Webb is a Reagan Democrat?

Seems laughable, especially given these arguments.

This is what I sent to the author of the post above.

Did you read the comments below the Lowell post to which you linked?

One of the posters makes the point that Webb was standing up for more money for the 600 ship Navy instead of money for "Star Wars." What looks like a better deal today? More ships that would be essentially sitting out the War on Terror like the ones we have now? Or missile defense which may prove crucial in protecting civilization from crazies like Iran and North Korea?

I especially like the charge of "swiftboating" others in the thread make against you. I guess the definition of that word is "telling the truth about someone's past military or government service at an awkward or inconvenient time in that person's election campaign."

Oh, and the charge that you are a "chickenhawk." Can you comment on why liberals are desperate to cede the making of foreign policy to those who served in the military? I am in the military now, and I work with plenty of veterans. I can assure you that if we were allowed to set foreign policy, let's just say that policy would be a lot more muscular than it is now. I suspect Lowell, the NY Times and all the posters at raisingkaine would get the vapors to even contemplate what is openly discussed around here.

Why must sports writers infuse their stuff with liberal claptrap?

I read Uniwatchblog because I am fascinated by sports uniforms, and this guy knows his stuff. Reading his columns on ESPN and in his blog, has been a pleasure. I was jarred out of my reverie by the first few lines of this.

In reply, I wrote this: I know you were just trying to get in a cheap political shot when you wrote: "If Congress really wants to protect the American flag, they should stop promoting bogus Constitutional amendments that circumvent the Bill of Rights and instead turn their attention to Major League Baseball."

However, I would suggest you actually read the proposed amendment before you once again opine:

"The Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States."

If you truly want Congress to "turn its attention to Major League Baseball" to address the disrespectful display of the flag, I submit that the necessary prerequisite to the "attention" you seek is for Congress to pass the amendment which would allow them to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag that John Patterson's sideburn delivered. Only upon passage and ratification of the amendment would Congress have the power you want them to have to prevent such things.

But I know you are convinced that the rights in the 1st ten amendments are imperiled by this proposed flag amendment so tell us, which ones, and how? Will passing the flag amendment allow quartering of troops at Phil Knight's house in circumvention of the 3rd amendment? Or allow Anna Benson's guns to be seized in circumvention of the 2nd amendment? Or is passing the amendment, ironically, exactly the attention you want from Congress?

Lest you think this is all negative, I do enjoy your sartorial commentary; keep up the good work!

The superiority of baseball

Runs are the most important event in a baseball game. Teams need runs to be competitive, and they need at least one more run than their opponent in order to get the victory. However, given the crucial importance of runs in a game, it is interesting to me that the focus of fans in the stadium of a baseball game, and even the focus of the players on the field is away from the actual scoring of the runs. Instead, everyone focuses on the play that is happening hundreds of feet away from the actual scoring. For example, there is a tense 3-3 ballgame, top of the ninth inning, runner on third base. The batter works a 2 ball 2 strike count and hits a line drive into the gap. Huge cheers erupt as the fans watch the ball fly towards the wall and gets down for a double that drives in the run. No one actually watches the runner score (except the home plate umpire), but everyone in the stands cheers wildly because they know the runner will score, without actually seeing the score happen.

This is exactly the opposite of every other sport, where the entire focus of the spectators, and everyone playing is on the score itself. The quarterback in a football game slings a ball to the receiver in the end zone for the score, and everyone is watching the receiver. In a basketball game, everyone watches as the ball swishes through the hoop. Hockey fans look at the puck going into the net. Tennis observers watch to see whether the ball will hit the line.

Of course, sometimes, there is a play at the plate, with the determination of whether the runner will score in doubt. However, this is a comparatively rare occurrence, compared to the vast bulk of scoring that is done without anyone noting. Yet another reason why baseball is unique, and therefore, superior to all other pastimes on earth.