Hate Crimes

Alicia Hardin, the 19-year-old African-American student who anonymously sent "racist" letters to fellow minorities, may become the strangest conviction ever for hate crimes. Hardin, who wanted to convince her parents to withdraw her from Trinity International University, was manifestly not motivated by racial hatred. It was a lie to her parents that, as they say, "went bad." Why, then, does Hardin face a hate crime charge? The whole concept of hate crimes, as many have said before, punishes not hate but political incorrectness. Yet these laws say nothing about rampant black-on-black crime, which is a far bigger problem in society. No question that racism is bad, but let's face it: All crimes reflect a certain degree of hate toward our fellow man. Let's agree to convict people for the crimes they actually commit, but not try to divine their state of mind while doing it.

Dissing Democracy

Last night, the major networks dissed democracy. Faced with the choice of carrying a live presidential press conference (discussing important pocketbook issues such as Social Security and the skyrocketing price of gasoline) or airing their usual swill, they chose the latter. Some who actually deigned to broadcast the event pulled the plug when it bled into their precious primetime TV schedules. And, during the press conference, several reporters badgered the president when they didn't like his answers. Mind you, these are the same people who complain that President Bush doesn't hold enough press conferences. I wonder why?

Buy a Vowel

In Houston, a new ordinance for libraries outlaws sleeping on tables, eating, bathing in the restrooms, and "offensive bodily hygiene that constitutes a nuisance to others." After all, libraries are for reading, right? Not to liberals, who are calling the rules an assault on the homeless "community." San Francisco, of all places, recently banned public defecation, and there were similar howls of outrage from the compassionate set. These self-described "community" advocates need to buy a vowel and realize that helping the homeless is not the same as benignly allowing them to be public nuisances on the fringes of society.

Bolton's Temper

One of the main criticisms of John Bolton, President Bush's nominee for United Nations ambassador, is that he has lost his temper with subordinates on occasion. Come on. While that is regrettable, do we really want to make that the standard one cannot violate to be a public servant? Two points: (1) Who among us doesn't have at least one interaction on the job that we wish we could have back? (2) Bill and Hillary Clinton are well known for blowing their stacks. Should we just stop all this "Hillary in 2008" talk right now?

Oil Prices

On high gasoline prices, everybody is right. John Kerry says we need to lessen our dependence on foreign oil and look to alternative sources of energy. President Bush says because of growing economies here and in Asia, more oil needs to be pumped to allow supply to meet demand. The Saudis say the U.S. needs to increase its refining capacity. They're all right. Now let's do something about it. My gas costs the same as my milk.

Judicial Elites

Republicans say it's time to restore government "of the people, by the people, and for the people." Democrats, in defending their filibustering of conservative judicial nominees, would rather see an elite judiciary–informed by international law–decide all matters of importance in our Republic. Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council may have overstated when he said unaccountable, liberal judges pose a greater threat to our democracy than terrorism does. But just a bit.

Pyramid Power

The beauty of the old food pyramid was its simplicity. People had a quick and rough guide of what to eat. It wasn't perfect, but it worked pretty well for decades. But bureaucrats couldn't leave well enough alone. The other day the government announced not one new pyramid, but 12. Do bureaucrats really expect people to figure all this out? Pass the Twinkies.

Cowards

Al Qaeda plotter Zacarias Moussaoui has just admitted his guilt in the attacks of September 11. Yet Moussaoui says he will fight legally to escape the death penalty for his crimes. That is his right, I suppose. Too bad the 3,000 people he helped slaughter didn't have that same opportunity. And why is it that people such as Moussaoui and Osama bin Laden, who extol the benefits of Islamic martyrdom, in the end do whatever they can to stay alive? There is only one explanation for it: hypocritical cowardice.

Evil or Stupid?

If you can't decide whether someone is evil or just stupid, be charitable–opt for stupid.

Common Ignorance

Never underestimate the ignorance of the common man. When it comes to filibustering conservative judicial nominees, the Democrats don't. Against all Senate history, a minority of pro-abortion extremists is stopping well-qualified men and women from getting an up or down vote in the Senate (sometimes largely because of their faith). When the Republicans complain and say they will disallow filibusters on nominees, the Democrats threaten to shut down the Senate, and they call the Republicans the extremists. Due to Democratic chutzpah, Republican fumbling, and common ignorance, those who want to keep conservative jurists off the federal bench appear to be getting away with it.

Chilly Reception

After less than a day on the job, Pope Benedict XVI has received a chilly reception from America's mainstream media. The Los Angeles Times editorialized: "The church is sadly putting off a change in worldview and retaining its Eurocentric focus.... He is used to working behind the scenes, serving as the pope's doctrinal enforcer. As such, he has been a largely polarizing force in the church, coming down hard on Catholic leaders who sought social justice in Latin America or dissented from the Vatican in their teachings." Andrew Sullivan cut to the chase and simply called him the "Grand Inquisitor." I think I like him already.

Choice?

Last year, Congress allowed private healthcare providers to opt out of providing or participating in abortions for reasons of conscience. However, California Senator Barbara Boxer, a fervent "pro-choice" politician, is going to force a vote soon on rescinding the conscience language. I guess "choice" only applies to people who support abortion rights.

Hanoi Jane

I'd be more inclined to believe Jane Fonda's long-delayed apology for posing with the North Vietnamese if it hadn't occurred on "60 Minutes" while shilling her new book.

Forked Tongue

On the same day that Howard Dean says Democrats aren't listening to values voters in red states who want to vote for them, he tells a group of homosexual activists that the Democrats plan to use use the Terri Schiavo case for political advantage. Here's what he said: "The issue is: Are we going to live in a theocracy where the highest powers tell us what to do? Or are we going to be allowed to consult our own high powers when we make very difficult decisions?" Isn't politicizing the issue what the Democrats have been accusing the Republicans of doing? Apparently Dean has been too busy with his forked tongue to actually listen. And what "high powers" is he talking about?

Double Standard

Democratic senators Harry Reid and Dick Durbin are screeching about Bill Frist's plan to speak at a–gasp!–church about Democratic obstructionism over judicial nominees. I'd take their concerns more seriously if they had raised even a peep about the numerous partisan visits to churches over the years by fellow travelers such as Jesse Jackson, Bill Clinton, and John Kerry. When Democrats do it, it's called voter education. When Republicans do it, it's called a dangerous mingling of church and state. If it really is dangerous (and label me skeptical), then let's have both parties sign a pledge to stay out of the pulpit. Are you interested, Mr. Reid?

Tax Facts

Today, on Tax Day, let's look at some facts not often reported in the mainstream press. The top 20 percent of income earners pays about four-fifths of all federal income taxes. That leaves just one-fifth of the income-tax burden for the bottom 80 percent. So the next time you hear the old canard about tax cuts helping the wealthy, try to remember who's paying most of the taxes in the first place.

Loving Sin

God loves the sinner and hates the sin. We Christians need to be sure we don't get it backwards.

New and Improved

New does not necessarily mean improved.

Utterly Clueless

On Sunday, John Kerry offered yet another loony theory for why he lost. Not surprisongly, Kerry blames others and not himself. This time, Kerry said Republicans tricked or intimidated some of his voters into not voting on November 2. Offering not a shred of evidence for this theory (which actually originated on Internet spoof sites), the senator from Massachusetts said GOP operatives handed out leaflets or posted signs in Democratic areas reminding people to vote on Wednesday, November 3. Kerry said some of his voters may have been confused and stayed home on the actual Election Day. This reminds me of the Palm Beach County Democrats in 2000 who said they couldn't figure out their ballots and voted for Pat Buchanan by mistake. Let's put on our best MoveOn.org conspiracy hats and assume this really did happen. It says something about Kerry's candidacy (and the Democrats) if he truly has to rely on the votes of people so utterly clueless. Do we really want such folks determining the course of our democracy?

Without Complaint

If you have to do it anyway, do it without complaint.

Being Exceptional

Our teams rent ballplayers to bring us a championship. We change spouses if the one we have no longer suits us. We pay others to watch our kids while we do "important" or "fulfilling" work outside the home. We change jobs every few years (or our employer fires us). Long-term commitment is definitely the exception today. Want to be exceptional? Stick with it.

Mothers

If you don't appreciate what your mom did for you, chances are you are not a parent. It's time to banish "non-working mother" from our vocabulary. Thanks, Mom!

Great Shepherd

As we say goodbye to a man who will be known as John Paul the Great, may the magnificent Polish people, who have lost their hero, experience true joy in Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the sheep.

Getting Rich

In investing, never forget the old axiom: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If someone promises to tell you the key to getting rich with little effort or money, ask yourself why he is sharing this information with you. If it's so easy, why does he need you?

Berger

Former National Security Advisor Sandy Berger's "punishment" for abusing his security clearance, then stealing classified documents about Clinton administration failures to deal with terrorism: loss of his security clearance for three years, a $10,000 fine, and no prison time. Imagine the media outcry if Condi Rice, a Republican who served in the same position, had committed this kind of crime. Keep in mind that Martha Stewart got five months in prison for lying about a crime she was never charged with. Apparently it's more important to make an example of a celebrity over an inconsequential infraction than it is to protect our national security in a time of war.

Winning at Life

Winning at sports is not the same thing as winning at life.

Salaries

Never confuse your salary with your worth. The market is a very imprecise judge of value.

Great Figures

The death of Karol Wojtyla of Krakow reminds us that man is not at the mercy of blind historical forces. Great figures affect history. With Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, John Paul II played a pivotal role in defeating the Soviet Union. Lovers of freedom everywhere mourn the passing of this great man.

Education Advice

While money is important, it's not everything. Don't go to college or grad school to get a degree in something you hate because you love money. You can't put a pricetag on enjoying what you do.

Next Steps

Terri has died. What now? Here are some suggestions: (1) Pray for the Schindlers and for Michael Schiavo; (2) make your own wishes for your care crystal clear; (3) vote for legislators who will appoint pro-life judges and who will support laws that err on the side of life; (4) volunteer for a pro-life organization; (5) visit someone in a hospice or hospital. As President Bush said, "I urge all those who honor Terri Schiavo to continue to work to build a culture of life."