No, not the NerdFamily. We’re more of a Ain’t You Glad You Joined the Republicans family, and we hate Liberals just as much as anyone else on Dick Cheney’s payroll. But what bothers me the most about “democrats and progressives” is that my end political goals (freedom from tyranny, minimization of poverty and its effects, fair treatment for all) are the kinds of things that the Left swoons over.

However, ideas promoted by the Right are attacked as motivated by evil, rather than discussed on their merits. Does a capitalistic marketplace for healthcare actually provide better, cheaper medicine or is it just there so the rich can be heathier? Would tighter borders raise wages and create better working conditions for laborers, or does it just keep “those people” out?

That’s why I’m very interested in The Euston Manifesto, a statement of beliefs of a few liberals put out today who are able to see past minor political squabbles and look to the end results. It’s primarily focused on foreign policy, but I think it moves the discussion a direction that can really be fruitful. Here’s a few samples:

No apology for tyranny.
We decline to make excuses for, to indulgently “understand”, reactionary regimes and movements for which democracy is a hated enemy — regimes that oppress their own peoples and movements that aspire to do so. We draw a firm line between ourselves and those left-liberal voices today quick to offer an apologetic explanation for such political forces.

Opposing anti-Americanism.
We reject without qualification the anti-Americanism now infecting so much left-liberal (and some conservative) thinking. This is not a case of seeing the US as a model society. We are aware of its problems and failings. But these are shared in some degree with all of the developed world. The United States of America is a great country and nation. It is the home of a strong democracy with a noble tradition behind it and lasting constitutional and social achievements to its name. Its peoples have produced a vibrant culture that is the pleasure, the source-book and the envy of millions. That US foreign policy has often opposed progressive movements and governments and supported regressive and authoritarian ones does not justify generalized prejudice against either the country or its people.

Now I’m not ready to become a Euston Manifesto signatory (frankly, there are parts of the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights that leave me a little queasy) but I do support the idea of looking at our core beliefs first, and making political judgements later.

Just wanted to wish everyone Happy Pesach and provide you with these lighthearted Passover Greetings.
First, You gotta love JibJab’s “Matzah!” (A disclaimer, they do use a bad word but it is quick and painless;). Then you have to toddle over to American Comedy Network’s Matzo Man. Last but definately not least, Taglit-birthright Israel has a Passover greeting featuring Elijah the prophet played (sort of) by Elijah Wood.

(HT: Volokh Conspiracy)

This left me speechless. Suffice it to say that when I played RBI baseball (a Nintendo game) with my brothers, it was never quite this dramatic. (Its about eight minutes. Drama takes time.)

(from 1986 World Series Game Six Re-enacted in RBI Baseball)

If that wasn’t enough for you sports fans, here’s Covering Teen Wolf: One Coach’s Guide. which reminds you that “you’re not going to stop Teen Wolf entirely, but you can try to contain him”.

Welcome to my new Wednesday Feature, Who Said It? How you play is read the quote and just post a comment saying who and if you are really good when. No Cheating;). I am starting with an easy one so amaze me with your brilliance.

“Only thing we have to fear is fear itself”

Supposedly this was being handed out at a yesterday’s Dallas illegal immigrant protest. According to Wizbang this was photographed there. While I don’t have any empirical evidence it doesn’t suprise me at all. Even if this was not handed out, you can’t tell me that this isn’t the Democrats goal and point.

So in the spirit of all these Friday Features, I have decided to start a weekly Wednesday Feature. Want to know what it is? Well, come back and check it out;).

Passover Begins April 12th this year. Have a Happy Passover and enjoy this Greeting! Thanks Richard for the email.

So I hope;) everyone who remembers my post on Bono at the National Prayer Breakfast. Well, I now have the video. I will warn eveyone that it is about 20 minutes but I feel well worth it.

I really appreciate his (what I hope are changing) views on believing in God but being cynical of organized religion. I think through all this he (and I hope others) see the power in the community in communion with God. While I have gone through my own issues with churches I believe in them and that I need to be in one. Churches are made of people, all of which are flawed and some (including me) are extremely flawed. This means that there will be failures of the church but hopefully there will also be successes. I also think we need to remember that many people would, like Bono, rather turn to the MTV people and shows than deal with hypocrisy. So we need to be aware that we (Christian or not) are always portraying our beliefs or lack of faith in them.

Ok, so this is in Saudi Arabia. According to the Arab News:

Saudi journalist Rabah Al-Quwayi, 24, has been detained by Hail authorities in connection with his writings posted on Internet forums, which they allege place his Islamic faith in doubt.

The real reason I am mentioniong this is this part of the article:

The story of Al-Quwayi’s detention goes back to November when he was based in Hail as a part-time reporter for the Okaz newspaper. He said that unidentified people had been tracking his postings on Internet forums regarding religious extremism. His car was subsequently vandalized and a note was left on the dashboard that said: “In the name of God, the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful: This time it is your car but next time it is you. Return to your religion and forsake heresy. This is the last warning.”

Is this not an example of talking out of both sides of their mouths? This contrasting double sidedness does not speak well of Islamic tolerance of ideas. It is similar to an episode of the West Wing were someone said that his district was so patriotic, that if the President came down there he might not make it out alive.
(HT: GOP Vixen)

Ok, so the news doesn’t say you should homeschool but these incidents might. First up, a 5 year old has to write a letter apologizing for hugging a little girl back. You read right, she hugged a little girl back. According to TheBostonChannel.com:

At issue is a hug Savannah said she got on the playground from a friend named Sophie. Savannah hugged Sophie back. The hugs resulted in Savannah having to write a letter, complete with teacher corrections, that read, “I touch Sophie because she touch me and I didn’t like it because she was hugging me. I didn’t like when she hugged me.” She said, ‘I’m really sad that I got in trouble for hugging,'” Brier said.”

There of course is a dispute of the facts:

School Superintendent Mark Masterson told NewsCenter 5 there was a “dispute of the facts between a hug and a lifting of a child off the floor.” The superintendent said the school reported “one girl bear hugged another girl and lifted her off the ground. The aide who was monitoring told the teacher. The teacher asked several students to write a note to their parents and describe what happened.”

Ok, so if it was just a hug get over it. If it was the bear hug situation, isn’t that a learning experience in how to get along (there appears to be no record of a complaint by either child). Not to mention you asking 5 year olds to write a letter of description. 5 year olds, who if they start kindergarten reading they are advanced. The parents are now looking for a new school.

On to the next case. A coach and teacher in Texas was distributing flyers (made and copied with our money on our time) to students encouraging them to attend a political rally protesting immigration law. I don’t know what bother me worse the slant, the waste of our tax money and time, or the poor grammer.

Rios, who still retains his duties as an English-as-a-second-language teacher, was copying and distributing a flier that read: “We gots 2 stay together and protest against the new law that wants 2 be passed against all immigrants. We gots 2 show the U.S. that they aint (expletive) with out us (sic),” according to district officials.

At least this teacher is getting disciplined. But it brings us to the issue of “reeducation camps”. Now teachers are trying to corrupt them so young you can’t even fairly call it “re”. Are these the people you want to give influence over your children. Put them in a position of authority, when they contradict you? These are issues to contemplate…..