Scott Johnson, Powerline and Atlas
Today is a day I will not soon forget. A morning of conservative speakers (Governor Pawlenty, Ron Robinson - extraordinary presentation on exposing the liberal media) - the highlight of which was Katherine Kersten, Minneapolis Star-Tribune columnist. Kersten very carefully explained in great detail the terrible liberal bias on college campuses and why diversity stops at the classroom door. What was most valuable to this crowd (college students) was what actions they could and should take in confronting bias. Somewhat depressing was her matter of fact closing that things would not change until this generation, her generation of faculty and professors, faded away (in other words, when they were dead.)
Lunch followed, which I thoroughly enjoyed ......... exchanging barbs with Johnson. Laughs easily, and so gracious. Hamish guy. That Fargo accent killed me. If I ever feel nostalgic I'll be sure to rent the flick. He sounds just like Jerry Lundegaard. Who am I to talk (kawffee time!) Lunch time speaker was KTLK host Jason Lewis. Smart, hardcore unforgiving conservative. He made a powerful argument against the Republicans move to the left and away from conservatism. He contended it was really behind our slap down in November 06.
The panel that Scott and I were on "Advancing your conservative ideas in New Media" followed. And I gotta tell you I had a blast. The panel kicked off with energetic opening remarks by Jason Mattera. Jason is exemplar of our best hopes of the Conservative movement. Smart funny and aggressive. Scott was up next and he was great. Fascinating. He took us through that morning on September 9, '04 when events began to unfold that brought us to the defining movement in 2004 Presidential election - Rathergate. Riveting. IMAO, this singular event changed the course of history. It seems to me that Johnson either ignores or negates his profound historic role in this monumental moment. When the history books are written, Johnson will be there -- that is if the West wins the war on the jihad (if the Islamists win, there will be no books.)
I followed Scott and it was pure exhilaration. I loved those kids. Magnificent.
Afterwards, Paul Schweizer author of Do As I Say (Not As I Do): Profiles in Liberal Hypocrisy took the podium and discussed how the left lives and lies. The deceit on the left is pathetic;
Notable issues that Schweizer addresses in the work are Noam Chomsky's acceptance of money from prominent institutions whose policies he opposes (such as the Pentagon), living in an expensive home, and his visitation of socialist states such as Cuba. Schweizer, in the rest of the work, makes similarly-toned accusations against individuals the book focuses on, particularly surrounding political issues such as environmentalism, labor, and taxation. After the book's publication Chomsky talked to Schweizer about his creation of a trust fund for his daughters and grandchildren.]].[1] In Schweizer's follow up discussion with Chomsky, Schweizer reveals that even though Chomsky abhors corporations and refers to them as "fascist", Chomsky's own retirement fund is invested in large capitalization NYSE companies and the TIAA-CREF stock fund. Schwiezer points out: "A look at the stock fund portfolio quickly reveals that it invests in all sorts of businesses that Chomsky says he finds abhorrent: oil companies, military contractors, pharmaceuticals, you name More here.
Meticulously researched, substantiated with tax and financial documents, Schweizer takes no prisoners. The libs ignored the book (hoping it would just go away I'm sure) but it is a powerful indictment of the left's knowledge that their policies are failures. They may preach nonsensical, failed policies for political purposes but they don't live them. Not for a second.
I was fortunate to join Schweizer, Johnson and his dear wife Sally for dinner in town. The conversation bounced from Iran, Iraq, November 06, Minnesota politics, Ellison, COULTER! (no one agreed with me) ...... everything. It was all that and a bag of chips.
I have to thank Jason Mattera of The Young America's Foundation who had the sagacity and balls to put a firecracker like me on the panel He saw my Coulter video and decided I had to represent the "new media." Hoo hah.
Young America's Foundation is a critical organization in building the conservative movement. I did not realize Reagan was a huge supporter of their mission. Young America’s Foundation is committed to ensuring that increasing numbers of young Americans understand and are inspired by the ideas of individual freedom, a strong national defense, free enterprise, and traditional values.
Young America's Foundation programs offer invaluable assistance to young men and women searching for the encouragement and understanding necessary to reinforce the values of a free society and individual responsibility. As young conservatives, you have a very special task before you — that of developing the political awareness of your fellow students.
~ President Ronald Reagan
I was unaware that it was the Young America's Foundation that stepped in to save President Reagan's Western White House in the Spring 1998 to preserve it as a living monument to Reagan's accomplishments.
This is an important organization. If you can throw them a few bucks. Do it. They are rearing our young.
