Random thoughts on politics, current events, popular culture, and whatever else interests me.
Friday, May 31, 2013
Why Hillary Clinton Would Likely Not Win in 2016
Liberals, when confronted with the various scandals that are devouring the Obama Administration, console themselves with the belief that Hillary Clinton is an unstoppable force certain to be elected president in 2016.
How Does One Brand and Advertise Legalized Pot?
A former Microsoft executive named Jamen Shively wants to start what is in effect the Starbucks of pot. There are two things standing in his way. Recreational use of marijuana is still against federal law. It is allowed by state law only in Colorado and Washington State.
Pro Israel Groups Targeted by the IRS as the Scandal Spreads
The Washington Free Beacon reports that at least five pro-Israel non profits were targeted by the IRS because they disagreed with Obama administration Middle East policies, some of them at the behest of pro Palestinian groups.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Support for a Special Prosecutor for Obama Scandals Soars
Bloomberg is reporting that the scandals that have ravaged the Obama administration have started a slippage of the president's approval ratings in the Quinnipiac University poll of all registered voters.
What the Hitler Tea Kettle Says About Memories of History in Corporate America
Breitbart notes that J.C. Penney faced a bad news/good news phenomenon concerning a new designer tea kettle. The bad news is that it had a more than passing resemblance to Adolf Hitler. The good news is that it sold out.
Rick Perry Preaches the Good News of the Texas Model of Free Markets
Fred Barnes at the Weekly Standard notes that Texas Gov Rick Perry has been traveling the country touting the "Texas Model" of low taxes, simple to understand regulations, and small government as a way to create jobs and generate economic growth.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Will California Ever Embrace Hydraulic Fracking?
According to Fox News, California is on the verge of another gold rush that could create jobs and draw that state out of the economic doldrums. The gold is black gold, deposits of oil and gas under the Monterey Shale Formation.
How Social Media Gives the Politically Ambitious the Means to Self Destruct
Digital Trends is highlighting a phenomenon that many observers of the social and political scene have known for years, that the Internet and its various social media has provided more opportunities for people to get into trouble.
Report: The IRS Persecuted the Tea Party Because it Wanted to and it Could
Timothy Carney at the Washington Examiner has an interesting explanation as to why the IRS went after tea party and other conservative groups. It had less to do with some kind of conscious campaign and more to do about who works for the IRS.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Rand Paul: Obamacare Tracks Injuries by Turtles, Lamp Posts, and Burning Water Skies
The UK Daily Mail notes a little reported speech made by Sen. Rand Paul. R-KY. in Iowa un which he reported that Obamacare, injuries sustained by turtle attacks, running into lampposts, and falling off burning water skies will be tracked.
McCain's Visit to Free Syrian Army Highlights Americam Conundrum in the Region
The Hill reports that Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., slipped across the border into Syria and met with General Salem Idris, the leader of one of the various rebel groups, the Free Syrian Army, fighting to topple the regime of Bashir Assad.
Dick Durbin to the Contrary, Freedom of the Press Applies to Everyone
Over the weekend, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. wondered out loud whether the First Amendment to the Constitution actually applies to bloggers and tweeters while on Fox News Sunday, according to Hot Air.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Obama's Strategy to Ride Out the Scandals May Be Doomed from the Start
The Hill reports that the Obama White House has hit upon a strategy for dealing with the various scandals it has brought upon itself. In essence the administration intends to batten down the hatches and hope for better days.
California Republicans Show a Sign of Life Thanks to Farmers' Revolt
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the moribund California Republican Party may be stirring a little to life. It seems that a revolt is brewing in California's Central Valley over that state's draconian environmental regulations.
How a Food Crisis May Restrain China's Imperial Ambitions
Reuters is reporting that China's long term goal, dating back to the rule of Mao Zedong, of becoming self sufficient in food is running into some inconvenient reality, much no doubt caused by that country's command economy.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
The Gomez/Markey Massachusetts Senate Race Turns Nasty
The special senate election in Massachusetts has gotten as dirty as any contest in modern American history, with the Republican candidate Gabriel Gomez calling his Democratic opponent, Ed Markey, "pond scum."
On the Religion of Global Warming and How Heretics Are Dealt With
David Solway, at Pajamas Media, ruminates about the global warming debate and suggests that it is a fight between science and reason on the one hand and a pseudo religion permeated with corruption on the other.
Should Kaitlyn Hunt Go to Prison for Being in Love with Another Girl?
Kaitlyn Hunt, an 18 year old Florida high school student, is facing years in prison and a lifetime of being labeled as a sexual predator for engaging in what is in essence a teenage romance with a 14 year old fellow student.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Unions Have Turned on Obamacare, Having Seen What's in the Law
The Associated Press is reporting that many unions, which once enthusiastically backed the health care reform law known as Obamacare, are now turning against it with a vengeance. To quote Nancy Pelosi, they are finding out what's in the law.
Now PETA Wants to Sue People Who Leave Anonymous Comments
PETA, or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is incensed over an article in the Huffington Post that details that organization's unsettling practice of euthanizing animals in a Virginia facility that many have assumed is a no kill shelter.
Did Pope Francis Really Mean that Atheists Could Achieve Salvation?
| The Atlantic relates a recent homily given by Pope Francis I in which he suggested that there may be a path to eternal salvation to not just non Catholics, but non Christians and even, at least in certain cases, atheists.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Eric Holder Must Resign Over the James Rosen Matter
The latest revelation concerning the scandals now consuming the Obama Administration is that Attorney General Eric Holder personally signed off on the seizure of Fox Reporter James Rosen's emails as part of a leak investigation, according to NBC News.
Obama Wants to Appease the Jihadis and Address Their Grievances
President Obama's recent speech on national security was part attempt to distract the media and the American people from the scandals consuming his administration and part attempt to appease both the domestic left and the jihadi enemy.
The Drive to Include Gays in Scouting May Be Just the Beginning
The news that the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America has lifted the ban on openly gay scouts by 60 percent elicits the initial reaction, "Good for them and past time too." But, as Mary Katherine Ham at Hot Air suggests, it's not that simple.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
IRS Scandal, Coverup Could Have Affected the 2012 Election
The UK Daily Mail reports that the IRS's own internal probe of the policy of harassment of tea party and conservative groups ended in May, 2012. But the results of the investigation were concealed from Congress and the American people.
Jihadist Butcher of British Soldier Symptom of Larger Problem in Europe
The UK Daily Mail reports that a British soldier was run down in the streets of Woolwich, a neighborhood in south-east London, by two men who then proceeded to hack his body, attempting to behead him, shouting, "Allah-uh-akbar!"
Was the IRS's Lois Lerner Too Clever by Half in Taking the Fifth?
Hit Air has a pretty good account about how Lois Lerner, a key player in the unfolding IRS scandal, may or may not have invoked her 5th Amendment rights during testimony before the House Government Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
IRS Scandal Sparks Call to Delay Obamacare
The Washington Examiner reports that Sen. John Thune, R-S.D. has asked two Obama cabinet officials to suspend the implementation of the health care reform law, also known as Obamacare, pending the resolution of the IRS scandals.
Howard Dean: Benghazi Controversy a 'Laughable Joke'
Howard Dean, a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, former governor of Vermont, and former presidential candidate, termed the whole controversy over Benghazi a "laughable joke" according to the National Review.
Obama Justice Department Targeting of Fox News Report Shows Contempt for First Amendment
When the New Yorker reported that Obama's Justice Department had seized the phone records and emails of James Rosen, a Fox News reporter, that news alarmed some elements of the mainstream media, such as the Washington Post's Eugene Robinson.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Opposition to Genetically Modified Food Based on Hysteria
The news that Hungary has ordered fields of genetically modified corn is distressing on a number of levels, not the least of which, as the Wall Street Journal points out, there is no evidence that GM food is harmful whatsoever.
Public Relations Beside the Point in the IRS Scandal
Politico suggests that both the IRS and the White House are mishandling the scandal caused by the tax agency's abuse of tea party and other groups from a public relations standpoint. The premise of the article is correct, but misses the point.
In the Wake of the Moore, Oklahoma Tornado, Politics Rears Its Ugly Head
The reaction of most people when confronted with a natural disaster of the enormity of the tornado that ravaged the town of Moore, Oklahoma is to set aside all quarrels and speed aid and comfort to the victims as quickly as possible. Unfortunately a few people are taking the opportunity to take political shots.
Monday, May 20, 2013
European Olive Oil Open Container Ban Aggravates Euro-skepticism
The International Herald Tribune reports that the European Union is about to institute a ban on restaurants serving olive oil in dipping bowls or refillable jugs. Henceforth olive oil will be served in sealed, non reusable containers.
Rand Paul Must Walk Tightrope in 2016 Bid for the Presidency
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky continues to lay the ground work for a possible run for the presidency in 2016 by headlining a state Republican dinner in New Hampshire, the first in the nation primary state, according to the Washington Times.
Anti-IRS Protests to Be a Show of Tea Party Strength
The Washington Examiner reports that the Tea Party Patriots, the largest umbrella organization of tea party activists, is calling for a nation-wide protest against the IRS on Tuesday, May 21, at noon local time.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Obama's IRS Has Made the Tea Party More Powerful Than Can Be Imagined
Craig Shirley, writing in Townhall, suggests that the tea party is in the unique position of having been both victimized by the federal government and hence vindicated by the same. Whoever sicced the IRS on the tea party will likely regret it.
Mia Love Risks More Racist Attacks in Her Second Congressional Bid
Mia Love, the mayor of Saratoga Springs, Utah, has announced that she will run a second time for Congress in the Utah 4th District against the man who beat her narrowly in 2012, Jim Matheson, according to the Deseret News.
Bill Maher and Michael Moore Defines Treason in a Curious Way
Bill Maher, the HBO ranter, and Michael Moore, the radical film maker, were on the former's show "Real Time" recently and expressed a rather unique definition of treason. Apparently people who oppose President Obama are traitors.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
The Left Really was Anti-Bush and Not so Much Anti-War
Marc Lamont Hill, an academic, commentator, journalist, author, activist, and television personality, who occasionally spars with Bill O'Reilly, made an astonishing admission via a tweet according to Twitchy.
Angelina Jolie's Mastectomy Highlights Need for More Cancer Research
The first hundred or so times I saw a story about how Angelina Jolie underwent a double mastectomy, the better to avoid getting breast cancer to which she is genetically predisposed, I was impressed. Now I wish we could just move on.
Now the IRS Wants to Know What We're Praying About
The Washington Examiner recounts an exchange during a recent hearing between Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Ill. and the soon to be former IRS acting commissioner Stephen Miller that captures the Kafkaesque nature of the IRS scandal.
Friday, May 17, 2013
How Disney's Makeover of 'Brave's' Red Haired Merida was Turned Back
As scandals go, the attempt by Disney to "girlify" red haired Merida, the heroine in last year's film "Brave," doesn't much tip the importance scale next to Benghazi and the IRS. But it was, nevertheless, irritating.
Astonishingly, Homeland Security Treats Islamists with More Forbearance Than Right Wingers
The Daily Caller has uncovered a couple of memos that shows how the Department of Homeland Security views conservatives as opposed to how it views Islamic extremists. The contrast cannot be more startling.
Former IRS Director of Tax Exempt Organizations Now in Charge of Obamacare
Hot Air reports that a career civil servant named Sarah Hall Ingram is the director of the IRS's Affordable Care Act Office, in effect the chief enforcer of Obamacare. Aside from the fact that such an office exists, this should fill everyone with foreboding.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Obama Scandals May Bring About the End of Big Government
David Axelrod, the former political consigliere to President Obama, tried to excuse the president for allowing the various scandals to get out of control because the government is "too vast" for any one man to control, he said more than he knew.
Steven Miller's Head Will Not Be the Only One of an IRS Employee to Roll
Steven Miller, the acting IRS Commissioner, is the first casualty of the scandal surrounding the IRS's targeting of tea party and other conservative groups. Despite President Obama's public announcement of Miller's resignation, he will not be the last.
Benghazi Emails Raises More Questions Than it Answers
Stephen Hayes, writing in the Weekly Standard, notes that the 94 pages of Benghazi related emails provided by the Obama Administration confirms the White House and State Department role in altering the infamous talking points.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Colin Fraser was the first man to walk on Mars as commander of the Ares. But little did he know that his greatest adventure would take place after he returned to Earth from the Red Planet. With further voyages of interplanetary exploration curtailed due to budget cuts, Fraser joined a private company that proposed to capture an asteroid and mine it for its almost limitless wealth. The only catch was that he would have to commit the first act of space piracy in history by stealing his old ship and using it to divert the asteroid named Daedalus.
Stealing the ship, diverting the asteroid, and avoiding federal prison or destruction will be the least of Fraser’s worries, however.
“The Man from Mars: The Asteroid Mining Caper” is the latest space adventure by Mark R. Whittington, author of “Children of Apollo,” “The Last Moonwalker and Other Stories,” and “Dreams of Barry’s Stepfather.”
Can 'Rodham' the Movie Make Hillary Clinton President?
The UK Daily Mail has gotten a hold of the screenplay for a movie called "Rodham," said to be about the early romance between a young law student named Hillary Rodham and this guy from Arkansas named Bill Clinton.
Sarah Palin as the Conservative Oprah? -- Not Yet
Newsmax reports that Sarah Palin has turned down a deal offered by her old friend Mark Burnett to - in effect - become the conservative version of Oprah and have her own syndicated television talk show.
How the Obama Scandals Might Affect the 2014 Midterms
Politico suggests that the various scandals that are roiling the Obama Administration, Benghazi, the IRS, and the Associated Press, already have both Democrats and Republicans looking ahead to plan how they will affect the 2014 midterms.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Obama Empowers Rush Limbaugh by Blaming Him for Gridlock
With the Benghazi, IRS, and AP phone records scandals preoccupying his administration, the Washington Examiner notes that President Obama has hit on what he says is the real reason for all of his problems. Or rather, who.
IRS Scandal Suggests it is Time to Abolish the Income Tax and the IRS
The evolving by the hour IRS scandal, in which the tax agency targeted conservative groups for examination and harassment, as detailed by the Washington Post, cries out for not only an investigation, but legislation.
Obama Administration Alienates the Media with AP Phone Record Seizure
Another day, another scandal for the Obama Administration. The latest has to do with the seizure of two months of phone records for the Associated Press as a result of a leak investigation by the Justice Department, according to Hot Air.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Just as 'Burn Notice' Ends, '24' is Coming Back
The bad news is that the upcoming season of "Burn Notice" will be the last. The good news is that the Fox Network is bringing back"24." So just as Michael Weston and company are being retired, Jack Bauer is coming out of the shadows.
Sharing Missile Defense Technology with Russia the Worst of Bad Ideas
Bad ideas seem to flow from the Obama Administration like water. However one that seems to have eyebrows rising among Congressional Republicans is a proposal to share missile defense secrets with the Russians, according to the Washington Free Beacon.
Republican Noncooperative with Obama a Feature Not a Bug of Benghazi, IRS Scandals
Slate has uncovered the real problem, in its view, caused by the Benghazi and the IRS scandals. They will cause Republicans to be emboldened against working with President Obama and the Democrats to get things done.
Obama Administration Must Approve Export of Natural Gas
The Washington Examiner is reporting that the Obama administration is wrestling with a question that would have seemed unimaginable just a few years ago, whether or not to approve the export of liquefied natural gas.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Sarah Palin for Senate Part Two
While the National Review notes that Sarah Palin is keeping her distance from the tea party inspired draft effort to get her to run for the United States Senate, Breitbart reports on a recent poll that might give her pause.
Benghazi Emails May Be the 'Secret Tapes' of the Watergate with a Body Count
In reading the latest Stephen Hayes piece on how the CIA assessment on the Benghazi Massacre were transformed into a talking points cover up, one has the inescapable conclusion that Hayes has become the Woodward and Bernstein of the Watergate with a body count.
IRS Scandal Becomes a Cancer Upon the Whole Nation
It certainly didn't take long for the IRS scandal to start exploding. The Associated Press reports that higher ups in the tax agency knew about the targeting of conservative groups as far back as 2011.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Could the Benghazi Scandal Benefit Elizabeth Warren -- and Ted Cruz?
In a story about how the Benghazi scandal may dash Hillary Clinton's hopes to become president, the Boston Herald has put out a new name of a liberal woman who might rise in her stead to become the hope of the Democratic Party.
Benghazi Talking Points Revelations Deepens Obama Scandal
Politico reports that White House Press Secretary Jay Carney was pounded by reporters during a press conference about the evolution of the infamous talking points, which were altered heavily thanks to input from the White House and the State Department.
IRS Harassment of Conservative Groups Cries Out for an Investigation
The Associated Press reports that the IRS has now admitted that it "inappropriately" targeted tea party and conservative groups to determine whether they were violating their tax exempt status during the 2013 election.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Allegations of Coverup of SEAL Deaths in Afghanistan Part of Disturbing Pattern
The Washington Times reports that relatives of a group of Navy SEALs slain in the shoot down of their helicopter in Afghanistan in August, 2011 are claiming an administration cover up of the circumstances of the action.
How Republican Strength on Three Key Issues Means Trouble for Democrats
Hot Air examines a new Pew Poll that shows that Republicans are more trusted than Democrats to make the right decisions on the economy, immigration, and gun control. The news is ominous going into the 2014 midterms.
President Obama Comes to Texas to Propose Job Killing Minimum Wage Increase
When President Obama came down to Texas on his latest jobs tour, that state's junior senator, Ted Cruz, had a little fun with a tweet that suggested that the president knows little about creating jobs, according to Townhall.
Thursday, May 09, 2013
White House Mangles History in Support of Immigration Reform
The White House has beclowned itself with an ill-considered tweet in support of immigration reform that displays an astounding ignorance of American history, dating back thousands of years it seems.
Stephen Hawking's Boycott of Israel a Heinous Act
It is always a keen disappointment when someone one admires commits a heinous act. Such is the case of Stephen Hawking bowing to Palestinian pressure and participating in a boycott of Israel.
The Benghazi Hearings: What Happens Next?
Bryan Preston at Pajamas Media has a pretty good run down of what was learned at the House Benghazi hearings. The question then arises, what needs to happen next to find out the truth and to sanction those responsible.
Wednesday, May 08, 2013
Hillary Clinton is About to Find Out What Difference Benghazi Makes
With the Benghazi hearings preparing to detail Obama administration malfeasance surrounding the massacre of four Americans, according to CBS News, the person with the most to lose may be former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Anti Gomez 'Bin Laden Ad' Shows Markey Desperation in Mass. Senate Race
It is a sign of desperation on the part of Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., that he would run an ad against his opponent, former Navy SEAL and aviator Gabriel Gomez in the special senate election that puts the latter's image next to that of Bin Laden.
Mark Sanford Beats Colbert Busch, Sparing Republicans a Humiliation
There are a number of takeaways from the easy victory of the formerly disgraced and now thoroughly redeemed Mark Sanford, former governor of South Carolina, over Elizabeth Colbert Busch in the special congressional election.
Tuesday, May 07, 2013
Time for the House to Kill the Internet Sales Tax Bill
The Associated Press reports that the Senate, overriding objections from conservatives such as Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has passed a bill authorizing states and local governments to extract taxes from internet businesses.
'Castle' Goes Political by Dropping a Drone Fired Missile on the Victim
Left-wing politics once again reared its ugly head in the "The Human Factor" episode of "Castle" which depicted a left-wing crusader for the truth, a man named Dale Tanner, being taken out by a predator drone in the middle of Manhattan.
Obama Likely Comes to Texas to Teach Rather Than Learn About Economy
President Obama, having dabbled in niche issues ranging from gun control to same sex marriage, has decided to focus on the economy again with a "Middle Class Jobs & Opportunity Tour," according to the Washington Post. First stop, Austin, Texas.
Monday, May 06, 2013
Anti-Bullying Crusader Dan Savage Tries to Bully Sarah Palin
Dan Savage recently tweeted that, in effect, he wished that Sarah Palin would get cancer. He was reacting to Palin's displaying a tin of chewing tobacco to counter New York Mayor Bloomberg's latest crusade against the public display of tobacco products.
Pray with Nancy Pelosi that Hillary Clinton Runs for President
The Hill recently reported that House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi prays that Hillary Clinton runs for president in 2016. Recent revelations surrounding the Benghazi Massacre suggest that conservatives should pray for that very same thing.
As Obamacare Impacts Head Start, What's a Poor Liberal to Do?
Head Start, a Great Society era program that is designed to help underprivileged preschool children develop the skills they need to continue in school, is considered sacred by the left. According to the Daily Caller it is about to be impacted by Obamacare.
Sunday, May 05, 2013
Bill Maher Thinks that Obama Should 'Evolve' on Legalized Pot
HBO ranter Bill Maher, who once gave $1 million to a pro Obama super pac, is somewhat less than enthralled with the president he supported, as illustrated by an account in the Daily Caller about Obama being less than supportive about pot legalization.
While Obama Dithers, Israel Acts
While President Obama dithers about whether Syria crossed the "red line" by dropping sarin gas on its own people, Israel acted to counter a different threat, the delivery of missiles from Iran to Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon.
Will Democrat Napootlian Suffer for Racially Charged Remarks Against Nikki Haley?
Racial politics reared its ugly head in South Carolina when Dick Harpootlian, that state's Democratic Chairman, made an incendiary remark about Gov, Nikki Haley at the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in support of gubernatorial candidate Vincent Sheehan.
Saturday, May 04, 2013
'Rocky the Musical?' Why Not 'Rambo the Musical?'"
Hot Air's Allahpundit notes that "Rocky the Musical" is coming to Broadway, which raises the specter of Rocky Balboa, the obscure pug who gets a shot at a boxing title, breaking out into show tunes in the middle of his training regime.
Details of Benghazi Massacre Cover Up Begin to Emerge
The Weekly Standard has an explosive article that seems to document how the Obama Administration sought to mislead Congress and the public about the events that led to the deaths of four Americans in Benghazi, including a U.S. Ambassador.
Sarah Palin, Ted Cruz Address NRA Meeting While Protestors Counter
The national meeting of the National Rifle Association took place in Houston's George R. Brown Convention Center and featured a number of speeches by conservative favorites, including Sarah Palin and Ted Cruz.
Also Ted Cruz challenges Vice President Joe Biden to a gun control debate
Friday, May 03, 2013
'Iron Man 3' Has a Weak Plot to Hold the Action and Special Effects Together
"Iron Man 3," the latest in the movie franchise about Tony Stark, the billionaire industrialist, playboy, and all around great guy (just ask him) sometimes gets muddled in the plot that is supposed to hold together all the action and special effects.
Sarah Palin for Senate? Maybe Not
The Los Angeles Times notes that some tea party activists are pushing a Sarah Palin run for the United States Senate against Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska who is up for reelection in 2014. There are some advantages and disadvantages.
American and Israel Gains in Natural Gas Boom at Expense of Their Enemies
Writing in the American Interest, Walter Russell Mead notes that the fracking boom in the United States is already achieving dividends in Eastern Europe, undermining Russia's natural gas monopoly and thus its ability to influence events.
Gomez Trails Markey Narrowly in Massachusetts Special Senate Election
The first poll taken of the special election to fill the Massachusetts senate seat held by now Secretary of State John Kerry shows that the Democrat Ed Markey has a narrow lead over the Republic Gabriel Gomez.
Thursday, May 02, 2013
Will Spielberg's 'American Sniper' Be Another 'Saving Private Ryan' or Another 'Munich?'
Steven Spielberg will direct and coproduce the film version of "American Sniper," the story of Chris Kyle, a Navy SEAL sniper so feared by insurgents in Iraq that they called him "Al Shaitan" and placed a prize on his head.
'The Colonel' Leads to Mayhem and Betrayal in 'The Americans'
"The Americans" ended its first season in an episode called "The Colonel" which features a piece of work who has decided to betray his country because he doesn't like Ronald Reagan or the SDI program.