Link list

Ok, folks, it's time for a link list. That's what I'm calling a new feature that will serve as a catch-all for all the things I want to tell you about but don't have time to blog about individually.

Think of each one as its own tiny tub of Ben & Jerry's: All the pleasure of knowing the news without the guilt of wasting your whole day reading it.

Here we go:

Conservative pundit Rich Galen had an interesting article yesterday titled, "How many days hath February?" Galen offers an eye-popping breakdown of the numbers involved in the omnibus bill, and he opines on the state of the economy thusly: "The era of capitalism which has its roots in the mercantilism of 17th century Europe, later codified by Adam Smith in 1776 when he published 'Wealth of Nations,' is over." Demonstrating that there is at least one American consumer left in the country, Galen also offers a review of Amazon's Kindle 2.0. Click here.

There's a newer blog on the block down in Montgomery-town. It's called Politics Alabama, and it's run by a nice guy named Matthew Givens. Matthew comes down on the conservative side of the political spectrum, but as he told me, he's interested in "good, intelligent, well-thought-out" pieces -- regardless of whether he agrees with them. He's got a lot going on over at his spot, so give him a look.

I Twittered (@jefoster) earlier about the Pentagon's new policy regarding media coverage of the coffins of slain American soldiers returning from abroad. As I said then, it is an indication of another delicate military decision (the first being the Iraq policy) wherein, when faced with two difficult choices, President Obama simply played Solomon. Here he has split the difference between families who want the returns covered and those who don''t. According to FoxNews.com:

(Defense Secretary Robert) Gates said he initially asked for the ban to be reviewed a year ago, and was advised then that family members might feel uncomfortable with opening the ceremonies to media for privacy reasons or that the relatives might feel pressure to attend the services despite financial stresses. Now families will be able decide if they want the public to witness the returning war dead.

"I think that the thing we always have to keep at the forefront of our minds...should be the families and giving them choices," Gates said.

OK. Only one question: How will this work? How will journalists on a plane or on the tarmac be able to distinguish between the coffins of those whose families desire coverage and those who don't?

It's another example of Obama trying to please everyone when it comes to military policy. The question is, what's the wisdom in this Solomon approach?

As a follow-up to Tuesday's dueling speeches from political parties headed in opposite directions, RealClearPolitics.com's Jay Cost examines "GOP at risk of becoming party in the no," a Politico article about Republicans' empty idea bank. (You might remember that on Tuesday, ahead of Obama's address to Congress, I said that Lousiana Gov. Bobby Jindal had to "find some way to articulate ideological opposition to the president and his agenda without sounding like the latest doctoral graduate from the Republican School of No."

Yeah ... that didn't go so well for him -- and in my column in today's Opelika-Auburn News, I explain why that's long-term trouble for the GOP.

Clint Eastwood has a message for the PC crowd. Here's a hint: It's a nice tie-in with his Oscar-worthy triumph, "Gran Torino." Click here.

I got all excited when I saw this headline from CNN: "Focus on the Family's James Dobson steps down." Finally, I thought; Dobson is finally going to get back to focusing on families instead of on politicians.

Alas, no. Dobson is only stepping away from administrative duties. According to spokesman Gary Schneeberger and CNN, Dobson's public role isn't expected to change. He'll still appear on his daily radio broadcast and as an advocate for socially conservative issues.

"There won't be a whole lot of difference," the spokesman said. "You'll still hear him on the radio. You'll still see him on the networks like CNN with Larry King.

"He said to the staff today, 'I've got more to say -- I'm not ready to stop fighting for the things I've fought for for the past 32 years.'"

Oh boy. More James Dobson talking politics.

And we thought the GOP was just going to have its hands full with Obama.

You can read my earlier Dobson-related work here. I would draw your attention specifically to the two pieces to which I linked in the 2/5/08 post (bottom of the page).

James Dobson might be everything that's right with evangelical theology. But he's everything that's wrong with evangelical politics.

Finally, speaking of too-big-for-their-britches-kingmakers, CPAC will announce the winner of its so-early-it's-ridiculous presidential straw poll today. (Here's a hint! They LOVE Mitt!!)

Seriously, the touch-up paint hasn't even dried in the White House yet.

Oh, but that's not stopping these dudes. They want their red meat, and they want it now. The want everyone to remember how powerful! How extraordinarily powerful! they are in getting conservatives elected.

... Because, you know, they were so successful in getting conservatives elected in 2008. But I digress.

Anyway, the straw poll thing will be announced today, and all the presumed/assumed/could-be candidates are there for their tryouts (including a guy you know from Ohio). By the way, it nauseates me to have to tell you that Alaska Gov. You-Know-Who leads potential 2012 GOP presidential candidates in CNN's latest if-you-had-to-vote-today poll.

OK, gotta go load up on the headache meds now.

P.S. I'm on the other side of that gender gap.