"The Right Angle"

Heidi Parent

Random Thoughts

Reporting and deriding for you

by Heidi Parent
01/16/03

We're Really Not Bad. Really.

In light of the fact that fifteen of the nineteen 9/11 hijackers were Saudis and the recent revelation that money donated by the Saudi royal family ended up going to charities that support terrorism, Saudi Arabia has been desperately trying to improve its image here in America. Print ads and television commercials have been launched in an effort to dispel the truth and Saudi foreign policy adviser Adel al-Jubeir recently held a press conference where he stated, "For too long Saudi Arabia has been wrongly accused of being uncooperative or ineffective in combating terrorism. The unfounded charges against Saudi Arabia have gotten out of control." The Saudis can avoid the hassle of hiring a PR firm and gain a lot of good will from Americans simply by shutting down the madrassas that they support. These radical Islamic schools instill a hatred of the West in the hearts and minds of young students and end up breeding future terrorists. Hardly something that helps combat terrorism.

Come Again?

Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle had this to say about Democrat Mary Landrieu's senate victory: "I think it proves without a doubt that Democrats can win anywhere in the country." Yeah right, Tom. What a monumental upset. Considering Louisiana hasn't had a Republican Senator since the Civil War her election is one really for the books. Making such a statement shows just how desperate Democrats are for good news.

Al Gore, version 23.4

In an attempt to re-re-re-re-re-re-re-re-re-re-re-invent himself and promote his book, Al has been everywhere lately. But despite his intense efforts, it is currently sits at #2,284 on Amazon.com's best seller list and seems destined to make the discount bin quicker than Jim Jefford's tome. If this is any indication of the attitude that the American people have toward the former Vice President, it's no surprise that he says he won't run in 2004. But…

Gore in '04!

I don't buy Al's claim that he's not running. He may say that now, but once we get closer to the election season, I predict that we'll begin to see a very well placed and well timed groundswell from Gore supporters. Which will end up luring Al out of retirement because "the people demand it."

Al Gore: I am liberal, hear me roar!

He failed to get elected as a mainstream Democrat (1988) and as a populist (2000) so he now seems to be giving full throttled liberalism a shot. Coming out against expanding the War on Terror, in favor of single payer health care, against tax cuts, against the combustible engine. What's next, Comrade Al? Proposing state run factories?

Al Gore: Upon Further Review (last one)

I finally figured out who it is that Al reminds me of - take away the sighing and who do you have? Forest Gump with a lisp. Don't believe me? Pop in a tape from the 2000 debates ("Life is like a box of chocolates…"). The similarity is really quite creepy, just like the man himself.

Bubba: The Man Who Won't Leave

Like a guest who overstays his welcome, Bill just won't leave. But the question is whether Democrats want him to go or not. He does raise a barrow full of money, which is a plus. But at the same time, as the 2002 elections proved, he stirs up an anti-Bubba sentiment across the country, which is a big minus for Democrats. So for our sake let's hope he keeps talking. Former President Clinton is the best thing to happen to Republicans since Rush Limbaugh.

Nancy With the Laughing (Liberal) Face

Liberal House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is the best thing to happen to Republicans since Former President Bill Clinton (see above). Smiling through press conferences as though some medical condition keeps her from closing her lips, she continues to portray herself as a moderate Democrat (a moderate Democrat from San Francisco is about as common as a woman on the first tee at Augusta National). She will no doubt try to move the party left, which will mean good things for Republicans. During these dangerous times (or any time, really) flower-power, consciousness-raising, Kumbaya-singing, bead-wearing, group-hugging, can't-we-all-just-get-along, I'd-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing-in-perfect-harmony liberals are not what this country needs nor wants, as the 2002 election results proved.

2003: The Count Down to Campaign 2004

Watching John Kerry, Al Sharpton, John Edwards, Howard Dean, Dick Gephardt, Ralph Nader (and probably Al Gore) try to out-liberal each other this summer will be the new spectator sport for political junkies. Grab the remote and get comfy.

Boo-Flippin'-Hoo

Oh, woe thy name is the Democrat Party. They have the vast majority of the Washington press corps, the mainstream press (which includes the majority of newspapers, magazines, and television news), and the entertainment industry (which includes 90% of the Hollywood elite, nearly all television shows, and most movies) yet they are complaining about the difficulty they had getting their message out during the 2002 election campaign. Newsflash! Your message did get out, loud and clear. Your biggest problem is that people heard it.

Who will be our Phil Jackson?

Now that we hold the majority in both houses, let us not make the same mistake we did in 1994 which was to sit back and rest on our laurels. We need a Phil Jackson type to keep the fire burning. Despite the fact that he is a Bill Bradley supporter, Phil is a great basketball coach and an even better motivator. He won six championships in his last eight seasons with the Chicago Bulls and has won three championships in his first three seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. Talk about keeping the championship desire alive. We need the same kind of motivator in the Republican Party to keep our fire burning so we never fail to work hard to implement an agenda that will move this country (and Conservatism) forward. Doing so will ensure a Republican majority for elections to come. And no one would be a better for the job than The Hammer, House Majority Leader Tom Delay. Go get 'em, Tom. Here's to a prosperous 2003!