Ottawa

I realize I sling the term "leftist" around a lot, and I’m not the only one. Still, the question needs to be asked: what is the political left? What does it stand for?

Gabriel Noah Brahm Jr. wrote an interesting examination of what he calls "the post-left," or, more generally, "the anti-Western left." The essay is full of twists and turns and probably isn’t for everyone, but in my experience its at least a fair assessment of a certain trend in modern left-wing thinking.

One fascinating aspect of Brahm’s analysis of the left is how well it coheres with the diagnosis of the left often made by those who call themselves Objectivists.

According to Brahm, the anti-Western left can be characterized by the following features, along with my synopsis of Brahm’s explanation of each (hence, any errors are mine, not is.

(Read the full post about ‘What is the “post-left”?’…)

At this point in time we now have compelling evidence that Senator Barack Hussein Obama was, at least at one point in his life, both a Moslem and a citizen of a nation other than the United States. It comes, from all places, the Associated Press.

Obama’s childhood school registration lists him as being a Moslem and an Indonesian citizen. Given the origins of this picture and how it meshes with our understanding of Obama’s life, I have no reason to doubt that it is authentic.

Terrence Watson wrote about the similarities between the Lakotah declaration of Independence efforts and the struggles of the Nisga’a nation in Canada back in February of this year ("A new declaration of independence"). The article is worth a fresh read, if you want to brush up on what the Lakotah are attempting to do (withdraw from all treaties with the U.S., and declare themselves a new and independent nation).

No country has, as of yet, recognized the independence of the Republic of Lakotah. Nevertheless, Russel Means–self-declared leader of the Republic, libertarian, and former movie star–continues to agitate for legal recognition of independence.

Their latest move is to fish.

(Read the full post about ‘Republic of Lakotah plans civil disobedience fishing’…)

This is an excellent run down of reactions from the left and the right of Obama and McCain’s performances at Pastor Rick Warren’s Faith Forum.

My synopsis? I agree with NBC’s Chuck Todd. Obama was trying to have a conversation with the pastor. That’s probably what I’d end up doing, too, were I in his place. But McCain was speaking for the audience, both in the church and on television. Politically, that’s the smart move, which is why I’d probably make a terrible politician.

Predictably, leftists are simultaneously praising Obama’s performance and bemoaning the fact that — in their view, anyway — Americans are too stupid to appreciate the thoughtfulness of his responses.

(Read the full post about ‘Round up of reactions to Obama and McCain at the Faith Forum’…)

The Harrold Independent School District in Northern Texas recently passed a resolution which will permit teachers there to carry concealed firearms.

Provided the teachers take crisis management and hostile situations courses, get a concealed carry license, and be authorized by the district, they’ll be able to take a gun to school to defend themselves and their students should there ever be a need for it.

Said Superintendent David Thweatt: "When the federal government started making schools gun-free zones, that’s when all of these shootings started. Why would you put it out there that a group of people can’t defend themselves? That’s like saying ’sic ‘em’ to a dog."

This is the first school in the U.S.

(Read the full post about ‘Teachers in North Texas will carry guns’…)

Vector Capital’s plans to privatize Corel Corp. come to a halt as the private equity firm withdraws its offer to buy the shares of the software maker not owned by Vector affiliate Corel Holdings L.P. In March CHLP, which currently owns 69% of Corel’s stock, announced a proposal to acquire the remaining outstanding shares for $11 a piece in cash, a price analysts said was too low. Neither Corel nor Vector is commenting on the pullout.

Photo by Patricia Lonergan Severe storm hits east end Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Ottawa. According to a statement issued by Environment Canada, radar indicates severe thunderstorms are moving southeast at 80 km/hr. Hail bigger than two centimeters in diameter and strong wind gusts of 90 to 120 km/hr are possible with these storms. The release notes there is also a risk of a tornado. Emergency Management Ontario recommends taking cover immediately when threatening weather approaches. (Read the full post about ‘Severe storm hits east end’…)

(Click for full-size image.) Right…? Original link is here. (Read the full post about ‘This is obviously just a joke, right?’…)

Fact Check and I are having an interesting debate in the comments to this post. My position, basically, is that governments have a moral reason to allow citizens to renegotiate the terms of their relationship with the state. I’m not going to restate Fact Check’s response, as I’d probably just get it wrong, but he seems to disagree with me.

We know that the state protects our rights, but it also imposes responsibilities on us that include paying taxes, obeying stupid laws, and sometimes even military service.

(Read the full post about ‘How much is your right to vote worth to you?’…)

Here’s my latest Sun media column, in which I suggest the Liberals are delusional — more delusional than usual I mean.