One of the great ironies beneath the hatred by Democrats of President George W. Bush is that the president whom Bush most closely resembles is one of the great heroes of the Democratic Party, President Harry S Truman.  The similarities between Presidents Bush and Truman are so obvious that it... More

As you deliver your State of the Union speech tonight, Mr. President, and enter the sixth year of your presidency there is something I want to say. It is 'Thank you, Mr. President.' You have achieved three important things in the last five years, Mr. President, and that's as good as it gets. First... More

There is a lot of talk these days about the 'street.' What's the word on the street? What does the average person think? How do upper—level policies actually translate down to day—to—day reality? The antique media use the 'street' term mostly in relation to the... More

Last week, Lewis Libby filed a long—anticipated motion to compel discovery of reporters and organizations, making a significant strategic move in the perjury and obstruction case brought against him by the Special  Prosecutor. As anticipated, he seeks broad discovery of the reporters and... More

If there was any doubt that the New York Times thoroughly despised President Bush, the last shreds were erased yesterday. In an editorial entitled 'Spies, Lies, and Wiretaps,' the Times presented a case against the Bush administration with similar gusto as it might attack an organized crime family... More

Weir Thinking About It It was about 3am and I was working the midnight shift with my partner on radio motor patrol in Brooklyn. Suddenly, as we turned a corner, we saw a car at the next intersection slowly moving past the red light. As we drove up on the auto it had come to rest halfway across the... More

'My next guest was used also in worshipping the devil, participated in human sacrifice rituals and cannibalism,' Oprah Winfrey told her audience in a show aired in May of 1989. Oprah didn't say, 'My next guest alleges she was used in worshipping the devil.' Oprah stated it as a fact. Lauren... More

The other day, the American people saw George W. Bush once again addressing his critics in connection with the NSA's surveillance program . Despite the fact that he has been accused of the worst of possible motives — of willfully and deliberately breaking the law to spy on his fellow citizens... More

During his re—election campaign in 2004, President Bush was often put on the defensive by Democratic rivals over slow job growth and the complex issue of outsourcing.  Contrary to the claims made by his liberal rivals, outsourcing is not simply about cutting jobs and moving them to a... More

Dear Muslim missionary and emailer, During Islamic holy days and months I get a slight increase in emails from you that go something like this: 'Come on, brother. During this holy time or month when we are conscious of God, accept Islam. You know it's the truth.' Other fellow missionaries of yours... More

In the last thousand years there has been only onegenuinely new idea regarding government: that government should not be left in the hands of a divinely-guided king, or pharaoh, or caliph, but that so far as possible it should be in the hands of unwashed slobs like us. Those nations that have adopted this approach mostly have grown prosperous, dynamic and tolerant. Those that resisted it, or perverted it by creating "a state of the peasants and workers" that in fact was ruled by a tiny despotic clique, mostly have slid into stagnation, or catastrophe. More

Hamas, the Islamic Resistance movement, has won an overwhelming victory in the Palestinian legislative elections. The latest count is that they have captured 76 seats to 43 for Fatah out of the 132 seats in the legislature, or well over half.   The victory and the scope of the victory... More

With no shortage of important matters to discuss, why do Democrats insist on talking about trivia?  They are determined to spew piffle even when they plainly pay a political price for doing so.  Consider what our leaders should be grappling with. Israel's popular Prime Minister is... More

'Unlike the last time,' the e—mail stated, 'where I got to run around off base playing Lawrence of Arabia and the first time invading from Kuwait, I'm now what is commonly referred to as a 'FOB Dweller.'  FOB is short for Forward Operating Base... we used to call them 'C.H.U.D.' for... More

We may thank God that the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito for the United States Supreme Court is finally where it belongs — the floor of the United States Senate. Perhaps James Madison and Alexander Hamilton can now stop spinning in their graves. Article II, Section II of the United... More

There's an old rule of thumb in marketing — stick to what sells. Lately, America's media have been doing just that. Since the significant rebound in the President's poll numbers from their October lows, coincident with a lack of outrage by the public concerning the Jack Abramoff lobbying... More

This month, in the liberal bastion of Santa Fe, New Mexico, they are raising the minimum wage in the city to $9.50 per hour. The measure applies to all businesses with 25 or more employees. The driving force behind this decision was Acorn, the 'national community organization,' as Jon Gertner... More

Before the founding of the modern State of Israel, the anti—Semitic view of the historical role of the Jew was that of half—willing victim. Jews were supposed to wait patiently while the Poles, Tartars, and Cossacks threw the bones to see who got to burn down the village this time. Many... More

The Khomeinist regime in Iran is finally baring its teeth to the world, in the public appearances of the little fanatic, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Iran's nuclear build—up has been going on for two decades, and the regime is now openly laughing at diplomatic efforts by the Europeans to make it... More

At the end of his speech at the United Nations in the fall of 2005, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made an invocation to Allah to bring about the speedy reappearance of the Hidden Imam.  The media and, sad to say, many academic persons were at a loss to explain this eschatological... More

The power structure of the American media is undergoing a convulsion that surpasses even the revolution wrought by the advent of television broadcasting sixty years ago.  At first, television was politically neutral, and neither party took comparative advantage of it. When John F. Kennedy... More

Pinch Sulzberger, meet Larry Franklin. The publisher of the New York Times had better pay attention to the fate of Mr. Franklin. Last Friday, US District Judge T. S. Ellis III sentenced Pentagon employee Larry Franklin to just over 12 years in prison for his role in providing classified Department... More

Canadian Conservative Leader Stephen Harper eked out a minority win in the federal election yesterday after early hopes were dashed he might be able to pull off a majority win or come close enough to controlling the House of Commons that the three opposition parties would be reluctant to challenge... More

It's a rare day lately when a commentator doesn't point out that the Democrats have become a party without a vision, unless you call being opposed to war a comprehensive party platform. This is unfair. The Democrats, or at least the dominant left wing of the Party, do in fact have a vision and... More

Major newspapers do not usually attack prominent, respected and even beloved figures in either popular culture or literature on their culture or editorial pages without solid evidence of some serious misdeeds, or at minimum hypocrisy. In recent days an unusual attack from two antique media leaders... More

In the new millennium, articles describing the intellectual differences between the sexes have been altogether too commonplace. As a result, it wasn't difficult to presage from the cover of Newsweek's most recent issue where the editors were going with a headline like 'The Boy Crisis.' In fact,... More

If viewers happened to be tuned into CSPAN several weeks ago, they were in for quite a spectacle. CSPAN was re—airing a conference that took place in May of 2005 with the ominous title, "Examining the Real Agenda of the Far Religious Right." Sponsored by the New York Open Center, the... More

Stephen Harper and his Conservative party may manage a victory at the polls in the Canadian election this Monday, but this electoral win won't necessarily translate into a Tory government for Canada. The Tories could win the most seats but still be shut out. The Governor—General, the... More

The editors of most of California's metro newspapers will gather in Santa Barbara next month to have a few drinks and compare notes. They will wring their hands wondering why their readers are fleeing. They will show each other the beautiful new products they've developed and the... More

One of the surer things in this world is that if you've ever lived in a communist regime, like East Germany, you aren't going to have any sympathy for communism. You won't have quite the same feeling for romantic Che Guevara berets as Berkeley's lefties do, and you are unlikely to cheer for Mao... More

The situation is worse at the New York Times than I thought. Bill Keller, executive editor of the Times, sent me an email the other day. At least I think it is an email to me from the Bill Keller who runs Grey Lady's editorial staff. Actually, it is quite plausible that Mr. Keller might be writing... More

The lesson of Jeanine Pirro's failed New York Senate run is that when you cut pro—life voters, gun rights advocates, and affirmative action opponents from a Republican Senate campaign you are left with a candidacy for a 2006 election that ends in 2005.   Despite the early... More

Were Americans to be honestly polled about which national issues they consider to be of primary importance to the future of the country, terrorism, illegal immigration, and private property rights would likely rank at the top. And on at least two of these issues, the official stances of Republicans... More

During the years of President Ronald Reagan and Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, Canada and the United States shared an important relationship as trading partners, allies, and warm friends. Our common Britannic history encompassing the rule of law, democracy, and the protection of the individual... More

'Europe will be Islamic by the end of this century at the very latest.' The floodgates opened with that comment from Bernard Lewis. Since its publication in Die Welt in July 2004, countless responses have appeared from writers as varied as George Weigel and Patrick Buchanan. The latest is Mark... More

George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess is a fitting  allegory for the Democrats' approach to domestic policy— permissive sex, drugs, gambling, sleaze and co—dependency — all on somebody's else's tab. Less obvious, Porgy's refrain from Act II, 'I Got Plenty o' Nuttin' and Nuttin's... More

The Golden Globe Awards, Hollywood's latest orgy of self—congratulation, demonstrated how utterly out of touch with mainstream America Hollywood has become. Far from the days when Hollywood celebrated traditional values, moral fiber and American heroes, modern films celebrate deviancy,... More

Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean is talking of retaking control of the Senate in the 2006 elections. With Republicans holding 55 seats, and having to defend only 15 of the 33 seats that are up this year, that would be a tall order for the Democrats. With Vice President Cheney able to cast a... More

When you point out that the emperor has no clothes, you're bound to get an angry reaction from the emperor's court. When the dis—robed monarch is the New York Times, it's likely to come as blowback from the elite Northeast media. A few days ago in an article posted on The American Thinker, I... More

January 17th, 2006 marks the 300th birthday of Benjamin Franklin. Since his death 216 years ago many volumes have been written that explore his numerous accomplishments in a wide variety of endeavors. Despite so much time passing, Franklin's list of achievements and his life's work still stand tall... More

Is a fake staged photo fit to print? What if it staged in a way that makes the US forces fighting the War on Terror look cruel and ineffective? The evidence argues that yes, it can run, and in a prominent position — at least in the case of the New York Times website. It appears that the... More

He was a not a very tall man, standing barely 5' 7', but he was powerfully built. His barrel chest and broad shoulders gave the impression of a man possessed of great strength while his short gait and cat—like movements denoted a man of purpose. Surprisingly graceful, he had large, delicate... More

It is tempting to compare the zealots of political correctness to the pigs in Orwell's Animal Farm who proclaimed that 'all animals are equal but some are more equal than others.' There seems to be a certain selectivity in their concern for inclusiveness. A few weeks ago, in their eagerness to... More

Tonight's season premier of 24, the innovative 'real—time' television series portraying (over 24 one—hour episodes) an eventful day in the life of Jack Bauer, counter—terrorism fighter extraordinaire, has generated unusual buzz for a television series well into middle age, as the... More

In the weeks and months following the 9/11 attacks, it became fashionable to say that America had changed and that we'd never be the same. In the grossest sense, this idea manifests itself in the realization (by most of us) that we are at war and that this conflict is unlike any other in which... More

If you were to start a new religious movement or an entirely new religion, people would hurl insults at you, guaranteed. Those who cherish the status quo may even threaten your life. But how would you respond? Would you show patience and take it? Would you walk away? Would you return the insults,... More

Amir Taheri is an intelligent and well—informed commentator on world affairs whose work appears in the Arab News. But today he wrote a dangerously obtuse commentary ——— not his usual style at all. This is important, because his subject is Iran's nuclear ambitions, which are... More

Whether or not you believe in the wrath of God, there is no question that the wrath of the ungodly left is often on full display.  As for the latter, evangelist Pat Robertson got quite a liberal dose of it most recently.  The founder of the 700 Club was placed in the crosshairs for... More

In February, after 18 years as America's top banker, Dr. Allan Greenspan will step down as Chairman of the Federal Reserve. While many economic observers are very interested in the views of incoming Chairman Ben Bernanke, they often overlook another central banker — in Beijing —... More

The once obscure law Latin phrase 'stare decisis' used to be the exclusive property of pompous judges and still more pompous first year law students.  Roughly translated it means 'to stand pat.'  Suddenly that phrase is sweeping the nation.  Thanks to the perverted politics that Roe... More

The Alito confirmation hearings have produced their iconic image of a loving wife dissolving into tears after hours of hearing her husband insinuated to be a racist, sexist troglodyte, and then finally defended by a decent man, Senator Lindsey Graham. Beyond marking the dead end of the... More

The interrogation portion of the Alito hearings treated America to a dismal spectacle of a group of liberal senators attempting to demonize an accomplished jurist and a decent man. Replete with ominous insinuations, the stratagem predictably featured dark hints of closeted bigotry and racism.... More

Most Americans were not glued to their televisions yesterday watching the Alito confirmation hearings. But today a substantial portion of the electorate is aware that Judge Alito's wife Martha—Ann Bomgardner was driven to tears, as Senator Lindsey Graham apologized to the nominee and his... More

The controversy following revelations that U.S. intelligence agencies have monitored suspected terrorist related communications since 9/11 reflects a severe case of selective amnesia by the New York Times and other media opponents of President Bush. They certainly didn't show the same outrage when... More

After celebrating the 25th anniversary of the founding of BET, Black Entertainment Television, Robert L. Johnson has handed over the responsibilities of President and CEO to Debra L. Lee, reports The New York Times in a fawning piece in Tuesday's Arts section. Viacom, parent company of BET, is very... More

It may be the most underreported story of the new year. Very quietly and without any fanfare from a biased and hostile press, George Bush has emerged from the dog days of summer and early autumn where his approval ratings sat at a Nixonian 34% in some polls to a much healthier 46% in the latest... More

Why are the Big Five UN Security Council members suddenly helping the US against the Tehran regime? The good news is that Russia, France, China, Britain and the US are all sending simultaneous "demarches" — diplotalk for 'put up or shut up' — to the Khomeiniacs in Tehran. They are being... More

I watched almost none of the hearing live Monday, except for Alito's statement, since the rest of the day was Senatorial posturing, or in the case of Senators Kennedy and Schumer, indicting.  But Tuesday was much more interesting, almost like being back in con law class. Judge Alito was... More

Contemporary American politics has two seasons, not four. Life is very different for politicians, the public and the media in the two respective seasons, and the ebb and flow of power operate in very distinct modalities in them. Unless we are clear about the season in which we operate, it is very... More

Here we go again, as the Senate conducts hearings upon the nomination of Samuel A. Alito for a seat on the United States Supreme Court. Four months ago John Roberts testified to the United States Senate Judiciary Committee about his understanding of the role of the judge.  He said  If I... More

The vitriolic hatred of the United States in some parts of the Arab world has left many Americans bewildered. 'If they hate us so bitterly,' the thinking goes, 'we must have wronged them. Otherwise they would not be so intent on harming us. We must have given them good reasons for that.' We would... More

There is often much less than meets the eye in the news from our nation's capital.  Rarely, however, does anything as trivial as the NSA 'domestic spying' story make the front pages and generate gales of heavy breathing from the media elite.  Heavy breathing notwithstanding, that story is... More

Has there ever been a less—serious group of United States Senators sitting in judgment of a Supreme Court nominee than the Democrat side of the Judiciary Committee as presently constituted? As Congress returns to Washington and the committee comes to order to question Judge Samuel Alito... More

'Sixty percent of what you say is crap,' said David Letterman to his guest, Bill O'Reilly. Sadly, this is the level to which dialogue in America has fallen. Here we have a man who is the host of a major late—night show on national television, and he is rude to someone he invited as a guest.... More

Three main purposes of torture are to punish criminals, to extract information, and to exact revenge. It is at least one of these three purposes that Muhammad, the founder of Islam, had in mind when he tortured two criminals: a treasurer who would not disclose where Jewish wealth lay hidden, and an... More

As someone who annually revisits her Narnia books for the sheer pleasure of reading C.S. Lewis's glowing prose and visiting his magical land, I was very excited when I heard that The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was being turned into a movie. I was also worried, because Disney's involvement... More

Since the Enron Corporation's spectacular scandal ushered in an era of white—collar perp walks and investor outrage, many people may have forgotten that the last chapter is still to be written. On January 17, 2005, Enron founder Kenneth Lay, his CEO successor Jeffrey Skilling, and the... More

JERUSALEM — It's Friday in Israel, and because the stores close early in preparation for the Jewish Sabbath, many shoppers are out buying last minute groceries. It's also the day when Israelis sit in cafes, drinking coffee with their friends and talking politics.  While Israeli Prime... More

The dead miners, their families and their community are the major victims of the Sago Mine Disaster, and deserve our full compassion. But the company is also suffering, and will continue to suffer, from the genesis of the accident, and from its handling of information as the tragedy unfolded.... More

On June 10, 1998, Rep. Porter Goss (R—FL), then Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and now CIA Director, held a public hearing on the issue of whistleblowers in the intelligence community (IC).  The concern of those in the Congress was that information,... More

A new report in the prestigious British journal Nature shows how greenhouse gasses (normally associated with global warming) are now slated to cause global freezing as well.  This has led me to throw in the towel and admit, as liberals have been arguing for the past 25 years, that CO2 really... More

When one hears the word chivalry, thoughts of both the fanciful and practical are evoked.  There are the quaint images of a valiant hero rescuing a damsel in distress from train tracks or of a man throwing his coat over a puddle for an enchanting belle (Was this obligatory with leather... More

Israel and the prospects for peace in the Middle East face grave difficulties in the face of Prime Minister Sharon's massive stroke. Even prior to his hospiltalization, violence against Israel was escalating. 'Israel can only have a peace partner if the Palestinian leadership fulfills two... More

One of the most distressing characteristics of our liberal friends is that they would rather believe propaganda than believe the evidence of their own senses. For instance, the television will tell them that America is running out of room to put its garbage, they'll drive all over the place without... More

The federal government just released its decennial literacy survey, 'A First Look at the Literacy of America's Adults in the 21st Century,' and the results are not good.  About 13 percent of adult Americans are 'below basic' in literacy and the results for 2003 haven't changed much since... More

A too—close—to—call federal election campaign in Canada has spurred the nation's beleaguered Liberal leader to try and cling to power by attacking the nation's oldest ally and largest trading partner. That Canada sells 83% of its world exports to the United States and some 50% of... More

It's clear that the New York Times is in big trouble with the announcement that the Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the leaks behind its NSA surveillance story. The investigation is long overdue. The paper had been warned by the President that national security would be... More

The choreography of Washington 'scandals' has become as precise — and as predictable — as a performance by the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes.  And the latest so—called scandal — this one over disclosures that the NSA has been eavesdropping without warrants on... More

I had deep misgivings about seeing Spielberg's Munich. The tragedy was too close to my heart. I was supposed to be with the 1972 Israeli Olympiads as a member of the Israeli women's basketball team. At the last minute, the International Olympic Committee decided against including a women's... More

Salvatore Scuotto is an Italian artist from Naples who is famous for the nativity scenes he creates. His latest masterpiece is a nativity scene featuring naked women and transvestites standing near the baby Jesus. This highly respectful work, evidence of Scuotto's great sensitivity towards... More

Postmodern ideology places victims at the very top of the pecking order of morality. Unless, of course, the victims come from a class of persons deemed by the supreme authorities of political correctness (The New York Times, Hollywood, and academia) to be pariahs. Steve Spielberg's controversial... More

Thankfully, the world has a magnificent image to help a new generation of young people sort through the confusion and conflict surrounding Steven Spielberg's movie Munich.  In The Chronicles of Narnia,  (Anschutz Film Group, Walt Disney Company, Walden Media) a splendid and virtuous lion... More

We're only five full years into the twenty—first century and I want out. The changes are coming too fast and thick for my comfort and cherished values seem to be crumbling before my eyes. And so, on the start of yet another year, let's look back a moment and take stock. What epitaph... More