Boolah-Boolah.

An increasing number of American universities are setting up shop overseas, as reported by the New York Times. The pros: these institutions could be excellent vehicles to disseminate Western values (like freedom and religous tolerance) and culture (more Faulkner, less 50-Cent). The cons: American universities may collaborate with local tyrants and fanatics in censoring their normal curricula and indulging anti-Western attitudes, and such overseas campuses may be developed at the neglect of the needs of American students and through their tuition.

Whither Tuition?

University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman heads of to Africa to promote "research and academic ties" with the countries of Ghana and South Africa. The press release makes the goals sound very noble and worthy. Just over breakfast one could dream up a hundred noble and worthy projects that the University could start or expand. Given the dire economic circumstances of the state, perhaps some focus on programs that assist Michigan's economic competitiveness may be a higher priority. Or perhaps spending less, asking the state for a smaller increase in assistance, or saddling the students and families with a smaller increase in tuition might be a priority, too.

So Much For That Critical Priority.

Much hot gas has been expelled by both parties on the need to research and develop alternative energy and fuel sources. However, the Congerscritters decided that punishing the Administration for holding firm on the spending ceiling had higher priority, and one of their targets was the White House science budget (which was planned to see generous increases in R&D). As a result, the Department of Energy has been forced to curtail research on solar energy, hydrogen, and advanced nuclear energy technology. Also cut was Bush's "American Competitiveness Initiative", a program to invigorate US tech leadership. (Source: Physics Today, Feb 2008)

Would a Flex-Fuel Vehicle Requirement Work?

Bob Zubrin suggests that "flex-fuel" vehicles be mandated; he was interviewed on the Glenn and Helen Show, and his idea of creating a competitive market for transportation fuels by immediate demand for it (unlike supplying the fuel first before compatible vehicles) may have some merit. The problems of alcohol (both ethanol and methanol) production capacity and transportation limitations, and the unintended consequences of a mandate for flex fueling must be considered (for some examples of current vehicle availability, go to this link).

Corn based ethanol subsidies, however, still remains a bad idea, and is just political pandering to the Grain Belt.

A Veep for McCain.

There are a list of tired, uninspiring names being floated around for consideration as John McCain's nominee for Vice President. How about a bold choice such as J Kenneth Blackwell or Colin Powell?

Remember Tet.

John McCain embraced the "surge" in Iraq, and has benefitted politically from its success. However, the Islamofascists may not want to chance a McCain presidency (they have a guaranteed victory in 2010 with a Clinton or Obama presidency), and certainly appreciate the staggering punch dealt to American public opinion by the Tet Offensive in Vietnam during late January 1968. Let's keep our right guard up in the coming months to protect against such a jab.

Endowment Hoarding.

Today's Ann Arbor News features a story on the University of Michigan's whopping $7.1B endowment, which has doubled since 2003 (a return of 14.9% per annum). UM keeps raising tuition (7% last year) and begging for more state funding, while spending only $200M of the endowment toward operation of the school.

What is an $7.1B endowment for? How about decreasing the onerous costs borne by students and their families? For example, if the green eyeshades at the U can average a return of half of that for the previous five years, then after budgeting inflation (about 3%) they could still apply the net $320M toward school operations and - gasp! - rollback tuition for 40,000 students by $3000 per student. This would be a decrease of the present tuition and fees by 30%!

"...And He is Us."

The title is from Pogo's famous observation "we have met the enemy, and he is us".

Jayson Javitz at Wizbang hits the nail on the head:

The anti-McCain radio blocs also have managed to accomplish the ultimate in the way of ironies. They've become the very same things of which they've incessantly accused the far left: Factually inaccurate, driven solely by agenda, uninformed, misinformed, petty, arrogant, incompetent.

Enough said.

In Defense of McCain.

Bill Bennett and Seth Liebsohn provide the antidote to McCain Derangement Syndrome.

So Glib and Irresponsible.

Ann Coulter has followed up her much-trumpeted "support" for Hillary Clinton in the case of McCain's GOP nomination with a column detailing McCain's heresies that compels her realignment. It's the standard stuff: Gang of 14, "pro-amnesty", McCain-Feingold, etc.

Notably absent: Iraq, except for a terse four-word dismissal.

Let's be perfectly clear about where the Dems stand on Iraq: both Clinton and Obama have stated that most if not all of American forces will be out of Iraq by 2010 if either of them were to become president. In fact, during the last Dem debate Clinton and Obama discussed the need to evacuate and assist those Iraqis that had been so foolish to think that the United States had been committed to securing a stable, safe, and democratic Iraq. Think of human beings clinging to the undercarriage of helicopters atop the US Embassy.

Such tunnel-vision by Coulter is intellectual dishonesty, which one thought she detested. Shame on her for it, and her apparent little regard that she has for the sacrifice that the US has made in Iraq and for the Iraqis who have their pledged their Lives, their Fortunes and their sacred Honor for their country.

Super Tuesday.

All one can ask for today's vote is for one to truly vote for whom one believes is best...and then let the chips fall as they may and support the party's nominee. But for some in the conservative ecosystem to declare that if McCain would prevail to become the GOP nominee that they will "take their ball and go home" and not cast a ballot in November is completely irresponsible.

Last week's Democrat debate left no doubt that Clinton and Obama are committed to withdrawl of American forces from Iraq by the beginning of 2010. This is *the* critical issue that will distinguish a Democrat or Republican White House. Such a withdrawl would cut the throat of the Iraqi people, and those in the conservative "movement" who advocate sitting November out if McCain is the nominee truly risk such a disaster in Iraq.

Change.

These videos are truly offered without prejudice. The first are cuts from the 1994 Massachussetts senatorial debate between Ted Kennedy and Mitt Romney:




Hmmm...not the Mitt we know now. The second is video is provided by the Romney campaign showing his explanation of his policy reversals on the Glenn & Helen Show Podcast:



Draw your own conclusions.

Datapoint.

At the conclusion of a recent public lecture on cosmology at the University of Michigan, the lecturer conducted an anonymous poll of the 200+ attendees as to whether they believed that (1) God created the universe and is still active in guiding it, (2) God created the universe but is now absent from it, or (3) God does not exist. The result of the poll was about 30% of the responding attendees chose (1), 10% chose (2), and 60% chose (3). There may be a sampling bias - the population consisted of people getting up on a Saturday morning to attend a physics lecture - but it's an interesting result nevertheless.

In Their Own Voices.

The American Institute of Physics has a great oral history site, "Moments of Discovery", featuring the discovery of nuclear fission, pulsars, and superconductivity. Featured are the voices of Rutherford, Einstein, Hahn, and others describing events that altered our understanding of the universe.

Is McCain Conservative or A Conservative?

RealClearPolitics' Robert Robb explains the difference. A good balanced read on Mac.

Evil Incarnate.

Two bomb blasts shattered the peace of a sunny day in Bagdhad, killing scores of people - many children - who were visiting streetside petstores. Mr. Moore's "Freedom Fighters" may have employed two mentally retarded women as human bombs in the attacks. This is the nature of our enemy - knowing no limit to the evil they will commit in pursuit of their objectives. We cannot leave the people of Iraq to the vengence of these barbarians.

The Democrat Debate and MDS.

Watching last night's Democrat Debate in California was much like a soldier's life: 99% tedium and boredom, 1% extreme terror. The tedium: listening to the subtle differences between the HC and BO plans for nationalized health care. The terror: their plans to give up on Iraq by 2010 (and God help those Iraqis who cast their lot with us). Listening to the Dems made it very clear of the stakes involved with this election and the imperative for the GOP to prevail this fall. Mitt or McCain, let us come together.

Meanwhile, the fever of McCain Derangement Syndrome doesn't appear to be breaking.

Hillary Trounces Nonexistent Opposition in Florida Primary.

In the grand style of one-party rulers, Hillary is holding a "victory rally" in Florida tonight. True Theatre of the Bizarre.

A Mission from God.

Cigar Aficionado's Gordon Mott pens a wonderful story of the Blues Brothers. Many of us Phillistines were first introduced to The Blues by Joliet Jake and Elwood. Little brother Zee has filled Jake's shoes very well, while Jake is on extended tour with Gatemouth, Muddy, Ray, T-Bone, and Johnny Lee.

Double-Checking McCain's Stand on Illegal Aliens.

A question was asked of McCain at recent town-hall meeting in Florida about his Hispanic Outreach Director, a Mr. Juan Hernandez. Mr. Hernandez is a vocal supporter of what appears to be a dual-citizenship status for illegal Mexican aliens now in the United States. Here's the transcript of the exchange at the town hall meeting (from Hot Air):

QUESTION: Senator McCain, I thank you so much for your service … as an Irish … my parents and grandparents both came here … I so much want to vote for you, I have one concern … straight talk … it is you have an outreach - Hispanic outreach person - on your staff, Juan Hernandez, and he has said that he understands why Social Security … because we don’t allow the immigrants to get their own, so it’s ok for him that we steal other Americans Social Security. He also has written a book called “The New American Pioneers” about comparing illegal immigrants not [with] legal immigrants … I wonder if you agree with his policy? If so, explain it to me and if not why is he on your staff?

SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN: He’s on my staff because he supports my policies and my proposals and my legislative proposal to secure the borders first. No one will receive social security benefits who is in this country illegally. I don’t know what his previous positions are or other positions are, he supports mine. I have nothing to do with his. He has volunteered to help me with outreach to our Hispanic citizenry as I outreach to every citizen in America. I’ve been very clear on my position on immigration; I’ve been very clear on my position on Social Security. Of course I am grateful that so many people came from Ireland to the United States of American and anybody else who come here legally and that’s the only system I will ever support. I have no idea but I will check in to the information you’ve given me. I promise you, I will secure our borders, I will not allow anyone to come here illegally, I will not allow anyone to receive Social Security or any other benefits because they have come here illegally and broken our laws.

Senator, make sure this guy understands that he works for you, not vice-versa. And does he really sign up to your point of you expressed in your answer to this question? If not, show him the door now.