Potpourri

Some varied thoughts:

1. After last night's GOP debate, the race is still Mitt Romney vs. Newt Gingrich, but the other candidates really helped themselves with strong, confident performances---with the exception of Ron Paul, who really hurt himself with his dovish answers on Iran, which revealed that he's living in a bizarre, dangerous unreality.

2. A new Gallup poll shows that most Americans aren't falling for the leftist Astroturf of Occupy Wall Street: a whopping 82% say that it's more important to grow the economy, while just 46% think it's more important to address "income inequality." Since OWS was launched by Bill Ayers, the unions and other radical leftists to supply Obama with his campaign theme of "income inequality," Team Obama must be reaching for the Tylenol. Although more likely: the true believers among Team Obama just don't care.

3. The brilliant and controversial British writer, thinker and provocateur Christopher Hitchens has died after a yearlong battle with cancer. I met him a few times, and he was relentlessly charming, interesting and fun to observe. During the Iraq war, which he supported, he and I were part of a very small group invited to have lunch at the Pentagon with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Hitchens arrived late, hair mussed and shirt rumpled and untucked. Once at the table, he showed off his wide-ranging mind and vastly original thinking. He wrote a book, "God is Not Great," in which he revealed and defended his atheism. After his diagnosis, he said he hadn't changed his mind about the existence of God but that he had been moved in unforeseen ways by the prayers of people he had never met. Godspeed, Christopher Hitchens.

Comments

[Sparkobuzzer]

May C.H. RIP, but now he knows that Jesus is God the Son.

[Madpolok]

Good thoughts all Monica and indeed God rest the soul of a very brilliant, yet flawed mind of Mr. Hitchens.
I am re-thinking Bachman, although conservatives need not apply anymore in the Republican party, it appears.Should Santorum or her drop out, and that may be soon, their polling numbers will double. But that's what I thought when Cain dropped out. Duh.
love ya
Steve

[gringoman]

Hitchens was something of an athlete even during his cancer. He duelled with Frederick Nietzsche, especially over the Polish-German's "Whatever doesn't kill me makes me stronger." Hitchens doubted this , describing the hideous side effects of his treatment.

Nietzsche got "Whatever doesn't kill me makes me stronger" from Goethe, who in turn may have gotten it from the Romans. Obviously it would have been problematic for Hitchens as he lay dying. Even the hospital angiogram, meant to save him a while longer, triggered a debilitating stroke.

The very same maxim, however, seemed to work for Ho Chi Minh against the French and Americans during that 30-year war in Vietnam. Uncle Ho used it in his Prison Diary.

Seems that even truths, and blazing insights, depend on context. Some will cite God as another example.

[Rafe]

2. A new Gallup poll shows that most Americans aren't falling for the leftist Astroturf of Occupy Wall Street: a whopping 82% say that it's more important to grow the economy, while just 46% think it's more important to address "income inequality." Since OWS was launched by Bill Ayers, the unions and other radical leftists to supply Obama with his campaign theme of "income inequality," Team Obama must be reaching for the Tylenol. Although more likely: the true believers among Team Obama just don't care.

I call BS on that since other polls seem to put the blame on the GOP, specifically the Republicans in Congress, for the current state of our economy. And rightly so. Where do you get your facts, Monica?

[Rafe]

May C.H. RIP, but now he knows that Jesus is God the Son.

Posted by: Sparkobuzzer | December 16, 2011 at 09:52 AM

What scientific proof do you have to support that?

[Derisner]

Excellent commentary, Monica. With regard to Hitchens, I simply can not believe he is gone. My God, we`ve lost a great one.

[LongRifle]

Where do you get your facts, Monica?

Posted by: Rafe | December 16, 2011 at 10:22 AM

She wasn't talking about the state of the economy, per se...Try reading the entire blog. She gets her stats from GALLUP--maybe you heard of them.

Where do you get your "scientific facts" from?

[Rafe]

http://www.people-press.org/2011/12/15/frustration-with-congress-could-hurt-republican-incumbents/

Would be interesting to know whom the Gallup poll polled...

Where do I get my scientific facts from? Books other than the Bible, Shortrifle.

[Rafe]

http://www.gallup.com/poll/151433/Record-High-Anti-Incumbent-Sentiment-Toward-Congress.aspx

[borderbriar]

I didn't hear last night's debate, but I don't think intelligent people will buy that Ron Paul is overly dovish. More and more people are beginning to realize George Washington's advice to avoid foreign entanglements is still wise. Pat Buchannan's excellent book, Churchill, Hitler, and the Unnecessary War a few stupid agreements can lead into a trap. We need to remain an international force to be reckoned with, but we can do it more intelligently.

Ron Paul's problem is he is not part of the Republican establishment. Since before 1980 Iran and the Republican establishment, whether anyone in the Reagan machine talked directly to them or not, have effectively been in collusion. While it isn't unreasonable to trace the rejuvenation of militant Islam to WW I, it was aided greatly by the collapse of the Soviet Union and even more by our taking out Saddam. Clinton and Obama have gone right along with encouraging the toppling of secular leaders which is resulting in more power for militant Islam and Iran.

It's true the Constitution does not require specific words declaring war, but authorization of use of force doesn't indicate serious committment. We also need to catch up with the modern world and learn that war with a corporate state such as Al Qaeda needs different methods from a war with a nation state.

[gringoman]

MICHELE MA BELLE BACHMANN

The consensus: Michele sure was good in last night's GOP debate. Wasn't she something? Even outstanding. Took it to Ron Paul AND Newt Gingrich. And didn't Newt deserve it, getting so snooty at her, looking down his professorial nose at Michele? Serves him right that she laid off Mitt's Romneycare but savaged Gingrich over the money he took from Freddie Mac. Wasn't that brave and bold of her? Didn't it show what a warrior and truth teller that lady is? Putting Beltway Newt in his place, doing Mitt's work for him, even though Michele wants to come on as an unflinching foe of the Obamacare that Mitt Romney inspired? Well...uh....you know how complicated politics can get, right, especially when campaigning? Yes, alas, there is also the following about Michele and Newt. Took place not long ago. Inconvenient fact? Speaks to Michele's integrity? Credibility? Have anything to do with Newt's seeming contempt? You decide....

Greg Hengler

Blogger, Townhall.com

Here's a partial transcript from Michele Bachmann's three-minute introduction of Newt Gingrich at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2008. What happened to this Michele?

…

“You all probably know our featured guest and beloved friend Newt Gingrich this morning as the former speaker of the House. He made an indelible mark that literally changed the course of the United States. He was speaker of the House from 1995 to 1999 and he was almost better known than our president during those years, he made such a strong mark. Even before that, he was a leading conservative member of the United States Congress from the state of Georgia.”

…

“He founded the Conservative Opportunity Society, which I frequent every week – I put it on my calendar when I’m in Washington. This is the incubator, if you will, of new, great conservative ideas and I go there every Wednesday morning. And Newt kicked that off for us. In 1988 he helped bring down the Democrat Speaker of the House Jim Wright over ethics violations, some of you may remember that. In 1989 he was the minority whip, and he was the architect of the revolution that wrested control of the House of Representatives from 40 years of Democrat rule. This is the man who put that together, and put Republicans in control for the first time in 1994 with the Contract With America. For that, he owes a great debt of thanks, and we appreciate his work on that. He also carries the distinction of in 1994 being named Time Magazine’s person of the year. And following his time in elected office I think he felt he made a step up because he returned to a life that he loves so well, and that’s being a professor. And he’s going to continue to school all of us this morning.”

…http://townhall.com/tipsheet/greghengler/2011/12/14/2008_flashback_michele_bachmann_gushes_over_newt_gingrich

[gringoman]

MICHELLE GUSHING

Got to hand it to Michele Bachmann. That lady sure can gush when she wants to. What man wouldn't want a Michele Bachman gushing over him? Newt Gingrich must have enjoyed it. That was back in 2008, before Michele decided to show us the flip side of her Newt passion, like she did last night in the GOP debate, ripping Newt a new unmentionable, while laying off Mitt Romneycare. But that was last night. The following video shows how Michelle, in 2008, could gush over the very same "unlikeable" Newt Gingrich (why in the world could such a meanie as Gingrich now feel contempt for Michele Bachmann?)......

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/greghengler/2011/12/14/2008_flashback_michele_bachmann_gushes_over_newt_gingrich

[LongRifle]

Obama's approval at all time LOW among Independents at 59% DISAPPROVAL. (AP poll today).

[gringoman]

MICHELLE GUSHING

Got to hand it to Michele Bachmann. That lady sure can gush when she wants to. What man wouldn't want a Michele Bachman gushing over him? Newt Gingrich must have enjoyed it. That was back in 2008, before Michele decided to show us the flip side of her Newt passion, like she did last night in the GOP debate, ripping Newt a new unmentionable, while laying off Mitt Romneycare. But that was last night. The following video shows how Michelle, in 2008, could gush over the very same "unlikeable" Newt Gingrich (why in the world could such a meanie as Gingrich now feel contempt for Michele Bachmann?)......

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/greghengler/2011/12/14/2008_flashback_michele_bachmann_gushes_over_newt_gingrich

Oh, Michele, Michele! As video shows, she adored Newt in 2008, the very same meanie for whom she rips a new one in GOP debate last night, while laying off Mitt Romneycare. How the lady could gush for Newtie in 2008, and then...and then...channel her inner Madame Flip-Flop?

[DJ]

Oh, Michele, Michele! As video shows, she adored Newt in 2008, the very same meanie for whom she rips a new one in GOP debate last night, while laying off Mitt Romneycare. How the lady could gush for Newtie in 2008, and then...and then...channel her inner Madame Flip-Flop?

Posted by: gringoman | December 16, 2011 at 03:11 PM

----

LOL!

It won't be long before Michele has Newtie walking around in circles singing this classic Buck Owen's ditty -- over and over and over:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKAooKCro8k

[xbjllb]

An atheist supported the war on Iraq.

What a revelation. Not.

As to where he is today, no longer in that business.

[xbjllb]

"Obama's approval at all time LOW among Independents at 59% DISAPPROVAL. (AP poll today)." - longrifle

Who, STILL, will vote for him above Romney or especially Gingrich by at least 10 points in the same polls.

[xbjllb]

In honor of Hitchens and all the other millions of people who died this year because of it, FIND A WAY TO QUIT SMOKING. NOW.

[Jack]

I read Hitchen's "God dellusion" which was nothing more than recycled - tawdry arguments similar to that of David Hume. His defense of atheism was rather weak and unoriginal, I threw the book in the trash once I realized that he presented no new arguments against the existence of God. About the only thing that separated him from others like him was his English accent which most of us Yanks always affiliate with intellect and charm.

[Jack]

Sorry I got Hitchens mixed up with Dawkins but I have heard Hitchens speak and he too as Dawkins used the same recycled garden variety atheist arguments only they tried wrapped in a fog of biological nonsense and circular reasoning.

[Jay]

I call BS on that since other polls seem to put the blame on the GOP, specifically the Republicans in Congress, for the current state of our economy. And rightly so. Where do you get your facts, Monica?

Posted by: Rafe | December 16, 2011 at 10:22 AM

From papers handed out by the GOP. She's the GOP's Goebbels.

Who said,"We made the Reich on propaganda!"

[Jay]

Who, STILL, will vote for him above Romney or especially Gingrich by at least 10 points in the same polls.

Posted by: xbjllb | December 16, 2011 at 05:15 PM

More polls tahn not show Obama ahead of anyone else in the polls.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/president_obama_vs_republican_candidates.html

Out of 11 polls. Obama is ahead of the GOP field in 9. INCLUDING FOX.
Of, the 2 against Obama, one is Rassmussen. Which is why Fox uses their polls most of the time.

[Jay]

Of, the 2 against Obama, one is Rassmussen. Which is why Fox uses their polls most of the time.

Posted by: Jay | December 16, 2011 at 07:36 PM

And, why Fox's Megyn said that Polls are a waste of time.(When, they don't agree with her) Then, she does the usual Conservative flip-flop and said, Gotta believe in the polls, when they do.

[Jay]

Concerning Newt vs Obama. Obama is ahead in ALL polls.
The average is a +8.4.

[LongRifle]

6.9 million watched the GOP debate; 9.6 million watched the "X-Factor." This is why the guy with the best Oneliner-just like a comedian- will win the election.
The Burlesque of politics.

[LongRifle]

"After being forced to witness an abortion being performed during his time in medical school, he knew from that moment on that his practice would focus on protecting life. And during his years in medicine, never once did he find an abortion necessary to save the life of a pregnant woman."
RON PAUL, OBGYN, MD.

[babydriver]

Until Jesus returns Ron Paul is the only way to go.
ALL of the others are business as usual.

[Jack]

"Until Jesus returns Ron Paul is the only way to go.
ALL of the others are business as usual."

Is Ron Paul a man of the Christian faith? I seem to think he is one who doesn't want to "legislate morality" as the Christian founding fathers did? This country is was essentially a "Christian Republic", guys like Ron Paul want a Secular Republic and a nation that turns its back on the God of the bible will not survive. So Ron Paul is not the man until Christ returns to deal out retribution and wrath.