Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

20070910 TownHall Top Ten

Townhall Top Ten - Sept. 2-8

By Jonathan Garthwaite

Monday, September 10, 2007

Here's what Townhall.com readers were talking about during the week that was -- Sept. 2-Sept 8, 2007

#10. Why Do People Do Evil?

by Dennis Prager

Decent people have sought to identify the roots of evil since the first indecent person inflicted cruelty on an innocent person. And people have come up with one or more of nine explanations, most of which are indeed valid.

#9. The Return of Toilet Man

by John Stossel

"Don't bother debating with John Stossel and the libertarians. They are worst than Republicans." That's a comment from climateprogress.org, Joe Romm's blog about global warming.

#8. Cruising While Republican

by Ann Coulter

If you've just returned from your Labor Day vacation and are scanning the headlines from last week's newspapers -- don't panic! America is not threatened by a category 5 hurricane named "Larry Craig."

#7. Of Mice and Mormons, Part VI

by Mike Adams

On September 3, 2004, the faculty held an orientation meeting with the incoming class of students. At this meeting, they outlined the memo from August 23, 2004, which explained that the program had adopted the positions of the APA on “same-sex marriage” and same sex parenting.

#6. Of Mice and Mormons, Part VII: The Conclusion

by Mike Adams

On October 25, 2004, the American Association of Marriage and FamilyTherapists (AAMFT) held a site visit for the purpose of reaccrediting the Purdue University Calumet (PUC) Master’s in Family Therapy Program. The AAMFT officials held a group meeting to discuss student concerns, but Mr. Ford remained silent at this meeting. He was afraid of inviting more retaliation if he spoke.

#5. Hillary's Hypocrisy

by Dick Morris

The winner of the Hypocrite of the Year award goes to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.). Even though the year is far from over and is likely to have its fair share of hypocrisy, Mrs. Clinton’s comment on the need to compromise to achieve political and social progress has to outclass any other current or future entrant.

#4. The Latest Problems with the “Man Evolved From Apes” Thesis

by Frank Pastore

Cavemen are popular once again. No, I’m not talking about those successful Geico commercials that won their own series on ABC starting October 2.

#3. 9 Members of Congress Who Should Resign Right After Larry Craig

by John Hawkins

There has been a lot of talk about Larry Craig's on again/off again decision to resign from Congress. Like most Republicans, I'm of the opinion that Craig should resign, but wouldn't it be great if he could take a few people with him?

#2. Random Thoughts

by Thomas Sowell

I can't get as fiercely involved as some other people do in controversies about the origins of human life on earth. I wasn't there.

#1. No "Health Care"?

by Thomas Sowell

During the first 30 years of my life, I had no health insurance. Neither did a lot of other people, back in those days.

Jonathan Garthwaite is the editor-in-chief of Townhall.com.

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20070910 Petraeus Doesnt Cook the Books Just the facts by Michael O’Hanlon

NRO (Michael O’Hanlon – Brookings): Petraeus Doesn’t Cook the Books Just the facts.

September 10, 2007 6:00 AM

Petraeus Doesn’t Cook the Books

Just the facts.

By Michael O'Hanlon

For those reading this after watching General David Petraeus’s Monday testimony, I strongly suspect that my main argument will have become apparent to many: General Petraeus is a straight shooter who does not and will not cook the books.

From what we know of his thinking already, Petraeus will talk of significant military momentum for combined U.S./Iraqi forces. But this momentum will be placed in the context of a still very lethal and dangerous battlefield. Petraeus, and Ambassador Ryan Crocker, will also highlight the absence of Iraqi political progress, progress without which our long-term aspirations for that country will almost surely fail. He will have enough evidence to back up this claim of military momentum, on the plus side, combined with ongoing extreme danger on the streets and political paralysis in the halls of parliament on the other side, that his argument will sound right to most who hear it. And while he will surely favor continuing the effort, he will not present the evidence about Iraq in a way that attempts to invalidate the judgment of those who would disagree. War opponents will be able to accept most of the specific evidence he presents yet retain their positions that a rapid and large-scale American withdrawal from Iraq is warranted. That is because, in the end, our decisions about Iraq must be based more on a judgment call about politics and human psychology than on hard science or data.

On the violence, in keeping with a Saturday New York Times article by Michael Gordon that reflects current DoD data on the country, Petraeus will argue that the overall situation has improved substantially this year. He will be right to do so, based on virtually any primary-source data I have seen (in my capacity as co-author of Brookings’s “Iraq Index”).

Be sure to read the entire piece here: Petraeus Doesn’t Cook the Books Just the facts.

20070910 Observing The Petraeus Crocker Report Hearings

Gen. David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker Report to Congress

September 10, 2007

I’ve been watching the Gen. David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker Report to Congress and as I keyboard at around 4 PM, it would appear that things have settled down after an enormously unfortunate series of unpleasant disruptions and technical glitches.

At times it would appear that the House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) had lost a degree of control over the hearings.

It looks like the circus came to town…

Code Pink removed from Petraeus hearing

Patraeus (sic) hearing glitch - Showing the Iraq War in action

This video was placed on YouTube by someone who is at odds with General Petraeus… but nevertheless, visualizes some of the trying moments… And, it does get quite interesting “around 5 minutes into the clip.”

General Patraeus (sic) had some technical problems getting his message out of demanding that war continue in Iraq.

Interesting commentary happens at around 5 minutes into the clip. […]

And a blast from the past, this video from January 23, 2007 gives some background to the number of months that have transpired since January 2007.

This clip features Senator Hillary Clinton lecturing General Petraeus… Yes, it is cringe worthy and at times difficult to watch, but nevertheless gives one insight into the arrogance and condescension of a Democratic leader who is well documented as detesting the Unites States military. (read “Unlimited Access” by Gary Aldrich, from 1996.)

Sen. Clinton Questions Gen. David Petraeus at Senate Hearing

And finally, a much longer video of the testimony of General Petraeus:

IRAQ COMMANDER PETRAEUS: Report to Congress

Current U.S. commander in Iraq gives his opening statement and summary report to the U.S House of Representatives during a joint committee session today. September 10, 2007.

_____

Iraq War Sept. 2007 Petraeus Report:

http://pol.moveon.org/petraeus.html

NRO (Michael O’Hanlon – Brookings): Petraeus Doesn’t Cook the Books Just the facts.

Video of the Code Pinkos’ removal

“The Hill”: Cindy Sheehan arrested at Petraeus hearing

MAIN REPORT PAGE

Petraeus Reports to Congress on Iraq

Will War Report Change Kansas City Opinions?

Iraqis Respond to Report, War Developments

Sep. 8, 2007

Lawmakers Weigh Iraq Data, Upcoming Report

Sep. 8, 2007

Petraeus' Letter to Troops About Surge Mixed

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20030000 vizcacha Atacama Desert Chile

Atacama Desert, Chile, 2003

Photograph by Joel Sartore

National Geographic

September 10, 2007

A vizcacha, close relative of the chinchilla, rests on an outcropping in Chile's Atacama Desert. These sleepy-eyed herbivores are among few species who thrive in the higher, drier regions of the Atacama. They make their living off the sparse vegetation and grasses that manage to grow in this forbidding desert.

(Photo shot on assignment for, but not published in, "The Driest Place on Earth," August 2003, National Geographic magazine)

http://lava.nationalgeographic.com/cgi-bin/pod/enlarge.cgi?day=10&month=09&year=07

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Monday, September 10, 2007

20070911 FLAG LOWERING

FLAG LOWERING

September 10, 2007

Office of the Secretary of State

Division of State Documents

HelpDesk/Webmaster/COMAR & MD Register Online

410-260-3872

This is to advise you that the United States Flag and Maryland State Flag are to be flown at half staff on Tuesday, September 11, 2007, from sunrise to sunset.

President George W. Bush has proclaimed September 11, 2007 as Patriot Day and has called upon the states to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, as well as flying the flag at half staff.

In honor and memory of the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and to mark the sixth anniversary of the tragic day, Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the United States Flag and Maryland State Flag to half-staff on the above date.

20070910 Civil War exhibit receives praise by Tom LeGore

Taneytown Civil War exhibit receives praise by Tom LeGore

September 10^th, 2007

My colleague Tom LeGore has a letter to the editor in the Carroll County Times this worth reprinting. Taneytown has done a great job with their history museum and it is nice to see their efforts get attention.

Editor:

Taneytown's Civil War Legacy exhibit, displayed in the second-floor gallery of the Taneytown Museum is a must-see for any Carroll countian with an interest in local Civil War memorabilia, genealogy or a great display of weapons, flags and other items from private homes and collections never before available for public viewing. The museum and volunteers have done an excellent job of providing detailed labels interpreting each item.

Young men from the Taneytown area who enlisted in the Union Army in 1862 are featured in the displays. One in particular is Sgt. John Ezra Buffington, 6th Maryland Volunteer Infantry, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for being the first Union enlisted man to mount the parapet of the Confederate entrenchment at Petersburg, Va., on April 2, 1865.

His heroic actions will be the subject of a granite and bronze monument designed by the renowned sculptor Gary Casteel. The monument is scheduled to be dedicated April 2, 2008, according to a press release by the 6th Maryland Regiment of Infantry Descendants Association.

The full Civil War exhibit at Taneytown is schedule to close Oct. 27, however, portions of the exhibit will be displayed elsewhere in the museum after that.

I have been a student of Carroll County's Civil War history for more than four decades, and I rate this special exhibit outstanding!

Tom LeGore

Finksburg

20070910 General Petraeus refutes Washington Post assertions

General Petraeus refutes Washington Post assertions

September 10, 2007

4:25 PM General Petraeus, prompted by questions by Maryland District 6 Congressman Roscoe Bartlett, has said that this -

The Washington Post reported that assassinations only count if you're shot in the back of the head -- not the front. “Experts Doubt Drop in Violence in Iraq,” by Karen DeYoung. 9/6/07 l

- is not true

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20070910 Cindy Sheehan arrested at Petraeus hearing

Cindy Sheehan arrested at Petraeus hearing

Iraq War Sept. 2007 Petraeus Report:

Hat Tip: Michelle Malkin – “The Showdown in the House.”

“The Hill”: Cindy Sheehan arrested at Petraeus hearing

By Klaus Marre

September 10, 2007

Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan was arrested Monday in or near the hearing room where Gen. David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker are testifying on the situation in Iraq, according to the U.S. Capitol Police.

Four anti-war protesters were arrested for disorderly conduct. …

[…]

Cindy Sheehan arrested at Petraeus hearing

Also On The Hill

Dems heap praise on Petraeus, Crocker

Hagel bows out of politics

Richardson criticizes ‘English only” Univision debate

White House says bin Laden has little power

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20070910 The General Petraeus New York Times Ad

The General Petraeus New York Times Ad

Iraq War Sept. 2007 Petraeus Report

September 10, 2007

http://pol.moveon.org/petraeus.html

Are the Democrats making a key and critical strategic mistake by appeasing to the positions of MoveOn.org?

General Petraeus or General Betray Us? Cooking the books for the White House

View the ad (PDF):

http://pol.moveon.org/content/pac/pdfs/PetraeusNYTad.pdf

Maryland District 6 Congressman Roscoe Bartlett’s office wrote:

This MoveOn.org ad in today’s New York Times claims General Petraeus is not giving an objective, independent view of the situation on the ground. The ad asserts 'General Petraeus or General Betray us? Cooking the books for the White House.’”

Meanwhile, in contrast, Michael O’Hanlon of the center-left-leaning Brookings Institution who has been very critical of the Bush Administration’s policies in Iraq and reported in August about the military successes of the surge asserts that General Petraeus is a straight-shooter who doesn’t cook the books.

_____

NRO (Michael O’Hanlon – Brookings): Petraeus Doesn’t Cook the Books Just the facts.

September 10, 2007 6:00 AM

Petraeus Doesn’t Cook the Books

Just the facts.

By Michael O'Hanlon

Read the rest here: Petraeus Doesn’t Cook the Books Just the facts.

20070905 Special to the Westminster Eagle - Edward Hopper: A stranger in a world he never made

Edward Hopper: A stranger in a world he never made

09/05/07 By Kevin E. Dayhoff

Special to The Eagle

There is a certain unexplainable enigma that draws folks back again and again to ponder the mysteries of Edward Hopper's "American Scene" paintings.

Perhaps it is Hopper's peculiar way of depicting the stark existence of the human condition in such a simple "language" which begs for questions ... yet offers no answers.

Both questions and answers are welcome when the first major Hopper exhibit in Washington, D.C. in 25 years opens this month. The Carroll County Arts is hosting a trip to the exhibit at the National Gallery on Sept. 25 (see box).

The theme of a sophisticated confrontation with psychological tension and isolation is evident in Hopper's most famous work, the 1942 "Nighthawks."

That painting, according to Hopper himself, is of "a restaurant on New York's Greenwich Avenue, where two streets meet." Perhaps prophetically, progress did away with the diner long ago.

"Nighthawks" is a painted storyboard for a film noir movie on the late night lonely lives of four mysterious characters. It is left to each viewer to provide the plot and dialogue.

The painting shows no visible entrance or exit. The characters appear trapped and highlighted in the glare of the artificial light.

Hopper died in 1967. According to the diaries of his wife, Josephine Hopper, he always explained that the "Nighthawks" painting depicted "three characters." He also admitted that he painting was "unconsciously ... painting the loneliness of a large city."

But perhaps the best explanation of the painting came from A. E. Housman, who once wrote about being "a stranger and afraid. In a world I never made."

On a recent trip to Boston, I leaped at the opportunity to see the genius of Mr. Hopper, considered by many art historians to be one of the most influential -- if not one of the most popular -- artists of the 20th century.

The exhibit at Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, included much of his often overlooked earlier works, such as "New York Corner," one of his earliest oil paintings from 1913; "Two Trawlers," a watercolor from 1923-24; "Gloucester Mansion," 1924; "Box Factory, Gloucester," 1928; and "House of the Fog Horn I" from 1927.

In pieces such as 1929's "Chop Suey" -- a favorite for many Hopper aficionados; as well as "Rooms for Tourists," 1945; "Cape Cod Evening," 1939; and "Office at Night," 1940, one may gain some insight into Mr. Hopper's emphasis on the importance of the small details of life.

After being exhibited in Boston through Aug. 19, the Hopper exhibit now moves to The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., where it will be displayed Sept. 16, 2007 to Jan. 21, 2008.

In addition to the Carroll County Arts Council bus trip on Sept. 25, Hopper's work is the subject of a documentary that accompanies the exhibition's opening. In the Baltimore area, the film will be shown on MPT Channel 67, Sunday, Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr.org.

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20070905 Special to the Westminster Eagle Edward Hopper: A stranger in a world he never made