MedWorm Tags: conservatives MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'conservatives'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:02:06 +0100 Tea Party Members Tweet the Most http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050930&cid=t_115829_125_f&fid=34819&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FFullosseousflapsDentalBlog%2F%7E3%2FG_UxlAqyfVk%2F Graphic Courtesy of NIIP Not really surprising since the LEFT has been slow to move away from their own blogosphere. Tea party candidates tweet more frequently than Democrats and even their generic Republican rivals. That’s the finding of a study out of the University of Michigan, which surveyed 460,000 tweets over a three-year period from 687 candidates running for U.S. House, Senate and governor.  Over the study period, tea party candidates tweeted an average of 901 times compared to 723 times for Republicans and 551 for Democrats. “The conservative candidates—Republicans and Tea Party members—definitely used Twitter more visibly and showed a more coherent set of messages and topics,” said Eytan Adar, assistant professor in the School of Information a... FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050930 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 21:05:13 +0100 5050930 Fiscal and Social Conservatives http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4828854&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fd4C5gflu0Fc%2F By David BoazRecently I criticized Sen. Jim DeMint for saying, “It’s impossible to be a fiscal conservative unless you’re a social conservative,” and I noted that former governor Mike Huckabee had made similar points. Yesterday on “Fox News Sunday” Huckabee said, “all social conservatives I know are also fiscal conservatives. Not necessarily the other way around.” Well, I can tell you one social conservative who isn’t a fiscal conservative — former governor Mike Huckabee. Here’s what Cato’s “Fiscal Policy Report Card on America’s Governors” reported in 2006, at the end of Huckabee’s tenure as governor of Arkansas: Final-Term Grade, F; Final Overall Grade, D Thanks to a final term grade of F, Huckabee ea... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4828854 Mon, 16 May 2011 16:08:26 +0100 4828854 Nonintervention: the New Isolationism? http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4477700&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Foc9EGs2cxi8%2F By Doug BandowToday, the Obama administration released its FY 2012 budget, and with it the Pentagon’s spending request.  Regrettably, the Pentagon’s plan shows that the federal government’s 4th consecutive $1 trillion-plus annual deficit has not quelled an appetite for a continued quasi-imperial foreign policy that subsidizes a multitude of rich allies around the globe. Unfortunately, if you argue against such a massive budget, you are immediately labeled an “isolationist.”  Take the example of Senator Rand Paul’s (R-KY) crusade to cut the federal budget by $500 billion.  Among many other substantive cuts, Senator Paul called for ending U.S. foreign aid around the globe. And when pressed, he included aid to Israel. Aid to Israel represents less than one percent of his prop... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4477700 Mon, 14 Feb 2011 17:47:10 +0100 4477700 Social Conservatives Offer Irrelevant Solutions http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4445788&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F1_OcKxH7tnc%2F By David BoazIn today's Los Angeles Times I write that social conservatives are pointing to real problems, but the only policy solutions they discuss are completely irrelevant to what they call "the high cost of  a dysfunctional society": . . . Reducing the incidence of unwed motherhood, divorce, fatherlessness, welfare and crime would be a good thing. So why the focus on issues that would do nothing to solve the "breakdown of the basic family structure" and the resulting "high cost of a dysfunctional society"? Well, solving the problems of divorce and unwed motherhood is hard. And lots of Republican and conservative voters have been divorced. A constitutional amendment to ban divorce wouldn't go over very well, even with the social conservatives. Far better to pick on a small group, a gr... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4445788 Mon, 07 Feb 2011 14:23:34 +0100 4445788 Unpacking (more) personal baggage http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4445972&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F02%2F07%2Funpacking-more-personal-baggage%2F Pardon me for the humourless dissecting of my neuroses Have I mentioned before having used, for many years, the esteem-busting mantra “If anyone deserves AIDS, I do!”  (Looking at it now I feel like each word should be italicized for emphasis, rather than just one or two.) What a message: If anyone deserves AIDS, I [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4445972 Mon, 07 Feb 2011 05:21:00 +0100 4445972 George W. McDonnell http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4326896&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FGaNTH6JFSS0%2F By David BoazVirginia governor Bob McDonnell must be a Bush Republican. The Washington Post reports today: Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell plans a massive spending campaign that he said would unclog state roads, award thousands more college degrees and spur job creation, part of an aggressive legislative agenda he is expected to roll out this week. McDonnell (R) will press lawmakers to approve a series of statewide projects he said would be paid in part through Virginia’s $403 million budget surplus, $337 million in higher-than-expected tax revenue, and $192 million generated through cuts and savings…. He plans to borrow nearly $3 billion over the next three years. That doesn’t sound like the agenda of a Reagan Republican or a Tea Party Republican. It sounds a lot like ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4326896 Sun, 09 Jan 2011 21:56:50 +0100 4326896 Sarah Palin incites stupidity, why not worse? http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4327041&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F08%2Fsarah-palin-incites-stupidity-why-not-worse%2F “If a Muslim put a map on web w/crosshairs on 20 pols, then 1 of them got shot, where would he b sitting right now? Just asking.” (tweet from Michael Moore) I have nothing but best wishes for the victims and families of today’s gun madness in Tucson. Speaking from family experience, the first brain [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4327041 Sun, 09 Jan 2011 02:39:20 +0100 4327041 PM Harper’s New Year’s Toast to Canadians http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4305059&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F02%2Fpm-harpers-new-years-toast-to-canadians%2F Stephen Harper has shaken a bottle of champagne sparkling cider, held it against the collective ass of Canadians, and let the cork fly into our nether regions with a monotone “Bonne année Canada, happy new year Canada.” At this time last year Canadians by the thousands held cold weather protests against dictator Harper’s proroguing of [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4305059 Sun, 02 Jan 2011 18:00:59 +0100 4305059 Senator Don Meredith! Can “Dr.” Charles McVety be far behind? http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4275551&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F12%2F21%2Fsenator-don-meredith%2F One of the first business days after the House of Commons broke for the Christmas recess and Stephen Harper appoints Don Meredith to the PM’s new favourite play-pen, The Senate. Wait! This Don Meredith? Stephen Harper’s cynicism knows no bounds – appointing to the Senate the fifth-place finisher, himself an appointed replacement to the Conservative [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4275551 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 05:36:24 +0100 4275551 Celebs with $900 sunglasses and Mama’s medicine chest in their undies can be silent today if they want, not me! http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4220415&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F12%2F01%2Fcelebs-with-900-sunglasses-and-coke-in-their-pants-can-be-silent-today-if-they-want-not-me%2F I’m all for vaccuous celebrities shutting their yaps today, especially as a fundraiser, but if I don’t tweet or “poke” or “like” it won’t be because I’ve gone silent for World AIDS Day. How many years passed before those in power, like Reagan for example, even mentioned AIDS? And Canada continues to sell out on [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4220415 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 11:04:37 +0100 4220415 World AIDS Day 2010 – Stories – 2 – “This friend living with AIDS who gave me so much…” by Dominique Gauvreau (Google translation edited by KC) http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214404&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F12%2F01%2Fworld-aids-day-2010-stories-2-this-friend-living-with-aids-who-gave-me-so-much-by-dominique-gauvreau-google-translation-edited-by-kc%2F Each author in this series has generously given me permission to post their work. The views and experiences shared are their own. Where applicable, links will also be provided at the end of the piece. This is the World AIDS Day, 2010 entry in Dominique Gauvreau’s blog Rencontre sous le Chêne de Mamré (Meeting under [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214404 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 07:49:35 +0100 4214404 Conservatives, Liberals, and the TSA http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4197027&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F0GgZvvfEk2s%2F By David BoazLibertarians often debate whether conservatives or liberals are more friendly to liberty. We often fall back on the idea that conservatives tend to support economic liberties but not civil liberties, while liberals support civil liberties but not economic liberties — though this old bromide hardly accounts for the economic policies of President Bush or the war-on-drugs-and-terror-and-Iraq policies of President Obama. Score one for the conservatives in the surging outrage over the Transportation Security Administration’s new policy of body scanners and intimate pat-downs. You gotta figure you’ve gone too far in the violation of civil liberties when you’ve lost Rick Santorum, George Will, Kathleen Parker, and Charles Krauthammer. (Gene Healy points out th... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4197027 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 17:16:09 +0100 4197027 On Election Eve… http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4124988&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FN0d3BALkRh8%2F By Michael D. TannerWith Tuesday’s election widely predicted to bring a near-historic shake-up of the political establishment, here are some things we can say for certain even before the first results are tallied: This election will be a win for economic conservatives, not social conservatives.  Not surprisingly given the economic climate, economic issues dominated the campaign, with social issues barely registering.  This was particularly helpful for Republicans, since economically conservative, socially moderate suburban voters, who backed Democrats in 2006 and 2008, switched to Republicans this year. There is a lesson here for Republicans in the future. In the months leading up to the election, we have heard a great deal about the so-called “civil war” in the Republican Party.... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4124988 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 19:13:22 +0100 4124988 Ever-developing story – Clint “I-like-it-when-gays-die” McCance speaks to CNN’s Anderson Cooper: brain farts maybe? http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4119517&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2F29%2Fclint-i-like-it-when-gays-die-mccance-speaks-to-cnns-anderson-cooper-brain-farts-maybe%2F I’m keeping this post open to add more developments.  Suffice to say, to begin, that Clint McCance’s so-called apology on AC 360 is not going over very well.  (As I wrote at the time it seemed like Anderson had to pull out the nature of his wrongs.  They weren’t forthcoming from McCance himself.) Tonight I’m [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4119517 Sat, 30 Oct 2010 02:02:00 +0100 4119517 Clint McCance is a man who should be run out of Arkansas http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4119520&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2F28%2Fclint-mccance-a-man-who-should-be-run-out-of-arkansas%2F This idiot’s 15 minutes (I don’t expect he’d know what that means) will, hopefully, soon be over but surely not before he loses his elected job on the Midland, Arkansas school board. Anderson Cooper set the story up this way last evening and then had a couple of great guests, including the whistle-blower: A screen-shot of [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4119520 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 07:04:02 +0100 4119520 British Military Cuts, Conservatives, and Neocons http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4097906&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FnaJcNTL0PJA%2F By Christopher PrebleYesterday, Prime Minister David Cameron announced Britain’s biggest defense cuts since World War II. The cuts affect the British military across the board. The Army will shed 7,000 troops; the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force will each lose 5,000 personnel; the total workforce in the Ministry of Defence, including civilians, will contract by 42,000. The Navy’s destroyer fleet will shrink from 23 to 19. Two aircraft carriers — already under construction — will be completed, but one of the two will be either mothballed or sold within a few years. Whether the one remaining flattop in the British fleet will actually deploy with an operational fixed-wing aircraft is an open question. They’ve decided to jettison their Harriers; a technological marvel ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4097906 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 16:56:31 +0100 4097906 Sticks and Stones… http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4098330&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2F20%2Fsticks-and-stones%25e2%2580%25a6%2F I’d imagine it must be painful for a parent to have to impart to their children those familiar words, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.” I was certainly skeptical. Long before summoning the courage to come out to my parents at age 21, I had known that I [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4098330 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 00:15:54 +0100 4098330 Krauthammer Misreads History http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4022901&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F6bnm4276xTw%2F By David BoazCharles Krauthammer calls same-sex marriage “the most radical redefinition of marriage in human history.” Really? Some might say that ending “till death do us part” was more radical. And maybe ending the requirement that the bride promise to “love, honor, and obey.” And how about the end of polygamy? Polygamy was probably the most common marital system in the broad sweep of human history, but now it is virtually unknown in the Western world; indeed, ahistorical conservatives warn that allowing two people of the same sex to make a vow of marriage could lead to polygamy. More currently, I would suggest that the truly radical redefinition of marriage is the revolution over the past generation in the idea that people should marry before they c... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4022901 Fri, 01 Oct 2010 13:34:08 +0100 4022901 Unholy hubris http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4003057&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F09%2F27%2Funholy-hubris%2F Crooks & Liars blogger karoli got it so right when she wrote, “If you have had the misfortune of being one of those kids who was sexually victimized by an adult, the one thing you know is the script. You know it by heart, and even after years of therapy and recovery and acceptance that [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4003057 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 04:45:00 +0100 4003057 Cutters Against Pornography http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4002974&cid=t_115829_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2FBMme-JASlFM%2F As we’ve said before on Mental Nurse, we hate cutters. Politicians who cut public services, that is. Not patients who cut themselves – most of whom are very nice people who would never engage in antisocial acts like joining the Conservative Party. Here’s some more manipulative, attention-seeking behaviour by a bunch of cutters. The conservative think-tank 2020health has a target firmly in their sights. They’re outraged that NHS fertility clinics sometimes provide sperm donors with pornographic material to help them produce the goods. I wonder how many double entendres I can get into this post? Their report, Who said pornography was acceptable in the workplace? condemns the practice. They work themselves up into a right froth about it. Is it that in our anti-censor ... Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4002974 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 12:41:21 +0100 4002974 What Do Social Conservatives Want? http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3987038&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FLhwE_y6fiq4%2F By David BoazSocial conservatives talk about real problems but offer irrelevant solutions. They act like the man who searched for his keys under the streetlight because the light was better there. Social conservatives tend to talk about issues like abortion and gay rights, stem-cell research and the role of religion “in the public square”: “Those who would have us ignore the battle being fought over life, marriage and religious liberty have forgotten the lessons of history,” said Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) at the Values Voter Summit. But what is the case for social conservatism that they’ve been making at the summit and in recent interviews? Mike Huckabee: “We need to understand there is a direct correlation between the stability of families and the stability... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3987038 Mon, 20 Sep 2010 17:33:12 +0100 3987038 Social Conservatives Left Behind? http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3982011&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FRRDjxW_bdIE%2F By David BoazLots of the criticisms of the tea party movement as “extremist” assume that the movement is some sort of “American Taliban” — theocratic, censorious, antigay. The reality is that the highly decentralized tea party movement has done a remarkable job of staying focused on a specific agenda that is nothing like that. The Tea Party Patriots website proclaims its mission as “Fiscal Responsibility, Limited Government, Free Market.” Many tea partiers say that “tea” stands for Taxed Enough Already. Toby Marie Walker, lead facilitator for the Waco [not Wacko] Tea Party, told NPR Thursday, ”Well, we focus around three main issues, is constitutionally limited government, free markets and fiscal responsibility.” In fact, s... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3982011 Sat, 18 Sep 2010 20:43:33 +0100 3982011 Born-Again Budget Hawks (D-BS) http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3934475&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FB43rmFDb2mk%2F By David Boaz“Now on Democrats’ agenda: Budget cuts,” proclaims a front-page headline in Saturday’s Washington Post. The online headline reads, “Democrats add fiscal austerity as a campaign issue.” Good news, huh? Let’s check it out: The candidate was outraged — just outraged — at the country’s sorry fiscal state. “We have managed to acquire $13 trillion of debt on our balance sheet,” he fumed to a roomful of voters. “In my view, we have nothing to show for it.” And that was a Democrat, Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado, who voted “yes” on the stimulus, the health-care overhaul, increased education funding and other costly bills Congress approved under his party’s control. Meanwhile, Paul Ho... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3934475 Sat, 04 Sep 2010 21:18:17 +0100 3934475 Born-Again Budget Hawks (R-BS) http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3934476&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FQ-W193aomag%2F By David Boaz“Three top Republican House members have written a book that repeatedly criticizes former GOP leaders as well as President Obama,” reports the Washington Post. “In ‘Young Guns,’ scheduled for release Sept. 14, Reps. Eric Cantor (Va.), Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) and Paul D. Ryan (Wis.) cast the Republican congressional leaders who preceded them as a group that “betrayed its principles” and was plagued by ‘failures from high-profile ethics lapses to the inability to rein in spending or even slow the growth of government.’” Good point! And one we’ve made several times at Cato. But how credible are the messengers? Once you ruin a brand, it can take a long time to restore it. And part of the solution is owning up to you... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3934476 Sat, 04 Sep 2010 21:16:50 +0100 3934476 Spending and Deficits http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3907587&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FiC5M7-NXd2s%2F By David BoazE. J. Dionne writes in the Washington Post today that many Republicans think the George W. Bush administration was “too ready to run up the deficit.” But, he says, That the deficit increased primarily because of two tax cuts and two wars was not part of most conservatives’ calculation because acknowledging this was ideologically inconvenient. That’s one explanation. Of course, spending did rise by more than a trillion dollars during Bush’s eight years, and it wasn’t all military spending. And as Michael Tanner writes today, “The Deficit Is a Symptom, Spending Is the Disease.” Traditionally, federal spending has run around 21 percent of GDP. But George W. Bush and (even more dramatically) Barack Obama have now driven federal spend... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3907587 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:21:00 +0100 3907587 Ideological Warning Labels http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3880835&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F2YlA3EE6HTQ%2F A story this morning on NPR’s “Morning Edition” reminded me of my continuing complaint that the mainstream (liberal) media regularly put an ideological label on conservative and libertarian organizations and interviewees, but not on liberal and leftist groups.  In a report about states accepting stimulus funds, reporter Kathy Lohr quoted “Jon Shure of the Washington D.C.-based Center on Budget and Policy Priorities,” “Maurice Emsellem with the National Employment Law Project,” and “Tad DeHaven, a budget analyst with the fiscally conservative Cato Institute in Washington, D.C.” (Thanks! And I’d say the label is correct, even if I might prefer libertarian.) Those are all legitimate sources for the story. But only one of them gets a... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3880835 Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:59:49 +0100 3880835 Grigori Rasputin Bailout http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3827054&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FOOs_v2bAWXU%2F By Neal McCluskeySending billions of federal taxpayer dollars to teachers and other public school employees is the bailout that just won’t die. It’s been sliced, shot up in a firefight between Democrats, and even had a battle with food stamps, but it just can’t be killed! Now, let’s be clear: This is not some wonderful crusade all about helping ”the children.” It is pure political evil, a naked ploy to appease teachers’ unions and other public school employees that Democrats need motivated for the mid-term elections. It has to be, because the data are crystal clear: We’ve been adding staff by the truckload for decades without improving achievement one bit. Since 1970 (see the charts below) public school employment has increased 10 times f... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3827054 Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:47:12 +0100 3827054 The Two GOPs http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3827055&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FIjWWuoMICgE%2F By Tad DeHavenAs the fall elections approach, two factions within the congressional GOP have emerged. The first faction, which generally controls the Republican leadership, is short-term oriented and just wants to return the GOP to power in Congress. Riding the wave of voter discontent over the government’s finances is a means to an end — the end being power. The second, and considerably smaller faction, is more ideas driven and views the upcoming election as an opportunity to push for substantive governmental reforms. Whereas the “power first faction” offers platitudes about smaller government, the “ideas first faction” isn’t afraid to offer relatively bold suggestions for confronting the federal government’s unsustainable spending. The ideas first faction is willing t... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3827055 Thu, 05 Aug 2010 12:42:06 +0100 3827055 Public Service: Does Having An Opinion Disqualify You? http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790706&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fpublic-service-does-having-an-opinion-disqualify-you%2F2010.07.26 Many conservatives are up-in-arms about President Obama’s decision to appoint Don Berwick, a pediatrician and renowned expert in quality improvement and patient safety, to lead the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). They object to Dr. Berwick’s views on a range of issues, and to Obama’s decision to use his office’s authority to appoint Dr. Berwick while the Senate was out on a short Independence Day holiday recess. As a “recess appointment,” Dr. Berwick was able to take office without Senate hearings and confirmation, but he can only serve through the end of the 111th Congress — that is, until the end of 2011 — unless ratified by the Senate. Berwick, though, also has many supporters. Maggie Mahar articulates the “pro&#8221... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790706 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:00:00 +0100 3790706 Fordham Institute 1, Education 0 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3780340&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fdi24ujeeNXI%2F By Neal McCluskeyOn NRO today, the Fordham Institute’s Chester Finn and Michael Petrilli take a little time to gloat about the continuing spread of national education standards. In addition, as is their wont, they furnish hollow pronouncements about the Common Core being good as far as standards go, and ”a big, modernized country on a competitive planet” needing national standards. Oh, and apparently having counted the opponents of national standards on “the right,” they note that there are just “a half-dozen libertarians who don’t much care for government to start with.” Now, there are more than six conservatives and libertarians who have fought national standards. But Finn and Petrilli are sadly correct that most conservatives haven&... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3780340 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:19:09 +0100 3780340 Elena Kagan's History of Gay Rights Activism (Shocking!) http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3706645&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Felena-kagans-history-of-gay-rights-activism-shocking%2F photo: WENN.com Today’s the first day of Elena Kagan’s confirmation hearings as President Obama’s second Supreme Court nominee. Republicans will try to give Kagan a hard time, but she really doesn’t have any major skeletons in her closet to give them fuel. Oh, aside from this one: She has a history of promoting gay rights. And she has short hair. Holy cow – she must be a lesbian, or at least she was one once. And having a lesbian on the Supreme Court would send America straight into the gutter. Obviously. Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays has urged Kagan to come out as an “ex-lesbian,” while anti-gay group MassResistance is threatening to release a report of her activism for gay rights. Wait – a person pursuing equal rights for everyone as dec... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3706645 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 19:24:22 +0100 3706645 What Would Reagan Do on Immigration? http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3665958&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F8ioEw_gRbHc%2F By Daniel GriswoldFormer Reagan speechwriter Peter Robinson tries to answer that very good question in an op-ed in today’s Wall Street Journal. It’s a question my conservative Republican friends should ask themselves as the party tries, once again, to turn public opposition to illegal immigration into political success at the polls. Robinson correctly observes that Reagan would have had nothing to do with the anger and inflamed rhetoric that so often marks the immigration debate today. “Ronald Reagan was no kind of nativist,” he concludes, noting that Reagan was always reaching out to voters beyond the traditional Republican base, including the fast-growing Hispanic population. It’s worth remembering that Reagan signed the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), which ope... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3665958 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:32:07 +0100 3665958 Beaten senseless, Windsor man adds his story to the archives of insane gay-bashings http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3590462&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F23%2Fbeaten-senseless-windsor-man-adds-his-story-to-the-archives-of-insane-gay-bashings%2F I’m angry, I’m sad, angry, sad, angry, sad…   The Windsor Star’s account includes a video of the young victim, who clearly understands the value of personal story-telling, holding a press conference to describe the beating he endured and some of the deeper meanings, however ironic. I heard about this yesterday but only started to [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3590462 Sun, 23 May 2010 11:58:35 +0100 3590462 Estrada and Taylor on Kagan http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3556069&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FUlleBYNc0wc%2F By Mark MollerKagan gets an endorsement from superstar conservative appellate litigator and Bush II appellate nominee (also my old boss) Miguel Estrada here (see last paragraph). Plus, Stuart Taylor says Kagan’s nomination could mean a more conservative Court: Commentators on the left . . . complain that Kagan never compiled much of a record of aggressively championing liberal causes during her years as a law professor. Some say she was too friendly as dean of Harvard Law School to conservatives and did not recruit as many women and minorities for the faculty as diversitycrats desired. Speaking as a moderate independent, I like everything about Kagan that the left dislikes. To borrow from my friend Harvey Silverglate, a leading Boston lawyer who champions both civil liberties and a... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3556069 Wed, 12 May 2010 14:35:35 +0100 3556069 Kagan on Military Recruitment http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3556074&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FU_ija4EHXQU%2F By Mark MollerElena Kagan has been getting a lot of flak  from the right for her position on military recruitment at Harvard. While the military’s don’t ask don’t tell policy is unjust, Harvard’s position on recruitment was also misplaced—and, were the question ever presented to my faculty, I’d vote against barring the military from recruiting at my law school for the same reasons as Ilya Somin. But, although Harvard made the wrong call on recruitment (albeit one that, in fairness, is not attributable just to Kagan, but, reportedly, to an overwhelming majority of the Harvard law faculty), Kagan’s opposition to the Solomon Amendment, which conditioned federal funding on JAG recruiters’ access to campus, has much to recommend it from a libertarian standpoint, for the rea... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3556074 Wed, 12 May 2010 12:34:37 +0100 3556074 Voting for Number 10 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3542673&cid=t_115829_109_f&fid=34786&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrmichelletempest.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fvoting-for-number-10.html If you want to see David Cameron walk into Number 10 tomorrow then don't forget to go out and vote Conservative today. We have our own Number 10 here in Wolsingham. (Source: The Psychiatrist Blog) The Psychiatrist Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3542673 Thu, 06 May 2010 16:17:00 +0100 3542673 David Cameron Bear! http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3533917&cid=t_115829_109_f&fid=34786&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrmichelletempest.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fdavid-cameron-bear.html Our blue bear called David Cameron was a big favourite today in Consett. It was lovely to be part of the buzz surrounding the General Election process and meeting people who are going to be voting Conservative tomorrow. I personally wanted to thanks the hundreds and hundrens of people I have spoken to out on the campaign trail in:Cornriggs, Cowshill, Wearhead, St John's Chapel, Westgate, Eastgate, Townfield, Rookhope, Hunstanworth, Edmundbuyers, Muggleswick, Waskerley, Crawleyside, Stanhope, Hill End, White Kirkley, Frosterley, Wolsingham, Tow Law, Sunniside, Fir Tree, Howden-le-Wear, Witton-le-Wear, Hunwick, Willington, Crook, Castleside, Satley, Billy Row, Esh, Cornsay, Quebec, Langley Park, Lanchester, Burnhope, Shotley Bridge, Ebchester, Dipton, Knitsley and Consett.The people of North... The Psychiatrist Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3533917 Wed, 05 May 2010 14:54:00 +0100 3533917 Ron Paul, the Chamber of Commerce, and Economic Freedom http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3515339&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FOzLA9q35N5o%2F By David BoazTim Carney has a blog post at the Examiner that’s worth quoting in full: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has issued its 2009 congressional scorecard, and once again, Rep. Ron Paul, R-Tex. — certainly one of the two most free-market politicians in Washington — gets the lowest score of any Republican. Paul was one of a handful of GOP lawmakers not to win the Chamber’s “Spirit of Enterprise Award.” He scored only a 67%, bucking the Chamber on five votes, including: Paul opposed the “Solar Technology Roadmap Act,” which boosted subsidies for unprofitable solar energy technology. Paul opposed the “Travel Promotion Act,” which subsidizes the tourism industry with a new fee on international visitors. Paul opposed the largest spending bill in history, Obama’s $... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3515339 Wed, 28 Apr 2010 19:24:48 +0100 3515339 Conservative MP helps Campaign in Consett http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3508258&cid=t_115829_109_f&fid=34786&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrmichelletempest.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fconservative-mp-helps-campaign-in.html A big thank you to Brooks Newmark MP for Braintree, who kindly helped out by joining our campaign team in Consett. We were delighted to get such a positive response. There was a clear message that the people of Consett are fed up of being taken for granted by the Labour Party. So, if you want change for the better - Vote Conservative on May 6th. (Source: The Psychiatrist Blog) The Psychiatrist Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3508258 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 17:05:00 +0100 3508258 Premier McGuinty, on sexual health this is not leadership! http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3501682&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F23%2Fpremier-mcguinty-this-is-not-leadership%2F I’ve had a difficult time sleeping this week which I think I can safely attribute to hypomania which, in turn, has kept me busy following the news here in Ontario of promising changes to the province’s 1998 sex education curriculum. Excuse me – Health and Physical Education Curriculum. Alas the promise was dropped like a [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3501682 Fri, 23 Apr 2010 23:07:26 +0100 3501682 Out on the Campaign Trail http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3487140&cid=t_115829_109_f&fid=34786&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrmichelletempest.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fout-on-campaign-trail.html A special thank you to all those who have been out and about canvassing and delivering leaflets with me in North West Durham - yes, even in Parliament Street. The people who so kindly give up their time and offer support are the real heroes of this General Election. Your work is very much appreciated and together we can deliver change for our country. (Source: The Psychiatrist Blog) The Psychiatrist Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3487140 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 20:19:00 +0100 3487140 Self-forgiveness – even when it seems so unnecessary http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3457979&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F10%2Fself-forgiveness-even-when-it-seems-so-unnecessary%2F While I would acknowledge there are probably exceptional circumstances I am generally of the restorative justice point of view, as described by Correctional Service of Canada. The holiday weekend news that Graham James – variously described as “hockey predator Graham James”, “convicted pedophile Graham James”, etc. – had been pardoned for his repulsive crimes took a [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3457979 Sat, 10 Apr 2010 21:35:28 +0100 3457979 Can We Be Both Up from Slavery and on the Road to Serfdom? http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3443672&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FYdrRop-dMUc%2F By David BoazAt Reason.com I argue that libertarians are wrong to look back at some point in the past for a golden age of liberty, and especially wrong to write paeans to the gloriously free 19th century without mentioning the little matter of 19 percent of Americans being held in chains. For many libertarians, “the road to serfdom” is not just the title of a great book but also the window through which they see the world. We’re losing our freedom, year after year, they think…. Has there ever been a golden age of liberty? No, and there never will be. There will always be people who want to live their lives in peace, and there will always be people who want to exploit them or impose their own ideas on others. If we look at the long term—from a past that includes de... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3443672 Wed, 07 Apr 2010 12:32:47 +0100 3443672 University of Buckingham does the right thing. The Faculty of Integrated Medicine has been fired. http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3429197&cid=t_115829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D2881 Conclusions I’ll confess to feeling almost a little guilty for having appeared to persecute the particular individuals involved in thie episode. But patients are involved and so is the law, and both of these are more important than individuals,  The only unfair aspect is that, while it seems that even the Prince of Wales’ Foundation for Integrated Health has rejected Daniel and Atkinson, that Foundation embraces plenty of people who are just as deluded, and potentially dangerous, as those two.  The answer to that problem is for the Prince to stop endorsing treatments that don’t work. As for the University of Buckingham. Well, despite the right wing maverick Kealey and the ‘anti-evidence’ Miles, I really think they’ve done the right thing. They’ve li... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3429197 Thu, 01 Apr 2010 06:37:46 +0100 3429197 An Easter I wish I could do over http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3420714&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F29%2Fan-easter-i-wish-i-could-do-over%2F In my second year at college I hitchhiked from Niagara to Burlington, as I would do occasionally, just a few weeks before Easter. A cousin, her husband and their young family were happy to pamper me with good food and fun. On this particular weekend they also shared their enthusiasm with me about [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3420714 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:57:49 +0100 3420714 Run Away from ‘Common’ Education Standards http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3382806&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FC4YM5xVwg6U%2F By Neal McCluskeyA couple of days ago, Fordham Institute president Chester Finn declared on NRO that conservatives should embrace new, national education standards from the Common Core State Standards Initiative. Today I respond to him on The Corner, and let’s just say it’s clear that neither conservatives, nor anybody else, should embrace national standards. Oh, one more thing: I shouldn’t have to keep saying this to savvy Washington insiders like the folks at Fordham, but when the federal government bribes states with their own citizens’ tax money to do something, doing that thing is hardly voluntary, at least in any reasonable sense.  For more wise thoughts on the national standards issue, check out this interview with Jay Greene, and this Sacramento... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3382806 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:04:50 +0100 3382806 Conservatives and Afghanistan http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3374103&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F1WbAUKSdayw%2F By Malou InnocentTomorrow, the Cato Institute will be holding a half-day conference titled, “Escalate or Withdraw? Conservatives and the War in Afghanistan.” One of the many speakers at tomorrow’s conference will be Rep. John Duncan (R-TN). On the House floor this week, he explained why “there is nothing conservative about the war in Afghanistan.” Watch: In the interest of full disclosure, I am not a conservative, and neither are many of my Cato colleagues. This event is intended to highlight that leaving Afghanistan is far beyond Left vs. Right, and that anti-war sentiment is not “owned by peaceniks and pacifists.” You can come to the event, or watch it live online. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3374103 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:50:18 +0100 3374103 Unearthing one of my early newspaper appearances http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3374333&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F16%2Funearthing-one-of-my-early-newspaper-appearances%2F   After the cathartic experience here this morning of again recalling Craig’s struggles, in the early days of his ministry, I was remembering some of what was going on in my life 700 km away from Craig.  In the raucous days of an Ontario Human Rights Code amendment debate, giving gays and lesbians protection in the [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3374333 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:02:00 +0100 3374333 Monday Links http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3370401&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F0ai6lc-z1W8%2F By Chris Moody Alan Reynolds: The truth about health insurance premiums and profits. An overview of the many hurdles the health care bill still faces in the House. Study: Public schools dishonest about the true cost of education. This video explains it all in less than three minutes. Will conservatives ultimately oppose the war in Afghanistan? Join us for a lively discussion this Thursday at Cato featuring Joe Scarborough, Grover Norquist, Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) and more. Registration free. Will be broadcast online live Thursday at the link. Podcast: “Documenting Human Rights Abuses in Venezuela” featuring Ian Vásquez. (Don’t tell Sean Penn.) (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3370401 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:41:55 +0100 3370401 Labour's Neglect of Manufacturing in the North East http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3359062&cid=t_115829_109_f&fid=34786&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrmichelletempest.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Flabours-neglect-of-manufacturing-in.html This report follows the Sir James Dyson report I blogged about a couple of days ago. I am glad to see that the Conservative Party are not just thinking about the election, but are also planning ahead. Thinking long term about how to improve science training in schools, Universities and increase research and development to ultimately increase jobs within the science and manufacturing sector. The last decade has been termed the decade of the celebrity and excess, immortalised by Hirst's diamond skull. Let's hope any future Conservative Government returns respect to the hard working British taxpayers. (Source: The Psychiatrist Blog) The Psychiatrist Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3359062 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:55:00 +0100 3359062 The 'A Team' http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3314668&cid=t_115829_109_f&fid=34786&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrmichelletempest.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fa-team.html Thanks to all who came along last night to the Corbridge Supper Club. It also gave me the opportunity to take a photograph of the 'A Team' in North West Durham. With their enthusiasm and energy we are already looking forward to the Election. (Source: The Psychiatrist Blog) The Psychiatrist Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3314668 Sat, 27 Feb 2010 13:02:00 +0100 3314668 Summary http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3314669&cid=t_115829_109_f&fid=34786&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrmichelletempest.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fsummary.html Out and about around North West Durham constituency. This poster seems to summarise the feeling on the street. (Source: The Psychiatrist Blog) The Psychiatrist Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3314669 Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:43:00 +0100 3314669 Youth for Christ partners with Winnipeg City Hall; Stephen Harper and ‘the Theo-cons’ – are we way past ’scary’? http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3316214&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F02%2F24%2Fthe-walrus-a%25c2%25bb-stephen-harper-and-the-theo-cons-a%25c2%25bb-canada-religion-politics%2F A dog-eared, repeatedly-read copy of The Walrus from a few years ago sits beside my comfy chair. Its cover reads “Stephen Harper and the Theo-cons: The rising clout of Canada’s religious right” (Simon, in comments, points us to news of the author’s forthcoming book The Armageddon Factor: The Rise of Christian Nationalism in Canada) I was reminded [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3316214 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 01:26:02 +0100 3316214 Youth for Christ partners with Winnipeg; Stephen Harper and ‘the Theo-cons’ – are we way past ’scary’? http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3307043&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F02%2F24%2Fthe-walrus-a%25c2%25bb-stephen-harper-and-the-theo-cons-a%25c2%25bb-canada-religion-politics%2F A dog-eared, repeatedly-read copy of The Walrus from a few years ago sits beside my comfy chair. Its cover reads “Stephen Harper and the Theo-cons: The rising clout of Canada’s religious right” I was reminded of the piece by my friend John in Ottawa who has a link, sans commentaires, to the article on his blog. I commend it [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3307043 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 01:26:02 +0100 3307043 In Praise of Libertarian Fickleness http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3298299&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FpC3lrUL4_ts%2F By Jason KuznickiA few follow-ups on the post by David Boaz, below. Libertarians are basically a sect of conservatives, say John Zogby & Zeljka Buturovic in the National Review Online. That’s because libertarians care more about economics than about foreign policy, cultural, or other issues: Let us for a moment [assume] that a person’s ideology is solely determined by his policy views. And let us also assume that social and economic liberties can largely be disentangled and that libertarians are as close to liberals on social issues as they are to conservatives on economic ones — a view implicit in the argument for liberaltarianism. Still, our data show that different aspects of ideology are not equally important for a person’s ideological identity, and, somewhat ironic... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3298299 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:00:45 +0100 3298299 Conservatism and Gay Rights http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3290800&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fj02FZulkWcg%2F By David BoazWe had a spirited forum at Cato on Wednesday on the question “Is There a Place for Gay People in Conservatism and Conservative Politics?” Nick Herbert, who is likely to be part of the British Cabinet in another 100 days, gave a powerful and pathbreaking speech on the Tory Party’s new inclusiveness. In the video below you can find his remarks beginning at about the 3:00 mark, where he says, “I’m delighted to be here at Cato, the guardian of true liberalism.” Andrew Sullivan (24:00) gave a moving and eloquent defense of a conservatism that has a place for gay people, declaring himself “to the right of Nick, a Thatcherite rather than a ‘One Nation’ Tory.” And Maggie Gallagher (39:15) did an admirable job of presenting he... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3290800 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:18:14 +0100 3290800 The Importance of Winning North West Durham for the Conservative Party http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3248579&cid=t_115829_109_f&fid=34786&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrmichelletempest.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fimportance-of-winning-north-west-durham.html I am looking forward to the year of change. Gordon Brown has sold our gold reserves at knockdown prices, sent our troops to war on a peace time budget and under funded the prisons service so that thousands of convicts were released without serving even half of their sentences. Labour have raised the tax burden on the poorest, penalised two parent families, allowed grade inflation in schools, ballooned quangos and lacked any moral leadership in dealing with the MP’s expenses scandal. Labour leave an irresponsible debt legacy.These are just some of the reasons why I ask for your support in the up coming General Election. David Cameron must prepare to get Britain working again and we must ensure that we do as much as possible to ensure he gets the keys to Number 10. And this means winning N... The Psychiatrist Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3248579 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 12:03:00 +0100 3248579 ‘Father of HSAs’ John Goodman Plays Host to ‘Father of the Individual Mandate’ Mitt Romney http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3239554&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FI0Kos49r1FA%2F By Michael F. Cannon"Father of the Individual Mandate" Mitt Romney The former nickname came from National Journal or The Wall Street Journal, I’m not sure which.  The latter nickname comes from Institute for Health Freedom president Sue Blevins. See here for details on an upcoming event in Dallas where Goodman’s National Center for Policy Analysis will play host to Romney. It should be an interesting event.  With all 40 Republican members of the U.S. Senate, including moderates like Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME), voting to declare an individual mandate unconstitutional…with 35 states moving legislation to block an individual mandate…with the Heritage Foundation rebuking an individual mandate…and with Virginia’s Democratically controlled Senate ap... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3239554 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:52:45 +0100 3239554 Tuesday Links http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3212309&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F37Z6_GRd5w0%2F By Chris Moody How the  right has ‘Avatar’ wrong: “At its core, the movie is about defending property rights — something conservatives should embrace.” Americans tuning out the State of the Union: “When Obama had to make way for ‘Lost,’ some lamented the fact that many Americans preferred trash TV over presidential enlightenment. But the public’s lack of interest in the SOTU is actually a sign of political health.” Why the health care takeover failed. Obama’s “mini-me” plan for health care. Podcast: “U.S. Should Cash Out of Social Security” featuring Michael D. Tanner. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3212309 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:15:30 +0100 3212309 ‘Avatar’ Is about Property Rights http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3212314&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FowGrOA8tlVk%2F By David BoazIn the Los Angeles Times today, I write about “Avatar”, which has just become the biggest-grossing movie in Hollywood history, and how conservatives have missed the issue at its core: Conservatives see this as anti-American, anti-military and anti-corporate or anti-capitalist. But they’re just reacting to the leftist ethos of the film. They fail to see what’s really happening. People have traveled to Pandora to take something that belongs to the Na’vi: their land and the minerals under it. That’s a stark violation of property rights, the foundation of the free market and indeed of civilization…. “Avatar” is like a space opera of the Kelo case, which went to the Supreme Court in 2005. Peaceful people defend their property ag... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3212314 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:47:28 +0100 3212314 Are You a Conservative Yet? http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3096836&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FVCyZD1CCUdo%2F By David BoazCato senior fellow Johan Norberg writes on his blog: 14:49 – A LIBERTARIAN WITH A DAUGHTER: A Swedish conservative columnist recently expressed surprise – she found it strange that I am still a classical liberal even though I have discovered family happiness and love my son. But she hoped that I would change my mind if I got a daughter: “A conservative is a libertarian with daughters.” Well, we are about to find out. Because this weekend, my wife gave birth to the cutest little girl I’ve ever seen. They’re both in great condition and so far Alexander is just happy and curious about the little gift we brought from the maternity hospital. Obviously, I will focus on the family in the coming weeks, so my activity here and elsewhere will be reduc... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3096836 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:28:48 +0100 3096836 Red Team, Blue Team http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3075475&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F_BaInbbZYyM%2F By David BoazIn a report on Attorney General Eric Holder’s approach to seeking the death penalty, NPR reports: A few months after Holder made that statement, he authorized a capital prosecution in Vermont, a state that does not have the death penalty. When Ashcroft brought a federal death penalty case in Vermont seven years ago, the mayor of Burlington called it “an affront to states’ rights” and “not consistent with the values of a majority of Vermonters.” But this time, there was hardly any outcry. So the former antiwar movement doesn’t complain about President Obama’s expansion of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And opponents of capital punishment don’t protest the Obama administration’s seeking the death penalty in liberal... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3075475 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:05:12 +0100 3075475 Sarah Palin has a tough first week on the “Going Rogue” book tour http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3017196&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F21%2F2728%2F The #2 and #1 stories Friday on MSNBC’s “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” (Lawrence O’Donnell filling in) were a major public relations glitch for Sarah Palin at a book-signing in Indiana and then a montage of the late night comics – Steven Colbert, David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Craig Ferguson and Jimmy Fallon – having great fun [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3017196 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:19:52 +0100 3017196 Gallup’s Conservatives and Libertarians http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2934657&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FTwfUIfDaPW0%2F In today’s Washington Post, William Kristol exults: The Gallup poll released Monday shows the public’s conservatism at a high-water mark. Some 40 percent of Americans call themselves conservative, compared with 36 percent who self-describe as moderates and 20 percent as liberals. Gallup often asks people how they describe themselves. But sometimes they classify people according to the values they express. And when they do that, they find a healthy percentage of libertarians, as well as an unfortunate number of big-government “populists.” For more than a dozen years now, the Gallup Poll has been using two questions to categorize respondents by ideology: Some people think the government is trying to do too many things that should be left to individuals and businesses... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2934657 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:02:30 +0100 2934657 Thursday Links http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2920162&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FQcfvM3KlUm0%2F A few things to consider before comparing Vietnam to Afghanistan. Cato v. Heritage on the Patriot Act. When it comes to energy policy, most conservatives toss free-market ideas aside. When your only choice is to “be a good victim”: Man shoots two people to death in San Francisco while police stand by. Podcast: “Could the Fed Have Foreseen Our Financial Fiasco?“ (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2920162 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:26:16 +0100 2920162 Pawlenty http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2855545&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FDUOrN4dIdDU%2F I am very fearful that the Republicans will nominate another Bush-style candidate for 2012. With the government running trillion-dollar deficits, the country needs a hard-line budget-cutter as the next president. Politico reports: “Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has been quietly assembling the blueprint of a presidential campaign and will announce Thursday the support of a group of high-level political strategists and donors, complemented by a handful of top new media consultants.” I gave Pawlenty a “B” in my fiscal report card on the governors last year. Here’s what I said about him: Tim Pawlenty pledged not to raise taxes when he ran for governor, but his tax record in office is more mixed than that. He backed a $200 million tax increase on cigarette consumer... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2855545 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:30:55 +0100 2855545 Pervasive Illiteracy in the Afghan National Army http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2796403&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FZ4mBZ9cJNkc%2F Matt Yglesias has a lot of smart things to say about the pervasive illiteracy plaguing the Afghan National Army. Upwards of 75 to 90 percent (according to varying estimates) of the ANA is illiterate. As Ted Galen Carpenter and I argue in our recent Cato white paper Escaping the Graveyard of Empires: A Strategy to Exit Afghanistan, this lack of basic education prevents many officers from filling out arrest reports, equipment and supply requests, and arguing before a judge or prosecutor. And as Marine 1st Lt. Justin Greico argues, “Paperwork, evidence, processing—they don’t know how to do it…You can’t get a policeman to take a statement if he can’t read and write.” Yglesias notes: This strikes me as an object lesson in the importance of realistic goal-setting. The Afghan Nation... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2796403 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:52:50 +0100 2796403 Good News: 9/11 Didn’t ‘Change Everything’ http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2788502&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FyeCxe6_APHo%2F On the eighth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York and D.C., things are going much better than most of us dared hope in the initial aftermath of that horrible day.  We’re still a secure, prosperous, and relatively free country, and the fear-poisoned atmosphere that governed American politics for years after 9/11 has thankfully receded. Not everyone’s thankful, however.  Boisterous cable gabber Glenn Beck laments the return to normalcy. The website for Beck’s “9/12 Project” waxes nostalgic for the day after the worst terrorist attack in American history, a time when “We were united as Americans, standing together to protect the greatest nation ever created.” Beck’s purpose with the Project?  “We want to get everyone thinking like it is September... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2788502 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:07:00 +0100 2788502 The funniest ten minutes of my Friday I won’t get back http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2768809&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F04%2F2514%2F Keith Olbermann Refutes Glenn Beck’s “Communist” Rockefeller Center After a meeting with his few remaining advertisers and a visit to a psychiatrist – barring an immediate committal – Glenn Beck might want to try “90 in 90″! (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2768809 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:05:44 +0100 2768809 Steele and the Left-Wing Republicans http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2727081&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F3YcjeyJ8c0k%2F One of the most disturbing things about the current health care debate is that some Republicans are positioning themselves as defenders of Big Government Medicare and against efforts to trim the program’s costs. Yet the taxpayer costs of Medicare are expected to more than double over the next decade (from $425 billion in 2009 to $871 billion in 2019), and the program will consume an increasing share of the nation’s economy for decades to come unless there are serious cuts and reforms. Even the Obama administration talks about “bending the cost curve” to slow the program’s growth. Yet Republican National Committee chairman, Michael Steele, takes to the Washington Post today to defend Medicare against any cuts, while at the same time criticizing the Democr... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2727081 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:01:53 +0100 2727081 Sorry Boys, Sarah Palin Is (Partly) Right http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2715919&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F0S-SBIpu8OY%2F Don’t believe everything you read at The Plank — including the part about Sarah Palin’s “death panel” claim being a “lie.” Palin’s claim was a tad hyperbolic, but that does not change the fact that — as I explain in the Detroit Free Press — President Obama has proposed a new government panel that would enhance Medicare’s ability to deny care to the elderly and disabled based on government bureaucrats’ arbitrary valuations of those patients’ lives. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2715919 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:50:12 +0100 2715919 Why I love the National Health Service (NHS) http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2703815&cid=t_115829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D2073 Conservatives in the USA have been lying about the NHS on a massive scale. As Simon Hoggart comments today “There are few tribes more loathsome than the American right”. In the forefront has been a far-right lobby group, Conservatives for Patients’ Rights (CPR).  Even I was surprised to read in the Washington Post “The campaign is being coordinated by CRC Public Relations, the group that masterminded the “Swift boat” attacks against 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, John F. Kerry” CRC Public Relations is a conservative PR firm previously known as Creative Response Concepts. ‘Creative’ appears to mean ‘lying’, but I guess that is what PR is all about. The founder of CPR, Rick Scott, has an interesting background.... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2703815 Sat, 15 Aug 2009 16:16:31 +0100 2703815 Enough with the “honour killings” http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2634616&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F23%2Fenough-with-the-honour-killings%2F As a gay man with HIV/AIDS I know of my condemned standing within the hard-line Islamist, Jewish and Christianist faiths. (I’m taking my chances, and feeling fine thanks, with liberal spirituality.) What no one, however, whether in Canada or anywhere else in the world should tolerate is paternalistic violence and murder – almost always exclusively [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2634616 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 03:05:23 +0100 2634616 Who’s the Isolationist? http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2605949&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FY1Mxw-9cV5w%2F There may be no more vicious epithet from neoconservatives these days than “isolationist.”  One would think the term would mean something like xenophobic no-nothings who want to have nothing to do with the rest of the world.  No trade or immigration.  Little or no cultural exchange and political cooperation.  Autarchy all around. But no.  ”Isolationist” apparently means something quite different.  Never mind your views of the merits of international engagement.  If you don’t want to kill lots of foreigners in lots of foreign wars you are automatically considered to be an isolationist. President Bill Clinton called Republican legislators “isolationists” for not wanting to insert the U.S. military into the middle of a complex but strategic... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2605949 Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:58:46 +0100 2605949 Updated (with link to video): John Marks reminds me of my struggles with faith – and that we don’t have to be right http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2598443&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F13%2Fjohn-marks-reminds-me-of-my-struggles-with-faith-and-that-we-dont-have-to-be-right%2F Here’s a recent video of author John Marks being interviewed on The Bully Pulpit. It’s a great way (if you’ll take the 45 minutes or so to watch) to get a sense of where he’s coming from in his book and why I was so fascinated by it. The Bully! Pulpit Show: John Marks from [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2598443 Tue, 14 Jul 2009 03:55:00 +0100 2598443 You say Appalachia, I say Argentina… http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2512725&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F24%2Fyou-say-appalachia-i-say-argentina%2F Mark Sanford, it turns out, did not get his hiking boots dusty along the Appalachian Trail – as his staff had been telling the media while he was AWOL. He was doing the dirty down in South America. Hiking? Yes, hiking a skirt. The Republicans and their ‘family values’ have another poster boy [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2512725 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:22:21 +0100 2512725 “Sex With Ducks” creators interviewed; Robertson ‘clarifies’ comments that started it all http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2469864&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F09%2F2171%2F CNN’s Jeanne Moos finds out that Pat Robertson was not talking about gay marriage in his reference to ducks a while ago. He was talking against the Mathew Shepard hate crimes bill that extended that legislation to include crimes of violence involving sexual orientation. Gee thanks, Pat, that makes it much better! [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2469864 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:37:42 +0100 2469864 The Situation of Political Disposition http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2447666&cid=t_115829_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F02%2Fthe-situation-of-political-disposition%2F Nicholas Kristof recently published a nice column, titled “Would You Slap Your Father? If So, You’re a Liberal,” discussing some of the situationist insights regarding the psychological antecdents of political inclination.   Here are some excerpts. * * * If you want to tell whether someone is conservative or liberal, what are a couple of completely nonpolitical questions that will give a good clue? How’s this: Would you be willing to slap your father in the face, with his permission, as part of a comedy skit? And, second: Does it disgust you to touch the faucet in a public restroom? Studies suggest that conservatives are more often distressed by actions that seem disrespectful of authority, such as slapping Dad. Liberals don’t worry as long as Dad has given permission. ... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2447666 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 04:01:41 +0100 2447666 Pat Robertson equates gay marriage with sex with ducks; head explodes http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2448065&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F31%2F2138%2F I hadn’t heard of Pat Robertson’s inane remarks until I saw this parody of them as the equal marriage debate continues in California.  Maybe if the arguments get silly enough equality will prevail. (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2448065 Sun, 31 May 2009 18:11:36 +0100 2448065 On the Conservation of Common Sense http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2390188&cid=t_115829_133_f&fid=35452&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.graphictruth.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fon-conservation-of-common-sense.html "When you say 'radical right' today, I think of these moneymaking ventures by fellows like Pat Robertson and others who are trying to take the Republican Party away from the Republican Party, and make a religious organization out of it. If that ever happens, kiss politics goodbye." - Barry Goldwater It cannot be said, often or firmly enough, that the Republican party in the US and various authoritarian and socially-conservative movements are the antithesis of all that is genuine, useful and true about traditional Conservatism.The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan (February 16, 2009) - Evangelicalism vs Conservatism: "The critical definition of conservatism, by which I mean that political tradition Burke founded, rests on a distinction between theoretical and practical wisdom. Burke insisted ... Graphictruth blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2390188 Wed, 06 May 2009 18:00:00 +0100 2390188 Teablogging.net -- New Site for "Teabagger" Coverage http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349316&cid=t_115829_133_f&fid=35452&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.graphictruth.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fteabloggingnet-new-site-for-coverage.html Innuendo! Entendres, double and even TRIPLE! Get your arch sexual-cultural references here! Fun for All! Bring Your Friends!Welcome to Teablogging.net! We’re here to serve as a gathering place for clear minded coverage of the Tea Party movement, provide information on high-profile teabaggers and serve as a clearinghouse for teabag related puns, innuendo and sex jokes.read more | digg story (Source: Graphictruth) Graphictruth blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349316 Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:07:00 +0100 2349316 Week in Review: A School Choice Victory, Earmark Reform, and Drug Violence in Mexico http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2263790&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fx1mOx1bzFQk%2F To receive this segment by email, subscribe to the Cato Weekly Dispatch. Obama Dips a Toe in the Educational Choice Pool After Congress voted to let the Washington D.C. voucher program expire, stripping 1,700 low-income children of the opportunity to attend private schools, President Obama said he will keep the program afloat in subsequent legislation. “It wouldn’t make sense to disrupt the education of those that are in that system,” said Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary. “And I think we’ll work with Congress to ensure that a disruption like that doesn’t take place.” Andrew J. Coulson, director of Cato’s Center for Educational Freedom, commented on Obama’s decision to continue to extend school choice benefits to underprivi... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2263790 Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:46:22 +0100 2263790 John Jost on Political Psychology http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2035997&cid=t_115829_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F12%2F15%2Fjohn-jost-on-political-psychology%2F Here is an excellent interview by an intern from the Breakthrough Institute of Situationist contributor John Jost. * * * Why is the study of political psychology important? At its best, political psychology has the potential to improve, on the basis of reason and evidence, our political institutions and public policies so that they are more congruent with what we know about human behavior.  Social and political psychologists have, over the decades, offered sophisticated analyses and practical interventions with regard to stereotyping, prejudice, authoritarianism, sexism, aggression, nationalism, terrorism, war, and conflict resolution.  [See Political Psychology book here.] You conclude that fear motivates conservatism, but does this mean progressives should avoid fear-based appeals enti... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2035997 Mon, 15 Dec 2008 04:42:33 +0100 2035997 Politics and Messy Desks. http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1886352&cid=t_115829_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F10%2F16%2Fpolitics-and-messy-desks%2F Messy? You’re a lefty. A neatnik? Welcome to the Right. Can someone’s political leaning be determined by how messy their office and bedrooms are ? Researchers of a controversal new study about to be published in The Journal of Political Psychology say yes. The study, which included surveys and room inspections of 76 college students and 94 professionals ranging from realtors to architects, found that… “…the bedrooms and offices of liberals, who are generally thought of as open, tend to be colorful and awash in books about travel, ethnicity, feminism and music, along with music CDs covering folk, classic and modern rock, as well as art supplies, movie tickets and travel memorabilia.” while… “Conservatives…tend to surround themselves with... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1886352 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 09:50:29 +0100 1886352 The Situation of Polarization http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1876582&cid=t_115829_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F15%2Fthe-situation-of-polarization%2F Bill Bishop has a recent situationist piece in Slate, “Extremism at McCain Rallies Comes Naturally.”  Here are a few excerpts. * * * College kids who join a conservative fraternity move to the right during their four years in college. Liberals from Boulder asked to discuss some issues of the day, such as global warming and gay marriage, are more liberal at the end of their discussion than before. Racists brought into a room to discuss race grow more intolerant. Social psychologists have conducted scores of these “group polarization” experiments since the ’60s, and they all come to the same finding: Like-minded people in a group grow more extreme in the way they are like-minded. Homogeneity creates extremity—or, in the news of the day, a McCain rally. * * *... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1876582 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 04:01:49 +0100 1876582 Roman Catholic hierarchy cuts off Pope’s nose to spite his face - cue Monty Python! http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1463874&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.files.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F05%2F11-every-sperm-is-sacred.m4a Jim Loney needs no more effective publicist, for the broad spectrum of social justice issues he cares about so much, as long as the Roman Catholic Church and ‘her’ operatives carry his water and are so hung up about his sexual orientation.  Last week Jim gave a characteristically impassioned speech at the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre after the [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1463874 Fri, 23 May 2008 04:01:37 +0100 1463874 Bill O’Tantrum: Anger Management, Exhibit One http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1449407&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F05%2F15%2Fbill-o-before-anger-management%2F Bill O’Reilly of FAUX News has been the brunt of more-than-the-usual giggling on MSNBC’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann this week. An old tape from “Orally”’s days at ABC’s Inside Edition shows how endearing he has been to co-workers since his youth! (As has been the case throughout the blogosphere, this tape may be removed without [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1449407 Fri, 16 May 2008 01:44:45 +0100 1449407 Schadenfreude and Sen. Larry Craig http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1136934&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F01%2F08%2F1355%2F Forgive my nastiness but  this pathetic affair has always reminded me of Sir Norman Fry at King’s Cross (a recurring sketch from ‘Little Britain’). Facebook me! Site Meter (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1136934 Tue, 08 Jan 2008 23:50:43 +0100 1136934 Another video - Really ?!?!?! http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=934043&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F10%2F08%2F1173%2F With a tip of the hat to The Church of the Sour Apple Martini, a great clip from SNL on the latest twist in the Senator Larry Craig saga. Facebook me! (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=934043 Mon, 08 Oct 2007 04:10:14 +0100 934043 Revealing Look at American Conservatives http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=740486&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35263&url=http%3A%2F%2Fronhudson.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Frevealing-look-at-american.html I was directed to this article authored by Johann Hari, Independent UK, by David Lineberger and Pan+ptic=n's blog, Acta Diurna. It is frightening to learn that your greatest fears are not far off-base. After reading this article, I suspect that there are those in this country who would have me and my "ilk" gassed because of their arbitrary belief system and the inherent conflicts with my genuine life.Have a look, read and tell me what you think. Categories: politics conservatives National+Review bigotry racism nationalism war+hawks intolerance (Source: 2sides2ron) 2sides2ron blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=740486 Tue, 17 Jul 2007 18:50:00 +0100 740486 Ah, uhm..... http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=577137&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35263&url=http%3A%2F%2Fronhudson.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F04%2Fah-uhm.html I think this speaks for itself.Click on the image to enlarge it for reading. Categories: humor politics stupidity Republicans Conservatives global+warming Daylight+Savings+Time (Source: 2sides2ron) 2sides2ron blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=577137 Sat, 28 Apr 2007 15:46:00 +0100 577137 On a similar wave-length as View from the Edge http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=498912&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F03%2F24%2Fon-a-similar-wave-length-as-view-from-the-edge%2F I knew the spam-filtering, skill-testing question (”the sum of five plus seven”) but, for whatever reason, I was unable to leave my comment on this post after several attempts and the same error message. Never mind. I recommend the original post and will try to repeat the substance of my would-be comments here. It started with [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=498912 Sat, 24 Mar 2007 20:39:07 +0100 498912 Hallelujah! Wappel not running again http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=495586&cid=t_115829_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F03%2F23%2Fhallelujah-wappel-not-running-again%2F With the chorus “Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead!” racing through my mind I read today’s Canadian Press report in the Star that Toronto-area (Scarborough Southwest) Liberal Tom Wappel would not be seeking re-election. This follows his recent ranks-breaking vote, with the Conservatives, on some of the Draconian measures in anti-terrorism legislation. Wappel, who won [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=495586 Fri, 23 Mar 2007 19:02:50 +0100 495586