That's right. On my radio show today, I bet $1,000 that electing Deval Patrick governor guarantees higher taxes in Masssachusetts.

Here's the bet: If Deval Patrick doesn't raise my Massachusetts state taxes (not local ones--this isn't a trick or a trap) within two years of taking office, I will write a $1,000 check in Mr. Patrick's name to the Fisher House Foundation.

Now, I don't know about you, but for me, $1,000 is a lot of money. But I won't lose a minute of sleep over this bet, because I've got science on my side. Surely you've seen this equation before:

Liberal legislature + Liberal governor= Higher taxes.

Bet? No way! It's a sure thing.

Check out www.bostonbubble.com, and you'll see that the news on the housing market--in the short term anyway, isn't good. For example:

• Boston has been ranked the #1 most vulnerable housing market for potential price declines by Kiplinger's Personal Finance and the PMI Group.
• The Wall Street Journal has identified Boston as one of the metropolitan areas in the US where it is cheaper to rent than to buy. Their data goes from 2001, when it was already cheaper to rent, to 2004 when the difference was even more pronounced.
• Consumer Reports has rated real estate in the Boston market as "Overpriced" and pegged it at 24% over the affordable price as of Q4 2004.

My question: Deval Patrick, what are you going to do to solve this problem? So far, his plan is to solve the oversupply of housing by...building more government-subsidized housing! That'll do it!

...and when he didn't do it, according to Richard Miniter in the Wall Street Journal.

"If democratic reform efforts in Muslim majority nations progress over the next five years, political participation probably would drive a wedge between intransigent extremists and groups willing to use the political process to achieve their local objectives."--the National Intelligence Estimate.

Before you buy into the non-stop-repeated pseudo-journalism on the subject, please read the NIE for yourself. What you'll find is what common sense tells you:

A--There were terrorists before we took out Saddam, and if we'd left him alone, there would still be terrorists trying to kill us now. Only, they'd have a government and its intelligence agencies in Iraq ready to help out.

B--Some people are declaring jihad because we're in Iraq. But some of them would have declared jihad over Israel, or Lebanon or the an opera about Mohammad anyway. So we're not sure how many people joined Al Qaeda because we whacked Saddam (and I thought we all "knew" there's no connection between Saddam and Islamists in the first place?)

C-- Just as attacking Japan increased Japanese support for the empire, attacking Islamist terrorists causes some Muslims to rally 'round their cause. Also, NOT attacking them and letting them run wild causes some Muslims to support their cause. Also, supporting free speech, free press and rights for women and homosexuals causes some Muslims to support the Islamists. And the Bush-haters' solution to this is....?

UPDATE: Another highlight from the NIE: "Should jihadists leaving Iraq perceive themselves, and be perceived, to have failed, we judge fewer fighters will be inspired to carry on the fight.”

Is it just me, or does Deval look like he's been kidnapped by the "Laurel and Hardy Militia of Al Qaeda" and being forced to pose for this photo?

"I am not being coerced. I choose to convert of my own free will..."

One of the most reprehensible news stories I've read in a long time comes from Somerville, MA where US Army-trained doctor Mary Hanna is attempting to avoid the military service she agreed to give in exchange for a military-funded medical degree.

Getting out of something that you don't want to do--I get that. It's human nature (would you pay your credit card bills if you didn't have to?) It's the reason she offers that I find so profoundly offensive.

Hanna claims she's recently gone through a religious revival as a Coptic Orthodox Christian and providing care and comfort to an American soldier would violate her religious sensibilities.

This is a woman who, presumably, would provide medical care to rapists, child molesters, even terrorists at Guantanamo Bay. But an American soldier? Unclean. Beneath her. A violation of her principles.

Who wants to explain to her that the freedom to live by these principles comes from the barrel of a gun--a gun carried by an American soldier? Who wants to share with her what would happen in an Islamist country to a woman who wanted to go to medical school, become a doctor and treat (undressed!) soldiers alone in a hospital room?

The charitable argument is that Hanna is just a scam artist trying to get out of her deal to provide medical services to the Army in exchange for a free education. But what a disgusting, insulting argument to make.

Sadly, this anti-soldier, anti-US-military attitude is probably one she encounters on a regular basis as a war opponent in Somerville. It is possible to oppose the war in Iraq without loathing our soldiers.

But more and more liberals aren't even trying.

Notice how, when oil prices go up, gas prices go up. Gee, you don't think there's a relationship there, now do you?

For most of the past 20 years, oil and gas was a mediocre deal for investors. Notice how often it was LOSING money. If oil companies control the world, why would they choose to lose money?

Or maybe not.

Due to an email snafu on my end, I wasn't able to post any of your real-time emails during last night's debate. My sincere apologies.

However, the 96.9 listeners had some terrific comments, so I'm posting a few here for your review. To add your own, email michaelgraham@969fmtalk.com

SEAN: "Some people actually hate healey for being an elitist snob. my wife for instance. she hates what patrick stands for but closes her eyes."

SUSAN: "I think Christy should have run as a Republican. can you say Gov Patrick ???? OH God Help us. This state will get exactly what is deserves if we elect a left wing Clintonite like Patrick. Why doesn't someone ask the question why illegals can get subsidized housing, while American citizens are shut out of that housing. What a shame. Our citizenship means nothing anymore in this State."

CHRISTINE: "Healy-Mihos 2006? I don’t know, could be the winning ticket"

DEAN: "Kerry Healey, in this debate, came off a smug, arrogant, aloof and the queen of giggle. Kerry wouldn't even acknowledge Ms Ross which came off very bad. Deval seemed to start the 'can't we all get along, I agree with everyone' club. Christy Mihos, said 'illegal' and not "undocumented". Christy just got my vote!"

LORI: "What the heck is Ms. Healey talking about - budget surplus? If there is a surplus, obviously someone isn't managing the Commonwealth correctly - there should NOT be a surplus when there are still schools falling apart (literally - visit UMASS Boston!), whicle we are still paying tolls on roads long paid for, and certainly not when we need so much help with fighting the crimalien invasion."

CYNTHIA: "Considering it was 3 against 1, I think she held her own pretty well. What professional communicators need to understand is ...Have you ever seen 'Charlie Brown' when the teacher speaks and all you hear is, 'Whaw, whaw, whaw, whaw?' Well, people hear, 'whaw, whaw, whaw, against giving licenses to illegal aliens.' 'Whaw, whaw, whaw, roll back taxes,' etc."