Maybe I shouldn't scream when Teddy comes on TV

Glenn Reynolds on President Bush's increasing approval ratings:

He's been trending up there for several days. I'm not sure why, but it seems as if he does better whenever John Kerry and Ted Kennedy get face time on the national news. The Democrats would be wise to let other people represent them.

Yes...they would be wise...

But really, what are the chances?

Anti-Americanism: The Political Gateway Drug

Mark Steyn guest stars on the Wall Street Journal editorial page today with a column about the new conservative in charge of Canada, Stephen Harper. However, I thought this to be the most interesting idea:

But these days anti-Americanism is the first refuge of the scoundrel, and it's usually a reliable indicator that you're not up to the challenges of the modern world or of your own country.

Steyn doesn't elaborate upon this, but what he's said here is clear enough: If you're going to end up being a stupid national leader and later ousted by your own citizens, it probably began when you whined against America :)

(The article is behind the "WSJ gate," but if you are a subscriber you can find it
here.)

UPDATE: Over the weekend, Opinion Journal posted the Steyn column providing full access to the rest of us :)

"And now, coming to the plate..."

Back in college, my friend Becs and I would have conversations about what music they would play if one of us were to be walking up to the batter's box. She would choose something and then continuously change her mind. As a huge White Sox fan at a time when their stadium was never full, she had a lot of time during their games to think about it. I, on the other hand, could never make such a decision. I guess the fact that I knew it would never happen kept me from really making the commitment to a certain song. (Though I'm sure the Ranger has his song all ready to go for when he gets called up to the majors.)

Anyway, apparently this is a common conversation to have, and over at The Corner, John J. Miller chose entrance music for the NR staff.

Sadly, I must admit to not being able to recall the tunes to any of the songs listed.

John Podhoretz is sad too, but for a different reason: Miller left him off the list!

"Let's give them the Evil Eye and see what happens"

Sometimes, when discussing the general bad/annoying behavior of a politician, athelete, football coach, etc, it's funny to say things like "Yeah, Mr. X, we're looking in your direction" to let him know we aren't just speaking generally.
However, when we say such things, it's just to make ourselves laugh and perhaps feel a little bit better, like we are doing something to make the world a better place. But we know we really aren't doing anything because we don't actually mean that the aspersions and looks we cast in his direction will have any effect on our "Mr. X."

The U.N apparently has other ideas, according to this Reuters story:
"Shame, not sanctions, initial U.N. goal for Iran"

Sure, okay, we can try that first. But I don't have high hopes. Jim Geraghty doesn't either:

Dear United Nations,

You're turning into a parody of yourself. Under current circumstances, the Middle East may experience some turbulence, and then explode. A leader who believes that he is launching a cataclysmic clash that will preherald the return of the Mahdi is not going to be "shamed" into giving up a nuclear weapons program. It's the end of the world and the second coming of the 12th Shi'ite imam is right around the corner; disapproving looks from Security Council members are not going to deter him.

Sadly, I don't know if anything coming from the Security Council these days will deter him. But for the record, I'm casting disapproving looks in your direction, Iran!

The Bible, a Cross and a Teddy Bear

All three are now banned from being carried/worn by employees of British Midland International flights that are going to Saudi Arabia.

A Teddy Bear? Really?

Sigh.

Who is this guy anyway?

I totally agree with Doug here. Belafonte can't be called anything else than unamerican and he really needs to Just. Stop. Talking.
The ironic thing is I first heard about this story when a friend of mine, an intelligent businessman, was reading the daily paper and said "Who is Harry Belafonte?"
I said, "A singer."
"Well, why is he so ridiculous?"

The man had no idea who Belafonte was and the fact that I couldn't really recall enough information about the guy to give a better description, both made me more than a little happy. (Although in my head I immediately had some sort of reggae or whatever soundtrack running...banana songs and whatever.)

I also love the Scrappleface link that Doug points out, particularly the fact that Ott has Kim Jong Il questioning Belafonte's choice to rank Bush over Kim himself. Ha!

Oh and "Ex-celebrity"! Yes, that is how I should have described Belafonte when asked :)

Behold: The Amazing Powers of the Magnetic Field

I'd have to consult with the Ranger on this one, but I'm skeptical just like Instapundit:

AN EXTRAORDINARY "hyperspace" engine that could make interstellar space travel a reality by flying into other dimensions is being investigated by the United States government.
...
The theoretical engine works by creating an intense magnetic field that, according to ideas first developed by the late scientist Burkhard Heim in the 1950s, would produce a gravitational field and result in thrust for a spacecraft.

Also, if a large enough magnetic field was created, the craft would slip into a different dimension, where the speed of light is faster, allowing incredible speeds to be reached. Switching off the magnetic field would result in the engine reappearing in our current dimension.

I don't know...
What I find problematic is that the "other dimensions" aren't first being investigated by the "United States Government". Those are theoretical enough on their own. And what part of government is investigating this? Should we be more outraged at this investigation than at say...Wiretapping?

:)