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
OpenCongress Web Widget
Ever wanted to announce your support or opposition to Congressional legislation? OpenCongress now has a web widget that allows bloggers to do exactly that. Take a look at this, and check out how easily you can build your own.
Maybe They're Flotation Devices?
The Australian Navy foots the bill for breast augmentations. The Labour Party would like to know why, and probably so would most of the voters in Australia.
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!
Comments (12)
Posted by filistro | September 18, 2007 6:50 PM
Ed gets to interview NEWT!
Wistful sigh...
... and you guys want the Cap'n to give up all this up and run for Congress!
I think Ed already has the best political-junkie gig in the whole wide world.
Posted by Carol Herman | September 18, 2007 7:39 PM
Ust a reminder. Tom DeLay laughs at Newt Gingrich and his latest "line" about GOVERNMENT BEING THE SOLUTION. HELLO!
Government's the PROBLEM.
And, Newt Gingrich screwed up from Day #1. It was total paranoia for republicans in the House. WIth Newt spouting a "new idea" every day. ANd, following NONE.
DeLay's book was a fantastic read. And, I'd recommend it.
I sure hope DeLay comes back.
And, I hope that the corrupt Ronnie Earle gets to get Nifong'ed.
Posted by filistro | September 18, 2007 7:55 PM
Ed... quoting from "Right Web":
Gingrich maintains that the United States is confronting an existential threat in the war on terror. In a 2006 op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, Gingrich compared President Abraham Lincoln's preparations for the Civil War to President George W. Bush's efforts to prosecute the war on terror, arguing that where Lincoln succeeded, Bush was failing. Bush's strategies have three flaws, Gingrich opined: “(1) They do not define the scale of the emerging World War III, between the West and the forces of militant Islam, and so they do not outline how difficult the challenge is and how big the effort will have to be. (2) They do not define victory in this larger war as our goal, and so the energy, resources, and intensity needed to win cannot be mobilized. (3) They do not establish clear metrics of achievement and then replace leaders, bureaucrats, and bureaucracies as needed to achieve those goals.”
If you get a chance, I'd like to know if Newt still holds those views, and specifically how he would go about conducting the WOT, as opposed to what is being done now.
Posted by Eric | September 18, 2007 8:04 PM
Newt’s very smart. Have fun, and we’ll be waiting to hear what he has to say.
Posted by Only One Cannoli | September 18, 2007 9:48 PM
If you have an idea that you want to promote that is going to make life better for yourselves, your neighbors and your fellow Americans, this is your opportunity to get involved.
I had an idea that would make my life better. Instead of giving me universal HillaryCare can I just pay less for medical insurance in exchange for waiving my right to sue for "pain and suffering?" I'll agree never to go after doctors, hospitals and/or drug companies for millions in damages if they cut me a break on the price I pay for their products and services. Why should I have to pay for all that medical liability insurance that doctors and hospitals are forced to carry (and pass on to the patient) thanks to John Edwards and his predecessors?
Let the pro-litigation people pay a higher insurance premium. For a handful of them it likely will work out as they'll be fortunate(?) enough to be maimed by a doctor and become millionaires. That's an opportunity I would gladly pass on if it meant lopping 25% or more from my insurance premium every month.
I realize this will never happen, trial lawyers won't stand for it.
Tell Newt to make it happen.
Posted by Scrapiron | September 18, 2007 11:13 PM
At one time Newt was a common sense person, now he has fallen off the 'brain' train.
Posted by Carol Herman | September 19, 2007 12:07 AM
I have a sinking feeling Fred's fading.
How will he go out? Probably by pointing to a lessening of enthusiasm; and then opting for privacy.
While Newt, who had said as long as Fred's viable, he wasn't also gonna enter the race.
And, then Newt said "he'd decide in October."
But Newt's not getting all that great traction.
One shy "bride" ... the card that Fred played ... is now all used up.
Plus, Newt has a record! Most of the republican party who were in the HOUSE, ended up either on war-ing sides. Or hating his guts. (Tom DeLay hates his guts.)
Newt, when he held the role of majority leader in the HOUSE, was a terrible screw up. Creating factions. Creating a lot of discord.
Even if you don't hear it now YOU WILL!
Because November 2006 was a debacle for the era Newt ushered in, to great fanfare, back in 1994.
Times have changed.
People aren't looking for the same old garbage.
But I gotta tell ya; Fred's journey towards the presidency looks compromised. So, I'll guess it is his health.
What will the republican party do if it falls into disarray?
There are too many candidates out there, now.
SUre, you can survive a Ron Paul. Just as the Bonkeys can survive Mike Gavel.
But towards the top?
We really don't need Newt Gringrich at this time.
Ya know? The party can fragment up ... with lots of people holding up signs. It will practically look like the airport. Where you see all these chauffuers looking for stangers. Holding up signs. Sometimes asking people "if their names" match the person they're looking for.
Now, this ain't healthy.
At least Rudy was Mayor. He ain't tainted by the swamp. DC is a swamp, ya know? And, people from the House & Senate come up losers.
You think Americans are looking for more of the same?
Posted by hnav | September 19, 2007 8:08 AM
"working on solutions rather than partisan infighting"
Newt has exploited so many issues since 2004 for his own personal ego.
What did he do about Illegal Immigration when he was Speaker?
And his ugly demeaning of those who bravely implemented his desired policy in Iraq is truly telling.
Newt is more of a self serving populist than anything else.
When the effort in Iraq seemed unpopular, Newt ran to blame those trying to serve the USA in a most challenging admirable effort.
As if the context of difficult Military Operations in the past simply vanished from his brain.
This is the heart of the Arab Region by the way, and we still have record low casualty rates, and vast potential for success.
He is just another reminder of those on the Conservative side who are part of the problem.
Newt blew it in the 90s, and was forced to leave Washington in disgrace.
He is better off doing photo OPS with Hillary Clinton...
Posted by FedUp | September 19, 2007 8:41 AM
Lessee.... Newt or Hillary??? There's a choice...
Posted by FedUp | September 19, 2007 11:10 AM
Carol.... who hasn't been tainted? They all have skeletons in their closets - it's just that some are publicized more and others get theirs covered over by the MSM.
Posted by V for Victory | September 19, 2007 5:01 PM
I don't get why so much vitriol over Newt when it's the MSM the writes outrageous headlines taken from a snippett of what he says? He says some outrageous things, YES, but mostly as a wake up to listen to the rest of the speech. These then get taken out of context and everyone, including conservatives can't help but hate him because they misread the story from the headline.
Also, why does that make a conference on solutions irrelevant? He's not going to be elected to anything again, but he's a great sound board for ideas that Republicans and us conservatives "used" to be all about. I will be there for the solutions workshops and I suggest all of you at least listen in and see if there are any ideas that can make sence compared to gov't solutions that only cost us more and more money because we're too lazy to offer these ideas ourelves.
Posted by owl2 | September 19, 2007 8:13 PM
Just to keep it simple......I can't stand Newt. Unlike many I hear, this has happened since he decided he was presidential material. I like DeLay.
And I am not taking him out of context. I hear him express his views constantly and consider Himself as another Great Pointer. He wants to talk immigration? I never heard a peep when he had the gavel. He is pointing at Katrina. Give me a break and go sit in the corner with Susan Collins. And make a clean break from Bush? The only one in the bunch I still like. Of course he didn't just start his BDS tour. I exchanged emails with his camp when he uttered his first bashes. They covered it and shut up for a while but now he has found his niche.
The only thing I have heard out of his mouth that I agree with is his 80% prediction. Yep and he needs to stay home and help our odds with Rudy. I don't want a 'non-partisan'. I want a lean, mean fighting machine that will beat the crap out of the party that is HELPING TERRORISTS even at the expense of our military.
If peace could have been made with the Democrats, it would have happened already. They declared war on the soldiers fighting the war. At that point, diplomacy went out the window.