The pinstriped peril

I've been around long enough to have made a few observations about institutions. Number 1 is that when they consist of transients and lifers, like colleges (students vs. faculty) or govt agencies (political nominees vs. civil servants), the lifers end up running the show. Number 2 is that regulatory organizations get "captured" by those they are to monitor and often end up putting the interests of the regulated above those who are to be protected from them. The latter is in part influenced by the fact that the monitored organizations are in a position to reward their regulators while they serve (which is illegal) or afterwards (which usually is not illegal, and is also common). Number 3 is that they have political views and interests of their own independent of those who found or support them, and tend to react to events in a ways that maximizes their power and influence. Nothing controversial so far, right?

OK, now apply these ideas to the US Department of State and you must conclude 1) politicians will not be able to control it very well, 2) The same department is likely to be more sympathetic to the needs of foreign govts than to our own. 3) Its institutional self-interest isn't always allied with those of the rest of the US govt.

Hmm, does it follow that we can't trust our State Department?

That's probably a bit strong. But as a minimum it means that we must keep a close eye on it, and that is borne out by experience. For instance we do know that there have been Communists in the State Department since way back in FDR's time, and if any group has interests contrary to those of the US, that's the one. And we've seen some disconcerting behavior for some time recently, as Joe Mowbray has documented in many places. Here is his latest piece, and a forthcoming book.

Scumbag?

Thus spake Meryl Yourish about Charles Lindbergh in the comments to this post. Yep, Lucky Lindy - the guy who flew "The Spirit of St. Louis" across the Atlantic in 1927 and became an international hero. I'm guessing he didn't start supporting WWII soon enough to suit her, but who knows?

Now let's consider another VIP from the period. He had a St. Louis of his own. That is, a German ship named the St. Louis had 900-odd Jews aboard who were seeking asylum.

Anyway, the Jews aboard originally sought asylum in Cuba, but the Cubans reneged. What did the President Franklin Delano Roosevelt do?

As the St. Louis slowly sailed past the land of the free and the home of the brave, the US send Coast Guard cutters to make certain that the potential immigrants were not able to swim ashore to take refuge in the USA. During this time, Washington and the State Department ignored the situation of the St. Louis, even though the saga was reported in the local press. It seemed that to admit 900 refugees destined for Hitler's gas ovens would harm the security of the "mighty" USA.

Sanctuary was eventually found for the refugees in Britain, France, Belgium and Holland. Although the story may have a happy ending, at this point, the lesson was not lost on Hitler who saw America's unwillingness to help as a sign of weakness.

Unfortunately, those alternate locations weren't good enough for some, who wound up in Nazi death camps anyway. But some good came out of it - FDR could avoid charges that some Jews might draw him into conflict with Germany.< /sarcasm>

Ms. Yourish is Jewish and justly proud of it. If it's anti-Semitic she's all over it. Which makes me wonder - if Lindbergh was a "scumbag", I wonder what she thinks of FDR?

More "gay marriage" stuff

Bryan Preston has two good posts in succession on marriage Communist style and gay marriage.

That this is even an issue IMO is revolting. That tiny subsegment of our population which consists of gays who want to call themselves married is so utterly selfish that they would endanger one of the most fundamental and important institutions in our society so they can save on some legal paperwork. Fairness my eye.

The last straw

I don't miss the word "gay". I've unilaterally decided to quit saying "fabulous". But as a long-standing, true-blue frustrated fan of Chicago professional sports, by God, they can't have "Da Bears".

Pearls before swine

Dean Esmay points to this, the zillionth case of a woman putting up with who appears to be a world-class prick, and a commenter who offers some suggestions.

I don't know if "Handsome"'s comments are so valuable though. Some women are just drama queens, and if you don't make the hell for them they'll make it themselves or find someone who will. Be her friend if you want, but no more unless you're into living the drama yourself.

The Battle of the Grand Canyon

Do you give money to the American Civil Liberties Union? Congratulations - here is an example of what you're fighting against - the terrifying spectacle of plaques bearing Psalms at the Grand Canyon.

It is worth noting that no Jewish or Christian organization has ever protested the Hindu names of some of the peaks in the Grand Canyon, and no religious group would ever oppose posting American Indian sayings at such a place. Once again, the secular left shows itself to be far more intolerant than the religious right.

The marriage debate

See the blog here.

If we must debate, let's at least be honest with it. This is not about gay rights or civil rights. Nobody else has a right to get married either.

And not all gays are in favor of gay marriage, either.

For a great comeback, look here.

And here's a link to "What marriage is for", by Maggie Gallagher.

Truckers and technology

It makes sense that truckers are the most well-connected travelers on the road. They need to stay in touch with the trucking company and with family. Also, they increasingly use Web-based services that help them find loads to drive home and avoid deadheading, or driving an empty trailer—every trucker's worst nightmare since those miles produce no revenue. In an attempt to remedy this situation, companies such as The Internet Truckstop, Insight Technology and On Time Media have set up Web-based load matching services. A trucker can log on to these sites, enter the city where he will be dropping off a load and the city to which he needs to return. The system will then tell him of any loads that need to be hauled between those cities. It gets sophisticated. For example, if a load is being dropped in Orlando and the trucker needs to go to New York, the system may find an Orlando-Memphis load, followed by a Memphis-Cleveland load and then a Cleveland-New York load.

Some IT investors follow the online movements of truckers closely because they are not traditionally thought of as early adopters of technology. Like travelers who pull over to eat where the truckers do, investors feel a sense of comfort once a technology becomes viable at truck stops. According to Jack Vonder Heide, president of Oakbrook Terrace, IL-based Technology Briefing Centers, 18-wheeler operators have led the way in road testing technologies that have filtered down to consumers. He notes a laundry list of technologies used today, including cell phones, ruggedized notebooks, touch screens, discount long-distance services, self-serve gas pumps, "and, lest we forget the past, CB radios."

Via Technology Review (may require subscription).

MCJ has moved

...from here to here.

So what are you reading this for? Go over there already!

But I'm sure he meant well

Paul Craig Roberts has an item about Mao's atrocities against his own citizens here.

But Mao was a Communist, and thus beloved of the left. And if you want the left to get all huffy, all you have to do is question a) their motives, or b) their patriotism. Why so touchy?

I just want them to question why people would question these things, and if there's any possibility that such questions are based on something besides reactionary politics.

English usage

We don't "pay" for tax cuts. We "pay" for government programs.

Thank you.

Gay rock

A million cable channels and I'm on Music Choice? The "Power Rock" station just got through playing something by Queen, and now it's "Nobody's Hero" by Rush. They're begging for a post.

Not being a student of gay culture, I only occasionally pick up on gay performers or themes in music. I don't look for either for sure, and it really makes no difference as long as everyone can leave everyone else alone (which means keep your cotton-pickin' hands off the institution of marriage, but that's another post). So there's no telling what has escaped my notice.

When a band names itself Queen, well, you have to wonder why. And in fact their lead singer Freddy Mercury died of AIDS some years back. Dying of AIDS doesn't mean you're gay, but there wasn't much doubt about Freddie. Whether any of the rest of them were gay I don't know, and I did follow them to an extent. Guitarist Brian May in particular - did interesting things with guitars and was into astronomy.

If Rod Stewart was gay, it sure was a waste of fine women when he married Alana Hamilton and Rachel Hunter. I only mention him because of his song "The Killing of Georgie", which got a little airplay when I was in college.

We can't forget the Kinks and "Lola".

I usually avoided synthy dance music, which was most of what I recall hearing from George Michael. How romantic, sneaking off somewhere in a park to have sex with someone you love.

Oh yeah, Judas Priest. I wasn't exactly shocked to hear that lead singer Rob Halford was gay, but I'm suspecting many others were. He couldn't be - he sang heavy metal! Ha, they're playing a Priest song now.

Look what I found on the Halford link - a book:

Rock on the Wild Side : Gay Male Images in Popular Music of the Rock Era by Wayne Studer
What #1 hit by Elvis Presley contained a blatant suggestion of male-male sex--way back in 1957? Which Beatles songs allude to homosexuality? Can you name two Top 20 hits about drag queens? What smash from 1974 has been called "the greatest gay love song ever written?" Which popular rock songs are tainted by homophobia? Which country songs refer to gay people? And who are some of the openly gay performers who've succeeded in the world of rock music?

The answers to these and countless other fascinating questions can be found in Rock on the Wild Side, an entertaining and informative look at more than 200 songs of the "Rock Era" that describe gay men or express various attitude about gayness. Your record, tape or CD collection may never sound quite the same again. Illustrated with more than two dozen photos of such stars/groups as Boy George, David Bowie, Elton John, Kinks, Kitchens of Distinction, Johnny Mathis, Queen, Lou Reed, Tom Robinson, Romanovsky & Phillips, Rupaul, Village People, Tom Wilson Weinberg, Flirtations, Pet Shop Boys...

I haven't heard of all of them, but the rest aren't surprises.

We can't forget the women of course. Everybody has heard of Melissa Etheridge. Somehow I'd like to dislike KD LANG, but she sure can sing. I don't know about the Indigo Girls.

Lookie here - people trying to ban t. A. T. u. in the UK and in NZ. I'm guessing that what busts them isn't whether they are lesbians or not, but the fact that making out onstage in their underwear seems to be pretty much their whole act. IE they're promoting something besides their music.

The list of successful gay musicians could go on forever. From this it's pretty clear that gays can succeed anywhere in the music business. I for one couldn't give a fat rat's patootie about the musician's private life if they don't make it an issue themselves.

Know thyself

"California is the most progressive state in the union," said Flynt, 61. "I don't think anyone here will have a problem with a smut peddler as governor."

Go Larry go! Maybe if enough lowlives like him can get elected, we can convince a lot of otherwise sane people that governments are not the place to look for responsible solutions to social problems.

Via C-Log, which should be a regular stop.

Right on

Via Richard Bennett and Luke Ford:

Unless you think hard about political questions in our culture, you are liberal by default. You have to think your way out of liberalism. - Heather McDonald

I will quibble this far - who says you have to think hard?

So what's my excuse?

Blogspot is no longer the Scourge of Charles Austin, our Sine Qua Non Pundit - he's shacking up with Andrea Harris and Tim Blair here. He's even considering putting in a blogroll!

And they call it the Guardian?

It's just the place for a guide to profanity, the Insultmonger, and fish porn

Club one for me, would ya?

Acidman knows how to deal with environmentalists.

And if he's on your Christmas list, get him this.

Blogwars

Hey, what kind of name is "Little Miss Attila", anyway?

It needs gender correction, but I just can't see touching the original masterpiece, so imagine it's a she. With that I present Charlie Daniels:

"Well, you may not know it, but this man's a spy
He's an undercover agent for the FBI
And he's been sent down here to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan."

He was still bent over, holdin' on to his knee
But everyone else was lookin' and listenin' to me
And I layed it on thicker and heavier as I went
I said; "Would you beleive this man has gone as far
As tearin' Wallace stickers off the bumpers of cars
And he voted for George McGovern for president."

"He's a friend of them long-haired, hippie type, pinko fags
I betcha he's even got a Commie flag
Tacked up on the wall, inside of his garage
He's a snake in the grass, I tell ya guys
He may look dumb, but that's just a disguise
He's a mastermind in the ways of espionage."

Inland shipbuilding

Some of you heathens haven't heard of Evansville, IN. It is kind of isolated - a small outpost of civilization between Indianapolis, St. Louis, Louisville, Memphis and Nashville right where US 41 crosses the Ohio River.

That corner of Indiana has more history than you might have suspected. Abraham Lincoln spent some time in the area in his childhood. The much-hooted initiative to decree the value of pi originated just to the west in Posey County. That naive old socialist Robert Owen tried and failed to set up his utopia nearby in New Harmony, IN. Some Japanese automaker (Toyota?) has a huge plant just a few miles north of town on US 41 - I think it's in Princeton. The first capital of IN, Corydon, is a ways to the east upriver. It is the home of the University of Southern Indiana and the University of Evansville, the latter of which lost their entire Purple Aces basketball team to a plane crash in 1977. Evansville area jocks include Andy Benes, Don Mattingly, Calbert Cheaney, Edd Roush, Gil Hodges, Scott Studwell, Bob Griese and Jerry Sloan.

Alright, I know some of this stuff because I did some consulting work down there a few years ago, and I'd learned that there was more to this stereotypical Middle American area than I had expected to find. But they still have surprises - now another proud son of the area, Dave Worley, notes that Evansville once had a shipyard that build LSTs.

French computer games

I don't read Lileks for the news, but he has some about French computer games. He even contributes a few of his own, such as

Medal of Honor: WW2. This was a massively multiplayer online role-playing game based on the Resistance. At its peak it had 400,000 members who logged on and did nothing. Then someone named “Yank44” signed on, and the system crashed when all 400,000 members attempted to remove the picture of Marshal Petain from the wall of their cottage.

I want this guy on my side...