Centerfield

On a sad note, one of screen's best heavies, Jack Palance has died. So take a moment to reflect on the man who did one handed push ups at the Oscars, and proved that a soft voiced villain is far more frightening than a loud one.

Posted by: Blue Jean at November 10, 2006 05:44 PM

He was great.

And Bradly's passing was sad too.

On a lighter note this made me laugh. Look at the logic closely. Amazing. One questionable claim on top of another. This time he was sure to include that Israel was within its right to respond.

Posted by: Maxtrue at November 10, 2006 06:45 PM

Read the Soros piece.

A third weakness is that the war-on-terror concept lumps together different political movements that use terrorist tactics. It fails to distinguish among Hamas, Hezbollah, Al Qaeda, or the Sunni insurrection and the Mahdi militia in Iraq.

Hmmm when you see a missle coming at you you're probably not too concerned about who sent it. And likely it doesn't a gift tag on it.

Posted by: C3 at November 10, 2006 06:58 PM

Better late than never?!?!?!?

National Cliche Day was LAST Friday!

Soros is a wee bit stuck on himself.

Posted by: Tully at November 10, 2006 07:04 PM

Headed for some college football tomorrow.

Boy, that Soros piece is missing one or two or twenty-nine things somewhere. It's a dood thing for him he was better at investing than logic.

Posted by: Jon Kay at November 10, 2006 07:16 PM

*sigh* Thanks for trying to cheer me up, guys, but I'm still sad about Jack.

Now who's going to play Dick Cheney in the eventual TV movie about W? ;-)

Posted by: Blue Jean at November 10, 2006 08:57 PM

Curly's brother Duke, of course!

Posted by: Tully at November 11, 2006 10:37 AM

As an intellectual exercise, let's assume that the same mindset that had the Democrats running moderates or conservatives in what are theoretically red states (and winning) lasts for a couple of years. In short, people who can win with the electorate in question rather than merely being ideologically pure. If the Democrats want a Presidential candidate who could actually win a general election, what characteristics would they look for? Treat it like we were posting a job opening:

- Executive experience. Preferably governor, although big city mayors, ex-cabinet officers, or vice presidents are not beyond consideration. Possibly even corporate CEOs.... Senators (and House members) need not apply, unless they've got that.
- Base outside the northeast or west coast. Unless the Republicans astonish and nominate Guilliani, those are safe electoral votes anyway. The trick is going to be to get part of the mountain west and the midwest (or even the south, although that is more of a challenge). Having a base there demonstrates that the candidate can get votes there.
- Foreign policy experience, or at least experience dealing with other parts of the world in some capacity, is a major plus.
- Has won elections in the past. Occasional losses are not a problem (assuming they were handled gracefully), but some wins are required. This not only demonstrates campaigning ability, but means that the candidate has survived at least a prliminary examination for past mistakes -- whether for lack of them or with an ability to deal with them.
- Track record which avoids strident partisanship. Partisans are not a problem, but those who loudly demonize the entire rest of the country beyond their own set are right out. Demonstrated ability to work with members of the other party in government is a plus.
- Track record which is moderate enough not to frighten moderates among the independents and Republicans. Can be liberal on some issues, but not radical.

Anybody meeting all those requirements is going to be at least semi-visible already. Governor Richardson comes to mind, but there are doubtless at least a few others. Suggestions?

Posted by: wj at November 11, 2006 10:58 AM

the Democrats will have to face this fact With Bolton out, I wonder who will pick up our long tradition of defending liberty abroad. I wonder if Soros has an editorial about this. If the world compares Gaza to the Sudan right now, I wonder if America is really alone. Russia and China say they are worried about a Democratic Party going on the offense in terms of human rights. Was that lost in the last five years of flip-flopping? And where is Carter now?

Posted by: Maxtrue at November 11, 2006 11:11 AM

"This is a time for courage and a time of challenge. Neither conformity nor complacency will do. Neither fanatics nor the faint-hearted are needed. And our duty as a Party is not to our Party alone, but to the Nation, and, indeed to all mankind. Our duty is not merely the preservation of political power but the preservation of peace and freedom."
—John F. Kennedy Undelivered Speech, November 22nd, 1963

Posted by: Maxtrue at November 11, 2006 11:21 AM

To all the veterans here, and to those men and women on the frontlines now, thank you for risking your own liberty to preserve mine. I can only imagine the moments that so many have bravely endured in the defense of our freedom and the security of our Nation.

Bravo...

Posted by: Maxtrue at November 11, 2006 10:41 PM

The football game was good. Both teams were in it for all but a few minutes.

Posted by: Jon Kay at November 12, 2006 11:09 AM

I couldn't believe that Rutgers pulled off the upset against Louisville. It's looking increasingly possible that we'll see Rutgers and Boise State go undefeated this season and force their way into a BCS Bowl.

It's also surprising to see Wake Forest emerge as the likely ACC champion-- they could also be undefeated right now.

And when you throw in the possibility of Arkansas as the SEC champion... Well, things are just a bit nutty right now!

Posted by: Bobby at November 12, 2006 12:38 PM

My father sent me to old Rutgers
and resolved that I should be a man
and so I settled down
in that noisy college town
on the banks of the old Raritan
On the banks of the old Raritan, my boys
where Rutgers for evermore shall stand
Where has she not stood
since the time of the flood
on the banks of the old Raritan

That's the translation of what that 110-year-old Rutgers alumn was singing, in case any of you caught that during the game. He was born just 27 years after the first intercollegiate football game ever played, which featured RU against Princeton on College Avenue in New Brunswick, NJ in 1869. It's been a long time coming for us Scarlet Knights. I'm still all aquiver, and I'm glad someone else here noticed the game.

Posted by: WHQ at November 12, 2006 07:19 PM

WHQ,

Seriously, though, they've still got some tests in front of them, but they could very well force themselves into the BCS title game if things break right for them. I was surprised-- I thought they'd have a good season this year, but I didn't expect them to be this good!

Posted by: Bobby at November 13, 2006 06:59 AM

WV will be the real test. They SHOULD be able to handle Cincinnati and Syracuse, barring some kind of letdown. I'm not holding my breath for a national championship this year. The steps they have taken are already much larger than could reasonably have been expected. And I think it's only fair that RU prove itself over a bit more time to be considered on par with perrenial winners like Ohio State and Michigan. RU fans shouldn't let themselves feel dissatisfied over possibly not being considered for a championship bid when they should be overjoyed with what's happening this year.

Posted by: WHQ at November 13, 2006 10:29 AM