Why Liberals Don't Get the Tea Party Movement

I never call them "liberals." They're "leftists" and "radical leftists." But I'm down with Peter Berkowitz, at WSJ:

Highly educated people say the darndest things, these days particularly about the tea party movement. Vast numbers of other highly educated people read and hear these dubious pronouncements, smile knowingly, and nod their heads in agreement. University educations and advanced degrees notwithstanding, they lack a basic understanding of the contours of American constitutional government.

New York Times columnist Paul Krugman got the ball rolling in April 2009, just ahead of the first major tea party rallies on April 15, by falsely asserting that "the tea parties don't represent a spontaneous outpouring of public sentiment. They're AstroTurf (fake grass-roots) events."

Having learned next to nothing in the intervening 16 months about one of the most spectacular grass-roots political movements in American history, fellow Times columnist Frank Rich denied in August of this year that the tea party movement is "spontaneous and leaderless," insisting instead that it is the instrument of billionaire brothers David and Charles Koch.

Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne criticized the tea party as unrepresentative in two ways. It "constitutes a sliver of opinion on the extreme end of politics receiving attention out of all proportion with its numbers," he asserted last month. This was a step back from his rash prediction five months before that since it "represents a relatively small minority of Americans on the right end of politics," the tea party movement "will not determine the outcome of the 2010 elections."

Oh brother.

But Berkowitz is just warming up:

For the better part of two generations, the best political science departments have concentrated on equipping students with skills for performing empirical research and teaching mathematical models that purport to describe political affairs. Meanwhile, leading history departments have emphasized social history and issues of race, class and gender at the expense of constitutional history, diplomatic history and military history.

Neither professors of political science nor of history have made a priority of instructing students in the founding principles of American constitutional government. Nor have they taught about the contest between the progressive vision and the conservative vision that has characterized American politics since Woodrow Wilson (then a political scientist at Princeton) helped launch the progressive movement in the late 19th century by arguing that the Constitution had become obsolete and hindered democratic reform.

Then there are the proliferating classes in practical ethics and moral reasoning. These expose students to hypothetical conundrums involving individuals in surreal circumstances suddenly facing life and death decisions, or present contentious public policy questions and explore the range of respectable progressive opinions for resolving them. Such exercises may sharpen students' ability to argue. They do little to teach about self-government.

They certainly do not teach about the virtues, or qualities of mind and character, that enable citizens to shoulder their political responsibilities and prosper amidst the opportunities and uncertainties that freedom brings. Nor do they teach the beliefs, practices and associations that foster such virtues and those that endanger them.

Those who doubt that the failings of higher education in America have political consequences need only reflect on the quality of progressive commentary on the tea party movement. Our universities have produced two generations of highly educated people who seem unable to recognize the spirited defense of fundamental American principles, even when it takes place for more than a year and a half right in front of their noses.

And this is exactly why I adopted a new textbook this year, one that features an even greater emphasis on limited government and the American political culture of individualism, civic duty, and patriotic values.

In any case, RTWT at the link.

(And by the way, I can't wait until Sharron Angle cleans Harry Reid's clock. E.J. Dionne might need to take a little time off after that, to save face a bit.)

Minka Kelly — Esquire's Sexiest Woman Alive 2010

For this week's Rule 5, with video at the link:

Hope. Dope. Decay...

Via The Blog Prof:

Why Obama Should Love the Tea Party

From Ken Davenport, at San Diego Union-Tribune:

Flash forward to Nov. 3, the day after the elections. The Republican Party has just taken over control of the House of Representatives, while gaining significant seats in the Senate and winning state races throughout the country. So who do you think woke up this morning with a smile on his face?

Would you believe President Barack Obama?

It may be counterintuitive, but the best thing that could happen to the Obama presidency would be for Republicans to find themselves in control of Congress. And it’s not for the oft-cited reason that this would force Obama to take a more moderate approach to governing – as the 1994 Republican victory did for Bill Clinton. This president has proved that he is no centrist in the mold of Clinton, and he is unlikely to push himself and the Democratic caucus to find significant common ground with Republicans on taxes, spending and immigration.

Rather, the silver lining for Obama in a Republican victory in November can be found in the 2012 presidential election cycle. Why? Because the tea party movement has galvanized conservatives across the nation and has created a new force that the Republican Party can ill afford to ignore. A recent poll by The Wall Street Journal/NBC News shows that a third of all voters queried now describe themselves as tea party supporters – including 71 percent of self-identified Republicans. Already, the tea party has flexed its muscles in the primary season, leading to the defeat of Republican incumbents and the favored Senate candidates of the Republican establishment in Colorado, Kentucky , New York, Nevada and Delaware. The message has been consistent: Incumbents and candidates who will not pledge to cut spending and reduce both the deficit and the size of government have a fat target on their back.

RTWT.

President Bill Clinton in the O.C. — Stumps for Loretta Sanchez, Blames George W. Bush for Economic Crisis

LAT has the story: "Clinton Stumps for Sanchez in Tight Congressional Race." But I'll tell you, Clinton's speech was a yawner, mostly blaming George W. Bush for the Obama Depression, and whining about how people needed to get the "facts" so that the campaign wouldn't be fought on "voter anger" but on "ideas." Pathetic. Like a rock groupie, Loretta Sanchez just stood at Clinton's side, fawning and gigling at the "hilarious" repartee. Clinton helped Sanchez over the top in her first run for Congress in 1996 (defeating "B2" Bob Dornan). And she needs a hefty boost now. She's polling virtually dead even with GOP Assemblyman Van Tran, so no doubt she had to call up the big party guns to salvage her congressional career.

Security was tight and the crowd was crushed up closely to the front security perimeter. I'm holding off on a new camera, so it's grainy as she goes from this distance. It was interesting to see Clinton in person once again, despite having lost respect for him after the Lewinsky scandal. (I saw him campaign in Santa Barbara in 1996.) His mannerisms are certainly unique, and unchanged, especially the finger wagging:

A small contingent of Van Tran supporters were on hand to welcome the 42nd president, including Monica Lewinsky herself:

The crowd was a least 1000 people. But the drab absence of patriotic signage and political paraphernalia was a huge contrast to the tea parties. What signs one did see were Loretta Sanchez placards and some AFSCME astroturf trash.

This is about the most personalized sign found among the Democrats, which is to say not at all (notice the "California Labor" signature at the bottom of the working families sign):

The fellow on the left wears an AFSCME polo shirt. He looked up just as I was taking a photo. His buddy at right was heckling the Van Tran supporters, who were mostly women. I hung around a bit just in case these thugs got even more out of line. Freakin' goons:

Below is Tim Daniel, a.k.a. Left Coast Rebel. He's got a post up, with much nicer (sharper) photographs, "Bill Clinton Stumps for Loretta Sanchez in Santa Ana, California."

Clinton is always animated, and this time was no different:

In any case, there's a blog post at the O.C. Weekly, "Bill Clinton: OC Needs Loretta Sanchez in Congress."

It goes without saying, but the media presence was massive. I'll check around for more information and update.

Meanwhile, Sarah Palin's in the 'hood as well tomorrow, and if I'm lucky I'll get some good pics from that event.

Carly Fiorina Within One Point of Barbara Boxer in New Reuters/Ipsos Poll

It's 46 to 45 percent, so Fiorina's within the margin of error --- and we've still got a couple of weeks or so before the election. Man, good thing Boxer hasn't agreed to debates. She's worse than Harry "Low Blow" Reid!

Carly's got this smooth ad campaign going (boosted by a big $4.8 million from the NRSC), and I like this one where she pledges to "oppose my party when it's wrong." There's some appeal to the tea parties in there, in addition to independents:

And hopefully Fiorina's campaign will put together a mash-up of Boxer's recent meltdown on CNN with Wolf Blitzer. This woman is a bumbling liar, and definitely not good for California:

THE 2010 ELECTIONS: THE SENATE — THE DEMOCRATIC LEADER...

Following the Republican takeover of Congress in 1994, the New York Times had this write up, "THE 1994 ELECTIONS: THE LEADERS THE SPEAKER; Foley, Defending Congress to the Last, Concedes Election Defeat by Newcomer."

Following President George W. Bush reelection in 2004, the New York Times has this write up, "THE 2004 ELECTIONS: THE SENATE -- THE DEMOCRATIC LEADER; Gracious but Defeated, Daschle Makes History."

And with some luck and pluck, after the GOP earthquake this November, perhaps we might see this headline, "THE 2010 ELECTIONS: THE SENATE -- THE DEMOCRATIC LEADER; Unrepentant but Dethroned, Upstart Tea Party Candidate Ousts Reid, Emblem of Democratic Corruption."

Don't know if we'll get that headline, but a Sharron Angle upset is by no means a long shot. See, "Angle Nearly Lands Knockout Blow Against Reid," and "Reid My Lips: Last Night Was a Disaster" (via Memeorandum). And Michelle has this:

In style and substance, Lady in Red Sharron Angle trounced the four-term Democrat Senate incumbent and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid at tonight’s Las Vegas debate.

He preposterously called George W. Bush “his friend” (after infamously branding him a “loser“), claimed credit for the surge in Iraq (after questioning General Petraeus’s competence and character), and became a new convert to the English First movement (after having voted against such a proclamation in 2006. In an instant-made-for-political-ad-classic, Angle challenged the entrenched incumbent’s wealth.

Michelle closes with:

Can’t wait to be able to bid Harry Reid adieu and a hearty, finger-wagging DLTDHYOTWO*.

*Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

RELATED: RCP's Angle vs. Reid poll average shows toss-up, and a new Suffolk University poll finds a 54 percent unfavorable rating for the Senate Majority Leader. Last night's debate was Reid's Waterloo.

Plus, Left Coast Rebel has the full debate video.

Bill Whittle's Firewall: 'What We Believe, Part 2: The Problem with Elitism'

Via Gateway Pundit:

Previously: "Bill Whittle's Firewall: 'What We Believe, Part 1: Small Government and Free Enterprise'."

Not Racist, Wide Influence — Tea Party Set to Kick Butt in November

There's been lots of articles on the tea parties as we get closer to the election, but these two pretty much sum things up: "Few Signs at Tea Party Rally Expressed Racially Charged Anti-Obama Themes," and "Tea Party Set to Win Enough Races for Wide Influence." The tea parties have set the standard for contemporary protest movements. From the start the limited government theme has been the key message. First anti-stimulus, then anti-tax and anti-ObamaCare, and throughout 2010 a number of related themes culminating in a generalized anti-incumbency groundswell. Even Republicans haven't been safe --- as seen by tea party victories in the primaries --- and thus the message of restoring conservative principles to government has triumphed over the dopey Hope-'n-Change scam of campaign 2008. I mean seriously. It's just hello? A recent poll found voters identifying more with Sarah Palin than President Obama, and that's really got to drive the neo-communists nuts.

I was an early organizer with the Orange County Tea Party Patriots, and I've attended at least a dozen events in the last 18 months. Indeed, I expect to make it out to yet another event this afternoon: "'Freedom of Expression' - Support Van Tran at Loretta Sanchez Event." I should have some photos posted tonight or early tomorrow morning. And Left Coast Rebel's gonna be in the 'hood as well, so that'll be fun.

Below are a few more pics from this year's tax-day tea party in Irvine:

Check back tonight!!

Chicago's Obama-Rahm Media Thugs Threaten Conservative Reporter Doing Actual Reporting

Little late on this, but it's good (via Theo):

More: "Old Media Shields Rahm Emmanuel From Conservative Reporter, Threaten Violence."

More On the Leftist Jihad Against Pamela Geller

Robert Spencer has two entries that simply destroy the recent attacks on Pamela Geller from (1) Jeffrey Goldberg and Reuel Marc Gerecht and (2) Ayatollah Al-Charles of Little Green Hateballs:

"Reuel Gerecht and Jeffrey Goldberg vs. Pamela Geller: Geller wins."

"Hateblogger Charles Johnson lies about Pamela Geller in The Guardian."

Gonna Sail Away...

Early morning pick-me-up, with Boston, "Hitch a Ride."

Day is night in New York City
Smoke,like water runs inside
Steel idle trees to pity
Every living thing that's died

Gonna hitch a ride
Head for the other side
Leave it all behind
Never change my mind
Gonna sail away
Sun lights another day
Freedom on my mind
Carry me away for the last time
Oh yeah

Life is like the coldest winter
People freeze the tears I cry
Words of hail their minds are into
I've got to crack this ice and fly ...

Ayatollah Al-Charles of Little Green Footballs

It turns out that Ayatollah Al-Charles Johnson of Little Green Hateballs can't scrub fast enough. Here's an early Little Green Hateballs entry rightly taking issue with Britain's far left-wing Guardian newspaper: "Al-Guardian Gives Insanity a Bad Name" (safe link).

And here's Al-Charles's piece today on the previously loathed Al-Guardian: "Pamela Geller and the bloggers of hate."

Al-Charles cross-posted Al-Guardian to Little Green Hateballs, along with this:

Here’s my first piece for the Guardian’s “Comment is free” site: Pamela Geller and the bloggers of hate. (I didn’t pick that title, but it fits pretty well.)

I’ll cross-post the article here (including its British spellings), but you should also check out the comments at Cif; some of them are interesting. (And of course, now that I’ve posted the link, you can expect some of the usual stalkers to show up there too.)

And it looks like Ayatollah Al-Charles has no control over the objective comments at Al-Guardian, as we see this one, which is perfect:

Geller is not against Muslims, she is against sharia law in the west. Unlike Imam Rauf. Her tone may not be sweet enough for some but Johnson is the hater in this story, not so much Geller.

And Pamela's having a field day with this, "New Career of a Madman: Johnson Shrieks, 'My site gave Geller Her 'break' on the web'" (via Memeorandum):

Talk about a hot mess. Chuck Johnson has penned his first full length column for the notoriously anti-semitic UK paper, The Guardian, and what is the object of his crazy? Why, Pamela Geller, of course. It's come full circle now.

Departure of Rhee Could Signal Shift in Direction of U.S. Public Schools

At WSJ:

Michelle Rhee announced her resignation Wednesday as the capital's schools chancellor, in what could prove to be a seminal moment in the increasingly divisive fight over the direction of U.S. public schools.

Ms. Rhee said during a news conference that her decision to leave was "heartbreaking" but necessary to give the presumptive next mayor, Vincent Gray, leeway to choose his own team and unify the city.

Mr. Gray trounced current D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty in last month's Democratic primary election, which many voters saw as a referendum on Ms. Rhee's aggressive schools overhaul. Washington's overwhelmingly Democratic electorate makes it a near certainty Mr. Gray will win the general election next month.

Ms. Rhee, 40 years old, will step down at the end of the month. Deputy Chancellor Kaya Henderson will serve as interim chief through the end of the school year.

When Ms. Rhee took over the D.C. schools in 2007, she became the most vocal proponent of a national movement for drastic changes to K-12 schools.

Along with New York City schools chief Joel Klein and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, she favors linking teacher evaluations to student test scores, purging low-performing educators and shutting failing schools. As head of schools in the nation's capital, she enjoyed a highly visible perch from which to try to prove these policies could work. She fired hundreds teachers and closed dozens of schools.

But her efforts ran into resistance, especially from teachers unions that rejected many of her ideas, especially mass firings. The Washington teachers union campaigned heavily against Mr. Fenty.

George Parker, president of the D.C. teacher's union, wouldn't comment on whether labor leaders were happy to see Ms. Rhee depart. But he said that, to reform a school district, "you have to be inclusive rather than exclusive, and Chancellor Rhee never learned that."

Mike Petrilli of the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation, a nonprofit group that advocates for tougher education standards, called Ms. Rhee's departure a "sobering moment" in the education wars.

"The American public expresses support for the idea of education reform, but when it comes down to the tough decisions, like firing bad teachers or closing schools, they become more skittish," he said. "This sends a loud message to other would-be reformers that they have to keep up the fight."

PREVIOUSLY: "Michelle Rhee Resigns as Chancellor of D.C. Schools."

Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg Walk Off After Bill O'Reilly Says 'Muslims Killed Us on 9/11' — Heads Explode at Think Progress!

Via Gateway Pundit:

Bravo to Bill O’Reilly for telling it like it is. Today he told Whoopi and Behar that Muslims killed us on 9-11… because Muslims killed us on 9-11. Of course, Behar and Whoopi were so outraged at such a statement they actually walked off the set. Ah yes, what tolerance the left has.

BONUS: From the left-wing Democrat extremists at Think Progress (particularly odious comments highlighted):

After O’Reilly’s Rants About How ‘Muslims Killed Us On 9/11!’ Goldberg And Behar Walk Off Stage

well good job, better yet you should have made him leave!!!!

but bill the dill will think this is a victory!!

*****

This is how every pundit and politician that lies and spews misinformation should be treated, they should be mocked and ridiculed, even if like O'Reilly they feel no shame.

*****

They should have replied "Saudi Arabians killed us on 9/11".

Good for them walking off.

*****

And they should have reminded the idiot that he works for the Saudis!

*****

Good on you, ladies!

*****

O'Reilly is something else. Shameful performance. That outburst was akin to his rants about Dr. Tiller.

*****

The 'culture warrior' is culturally illiterate.

*****

They should have turned off his microphone and the lights as he does when someone doesn't cowtow to his obscene rants of hate on his worthless show. I saw him do it once in 2002 and haven't watched him since.

*****

This is where the English language is so pitifully inadequate for people such as O'Reilly.

Muslims did and did not kill "us" on 9/11.

Extremist Muslims killed people on 9/11. O'Reilly is not part of the group that died, nor did every Muslim join the fight to kill innocent people on 9/11.

I'm not expecting any sort of apology out of O'Reilly here, but I ask that he, for his own good, clarify his statement. If he refuses to, it will just show just how close-minded he can be with the English language.

*****

Dear Barbara Walters,
It is impractical to expect people to entertain bigots. Walking away IS the best solution to such idiocy.

*****

I wonder what the blond christofascist Elizabeth Hasselbeck was jumping up and down about.

*****

Hell Mr. O'Reilly we were attacked by MEN! We should ban all males over 18 from the WTC site. What a f---ing propagandist hack.

*****

This is a good thing. I think sometimes these guys get so used to their environment on FOX that they forget what the real world is like. It's good that these views are getting air time on more widely seen venues. Folks like O'Reilly don't realize that the majority of people don't share their views outside the studios of FOX.

*****

I spent over twenty years of my life supporting and defending the Constitution.. including the right to freedom of speech.... but O'Reilly, Hannity, Beck, Limbaugh and all the other anti-USA hate speech azzhats out there should be told to STFU or go to jail for sedition and inciting violence.

Republicans are enemies of the United States.

*****

Once again, Bill O'Really has proved he is still a Scum Sucking piece of Sh!t.....he never disappoints.

*****

People like Bill-0 who act is if they speak for all Americans are douche-bags! Of course I speak only for myself

*****

Saying that "Muslims" killed Americans on 9/11/2001 is comparable to saying that "Christians" burn crosses to intimidate others. Most Christians would be appalled to be compared to members of the KKK, and most Muslims are appalled when compared to the monsters who hijacked planes and flew them into crowded buildings.

Of course, there are people who aren't interested in facts, nor are they interested in intelligent debate. They merely want to scream their bigotry and close their ears to reason. There is no way to convince them of anything other than their current mindset. O'Reilly is one of these people. The only way to deal with them is by removing oneself from their presence, as Whoopi and Joy did.

*****

WTF ! Who keeps giving lunatic O'Reilly air time which equates into some credibility????
Big mouth bully O'Reilly is a proven evil extremist Bigoted Hate monger who is a disgrace of a human being and should be treated as a dangerous. poisonous snake.

*****

WTF ! Who keeps giving lunatic O'Reilly air time which equates into some credibility????
Big mouth bully O'Reilly is a proven evil extremist Bigoted Hate monger who is a disgrace of a human being and should be treated as a dangerous. poisonous snake.

*****

I'm sorry but Barbar WaWa is wrong; you cannot have a conversation with someone that refuses to look at the common sense facts before them. To say the terrorists attack was an attack by Muslims is to say that the McVeigh attack was an attack by Christians. To label and entire people, race, creed or religion because of the acts of one, two or even 50 people is beyond stupid, but then prejudice is exactly that - beyond stupid.

*****

Still waiting to hear what poll Bildo cited as having 70% of Americans opposing the cultural center at 51 Park Row, NYC . .

*****

Demonizing Muslims has been a boon in promoting the military occupations of countries whose resources we covet .

The Muslims are to the American fascist what the Jews were to the Nazis !

Who exactly in either party is opposing militarism by our nation abroad , a nation which spends as much as the entire planet combined on it's so called defence ?

*****

That is just plain hateful.

*****

Billy O'Really is nothing more than a "HATE MERCHANT", that's all he will ever be, because that's all he have ever been. His viewers tune in each day to get their 'Daily Dose' of Hate, like a run of the mill crack addict.

His "PRODUCT" is consuming him like a Cancer.

*****

I just watched the whole segment.

Billdoh O'liely IS the pinhead, as Barbara Walters suggests at the close, "Maybe it is you who is the pinhead."

Joy and Woopie came back AFTER Barbara made him apologise for his bigoted statement against ALL Muslims.

And Hasselback was quick to DEFEND O'Liely by saying that Obama, early on in his term, refused to use the word "TERRORIST" and instead said terms like Muslim extremists or radical Islamists and THAT is why people now closely align Muslims with terrorists.

Yea, right Liz... Bigots R-U!

*****

We have all the evidence we need to prove that Zionist crackpots are responsible for 9/11. Everything has been prepared but the gallows.

*****

The fact that individuals like this can spew bigotry and claim righteousness is disgusting.

Love that cognitive dissonance from the crowd as well in the ensuing moments

*****

This is a choice between whether we want to be grownups or whiny children, whether we want to accomplish a goal or just stomp and scream and get attention (and make some megabucks doing it).

Any thoughtful observer, and many who have spoken out on the subject, knows that having responsible, modern, moderate Muslims come to the forefront in America and help us all to understand their point of view and way of life is going to work out much better in the end that having the screamers dominate the scene. From everything I read, the New York mosque would be a blessing to the community... already is, in fact. Wanna have it replaced with half a dozen hysterical bloodthirsty madrasas teaching kids to live only to die for hate?

Face it, if a significant number of them are totally alienated, to the extent of wishing us dead and working to make it so, we are doomed, or at least in for a miserable existence. We should be joining with the (so far) great preponderance who are sensible, peace-loving people and trying to move forward, not listening to the haters who only want to stir up more trouble, mostly for their own benefit....

*****

Tim McVeigh. Isn't that an Irish name, just like O'Reilly? Oh my God, the Irish bombed the Murrah Federal Building! And as I typed that, I remembered "I.R.A.," Irish Republican Army. I believe they were also involved in some terroristic acts.

*****

OMG Muslims killed people on 9/11, O'Reilly is so wrong, we all know it was Presbyterians from Sweden that did the dirty deed.

*****

I am so sick and tired of hearing about how 70% of Americans don't want the Community Center located where it is planned to go. Let me make this clear, The Bill of Rights is not subject to majority opinion. Period.

Deb Frisch, Left-Wing Blogger/Stalker, Mounts New Attacks on Goldstein Family

This is an old blogspheric story (here, here, and here). Former University of Arizona Adjunct Professor Deborah Frisch stalked Protein Wisdon's Jeff Goldstein, threatening his 2 year old with death and sexual molestation. But threats have picked up for Jeff, with some new and simply insane stalking and threats on his family. See, "Redundancy [updated x12 (now with fresh Thursday crazy!)]." Check the whole thing. This is truly unreal. It's amazing that this person remains at large. Posts at Frisch's blog go up and then almost immediately are taken down, only to go up again later, and then repeat. One entry attacked Jeff's mother and posted her picture and contact information at the blog. Deb Frisch trolled through phone books and cold called until she got Goldsteins' mom on the phone, "The Snatch That Hatched Count Cockula":

That post was taken down, but there's yesterday's entry, still up as of Noon October 14, 2010, "Doris the Diddler":

Hello?
Hello, is this Doris Goldstein?
Yes.
Do you have a grandson Satchel in Denver?
Yes. Who is this?
I'm a reporter from San Francisco doing an article on Count Cockula.
Who?
Jeffrey Todd Goldstein. Do you know him?
Yes, he's my son.
Was he obsessed with his penis as a small child? Did you diddle him, ma'am?
Who is this?

That's what Jeff's mom had to deal with, and it's still going on.

The scale and horror of this unmitigated evil is unfathomable.There's nothing more contemptible than going after your family. I've been stalked and harassed by the enemies of moral right. One of the Sadly No! demons continues the recent assualts on American Power, and has been e-mailing me with ugly slurs and threats at both my private and college e-mail addresses. Earlier, I had both David Hillman (The Swash Zone) and E.D. Kain (Balloon Juice) contact my college in multiple campaigns of workplace intimidation and harassment. American Nihilist was a co-conspirator in this workplace intimidation, and that blog routinely post vicious attacks on me, so vile as to make the likes of Deb Frisch proud. And Scott Eric Kaufman continues his campaign of threats against my employment with an endless stream of deranged libelous accusations. And of course there's the moral relativists at the Gay Teen Forum who have been frequenting my blog and flooding the comments. Alex Knepper's pedophilia story is especially freaky in that I have two young sons. It does hit close to home sometimes.

It's just nastly out there --- there is genuine evil in the world. The left is clinically insane, viciously intolerant, and demonstrably violent. And God help anyone who threatens my family.

And to my friends and long time readers: Stay well and care for your loved ones. The enemies of freedom have been on the march, and even amid the conservative resurgence the dregs of Satan continue their predations. And never forget: This is what conservatives face on a daily basis.

Trapped

For David Frum:

trapped, i'm trapped
trapped, i'm trapped
trapped, i'm trapped
trapped, i'm trapped

what did i do to deserve this?
i've painted myself into a corner
what did i do to deserve this?
painted myself into a corner
no windows, doors or a ladder

trapped, i'm trapped
trapped, i'm trapped

what did i do to deserve this?
running down a black alley way
what did i do to deserve this?
trash cans, chain link fence line the way

i'm trapped
i'm trapped
trapped, i'm trapped
trapped, i'm trapped

what did i do to deserve this?
dug a hole and there's nowhere to go
what did i do to deserve this?
mental rut, i'm going nuts!

trapped, i'm trapped
trapped, i'm trapped

Pedophile Posing as a Conservative: Alex Knepper and Moral Relativism

Ann Coulter has picked up on the Alex Knepper pedophilia controversy, and she tweeted a few of the relevant reports, snarking "COULTER ATTACKED BY ACTUAL PEDOPHILE!"

Ann correctly identifies Alex Knepper as a "pedophile posing as a conservative." And it goes without saying, really, since throughout this episode the pro-pedophile defenders of Alex Knepper have been former conservatives and radical leftists. QED.

And there's some new developments at my blog, in any case. Checking my Sitemeter earlier, I found that Alex Knepper linked one of my entries at the gay hookup site Gay Teen Forum:

The author of the posting is "Lostpainting," a.k.a. Alex Knepper, as identified at NewsReal Blog, "David Frum and His Pro-Pedophile Protege Alex Knepper." And scrolling down Gay Teen Forum we find this comment from Lostpainting:

Someone from RightWingNews.com told me in an e-mail that he couldn't believe that someone with the username "lestermolester" was on this board talking about CHILFs with me. I absolutely savaged him in my response, but I'm sure he'll take me out of context in the printed piece.

But, I mean, these people are living in an utter fantasy world.

Anyone stupid enough to think that the user "lestermolester" is an actual child molester should be waterboarded and deported.

That "someone" from Right Wing News is John Hawkins, who has posted his exchange will Alex Knepper at the blog: "The David Frum/Alex Knepper vs. NewsReal Child Sex Fight – Exclusive: Alex Knepper Comments." John provides the background to the story, but the highlight is the e-mail communication. Folks should RTWT. And pay attention to John's excellent analysis, and not to mention his non-confrontational approach to Knepper. The money quote, from John, regarding Knepper's contorted response to inquiries:

The impression that letter leaves is of someone who got caught publicly saying really disgusting things, doesn't have a good answer for why he said them, and now, he's trying to lash out to distract people from what he's done wrong.

It is that, but it's more. At one point Knepper notes that:

People's sexuality is wildly in flux at this age, although most of us were fortunate enough not to have creeps like you rummaging through our sexual past. Of course, you and your readers probably think that the only proper partner I should have in my sex life is Jesus, who will keep me from doing something evil like having sex outside of marriage.

Notice the blaming, but besides that, to be precise, it's not "people's sexuality" that's influx, but the social norms that historically constrain sexual behavior and mores. As can be seen at the "Lostpainting" quote above, Knepper believes that those who disagree with his set of morally-relativist values are "living in an utter fantasy world." Sad to say, but it's in fact Knepper who's living an ethereal fantasy world of complete obliteration of society's moral standards, a world of reckless moral abandon seeking the fulfillment of unlimited man-boy sexual desires. This is the world of the members of the Gay Teen Forum, as seen from the comments at my post from last night:

If you say that in your opinion it is morally wrong for a twenty year old to have sex with a sixteen year old I won't argue with you. Morality is, to a large extent, subjective, so what I consider moral and you consider moral are two entirely different things.

Well, no, actually. Morality is not subjective. Individuals in society simply don't get to decide what's right or wrong (or even what they think is right and wrong). Western values in the Judeo-Christian ethic are universal standards and are the basis for what we identify today as moral conduct and human rights. There will always be rejection of those standards by individuals and groups who refuse to live in a civilized society. Moral right --- along with law and order --- holds people accountable. And if need be, the law imposes consequences for violations of the prevailing moral and legal regime of acceptable behavior. Adult sexual intercourse with children is not only illegal, but deeply immoral. Alex Knepper has protested ad nauseum that he's within his legal right to engage in sexual intercourse with a 16 year-old boy. And while that may be so (depending on the state, incidently), there are no exceptions for adult sexual intercourse with 8 year-old children. Alex Knepper pleads that he's just joking when making statements of such desires. If so, the question becomes one not only of moral relativism and depravity, but of Knepper's psychiatric firmity as well. Habitual references to CHILF, to miniture penises, to child rape, and so forth, reveal not the mind of a healthy individual and upstanding member of the larger community. These behaviors, statements, gay hookup postings, etc., indicate a pathological contempt for the inalienable rights of society's most vulnerable, and for the objective moral system that protects them. This is a dangerous and deranged moral relativism that puts lives at risk. Anyone who defends this genuinely contemptible behavior is hardly better than the perpetrators themselves. They are enabling pedophilia. And they are not conservatives.

RELATED: At First Thoughts, "Does David Frum’s Moral Compass Need Calibrating?", Weasel Zippers, "Alex Knepper and David Frum, the Gatekeeper of CHILF-Loving Writers."

Michelle Rhee Resigns as Chancellor of D.C. Schools

The main story is at Washington Post. She's too hot politically, but she's got what it takes to shake up the union stranglehold on education:

Rhee's goals - higher student achievement, better teachers and greater accountability for their classroom performance - were generally shared by her predecessors. But with new powers putting the struggling school system under mayoral control, Rhee pursued the goals with an unprecedented zeal.

She closed more than two dozen schools, fired teachers by the hundreds and spent more than two years negotiating a labor contract that gives principals new control over teacher hiring while establishing a new performance-pay system that ties compensation to growth in student test scores.

Rhee also dramatically expanded the number of spaces in preschool, pre-K and Head Start, and opened the Early Stages diagnostic center to help flag learning disabilities in children ages 2 to 5. She piloted a program of "wrap-around" support services for at-risk middle school kids and launched a program of "themed" schools focusing on science and technology, world cultures and the arts.

I'll have more on education issues in upcoming days. But Sweetness & Light adds this on Rhee's departure:

But do note that we have had complete silence about Ms. Rhee from Mr. and Mrs. Obama. Both of whom constantly pretend to be concerned about education, despite doing everything in their powers to undercut any and all teacher reforms. (Such as doing away with vouchers in the District’s system.)

Of course, in actual truth, the Obamas are only interested in funneling more money to their foot soldiers in the teachers unions.

And never mind that they send their own children to the non-union Sidwell Friends school, just like good Washington Democrats always do.

Axis of Pedophilia: Former Conservative David Frum Protests 'Vicious, Invasive and Outrageous' Bullying While Cutting Loose Pervy Protégé Alex Knepper

David "Axis of Evil" Frum, the one-time presidential speechwriter, and now disgraced former conservative who was ignominiously dismissed from AEI, has charted new territory in RINO douchebaggery with his sleazy take-no-responsibility faux firing of proven pedophile and FrumForum blogger Alex Knepper. See "About Alex Knepper."

It's amazing that I need to even comment, but it's clear that moral clarity on the other side has been entirely absent. And it's really simple. The evidence of Alex Knepper's pedophilia is exquisitely detailed at NewsReal Blog: "David Frum and His Pro-Pedophile Protege Alex Knepper." It's devastating. The report exposes a depth of moral depravity --- with graphic evidence of Alex Knepper's predation of pre- and post-pubescent children --- that left many readers turning away in uncontrollable fits of nausea. Unbelievable is an appropriate word here. It seems netherworldly just to read through some of Knepper's thinking, that for example, "sexy kids" are "the main cause of pedophilia," and that "the best thing about having sex with 28 year olds" is that "there's 20 of them." And it makes no difference if Knepper frequented this gay hookup board three years ago or last week, which is one of the defenses that both David Frum and Alex Knepper have offered. Who can honestly say that proclaiming "CHILF lust" is a wholesome attribute in either a male adolescent teenager of a young man of 20 years-old, which is Alex Knepper's age today? And the allegations that critics are motivated by homophobia is absurd. No parent wants their children to become victims of sexual predators. Indeed, this fact is perhaps the most frightening thing about David Frum's fauxpology. Not once does the formerly conservative Frum denounce the sheer perversion and imminent catastrophic danger inherent in it.

For example, Frum actually attacks David Swindle and the NewsReal establishment for mounting an alleged assault on Alex Knepper's character, as if there were any moral character left to assault:

NewsRealBlog’s behavior in this case was vicious, invasive and outrageous. I wonder what would remain of the reputations of NewsRealBlog’s editors if their expectations of privacy were ripped away, if their private emails were published, their sexual fantasies and peculiarities exposed to public view.

NewsRealBlog’s editors have fused high school cyber-bullying and New Left character assassination. They have relentlessly harried and pursued somebody himself only months out of his own adolescence. They bombarded him with accusations long before they did the snooping that provided their squalid evidence. They have sought to destroy a career in the midst of the worst job market for young journalists since the 1930s, all to settle a private score.

Readers will recall that I have no axe to grind. See my previous report: "Alex Knepper, FrumForum Blogger, Fired by Daily Caller Over Pedophile Controversy." I've been an acquaintance to Alex Knepper for nearly two years, and I hadn't much knowledge of the earlier controversy of Knepper's dismissal from NewsReal Blog. I'm interested now because I'm utterly flabbergasted at the refusal of those defending Alex Knepper to see what's really going on here. This incident dramatically demonstrates the incredible degree of social degradation in America today, that for example among leftists there's widespread acceptance of the notion that homosexual males of legal age have a right to sexual intercourse with 16 year-old boys. The question of "age of consent" is irrelevant. Such actions are morally illicit, and to advertise the lifestyle and celebrate the CHILF-Y conquests makes a grotesque mockery of the hopes for childhood justice. These pedophilia apologists endanger all children. Where is David Frum's outrage? When events like this come to light people of good will and moral righteousness have a responsibility to stand up. That is exactly what David Swindle has done. He has both my congratulations and support.

RELATED: See Calvin Freiburger, "The Shameless Hypocrisy of Character Assassin David Frum."

ADDED: Dan Riehl, "Frum Drops Knepper, Excuses His Lying, While Blaming NewsRealBlog."