Angelina Jolie Talkin' Sense About the War

Here's something you won't read on the Arkansas Times. Angelina Jolie, fresh from a trip to Iraq, has written an op-ed for The Washington Post declaring that we are succeeding in Iraq and have a moral obligation to continue our success.

This come as surveys show a sharp increase in support for the war. Meanwhile, Hillary and Obama are scaling back promises to pull out of Iraq. Expect them to say one thing to their kook base and another thing to regular Americans.

Spoil Sport Huckabee Keeping His Fingers Crossed That McCain Falters

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times. Mike Huckabee does whatever he does for himself. Forget the good of the party. He's holding out for the chance that McCain will stumble, thinking that people, who have rejected him thus far, will flock to him as some sort of savior. It figures given how he basks in the sacrilegious adulation some of his supporters lavish on him.

Here's the link.

All American Prince Harry

Media sources foolishly leaked recently that Britain's Prince Harry has been serving secretly in Afghanistan for the last 10 weeks. I have to say, this guy's a real man. He could sit on his duff and have servants wait on him if he wanted, but he's chosen to fight terrorism in as inhospitable a place as there is on earth.

Notice the cap he's wearing has an American flag on it. This guy is welcome in America any time, as far as I'm concerned. He's far more welcome than the cheese eating surrender monkeys in Hollywood. If it was possible, I'd make a motion that we make him an honorary American citizen. God bless him and keep him safe.

Here's the link.

Leap Year

Today is Leap Day. I've always thought it was funny. I'm glad my birthday isn't February 29. I'd be a lot younger if it was.

"Absurdly Microscopic" Reasoning on Severance Tax

From time to time, I find that John Brummett has strayed into reason and logic, but most of the time he spouts knee jerk liberal dogma. In his latest column about the severance tax he begins by calling it "absurdly microscopic". If memory serves, he previously referred to it as "comically low". Again, I have to ask, based on what?

There is never an explanation for this absurd claim. Is Tennessee's income tax "absurdly microscopic" or "comically low" because it doesn't exist? If so, is their economy languishing because of it?

No. Well, that's strange. You would think that there was some sort of problem as a result of it being "absurdly microscopic" (or nonexistent), but there isn't. What's absurd and comical is that there is no compelling reason to raise this tax other than that it's, apparently, too low. It ignores that the natural gas industry is creating some of the fastest economic growth in the state. Meanwhile, I continue to highlight how the governor wants to subsidize industries that aren't creating the kind of growth that the natural gas industry is.

If I were a business owner considering moving to Arkansas I wouldn't want to come here any more that I would Michigan or California. Like those states, we are demonstrating that we're not interested in being business friendly. Our basic philosophy is, apparently, that the government giveth and the government taketh away. If you want to be successful in Arkansas, you better lobby for subsidies. If you strike out on your own and acheive success, you better be ready to get whacked for not bowing before the state. Didn't the natural gas companies know that they had to pay homage to the government before they can do business in Arkansas.

In American Gangster Denzel Washington plays a crime boss. At one point he tells a smaller crime boss that he has to put a tip in the jar if he wants to do business in Washington's territory. That's basically what the state is saying to the natural gas industry. This reasoning be absurd, but it's certainly not comical. It's sad.

Here's the link.

GLOBAL WARMING! Causes Record Snow and Global Cooling

GLOBAL WARMING!!! is worse than we thought. Now it's caused the worst snow cover in over 40 years and a sharp drop in temperature. What are we gonna do!?

Here's the link.

Here's the link about temperature drops.

McCain's "Natural Born" Problem

The legal arguments concerning what it means to be a "natural born" citizen are about to become an issue in the 2008 presidential election. Senator McCain was born in the Panama Canal Zone while his father was stationed there as a naval officer. For years the definition of a natural born citizen has been shrouded in mystery, with most common definitions stating that to qualify one must be born in the United States proper. It's going to be interesting to see how this shakes out.

International Herald Tribune has an interesting article about it.

Little Rock Libs Get Reality Check About Immigration from Lefty Clinton School Speaker

This must have been a shock to the liberal attendees of a Clinton School talk. A Dutch lawmaker was frank about the problem with uncontrolled immigration. It's not just that Europe's culture is disappearing, they now have to worry about homegrown Islamic terrorists.

Here's the link.

William F. Buckley, Jr: 1925-2008

William F. Buckley, Jr., the Father of Modern Conservatism and Founder of National Review, passed away today. He lived a long, full life and we're all better for it.

National Review has a short note about it. I will link a more complete obituary when they publish it. Here's the link.

Sanders on Halter and His Super Duper Lottery (ahem, Stupid Tax)!

David Sanders sat with Lite Guv Bill Halter to talk about his Super Duper Lottery! As for why we need a lottery to fund college instead of just a tax increase...? Well, I guess the off chance that someone might win money is really the only difference with a tax, which is why people line up to pay it. Here's a thought: why not just raise taxes and randomly give one of the taxpayers a windfall of cash? You wouldn't need a constitutional amendment to pass that. The state could even set up kiosks to accept the voluntary taxes. We could call it the Stupid Tax. Why not? That's what a lottery is.

Here's the link.

Economic Development Running Ads on CNN

Meanwhile, we're trying to punish industries that are already here. It reminds me of Michigan taxing and regulating business to death and then running ads about a billion dollar fund if you bring your business to their state. Don't they know that we know where that money is coming from?

That's exactly the model our governor is using to "grow" the economy in Arkansas. I have an idea. Why don't we just make it our goal to be a low tax, low regulation, business friendly state. No, that would never work...

Here's the link.

Huck Vs. Pryor?

Well, that's what's being suggested by a column for NRO. I will say this, Huckabee could probably beat Pryor in the general. He would also beat the state party (into the ground) if he was elected to the senate.

It's a real conundrum. If Huck was a Republican member of the U.S. Senate, it would, on balance, be a good thing for Republicans nationally, notwithstanding his strong liberal streak. On the other hand, it would be devastating for Republicans in Arkansas, as it would thoroughly reestablish him as the "titular head" of the RPA. He's already left us in shambles. The best thing for the party and conservatism, in general, in Arkansas is for Huck to leave permanently. Hopefully he got the message since it was Arkansas conservatives and Republicans, this blogger among them, who derailed his campaign.

Here's the link.

California Pushes to Teach Global Warming Hoax to Schoolchildren

They might as well be teaching that the Earth is flat. This "science" has been so thoroughly debunked. It's not like there's much hope for California, anyway.

Here's the link.

NWA State House Candidate Endorsed By Legislators

Lowell -- Today Duncan Baird, Republican candidate for State Representative in District 95, received the endorsement of three state legislators, including Aaron Burkes, who currently represents the district. The endorsements came from Aaron Burkes of District 95 in Lowell, Dan Greenberg of District 31 in Pulaski and Saline counties, and Jon Woods of District 93 in Sprindale.

The three representatives had the following to say concerning Baird's candidacy:

Aaron Burkes: "I ran for office on my belief in limited government, limited taxation, free enterprise and pro-life values, I am endorsing Duncan because I know that he shares my beliefs on these vital issues."

Jon Woods: “Duncan Baird is a personal friend of mine. He worked tirelessly to help me get elected, and I am glad to endorse him. However, friendship aside, Duncan's stance on the issues is why I feel that he is the most qualified candidate to represent District 95. Duncan understands the needs of Northwest Arkansas. Duncan will be a strong advocate for property rights, and he'll join the fight against illegal immigration on state level. I know that he will work to make sure that Northwest Arkansas gets it's fair share of the state's highway dollars."

Dan Greenberg: "Duncan Baird represents the values that Aaron Burkes furthered last session: respect for property rights and a productive economy, commitment to pro-life values, and a Reagan-like focus on individual freedom."

"I am thrilled to have the support of these fine conservative Republicans," Baird said, "My goal will be to help them in their fight against higher taxes, in enforcing immigration laws on the local level, in defending the rights of private property owners, and in protecting the unborn."

VIDEO: Nation of Islam Leader Calls Obama "Hope of the Entire World"

Here's the link.

Barack Hussein Obama

How long has it been since 9/11? Barack Hussein Obama, who spent his formative years in an Indonesian madrasah, is the leading presidential candidate by a mile. Here he is pictured in traditional Muslim dress while on a trip to Africa. This is scary.

McCain Hopes Castro to "Meet Marx Soon"

This is great.

Here's the link.

GM CEO Calls Global Warming! a "Crock"!!!

Bob Lutz is my new hero. Aside from revamping GM's product line, Bob Lutz has accurately described GLOBAL WARMING!!! as a "crock". It's so refreshing to find a major corporate leader, especially in the auto industry, who has the guts to call this spade a spade.

I'm a big GM guy, anyway, but I'm going to be even more prone to buy a GM car after this. I encourage everyone else who is looking to buy a new car to show your support, too. They make some fine automobiles and you have the opportunity to support an executive with some guts.

Here's the link.

Asa's Back

It's interesting that Asa resurfacing is getting so much attention. Andrew DeMillo and John Brummett both have pieces about it. I have to say it's encouraging.

Arkansan Remembers Iwo Jima

I let the date slip by me, but February 19 was the 63rd anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iwo Jima. As someone whose family members served in that assault, I'm moved by the account of Richard Griffin, who served with the Marine 4th Division.

It's also interesting to note that over the course of nearly six weeks of fighting more than 6,500 Americans died, compared to about 3,500 over the course of 5 years in Iraq. I mention this to point out the remarkable success of our troops are having, in spite of the whiney calls of defeat based on the remarkably low fatalities in Iraq. There has been a drumbeat for years, exploiting the deaths of our brave troops who have given their lives in Iraq, as if the number was high or a sign of defeat.

Read this account of a Marine who served on Iwo Jima. Thankfully, he didn't have the Arkansas and New York Times telling Americans that he was failing in his mission and that we were losing, because of the incredible number of fatalities in such a short period of time.

Here's the link.

ArkTimes Dances Around McCain/NYT Smear After Heralding It, NYT Ombudsman Trashes It

When this ridiculous story was published in The New York Times you would have thought it was Max Brantley's birthday. He's currently running a link to a Media Matters story that acts as if the story has some validity. Meanwhile, the Times' ombudsman has trashed the story. Farcical innuendo and insinuations make this story nothing more than a smear. This is as much of an embarrassment as the Jayson Blair debacle and Max is trying to act like this might be something other than a smear.

Here's the link.

Bill Clinton Acts Like a Baby, Not Presidential

AP Analysis: Huck Needs a Day Job After He Quits Race...Mine: Until He Does, He Gets All the Free Advertising He Wants

Andrew DeMillo has an interesting piece about Huck's need for a day job. He points out that Huck has gone from nobody to national figure during the campaign. Huck is still in to get all the free advertising he can get for his future day job.

Here's the link.

Time to Tax the Aerospace Industry

Apparently the aerospace industry is booming in Arkansas. I just wanted to bring this to the attention of the governor and the Arkansas Times. Put them on your list of industries who aren't being taxed enough. Big Aero has to pay its fair share.

Here's the link.

Huck Says He Must Do Well in Texas...

Or what? He has absolutely zero chance of winning the nomination, anyway.

Here's the link.

Global Warming! Causes Ice Caps to Grow!!!

One thing that's very interesting about GLOBAL WARMING!!! alarmists is that they say there is no debate about whether it's happening. They're right. And for that reason they won't debate the issue. Now U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is reporting that polar ice caps are growing... How could that be? I guess, like their protests being canceled because of blizzards, this is just one more inconvenient truth.

Here's the link.

The Angry White Man Vote

I'm sure race baiters will say this is racist without reading it, but it's a remarkably uncanny piece. It's not exactly Michael Douglas in Falling Down, but it's worth the read. Here's the link.

Term Limited State Rep. Rosenbaum Running for Little Rock JP Seat

I had heard speculation that State Rep. Sid Rosenbaum, R-LR, is going to run for the Pulaski County Quorum Court seat being vacated by Justice of the Peace Alan Kerr who is running for Rosenbaum's House seat. I have received confirmation from a reader who spoke with Rosenbaum that he is running.

Too bad for poor Kathy Lewison. She needs a job.

Asa Drops Huck

Look for this to happen more and more. Asa Hutchinson has endorsed John McCain, thus undendorsing Mike Huckabee.

Here's the link.

Brummett on the Severance TAX

"You see, it('s - sic) not enough for Beebe to say we should raise our severance tax rate because it's lower than that of other states. If that were sufficient, then states around us without personal income taxes would be obliged to create such taxes on the argument that it's not fair that they don't get as much money out of their citizens' paychecks as Arkansas."

That says a lot about this debate. I almost thought Brummett was going to be on the conservative side of this debate, but he followed this remarkable statement with a "moral" explanation that we need to help Arkansas's roads and kids. It sounds like Mike Huckabee explaining his tax increases. He should've ended by saying this tax will raise hope!!!

Otherwise, this is worth reading. He makes only cursory mention of the fact that the natural gas industry is responsible for a remarkable amount of economic growth in Arkansas. Why do we always assume that industries will just stay somewhere regardless how high the government raises the cost of doing business? Ever heard of Michigan or California? Those states are bilging businesses and people because of their high taxes and regulations. By the logic of Beebe and Brummett, these states should be rolling in the dough. Of course that's what happens when states view business as existing to fund government.

Here's the link.

McCain Benefits from Liberal, Winner Take All States

A reader sent me this link which calculates the Republican race and democrat race based on the other party's rules. Without winner take all states, McCain would be in a dead heat with Romney, illustrating that this wasn't about inevitability, but chance. McCain carried winner take all states that no Republican will carry in the general. It's interesting to ponder this. Those liberal states have made themselves more influential than they otherwise would be by making themselves winner take all, which automatically gives a leg up to liberal candidates in the GOP race.

Here's the link.

Asa on the Severance Tax

It's good to see some more leadership on this issue. Yesterday's op-ed by Rep. Johnny Key was superb and very encouraging. Asa's comments add to the overwhelming arguments against this stupid idea. Here's the link.

Lunar Eclipse Tonight

I saw a lunar eclipse when I was a kid. It's always nice to break up the monotony of politics, so if you're interested, follow the link to NASA's info on tonight's lunar eclipse.

Sanders: Generation Next

David Sanders has an interesting column today on how different generations play in elections. Here's the link.

EXCLUSIVE Op-Ed: Raising the Severance Tax: Short-Term Gain, Long-Term Disaster

By State Representative Johnny Key
House Republican Leader

There has been much discussion of late about the severance tax on natural gas, the content of that discussion being how to raise it, how much to raise it, and how to use the extra money after we have raised it. This discussion has overlooked a critical question: With respect to the long-term economic benefit to Arkansas, should the severance tax be raised at all?

It is the consensus of House Republicans that increasing the severance tax is misguided and would have a harmful effect on the continued job growth resulting from the Fayetteville Shale play specifically, but it could also affect other facets of economic development. While it may not be the equivalent of instantly killing the goose that laid the golden egg, it would be akin to putting our hands around her throat and gradually squeezing the life out of her.

Natural gas is not new to Arkansas, so what has caused the Fayetteville Shale to get all this recent attention? At the most basic level, the fact that natural gas is up significantly from historical prices, and technology has eased the exploration, drilling, and production costs, it is now worthwhile for gas companies to do business in that region. So now the gas companies are here in force, investing like never before, extracting more gas than was once thought possible, resulting in an estimated $3.8 billion surging through the Arkansas economy.

But it doesn’t stop with the gas companies. These companies need engineering firms, subcontractors, service companies and laborers. These companies buy vehicles, trailers, and other equipment. Many of these jobs are now being filled by Arkansans, who buy gas, food, housing, clothing and some may even enjoy dinner after work at a local restaurant. They pay taxes, give to their churches and support our schools and communities.

Royalty checks are going into the pockets of land and mineral owners. And, yes, on these purchases, payrolls, and royalties, taxes are being paid. It is an economic ripple effect that will continue to benefit Arkansas taxpayers for years to come. That is, unless we engulf the ripple with the tidal wave of a tax increase.

Why could a higher severance tax be detrimental? Natural gas is a traded commodity that, like cotton and cattle, goes up and down in price. There is no guarantee the price of natural gas will remain as high as it is now. Just ask a cotton or rice farmer or cattle rancher about the ups and downs of commodity prices.

If we raise the severance tax, we increase the cost of doing business in Arkansas. These companies may have to re-think their Arkansas operations, leaving the very real possibility that production could be curtailed.

Under such a scenario, what would happen to a highway program funded by the severance tax? What would happen to the thousands of Arkansas students attending college with a ‘severance tax’ scholarship? There would only be two options: cut the programs (something government rarely does) or we would have to raise taxes.

Raising the severance tax could affect other facets of the Arkansas economy. Industries considering locating in Arkansas may view a tax increase on a specific industry as an indicator of an unfriendly business climate. Other states we compete against for new industry and jobs could use our high severance tax increase against us by pointing out that Arkansas penalizes booming sectors of its economy with higher taxes. That is a competitive disadvantage we can not afford.

For years we have tried to attract economic superprojects, but with limited success. The brass ring of an automotive plant has seemed so close, but when it eluded us we were left scratching our heads, wondering why we lost out to Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas. If we increase the severance tax, there could be even more head scratching in a few years, and we will yet again be wondering what happened and what to do next.

Providence has blessed Arkansas with abundant natural resources, and through the Fayetteville Shale, we have been given a true economic superproject. If we ignore the long-term impact of raising the severance tax, we do so at our own peril. We must overcome the natural urge of government to stifle this superproject through short-term thinking and the burden of higher taxes. We must allow this superproject, which has created thousands of jobs, to continue growing, developing and benefiting our citizens through the positive influence of free enterprise.

Yeah, Huck Doesn't Have an Ego

After refusing stop playing Boston's "More Than a Feeling", now he's saying that Boston should be grateful because he boosted their record sales...

Here's the link.

Huck Doesn't Have an Ego...WHATEVER!!!

After another pitiful showing in a primary, Huck said he wasn't staying in for his ego. Yeah, that's believeable.

Here's the link.

More Good News From Iraq...

I haven't seen a story about Iraq on the Arkansas Times blog in a long, long time. Intellectual honesty isn't their strong suit. Here's some more news you won't read there. Violence has fallen 80% in Baghdad. This just goes to show that they really do want us to lose. When things are bad they cheer and when they're good, they're quiet as churchmice.

Well, I for one am glad to be able to report more good news from Iraq.

Here's the link.

Clintons More Pro-Life than Pro-Lifers...?

Bill Clinton has been on a roll, lately, saying some of the stupidest stuff. He insinuated recently that he was more pro-life than pro-life people are, because he did more to reduce abortions than anybody else...supposedly. Here's a question, Bill, why would you want to reduce abortions? Is it maybe because they take the life of an unborn child? If not, why would you want to reduce them?

Anyway, Newsbusters has the story.

Jonathan Barnett to Run for State House

Barnett, a long time friend and appointee of Huckabee, has served as highway commissioner for nearly ten years. He recently announced that he's running for Mike Kenney's seat.

Here's the link.

Terrorists Rejoice!!! The Democrats Have Come Through For You

House democrats, led by Nancy Pelosi have successfully killed a huge portion of our national security apparatus, but stopping the renewal of the Terrorist Surveillance law. Now we'll have to get warrants for every call, which will be over by the time it's made. Stupid democrats have said that it's no big deal because we can get warrants for specific phone numbers. That might have worked, partially, except that these same stupid democrats have broadcast to terrorists that they need to rotate phone numbers. Thanks, a lot. If something bad happens, we'll know whom to blame.

Here's the link.

Huckabee's Pitiful Attempts to Explain Why it Was His "Sincere Desire" that Wayne DuMond Be Set Free

This is old but worth remembering. Mike Huckabee never takes responsibility for his actions. The simple reason why this and another Missouri girl is dead is because Mike Huckabee pushed the parole board to let DuMond out. He doesn't have the guts to admit the lengths to which he went to let DuMond out.

Huck Supporters in England

Some of Huckabee's Nanny-State fellow travelers are proposing a license to smoke in Briton... This isn't a joke, unfortunately.11Here's the link.

Somewhat Random Thoughts on McCain as Commander in Chief

The following are some random thoughts I had about John McCain as commander in chief, which is a real longshot, especially if Hillary doesn't get the nomination.

Senator McCain appears to think that his service 40 years ago makes him some sort of strategic expert, which he's not. He second guesses people with far greater strategic understanding as a matter of course. That said, I honestly think he could do as poorly as a democrat in his handling of the war.

The democrats say they want to pull out of Iraq, but I don't think they're willing to be saddled with the blame for us losing, especially since we are winning, now. Obama is less predictable, but Hillary is more interested in power than ideology. That being said, she's not as likely as McCain to try to micromanage the war, which will lead to bad policy.

Keep in mind that McCain now claims credit for the Surge, but what he was calling for was entirely different than what we got. He wanted hundreds of thousands more troops in Iraq, not 20,000. The problem with this is that the increase in troops is not the significant factor in our success in Iraq. It was a smokescreen to distract liberals and the media from seeing and broadcasting our actual change in tactics and strategy. The media and democrats were so busy talking about sending more troops that they didn't see what was really going on. I doubt any, or many, of them realize that it was a ruse.

Considering all that, McCain is taking credit for success based on a troop increase which was far less than what he was calling for and which is not the main reason for the turning of the tide. Perhaps he was complicit in the implementation of this gambit, but I doubt it. He has been a consistent thorn in the side of military strategists. When thing aren't going well his main reaction is to complain.

In addition to his proclivity to second guess and micromanage, he also wants to shut down Club Gitmo and tie the hands of our interrogators, both of which would have disastrous effects.

That's a lot to chew on, but I honestly believe that McCain could do a worse job as Commander in Chief than Hillary. There is something to be said for the fact that morale would be better under McCain than Hillary, but that's not the same as strategy being better. Hillary is more likely to let the military run the effort, unless she has Wes Clark as SecDef, which changes everything I just said and would be disastrous.

Sanders and Brummett on Hillary

Two good columns, today. Here's Brummett and here's Sanders.

Obama's Anti-American and Racist Church

Barack Obama may not be a muslim as some internet rumors have said, but his "church" is a radical, racist, anti-American one. Here's the link.

Governor's Message to the Economy: If You're Successful, You Get Whacked. If You're Unsuccessful, You Get Taxpayer Subsidies...

It was reported today that the governor is giving nearly a million dollars to a group to help grow the "knowledge-based" part of the economy. Meanwhile, he's trying to punish a thriving part of the economy... Does this make any sense, at all? By the governor's strained logic, these "knowledge-based" companies are going to be here, anyway, so we ought to tax them, right? Wrong.

Here's the link.

Brummett on Huck's Real Job

John Brummett has an interesting column today about Huck's real job, making paid speeches. He comments on the fact that it's mathematically impossible for Huckabee to win the nomination and, therefore, he ought to be able to devote more time to his new occupation. Alas, he gets free advertising by staying in the race and, even though he's not technically relevant, he'll be almost completely irrelevant after he finally drops out.

Here's the link.

Opponent for Mark Pryor

Tom Formicola of Little Rock has announced that he is forming an exploratory committee to run against incumbent U.S. Senator Mark Pryor.

Huckabee Refuses to Become the Nobody He Really Is

It's mathematically impossible for him to win the Republican nomination, but he still won't drop out. Why should he? He's not running for the sake of the party or conservatism (obviously). He's running for himself. He gets all the free advertising for his self-aggrandizement he wants. In the meantime, though, he's abusing the party rank and file, again.

Here's the link.

Ross Actually Wants to Solve Our Energy Problem

It's almost a rule of thumb, if the Arkansas Times is against something, it's probably a good idea. Congressman Mike Ross is catching heat from them for proposing to drill for oil in Alaska!!!

Here's the link.

More Than A Feeling

The front man for the band Boston has asked Mike Huckabee to stop playing "More Than a Feeling". Apparently, Huck doesn't think he should have to get permission.

Here's the link.