Shire Network News #105 has been released. The feature interview is with blogger and media analyst Richard Landes, about the latest developments in the Mohammed Al-Durrah case. Click here for the show notes, links, and ways to listen to the show; directly from the web site, by downloading the mp3 file, or by subscribing with your podcatcher of choice.

Below is the text of my commentary segment.

Hi, this is Doug Payton, asking you to “Consider This”.

Last Wednesday, there was yet another Democratic party debate for the US Presidential nomination. Honestly, this whole campaign season started way too early for my tastes, but it does make for wonderful blog fodder. I mean, the more these folks talk, Democrats and Republicans, the better the chance that they’ll say things that let us see the real candidates, not just the ones their handlers want us to see.

Take John Edwards, please. In that debate, Tim Russert asked about same-sex marriage in general, and about a new “fairy tale” in particular that is designed for 2nd graders about two kings who get married. When asked if he thought this was OK, he said the following:

I don’t want to make that decision on behalf of my children. I want my children to be able to make that decision on behalf of themselves, and I want them to be exposed to all the information, even in — did you say second grade? Second grade might be a little tough, but even in second grade to be exposed to all those possibilities, because I don’t want to impose my view. Nobody made me God.

Well, to that last sentence, taken entirely out of context, I’d have to say a hearty “Amen”, so to speak. I mean, you’re not likely to hear someone on “Extreme Makeover, Home Edition” walk into their new house and exclaim “Oh my Edwards!”

But let’s go back and put the sentence in context. John Almighty has indeed decided that second graders should be their own moral agents, discerning all manner of right and wrong at the tender age of 7. Now, there are some moral issues that second graders should be able to recognize and, even if they make the wrong decision, they know it’s the wrong one. Whether or not to splatter little Katie’s white dress with black paint is one thing. I would think (I would hope) that even Mr. Edwards could figure that one out. It’s rather black and white. But does he believe that second graders are ready to make a moral decision about the rightness or wrongness of same-sex marriage?

Comedian Jeff Foxworthy has a game show in the US called “Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?”, where contestant compete against elementary school kids. Well it seems that Pope John the Democrat doesn’t think he qualifies to be the moral guide to a 2nd grader. I’m sorry, John, but if you don’t think you can do that, what makes you think you can tell me how to run my own health care, or what makes you think I can trust you with the tax dollars you want to give to charities?

I’ll tell you what, though; if that “fairy tale” “King & King” were about two brothers getting married, I have a feeling John would somehow muster from deep down inside him the courage to impose his views on Mrs. Hutchison’s class in room 107. Yes sir, that line in the sand would be drawn. This far and no farther! Something tells me that his alleged laissez-faire attitude towards his children’s moral education just might be shown for the veneer that it is. And using your children to pander to your base is particularly reprehensible.

And perhaps all this would last until society’s values changed and John would morph with them. “Marriages of 3 or more? Hey, no on made me God! Playing NAMBLA propaganda to babies in the womb along with their classical music? The rumors of my Deification have been greatly exaggerated!”

Now I’m sure that there are those who have been disagreeing that the whole same-sex marriage issue isn’t really a moral issue. I personally think it is, and I’d also note that the faith that John claims, from the Southern Baptist denomination, also sees it that way. John saw fit to bring God into the equation with his statement that he was not Him. But while it’s true that no one made John God, God did make John something; a parent. Just because you’re not God, it doesn’t mean that you can’t make decisions for your children. Indeed, who other than the parents are the primary moral educators of the next generation?

Unless, of course, you think it’s the state’s responsibility to do moral education, and handle all your health care, and micromanage the economy, and tax your way to prosperity. Well, at least according to the latest polls, John doesn’t look like he’ll be getting the nomination.

To that I say, “Thank Edwards.”

Rudy Giuliani is not my first pick for Republican presidential nominee. He’s got some troubling stands on some issues that are important to me. But whatever those disconnects, he’d be far better than anything the Democrats have to offer.

Except that’s not what a number of conservative Christians are saying.

Some of the nation’s most politically influential conservative Christians, alarmed by the prospect of a Republican presidential nominee who supports abortion rights, are considering backing a third-party candidate.

More than 40 Christian conservatives attended a meeting Saturday in Salt Lake City to discuss the possibility, and planned more gatherings on how they should move forward, according to Richard A. Viguerie, the direct-mail expert and longtime conservative activist.

Rudy Giuliani, who supports abortion rights and gay rights, leads in national polls of the Republican presidential candidates. Campaigning in New Jersey on Monday, Giuliani brushed aside talk of an upstart effort by religious conservatives.

“I’m working on one party right now _ the Republican Party,” Giuliani said. “I believe we are reaching out very, very well to Republicans. The emphasis is on fiscal conservatism, which brings Republicans together.”

Other participants in the meeting included James Dobson, founder of the Focus on the Family evangelical ministry in Colorado Springs, Colo., and, according to Viguerie, Tony Perkins, head of the Family Research Council, a conservative policy group in Washington.

The problem with this approach is that if they act on this threat, they ensure the election of someone even further from their beliefs than Rudy. And they have to know this, which means they’d rather have someone in Planned Parenthood’s back pocket, never mind all the other nanny-state, anti-growth policies that would get introduced and implemented, than someone with whom they could at least agree on most of the time. If you have a Republican in the White House, you at least have someone who’ll give conservative Christians a fair hearing rather than just lip service.

Betsy Newmark has a better suggestion.

There is a candidate in the race right now who fits all the needs of these cultural conservatives – Mike Huckabee. They could be mobilizing behind him. If Huckabee started moving in the polls and surpassing expectations in the early states, these conservatives might be able to convince Giuliani (if he were to win the nomination) to put Huckabee on the ticket to alleviate some of this cultural conservative angst.

How much influence a VP would have is a matter of debate, as Betsy notes, but rather than bailing out, engage.

Technorati Tags: Rudy Giuliani, Republican, Christian conservatives, Christian Right, James Dobson, Tony Perkins, Richard A. Viguerie

John Edwards really need to rediscover his place in this world.

A fairy tale about two princes falling in love sparked a backlash – and a lawsuit – against a teacher and a school last year when it was read to a second-grade class in Massachusetts.

But the three frontrunners in the Democratic presidential race suggested Wednesday night at their debate in New Hampshire that they’d support reading the controversial book to children as part of a school curriculum.

Moderator Tim Russert asked John Edwards, Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton whether they’d be comfortable having the story – called “King & King” – read to their children in school.

Edwards gave the first and most definitive answer – a resounding and instant “yes, absolutely” – although he added that it “might be a little tough” for second-graders.

…

The 2004 vice presidential candidate and former North Carolina senator said he doesn’t want to influence his kids’ opinions about the issue.

“I don’t want to make that decision on behalf of my children,” he said. “I want my children to be able to make that decision on behalf of themselves, and I want them to be exposed to all the information, even in – did you say second grade? Second grade might be a little tough, but even in second grade to be exposed to all those possibilities, because I don’t want to impose my view. Nobody made me God.”

Though nobody made John Edwards God, God made him a parent. To throw his hands up and say that since he’s not The Almighty that he has no place in forming his childrens’ views is a major cop-out. I’m sure he’d find some reason to inject himself in their upbringing if, let’s say, the book were instead about a Kingdom where homosexuality wasn’t practiced because everyone thought it was immoral.

And while we’re on the subject of second graders making their own moral decisions, how about a book on adultery? I mean, it happens quite a lot, and some folks don’t see the moral issue with it, so let’s just show the kiddos an alternative. “The Open-Marriage Kingdom”, in the children’s section at a bookstore near you.

Careful, John. If the Lord wants that book out, He’ll reach down with His own hand and smite it Himself. No one made you God.

Technorati Tags: John Edwards, Democrats, Tim Russert, Massachusetts, King & King, homosexuality, public school, education

I’m not one to post campaign material for one candidate or another here, especially since I’ve really not made up my mind. But this post by Mitt Romney at Redstate really hits the nail on the head with me. Key paragraph:

The blame for Washington’s failures lies not just with the Democrats but with Republicans as well. We have to put our own house in order. We can no longer be a party of big spenders with ethical standards more fitting of a Jay Leno punch line. We can no longer pretend our borders are secure. When Republicans act like Democrats, America loses. It’s time for change in Washington and change begins with us.

Read the whole thing.

Technorati Tags: Mitt Romney, Republicans, government, Jay Leno

It appears that too many on the Left are willing and eager to accept Jon Stewart at face value, forgetting that his show is, y’know, not an actual news show.

“Idiots are now convinced that Dubya doesn’t know Nelson Mandela is still alive,” writes Abu Wabu. “What has in fact died, and what a miserable, stinking death it was, is real intellectual rigor on the idiot left.” As made evident by followers of Daily Show host Jon Stewart, “a voice for democratic ideals and the noble place of citizenship”, at least according to Tom Brokaw. Pity, then, that Stewart’s idealistic nobility is wasted on an audience of morons:

Thursday’s episode of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Oh my God. How funny was it? And for a very wrong reason indeed. I’ve already shared it with others. George W Bush thought Nelson Mandela is dead? Dude! How wrong could he possibly be!

Hat tip to Tim Blair, who has a host of other examples. And, of course, if these Nuance Nabobs would take a look at the context, they’d see that Stewart’s hack job just fed them plastic red meat, that they gobbled up. This wouldn’t be so scary if “The Daily Show” weren’t so many people’s primary news source.

It’s a comedy show, folks. Treat it with way more skepticism than your average nightly news program.

Technorati Tags: The Daily Show, Jon Stewart, Nelson Mandela, Tom Brokaw, George W Bush, liberal, media, comedy

It’s always interesting to me to see what some computer program figures would be the best presidential candidate for me. While it’s a fun little diversion, I think folks ought to at least give them a try. I think they might be surprised.

An acquaintance of mine, who is a political conservative and white, when talking with African-American co-workers, would often see that, while they held conservative principles, would vote Democrat anyway. When she asked one of them to take one of these kinds of surveys, her co-worker was shocked that the Republican candidate lined up much more closely with her beliefs than the Democrat, so I think it’s worth giving it a shot.

I took this survey, and here are my results:

1. Theoretical Ideal Candidate (100%)
2. Chuck Hagel (not running) (78%)
3. Mitt Romney (77%)
4. Sam Brownback (73%)
5. Jim Gilmore (withdrawn) (73%)
6. Tom Tancredo (71%)
7. Duncan Hunter (70%)
8. John McCain (66%)
9. Fred Thompson (62%)
10. Newt Gingrich (not announced) (62%)
11. Mike Huckabee (57%)
12. Rudolph Giuliani (57%)
13. Tommy Thompson (withdrawn) (56%)
14. Ron Paul (51%)
15. Kent McManigal (campaign suspended) (50%)
16. Michael Bloomberg (says he will not run) (30%)
17. Al Gore (not announced) (26%)
18. Bill Richardson (25%)
19. Joseph Biden (24%)
20. Hillary Clinton (22%)
21. Wesley Clark (not running, endorsed Clinton) (21%)
22. John Edwards (18%)
23. Christopher Dodd (15%)
24. Barack Obama (14%)
25. Mike Gravel (14%)
26. Alan Augustson (campaign suspended) (12%)
27. Dennis Kucinich (9%)
28. Elaine Brown (0%)

Update:  Welcome, NY Observer readers.

Technorati Tags: United States, presidential campaign, presidential candidate selector

A Ten Commandments display in Kentucky will remain, beating back an assault by the ACLU.

A federal court in Lexington, Ky., has ruled that the Ten Commandments can remain on display in the Mercer County courthouse, rejecting an attempt by the American Civil Liberties Union to have them removed.

“This is a major victory for the people of Mercer County and for all Americans who don’t buy into the ACLU’s extreme misrepresentation of our Constitution,” said Francis J. Manion, senior counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice, which argued the case for the county.

“The First Amendment was never intended to remove all mention of God or religion from the public square,” said Manion. “The Supreme Court and many other courts have long recognized the foundational role of the Ten Commandments in the development of our legal system.”

Hat tip to Stop the ACLU, where Nathan Bradfield, after making his case for why the ACLU has been wrong in this and other efforts, states:

Those who would argue that our Founders intended to begin a secular nation with secular documents are living a pipe dream. A. H. Everett, said in the Legislature of Massachusetts, “In almost all of the distinguished states, the principal care of the community has been to provide for the support of religion.” Whether out of ignorance or lack of exposure, a minority of Americans neglect every Founder not named Paine, Jefferson, or Madison. And the latter two must be quoted out of context in order fit their secular, separation mold.

I wouldn’t go so far as to say the tide is turning against the ACLU in cases like this, because it matters so much whether the judge takes the Constitution at its word or not. But it is good to see.

Technorati Tags: Ten Commandments, Kentucky, Mercer County, ACLU, Francis J. Manion, ACLJ, First Amendment, church and state

The appearance of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at Columbia University was trumpeted by portions of the Left as a big win for “free speech”. I’m reminded of the saying used quite often; an open mind, like an open window, still needs a screen to keep the bugs out. Just because our republic isn’t going to collapse if we let an evil man speak doesn’t mean we should offer up a forum for him.

But apparently, the Left has its own version of the screen. If the speech exposes the dirty laundry of the Left, it should be screened out.

Early this summer, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s campaign for president learned that the men’s magazine GQ was working on a story the campaign was sure to hate: an account of infighting in Hillaryland.

So Clinton’s aides pulled a page from the book of Hollywood publicists and offered GQ a stark choice: Kill the piece, or lose access to planned celebrity coverboy Bill Clinton.

Despite internal protests, GQ editor Jim Nelson met the Clinton campaign’s demands, which had been delivered by Bill Clinton’s spokesman, Jay Carson, several sources familiar with the conversations said.

GQ writer George Saunders traveled with Clinton to Africa in July, and Clinton is slated to appear on the cover of GQ’s December issue, in which it traditionally names a “Man of the Year,” according magazine industry sources.

And the offending article by Atlantic Monthly staff writer Josh Green got the spike.

Wasn’t it supposed to be George W. Bush that participated in this kind of stifling of dissent?

Technorati Tags: Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, GQ Magazine, George Saunders, Josh Green, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, free speech, liberal media

Democrats have bemoaned the (alleged) loss of standing with the world that the US has suffered supposedly due to the war in Iraq. I guess before that, everyone just loved us, and since then we’ve lost the support of our allies. Well, the good news is, those Democrats can stop their worrying; France likes us again.

Sometimes it’s not the message, but the messenger who delivers it. After spending much of this decade going head to head with the US over its invasion of Iraq due to nuclear weapons suspicions, France seems to be joining American bellicosity when it comes to those same suspicions about Iran. On French radio on Sunday, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said that it is time to “prepare ourselves for the worst” and indicated that he was talking about a possible war with Iran.

The remarks are simply the most recent indication that France under new President Nicolas Sarkozy is turning its back on the almost reflexive anti-US stance of his predecessor Jacques Chirac.

Democrats who have cited our “standing” as a reason to oppose Bush will now start supporting him, right? Well, no, of course it couldn’t be that easy.

On Monday, the UN’s head nuclear watchdog Mohamed ElBaradei blasted Kouchner, saying that diplomacy is still the best route and warned against “hyping” the issue.

“There are rules on how to use force,” ElBaradei said “and I would hope that everybody would have gotten the lesson after the Iraq situation, where 700,000 innocent civilians have lost their lives on the suspicion that a country has nuclear weapons.”

Of course, the UN is still jittery. Yes, there are rules on how to use force, which, incidentally, we followed, and still we “lost standing”. Sorry, I don’t exert too much worry on what others might think of us even if we follow the rules. I want diplomacy to work, make no mistake. But I also want enemies to know that there will be a price if they continue to threaten us and our allies. That’s all that Kouchner was saying; nothing’s off the table.

Kouchner also indicated that the European Union might begin looking into imposing its own sanctions against Iran, should the UN continue to be unable to strengthen those currently in place.

Because we all know how well UN sanctions worked on Iraq. Exhibit A is:

China and Russia — both of which wield vetoes on the UN Security Council — have been reluctant to take a harder line against Iran, which is widely suspected of trying to develop nuclear weapons.

Anyway, it looks like the world is starting to see things our way again, albeit slowly. Democrats should be sleeping better tonight.

Either that or the whole “standing” issue was just a smoke screen, as long as the “world” though the way they did. I’m kinda leaning that way.

Technorati Tags: France, United Nations, Bernard Kouchner, Mohamed ElBaradei, Iran, China, Russia

The Fox News Channel is somehow too biased, supposedly, for a fair presidential debate, but the Huffington Post and Slate aren’t?

Democratic 2008 presidential hopefuls parried unusual questions about flatulent cows and “spoiled brat” voters, as well as Iraq and health care, in the first exclusively online campaign “debate.”

The “mashup” forum hosted by Yahoo! in partnership with the blog Huffington Post and online magazine Slate, allowed voters to compare responses to similiar questions on burning issues, posed by talk-show host Charlie Rose.

Democrats are simply not interested in fairness and balance. Republicans are going to participate in their own debate hosted by left-wing political web sites. But for Democrats to complain about Fox’s bias while embracing a host that is even more biased to the left than about any MSM outlet you can name is the height of hypocracy. Their concern about “bias” is all talk, and completely disingenuous. It is their problem that this highlights, not Fox’s.

Technorati Tags: Yahoo, Huffington Post, Slate.com, presidential debate, media bias, Fox News