A Horrible Similarity

The Virginia Tech Shootings are a tragedy. There is no way around that. What that kid did was unforgivable. It was scary to think that this can happen at our colleges. My prayers are with the victims and their families.

What is scarier is what came today. From CNN.com ...

"A package mailed to NBC News by Virginia Tech killer Cho Seung-Hui contained disturbing video, writings and photographs of the troubled student. Authorities say Cho killed 32 people and then himself at the Blacksburg, Virginia, campus on Monday, April 16. The network reported the package was mailed at 9:01 am, between two shooting incidents and the photos show Cho handling the two handguns he used in the massacre. NBC News has given the material to investigators."

These documents, pictures and especially the video remind me very clearly of one thing. The messages left behind by suicide bombers. This is a horrible coincidence. Or is it. I am not saying he was a terrorist or a jihadist, nor do I have any proof. His messages sure sound similar to what is left behind by the 'martyrs'. That similarity is chilling.

How many shootings by young men have taken place on college campuses in the last year. I can think of one in Minnesota and one in Montreal. I bet there are more. I am speculating that there are a lot of similar attacks like this, maybe not as large, but just similar in style.

It just occurred to me that this coincidence existed and I had to get it out there. Cho is, hopefully, just a insane maniac and not part of something larger.

Stay Tuned

RR

Fred Thompson is Running for President

Fred Thompson announced today on various websites and during his commentary during the Paul Harvey Show that he was diagnosed two and a half years ago with an indolent lymphoma, a very treatable form of cancer. Since that diagnosis, he was treated for the cancer and is fully in remission. This type of cancer, if it returns, is extremely treatable and most people who do have it die of natural causes rather than from the lymphoma.

Thompson is healthy and his prognosis is excellent. This type of cancer, from my discussions with those in the medical field, is a ‘good’ kind of cancer to get. It is almost ‘curable’ with drug treatments, especially with new drugs that are available. In all likelihood, Fred will live a long healthy life with this lymphoma never returning.

This is a serious subject and should be treated as such. However, this announcement is very encouraging. This admission by Thompson of this condition is not just good because he is healthy; this is good because this is just another sign that Fred is running for president.

Fred is vetting himself as a candidate with his own words, by his own hand, in venues of his own choosing. He is putting out the skeletons that he believes might derail a run before he announces just to make sure he can win if (when) he runs. He wants a fair shot at the White House. Fred wants to be the one setting the agenda for the media, not the other way around.

Let me illustrate this point. Fred is a very smart man. I just got done watching Neil Cavuto’s interview with Fred on FNC. Cavuto was the perfect choice to air this topic since Cavuto himself is in remission of lymphoma-type cancer. Cavuto is also a very straight interviewer. His style of questioning fits Senator Thompson’s honest direct answers. Cavuto asked the right questions, giving Fred time and the ability to answer all the potential criticisms that Fred’s cancer announcement may raise.

Lets look at the main potential hit Fred might face. Neil brought up the Tsongas question. In 1992, Paul Tsongas announced he was in remission from cancer (a more aggressive type of cancer) and shortly after lost support for his bid for the democratic nomination. Bill Clinton won and Tsongas cancer eventually returned. (I know some of you are thinking Clinton had something to do with the release of the Tsongas cancer information, but I don’t think so. I think Tsongas released that info because he thought he had it beat.) If Tsongas had been elected, he would have died in office.

This is the one criticism that Fred will get from the MSM and the liberal operatives. Fred is sick, they will say. Fred cannot be trusted to make it through his presidency, they will charge. Fred easily countered this argument today. First. On his terms with Cavuto, he laid out that he is fine and produced a note from his doctor to prove it. (On a side, the doctor he has is a really, really good doctor.) The MSM will have a tough time creating doubt now on this issue.

Unfortunately, he is not the only candidate that has cancer as a potential issue. McCain, Giuliani and Edwards are dealing or have dealt with cancer. If Fred were the only one, I would say it was a potential issue. With Fred joining three main candidates in this, I think he will be ok.

Neil also brought up the question about why Fred released this information now. Fred responded, correctly, that the American people needed to know about this. Fred said he would judge their response and weigh it in his decision to run or not. He mentioned checklists he was working though in this process and how they were really small issues. From the interview...

"The American people have a right to know this. And they have a right to voice their opinions whether they think it's a big deal or not. And I know it's not a big deal as far as my health is concerned, as much as a person can know things like that. But other people have a right to look at it and weigh in and I have a need to factor that into my decision in terms of the reaction I get of that," he (Thompson) said.

Cavuto used this to chance to get more info on Fred decision process. That is exactly what Fred wanted. This interview will stoke the already burning fire for Fred’s candidacy into an inferno. People will be moving to his camp now more than ever. Neil helped by asking about money too, how Fred was already way behind. Fred looked like he knew something that the rest of us didn’t. I got the feeling that he knows that if he gets in the race, he will have all the money he need. He said the right thing too, (paraphrasing) 'It’s not about how much you have, it is all about the trust the American people have in you leading the country. If you have that, the money will come.'

Today we have seen the strongest indications that Fred is running for President. I think he is running for sure now. He is setting the tone, insolating himself from attacks and setting up his campaign as the right man for today’s world. Another candidate did this exact process as well. Back in 1979, and we all know how great that turned out.

Giuliani May Have Taken Himself Out. The Pitfalls of the Early Election Cycle

With Mr. Giuliani's statement today confirming his support of taxpayer funded abortions, he has shown social conservatives, pro-life republicans and independents that he is not the candidate for them. This is exactly why conservatives were worried about Rudy. Figures that he would make this statement on CNN (Video). This statement will get a lot of play in the next month or so and will probably eliminate his front runner status, perhaps knocking him out the top tier entirely.

I, in good conscience, could not vote for him now in the primary. I think a lot of his support will move to someone else, Romney or Fred. Most likely Fred.

But this brings up something else. As this gaffe by Rudy during a set up during a CNN interview illustrates, this early extended election cycle only benefits the democrats. The MSM now has almost 2 years to dig up dirt, try to get candidates to make mistakes, and document wrongdoings before the election. The MSM will only really go after Republicans to try to weaken them in the eyes of independents and moderate republicans. Yes Hillary is also hurt by the length of time she is exposed, but the MSM will cover for her the best they can. (The more you get to know Hillary, the harder she is to take.)

This early election cycle gives the MSM time to stockpile ammunition and take more shots at our candidates. This is why Fred and Newt look very wise, trying to wait it out as long as they can. Maybe they are waiting to see which of the big three are left by August to decide whether or not to get in. One thing is for sure now. Unless Giuliani pulls himself out of this quagmire,(yes I used the Q word- I better credit Kerry for it's use) and pull himself out quick, he won't be around in August.

Stay Tuned

RR

Pelosi, there you go again...

This picture shows why the Democrats are really not on our side. I think it speaks volumes.

Yes, she was going into a mosque. Yes, she was a guest of Syria. Yes, you could say she was being diplomatic. There is a lot to be said for respecting another's culture in their lands.

There is, however, a tenant of liberal doctrine that she is breaking. Democrats preach tolerance and acceptance of other people's beliefs and their right to exist. They believe that others should be allowed to practice what they want with no fear of retribution or discrimination.

Unless you are in a country deemed a supporter of terrorism. Then, as Nancy Pelosi showed, you must give your rights to practice what you believe and bow to their intolerance.

She put on a scarf/hijab during parts of her trip to Syria as to conform to the Baathist regime and the Islamic elements. She conformed to them because they would be offended if she didn't. Why can't Nancy ask them to respect her position as an American woman and let her go without covering her head? Why not ask them to be tolerant? Why not ask them to be respectful of the office of the Speaker of the House???

Why? Because that is not why she is there. She is not there to fact find. She is there to show them solidarity in their struggle against W. She is there to reassure them that the US is on their way out of Iraq and the Syrians have nothing to worry about.

Look at this from Breitbart...

'Syria treated the visit as a diplomatic victory. State-run newspapers published news of Pelosi's trip on their front pages, with one daily publishing a photograph of Pelosi next to the headline: "Welcome Dialogue."
But there were some warnings against high expectations.
Syria's ambassador to the United States, Imad Moustapha, described the visit as a "positive step" but said "it does not necessarily mean that the Bush administration would suddenly change its position" from Syria.
In comments to the state-run Al-Thawra daily published Tuesday, he said the visit should be a "reminder that even though we might disagree on politics, we should remain diplomatically engaged in dialogue to reach some understandings."
Pelosi is traveling with a delegation of U.S. lawmakers, including the first Muslim member of Congress, Keith Ellison, D-Minn.
In Israel, Pelosi said she would tell Syrian leaders that Israel will talk peace with them only if Syria stops supporting Palestinian militants. She has said she will also talk to the Syrians about Iraq, their role in neighboring Lebanon and their support for Lebanon's Hezbollah militants. '

Pelosi went over there to say, 'We are with you. And soon, so will the new president. So just hold on. Help is on the way' I thought that only the president and his administration can conduct matters of foreign affairs.

These are just my thoughts on this, don't get me started on Pelosi and Reid's move to cut funding...

Stay Tuned

RR

(Picture from Drudge)

Tony Snow

As you have probably have heard, Tony Snow is once again battling cancer. My family's prayers are with him and his family for his speedy, successful recovery.

I think Tony Snow is a truly honorable man who is following his heart and serving his country, doing his best for what he believes in. I have always thought that his time at the White house has been a real open insight into the working of Bush's policy. I think he is great.

He will beat this. He has a lot more good work to do for himself, his family and America.

RR

The Fifth at the Halls of Justice.

With Monica Goodling taking "The Fifth" when she goes to senate hearings, I sense no good outcome for Alberto Gonzalez. I think he is in political trouble. I think that Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty is out to get him. I think he decided that he wanted to be AG and set about to get the job. There is no actual wrongdoing, from what I have seen so far but Al Gonzalez is going to get whacked by politics here pure and simple.

That isn't what is so fascinating here however. It is the strategy that Goodling's lawyer, John Dowd, is implementing here. If I was being investigated by the democrats, I think I might want this guy on my legal team. Here is what he said...

"The potential for legal jeopardy for Ms. Goodling from
even her most truthful and accurate testimony under these circumstances is very
real," said the lawyer, John Dowd.
"One need look no further than the recent
circumstances and proceedings involving Lewis Libby," he said, a reference to
the recent conviction of Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff in
the CIA leak case."

Did you catch that. Dowd is saying, very clearly, that his client can't testify at all without the potential for her to incriminate herself. I do not think he thinks she has done anything illegal, just that the potential for incriminating oneself in testimony is a great risk to his client. Still don't follow....

Why is it such a risk to talk to the Senate subcommittee? Dowd has looked at the Libby case and sees Libby did not break any laws in his actions. He correctly sees that Libby was 'hung' because his recollection of events was different that Russert's recollection of events. This became a procedural act, not a substantive act. If Libby took the Fifth in the grand jury and kept his mouth shut, he would not have made statements that would have conflicted with Russert's. And since no one committed a crime in the 'outing' of Valerie Plame, Fitzgerald would have had no one to prosecute and it all goes away.

Goodling's attorney is saying that the potential for being challenged procedurally, with perjury or similar infraction, is possible when going in front of the current Senate Subcommittee. Even if she tells the truth and has video of her entire life like a reality show, she could be called out on any misstep by the current congressional majority. Because of this risk, He has come up with a valid reason , correctly, I might add, to take the fifth.

Even if she did do something wrong, will never know now. Thanks Fitzgerald.

Stay Tuned

RR

Fred's Boss says he can win, plus the first polls of spring...

Each day that goes by, May is closer and so is Fred announcement to seek the presidency. Here are just a few of the morsels I have been savoring today.

When your wife tells you to do something, you better do it. I feel a whole lot better now that I know that Fred's wife is telling him to run.

A lot of initial polling out there done by reputable firms have Thompson in this race before he even officially announces he is in. This article talks about how he's already tied with Hillary.

Another straw poll of a few counties in Georgia show how strong Fred would be in the south. He would clean up.

In Ohio, with no infrastructure or organization, Fred is in a strong third behind Giuliani and McCain.

Again the Pundits are starting to see Fred as the man to win in 08. My favorite has to be Paul Mirengoff 's Powerline piece.

And I will speak to this rumor that Fred is being groomed to take Cheney's place...as soon as I find out more about this from McLaughlin

Stay Tuned

RR