-This is pretty messed up, and I imagine the UCMJ has provisions against it.

-The headline to this story was obviously phoned in, but the story itself is pretty good. Eco-cultural tourism in Tibet by mainland Chinese interested in Buddhist praxis and culture is an interesting development to the situation there. Treat with skepticism the claim by Alison Reynolds that the Dalai Lama is “far better known than any figure in the Chinese government.” People in Beijing aren’t exactly saying “Hu who?” to one another…. Any other folks interested in Warring States period philosophy will notice the apparent turn towards Mohism in China reflected in the last quote of the article.

I’m a little wary of putting the above picture up, I don’t really think people should be judged by who they’ve had their picture taken with, but in this case it is Al Sharpton….

I’ve been under a rock all summer, but I’m fairly confused by the enthusiasm in some corners for a certain Jeanine Pirro running against Madame Hillary. Maybe I’m missing something. Here’s the issue as I see it:

1.) It seems to be important to mention that Sen. Clinton (D-Manchuria) is not going to lose this race, and I’m a little surprised people even talking about beating her. It’s hard to put into words the addiction to celebrity that grips the New York electorate, it borders on mania. Unless you find a candidate with equal (rare) or greater (impossible?) celebrity draw than Hillary. Jeanine Pirro is at best a C-lister. Being on People Magazine’s list of the most beautiful people in 1997 will not roll.

2.) Ms. Pirro is not an impressive candidate, she has extraordinarily serious baggage when it comes to her husband, and if you think Hillary’s going to go Matthew 7:12 on this issue I’ve got a coin investment scheme you might be interested in. Pirro’s work putting perverts and child molesters in prison is excellent, but it’s also sort of what one might expect their law enforcement officials to do. Where has she gone above and beyond the call of duty to really make the lives of those she serves better.

3.) “Well, she might be against us on abortion and gay marriage but at least she’s with us on [insert pet issue].” I remain unimpressed. So far as I can tell, on every issue from our constitutional right to bear arms, to limiting the ever encroaching size and scope of the federal government, she is indistinguishable from Clinton. This is the same game played by Arlen Specter, where a left-wing Republican is allowed to define the terms of conservatism in a way that is not intelligibly conservative. I’m sick of it.

4.) By spending money on her candidacy, even on the off chance that she can win, we’re wasting money that could be better spent on tougher elections in TN, MT, PA, wherever.

It’s late, but please somebody defend her. I have no interest in being represented by Hillary for a second longer than necessary, though I fear the only way we’re getting her out of the Senate is by letting her shack up in the White House again.