LAT: U.S. at fault in Iran/Iraq

The LAT, this morning, blames the U.S. for Iranians supporting the Sadr militia in Iraq. According to the LAT, the U.S. is inciting Kurds and Sunnis to stage cross-border raids into Iran and that's why Iran is sending arms and aid to the Sadr militia. Furthermore, the LAT says, everyone knows that the U.S. intelligence assessment last December cleared Iran of having nuclear ambitions and also that Iraqi government forces lost the battle of Basra two weeks ago. The LAT goes on to say there's no proof of what they say about U.S. aid to Kurd and Sunni infiltrators but that's because the U.S. is so skilled at hiding it.

Anti-coal

The LAT reports today on Sierra Club efforts to prevent construction of new coal-fired power plants. The LAT piece reflects favorably on Sierra Club efforts, meaning the piece needs balance.

The Sierra Club is not what it appears to be. It was formed to preserve the Sierra for backpackers and others who enjoy the outdoors. It has evolved into a radical environmental organization that opposes not only coal but nuclear power and property rights. It favors taking properties or the benefits of property ownership from property owners and converting the properties to uses Sierra Club approves. In this respect it is like Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and the Castros of Cuba, where property rights don't exist. The U.S. does not need to become more like Zimbabwe or Cuba.

A confused Spano writes about Mao

In today's LAT travel section, travel writer Susan Spano writes about Mao Tse-tung as if the jury were still out on his true nature. One can imagine writing about Adolph Hitler or Joseph Stalin in the same way, undecided and confused about their true nature. Some things are true and some things spin. Spano seems to have swallowed the spin.

Will exposes myths

A column by George Will, published today in the Orange County Register, tells it like it is. America is not going to hell in a handbasket, as many suppose. If we're in a recession, we won't know it until July or August. The stock market is down but only modestly. Home prices are down but only to 2004 values. A minority of a minority of mortgagors are behind in their payments. Retiring at age 59 is not a natural right, and besides, work is beneficial. These are Will's points and he's right. Our lives shouldn't be perfect and we shouldn't expect them to be.

O.C. Register on Columbia free trade agreement

The Orange County Register editorialized this morning on the Columbia free trade agreement, arguing that Dem ignorance and hostility to free trade are "sad indeed."

Buzzards circle

With the news that GE profits for the first quarter were down, the buzzards -- Tom Petruno and Walter Hamilton of the LAT -- are out and in print in today's newspaper. What a surpise.

LAT says judges should get a vote

In another of today's editorials, the LAT rightly argues that Senators ought not stall any further on Bush judicial nominees. Those people deserve an up or down vote, the LAT argues, and of course the LAT is right on this. Two out of three ain't bad -- today only.