So you think your differences with Sen. Obama were in the areas of public policy and experience. You say you don't want America's most liberal Senator sitting in the White House with a Democrat House and Senate just waiting to do his bidding.

According to the Catholic priest Fr. Andrew Greeley, you, my friend, are a liar.

"Certainly there are solid political and personal reasons that some Americans might have had for voting against the senator that would not be in principle racist. He is one of the most "liberal" members of Congress. He stole the election from a woman who was entitled to it. He is one of the "boys" beating up on the female candidate. He is a not a patriot dedicated to final victory in Iraq. He is weak on national security. He lacks experience. He supports abortion. Yet behind these arguments, might racism lurk?

"The point is that racism permeates American society and hides itself under many different disguises. The nomination of an African-American candidate was a near-miracle. Only the innocent and the naive think that the November election will not be about race."

You had to know that this was coming. A John McCain presidency is evidence that America is a lousy, racist nation.

Count me among the innocent and naive. I think this election hinges on whether you want a radical Leftist White House marching hand in hand with a Congress run by radical Leftists.

The Incredible Hulk is back on the big screen, smashing everything in his path to tiny bits and pieces. If you were in the Marvel Movie-verse and lived in some city or town this lunk-head wandered into you better have your property insurance paid up. Otherwise, you'd be looking at piles of rubble with nothing to show for it.

I came away from The Incredible Hulk on the down side of a mixed reaction. I just didn’t care all that much for the protaganist, and cared too much for the antagonist.

… OK, I’ll write it … some may take what I write as spoilers … be “warned” …

Norton’s Banner is based on Bixby’s Banner from the television show. He’s wandering the world trying to find a cure for his ‘problem’ while doing his best to not get angry and to stay away from the guys trying to capture him and learn the secrets of the Hulk, i.e., the American military. Honestly if you were trying to find a cure for a ‘disease’ you suffered from and were being sought by a group who wanted to ‘cure’ you of this problem, wouldn’t you at some point just say, “Hey, what exactly am I running from?”

But not Banner. Like the Energizer Bunnie he just keeps going & going & going & …

It seems odd that one of the smartest men in the world (the world being Marvel’s Movie-verse, where Banner’s competition was the super-genius Mr. Fantastic, Reed Richards) couldn’t figure out that doing R&D for the American military might lead to weapons development. For a genius he’s pretty dumb. But there in lies Banner’s problem with the military; he’s afraid that his work will be made into a weapon. And so you'd know for certain why Banner hates the military he gives you the same line, "They want to use it [the Hulk] as a weapon!", twice.

So we’re supposed to believe that Banner doesn’t like weapons, eh?. But while in South America he trains himself in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which, in addition to helping him control his emotions, turns him into a walking weapon. In this new movie Banner acts like any other liberal, weapons are good for me, but not for thee.

And there is no mistaking that the American military is the bad guy. Gen. “Thunderbolt” Ross is the protaganist in this movie. Tim Roth, who becomes the Abomination, is just one of Gen. Ross’s tools.

In a time of war I have a real problem with the American Army being turned into the bad guys on the big screen. I do not think this movie will go over well with men and women currently serving in harms way in the Army, Navy, Marines or Air Force.

So there I was rooting for the “bad” guys, thinking that the “good” guy is a whiny wimp who is too stupid to recognize what’s right in front of him (granted, if he did there either would be no movie at all, or it would be a very different movie).

The more I think about it the less I liked this version of the Hulk. The two best things in this movie: Stark’s (Downey’s) cameo appearance and the fact that you don’t have to sit through the credits for any special scene. When the credits start to roll feel free to get up and go home.

What religious problem could a magazine started by a faithful Catholic possibly have? Two words: John Derbyshire.

John Derbyshire really doesn't like those conservative Christian zealots who make up a significant part of the GOP base. The 'Derb', as some call him, relentlessly attacked Ben Stein here, here, and here over Stein's excellent documentary Expelled. Stein was equated to, among other things, Islamo-Nazis and Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

Now 'the Derb' has set his anti-religious gunsights on Louisiana Gov. and rising conservative spokesman Bobby Jindal. Why? Gov. Jindal has the audacity to believe that there is such a thing as evil in world.

Thankfully, we have Kathryn Jean Lopez on the scene to set the ignorant Derb straight.

"Bobby Jindal wrote that article years ago, in a totally appropriate forum. News flash: There's evil in the world. We already learned long ago that Jindal has committed the sin of being, like most of America, a believer. Considering you gotta have a high dose of faith to have a shot at cleaning up Louisiana, I'd say his past experiences provide good armor."

Dean Koontz tried to bring his take on Frankenstein to the small screen. Creative differences with screenwriters and producers, however, ended that project. Thankfully Koontz retained enough rights and was able to pull it back before it was destroyed by small minded Hollywood types. Now he is working with Dabel Brothers, adapting the project to comics. A brief interview with Koontz is available from WizardUniverse.com. Here are some gems:

"For a novelist, comic books have a tremendous advantage over other visual media: you don't have to deal with megalomaniacal film directors, insane studio executives and screenwriters whose sense of story structure makes "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" seem like a classic on a par with Shakespeare."
...
"My two-hour screenplay brought a subversive kind of humor to the Frankenstein legend and juxtaposed the healthy relationship of the two police detectives with the deeply sick relationships that Victor has with everyone in his life. The cable network didn't have the guts to play the humor, to include a genuine love story in the mix, or to confront the serious issues of cloning, interspecies genetic recombination and other genetic experimentation based on utopian visions. They morphed the show into a grungy mess of horror clichés."
...
'Some ineffable quality of manga just seems in sympathy with the character of Odd Thomas, especially the black and white format, which is in sync with Odd's clear-eyed view of good and evil."

I've read the Frankenstein books, the first Odd Thomas, and a book titled False Memory, the latter of which goes after the psychiatric industry and the implanting of false memories in clients. Based on this very small sample of Dean Koontz's canon, his writing strikes me as carrying some deeply conservative themes. I haven't read The Good Guy  or The Husband, but I would expect these books to reinforce my perception rather than refute it. I'm glad to see his work coming to comics.

My problem with the Dabel Brothers Frankenstein adaptation is the artist they've chosen for the project. I've never been that impressed with the art in Laurel Hamilton "Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter" books, and the cover art to Frankenstein #1 is just a bit much. Clothing that is painted onto the body?!? Puhleeze.

An early review is up at Newsarama.com and the overall take is on the positive side of mixed. Or, what seems to me to be about a 7.5 out of 10. Here are some clips that I don't think contain any spoilers.

"The Incredible Hulk is a wildly flawed, wildly entertaining comic book action romp that should restore the faith of the fanboy faithful who saw their emerald-skinned hero let down so badly five years ago."

Claiming that comic geeks, fanboys, what-have-you, will have their faith restored should not be taken as a positive. Especially given these qualifications:

"The film does sacrifice character development for the sake of pacing. And considering how much was made of the fact that Norton rewrote most of the script, the dialogue in many scenes is unremarkable and predictable."

Yikes. That the star will add or modify dialogue as he or she thinks would fit the character does not surprise me. That Norton would rewrite most of the script and the director would let it fly gives me great pause.

If we fanboys and fangirls are looking forward to a reboot of the Hulk franchise, then a movie that only satisfies our sensibilities will not do it. I hope this movie does more than satisfy the Comic Con crowd.

I'm one of the few who actually enjoyed the first Hulk movie. Call it one of my guilty pleasures. This weekend its a toss up for me: Go see Iron Man again or check out The Incredible Hulk.

The world is coming to an end if oppressive Western Civilization doesn't give up its polluting ways. Global Warming will wash away Liberal's beautiful Seattle beach front property, so the State must stop its cycle of denial, evasion and excuse making.

Everything, that is, except ending beach bonfires.



Always good for a laugh or two, the Seattle P-I, on the same day, attacks Global Warming "deniers" in Washington, D.C.:

"University of "Washington scientists and others have reminded the region, the region has a lot to gain in moving forward in the absence of national leadership. But the world needs the United States as a whole to help lead on global warming. Soon."

while defending Liberal Seattle-ites "right" to wastefully  burn our precious natural resources for a cozy beach bonfire.

"Fireplaces for patios and backyards are becoming more common. We'd rather see those considered more carefully than to ban socializing around a beach fire. If people obey pollution-reducing rules on what is burned, clean up (even carry away) trash and behave, a bit of funky old Seattle should survive."

Yet another glimpse into the Lefty world-view. "Socializing" beach bonfires - good. Private backyard and patio fireplaces - bad, watch them "carefully".

If you don't think that the travesties within the so-called human rights tribunals in Canada can happen in America, then you better sit down and think a second time.

Before Mark Steyn was facing off against the Canadian "Human Rights" Commissars in British Columbia and while Rev. Stephen Boissoin was tried and convicted by "Human Rights" kangaroo court in Alberta, a private Christian company was hauled before and convicted of "human rights" violations in New Mexico. The company's crime? They refused to photograph a same-sex "marriage" ceremony.

These are very scary times, my friends. Reading the Rev. Boissoin decision, makes me wonder how long before America follows that insane path. Some people think that the First and Second Amendments protect Americans against this craziness. Think again. Here in Seattle, the mayor is unilaterally deciding to disarm citizens.

And if you think this is bad, just wait until Sen. Obama, becomes Pres. Obama. Ever heard of the so-called Fairness Doctrine? Imagine that time 1000.

Here's your medication, Mrs. Smith.

All those compassionate Lefties that are signing petitions, which will put Euthanasia on Washington's ballot come November, might want to give Oregon and the law of unintended consequences a second thought.

"Lung cancer patient, Barbara Wagner, was recently notified that her oncologist-prescribed medication that would slow the growth of cancer would not be covered by the Oregon Health Plan; the plan, however, she was informed, would cover doctor-assisted suicide should she wish to kill herself."

Then again, maybe this was the intent of folks who back the barbarity know as "Physician Assisted Suicide" all along.

"Political fundraiser convicted in corruption trial"

Makes you think that the Republicans are at it again, eh? That's the headline when a Democrat fundraiser could be headed to the Big House after a conviction of "fraud, money laundering and bribery". Never mind that this 'Tony' Rezko was a major fundraiser for Sen. Obama. Never mind that the Democrat nominee is linked with racists, terrorists and now money launderers. Never mind all that. Tony Rezko is just another "policital fundraiser".

The media's corruption scandal spotlight will barely brush the hem of St. Obama's cloak.

When there was a scandal on the Republican side of the aisle the headlines made it clear to whom and to which political party the scandals involved.
Corruption Scandals Cast Shadow on GOP Leadership Race

Abramoff Probe Turns Focus on DeLay Aide

Photos of Bush with Abramoff withheld

Abramoff and Rove Had 82 Contacts

I could go on and on and on. Rest assured America's Leftist 5th Estate will not. The Rezko conviction will be nothing more than a pebble in the road on the Main Scream Media's effort to anoint St. Obama the 44th POTUS.

Be afraid, dear reader. Be very afraid.

I wonder if there are any pictures of Rezko and Obama warmly greeting each other. You betcha. Not as if it will matter to the mindless crowds prostrating themselves before the Left-wing radical now running point for the Democrats.

That is the only word I can use to describe my reaction when I learned that my sister will be voting for the man with his arm around the racist above. I have never gotten into politics with her before.

Her reason for choosing Obama? "He's something new. Not just the same old - same old. Not just another old white guy, who'll probably die before the end of his term."

My sis is a passive observer of the news and current events. That stuff never interested her. Her knowledge of issues is, at best, superficial. What really saddens me is that I don't think she is all that unusual.

McCain will have to convince millions of people like my sister in order to defeat Obama. If McCain does not win in November, I envision an America that looks a great deal like Europe ... or is Eurabia these days?

If you think America's leftward slide is bad now, just wait till we have a radical Leftist Congress teamed up with a radical Leftist President.

But then I didn't attend a racist, America hating church for 20 years, as B. Hussein Obama has done.

The Canadian Human Rights Council looks for its next victim

Mark Steyn's show trial before what currently constitutes the Canadian Sharia Court "Human Rights Council", in Vancouver, BC, a few hundred miles north of my current location in Seattle, should be on the front page of every newspaper.

But the largest American newspaper closest to this travesty ignores it.

What is poem that starts something like "First they came for the Jews"? Do the Leftists engaged in this obscenity really think the Islamists are going to stop with Steyn and Maclean's magazine?

It looks bad for our troops. They are attacked by thugs and crazies who don't have the courage to wear the uniform. The bodies of America's brave Marines are ransacked when they are killed. The troop's presence only inflames the situation and makes it worse. We should send the troops home now.

This is what the Left would have you think.

But what do we do when what's described above happens in Cleveland, OH?

A brave Marine was attacked and, after a difficult 4 and half month struggle died of wounds suffered when he and his girlfriend were robbed at gunpoint while they waited for a bus in Cleveland. Maybe we should pull American troops out of Cleveland. And while we're at it, we can pull out all the cops, firefighters, EMT's, etc., out as well and leave Cleveland's citizens to fend for themselves.

HT, NRO's KJL.

Conservatives concerned about America's Leeward cultural drift often wonder how to get the pro-America, pro-military, anti-moral relativism, pro-tradition, etc., etc. message out to the public. It is nice to see that at least one modern conservative archon knew that it took more than polemics.

Michael Knox Beran, in his review of William F. Buckley Jr's final book, titled Flying High: Remembering Barry Goldwater, writes,

If Ronald Reagan figured out how to make conservatism appealing to a large audience through television, Buckley did something similar in his books. In the Blackford Oakes spy novels, he mocked the moral relativism of Graham Greene and John le Carré, which by the 1970s had become standard fare. The Oakes books reached readers who would never have picked up God and Man at Yale.

Conservatives should keep the Blackford Oakes novels in mind the next time they sit down to write one more non-fiction cultural critique. And if fiction isn't Hugh Hewitt's, Dennis Prager's, Michael Medved's, Laura Ingraham, Glen Beck's, etc., etc., ad nauseum, then conservatives should support those who are attempting to move the culture through the arts - folks like Robert Ferrigno, John Ringo, and Vince Flynn.

"We here for your wallet!"

Having trouble filling your gas tank lately? Try keeping up with Marvel & DC's big summer events and see how much green's left.

Matt Brady, at Newsarama.com, has done us all a great service showing how big a dent Marvel's "Secret Invasion" and DC's "Final Crisis" will put in your bank account.

The final Secret Invasion tally:

"The Whole Shebang: $316.98, or just about airfare from Chicago to San Diego and back for Comic-Con ($359)
"Total Book Count for this event (to date): 85 official, and 18 unofficial tie-ins, for a total of 103 Secret Invasion tie-in issues."

And the Final Crisis total:

" The Price So Far: $115.14, or about 29 gallons of gas (based on the current national average)
"Total Final Crisis book count (to date): 30."

Glad I'm not jumping on those bandwagons.


"You want how much?!?"