Virginia Tech Strawmen

I think that people talking about “we shouldn’t arm all these young and foolish college students” are setting up a straw man argument - no one is suggesting such a thing (except for the sarcastic ones who say that colleges should issue M-16’s to all incoming freshmen).

The suggestion is that students and teachers who ALREADY HAVE concealed carry permits be allowed to carry on campus. This is a small sub-group of people that are over 21 and have taken the time, trouble, and expense to obtain both a weapon and a permit - and in most cases, training and practice to go with it.

These are the kind of people you WANT to be armed when something like this happens - and in places that are NOT ‘gun-free’ zones, they provide far more security than risk.

So, you can just spare me the visions of routine raging shoot-outs in Chem 201, O.K.?

Michelle Malkin Comment from Balloon Juice

After reading a comment thread on Balloon Juice where the blogger had grudgingly credited Malkin with getting some thing right, I posted this after the commentary had gone into the usual 'unsupported bashing' mode:

I guess I’m out of step – I think Malkin speaks and writes in good faith from sincerely held beliefs.
She may be wrong, in some cases perhaps tragically wrong, but she does work to support her claims and points of view, and offers evidence as she sees it.

In looking over this thread, I have not seen any support for the idea that she is personally horrible, harmful, and generally mistaken – just the unsupported assertions, mixed in with the occasional ad hominem (always a sign of classy disputation).

I did see a mention of her ‘outing’ some people’s private information – without any note that, as I understand it, this was information that had been published in a press release, as well as being posted on web sites that were more in tune with the views of the people involved.
She is well known, energetic, intelligent, and speaks to a significant audience. I think she is open to reasoned argument – it would seem more fruitful to engage her than to reflexively attack her.

People without the ability to present reasoned and supported points of view could not do this, though. After a while, even the noisiest echo chamber ends up sounding hollow and empty.

Of course, a snarky comment followed asking if I was talking about Michelle Malkin - which sort of proved my point, I think.

Happy New Year

In the words of Monty Python:

"I'm not dead! I think I'll go for a walk!"

I'm not fooling anyone, you know...

Stem Cell Research - Embryonic and Otherwise

I hope that we find a way to get the (hoped for) good effects without the aspects that trouble some people of good conscience.

I think your stand on this depends on your beliefs about where life begins and how lives should be valued.

What I am not convinced of is that any of these beliefs has been proven correct - which means the argument is ultimately based on beliefs rather than on facts.

Such facts as there are get used selectively - and a lot of misstatements and conjecture get presented as fact on both sides.

I don't see a way to resolve this argument objectively.

That said, I also don't see why people who object to this research should be compelled to pay for it.

And, I am troubled by so many people's willingness to deeply offend and harshly attack others on the basis of speculation.

Many of the arguments in favor of embryonic stem cell research would seem equally applicable to human vivesection, and I don't see anyone seriously arguing for that. Yet.

What's the record?

How long can you go between posts, before someone declares 'blog death'?

I keep thinking that someday I will get active here - but I saw a picture of Glen Reynolds, and he did not look worried.

heH.

(I spell it backwards, to differentiate myself - confusion is so likely, otherwise.)

CBS and the 'CART' Program - Current Score

I have advocated the 'CART ' program for CBS:

• C - Confess the documents were fabricated
• A - Apologize to all concerned
• R - Retract the story
• T - Terminate those involved

Now that the long awaited report is out, let's check their current score!

• Confess the documents were fabricated

Nope - interesting, since their own exhibits prove this beyond reasonable doubt.

• Apologize to all concerned

Not a bit of it - everything they say boils down to "we're sorry we got caught, but we could have made it real if we had more time!"

The president and the public (among many others) deserve direct apologies that acknowledge wrongdoing.

• Retract the story

Nope - a lot of hand waving, but no clear statement that the underlying story is not true.

• Terminate those involved

Partial score - credit for Mapes (who continues in her delusions) and those 'invited to resign' - but Rather and Heyward should have been kicked to the curb months ago.

Update: Wizbang's web edition of the report and supporting documents.

Points of Disgruntlement

A point to remember - anything the federal government funds, it does so with money collected from the citizenry. I'm tired of reading things that can be taken to mean that our government is a magic money machine, and you just have to open the spout.

Another point - 'separation of church and state' is an extra-constitutional phrase. The two mentions of religion in the basic document say that (1) you can't impose a religious test for holding office and (2) congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.

I've always taken the establishment clause to mean the feds can't set up a state church.

Hearing people squawk the phrase 'separation of church and state' like a mynah bird, with no understanding of the history behind it, makes my teeth itch. Most especially when it is applied as a club against Christianity, as it most often seems to be.

Love God, and love your neighbor as yourself - and please don't throw the misdeeds of self-professed 'Christians' in my face - you shall know them by their deeds, not their words.

I'm trying to have my actions be informed by love - given my current state, a more-than-lifetime job, I fear.

The 'CART' program for CBS and Rathergate

I advocate what I call the 'CART ' program for CBS -

C - Confess the documents were fabricated

A - Apologize to all concerned

R - Retract the story

T - Terminate those involved

To date, CBS has done none of these things, although they try to present the appearance of having done the first three.

Instead, they talk about 'not being able to authenticate the documents'.

This is like saying 'we're not able to find General Franco's pulse'. An insult to the public's intelligence, and an indelible stain on their own credibility.

James Lileks Rules! 

Blogger Envy

Bad journalists resent bloggers for the same reasons that hookers resent nymphomaniacs.

The amateurs are more enthusiastic, often better, and they give it away for free!