American Republic Online

An op-ed out now from two fellows of the liberal think tank Brookings Institution think we just might win the war in Iraq:

Here is the most important thing Americans need to understand: We are finally getting somewhere in Iraq, at least in military terms. As two analysts who have harshly criticized the Bush administration’s miserable handling of Iraq, we were surprised by the gains we saw and the potential to produce not necessarily “victory” but a sustainable stability that both we and the Iraqis could live with.

It’s an interesting piece.  They certainly didn’t fall all over themselves to praise Bush, but the review is positive.

However, please forgive my cynicism if I try and figure out what their angle is.  All we have heard from the Left is how terrible things are going, and how we have to get out yesterday.  Now, they are saying that staying through 2008 is worthwhile?  What gives?

Read the full article »

Senator Clinton has a protester at a College Democrats speech.

The sign said “She doesn’t care, all she just wants is the power.”  She just smiles and waits for the crowd, and the crowd starts chanting.  I’m surprised someone didn’t tackle the guy.  So much for free expression and free thought: still only counts if you agree huh?

It’ll be interesting to see if this ever happens again, or if security will be “tighter” in the future.

Now Senator Clinton is under fire for her “low neckline.”  The GOP’s wives have already received attention for their endowment.

I suppose we need something to talk about since the election is over a year away…

The IRS has lost a case involving the constitutionality of income taxes.

The argument is an interesting one:

Essentially, he argued that income is not necessarily any money that comes to a person, but rather categories such as profit and interest.

He said the free exchange of labor for compensation has been upheld as a right by the Supreme Court, but that doesn’t necessarily make the compensation income.

Read the full article »

Presidential hopeful Senator Clinton is building a strong relationship with the Pentagon:

“Premature and public discussion of the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq reinforces enemy propaganda that the United States will abandon its allies in Iraq, much as we are perceived to have done in Vietnam, Lebanon and Somalia,” [Undersecretary of Defense] Edelman wrote.

He added that “such talk understandably unnerves the very same Iraqi allies we are asking to assume enormous personal risks.”

The Clinton camp took the high road and refused to address the criticism:

Read the full article »

The Pittsburgh Public Schools will drop “public” from its name and adopt a new, standardized way of referring to its schools as part of a campaign to brighten and strengthen the district’s image.

For example, Schenley High School will be called Pittsburgh Schenley…

By dropping “public” from its name, Randall Taylor said, the district might be able to avoid the negative attitude often associated with public schools.

This is a great way to address the negative image associated with public schools: re-brand everything.  Fixing the problem itself is much more in involved.  And once the public realizes that Pittsburgh Schenley is just as bad as Schenley High School, you simply re-brand again to Schenley School of Pittsburgh.  I personally think that’s an even more inspiring -positive image- name.

Read the full article »

In a sneakily bureaucratic way, the government agency for Safety & Health is trying to reclassify any and all ammunition (including the home-brew components) as “explosives”. Why? Because there exist many strict rules and laws regarding explosives - a sideways way to make all that apply to gun stores.

For example, “facilities containing explosives” (read ammo) are not allowed to sell guns. Crazy right? Now, I should point out that this rule can be circumvented with a little remodeling. In some states it is illegal to sell beer and liquor in the same store (don’t ask why), which is solved by running a wall through the store and adding a second customer door. Silly but not a total business killer.

Another more troubling rule requires “evacuation” of facilities containing “explosives” during electrical storms. Now can you see Walmart wisking their customer’s out of the store and into the rain to save them from lighting-induced exploding ammo? Exactly.

The list goes on but you see the point. The NRA, of course, has more info and links to complain - I mean comment - on this proposed new rule.

Read the full article »

While toiling away in corporate America, received the following email from our HR department regarding the iPhone (names removed):

Advisory: The Apple iPhone - It’s a Consumer Device not a Corporate One
With all of the hype over the launch of the Apple iPhone, it’s hard not to get caught up in the excitement over the device and want to get one and possibly have Company pay for it. However, be forewarned this device is intended for consumer vs. corporate use! AT&T and Apple have set up procurement of the iPhone so that only an individual can purchase one. Company and AT&T met recently to discuss the iPhone. Here are the key points:
* The iPhone is intended solely for individual purchase. The iPhone can only be purchased from an AT&T, Apple store or Apple.com.
* Procurement of an iPhone comes with a two-year contract commitment with AT&T. This commitment makes the individual liable and is associated with the person’s Social Security Number. This liability can not be transferred to a corporation like Company.
* There are no discounts available for the iPhone or the associated voice and data plans.
* The iPhone is excluded from any and all corporate negotiated pricing and discount agreements.
* AT&T’s internal systems prevent an individually purchased iPhone from being moved to corporate account.
* The iPhone can’t be set up to synchronize with Company’s Outlook/Exchange messaging environment.
Please also consider:
* Company does not support iTunes on our managed PCs.
* Company is not in the business of providing mp3 or digital audio devices as a business tool.
Therefore, although the iPhone may be a exciting consumer device, it is not an appropriate device for use within Company.
Thank you for your attention and compliance in this matter.

The last two points are nice: “please remember that you are supposed to work for us while on company time, not work iTunes.”

Surprised? Don’t be. The good Senator has a big heart when it comes to criminals - in this case, white collar criminals.

In the Democratic Debate on June 28th, she stated the following:

“Nonviolent offenders should not be serving hard time in our prisons. They need to be diverted from our prison system.” - Sen. Clinton

The President, always seeking new bi-partisan team building, must have taken a que from the good Senator and commuted Libby’s process crime. For those of you just joining us: “Libby was convicted of one count of obstruction, two counts of perjury and one count of lying to the FBI about how he learned Plame’s identity and whom he told.” (MSNBC)

Read the full article »