Carl Wicklander

Carl Wicklander commented on the post, Bipartisan Group Introduces Telephone Records Protection Act, on the site ICON 4 days, 11 hours ago

It’s something I told my Republican friends when Bush was president: “You may trust this guy, but someday there will be a person in office you don’t trust and he’s going to have unbelievable power.” Not only that, […]

Carl Wicklander wrote a new post, Bipartisan Group Introduces Telephone Records Protection Act, on the site ICON 4 days, 15 hours ago

In reaction to the scandal that the U.S. Justice Department seized the phone records of Associated Press journalists, a small bipartisan group of legislators is attempting to rein in some of the excesses of […]

Carl Wicklander commented on the post, In Illinois, Concealed Carry Debate Bills Introduced, on the site ICON 5 days, 10 hours ago

Good catch. It’s fixed now. Thanks.

Carl Wicklander commented on the post, In Illinois, Concealed Carry Debate Bills Introduced, on the site ICON 5 days, 10 hours ago

Wires got crossed. It’s fixed now.

Carl Wicklander wrote a new post, In Illinois Concealed Carry Debate Bills Introduced, on the site ICON 5 days, 15 hours ago

With a deadline approaching in the Illinois concealed carry debate, legislation was introduced in the State Senate late last week. However, each side in the gun debate continues to show signs of […]

Carl Wicklander commented on the post, Socialists Find Fault with Obama Administration, on the site The Political Alternative 6 days, 3 hours ago

There have been plenty of reasons to oppose much of what Obama has done. It’s a pity so much of it has been rather silly.

Carl Wicklander commented on the post, Sen. Rand Paul Suggests Gun-Running From Benghazi, on the site ICON 1 week, 5 days ago

You’re absolutely right, Alex. I would have liked to see some discussion about Benghazi in the context of the whole Libyan intervention, which I was against. Instead, most of the criticism has been silly. I think […]

Carl Wicklander wrote a new post, Senator Rand Paul Suggests Gun-Running From Benghazi, on the site IVN 1 week, 6 days ago

After a week of testimony in Congress about the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya last September, Kentucky U.S. Senator Rand Paul suggested that the facility might have been an outpost for […]

Carl Wicklander wrote a new post, Sen. Rand Paul Suggests Gun-Running From Benghazi, on the site ICON 2 weeks ago

After a week of testimony in Congress about the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya last September, Kentucky US Senator Rand Paul suggested that the facility might have been an outpost for running […]

Carl Wicklander wrote a new post, Gov. Pat Quinn Calls for Illinois Gay Marriage Bill Passage, on the site ICON 2 weeks, 1 day ago

As the legislative session in Illinois nears its conclusion on May 31, several issues, including gay marriage, remain unresolved in the state. Now Governor Pat Quinn is directly calling on the legislature to […]

Carl Wicklander wrote a new post, Mark Sanford Wins Special Election, on the site ICON 2 weeks, 4 days ago

Mark Sanford wins the South Carolina special election and may have just pulled off one of the more remarkable political comebacks in recent memory – certainly the most bizarre. At 54-45, my prediction of a <a href="http://ivn.us/icon/2013/05/07/south-carolina-special-election-today/" […]

Carl Wicklander wrote a new post, South Carolina Special Election Today, on the site ICON 2 weeks, 4 days ago

It’s just about 4:00 pm Central Time and there are about two hours before the polls close in the South Carolina special election between Mark Sanford and Elizabeth Colbert Busch. It’s been one of the more […]

Carl Wicklander wrote a new post, Illinois Concealed Carry Debate Continues, on the site ICON 3 weeks ago

Approximately one month separates residents from the deadline that makes Illinois concealed carry a reality. Failure to meet this deadline and enact some form of concealed carry legislation will leave no […]

Carl Wicklander wrote a new post, South Carolina Nullification Bill Passes House, on the site ICON 3 weeks, 1 day ago

On Wednesday, the South Carolina House of Representatives passed a bill that would effectively make it a federal crime to enforce the Affordable Care Act within the Palmetto State. To supporters and opponents […]

Carl Wicklander commented on the post, Mark Sanford and Elizabeth Colbert Busch Debate at The Citadel, on the site ICON 3 weeks, 4 days ago

These were just my initial reactions to it – without a transcript or rewinding. But here’s a video of the whole thing:

Carl Wicklander wrote a new post, Mark Sanford and Elizabeth Colbert Busch Debate at The Citadel, on the site ICON 3 weeks, 5 days ago

In the only scheduled debate in the South Carolina first congressional district, Mark Sanford was pretty good, Elizabeth Colbert Busch wasn’t bad, and the blows they exchanged at The Citadel might indicate a […]

Carl Wicklander wrote a new post, Syrian Bishops Captive, Pressure Mounts for Release, on the site ICON 4 weeks ago

As the US and the West investigate claims that chemical weapons have been used in the Syrian civil war, both sides in the conflict are blaming the other for a recent abduction.

On Monday of last week, two […]

Carl Wicklander wrote a new post, Missouri Gun Control Nullification Bill Passes, on the site ICON 4 weeks, 1 day ago

As gun control legislation stalls in Washington DC, Missouri is taking matters into its own hands.

Known as the “Second Amendment Preservation Act,” House Bill 436 passed the Missouri House of […]

Carl Wicklander commented on the post, Republican Pollster Frank Luntz Secretly Taped, on the site ICON 4 weeks, 1 day ago

I used to watch some of his focus groups on Fox. Unbearable.

Carl Wicklander commented on the post, Republican Pollster Frank Luntz Secretly Taped, on the site ICON 4 weeks, 1 day ago

It’s still pretty popular with certain segments of the party. It’s entertainment, so there’s not much to gain from it substantively. But it’s also partly what got me interested in politics when I was a kid, so I […]

Carl Wicklander commented on the post, Republican Pollster Frank Luntz Secretly Taped, on the site ICON 4 weeks, 1 day ago

Ahh. Gotcha. Thanks.

Carl Wicklander wrote a new post, Republican Pollster Frank Luntz Secretly Taped, on the site ICON 1 month ago

On the secret recording of Republican pollster Frank Luntz criticizing conservative talk radio hosts at Penn University, Jeffrey Lord makes an unusual statement about their importance:

“For decades liberalism […]

Carl Wicklander wrote a new post, Rick Santorum Returns to Discredit Himself, on the site ICON 1 month ago

We’re not trying to turn IVN into the Rand Paul channel, but this comment about him from Rick Santorum in Tuesday’s Wall Street Journal bears comment:

“Rand Paul’s brand doesn’t line up with all of what our […]

Carl Wicklander commented on the post, Rand Paul Continues to Win Early Presidential Straw Polls, on the site Common Sense 1 month ago

It happens to the best of us :)

Carl Wicklander commented on the post, Rand Paul Continues to Win Early Presidential Straw Polls, on the site Common Sense 1 month ago

I tried sending a message, to no avail, but I thought I’d bring up a couple things: Rand Paul had an ophthalmology practice, not dental. And his primary opponent was Trey Grayson, not Tray.

But just for […]

Carl Wicklander commented on the post, Trespassing and Mark Sanford’s Chances, on the site ICON 1 month ago

Well, you probably don’t take out a 1000 word ad unless you need to. As for the reason why you need it . . . you’re right, not good.

Carl Wicklander commented on the post, Trespassing and Mark Sanford’s Chances, on the site ICON 1 month ago

That could be true about Sanford’s chances. In the US sometimes marital scandals hurt politicians and sometimes they don’t. If the wife stands by the husband, he usually survives. That’s obviously not the case […]

Carl Wicklander wrote a new post, Trespassing and Mark Sanford’s Chances, on the site ICON 1 month ago

As Eric Robinson reported on the main site, the GOP is bailing on Mark Sanford:

“On April 17, the National Republican Congressional Committee decided to stop funding the campaign of former Governor Mark […]

Carl Wicklander wrote a new post, Two Bills Rejected in Illinois Concealed Carry Debate, on the site ICON 1 month ago

With an Illinois concealed carry deadline of June 9 approaching, supporters on both sides of the issue experienced setbacks this week.

On Wednesday, the House rejected a strict proposal on concealed […]

Carl Wicklander commented on the post, Sen Lindsey Graham Twitter Comments Stir Controversy, on the site ICON 1 month ago

Absolutely. During the Bush years I heard from many that terrorist suspects didn’t get constitutional rights because they weren’t American, so they weren’t entitled to them. Well, unless we believe rights come […]

Carl Wicklander commented on the post, After Years of Infighting, an Attempt to Unify the Right, on the site The Political Alternative 1 month ago

That’s definitely true about social liberalism. Opens borders is another area that seems to be preventing an alliance between libertarians and the paleocon right.

Going third party in 2000 marginalized […]

Carl Wicklander commented on the post, After Years of Infighting, an Attempt to Unify the Right, on the site The Political Alternative 1 month ago

There aren’t too many paleoconservatives left – and that’s too bad. Most of Pat Buchanan’s supporters seem to have drifted back into the GOP fold and most of the rest of what I call the “dissident right” fight […]

Carl Wicklander wrote a new post, Sen Lindsey Graham Twitter Comments Stir Controversy, on the site ICON 1 month ago

(Credit: fitsnews.com)[/caption]

In the hunt to capture of one of the suspects in Monday’s Boston Marathon bombings, South Carolina US Senator Lindsey Graham said on Twitter on Friday, “The last thing we may […]

Carl Wicklander commented on the post, Faulty Reasoning and Emotionalism and the Boston Bombing, on the site ICON 1 month, 1 week ago

You’re right about that, Chad. Sometimes I just can’t stop myself from listening – even if it’s just to deconstruct what he says. Of course, it doesn’t help that I have friends and family who still listen to him!

Carl Wicklander wrote a new post, Faulty Reasoning and Emotionalism and the Boston Bombing, on the site ICON 1 month, 1 week ago

I’ve tried to avoid commenting on the Boston Marathon bombing. Over at Slate, Jillian Rayfield has compiled a list of ill-advised tweets from bloggers, columnists, reporters from left to right. I have my own […]

Carl Wicklander commented on the post, Libertarians have to be principled politicians, on the site Liberty 21 1 month, 1 week ago

Rand Paul tends to avoid the libertarian label. I suspect it’s because people usually associate it with “isolationism,” drug legalization, and other caricatures. He’s done a fairly good job of bringing some […]

Carl Wicklander wrote a new post, Little Progress Made Before Illinois Concealed Carry Deadline, on the site ICON 1 month, 1 week ago

(Credit: Chicago Tribune)[/caption]

As the US continues debating gun control on a national level, Illinois faces an approaching deadline on its own gun policy.

Last December, a US Circuit Court struck down […]

Carl Wicklander wrote a new post, Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity Announced, on the site ICON 1 month, 1 week ago

(Credit: Gage Skidmore)[/caption]

Next Wednesday, former Texas US Rep. Ron Paul will formally announce the creation of a new foreign policy think tank. It will be called the Ron Paul Institute for Peace and […]

Carl Wicklander commented on the post, Robert V Remini (1921-2013), RIP, on the site ICON 1 month, 2 weeks ago

Most of his books were in the 500+ page range, but this was a good, fairly brief intro to Jackson:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060801328/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller=

Carl Wicklander wrote a new post, Robert V Remini (1921-2013), RIP, on the site ICON 1 month, 2 weeks ago

This is actually several days old, but the well-known chronicler of Jacksonian America, who wrote into his late eighties, has died:

“Robert V. Remini, an admired historian best known for his study of Andrew […]

Carl Wicklander commented on the post, In CBN Interview Rand Paul Talks Marriage, Federalism, on the site ICON 1 month, 2 weeks ago

It makes sense strategically. He can be for traditional marriage while allowing other states to permit gay marriage. It’ll be unsatisfactory for people who want nationwide acceptance of gay marriage or a full-on […]

Carl Wicklander commented on the post, In CBN Interview Rand Paul Talks Marriage, Federalism, on the site ICON 1 month, 2 weeks ago

Fair enough, but I know plenty of religious right voters who consider anything besides the one-size-fits-all-300-million social policy to be a sell-out to secularists, liberals, etc.

Carl Wicklander wrote a new post, Rand Paul Makes The Case for Federalism in Marriage Debate, on the site IVN 1 month, 2 weeks ago

As the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and gay marriage are debated before the US Supreme Court, an increasing number of politicians from both parties are shifting their positions on the issue.

Moderate […]

Carl Wicklander wrote a new post, In CBN Interview Rand Paul Talks Marriage, Federalism, on the site ICON 1 month, 2 weeks ago

As the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and gay marriage are debated before the US Supreme Court, an increasing number of politicians from both parties are shifting their positions on the issue.

Moderate […]

Carl Wicklander wrote a new post, South Carolina Special Election Centers on Jobs, Economy, on the site ICON 1 month, 2 weeks ago

(Credit: fitsnews.com)[/caption]

With the appointment of Tim Scott to the US Senate by Governor Nikki Haley, the first congressional district Scott was serving, became an open seat and a South Carolina special […]

Carl Wicklander commented on the post, US Rep. Justin Amash Foreign Policy Discussion with Reason, on the site ICON 1 month, 3 weeks ago

Or to make it slightly less wordy – what Amash said on Syria corresponds with the way the GOP should be redefining itself.

Carl Wicklander commented on the post, US Rep. Justin Amash Foreign Policy Discussion with Reason, on the site ICON 1 month, 3 weeks ago

Of course.

Some Republicans were (and are) suggesting arming the rebels. In the context of this piece, the GOP is defined as a party that resorts to reflexive interventionism and Amash’s answer is one that the […]

Carl Wicklander wrote a new post, US Rep. Justin Amash Foreign Policy Discussion with Reason, on the site ICON 1 month, 3 weeks ago

(Credit: Gage Skidmore)[/caption]

Continuing the earlier discussion of US Rep. Justin Amash, the congressman also recently sat down for a lengthy interview with Reason.

Talking with editor Nick Gillespie […]

Carl Wicklander commented on the post, Tensions with North Korea Escalate, on the site IVN Editors' Blog 1 month, 3 weeks ago

It’s gotten Kim Jong Un what he wants: attention.

Carl Wicklander wrote a new post, Is Justin Amash the Next Ron Paul?, on the site IVN 1 month, 3 weeks ago

(Credit: Gage Skidmore)[/caption]

At the top of Politico on Monday was a story with the title “Justin Amash: The House’s New Ron Paul.” It is a short summary of the Michigan representative’s career, the “<a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2012/12/house-leaders-make-examples-of-obstinate-members-85034.html?ml=po_r" […]

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