Yeah, those liberal Republicans are big team players, if it weren’t for those crazy “non-team” player conservatives Republicans would never lose. They just do a hit piece on Rick Santorum… jeez.

Ok so check otu the latest stunt by Republican [IN NAME ONLY] Majority For Choice

Yeah… the same people who screwed Ollie North and countless other conservatives, helping to get Dems elected, who brought you the Kerry/Specter yard signs, well

They’re back….

…to reach out to social conservatives.

I went to his website for the first time today and checked out how I could become a member of his “Special Teams.” (aka be a volunteer) The interesting thing is that Allen asks for specific areas of interest. Taxes, Medicare, Social Security… even “Internet” (whatever that is) and Environment are there. Notably missing, however, is anything related to traditional values. Sounds suspicious for someone who’s “the great conservative hope.”

(10,000 points to whoever can guess the obscure pop culture reference in the post’s title.)

A great post at the Election Law blog details today’s supreme court hearing on the Vermont campaign finance law that included very low contribution limits and also maximum expenditure limitations, which the court has ruled unconstitutional in the past.

The post points out that judging from the way thhe judges questions flowed, the law could be in grave danger of being ruled unconstitutional which would be a major victory for free speech campaign advocates that have suffered a series of set backs since McCain-Feingold

Those are words I never expected to type, but this post at On Call is revealing…

WH Press Secretary Scott McClellan says Pres. Bush would not support the bill unless it contained exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. Of the three potential ‘08 GOP candidates below, Sen. John McCain’s view is closest to Bush’s.

Sen. George Allen’sCoS, Dick Wadhams, tells the Hotline that “Sen. Allen has consistently supported the rights of the people in their states to pass laws which reflect their views and values.”

MA Gov. Mitt Romney has yet to be asked about the SD ban. Spokesperson Julie Teer: “If Governor Romney were the Governor of South Dakota he would sign it. The Governor believes that states should have the right to be pro-life if that is the will of the people.”

According to a spokesperson, McCain “would have signed the legislation, but would also take the appropriate steps under state law — in whatever state — to ensure that the exceptions of rape, incest or life of the mother were included.”

If I read this right, it means that Bush would not sign the bill, Allen wouldn’t although he’d let someone else (at least that seems the implicit conclusion of saying what others can do but not what he would), McCain would try to water it down, and Romney is the only one that would sign it as is.

While I can understand and would support including a life of the mother clause I walk away from the post with this:
1. Bush errs on the side of abortion. (Sure the legislature passed a tough law, but I’d rather have a weaker law.)
2. Allen errs on the side of getting elected. (Fine for you to do this, just don’t try to get me saying yes or no.)
3. McCain is most at odds with himself. (Yes I’d sign and support this, but then I’d try to water it down.)
4. Romney is most responsive of an elected official’s constituents, and honest about its consequences. (Fine for you to do this, and I’ll say what it means for me to think its fine for you to do this.)

Feel free to unload.

On Friday 21 of 34 State Republican Senators signed a letter urging Ralph Reed to withdraw from the race. The heat is really ratcheting up on the Reed campaign. Will the wonderboy do the right thing and pull out of the race for Georgia’s Lt. Governor? Only time will tell. Reed already trails primary opponent Casey Cagel in the polls.

This article discusses an issue of which we are all aware. Incumbents in the US House of Reps, of any ideological stripe, are largely running in non-competitive districts. Career politicians have made it their goal to make reelection easier and easier, pursuing districts made up of voters who they believe will return them to office.

What will result from this? A stagnant political culture, where DC becomes (if not remains) a haven for unresponsive elected officials. This disconnect in American politics threatens the very nature of our representative democracy. K Street gains power, while the Member’s districts remain far off respites of occasional vacation. What say you about this trend?

WALB in Albany, GA reported:

Albany — A former candidate for a U.S. Senate seat says he will probably run for office again.

Republican Herman Cain says he wants to change the direction America is moving.

The former C.E.O.of Godfather’s Pizza is passionate about reforming government programs. Cain said “Like replace the tax code, restructure social security, restructure medicare, medicaid, and the prescription drug program. We have to demand it.”

Herman Cain says his speeches, radio show and syndicated newspaper columns keep him busy.

I’ve decided its time for us to put a more distinct differentiation between politics and religion on the blog. I would love to write more theology posts, but that is not really the purpose of this blog. Thus I have create Areopagus Blog, which will cover “Theology, Apologetics, and Christian Thought.”

I encourage SaveTheGOP readers to head over there for more religion oriented stuff, also any STG writer interested in joining Areopagus please email me at markdharris@gmail.com.

So lets keep our posts here now focused on more of the political realm.

Earlier this week, Pope Benedict named fifteen new Cardinals, the first appointments of his tenure as Vicar of Christ in the Roman Catholic Church. A number of the appointments stand out to me.

First, the Pope has chosen to elevate Bishop O’Malley, the one tapped in the aftermath of the scandals that rocked Boston. He has done an excellent job in that post and has rebuilt and restructured the Boston Church despite a hyper-sensational media. Further, Bishop Levada, formally of San Francisco was elevated, who succeeded Cardinal Ratzinger in the Holy Office of the Doctrine of the Faith. This raise (if my memory serves me) the US delegation of Cardinals to fifteen, which seems to point to a renewed interest in the North American role inside the church.

But most striking was the elevation of Bishop Joseph Zen . Surely this was a move to reaffirm the Church in China and aimed at a repressive Communist regime which has systematically persecuted Christians. Joseph Cardinal Zen is sure to be met with resistance, but his work in the Church will ultimately aide those currently suffering under the brutality of the Chinese government.

His proclamation of Christ and enthusiastic call for change in China is exemplary and we are bound to see good fruits from this, and other, appointments by Pope Bennedict XVI.

I recently complained that the violent protestors of the Muhammad cartoons demonstrated a severe lack of understanding of freedom of speech. Well, it looks like Europeans severely lack this understanding too, as a German man was just sentenced to one year of jailtime for offending Islam.

via Drudge

Houston we have a problem. From the beginning, the story of turning over 6 US ports to the UAE has not passed the smell test. Fox News is now reporting that a little caveat in the deal stated that “the [White House Review] committee must agree not to formally investigate the purchase and Bush must not move to block the sale for national security purposes.” Oh really. An old addage in life says, follow the money. I can’t help but think who will profit from this deal. It just does not make sense any other way.

Thankfully members of Congress have problems with this as well and planned to investigate. Now we know the ineptness of Congress when it comes to investigations but maybe they will get it right this time. One thing is for certain the moniker of the party of corruption hung around the neck of the GOP by the Democrats starts to take on more of an air of truth. Mid-term elections are going to be fun. Sarcasm intended.

For the best response to the President see Carmine’s earlier post.

Wow, I thought I had seen a lot of Lewis hating in my day but this takes the case.

No doubt Lewis was more-or-less Catholic oriented in his theology, though unlike most denominations Catholicism is defined by ones reconciliation to the Church not mental assent to theology, so in no real terms was he Catholic. (Yes, I know about the whole last right things, but argument for another time).

But if you can judge anyone by their fruits, then Lewis and the tremendous work he has made for Christ through his books… well speak for themselves.

Sorry I spoke too soon: This takes the cake.

I could spend hours talking about the theological lunacy of such, but its late.

Here’s the second half of my reflections on the crunchy con manifesto.

Let’s take each part in turn…
6. Small, Local, Old, and Particular are almost always better than Big, Global, New, and Abstract.
Many people have taken this as a criticism of Wal-Mart like big box stores, and they are right. They are wrong when they start to take this to mean that it is the only choice that crunchy cons would like. As Rod Dreher notes here, “Yes, our family shops at Wal-Mart. It’s not our first choice, but sometimes you need to go there; no need to feel guilty about that. When we can, though, we patronize the mom and pop shop, as a matter of principle.”

This is something that cannot be stressed enough. Crunchy conservatism is a matter of principle. While some want a “Crunchy Con Platform,” most do not. Crunchy conservatism is a call to conservatives to not simply go after conservative policies, but to actually live what we advocate. Something that some people have forgotten. Indeed, libertarian policies would actually be easier to enact if more conservatives lived the crunchy lifestyle.

7. Beauty is more important than efficiency.
I think this could be proved empirically. Which part of the following dyads do you prefer:
A) Homecooked dinners
B) McDonald’s

A) Monet (or even Manet)
B) Paint by numbers

A) Handsewn quilts
B) $10 quilt from Linens n Things

You probably answered A to all of the above, and you did it because they are nicer. Sometimes we don’t have a choice for financial or other reasons, but we ought not do things simply because its quicker and easier.

8. The relentlessness of media-driven pop culture deadens our senses to authentic truth, beauty, and wisdom.
What was the last program on Fox that made you feel more like saying a prayer of thanks? When did listening to Eminem - or most country for that matter - lead you closer to living the good life? It has been my experience, at least, that on the pop-culture saturated college campus most students become more cut off and spiritually dead, so that Faith cannot lead them to Truth, from which flows an understanding of beauty and wisdom. (At least that’s my opinion ;))

9. We share Russell Kirk’s conviction that “the institution most essential to conserve is the family.”
Does any conservative disagree with this?

10. Politics and economics won’t save us; if our culture is to be saved at all, it will be by faithfully living by the Permanent Things, conserving these ancient moral truths in the choices we make in our everyday lives.
The relationship between politics, economics, and culture is covered by point four. However what its important here is the emphasis on preserving the Permanent Things through “the choices we make in our everyday lives.” Critics of CC need to pay more attention to this line, because it is pregnant with meaning. If we accept that government coercion in the extreme - through regulation, among other things - eliminates choice, than coercion in its gentler forms also decreases choice, simply less so. It seems that government action cannot be the way to implement CC. Instead, this is a call to get off our asses and get out there to preserve things. Go volunteer at a soup kitchen, plant a tree, support a local farmer, etc. But it must be of choice, not oppression.

GrassrootsPA:

John McIntire: You’re okay with the morning after pill?

Bob Casey, Jr.: Yes. I’ve supported that because it’s about birth control and family planning. Not abortion, and I’ve always drawn the line at abortion

-Transcript from Casey on KDKA’s the John McIntire Show in December 2005

Wherever you stand on the UAE/American Ports issue . . . this is a must see.

H/T Redstate.

WaPo article here It is entitled “Prejudice Wins” and it is a scathing attack on the Faculty of the Arts and Science college that forced out Summers. As has been noted elsewhere, if a former Clinton cabinent secretary is too conservative for your organization something might be wrong.
(Note to all Harvard folks, when the lefty Washington Post thinks you are radical fringe leftists and other papers make jokes about “lunatics running the asylum” something is terribly, terribly wrong)

Though it was mentioned earlier here, I do no think the proper outrage has been expressed regarding the jailing of David Irving, the British author imprisoned for his offensive remarks regarding the Holocaust.

The whole story seems reminiscent of 1984, Orwellian predictions coming to pass. This commentary on the subject provides an interesting point of view which is not being put forth very widely.

Why is it not outrageous that someone could be thrown in jail for making statements contrary to accepted historical thought? As the article states: “Today, you may be imprisoned or fined for dissenting from the accepted Holocaust history in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Israel, Lithuania, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Switzerland. ”

How is it acceptable for European newspapers to produce offensive and degrading cartoons mocking the Islamic faith and causing worldwide tension and poltical unrest, while holding others to a different standard depending on the issue? Freedom of speech seems to be moving into antiquity amid a wave of modern political correctness. The Danish papers had every right to run their cartoons; just as Irving sought to advance his version of history. Both were unquestionably aimed at ruffling feathers and easily viewed as irresponsible, but that shouldn’t govern the legality of their speech. An oft quoted Voltaire quote comes to mind, but I will settle for asking: Where is the outrage?

Why do I not believe Bush Would Veto Any Bill Halting Dubai Port Deal? Maybe because he has never actualy vetoed a bill. Not one. Zip, zero, nada. Would he really make a stand on this issue. Seems like a waste.

I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards to avenge even a look that threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone. That of sophists, economists and calculators has succeeded; and the glory of Europe is gone forever.

-Edmund Burke

I quoted this a few days back, as it is probably my favorite quote because it so sums up my conservative philosophy and intense disdain for the French Revolution. I think though that many people missed out on the context. Here Burke is writing about the French Revolution and the killing of the Dauphiness of Versailles. In the old Europe, chivalry (civilization) would have presented such barbarism. But now the age of sophists (ones who play with words), economists (one who plays with money), and calculators (one who plays with numbers) are the enemies. They are the ones who have sought to rework the rich tapestry of society in their own image, forever marring and destroying it.

Europe was great because of its heritage, its castles, its tradition, and its cultural. Sadly, too many people today say America is great for its wealth. We should strive to be like the old Europe, not in the political sense, but in the cultural sense. Infused with the tradition and living it out. Is this a romantic notion? In some sense, but that doesn’t make it an incorrect one. Money and material wealth don’t bring happiness in any real or sustainable sense. Happiness is erected from ones family, faith, friend, and surroundings.

The effect of liberty to individuals is that they may do what they please: we ought to see what it will please them to do, before we risk congratulations.

-Edmund Burke

The problem we face today is we have stripped away the vaneers of civilization for the machinery of economics and social control. We’ve replaced the beautiful tapestry of western civilization with its intracicies and ins and outs with the cheap smattering of money. Is money evil? Of course not. Are business men evil. No! They are what America is built out of. They are essential and prime, but its not their money that makes it so. Its their ingenuity, their drive, their self-reliance, etc.

If we command our wealth, we shall be rich and free; if our wealth commands us, we are poor indeed.

-Edmund Burke

If America was poor could she be as great? Yes. If America was more rich could she be as great? Yes. Our cultural value is rather unrelated to our material well being. For my money I prefer Bach, Monet, and others to Spears and the man who put a crucifix in urine. Whine and gripe all you want, but the Europe of old exported the former, while we export the latter (+ Baywatch).

What makes america great though is her ideals: freedom, liberty, limited government. These have made a world of difference on Earth. But let’s not turn our souls over to sophists, economists, and calculators. Let us draw swords in protection of our lady, America. Chivalry demands it.

Manners are of more importance than laws… Manners are what vex or soothe, corrupt or purify, exalt or debase, barbarize or refine us, by a constant, steady, uniform, insensible operation, like that of the air we breathe in.

-Edmund Burke

A recent poll has revealed that a majority (90%) of South Korean youth would be against the United States if uses a military option to topple the North Korean regime. Nearly half would want South Korea to side with the Communist North. A mere 12% would want the South to side with the US during such a war.

The poll, conducted Feb. 16-19, surveyed youths between 17 and 23 years old who will be old enough to vote in next year’s presidential election. The margin of error was plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

The youths named China as South Korea’s most important partner for maintaining friendly relations, at 39.5 percent, followed by the United States and North Korea at 18.4 and 18 percent, respectively.

So we are polling .4% ahead of Kim Jong-Il? That is nice, but why do we bother being so damn humane if could behave like that animal and still come up smelling like kimchi?

Two important questions: Do we have a policy for dealing with North Korea’s nuclear status? Why are we spending millions of dollars per year to station troops in South Korea when a majority of the nation (I realize this poll only includes 17-23 year olds, but other age groups tip the balance against the US) doesn’t want us there? These troops should be moved to Japan or Taiwan, countries where we have true friends.