Archive Listing
July 20, 2006 - July 13, 2006
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
PSAYINGS.5A.36. Events are now proving out what InstaPunk has long suspected -- that the human death toll in New Orleans will be far lower than predicted by politicians and the mainstream media. This shouldn't be at all surprising. Americans are exceptionally hard to kill in large numbers. That's because we're a good deal more enterprising, resourceful, determined, and helpful to one another than the advocates of nanny government would have us believe. When the going gets tough, we're not the victims we like to pretend we are when we start suing for damages after the fact. That said, it's time for the great bout of whining, bleating, and impossible demands for recompense to begin. Get ready.
But if you're at the point of turning away from the increasingly womanish news coverage of "victims," don't. There ARE some victims who really do need someone else to speak for them: the pets whose owers abandoned or, in many cases, were compelled to abandon them by the heavy hand of bureaucratic regulations. Dogs, cats, birds, and even turtles remain trapped in the flooded areas by the thousands, and their rescuers need every bit of aid and assistance we can provide. Time is indeed running out for animals who have been without food and water for days. The Humane Society of the United States has an excellent site here. Please study it and see what you can do to participate.
UPDATE. One of the many InstaPunk readers who cares passionately about the plight of the animals in New Orleans sent us this copy of an email and the picture below. Here's the text:
She is pregnant. The firefighter was afraid of her at first, because he had never been around a Doberman before. When he finally got done putting the fire out, he sat down to catch his breath and rest.
A photographer from the Charlotte, North Carolina Newspaper, "The Observer," noticed this red Doberman in the distance looking at the fireman. He saw her walking straight toward the fireman and wondered what she was going to do.
As he raised his camera, she came up to the tired man who had saved her life and the lives of her babies, and kissed him, just as the photographer snapped this photograph.
Unlike many of their human companions, the four-legged fellas are capable of gratitude. Do all you can for them.
Sunday, September 11, 2005
UPDATE: For those who've been asking -- the song you are hearing is Ag Criost an Siol -- a song we've mentioned before as a tune BalowStar wants to have sung grave side with a lone piper about 1/4 mile away from the burial site. You know, to help people cry who might not be so disposed at his passing.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Our Favorite Right-Wingers
At some point, he started getting serious, even journalistic, though thankfully never solemn. He's written books about the government, about war, and even about peace. He turns up on liberal media from time to time, including Bill Maher's everlasting celebration of himself and even one of NPR's sly topical game shows, where he trades mild quips with Paula Poundstone and, well, the usual suspects.
One could be pardoned for wondering just how mainstream he might have become by now. He's thicker of body and more gravelly of voice. Is there a point at which gonzo subsides to wry? We hoped not. That's why we enjoyed the refreshingly direct essay he wrote for the Weekly Standard's tenth anniversary. It's called "Politics is Evil." We'll give you just a taste of it here:
Even to be "politically informed and engaged" is probably to be of the devil's party. Tune in to that most politically informed and engaged network, NPR, and listen to the evident relish with which its newscasts and current events programs recount misfortune, inequity, and suffering worldwide. The unspoken gleeful message is, "More occasions for more politics!"
Now go read the whole thing.
Friday, September 09, 2005
It's You They Trust
Well, there has been no word from InstaPunk -- we hope he is okay.
We thought we would direct your attention today to Robert Tracinski's editorial for The Intellectual Activist that should be entitled, Welfare State Failure, but instead is entitled, An Unnatural Disaster: A Hurricane Exposes the Man-Made Disaster of the Welfare State. Read the whole thing HERE.
He highlights the mental lethargy induced upon those who rely on the government for answers to their problems. We thought it a proper tonic for all who rely on government promises. From the lowest on the economic ladder to the top.
The New Orleans disaster is filled with private enterprise vs. public enterprise solutions to problems. Whether you contrast the failure of Mayor Nagin to use public school buses to evacuate his citizens with the hotels (private) banding together to charter buses -- out of their own pockets -- to evacuate their guests; the misery of Charity (public) Hospital with Tulane Medical Center (private) across the street; or the harbor police (public) heading to higher ground with Israeli security firms (private) watching over the more fotunates' stuff -- the preference is apparent.
So, as you watch the machine pour out the solutions to avoiding such a crisis in the future, know that no one will be proposing smaller public works, smaller bureaucracies, or making self-reliance an integral part of public policy. Rather, we will hear the same old things -- bigger/more/increased public works. Simply -- more and bigger promises.
Thursday, September 08, 2005
FUTBOL. We've had altogether too much excitement lately here in the U.S. of A. Apart from drugs, where can we turn for some calming influence that reduces the heart rate, blood pressure, and neural activity? Sad to say, there aren't many fishing shows on TV these days, and who wants to look at a lot of still water right now, anyway? But the good news is that God in his infinite wisdom gave us the most ferociously popular sport in the world to divert us at times just like these. What could be better for generalized flood anxiety than a game consisting of two or three 45 minute halves in which NOTHING EVER HAPPENS, EVER?
No wonder the pansy Europeans look forward to the World Cup year after year, and start rioting long before the super athletes on their national squads fight their way to a nil-nil tie. No wonder the rest of the world has come to idolize the sissies in short pants who run up and down the 100 by 200 meter field and back again, occasionally connecting with that kickball thing in prodigious arcs that go all the way to the fairy goalie who makes sure that NOTHING HAPPENS EVER.
You see? All the other countries of the world know how to exist in a state of artificial reality in which there are no responsibilities, no problems, no consequences, no worries because NOTHING HAPPENS EVER.
So , in the spirit of global serenity, we offer you the best news of the day, the drive of the best nation on earth, Scotland, toward victory in the World Cup:
Hang on to your hats, boys, Scotland's World Cup campaign is still alive. This near-miraculous [Ed: somebody SCORED] affair in Oslo last night, a thrilling match in which the Scots throttled Norway with two first-half goals from Kenny Miller, means Group 5 is not yet the graveyard where Walter Smith's hopes of reaching Germany next summer are supposed to rest.
Smith enjoyed one of those baffling nights of international football, when confidence and excellence were suddenly strewn throughout his team. Having started efficiently, Norway were traumatised to find themselves two goals down inside half an hour. From this point, naturally, self-belief started coursing through Scottish legs as Smith's team asserted much midfield composure.
Midfield composure! That's what we need. In the bad old days, a meeting between Norway and Scotland would have resulted in beheadings, disembowellings, rapes, and enough arson to make California wildfires seem like marshmallow roasts. Now we have a somnolent interval marked only by fights in the stands and deranged announcers who live for the remote chance of being able to yell "G-O-O-O-O-O-O-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-L!" once or twice a year. What could be better? If you want to calm down to a state resembling coma, then all you have to do is click here.
The other great thing is that this entry will always be here. Whenever you or your loved ones are about to stroke out over looters who aren't getting properly shot to death or the newest pinnacle of evil achieved by a president who doesn't measure up to Pierce Brosnan's exacting standards, come here and cool out.
You're welcome. Just remember that this is a service you'll never get from Instapundit or Hugh Hewitt. Why? Because we care. And they're just partisan pricks.
