From the the shores of Los Angeles, analysis of Politics and Culture from the Valley of the Shadow!
Monday, December 11, 2006
Turtles Bay's Home for Autocratic Countries
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"You have sat too long for any good you have been doing lately… Depart, I say; and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!" -- Oliver Cromwell to the Rump Parliament, 1653
So, Kofi Annan gave his final speech chastising the United States? I would be so bold to spend his ammunition at the United Nations. It's time has past, it's members live in the past (1950's - 1980), America must move past it. The United States is a Haven for countries with autocrats at it's head (i.e. Cuba, Venezuela, Sudan, etc). If the UN is capable of creating goodwill, why did it pass "Zionism is Racism?" And a majority of it's members continuously vote against the weakest member (Israel) and its sponsor member (the US)? How does this bring about World Peace? By continuing to believe the United Nations is capable of solving any problems, Leftists and Liberals believe in a dream that has died long ago.
Let us focus on what should be next. Let us put the UN next to the League of Nations as another failed experiment. Here should be the next one....
See next post.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Palm trees for "The Bloody 8th"
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If you know your Congressional History, there are moments of Grand Debates of Constitutional Issues and then moments when the Congress has knife-fights in the gutter. The 110th Congress is going down into the gutter. Here's why:
In the 99th Congress, there was a election in the Indiana Eighth district won by Rick McIntire over Frank McClosky by 72 votes. The House (run by Tip O'Neill) did not recognize McIntire and seated McClosky. After that, the Republican members walked out and Newt Gingrich rose. Radical among moderates, the Democrats actions toward the Minority party caused the frictions that occured during the "Republican Dozen" years.
Now:
After three recounts where Vern Buchanan won by 373 votes, Speaker-to-be Pelosi is already threatening not to seat Rep. Buchanan. Echoes of the 99th Congress. If Pelosi does not seat Buchanan, the Republicans should walk out. Not only should they walk out, but Rep. Buchanan should be considered part of their caucus and vote on the floor. The Republicans should fight this battle every day in the Well and in the Committee rooms. Every Democrat member they meet on the subway, in the Longworth cafeteria, the Rayburn Gym or the Cannon Press room. Republicans should not let this be a repeat of the 99th Congress.
But I have faith that Speaker Pelosi will not be so partisan and reach out to the Minority party. She will seat Rep. Buchanan and the Florida Democrats will act like adults and prepare for 2008. I couldn't stop laughing trying to write that. If gentlemenly Tip O'Neill could not reach out, how can we expect better of Speaker Pelosi. But I do have faith.
An aside:
I actually have dealings with this seat. Back during the 104th Congress, I interned for Dan Miller (R-FL-13) . Also, Buchanan's chief of staff is one of my mentors. These are good people, and they deserve to be there.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
December 7, 1941
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Thunderclap
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The computer has been down and then came back up today, hence the fundraiser. But what a week it has been. The storm clouds are darkening, can you hear the thunder yet?
First, John Bolton leaves his post in Turtle Bay. Next, former Democratic President Jimmy Carter deigns that Jews are unfit to live in Israel, but Arafat's people are. The Iraq Study Group proposes surrender and hari-kari. And, finally, a delegation of Democratic politicians met with Hamas to decide the fate of Israel and Iraq,
These are foreshadowing of darker times ahead. Negotiating with Hamas, Hezbollah and Al Queda (in Iraq), where does that lead? They are not military armies content to get Real Estate. They wish to recreate Umayyads empire extending from Europe to Asia. And extend their Sharia laws to America and the United Kingdom.
The War in Iraq forced these disparate, but very determined groups to play defense. America leaves, they take the oil funds, 9/11 will be a minor blip compared to what will happen. And yet, the Democrats, have no qualms about sacrificing Israel or America to people who will either convert or kill.
A challenge to my Democrat readers. Again, prove me wrong. How many Minyans are in Mecca? How many Priests or Baptisms are in Indonesia? Will your fight for the Palestinians help stop the terrorists? I await an answer.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Cui Bono?
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Begin the Beguine
1) The Valley of the Shadow's annual Fundraising drive -- It begins tomorrow and I will ask on every post throughout this month. Maintaining the Valley is hard work, and the creator always needs alms. If you donate via Pay Pal, I will thank you personally and get you a shirt from The Valley of the Shadow.
2) My birthday -- December 16. Please remember it, I always lose out to Christmas every year. Visit the Wishlist or help with the fundraising drive. Thank you.
3) Keep your eye on March and May -- More news later.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Wilsonian Idealists v. Nixonian Realists
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When Woodrow Wilson proposed his "14 Points" during the 1919 Paris Peace Conference, he opened up the door to American idealism in foreign policy. By the time of the Vietnam War, Nixionian Realism determined the opening to China.
The first term of the Bush Presidency was based on Wilsonian Ideals, Democracy for the Middle East, defend America by creating Capitalism abroad. Thanks to the results of the 2006 midterms, Bush pere's main advisor, James Baker, returns the Bush fils administration to the realist ideology. And with him comes the return of Realpolitiks to the Foreign policy desk.
Realpolitik is what brought the pre-World War One world to the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand. Leaving diplomacy to the diplomats brought the world to the brink. And today? The leaving of Wilsonian idealism brings the world closer to the "Archduke Ferdinand moment" (if it hasn't happened yet already). The chessboard is not the poppy fields of Europe, but the desert sands of the Middle East.
Under Realpolitik, Israel is put a pawn on a chessboard to be given away. Under Wilsonian rules, it is a lighthouse to a darkened area. Balance of power is an ideal goal for the Nixonians, but it is not how the world works today. During the 70's, the USSR was a balance to America. Balance of Power made sense. What is our balance today? The USSR might return, but not yet.
The realists are rising. The idealists are falling. Since 9/11, America has lived with the Damocles' Sword of another attack on our shores. By bringing Democracy to an autocratic region, America was building another pillar to use for the Realists. The return of the Realists is the end of a dream.
UPDATE: If you're coming from Hugh Hewitt's Blog, welcome! Please visit the Valley. Explore, comment, link or email. Please let me know what you think. Again, welcome!
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Thankgiving
We are coming to the end of the year. Storms are still gathering, but the world moves forward. Here is the history of the first Thanksgiving.
What am I thankful for in this year of Our Lord, 2006?
1) My Family. After my Dad's death in 2003, my Mom, sister and I might not have a lot of money, but we did have a lot of love. Thank you.
2) My friends. This has been a trying year, friends and allies lost, Dreams dashed and deferred, and betrayals. True friends stand by you, not when the everything is for you, but when things are tough. Thank you.
3) My friends in DC. Some have known me over a decade, one I've met last year. They inhabit the lobbying firms, the House, and the White House. I worry about their positions after this election. But if I can help them the same way they help me, I would. Thank you.
4) The readers of this Blog. Without you, I would not be here. Also, props to Blogger, Blogspot, Google, and AdSense. Stay with me, it will grow some more. Thank you.
5) The USA and Israel. Two democracies standing firm in this world. I grew up in the greatest country on earth, with the greatest political, economic, and social system on earth. The best flattery is imitation and who better then the Jewish state? Sh'ma Yishrael and God Bless America.
6) And thank you for reading this.
The storm is coming
Monday, November 20, 2006
Will San Francisco join in?
Sunday, November 19, 2006
The Operative
| You scored as The Operative. You are The Operative, a skilled Alliance assassin sent to capture or kill the Tams. You are a cold, calculating killer with a strange sense of honor. A self-described "monster" you realize that you will have no place in the "better world" you are trying to create. Your "belief" is your most dangerous weapon. |
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Cleaning up the Blogroll.....
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Is Israel the new Czechoslovakia?
Here is Netanyahu's reply.
This question is for the democrats in the audience. If your party wants to negotiate with Al-Queda in Iraq, Hezbollah and Hamas, what do you think they want?
Monday, November 13, 2006
Point of Divergence
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Four Questions
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
An equation before sleep
Democrats take over House of Representatives (but not the Southern seats).
Congratulations! The Fourth estate now controls the second estate.
Go Vote
Today, we go and do our civil duty and vote. Here are some reccomendations I have for todays vote:
Connecticut:
Vote for Lieberman, Nancy Johnson, Rob Simmons and Chris Shays
California:
Candidates: Arnold, McClintock, McPherson, Strickland, Parrish and Pachoogian.
Props: 1A - 1E: Yes; 86 - No; 87 - No; 88 - No; 89 - No; 90 - Yes.
Predictions: House R - 221; D - 213; I-1
Senate R - 52; D- 47; I-1
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Those are my choices. Makes yours. Vote today for the candidate of your choice and remember, even though one card says "D" and another says "R", we are all Americans. Remember that November 8.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Death of a Terrorist
Saddam Hussein lost his trial, despite supports from Democrat partisans in the United states. Here is a list of his crimes. And here is who he financed.
If you can't see the good that a newly functional state had done by trying a former dictator of that same state, then maybe it is time for the terrorists to start attacking the Transamerica tower or Universal Citywalk. Either we face them in Iraq and Afghanistan or we fight them here.
Ask an Israeli.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Why no Dem says "Ya'll"
Back during the days of the Democratic Majority (1932-1994), their show of power consisted of the Boston-Austin connection. For instance, during their time of power, their was Speaker Sam Rayburn (D-TX) and Speaker Thomas "Tip" O'Neill (D-MA). However, since 2004 that connection has been frayed and these new Dems are not the party of old.
A) Three Elections - Let us start with 1964. If you look at a map , you can see that LBJ won a majority of the Southern sates (From TX to MD). By 1976, all Carter won was the Southern states. By 1980, Carter lost all the southern states but GA. 1964 was the last high tide for the Democrat party in the south. Remember, after FDR, any President could not get elected without the south. LBJ was an admirer of FDR and worked to continue that connection between Southern Conservatives and Northern Liberals. In 1994, after the Republicans solidified Congressionally what was occurring Presidentially. Ten years later, the Dems didn't fight in the south at all.
B) Military culture and Global War on Terror - Thanks to Kerry's remarks last week, the real view of the Dem party and the military can be seen. Since the Tet offensive in 1968 and Kerry's remarks in 1972, the Democrat party has taken an Anti-war stance that it has never left. What would happen if the Dem's win Tuesday during the GWOT? They will make Israel the new Czechoslovakia to Hamas and Hezbollah. They will allow the terrorists to re-group in Iraq and make it Afghanistan 1995 (who was President then?).
C) Southern Culture - Most Democrats have no problem insulting southerners (even though they need their votes). Redneck culture is just as important as Hip-Hop culture in this big nation. The "solid South" was a bedrock in Democrat politics until 1980, and then has not turned back. The GOP has a bulk of the country as it's starting point. The mid-Atlantic and New England states are losing population. It is also too expensive for most people to live in the Pacific west. Until the Dems learn to speak Southern, they will lose.