The Effects of Media Bias

So Polipundit has a post (one in a string of ones in a similar theme) about the strength of the current U.S. economy.

What's interesting is that if you check current polling numbers at Rasmussen, 32% of Americans think that the economy is in a recession.

Thirty-two percent (32%) of Americans say the U.S. economy is in a recession. That's down from 33% a week ago and 38% a month ago. Since the Rasmussen Index was created in October 2001, that number has never fallen below 31%.

If you wonder how that could be the case, look no farther than the front page of CNN. If you click on the link titled "GDP misses forecast" you get to see an article with the headline "Economic growth slows in second quarter". To their credit, the subheadline is "But GDP grows above 3 percent rate for ninth straight quarter, inflation measures in check."

What media bias?

Prime Minister Howard 1, Reporter 0

This transcript from The Corner at the NRO has been posted many places. It deserves to be posted at more, so here you are. A reporter suggested to Blair and Howard that Britain's and Australia's policies and support of the war on terror are to blame for the recent bombings in London. The response:

PRIME MIN. HOWARD: Could I start by saying the prime minister and I were having a discussion when we heard about it. My first reaction was to get some more information. And I really don't want to add to what the prime minister has said. It's a matter for the police and a matter for the British authorities to talk in detail about what has happened here.

Can I just say very directly, Paul, on the issue of the policies of my government and indeed the policies of the British and American governments on Iraq, that the first point of reference is that once a country allows its foreign policy to be determined by terrorism, it's given the game away, to use the vernacular. And no Australian government that I lead will ever have policies determined by terrorism or terrorist threats, and no self-respecting government of any political stripe in Australia would allow that to happen.

Can I remind you that the murder of 88 Australians in Bali took place before the operation in Iraq.

And I remind you that the 11th of September occurred before the operation in Iraq.

Can I also remind you that the very first occasion that bin Laden specifically referred to Australia was in the context of Australia's involvement in liberating the people of East Timor. Are people by implication suggesting we shouldn't have done that?

When a group claimed responsibility on the website for the attacks on the 7th of July, they talked about British policy not just in Iraq, but in Afghanistan. Are people suggesting we shouldn't be in Afghanistan?

When Sergio de Mello was murdered in Iraq -- a brave man, a distinguished international diplomat, a person immensely respected for his work in the United Nations -- when al Qaeda gloated about that, they referred specifically to the role that de Mello had carried out in East Timor because he was the United Nations administrator in East Timor.

Now I don't know the mind of the terrorists. By definition, you can't put yourself in the mind of a successful suicide bomber. I can only look at objective facts, and the objective facts are as I've cited. The objective evidence is that Australia was a terrorist target long before the operation in Iraq. And indeed, all the evidence, as distinct from the suppositions, suggests to me that this is about hatred of a way of life, this is about the perverted use of principles of the great world religion that, at its root, preaches peace and cooperation. And I think we lose sight of the challenge we have if we allow ourselves to see these attacks in the context of particular circumstances rather than the abuse through a perverted ideology of people and their murder.

PRIME MIN. BLAIR: And I agree 100 percent with that. (Laughter.)

Bravo.

Irresponsible Statements By Colorado Congressman Tancredo

During a radio interview, Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo suggested that in response to a nuclear terrorist attack that bombing Mecca would be on the table. I hardly feel it necessary to write just how irresponsible this statement is.

I am glad to see that extreme right of the blogosphere, for example Hugh Hewitt, has taken Tancredo to task for his comments. Hugh links to another blog by Donald Sensing with more links and commentary.

I'd only like to add what a ridiculous question for someone to ask a junior congressman. While he should have had the sense not to give such an equally ridiculous answer, it should be obvious that a junior congressman would have little to say in the matter of how the U.S. responded to a nuclear terrorist attack.

Terrorist Now Targeting Children Getting Candy

I can scarcely imagine an action more despicable. U.S. soldiers in Iraq were handing out treats to children. To a sub-human terrorist, this apparently is a prime target.

27 dead, mostly children.

I've said it before; I'll say it again. If there is any justice in this world, the people who would do such a thing must find their support vanish, their causes fail, and their very existence eradicated.

Muslim Reaction To London Terrorism Attacks

I can't possible keep up with the coverage the London attacks are getting by both the MSM and the blogosphere. But I thought it was worth pointing out what the international Muslim reaction was.

Here is a CNN story: "Enough, enough."

And Global Voices has a round up of reactions from Islamic blogs. (Hat tip: Instapundit.)

I can only hope this is the continuation of a trend.

Take Down Those American Flags

Having dealt with home owner associations in the past, I can testify that their decisions often defy logic, but the request by the HOA in this story is inexcusable. Short summary, a man has put up 50+ American flags to celebrate the 4th. The HOA wants him to take some/most of them down.

Ridiculous. The owner says the flags will be taken down after the holiday. The purpose of an HOA is to maintain property values. To argue that American flags displayed during the 4th of July weekend lower property values is, as I just said, ridiculous.

Hats off to Mr. Zelek for standing his ground.

O'Connor to retire

And not the Baltimore County State Attorney this time either.

Advantage Bill Kristol!

Let the fireworks begin!

Schroeder Loses Confidence Vote

CNN is reporting that Schroeder has lost a confidence vote in German parliament. Of interest is that he lost the vote on purpose:

The confidence motion garnered 151 votes, short of the 301 votes needed as members of Schroeder's own Social Democrat party obeyed his request to abstain.

There is still some doubt as to what happens next. (I can rarely understand the nuances of parliamentary-based governments.) But this information at the end of the article:

A recent poll found 71 percent of Germans favored an early election, with 24 percent opposed.

seems to indicate that Schroeder's days as Chancellor are numbered.