Posse Incitatus

Warfighting by Poll

One of the most insane notions to emerge in this war is that we need to keep a constant eye out for every variation of public opinion. The slightest erosion in an approval rating means an instant policy reversal.

This is utterly insane.

Now Drudge offers a link to a poll showing falling support in Iraq for the Coaltion.

The same poll purports to show widespread support for Al Sadr and his band of vicious thugs.

The Posse is willing to wager that calls for an immediate pullout from the likes of Ted Kennedy will not be far off.

No war in history has been won by changing strategy every time the public mood alters. Setting aside the sheer insanity of judging the actual feelings of a multi-ethnic nation of 24 million based on 1600 interviews, it should be readily obvious that what the Founding Fathers called the "impulsive passions" of the majorities cannot be a guide for serious public policy.

The poll itself seems poorly concieved. Of course a vast majority of Iraqis would like the Coalition to withdraw, the real question is when and under what circumstances.

A handover of power to Al Sadr or the thugs of Fallujah probably isn't what they have in mind.

American public opinion polls are increasingly less reliable. Why we should suddenly trust overseas ones is beyond the Posse.

This is yet another example of defeatism masquerading a policy debate.

The Tomb is Empty

The analysis of Dr. Rice's testimony can be found most anywhere, particularly amongst honorary members of the Posse Incitatus.

This blog will be taking a hiatus for the next couple of days to ponder the mysteries of the Resurrection.

Or, to put it in the vernacular:

Happy Easter!

Cool Cities

A few months ago, OpinionJournal ran an excellent article debunking the myth of “cool cities.”

This idea has caught fire with the idiotarian left because it is predicated on the belief that people choose to live in certain places not because of the schools, crime rate or local tax burden, but because they crave being close to swinging night clubs and trendy boutiques.

Under this model, young workers are seemingly oblivious to the fact that they may lose 10 percent or more of their income to local taxes, but really care that they are near a goth dance club.

The reason for this appeal to the left if obvious: it means that the key to urban renewal isn’t lower taxes and (by extension) dismantling the dysfunctional union-dominated bureaucracy that paralyses local government and the school system. Instead, urban growth can be bought by giving subsidies to sports bars:

Visions of trendy nightspots, outdoor cafes and expanded cultural events will be put on paper this month as Michigan cities compete for 12 slots in Gov. Jennifer Granholm's Cool Cities Pilot Program.

The program, which has generated excitement throughout the state, will give chosen cities access to $1.15 million in grants and a pool of state resources to help revitalize urban areas. Lansing and East Lansing officials hope their cities are among those chosen.

The program's mission: attracting new jobs by bringing in young workers through better entertainment and cultural offerings, more housing and nightlife.

There you have it. Lansing isn’t losing people because it is one of the few Michigan cities with an income tax or because it levies high property taxes and insists on charging residents for trash removal. No, they just need to be “cooler.”