I haven’t done one of these in a while. Some changes in the Council’s membership are under way so this is as good a time as any to resume an old custom of mine. The members of the Watcher’s Council have nominated the following for consideration by the Council:
The Independent Sentinel – Shocker! What Barack Obama Doesn’t Know a Thing About
I have my disagreements with Sara about President Obama but I think she’s right about this. The Obama White House has expressed ignorance about an amazing number of things, the most recent being that while Secretary of State Hillary Clinton used a private email server for her correspondence in contravention of directives. There aren’t that many explanations for that. Either they’re lying, they’ve taken “plausible deniability” beyond plausibility, or they don’t know a lot of things they really should know about.
The Noisy Room – Russia, the Caliphate and the Shadow of World War III
We had best hope that Russia doesn’t present the threat that Terresa thinks it does. The only real threat of nuclear war is with Russia. While I don’t think that Russia is our friend, I don’t think that it’s our enemy, either. I think it has interests and we need to pay heed to them. I think that Germany is actually behind many of today’s challenges.
Joshuapundit–Disgracing ‘The Spirit Of Selma’
I learned a bit about the building of the White House in this post about the commemoration of the Selma march 50 years ago. And I agree with Joshuapundit that trying to conjoin blacks brought to this country against their wills as slaves with kids brought to this country illegally by their parents is quite a stretch. I also agree that turning the commemoration into a campaign event was unseemly but I guess I’m more fatalistic than Joshuapundit is. It’s what politicians do.
GrEaT sAtAnâ€S gIrLfRiEnD – Open Letter To Iranian Leadership
Gsg quotes the letter signed by 47 senators sent to the Iranian leadership. As I’ve said before, I think the senators erred. The letter certainly doesn’t bode well for whatever treaty the Obama Administration manages to negotiate with the Iranians being ratified. The letter does bring up an interesting question, though. How far does the Senate’s power to advise go?
The Razor –Listening Is Still A Virtue
Scott comments on the shortcomings of the evolution in gender roles over the last half century.
The Glittering Eye –Are American Kids Just Stupid and Lazy?
My remarks on a test administered to students from around the world. American kids didn’t do too well.
VA Right! – Justice Kennedy in King vs Burwell: Are State Exchanges really just Coercion?
Tom comments on King v. Burwell and makes the correct point that one place to look for how the justices will rule is their previous rulings on the PPACA.
Nice Deb – US Backed Islamist Reportedly Now Leads ISIS in Libya
Deb takes note of a report which illustrates just how fatuous the idea of supporting “moderate rebels” is.
Bookworm Room – Getting a Progressive to yes on conservative ideas
Bookworm recounts eleven points of agreement she found with a progressive friend. I suspect that many more could be found. IMO the way forward in American politics is through seeking areas of agreement. Demonizing your opponents, whether you’re a conservative or a progressive, may rally your side but it won’t do much to convince people.
Rhymes With Right – Jew-Hatred Lives At American Colleges And Universities
I really never thought I’d see the day when being a member of Hillel was thought to be disqualifying to be a member of a judicial review board at a major American university.
The Right Planet – A Strong Warning from Trevor Loudon on Illegal Amnesty
I think that Brent’s remarks on the Democratic Party are a bit hyperbolic but I agree that how we deal with illegal immigration is a major challenge and we’re not facing it particularly well. Too bad both parties support open borders.
Ask Marion – America’s Drug Story and the Rockefeller Empire
I would never have thought to draw a connection between Big Pharma and John D. Rockefeller but, apparently, there is one.
The announcement post, including the non-Council nominations, at the Watcher’s site is here.
