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The Nation's Pulse
Random Thoughts
Does Senator Menendez deserve a break? This plus much more.
Random thoughts on the passing scene:
I can’t get excited by the question of whether Senator Robert Menendez had sex with a prostitute in Central America. It is her word against his — and when it comes to a prostitute’s word against a politician’s word, that is too close to call.
If an American citizen went off to join Hitler’s army during World War II, would there have been any question that this alone would make it legal to kill him? Why then is there an uproar about killing an American citizen who has joined terrorist organizations that are at war against the United States today?
Of all the things said during the gun control controversy, one of the most disquieting has been the emphasis on “mental health.” If that ends up letting the guesses of shrinks put more murderers back on the street, the public can be in even greater danger after such a “reform.”
However emotionally similar envy and resentment may seem, their consequences are often very different. Envy may spur some people to efforts to lift themselves up, while resentment is more likely to spur efforts to tear others down.
New York’s Mayor Bloomberg wants to restrict the use of pain-killers in hospitals. Is there any subject on which this man does not consider himself an expert? There are, after all, doctors treating individual patients who currently decide how much pain-killer to use.
One of the talking points in favor of confirming Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense is that he was a wounded combat veteran. How does that qualify anyone to run the whole military establishment? Benedict Arnold was a wounded combat veteran!
In the modern welfare state, a vote becomes a license to take what others create — and these others include generations yet unborn.
Some people seem to think that glib and shallow political correctness becomes Deep Stuff when it comes from a TV commentator with a foreign accent.
Can anyone explain why, when someone dies, most of what he has saved up over a lifetime should be turned over to politicians, rather than to his heirs?
The front page of the February issue of Townhall magazine says: “It’s Messaging — not principles — that’s hurting the GOP with Minority Voters.” Neglecting to make their message clear hurts Republicans with all voters, but especially minority voters.
Why do so many judges’ views of criminals seem to be the opposite of policemen’s view? It could be that judges see criminals when they are on their best behavior, while the police see them at their worst. But I believe it is because judges have usually spent more time in educational institutions than policemen, and have picked up more politically correct nonsense as a result.
With all the discussion about gun control, I have not heard anybody on any side of this issue mention how many lives are saved by guns every year — which are far more than are lost in even the mass shootings that get so much media attention. But most of the media never mention the lives saved by guns.
Does anyone think that Iran and North Korea would be as threatening as they are if Ronald Reagan were President? I don’t think it was a coincidence that the Iranians freed their American hostages just hours before Reagan took the oath of office.
People who are forever ready to charge others with “greed” never apply that word to the government. But, if you think the government is never greedy, check out what the government does under the escheat laws and eminent domain.
About the Author
Thomas Sowell is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305. His website is www.tsowell.com. To find out more about Thomas Sowell and read features by other Creators Syndicate columnists and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (15) | Leave a comment
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Appleby| 2.12.13 @ 6:49AM
It is absolutely criminal for the President to authorize anyone to kill an American citizen without a jury trial. It is a very short step from killing terrorists overseas, to killing anybody who disagrees with him right here at home. Morally and legally it's obscene.
JD| 2.12.13 @ 12:05PM
But Sowell has a point. There were American citizens of German descent who fought with the Germans in WWII. When they died on the battlefield, I don't think any lawyers got involved.
But you also have a point.
Right now, what we need more than anything is exposure of what's happening, who's being targeted, and why.
John Navratil| 2.12.13 @ 3:40PM
JD,
Would it be too much for the Congress with the authority to declared war be included?
JD| 2.12.13 @ 5:56PM
Apparently it is too much for the Democrats, yes. Strange, given all their talk of how Bush waged "illegal war", don't you think?
John Navratil| 2.12.13 @ 3:41PM
Appleby,
I have to disagree. War is not the province of the criminal justice system. There does, however, need to be full oversight as a check against the President acting as a dictator.
Joellen| 2.12.13 @ 7:38AM
Dr. Sowell, it's not the sexual act that warrants questioning. Its about Menedez's inability to serve as a representative of this country. He is dishonest, and has allegedly commited criminal acts (sex with a MINOR is still illegal, thank GOD) and let's not get into his crony friendship with his willing partner from Florida and the ethic rules they broke together.
Let's be honest here, if this were a Republican, he would already have stepped down and the media would be writing and speaking of this from sunup to sundown.
So PLEASE, can we have a conservative media who will dog this till Menedez is justly held accountable.
Von Mises Jr| 2.12.13 @ 11:15AM
This sex scandal is a distraction from the real issue. Menendez was part of the Hudson county machine politics that is like Chicago on the Hudson.
Hudson, Essex and Union Counties surround the Port Newark and Elizabeth and the corruption is in the shipping industry. If you read deeper, the real issue is that there was a corrupt port security deal in the Dominican Republic with earmarks and $700K donations to Menendez and $103,500 for local Democrats. It was a bribery scam, pay-for-play with oodles of money laundering:
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-G.....e-Election
Hardcard| 2.12.13 @ 8:06AM
This guy menendez is a swine, he should join his dem pal client # 9 in resignation. I think he is also a crook so he should also join fellow dem blago in the can. His doctor pal is also a crook and should be in the can. I also hear that some hottie russian chick was involved, I think we will find some espionage in play. This is wishful thinking on my part I guess, obamao,holder and reid will not be too interested in doing anything to boobie bob, at this point what difference does it make?
Moe Blotz| 2.12.13 @ 10:11AM
The makers of Budweiser "beer" would be Anheuser Busch, owned by the conglomerate InBev. In acquiring Corona I do not see how InBev would monopolise the beer making industry in the USA. Boston Brewing continues to increase market share by making good beer, the only brewer in this country whose lager (Sam Adams) meets the Rheinheitsgebot. InBev can buy up all the brewers they want and the real beer brewers will continue to take market share from the beer factories.
JD| 2.12.13 @ 12:06PM
America would be improved if all existing "anti-trust" measures ceased to exist.
Joe D.| 2.12.13 @ 11:53AM
I have to disagree with your first point. I would trust the prostitue more than Menendez or any liberal. That means the media as well. And it does mean something. It is part of the $1 billion corporate corruption scandle with his friend.
TLP| 2.12.13 @ 2:37PM
Prostitute, and Liberal in the same sentence?
Isn't that Redundant?
John Navratil| 2.12.13 @ 3:43PM
TLP,
Redundant and superfluous. Sometimes, I repeat myself over and over again.
SSD| 2.12.13 @ 3:38PM
The issue is not killing enemy combatants in a foreign war theater. the issue is killing US citizens on US soil. The entire US is currently a war zone. The issue is killing US citizens who do not present an imminent threat to others. For example, if you speak out against Obama's prosecution of the Afghanistan war, can the US government label you a "terrorist" and take you out with a drone? This was threatened against Chris Dorner (sp), the former LAPD officer currently under investigation for alleged murders in LA. I think the government had to back off that position, because I have not seen that reported in the last day or 2.
The US government under Obama is in reality seeking the ability to be able to penalize US citizens for speaking up. If you speak up against the government's position, you are risking being declared to be a "terrorist" and thus subject to termination. This is the unstated position taken in the DOJ white paper leaked last week to NBC.
RonRonDoRon| 2.12.13 @ 5:09PM
"New York’s Mayor Bloomberg ... Is there any subject on which this man does not consider himself an expert?"
Apparently not. And, based on recent history, that makes him a perfect candidate for President.