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
The Thinking Blogger
Congrats to Fausta, who won a Thinking Blogger award. She thanks me for my friendship, but the truth is that Fausta makes it easy to be her friend. She's always positive and energetic, and she epitomizes the notion of a thinking blogger. Make sure to put her on your must-read list!
Ensign Calls For Return Of MoveOn Money
NRSC chair Senator John Ensign calls for Democrats to return all campaign funds donated by MoveOn, after their despicable New York Times ad today accusing David Petraeus of treason. "If Senate Democrats are serious about moving our country forward, they will denounce this outrageous ad and return the campaign funds MoveOn.org has lavished on them as well as the donations made through MoveOn.org -- the choice is theirs." Ensign's right, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the refund ...
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.
Comments (9)
Posted by docjim505 | September 12, 2007 5:44 AM
Japan is having a watershed period, I think. They've had routine changes of government over the past few years; it seems to be rare that a PM has survived in office for more than 18 months. Japan, after becoming an economic powerhouse in the '70s and '80s (remember when they were supposed to take over the world... by buying all of it?), has had economic trouble since the '90s. Add to it the change in the world since the decline of the Soviet Union, the rise of China, and the troubles with North Korea... From what little I've read, Japanese are uncertain about how to deal with the world of the 21st century. What role should they play? Can they continue to rely on America to protect them from foreign threats (or will American liberals, faced with a "quagmire" in Asia, throw Japan under the bus as they did South Vietnam and want to do with Iraq)? Should they build up their armed forces, or continue to rely on a defense-only strategy? What about domestically? Abe got into a lot of trouble over financial issues with the Japanese government pension plan; should Japan "privatize" many of their government services?
I have more questions about Japan than I have answers; it is a fascinating country, and I hope that other commenters here can educate me.
Posted by e | September 12, 2007 6:12 AM
Basically the opposition leader, Ozawa, whose party just gained control of the upper house in the last election, would not compromise with Abe on the anti-terror legislation; legislation which includes within it the continued naval support in the Indian Ocean. No compromise, no legislation--because of the nature of parliamentary system in Japan the Upper House majority can block legislation by simply refusing to consider it. Ozawa's party has a very vocal far-left wing. In part he is playing to it. As well, forcing Abe's resignation is a feather in his cap, which he believes will help his party (equivalent ideologically to the U.S. Democrats) in the next election for the more important lower house. Elections that may in fact be called early if enough turmoil can be created. I think you go to far with your "tepid support." Likely, a bill will be passed since Ozawa has stated he most likely will compromise with a new LDP prime minister. It is not that their isn't support for the bill, in the lower house fully two-thirds support, but rather the leadership of the slim majority in the upper house under Ozawa is filibustering. An up or down vote and the bill would likely pass in the upper house too. And in fact, many think Ozawa has over-played his hand. This political maneuvering for politics sake will come back to haunt him and his party. Abe resigned because Ozawa had him by the balls over important legislation. He had Abe by the balls because for Abe there are more important things than his power, his position. With a new P.M., Ozawa will most likely end the filibustering.
As for the larger issues you allude to, I don't think it will have much of an effect. First, Koizumi and Abe have institutionalized most of the dramatic changes that have occurred on their watch with regards to the U.S./Japan strategic alliance. Second, Ozawa and the Democrats, ironically enough which includes Ozawa himself, have a fairly moderate and even hawkish wing, more or less on the same page with the LDP, and part of their rise has been at the expense of the Socialists and Communists who have absolutely no power anymore. Japan is becoming a two-party state. The LDP and the Democrats. Chalk Abe's need to resign up to growing pains. He's young. Good chance he'll be back.
Posted by Cybrludite | September 12, 2007 6:30 AM
Japan certainly seems to be "cowboying up" militarily. Here's some pics of their new "destroyer".
Posted by Bennett | September 12, 2007 7:43 AM
Things are shaky in Japan's government? Nothing's getting accomplished? The various factions are refusing to come together?
Well it's obvious then, democracy is clearly not the answer. They need to put the Emperor back in and return to the glory days of Imperial Japan.
Our hope that the Japanese could learn how to govern themselves effectively has failed. We need to accept this defeat and move on.
Posted by Ron C | September 12, 2007 7:51 AM
'...their new "destroyer".'
...is really quite a hot not-so-little warship.
'e' - thanks for the political insights! I agree - I can hardly see how Abe would not 'be back' at some point.
Hopefully Japan continues to grow as an ally and an economic powerhouse emblematic of free democracies.
Posted by docjim505 | September 12, 2007 7:54 AM
Cyberludite,
Thanks for posting that link. Looks like the Japanese are getting set to build a fleet of baby flattops. Now, if they commission some called Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu and Zuikaku, I think everybody in the Pacific needs to start worrying a little!
Posted by Cybrludite | September 12, 2007 8:06 AM
I'd have to check, but I think at least some of those names got recycled a while back for their more conventional type destoyers. And unlike 1941, we've now got spy-sats to keep track of where the Nihon Kaigun is hanging out. However, I'm sure that this development isn't being too warmly recieved throughout the rest of Asia.
Posted by e | September 12, 2007 8:24 AM
" However, I'm sure that this development isn't being too warmly recieved throughout the rest of Asia."
Asia's a big place. China, North Korea, South Korea, for the most part yes. Though even here you'd be surprised. Depending on the party or the relationship to the regime in the case of China and N.K. Taiwan, Singapore, India, Australia, etc...a lot of support actually. India, Australia, Japan and the U.S. have already gone a long ways in formalizing their naval relationships, alliance. The U.S., Taiwan and Japan have also formalized their relationships and responsibilities to one another. One of the more important Bush successes. Though, of course, off the radar screen of the MSM. Singapore is on board. As are other countries. Even a place like Vietnam would surprise you. Asia has bigger worries than keeping alive the memory of Japan 1931-1945.
Posted by Ray Rodney | September 12, 2007 9:13 AM
The impact of the change in Japan leadership will have a greater effect externally as opposed to internally. Japan's democracy is one unlike that of the west, especially the U.S. A change in Japan will not interfere or interupt its political process. Asia's reaction should be studied carefully. Japan does influence all of that region. Could it possibly be that he is stepping down because Japan's status in the economic world order has changed? The new leader of Japan is stepping into an already thriving economy there. Complex as this may appear, the U.S. is indeed a Japanese market.