Attacked!

It happened near Detroit International--close to home. But more importantly, more significantly, and more sobering is the fact that it happened at all.

The agencies in charge of protecting us have failed miserably.

At least the brave people aboard that flight managed to subdue the would-be mass murderer. It's a good thing that we can still count on individual passengers to defend themselves.

It's very interesting to note, too, the fact that the terrorist is not being called what he is--a terrorist. Instead, he's a "young man," or a "Nigerian." And his efforts to kill hundreds of innocents are simply an "alleged plot."

You can't sugarcoat evil. This administration, and the media need to learn that if it smells like a terrorist, sounds like a terrorist, and acts like a terrorist, then it is one.

It's nice to know that our representatives and senators are always thinking about our well-being.

Merry Christmas from the staff of the Hillsdale Forum!

Most of the Hillsdale Forum staff at our last gathering this afternoon. With exam week at hand, the staff looks forward to going home for the holidays. From our families to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you for your readership! We look forward to continuing to serve you in the new year.

This week in Copenhagen

I’m an only child. And just so ya know, I’m not a spoiled brat and I’m fully aware that the sun does not rise on my left shoulder and set on my right. I’m also an only child who wants a lot of kids. I’ll be the mom in the 15-passenger van barreling down the street in about 20 years.

At least, that’s what I want. But if the people at Copenhagen have their way, I won’t be able to do it. Some leaders at the climate change have discussed adopting China’s one-child policy to reverse the impending doom of overpopulation.

First of all, the idea that the world is overpopulated is a crock. Ever been to Idaho? Montana? Wyoming? Plenty of room there.

In all seriousness: In Western Europe the population rate barely meets replacement. Russia, Spain, and Italy bottom out at less than 1.54 children per couple, and Iceland, Norway, Ireland, and Spain top the list at 2 or over. The overall fertility trend in Europe has steadily declined since 1980. American fertility just meets the 2.1 children required for population replacement, down from nearly 3.75 in 1960. With so many countries hardly even replacing themselves, how can we have an overpopulation crisis?

Finally, Glenn Beck made an excellent point on his show today. Where’s the women’s rights crowd? They’re always telling the government to stay out of their uteruses and give them total reproductive freedom. Isn’t restricting the number of children you can have a pretty significant violation of reproductive freedom? Why haven’t we heard from them yet?

Yes, it's still happening today

If you don't know about this, you should:

Hillsdale Student on Rush Limbaugh

Not like we need any proof that Hillsdale students are practically perfect in every way, but yesterday senior Emily Cican called into the Doctor of Democracy's Open Line Friday to talk about a radical leftist marriage book.

Also, if you were not aware, Hillsdale is now a sponsor of the Rush Limbaugh show.

Props to Emily, Hillsdale, and Rush.

World Update

A Parma, Ohio man dressed as Santa was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of attempting kidnapping after repeatedly grabbing a 12 year old girl. He was in possession of candy canes and a unicycle upon arrest.

A blue and white swirl has been seen in the sky's of Norway. The phenomenon is believed to be a failed test launch of a new Russian missile. Russian officials still refuse to comment.

The Nelson amendment which called for restricted abortion coverage in the current controversial health-care bill failed by a 54-45 vote. Many believe it is impossible for the bill to receive the necessary support without the amendment.

General David Petraeus recently addressed the senate Foreign Relations Committee on progress in Afghanistan. He reported that in comparison with the war in Iraq, the war in Afghanistan is likely to be slower and more difficult, but the situation is not hopeless.

A Sign

Everything seems to be about polls these days. I myself have my own poll that I use whenever I happen to be back in my hometown--Chi-Town. I call it the Bumper Poll. I make an un-scientific estimate of bumper stickers stuck to Priuses and other vehicles and determine what the atmosphere is like in my suburb and the surrounding area. Parking lots are excellent sources of data.

Last fall (2008), the sheer amount of "IMPEACH BUSH," "IF YOU'RE NOT OUTRAGED YOU'RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION," "OBAMA & BIDEN" and "O" stickers indicated a very strong disapproval of George W. Bush, and strong support behind Barack Obama's candidacy.

Either people have decided that the patriotic colors clash with the sleek paint jobs of their foreign made cars, or they have grown less enthusiastic about displaying pride in the one, the only Barack Obama. Upon visiting the Windy City over Thanksgiving Break, I counted around five to ten cars that proudly proclaimed approval of Obama. This was after driving through the city itself, and after watching hundreds of cars on the express way.

This method of polling is probably un-scientific to the degree that it's actually laughable, but it is still something of note. The poll featured on Politico appears to support my childish methods.

Try it sometime. Counting bumper stickers is a great way to combat boredom. And observation is a part of the scientific method.

Sarah Palin: Birther?

There is much to like in the possibility of a presidential bid by Sarah Palin (besides, who else does the Right have? Mike Huckabee?), but the case for Palin 2012 isn't a slam dunk, and making excuses for every wrong turn made by those on our side is the last thing we need to do.

Case in point: Conservatives4Palin, the most prominent pro-Palin blog on the Web. Palin recently told conservative radio host Rusty Humphries that,

"I think the public rightfully is still making [President Obama's birth certificate] an issue. I don't have a problem with that. I don't know if I would have to bother to make it an issue, because I think that members of the electorate still want answers...I think it's a fair question, just like I think past association and past voting records -- all of that is fair game."

In response, C4P's Daniel Terrapin & Joshua Livestro say it should be obvious that Palin herself doesn't take Birtherism seriously, but is merely defending the people's right to question their leaders, and suggests any different reaction is a deliberate attempt to distort her words. This afternoon, Palin herself said this is all she really meant.

I'll take her word for it that she doesn't personally believe Obama was born in Kenya, but she and her supporters need to be honest with themselves & with the rest of us, and admit her original words amounted to more than "the people have the right to question their leaders." She said the public was rightfully making it an issue, even though it's manifestly insane.

Conservatives have fought long and hard to remind their opponents that having the right to do something doesn't make it right. That goes for disgruntled voters, as well.

No more words necessary...

There's only so much sickening news that one can take before getting discouraged. Perhaps we're all locked in an alternate reality, or part of "the Matrix."