It would be nice if the situation in Iraq could fit into a nice little soundbite.
There's comfort in knowing something is either black or white but reality often
hovers somewhere in the grey area. Nowhere is this more apparent than in two news
items out of Iraq that, as usual, were given short shrift by the old media.
In what might be considered a sign of progress, Iraqis have moved from survival
mode to
complaining about a suggestion being floated by lawmakers
that Baghdad should start paying a share of the war's cost by providing cheap fuel
to the U.S. military. Welcome to the real world.
Another positive sign: A group of Iraqi citizens witnessed a car bomb explosion
that took the life of a soldier. They
chased down the perpetrator and turned him over to Iraqi
National Police. It appears Iraqis are now getting the hang of law and order and
citizen participation. Good stuff. Here's hoping for a lot more
Good News:
Northwestern University has
withdrawn its offer of an honorary degree to the 'Hate-America,'
former pastor of Obama, Rev. Wright. Kudos to NU and memo to Rev. Wright: Don't
feel too bad - a
new study is showing that a college degree isn't all its
cracked up to be.
Speaking of schools, although federal courts have banned the teaching of 'intelligent
design' in public schools, legislators in several states are
seeking new ways to allow teachers to cast doubt on Darwin's
theory of evolution. Meanwhile, atheists are pushing for
their own holidays and the world's
first cloned horse has given birth.
In Arizona, a legislative panel has endorsed a proposal that would
bar government schools from any teachings counter to democracy
or Western civilisation. The measure would also prohibit students from forming groups
based in whole or in part on the race of their members. Hey, wasn't that settled
with the civil rights act??
Two steps forward and one step back. A state-funded organization in Maine, touted
as a "stellar program for social change" is
providing a seminar to boys on how to be homosexual. Lovely.
Speaking of social change: More bad news for the New York Times. This, formerly
influential newspaper is reaping the rewards for representing only the liberal point
of view. Sadly, it has lost
more than 150,000 Sunday subscribers, which, along with
a daily circulation decline, has forced the once reputable media organ to initiate
mass layoffs for the first time in its history. Standard and Poor's also
cut the NYT rating to BBB. This is one level above junk
bonds, which seems appropriate. Forgive me for smiling.
Comedian Bill Cosby
exhorted hundreds of people to stand up and confront the
ills of the black community and ignore those he calls "intellectual panhandlers."
Here's hoping that term catches on. And here's hoping that one day soon whites will
be able to say what Cosby just said without being called racist.
Our Government At Work:
While most Americans are busy working, paying taxes and raising families, our government
is slowly becoming and replacing our daddy. From natural disaster to gas prices,
more and more Americans automatically turn to government for solutions. More on
this in
Who's
Your Daddy?
Government is now
hiring new employees at the fastest rate in six years. Probably
to help make and enforce all the new rules and regulations governing our behavior.
Like the proposed
'sin-tax' on fast food being considered in New Jersey. Or the new
ban on salmon fishing along the west coast that was
just announced.
The good news is, the public isn't buying this stuff. A
WSJ poll shows that that positive views of both parties
are the lowest in nearly two decades. I vote we downgrade government's rating to
BBB.
Globaloney Update:
NASA scientists say the earth is entering a cooling period.
That hasn't deterred Father Earth, Algore. He just closed another $683M
'green' fund. That's called making hay while the sun
shines
It hasn't deterred our lawmakers either, as the
new farm bill just passed, retaining $5 billion in crop
subsidies. These subsidies pay farmers not to grow food, even though the world is
experiencing a huge food shortage. Sam's Club is already rationing rice, and food
rationing has spread as far as
Israel and Asia. (Thanks to Algore's ethanol mandates.)
Meanwhile, the UN has latched onto the 'global food crisis' in order to
plea for $775 million more bucks to fight hunger. This,
as the UN's World Food Program is sitting on a cash and near cash stockpile of more
than $1.22 billion.
Essential Trivia:
Scientists have observed an Antarctic fur seal
trying to have sex with a penguin in what they say is the
most unusual case of mammal mating behaviour yet known. I wonder if global warming
will be credited. Or possibly boy Clinton?
Idiot Of The Week:
That honor goes to an ethics panel formed at the request of the Swiss government.
They opined that
plants have "dignity" and the arbitrary killing of flora
is morally wrong. I'm not kidding.
Till next Monday, keep smiling,
Nancy Morgan
This article may be reprinted, with attribution.