The Chief Justice's Gambit

My little machiavellian mind yesterday told me that John Roberts is far too smart to fall into some kind of naive ideological mistake and instantly forsake the idea of judicial restraint.  I also don't think he's in love with Obama.  Here's my theory:  He definitely seems to have taken a very "big picture" view of what's going on with the American political system.  I think he has in mind that the Court can't just keep being called on to absolve the politicians from their stupid actions.  Now the only solution is a political one.  If "the people" aren't attentive enough to the way the ACA tyranny has been foisted upon them, they deserve what they get.  Roberts has handed it to Romney.  The now-official definition that this bill is a new set of taxes of unprecedented proportions is the case that Mr. Romney has to develop, and I think he has smart enough people around him to seize the opportunity.  Roberts "called out" Obama's administration on their unceasing LIE about this during the approval process of this legislation.  That's what it boils down to, I think.  The very peculiar nature of this 4-4-1 decision contains a "poisoned pill."  The opposition needs to figure out how to get the electorate to administer the medicine.  Roberts saves the Court, saves the  political process, and plays big-time hardball. 

At any rate, I finally found someone who agrees:  http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jun/28/curl-roberts-to-the-rescue-for-romney/

By the way, since it's a tax, the House of Reps is already working on using the spending authority vested in that chamber, according to Paul Ryan this morning.

And one more thing--he didn't have a seizure... and he didn't wake up to the horse's head in his bed.

So that we shouldn't forget

I'm saving this, because it has now returned to the news.  I hope other parties see fit to remind the voters of it during the campaign.

Speaking of which, the campaign ought to be a systematic analysis of those policies and legislative initiatives proposed or enacted--not to mention the "executive orders."  Just saying--there is no lack of material here, a great deal of which simply is odious to most voters.  Let's remind them, politely but firmly.  We've got months to work on this and get it right.

No excuses for failure!

Who would have thought....

....that on May 11th the Astros would have a better record than the Red Sox, and be higher in the standings.

Crossing paths

Gallup poll shows Romney now ahead, 48-43.  I think somehow this change in trends on the Gallup polling at this time marks a turning point.  Either the country's sense of what's going on has made a shift, or simply it's the realization that the battle is now on for real, and so there is some serious soul-searching going on.  It's a pretty dramatic move.

The Super Bowl

The heart wants a Patriots' win.  What the eyes see is that the Giants are really overpowering right now, and Eli is really in a good rhythm.  This is the key:  Brady must execute perfectly in order to score enough points for a victory. 

Classroom talking points

1. Faith is not blind.
2. God is not random.
3. Scripture has to be read with intelligence.
4. The world's religions seek truth and hold to it as they see it; Catholics understand that the heart of wisdom is within Jesus' teachings, preserved and protected by their Tradition.

The NFL Playoffs

The scenarios thus far are interesting:

• Texans-Ravens:  This game shapes up to be living proof that the modern NFL game is often an exercise in violence and the ability to overcome the attrition of forces.  You have to like the Ravens, but I think the Texans are underrated.  Can they overcome, eke it out, squeak by?  
• Packers-Giants:  On the face of it, it seems that the team that scores last will win.  The Giants are on a hot streak.  The Packers have somewhat the better offensive package, but a suspect defense.  It's in Green Bay.  Will the weather decide?  No, the Packers' defense, or the lack of it, will decide the game.
• Saints-49ers:  The Saints are battle-tested and have Drew Brees.  That's got to be enough.  Although SF has won a number of critical games, you have to like Brees until the Saints offense prove they can't do it against any defense.
• Broncos-Patriots:  The Patriots are overwhelming favorites.  Belichek and Tom Brady have had time to prepare against Denver's very tough defense.  What will decide will be Tim Tebow and the Denver offense can score significant points against the Patriots' underachieving defense.

If it winds up to be Patriots-Saints in the Super Bowl, what will the over/under be?  

Summer reading and more

Basically, a peek at my kindle list:

--The Devil Colony:  A Sigma Force Novel.
--A Game of Thrones.
--A Clash of Kings.
--A Storm of Swords.
--A Feast for Crows.
--A Dance with Dragons
--Harvard is Burning.  (Lee Siegel's essay on liberal ideology.)
--On Bullshit. (Harry Frankfurt.)

Now I'm growing impatient with GRR Martin, because there appears to be no definite prospect of release on the sixth of the series, only a flippant comment or two on his website.  Dude:  get on with it.

Beautiful!

Save Hugh's comments for the campaign.  It contains a rubric for scoring the debates the right and effective way.

Well, it's not...

...like we've been doing NOTHING during these times.  Really, I think the revolution has been going pretty strong.  However, word needs to get out that the Church IS really a vibrant intellectual community in this nation and around the world.