Ramesh Ponnuru on Property Rights & Iraq on National Review Online
great interview with economist Hernando de Soto.

Pullout rocks Germans
Germany reacted with dismay yesterday to America's decision not to return the 17,000-strong 1st Armoured Division to Germany, accelerating plans to relocate its troops to eastern Europe.

Man, Bush is quietly but swiftly sending a message. I really hope we just bring some of the troops home. It would be a great statement, if Bush could leave office with a smaller military footprint worldwide, without diminishing our effectiveness.

Democratic Debates in SC
I watched the debate on C-Span today. I think Sharpton will not do as well as his supporters think, most African-Americans still do not take his candidacy seriously; and the lack of any meat in his rhetoric is showing itself as almost embarrassing. Lieberman seems to have a message that could win, but I dont think he is capable of winning the Dem nomination; Edwards seems to have some political instincts and a decent message, but he is not ready for this, I think he is trying to position himself for 2008; Dean, could actually draw enough liberals to minimize Sharpton and braun, and paradoxically could help a more moderate Dem get the nomination. It's basically an open horse race, reminds me of the Dem field in 1988, that produced Dukakis.