clearly demonstrates your stupidity, or indoctrination, which is interchangable. Only 49% of Americans pay taxes now, and that number is decreasing because obama and his democrap buddies will buy more votes by removing more people from the tax rolls. Democrats/liberals know so little about economics that they seem to think there's a golden goose out there laying golden eggs to pay for all the non-working voters. Profits are not a dirty word; without them, the government can't grab their taxes. Under Bush, the unemployment AVERAGED 5.2%, roughly half what it is under the 'messiah'. And, tax revenues were the highest in history. Check it out. By the way, under the 'messiah', our unemployment rate is closer to 17.4%, and, among Blacks, it's closer to 23.4%. How's that 'hopey-changey thing working out?

I've worked in 78 countries and lived in seven. I'm just as happy here. Europe can have their 5 weeks of vacation and their standard of living because they are not paying for their own defense. But, we're out of money. The rest of the world will have to learn how to get along without us. Countries like Haiti and Indonesia can look to Canada and Europe for the 'heavy' lifting when disaster strikes. We won't send our aircraft carriers, helicopters and medics to help. Enjoy!

stmichrick| 2.15.10 @ 3:34PM

Yves;
I can't figure out whether you like the socialist label or not. On the one hand you ridicule those who use it as a perjorative but then you seem to revel in its benefits.
Why do you think that living in a system that has benefited indirectly by the security umbrella and technological advancements of your more capitalist neighbor to the south is more enlightened ('progressive') than those who have absorbed most of the cost of providing these advantages?

Your characterization of Americans being afraid of change is a naive way of observing that many in America have a problem with cultivating more of a system whose primary appeal seems to be having 'others' pay for the hardships of life.

Newsflash to Yves: Giving tax breaks to 'the rich' is a disguise for incentivizing the middle and investor class to invest in business for the purpose of growing private wealth, which is the greatest spreader of that around.

wwwexler| 2.16.10 @ 4:49AM

Yeah, Canadian health care is so great their political leaders run to the US to have difficult operations.

Don't hit your head skiing, Yves, you'll end up in the morgue just like poor Natasha Richardson.

Leftist clown.

Ken (Old Texican)| 2.15.10 @ 12:32PM

Hi Simon.
I'm certainly not getting cocky. (see my comment above.)
On the other hand, our tea party folks here in Texas have swamped the Republican Straw polls with crackerjack candidates.

Several other States are doing the same thing, notably Ohio and Penn. and Florida and Virginia.

"Martial" law is the term...miss-spelled above, Is a real possibility
A national "business strike" might be the only defense.
I am preparing for a genuine constitutional crisis in that event. it is what I described with the probably miss-spelled "gotterdamerung" which means, (sorta) "bring it all down if necessary for the Reich".

sinanju| 2.15.10 @ 12:51PM

Personally, I am certain that Obama would love to have another major terrorist attack as his "Reichstag Fire moment" for him to demand emergency powers from Congress. Unfortunately for him that window has slammed. Considering his administration's embarrassing incompetence in the handling of Maj. Hasan, the underwear bomber, Gitmo, KSM's trial... the whole ball of wax, I'm certain that another 9/11 now would be the perfect excuse for Congress to initiate U.S. history's fastest ever impeachment--with the desperate democrats leading the way--it would be a golden opportunity for them to spectacularly defenestrate Obama BEFORE the November reckoning and perhaps save their careers.

cnewman| 2.16.10 @ 4:12PM

No, they would rather send Nancy to the Terrorists to negotiate surrender terms.
If it weren't so dangerous for the country it would be funny watching them play Russian Roulette with all the cambers loaded.

cnewman| 2.16.10 @ 4:14PM

oops1 that's chambers.

saleboter| 2.15.10 @ 12:53PM

I can't believe the demos have gone this totaly politically tone deaf.

BackToBasics| 2.16.10 @ 12:42AM

The foundation stones of Democrats and Communists foundation are built mostly on two things, envy and hatred of Christianity. The envy is real but it is also the tool they use the most to divide and conquer the society. The Christianity hatred is more complex but envy and a hatred for a God who allows inequalities and differences in abilities and whose existence also puts an "unwanted" check on sin factors in here. I used to argue with a family member about politics. When I pointed out that she hated Republicans for certain things but praised Democrats even if they did the exact same things it did not matter to her. So, I finally told her that the real reason why she hated the Republicans was that what she really hated is that they still had too many vestiges of Christianity remaining and that this is really what bothered her. For the first time, she was quiet and did not argue with me. And yet it did not matter to her that I called her out on it. She continues to this day with the same biases and views. So, I do not believe they are tone deaf. I believe they think their time has come to take total control and this will also include another attempt to eradicate Christianity or render it totally bxed up and ineffective if they remain unchecked for another 10 years or so.

westcoast barbie| 2.15.10 @ 3:25PM

Mr. Bauer:

Where to start.

While not everyone here in the US is covered by insurance, no one is denied medical care.

Taxes? Why is it that the talking point is always "Bush gave tax cut to the rich." In this country, they're the only ones paying nearly all of the taxes, and a percentage tax cut is the only fair way to do it.

Socialization of our country? Takeover of the auto industry, financial institutions, and, they hope the health industry. That takeover would have nothing to do with health care, but more power in their hands. With cap 'n trade, the power usurpation would be complete. There would be no area of our lives that woudn't be controlled from DC.

And higher ed? Europe, and you folks for that matter, have been living in security provided by our military and dollars, allowing for that warm blanket you call the welfare state. Money is available for all those wonderful things you expect the government to provide for you.

A better country here would be a return to the virtues that made this country the freest -- and most charitable, to those here and around the world -- on God's green earth.

Ron Holt| 2.15.10 @ 3:32PM

Your point about sons undermining returned fathers is contradicted by The Odyssey. Telemachus needs his father to save Penelope (he cannot) and teach him the art of manhood--soldierly prowess and how to love a woman.

martin j smith| 2.15.10 @ 3:34PM

yves baur is a troll--he can be bulgarian as far as i am concerned. his use of language gives him away.
don't spend too much of your time trying to "reason" with yves baur or whoever s/he really is.

Mark James| 2.15.10 @ 4:01PM

I love the way this Canadian "expert" on healthcare leaves out the part of their system that is a joke, like the fact there are more MRI machines in Chicago then in all of Canada. Secondly it's only "free" if you are not a taxpayer, and thirdly if it's so wonderful why are they cutting availability to cancer medicines and eliminating many costly procedures so they don't go broke. The propagandist tome that we have to call our insurance to see if we are covered is also nonsense. In Canada many of the procedures aren't available at all.

My liver transplant (hepatitis in service during 'Nam) required 2 hrs to have authorized, 3 months to find a donor and now I am going to live another 20-30 years. The insurance ponied up $320K and didn't bitch once. Glad I wasn't in Canada where I would have died before even getting to see a specialist.

darcy| 2.15.10 @ 4:45PM

The know-it-all dems are self-destructing and will succeed in their effort if the crony capitalist republicans don't rescue them.

This is why it is imperative that the McCainalytes be defeated and conservative "restorationists" spend the next nine months making life a living nightmare for RINOs.

Well written piece, Mr. Homnick.

Jay D. Homnick| 2.15.10 @ 4:53PM

Mister Holt,

Note I said "to a degree." I believe the Midrash is trying to make this very point in this tableau, that the youngsters are insecure to an extent, overreacting, overreaching, because of not having the father to guide them through the transition to adult responsibility.

It would then be implied that a new series of challenges sets in, probably with varied results from household to household. Some fathers might succeed in reestablishing their educational role; some children might succeed in reopening themselves to acceptance of the filial role in receiving wisdom for life. The story leaves that drama deliberately open.

Without a doubt, returning warriors of today, even with less than fourteen years away, can testify to these tensions greeting their readmission into the family structure. (None of which is the point of my article; I am merely responding to the tangential point you raise.)

Richard Baker| 2.15.10 @ 5:22PM

Franklin:
The concept of Civil control of the military is very strong in our services. I believe our military got the importance of that concept from General Washington. My dad was career Army from '48-'68 and he didn't vote in an election until he had retired as he said it wasn't right to vote for the Commander-in-Chief. This used to be a very strong preference among career military. Our troops still receive the lessons that the Oath is to the Constitution and the Country and not to a specific person. I do not worry about a "Seven Days in May" scenario.

Long Ben| 2.15.10 @ 7:39PM

Kudos to Mr. Jay. as droll as he was right on.

Gazinya| 2.15.10 @ 8:55PM

The waves of economic and social horrors sweep up like tsuinamis. But what I fear much more than conservatives or even born-again dems losing the focus is the RNC. The article so accurately states. Repubs have a history of ripping defeat from the jaws of victory. The RNC has to be totally shaken if this movement is to be 'bug' free. Get rid of the RINOs that run the RNC. Maybe Mrs. Palin could be the RNC chair. She supports the platform as do the majority of conservatives. It is just that those RINOs that have made their bones in the Repub party are so far removed from what WE THE PEOPLE are going through they still think we vote for the letter next to the name and not the character.

dan| 2.15.10 @ 9:04PM

I want to pose a challenge to all readers of this comment. Go to http://mittromneycentral.com/r.....greatness/ and listen to some of the clips from Mitt’s upcoming book. Once you have listened to a clip or two, then tell me how Mitt Romney wouldn’t be 100x better than Obama.

As a side note, just wait to see how little media attention the left gives Mitt’s book compared to Sarah’s. Mitt’s entire book and even name is an attack on liberalism and progressism, but I’m willing to bed the lefties will try to sweep it under the rug because they don’t want people to hear what Mitt has to say. Mitt articulately and intelligently rips them to shreds and he scares them to death. The left’s best hope is for Mitt to lose the GOP nomination in 2012.

wwwexler| 2.16.10 @ 4:54AM

Romney's a two-faced RINO responsible for the disastrous RomneyCare in Mass. He's a political weathervane. I'm tired of smiley faced politicians who'll do ANYTHING to get elected.

Give us a break.

Austin Scott| 2.15.10 @ 9:42PM

To "shoot oneself in the foot" means (despite the common misperception) "to injure oneself deliberately in order to avoid engaging in battle" not "to injure oneself through ineptitude". Other than that, a good article.

Richard Baker| 2.15.10 @ 10:08PM

yves Bauer:
You mean Ph.D's like the climate change frauds or the revisionist historians? Since you're from Quebec, why don't you just take your whiney French selves and secede from Canada and give the rest of the country some rest from your interminable complaining? Wolfe defeated Montcalm or hadn't you heard? The French and Indian War didn't go your way. So sorry.

PCC| 2.16.10 @ 3:05AM

What would be the state of the Democratic party if Obama had delivered Chris Christie's speech to the Congress instead of his insipid State of the Union text?

Just a thought.

wwwexler| 2.16.10 @ 4:56AM

Obama couldn't--he doesn't have it in him.

doug behrman| 2.18.10 @ 11:51AM

Excellent piece-as usual

izzzmeister| 2.18.10 @ 4:51PM

Almost 2 years ago to the day, Michelle O said:
"Barack Obama will require you to work. He is going to demand that you shed your cynicism. That you put down your divisions. That you come out of your isolation, that you move out of your comfort zones. That you push yourselves to be better. And that you engage. Barack will never allow you to go back to your lives as usual, uninvolved, uninformed."
He did get us engaged and involved - but in a way that might not be his cup of Tea.
The Executive Order blitz - from a fierce opponent of them on the campaign trail - begins NOW!

Alicevivi| 3.2.10 @ 1:25AM

Here are many Chinese special products sold online, you can choose them for your friend as the Birthday present or send to your parents. They must feel very surprise.