The Conservative Opinion

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Sarah Palin as Eva Peron?

Eugene Robinson, in his editorial today (click here to read it), said that Sarah Palin, reminds him of Eva Peron. ...Really?

Perhaps he meant to compare the way in which they both came to govern? Oh, wait, no, Eva Peron was never elected (though she was nominated once).

Since Evita didn't ever win an election maybe he means that they gained popularity and power the same way? If that is the case then Robinson is calling Palin some sort of whore or slut; Evita slept her way to the top.

(read more...)

Lessons from Tucson: Part II

The tragedy of the shooting in Tucson leaves people asking all sorts of questions. "Why did he do it?" "Why didn't someone stop him before he started shooting" "Can such tragedies be prevented" etc. One of the answers that the politicians love to give is that yes it can be prevented (giving comfort to their constituents) and all they have to do is pass a bill to provide more protection. Protection, a word which here means restrictive and ineffective laws, is usually anything but. (read more...)

Monday, January 17, 2011

Loughner was a Bush Hater

The Communist Manifesto

Mein Kampf

The New York Times just reported that Jared Loughner hated (well, probably still hates) George W. Bush, and that some of his favorite books were: the Communist Manifesto, Mein Kampf, Animal Farm, and Farenheit 451. Much to the dismay of the news outlets, Sheriff Dupnik, Barak Obama, and some Palin haters, it would appear that Loughner was more of a product of radical leftists, than of Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and the Tea Party. Click here to read the full story.

Lessons from Tucson: Part I

We are saddened by the shooting of Representative Gabrielle Giffords. We wish to express our heartfelt condolences to the families of the other victims: Judge John Roll, Dorwan Stoddard, Dorothy Murray, Phyllis Schenk, Gabe Zimmerman and 9 year old Christina Green. Our prayers and faith are with Representative Giffords and the others injured. We hope that they all recover.

How horrific that a gunman should kill in America at a peaceful political assembly. Unfortunately there has been a nationwide rush to blame talk radio, Sarah Palin, and political rhetoric. The fact that Loughner didn't like the news, politics, or tv, didn't stop the media from making the connection between Loughner's violence and vitriolic rhetoric. (read more...)

Friday, January 14, 2011

Quick Thoughts: No federal funds means federal control?

NPR is fearful of more governmental intrusion over two recent bills introduced by Rep Doug Lamborn to cut off federal subsidies to NPR and reduce federal spending.

I would understand if the fear were about losing money and suddenly having to compete in the marketplace that everyone else in radio does, but I'm a little confused about being afraid of the government controlling your broadcasting without giving you money?

That's a bit odd, because when you loose federal funding, you usually loose the strings that come with that money. When the federal government gives you the strings without the money, that's called an unfunded mandate. Usually, only States have to deal with both funded and unfunded mandates from the feds (think No Child Left Behind and Obamacare) and they hate both.

You would think that the fact Rep. Slaughter (remember her rule that would have "deemed" Obamacare into law without a vote?) is trying to increase FCC control what is said and how it is said over the airwaves would be more worrisome for NPR.

It makes you wonder if NPR is trying to be a propaganda machine?

CBS Poll: Tucson Shooting and Rhetoric Not Related

Breaking news!

CBS just did a poll indicating that over 55% of people don't feel that the Tucson shooting and political rhetoric are related.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20028105-503544.html

Contrary to the suppositions of those clamoring for the FCC to reinstate the "fairness doctrine" (regulation requiring radio broadcasters to give equal time to opposing voices) people are able, at least in this instance, to see what is reported to them and decide the truth for themselves.

Now, how much more informed would we be if the news outlets would actually report?

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Anger is a feeling, not a crime.

Although the president referred to his political opponents as enemies requiring punishment, it appears that he has turned a new leaf calling for us to remove anger from our political discourse. That begs the question, "Is there a case for political anger?"

First of all, anger is not violence. What Loughner did was horrific, but it was an action, and not a feeling. (And since when are we supposed to be legally judged on our feelings?) Anger is a feeling, which in this case means that people feel strongly about what is going on in government. Most people are fed up with the actions taken by the Obama Administration (e.g. the Food Safety Bill, Obamacare, TARP, forced selling of Chrysler and GM, the offshore Oil drilling ban, EPA regulation of CO2 etc.)and their willing accomplices in Congress.

Most people who feel like this (over half of the country) have spoken up, voted, and tried to stop the Federal government from doing similar things. Will getting rid of this "anger" help political discourse?

Probably not.