Revisiting Obama And The Cloward-Piven Strategy

The heart of Jim Hoft's post is this:

Either Barack Obama is the worst economic president in American history or he is working an intentional Cloward-Piven strategy to bring this great nation to its knees. There really is no other explanation.

Here's the link to the post and its scary graph, in addition to several informative links.

Loony White House Leadership Reaches NASA

There was a time when NASA accomplishments focused on objectives in aeronautics and space. At the direction of Barack Obama and his new administrator at NASA, the mission has been changed to social engineering and the raising of self-esteem among Muslim nations. I don't know whether to call this incredible, loony, or both. You can read Paul Mirengoff's take on this matter here at Powerline and watch an amazing Al Jazeera interview with the new administrator, Charles Bolden, a former astronaut. To cut to the chase, just watch the video below.



Bolden seems like a genuine guy, a Naval Academy graduate with a distinguished career in the United States Marine Corps as well as at NASA where he flew four space shuttle missions . So sorry he had to enter this leadership role at the calling of such a wacky administration. Somehow, I think Bolden would be so much happier pursuing aeronautics and space instead of social work.

Happy Independence Day 2010

1909 postcard from the family archives

SS United States: A Temporary Reprieve From The Scrap Yard

For seventeen years, the SS United States carried passenger across the Atlantic Ocean as the Queen of the American Merchant Marine. This magnificent liner still holds the westbound Atlantic crossing record set - at an average speed of almost 40 mph - on her maiden voyage in 1952. Now merely an empty shell, she has been weathering away since the late '70s, and at her last destination, Philadelphia, since 1996. With her interior furnishings gone, some may say that she is a vessel we can afford to lose. But instead of decoration, the SS United States was noted for her innovation, performance, and adaptability as a military as well as civilian vessel. She is, therefore, a most suitable example of American industrial and engineering history.

Her reprieve by a group of preservationists came at the very last hour. It represents a very small step in a restoration that will take many years and millions of dollars. Plans at this time are to preserve the liner as a hotel in either New York or Philadelphia. As a preservationist, OTR is heartened to learn that this beautiful piece of maritime history may some day grace a proud harbor and share her history with future generations.

The link above provides readers with additional information and suggests several links for more in depth exploration of the Queen of the American Merchant Marine. One of those links, Richard April's American Flagship SS United States, should not be missed.

NRO Summer Reading: Part Two

The second installment of NRO's Summer Reading List has appeared. The list includes an often overlooked work of fiction by C. S. Lewis, a 1938 biography of Fanny Kemble, an exploration of everyday life in the Middle Ages, a shelf of new and old novels, and much more. Here's your link.

Steele Away?

I had high hopes for Michael Steele when he took over the senior position at the Republican National Committee. He had a rather short apprenticeship. And it hasn't been a happy marriage for the outspoken Marylander. Not that we should expect a completely spotless performance from any leader, still, there should be an awareness that leadership demands discretion as a means of managing a national organization. That brings us to Steele's latest statement yesterday at a Connecticut fundraiser that the Afghan war was of "Obama's choosing." Furthermore, Steele remarked that the war was likely "a lost cause." Personally, I find both statements odd given that the Afghan war had its roots in 2001. As for the "lost" war, conservatives traditionally have no issue supporting our troops under fire once they are committed to a conflict.

This personal conflict for Steele may blow over, but calls for his resignation by party members are already starting to appear. It's early on this one, but the baggage gets heavier with every potentially negative action. You can read the details on the latest flap her from Fox News.

NRO's Summer Reading List

These past few years, NRO has asked a panel of distinguished individuals what they plan to read over the summer. It's always an interesting list with something for everyone. The first installment of titles, along with entertaining commentary, is available here. Happy reading!