Cruising the Web

Christopher Buckley seems to have recovered his infatuation with Barack Obama's "first-class temperament." Now Buckley writes a satirical and biting take on what Obama might say in his State of the Union which he titles "The Audacity of Oops." Funny how John McCain whom he derided in his endorsement of Obama for being mean-spirited, irascible, and inauthentic was better able to figure out that Obama was lacking in substance even though he was, in Buckley's view, a first-rate writer. Perhaps Buckley has realized that there is more to leading the country than having a calm demeanor. The ideas behind that demeanor also matter.


David Paul Kuhn writes that, for all the pomp and punditry, State of the Union addresses don't matter in the long swing of things, particularly as relates to poll ratings. As he says, "We have grown numb to the televised presidency." That's too bad for my students who are assigned to watch it tonight and come to class tomorrow prepared to "Be a Pundit."

Mary Anastasia O'Grady reports on why Bill Clinton should not be put in charge of Haiti's revival as she reviews his bunglings on Haiti while he was in office and how several former Clinton associates have been bilking Haiti of money since then.

The WSJ reveals how Chuck Schumer uses the unlimited government money behind Fannie and Freddie to help out New Yorkers. Schumer doesn't seem to care that he's just continuing the type of behavior that got us into this mess.

Forget Obama's supposed concern on cutting spending. Right after his speech tonight, he plans to announce big federal aid for high-speed rail projects. This is part of those shovel-ready construction projects that were funded with the first stimulus but haven't yet been spent. But experts doubt that these projects will result in the thousands "created or saved" jobs that the administration is claiming it will. Note that they're still using that "or saved" verbiage.

Even experts who favor high-speed rail question whether the awards Obama will announce Thursday can turn into the job generators the administration is hoping for. Because the U.S. has never had the kind of bullet trains found in Europe and Asia, there are no U.S. engineering companies or manufacturers with experience in high-speed rail. Anthony Perl, who heads the National Research Council's panel on intercity passenger rails, said that means much of the technology will have to be purchased abroad.

At a rail manufacturing conference last year, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said more than 30 foreign and domestic companies have promised to establish or expand operations in the United States if they are chosen to build high-speed lines.

Still, high-speed rail experts say that if the administration spreads the $8 billion among more than a handful of projects, none of the projects will get enough money to get up and running.

What a shame! The Democratic leaders are all angry with each other. Nancy is mad at Harry who is mad at her and they both are mad at Rahm and Barack. And don't even mention what they think of liberal bloggers. That's what happens when your programs are unpopular and you are failing in your major programs. I think they need an intervention. That is what November is for.