Roundup of blogs and news - 9/9/09

"How dare you use my own words against me?" Van Jones, erstwhile Obama Green Jobs Czar, claims that he was the recipient of a "smear campaign" and "lies and distortions". I'd love to know what lies and distortions he was referring to, since all the evidence I heard was spoken and written quotes from the man himself.

"For a while now, the message from Washington has been that we know what's good for the public, whether the public likes it or not." Matthew Continetti at the Weekly Standard has a very well thought-out piece on the public discontent.

Thomas Friedman and Tom Brokaw sit around and gripe because news happened of which they did not approve. I guess they feel they should be arbiters of what the public should hear. (More on Friedman later - you'll see just how accurate the last sentence was.)

Charity and the Constitution - How Horatio Bunce crushed Davy Crockett and why he is my new hero.

This administration just never quits ridiculing the people who disagree with them. Though I love this comment: "Did the President just compare himself to the rich fraternity? The ones no one likes. Because they act all pretentious and know it all? Oh, and they were total bullies too, beating people up. Is that REALLY the image Gibbs wants to give?" Heh.

Bush spoke to students, too! We heard that a lot this last week. Did anyone remember what happened then? Byron York, at the Washington Examiner, reminds us of the angst that caused.

Michael Yon is a treasure. Reading his posts is the closest that many of us will ever get to war. Let him remind you of the sacrifices that are being made for our freedom.

Thomas Sowell is also a treasure. At The Corner, Sowell reminds us not to listen to the words, but watch the actions.

And, as promised, the inestimable Thomas Friedman really outdoes himself, today. There is so much wrong with this article, that it is difficult to know where to start. Oh, actually no it isn't. Friedman suggests that he would rather have a tyranny in the US like that beacon of liberty, China, than our current democratic system! This is your lead New York Times editorial writer, folks.