Steyn Reviews Coulter

Mark Steyn (who did a great job subbing for Rush today) defends Ann Coulter and her recent book GODLESS from those who assert that 9/11 widows are beyond criticism.

"...it wasn't until Ann Coulter pointed it out that you realize how heavily the Democratic party is invested in irreproachable biography."

He concludes: "Using 'messengers whom we're not allowed to reply to' doesn't solve the Democrats' biggest problem: their message."

As is usually the case with Steyn, every word is carefully chosen. As the saying goes, read the whole thing.

The Battle for the Children

Last night I linked to an interesting Opinion Journal column on the "fertility gap" between liberals and conservatives. Conservatives have far more children than liberals, so it is likely that at some point not too many years from now, conservatives will outnumber liberals.

David French at NRO's Phi Beta Cons (linked above) makes an interesting point, that since liberals aren't actually having as many children as conservatives, the political battle lines instead are being drawn in our nation's public schools, which are staffed largely by liberals who are fighting for the "hearts and minds" of the nation's children.

"After decades of litigation, the balance of power is increasingly clear: While parents who can afford to do so have a right to opt out of public schooling (through home schools or private schools), if the kids are in public schools they are essentially wards of the state and can be subjected to all kinds of state indoctrination without parental consent."

He concludes: "Why does the Left need to have children...when they can raise yours?"

A Fascinating Coincidence

A Northwest Airlines flight en route from Holland to India turned back to Holland today due to strange behavior by several passengers using forbidden cell phones. The plane, which had air marshals on board, was escorted on its return to Holland by two F-16 fighter jets.

In a very interesting coincidence, Tim Nelson, the gentleman who first tipped the U.S. government to the odd behavior of Zacarias Moussaoui in flight school, was a passenger on the plane.

I'll be curious to learn more about the passengers who were arrested.

Famed Food Store Threatened by Eminent Domain

Surfas, a well-known restaurant supply and food store in Culver City, California, is currently under threat of condemnation by eminent domain.

As we have seen happen all too often of late, Culver City has declared the Surfas warehouse and offices "blighted" because the city wishes to put a different kind of "transit-oriented" private business on the Surfas site which would cater (no pun intended) to travelers on a light rail line which has not yet been built.

Culver City may be trying to rush through the condemnation now because this November Californians will have the opportunity to vote to ban the use of eminent domain to transfer private property to another private owner.

Les Surfas believes his buildings will be razed and the land will sit vacant for years.

Eating L.A. published a statement from Surfas last week which says "If Culver City doesn't want us, another city will."

As an aside, I placed an online order from Surfas a few months ago and was extremely pleased with the very prompt delivery; my package arrived just a day or two after the order was placed.

This use of eminent domain appears to me to be unconstitutional, and if it's not stopped now, then none of us who own property will ever be safe. Hopefully Mr. Surfas will prevail in court.

Mark Steyn Subs for Rush Limbaugh Thursday

Rush announced at the end of today's show that "the great writer and commentator, Mark Steyn" would be his substitute for Thursday's program.

I've heard Steyn many times as a guest on Hugh Hewitt's radio show. Should be fun to hear him filling in as a host. Steyn is an amazingly quick-witted, knowledgeable, and amusing man. (Rather like Rush!)

Fox News Journalists Seen on Video

TV Newser (above), Michelle Malkin, and Mary Katharine Ham have the latest.

Please pray for Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig.

Around the Blogosophere Today

I came across some interesting and provocative reads today which I thought I'd highlight briefly.

Ed Morrissey has questioned whether electronic voting machines are a threat to democracy (subject link). I know I certainly feel less secure voting electronically, and I would happily return to punch cards which leave a paper trail.

Rush Limbaugh today mentioned an interesting article in Opinion Journal, about the "fertility gap" between conservatives and liberals. Over time liberals may end up far outnumbered by conservatives. I've done my part to add to the "gap" thanks to being blessed with four children. :)

Jonah Goldberg writes on the "Living Constitution's Double Standard." Those who believe in the "living Constitution" actually only believe in it in those circumstances where it's convenient to their beliefs that the Constitution be "flexible." Goldberg concludes: "Where the Constitution is supposed to be inert, they want it alive and mutating. But where the Constitution was intended to be flexible, intellectual rigor mortis has set in."

John Hinderaker of Power Line reflects on President Bush as a public speaker, a theme also discussed in Kathleen Parker's new column. Mr. Hinderaker described hearing President Bush speak today as "the most inspiring forty minutes I've experienced in politics."

Judge in NSA Case Had Conflict of Interest

Judge Anna Taylor Diggs, who last week ruled that the NSA wiretapping program is unconstitutional, appears to have had a conflict of interest.

She is the trustee of an organization that has given substantial funds to the Michigan ACLU, the plaintiff in the NSA case.

Blogger Ann Althouse has written an excellent analysis of Diggs' decision for Wednesday's New York Times.

A Troubling Electoral Plan

The California Senate has passed a bill that would do an end run around the U.S. Constitution, by forcing our state's electoral votes to be cast not for the majority winner of California's votes, but for whoever leads the popular vote nationally.

California would enter into a compact with several other states to cast their votes in this manner.

State Senator Tom McClintock calls the plan "brazenly unconstitutional." It certainly raises all kinds of questions in my mind. I wonder if the compact would be constitutional; I particularly wonder about the equal protection clause, insofar as Californians' votes would have less worth because the entire nation would be deciding how the state's electoral votes are cast, rather than just Californians.

I'd hope that the idea is going to stop with the State Senate, but with our liberal state legislature, I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up on Governor Schwarzenegger's desk.

New on DVD: Who Am I This Time? (1982)

I first saw WHO AM I THIS TIME?, which is being released today on DVD, on public television's AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE during my college years.

This is a charming one-hour romantic comedy about an extremely shy man (Christopher Walken) who exudes confidence starring in local community theater productions. Susan Sarandon is the new girl in town who is his costar in a production of A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE.

The lead actors are by turns touching and sizzling as they fall in love. Is their relationship just "Stanley and Stella," or is it the real thing?

I recorded this on a Beta (!) videotape which hasn't received any play in recent years. I'm so pleased to be able to "upgrade" my copy to DVD and enjoy this little movie once more and am anxiously awaiting its delivery. I found the best price at Deep Discount DVD.

Highly recommended.

Rudy vs. McCain

The Anchoress has written a thoughtful piece (linked above) on why she would vote for Rudy Giuliani despite his social liberalism.

Over at Captain's Quarters, Ed Morrissey summarizes why conservatives just don't trust occasional conservative John McCain.

These two posts combine to explain why I would definitely consider voting for Rudy Giuliani, but will never, ever vote for John McCain.

Update on Film Critic Roger Ebert

Last Thursday famed film critic Roger Ebert released a statement updating the public on his most recent battle with cancer.

His TV show will continue with guest hosts in his absence.

Prayers and good wishes to Roger for a complete recovery.

Still No Word on Kidnapped Fox News Employees

Fox New Channel's Chief Israel Correspondent, Jennifer Griffin, spoke at a demonstration today in Gaza City.

TV Newser continues to update regarding the search for Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig.

Sunday Evening Update: Michelle Malkin has a large roundup of links and emails on this topic.

A Sad Country Song

The only country-music station in L.A., KZLA, went off the air yesterday...replaced by a station that plays Michael and Janet Jackson. (Ugh!)

I'm not particularly into what I think of as the "new country" of the last decade or so (and certainly not the Dixie Chicks!), but I spent a lot of years listening to that station, especially in the '80s. It was still programmed into memory as one of my car radio buttons, so I could check for the older country songs they'd play occasionally. I will be removing that setting today...sigh.

Time to load some Alabama CDs back into the car. :)

Sunday Update: An interesting article from the L.A. Times about societal changes which have led music stations to target "urban" and Hispanic listeners.

New on DVD: The Duchess of Duke Street

Last Tuesday saw the DVD release of the second season of one of Britain's finest TV series, THE DUCHESS OF DUKE STREET.

Season 1 was released previously.

The series, which originally ran in England in 1976 and 1977, was first broadcast in the United States on MASTERPIECE THEATER in its "Golden Era" of the '70s and early '80s, when many of us were lucky enough to first watch series such as UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS, POLDARK, LILLIE, THE FLAME TREES OF THIKA, and DANGER: UXB.

Louisa Trotter, who climbed from being a poor Cockney servant to being a renowned cook and hotel owner, wasn't always moral, but she was certainly always fascinating. Gemma Jones as Louisa gives one of the all-time great television performances and is supported by an outstanding cast.

If you've never yet seen this series, by all means add it to your "to be watched" list (or your Netflix queue).

Viewer advisory: there is some mature subject matter -- Louisa was once the mistress of King Edward VII and later had an illegitimate child by another man -- which is not appropriate for younger children.

CA Refuses to Restore Missions

The California legislature is refusing to contribute to the restoration of our state's historic missions because of that old saw, the so-called separation of church and state.

A California Democrat's spokesman said that while the federal government contributes to the restoration of famous churches such as Old North Church, the missions conduct too many services to allow spending state funds on restoration. In his eyes, if a church has two services a week, as they do at Old North, it's all right for the government to help with the restoration; but if a church has daily services, then basically that's just too much religion and you can forget government funds for restoration projects.

There are few (if any) buildings in California which are more significant in our state and national history than the missions, many of which are in dire need of earthquake retrofitting and other expensive preservation measures. Some of these parishes serve relatively poor congregations. If the state government is going to involve itself in the preservation of historic buildings, then the missions should be at the top of the list.

Below, a 2004 photo of the ruins from the 1812 earthquake at Mission San Juan Capistrano. These ruins are sometimes referred to as "the American Acropolis."


Another view, with restored bells in the foreground:


I find the attitudes of the anti-religionists in this matter quite regrettable. I suspect that the day is not far off when lawsuits will be initiated to prevent California schoolchildren from taking field trips to missions. And I'm rather amazed a lawsuit hasn't yet prevented the annual ritual of thousands of California schoolchildren, constructing missions from popsicle sticks and styrofoam.

Skyrocketing College Textbook Prices

USA Today ran a pair of articles today on the high costs of college textbooks. The stories were timely for me -- as we paid nearly $400 for a single semester's books for our daughter yesterday. (Gulp!) Nearly half the titles we purchased were used, too.

I find state legislatures stepping into the issue potentially worrisome -- as a parent who just had to pay an unpleasant bill, I appreciate that students are a captive audience and would like to see textbook prices (not to mention college tuition!) come back down to Planet Earth, but I always prefer to see the market work to resolve problems. A great case in point: the professors who have taken the initiative to utilize new technology and worked to make course materials more affordable for their students.

Speaking of college, the new U.S. News college rankings are out, which are always interesting to peruse, although like most lists, they should be taken with a grain of salt. My daughter's university jumped three spots in the last year, from No. 30 to No. 27. :)

Who Elected Judge Taylor President?

A single federal judge having the audacity to tell the President how he can or can't conduct national security -- against significant precedents, no less -- seems to me to raise serious separation of powers issues.

Be sure to read analysis from Power Line (above and here). Paul Johnson: "Off hand, I cannot recall reading an opinion as conclusory and content free as the portions of this opinion that pertain to the Constitution."

Patterico, an L.A. County prosecutor, calls it "one of the most embarrassing pieces of garbage I have ever read."

Move-In Day at USC

No blogging today as we moved our oldest daughter into her dorm at the University of Southern California. It was a lovely day and all went smoothly.

Below, Alumni House, the oldest building on campus:


Here's a shot taken of the reflecting pool in late June:


Fight on!

Update on Kidnapped Fox News Correspondent

Media Bistro's TV Newser has ongoing updates on the kidnapping of Fox News Channel correspondent Steve Centanni and his cameraman, Olaf Wiig.

Fox News' chief Israel correspondent, Jennifer Griffin (a very brave woman herself), and another Fox employee have scheduled meetings with the President and Prime Minister of the Palestinian government.

Fox News Channel is maintaining a very low-key position, not mentioning the kidnapping other than occasional reports from Griffin. I haven't seen any stories on their website. Denying the kidnappers publicity may be the wisest course at this point.

Google News has regular updates.