Conservatives School the Left March 14, 2010

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Conservatives win textbook battle in Texas.

School spending, it’s even more than you think.

Does All State care more about teenagers than Planned Parenthood?

Planned distributes sex guides at girl scout meeting

Planned Parenthood parenthood 1952: Abortion kills babies.

Planned Parenthood attacks pro-life display.  (Hat Tip: Jill Stanek.)

Is Scientology cult practicing coerced abortion? (Hat Tip: Jill Stanek.)

Second Amendment update from Gun Watch.

Jews with Guns, not just for the IDF anymore.

Illinois legislator proposed forced organ donations.

6 World Vision workers killed in Pakistan.

Christian persecution hits Nigeria.

Sweden wants to ban homeschooling

Music by Take No Glory via Music Alley

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Catholic Priest Celibacy Is Not the Culprit in Abuse March 13, 2010

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From the New York Times, two Austrian Catholic Archbishops are suggesting that the Catholic Churches centuries old policy of requiring celibacy among the Priests may be to blame for abuse scandals.

As a Protestant, I don’t believe ministers should be required to be celibate, but blaming celibacy in the Catholic Church seems to be the problem.  For one thing, there have been cases of sexual abuse by protestant ministers where there is no requirement of celibacy, other within the bounds of marriage.  In addition, far more than protestant or Catholic ministers, teachers are often culprits of sexual abuse, with no requirement of celibacy.

The fact of the matter is that sexual abusers will go where children are readily available. They’ll become teachers, they’ll volunteer at church, they’ll become scoutmasters. Anything that is set up for the benefit of children has the potential of attracting sexual predators. And many of these predators have been married.

I think the Catholic Church, and all at-risk institutions would do far better to aggressively psychologically screen potential applicants than addressing a peripheral issue like celibacy. I think many people pushing the Catholic Church to abandon its policy are far more concerned about deconstructing the Catholic Church than they are stopping abuse.

Thoughts on the Filings March 9, 2010

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Well, it’s that season again. Filing season. It’s that time of the year when I feel a slight rumble. When I first ran for the State House in 2004, I ran because I saw some things that needed fixed in our state. Part of me still has some fire in the belly, but I think not enough to do anything other than give me indigestion.

However, I believe that I’m doing what I can best for my fellow citizens as I comment on the news and politics. From the sidelines, I’m free to do things that politicians rarely do: be myself and speak the truth.  I also get to report on the news and be one of those few conservatives that write and blog, and help fight back deceitful demogogues and the local press. (I repeat myself.)

I also tend to think that it’s wise to have some means before running for an office like State Senator. Not to be rich, but to be financially independent. I think it’s awfully hard to run for a job when you’re working for corporate America rather than yourself.  

If I were to run seriously for an office, I’d probably run for Senate in District 18. Good news is that there’s already a Republican Candidate out here.

I suppose if I had nothing better to do, I’d run for Lieutenant Governor. Though, if I were going to run, I would have started much sooner. I think it’s a pity. Lieutenant Governor Brad Little (R-Id.) may run without opposition and unless he’s challenged by a supertalented political leader, Little will probably coast in the Primary and General, and thus be able to continue the Batt-Otter-Little gentleman farmer dynasty in the state GOP, which will guarantee that unless Jim Risch returns from Washington in 2014 to run for Governor, that Republicans will have nothing to offer but stagnate leadership for the rest of the decade.

Now, that we’re clear on me. Here are some thoughts on some of the other filings:

• Senator Nicole Lefavour (D-19) is opting to return to the House. I’m happy for her. I read her blog in 2008 and it was a lot happier place. While I find her antics to be undignified for a State Senator, I don’t dislike her. Anyone who can imagine Rep. Lenore Barrett (R-35) as a champion slam poet can’t be all bad. I think she realized she wasn’t happy in the State Senate, and wasn’t terribly effective there. Of course, changing chambers she doesn’t  lose money. She loses prestige and a little office space, but that’s a small price for enjoying your life more.
• As an added note, I find it ironic that LeFavour seems to have enjoyed serving with her more Conservative former House colleagues than her current more liberal Senate colleagues. I guess it goes to show that ideology isn’t everything in where to work.
• The confusion over LeFavour’s replacement in the Senate may give a look inside the Democratic Party. LeFavour had intended to talk to Freshman Rep. Brian Cronin (D-19) running for her State Senate Seat. However, four term Rep. Anne Pasley-Stuart (D-19) jumped in. Said LeFavour.” Don’t expect a Democratic Primary between Pasley-Stuart and Cronin, which might happen with Republicans. This seems to be one of the recent secrets of the Ada County Democrats’ recent success. Most of the Democratic legislative candidates start their active campaigning for re-election in July, while Republicans hold off their efforts until September. However, I’d say that both parties nominees work equally as hard. However, the GOP nominees often have to spend 2 months going through a Republican Primary while the Democrats usually have uncontested primaries that allow them to spend 4 straight months campaigning, while the Republican candidate spends two in the Spring and two in the Fall. I think the Democrats work out their nominees in a very concerted way and avoid expensive or difficult primary fights so they can maximize their time, money, and resources in the Fall. This isn’t even something the GOP can do because there are so many different interests and factions that it’s near night impossible.

Romney’s Sacrifice to the Health Care God

Posted by Adam Graham in : Abortion , add a comment

With the Stupak Amendment and the hot topic of abortion funding back in the news, some people are beginning to remember that after RomneyCare was approved in Massachusetts, it’d have been appropriate to change the state welcome sign to say, “Welcome to Massachusetts: Home of the $50 Abortion.”

Camp Romney responds that critics don’t get it (Hat Tip: Hot Air.):

But Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom said his boss had no choice when he pushed his health plan because he had to abide by a Supreme Judicial Court ruling mandating abortion coverage for women getting Medicaid.

“It’s not something that Gov. Romney agrees with, but it’s longstanding court precedent that predates his administration,” Fehrnstrom wrote in an e-mail.

So, Romney had to allow abortion coverage for Romneycare to be legal under Massachusetts law. Okay, so I get it. No abortion, no Romneycare.

This raises a fundamental question about Mitt Romney for the most committed pro-lifers. I’ll daresay that most bloggers and conservative political activists don’t fit into that category. Even many pro-life bloggers are opposed to abortion, but it’s not make or break for them. However, for me, it is the issue that I always come back to because it’s about our fundamental humanity and we compromise that at our peril.

I assume that Romney is an intelligent and capable man.. I’ll also allow, for the sake of argument in this post,  that his conversion to the pro-life cause was sincere and that he now believes that abortion is the taking of an innocent human life and that the unborn should be protected in law. I also think its fair to assume that if you subsidize abortion, the number of abortions performed will go up, and with Romney’s understanding of economics, he should understand this. 

That in mind, the question that I ask myself is if Governor Romney knew that he would have to create a regime of $50 abortions, why did he push Romney Care? It wasn’t as if this were the legislature’s idea and Romney merely decided to work with a Democratic supermajority to make the bill better. He bragged of passing this bill, he owned it and he was responsible for it.

Romney made a calculation, a true Harvard Business School style cost-benefit analysis, that reforming the state’s insurance laws and increasing the number insured was worth a few hundred unborn human lives. He offered up a few hundred abortiosn as a sacrifice to appease the god of a better health care system. And that Romney’s folks even think this is a good excuse is why pro-lifers shouldn’t trust them.

Romney understands money, power, and big business. What he doesn’t understand is what the pro-life movement is all about. You don’t trade lives for money or some other goal.

Sincere pro-life beliefs are in action in the U.S. House right now. Congressman Joseph Cao (R-La.) and Bart Stupak (D-Mi.) both want an Obamacare bill passed. Even with the Stupak Amendment, I disagree with Obamacare, but I think these two gentlemen and the others with them are sincere pro-lifers. They understand there are some things you don’t put a price on.

Too bad they didn’t teach that at Harvard.

Boos: Stop Whining March 7, 2010

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No cheers this weekend. Just boos to a couple politicians who can’t seem to stop whining.

Not a Knucklehead Idea

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And now a Baseball break.

Was reading ESPN’s coverage of Eri Yoshida training with Tim Wakefield of the Boston Red Sox. Yoshida is a female Japanese pitcher, who is playing with the Arizona Winter league. She got some tutoring on the knuckleball from Tim Wakefield.

When I was young, I read a book about a woman becoming a Major League pitcher. However, few women can throw major league fastball speed, because of a difference in upper body strength.

However the knuckleball is another matter. It doesn’t require near the strength of throwing a fastball. According to Wikipedia, her fastball maxes out at 63 MPH, and knuckleball hits 50 MPH, which is a little lower than the average male knuckleball, but on a knuckleball, you’re really looking for movement.

There’s not really an indication that Yoshida has the stuff to become a major league pitcher. She posted a 6.19 ERA in 19 innings in the Arizona Winter league. However, keep in mind, she’s 18 and it was only 19 innings pitched. In a limited number of innings, Knuckleballers will either be really good or horrendously terrible.

Whether Yoshida will develop a major league knuckleball remains to be seen, but I think the smart bet at this point is that if the Majors ever has a female pitcher, she’ll be a knuckleballer.

Time for Fiscal Hard Truth

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Governor Christie’s hard truth. (Hat Tip: Campaign Spot.)

Federal workers overpaid. (Hat Tip: James Pethokoukis.)

House Republicans introduce bill to limit spending.

What does it take to meet Obama’s emission goals? $7 a gallon gas. (Hat Tip: Right Mind.)

Senate committee website optimized for Netscape 4.

McCain finds no Democratic taker for new Gang of 14 to stop health care.

House passes bill creating racial government in Hawaii.

Louis Farrakhan warns Obama of white right.

Parents shoot children and then kill themselves in global warming pact. (Hat Tip: Right Mind.)

An abuse of felony hate crime laws.

Economic debate: Krugman v. Krugman. (Hat Tip: The Corner.)

Court orders new trial because prosecutor mentioned that woman contemplated an abortion. (Hat Tip: Jill Stanek.)

Atheist groups hands out pornography in exchange for Bible.

Double standard: wrong to ban student from building wiccan altar, okay to ban student from building cross.

More than 100 lives saved through 40 days for life.

Women with four abortions didn’t get fifth thanks to 40 days for life.

University of Wisconsin illegally funding abortion training.

Happiness comes from experiences not stuff.

Swedish children taken by abusive state.

Music by Ken Kurland via Music Alley.

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Rangeling the Truth: The News the Statesman Chose Not To Report March 4, 2010

Posted by Adam Graham in : Idaho Conservative, The , add a comment

The Idaho Statesman reported Walt Minnick was returning money he got from Charlie Rangel.

The average reader of the Statesman could reasonably ask, “Wait, Charlie Rangel gave Minnick money? When did that happen?” This was news the Idaho Statesman didn’t care to share with its readers.  I covered this extensively in September of 2008. The Statesman reads the blog, but they opted to ignore the story.

Compare this to the media’s attempt to transform Club for Growth into the Illumanati and you see where their bias lies. However, I told you Rangel was bad news and that he’d taken money from Rangel, and he held onto the money while other politicians like Senator Mark Begitch (D-Ak.) returned it. The Statesman had a partisan interest in defeating Congressman Sali that led them to ignore exploring these links, and they claim to be providing fair news coverage. They intentionally hid this information from voters.

And Congressman Minnick has returned money directly from Rangel’s PAC, Minnick doesn’t want to return money that Rangel raised for him. So be it. He can keep that tainted money in his treasury until he cleans out his office this December.

Reason Prevails

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The Statesman has changed the language of its rule on fair use as Kevin Richert explains at the Idaho Statesman. Yes, bloggers are allowed to link there now and to use a 2-3 sentence summary. I’m okay with that. I don’t think I’ve quoted the Statesman for more than a sentence or two for months, maybe years.

I have no problem with the Statesman defending their copyright from people using whole articles, or long stretches of text. What concerned me was their heavy handed policy of forbidding people from linking to them.  Whether they had a change of heart, or didn’t understand what they were saying in the first place, I don’t know. But,  I’m glad the policy is clarified.

And I’m pleased to lift the “No Sandwiches” for you ban.

Cheers and Boos: Butch’s Whine

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Cheers and boos for this week covers the legislature and Governor Otter’s sad night.