New Haven Independent

Posted by: jacob pongratz | November 7, 2008 11:33 AM

This man makes me proud to be a new havenite!

Posted by: Willoughby | November 7, 2008 11:50 AM

Here's another well-wish to add to your pile of well-wishes. I'm glad the mugging didn't squelch your spirit.

Posted by: Bruce | November 7, 2008 1:35 PM

Obama also voted for that bailout.

Posted by: Josh Smith | November 7, 2008 7:14 PM

OH yeah! "Always pick up your trash -- or vote it OUT." XD That quote was great on the last vlog. But back on topic, it's nice to see that if you get mugged, friends will be there to help you out and put you back in good spirits. I hope everything's back to normal and you are well.

Posted by: robn | November 9, 2008 9:22 AM

BRUCE,

The bailout vote was a lot like the Patriot Act vote, passing legislation which was written hastily in a panic, and erroneously giving the executive branch the trust that they will administer the legislation properly.

Sometimes my cynicism gives in to my naivete, and even I didn't think that Henry Paulson, in the face of an international crisis, would have the balls to take $350B from taxpayers and allow the banks to go on a bank-buying spree instead of using the money to provide market liquidity.

This is a final f-u from the Bushies on their way out.

Posted by: reality | November 9, 2008 9:36 AM

The concept drives the statement "A Conservative is a Liberal who has been mugged" is derived from Darwinian theory that, for survival, an intelligence based species will adapt based upon its surroundings and experiences. It does appear possible that we have created a society where some people are so overboard in certain ways of thinking that correction of wrong-headedness is not possible.

Lets hope this leads to the extinction of liberals and not the human race.

Posted by: Carole | November 9, 2008 10:22 PM

Reality,

What's your take on the inverse definition -- that a liberal is a conservative who has been arrested?

Posted by: Fedupwithliberals | November 10, 2008 4:39 AM

Paul,

Nice of you to overlook the two liberal bastards Dodd and Frank that created the financial mess we're in, and that the Bush presidency was anything but conservative. More like old school Democrat. What do you think he did that was so conservative all these years? I don't know of any conservatives who agree with what he's done to ignore our borders, language and culture.

Posted by: robn | November 10, 2008 9:08 AM

FUWL,

on the question of the Bush presidency...EXACTLY! The spell has been broken my friend and the emperor has no clothes. Unfortunately, conservatives signed on and they own this mess (which, by the way, was created by a Republican congress in 1999 (Graham-Leach-Biley Act) and Bushite deregulation (like the removal of the uptick rule))

Posted by: Reality | November 10, 2008 10:43 AM

Carole

Thanks for asking. The statement "A liberal is a conservative who has been arrested" works similarly. Because our court system has spent the last half century focusing on the rights of criminals rather than the rights of the victims, it is only natural for those in handcuffs or behind bars to support the liberal agenda - it will get them back out on the streets faster.

I'm sure that when the Westville bike boys turn 18, they will be voting democrat if they are not in prison.

Posted by: Carole | November 10, 2008 3:02 PM

Reality,

I think you're missing my point. "A liberal is a conservative who's been arrested" means that when law-and-order types experience the criminal justice system firsthand -- as suspects -- they decide there are good reasons to respect the rights of defendants. It's fundamental to our claim of "liberty and justice for all." Tyrants of the left and right simply throw their opponents "in handcuffs and behind bars," where they can't cause trouble.

Then again, maybe you're right: "some people are so overboard in certain ways of thinking that correction of wrong-headedness is not possible."

Posted by: FIX THE SCHOOLS | November 10, 2008 5:20 PM

A liberal is a conservative who has been diagnosed with Parkinson's;

A liberal is a conservative whose beloved son or daughter comes out;

A liberal is a conservative who got a government bail-out;

A school choice opponent is someone who doesn't have a kid in a failing school...

Posted by: teachergal | November 11, 2008 9:45 AM

Paul, just heard about your mugging and so glad that you are alright! Having been held up by gun point myself, i can totally relate to the fear you experienced in that situation. We need to do something more about getting these guns out of the hands of these young thugs! After watching your blog, i am happy to see that your spirit has not been affected.
TeacherGal

Posted by: Mr. Stephen Peter Ross | November 11, 2008 10:19 AM

'The concept drives the statement "A Conservative is a Liberal who has been mugged" is derived from Darwinian theory that, for survival, an intelligence based species will adapt based upon its surroundings and experiences.'

The concept that drives your point is erroneous. Social Darwinism isn't Darwinism. But, hey, it's tough to argue with bull... thrown against a wall.

Posted by: Joe | November 11, 2008 9:33 PM

A conservative isn't a liberal who's been mugged but (the saying goes) one who's been mugged by reality. I'd prefer reality got you, but I'm glad at least the muggers did you no harm. As for liberals and conservatives, I think maybe we've been plotting our positions on the wrong axis: it's more a matter of in and out, perhaps, in which case we're likely on the same side.

The Independent is first-rate, BTW.