Week in Review

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That Monster Roar of Pride at another successful week here at Make me a commentator!!! Monster do week in review feature to tell you what people say.

Space Lobster answered e-mails and comments. Space Lobster very strange.

Irwin J. McIckleson did weekly round the horn where he look at other blogs and say what good about them!

Bryant wrote these articles;
A Return to Racism, about article on multiculturalism.
This may be the Most important Post you'll read all day, about Democratic Party should help working man.
Can't We All Just Get Along, about Dennis Prager and fighting over values.
Band Name, about Inexplicable Monkeys.
We've Got The Whole World In our Hands, about Ben Shapiro and imperialism.
Ode to Ann Coulter, about Marvin Olasky's liking Ann Coulter.

Cheery wrote these articles;
A Comment, which was response to Return to Racism by Bryant.
Please Don't Shoot Each Other, about person getting killed in Kentucky over war beliefs.
Long Hot Summer Days, in praise of woman Monster thinks is brave.

Grumbly wrote these articles;
Words Matter, about the changing terms for war on terror.
Cindy Sheehan - Political Operative, about how brave woman standing up to President Bush is a political operative.
Wouldn't it be Wonderful, about quote by Rush Limbaugh.

Monster say this be good! And Monster Say Next week be Even Better!!!

Round the Horn. An Irwin J. McIckleson Production

Good morning all. It's time for another edition of Round the Horn, where I act as your computo-guide to the denizens of the Liberal Coalition. I am Irwin J. McIckleson, fictional 1910's plutocrat.

First up is an extended and impassioned post by Pseudo Adrienne at Echidne of the Snakes. I don't fully understand it, but if I am reading it correctly this Roberts person who is being considered for a seat on the Supreme Court willingly defended some roustabouts who blew up a medical facility that performed abortions? This puts me in mind of those lawyers down south who make their money defending lynch mobs (in the few instances where such cases actually make it to the courts). I appreciate the principle that everybody is entitled to a lawyer (except the chinaman of course), but I don't think such lawyers need to be rewarded with high positions.

firedoglake presents an example of a responsible lawyer in Fitzgerald, who is going after this Rove scoundrel. It's interesting that this lawyer is apparently in some danger of being fired for pursuing criminals while another lawyer and judge is to be rewarded for defending them. In my day we liked our judges to go after the criminals, but perhaps the modern world has changed.

Pen-Elayne on the Web has some thoughts on the proper way to react to a death. I usually send a ham in condolence myself. Or, if I didn't like the deceased, I send nothing, but make a special late night visit to the grave site.

rubber hose makes some interesting points about how the war in Iraq is being covered. Apparently the paper of record believes a chinaman's restaurant to be of greater import than the forced replacement of the mayor of Bagdhad.

Scrutiny Hooligans has the story that some of the people involved in project Minutemen which purports to protect the boarders of the United States are what is known as Nazis which is the ideology held by the leader of Germany and his party from 1933 to 1945. Apparently the philosophy stuck around and is still in the United States. I have to say it seems like a particularly senseless philosophy. At any rate some of these minute men are apparently in favor of this Nazi philosophy.

Speedkill has a long discussion (several in fact) on a book by a Christian Apologist. He appears to be a rationalist, and so takes issue with some of the arguments made by the Christian Apologist.

THE NEWS BLOG has what I take to be an allegorical story about recent changes in the world of television news. Apparently there are a lot of royal attitudes in the news rooms which I find sickening. While I've dined with royalty regularly and enjoyed it frequently, the royal attitude has no place in America. Here those who have power, like myself, acquire it by crushing the workers under their heels themselves. They do not get their power because their great great grandfathers crushed some peasants.

The Invisible Library has news that prisoners in our Caribbean prison are enjoying that Harry Potter book I found reference to last week. Apparently it has the power to sooth the wounded heart.

And that's all for this week. I apologize if I am a bit off - suffering from a summer cold and it's been two weeks since I was able to fire anybody. At any rate, I will return next week with more links from the world of baffling future blogs.

Wouldn't it be Wonderful?

Good morning all! : - )

Hope you are all having a nice Friday morning. I was just perusing Rush Limbaugh's site when I came across this quote.

Wouldn't it be great if anybody who speaks out against this country to kick them out of the country? Anybody that threatens this country, kick 'em out. We'd get rid of Michael Moore and half the Democratic Party if we would just import that law. That would be fabulous, the Supreme Court ought to look into this. Absolutely brilliant idea.

Well I do agree that some people could choose their words a little more carefully Rush. That said I'm not sure people who express un-American ideas like, say, kicking out all the people who disagree with their political views, should be kicked out. Certainly the principles of Freedom of speech which have guided our country for the last 200+ years can continue to guide us?

Just a thought.

Long Hot Summer Days

Hello everybody! : )

Out in the hot Texas sun is Cindy Sheehan, trying to ask President Bush a few questions about why we are in Iraq and why her son had to give her life for this war, which seems, more and more, to have been a mistake.

Sheehan is part of a small group of parents who have lost children in Iraq and hate the war. There is a much larger group of parents who believe that Bush is doing everything he can and that he couldn't have anticipated an insurgency whose bombs and members would grow more sophisticated and deadly by the day. For them, their children's deaths were not in vain and most have disdain for all who hold the other view.

Members of Sheehan's tiny Gold Star Families for Peace believe that the president was wrong and is now clueless about what to do. They have stepped into the abyss of regret and senselessness that comes with knowing a child died for a mistake.

I have to admit to feelings of concern over this story. While I think Ms. Sheehan is very brave and I admire her, I worry that President Bush may use some of those mothers who still support the war to attack Ms. Sheehan. I also am not sure if the American people are going to support her trying to ruin his vacation.

That said, if this is what she needs to do, if these are the questions that she needs to ask, than we need to support her. And certainly we can help puncture some of the ridiculous attacks that the right wing is throwing at her.

Odd To Ann Coulter

Marvin Olasky's latest column is kind of a backhanded ode to the leggy conservative writer.

But show business pulls us in the opposite direction: Fighting words sell. Ann Coulter, for example, says people don't respond to subtle reasoning and need to be bopped on the head.

She's probably right: Rapid-fire attacks keep people awake.

But there's more to Ms. Coulter than just slamming into liberals. Apparently she also believes in the saving power of Jesus Christ.

But the columnist has another side that a former student of mine, Amy McCullough, caught in describing a Coulter appearance at the University of Texas: "When a young, conservative woman asked how she could stand the awful things people said about her because of her stand on abortion, she hesitated, messed with her hair, and said: 'Well, it's the same way I don't care about anything else: Christ died for my sins, and nothing else matters.'"

You know I pretty much agree with Ann that Christ's sacrifice is pretty darn important. On the other hand I would also place some importance in following his commands. Christs sacrifice doesn't excuse us from following his words; rather following his words allows us to better understand and accept his sacrifice.

So consider these words from the Bible.

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. - Ephesians 4:31-32

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. - Matthew 5:21-22

If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. - James 1:26

I would not put it on myself to judge the state of Ann Coulter's soul. If she has felt to commune with God; that is good. I would merely point out a contrast between the harsh and hateful words of Ann Coulter and the admonitions one finds in the Bible.

Mr. Olasky also seems aware of this conflict, incidentally.

How would the apostles act in today's culture? How, for that matter, would 18th century members of the religious right like Samuel Adams and Patrick Henry? Coulter can join that distinguished host as she finds more ways to rout liberal stereotypes without fulfilling others.

I have my personal doubts that she would(for one thing I still think, protestations aside, that it's all about the benjamins for Ms. Coulter), but certainly it would be nice if Ms. Coulter took a higher road.

We've Got the Whole World In Our Hands

Since the death of the Soviet Union, we are unquestionably the world's only superpower, the world's remaining empire. Acquiring an empire requires a different mindset than maintaining and expanding one. Empires either decline or they grow. If America is to survive and flourish, Americans must realize that empire isn't a choice: It's a duty.

This is from Ben Shapiro's latest. Shapiro goes on to call for the US to invade Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Egypt, and Pakistan (as well as "others"). I know that's not very believable. Surely even young Ben couldn't be that bloodthirsty and jingoistic (not to mention unrealistic). But I don't know how else you read this paragraph.

That is why impatient isolationism serves us ill in Iraq. Did Iraq pose an immediate threat to our nation? Perhaps not. But toppling Saddam Hussein and democratizing Iraq prevent his future ascendance and end his material support for future threats globally. The same principle holds true for Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Egypt, Pakistan and others: Pre-emption is the chief weapon of a global empire.

So, there you have it. Of course young Ben is only speaking for himself. Doubtless there are many who would disagree with this crazy plan.

Band Name

Is it just me or would "Inexplicable Monkeys" be a kick-ass name for a band?

Also, you should obviously take Grumbly Muffin's words below with a grain of salt; she is after all an operative of the Republican Party / Conservative Movement.

Cindy Sheehan - Political Operative

Cindy Sheehan has chosen to step into the arena of national politics. For those of you who don't know, Sheehan has traveled to Crawford Texas where she is seeking an appointment with President Bush, in order for him to explain why her son had to die in Iraq. Or at least that's the story; one courageous woman against the Bush Empire.

Is it just me, or is that story a little too pat.

But since I don't have the power to mind read, let's assume this is all innocent. Regardless of why she did it, Sheehan has stepped into the political arena. She is now an operative of the Democratic Party and the Leftist Movement, both of whom are dedicated to destroying President Bush. So, to me, it doesn't make all that much difference whether she's a hapless pawn or a willing operative.

Those of us who love this country and support what President Bush is doing have a right and perhaps even a duty to closely scrutinize this woman. If she doesn't like it, well, nobody forced her to become a political operative.

And it's not like she won't have defenders. The mainstream press is already lining up behind her and Salon just published an article explaining her flip-flop. She used to think President Bush was genuinely trying to help the Iraqi people - but has since changed her mind. I wonder what she thinks the President is trying to do now!

At any rate, I should expect that we will be looking very closely at Sheehan, and by extension, the entire anti-war movement.

Can't We All Just Get Along?

I must be catching Cheerryitus.

I just finished reading Dennis Prager's latest article, which is part of an ongoing series called "Judeo Christian Values." He's up to Number XX so I guess he's enjoying writing them. In an earlier article in the series, he wrote "It is difficult to overstate the depth of the differences between the Judeo-Christian view of the world and that of its opponents, most particularly the Left." When I commented on that article I expressed a feeling that the depths of our divisions were not as deep as he made it out to be.

I still think that, and his latest article does nothing to dissuade me from that view. His latest article might be subtitled "Why I focus on the Left Wing and not so much on Islam." Basically he seems to believe that there really aren't any competing philosophies outside of Judeo-Christianity and Liberalism. Islam isn't growing except by force, eastern philosophies aren't guides for society, and Communism is dead. Not sure about any of those statements but that's his position.

In writing these columns, Dennis Prager has consistently distorted Leftism/Secularism and, ironically enough, Judeo Christianity. Some distortion is
inevitable when you are boiling down such large umbrellas into two movements and then placing them within in a Manichean struggle for dominance. And some distortion is clearly the result of Mr. Prager's personal blinders.

Are Christians and Leftists enemies? Mr. Prager certainly seems to think so (this is the dude who posited a Second Civil War).

I don't think so, because I have a third value I want to throw into the mix. Americans. Judeo Christian Americans and Leftist Americans (not sure where I fit in those two categories, being a moderate liberal who regularly attends church) both want to see a strong successful America. We disagree, sometimes vehemently, on how to get there. But we agree on the main goal. So why can't we take that foundation and build from there?

Perhaps because it's more profitable to stir up hatred, isn't it, Mr. Prager?

Please Don't Shoot Each Other

Good Morning Everybody! : )

Here is your mission for the day; please don't shoot each other over disagreements about the war.

In a Kentucky Flea Market, two men disagreed over the war in Iraq. Both had guns, and both apparently drew their firearms. Douglas Moore, 65, who supports the war, shot and killed Harold Wayne Smith, 56 who opposed it.

I don't know exactly what this means; it's obviously very sad for the family of Smith and we have them in our thoughts. But what does it mean for our national ongoing discourse? I can't think it means anything good.

I also don't see this as a partisan story - both men drew their guns. While I'm sorry for Mr. Smith and his family, he's not a martyr. He shouldn't have drawn his gun and he shouldn't have let his argument escalate to the point that it was handled through violence.

So given the chance, take the peaceable way.

This May Be the Most Important Post You'll Read Today

Maybe. Hard to say really.

I'm linking to a post at the Huffington Report by Fred Stembottom. Mr. Stembottom describes a serious problem with the modern Democratic Party. Namely, the Democratic Party doesn't really have any real connection with the American Working Class.

Millions of white, male blue-collar workers go around in right-wing talk radio induced ignorance. Each and every one of them thinks that the problems they have with their employer is unique, puzzling and sure to get better after a change of management ...or something.

What I do: I simply point up how these "puzzling anomalies" are actually well-known and ancient un-fair labor practices. With NAMES!

Speed-ups. Wage stagnation policies. Two-tiered wage systems. Worker isolation. These are some of the names of the classic Unfair Labor Practices that my friends experience everyday. But they don't even know that there are such things as Unfair Labor Practices!

Watch 'em go off like rockets when you give them a NAME for what they suffer everyday -- just a name for Christ's sake. They go ballistic and are ready for anything.

This is a very important idea for Democratic Party organizers to understand and to get behind. Or it could be.

If people, you know, put it into practice.

Monday Mail Bag

Greetings Space Kids!

Today's mailbag is particularly full. So full that I may not need to refer to ongoing attempts by various people to acquire my bank account information. Which is too bad, in a way, because we got a letter with this intriguing tag line - "Help Crrying From Call From Ms Mariam Mohamed & brother"

Our first item was posted anonymously, in the comments section of the Blog (under this post).

Hooray for Monster!

I am pleased with the new management here at Make me a Commentator!!! That said, this poster has obviously never used a bathroom after The Monster. His understanding of basic plumbing is . . . lacking.

The second item is from Yes, who posted a comment under this post.

Well your voice is way more steady than mine at this point. You make some very valid observations. What got me going here was reading the spew of a winger. I cannot fathom their idiocy. Lying to oneself is common practice in our "culture". But they go beyond the pale. Overboard. Blinders. See no evil. Even when it's glaring in the face.

I have to say as a cosmic space villain, humanities lack of desire to see evil is very convenient. I can't think of the times when I walked into a bank or knocked on somebody's home and, rather than having my victims say "Eek! A Space Lobster!!!" they preferred to believe in my thin disguise.

This technique allowed me to kidnap the President of Hyper Space Industries, by pretending to be a new chauffeur, in episode 2A29 "Lobster Trails to You." Unfortunately we had chosen as our base of operations a Dude Ranch, where Captain Starfaller happened to take a vacation. Things didn't turn out too well.

Our next item comes from Kerri, who has a very nice website of her own. She responded to this post.

You mean as a liberal I can't have Osama hiding in my basement , eating my Triscuits? Bummer. Guess I'll have to tell him to leave then.

It's strange to me how Conservatives have somehow made themselves out to be victims in almost every political arena. What's even scarier is, how well it seems to work, regardless of how false the premise.

Back in the old days we had Triscits around the set sometimes - but Captain Starfaller would always make off with the bulk of them along with the Havarti Cheese. Jerk! But I can say that it is weird for the Republicans to act this way. Frankly I think that once you have gained power, you should flaunt it. I usually did this by putting on a jeweled robe and waving my pincers over my head, but I understand that doesn't work for everybody.

And that's it for another week. Remember to continue sending in those letter and making comments, and we will respond to them. And also remember "I will crush Captain Starfaller with my mighty pincers!"

Words Matter

I'm not going to comment on Bryant's comments on racism below; anytime a liberal doesn't have an argument they SCREAM RACISM. That's why you hear them banging on about it so much.

I am going to write, instead, on Will Dursts latest article about the use of the English Language. Durst notes that Republicans have switched out the term "War on Terror" for "Struggle against Violent Extremism." I don't see the big deal, myself. Struggle and War are synonyms, albeit with different connotations. Terror and Violent Extremism are synonyms as well.

In a way I'm disturbed that War has been downgraded to Struggle, as Durst notes.

Like a floundering hurricane losing wind speed over a land mass, the war has been downgraded to a struggle. I don't know about you, but I feel much better already. Hey, is that the cool, refreshing breeze of a scheduled steady troop withdrawal?

Like Durst I am concerned that such a weakening in the language might signal a premature withdrawal (although, Durst probably hopes that the US makes that tragic blunder).

On the other hand I heartily approve of the use of "Violent Extremism" over "terrorism." It is far more broad, and encompasses a larger range of actions. For example, you wouldn't call an anti war protester (many of whom are Islamic) taking a SWING at a COP an act of terrorism. I would, but most of you probably wouldn't. But violent extremism? What about when anti-war protesters talk about sabotaging troops or supplies? Isn't that violent extremism?

I would say it is. I would say that this Struggle Against Violent Extremism is one that the United States MUST NOT LOSE!

A Comment

Good morning all.

I'd just like to comment, that while I agree with Bryant (in his post below) saying that Multiculturalism isn't bad, I think he goes to far when he says that those who disagree with multiculturalism are racists. I think without knowing for sure, it is best not to make such accusations.

Just a friendly suggestion : )

A Return to Racism

In the past, before the Civil Rights Movement, brown people posed very little threat to America. Brown people, particularly blacks, but also Hispanics, native Americans, Asians and so on, had a very specific place in society, and they were not allowed out of that place. America was run for the benefit of the White Middle Class and White Upper Class.

Under such a situation, the Islamic Terrorists would be no threat to us. They would not be permitted access to our airplanes or to other facilities from which they could launch attacks against the American People.

Unfortunately we gave black and brown people civil rights, and then, in an act of even greater foolishness, we started a fad called Multiculturalism. Multiculturism is the ludicrous belief that other cultures are, on some level, the equivalent of White Middle Class America. Michael Barone comments on this disgusting phenomena in his latest article.

Multiculturalism is based on the lie that all cultures are morally equal. In practice, that soon degenerates to: All cultures are morally equal, except ours, which is worse. But all cultures are not equal in respecting representative government, guaranteed liberties and the rule of law. And those things arose not simultaneously and in all cultures, but in certain specific times and places -- mostly in Britain and America, but also in various parts of Europe.

In America, as in Britain, multiculturalism has become the fashion in large swathes of our society. So the Founding Fathers are presented only as slaveholders, World War II is limited to the internment of Japanese-Americans and the bombing of Hiroshima. Slavery is identified with America, though it has existed in every society and the antislavery movement arose first among English-speaking evangelical Christians.

But most Americans know there is something special about our cultural heritage.

The only weakness in Mr. Barones prose is that he fails to specify that he is talking about White America; but I'm pretty sure that anybody reading that would recognize that. So what we need is a return to a society that teaches White America as superior to all other cultures, as an important first step.

Of course I'm being sarcastic and cynical here; it's possible that Mr. Barone, like others attacking the dreaded Multiculturalism, hasn't got a racist bone in his body.

But I doubt it.

New Format!!!

Good morning all!!! :)

Another new format and logo and quote. This quote comes from Space Lobster - or well, picked by him. He didn't say the quote, but he picked it out.

Hope you are all having a nice Sunday! :)