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SEPTEMBER 23-24, 2022

A NEW REVOLUTION?  Consider this quote.  It's from a new piece in City Journal:

Back in April, an article by James Pogue in Vanity Fair revealed the emergence of a collection of “podcasters, bro-ish anonymous Twitter posters, online philosophers, artists, and amorphous scenesters”—sometimes called “‘dissidents,’ ‘neo-reactionaries,’ ‘post-leftists,’ or the ‘heterodox’ fringe . . . all often grouped for convenience under the heading of America’s New Right”—who represented the “seam of a much larger and stranger political ferment, burbling up mainly within America’s young and well-educated elite.”

That last bit about the demographics of this so-called New Right may have been what got the Times’s attention. But Pogue had even more striking news: these dissidents, he wrote, had established “a position that has become quietly edgy and cool in new tech outposts like Miami and Austin, and in downtown Manhattan, where New Right–ish politics are in, and signifiers like a demure cross necklace have become markers of a transgressive chic.” This may have been the most alarming news of all for the paper of record: somehow, traditionalist right-wing conservatism had perhaps become cool.

What?  Are we serious here?  A conservative revolution?  People running in the streets of lower Manhattan in Brooks Brothers suits waving copies of "The Road to Serfdom"?  In fact, the author, one N.S. Lyons, is very serious, which is why this piece, "A New Counterculture," is a must-read.  You don't have to agree with every word to see its significance.

We're hearing rumblings all the time that many young people, even on college campuses, are waking up to the reality of what the leftist establishment is really like.  They are a minority right now, often pummeled into silence by the threats from leftist thuggery.  But they are talking to each other.

It may take time, and the mainstream media will try to ignore it, or ridicule it.  But the first stirrings of a counterculture are being felt.       

September 23-24, 2022       Permalink

WHERE THINGS STAND, MAYBE:  One poll we follow closely is the generic ballot polled by Rasmussen.  Rasmussen polls more often than anyone else, and the generic ballot ("Which party do you prefer, Democrat or Republican?") is polled once a week.

Rasmussen's generic polls this year have consistently showed a Republican lead, but the amount has varied dramatically.  It was as high as 10 points earlier in the year before going on a long decline, reaching one point last week.  Today the Republican lead in Rasmussen stood at two points.  All that means is that the election will probably be close, but exactness cannot be predicted.

The general sense among pollsters that we consult is that the Republicans will probably take the House, but by a smaller margin than thought six months ago, and that the Democrats have a very good chance of holding on to the Senate, if only by a few seats. 

These predictions are of little significance, but they're fun.  Some event between now and the election can disrupt everything.  What if the president dies?  What if the Republicans show signs of life?

These are midterms.  There are local factors, personalities, and issues that are difficult to poll.  What you really need in these circumstances is the old, worn, grumpy news reporter or editor who knows every block, and has a name for every streetlight.  There used to be a guy like that at NBC Chicago named Len O'Connor, who looked like he changed his shirt once a month and got most of his tips from fellas behind bars.   But I'd listen to him faster than some electric-shaved worthy with a Harvard degree. 

Read Salena Zito.  She knows.

September 23-24, 2022       Permalink

THE GOP GETS A PULSE:  They live, they write, they sneeze.  Republicans, that is.  From out of their slumber they came today, eager to fight the good fight, or any fight.  Gee, its about time, but the GOP launched its "Commitment to America," the modern equivalent of Newt Gingrich's "Contract with America," which was so effective in the 1994 midterms.  From Fox: 

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy introduced the GOP's "Commitment to America" package on Friday, the Republicans' sales pitch for the the upcoming midterm elections.

McCarthy came out swinging in his speech, accusing Democratic lawmakers of ignoring rising crime, decrying restrictions on parental rights, and promising to repeal the recent expansion of the Internal Revenue Service.

The agenda includes a slate of general policy recommendations in four broad categories: "An Economy That's Strong;" "A Nation That's Safe;" "A Future That's Built on Freedom;" and "A Government That's Accountable."

"We want an economy that is strong. That means you can fill up your tank. You can buy the groceries. You have enough money left over to go to Disneyland and save for a future — that the paychecks grow, they no longer shrink," McCarthy told the crowd, laying out what Republicans say they will do if they gain the House majority.

He continued, "We have a plan for a nation that's safe. That means your community will be protected, your law enforcement will be respected. Your criminals will be prosecuted. We believe in a future that's built on freedom — that your children come first."

The GOP leaders say the agenda was formed with input from Republicans across the country with the explicit purpose of avoiding "top-down" party politics.

The agenda follows the playbook of the "Contract With America" that helped former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., win a GOP majority in the 1990s.

Republicans familiar with the plan say it's the culmination of more than a year of work, starting with the GOP-only "China Task Force." McCarthy liked that model and stood up several other task forces earlier this year, including on the economy, tech, health, energy and more.

McCarthy's speech focused heavily on rising crime and the rapid decrease in sentencing under local and state Democratic governments.

"We watched what they did to our communities, defunding of the police. We've got crime problems from Portland to Philadelphia now, with DAs and prosecutors that looked the other way," McCarthy said.

McCarthy also turned the microphone over to the audience for a Q&A session

The agenda comes at a critical time in the midterms. Republicans have held an advantage because of the shaky economy and President Biden's low approval ratings. But Democrats have claimed some new momentum after Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court and mounting legal troubles for former President Donald Trump.

McCarthy revealed the Commitment To America package in Washington County, Pennsylvania. The state is the focus of both parties' attention as the outcome of its upcoming elections could serve as a bellwether for shifting political allegiances.

COMMENT:  Sounds like a good start, but only a start.  It's a framework, and it's familiar.  What's needed now is to fill in the details.  What specifically will Republicans do?  Americans have been hit hard in the last few years, by a pandemic and economic turmoil.  They want answers.  They don't like the Biden administration, but they're not in love with the Republican Party.  Republicans must now present their agenda, and make it heavy with economic recommendations for renewed prosperity.   Republicans must have a clear vision of what life will be like under their rule.

September 23-24, 2022      Permalink

SEPTEMBER 21-22, 2022

REAL SCHOLARS FIGHTING BACK:  It will be a long fight, but some traditional scholars are fighting back against the wokism that is destroying our educational system.  It would be nice if they got some support from the press, but that may be too much to ask.  From College Fix: 

There’s an effort in California to dumb down math at the K-12 level in the name of equity, but a growing number of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math scholars urge officials to reject the plan.

To date, nearly 1,800 STEM scholars have signed on to the “Open Letter on K-12 Mathematics,” stating they are alarmed at the current proposal to fight achievement gaps in math pushed by progressives in the Golden State.

As The College Fix has previously reported, a framework before the California Department of Education would move more advanced math classes from the state’s middle schools to high schools to make math more equitable to students of all levels.

The framework also rebukes student giftedness, alleging the concept creates “considerable inequities in mathematics education.”

But the some 1,800 scholars who have signed the open letter argue that developing students who can perform high-level math is crucial to the nation’s vital information technology infrastructure and economic competitiveness:

College students who need to spend their early years taking introductory math courses may require more time to graduate. They may need to give up other opportunities and are more likely to struggle academically. Such a reform would disadvantage K-12 public school students in the United States compared with their international and private-school peers. It may lead to a de facto privatization of advanced mathematics K-12 education and disproportionately harm students with fewer resources.

Another deeply worrisome trend is devaluing essential mathematical tools such as calculus and algebra in favor of seemingly more modern “data science.” As STEM professionals and educators we should be sympathetic to this approach, and yet, we reject it wholeheartedly. The ability to gather and analyze massive amounts of data is indeed transforming our society. But “data science” – computer science, statistics, and artificial intelligence – is built on the foundations of algebra, calculus, and logical thinking.

… There cannot be a “one size fits all” approach to K-12 mathematical education. Students should be offered multiple pathways and timelines to explore mathematics. But one of these pathways should be the option to obtain the fundamental preparation for college-level STEM, including algebra, calculus, and logical reasoning. Students should have the opportunity to take those classes at varying grade levels of middle and high school when they are ready, so that they acquire the tools to explore other STEM options and can build their proficiency in a balanced pacing, avoiding irresponsible compression late in high school.

COMMENT:  That is called common sense.  It is also called professionalism.  It is also called a striving for excellence.  Unfortunately, the WOKE crowd has little interest in any of these concepts. 

I hope the scholars' letter makes a difference.  But, knowing the radical politics of California, I suspect the original march to mediocrity will be maintained.

September 21-22, 2022       Permalink

AND IRAN BOILS:  This story deserves more attention.  There are major disturbances in Iran, initially triggered by the wrongful death of a woman in police custody.  The trouble is spreading, an indication of just how unpopular the mullahs really are.  This comes just at the time when tensions between the United States and Iran are particularly high, caused by a breakdown in talks over a new nuclear agreement.  From Reuters:

Iranian authorities said on Wednesday three people including a member of the security forces had been killed during unrest sweeping the country, as anger at the death of a woman in police custody fueled protests for a fifth day.

Rights groups reported at least one more person was killed on Tuesday, which would take the death toll to least seven.

The death last week of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by morality police in Tehran for “unsuitable attire," unleashed simmering anger over issues including freedoms in the Islamic Republic and an economy reeling from sanctions.

After beginning on Saturday at Amini’s funeral in Iran‘s Kurdistan province, protests have engulfed much of the country, prompting confrontations as security forces have sought to suppress them.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei did not mention the protests – some of Iran‘s worst unrest since street clashes last year over water shortages – during a speech on Wednesday commemorating the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war.

A top Khamenei aide paid condolences to Amini’s family this week, promising to follow up on the case and saying the Supreme Leader was affected and pained by her death.

The official IRNA news agency said a “police assistant” died from injuries on Tuesday in the southern city of Shiraz.

“Some people clashed with police officers and as a result one of the police assistants was killed. In this incident, four other police officers were injured,” IRNA said. An official quoted by IRNA said 15 protesters were arrested in Shiraz.

COMMENT:  Instability in both Iran and Russia at the same time is a bad brew.  In 2009 there were large demonstrations in Iran , and it took President Obama, that great champion of liberty, about four days to walk up to a microphone and give the demonstrators a minimal expression of support.  We aren't even seeing that much from the Biden team today.  Appeasement of Iran is in their DNA.  Mustn't get the mullahs too angry while there's still hope they'll agree to some nuclear deal that will look good to a five-year-old.

September 21-22, 2022       Permalink 

THE PUTIN EFFECT:  The UN General Assembly is meeting this week in the barely functioning city of New York, but there was little gossip about King Charles or even about the number of favorite delegate steak joints that have closed.  It's all Putin all the time.  The guy knows how to create a headline, but he'd better watch his back.  From the New York Post: 

Russians took to the streets — and to the sky — Wednesday in opposition to Vladimir Putin’s mobilization order sending reservists to fight in Ukraine as his threats of nuclear warfare intensified.

The order — which would throw 300,000 more troops into the increasingly desperate fight — sparked a wave of protests across Russia and a run on one-way tickets out of the country.

The mobilization came alongside chilling threats to defend Russian territory with nuclear weapons, as the Kremlin planned to call a quarter of Ukraine part of Russia.

“I want to remind you that our country also has various means of destruction,” Putin said in a Wednesday morning televised address. “When the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, to protect Russia and our people, we will certainly use all the means at our disposal.”

With an icy stare at the camera, the Russian strongman added, “It’s not a bluff.”

Putin’s threat to use nuclear weapons to defend Russia’s “territorial integrity” comes as his puppet regimes in Ukraine prepare to declare the occupied parts of that country Russian territory.

Four referenda are planned this week for the occupied provinces of Ukraine — Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson — to declare those provinces part of Russia.

Such a vote would make the territories an “irreversible” addition to the country, allowing Moscow to use “any means” to defend them, Dmitry Medvedev, head of the Kremlin’s Security Council, said this week....

...Over 1,300 people were arrested in Russia Wednesday for protesting Putin’s order to send 300,000 more troops into Ukraine.

Russia’s use of so-called filtration camps to relocate Ukrainians within the occupied territories — and it’s alleged use of torture, captivity and extrajudicial executions against those it suspects of supporting or aiding Kyiv — undercut the notion that any referendum held in occupied territory could reflect the will of the residents...

...Protests started out in the rural regions that have staffed Putin’s army, and made their way to the centers of political power.

Putin’s announcements sparked panic in Russia, with a wave of protests breaking out across the country.

More than 1,300 Russians had been arrested for protesting the mobilization order as of Wednesday night, Russian police watchdog OVD-Info said. Protests against the war are illegal under Russia’s draconian anti-demonstration laws which prohibit the spreading of so-called false information about the military.

The first protests took place in Siberia in the Russian far-east, according to The Moscow Times. Most of the Russian forces sent to Ukraine so far have been pulled from Russia’s far-flung rural regions and satellite states, in an apparent effort to shield the Russian middle class from the costs of the conflict.

A mass mobilization of troops has been considered such a political minefield that Russian Oligarch and Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin has been trying to recruit prisoners to fight in Ukraine — with little success...

...Tickets from Moscow to Belgrade, Serbia, sold out, as did flights to locations in Turkey, Georgia and Armenia, according to Belgrade-based anti-war group “Russians, Belarussians, Ukrainians and Serbs Together Against War.”

“All the Russians who wanted to go to war already went,” the group tweeted. “No one else wants to go there!”

COMMENT:  This is serious stuff, with profound dangers.   A dictator challenged from within, equipped with nuclear weapons, could easily launch an irrational attack, all the while claiming that his country has been invaded.  It's a classic way of forcing national unity.  He could also institute internal purges to eliminate enemies, possibly leading to a civil war or a revolt by his own military, with the security of nuclear weapons in doubt.

And we have in the White House a president who can't articulate our policies, and a vice president who can't find her way to the office.  Ronald Reagan, where are you when we need you?

September 21-22, 2022       Permalink