Is America flying apart at the seams? Observers of political rhetoric like to generalize about increasing polarization, especially a vast cultural and political divide between coastal urban 'blue state America' and inland, suburban, exurban, and rural 'red state America.' Yet, according to... More

There are certain times when it is incumbent upon polite citizens to shed their habit of equanimity, to stop conceding the benefit of the doubt, and to throw off the sometimes confining garments of decorum. This is one such time. According to the Washington Post,  former President James... More

The Democrats and the Left seem hell—bent to topple President Bush at any cost. Ted Kennedy says, boiled down to its essence, that Abu Ghraib prison is now under new US management that equaled that of Saddam. The last I heard, the prisoners are still alive and eating permitted food. Who... More

John F. Kerry likes to drone on about courage and leadership, recalling his long—ago wartime bravery, topics which have the potential to electrify audiences in the hands of a skilled orator. But his own candidacy, indeed his very lifestyle, betrays a pattern of entering into voluntary hostage... More

Weir Thinking about it It seems evident that the Democrats are going after President Bush with every attack dog in their canine arsenal. It's not enough that they have Ted Kennedy, the blustery bloviator from Boston, barking like a mutt with mange, and Al Gore playing the contemptuous cur as he... More

Once again, the legal vultures at The American Bar Association are out to rid America of its foulest menace. No, not repeat offenders, but the far more insidious "tough on crime" legislation that has lead to a steady reduction in the crime rate for more than a decade (including a drop in murders... More

Michael Moore has been making a lot of money the past four years at George Bush's expense.  If Bush is re—elected, Moore should continue to do very well making his propaganda movies and authoring his 'humor' books attacking the President. Bush in office is, after all, very good copy for... More

As far as I know, the following story has not been picked up by the US media, and that is definitely a mistake. You will see why shortly. Out of all places, I found this amazing piece in one of the most virulently Anti—American newspapers in Paris, Le Monde, in the June 25, 2004 issue. The... More

"He had to mortgage his own home...." So reads the New York Times story bizarrely entitled 'Kerry's Campaign Has Soared From Poorhouse to Penthouse.'  The American dream story. Sounds Capraesque: I will put up my own home to become the leader of my nation. And that 'poorhouse' mention has... More

Other than Coalition air strikes in Fallujah on the suspected hideouts of Jordanian—born terrorist leader Abu Musab al—Zarqawi, the previous week in Iraq had been relatively quiet.  In fact, a Marine patrol entered Fallujah on June 14, without a shot being fired.  This past... More

Europeans earn less than Americans, by a large and growing margin. But they also work less. Substantially less. Shocking less, according to a study by Alberto Alesina, a professor of economics at Harvard.  The good professor has determined that the average number of hours worked per... More

Michel Barnier, the new French Foreign Affairs Minister, is going on his first Middle East tour soon. He will make a special point in visiting Arafat. When told by Israeli diplomats that if he did, he would not be permitted to meet with Prime Minister Sharon, Barnier did not blink, sticking to... More

Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe believes that President George W. Bush sent American troops into battle in Afghanistan at the behest of the Unocal Oil Corporation, so that it would be able to build a pipeline there to carry oil from Caspian Sea wells drilled by Dick Cheney's... More

The Baehr Essentials   There has been a series of articles in recent weeks suggesting that the Democrats are in surprisingly good shape to spring a major upset and win back control of the Senate. While not impossible, it is unlikely that this will occur.   The major Senate races will be... More

While President Bush has promoted the "big bang" approach (overthrow of the Hussein dictatorship and its replacement by a democracy) to reform in the Arab world, his efforts have been derided by such advocates of "realism" as John Kerry. The realists prefer the previous diplomatic approach, which... More

Olivier Guitta begins today an occasional feature, reviewing the Arab press for stories which might not have been picked up by the Associated Press or the New York Times, but which might nevertheless be of interest to our readers. Iran From the Qatari paper al Watan of June 17, we learn that... More

The November election in Berkeley just got a little more interesting. In addition to the expected tight race between Nader and Kerry for the favor of the city's eccentric voters, a citizen initiative measure will grace the ballot, calling on the police to make arresting prostitutes and their... More

Guess which major newspaper: — focuses on inside the beltway issues.— relies on a contractual arrangement with a major wire service for reporting combat action in the War on Terror.— has its own reporters rely almost totally on said wire service, while rarely contributing any new... More

One could almost feel sorry for Al Franken. It must be difficult waking up in the morning and wondering if his paycheck will bounce. At forty thousand or so samoleans per week, according to the Wall Street Journal's report yesterday, a rubber check would cost him about what the average family... More

Weir thinking about it Suppose there were a country that was a shining beacon of prosperity, a glittering diamond of opulence in an otherwise drab and poverty stricken hemisphere? Suppose further that this brilliant oasis of wealth was bordered by one of the most impoverished countries in the... More

Satire   We at Overstep Strategies, LLC, are proud to have been selected by the re—election campaign for counsel on opposition disempowermentЩ. Undermining the other side's ability take advantage of their natural strengths is a complex process, which requires vision and discipline. As... More

Genesis 12:3 in the Hebrew Bible contains a brief statement by the G—d of Israel: 'I will bless those who bless you, and to him who curses you I will curse; and all the families of the earth shall bless themselves by you.' This brief statement has profound meaning today for the Jewish Nation... More

It has been another relatively quiet week in the Central Region, with most news from Armed Forces news services and other alternative news outlets emphasizing humanitarian and reconstruction efforts in both Iraq and Afghanistan.  In particular, Afghanistan is becoming one of the most amazing... More

Happy Father's Day It was still dark outside and a morning hush muffled movement in the house as my oldest brother and I joined Dad in the kitchen.  As always on those early Saturday mornings, Mom had packed us some sandwiches and was there to see us off before we left to go fishing.  A... More

Readers of certain spy novels, such as those of John Le Carre, are familiar with the art of misdirection in the realm of cloak—and—dagger secret operations. Truth itself is often fiction. Little, if anything, is what it seems. No such subtlety for the 9/11 Commission. No siree, Bob! A... More

These days, Riyadh has become almost as dangerous as Baghdad. Recently, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has witnessed terrorist attacks along with the spectacular kidnapping of a US citizen. Al Qaeda has now lifted the veil on its real intentions, seizing power in Saudi Arabia, and acted upon its... More

The Baehr Essentials President Reagan`s death and funeral appear to have lifted the current President and his party in all the new polls out this week.  Less than two weeks ago, Senator Kerry jumped out to a six or seven point lead in two national polls, Gallup and the LA Times.  This... More

Weir thinking about it With all the murder, kidnapping, rape and larceny occurring in this country every day; with all the corruption and greed being unearthed in our major corporations; with all the friction between the races and the genders, some malcontent comes along and sues to take the words,... More

In a recent press conference on June 10, 2004, as he was leaving the G8 summit in Georgia, President Bush said that reform in the Middle East is not easy and will take time. He also pointed out that each nation in the Middle East would look different culturally and politically from the US, as... More

Nova Gorica, Slovenia Yesterday I arrived in New Europe. Slovenia, the jewel of the former Yugoslavia and a recent entry into the EU, is prospering.  Large new homes are being built in the hills. The casino is expanding. The Slovenian stock market was the best performer in Europe last year,... More

A small but significant budget struggle is underway in the state of California, with labor unions, 'progressive' academics, and the Democrat—dominated state legislature on one side, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on the other. At issue is a four million dollar per year state subsidy for... More

The family and I are spending a few weeks at a villa in rural Tuscany. Generations of artists hardly did justice to the Tuscan countryside. Ancient churches, towns, and fortifications abound. Art is everywhere. Michaelangelo was born about five miles from here. Also nearby is San Sepolcro,... More

The Washington Times  via UPI, and the Maariv International websites report that the Iranians are massing troops on the Iraqi border.  The UPI report mentions that the estimate was four battalions (about 2000 to 3000 troops), according to the Saudi daily Al—Sharq... More

In the past week or so, with the D—Day ceremonies in France, the unanimous UN resolution on Iraq, and the seemingly harmonious G8 Summit in Sea Island, relations between the US and its allies seem improving. An issue that would clarify our doubts is coming to the table next week: Iran. Some... More

Weir thinking about it A recent ABC News special report had me wondering what country I'm living in. When I heard the opening remarks: 'Homicides have risen dramatically as street gangs continue to terrorize the public,' and 'People are refusing to leave their homes for fear of attack by roving... More

The Japanese prefer to communicate their most important messages indirectly, using subtle signals, with the true meaning visible only via implication. For this reason, key elements of important debates often soar right over the heads of foreign observers. Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi... More

I'm not old enough to remember the mood of the country during World War II, but America's sentiments can be readily understood by viewing any of the movies made during the war against the Axis powers in Europe. Even during the 50's, a decade after the troops were back home, the films continued to... More

The last week has seen the Armed Forces of the United States execute the week—long ceremonies honoring President Ronald Reagan in a flawless manner.  We owe our gratitude to all of our service men and women who supported all of these events in Washington, DC and California.  Your... More

Their faces are smudged with dirt and mud, sandstorms have left them scarred and weary, they sleep sporadically and restlessly due to the constant peril, yet America's army of volunteers continue to advance against a deeply entrenched enemy and in doing so, lose some comrades along the way. These... More

About three months ago, the French Jewish (it is unfortunately important to mention her religion) singer Shirel was performing at a gala attended by, among others, France's First Lady Mrs. Bernadette Chirac. Upon entering the stage and during her song, Shirel was welcomed by young Muslims sitting... More

It seems that the Department of Defense and the Department of the Army have been quietly and professionally taking the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse investigation to its logical conclusion.  Reuters reports  that Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, the commanding general of Multi—national Force,... More

It happened sometime during the summer of 1975. I was working plainclothes duty out of the 105 Precinct in Queens, New York. My partner and I responded to a call of, 'Cries for help,' in an apartment building. When we pulled up on the scene, we saw a young woman climbing down a fire escape,... More

What if they had a national political convention, and the arena wasn't ready? The elaborate podium, with its mini—elevator to make every speaker tall enough to look authoritative, the network skyboxes, where Dan, Peter, and Tom deliver their usual profundities, and the press center, with its... More

Terror attacks on US territory threaten the lives of millions, and must be taken with the utmost seriousness. But to some, this threat represents an opportunity to exploit a mountain of money coming out of the federal treasury, ostensibly to protect the American people. It is absolutely vital to... More

When violent, fanatical Muslims observe current events, they see a religion in recession culturally, economically, technologically, and militarily, and this brings shame, a strong cultural value in the Arab world and beyond. This historical fact of decline creates cognitive dissonance, because... More

Last October 16, Malaysia's then—Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad told a summit of Islamic leaders that the 'Jews rule the world by proxy. They get others to fight and die for them.' He added, '1.3 billion Muslims cannot be defeated by a few million Jews,' therefore Muslims must unite against... More

Like so many others whose lives were changed profoundly by Ronald Reagan, I have been struggling, trying to find the proper words with which to express my feelings and beliefs about that singular man, that peerless leader. Why is this so hard, I asked myself?  Because, as I finally realized,... More

Ever since the news of his death reached me, I have been struggling with my thoughts and emotions. Ronald Reagan changed my life for the better, as he did for hundreds of millions. Some were liberated from Communist tyranny, while others of us were freed from confiscatory tax rates. All of us... More

He arrived late on the national political scene, but Ronald Reagan made up for it with 8 years as governor of the largest state and another 8 years as President of our country. Although he was never a superstar in the movies, his political career soared like a comet blazing a trail across the... More

A few weeks ago, President Bush began enforcing the Syria Accountability Act, signed into law in December, imposing economic sanctions on Syria for its continued support of major terrorist organizations and its occupation of Lebanon. At the same time the European Union is on the verge of signing a... More

While French President Chirac has been claiming for the past two years that France is not anti—Semitic, he nonetheless convened emergency talks with Jewish leaders in December 2003, to reassure them after the burning of a Jewish school. Right after this meeting, one of the participants,... More

Perhaps blinkered by its focus on the immediate threats from the Middle East and North Korea, America is passively allowing a very dangerous course of events to unfold elsewhere, in another region vital to our national interests. Unless we awaken, and take action, we may someday find ourselves... More

It's not often that one gets to meet a national treasure. I had that opportunity recently at a private dinner in a hotel just outside of Dallas, Texas. First let me say, I think the world of President Bush, and I'm praying that he gets reelected. There are several other notables I admire in... More

The New York Times has reached a new low in its Middle East coverage. Not only does a 'news analysis' column today parrot a Saudi evasion of responsibility for the destructive consequences of state—sponsored Wahabbism, it helpfully misleads its readers about the true meaning of a phrase... More

To the consternation of the left, military action in Iraq remains at a relatively low level as compared to the previous few months.  This does not mean the danger has completely gone away, as evidenced by two Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks in Baghdad in the last two days that... More

Second Lieutenant Wesley C. Ross commanded Boat Crew #8, which consisted of 24 men from B Company, 146th Engineer Combat Battalion, 4 volunteers, and the augmented Naval Combat Demolition Unit (NCDU) 137, led by Ensign Harold P. Glean.   Their mission:  place explosives on mined... More

The finest television series ever produced is ending its fifth season tomorrow night, and once again I must turn to my boxed DVD sets of previous years, for comfort and artistic sustenance. My life will have a little less joy in it, until David Chase and his production team finally present us with... More

Weir thinking about it The HBO series, The Sopranos has captured huge ratings on television by appealing to a segment of society that cannot get enough sex and violence from "traditional" TV fare. Since network television has not yet been able to add vulgar four letter words to their scripts, or... More

In writing about Kipling, George Orwell said, "[Kipling] sees clearly that men can only be highly civilized while other men, inevitably less civilized, are there to guard and feed them." When my best friend, a 33 year—old attorney decided to enlist in the Marine Corps Reserves, I had an... More

The Baehr Essentials On Saturday, Smarty Jones will try to become the 13th winner of racing's Triple Crown, and the first to accomplish this since Affirmed in 1978.  Smarty Jones is an unbeaten three year—old, and was an impressive winner of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. The... More

Weir thinking about it The attitude most Americans have toward the French right now is certainly justified for reasons that don't need to be restated here. However, I'm not comfortable with the attitude many Americans display toward citizens of this country who happen to be of French descent. ... More

[Editor's note: The month of May has come and gone, and along with it the always—predictable commencement speeches, encouraging students to commit themselves to social action for progressive causes, or in a few tasteless cases, to rants about the President.  Below is something a bit... More

Weir thinking about it   Bill Cosby said it bluntly, albeit accurately: 'I am talking about these people who cry when their son is standing there in an orange jumpsuit. Where were you when he was 2? Where were you when he was 12? Where were you when he was 18 and how come you didn't know that... More

As a former political prisoner, I have been asked on many occasions what has kept the mullahs' regime in power in Iran for twenty five years. After all, the overwhelming majority of Iranians loathe them; their oil—driven economy is in shambles, with a majority of the population below the... More

Even at the height of the crisis between France and the USA in March 2003, regarding the war in Iraq, the two countries were cooperating closely on terrorism issues. Today, in a somewhat warmer climate, France and the US are still sharing major intelligence information. But do we share the same... More

Now it is official. Unwieldy campaign finance reform (CFR) legislation may have opened Pandora's Box, and made political fundraising abuses, formerly forbidden, into perfectly legal practice. The cure, in other words, may be more toxic than the disease. Due to a loophole in the 2002... More

How much would you pay for a new 'fourth generation' fighter jet subject to an 'official warning that its pilots should not fly in cloud'? How about if I told you that it is to appear four years behind schedule? And what if I added that some critics believe it is obsolete before it ever takes to... More

Singaporeans are the most pragmatic people on earth, and they don't care a whit about political correctness. Living as they do in a Confucian city—state, Singapore's leaders are free to speak their minds on certain subjects, without worry about the niceties of pandering to the sensitivities... More

I've always believed in the existence of monsters. During my 20 years as a cop in NYC, I met quite of few of them, many of whom are undoubtedly still doing time in prisons around the country. However, they were the garden—variety type of monsters: murderers, rapists, armed robbers and other... More