Author Archives: Heather Mac Donald

Post-Massachusetts blow-out reconnoitering

Posted on January 21, 2010 by Heather Mac Donald

The emerging consensus among Democrats that they should ratchet back the health care stampede for now is certainly welcome, but not necessarily the corresponding view that they should focus instead on “fixing the economy.”  “Fixing the economy” will mean the … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged | 8 Comments

Terrorism’s risk curve

Posted on January 18, 2010 by Heather Mac Donald

The logic of anti-terrorism measures seems to be that if one bad event happens, such as the 12/25 plot, the risk of similar bad events suddenly shoots up exponentially.  Thus the airport shut-downs over the last two weeks in reaction … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Magical thinking watch: Eternal, unchanging racism chapter

Posted on January 15, 2010 by Heather Mac Donald

New York Times columnist Clyde Haberman seriously considers whether President Obama’s failure to enthusiastically back three black politicians–David Paterson, William Thompson, and Harold Ford–shows “how much remains to be done” regarding civil rights.   Maybe Obama has “a problem with blacks,” … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | 10 Comments

Health care favoritism

Posted on January 15, 2010 by Heather Mac Donald

Having initially cast aside their usual view that “from those to whom much is given, much shall be taken away” in battling the tax on Cadillac health insurance plans, government and private sector unions have now won a five-year exemption … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged | 1 Comment

Pat Robertson: Politically, but also theologically incorrect?

Posted on January 14, 2010 by Heather Mac Donald

Human compassion has produced the usual generous outpouring of aid to devastated Haiti.  Meanwhile, Obama has shown himself in a statement today to be a standard American politician, having included among the admirable qualities of the Haitians the fact that … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

Terrorism and opportunism

Posted on January 11, 2010 by Heather Mac Donald

I recall a time in the not-too-distant past—just over one year ago, say–when being a “war-time president” carried a certain aura of sanctity, lest criticism of the Commander-in-Chief demoralize the troops fighting that “war.”   Times have changed along with the … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged | 10 Comments

After-the-fact pseudo-wise man watch

Posted on January 4, 2010 by Heather Mac Donald

The Sunday talk shows overflowed with specious explanations for the underwear bomber incident: Other Republicans were more measured. On CNN, former New Jersey Gov. Thomas Kean, the chairman of the 9/11 Commission, praised Obama’s reaction to the Flight 253 attack. … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged | 20 Comments

Obama’s post 12/25 dilemma

Posted on January 2, 2010 by Heather Mac Donald

 It’s going to be amusing to see President Obama try to triangulate between the public outcry for tougher terror screening policies in the wake of the 12/25 attempt and his natural allies on the civil libertarian left.  Senator Dianne Feinstein … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged | 10 Comments

Last-minute holiday cheer

Posted on December 31, 2009 by Heather Mac Donald

If anyone is looking for a final holiday treat, I highly recommend the animated movie Fantastic Mr. Fox, which I review here.  Don’t think that you need to have a child in tow to see it; its satire of the … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Terrorism and health care reform

Posted on December 30, 2009 by Heather Mac Donald

In 2000, commercial jets carried 1.09 billion people on 18 million flights, according to a no-longer-linkable Boeing document.   Assuming that the number of flyers has not increased since then, that makes for one would-be underwear bomber out of about 10 … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged , | 6 Comments