Some conservatives (e.g., Sean Hannity) are reluctant to give Obama recognition for the flawless Navy Seal liberation of the courageous captured ship captain from Somalian pirates, claiming his involvement was pro forma.
I'm going give Obama credit since as Commander in Chief, he accepts responsibility or blame for the performance of the Armed Forces. However, if he thinks this is the end of it, he's sadly mistaken: he must not confuse treating symptoms for curing the underlying disease. This hijacking was not typical, the Somali pirates are vowing vengeance against the United States, and the de facto response of the international community to date has been to negotiate paying a tribute. We cannot tolerate this challenge to international law of the seas. There is some buzz about the Pentagon making contingency plans to attack Eyl, the Somalian pirate hub. Obama must ensure that the Somali rogues know the U.S. has a zero tolerance policy on acts of piracy against American ships, and any future attacks will result in an overwhelming response.
Obama to Resurrect Immigration "Reform"?
There are reports (i.e., from the New York Times) that the labor unions will agree to amnesty of undocumented workers in exchange to no meaningful temporary worker program.
First, I see no deal possible without sharp restrictions on chained immigration, an increased emphasis on merit-based factors and more balanced international immigration. Second, in no case should someone whom entered the country without authorized entry be given preferential treatment for citizenship. Third, the labor union quid pro quo--no orderly flow for guest workers--is a non-starter. The reason that we see illegal entry is precisely because of the fact that the guest worker program is broken. Fourth, without viable border protection in place, this just sets up the same game to be played 20 years for now, with new unauthorized workers feeling they'll be given amnesty in the future.
I think part of the rationale for Obama's manic frenzy of overloading his plate during the first year of his Presidency is his anticipation that a typical mid-term gain by the opposition party will weaken his hand. However, he may need a reality check. For example, McCain, a leading GOP voice on immigration, is facing a reelection battle in Arizona, where many conservatives are still fuming over his stand, and McCain during the campaign made an issue of Obama's poison pill votes and made it clear that an unbalanced immigration deal, just like the one the labor unions signed off on, is dead on arrival as far as the GOP is concerned.
In any event, you don't have to be a political genius to know with 8.5%-plus unemployment, immigration reform is a longshot; it was a white-hot issue in a full-employment economy back in early 2007. The last thing a political realist Obama would want to do is put Democrats in competitive districts and states on the hot seat where their vote could become an election issue next year.
Caroline Kennedy Vetoed as U.S. Diplomat to the Vatican
Fresh off her unsuccessful anomalous campaign for Secretary of State Clinton's former Senate seat, Caroline Kennedy, a nominal Catholic whom emphasized her support for unrestricted abortion, embryonic stem cell research, and gay marriage as a potential senator, has been rejected by the Holy See. In an environment where American bishops are debating whether pro-choice Catholic legislators should be denied communion, the fact that Obama would name a Catholic diplomat at odds with Pope Benedict's core moral teachings is a puzzling, rare Obama stumble on symbolism. I applaud the Pope for taking a principled stand and making it clear that sanctity of life is a core Catholic value.
Phil Spector Conviction for Murder
One of my favorite LP's is a collection of hit singles produced by "Wall of Sound" Phil Spector--classics like "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers and the glorious "River Deep, Mountain High" by Ike and Tina Turner. If there's anything sadder than to see a gifted producer, whom once worked with the Beatles, charged with murder, it's the fact that for years, certain people, particularly celebrities, seem to have gotten off serious charges. We cannot have a double standard.
