E. J. Dionne

WaPo columnist E. J. Dionne is nearly berserk over the Supreme Court's decision in the schools case. In his column, he doesn't deal with the facts of the case or the decision. He merely conveys that he's outraged. That's about what you would expect from an irrational liberal. Presumably, Dionne thinks the Court should have allowed discrimination on the basis of race, which the Constitution prohibits. Dionne says the Senate shouldn't hold hearings on Bush judiciary nominees unless Bush first agrees in advance to nominate someone the Senate will confirm. The trouble is, the Constitution requires that the president nominate and the Senate advise and consent, not the other way around. Nor does the Constitution authorize the Senate to both nominate and advise and consent, which is what Dionne proposes. Presumably, he views the president as a figurehead. That's not how the Framers drew it up.

Objective? No way!

Leave your objectivity at the door. We don't want no balance in the LAT.

That's apparently what reporters and editors are told when they go to work for the LAT. How else could anyone explain the piece in today's paper by David Savage (aka The Hatchetman) and Carol Williams?

The piece is near total speculation, expressing the liberal dream that Guantanamo be closed and the prisoners there be given the same rights as criminal defendants in the U.S. The only news in the piece was that the Supreme Court will hear a consolidated case involving prisoners in its next term. The reporters offer no balance, quote no opposing views. The editors apparently thought that was OK. What's more, the editors apparently thought this story more important than the London bombing story, for this story was at the top right of the front page with a big headline while the London bombing story was lower and had a smaller caption.

Lexington on gays

The Economist's Lexington wastes a perfectly good column this week (June 30) reporting on gay couples in America. The argument is that they are becoming more numerous and better accepted by non-gays. Maybe, but they are an extremely small part of the population and they get more attention than they deserve. Why The Economist should be interested puzzles.

The Economist evaluates Congress

In the June 30 issue, The Economist analyzes the Democrat Congress's performance for its first six months and concludes it isn't bad. The editors acknowledge that the Congress hasn't passed any significant legislation (although they claim the minimum wage bill was significant) but they excuse the failure and credit the numerous investigations as shinning a light on the Bush administration that was sorely lacking. To make such an assessment, one needs almost to be a Pollyanna. The Congress has investigated much but has found little wrongdoing, only bureaucratic incompetence.

O. C. Register gets it right

In an editorial today, the Orange County Register applauds the Supreme Court's decision in the schools case, arguing that Chief Justice Roberts was right in saying "the way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race." The constitution requires nothing less.

Chemerinsky has a cow

In a rant today on the LAT's editorial page, radical left-wing law professor Erwin Chemerinsky argues that Roberts and Alito are the devil's offspring and should be burned at the stake. Chemerinsky has always had his wires crossed so nothing he says is surprising.

LAT: The Constitution is simplistic

In an editorial today, the LAT argues that the following notion is "simplistic:" That using race to bring children together is just as wrong as using race to keep them apart. The LAT has its wires crossed.

LAT blames Bush for immigration failure

In a piece today by biased reporter Noam Levey, the LAT argues that the immigration bill failed in the Senate because Bush lacks clout with senators. Levey argues this is just one of many signs that Bush is done, that he's too weak to make a difference. Well, he is a lame duck but the real culprit is Harry Reid, who pulled the bill two weeks ago and then reinstated it. What kind of message did that send? That it wasn't important enough to allow unlimited debate? Then Reid invented the clay pigeon, 373 words of amendments presented to senators for a vote at the last minute. Finally, Reid is responsible for the lack of trust that the two parties have for each other. He's stewed up that lack of trust with negative comments to the media, by introducing meaningless sense-of-the senate resolutions and by endless investigations. It's unlikely this Senate will accomplish anything significant before the next election.

The Court and the schools

The LAT today seems shocked, shocked that the nation's high Court would rule that school districts can't discriminate on the basis of race. Well, duh! When was that ever right? There is no justification for discriminating for or against any person based on race or gender or religion. What's shocking is that any school district thinks that's allowable, and that any Supreme Court justice would vote to allow it. Somewhere, somehow, lots of people got there wires crossed.

Losing Lebanon

The LAT has an editorial today titled as above, which argues something ought to be done about blocking Syria's attempts to destabilize Lebanon. While the editorial is mostly on the right track, it lacks specifics and includes a swipe at the Bush administration, something that seems an irresistible impulse for the LAT.

Immigration negotiations

The LAT has a piece on immigration by reporters Nicole Gaouette and Noam Levey that fails to mention the so-called clay pigeon or Harry Reid's part in failing to get the bill through the Senate. Other news sources have talked about Reid's 373 page clay pigeon and his attempts to force it down the throats of immigration opponents. The LAT doesn't think it's important.

Reid is a divider not a uniter and his behavior is high handed. He alienates people and makes negotiations more difficult. He'll most likely blame everyone but himself when he speaks to the press after the bill fails today.

Access to police records

The Orange County Register has an editorial today concerning a bill that has passed the California Senate that would open police disciplinary records to public scrutiny. The bill is opposed by unions representing California public safety officers. The Register rightly points out that police exercise the ultimate power of government (the right to detain people) and their actions should be open to public scrutiny. The argument is especially convincing in view of two police killings in Orange County during the past year or so. A young woman in a park was killed by Huntington Beach police and a married couple staying at a luxury hotel were killed by Laguna Beach police. In both cases, the victims were armed (the Huntington Beach woman had a knife and the Laguna Beach couple had a gun). It isn't clear whether police were threatened in either case. Both cases have been investigated but the results of the investigations haven't been published.

Supreme Court decisions

In news coverage today, the LAT seems sceptical of yesterday's Court decisions, pointing out that each decision was by a 5 to 4 margin with the "conservatives" in the majority. And the LAT highlights dissenting opinions such as those by liberal justices Souter and Stevens. When the Court's decisions were favorable to liberal causes, LAT coverage was generally supportive and dissents were ridiculed as coming from the conservative minority. Yet, the LAT agrees with one of yesterday's opinions in an editorial today. That's about as much balance as can be expected from the LAT.

LAT praises congressional Dems

In an editorial today, the LAT praises congressional Dems for a gun control bill passed by the House and an energy bill passed by the Senate. But neither bill has cleared the other body and either or both could be vetoed. The LAT should wait for done deals before passing out complements.

Richter, Levey and rumors

This morning on the front page, the LAT published a story by Paul Richter and Noam Levey that is little more than rumors. Citing anonymous sources, Richter and Levey claim the Bush administration is trying to cut a deal with Congress on Iraq that would minimize the ongoing partisan clashes in the future and still allow some degree of stability in Iraq. If true, and if it works, that would be a good thing. And, it would be surprising if the administration were not trying to work with some members of Congress to get something done. But at this point it's only gossip, not news.

Steven Greenhut

Greenhut writes for the Orange County Register editorial page. Some stuff he writes is good but he has a tendency to overstate. Today he has a piece on freedoms in the U.S. It's a part of the Register's July 4th celebration. Few would disagree with anything in the opening paragraphs of the piece but later he reverts to form and overstates the ways in which we in the U.S. are not free. Perhaps it's an editorial-writing axiom that overstatement is necessary to keep readers interested. More likely, it's a flaw that detracts from otherwise well reasoned arguments.

Hatchetman is back

On today's front page, the LAT published a piece by David G. Savage (aka The Hatchetman because of his tendency to cut-off at the knees conservative judges and justices whenever he gets an opportunity) in which he alleges that the Roberts Court is pro-business. Savage cites several recent decisions of the Court and argues they support his view. But some of these decisions arguably are anti-lunacy decisions -- so obvious it would be lunacy not to agree. For example, in a case where it was alleged that the Baby Bells had conspired not to compete, the Court held that it was necessary to prove more than that conspiracy was possible. Savage seems to argue that was decision was wrong, that the possibility of conspiracy was enough. Possibly, one could rob a bank or steal a car but prosecution isn't appropriate until the bank has been robbed or the car stolen.

Stem cells

In an editorial today, the LAT says that by opposing and promising to veto legislation providing federal funding for research on embryonic stem cells, President Bush is trying "to have it both ways." It isn't clear what two ways the LAT has in mind. One way, presumably, is opposing and promising to veto the subject legislation? Apparently the other way is hoping for scientific advances that would enable non-embryonic stem cells to behave like embryonic ones. But doesn't everyone hope for those kinds of scientific advances?

Hallelujah

A cursory review of the LAT's front section today reveals no mention of the U.S. attorneys firings or Alberto Gonzales. This is rare. Further, the LAT seems not to have quoted Chuck Schumer, which is even more rare. Has the LAT adopted a new editorial policy? Will the LAT report actual news in an unbiased way in the future? Let's hope so.

LAT weeps for Gaza

In an editorial, the LAT today calls Gaza "Hamastan" and laments the situation there but can't resist taking a swipe at Bush. It's as if every editorial must include an anti-Bush word or phrase.

Opportunism

The LAT reports today that opportunistic defense attorneys nationwide are citing the U.S. attorneys firings as proof that defendants they represent are being prosecuted for political reasons. Sadly, this isn't news. Attorneys will argue anything they think will help them win. Attorneys who are successful should thank Schumer, Leahy and other Democrat senators and media outlets like the LAT for keeping this non-scandal brewing so long.

Immigration: A second chance

A LAT editorial today argues for passage of the immigration bill, which the Senate is planning to resurrect. The LAT rightly calls Reid's attempt last week to call off debate "reckless." And it laments possible Senate consideration of an amendment expected to be introduced by Kay Bailey Hutchison. The LAT argues that the immigration bill is a finely tuned compromise that shouldn't be amended further. It praises President Bush for supporting the bill, something that is rare for the LAT. But the LAT puts most emphasis on legalizing the illegals who are already in the U.S., without trying to justify it. They could have said that illegals broke the law when they entered illegally but the penalty should not be death or life imprisonment. The lawbreakers should pay a penalty but the central question is: What should that penalty be? Ideally, the penalty would be deportation, but that isn't realistic for an illegal population of 12 million people. The challenge will be to find a penalty that is acceptable to all sides. Once that's agreed, the next challenge will be to insure that border security is beefed up enough to stop further illegal entries.

WaPo: Palestinian mess is Bush's fault

Bush can't get an even break with the WaPo. According to a piece today by reporter Glenn Kessler, it's all Bush's fault that Hamas butchered Fatah in Gaza. Nothing Bush has tried has worked, according to Kessler. That's not because Hamas is a terrorist organization, Kessler suggests.

Democracy isn't dead

That's the title of a editorial today in which the LAT admirably defends democracy and, by inference, President Bush's policy of promoting democracy worldwide. In the end though, the LAT couldn't resist the urge to take a swipe at Bush in the final paragraph, recommending that the administration "recalibrate its rhetoric and promote more realistic expectations." Apparently, that was added to avoid being seen as agreeing too much with Bush.

Harry and Noam

LAT reporter Noam Levey, guardian of Congressional Democrats, today reports on the lunacy of Harry Reid, the incompetent and highly partisan Senate Majority Leader, who regularly shoots off his mouth with inanities. His latest mutterings about two top generals have been reported widely. They embarrass the Senate, the Democratic Party and most nonpartisans.

LAT: Close Guantanamo

In an editorial today, the LAT argues for closing Guantanamo, but its logic is hard to follow. First, the LAT argues that Guantanamo should be closed because indefinite detentions are wrong. It's not where detainees are held that matters but how long, so Guantanamo should be closed.

Next, the LAT argues that the problem is that detainees don't have habeas corpus rights. But even if they did, the LAT argues, "reflexive distrust of historic protections" would continue to "erode America's international standing." So, it's not so much a habeas corpus problem as it is a distrust problem. Some foreigners don't trust America so Guantanamo should be closed.

Finally, the LAT argues that "terrorist suspects," even high value ones, should be tried in ordinary federal courts. From this it follows that in WWII, Japanese and German prisoners of war should have been tried in federal district court, charged with ... what? Therefore, Guantanamo should be closed.

LAT says U.N. can help

In an editorial today, the LAT pushes for peace in Iraq, suggesting that the U.N. sponsor a peace process and engage Iraq's neighbors. Peace in Iraq is a good idea if the price isn't too high but, sadly, the U.N. is corrupt and useless. The U.S. has already convened conferences with Iraq's neighbors, who seem either unable or unwilling to help. Two neighbors, Iran and Syria, actively support and promote violence in Iraq. Expecting either the U.N. or Iraq's neighbors to help achieve peace is fantasizing.

Congressional approval ratings

LAT reporter and part-time propagandist for Congressional Democrats Noam Levey reports today that Congress's approval rating, according to recent polls, is the lowest in a decade. But Levey claims voters are dissatisfied at the pace of change, suggesting voters expected more change faster. As a singer in A Chorus Line says, "That ain't it kid." Congressional Democrats wasted valuable legislative time investigating, holding hearings and passing meaningless non-binding resolutions. Voters expect Congress to legislate. That's not what they've been doing.

LAT investigates

The crack investigative reporting team at the LAT hasn't yet given up on running Alberto Gonzales out of Washington. But they have little to say aside from repeating unproven allegations and quoting the ever quotable and seldom silent Chuck Schumer, junior Democrat senator from New York. Seriously, isn't it time to drop it?

LAT: Dems have advantage on 2008 issues

According to the LAT this morning, Americans want higher taxes, gays in the military and government-run health care. That's why, according to the LAT, Democrat presidential candidates have the advantage over Republicans at this point. The LAT bases this on polls by the Pew Research Center.

Maybe, but Democrats have lost repeatedly using these issues. Americans have never voted for tax increases in national elections. Hillarycare was defeated with ease. And while the elite may consider gays under-privileged, it' s a reasonable bet that most Americans don't.

No time for immigration

Harry Reid reportedly pulled the immigration bill because the time allotted for considering it had run out. Then the Senate took Friday and the weekend off. Monday the Senate will take up a proposed no-confidence resolution on Alberto Gonzales. The resolution will have no practical effect. Obviously, there was time for further work on immigration but Reid blocked it. He prefers posturing to legislating.

Steyn on immigration

Mark Steyn, who is talented and often humorous, has a piece on immigration, published today in the Orange County Register. In it, Steyn trashes the immigration bill and argues that current immigration policy and enforcement is nearly nonexistent. But he offers no ideas on how to fix current policy or increase enforcement; and he has no suggestions for fixing the immigration bill to make it acceptable. He's clear about what he's opposed to, which is nearly everything. He doesn't say what he favors.

Sensible immigration editorial

The Orange County Register this morning has one of the few sensible editorials on immigration. The Register argues that the Senate immigration bill, though flawed, would improve on the present situation, and argues that the bill's opponents have nothing to offer. The Register is right on both counts. Too many of the bill's opponents argue endlessly that the bill is an "amnesty" bill, which is dishonest because it's a smoke screen designed to avoid discussing specifics.

$150,000 wine tasting

The LAT Travel section's "Need To Know" column today includes an advertisement -- though it wasn't identified as advertising -- for a four-day outing to a Napa Valley wine auction by chartered personal jet with a stay at a San Francisco hotel. The total cost: $150,000. It's hard to imagine that most LAT readers would need to know about that.

Gays in the military

On the editorial page today, the LAT argues for ending the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, primarily citing polls but also telling of a Navy enlisted man who was discharged for using a restricted military computer system to send personal e-mails "that in some cases were romantic or sexual." The LAT says the man was gay and was discharged for that reason. Gay or straight, he should have been discharged for illicitly using the computer system.

If a person is doing his or her job, whatever that job might be, that person's personal life is his or her own business. No one needs to know and ordinarily has no interest in knowing whether that person is gay or straight. Ordinarily, a straight does not tap another straight on the shoulder to say: "I'm straight." If a gay taps a straight on the shoulder to announce his or her gayness it's insulting. The straight's urge is to say: "Keep it to yourself. I'm not interested." Why do gays and those who support gays insist that gays should publicize their gayness? Surely it's to proselytize.

Immigration

In today's LAT, Janet Hook and Nicole Gaouette, reporting on the immigration bill, claim the Senate's slate is full, suggesting there may not be enough time left to take up the immigration bill again. But senators wasted three months trying to bring down an attorney general and another three months passing nonbinding resolutions and a war-funding bill destined for a certain presidential veto. If they now don't have time for serious legislation then it's time to throw the bums out.

LAT misses no chance to blame Bush

In an editorial today, the LAT blames Bush, among others, for failure of the Senate to pass the immigration bill. They may as well blame sun spots. Harry Reid is the culprit. He surely knows how many votes he has before he brings up cloture votes. When he brings up cloture resolutions that have no chance of success, it's for political purposes. Reid wants this bill to fail.

Levey sees Dem win on Iraq

LAT reporter Noam Levey today reports on what he thinks are signs that Republican senators are abandoning Bush on Iraq. Never shy about voicing his own opinion in news reporting, Levey's reporting today is little more than speculation.

OC Register editorials

The Orange County Register has two good editorials today, one arguing in favor of a California Senate bill that would grant public access to disciplinary records of police and deputies, the other arguing that Scooter Libby's sentence is out of proportion to the alleged crime and that Bush should pardon him. Both are sensible and well argued. Twice in the past year, police have killed Orange County citizens in questionable circumstances. The killings have been investigated but the outcomes of the investigations remain secret. Libby is collateral damage in a political fight over the Iraq war. Fitzgerald wasted time, money and resources. He learned the leaker's name early on. The investigation should have stopped then.

LAT highlights anti-abortion differences

According to the LAT, anti-abortion groups are split, some working for incremental change, others working toward an absolute ban. It's splitting hairs. All the groups are working to stop the killing of innocent life in the womb. They take different approaches to the same end. Whatever works.

LAT misstates Plame facts, again

In a sidebar titled "The Plame affair," the LAT says that Bush, in his 2003 State of the Union address, said that Iraq had sought uranium from Niger, which is wrong. Bush said the Brits had learned that Iraq sought uranium in Africa. Bush didn't mention Niger. The Brits stand by that to this day. And Joseph Wilson learned, on his trip to Niger, that Iraqis had visited Niger in 1999 to discuss trade at a time when Niger's only exportable product was yellowcake.

LAT's Levey is back

LAT reporter Noam Levey, a leading propagandist for anti-war Democrats, is back on the front page today, reporting alleged facts supplied by unnamed sources. Paragraphs begin with phrases like "Democratic congressional leaders," "Many Democratic loyalists" and "Many GOP lawmakers." Levey doesn't say which Democrat leaders and loyalists and which GOP lawmakers he interviewed? Levey might argue that his reporting is based on observation. But who did he observe, what did he observe and when and where did he observe it?

Senate bargaining

The LAT has a piece on the front page today by Nicole Gaouette that supposedly gives readers an inside look at negotiations between twelve senators and the administration that resulted in the immigration bill. It's interesting but there's no way to know how accurate it is because it's based on unnamed sources, suggesting it's no more reliable than rumors.

Unexpected dignity

A picture on the front page of today's LAT portrays a Norman Rockwell moment: Four boys standing on a curb watching, hand over heart, as a horse-drawn carriage passes carrying the body of Army Pfc. Joseph J. Anzack, killed in Iraq, to a memorial service. A fifth boy is seen taking a picture, hat in hand. But for the boys' athletic shoes, this could be a World War II scene.

Schumer speaks, again

According to the LAT, bombastic Chuck Schumer, the junior senator from New York, famous for speaking out on issues far and wide, spoke again yesterday, calling for a federal investigation -- another one -- because a border control official in Champlain, New York ignored an alert and allowed Andrew Speaker, the individual infected with a drug-resistant strain of tuberculosis, to enter the U.S. from Canada. The border control official who let Speaker through has been removed from his job, but Schumer apparently wants more scalps.