About
Captain Ed is a father and grandfather living in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, a native Californian who moved to the North Star State because of the weather. He lives with his wife Marcia, also known as the First Mate, their two dogs, and frequently watch their granddaughter Kayla, whom Captain Ed calls The Little Admiral.
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The Crows Nest
Support The Al-Dura Petition
Roger Simon at Pajamas Media is circulating a petition to demand accountability for the discredited al-Dura report from France's Channel 2. This is, as Roger calls it, the "Father of all Fauxtography," and C-2 has never acknowledged its fault in airing the supposed murder of a Palestinian child. He wants C-2 to show all of the unedited footage of the incident in order to show that C-2 faked the murder. If they're resisting the demand, I'd say they have something to hide ....
There Goes The Undefeated Season
Notre Dame managed to get its first loss out of the way as soon as possible -- and as badly as possible. Georgia Tech came to South Bend and stomped the Irish, 33-3, in the worst home opener loss in school history. The offense fumbled twice and allowed seven sacks on Evan Sharpley, who must have longed to have Brady Quinn back on the field instead. If Charlie Weis doesn't turn this debacle around fast, he may want to start asking Ty Willingham for some career counseling ....
Would Early Primaries Allow More Donations?
Jim Geraghty at The Campaign Spot believes that candidates will benefit if primaries and caucuses get pushed into 2007. A loophole in campaign finance regulation appears to allow an extra $2,300 per donor for candidates if those elections are held this year. Be sure to check out Jim's analysis, and the surprising candidate that may benefit the most.
When Tom Met Jeralyn
One of the interesting aspects of politics is finding out that opponents are people, too. Jeralyn Merritt of TalkLeft met Rep. Tom Tancredo backstage at NBC's studios, and found him more likable than she had anticipated. Perhaps it was their mutual interest in Dog, The Bounty Hunter ...
Joe Lieberman A Right-Wing Nut?
That's what CAIR says, according to Joe Kaufman. He has a link to a CAIR official's blog post that calls Lieberman, along with John Bolton, former CIA director James Woolsey, and the Heritage Foundation's Peter Brookes as "extremists". Affad Shaikh also calls Dick Cheney a "fat bastard of a liar," apparently not meant as a pop-culture reference to the Austin Powers movies. (via Let Freedom Ring)
Broadband Homelessness
The Japanese have made homelessness more efficient, and more Net-friendly, too. Their Internet cafés have become homeless shelters for the struggling manual-labor sector. The problem has grown into such a problem that government intervention will shortly become a political priority.
Found My Law Firm
Power Line links twice to this story regarding an attorney at Faegre & Benson who refused to become a victim and helped capture a very dangerous man. Keith Radtke is a partner in the firm as is Power Line's John Hinderaker. Radtke is listed in satisfactory condition after getting shot in the back, but that didn't keep him from locking up his attacker in a wrestling grip until police could arrive. I don't know about you, but that's the kind of man I'd want as my counsel ....
Don't Click That YouTube E-mail
The latest in spam seems to be redirections from YouTube links in e-mail to IP addresses without domain names. They attempt to entice people by making it seem that they have been inadvertently YouTubed. I'm sure most people can see through this scam, but just in case, you've been warned ....
Rick Moran Escapes The Floods
Rick Moran has kept us up to date on his travails along the Algonquin River. Yesterday, the police showed up to get him evacuated before the river flooded his home -- but today, Rick finds that a minor miracle has taken place, and that his house survives ... at least for now. Keep Rick in your prayers, and keep checking in at Right Wing Nut House for updates.
Rule 1: Drag The Corpse On Over First
If I've learned anything in four years of blogging, don't try to be out in front of the death rumors, especially with the villains of the world. Saddam died a hundred deaths before we caught him alive in his spider hole, and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi almost as many before his demise last year. Osama may or may not be alive, but everyone's avoided speculating on his fate for a while now. Maybe Val at Babalu Blog will get luckier with his "Castro Is Dead" story. We all hope so. I'll wait for the announcement ....
Hobbs Choice
Volunteer Voters is holding its annual "Best of Nashville" on-line polls, and one of the categories is for the best political writer. Our friend Bill Hobbs, now posting at Newsbusters, and he'd like his on-line fans to cast their votes. Drop by and put one in for Bill if you get a chance!
Murtha Getting Backlogged On Apologies
Gary Gross of Let Freedom Ring sees another case collapsing on the Haditha charges. He's called for Murtha to apologize earlier, and adds another reason to the tally.
No Such Thing As 'Moderate' Islam?
Turkish PM Tayyip Erdogan told a television interviewer that he finds the label "moderate Islam" offensive. Shrink Wrapped has a lot more on this, but at least in the same interview Erdogan acknowledged that "radical Islam" exists, and that it's been a catastrophe. Be sure to read the whole post.
MS-NBC Gets Punk'd
Power Line has a great post on a lack of journalistic effort on the part of MS-NBC. In covering the Michael Vick story, they reported on what they thought was Al Sharpton's website proclaiming Vick's innocence. I guess Alex Johnson and two other MS-NBC reporters couldn't bother to read the title bar of the site, which proudly proclaims it as a "parody site".
New Instapundit Podcast On Pharmaceuticals
I just caught this e-mail from Glenn Reynolds about his new podcast with Richard Epstein, the author of Overdose: How Excessive Government Regulation Stifles Pharmaceutical Innovation. Haven't had a chance to listen to it yet, but the topic is important enough to make sure I carve out time for it tomorrow. Get their first and tell me what I'm missing ....
Comments (11)
Posted by Paul Ramsey | September 6, 2007 9:03 PM
Senator,
I am greatly concerned of the corrosive effect of overregulation of our economy and our everyday lives. As a practicing Architect in Southern California, almost on a daily basis while confronting that bureaucratic monster known as our cities, I have to overcome some constitutional overreach or regulation poison pill or my client's project will be doomed.
This enforced no growth scarcity has created a housing crisis in LA where likely more than a million illegals live in tenement like conditons. The costs of housing, schooling, health care, insurance, and of course government fees have skyrocketed.
My healthcare insureance has doubled and my daughter's tuition has tripled since kindergarten. Building costs have likewise tripled in the last 8 years
Tax cuts are essential to our economic growth, but tax cuts alone can't deal with all of our economic problems. It seems in deep blue cities like LA, whatever economic benefits are generated by tax cuts on the Federal level, they are more than wiped out by local over-regulation.
Senator, what do you propose to do to remedy this over- regulation.
Paul Ramsey
Posted by RKV | September 6, 2007 9:14 PM
Paul, Huge fractions of the over-regulation you refer to are a result of state laws. Until you fix your state's problem, don't bother Fred with the issue. That's called Federalism.
RKV
Posted by Carol Herman | September 6, 2007 9:20 PM
Ya know what? Fred Thompson is an expert on computer technology. (Just like Glenn Reynolds link today, shows.)
In 2000 Thompson helped draft the legislation that would better serve government agencies; when buying and configuring their computers. I believe, he put into place, yearly reporting. (where a C- is an improvement for an agency's review of its computers.)
And, now, we have a presidential candidate RUNNING with that full knowledge of how computers work. How people interact with them. And, how important FUNCTION is to our security.
I'd ask Fred: How can we stay ahead?
We saw Detroit lose its market share. Wrong focus. But what about how we started this ball rolling. Where once stood Xerox and IBM, unaware of the new technology. And, it's potential.
Here, we can now talk to people around the world. We're crashing through language barriers. We're adding reading skills to the daily lives of people, outside of classrooms.
How do we maintain our advantage?
Yes, I do believe running for the Presidency, and using the media in ways people understand it can be used; is one way to show the delight in this efficiency.
And, if you're elected President, what will you do from the Oval Office, that would keep the ignorant clowns in congress away from setting up their pork projects just to waste money?
How can we become more efficient?
Also, you've been in the senate. You've seen these prima-donna's backstage. How will you get them to behave? I can't stand it that both parties look so alike, the leadership can borrow each other's costumes.
Posted by flenser | September 6, 2007 9:36 PM
Very cool. Can you tell us which questions were asked?
Posted by KJBtruth | September 6, 2007 9:45 PM
Yet one more reason to love Fred Thompson.
Other candidates, Democrats and weak kneed Rinos are scared to death of tough questions, and would never agree to be questioned by the masses.
I for one am tired of softballs being lobbed at politicians. I would love to see much more contact through mechanisms like the questions forum. It allows ordinary folks a chance to pose a thoughtful question, and the candidates a chance to see a snapshot of voter concerns.
Kudos to Fred for running a different kind of campaign and not bowing to the alter of the MSM.
Ken
Posted by M. Simon | September 6, 2007 9:52 PM
Fred has a question page/blog on his www site.
If your questions didn't get answered from here you can leave them there.
Posted by mrlynn | September 6, 2007 10:18 PM
I want to know why he bobs like a sock puppet on his announcement video; it's disconcerting, and amateurish.
Then, I'd like to know if a Fred-burger would be better than a Rudy-burger; see here: http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2007/09/018393.php
Oh, I know—there's Iran, and China, and the global-warming hoax, and how to fight off Hillary-care, and so on, and so forth.
But first things first!
/Mr Lynn
PS One more question: How about Condoleezza Rice for VP? Would that be a killer ticket, or what?
Posted by Carol Herman | September 6, 2007 10:27 PM
Very cool to point out Fred Thompson's staff "watches the threads."
Reminds me how Drudge talks about this. How he came to realize people were reading his site; who used to read fish wraps.
Now, when's somebody gonna publish the daily Crossword Puzzle?
Posted by alphie | September 6, 2007 10:36 PM
Hmmm.
How do you know Fred himself actually answered the questioned?
Posted by sarah webster | September 6, 2007 10:38 PM
Dear Senator Thompson:
Thank you for heeding the call from your grassroots constituents...we really need you.
I am 57 years old, divorced and living on 30,000 dollars a year...I think I am pretty average. In my opinion, the real issues facing the United States are not being addressed by the media. I am one who has suffered higher rents, higher crime and more limited job choices, etc etc, due to unchecked illegal immigration. I am also concerned about other, more subtle changes in our daily lives. I am 57 years old, and have lived through the years when we were a great country, but life has changed for me. For example:changes such as threats to our national sovreignty and safety through the policies of the past and current administrations regarding NAFTA and Mr Clinton and Bush's New World Order, and the disturbing rumblings of further insults and pollution from foreign countries and domestic pirates who wish to rape and plunder our country. Our children are being poisoned by lead paint from China, our industries have moved offshore, and H1B Visas are extended beyond their legal restrictions. Corporations have taken over the Republican party, and as a result, we see obnoxious profits for the CEOs of these corporations, AND we are still paying top dollar for the products that are poisoning us, even though we were told that NAFTA would bring lower consumer prices HA HA (look at the average home price, and keep in mind that low paid illegals have been heavily involved in the construction of these homes). I struggle to buy groceries on the crumbs left after taxes, insurance and student loans. I will never be able to afford an "average" home.
Voting for Mr Banking and Insurance Romney, Mr Casino Guiliani or Mrs Corporation Clinton or Mr Teachers Union Obama is something I will not do. Are you opposed to this global takeover by the elites? The people have no voice,unless there is BIG MONEY involved.
Other issues that concern me:
Taxation of illegals, seems they are all self employed,
Renewable energy (heating bills are enormous)
Social Security crisis
Real Education reform
and finally, being too nice, showing any weakness or paying off nations(N. Korea) is a poor way to gain respect in the world..
No one will address these issues: trade imbalances,corporate greed, globalism and the effects on the middle class. Will you?
Posted by Steffan | September 6, 2007 11:54 PM
Carol H:
Actually, you can go online to any of the MSM websites and do the crossword puzzles, and other games, online. The jigsaw puzzle is about the only reason I visit the MSNBC website any more. And the NY Post has a great word-search game, as well as all the Sudoku you could ever want. :)
As far as government use of computers goes, you gotta be kidding. The most powerful computer on the Shuttle is the laptop that one of the astronauts might have brought along for the ride -- most of the computer tech on the thing dates from 1975, and has never been replaced "because it works." SSA has some of the newest computer equipment in the government, running Windows XP, but which pretends to be IBM 3270s because that's the format all of the files are in.
We are also facing increased hacker activity from countries that have no real reason to wish us well. I'd ask Fred for some general ideas on what he would do about that....