This Just In ...

Recommended Reading (11/14/10)

Posted by Kevin Fischer on Nov. 14, 2010

Here are, in my view, interesting, noteworthy columns and articles from the past week that I highly recommend (You will note that on occasion, I do not endorse the opinions of the author and may point that out. Despite my disagreements, I still feel the piece is worth a read).


Desert Storm vet explains decision to leave Air Force after 22 years

“I never expected to write this letter, but my Mom e-mailed me to get information about my career for a writeup on Veterans Day, and as this is the first such holiday in 22 years when I will not be on active duty, I felt compelled to let you know why I decided to quit.

Quit is a strong word, I know. Everyone I’ve talked to has repeated that I’ve had a marvelous career and that I’ve retired with honor. Maybe that’s true on paper; I guess that it’s reflected by the record. But that’s not how I feel. I feel like I’ve quit. And because I’m not a quitter, I feel I have to explain why — not that anyone is asking, but because perhaps they don’t know to ask. My last tour, on the ground in Iraq was where my heart started to be hardened towards you, the electorate, and culminated in this letter, written two days before our elections. And here’s why…”


Obama may face left-wing primary

"Democrats do not forgive defeat very easily. In the week after his 'shellacking' in the mid-term elections, Democratic approval of Obama’s performance as president dropped from 88% to 81% in the Zogby Poll, bringing his overall approval down to 43%. When a president starts to shed members of his own party, a vicious cycle has set in which can lead to a primary challenge.

Not from Hillary. At least not yet. She is far too cautious and intertwined with the Administration to be the first to move against Obama. Just as Bobby Kennedy needed a Eugene McCarthy to test the waters for a primary challenge to Lyndon Johnson in 1968, so Hillary Clinton will look to others to try out Obama’s vulnerability to a liberal challenge. As with Kennedy, if it works, she’ll probably jump in. If it doesn’t, she’ll stay on as Secretary of State.

There are three possible contenders who might enter Democratic Primaries against Obama......"


The MacIver Principles to Guide Wisconsin's Budget 

"What a mess.
Wisconsin’s last budget increased spending by $3.6 billion.
Wisconsin’s last budget included more than $2 billion in new taxes and increased bonding to $3.58 billion.
Wisconsin’s last budget left the door open for $1.5 billion in local property tax hikes.
Taxpayers are facing a structural deficit of $3 billion. How to get our state’s finances back on track….."


Liberal Lies about the Death Penalty

"Steven Hayes was sentenced to death by lethal injection in a state that has only executed one person since 1960. For most people, the only shame is that his death won’t come quick enough. Not so for death penalty opponents, who spend more time bleating for monstrous criminals than for their victims. When Hayes is finally strapped to that gurney, there will no doubt be candlelight vigils, where criminal-coddlers will spout canards about capital punishment. We know what they’ll say. They’ll say the death penalty does not deter murder. We don’t know that, since it’s never actually been studied. This is a statement of personal belief, not fact."


Conservatives burn over light bulb law

"Rep. Fred Upton’s support for eco-friendly light bulbs could leave him in the dark in his bid to chair the Energy and Commerce Committee. Conservatives on and off Capitol Hill are waging a campaign to show that the Michigan Republican isn’t conservative enough to chair the powerful committee that will be in the center over fight on health care and energy policy next year.

For proof, they’re pointing to Upton’s support for phasing out some incandescent light bulbs in favor of greener alternatives."


Children and Predators

"The modern world is filled with pools of electronic light, surrounded by a vast darkness in which too many children disappear.  Communities are thin.  People don’t always know much about their neighbors.  There are too many places for monsters to hide.  Children are surrounded by a confusing storm of data, and seductive whispers can slip past even the most vigilant mothers and fathers.  Amazon.com has no business making the situation worse."