Remember the Raccoon Lodge

Back in the Fifties, lots of Americans belonged to self-governing membership organizations like Ralph Kramden’s
Raccoon Lodge. But now the dominant organizational model is the memberless liberal activist group: no members, just send
money. Isn’t
that the problem with the Democrats as they elect Howard Dean as head of the Democratic National Committee?
That’s what David Brooks thinks, anyway.

Moyer Quote on Watt a Crock

The bloggers at PowerLine
blog are onto Bill Moyers. He quoted a quote on Reagan era Secretary
of the Interior James Watt published in the environmental magazine Grist, and now it turns out that the
quote is, er, inaccurate. James Watt never advocated, as Moyers writes, that
“protecting natural resources was unimportant in light of the imminent
return of Jesus Christ.” Or that “In public testimony he said, `after the last tree is felled,
Christ will come back.’”
Here’s what Watt actually said:

“That is the delicate balance the Secretary of the Interior must have, to be steward for the natural resources for this generation as well as future generations.

“I do not know how many future generations we can count on before the Lord returns, whatever it is we have to manage with a skill to leave the resources needed for future generations.”

Steyn: Dems All Exit and No Strategy

Post Captain Mark Steyn returns to top form and
rakes the decks
of the Axis of Ennui from
its Euro forecastle to its Democratic poop. He expresses grave concern over the depth of the graves
of Darfur. But here’s the kicker. Did you notice that President Bush did not mention Europe once last
week in the State of the Union speech? Couldn’t be bothered, darling.

Girls That Kill Girls

From age 8 to 12 British girl gets raped by brother. At age 12 she complains to her mother and gets
chucked out in the street. At age 16 she gets her own apartment from social services. At age 18
she kills her younger lesbian lover in a drunken rage. But then? You need to
read it.
And then wonder what would have happened if an evil corporation had been responsible for this instead
of a sensitive, caring welfare state?

Spengler: What Iraq Democracy?

Democracy, writes Spengler,
is about brave Dutch merchants rising up against their Spanish overlords, or
brave Americans sacrificing their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. None of which applies
in Iraq.

New Establishment Line on Iraq

The center left gets the call from Thomas Friedman. Better take the Iraq election
seriously, and get with the program, is what he writes. Better say we are delighted. Read it to
keep
yourself aligned with the conventional wisdom.

Peggy Noonan on SOTU

Peggy takes in the sweep of the president’s State of the Union speech, and focuses on the key question
in the Social Security debate.

Do we,the American people, want a more hands-on retirement plan where we get to make the decisions about our savings or the simplicity of the government plan where we do nothing, paying tax while we work and getting a pension when we retire. The answer of course is both, and the president’s plan gives both. You can do nothing and get your Social Security pension, or you can opt out and take responsibility for yourself. It’s the American way.