Fraters Libertas

Happy Independence Day

2009-07-04T09:54:00.000-05:00

Bang For Your Buck

2009-07-04T08:11:00.001-05:00

In Friday's WSJ, Stephanie Simon writes on the ultimate big bang that amateur fireworks enthusiasts have pursued for years. For when it comes to illegal 'works, the M-80 is the Holy Grail: The famously potent M-80 has been banned for amateur use since 1966, classified by the federal government as a dangerous explosive. Every year, the Consumer Product Safety Commission stages a gruesome public

They Also Serve

2009-07-04T07:34:00.001-05:00

Belated recognition of the passing of Chaplain (Major) Henry Timothy Vakoc: Chaplain (Major) Henry Timothy Vakoc, retired, 49, a Roman Catholic priest who lived for five years after being severely wounded in Iraq in 2004, died June 20 at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale.Vakoc (pronounced VAH-kitch), a native of Robbinsdale, had been living at St. Therese Care Center in New Hope since

Stay Away

2009-07-04T07:25:00.001-05:00

The July 6th edition of National Review contains Ross Douthat's review of the movie "Away We Go." One line in the review perfectly summarizes everything you need to know about the flick. This is a movie with the soul of a "mean people suck" bumper sticker.

Beer Of The Week (Vol XIII)

2009-07-03T00:17:00.014-05:00

Special Fourth of July edition of Beer of the Week brought to you as always by the fine folks at Glen Lake Wine & Spirits in Minnetonka. We'll review a very American brew and offer up some recommendations for the perfect beer to celebrate the Independence Day weekend. For better or worse, Budweiser has become the iconic American beer. Even though it's now owned by a global consortium of Belgians

Blessing In Disguise?

2009-07-02T19:26:00.001-05:00

The bad news? The U.S. unemployment rate continues to rise and will almost certainly hit double digits soon. The good news? Historically, high unemployment has served to keep inflation in check: A rule of thumb is that inflation doesn't become sticky until the unemployment rate dips below 5%. Since 2001, the Nonaccelerating Inflation Rate of Unemployment, or NAIRU, the rate at which economists

When Rich and Famous Writers Publish Things You'd Be Embarrassed to Read On a Crappy Blog

2009-07-02T09:58:00.005-05:00

The pride of St. Louis Park MN, Thomas Friedman of the New York Times on the opposition to the Democrats recent carbon credit cap and trade bill:What are Republicans thinking? It is not as if they put forward a different strategy, like a carbon tax. Does the G.O.P. want to be the party of sex scandals and polluters or does it want to be a partner in helping America dominate the next great global

Removing All Doubt

2009-07-02T08:25:00.002-05:00

To follow up on Saint Paul's post on Mark Sanford's loose lips and on behalf of married men everywhere I'd like to take this opportunity to call on Governor Sanford to kindly shut the hell up. It was bad enough when he destroyed the sanctity of two of our favorite innocent activities forever. "So what are you going to do this weekend when I'm out of town with the kids, honey?" "Nothing much.

Sanford Is a Joke

2009-07-01T18:39:00.007-05:00

For some reason, Gov. Mark Sanford sat down with the Associated Press over two days to give even more details on his romantic conquests. This part stood out:He acknowledged that he had casual encounters with other women while he was married but before he met Chapur, on trips outside the country to "blow off steam" with male friends. Pundits nationwide are perplexed as to

Keeping 'Em Honest

2009-07-01T12:25:00.001-05:00

George Newman has an excellent piece in today's WSJ in which he Parses the Health Reform Arguments and concludes by picking apart one of the most oft-heard rationales: - "We need a public plan to keep the private plans honest."The 1,500 or so private plans don't produce enough competition? Making it 1,501 will do the trick? But then why stop there? Eating is even more important than health care,

Promises Broken

2009-07-01T08:30:00.001-05:00

In yesterday's WSJ Roger Altman--former deputy secretary of the Treasury in the first Clinton administration--wrote that it's not a matter of if President Obama will raise taxes but when. And he thinks that in order to get a grip on the growing budget deficits, it will be soon: Only five months after Inauguration Day, the focus of Washington's economic and domestic policy is already shifting.

A Wise Alternative

2009-06-30T00:52:00.001-05:00

While environmentalists like to spin the fantasy that "alternative energy" could replace our current conventional sources in the not so distant future, the reality is that alternative energy could have a more important impact in the larger energy picture by helping make those current carbon-based sources more efficient. Case in point is an article in Monday's WSJ on how Valero Harnesses Wind

Don't Get Me Wrong

2009-06-29T06:58:00.004-05:00

Long week of not working begins today. My employer has decided to shut the facilities down this week to save money and mandate that people use up their vacation time. Any and all complaints about the situation are directed to the department of "You're Lucky To Have A Job." The way things are now with the economy if companies asked workers to come to work in frilly dresses with silly hats riding

Cliff's Bar

2009-06-26T01:25:00.012-05:00

My wife's uncle Cliff died last Saturday at the age of eighty-nine. Today is his funeral. He served in the Army Air Corps in World War II. After the war, he came home to Hutchinson, Minnesota, took a job that he would work at until retirement, got married, and never ventured far from the area again.He and his wife moved into a house that they lived in until last year. Visiting it was like

Spreading The Thirst Around

2009-06-25T10:00:00.001-05:00

What happens when you take one part populism with one part Puritanism and add a measure of politics? U Bans Alcohol In All Sports Arenas: When fans welcome the Gophers to TCF Bank Stadium this fall, they will do it without access to alcohol. The University's Board of Regents overwhelmingly voted 10-2 Wednesday not to serve alcohol in the new stadium. Some members of the board had hoped alcohol

Hearts and Minds

2009-06-25T09:20:00.001-05:00

Although I didn't get a chance to watch Mark Sanford's entire pathetic press conference yesterday, I was struck by the fact that during those parts of it I did see Sanford spent a lot of time talking about his heart: And that is, I suspect, a continual process all through life of getting one's heart right in life. And so I would never stand before you as one who just says, Yo, I'm completely

Party Killers

2009-06-24T22:36:00.005-05:00

You know, the last time we had the Iranians over to the US Embassy for a gathering, they liked it so much, they refused to leave. It's like we were hostages or something!Literally, actually. You may remember, late 1970's, binding and gagging, beatings, public humiliations, mock executions, etc.I ain't exactly Emily Post, but I don't believe that proper decorum dictates that earns you an automatic

How Much Is That Ounce Really Worth?

2009-06-24T09:07:00.004-05:00

David Harsanyi has a piece on the myth of preventive medicine as a cure-all for our health care woes:Surely, for some, preventive health care is worthwhile. And no one is stopping you from eating an apple. But unless policy changes have the power to stop the Grim Reaper--rather than only postponing his arrival--it will make health care more expensive. Let's begin with the morbidly obvious. The

Unable To Save Themselves

2009-06-24T07:38:00.001-05:00

In a piece at American Thinker Gary Larson sounds the death knell for "mainstream" journalism. While the body is still technically twitching, his pre-mortem autopsy finds the primary cause of death to be the demise of credible, objective reporting: Why am I not totally surprised? Inbred journalism majors only reproduce what their inbred professors fed them. For a lover of even-handed journalism,

The Restless Dreams of Youth

2009-06-23T07:44:00.003-05:00

The ageless battle to defame or defend the suburbs is once again joined. Matthew Archibold looks at the latest 'burb bashing flick from director Sam Mendes and finds himself more soothed than suffocated by suburban living: I think I'm the bizarro Sam Mendes. I've embraced everything he fears.The question sometimes comes up in conversation with old friends. What was the best time of your life? And

Last Call?

2009-06-22T11:14:00.003-05:00

For the last four years Eric Felten has been performing yeoman's work by providing weekly reports on the past, present, and future of the American cocktail culture in the pages of the Wall Street Journal. His insights, analysis, and recommendations have proven invaluable for those of us trying to muddle our way through the complicated and at times confusing world of fine drinking. But eventually

Seasons Change

2009-06-22T10:17:00.004-05:00

Summer is really kicking into high gear this week with forecasts of hot, humid weather in the Upper Midwest. And while we should cling to the all-too-short season for all its worth, we should also recognize that the falling leaves and crisp air of autumn harken in the not-too-distant future. The pain of letting go of summer and embracing fall should be just a tad bit easier this year with the

God's Witness To Love

2009-06-22T09:44:00.001-05:00

After Mass yesterday, the kids picked up (with a little help from dad's wallet) a special Father's Day gift package being sold in the church lobby. For Mother's Day they sell roses. For Father's Day they sell a liter of Dad's root beer with a small bag wrapped around the bottle containing a few candy bars, peanuts, and a card with the prayer "God Bless You Dad": I thank You, Lord, for my father.

Hop To It

2009-06-22T06:59:00.001-05:00

The July issue of Bon Appetit magazine is all about summer barbecuing. It also includes a list of the Top Twelve American IPAs to enjoy with your food: The American versions, particularly those brewed on the West Coast, have been labeled "extreme beers," owing to their amped-up use of hops. And in turn, their devotees are appropriately called "hop heads." Take Lagunitas Brewing Company in

Day Dreams Of My Father

2009-06-20T09:50:00.001-05:00

In an otherwise ordinary New York Times story on President Obama's message to fathers, we discover this nugget: After the session Friday, Mr. Obama's guests headed to the South Lawn for barbecue cooked by the celebrity chef Bobby Flay and mentoring sessions between youths and local fathers, celebrity fathers and every other type of father. In one mentoring group under a tree, the White House