Orange and Maroon

The Virginia Tech Massacre was one year ago today. Jeff Emanuel remembers the shootings and the events that followed here.

Apart from having one friend on campus that day locked up in his room, and knowing several friends who lost people they cared about, I don't have any personal connection with this story. That makes me feel a little insincere writing about it on any profound level.

Dumbruralcrackergate Links/Blogroll Update

I was working tonight, so I missed blogging about St. Sen. Barack Obama royally stepping in it. Here is the quote everyone's talking about, delivered at an exclusive fundraiser on billionaire's row in San Francisco:

So it's not surprising then that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.

For the time being, I'll just direct you to some bloggers more on the ball than I am. Ed Morrissey and Allahpundit are all over it, as usual. Pennsylvania native Michelle Malkin adds her thoughts. The boys over at PowerLine catch Obama spinning like a whirling dervish, and think that this might be the death knell of Obama's general election chances. Gateway Pundit points out the hypocrisy of Obama's statement. Zombie was on hand outside the event to for some citizen photojournalism.

I'm sure we'll hear more on this story over the weekend, and it should be interesting to hear Sens. Obama and Clinton spin this statement at their debate on April 16th. I'll probably blog my thoughts on it this weekend.

Also, the Club for Growth just started a new blog, VP Watch, that could prove helpful as summer nears. I'll have it in my blogroll as long as it remains relevant.

On a related side note, why do people keep putting Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL) on lists of potential running mates for Sen. McCain? He was born in Cuba, and thus ineligible for that office.

Link Round-up: RIP, Charlton Heston edition

Ed Morrissey eulogizes the great actor and gun rights advocate over at HotAir.com.

"We won't let them grab the guns, Mr. Heston, not even from your cold, dead hands."

Some of the man's greatest hits, and some predictable lefty hatred...already.

Gateway Pundit has some links of his own, and more predictable nutroots reaction...

Michelle Malkin has some good youtube of Heston, as well as a statement by the Heston family.

The editors of PowerLine share their thoughts. Best passage:

In the last chapter of his autobiography Heston tells a story deriving from his appearance in Minnesota on behalf of Grams. In the course of his remarks on behalf of Grams, Heston said: "We have to get back to the values and perceptions of those wise old dead white guys who invented this country." Grams's hapless opponent and her friends in the media tried to create a brouhaha out of the remarks, as Heston recalls, branding him with what he calls "the familiar P.C epithets." Heston had moved on to appear on behalf of another Republican candidate outside Minnesota after the controversy erupted, but he took the time to tape a response:

"Let's see now," I said, "they were wise, they were old, they're dead, they were white guys, and they invented this country. Which word in that sentence don't you understand?"

I think it's fair to say that we shall not look upon his like again.

Karl notes that the AP can't keep it's bias out of it's obituary.

Linking Linkers, and the Links that Link them, 4/4 edition

You keep using these words, "dialog on race", I think you do not know what they mean.

All this new found HOPE^TM and Change^TM hasn't stopped Barack Obama from voting "present" on any issue that is remotely controversial.

SCANDAL! Some of John McCain's economic advisors are guilty of the most grievous crime of all: believing in free markets.

Sen. Tom Coburn for vice president? Jeremy Lott thinks that's a good idea. I'm not so sure. Sen. Coburn is one of the few good senators in that body, and I think that is where his voice is most needed. Also, while some of his recent comments on the Iraq war may pull in the votes of more dovish conservatives and independents, I think it will cost him more votes.

Also, neither he nor McCain have executive experience. He needs to balance the ticket by choosing a fiscally conservative and ethical governor who can reassure those of us who believe in smaller government. Ahem.

The U.S.S.I. is alive and well, which begs the question: How much more livable would Illinois be if they could just get rid of Chicago?

Remember that threatening letter that some prominent Glacier-backers sent to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi? Yeah, it didn't work.

Zombietime has a new blog! (h/t Nice Deb)

Democrat Minnesota State Senator: Hey, you know what's anti-democratic? People thinking that they can spend their money better than the government can.