The American Spectator

The wages of the media not vetting an unknown presidential candidate is Obama.
— James

BAD POLITICS, BAD MOVIES
Re: Robert P. Kirchhoefer’s Hugo Boss:

The only thing that makes sense is that Chavez bad-mouthed our president in our country, and these latter-day hippies, some of whom worshipped Manson, love “a cause.” Aside from that, these overpaid, under-talented trolls, whose only ideas for films these days seem to be comic-book heroes, need to be considered for the frauds they truly are, and not seeing their sub-standard movies, is a good start. I recommend foreign films, many of which actually have a theme, and are well-acted to boot! I don’t think the American version of Girl With the Dragon Tattoo with Brad Pitt as a Swedish journalist, will come close to the Swedish film.
— Bob Mandraccia

POWER OF NEGOTIATION
Re: Ben Stein’s Our Caudillo President:

“Of course, every President tries “jawboning” to restrain steel company price increases or something similar..”

Not every action requires a law, or government intervention. That’s the power of negotiation for voluntary cooperation toward a common, win-win objective. Win for BP: concerns are allayed that, when it stops making business sense for BP to continue spending money on the project, it will just cash in its chips and go home. BP gets to demonstrate its commitment to doing right by those damaged by the spill. Win for the public: There will be enough money, administered by an independent party, to pay claims of damages. In the long run, BP’s decisions are good for all but those of its investors interested in short term gains.
— Jim

As usual, Mr. Stein cuts through the emotional fog of an issue and sees the long-term Constitutional consequences of political imprudence and folly. What has happened to adherence to the Constitution? It is not a document from which one can selectively cherry-pick or ignore as it suits one’s whims. It applies to all in all cases and for all time.

I hear and see both liberals and conservatives applauding Obama’s shakedown of BP, and with BP transferring assets, it might prove the only way to protect Gulf environs’ chances for timely compensation, but Obama’s rapid fire extra-constitutional actions are frightening. I would rather see the Gulf of Mexico turned into a sludge pond than see the Constitution destroyed.
— Mike Steele
Midway, Georgia

BLISS
Re: Ron Ross’s Ignorance Is Liberal Bliss:

Absolutely brilliant!
— Bob Stange