Right Opinion
The best of conservative opinion and commentary, updated daily.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
When Is a War Not a War?
Barack Obama accelerated his political ascent in 2002 by positioning himself firmly as the voice of anti-war Democrats. Unlike Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, John Edwards and John Kerry, then-Illinois state Sen. Obama announced that he opposed the effort to topple Saddam Hussein, not because he opposed all wars, but because he resisted what he called "dumb wars." What was "dumb" about the Iraq War? Sen. Obama didn't say precisely, but he inveighed against "the cynical attempt by Richard Perle and Paul Wolfowitz and other armchair, weekend warriors in this administration to shove their own ideological agendas down our throats ..."
The Implications of Fundamental Change
Do you ever get the idea that this nation is not only in decline but completely rudderless under the Obama administration? Well, it's not really rudderless; it only appears rudderless because Obama isn't pursuing the same goals as past presidents. Let's first concede that Obama expressly admitted his goal of fundamentally changing the nation -- an alarming thought to most patriots. Let's also acknowledge that Obama's perception of pre-Obama America is largely negative. He has made that abundantly clear during the past five years, with his incessant harping on the state of the African-American community, his articulation of class warfare themes, his virtually overt war on our domestic energy industries and his harsh criticism of American health care, the insurance industry, the "wealthy" and various other targets.
Off the Hook in Syria
So much for the long-anticipated U.S.-Syrian smasheroo, with missiles and accusations flying through the air. The whole thing appears, unexpectedly, to have ended before properly beginning. Or at least we are entitled to guess that on the basis of Monday developments. The Syrians, with an assist from the Russians, appear to have saved the day, along with the political hide, such as it is, of the president of the United States.
Syria and Obama
I cannot see why even a single American, a single Israeli or a single Syrian civilian should be killed as a result of a token U.S. military action, undertaken simply to spare Barack Obama the embarrassment of doing nothing, after his ill-advised public ultimatum to the Syrian government to not use chemical weapons was ignored. Some people say that some military response is necessary, not to spare Obama a personal humiliation, but to spare the American presidency from losing all credibility -- and therefore losing the ability to deter future threats to the United States without bloodshed.
Specter of Iraq Hovers over Syria Deliberation
Hovering over the congressional debate on whether to authorize the use of military force in Syria is the specter of Iraq. It hung even more menacingly over the debate in the British House of Commons Aug. 29 when a 285-272 majority voted against granting the government such authority. The prevalent idea is that America and Britain were maneuvered into the Iraq War by false intelligence. "Bush lied. People died," Democrats liked to say. Brits denounced Tony Blair's "dodgy dossier."
Monday, September 9, 2013
Ice, Ice, Baby
Over the years, I have wondered if many of the folks on the other side of the AGW debate actually believed what they were saying. In the warmth of your home it's pretty easy to make bold pronouncements about impending disasters 70 years down the road. But to actually believe it enough to take action? Well, that's admirable in a way -- I admire people that take a stand. But believing this enough to try it? I can't go that far.
Quin Hillyer: An Opportunity to Send a Proven Conservative to Congress
It's rare these days to have the opportunity to send both a principled conservative and someone brandishing the pre-attained experience necessary to make an impact on Day 1. Yet that's exactly the opportunity the voters of Alabama's 1st Congressional District have in the person of Quin Hillyer, who time and time again has risen to the challenge of consistent conservatism over a career spanning back to President Reagan.
Free Markets Plus Individual Virtue Produces Prosperity
An important new book has recently been published which addresses the question of global poverty, but does so by provoking the reader to also consider our own nation and demand that we better understand ourselves and the wellsprings of our own success. Two evangelical Christians have teamed up, one an economist and one a theology professor, to write "Poverty of Nations: A Sustainable Solution."
A Nuclear Arsenal Is a Terrible Thing to Waste
Obama insists that in spite of Putin's body language, their private conversations are often very productive. Indeed they are. For Putin, that is. Without his lifting a finger to help us when it comes to Iran, Syria and Edward Snowden, Obama has agreed not to supply Poland with a promised anti-missile system, has agreed to diminish our nuclear arsenal and, for all I know, agreed to subscribe to Pravda. If it were up to me, we would have used a few nukes to curb Islam long before now. Just because the jihadists don't wear uniforms or carry flags is no reason not to let their host nations understand that certain rotten activities will inevitably result in very unpleasant consequences.
Striking While the Iran Is Hot?
President Obama may want to use force in Syria, but the kind of intervention Christians want is material -- not military. According to organizations on the ground of the war-torn country, the need for humanitarian help is great. Rosangela Jarjour, just one of many in the Fellowship of Middle East Evangelical Churches, pleaded with the West to help ease the nation's suffering -- not ratchet up the conflict.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Why Does College Cost So Much?
We spend about twice as much as other developed countries as a fraction of national output. Yet our results are mediocre. Public and private spending is growing much faster than our income -- putting us on a course that is clearly unsustainable. It appears we are buying quantity instead of value. Outcomes vary wildly from state to state. And programs that target the poor seem to be backfiring instead.
When Dismay Is a Front-Runner
On Jan. 20, 1981, Michael Deaver, a political aide, peered into a bedroom in Blair House, across from the White House, and said to the man still abed, "It's 8 o'clock. You're going to be inaugurated as president in a few hours." From beneath the blankets, Ronald Reagan said, "Do I have to?" Some are so eager to be inaugurated in 2017 that the 2016 campaign has begun 28 months before the 1.4 percent of Americans who live in Iowa and New Hampshire express themselves. It is, therefore, not too soon to get a head start on being dismayed. Consider two probable candidates.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
A No Vote on Syria May Cripple Obama's Domestic Agenda Too
President Obama, speaking at the G-20 meeting in St. Petersburg on Friday, reminded me of an investment banker trying to sell a deal he doesn't believe in. And the customer knows it. Halting. Hesitant. Uncertain. Uncomfortable. That's what Obama's statement and body language had to say. On the verge of a potentially huge defeat on the Syrian question in Congress, President Obama is in a box. He's looking for a way out, but he can't find one. He's losing supporters in the legislature at home, and he didn't gain any at the G-20 summit abroad.
Things I've Been Thinking About
In spite of the fact that the Democrats have been the reason that so many cities and states, not to mention the nation at large, are in such dire financial straits, there are only a dozen states that boast two Republican senators and a Republican governor. You do have to wonder why anyone would vote for someone who seems to think socialism is preferable to capitalism or why they would continue to elect politicians who don't even pretend to negotiate seriously with public sector unions. We all know, or should know by now, that they merely go through the motions while, in reality, using the negotiations as a way to line up volunteers and guarantee themselves campaign contributions in exchange for our tax dollars.
From The Comedy Store
President Obama went on TV and announced his intention to sell Congress on the idea of attacking Syria. It was forceful. Fifty years from now, defense contractors will gather on the White House lawn to commemorate the president's I Have a Drone speech.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Air Force Cracking Down on Christians
A 19-year-old Air Force veteran who was relieved of his duties because he disagreed with his openly gay commander over gay marriage is now facing a formal investigation after he told me his story. Senior Master Sgt. Phillip Monk found himself at odds with his Lackland Air Force Base commander after he objected to her plans to severely punish an instructor who had expressed religious objections to homosexuality. During the conversation, his commander ordered him to share his personal views on homosexuality.
What Syria Means for Future U.S. Influence
It is increasingly likely that President Obama's punt on Syria will doom effective action. Since announcing a week ago that he would seek congressional support for a U.S. military response to the Syrian regime's use of chemical weapons against its own people, he's actually lost votes from those who appeared willing to back a strike. By Friday, "no" or "leaning-no" senators slightly outnumbered those favoring action, while nearly half of House members were either firmly against or leaning against U.S. intervention, with only 24 clearly in favor. And Democrats are generously represented among those opposed.
At Clinics, Pro-Lifers Get Closure
No one likes to see a business close its doors -- unless that business is an abortion clinic! In states across America, pro-lifers have been all too happy to shutter facilities bent on misleading women and taking innocent lives. And that's no small number, according to a new report from Bloomberg. Since 2011, 58 of America's abortion clinics -- almost *one in 10* -- have either pulled the plug on their abortion services or folded altogether.
Sacrificing Military Women on the Altar of 'Diversity'
Why is Congress ignoring Obama's attack on servicewomen?