Patterico's Pontifications

7/13/2010

Racists Everywhere

Filed under: Race — DRJ @ 9:21 pm



[Guest post by DRJ]

Today’s NAACP talking points: Tea Party tolerates racists.

Today’s White House talking points: Al Qaeda is racist.

Coincidence? Probably. Or maybe it’s synergy.

— DRJ

Restoring NASA’s Vision and Budget

Filed under: Space — DRJ @ 12:14 pm



[Guest post by DRJ]

It appears Congress doesn’t share President Obama’s vision for NASA:

“The commerce committee will begin considering the legislation, seen below, Thursday. It represents a significant departure from President Obama’s remake of NASA proposed in February.”

The Houston Chronicle blog attributes much of the legislation to input from Florida Senator Bill Nelson, a former astronaut “who many on the Hill look to for guidance on space issues.” The text of the Senate bill is at the link and it doesn’t mention reaching out to the Muslim world, which is consistent with yesterday’s statement by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. Gibbs said NASA administrator Charles Bolden was wrong to say that reaching out to the Muslim world was a top priority of the U.S. space agency. Nevertheless, Bolden’s admirable career suggests he isn’t the sort of man who would lie when he told Al-Jazeera television that President Obama said one of his top priorities should be to “find a way to reach out to the Muslim world and engage much more with dominantly Muslim nations to help them feel good about their historic contribution to science, math and engineering.”

It seems Bolden just got thrown under the bus.

— DRJ

Chris Christie’s Success

Filed under: Politics — DRJ @ 11:37 am



[Guest post by DRJ]

The New York Times looks at New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and his surprising success. The article includes this Christie quote that resonates with me:

“The most important thing in public life, in a job like governor, is for the people you’re representing to know exactly where you stand,” Mr. Christie said in an interview on Friday. “People who disagree with me on things at least have a sense of comfort in knowing where I’m coming from.”

Ronald Reagan was the most effective politician I’ve seen in my lifetime, and Chris Christie’s statement reminds me of him. To be popular, politicians and constituents should agree on core values but they don’t have to agree on every issue. Voters respond to issues but they also respond to politicians who speak the truth as they see it and act accordingly.

— DRJ

Oakland Police: Don’t Call Us

Filed under: Government — DRJ @ 11:25 am



[Guest post by DRJ]

In an amazing coincidence, Oakland city officials and police union leaders are returning to the bargaining table following a recent police threat to refuse to respond to 44 crimes (including grand theft, burglary, car wrecks, identity theft and vandalism) if the city implemented its plan to reduce the police force by 10%.

— DRJ

Congressman “Not Aware of” Black Panther Case (Updated)

Filed under: Politics — DRJ @ 11:16 am



[Guest post by DRJ]

Congressman Brad Sherman
Reseda, California
July 11, 2010:

QUESTIONER: “My concern this [week?] is with Eric Holder and the Department of Justice, and their lack of prosecuting after they got the judgment against the Black Panthers Party for voter intimidation. I find this really hard to swallow and I’d like to know what you think about their decision and not following through after they got a judgment. And the latest news that hits the Department of Justice — this new policy that they are not going to prosecute cases with black defendants where the plaintiffs are white. I’d like your take on this information.

SHERMAN: I am extremely sure that we do not have a policy at the Department of Justice of never prosecuting a black defendant …

[Interrupted by heckler.]

… and I’m sure they say that somewhere on the internet, but that doesn’t make it true.

[Many responses.]

As to the Black Panther Party, I’m simply not aware of that case …

[Loud boos.]

— DRJ

UPDATE — Fox News’ Megyn Kelly and Kirsten Powers discuss the video excerpt and the New Black Panther story, and provide an interesting look at the opposing views on this story:

George Steinbrenner (1930-2010)

Filed under: Sports — DRJ @ 11:01 am



[Guest post by DRJ]

Yankees owner George Steinbrenner died overnight in Tampa, Florida, of an apparent heart attack.

To me, Steinbrenner will always hold a larger-than-life place in the sports world. My condolences to his family, friends, and fans.

— DRJ


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