Nightly Ramble:The State Park Edition

Welcome, one and all to the most intense nightly read anywhere on the ‘sphere…. The BigsBlog Nightly Ramble

This is the State Park edition

• Newspapers: Billy, personally I’m sympathetic to these sentiments, as I think most Americans are… particularly the ones who have a bloody clue what’s going on. The only problem with a bad company going out of business is that the company behind them is likely to be worse. I suppose the New York Timesto be no exception.  I personally think the nail in therir coffin will be either the mid-term elections, or the general. Their bias will be revealed once again, and will in the end so disgust people that they’ll sink below viability in terms of subscribers, and advertisers.
• Newspapers, Cont’d: A snark directed at Joyner while commenting on the state of Newspapers in the age of the Blog, and the newspapers trying to move to the web medium:
  

  Well, it’s true there a number of people doing it out there for free. I suppose you can find people in bars every night that will do ‘it’ for free as well. Ultimately, that’s not going to stop the world’s oldest profession from making a profit.

  I still maintain that the message and not the medium is the problem.?
  Newspapers are failing not because of how they’re printed and delivered, in majority…(though those are contributing factors)  but because of the content of the papers. Talk radio is perhaps the best example of the content issue. Every time it’s been tried, left-wing content on talk radio doesn’t do nearly as well as right-wing talk radio. Figure that equation out and you’ll figure out why newspapers like the Times are failing.

• Papers all over the Globe:  Speaking of the New York Times, consider Boortz, today, who says:
  

  The New York Times Company has threatened to close The Boston Globe unless labor unions agree to concessions. Unions strike again.

  The New York Times, anti-Union? Gee. I guess reality comes to us all, eventually.

• Kos Kids revealed, and Reviled:  I observe with interest, David’s comments of this morning as regards the Kos kids, in whom I include for the purposes of this discussion, Oliver Willis.  I note Jim Lindgren at Volokh:
  

  It is highly odd that Oliver Willis would attribute murdering cops to those who hold Republican views.

  ARREST RATES. In the debates over whether felons can vote, both Republicans and Democrats seem to agree implicitly that felons will tend to favor Democrats. I have never heard anyone even hint the opposite.

  That is consistent with General Social Survey data showing that the odds of a Democrat or Independent reporting having been arrested or charged with a crime are 122% higher than the odds of a Republican reporting being arrested or charged with a crime. Among those who report having been arrested or charged, only 12% are Republicans. The others are 9% Independent, leaning Republican; 18% Independent (no leans); 18% Independent, leaning Democratic; 40% Democrats. (Of course, arrest is not the same as offending or conviction, but the political makeup is likely to be in the same general direction.)

  I am aware of no data on the party identification of murderers in general or of cop-killers in particular, but there is no reason to suppose that the political orientation of cop-killers is any more Republican than the general criminal population, which everyone assumes (and GSS data indirectly suggests) is disproportionately Democratic.

  Jim’s correct of course, but frankly, I don’t consider Willis to be surprising at all on this point. He is after all, paid for his dishonesty. As is Kos, anymore. Side note to Willis: Be sure to check in with your boss, Soros, before you reply.

• Shreik Engrish: The investigations into the Binghamton shooting are starting to come in.  Apparently one of the problems was the guy’s lack of ability to speak English.  Seems to me that this supports the many arguemnts I’ve made to ‘You want to come here? You speak English, first. Period.’ My speculation of the other day about him being H1B proved incorrect, but the rest still fits, sadly.
• Pay no attention to the man behind the Curtain: Why is Warren Buffet profiting from TARP? Maybe because he supported Obama for President?  Oops. I’m not supposed to say that, am I? Reynolds notes the same story and quips:
  

  Say, can we get a list of Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac bonus recipients? I means, since Congress’s need for the AIG names was so urgent

• Big doings in Italy:  About 100 dead as of noon today, due to an earthqauke there. 6.3 or so, east or Rome. It’s moving fast, but sadly, also moving about as you’d expect. If I’m Rahm Emmanuel, I’m breathing a sigh of relief. The wall to wall coverage the news orgs will be spending on the Italian disaster will mean less time spent on the Obama disasters over the weekend.

How utterly…. Pathetic.

Apparently, the extent of the help offered from the US to Italy for their earthquake troubles grand total of $50 grand. Can you imagine the reaction to GWB had he offered that little to something of this magnitude?

The business in North Korea was remarkable, over the weekend, in that the missle test was an abject failure, (Unless they reall planned on delivering the missle to the sea of Japan) and yet was a resounding success for Kim Jong Ill. 

Nork is claiming that they’ve launched a comms satellite… one that apparently uses a newly developed and perfected stealth technology, because nobody else on the planet can seem to locate the thing, despite NORK’s reports that it’s playing ‘patriotic songs’ 

We can understand where the inspiration for that comes from; Comminist China, whose Dong Fang Hong 1 bird  played ‘The East is Red” for 26 days in 1970, before apparently running out of battery power, 28 days later… some 8 days longer a life than projected. However, unlike the North Korean bird, it’s still up there, and people could actually find it.

 Meanwhile the Wall Street Journal, just about the only paper left in New York State worth killing trees over, says the whole thing was simply more tools toward consessions.Given Obama’s predilection toward kissing backsides he ought to be kicking, it’s a reasonable thought.

But I wonder, if this isn’t something a bit more sinister. The thought came to me in responding to James Joyner, this morning.  James points to a Rassumessen pollsaying the majority want a military attack. James suggests this is unwise, and appeals to the authority of the ‘experts’ who claim this is a bad move, because of NORK’s nuke ability.   I’d reject this out of hand given the track record of the ‘experts’ the last several decades, particularly those with history at the CIA.

That aside, David points out this morning, over there:

Slightly shocking is the Obama administration’s apathy to both North Korea and Iran’s nuclear ambitions. I am sure that when, and if, the Norks nuke Hawaii, Obama will give a tough sounding speech, and send a stern note. In the Obama White House, it is always Three AM.

David’s words, carefully chosen, reveal why the fears about going to war with NORK are unfounded. ‘Nuclear ambitions’, he says, not ‘nuclear capability’. He’s correct in his word choice.

Rattling a sabre makes noise. Drawing it doesn’t. If NORK were comfortable with the Nuclear capabilty they have, they’d not be making all the bully-boy threats.

OTOH, since they are making threats like that, one may assume that they consider the demonstration of power vital. Why? It seems reasonable to assume this was a demonstration run for the benefit of some buyer or another of missle technology. The afore-mentioned Iran and also Syria, who have both been rather quiet the last several months come to mind as eager customers. Both have nuke programs that are making serious strides and Iran has been getting mixed signals at best on their nuke program from the US… … and are, as such  far more advanced than anything NORK would have been able to do, yet lack missile technology at a level anything about that of the SCUD.  

Granted, we may take Iran’s claims of huge numbers of bombs and huge numbers of centrifuges with a pound or three in salt, if for no other reasons than the claims we’re fed change daily, and all of them in numbers far exceeding any expectation of reality. However that may be, they have at least enough to cover one or two such bombs… enough to ruin someones vacation plans. Put that ability and their bloody-minded zelotry together with Korea’s missles, and their need for cash, given what socialism has done to the North Korean people, and you have a serious regional threat in Iran, or possibly Syria.

Of larger concern, though, even than this, is that this is one of many foriegn policy setbacks this weekend, for America, all of them with Obama at the reins. If nothing else, this missle thing was a test of mettle for Obama one of many, who failed every one of them.

• After months of kissing Euro-weenie backside, he’s no closer to getting physical support in Afghanistan.
• He’s annoyed the Brits, who are unarguably the steadiest freinds we have.
• Obama has been thwarted by Russian bully tactics at the G20
• Obama’s call for talks with Taliban rejected by the Taliban
• And his objectives in the case of the NORK missle are thwarted.

A not unexpected turn of events. But in the face of all of this, Obama seems insanely committed to further reducing our nuke capability, and yet more defense cuts. On every point, the US will be seen was being weaker.  This weakness was predicted by none less than Presidential candidate Joe Biden, who predicted there would be a number of countries who would be testing msisles under Obama’s lack of leadership.  Joe Biden the Vice President has been silent as the grave on the point.

No wonder Obama is so popular in Europe.  They may, but I refuse to regard that weakness as a good thing. Preditors, as you may know, attack based on signs of weakness.

Tweeted by one Marko Moulitsas, a/k/a Kos:

When we were out of power, we organized to win the next election. Conservatives, apparently, prefer to talk “revolution” and kill cops.

Memorialized by Jim Treacher. Mother May I Sleep with Treacher,   Hat tip and more:  Ed Morrissey, Hot Air.

Unfortunately, some sick people will use this tragedy for their political hobby horses. We’d like to think that only the idiots at the fringes would do so, but as my decidedly liberal and decidedly rational friend Tommy Christopher found out, that’s not the case. Markos Moulitsas twittered his list to blame the shooting on the conservative movement, and apparently joke about the murders:

Maybe some libtards just have to drink the Kool-Aid.   Unlike B.J. Clinton, Obama is not rushing to the Kool-Aid, at least with respect to the recent spat of shootings.    Maybe Moulitsas just  can’t control himself.

In any case, I am neither shocked, nor disappointed by Moulitsas.   I simply don’t have much faith in libtards, of the positve variety anyhow,  and don’t expect much from them.   Then as low as I  can place the bar, Moulitsas does seem to be unable to clear it.   For a long albeit rational take I offer, Caleb, Redstate:

This weekend, three Pittsburgh police officers were gunned down in cold blood by a disturbed gunman during an hours long standoff in what is an otherwise quiet suburb. You probably wouldn’t normally think that’s a source for clever one liners, but then, you aren’t a DailyKos kid are you?

I am going to suggest that Moulitsas go out for the Olympic team.   It is migbty long leap from one shooter to all conservatives.

Bit I’ve always told you that Trya Banks was just Miss Andrea Sullivan in drag.    Anyhow,  Ms Banks seem powerfully interested in Bristol Palin’s sex life.

Levi Johnston not only says he practiced safe sex “most of the time” when they were together, he also reveals to Tyra Banks that he believes Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin knew he and Bristol were having sex when they lived under her roof. “I’m pretty sure she probably knew. Moms are pretty smart,” Johnston, 18, says in an interview set to air April

We, at Bitsblog, believe that turn about always fair game.    So we prepared to pay good cash  money for any tidbits about Banks’ sex like.    We will even go as high as half dollar, that fifty cents for you folks in Arkansas, for photographic evidence and whole seventy-five cents if picture is  with an animal.   No hampster shots please.

Can’t go no higher, unless I get a bigger allowance.

Story via Cassy Fiano.

• @jimtreacher It’s the shock and awe thing I spoke of the other day in reply to jimtreacher #
• @divadoll123 IF GM stock wasn’t in negative numbers friday it certainly will be in the morning in reply to divadoll123 #
• If U don’t mistrust Obama & his plans 4 the auto industry, U haven’t bn watchinghim bein flummoxed by the comparatively simple act of co …  #
• constructing a cabinet #
• @Lileks That’s because you’re playing by long established rules… ones Obama cares nothing about in reply to Lileks #
• @Lileks THe Spemephore version of “pride and Predjuice”.  in reply to Lileks #
• @Lileks — ….  … – — .–.  – …. .- – in reply to Lileks #
• @Lileks NSA? Yeah, likely. They’ll figure it’s something new in reply to Lileks #
• anyone notice? The industries getting the bailouts are the ones alrwady being gov’t micromanaged .  #
• Bailouts required BECAUSE of gov’t intervention. So more intervention is the cure?  #
• @allahpundit Then again murkowski doesn’t have the number of Soros funded PR groups trying to bring her down, either #
• when govt at all lvls takes around 60% of my pay in total, don’t you dare talk to me about sacrifice, Barry.  #
• fires up Passport’s ‘looking through’ lp #
• @ Linc4Justice little spurts of inspiraction cost Vince $1000 buck, ya know…  #
• @ MelissaTweets wasn’t michelle keeping one?  #
• is tweeting from the palm pilot #
• @arthurmsmith. this isiowa state legislature, Art?  #
• @MelissaTweets not buying it, any more than the left did when we said the Bush twins were set up #
• @MelissaTweets and if Bristol Palin is a reflection on her mother y isn’t young ms Biden a reflection on her father?  #
• tweeting frm palm treo #
• @mattmargolis you mean you’e still driving the banged up one?  #
• The Obama Chia pet? Yep… http://bit.ly/1UJnaQ #
• RT @policygal: @BeaconOfLight Apparently BHO only thinks America is in the axis of evil based on his Eurotour remarks. He is a disgrace.  #
• @PolicyGal Did you expect else from someone who sat for 20 years in the pew listening to Jerry Wright?  #
• Mayeb now some will better understand why that realtionship is of such great import to us #
• RT @SouthParkCon: NKorea has as much respect for the UN as a Chinese pirate does for the FBI warning on a DVD. #tcot #teaparty #
• RT @Katsuey: tired of people posting the same thing over and over and over on twitter. #tcot #
• RT @Katsuey: tired of people posting the same thing over and over and over on twitter. #tcot ZOhh… ooops #
• RT @FHnews: talking about Republican Ron Paul’s bil to audit the federal reserve LIVE on FHnews.net #
• @FHnews So Ron Paul is a Republican? I’ll bet I’m not along in my discomofrt with that in reply to FHnews #
• RT @JustinLail: FoxNews Update #tcot Obama Pledges to Lead World Into Nuclear-Free Future: President Obama p.. http://tinyurl.com/dc8t4f #
• @JustinLail If I recall right, Carter did the same. How’d that work out? #tcot in reply to JustinLail #
• RT @arthursmith: – our backyard leafpile looks full of leafpilishness. But will it compost?  #
• @redriveratfargo Add copies of Obama’s campaign speeches. That’s do it. #flood09 #fargoflood in reply to redriveratfargo #
• RT @ConservativeLA:If in fact his aim is destroy the American Dream and make us all dependent on the state, he is making great headway #tcot #
• @ConservativeLA Indeed; His moves have been so precise toweard that end I can’t help but think it his goal #tcot in reply to ConservativeLA #
• @tahDeetz Wrote an article on it, a couple years back. Predicted it would get used if the donks took over #tcot in reply to tahDeetz #
• RT @tahDeetz: @EricFlorack do a search on Cloward-Piven Strtegy of Manufactured Crisis #tcot #
• @KLSS68 LOL… you’re not serious, are you?  in reply to KLSS68 #
• RT @roddymcorley: http://rightwingnuthouse.com/a…..ervatives/ (via @addthis) #tcot #
• @roddymcorley beat me to it again, Rickk; I was just working on that one in reply to roddymcorley #
• RT @421E_TV: Laura Ling and Euna Lee, reporters for Al Gore’s Current TV show, seized by N Korean. NK has no fear of us, now Bush is gone #
• @421E_TV But Gore will never acknowledge the real cause of this, will he? #tcot in reply to 421E_TV #
• @KLSS68 No. Obama’s in the chair, now.  It wasn’t bush who tripled our debt inside two months.  It was and is Obama.  in reply to KLSS68 #
• @KLSS68 As of last night, since coming to office, the Democrats have spent $163000 for ever man woman and child in this country.  in reply to KLSS68 #
• @KLSS68 Better take that overtime, son.. you’re going to need it to pay off that debt you took on by voting for that clown in reply to KLSS68 #
• @421E_TV Link isn’t happening #tcot #teaparty #Rush #Gop in reply to 421E_TV #
• @FightForOurKids No, we just need to ake back the Republican partry #tcot #teaparty #gop #foxnews in reply to FightForOurKids #
• RT @ConservativeLA:Sad the best case scenario is that the sitting POTUS is unintentionally incompetent but worst-case secnario more likely #
• @ConservativeLA Nobody could possibly be that perfectly stupid. Gotta be by intent. #tcot in reply to ConservativeLA #
• @pir8gold Been following, but unsure about ‘membership’ per se #tcot in reply to pir8gold #
• I blog at BitsBlog #tcot http://bit.ly/4zXbqC #
• @pir8gold Interesting idea. I’ll see to that today #tcot in reply to pir8gold #
• @pir8gold already running tweetdeck #tcot #
• RT @policygal: @ErickFlorack It’s all coming out now – all restraint is gone. We knew this was going to happen! *sigh* #
• @EricFlorack No question in my mind in reply to EricFlorack #
• RT @policygal: Not only arrogant but presumptious. Even Clintons know how to act around the queen for heaven’s sake! It’s embarrassing #
• @policygal Firsdt the PM, now the queen. Almost like he was trying to send a message. Is this the better foreign policy he promised?  in reply to policygal #
• @ConservativeLA Look for the RT’s… I’m simply postig it to those following me so they know what I’m responding to in reply to ConservativeLA #
• Just added myself to the http://wefollow.com twitter directory under: #tcot #blogger #
• @policygal It goes deeper. Churchill best spokesman 4western culture GB has come up with the last centry. Imagine why he’d want to dis him.  in reply to policygal #
• gotta fly, all. Back later #tcot #

Michael D. Shear and Craig Whitlock, Washington Post, quote the one as saying:

“Rules must be binding. Violations must be punished. Words must mean something,” he said to loud applause. “The world must stand together to stop the spread of these weapons.”

Sure BO, the only thing Obama’s words mean is that his lying.    Obama promises  accept federal campaign funds, eliminate all earmarks, not to raise taxes on ninety-five percent of taxpayers, to post all bills on line for five days prior to signing, not to appoint knobbiests to government, etc.

Norks launch missile, New York Times:

SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea defied the United States, China and a series of United Nations resolutions by launching a rocket on Sunday that the country said was designed to propel a satellite into space, but that much of the world viewed as an effort to prove it is edging toward the capability to shoot a nuclear warhead on a longer-range missile.

The one issues a statement:

North Korea’s development and proliferation of ballistic missile technology pose a threat to the northeast Asian region and to international peace and security. The launch today of a Taepo-dong 2 missile was a clear violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718, which expressly prohibits North Korea from conducting ballistic missile-related activities of any kind. With this provocative act, North Korea has ignored its international obligations, rejected unequivocal calls for restraint, and further isolated itself from the community of nations.

We will immediately consult with our allies in the region, including Japan and the Republic of Korea, and members of the U.N. Security Council to bring this matter before the Council. I urge North Korea to abide fully by the resolutions of the U.N. Security Council and to refrain from further provocative actions.

Preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery is a high priority for my administration. The United States is fully committed to maintaining security and stability in northeast Asia and we will continue working for the verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through the Six-Party Talks. The Six-Party Talks provide the forum for achieving denuclearization, reducing tensions, and for resolving other issues of concern between North Korea, its four neighbors, and the United States. North Korea has a pathway to acceptance in the international community, but it will not find that acceptance unless it abandons its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and abides by its international obligations and commitments.

Carl in Jerusalem, Israel Matzav:

Please note what’s not here. No call for sanctions. No call for action against North Korea. Just talk, talk, talk. As if North Korea will be moved any more than it already has been by the sanctions imposed by the ‘international community.’

Now imagine that instead of it being a North Korean test missile, it were an Iranian nuclear missile shot at Israel. Does anyone believe Obama’s reaction would be any more than talk?

Michelle:

Hey, Joe Biden said “gird your loins” for the testing of Barack Obama, didn’t he? Voila:

Note it wasn’t lack of capacity to shoot down the Nork missile.   It was Obama administration impotence, Evan Ramstad, Wall Street Journal:

Outside military and intelligence officials in mid-January first observed preparations at North Korea’s launch site via satellite photography. Since mid February, North Korea said it was preparing to launch a communications satellite and it later announced a launch plan for the April 4-8 period.

In contrast to the North’s previous launches of long-range missiles in 1998 and 2006, missile-defense systems in the U.S. and Japan have improved to the level where they could credibly respond by shooting down the North Korean rocket.

Is this the change for which you Obamabots voted.   Note the Obama administration is terrified of DC residents being able to own an automatic pistol, or even carry  a revolver outside their home, yet they care little if either North Korea or Iran gets nuclear weapons and the  means to deliver them.

Obams pines for a world free of nuclear weapons.    No sane Ameican wants to live in a world where the United States does not have nuclear weapons, but North Korea does.

Addendum: 

Confirmed Barack Obama is too stupid to reprogram his teleprompter.    Even in the wake of the Nork’s missile launch, TOTUS still wants to disarm, Politico:

PRAGUE – Just hours after North Korea launched a long-range rocket, President Barack Obama called for “a world without nuclear weapons” and said the United States has a “moral responsibility” to lead the way, as the only nation ever to use them.

Obama’s speech was long planned as the centerpiece of his first presidential trip overseas, but it gained new urgency after North Korea sent a multi-part rocket soaring over the Sea of Japan early Sunday morning

 The Norks have no intention of disarming, but Obama does.  Pathetic.

The federal Oath of Office, for all Members of Congresss:

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God

From Ed Whelan, National Review:

Eleanor Holmes Norton, the nonvoting D.C. delegate to the House who aspires to be its voting representative, has made clear that she regards questions of constitutionality as irrelevant and that she thinks members of the House and Senate do, too. “I don’t think members are in the least bit affected in their votes on the question of its constitutionality,” she said just last week. “People vote their politics in the House and in the Senate.”  If true, that’s a very sad commentary on Congress. It’s even sadder that it appears to apply to our attorney general as well.

Indifference to the Constitution is not defense of the Constitution.  Holmes-Notton has but two honorable choices.   One, she can sue Ed Whelan,and the Washington Post for libel.   Whelan has just charged, by impliation, Holmes-Norton of being a liar and breaking her oath of office.   Two, Holmes-Norton can resign.

As for Mrs. Pelosi, Holmes-Norton has impugned every member of both Mrs. Pelosi’s caucus and the entire House.   Censure would be the least Mrs. Pelosi could do to redeem her honor.

The silence of the ‘rats will speak volumes.

Oh, you didn’t hear about this one, I bet.

TAMPA -Fox- Some local Walgreen’s stores are pulling a supposed likeness of President Barack Obama off their shelves. The ‘Chia Obama’ will no longer be sold there.

Walgreen’s spokesman Michael Polzin explained to FOX 13 that local store managers have the ability to purchase and market products — like the Chia Obama — on their own.

But now, the corporate office has asked stores to pull the product from their stores because, he said, it is not appropriate for the company’s corporate image.

(Image courtesy www.chiaobama.com.)

Well, now I wonder, whose image they’re concerned about.

Obama the unlearned one  traveled to Europe to tell the unwashed masses that his fellow American were ‘arrogant’. Philip Sherwell, Telegraph (UK):

His references to American “arrogance” and its “dismissive” attitude were viewed by some commentators as an unwarranted attack on his homeland while travelling abroad.

In a speech in France, a country that has been a bastion of anti-US sentiment in recent years, the President said: “In America, there is a failure to appreciate Europe’s leading role in the world. Instead of celebrating your dynamic union and seeking to partner with you to meet common challenges, there have been times where America has shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive.

We were arrogant in 1775. 1944,  and 1947.    Ronald Reagan was arrogant, albeit with an Irish charm when said:

General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall![9] 

If it were not for us f*ck*ng arrogants Americans, those socialist scum in France would be speaking German today and living is slums.    Fifty million Iraqi woold not be free today.  

Gordon Sinclair, from our good friends to the North, didn’t quite use the word arrogant in his 1973 broadcast,  Maybe he should have.  We are Americans,  We are proud.   We are arrogant.   Get  used to get.  Thumbs up Gordy.

Hat tip phote:  Wikipedia.

Joyner this morning, sounds rather incredulous, as well he might, when he relates to us the claim of Baitullah Mehsud:

The diminutive Mehsud is considered the prime suspect in the murder of Benazir Bhutto and he’s taken seriously.  But most are skeptical. of this latest claim.

U.S. officials were not immediately available for comment about Mehsud’s claim, but Pakistani security analysts dismissed it as a publicity stunt.  The New York Times quoted representative Maurice Hinchey, whose district includes the town of Binghamton in New York state where the shooting took place, as saying indications were the gunman was an immigrant from Vietnam.

I suppose anything’s possible but it strains credulity that a Pashtun tribal leader has a network that includes Vietnamese immigrants in upstate New York.

Indeed, just so, James.

First of all, let’s look at what we know about the individual in question and see what fits.

I live about three hours out of Binghamton. I’ve worked in that market, and still have contacts in the region, and I’ve made a few calls to gather some info. That info has been confirmed on the mainline channels, so it seems safe enough to base some speculation on.

My understanding of the situation (As of Friday Night at least):

The guy just got laid off from his job at IBM. That much we know  We also know he’s from Vietnam. From what I know of his work history, (he’s moved around rather a lot over the years, Los Angeles was one of a few stops along his trajectory) it seems likely he’s here on some kind of a work permit, possibly an H1B.

Here’s where speculation… and I admit that’s what this is… comes into play.

When he got laid off, by definition, the H1B expired, as well. He was about to be sent back to Vietnam.

If he can’t have citizenship, well, neither can the rest of these poor sots. Boom.

Again, that’s speculation. But, it does rather neatly fit the known facts.

I am also forced by logic and principle to ask what would ahve happened if there was but one gun in the place owned by someone other than the loony. Save some lives that way.

Now, as to he Pashtun, and the claim of responsibility,  let me remind the reader of the many attacks on Israel by various groups… where for every bombing there’s at least a half dozen groups and usually more, claiming to be responsible for the attack, trying to better their own fortune and prestige in the terrorist world. This claim seems a page from that book.

It does interest me, however, that such an individual would have the information about the attack that quickly. Unless Satellite equipped TV’s are more the norm than I know in that region, that seems a question worth some research.

Addendum: (David L)

At this stage, I don’t know what happened in Binghamton.   I do commend President Obama for not doing a B.J. Clinton and pronouncing the cause even while the bodies are  still warm.   Remember it was Clinton who blamed the Oklahomo City bombing on talk radio even before  he knew if Timothy McVeigh even owned a radio.

In general, I believe that incidents can be stopped by one person and one gun, or by several who refuse to play the role of  victim.   Joel Myrick, and his Colt 1911 stopped a shooting spree in Pearl, Mississippi.  Colin Ferguson in a rail coach bull of passengers killed five people on the Long Island Railroad, because his would be victims refused to die like sheep but rather charged, tackled and detained  Ferguson.

As a society we have simply gone too far as an entitlement society.   People have come to believe they are entitled to a job or have a right to their fifteen minutes of fame.   The culture of self-esteem is killing us.   Which brings us to Mona Charen, National Review:

Once again the cable news programs are going wall to wall covering the latest mass shooting. All other programming is on hold. I’ve said this before. When the news shows do this they are guaranteeing the next atrocity. A twisted desire for fame and attention drives some of this.

We should de-emphasis the culture of feeling good, even it means being bad, and replace it with a culture of being good.   For a novel idea, let us call it the Golden Rule.

Welcome, one and all to the most intense nightly read anywhere on the ‘sphere… The BitsBlog Nightly Ramble

This is the Bumper Sticker Edition.

• It’s Society’s fault: It strikes me that this is emblematic for the excuse making that liberals make in world affairs, too.
• Working class dog? Speaking of excuse making, I note word on the wire that  Michael Vick’s lawyer is telling the courts he has a job in Construction lined up. Yeah, right.  Let me know if you see pictures of him actually working, OK?  Links would be nice.
• It’s a matter of what you believe: Rich Lowry says Obama’s faith that his fresh attitude — more flexible and thoughtful — will in itself open new international vistas is unshaken.  It’s also mistaken, of course.
• Goddard, it aint: We’ll likely see NORK launch that missle tommorrow from all indications.  And from all accounts, the Administation instead of responding correctly, will do some finger shaking.  I loved Krauthammer’s line:
  

  But there’s always an amusing event in any of these, and my favorite today was when Obama met with the president of South Korea, and afterwards, the South Koreans issued a statement that the presidents agreed that if the North Koreans launch a missile, which will happen probably on Saturday— the two countries will come together with a, quote, “stern and united response,” which means there will be a useless Security Council resolution with six adjectives instead of the usual two.But that wasn’t the hilarious part. The hilarious part is that the U.S. communique left out the word “stern.” So it looks as if our position will be that we if the missile is launched we are going to have a flabby united resolution at the U.N.

  This is an improved foreign policy?

• It’s a matter of what you believe II: VDH, as always is worth the read. Today, particularly so. ?
  

  If you believed that average Americans are not well educated, do not think in sophisticated and rational ways, and cannot be trusted to make good decisions, whether for themselves or for their nation, then you would expand the power of better-educated and wiser government overseers. This would ensure that, instead of millions of private agendas that lead individuals improperly, and at times recklessly, to acquire and consume, we would have benevolent and far-sighted powers directing our lives in ways that benefit the environment, the economy — and themselves.If you believed that highly educated and sometimes distracted liberals occasionally slip on rather mundane questions of taxes, lobbying, and conflict of interest — but not at all in the felonious, premeditated manner of the corporate hierarchy — then it would be necessary to overlook such minor lapses for the greater good of marshalling talented and well-disposed experts into progressive government.

  Victor seems in rare form on this one. Very worth your while.

• Farce: I commented yesterday at the facical nature of the pictures coming from outside the G20…  The protestors blaming their ills on Capitalism… (Irony abouds… without the fruits of capitalism, their protests wouldn’t have been possible -Bit) … outisde what I called the biggest collections of Socialists since the Kremlin was so infested.  And what does the G20 do? They prove me correct. And, of course, Obama is busy playing to the crowd, there, trying desperately to live up to their leftist expectations.
• Oops. Now what? For all the screaming about how the Blackwater types were murderous thugs, it turns out that the bullets don’t match.  Now, of course mere facts won’t overturn some people’s positions, but those are the facts.
• Blago to Disneyworld: Blago got indicted yesterday, to the shock and amaze of nobody.  And to equal surprise the press mostly ignored it.  But this things going to get very large and very ugly in the near future. Congressman A for example.
• Third party? So Gingrich is leaning toward a third party?  I dunno, Newt. Seems to me that amounts to little more than an effective way to split the vote. Still, as Reynolds notes:
  

  People think the Tea Party protests are pro-Republican, but they aren’t, really, and they could easily turn pro-third party if the GOP doesn’t live up to its small-government claims. And that’s not a living-up it’s been very good at in recent years.

  It’s true, the Republican party has gone too far left. It has been the biggest complaint I’ve had about the party since 1987. Thing is, Gingrich, while he has been largely encouraging for the conservatives,  hasn’t been immune to that charge of going too far left, either.  I would point to his arguments with Limbaugh  And Palin. as a prime example. It’s those events that have me thinking Gingrich is about pulling the usual Democrat trick of getting out in front of the mob and make like he’s leading it.  But he’s got this part correct at least: 2012 will not be won by a middle of the road type.

• Third Party II? It must be said, though, that  that party unrest has been around for a long time, now… since Reagan at least.  A reader forwarded a response to one of my older Pajamas Media posts, from Jerry McConnel over at Red County. Says Jerry:
  

  There’s no question that the conservatives will never control the Republican party; NEVER!.  Even though I am convinced that they outnumber the ones who are definitely not REAL conservatives, like McCain, as they are tired and flawed Republicans.

  I keep hearing this and yet I don’t ever hear from conservatives, “Let’s take over the party and insist that the conservative standards be enforced.”  Why is that?  Why are they so reluctant to take charge of a faltering party?

  Why doesn’t some conservative leader conduct a “Yes” or “No” survey asking all those who claim to be Republicans if they consider themselves to be conservative Republicans; would they join in creating a new party called the Conservatives of America Party; a party that would expel all RINO’s and those who would refuse to swear they would uphold the Conservative Party principles?

  If the results show what I feel they would, i.e, an overwhelming majority in favor of a new Conservative Party, it would give the conservatives the upper hand and force people in or out as the case might be.  If we continue as we are right now, 2010 is lost.

  We conservatives are not going to change some of the big government Republicans who become Democrats on the most crucial votes that harm our country, so let’s move on without them.  I do believe they would be in a very distinct minority, probably less than a dozen.  Some would easily morph into the liberal Democrats that they cowardly will not admit to being, while others would timidly agree to join the conservatives and move ahead.

  To my way of thinking, this “put it on the table” position would attract a good number of Democrats who now are reluctant to speak out against their socialist/liberal leaders in fear of losing ground within their party….

  Well, Jerry, we come back to Reagan, again.  Reagan was never very popular among a subset of the Republicans I like to call the Rockefeller Republicans. Putting it on the table was exactly what Regan did, and the result was a success beyond anyone’s wildest imagination.  Granted that as I’ve indicated before Reagan wouldn’t have won save for the disaster tha was Jimmy Carter, but I’m of the view that what we have is the second term of Carter just now, and thereby 2010 and for that matter 2012 will be similar, if we follow the pattern of going strongly conservative.  Jerry is of the view that a new conservative party is needed.   I disagree, there. As I say, I suspect that will simply split the vote. I submit that people of courage in the party will be able to take it in the direction we need to go.  The problem is we haven’t been fighting for our views.  Party leaders need to understand that they are conservatives first… and Republicans second.  And we need to deliver that message to people like Eric Cantor who is revealing himself as just another Mccain/Rockefeller Republican.  It’s time for the grass roots to take over. We’re not going to do that by being gentle.

• Aha! A shaft of light! Jen Rubin says there are openings for the GOP in the age of Obama and points to NY20 as her example. Where, I should add, Tedisco leads by 12 as of last night. Haven’t heard anything fresh from there, but I’ve been in and out of pocket today, so I may have missed it. She’s right, though. But again, only if we stand up, and take names.
• When you come around: Nice to see Rick Moran understands what we were trying to tell him about the Republican budget.   That’s a bit less snarky than it sounds.
• TWEET! Google trying to buy up Twitter?  Apparently so.
• Guess Not: Joyner pulled that comment section I spoke of last night.  Just as well.

This one got me doubled over with laughter.

Martin McPhillips at Q&O just now:

Erb, if you hit Florack with a stun gun, shot him up with a hypnotic drug, threw him down a long flight of concrete stairs and ran him over with a panel truck, he would still be able to put more backbone into his argument than you would if you were coming out of the gym fresh off a steroid workout.

He’s always going to outclass you with a half-dozen principles that you simply don’t, can’t understand. And your always flaccid rhetoric won’t match it, especially as you resort to your complaints about ridicule and insults.

I tell him:

Was that statment aimed at anyone else, I’d be greatly complimented, and owe you a debt of thanks for it. As it is, with Erb being no great shakes, I’ll just wince, smile, and continue on.

And that’s the God’s honest truth, people.  In fact, the only challange with Scott Erb is that he presents so target rich an environment that one hardly knows where to shoot first.

Early radio reports suggested four had been shot… more recent reports are suggesting as many as 13 killed, with more taken as hostages, at a refugee aid organization.  Internet connections into the town seem a little spotty; I can’t keep the radio streams going from the place for some reason.