One Caveat

Fukuyama Lays it Out

A great op-ed from Francis Fukuyama in the New York Times today.  For those of you that don't know of Fukuyama, he is one of the premier foreign policy minds in the world today.  He as written several expert books on international relations and foreign policy and are a great read for someone wanting to get into foreign policy.  I have more on his article a little later.

More Like Maher

For those of you that love Bill Maher as much as I do, here is a great article about him and his show.

No Bid Contracts

Check out this interesting piece from the New York Times about an official with in army contracting offices getting demoted.  I would like to make a quick comment on an issue related to this story, no bid contracts.  For those who have never worked in a government agency that issues contracts, no-bid contracts seem like simple giveaways to politically friendly companies. Although this may sometimes be the case-often it is not. The bidding process for a state and especially for a federal contract is an extremely lengthy and costly ordeal for both the government agency and for bidding firms. Often there is not enough time to have a formal process, like during the Iraq war, and before the rollout of Medicare Part D. This time-crunch often requires government officials to exercise their best judgment and issue a no-bid contract to an available and willing firm.

I am not excusing all no-bid contracts; there are surely some dirty ones out there. But it is important not to pre-judge all of them before learning all of the details. Without knowing the finger points of the process, it is easy to form an incorrect assessment.

Attack of Google

Is Google planning on providing free internet?  There as been some talk that Google is approaching the Microsoft status of a hated giant.  I personally love Google; not for any one particular reason, but the way the do business and the overall company image.  I believe there must be a distinct between good business practices and growth and bad business practices and growth.  Microsoft's actions towards alot of its competitors in the late 80s and throughout the 90s can surely not be categorized as good or fair business practices.  Although Google may be growing very fast and overtaking its rivals, I do not see any evidence that it is participating in any violations of free-enterprise.  This may change, but as of now, I say google on.

Good Point

Surburban Guerilla has a great point about the hurricane veering towards Alabama and Mississippi rather the New Orleans.  Is God punishing them for some reason?

So Long

Ezra pens a good response to the Arizona Daily Star's firing of Ann Coulter.  The only comment I would make to all of the outrage at her comments and the delight at the repercussions of those on the left is too be a bit careful. Even though I may agree with a lot he says I put Michael Moore on par with Ann Coulter in terms of fair and accurate journalists. Moore may not say as many cruel and hurtful things, but he is definitely not looking at issue from a non-partisan point of view. I firmly believe that comments just as Coulter’s need to be condemned regardless of which side utters them. I believe the Dick Durbin’s comments earlier this summer should have been condemned by the left and the Democrats. So while basking in the effects of Coulter’s remarks, be mindful that the left isn’t completely barren of idiotic quotes itself.

Is It Coming?

Im waiting for someone in the Pat Robertson crew to come out and say that Katrina was the work of God punishing New Orleans for its sins.  Robertson may be laying low after his latest idiotic statements.

The Beginning of a Rift

Ezra has a theory on why John Roberts was selected rather then a Hispanic or a woman.  A comment that has at the end of the post however is something that caught my attention and that I must disagree with,

This business/Christian Right thing is actually an important cleavage to think about, not because they're going to split anytime soon, but because the rise of the theocrats has really taken the spotlight off the plutocrats.

I have to disagree with the idea that this rift is not going to cause problems for the Republicans. In fact, I believe that this will likely be the biggest issue for Republicans in the 2008 primaries. The GOP has gotten lucky that President Bush is the kind of candidate that can be a balancing force between the two camps. He has managed to pass legislation that has more or less appeased both factions of the Republican Party. Finding another candidate with this ability seems rather unlikely.

Looking at some of the front runners for the 2008 nomination, McCain, Giuliani Rudy, Rice, Frist, only Frist would have a chance to get strong support for both camps-and his business credentials are great. The religious Right is likely to strongly oppose McCain and Giuliani because of the uncertainness of McCain, the pro-abortion stance of Giuliani and the fact that Rice isn’t married. All however would likely receive strong support from the pro-business camp.

I firmly believe that 2008 will be a difficult primary for the Republicans. It is likely determine which side of the party is the dominant force within the GOP for many years to come. If such a rift does occur, it will be up to the Democrats to capitalize on it.

Classic

Classic O'Reilly.

A Mistake?

This from the Washington Post, Gay Rights Groups Urge Defeat of Nominee.

Although it may have been ethically wrong, the gay rights groups probably would have done more good coming out in favor of John Roberts.  Their opposition to him probably solidifies the Right's support.