An Ever Smaller Number of Swing Voters Will Decide the Presidential Election

From Jay Cost, at the Weekly Standard, "Polarization and the Independents":

Late last month, Gallup published a summary of President Obama’s job approval ratings for 2011. The pollster’s findings were stunning: Eighty percent of Democrats approved of the president’s performance through 2011, as did just 12 percent of Repub-licans. The difference between these two numbers—Gallup calls it the “party gap”—was a whopping 68 points.

This is not a novel development. Of the 10 largest party gaps in the poll’s storied history, 8 have occurred during the Obama and George W. Bush presidencies. Indeed, we have seen a very strong party gap in recent presidential elections as well. Obama won 89 percent of Democrats and 9 percent of Republicans in 2008, for a party gap of 80 points; the party gap for Bush in 2004 was 82 points. This is a stark shift from relatively recent political history. Richard Nixon’s party gap in 1972 was 54 points; Jimmy Carter’s in 1976 was 69 points; Ronald Reagan’s in 1984 was 67 points; and even Bill Clinton’s in 1996 was 71 points.

How do we account for this increasing polarization? Much of it has deep roots. From roughly the time of the Civil War to the Great Depression, the two parties were strictly regional coalitions built not on grand ideological divisions but on old antipathies from the battlefield. The Democrats usually won the South and the big Northern cities, while the Republicans typically won most everything else. This meant that both parties had liberals and conservatives in their ranks. Consider, for instance, the tumultuous decade of the 1910s. The Democrats had in their coalition conservative Tammany Hall and the borderline radical William Jennings Bryan; the Republicans had Nelson Aldrich, the machine boss of Rhode Island, and Robert La Follette, the premier progressive of Wisconsin.

This all began to change in the 1930s, when FDR worked to rebuild the Democratic party as a progressive coalition. Roosevelt destroyed Tammany Hall in favor of Fiorello LaGuardia, a nominal Republican and strong progressive.

Interesting.

Keep reading at the link.

Why Mitt Romney Will Win the Nomination

Well, I don't think it's a foregone conclusion --- I'd rather wait until after Super Tuesday before projecting a winner.

But Ben Shapiro makes the case for Romney anyways, at Big Government:

Rick Santorum is surging in national polling.  As Ed Morrissey notes, in a two-man race, Santorum beats Mitt Romney among Republicans by a sweeping 55% to 34% margin.  In other words, ouch.

But while many pundits suggest that Santorum has a real chance to win the nomination, so long as Newt Gingrich stays in the race, that seems increasingly unlikely.  Romney currently leads the delegate count by a count of 123 to 72; Newt Gingrich has 32 delegates, and Ron Paul has 19.  Santorum isn’t on the ballot in Virginia (49), or more crucially, in Indiana (46), which is a winner-take-all state.  The other winner-take-all states are Arizona (29, and presumably a Romney win), Michigan (30, for Santorum), Puerto Rico (23, likely to go Romney), Maryland (37, likely Romney), Washington, D.C. (19, Romney), Wisconsin (42, a toss-up, but probably Romney), Delaware (17, Romney), California (172, a toss-up, but likely Santorum), Utah (40, Romney).  When you count all that up, Romney picks up 302 delegates to Santorum’s 202.  If Romney wins California, of course, he blows Santorum out of the water.

What we’re looking at, then is a presumptive lead for Romney of 151 delegates.  In the other, proportional states, Romney just needs to run relatively even with Santorum – which he will, since he has large leads in some of the most populous states, like New York and Massachusetts.

More at the link.

RELATED: From Jonathan Chait, at New York Magazine, "Is Romney More Electable Than Santorum?"

Nicolas Sarkozy Announces Reelection Campaign

At Telegraph UK, "'Captain' Nicolas Sarkozy launches re-election bid":

Nicolas Sarkozy promised to keep France “strong” like a “captain at the heart of a storm” if it re-elected him as President, as he finally launched his campaign after weeks of false suspense over his candidacy.

Man Suffers Heart Attack at Heart Attack Grill

Seriously.

That's the headline at ABC News, and Pat Dollard has more, "Man Has Heart Attack While Eating “Triple-Bypass Burger” At Heart Attack Grill – Patrons Think It’s Funny, Snap Photos – With Video."

Allahpundit Throws In the Towel?

The Last Tradition takes issue with Allahpundit at Hot Air, "CNN Poll, Obama approval 50% Is Dan Rather the pollster?":

For what’s its worth that’s what CNN is reporting. Allahpundit over at Hot Air is already throwing in the towel. Boy, we really have a bunch of freaking wimps on our side.

A lot can happen between now and November. And once the primaries are over and the GOP nominee is known, the Democrats are going to be under constant fire. It's going to be a mercilessly close election. Don't count anyone out.

Iran Blamed in Bangkok Bombings

At Wall Street Journal, "Botched Thai Bombing Plot Ratchets Up Pressure on Iran":

BANGKOK — An apparently botched bomb plot in the Thai capital put Iranian fingerprints on the latest of a string of attacks that have raised U.S. and Israeli warnings of a heightened threat of terrorism sponsored by Tehran.

Three explosions tore through a bustling Bangkok neighborhood Tuesday, wounding four bystanders and blowing off the legs of a bomber who Thai police said was an Iranian national. A second Iranian passport holder who fled the scene was detained at the city's international airport, Thai police said.

The blasts follow alleged plots in India and Georgia on Monday, and in Azerbaijan and Thailand last month, which Israel has blamed on Iran or its Lebanese militant ally, Hezbollah. Iran denied involvement in Monday's incidents and didn't comment on the Bangkok blasts.

The State Department on Tuesday moved closer than it has this year to pointing the finger at Iran. The attacks "serve as a reminder that a variety of states and nonstate actors continue to view international terrorism as a legitimate foreign policy tool, which we consider reprehensible," said State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland.

The accusations come as Iran faces growing international pressure. On Tuesday, senior European and American officials said the European Union was moving as early as this month to ban blacklisted Iranian entities from using a clearing system for international financial transactions, a move that would drastically cut Tehran's ability to access the global financial system.

Continue reading.

And at Telegraph UK, "Thailand finds Iran link between Bangkok and Delhi attacks."

Keith Olbermann and Markos Moulitsas Laugh Off Rape and Sexual Assault in Occupy Movement

Well the 'Hating Breitbart' documentary is on the way, CPAC fired up the right last weekend, and The Daily Caller launched its investigative series against Media Matters and the progressive totalitarians. I'm not sure if that explains it, but this last couple of days you might have noticed a bit of DEFCON conditions across the conservative 'sphere, etc. I'll have more on this later, but for now check Dana Loesch and the folks at Big Journalism. They're going after Olby and Kos for their repugnant denialism on Occupy's criminality and mayhem. See: "Al Gore, Keith Olbermann & Markos Moulitsas Must Retract, Apologize For Occupy Rape Cover-Up." There's an awful video at the link, which I don't care to embed.

And there's more at the tag: #OccupyWallStreet.

I'll be updating later on this. If major progs are going to deny the crimes of Occupy then there's really no lie too big for the left. But I'm not surprised. These are really bad people backing a really bad movement, and it's going to come back and reverberate to the top of the political system this season. I feel something really cooking on this, big time.

Check back...

'Sex at CPAC is Strongly Discouraged'

Look, you're surrounded by young women at CPAC, so it's not surprising that a lot of young conservative dudes would be looking to score, but by the looks of the buzz online yesterday, a backlash is brewing among those older and wiser. See Robert Stacy McCain, for example, "Cody’s Totally Excellent CPAC."

Robert links to Erick Erickson, "CPAC: Not Quite Like the Media Matters Communications Room. But Still, Grow Up" (at Memeorandum as well). And also to Melissa Clouthier, who pulls no punches, "CPAC: The Jersey Shore-ification of Our Young People":

Women, if you’re at a conference where you’re learning to be a future politician or wish to succeed in the business of politics, dress the part. No, you don’t have to be in a business suit with pearls. However, modesty is a minimum. So:

1. No cleavage. That’s right. Cover that up. I say “no” in absolutist terms because women will show a tiny bit and that’s okay, but really, in a business environment where ideas are the priority, a dude thinking about your ta-tas is counter-productive.

2. Skirts no more than three finger-widths above the knee. Why do I even have to write this? Well, because someone is allowing these girls out of the house with mini-skirts that reveal too much.

3. Save the stilettos for Saturday night on a date with your boyfriend.

4. Bend at the knee. No, I don’t want to see your butt.

Young women, you degrade your own value by dressing and then acting the ho.

I cannot even tell you how many girls have told me that all they want is to get married and have babies. They do not seem to make the connection that a young man is not interested in getting married and making babies with a girl who is so easy as to have a one-night stand over a CPAC weekend (or any other weekend.)

You know what a guy thinks when you slut-it-up? He thinks: If she’ll do that with me, she’ll do that with anyone.

This is not politically correct advice, mind you. Young ladies at college are encouraged to embrace their sexuality and flaunt it on the one hand (empowerment!) or to be tough, gruff and make-up free (man’s world!) to be taken seriously.

A successful woman can be tough and beautiful, modest and stylish, smart and sexy while still being chaste and having expectations of men.

The conservative movement means conservative values–promoting behavior that will lead to a sound society. Family is at the basis of this. Sexuality, and the self-management of it, is at the core of family.

A man who will use self-restraint, respect a woman, honor her enough to not pressure for sex–is a man who will more likely be faithful in marriage, work and life.

Likewise, a woman who sees herself as more than a sex-object and realizes she doesn’t need to be a man in order to be worthy, who carries herself with confidence and modesty, will attract men who want to get married and make babies.

I don't know, but I suspect that young people raised well by their parents already know this. My son for example is a young gentlemen who respects his girlfriends and hangs with a good crowd. But in four or five years, if he's out at a CPAC-like conference, I'm not going to blame him if he's looking for a good time --- and if that means notching a bedpost, well, you only live once. Frankly, young people are looking for action, and I'd be surprised if this notion of no hitting on hotties at CPAC finds a huge audience with the hip crowd. Indeed, I think I'm with Dan Riehl on the more on the libertarian side of things. Either way, have fun, be responsible and dress nice --- and most of all, keep a perspective on things. Sure the goal is marriage and family, but one doesn't have to detour to the monastery beforehand.

Websites Cater to 'Discreet' Encounters as Marital Infidelity Becomes the Norm

Folks might have been wondering about my new Blogad at the sidebar, the one that says, "Sex RARELY happens. When it Does, It's Beyond BORING! It's Time for a New Discreet Partner!"

I don't click through, but hovering over shows a link to the website called "Online Affairs." And you know, as much as I like the Rule 5 blogging, I have mixed feelings about these "discreet" dating services, which are basically hookups sites for online cheating.

Blogads can be pre-approved, so I'll update if I change my mind about these. Meanwhile, USA Today has a feature story on this advertising trend in today's paper. See, "Sites like Ashley Madison Cater to 'Discreet' Encounters, Cheating":

Husbands and wives take note: If Valentine's Day expectations aren't met, your mate might soon be looking elsewhere for a little romance and appreciation.

That may sound like a cautionary tale, but for Noel Biderman and others who have founded dating websites for married people, it's a lucrative business.

"The day after Valentine's Day is one of our biggest days of the year," says Biderman, founder and CEO of Ashley Madison, a 10-year-old site that unapologetically caters to "discreet" encounters for the married or otherwise attached. "People are disappointed by their spouses' lack of effort, and they feel especially undervalued when there is a societal expectation of romance. Certain days of the year act as litmus tests for many people in relationships."

Websites designed to facilitate cheating appear to be thriving; some earn tens of millions of dollars a year, and competition is growing. In addition to Toronto-based Ashley Madison, there's a growing crop of copycats that equate affairs with romance, passion and adventure.

Whether these sites promote cheating or just facilitate it is up for debate.

"People are going to cheat regardless of whether Ashley Madison is there or not," says sociologist Diane Kholos Wysocki of the University of Nebraska-Kearney, who has surveyed the site's members for her latest research. "There's a bigger social issue going on — people aren't taking care of their marriages.

"It's not so much that they're going to these cheating websites because the sex is greater or the person is more beautiful. It's because the person is giving them attention they're not getting at home."

Continue reading.

Maybe I'll post a disclaimer for the Blogads, like Betsy Newmark, "Betsy neither necessarily uses nor endorses the products advertised on this site."

Kate Upton Uses the Web to Become a Superstar Model

This is front-page news at the New York Times, "Model Struts Path to Stardom Not on Runway, but on YouTube":

There was a time, not long ago, when the surest path to modeling stardom was down the runway of a top designer’s show, when it would have been unthinkable to find among the industry’s top ranks a swimsuit girl whose main claims to fame were ad campaigns for Guess jeans and Beach Bunny Swimwear.

But that was before social media altered the paths to fame.

Unlike the many little-known beauties now on view at New York Fashion Week — women seldom identified by more than one name (Agata, Hanaa, Frida, Joan) — Kate Upton, just 19 and resembling a 1950s pinup, but with the legs of a W.N.B.A. point guard, has arrived on the scene as a largely self-created Internet phenomenon.

It is not just that she has a respectable Twitter following (170,000 people at last count), or a YouTube video with over 3 million viewers, or marketing potential perhaps best measured by her rocketing from obscurity to No. 2 on a list of the world’s 99 “top” women compiled by AskMen.com, an online magazine with 15 million readers. (Sofia Vergara, of the ABC sitcom “Modern Family,” is No. 1.)

Less than a year after Ms. Upton, curvaceous and rambunctious, posted a video of herself at a Los Angeles Clippers game doing the Dougie, a dance popularized in a hip-hop tune by Cali Swag District, she finds herself in one of the most coveted positions in the modeling business.

Joining an elite club of modeling powerhouses — brand names like Cheryl Tiegs, Tyra Banks and Heidi Klum — Ms. Upton was announced Monday night on David Letterman’s show as the latest cover girl for Sports Illustrated’s annual swimsuit issue, the circulation and advertising behemoth that has long been equally the dream book of adolescent males and the bane of feminists.

And leftists generally, who have attacked this blog ferociously not the least because of all the Rule 5.

But continue reading at the link.

PREVIOUSLY: "Kate Upton 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition Cover."

And Sports Illustrated has now posted the 2012 edition, at the link.

Obama Approval Picks Up in Latest New York Times Poll

Obama will be reelected if he keeps benefiting from improved perceptions on the economy, as shown at the latest poll at the New York Times. See: "Economic Growth Gives Lift to Obama in NYT/CBS Poll." The only thing worrisome for the Democrats is that respondents continue to give the president low marks on handling of the economy --- 50 percent disapproved of the president on that measure, compared to 44 percent approval --- and respondents are also unhappy about Obama's handling of the budget. But the trend line is positive for the administration, and the president will continue to benefit until the GOP decides on a nominee. At that time Republicans can train their sites on the White House and attack the administration's economic record with both barrels.

Lots more polling data and reporting at Memeorandum.

It's going to be an extremely hard-fought campaign. I'm excited for the primaries to wrap up.

Obama Seeks New Taxes on Rich

At Wall Street Journal, "Budget Would Raise Levies on Some Dividends; GOP Dismisses 'Campaign Document'":

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama called on Congress Monday to enact new taxes on the wealthy, restructure the tax code and approve short-term spending measures as part of an election-year budget plan aimed at boosting job growth and helping the middle class.

Mr. Obama's $3.8 trillion budget for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1 was quickly dismissed by congressional Republicans and GOP presidential candidates as a political document that fails to seriously tackle the nation's growing debt.

The proposal "isn't really a budget at all; it's a campaign document," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) said. "Once again, the president is shirking his responsibility to lead and using this budget to divide."

The budget underscores the White House's bet that it can convince voters in November that increased spending in the short term is needed to jolt the economy before steps are taken to shrink the federal deficit in the long term. "At a time when our economy is growing and creating jobs at a faster clip, we've got to do everything in our power to keep this recovery on track," Mr. Obama said at a community college in northern Virginia.

The budget projects the deficit will exceed $1 trillion in 2012 for the fourth straight year, meaning Mr. Obama won't meet his promise to cut the deficit in half by the end of his first term.

Mr. Obama proposed generating $1.7 trillion in new revenue over 10 years largely by ending Bush-era tax cuts for families who earn more than $250,000, restoring the estate tax to its 2009 level and limiting subsidies for oil and gas companies.

He also for the first time proposed raising the tax rate households making more than $250,000 a year pay on dividends, from 15% to as much as 39.6%. The White House said the measure would generate $206 billion in revenue over 10 years.

Continue reading.

And see WSJ's editorial, "The Amazing Obama Budget."

'Uncommon Knowledge': Jonah Goldberg

The Peter Robinson interview series moves to PJTV, and first up at the new home, Jonah Goldberg:

And Goldberg's new book will be out on May 1st, The Tyranny of Cliches: How Liberals Cheat in the War of Ideas.

Obama Doubles Down on Class Warfare

Well, this is what I was talking about the other day.

From James Pethokoukis, "Obama’s ‘rosy’ budget scenario doubles down on class warfare":

Here’s pretty much all you need to know about Obamanomics: In 2011, the Obama White House suggested raising the top dividend tax rate to 20 percent from 15 percent. Keeping the dividend rate at a relatively low level, the White House said, “reduces the tax bias against equity investment and promotes a more efficient allocation of capital.” Makes sense, right? Basic economics.

Yet in his brand-new, 2013 budget, Obama calls for taxing dividends as ordinary income, essentially raising the top rate all the way to 39.6 percent. And then when you tack on the 3.8 percentage point Obamacare surtax — and an additional 1.2 percentage point itemized deduction phase-out for high-end taxpayers — the rate rises to 44.6 percent.

So apparently Obama is now in favor of a greater bias against equity investment (and in favor of debt) and promoting less efficient allocation of capital. And this helps create an economy “built to last” in some way?

Of course, it doesn’t. Not at all. More like “built to fail.” Then again, Obama’s new budget isn’t about economic growth or cutting debt or creating a “built to last” economy. The Obama campaign is built around the idea of reducing inequality. So in his budget, Obama takes the populist whip to the wealthy and to business ...

Continue reading.

Americans Significantly More Likely to Identify as Conservative Than Liberal

To hear it from progressives, you'd think it was the other way around --- or at least, that's the way some progs make it out to be.

See the cool graphics and discussion from Richard Florida, at The Atlantic, "Why America Keeps Getting More Conservative."

What's Capitalism?

This is Professor Gary Chartier, who's described as a "left-wing market anarchist" --- which sounds quite similar to (yet perhaps more authentic than) James B. Webb, who claims to be a "libertarian socialist."

Greenpeace Tar Sands Propaganda Video Features Registered Sex Offender George John Bolenbaugh III

Great work by Small Dead Animals, "Support Greenpeace. For the Children."

The Greenpeace blog post has been taken down, but SDA saved the video just in case:

HAT TIP: Five Feet of Fury.

Conservatives Suck!

Well, yeah, we suck, as explained by Bill Whittle. The thing is, progressives suck even more:

L.A. Times: Whitney Houston Was Found Submerged in Bathtub

Well, TMZ and the other celebrity outlets were reporting this over the weekend, but the Times had to hold off until official confirmation --- for credibility's sake, and all that.

See: "Houston found underwater in hotel bathtub, authorities say."

And now that I mention it, here's TMZ, "WHITNEY HOUSTON: Few Pills Recovered at Death Scene," and "WHITNEY HOUSTON'S FINAL MEAL: Rx and Alcohol."

Kate Upton 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition Cover

It's out.

See London's Daily Mail, "REVEALED: Kate Upton is the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover girl for 2012."

The Sports Illustrated swimsuit page is here, and no 2012 pics just yet.

More later...

Santorum Support Surges Among Tea Party Republicans and White Evangelicals

At Pew Research, "Santorum Catches Romney in GOP Race" (via Memeorandum):

Rick Santorum’s support among Tea Party Republicans and white evangelicals is surging, and he now has pulled into a virtual tie with Mitt Romney in the race for the Republican presidential nomination. In polling conducted Feb. 8-12, 30% of Republican and Republican-leaning registered voters favor Santorum while 28% favor Romney. As recently as a month ago, Romney held a 31% to 14% advantage over Santorum among all GOP voters.

Santorum is now the clear favorite of Republican and GOP-leaning voters who agree with the Tea Party, as well as white evangelical Republicans. Currently, 42% of Tea Party Republican voters favor Santorum, compared with just 23% who back Romney. Santorum holds an almost identical advantage among white evangelical Republican voters (41% to 23%).

More at the link.

The bad news is that neither Santorum nor Romney best President Obama in head-to-head match-ups. That will of course tighten once the GOP nominee is known, but it's clear that the president is benefiting from perceptions of improved economic conditions and there's little indication that social issues are dragging down Obama's numbers. Indeed, the most troubling findings here for Republicans are increasing negative perceptions of Mitt Romney in the GOP electorate. A majority says that Romney is not conservative (51 percent) and he flip-flops on the issues (53 percent). If the consensus remains that Romney is most likely to win the nomination, then the former Massachusetts Governor will face strong headwinds with the base leading up to the fall campaign. Frankly, at this point Santorum's way more likely to energize GOP voters. He's way more authentic and he's not burdened near the degree that Romney is when it comes to the campaign's big issues, especially health care.

See also Hot Air, "Crumble: Santorum passes Romney nationally in Pew, within two points in Gallup."

And note that Santorum's also ahead in Michigan, according to Public Policy Polling. The primary's scheduled for February 28th, so Romney's got some time to shore up his position, but a loss there will be devastating --- Michigan is home turf for Romney. His dad was the state's governor in the 1960s and he won the Michigan primary in the 2008 campaign against John McCain.

It's going to be an interesting couple of weeks until then, that's for sure

'Bistro' Anti-Semitism

Ben Cohen, at Commentary, offers the notion of 'bistro' anti-Semitism to explain a new "civilized" version of anti-Jewish hatred, a version particularly sinister in how it turns outrage against attacks on the Jews into a form a bigotry itself.

See Cohen's essay, "The Big Lie Returns":

Anti-Semitism’s newfound respectability is not unprecedented. Indeed, the fact that anti-Semites have been given power over the definition of anti-Semitism reflects the very origins of the term. Coined in late 19-century Germany, anti-Semitism was not intended as a descriptor for a troubling social trend—like racism, or the more recent Islamophobia—but as the positive organizing principle of an emancipatory political movement.

While the Jews and their allies regard anti-Semites as propelled by hatred, anti-Semites regard themselves as a fraternity bound by a message of universalist love. “This book is above all a book for friends, a book that is written for those who love us,” wrote Edouard Drumont, one of the founders of France’s Ligue Antisemitique, and an especially shrill voice behind the false allegations of treason against Alfred Dreyfus, in his Le Testament d’un Antisemite. Atzmon expresses himself with similar pretensions: “When you talk about humanity, you talk about a universal system of values promoting love for one another.” Rather than being anti-moral, the moral sensibility of anti-Semitism resides in its presentation of the Jews (or “Jewishness” or “Judaism”) as the barrier to a society founded upon love. What seems at first glance to be a material battle is really a spiritual one.

With this understanding, we can better appreciate a rare modification in the nature of anti-Semitism in our own time. I say rare, because, as a framework for interpreting the world, anti-Semitism resists innovation. Charles Maurras, another French anti-Semite, took great delight in hawking a worldview that “enables everything to be arranged, smoothed over, and simplified.”

The modification rests upon a distinction between what I call bierkeller and bistro anti-Semitism. Bierkeller anti-Semitism—named for the beer halls frequented by the German Nazis—employs such means as violence, verbal abuse, commercial harassment, and advocacy of anti-Jewish legal measures. Certainly, the first and second generations of modern anti-Semitic publicists and intellectuals had no qualms about this sort of thuggery. Since the Second World War, though, this mode of anti-Semitism has waned sharply, along with the tendency to use the word anti-Semite as a positive means of political identification.

Bistro anti-Semitism, on the other hand, sits in a higher and outwardly more civilized realm, providing what left-wing activists would call a “safe space” to critically assess the global impact of Jewish cabals from Washington, D.C., to Jerusalem. Anyone who enters the bistro will encounter common themes. These include the depiction of Palestinians as the victims of a second Holocaust, the breaking of the silence supposedly imposed upon honest discussions of Jewish political and economic power, and the contention—offered by, among others, Mearsheimer’s co-author, Stephen Walt, of Harvard—that American Jewish government officials are more suspect than others because of a potential second loyalty to Israel.

To this list we can now add the assault upon what Atzmon calls the “Holocaust narrative.” This type of revisionism doesn’t deny that the Nazis killed Jews, but it redistributes a good deal of the blame among the victims. Additionally, it disputes the conclusion of mainstream Holocaust historians that total elimination was the goal of the Third Reich’s Jewish policy.

RTWT at the link.

Occupy Prepares for New Phase of Mayhem

At New York Times, "Occupy Movement Regroups, Laying Plans for the Next Phase":

The ragtag Occupy Wall Street encampments that sprang up in scores of cities last fall, thrusting “We are the 99 percent” into the vernacular, have largely been dismantled, with a new wave of crackdowns and evictions in the past week. Since the violent clashes last month in Oakland, Calif., headlines about Occupy have dwindled, too.

Far from dissipating, groups around the country say they are preparing for a new phase of larger marches and strikes this spring that they hope will rebuild momentum and cast an even brighter glare on inequality and corporate greed. But this transition is filled with potential pitfalls and uncertainties: without the visible camps or clear goals, can Occupy become a lasting force for change? Will disruptive protests do more to galvanize or alienate the public?

Though still loosely organized, the movement is putting down roots in many cities. Activists in Chicago and Des Moines have rented offices, a significant change for groups accustomed to holding open-air assemblies or huddling in tents in bad weather.

On any night in New York City, which remains a hub of the movement, a dozen working groups on issues like “food justice” and “arts and culture” meet in a Wall Street atrium, and “general assemblies” have formed in 14 neighborhoods. Around the country, small demonstrations — often focused on banks and ending foreclosure evictions — take place almost daily.

If the movement has not produced public leaders, some visible faces have emerged.

“I’m finally going to make it to the dentist next week,” said Dorli Rainey, a Seattle activist. “I’ve had to cancel so many times. It’s overwhelming.”

Ms. Rainey, who is 85 and was pepper-sprayed by the police in November, has been fully booked for months. On a recent Thursday, she joined 10 people in Olympia, Wash., who were supporting a State Senate resolution to remove American soldiers from Afghanistan. She led a rally near Pike Place Market against steam incinerators, which the protesters complain release pollution in the downtown area. In March, she plans to join Occupy leaders in Washington for events that are still being planned.

“People have different goals,” Ms. Rainey said. “Mine is, we’ve got to build a movement that will replace the type of government we have now.”

Well, there you go: "replace the type of government we have now."

See: "Occupy Wall Street: The Communist Movement Reborn."

And more at Weasel Zippers, "Occupy Oakland Burns The American Flag For The Third Week In A Row…" (via Memeorandum).

Greeks Protest Austerity Measures, Clash With Police

At Telegraph UK, "Greece passes crucial bailout vote as country burns."

Also at London's Daily Mail, "Athens ablaze as Greece votes in favour of £110bn bailout: Rioters attack police and set ten buildings on fire in protest at cuts."

Do You Speak Conservative?

From Mona Charen, at Townhall.

Just go read that whole thing --- it's a great piece.

And Dan Riehl offers a perceptive analysis of Mitt Romney. You really do have to think ideologically, and Romney doesn't demonstrate it. See: "Romney's Blood Is Blue, Not Conservative."

Daniel Hannan Speech CPAC 2012

Via Pundette:

Osama Bin Laden Tells Kids and Grandkids to Reject Terrorism: 'Do Not Follow Me Down the Road to Jihad'

At London's Daily Mail, "'Do not follow me down the road to jihad. Go and get a good education in the West': Osama Bin Laden’s extraordinary instructions to his young children."

And see Walter Russell Mead, "Bin Laden Gave Up on Jihad" (via Instapundit).

I'd personally like more evidence before gloating, although certainly the trend is that the U.S. has done right in the war on terror, defeating and demoralizing our enemies on the battlefield and in hearts and minds --- even on the home front. See: "On Second Thought: Liberals Now Support Drone Strikes on US Civilians and Gitmo."

Adele Triumphs at Grammy Awards

At Los Angeles Times, "Adele is rolling in the Grammys." (More here.)

And see New York Times, "Major Grammy Honors for Adele and Foo Fighters."

Charles Johnson's Increasingly Desperate Efforts to Simulate Relevance

See Robert Stacy McCain, "An Idiot Obsessed With Commenters."

PREVIOUSLY: "Charles Johnson Whines After Getting Smacked Down for Attacks on Pamela Geller."

Daily Caller: 'Inside Media Matters of America'

See: "Inside Media Matters: Sources, memos reveal erratic behavior, close coordination with White House and news organizations." (Via Instapundit and Memeorandum.)

None of this is surprising, although the intensity of Media Matters' coordination with MSM outlets, and its trophy case of successful attacks, is fairly eye-popping.

'Hating Breitbart'

Via Legal Insurrection:

Also at Big Hollywood, "‘Hating Breitbart’ Trailer: Internet Upstart Declares War on Establishment Media."

Sunday Cartoons

At Flopping Aces, "Sunday Funnies."

Also at Reaganite Republican, "Reaganite's Sunday Funnies," and Theo Spark, "Cartoon Round Up..."

Whitney Houston 'Drowned in Bathtub', Reports Claim

Sources tell TMZ that Whitney Houston's body was removed from the bathtub before paramedics arrived, and prescription drugs have been found on the scene. See: "WHITNEY HOUSTON: Prescriptions Found; Possible Drowning."

And see London's Daily Mail, "Did Whitney Houston drown in the bath after taking prescription drugs? Star, 48, died just hours before Grammys party at LA hotel."

Added: The Last Tradition has more, "Whitney Houston found dead, drowned in bathtub, prescription drugs in room, partied heavily reeked of alcohol."

NewsBusted: 'Susan G. Komen vs. Planned Parenthood'

Via Big Journalism:

Photos From the Pre-Grammy's Celebrity Party at the Beverly Hilton On the Night Whitney Houston Died

At London's Daily Mail, "Is that really appropriate? Kim Kardashian, Amber Rose and Britney Spears are far from demure as they party at hotel where Whitney Houston died just hours earlier."

Well, the headline assumes that they'd shut the place down because Whitney died. I think the photos just go to show that life goes on, or "the show goes on," in Hollywood-speak.

And see Los Angeles Times for the latest on Whitney's death, "Cause-of-death ruling expected to take time."

Mitt Romney is 'Wishy-Washy' in California's Central Valley

From Steve Lopez, at Los Angeles Times, "In Central Valley, conservative flight to the right":

The way things are going in the GOP presidential primary, there's now an outside chance that California's 169 delegate votes — the most of any state in the nation — could come into play.

Who knew?

It seemed, way back when, that Mitt Romney was a safe bet to make it to the dance with President Obama in November. Then Newt Gingrich came on like the bull terrier he is, followed by a surprising surge from Rick Santorum. If the seesaw ride continues, it could even make California's June 5 primary relevant for once.

So whom do California conservatives like?

My poll may have a wide margin of error, scientifically speaking, but I did zigzag my way through the heavily Republican Central Valley one day last week, asking that very question.

"Gingrich," said Joe Rebella, owner of Fresno's Whirlwind Car Wash, where the sign says "you'll see a whirl of difference."

Romney comes off as "wishy-washy," said the carwash man, who isn't exactly "conservative" with a capital C. He said he's voted for Democrats and Republicans, but business at the Whirlwind has been worse than ever since Obama took office. About a year ago, Rebella lost a big prize when Fresno City Hall stopped having him wash its fleet of cars because of budget troubles.

OK, but given the GOP gospel of ever-smaller government, does Rebella really think he'd get the city fleet back under a President Gingrich?

In the tiny farm town of Pixley, south of Tulare, I strolled into the True Romance Tattoo parlor, because how could I not?

"I'm a convicted felon," said the owner, Josh Richardson, explaining why he won't be voting in June or November. But if he could, he'd definitely vote Republican, on gun-rights issues alone.

OK, swell.

His grandpa, James Crawford, said he had switched party affiliation from D to R that very morning because Obama is nothing but "promises, promises, promises." Crawford plans to vote for Romney in the primary because Gingrich is nothing but a politician and lobbyist.

OK, but with so many people suffering through a rough economy, does it bother Crawford that the fabulously rich Romney said he didn't care about poor people, or that he paid 13.9% in taxes on dividends while lots of working folks paid twice as much?

"No," said Crawford. "That's the way it's set up."

More at that top link. That's interesting that folks are switching to Democrat affiliation at this late date. It's not your mother's party, as Andrew Breitbart remarked at CPAC, not by a long shot.

A Specter of Violence is Haunting Our Democracy

That's Michael Walsh, at New York Post, "Attack on civility: ‘Occupy’ alive in NY, DC" (via Glenn Reynolds):

A specter is haunting America — the specter of violence that challenges the notion of civil discourse and threatens our democracy. Embodied by the Occupy Wall Street rabble and its imitators, and shamefully abetted by far too many Democratic elected officials, what once masqueraded as “dissent” is now unmasked as partisan thuggery.

I like how Walsh is riffing on the Communist Manifesto, which begins, "A spectre is haunting Europe — the spectre of communism."

Obama's Act of Supremacy

Mark Steyn does it again with a fantastic essay, at National Review, "The Church of Obama":

Announcing his support for Commissar Sebelius’s edicts on contraception, sterilization, and pharmacological abortion, that noted theologian the Most Reverend Al Sharpton explained: “If we are going to have a separation of church and state, we’re going to have a separation of church and state.”

Thanks for clarifying that. The church model the young American state wished to separate from was that of the British monarch, who remains to this day supreme governor of the Church of England. This convenient arrangement dates from the 1534 Act of Supremacy. The title of the law gives you the general upshot, but, just in case you’re a bit slow on the uptake, the text proclaims “the King’s Majesty justly and rightfully is and ought to be the supreme head of the Church of England.” That’s to say, the sovereign is “the only supreme head on earth of the Church” and he shall enjoy “all honors, dignities, pre-eminences, jurisdictions, privileges, authorities, immunities, profits, and commodities to the said dignity,” not to mention His Majesty “shall have full power and authority from time to time to visit, repress, redress, record, order, correct, restrain, and amend all such errors, heresies, abuses, offenses, contempts, and enormities, whatsoever they be.”

Welcome to Obamacare.

The president of the United States has decided to go Henry VIII on the Church’s medieval ass. Whatever religious institutions might profess to believe in the matter of “women’s health,” their pre-eminences, jurisdictions, privileges, authorities, and immunities are now subordinate to a one-and-only supreme head on earth determined to repress, redress, restrain, and amend their heresies. One wouldn’t wish to overextend the analogy: For one thing, the Catholic Church in America has been pathetically accommodating of Beltway bigwigs’ ravenous appetite for marital annulments in a way that Pope Clement VII was disinclined to be vis-à-vis the English king and Catherine of Aragon. But where’d all the pandering get them? In essence President Obama has embarked on the same usurpation of church authority as Henry VIII: As his Friday morning faux-compromise confirms, the continued existence of a “faith-based institution” depends on submission to the doctrinal supremacy of the state.

Continue reading.

And at Blazing Cat Fur, "Mark Steyn on The New Yorker's Hatred of Catholics, and Barack Obama Becoming Henry VIII."

Inequality: An Unavoidable Byproduct of Capitalism?

A CNN segment with Ali Velshi.

Mostly of interest here are the comments by Harold Meyerson, who is introduced as a columnist at the Washington Post, but who is in fact a hard-line leftist and Vice-Chair of the Democratic Socialists of America (via Discover the Networks).

And from the DSA website, "Where We Stand: The Political Perspective of the Democratic Socialists of America":

Socialists have historically supported public ownership and control of the major economic institutions of society -- the large corporations -- in order to eliminate the injustice and inequality of a class-based society, and have depended on the the organization of a working class party to gain state power to achieve such ends. In the United States, socialists joined with others on the Left to build a broad-based, anti-corporate coalition, with the unions at the center, to address the needs of the majority by opposing the excesses of private enterprise. Many socialists have seen the Democratic Party, since at least the New Deal, as the key political arena in which to consolidate this coalition, because the Democratic Party held the allegiance of our natural allies. Through control of the government by the Democratic Party coalition, led by anti-corporate forces, a progressive program regulating the corporations, redistributing income, fostering economic growth and expanding social programs could be realized.

With the end of the post-World War II economic boom and the rise of global economic competitors in East Asia and Europe in the 1970s came the demise of the brief majoritarian moment of this progressive coalition that promised--but did not deliver--economic and social justice for all. A vicious corporate assault on the trade union movement and a right-wing racist,populist appeal to downwardly mobile, disgruntled white blue-collar workers contributed to the disintegration of the liberal wing of the Democratic Party in the 1970s and 1980s.

Today, the mildly redistributive welfare state liberalism of the 1960s, which accepted the corporate dominance of economic decision-making, can no longer be the programmatic basis for a majoritarian progressive politics. New Deal and Great Society liberalism depended upon redistribution at the margins of an ever-expanding economic pie. But today corporations no longer aspire to expand production and consumption by raising global living standards; rather, global capital engages in a race to increase profits by "downsizing" and lowering wages.

With the collapse of the political economy of corporate liberalism came the atrophy of the very institutions upon which the progressive politics of the New Deal and Great Society had been constructed. No longer do the social bases for a majoritarian democratic politics -- strong trade unions, social movements and urban, Democratic political machines -- simply await mobilization by a proper electoral appeal. Rather, a next left must be built from the grassroots up.

Given the globalization of economic power, such grassroots movements will increasingly focus upon building a countervailing power to that of the transnational corporations. A number of positive signs of this democratic and grassroots realignment have emerged. New labor leadership has pledged to organize a workforce increasingly constituted by women, people of color, and immigrant workers. Inner-city grassroots community organizations are placing reinvestment, job creation, and economic democracy at the heart of their organizing. The women's movement increasingly argues that only by restructuring work and child care can true gender equality be realized. And the fight for national health care -- a modest reform long provided by all other industrial democracies -- united a broad coalition of activists and constituencies.

But such movements cannot be solely national in scope. Rather, today's social movements must be as global as the corporate power they confront; they must cooperate across national boundaries and promote interstate democratic regulation of transnational capital.

If socialism cannot be achieved primarily from above, through a democratic government that owns, control and regulates the major corporations, then it must emerge from below, through a democratic transformation of the institutions of civil society, particularly those in the economic sphere -- in other words, a program for economic democracy.

As inequalities of wealth and income increase and the wages and living standards of most are either stagnant or falling, social needs expand. Only a revitalized public sector can universally and democratically meet those needs.

In other words, a socialist revolution.

Freakin' Harold Meyerson, damned Marxist asshole.

Gisele Bündchen Versace 2012 Video

Well, I skipped posting on Gisele's post-Super Bowl meltdown, but her fashion clips are interesting. That pool looks skate-able.

Michael Coren on Madness and Badness of Islamic Faith

Via Blazing Cat Fur:

Rick Santorum Tailors Image to Take Advantage of Shifting Political Landscape

At Washington Post, "Rick Santorum has honed his image along the GOP campaign trail":

In the opening weeks of the Republican presidential race, Rick Santorum came across as a prickly, exasperated figure on the fringe of the debate stage, spending much of his airtime complaining about the lack of attention from the moderators.

But Santorum gradually has taken on a different image, one of a confident, good-natured and almost fatherly presence on the campaign trail who has shrewdly taken advantage of the shifting political landscape.

While his rivals attacked one another in the media glare, Santorum’s campaign has followed a carefully calibrated strategy to leverage his status below the radar.

Hearing from voters that Santorum’s electability was an issue, his advisers honed his message and focused his attention on a handful of states where he could win. When the controversy about contraception coverage and the Catholic Church emerged last week, Santorum leapt at the chance to address social issues, which are his strength.

And after nine months on the campaign trail, he has sharpened his stump speech, speaking with more confidence and authority and centering on a theme unique to his candidacy: It is impossible to tackle the economy without addressing the social problems that contribute to it.

Well, with Mitt Romney winning the CPAC straw poll and the Maine caucuses, the burden will be on Santorum to keep his momentum going. At this point I'm just holding out for March 6th. We'll have much clearer picture of the GOP race after Super Tuesday.

Whitney Elizabeth Houston, 1963–2012

She died so young. It doesn't seem real.

At Los Angeles Times, "Whitney Houston, superstar of records, films, dies."

And from the New York Times, "Whitney Houston, Singer and Actress, Dies at 48."

Houston first started singing in the church as a child. In her teens, she sang backup for Chaka Khan, Jermaine Jackson and others, in addition to modeling. It was around that time when music mogul Clive Davis first heard Houston perform.

“The time that I first saw her singing in her mother’s act in a club ... it was such a stunning impact,” Davis told “Good Morning America.”

“To hear this young girl breathe such fire into this song. I mean, it really sent the proverbial tingles up my spine,” he added.

Before long, the rest of the country would feel it, too. Houston made her album debut in 1985 with “Whitney Houston,” which sold millions and spawned hit after hit. “Saving All My Love for You” brought her her first Grammy, for best female pop vocal. “How Will I Know,” “You Give Good Love” and “The Greatest Love of All” also became hit singles.

Another multiplatinum album, “Whitney,” came out in 1987 and included hits like “Where Do Broken Hearts Go” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”

The New York Times wrote that Houston “possesses one of her generation’s most powerful gospel-trained voices, but she eschews many of the churchier mannerisms of her forerunners. She uses ornamental gospel phrasing only sparingly, and instead of projecting an earthy, tearful vulnerability, communicates cool self-assurance and strength, building pop ballads to majestic, sustained peaks of intensity.”

Her decision not to follow the more soulful inflections of singers like Franklin drew criticism by some who saw her as playing down her black roots to go pop and reach white audiences. The criticism would become a constant refrain through much of her career. She was even booed during the “Soul Train Awards” in 1989.

“Sometimes it gets down to that, you know?” she told Katie Couric in 1996. “You’re not black enough for them. I don’t know. You’re not R&B enough. You’re very pop. The white audience has taken you away from them.”

I'll update when the cause of death is known.

Mitt Romney Wins Maine Caucuses

The New York Times has a report, "Romney Wins Caucuses in Maine."

Ron Paul came in second place. I'm watching his speech on CNN right now.

I'll post updates with video when those become available.

Sarah Palin Speech CPAC 2012

I watched parts of it on CNN.

And the Right Scoop's got the full clip: "Full Speech: Sarah Palin at CPAC 2012":

And see ABC News, "Sarah Palin Rocks CPAC, Embracing a Long Primary." Also, at New York Times, "Palin Says Brokered Convention Would Not Hurt G.O.P."

Well, Couldn't Make It to CPAC 2012, But Looks Like Folks Had a Blast

Attending CPAC really is a rite of passage for conservatives, and especially for conservative bloggers, as it's truly the one time that you'll have a chance to meet all the people you read and link on a daily basis.

I'm pictured here from last year with Herman Cain and Pamela Geller.

Every year Pamela holds some of the best and best-attended events at the conference. And of course her criticism of the American Conservative Union for kowtowing to jihad is legend. And now it turns out that Pamela and Robert Spencer had something of an epic confrontation with Muslim snake Suhail Kahn, and she's got video: "FULL VIDEO: Suhail Khan Unhinged Spencer/Geller Take Down."

And of course, if you go, get ready to party with Robert Stacy McCain, who had a mention at Politico the other day, "5 non-politicians to watch at CPAC":

If you want to see someone thoroughly enjoy CPAC, look no further than this Washington Times-turned-American Spectator scribe, whose weathered face (he likes to call himself a “skinny redneck”) gets a new glow this time of year whenever CPAC comes to town. He calls it “Mardi Gras for the right.” After years of attending, he knows most virtually everyone and occupies the Marriott Wardman like a mayor (or “an epic schmoozer” or a “cruise director”). And he loves the rare opportunity in Washington of surrounded by his conservative pals, since he normally just annoys liberals. How can you find McCain? If the chain smoking and fedora don’t tip you off, he’ll be the guy in the press section who brings his family and boisterously laughs at Ann Coulter’s jokes, to the chagrin of mainstream types. And how do you know he’s pumped for this year? He’s already dubbed it the “best CPAC ever” and has planned how to “be in seven places simultaneously.”

Apparently not in attendance this year is Skye from Midnight Blue, who according to her Twitter feed had a ton of work commitments that kept her home.

William Jacobson didn't attend either and he's already having second thoughts: "Almost makes me wish I had gone to CPAC."

I'll have more coverage coming up.

Added: I met Kevin from Marooned in Marin last year as well, and he's at CPAC 2012 and blogging up a storm.

Mitt Romney Wins CPAC Straw Poll

I just caught this on Fox News.

See: "Romney wins The Washington Times/CPAC Straw Poll."

I'll update with video if it becomes available.

Andrew Breitbart Speech CPAC 2012

It's a great speech, as usual. And especially good is this part about the pending bombshell release of videos of Barack Obama's college days. Allahpundit has the report, "Breitbart tells CPAC: I have videos of Obama in college and they’ll come out during the election."

Obama Budget Seeks Tax Increase on Wealthy — Again!

It's like a broken record, and the political battles will be like Groundhog Day.

At Los Angeles Times, "Obama's budget plan draws upon his previous proposals":

President Obama will call for new spending on infrastructure, education and manufacturing research, as well as higher taxes on top earners, in a budget proposal aimed at underlining his top economic priorities as he gears up his reelection campaign.

Senior administration officials Friday offered a preview of the president's 2013 budget proposal, which is due to be formally unveiled Monday.

The blueprint outlined pulls heavily from proposals previously put forward by the president — including his jobs bill, most of which is stalled in Congress, and his deficit reduction plan, which fizzled in the failed congressional "super committee" charged with reducing the deficit.

Officials said the budget would abide by spending caps set by Congress in the August budget deal, keeping discretionary spending levels essentially flat in fiscal 2013.

Over the decade, discretionary spending would drop from 8.7% of gross domestic product to 5%, officials said.

To achieve that, the August agreement mandates steep and unpopular cuts in defense and domestic spending, a result of the super committee's failure to forge a broader deficit reduction plan. The president's budget seeks to head off those cuts by offering up a new version of the deficit reduction package he introduced in September.

The plan claims more than $4 trillion in deficit reduction. It would accomplish this through the expiration of President George W. Bush-era tax cuts on upper-income Americans, closing tax loopholes, winding down the military spending in Iraq and Afghanistan and cutting costs in Medicare and Medicaid.

The plan will reiterate a call for tax reform to be guided by the so-called Buffett rule, the principle advocated by billionaire Warren Buffett that no household making more than $1 million a year should pay less than a 30% tax rate. But officials said the budget would not estimate how much revenue such a rule would generate.

Santorum Surges

Well, Santorum's big sweep on Tuesday has really shaken up the GOP race. Polling data now show the former Pennsylvania Senator surging ahead, beating or tying Mitt Romney for the Republican nomination nationwide

See Public Policy Polling, "Santorum surges into the lead" (via Memeorandum):

Riding a wave of momentum from his trio of victories on Tuesday Rick Santorum has opened up a wide lead in PPP's newest national poll. He's at 38% to 23% for Mitt Romney, 17% for Newt Gingrich, and 13% for Ron Paul.

Part of the reason for Santorum's surge is his own high level of popularity. 64% of voters see him favorably to only 22% with a negative one. But the other, and maybe more important, reason is that Republicans are significantly souring on both Romney and Gingrich. Romney's favorability is barely above water at 44/43, representing a 23 point net decline from our December national poll when he was +24 (55/31). Gingrich has fallen even further. A 44% plurality of GOP voters now hold a negative opinion of him to only 42% with a positive one. That's a 34 point drop from 2 months ago when he was at +32 (60/28).

Santorum is now completely dominating with several key segments of the electorate, especially the most right leaning parts of the party. With those describing themselves as 'very conservative,' he's now winning a majority of voters at 53% to 20% for Gingrich and 15% for Romney.  Santorum gets a majority with Tea Party voters as well at 51% to 24% for Gingrich and 12% for Romney. And with Evangelicals he falls just short of a majority with 45% to 21% for Gingrich and 18% for Romney.

Well, it remains to be seen how things shake out. Ten states will vote in the March 6th Super Tuesday primaries. See Chicago Tribune, "Republican contenders hash out Super Tuesday strategy."

See the additional comments at Hot Air and Legal Insurrection.

'Occupy Unmasked'

Debra Heine, who I met last year at CPAC, is in attendance for the 2012 conference and is providing some great reports.

Thursday's is here, "CPAC Day One." And here's this from yesterday, on a hot panel I would have loved to have attended, "CPAC Panel: Breitbart and Citizens United Unveil “Occupy Unmasked”."

The Obama Administration's Contraceptive Reversal

This was the big news all day yesterday.

See New York Times, "Rule Shift on Birth Control Is Concession to Obama Allies."

But see Life News, "Obama Revises Mandate: Free Abortion-Causing Drugs for Women."

It's still a mandate, but the appearance of compromise will provide political cover for the White House.

Lame.

Lots more at Memeorandum. And at Catholic Vote, "Unacceptable — former Vatican Ambassador, Prof. Robert George, others respond":

This so-called “accommodation” changes nothing of moral substance and fails to remove the assault on religious liberty and the rights of conscience which gave rise to the controversy.  It is certainly no compromise.  The reason for the original bipartisan uproar was the administration’s insistence that religious employers, be they institutions or individuals, provide insurance that covered services they regard as gravely immoral and unjust.  Under the new rule, the government still coerces religious institutions and individuals to purchase insurance policies that include the very same services....

The simple fact is that the Obama administration is compelling religious people and institutions who are employers to purchase a health insurance contract that provides abortion-inducing drugs, contraception, and sterilization.  This is a grave violation of religious freedom and cannot stand.  It is an insult to the intelligence of Catholics, Protestants, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Jews, Muslims, and other people of faith and conscience to imagine that they will accept as assault on their religious liberty if only it is covered up by a cheap accounting trick.

Anticipating Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition 2012

Well, this year's Rule 5 blogging will start in earnest next week when the new Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition hits the net and the newstands.

Here's a preview, at Global Grind, "The 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition Teaser (PHOTOS)," and at Celebslam, "Kate Upton is probably getting the cover."

Rescued Dog Bites News Anchor During Live Television Report

This is freaky, and sad too for the woman, Kyle Dyer, who clearly likes the dog but gets attacked anyway.

See London's Daily Mail, "News anchor bitten by dog on air still unable to talk but issues touching message as video emerges of animal's traumatic rescue."

And see Telegraph UK, "Kyle Dyer: veteran Denver TV news anchor attacked by dog live on air."

What Happened to All the Milblogs?

An interesting discussion at Thunder Run, "Where Have the MilBlogs Gone?", and "Where Have All the MilBlogs Gone – Part 2."

Follow the links at Part 2 for some of the responses.

Mitt Romney's CPAC 2012 Speech (VIDEO)

Well, it's a good speech --- not spectacular, but Romney hits all the right notes and makes all the necessary nods to the conservative activists in attendance. The response was polite but not enthusiastic, and that's to be expected.

See Politico for a report, "At CPAC, Mitt Romney throws red meat," and New York Times, "Appealing to Activists, Romney Calls Himself ‘Severely Conservative’" (via Memeorandum).

And see Washington Post, "At CPAC, Santorum, Gingrich and Romney try to bag conservative activist."

Military Intervention in Syria

From Michael Weiss, at The New Republic, "Break the Stalemate! A Blueprint For a Military Intervention in Syria":

In the past several weeks, the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and other independent rebel brigades have made great strides: They have “liberated” key cities such as Zabadani, 20 miles outside of Damascus; set up checkpoints in restive areas throughout the country; and even begun to seize a few tanks and armored vehicles. For a network of ragtag militias, armed mainly with AK-47s and RPGs that defecting soldiers have given or sold them, the rebels have impressively taken the fight right up to Bashar al-Assad’s doorstep. But the rebels can only go so far. “If no one helps us, we can hit the regime painfully but we can’t topple it, not [when it has] jets and tanks,” Alaa al-Sheikh, the spokesman for the Khaled Bin Waleed Brigade in Rastan, told me.

This is a fair precis of the current situation in the nearly year-long Syrian uprising, in which the Assad regime has killed 7,000 people and dispossessed and imprisoned tens of thousands more. The rebels are waging a guerrilla war of attrition designed to exhaust Assad’s army and security forces rather than defeat them: They hope that if and when external help comes, they can make quick work of whatever regime elements remain. In that way, it would be a mistake to describe the crisis in Syria simply as a humanitarian catastrophe. It is also a military stalemate—one that the West can decisively break in favor of anti-Assad forces by offering them military assistance.

Going to war is a dangerous and risky business, and critics of Western intervention in Syria have understandably focused on three main hazards: the proliferation of jihadist groups, regional destabilization, and the rise of sectarianism (particularly between the Sunni majority and the Christian and Alawite minorities). But the worst fears of what might happen following an intervention have already come to pass and only threaten to grow worse with continued inaction.

Continue reading.

And here's Weiss' blueprint for intervention, "Intervention in Syria? An Assessment of Legality, Logistics and Hazards."

The Los Angeles Times has an editorial out today opposing intervention, "Avoiding the Syria Trap." Check the arguments there. It's obvious that "diplomacy" won't work. And if the U.S. did intervene it would be against the wishes of Russia and China, and the West could risk a new Islamist regime coming to power in Damascus. But in the absence of regime change, it's likely that Assad will continue to massacre his own people. There are no good options here.

Blake Griffin Monster Dunk Controversy

I saw the video the other day.

And now here's some of the controversy, "LeBron James won't apologize for tweet on Griffin's dunk."

Also, "Tweet from Miami Heat’s LeBron James about Blake Griffin on the mark despite Kendrick Perkins’ rant."

Michele Bachmann Speech CPAC 2012

She's awesome:

And at Washington Post, "Despite lightheartedness at CPAC gathering, tension within movement can be felt."

Romney Tries to Woo Conservatives at CPAC

At New York Times, "Romney Takes Conservative Leaders' Questions in Bid to 'Reconnect'."

Video at Fox News, "Can Romney Court Conservatives at CPAC?"

Looks like he's getting a cool reception. See RCP, "Little Enthusiasm for Romney at CPAC."

Dominique Storelli — Maxim 2012 March Cover Girl

She's lovely:

PREVIOUSLY: "Dominique Storelli: Winner Maxim's 2011 Hometown Hotties."

Santorum Adjusting to Star Treatment on Trail

At New York Times:

PLANO, Tex. — A crowd of well-wishers and autograph-seekers surrounded Rick Santorum at an event hall here this week. The place was packed; dozens of men, women and children stranded outside stood in the cold just to catch a glimpse of him.

People approached him with tears in their eyes. They gave him cowboy hats, personal notes, quilts sewn for his seriously ill 3-year-old daughter and envelopes with checks inside. His campaign had raised $1 million online in 24 hours. Earlier, at a nearby hotel, he had to apologize to those hoping to have their pictures taken with him, explaining that he had a television show to get ready for.

But as Mr. Santorum made his way through the crowd, he was asked if anything felt new. “No, no,” he said. “The same old, the same old.”

Of course, that was hard to believe: This was the Santorum campaign, post-trifecta.

On Tuesday night, Mr. Santorum stunned the political world by winning the Minnesota and Colorado caucuses and a nonbinding primary in Missouri, reviving his flagging candidacy. On Wednesday and Thursday, at a series of campaign stops in the suburbs north of Dallas and in Oklahoma, Mr. Santorum took advantage of a burst of momentum and campaign donations that have followed his three victories. Though overtaking Mitt Romney, the Republican front-runner, is still a formidable challenge, Mr. Santorum, a former senator from Pennsylvania, has become as much of a political rock star as he has ever been in his life.

Continue reading.

PREVIOUSLY: "Donors Turn to Santorum 'Super PAC' After Upset Victories."

Porsche 911 Test Drive With WSJ's Dan Neil

This is cool:

PREVIOUSLY: "Test-Driving the 2012 Porsche 911."

Donors Turn to Santorum 'Super PAC' After Upset Victories

At Los Angeles Times:

Reporting from Washington — A day after former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum scored a trio of upset victories, a “super PAC” working on behalf of the GOP presidential hopeful said it was flooded with calls from donors who wanted to back its efforts.

“We've been working at a speed faster than any other day the super PAC has seen in this election season,” Stuart Roy, a political advisor to the Red White and Blue Fund, wrote in an email to the Los Angeles Times/Tribune Washington Bureau. “We haven’t made a single fundraising call today because potential donors have been the ones calling us.”

He declined to say how much money the super PAC -- which raised $729,000 last year -- had received in new commitments. The organization has spent nearly $2.2 million on Santorum’s behalf so far. Its major benefactor has been Foster Friess, a wealthy former mutal fund investor based in Wyoming who joined Santorum on stage at his victory party in Missouri on Tuesday night.

And see Hot Air, "Bellwether: Santorum blows past Gingrich in Pennsylvania, now leads Romney by one."

Uncertainties Loom for Europe

At New York Times, "In Europe, Stagnation as a Way of Life":

PARIS — For all the struggles that Greece has gone through to satisfy its demanding lenders, Europe’s troubles are not going away.

Because of the various, often incremental, steps European officials have taken during the nearly three-year debt difficulties that began in Greece, the crisis fever has cooled considerably in recent months — including fears that the euro currency union might suddenly fall apart.

But crisis has given way to a grinding reality for Europe: economic stagnation and even, for much of the Continent, the specter of another downturn less than three years after the last recession ended.

Greek leaders on Thursday agreed to a new set of tough austerity measures, in hopes of receiving a new 130 billion-euro bailout package from the European Union and International Monetary Fund, aimed at avoiding a debt default in March. That agreement, though, is in some ways a microcosm of Europe’s broader quandary, as similar measures are being embraced by other debt-saddled countries in the euro currency union, including Portugal and Ireland.

Many analysts say the belt-tightening can only push those and other nations further into recession, sap the economies of their European trading partners and do little to address the systemic weaknesses plaguing Europe’s banks.

“We take one problem off the table for the moment,” Carl B. Weinberg, chief economist at High Frequency Economics in Valhalla, N.Y., said. “That still leaves us having to deal with the dramatic destruction of wealth that has taken place.”

Continue reading.

Also at Der Spiegel, "German Finance Minister Doubts Deal Will Be Enough."

'Wingnut Hunting Season'

The radical left, emboldened by the trashing of Komen, is expanding its assault to other charitable organizations as well.

And across the leftosphere, it's been way more than victorious football-spiking. Progressives are out for blood. I'm only half joking when I say I expect to see conservative piked heads in no time.

John Cole's fanning the agitation, that's for sure, "They Fucking Hate You."

And from the comments, just a sample of the bloodthirsty mob:

We have them outnumbered, and they have already been doing their worst, all this time. They are already literally murdering people as best they can, calling for it as openly as they can, and doing everything short of that as well.

It is ON.

If it comes to eye-for-an-eye ‘wingnut hunting season’, I swear I will not shed tears for these people. They’ve challenged my liberal instincts enough. I don’t owe their point of view a goddamn thing. They’ve been lying and/or wrong all this time and I’m fed up with it. I’m supposed to be alarmed if I say, ‘hi, I’m a socia1ist’ for fear they will claim my ideas are bad for everybody? Reality says THEIR ideas are bad for everybody.

Very beat down and frustrated by this point. Don’t want to go full reactionary, but I’m wondering why the hell not.

Just keep reading those comments for a taste of how desperate these f-kers are.

Man, this is going to be one hella election year.

Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy Might Cast Deciding Vote Striking Down Proposition 8

Well, actually, Kennedy's not all the conservative these days, so it won't be a surprise.

He's into the "evolving standards of decency" doctrine that's been used is left-wing decisions on the death penalty; and more importantly, Kennedy wrote the majority opinion in Lawrence v. Texas, which struck down sodomy laws in 2003. I'd have to research it, but the Court often hesitates to overturn state-level initiatives, arguing that the judgment of the Court can't be assumed superior to the voters in those states where a case originates.

That said, here's David Savage, at Los Angeles Times, "Gay marriage fight may hinge on Supreme Court's Anthony Kennedy":

The Supreme Court has nine justices, but if the constitutional fight over same-sex marriage reaches them this year, the decision will probably come down to just one: a California Republican and Reagan-era conservative who has nonetheless written the court's two leading gay rights opinions.

JusticeAnthony M. Kennedy, 75, often holds the court's deciding vote on the major issues that divide its liberals and conservatives. More often than not, that vote has swung the court to the right. But on gay rights, Kennedy has been anything but a "culture wars" conservative.

One of his opinions lauded the intimacy between same-sex couples and demanded "respect for their private lives," provoking Justice Antonin Scalia to accuse him of having "signed on to the so-called homosexual agenda."

"He is a California establishment Republican with moderately libertarian instincts," Stanford University law professor Pamela Karlan said of Kennedy. "He travels in circles where he has met and likes lots of gay people."

Based on Kennedy's past opinions, Karlan is confident that if the Supreme Court takes up the issue of California's same-sex marriage ban, "it meansProp. 8is going down to defeat," she said. "There is no way he will take it to reinstate" the ban.

Not all court observers share her prediction, but the uncertainty about how Kennedy might vote may, by itself, be enough to deter the high court from hearing an appeal of the decision by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Four justices must vote for the court to consider a case, but a majority is needed to issue a ruling.

When an appeal reaches the high court, the four most conservative justices will face a tough choice: Vote to have the court hear the case and run the risk that Kennedy would side with the more liberal justices to go beyond the 9th Circuit decision and establish a nationwide right to same-sex marriage. Or turn the case aside, leaving same-sex marriage intact in California but setting no national precedent.

More at the link.

BBC Tracks Down Notorious Internet Troll

Sometimes you just gotta smack down these f-kers.

Via Althouse: