Pride on Parade

Over the weekend, the WGN superstation provided extensive and fawning coverage of Chicago's annual gay pride parade. One of the participants they interviewed wore high heels, fishnet stockings, and fairy wings as part of his–that's right, his–ensemble. The news team worked hard to tell us how normal and healthy all this pride was, but the pictures they broadcasted told a different story.

I have a couple of questions: (1) If the "gay lifestyle" is something to be proud of, why do homosexuals need a parade? (2) When was the last time you saw a straight pride parade?

WW III

Liberals now scoff at any suggestion that Iraq is a key battlefield in America's war on terror. If they refuse to hear President Bush on the matter, perhaps they should listen to Osama bin Laden. Last night the president quoted him as saying, "This Third World War is raging" in Iraq. "The whole world is watching this war," which will end either in "victory and glory, or misery and humiliation."

Do we want to give bin Laden victory and glory? If so, then all we have to do is listen to our Democratic leaders and withdraw from Iraq.

Changing Times?

On June 23, New York Times Executive Editor Bill Keller wrote a memo entitled "Assuring Our Credibility" (hat tip: http://queuevee.blogspot.com). Keller said the "Gray Lady" cannot "remain aloof and impervious in the face of criticism." Acknowledging the paper's perceived lack not of racial diversity but of ideological diversity, Keller noted that "we will make an extra effort to focus on diversity of religious upbringing and military experience, of region and class." Finally, he said, "It calls for a concerted effort by all of us to stretch beyond our predominantly urban, culturally liberal orientation, to cover the full range of our national conversation."

Good thoughts. We'll be watching.

Kelo

Last week, in its already notorious Kelo decision, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that governments may take the private property of citizens for almost any economic reason. Social conservatives have been troubled by this court for some time. With economic conservatives now sure to join them, perhaps the Republicans can reach a consensus that it's time for change.

The Democratic Response

Today's Democratic Party leaders, having jettisoned their credibility in the war on terror, have dredged up Zbigniew Brzezinski, national security advisor in the disastrous Carter administration, to carry their anti-war water for them. Yesterday, in the Democratic response to President Bush's radio address outlining progress in Iraq, Brzezinski charged that the war has been conducted with "tactical and strategic incompetence." Perhaps we should listen to him. Brzezinski, on hand for Jimmy's triumph in Iran, surely knows incompetence when he sees it.

Even if Brzezinski is right, that mistakes were made, so what? Doesn't that happen in every war? And what American purpose does it serve now to tear down the commander-in-chief during wartime, especially right after a presidential address? I don't remember hearing about a "Republican response" after FDR gave one of his fireside chats to the American people during World War II. Such disloyalty would have been unthinkable. Remember when politics used to stop at the water's edge?

And is Brzezinski blind to the effect his words will have on our troops on the ground? Is he oblivious that he is playing into the hands of the terrorists, who know they cannot win militarily and thus are counting on us losing our resolve in a deadly war of attrition? Thanks to such mindless and partisan criticism, we are that much closer to turning a fledgling democracy back over to the thugs. If we cut and run and the torture and rape rooms open for business again, the Iraqi people will have people like Zbigniew Brzezinski to thank for it.

Kerry's Grades

John Kerry–you remember him, don't you?–finally got around to releasing his undergraduate grades at Yale. No wonder the senator of nuance was so coy. It turns out that Kerry didn't quite match a party boy whom Democrats continually mock as a dunce: George W. Bush. If Bush is so dumb, what does that make Kerry?

Pain Phases

Three phases of life: (1) pain avoidance; (2) pain management; (3) pain acceptance.

Durbin and Lott

If Herr Durbin manages to hang onto his post as Democratic whip after his egregious remarks on the Senate floor linking American soldiers and Nazi Germany, the Republicans are going to have to issue an apology to Trent Lott, their former majority leader. The Democratic leaders may not have a lot of principle, but you've got to hand it to them: They stick together.

Durbin's Apology

A week late, Dick Durbin has finally apologized for linking U.S. treatment of terrorism suspects with the genocidal regimes of Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, and Pol Pot's killing fields. "Some may believe that my remarks crossed the line," the Illinois Democrat said. "To them I extend my heartfelt apologies." May believe? This veteran political hack still doesn't get it. He didn't just offend all decent people with his hyper-partisan rhetoric. Durbin gave aid and comfort to America's enemies, and his words will live on in the Muslim world. Senator Durbin, don't hold your breath waiting for Al Jazeera to broadcast your apology.

Perspective

One quick way to get some perspective on the little irritations of life is to go to a funeral.

Because They Can

Authorities believe Dean Arthur Schwartzmiller, a San Francisco resident, may have molested 36,000 children over the last 35 years. That's more than three per day. Most of these children have had their lives indelibly stained, many of them ruined, because of this one depraved man and a ridiculous "justice" system that refuses to lock up pedophiles and throw away the key.

Schwartzmiller is just the latest example of the strong taking advantage of the weak to fulfill their own desires: bullies, rapists, robbers, those who would clone and kill the unborn for medical cures. Why do they do these things? Because they can.

Fathers

Do you want to experience a challenge beyond your strength or ingenuity? Do you want to come to an end of your selfishness? Do you want to influence people closely who are watching your every move on a daily basis? Do you want to read bedtime stories to eternal souls who only want your time and attention? Do you want real joy, anxiety, and reasons for prayer? Be a father. It's the most difficult and rewarding job you'll ever have.

Critics

Listen to your critics, but not too much.

Michael Schiavo's Brain

The autopsy on Terri Schiavo is finally out, and supprters of "husband" Michael Schiavo's right to pull the feeding tube are claiming vindication. The coroner's report said Terri's brain had shrunk to half its expected size and that she was blind at the end of her life.

Not so fast. While Michael Schiavo may have been correct that Terri was in a PVS, pro-lifers were right to raise questions and to ask for medical tests while she was alive.

There were plenty of suspicious facts in this case. (1) Terri Schiavo left no written instructions but Michael suddenly remembered she said she wanted to die after he received a big malpractice verdict (a claim strongly disputed by her family); (2) Michael Schiavo set up housekeeping with another woman and yet continued to claim the rights of a husband to terminate Terri's life; and (3) footage supplied by the family strongly indicated that Terri had some brain function and was not in a PVS.

So if this autopsy is accurate, Michael Schiavo could have done eveyone a favor and allowed some outside medical diagnosis while Terri was alive to answer these legitimate suspicions. He refused, fueling the controversy needlessly. Thus, we need to ponder not only the state of Terri's brain, but Michael's.

Durbin's Propaganda

On Tuesday, Dick Durbin, the "other" Democratic senator from Illinois, after describing the sometimes rough U.S. tratment of stateless Islamic terrorists being held at Guantanamo Bay, stated: "this must have been done by Nazis, Soviets in their gulags, or some mad regime–Pol Pot or others–that had no concern for human beings."

Yesterday, Durbin refused to gracefully apologize, saying, "This administration should apologize to the American people for abandoning the Geneva Conventions and authorizing torture techniques that put our troops at risk and make Americans less secure."

Actually, each of the three regimes Durbin cites killed millions of political opponents. For Durbin to equate their genocides against innocents with the actions of American troops (such as leaving prisoners in rooms that are too hot or too cold) against those who would destroy this country displays profound ignorance of history, an incredible moral tonedeafness, and a willingness to engage in wartime propaganda worthy of Joseph Goebbels.

When John Kerry made similar statements during Vietnam, American soldiers paid a price. Doesn't Durbin understand the effects of such statements on our soldiers, and on the future treatment of American prisoners?

Dean's Diversity

Earlier this month, Dr. Howard Dean, the loose-lipped failed presidential candidate and current chairman of the Democratic National Committee, called Republicans "a pretty monolithic party. They all behave the same. They all look the same. It's pretty much a white Christian party." Race-baiting and anti-Christian bias aside, these comments, like much of what Dean says, simply aren't true.

George W. Bush has done more for diversity than Bill Clinton ever dreamed of. Bush chose African Americans to serve as secretary of state. He nominated Janice Rogers Brown and Alberto Gonzales for judgeships. Democrats, who march in lockstep on issues such as abortion, constitute the ideologically monolithic party, blocking anyone who doesn't toe their liberal line. How many vocal, pro-life Democrats can you think of?

Physician, heal thyself.

Beyond a Doubt

Yesterday's "not guilty" verdict in the ubiquitous Michael Jackson child molestation case is really a bookend to the O.J. Simpson case. Celebrity in southern California apparently raises the legal standard in criminal cases from "beyond a reasonable doubt" to "beyond any doubt." But can anyone look at this mixed up figure and not discern that there is something desperately wrong? Parents, be warned: "Not guilty" is not the same thing as "innocent."

Child Sinner

Don't believe you're a sinner? Ask your siblings about your behavior as a child. You may not even have to ask!

Family

You may not have been able to choose your family members, but remember: They didn't choose you, either.

Happy 50th

Half a century ago, we all liked Ike, rock'n'roll, and leather jackets. Also 50 years ago, my parents made their wedding vows. Unlike many, they stuck with it. Thanks, Mom and Dad.

Danica

After an impressive fourth-place finish at the Indy 500 last week, rookie phenom driver Danica Patrick found herself gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated, the first Indy car driver to achieve this status in decades. The lords of the moribund National Hockey League must be wondering: Can she skate?

Disturbance in the Force

It's interesting that while much of the marketing for "Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" is aimed at pre-teens, the film itself has a PG-13 rating (meaning it is not suitable for younger viewers). I sense a disturbance in the Force. Don't you? (This is Saturday's "Thought of the Day.")

Gulag Goofiness

The other day Amnesty International, formerly one of the most respected human rights organizations in the world, described the terrorist prison at Guantanamo Bay as "the gulag of our time." Such a statement is an insult to the tens of thousands who died in the Soviet Gulag. And if Amnesty really wants to make such a statement, why not apply the term to the prison camps of North Korea or the vicious religious police and beheadings of "heretics" in Saudi Arabia, among other candidates? That sound you just heard is the good ship Amnesty hitting the iceberg of political partisanship. How are we supposed to take their future pronouncements seriously?

Religious Tolerance?

The Air Force Academy is all atwitter over an e-mail that the top senior sent Tuesday to fellow students. Did it convey pornography? No? Anti-American sentiments? No. An attack on Islam? No. Instead, the religiously themed e-mail, by Wing Commander Nicholas Jurewicz, contained some Scripture references, including, "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Truly subversive.

Critics, who claim Christians have brought about an atmosphere of religious oppression toward those who don't share their beliefs, believe Jurewicz may have violated the school's new religious tolerance policy. Mikey Weinstein, a 1977 academy graduate who has sent two sons there, told the AP that Congress should step in and investigate a possible violation of the so-called separation of church and state. Excuse me, but wouldn't inserting Congress over this issue violate that principle by itself?

Religion of Peace 2

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We interrupt this program for a breaking news bulletin:
"A suicide bomb kills at least 20 people in Kandahar during a funeral for a Muslim cleric slain by suspected Taliban gunmen. The cleric supported the reform government of President Karzai. Among the newly dead is Kabul's police chief."
We now resume our regularly scheduled programming.
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