American Republic Online

Dave Barry, a now-retired humorist, now has a new label: "patently offensive."  This is not a label your editor would have chosen.  In fact, I remember one of Barry's columns bemoaning the new standards of water-consumption in toilets.  The humor was intensified by the fact that, at the time, my grandfather had been holding out replacing his own toilet until he figured out a way to smuggle one from another country that "flushes like a man requires…"

But back to our story: it seems a graduate student posted one of Barry's quotes on his door.  The departmental administration found it "patently offensive," and it was removed.  The quote?  ARO has reprinted it here in its entirety. Warning: not for the easily offended.

“As Americans we must always remember that we all have a common enemy, an enemy that is dangerous, powerful, and relentless. I refer, of course, to the federal government.”

(Note: this was not a satire of Bush and Condoleezza Rice, nor a picture of a partial-birth abortion.  Just a quote.)  

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Congressman Rangel has recently said he is going to push to reinstate the military draft.  He says it would help deter wars because the legislators who make the decisions would think twice if their own children might be sent into battle.  He would even include women.  Two previous attempts by Rangel went nowhere (one even included people age 18 to 42). 

I seem to remember a couple years ago rumors and threats were spread that Republicans were going to reinstate the draft. (Kerry too.)  Why are they not being called out on this?  True, Democrat leaders are trying to stop him, but liberal blogs are cheering him on. Just goes to show you: it's not the message but the messenger. 

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Interesting piece from the American Thinker on Democrats' almost instant reversal of their campaign promises, and the media's willingness to help.

The Pentagon has released a report that lays out three options for the US's future in Iraq.  Looks pretty similar to ARO's earlier analysis.  The "Go Longer" still seems the most likely scenario.  Less troops, whose main purpose is to stabilze the region, not Iraq.  

Kerry on how he contributed to the Democrats' 2006 win:

'Shortly before the Nov. 7 elections that brought Democrats back into power in the House and Senate, Kerry retreated from public view following his remark to a college audience that young people might get "stuck in Iraq" if they do not study hard and do their homework.

Kerry said Sunday he had made the decision to keep a low profile after the White House attacked the joke as insulting to U.S. troops and several Democrats called the comment a needless distraction before the pivotal congressional elections.

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Belmont, CA is considering a city-wide smoking ban.  The recent anti-smoking crusades are unbelieveable.  Why is that people insist on using the power of the government to impose their desires on others? 

Think I'm over reacting?  Consider what the anti-smoking laws are really saying: I don't agree with your habits and choices, so you have to stop.  I know, having a non-smoking section in a restaurant is like having a non-peeing section in a pool.  Nonethless, the choice should be left to the restaurants.  If individuals do not want to go to an establishment that allows smoking, then by all means, do not go.  No one is forcing them.  If said place loses enough business, then they may be inspired to become non-smoking in order to attract the clientele they lost.  Is this not the same as going to get pizza instead of sushi?  If I hate sushi, should I force others to not eat it?  

The main argument used is that smoking poses health risks.  Well, in regards to the smoker, they make a choice every time they light up.  The benefits received from smoking outwiegh the costs of smoking.  Do we need such paternalism?  

What about second-hand smoke: risks posed to others?  That is, if by my actions, I pose a health risks to others, it should be outlawed.  By the same argument we should criminalize sex.  Certainly the act of sex poses just as many health risks as smoking.  AIDS vs. lung cancer?  This is not an imaginatory leap, just a simple extension of the same argument.  

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A recent assignment by a Spanish teacher in N.C. has led to the teacher's resignation.  Some high points:

"Sharon killed a lot of innocent people."

"Palestine is not a terrorist group."

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Red carpets and welcome mats for Bush in Indonesia.

Whistle-blowing at the Navy regarding recruitment practices.