California pols: Ronald Reagan, Clint Eastwood, and now... Mel Gibson?

Think about American politics in the Age of Woke (now ending, we hope), and the California politicians who have risen to great heights... or sunk to great depths, take your pick. 

Walt tried, but can't help but remember Kamala Harris, who rose from her knees to prominence as the landslide loser in the recent unpleasantness. Hock Ptui is now leading the pack of would-be successors to Gavin Newsom, who rose from being a leader of the Johnny Carson band to the governorship of the Golden State. 

Mr Newsom isn't the first Hollywood showbiz type to go into politics to parlay his popularity into a nice job in a mayoral mansion or statehouse or even the Oval Office. Clint Eastwood became mayor of Carmel. In the same decade, a great American named Ronald Reagan went from being "best friend" in B-movies to the greatest Republican President until... well, you know the story.

Given that the Golden State has, under successive Democratic administrations, been turned into the Shithole State, many voters are thinking that maybe it's time to elect a Republican governor. Someone in the mold of Ronald Reagan, say. A new poll, reported last week in the California Globe, reveals that the most popular Republican candidate for California's highest office is... wait for it... none other than Mel Gibson!

A new Lost Coast Outpost poll places Mr Gibson, well known for his conservative (and traditional Catholic!) views, in third place in as responders' pick for the governorship, with 12% of the vote, and the top Republican candidate.

The leading candidate, according to the poll (a straight straw poll with no demographic data) is former Congresswoman Katie Porter (D-CA), swept aside in the Trump tsunami, chosen by 25% of responders.

The nation's pre-eminent Indo-Jamaican politician, who has led the last several polls with significant margins, fell to 20% in the new poll. She says now that she will decide in the summer whether or not to set herself up for another failure.

Mr Gibson has become a speculative candidate in recent weeks thanks to his opposition to both Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass over their mismanagement of the Los Angeles fires in January. TMZ News reported on Tuseday that he is "flattered" to be considered and to have done so well in the poll, but (the outlet continued), "We're told Mel has never had any political ambitions -- and that isn’t changing now even if voters are digging his criticisms of current Democratic leadership on the state and local level."

So it's probably nothing, then? Walt thinks otherwise. Mr Gibson is known to have a large ego -- very large indeed -- which may be coupled with a Messianic complex. He has not been heard to say, "My kingdom is not of this world." Stay tuned.

Walt congratulates J.D. Vance on OH primary win!

"Fear of illegal immigrants helps J.D. Vance triumph in Ohio's primaries" - Headline in The Economist today. When that's big news in the house organ of the World Economic Forum, you can bet that (((George Soros))) and the boys of Davos are shit-scared of what's going to happen in November. And so they should be. The victory of J.D. Vance is just an early wave in the Red Tide that's going to sweep over the US of A.

For those who haven't been keeping up, J.D. Vance is a venture capitalist, and author of Hillbilly Elegy (Harper Collins, 2016), a book described by Anne-Marie Slaughter as "a kind of post-election manual for understanding Trump voters." (Walt recommends Mr Vance's memoir of his Appalachian childhood most highly.)

Mr Vance won Ohio's super-competitive Republican Senate primary yesterday, buoyed by President Donald Trump’s endorsement in a race that the lickspittle media called an early test of the former president's hold on his party. If that's what it was, the Donald passed the test easily.

Mr Vance spent much of the campaign behind in the polls, but a late-stage endorsement from the former president appeared to make a hyuge difference. The two men downplayed any past tension, with Mr Vance saying he was wrong in his past scathing characterizations of the former president. In accepting the GOP nomination, Mr Vance said "This campaign, I really think, was a referendum on what kind of a Republican Party we want, and what kind of a country we want."

Mr Vance now faces Democrat Tim Ryan in the general election race to fill the seat being vacated by retiring Republican Senator Rob Portman. The 10-term Democratic congressman will have an uphill climb in a state which President Trump won twice by an 8-point margin, in spite of the usual shenanigans in Columbus and Cleveland. For more on how the Dumbocrats manipulate the polls in those cities, see Dr Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loating on the Campaign Trail `72 (Warner Books, 2006). 

Tuesday's contest ushered in a more competitive phase of the midterm primary season, with closely watched races in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia scheduled for later this month. The election will culminate in November, when control of Congress, governor's mansions and key elections offices are at stake.

President Trump is using the primaries to build his reputation as a GOP kingmaker, and test his own popularity, as he mulls another presidential run. Addressing supporters in Cincinnati, Mr Vance thanked Mr Trump for his endorsement and attacked the media for highlighting his past criticism of the former president. "They wanted to write a story that this campaign would be the death of Donald Trump's America First agenda," he said, "[but] it ain't the death of the America First agenda."

Indeed. This is only the beginning! Need I say "stay tuned for more"?

Carson calls for US troops to patrol border with Canada

The campaign for the GOP presidential nomination gets stranger and stranger, as the also-rans view to trump Trump. Today, presidential wannabe Johnny Carson [Are you sure of the name? Ed.] called for the deployment of soldiers along parts of the world's longest undefended (until now) border.

Carson, who is currently moving to the back of the bus ["pack", surely! Ed.] in the polls, made the proposal as part of his "Seven Steps to a Safer America" plan. It was originally supposed to be "Twelve Steps" but that number seemed a bit sketchy, somehow, besides which seven was all they could come up with.

The sixth step of the Carson Plan is this: "President Barack Obama and Congress should immediately deploy the National Guard and military troops to patrol the US southern border as well as designated spots along the northern border."

Which spots Mr. Carson has in his alleged mind was not made clear, nor was the reason he believes current security measures along the Canadian border are inadequate. Perhaps Mr. Carson is unaware that the US Border Patrol, or whatever those thugs call themselves, are already armed and surly.

Mr. Carson is not the first putative Republican candidate to suggest new defensive measures up north. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, now out of the race, was widely and rightly ridiculed for musing about the possibility of a wall along the Canadian border.

It may be that Mr. Carson's is trying to counter the perception that he is weak on foreign policy, weaker even than the incumbent president and his predecessor, Bush II. His plan includes a formal declaration of war against the Islamic State, the formation of a stronger coalition to fight the extremist group, and the creation of a "refugee safe zone" in northeast Syria.

Along with most state governors and the majority of Americans, Mr. Carson does not want the US to accept any more tired and Muslim masses. That may be where Canada comes in, since the Canucks are opening their arms and their wallets to followers of the Prophet. Another couple of hundred "refugees" will arrive in Toronto later today. Once landed, with "Maple Leaf Cards" safely in hand, some of them may well head south. But don't worry. If Mr. Carson has his way, the US Army will be there to repel them.

Why it's not unreasonable to register Muslims as enemy aliens

The lamestream media are jumping all over The Donald for suggesting that it might not be a bad idea to create a database to track Muslims in the Excited States. In what MSNBC calls an "extreme response" to the Islamic terrorist attacks in Paris, the Republican presidential wannabe told an NBC News reporter, "I would certainly implement that. Absolutely."

Between campaign events in Newton IA, yesterday, Mr. Trump told the reporter that Muslims would be signed up at "different places," adding, "It's all about management." Asked whether registering would be mandatory, Trump responded, "They have to be."

While some of his GOP rivals have been chastised by President 0 for suggesting that Christian Syrian refugees be given preference over Muslims, Mr. Trump has raised the bar, advocating new restrictions on civil liberties and enhanced surveillance activities, including keeping a Big Brother eye on what's going on inside mosques. Earlier this week, he said that the country was "going to have no choice" but to close certain mosques because "really bad things are happening, and they're happening fast."

Cue the cries of outrage from the PC police, the meeja, the Democrats, the one-worlders, etc etc and so forth. A columnist for Canada's Notional Pest called the Donald an archtype of "the Ugly American". The columnist forgets -- if he ever knew -- that the Ugly American was the hero of the novel.

While Walt is not yet ready to endorse anyone, he does not think it's so unreasonable for an aspiring candidate to suggest that the safety and security of America -- and the Rest of the West -- demands a little extra surveillance of those who have declared themselves to be our enemies, bent on attacking us infidels not just in the Middle East sandpit, but wherever we live.

Nor is there a lack of precedent for preventive measures. A hundred years ago, while the Great War raged, Canada declared immigrants from places like "Galicia" (the Ukraine) and other parts of the Austro-Hungarian empire, as well as Germany, "enemy aliens", and deprived them (temporarily) of certain rights, including the right to own and dispose of property. Agent 3 assures me that, when searching old land titles back in the day, he often saw endorsements on deeds and mortgages in which the grantor/mortgagor had to swear that he was not a member of the wrong ethnic group. And the restrictions applied to everybody in that group, no matter how strong their attachment to their adopted land.

There is also the rather shameful example of the internment of Japanese in both the USA and Canada, during World War II. 1000s of Japanese, including naturalized citizens of Japanese ancestry, were turfed out of their homes and farms along the west coast, for fear that they would aid and abet the Japanese soldiers and sailors who were presumed to be lurking just offshore in their little submarines, waiting for just the right moment for another sneak attack.

I do not say that the rounding up and detention of all these people -- most of whom were innocent -- and the confiscation of their property was right. It was not. But that is not what Mr. Trump is suggesting. He is merely saying that it would be a good idea to know who the Muslims among us are, since they are all potential targets for "radicalization" by the Islamic extremists.

It's not as if it hasn't happened. Young Muslim men and women, some of them converts to Islam, have already gone to fight for ISIS. Some of them have just stayed at home and attacked the nearest target, as in the case of the Parliament Hill shooting in Canada just over a year ago. Following that incident, the RCMP and CSIS (Canada's alleged spy agency) were asked why they hadn't been keeping an eye on the shooter. But if you don't know who they are, how can you watch them? That's what Mr. Trump is suggesting. I don't think that's so unreasonable.

Walt = Ted... NOT!

Len is still keeping Walt's seat warm. [Doubtless your doing so will be more appreciated come winter. Normally we keep it beside the stove. Ed.] This week, though, finds me a bit uncomfortable having to field questions about Walt's whereabouts and real identity.

The problem seems to be that Walt has never been seen in the same room, at the same time, as Senator Ted Cruz (Republican, Texas) who is bidding fair to be the next Republican candidate for the presidensity of the Excited States of America.

Stories like Texas Sen. Ted Cruz to renounce newfound Canadian citizenship have given life to the old rumour that Walt -- like Senator Cruz -- is actually a citizen of both Canada and the USA. Walt has never said this (publicly, at least) and as far as Len knows, it's not true.

As for Senator Cruz, he was born in Calgary, Alberta. Calgary, aka "Dallas North", may be the most Americanized of all Canadian cities -- look at those stupid Stetsons! -- but being born there makes you a Canuck! The senator may renounce his Canuckitude, but he can't deny it...eh!

Anyhoo... Walt and Len wish Senator Cruz well in his quest. Senator Rand Paul (Republican, Kentucky) too.

Mr. Burns explains the fiscal cliff

Just in case you missed the promo while flipping past your local Fox channel, here it is.



Eeeeexcellent!

Unrelated footnote: Ed. is pleased to report that "Learn this new Christmas song... and pass it along!" is far and away this year's most-viewed post, dethroning the Swazi girls at last.

Where to find P.J. O'Rourke's best stuff

When I became a man, I put away the things of a child. St. Paul: I Corinthians 13:11

Me too. And one of the childish things I put away -- in a hermetically sealed container under the front porch -- was a complete collection of National Lampoon, right from Number 1 until it went bi-monthly and stopped being funny.

At that time (latter part of the 1970s) the editor of NatLamp was P.J. O'Rourke, possibly the funniest reactionary and humorist of the entire 20th century. (He stopped being funny about the 1st of January 2001, but I've said that before.)

A conservative with a sense of humour is rare but not unique. Walt always admired William F. Buckley Jr. and chuckled at his wry comments, albeit understanding them with the help of Funk and Wagnall. Ron Paul often seems to me to have his tongue stuck firmly in his cheek, although there's always the possibility that he's 100% serious 100% of the time. It's hard to tell.

But the quality O'Rourke stirs into the mix -- a quality seemingly lacking in Buckley and Paul -- is a healthy dose of depravity. In that, P.J. more closely resembles the late great (but not conservative) Hunter S. Thompson, Doctor of Gonzo Journalism.

The resemblance is best seen in what Walt considers O'Rourke's piece: "How to Drive Fast on Drugs While Getting Your Wing-Wang Squeezed and Not Spill Your Drink". Reading it -- even for the umpteenth time -- puts me in mind of my misspent youth. [Last year? Ed.]

So do HST's descriptions, in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, of driving across the desert in the shark, but Thompson's narrative discloses a certain unhealthy depravity, compared with P.J.'s behaviour, which seems to me pretty much normal for a young man of our generation. A judge might disagree with me -- at least one judge has taken serious issue with my views on what's "normal" -- but whether you agree or not, you can't help but LOL at O'Rourke's recipe for a cocktail of hedonistic, reckless fun. A small sample:

Even more important than being drunk, however, is having the right car. You have to get a car that handles really well. This is extremely important, and there's a lot of debate on this subject -- about what kind of car handles best. Some say a front-engined car; some say a rear-engined car. I say a rented car.

Yeah, sure. I can hear all the progressive thinkers say that's totally irresponsible, no social conscience, yada yada yada. But my experience -- and I have had some -- is that you have to go through that verging-on-the-insane phase before you can truly understand the meaning of sanity or even normality. Show me someone who's "normal", and I'll ask him (or her) if he (or she) has always been that way. Chances are the answer will be "Oh no. Back in the day I used to..." Etc.

Hold that thought. What I really wanted to tell you was where -- outside of my complete set of National Lampoons -- to find a selection of P.J. O'Rourke's better articles and essays. Walt recommends Republican Party Reptile (Atlantic Monthly Press, 1987), which contains half a dozen from NatLamp plus a number of pieces which previously appeared in Rolling Stone, House and Garden [Really?! Ed.] and Car and Driver.

One of the C&D items is "High-Speed Performance Characteristics of Pickup Trucks", which all those who have never deviated from "normal" can skip, because you won't understand it. No. Read it so you'll understand those of us who have on occasion broken the confines of conformity.

Footnote: Walt's collection of National Lampoons is for sale. Condition is fine to very fine. If you pay enough I'll throw in the Harvard Lampoon parodies of Time and Life, and the famous High School Yearbook. Exchange of cash and a treasury of humour to be made under the UN flag at the border. E-mail your offer to the usual address.

Western/Judeo-Christian values at stake: Paul Ryan

Reuters reports today on a telephone conversation between Republican veep candidate Paul Ryan and American evangelical voters last night, in which Mr. Ryan said President Barack Hussein Obama’s path for the future of the United States compromises Judeo-Christian values.

Speaking to the Faith and Freedom Coalition, a leading group of Christian conservatives, Ryan attacked Obama’s vision in stark terms.

He called Obama's "plan" [Is hope a plan? Ed.] for the USA "a dangerous path... It’s a path that grows government, restricts freedom and liberty, and compromises those values, those Judeo-Christian, Western civilization values that made us such a great and exceptional nation in the first place."

“He was talking about issues like religious liberty and ‘Obamacare’ – topics he has mentioned frequently during the campaign,” said Romney campaign spokesman Michael Steel. During the campaign, Mr. Ryan has said repeatedly that the President's policies, particularly his healthcare restructuring "plan", violate the religious freedoms for which Americans have fought and died for more than two centuries.

In last night's phone call, Mr. Ryan spoke as well of the importance in his life of his Roman Catholic faith. Today he concludes the campaign in his home state of Wisconsin. A rally will be held in Milwaukee late tonight.

Paul's people walk out of RNC, but Paul endorses Paul's partner

There once was a man from Khartoum
Took a transexual whore to his room
They spent half the night
In a helluva fight
About who should do what, and to whom

That's what's happening at the Republican National Convention -- lots of fighting about who's for whom, who gets to vote, and who gets thrown out for having the temerity to support someone other than the Inevitable Mitt.

To bring you up to date, there have been dozens of empty chairs -- clearly visible on TV -- in spaces reserved for delegates. The bums that should have been in the chairs were outside, in motion as they marched -- well, the legs supporting them marched -- around the Forum hollering "As Maine goes, so goes the nation" and other slogans of disentitlement and disgruntlement.

Delegates pledged to Texas congressman Ron Paul understandably felt like the fly on the rim of the toilet bowl -- that is, pissed off -- having been denied a part in the proceedings by rule changes clearly meant to squelch grass roots political rights. Up until Tuesday they had enough votes in enough states to place Mr. Paul's name in nomination. Then they didn't! Voices of dissent are not to be heard at the coronation.

Congressman Paul himself was not allowed to speak. Oh yes, he was offered a slot, on condition that his speech be approved in advance by the Romney people -- a "privilege" which Mr. Paul chose to decline. He was fobbed off [flipped off? Ed.] with a video tribute which had to compete for attention with coverage of Isaac. And yes, Ron Paul's son, Senator Rand Paul, did get to address the delegates Wednesday, praising the American system which led an immigrant's son like his dad to run for president.

Paul père is 77, and set to retire in January, leaving the causes of personal liberty and small government without their Washington champion just as they appear to be gaining traction. You would think Paul fils, elected in 2010 as part of the Tea Party surge, and supposedly a constitutional conservative and libertarian, would be the most logical person to take the torch from his father's aging hands. Alas, so impressed was Senator Paul by the Republicans' commitment to fairness for all that he endorsed the Mitt (and his more charismatic alter ego, Paul Ryan).

Rand Paul's endorsement of the former multimillionaire businessman with the principles of a chameleon has alienated many in the conservative movement, who for some reason think Romney shares none of their beliefs. Questions are already being heard about Mitten's health, the implication being that not many tears would be shed if, in the event of his election, he suffered the same fate as James A. Garfield.

That would leave the presidensity in the rather more trustworthy hands of another Paul -- Paul Ryan. Walt thinks the Pauls wouldn't mind that at all.

"Ron Paul woke us up; we won't go back to sleep!"

A couple of days ago, Walt predicted that the Republican convention will be the "Holiday Inn Convention" -- no surprises! Mitten Romney's attack lawyers ensured that by getting the Republican National Committee to strip Ron Paul of his Maine delegates. Here's a 5-minute Reality Check from Fox.



What's going on here? Why would you have rules if you're not going to follow them? As Ben Swann explains, the real problem for the Romneyites is that they're shit-scared that a lot of delegates pledged to the Inevitable Mitt don't really like him, and might just switch their votes to Ron Paul, when the big moment comes.

Until this week, Ron Paul was the only wild card left in the Republican deck. Only Paul had enough delegates in enough states to be nominated from the convention floor. But that "threat" has now been eliminated, ensuring that Romney holds not just the strongest hand but the only hand, once the storm lets up and the convention starts.

Until this weekend, Congressman Paul’s young and strongly committed supporters still hoped to at least make things interesting by getting their (and Walt's) man on the ballot, and seeing how many of the Romney delegates might break ranks. At the very least, a Paul nomination might have injected some life into what promises to be a huge snore-fest. But now, fuggedaboudit.

Now Mr. Paul won't even get to make a speech. His third and (probably) final run for the presidency will end with a lame "video tribute". The puppeteers with their hands in the Mitt say they would have let Paul speak, but with strings attached, just as securely as they are to their own candidates. Mr. Paul’s words would have to be vetted by "Team Romney" and include a ringing and unqualified endorsement. Unsurprisingly, Ron Paul said no.

Mr. Paul told the New York Times, "It wouldn’t be my speech. That would undo everything I’ve done for the last 30 years. I don’t fully endorse [Romney] for president."

Here are the reactions of a couple of "Paulistas", as quoted in the Toronto Star.
"Where is our democracy? This is shaping up as the Old Crony Convention, changing the voting rules for seating delegates midway to shove Mitt Romney down our throats. I don’t know what to do with my vote now." (Melissa Swetich, Orlando)
"He threw a wrench in the system, talking about auditing the Federal Reserve and closing down foreign military bases. [Ron Paul] achieved something real. He woke up a lot of us. And we’re not going to go back to sleep." (Cory Peterson, Minneapolis)

So what happens next? There's been talk of asking Paul's supporters to switch their allegiance to the official Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson, though Johnson lacks Paul’s unscripted, blunt-talking appeal.

Others are waiting to see what happens at this afternoon's "We Are the Future" rally, to be held at the University of South Florida Sun Dome from noon until 5:00 p.m EDT. Congressman Paul will speak at or around 4:00 p.m. and will be introduced by his son, US Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky.

According to Ron Paul 2012 National Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton, "Ron Paul’s rally will enable supporters, the public, and media to further witness the ideas and people that are the future of the Republican Party."

But if the Republicans don't want Mr. Paul -- or aren't allowed by their "leaders" to choose the candidate they really want -- don't discount the possibility that he might yet run as an independent.

Will you support Ron Paul if he runs as an independent? Click here to sign the Grassroots Pledge! It's NOT too late!

A funny thing happened on the way to the convention

Walt apologizes sincerely for being MIA for the last three days. The idea was to take a leisurely drive in a southerly direction, arriving in Florida in time for the Republican convention. It is going to be in Florida, right? Anyhow, about 100 miles east of Fort Mudge, Walt's VW Yenta broke down, leaving me sitting on a pile of rocks, much as shown here [only with a hat. Ed.]

What was I thinking? I was wondering why on earth I would go to the Republican convention. I'm not a delegate. I'm not even a card-carrying Republican. Not even regiestered! So the only reason for going would be to report on the thrills and excitement of the contest for the GOP nomination.

Just one problem with that. There won't be any thrills and excitement at all. The loudest sounds to be heard will be the chirping of the crickets. Why? Because everything has already been decided. The inevitable Mitten Romney [Ed., please check Romney's full name. Walt] had the nomination locked up in the spring. He might have generated some buzz by keeping mum on his choice of running-mate until next week, but after his foreign tour de farce something positive was needed so they let the Ryan out of the bag early.

Result? The only frisson of uncertainty or controvery this week was generated by a hitherto-obscure congressman's brain fart on the subject of abortion. Will Todd Akin stand down? Can Romney and Ryan disown him without compromising their pro-life credentials... such as they are? Who knows? Who cares?

What we're going to see in Florida -- the dozen of us who may tune in -- is yet another example of the blanding of America. Or the Holiday Inn Syndrome, if you will. There are no surprises in American life any more. Nothing is left to chance. Everything is carefully controlled, stage-managed to a fare-thee-well, even in the previously unpredictable world of politics. Everything has been decided by Those Who Know Best, and what the people think no longer matters.

Contrast this year's affaire d'ennui with the GOP convention of 1880 that chose James A. Garfield over three other earnest contenders including U.S. Grant. Garfield was only at the convention to speak for the nomination of someone else, but his speech was so good -- and the race so hopelessly deadlocked -- that the delegates chose him as a compromise candidate.

You can read about the convetion, and about Garfield's subsequent assassination, in Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine & the Murder of a President, by Candice Millard. Walt reviewed the book in March and awarded it 17 stars. No one has yet figured out why 17, but obviously it's an excellent rating. Read the book and weep for the days when American politics was truly exciting.

"Suspended" campaigns

First Rick Santorum "suspended" his campaign for the presidensity, so he could devote his time to family health concerns. Money had nothing to do with it, of course, nor did the fact that he was falling deeper and deeper into second place. But OK, let's give him that one.

Today "Hold 'er Newt" Gingrich "suspended" his campaign. That one, Walt will not give him. Maybe my grasp of English is not perfect, but to me, "suspend" equals "put on hold" or "postpone until further notice". Presumably a "suspended" campaign could be revived in the event a certain eventuality is eventuated.

Which leads me to ask: what, exactly, would it take to get Newt to throw his hat back into the ring? A fresh injection of money from his one and only fat cat backer? Or how about a reliable report that hell has frozen over.

Why can't aspiring politicians simply say, "My cause is lost. I quit."

How an isolated incident will derail the US presidential election

Disclaimer: Walt is not a supporter of George Zimmerman. If I saw a black kid in a hoodie walking down the street, I'd be walking in the other direction, not following him. Even if I were a member of the vigilantes and cop wannabes who call themselves "Neighbourhood Watch", I'd leave well enough alone. Hey, I'm a lover, not a fighter.

Should Zimmerman be arrested and prosecuted? Hell, yes! Even one of the investigating offiers said so, but got shot down [Watch it! Ed.] by the local DA who said there was no way the state would ever get a conviction. Is that racist? Hell, no! It's just expressing the reality of criminal justice (sic) and race relations in much of the USA, more than a century and a half after the beginning of the Glorious War of the Secession.

What does this have to do with the presidential election? Please... I'm getting to it...

What Mr. Zimmerman has done, by killing Trayvon Martin, is stir the always-simmering pot of racial conflict, always an issue in the USA but one which we thought could pretty much be ignored in 2012. After all, white Americans had already proved that they're tolerant and liberal enough to elect a (more-or-less) black president. And there's no dearth of other issues: the economy (stupid!), unpopular foreign wars, Obamacare and "social issues" (read gay "marriage" and abortions).

So, according to Walt, race should have been a non-issue...until Mr. Zimmerman did for Mr. Martin. When the news broke, that giant sucking sound was the sharp intake of breath of millions of conservatives hoping and praying that Zimmerman is not a registered Republican. [Well??? Is he??? Ed.]

On the other hand, millions of white liberals were eager to portray Zimmerman as some kind of white skin-head neo-Nazi. Doesn't seem he fits that stereotype any more than Martin fit the stereotype of the black gangsta. All Zimmerman is, IMHO, is a typical nervous white "average American", afraid of "the other" and, unfortunately, resident in a state which lets people carry concealed firearms and says you don't have to back off from a confrontation.

Millions of people don't see it that way. The public backlash has been huge, and is gaining size and momentum even as I write. All that's needed to transform that backlash into votes against racism -- ergo, for Obama -- is a little encouragement.

Some might say it would be pretty low for the incumbent president to suggest that he should be re-elected to avoid handing the government of the USA over to the kind of people who run around shooting black kids. The president would never say such a thing, or even suggest it. Right? Well...

What Obama has done is call for an investigation -- fair enough -- and personalize the issue by saying that if he had had a son, he (the son) would've looked like Trayvon Martin.

Walt predicts that the words that will be remembered, out of the few sentences uttered by Obama, will be "my son". As in, "Some cracker done shot the President's son!"

You may think, gentle reader, that would be a bit of a stretch, but keep in mind that millions of "average Americans" believe that Obama is a Muslim. [Well??? Isn't he??? Ed.] George Carlin said that when you picture an average American, don't forget that 50% of them are dumber than that guy! Millions of voters will equate the killing of Trayvon Martin with a white racist attack on the President... and vote accordingly.

And here's the beauty part, for the Democrats. It will be impossible for the inevitable Mitt Romney to take (or even suggest) any position other than condemning Zimmerman and all he stands for (including the "right to bear arms") without coming across as a racist gun nut.

Stick a fork in Romney. He's done... thanks to Zimmerman. Lifetime pct .985.

Worth reading: "Why did Trayvon Martin die?" by Margaret Wente, in today's Globe and Mail.

Breaking news! Republicans guaranteed to lose in November

It's clear to me now. Mitt Romney will lead his party to defeat in this year's presidential election. One (1) man has singlehandedly negated any chance they might have had. I will tell you who and why later today. Watch this space!

Mitt meets a Republican

I trust The Economist will not mind my showing you the editorial cartoon from the current issue.
I wish I knew the name of the artist. He/she is technically very accomplished. And this comment strikes me as right on the romney. ["Money", surely! Ed.]

A Catholic in the White House?

Stunning news from Middle America! "Roman Rick" Santorum scored a hat trick, beating "Mormon Mitt" Romney in three semi-important nominating contests.

Checking the results to hand at this moment, looks like Missouri went 55% for Santoum to 25% for Romney. Astronewt wasn't on the ballot there, and the vote doesn't actually mean anything until the state holds its caucuses on, errr, St. Patrick's Day.

Meanwhile, denizens of Lake Wobegon, Mist County and other parts of Minnesota decided that a Catholic was a lesser evil than a Mormon, giving Santorum 45% of the vote, and putting Romney third with 17%. Guess who came in second? Ron Paul, with 27%. Newt took it in the rear [brought up the rear, surely! Ed.] with a measly 11%.

Then there was Colorado, which Romney was supposed to win, being closer to Utah, both physically and philosophically. Mr. Santorum took about 40% of the vote there, to 35% for Mr. Romney. Mr. Gingrich and Mr. Paul pretty much tied for third with 13% and 12%.

So what have we learned today? In their search for the perfect ABR candidate, Republicans have been through Perry, Cain, Gingrich, and now it's Santorum's turn. But can he win? If nominated, can the conservative Catholic Rick Santorum beat Al O'Bama (religion undetermined)?

Could Americans really get over their suspicion of Catholics, particularly a Catholic like Rick Santorum who (unlike the pretending Catholic Newt) actually accept the Church's teachings on social and moral issues?

Have the voters of Missouri, Minnesota and Colorado not heard about the secret protocol between Rick and the Vatican? Walt has it on good authority that Mr. Santorum has promised, if elected, to pass legislation changing the very nature of America.

• Massachusetts will be divided into two states: High Mass and Low Mass


• Ascension Day will be made a holiday for elevator operators


• The national motto will be changed from "In God we trust" to "The Pope, we hope"

You read it here first.

Newt fails to reach moon, Mitt wins Florida - What next for Ron?

Looks like Mitt got his Mojo working again (???) in Florida. Being able to outspend your closest opponent by a ratio of 6:1 didn't hurt, of course. Mitt won in a walk, as they say at Hiahleah, and left AstroNewt behind in the dust. Conservative Catholic Rick Santorum finished third, and Ron Paul fourth with 7% of the vote in the Republican primary.

Now what? Mr. Gingrich, apparently deaf to the voice of the people, vows to fight on. The next couple of rounds, which include his home state of Georgia, should be easier for him. Rick Santorum, having been weighed and found wanting, is going home, and will doubtless begin a Novena for the Republican Party.

Congressman Paul, the only candidate who really believes in power for the people, says "We've only gotten started."



Mr. Paul points out that even after Florida he is still in third place in number of committed delegates. And, he says, the caucus states are coming up. He reckons he will do well enough in those states to make a real fight of it on the Republican convention floor.

Walt notes an online poll on Yahoo! this morning which puts Romney out in front -- a long way in front -- with Paul second and Gingrich third, separated by only 1 percentage point. Looks to me as if we're now down to a tussle between the mercurial Mr. Gingrich and the common-sensical Mr. Paul for the favour of the ABR Republicans. Stay tuned.

To da moon! Newt's not kidding!

As I wrote yesterday, I had a hard time believing reports that Republican presidential wannabe Newt Gingrich had actually called for colonization of the moon. But Canadian Press has the story today. Yes, Newton is already defending his insistence that the United States should build a colony on the moon. In fact, he thinks Luna could become the 51st state!

Speaking in the debate at Jacksonville FL, Gingrich said, "By the end of my second term, we will have the first permanent base on the moon and it will be American! I’d like to have an American on the moon before the Chinese get there."


Talk about grasping at straws! The reason for this lunar nonsense is that Newt is trailing "Catcher's Mitt" Romney in the polls in Florida against Mitt Romney just a few days before the state primary, and desperately needs to inject a positive note into his extra-negative campaign.

So Newt has proposed a "Northwest Ordinance for Space". Once the population of the moon reaches 13,000, its residents can apply to become one of the United States. Walt is not making this up.

As he restated his lunar proposals during the debate, Gingrich’s rivals seemed to be struggling not to burst into laughter. Congressman Ron Paul -- obviously one of Walt's followers -- quipped, "We should send some politicians to the moon."

If, as some say, the moon is made of green cheese, Walt thinks Newt's cheese has slipped off his cracker.

Republicans! Make up your minds!

Now that I have your attention, could we please talk for a minute or two about the race for the Republican presidential candidacy. Let me recap the results so far, and please pay attention because there's going to be a big test in August!

"Catcher's Mitt" Romney has won two of the three primaries held so far.
What?! OK, make that one. "Hold `er Newt" Gingrich and "Tricky Rick" Santorum have won one, too. Three primaries, three different "winners".

And what of Walt's choice, "L. Ron" Paul? He has finished third, second and fourth. A respectable enough showing. But the pundits of the lamestream press keep saying Ron hasn't got a chance, and Republicans will have to make up their minds and unite behind middle-of-the-road Mitt or a real conservative. What's Ron Paul, if not conservative? But noooo, he's not electable, so forget about him.

What, I ask you, is wrong with Ron Paul?! He's not Mormon. He's not Catholic. He's only had (and still has) one wife. And he's not filthy rich.

Ron Paul advocates smaller government, lower taxes and a sound dollar. Is there anyone out there, Republican or otherwise, who doesn't want those things?!

So what's the problem then? Oh. The foreign policy thing. Because he has called for the US to stop being the world's policeman, Congressman Paul is accused of being an isolationist, a pacifist/defeatist/comsymp, a latter-day "know-nothing". Like nobody else wants to stop pouring American money and American lives down some third world rathole?!

Let's face it, folks. The US of A has not exactly brought democracy, peace and prosperity to the troubled lands of Africa and Asia. Regardless of who's been in power, America's post-war foreign policy has been pretty much a great big FAIL.

Yes, but Hellery Clinton and her predecessors are winning friends and influencing Arabs, Russians, even the Chinese, to reform themselves and make the world a better place. Right? WRONG! Here's how one Chinese university student sees America's policy and actions vis-à-vis her part of the world.

"America dropped an atomic bomb on Japan," Yvette told [Michael Levy], "sent its army to Korea, invaded Vietnam, sent the CIA to Tibet, bombed Cambodia, built bases in Okinawa, and stationed its navy around Taiwan. At a time when we were weak and you were very strong, you surrounded us with violence. This is what we remember."

Yvette uttered those words in 2006. At the time, the US was also making friends in Iraq and Afghanistan. Libya came later. And now the Obama administration is mulling intervening in Syria, Iran, or just about any little country whose citizens have somehow missed out on the benefits of Western civilization.

Honestly... honestly... does it make sense to continue that kind of foreign policy? It's what used to be called "gunboat diplomacy". Today it's not just gunboats, but gunships, gunmissiles, gundrones, guneverything.

Should we change horses in mid-stream? Hell no! Steady as she goes! In fact, let's send US troops back into Iraq! OK, it was Rick Perry who said that, and it's now generally accepted that he's a moron. But did Gingrich, Santorum or Romney call him out? No. Only Ron Paul has had the courage to offer a clear alternative to "foreign affairs as usual".

Come on Republicans! A candidate of principle is out there. Can you handle principles?!

* Michael Levy is a former Peace Corps volunteer who was sent to China's Guiyang University to teach ESL. His book Kosher Chinese (Henry Holt & Co., 2011) is the source of the quote.

The rise of Ron Paul -- freedom is coming again!

"The freedom Ron Paul stands for is coming again. Sooner or later, it’s going to happen. What Ron Paul started is not going to go away. Republicans are in the midst of deciding what the GOP really is. He’s the only one standing on principles. And those principles are going to outlive Ron Paul. We’re going to make sure of it."

So said Leah Wolczko, 45, an unemployed schoolteacher from Manchester NH, quoted in the lamestream press this weekend. And that, according to the Washington Post's Charles Krauthammer, is Ron Paul's great achievement. "After a quarter-century in the wilderness, he’s within reach of putting his cherished cause on the map. Libertarianism will have gone from the fringes — those hopeless, pathetic third-party runs — to a position of prominence in a major party." [My emphasis. Walt]

"Mormon Mitt" Romney may have won New Hampshire, but (with the votes of Leah Wolczko and others) Congressman Paul was a good second, better than any of the so-called conservative, candidates. Why? The media portray him as radical, dangerous, crazy, beneath the notice of Washington insiders. But ordinary people like him. A lot!

That's because Ron Paul is the only presidential wannabe talking sense rather than the same old platitudes. Shrink the bloated federal government. End America's self-proclaimed role as the world’s policeman -- neither helpful nor affordable.

Add in Paul’s unbending opposition to the Police State Act [Patriot Act, surely! Ed.] and the war on drugs, all in the name of individual liberty, and you've got a big bowlful of electoral appeal.

Now, much to the consternation of pundits on the left and on the right, Mr. Paul’s world view is being welcomed into the conversation. Charles Krauthammer calls Paul’s undeniable momentum "a signal achievement, the biggest story yet of this presidential campaign."

Congressman Paul will never enter "the promised land" of the Oval Office, writes Krauthammer. But there can be no doubting that he has already done something which others (hello, Ross Perot!) found impossible. He has won mainstream recognition -- albeit grudging -- for his cherished libertarian ideals.

Quoting Krauthammer again: "I find him a principled, somewhat wacky, highly engaging eccentric. But regardless of my feelings or yours, the plain fact is that Paul is nurturing his movement toward visibility and legitimacy."

And conservative commentator Mark Steyn observes (in "Ron Paul beckons GOP to Fortress America") that the Texan’s clout is no longer in doubt. His foreign policy prescription may amount to "delusional" isolationism, Steyn writes, yet it is a view that is finding "more and more takers after a decade of expensive but inconclusive war.

"Too many of my friends on the right are demanding business as usual — the Pentagon’s way of doing things must continue in perpetuity. It cannot." [My emphasis, again. Walt]

Walt advises the GOP to take Ron Paul and his millions of supporters seriously. The libertarian voice must be heard. Mr. Paul should be a featured speaker at the Republican platform debate in August. He may be quirky and "out there" but he’s real! He's the little guy -- literally and figuratively -- the real guy in an otherwise fake roster of runners.