Dueling Philosophical Movies

Following on dueling political documentaries by and against Michael Moore, now we see, dueling philosophical films?

"The God Who Wasn't There." vs. "Expelled." A good thing? This marks an interesting trend. I suppose it is good to see more philosophical subject matter in the public square, as filmmaking has become more democratic.

My only concern, which I can see in the trailers for many of these films, is to latch on the most extreme example of theism and atheism, in censorship and hate. And the most codependent behaviors, to become codependent in turn.

What's the answer? I don't know. The marketplace must decide.

But each film pulls its audience in some way into reactive behavior against extreme opponents. That is a problem. Are boring university seminars the only answer?

Obama's Whitewater, and the Evidence that He Lied

Another major revelation this week about the Tony Rezko and Barack Obama land deal. (a.k.a., Obama's Whitewater.)

At the time of the deal, Obama told the media that there was no deal, no coordination and no undue influence in Tony Rezko buying the adjacent lot to his own mansion. But GOPmom blog has uncovered evidence of a coordinated effort.

Heretofore unknown, and conveniently never mentioned by Obama, a restrictive covenant existed on the adjacent property, that would have made it not worth Rezko's time and effort to buy that property. A restrictive covenant that was conveniently dropped before the closing.

Now, thanks to some mysterious source, it's out there. (Has the second Clinton arrow flown?) (See also John Batchelor's interesting musings on the source of this discovery.)

What this suggests is coordination, among the numerous buying and selling parties in this deal, all of which is currently being investigated by prosecutors in Chicago as Rezko sings.

Despite the hatred of George W. Bush and Republican policy -- some of which is much deserved -- which blinds the public to the questions of ethics at hand, GOPmom blog drives home the salient point:

"According to numerous media reports, foreign nationals financed Rezko. The public must openly speculate about who holds undue influence over Senator Obama and how these people can influence domestic and foreign policy. This has nothing to do with dubious associations or even poor judgment. This is about political corruption in government. Unfortunately, Senator Obama’s actions should concern anyone who believes in a well-functioning government of the people, by the people and for the people."

It's time to care, Bush haters. Because, "the battle is won [or lost] before it is ever fought." The impeachment has begun before the election results are even in.

Great Lines from McCain Today

Great lines from John McCain on the campaign trail today:

"We've got Joe the Plumber and Tito the Builder with us today, real working-class heroes who've had the courage to stand up and say that Barack Obama's tax and spend policies are not good for America. Not good for working class people who are trying to get ahead. Of course, now they are using Ohio's confidential data to dig into Joe's background. [Pause for boos.] Thank you for your courage gentlemen. I'm proud to have you on my side."

"And who does Barack Obama have on his side? Tony the Fixer, Jeremiah the Hater and Bill the Bomber!" [Loud applause]

Oh, actually, McCain didn't say that yet. But he should.

Feel free to use, Senator McCain.

The Wall Street Journal is Shocked at Bad Behavior

Today, the Wall Street Journal's editorial board is shocked, shocked to learn that businesses are lining up at the trough to get some of Henry Paulson's bank bailout plan money. A plan that the Wall Street Journal endorsed.

These are the risks of hurried government solutions to poorly defined problems. And the Wall Street Journal editorial board certainly should have known it would happen.

More to come, I fear. Much more.

One More Obama October Surprise This Week?

We got our October surprise for Barack Obama in the form of radio excerpts on YouTube. These were reportedly uncovered by "Naked Emperor News" a relatively unknown web site.

In the interview, Obama speaks rather candidly about his belief in the redistribution of income, possibly through the courts, but more likely through legislation. He cites the paradigm of "negative rights" as a failing in the American Republic.

I had expected this October surprise. But not from the Republicans. The news media are giving them too much credit by suggesting these are Republican tactics.

In fact, I would say that because the Republicans are too incompetent to mount true political attacks, expect a second October surprise later this week, but before Sunday. The true sources of the current surprise are waiting to see if the radio interview can carry a second or third news cycle.

But whenever this story loses momentum, a second arrow will fly. And it will come, as did the first, from the Clintons.

Who is more likely to know Boston and Chicago progressive radio, the GOP, or, say, someone in the circle of a Clintonista like Rahm Emmanuel (D., Illinois)?

If Hillary is going to be president, Obama must lose, so that she can face off against Sarah Palin on '12. That is the Clinton objective. Not a mere seat on the Supreme Court, which Hillary won't get. The Clintons do not leave things to the good will of their rivals.

When Sarah Palin was selected, the Clintons had an epiphany, which caused them to lick their chops all the more. Let Palin take the rest of the hits to break the glass ceiling. The environment will be much more conducive to a "tough woman" in '12. Especially after an aging president decides he can no longer continue and leaves it to his VP (Palin).

Note well: If you see the second arrow fly, you will know where it came from.

Barack Obama is Unfit to be President

Andrew McCarthy, writing in National Review describes just another event that Barack Obama and that guy in his neighborhood Bill Ayers attended. It is absolutely telling.

A man who would glad-hand with such despicable characters to advance himself politically is not a person who would stand up for anything during a time of crisis. That is the great lesson that is missing during Obama-mania.

Barack Obama is a soulless, self-concerned hack, and completely unfit for the Presidency.

Do me a favor Obama supporters: You may hate Bush. I think he's a boob. McCain may be another pathetic, visionless creature of Washington. But please, Obama supporters, tell me you're holding your nose when voting for this guy, and that you are not really proud of someone who cozies up to the most radical, terror-loving, anti-Semitic kooks, just to advance his own pathetic political career.

Review Asks: Can Life Be Perfected?

Following up on the previous post, here's a timely and interesting review in City Journal by Theodore Dalrymple of new novels by Philip Roth and Ian McEwen. The title of the review is "Careful What You Wish For."

In it, Dalrymple notes:

"The idea that mankind might find life beautifully easy if only the right laws could be promulgated and the right social attitudes inculcated is a beguiling one. It suggests that dissatisfaction and frustration arise from error and malice, rather than from the inescapable and permanent separation between man’s desires and what the world can offer him. Difficulty, however, cannot be abolished; it is the condition of human life itself. We try to avert our eyes from this truth as we avert them from death itself."