Focus

Hillary Clinton says the main focus in our relationship with China needs to be economic (not human rights). Someone needs to tell the president that that's what the focus needs to be with our economy.

Any Price

I'm waiting for Obama to say, "We will bear any burden, pay any price, in defense of government in these United States."

Finding

You'll never find if you never seek.

Alive

If it's not alive, why do they keep killing it?

Old Phones

I'm so old, I remember when phones ...

- were used to make calls;

- didn't have names;

- only came in black;

- had to be dialed;

- didn't come with calling plans;

- were available in things called telephone booths;

- rang.

Reality

Experience is a good teacher. Reality is a better one.

Christopher Nolan

My comment about the death of author Christopher Nolan, posted at Publishers Weekly:

"I'm saddened and sobered to read of Christopher Nolan's untimely death. As a (less accomplished) writer with cerebral palsy myself (a more moderate version than Mr. Nolan had), I have grown accustomed to well-meaning people telling me what an "inspiration" I am. I think most people with disabilities don't mind inspiring others, but what we really want is to be treated as equals. The life of Christopher Nolan is a testimony to the intrinsic dignity of all human beings, whether disabled or not--and to God's grace in the midst of suffering. May he rest in peace."

Not So Fast!

The person who really ought to be protesting Barack Obama's reinstitution of the welfare state, Bill Clinton, has been strangely silent. Obama is undoing one of Clinton's few achievements after eight years as president. It's Clinton who said, "The era of big government is over," and now it is Obama who is replying, "Not so fast!"

What Do You Want on Your Tombstone?

I hope Roland "Tombstone" Burris (D-Ill.) hasn't chiseled "United States Senator" on his personal monument yet. It looks like he may have to carve "Convicted Felon" there instead. Perhaps he can get an adjoining cell with George Ryan and (one hopes) Rod Blagojevich.

Religion of Peace

Concerned about Islam's public image in America, about five years ago a certain Muslim gentleman started "Bridges" TV near Buffalo, New York. Last week, however, he turned himself in to police. It seems ... ahem ... the man ... ahem ... had ... uh ... beheaded his wife.

Wonder what this will do for Islam's public image?

Metered Holiday

In Chicago, it's not a real holiday if you have to feed the meters.

The Soft Bigotry of Low Expectations?

Last night I heard an Obama supporter talk about how hard it has been for Barack Obama during his first weeks in office, and how he will have to find a way to lower everyone's expectations about what he can actually accomplish. Don't worry; my expectations have already been lowered! Yes, it must be very difficult to control the executive branch and both houses of Congress-it's a wonder he has gotten anything done at all!

Lemonade

People who say, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade," don't realize that there's only so much lemonade a person can drink.

200

Happy Birthday, Abe. We need your kind today.

Some Choice

Overlooking the less costly Republican plan, Mr. Obama says the choice is between his plan or nothing. I'll take nothing, if it comes to that. What's not being said about the "stimulus" bill is that it represents the largest tax increase in American history. Not only will current taxpayers have to foot the bill in higher taxes, interest rates, and inflation, but so will our children and grandchildren. There is no free lunch. The money has to come from somewhere. Obama supporters need to take their fingers out of their ears, stop chanting "la-la-la," and get serious.

With Regrets

Now that he's been ratted out and his previous denials turn out to be lies, Alex Rodriguez is "very regretful" about his steroid usage. Does he regret hitting all those homers while he was on the juice, or is he simply sorry he got caught? And is he regretful enough to pay back all that money?

The Real Disaster

As Barack Obama takes his case for the "emergency" stimulus bill (without which we will lurch from "crisis" to "catastrophe") to the American people, it is worth noting that the Republicans have offered an alternative that could create twice the jobs at half the cost. If that is the case, then the Obama plan is about something other than jobs and cost. Given all the pork in the bill aimed at Democratic Party friends such as ACORN and Planned Parenthood, it's no wonder that opposition party leaders such as John McCain warn that passing the Democrats' plan would be the real disaster.

Results, not Dialogue

Some people talk to reveal. Others talk to conceal. I hope the Obama administration keeps this in mind as it attempts to communicate with the anti-Semitic, terror-supporting Iranian regime, which not incidentally is responsible for the deaths of many of our soldiers. The key is not dialogue, but getting results.

They Forgot

Why is Timothy Geithner still in charge of Treasury? Why is Charlie Rangel still running Ways and Means? Why is Tom Daschle not going to jail? Why is the Steve Martin "I forgot" defense working for them?

Could it be because they are ... Democrats?

Limited Openness

Be open to correction, but not idiocy.

Taxes

Barack Obama seems to have a knack for tapping people who haven't paid their taxes. Yet Obama said during the campaign that he wants to "spread the wealth around" through redistribution, and running mate Joe Biden said paying taxes is the patriotic thing to do. Does anyone else see the disconnect?

Rules for Living

No. 49: Don't take financial advice from someone who lives in a trailer.

Anti-Semites

Pope Benedict XVI has rehabilitated into the church two unrepentant anti-Semites. What is he thinking?

What Truce?

This morning on ABC Radio the announcer said the truce between Israel and Hamas may not hold if Israel responds to the latest rocket attacks. May not hold? The cease-fire is over once one side starts shooting. Israel has a right-nay, a duty-to defend itself. Framing the truce as effective only if the Jewish state doesn't is the height of media idiocy-or anti-Semitism.