Birds, Shoes, and Dogs

The small blessings of divided government

2008-10-11T09:27:00.003-05:00

I have copied a good part of this post from Ilya Somin at Volokh Conspiracy because it says far better than I ever could what is at stake in this election.

[Ilya Somin, October 10, 2008 at 7:08pm] Trackbacks
Why I'm Concerned About an Obama Victory:

Ross Douthat summarizes my main reason for fearing what now looks like a near-certain Obama victory. And it has nothing to with with Bill Ayers, Jeremiah Wright, or any of Obama's other personal foibles or past associations. It certainly isn't based on any great love for John McCain, who I have many reservations about. For what it's worth, I like the idea of a black president, believe that Obama is an admirable person in many ways, and have doubts about McCain's temperament similar to those expressed by George Will. Nonetheless, I fear that the conjunction of an Obama victory, a strongly Democratic Congress, and a major economic crisis will produce a massive and difficult to reverse expansion of government:

[W]hile success is never final, some successes are more final than others. The election of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1932 gave birth to an administrative state that has never been rolled back, and seems unlikely be rolled back in my lifetime. So that was a pretty final victory, as political victories go. Or again, while Ronald Reagan's election in 1980 had less enduring consequences than FDR's, at the very least it put its stamp on thirty years of American history in a way that, say, the election of Jimmy Carter or George H.W. Bush did not. And the convergence of an economic crisis and complete Democratic control of Washington should alarm even those conservatives eager to wash their hands of the GOP. The best reason for even the most disaffected right-winger to root for a McCain victory is simple: To the extent that much of the progressive agenda is a program in search of a crisis to justify its implementation, an election that delivers a liberal candidate who's adored by the media to White House, gives him huge majorities in both houses of Congress, and presents him with a worldwide state of emergency in which to govern, has the potential to be not just another loss for conservatives, but a once-in-a-generation defeat.

We know from past history that economic crises are a major opportunity for expansion of government power. Robert Higgs' book Crisis and Leviathan is a good discussion of the basic dynamics. We also know that divided government tends to impede the growth of the state, while united government facilitates it. The combination of united government and a major economic crisis is likely to lead to a great expansion of government, just as it did on several previous occasions such as the 1930s. It only remains to add that Obama - and most of the rest of the Democratic Party - tend to be very pro-government ideologically. As far as I can tell, Obama proposes major expansions of government regulation and spending on almost every big domestic issue, and doesn't propose to retract government in any significant way, except on military intervention in Iraq. Obama's record in the Senate (where he was the 10th most liberal senator) and in the Illinois state legislature (where he was more liberal than 73% of his fellow Democrats) shows him to be a big government liberal, not a relative moderate like Bill Clinton during his presidency.

I say this not so much to rally support for McCain (whose candidacy I think is nearly dead anyway), as to outline my fears about what is likely to happen over the next four years. I understand, of course, that none of this is a problem for those who want a major expansion of government power or are at least indifferent to it. But I do think it should be of concern to those libertarians or small government conservatives who welcome an Obama victory. It should also matter to moderates and liberals who recognize that massive expansions of government power in a time of crisis provide major opportunities for abuses of power and interest group power grabs at the expense of the general public - both of which happened on a large scale during the Great Depression.

Worth Repeating

2008-10-06T10:25:00.001-05:00

From Ronald Reagan's first inaugural address:

“In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem. From time to time we've been tempted to believe that society has become too complex to be managed by self-rule, that government by an elite group is superior to government for, by, and of the people.

"Well, if no one among us is capable of governing himself, then who among us has the capacity to govern someone else? All of us together, in and out of government, must bear the burden. The solutions we seek must be equitable, with no one group singled out to pay a higher price.”

Bill Ayers and Barack Obama

2008-09-23T09:13:00.004-05:00

Stanley Kurtz has been silent for several weeks, as he scoured the archives at the University of Illinois-Chicago's Daley Library on the subject of the Annenberg Challenge and the relationship between Ayers and Obama. His article was published today in the WSJ and is essential reading. The Obama campaign did absolutely everything they could, from bullying broadcasters who dared to interview Kurtz to putting pressure (Chicago Style)on the Daley Library to restrict access to the archives.
Much more here from Kurtz at NRO - fascinating.

It's about time

2008-09-21T18:15:00.003-05:00

Seen the new tv ads for Microsoft Windows with Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld? Very hip-indy-film, very funny in that "the Office" kind of way. A great way to reintroduce Microsoft to a public that has been brainwashed by Uber-cool Apple for far too many years. Now the newest ads feature a bunch of people who look nothing like "PC" on the Apple commercials - all repeating, "I am PC.." It is about time.
Microsoft has its problems, without a doubt - and one of them was clearly allowing Apple to take the "cool" road without a fight. But Apple has its own set of problems.
I have always liked the nerds, especially those nerds with a sense of humor - heck...I liked them so much - I married one!!

Sarah Palin is not a phenomenon

2008-09-21T14:44:00.003-05:00

This quote from a woman at a Virginia rally may explain everything to those who can't understand her sustained appeal:

'She justifies what we do every day. She does what we do, she lives like we do. She's just as flawed as we are. There are more American parents with unwed pregnant teenage children than American parents with Harvard graduates. She's real.'

Not sure whether her numbers are correct, but I bet she is right.
While Obama is busy trying to make jokes at Palin's expense with vulgar put-downs, this woman seems to have embraced a Palinesque way to gently poke at Obama without losing sight of the larger point.

She's Baaack!

2008-09-21T09:41:00.002-05:00

Okay, okay... The clamor from the throngs of avid readers has turned deafening. I will try again. For my first post in a year, I will, naturally, turn to presidential politics - specifically, Barack Obama. I have tried, as many others have as well, to find a rational explanation for his being the Democrats' nominee for President of the United States. I am still at a loss, but this essay from Canada's Globe and Mail describes him and his present situation better than almost anything I have read.
And here is a photo for you all, just for fun.

More Good News from the Sunni Triangle?

2007-09-24T12:57:00.000-05:00

Though I am naturally inclined to the blood sport that is national politics, I don't want to neglect the real war. This piece, by Michael Totten, who is another free-lance journalist totally committed to writing about the war from the war, and not just from a quick, Katie Couric-style week-long visit. Not that I am criticizing Katie - she did a helluva lot more reporting in that week than any other major network has been willing to do.
Between Michael Yon and Michael Totten, you can get a very good sense of what is happening and what is not.

Beacons of hope

2007-09-21T16:41:00.000-05:00

I loved this. We 50 year old fat moms can really make a difference!This is great, too. An excerpt below, but the whole article is fascinating.

"'Earlier this year, I wrote that although terrorists could get inside the decision curve of slow, hidebound bureaucracies, they'd have a tougher time dealing with American civilians:

"But no sooner did the first plane strike the World Trade Center than the hijackers had to confront someone with a swifter learning curve. As Brad Todd noted in a terrific column written just a few days later, American civilians, using items of civilian technology like cell phones and 24-hour news channels, changed tactics and defeated the hijackers aboard United Airlines' Flight 93, overcoming years of patient planning in less than two hours. No one has successfully hijacked a civilian airliner since - and, as "shoebomber" Richard Reid illustrates, those terrorists who threaten civilian airliners now tend to emerge rather the worse for wear. Against bureaucracies, terrorists had the learning-curve advantage. Against civilians, they did not.

This should come as no surprise. American civilians, perhaps more even than their counterparts in Europe, Japan, and the rest of the industrialized world, are used to making rapid changes based on new information. Accustomed to a steep learning curve in business and in life, we should be able to out-adapt those who, after all, are ultimately committed to returning the world to a simulacrum of the 12th century.'"

This kid goes to MIT???

2007-09-21T12:56:00.000-05:00

Admission standards at MIT have clearly headed south.

As Ellie used to say - Buggerflies!

2007-09-21T08:10:00.000-05:00

Haven't posted photos in a while. Here are some recent butterflies I shot. The first, a Buckeye, is a migrating visitor who summers in Canada and winters in Virginia. If you are lucky, you can see huge flocks(do we say flocks for butterflies?) much like monarchs.
The second is a Tiger Swallowtail.
This one is a Giant Swallowtail. Terribly dramatic coloring and truly huge - one of the largest butterflies in N. America. As broad as a man's hand.
The last, though fairly common, is so lovely I had to include it. It is a Red Spotted Purple, in the swallowtail family - spectacular colors.

More Hillary

2007-09-21T07:40:00.000-05:00

This is a neat little piece that says it all. Read all the way to the bottom and also scrutinize the vote tally - Obama, clinton, Biden, Dodd - all presidential candidates. Scathing.

Enough!

2007-09-20T18:00:00.000-05:00

I have been waiting patiently to dive into the presidential election discussion - waiting, mostly, until what I would discuss would reflect not just my political views, but also my personal ones. But the vote today in the U.S. Congress on censuring MoveOn.org for it's ad in the NYT was too much, just way too much. I mean really, Hillary Clinton votes NOT to censure them? Just how out of touch is she? The presumptive nominee for her party, she will at some point have to appeal to the middle. Just how many people "in the middle" are comfortable with a president who insults his or her generals for lying to Congress and then sides with a group like MoveOn? This won't hurt her? I don't think so.

Boys of Summer

2007-08-19T08:53:00.000-05:00

The weather is lousy. The Brewers are sinking into a miasma. But, baseball, nevertheless, continues to provide the personalities and the life lessons that make it the game of all games. This piece is wonderful - and, as the big bloggers say, read the whole thing.

This one is for you, Culver ladies!

2007-07-16T22:05:00.000-05:00

Just driving down a quiet road near the farm, when I saw this pony munching away all by himself in a field. Hope you like it Grace!

Fab Fourth at the Farm

2007-07-08T21:47:00.001-05:00

More pictures to come!

Rural Ohio

2007-06-07T09:01:00.000-05:00

On our recent visit to south/central Ohio for Catherine's graduation, we had opportunities to drive around a bit and "see the country." This part of Ohio, east and slightly north of Columbus is right out of a picture book, and one published in the 19th century at that. Yes, Columbus and its citizens, looking for elbow room and a little slice of heaven, are encroaching, but taking just a few turns off the main roads brings you face to face with our rural past. Dirt roads, horse-drawn plows and buggies (one of, if not the, largest Amish communities anywhere - yes, even Penssylvania)and farms--some large, well laid out, and apparently prosperous and others scraping a living and a life from hilly, rocky terrain. From a photographer's viewpoint - they are all lovely, but I am not so romantic as to think that it is easy. Perhaps that is what makes them beautiful?

May Madness

2007-06-04T08:56:00.000-05:00

OK. So I promised no more long breaks between posts, but I am not in charge of the calendar. If I were, there would be no month of May. Don't get me wrong. There are plenty of wonderful things that happen in May. But there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Leave May for graduations (see photos nearby!!!) and Mother's Day. Spread the inevitable "end-of-the-year" concerts, recitals, and meetings around the calendar a bit. And admit reality. Summer in Wisconsin doesn't really arrive until mid-July, so stop the flower and plant madness! Otherwise calm, good-natured women glaring, grasping, and shoving as they clear out the entire stock of sweet potato vine and dinner-plate dahlias? Nursery parking lots filled with SUVs and mini-vans packed to the gills with geraniums and hanging baskets - in a crazy, mad rush to get ready for, what? The first weekend of summer???? Memorial Day?? puhleeze. 50 degrees and raining more often than not.
Anyway, that's my excuse for not blogging and I am sticking to it.

Catherine graduated from Denison University on May 13th. It really was a great day in all ways. Thrilled and exhausted grads, relieved and terribly proud families, brilliant sunshine(in Ohio!)and a beautiful campus. All the usual on display - smiles, tears, caps flying, school colors everywhere.

Sign the Petition to Congress!

2007-05-02T18:13:00.000-05:00

Time for us to wake up and stand for something. The U.S. Congress needs to know what we mean when we "support the troops." We mean, "Let them win."

Sandhill Crane

2007-05-02T09:20:00.000-05:00

Spring has sprung here in Wisconsin. It is my favorite time of the bird year. Everyone is in full color and so busy showing off for the ladies that they pay little attention to me and the camera! This guy was just strolling through a cornfield right next to the road utterly unconcerned about me. Notice the red patch on the head - he really had it turned up to bright!

A shoe is a beautiful thing

2007-05-01T21:36:00.000-05:00

With inspiration and encouragement from my friend Alison, I give you this...and this....<>

from Michael Yon

2007-04-30T17:46:00.001-05:00

A new piece from Michael Yon in Iraq. I don't know why, but I always get very emotional when I read his articles. I think it might be because he is committed to being there, with the men and women serving our country, taking risks, but always unafraid to tell it like he sees it. I find him credible because he does not hesitate to tell both the good news and the bad news. The photos of the children will get you.

A Surprise Visitor!

2007-04-30T12:49:00.000-05:00

I put my foot up against the edge of the bathtub in our bathroom this morning to tie my shoes and had the distinct and unshakable feeling that I was being watched. Unlikely as that was, I glanced over my right shoulder to the window just inches away and immediately jumped back about two feet in surprise. There, literally inches from my face through the glass was a small eastern screech owl perched on the edge of the eave trough and staring right at me. He had probably been sitting there watching me curiously for sometime as he certainly didn't seem surprised to see me! He (she? they look alike) was adorable with huge eyes, tilting his head to get a better look at me. I sat there for twenty minutes, afraid that the moment would pass and he would fly off. Four hours later, and he is still there, nicely sheltered by the overhanging roof, tucked into a protected corner, with sweeping views of the driveway and all our resident chippies. Sorry, chippies, cute is as cute does, I guess...

Worth reading on the Middle East

2007-04-14T08:47:00.000-05:00

Caroline Glick is a foreign policy analyst who specializes in the Middle East. This opinion piece is fascinating, thought-provoking, terrifying, and truly required reading to gain a larger perspective on what is going on over there.
It makes me ask, once again, where is Ronald Reagan when we need him?

Major Merger

2007-04-10T16:12:00.000-05:00

Big news out of the Big Apple this week: two major powerhouses on the scene have taken initial steps toward what most analysts believe will be one of the historic mergers of our time. Though neither party involved in the proposed Duffey-Thermansen merger is providing a detailed timeline at this point, experts are saying that there is every indication that the deal will be done by the approach of Q3 2008. "It is a classic 'brains and beauty' deal, with each side bringing something useful to the table" one analyst opined on the news. "A win/win situation and the growth potential is sky high," another stated. The market as a whole reacted favorably to the news, while certain related industries were going on record as early as yesterday with marked enthusiasm. The sharp rise in champagne futures and the major price bump in silk textiles were only two of the early indicators of the sustained impact this merger will have.

more from Marco

2007-04-01T10:45:00.000-05:00

Great Egret,macro shot of the flower of this annoying shrub I keep hacking back because it grows so dang fast - flower is pretty though...
Clare and Molly enjoying the sun in their chaise,
and a male Red-Bellied Woodpecker.

pics from Florida in March

2007-04-01T10:37:00.000-05:00

A few random shots of our time in Marco, where all three girls managed to squeeze us in at least for a few days. We had beautiful weather which made my immobility far more pleasant than it would have been stuck inside on a rainy day.
Harry who just had to get in the pool to "rescue" his ball that he had dropped "accidentally." A blurry, through the screen shot of the mom and dad osprey, whom I had shot in January sitting on the egg, now chatting amiably with Junior. An "arty" shot of a bromeliad. More pics coming!

April 1

2007-04-01T09:19:00.000-05:00

Ok, for all (3) of my faithful blog readers, I admit that I have been less than forthcoming with entries. That changes today, when I am recommitting myself to the blog. I have explanations for my faithlessness - that google's blogger is now utterly frustrating to use (how do you in this day of miraculous technology make something that worked seamlessly and without effort into a tedious string of steps that fail regularly??) is one of those explanations. Another is that I was out of town visiting my girlies (for which I have not one photo - traveling light and didn't bring my camera) and then shortly thereafter away again for two weeks in the land of dial-up where no blogger with any sense dare go. And did I mention that I had knee surgery? I know it sounds impossible to have this many explanations for my prolonged absence - but they are all true.
But, as my mother always said, "those are explanations, they are not excuses." Enough.
My first topic is related to two stories that have been in the news this past week. Both of them were very quietly reported but for entirely different reasons. This photo, which accompanied a report about the honoring of two dozen or more Tuskeegee airmen for their service and sacrifice was utterly striking to me on two levels. The first was that the only man (and a Democrat) serving in the U.S. Senate ever to have been a member of the Klu Klux Klan, Robert Byrd, was there to do some of the honoring and NO ONE, NO ONE said a word about that! The second was seeing President Bush holding the hand of the very elderly and infirm Byrd to assist him entering the room. President Bush helping in such a gentle, kind way the man who has never missed an opportunity to personally vilify the President - out of plain simple human kindness. The best measure of a man is that taken when he doesn't know anyone is looking.
Which brings me to my second news report: a FOX television investigative report into the stealing of highly classified documents from the National Archives by former NSA Sandy Berger of the Clinton administration. According to members of the Archives' staff, the extent of the crime is far greater than anyone knew at the time it first came out. The additional details reported are fairly shocking (Berger stuffing some of the stolen documents under a construction trailer parked on a street near the Archives - for someone else to retrieve? why wasn't this news??)
I mean, really. The contrast is dramatic. In one small gesture that just happened to get caught by a photographer (and many, many news outlets did not show it) you see the basic decency and goodness of one man and in the other, rather dramatic, gesture, the stealing of classified documents by President Clinton's National Security Advisor, presumably to destroy documents that made that President look bad in some way (what way we will now never know)you see people whose highest priority is to protect themselves, no matter what.

Election Season - the reason for blogging....

2007-02-21T20:14:00.000-06:00

First, I think (and I am definitely NOT paranoid, really) that you should check out the Google ads - are they trying to make me completely crazy? or what....
Second, man oh man, do I love election season or what? It reminds me of the white mice my sisters used to have (even then I couldn't imagine anything less appealing. If they didn't act quickly enough, the mice began killing their own. Kinda like the dems these days...Geffen eating Hillary? Hillary eating Obama? "Lies? the Lincoln Bedroom? pay for pardon?" what is not to love???

I don't understand the appeal

2007-02-16T08:12:00.000-06:00

The man who brought you The New Incumbents/Millionnaires' Club in Washington D.C. has now apparently decided that global warming will be his next ticket to being the mainstream media's most popular Republican. Forget about terrorism, Iraq, North Korea, or Iran and Syria: John has found the newest debate he will surely win - who would doubt a war-hero on global warming? And there are people, real people, actually real Republican people who are seriously considering supporting him as a presidential candidate?!?

Islam and Western Culture -what to read

2007-02-08T18:06:00.000-06:00

I recently spoke to a friend about Mark Steyn's new book, America Alone, and recommended another book, which I had read about a year ago called While Europe Slept by an American free-lance journalist who has lived in Europe for the past 15-20 years named Bruce Bawer. Bawer is no right-wing hack, but is now being pilloried by the liberal book world for this book, which they are calling "racist." The book has just been nominated for a prestigious award and that appears to be what is getting all these libs in a twit. It is well worth reading and anticipated Steyn's warnings about what Europe will soon look like if the multi-culturalists don't begin to insist that "tolerance" is supposed to be a two-way street. Europe's problem with their Muslim "citizens" stems largely from the premise for the Muslim emigration to Europe in the first place - jobs (and a cultural xenophobia) - jobs Europeans were not willing to do being done by people Europeans didn't really want as neighbors, or friends, or colleagues- hence their indifference to whether these newcomers were asked to assimilate at all. We reap what we sow, I guess. I, personally, am delighted to welcome the legal immigrants from Mexico and Latin America and the Caribbean. They come to the U.S. with a desire to be part of America, it's only when they get here that we insist that they keep using their native languages and keep themselves apart. We still have time to learn our lessons from Europe.

2007-02-01T17:10:00.000-06:00

Peter and Clare

2007-02-01T13:32:00.000-06:00

This one is for you, Bules. Just click it.

Birds and blogging

2007-02-01T13:26:00.000-06:00

Have been having problems with Google's "New Blogger" - tedious and stupid and the help is no help at all. Anyway, here are some more bird pics from fladeedah: laughing gull, snowy egret, royal tern resting on a buoy.

Reading Material

2007-01-30T12:56:00.000-06:00

I'm reading Paul Theroux's book Dark Star Safari - written a few years ago but still a very timely and current assessment of what is happening on the continent of Africa. With celebrities like Oprah, Madonna, and Pitt/Jolie plucking at American heartstrings for greater interest in and aid for Africa, this is a must-read.
I am also suggesting another look at Michael Yon's blog from Iraq - he has posted some new stuff over the past week and it is, as always, a fascinating "I was there" look at what is really happening there.
Also check out Fred Barnes' latest editorial from The Weekly Standard - about Vietnam and Iraq.
And check this out, as well.
Gosh, there is so much to read and so little time! And I haven't even started to cover Barack and Hillary....

Raptor shots from Florida

2007-01-30T12:31:00.000-06:00

Here are some shots from our quick visit to Florida last week. For those of you who are interested, from top to bottom, the birds shown are: a female osprey on her nest in the front yard, a red shouldered hawk hiding in the branches of a nearby tree from a huge flock of marauding and hectoring ravens, a male kestrel surveying his hunting territory from a telephone wire, and a broad-winged hawk who must have had a nest near the house as well - we saw him/her several times each day. One of the main reasons I like to vist my parent's former home in Marco is the abundance of bird life on the property. Actually there is an abundance of wild life in general there that I find very interesting. On any given day, I can see storks, egrets, herons (little blue, tri-colored, and great blue), ibis, dozens of shorebirds, woodpeckers, warblers, martins, mockingbirds, giant iguanas, dolphins, chameleons, and the footprints of Florida panthers just standing next to the seawall in the back yard.
The weather turned cool about the time we arrived and was quite windy as well. That is the usual weather pattern for south Florida in January, but I always hope to beat the odds and get a stretch of nice, hot, sunny days- like a little blast of summer before I come home to frigid Wisconsin.
More bird shots coming - woohoo!

Who needed more evidence that Ted Kennedy is a stupid fool?

2007-01-10T18:10:00.000-06:00

At some point, a reasonably intelligent person just runs out of things to say in response to the honorable senator from the great state of Massachussetts, but Don Surber has an idea...read it.

google's ads

2007-01-08T21:28:00.000-06:00

okay....probably by the time you read this, Google's ad about panic attacks will be gone - but puhleeeeeze.....panic attacks????where did that come from?

I'm back

2007-01-08T19:12:00.000-06:00

After a significant holiday hiatus, I have returned to the blog. We had a lovely Christmas (ahem, I mean, happy holiday) - with all thermies here together for a far too brief period. I have said to many this past year that the more civilized our daughters become the less we get to see them - where is the fairness in that? Ladies - I'm just kidding - you know we adored you even before you were civilized - take it as a compliment!
I will be posting some pics soon, but wanted everyone to check out the link I have added in the sidebar to Michael Yon's blog from Iraq. A journalist who spent most of 2005 with the troops in Iraq, he is back to spend all of 2007 there with infantry troops, on the ground, reporting. His observations are always valuable, but particularly now when we are about to enter another "national discussion" about our mission there. Forget the generals and the politicians if what you care about is what happens to Iraqis and to American soldiers there, not to mention the fate of the world.

Our Buley's Birthday!

2006-12-15T09:13:00.000-06:00

Today is Clare's 17th birthday and we wanted the entire blogosphere to know it! She's off today to spend the weekend in NYC with her big sister. Happy birthday to our wonderful, talented, smart, and ebullient last-but-not-least daughter!

Well. at least someone is reading this...

2006-12-15T08:48:00.000-06:00

I have had the same experience with Amazon, actually. A few years ago, when my apple crop at the farm was particularly prodigious, I went searching for books on long-term storage of fruits and vegetables(root cellar sort of stuff). Now whenever I go to Amazon they confidently offer me treatises and tracts on subjects ranging from survivalsim, to how to build your own nuclear bunker, to the by-laws of the Posse Comitatus. Makes you wonder who is out there, doesn't it?
Anyway, take a look at the google ad box at the top of the page. Ever since I wrote the piece on my trip to D.C. they have been sending ads for online "Intelligence Degrees," whatever that is, and, now, ads for bomb-detecting chemicals!!
If Amazon and Google ever get together and send their dossiers on me to the big guys, I am going to be in a world of hurt.

Kofi's final swim in the bay

2006-12-12T08:30:00.000-06:00

As someone who commented on the this piece by Jules Crittendon said, "that disgraceful man should be in prison." I mean just how long are Americans willing to be lectured about our responsibilities in the world by a man who understands his own responsibility to be stuffing his pockets and those of his family and friends with the resources he has blithely stolen from the most wretched and vulnerable on the globe? How ironic that this disgraceful little man makes these outrageous comments (this time) on the same day we learn of the death of one of the greatest statesmen(to be gender sensitive here would be to diminish her stature) of our time, Jeanne Kirkpatrick. The contrast is beyond my capacity to describe.
And we are going to replace John Bolton with George Mitchell ????

Mrs T goes to Washington

2006-12-10T22:30:00.000-06:00

Okay - so I admit it....I am a complete, and unrepentant political fool(aka junkie). As such, I might be forgiven in describing my evening in Washington D.C. last week as a sort of apotheosis. But, how would YOU describe an evening spent at a small dinner party in the company of Mark Steyn. Ted Olson, John O'Sullivan, George Will, and Robert Bork, among other incredibly charming and intelligent guests? How would you describe a dinner conversation with these eminent gentlemen and the other guests that ranged from Borat to Medicaid, Rudi and John McCain and the Iraq panel, to the Byzantine and Italian legacies of political poisonings? And, by the way, how would you describe an evening that took you from discussing government entitlement programs, to travel to Hanoi, to the merits of(or lack thereof)vodka martinis...with the same individuals?? When you come up with the description, I want to hear it, because I was there and I am at a loss for words. ( and you KNOW that doesn't happen often) All I can say is that I had the time of my life and I have our dear Ellie to thank for the whole thing. In her position as Assistant to the Publisher of The New Criterion, she was in charge of the entire event which included a much more public cocktail reception at the Hay-Adams Hotel with guests from the Hudson Institute and other friends of conservatism in attendance. She had worked with Mary Ellen Bork on the event - though I suspect that Mrs. Bork did a lot of signing of checks whle Ellie did all the organizing. (Note: After having written that, clearly out of my prejudice in favor of my own, Ellie informed me that Mrs. Bork did a great deal of the legwork, particularly in D.C. and at the hotel. I must be fair.) Imagine a mother's swelling pride as her daughter is introduced to all the movers and shakers in the room as the brains behind the event! And besides she had on the cutest suit!!!
Here are some pics from the two glorious days spent there - temperatures in the 50s and abundant sunshine. I only noticed the Xmas lights on the columns when I downloaded the shots...what a shame - nice pics otherwise.

Snow Day!

2006-12-01T13:40:00.000-06:00

Started snowing here around 4 am - heavy, wet, stick-to-everything kind of snow. Pictures don't do it justice. It is definitely looking a lot like Krippy. Puppies are making snow angels in the back yard. Abig mess this morning, with schools closed, etc. It is such a treat!

Dem Agenda

2006-11-10T08:54:00.000-06:00

(with thanks to several friends, who sent this to me by email)

Just Released- Agenda for the Democratic National Convention for 2008:

7:00 P.M. Opening flag burning.
7:15 P.M. Pledge of allegiance to U.N.
7:30 P.M. Ted Kennedy proposes a toast
7:30 till 8:00 P.M. Nonreligious prayer and worship. Jessie Jackson and
Al Sharpton.
8:00 P.M. Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.
8:05 P.M. Ceremonial tree hugging.
8:15- 8:30 P.M. Gay Wedding-- Barney Frank Presiding.
8:30 P.M. Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.
8:35 P.M. Free Saddam Rally. Cindy Sheehan-- Susan Sarandon.
9:00 P.M. Keynote speech. The proper etiquette for surrender-- French
President Jacques C hirac
9:15 P.M. Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.
9:20 P.M. Collection to benefit Osama Bin Laden kidney transplant fund
9:30 .M. Unveiling of plan to free freedom fighters from Guantanamo
Bay. Sean Penn
9:40 P.M. Why I hate the Military, A short talk by William Jefferson
Clinton
9:45 P.M. Ted Kennedy proposes a toast
9:50 P.M . Dan Rather presented Truth in Broadcasting award, presented
by Michael Moore
9:55 P.M., Ted Kennedy proposes a toast
10:00 P.M. How George bush and Donald Rumsfeld brought down the World
Trade Center Towers-- Howard Dean
10:30 P.M. Nomination of Hillary Rodham Clinton by Mahmud Ahmadinejad
11:00 P.M. Ted Kennedy proposes a toast
11:05 P.M. Al Gore reinvents Internet
11:15 P.M. Our Troops are War criminals-- John Kerry
11:30 P.M. Coronation Of Mrs. Rodham Clinton
12:00 A.M. Ted Kennedy proposes a toast
12:05 A.M. Bill asks Ted to drive Hillary home

Some call it Tet 2006

2006-11-10T08:06:00.000-06:00

"Another Al Qaeda Victory
November 9, 2006: One of the immediate things known in the wake of the American November elections is that the media strategy employed by al Qaeda has succeeded. Having failed to disrupt three elections in Iraq, al Qaeda and other terrorist groups fought to hang in there, and shifted their aim to American newsrooms.

It was a logical choice. In 1968, the Tet Offensive led many in the media to believe that the war in Vietnam was failing. The most famous pronouncement was Walter Cronkite's declaration that the war was a stalemate. Lost in the media defeatism was the fact that American and South Vietnamese troops won the battle, and had delivered a crippling blow to the Viet Cong. Similarly, in 1993, American forces won a firefight with Somalian militias under warlord Mohammed Farrah Aidid – but CNN footage of American casualties being dragged through the street led to a perception of defeat."

read the entire piece here - well worth it, but depressing.

Hey, Yaywuppy! time to weigh in from the Blue state wilderness!

2006-11-09T12:25:00.000-06:00

Just about says it all, yes?

2006-11-09T08:24:00.000-06:00

"When Republicans worry more about staying in government than about limiting government, they get thrown out of government. That's the lesson of Nov. 7, 2006." (Mark Tapscott) The whole thing is very interesting.

Our fearless leaders

2006-11-09T08:11:00.000-06:00

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5561/1818/1600/CutRun.7.jpg

Let's all take a deep breath

2006-11-08T21:18:00.000-06:00

Ann, our dear Ann, she of the mile-long legs, and viper's tongue, has provided us with succour and comfort in our hour of need. (We are fond of blondes with brains and biting humor around here).

The Absolute Moral Authority Card!

2006-11-07T08:48:00.000-06:00

wouldn't you like to have one?

Some recent pics from Philly, Wilmington, and Middletown

2006-11-06T09:27:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow

2006-11-06T09:14:00.000-06:00

Less than 48 hours until we will know how the American people wish to proceed through the next few years, it would be nice to think that they were considering this as they headed into the "booth." (does anyone still vote in a booth? with mechanical levers? more than nostalgia, though I always loved pulling the little levers down, I think they were much harder to mess with. Smartcards gone missing, Hugo Chavez in charge of one of the major suppliers of voting equipment - Feingold and McCain would have been wiser to pursue clean annd fair elections instead of worrying about the money -we've all seen how effective that has been. What is the true threat to democracy - people putting their moneys where their mouths are, or people actively and aggressively pursuing election fraud?)

Update: the chaos has already begun and it is barely 8am!

This is not....

2006-11-02T21:23:00.000-06:00

these pictures are worth a thousand words. Better be sitting when you see this. President Gutmann and John Kerry are clearly consulting the same joke book. The joke is on us.

See President Gutmann's incredibly inadequate response here. I can only imagine how her day is going.

This is hysterical!

2006-11-01T19:10:00.000-06:00

By now, I think everyone has seen the photo of the members of the Minnesota National Guard with their banner message directed at "Jon Carry," so I have taken it down, as it linked to my email address. If you haven't seen the photo, try searching archives on the Drudge Report. It says better than anything I can think of, given how rapidly this photo was sent from Irag that what happens here, what is said here, has an immediate impact everywhere.

Swiftboat Veterans for October Surprises?

2006-11-01T12:03:00.000-06:00

I almost never find myself agreeing with Howard Kurtz, but we were both scratching our heads and asking the same question today, "Can John Kerry really be this dumb?" Or is he simply hard-wired to communicate on college campuses as the anti-draft, anti-war political opportunist he was in the 60s? Have his people told him we have an all-volunteer army these days?

The weekend in Delaware

2006-11-01T11:37:00.000-06:00

We recently returned home from Parents' Weekend at Clare's school in Delaware. Ellie graciously accepted a "free" train ticket to and from NYC to join us. Clare's volleyball team was victorious and teacher conferences went extremely well. The only thing missing was Catherine, though she was the topic of conversation often enough that it felt like she was there!

Pool Progress Report

2006-10-18T09:05:00.000-05:00

We have water in the pool! Just in time for snow....Almost ready to say farewell to the last of the contractors and wait for next summer.

2006-10-18T08:52:00.000-05:00

Snagged a couple of picture-perfect fall days at the farm this past weekend. Saw lots and lots of pheasant and woodcock, two large, but young bucks, and many geese. They were all jittery as it was the opening weekend of pheasant hunting season and shotgun reports were heard constantly. Last year on precisely this same weekend, it was 70 degrees -that was the weekend when Peter shot the pheasant in his tennis shorts! The temperatures were much brisker this weekend, but we had beautiful light and lovely sunsets, nonetheless.

Check out my newest title quotation

2006-10-12T18:10:00.000-05:00

couldn't have said it better myself.

Bookmark this one - you'll be glad you did

2006-10-12T17:42:00.000-05:00

Add this one to your list - hysterical and it's all about shoes! (okay, not really...) Speaking of which, it's been a big week for Marty's shoe wardrobe - all the little kitten heels, and suede pumps are meeting some new friends! And they are very excited about it, too. Marty has been busy!

Okay, very funny, Mark - now get that sheep off of me!

2006-10-06T19:20:00.000-05:00

Mary S.'s big b-day bash

2006-10-04T16:16:00.000-05:00

That's our gal - wearing the fashion accessory that is de rigeur for all birthday girls with a proper sense of the occasion.

yes, it's time - more Barbie

2006-10-04T16:07:00.000-05:00

As promised, Ellie, here are more illustrations from your yet untitled novel about the life and times of Barbie - what do you make of these??

Harry is going into business!

2006-10-04T16:01:00.000-05:00

Are you tired of always having to drop your frisbee so you can pant and slobber between catches? Well, not anymore! Try my new, improved frisbee - you just hook it on one of your canids and presto! you can breathe and present your frisbee for tossing at the same time!! (He is going to make millions with this one)

our dear Keokee's wedding

2006-10-04T15:52:00.000-05:00

A propitiously rainy day was the backdrop for one of the LOVEliest weddings we've been to in a long time. Keokee was beautiful and elegant (like a bird!) and Terry was beaming from ear to ear as the lucky and handsome groom. It was a wedding that was all about family - young, old and everywhere in between. We were so honored to be included.Here are a few shots from the day.

just a pretty pic from my rose garden this week

2006-09-22T08:51:00.000-05:00

Girls rule, boys ....

2006-09-22T08:47:00.000-05:00

what can I say...it appears to be true.

Progress report

2006-09-22T08:39:00.000-05:00

Our happy, and intrepid masons paused to smile for the camera. Looks a little like the Wailing Wall right now, but eventually there will be color down there in the form of furniture and plantings, grass,etc.

Yet another confirmation of just what we are dealing with

2006-09-17T09:38:00.000-05:00

Over and over, we see the fundamental crisis of our times painted in pleas for tolerance, forbearance, reasonable compromise - all values and virtues of our Hellenistic cultural heritage. But here's the rub the rub, this clash of cultures is rooted in two entirely incompatible "value" systems - one based in faith and reason, the other in faith and the utter irrelevance of reason. Read the entire lecture - his erudition and scintillatingly pure logic will wow you - unfortunately it has left the Islamists with their undies in a bundle. (read it at Catholic World News - cwnews.com - can't seem to get the link to stick!!)

September

2006-09-14T08:41:00.000-05:00

This is one of my favorite photos of the farm. It was taken exactly one year ago from the north edge of our woods looking to the west. I love the light and color of September - intense yet poignant - the last hurrah.

I LOVE this guy

2006-09-13T11:50:00.000-05:00

http://steynonline.com

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more pics of Petey-lou racing around with his funny shoes on

2006-09-12T21:36:00.000-05:00

Words are unnecessary

2006-09-12T19:06:00.000-05:00

Check out the book she's been reading. This was NOT staged, though I admit it is a bit hard to believe.

Outrageous - Blatant Discrimination!!

2006-09-12T18:04:00.000-05:00

what's next? selling designer clothes in normal sizes?! this is nothing but pure thinnism.target="_blank"Skinny models wearing thin in fashion shocker

It really boils down to this, doesn't it?

2006-09-11T18:43:00.000-05:00

This is an exerpt from the article below - it says it all - multiculturalism = self-loathing - which leads to paralysis on "our" side while on "theirs"...why don't people see this as a problem?

"...Pera attributes this self-hatred to the "guilt of the West" over the "horrors" of its past -- everything from colonialism and imperialism to Nazism and communism. Nonetheless, this self-loathing presents the greatest danger to the West in the conflict with Islamism, because it "weakens our cultural defences and prepares us for, or inclines us toward, surrender. Because it makes us believe that there is nothing for which fighting or risking is worthwhile." Thus, "the West is paralysed twice over. It is paralysed because it does not believe that there are good reasons to say that it is better than Islam. And it is paralysed because it believes that, if such reasons do indeed exist, then the West would have to fight Islam."

Obviously, war would not be necessary if there could be a reasonable and respectful dialogue between the West and Islam. But that would of necessity require the Islamists to "respect" western values, even if they don't wish to adopt them. But peaceful coexistence is exactly what the Islamists reject. As Hussein Massawi, a former Hezbollah warlord put it, "We are not fighting so that you will offer us something. We are fighting to eliminate you." Osama bin Laden has been equally warlike: "The rule to kill Americans and their allies -- civilians and military -- is a sacred duty for any Muslim," he said in February 1998...."

2006-09-11T11:54:00.000-05:00

weekend "wup-date"

2006-09-11T11:36:00.000-05:00

Here are some more shots from the weekend at the farm. Harry and Molly have gained at least 20 pound a piece from helping themselves to ripe and not so ripe tomatoes all weekend. They both look like sausages with legs. Jenny Craig time for the wuppers.

Our man on the track

2006-09-11T11:25:00.000-05:00

As promised, photos from Peter's driving weekend at Road America, the famous race track nestled into the hills and dales of the Kettle Moraine in Elkhart Lake Wisconsin - Mario and Ari couldn't make it this weekend but there were some fairly snazzy cars out there. Note the red 944 that couldn't stay off the rumble strip!!
Peter took me for a spin during the instructors' track time and we had a ball zooming around the track at 135mph (he held back in deference to his chicken wife).
We attended the Badger Bimmers annual dinner at Siebken's Saturday evening - another mecca for autoracing enthusiasts. fun!

An open letter to CATHERINE

2006-09-08T11:40:00.000-05:00

Dear Catherine Thermansen,

You are in big trouble. MAKE CONTACT! even a smoke signal will do....i'm "super serial" (Al Gore)

Love,
The one who "accidentally" locked you in dad's closet that one time....

news you can use

2006-09-08T08:54:00.000-05:00

We are off to the farm for the weekend - Peter will be driving at Elkhart Lake all weekend so I'll try to get some shots of him on the track doing his thang - if he slows down enough that the pictures aren't all a big blur...
pics below are 1. from Wolf Lake 2. horicon marsh late July 3. snowy egret on murky pond along Hwy.57 in Sheboygan County

Great Blue Heron

2006-09-07T22:28:00.000-05:00

taking off from the little dock on the pond - it reluctantly allowed me to approach to about 25 yards before deciding I was persona non grata. cool pic nonetheless..

yay yay 4 barbay

2006-09-07T19:53:00.000-05:00

This one's for you, Ellie, since you seem to be the only one looking at this! more "artee" pics!!

P.s. just read the Mark Steyn essay is the January 2006 issue of the "New Criterion" and, manishevitz, that is one scary essay. http://newcriterion.com

(see, I am so not just about the Barbies)

the secret is out

2006-09-06T21:07:00.000-05:00

So, all right, just one of my secrets is out. Since I was a little girl, I have loved dolls - not the "googoo, mama" baby dolls, but the fabulous, wasp-waisted, blonde(brunette, titian) bombshells known collectively as Barbie. I lusted after and, yeah, okay, covetted, (sorry, Martha Henning - if I never returned the black elbow gloves I "borrowed" when you came over to play that day, I am really sorry...I don't have them anymore, I wish I did, if that makes you feel any better)... Anyway, I digress. I loved their clothing, but most of all, I loved the "ensembles" - the outfits with shoes and hats, gloves, eyeglasses, road maps, telephones, snow skis, suitcases, etc.- the parts and props that helped me tell a story - (now don't get all weird on me - lots of girls do that).
As it happens, ten years ago, I came upon a reproduction of a familiar Barbie board game from 1963 (I think) called "Queen of the Prom" - (Barbie always won the title of Queen because she was always the only player playing - she just changed her hair color and boyfriend!!) Our girls and I often talked about what fun it would be to collect the real thing but we never did, until my beloved friend Mary S. conspired with some, or all, of my daughters (honor among thieves and all that) to make my 50th birthday a "verybarbiebirthday" - which was incredible all by itself (some of you were there, so you know) but it also jump-started my new, adult (with an adult budget to boot), collection of early (1959-1965 vintage) Barbie stuff. If you have read the newspaper lately, you already know that Christie's auction house is offering its first Barbie-only auction later in September with some of the earliest dolls expected to sell for more than $5-8,000.00. In 1960 they sold for $3!

So, with that lengthy and self-absorbed preamble, I offer some photos of some of my collection wearing some of the dresses featured in the game!

photos from the last few days

2006-09-06T08:56:00.000-05:00

The first two were taken at the farm this weekend where the weather was spectacularly septemberish - warm in the sun, cool in the shade - with the ubiquitous high pitch buzz of the locusts for sound effects!

Fall is on the way and the peasants will have to pay

2006-09-05T17:03:00.000-05:00

Something for everyone to read and think about

2006-09-05T14:18:00.000-05:00

"This week in The Weekly Standard, Paul Marshall, senior fellow at Freedom House's Center for Religious Freedom, draws several interesting conclusions from the kidnap and forced conversion of Fox News reporter Steve Centanni and his cameraman, Olaf Wiig. Marshall notes that both the Washington Post and New York Times described the two as "unharmed" at the time of their release, though the two newspapers would almost certainly consider the opposite--the forced conversion of two Muslim prisoners to Christianity--to be torture" (from the Weekly Standard)

while you are there, find and read Fred Barnes' essay, "Choosing Life." It's something to think about BEFORE you have to make a choice...

more pictures from Dairymens!! woohoo

2006-09-05T12:13:00.000-05:00

We had a GREAT day for skiing - water was like glass - both Clare and Dad were amazing!

wuppity weekend

2006-09-05T11:16:00.000-05:00

Hi ! We had a pretty fun time at the farm this weekend. We ate apples, cucumbers, tomatoes, deer d..(oops Mom told us not to, but we did anyway!) - we played Indian princesses in the woods (see our feathers?) and we swam a lot. We also ran a lot. We're tired now. love, Molls and Harr.

Labor Day weekend at the farm

2006-09-05T11:06:00.000-05:00

Barn is almost finished, though the retaining walls are still under construction. It will be a few more weeks (sigh) until it looks like something.
Weather was lovely but definitely fall. Dogs were helping themselves to tomatoes from the garden - gorging themselves!! more pics on the way!

more pics from mums

2006-09-05T10:47:00.000-05:00

these first two are shots of Dad attempting to communicate with those of us in the boat - he is using one of his time-tested methods, gesturing emphatically. In case you hadn't guessed, I was driving the boat and he didn't care for the way I was doing it!

Dairymens pics of Pete

2006-09-05T09:27:00.000-05:00

sorry about posting those last 4 pictures so many times, I am just learning!!! Ok - I know what you are thinking, "Somebody puhleeeze take away her coffee! up the tranquilizer dosage, ANYTHING"!
anyway, here is a representative sample of Pete's week at dairymen's

2006-09-05T09:12:00.000-05:00

yes, there are more

2006-09-05T09:06:00.000-05:00

are these the cutest little mushrooms ever? and that is a yellow-bellied sapsucker below (immature - buy you knew that...)

2006-09-05T08:57:00.000-05:00

aren't these little mushrooms the cutest things ever?? And that is an immature yellow-bellied sapsucker...(but you knew that didn't you?)

2006-09-05T08:54:00.000-05:00

ummy more

2006-09-05T08:51:00.000-05:00

as I said, simply incredible!

more pics

2006-09-05T08:46:00.000-05:00

Images from Dairymens August 2006

2006-09-05T08:37:00.000-05:00

Although we had a fabulous time, with perfect Northwoods summer weather, it just wasn't the same without Ellie and Cath (and all those others who are willing to sleep on the porch when necessary). We saw otters on Wolf Lake, and two of the most incredible golfers in history. I'll post up more pics in a bit. love,mom

Welcome

2006-09-05T08:32:00.000-05:00

hi kids, family, and friends! welcome to my oh so cute blog where I will be posting pictures and ruminations. love,m

Birds, Shoes, and Dogs

The small blessings of divided government

Worth Repeating

Bill Ayers and Barack Obama

It's about time

Sarah Palin is not a phenomenon

She's Baaack!

More Good News from the Sunni Triangle?

Beacons of hope

This kid goes to MIT???

As Ellie used to say - Buggerflies!

More Hillary

Enough!

Boys of Summer

This one is for you, Culver ladies!

Fab Fourth at the Farm

Rural Ohio

May Madness

Sign the Petition to Congress!

Sandhill Crane

A shoe is a beautiful thing

from Michael Yon

A Surprise Visitor!

Worth reading on the Middle East

Major Merger

more from Marco

pics from Florida in March

April 1

Election Season - the reason for blogging....

I don't understand the appeal

Islam and Western Culture -what to read

Peter and Clare

Birds and blogging

Reading Material

Raptor shots from Florida

Who needed more evidence that Ted Kennedy is a stupid fool?

Recent Comments

google's ads

I'm back

Our Buley's Birthday!

Well. at least someone is reading this...

Kofi's final swim in the bay

Mrs T goes to Washington

Snow Day!

Dem Agenda

Some call it Tet 2006

Hey, Yaywuppy! time to weigh in from the Blue state wilderness!

Just about says it all, yes?

Our fearless leaders

Let's all take a deep breath

The Absolute Moral Authority Card!

Some recent pics from Philly, Wilmington, and Middletown

Tomorrow

This is not....

This is hysterical!

Swiftboat Veterans for October Surprises?

The weekend in Delaware

Pool Progress Report

Check out my newest title quotation

Bookmark this one - you'll be glad you did

Recent Comments

Okay, very funny, Mark - now get that sheep off of me!

Mary S.'s big b-day bash

yes, it's time - more Barbie

Harry is going into business!

our dear Keokee's wedding

just a pretty pic from my rose garden this week

Girls rule, boys ....

Progress report

Yet another confirmation of just what we are dealing with

Recent Comments

September

I LOVE this guy

Recent Comments

more pics of Petey-lou racing around with his funny shoes on

Words are unnecessary

Outrageous - Blatant Discrimination!!

It really boils down to this, doesn't it?

weekend "wup-date"

Our man on the track