Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Haditha – Some perspective
-By Warner Todd Huston
The media spins up for an attack swarm against the US military…
By now I am sure you have heard of this incident between US Marines and Iraqi civilians in Haditha? It absolutely must be foremost in our minds that all the facts are not in. Still, the MSM are falling all over themselves saying that, when one of their own was killed by an IED and several more were injured, a squad of Marines lost their collective minds and murdered some two dozen Iraqi civilians.
If this really happened it is a horrible incident. It just should never have happened. And, further, those who did this deed will be tried and punished appropriately if found guilty. It is a black mark on the Marines and the USA. The criminality of this incident must not be diminished.
But, even if true, it is just one of some very few such incidents in this war. However, while regrettable, shameful even, it just cannot be said that this incident is indicative of a general US policy in Iraq. Nor can it be said to represent any kind of policy of the US military historically.
We need some perspective here that is lacking with what we are getting from the instant, faux media outrage storm that is building. We need to look at the totality of our conduct in Iraq instead of focusing on one or two incidents. And we also need to understand the nature of war, the general youth of the soldiers we send into them, and the history of other such outrages and their frequency in other wars to properly assess this incident and put it in its proper context.
It must be recognized that, for the great preponderance of our military personnel, their conduct is and always has been exemplary. We do not have day after day of such outrages being reported not have we in the past. In fact, we only have Abu Ghraib and Haditha to point to as such breaches of discipline and conduct to date in Iraq. Certainly there have been other lesser such breaches, to be sure, but these two have grabbed the most attention. As a direct policy, though, our military has gone out of its way to try and make “collateral damage” as little as possible, more so than any other force in history.
While awaiting the investigation of this particular incident, we need to remember that our troops have been in Iraq every hour of every day for over three years. And in all that time, with the many thousands of troops we have there, very few such incidents have occurred. It is often difficult for our troops to tell the good guys from the bad in a situation such as Iraq where insurgents might so easily pass unnoticed among the common people walking the streets. This makes for a soldiery that is constantly on edge, wondering when that next passerby might conceal a bomb under his garments or worrying that the next truck ride they take could end in a fiery explosion from an IED. The tension is ever present.
The personal reactions of our men aside, one can also not legitimately say that winking and nodding at such conduct is institutional US military policy nor can we go further and say it is any kind of direct policy to abuse and torture Iraqi civilians.
The conduct of our troops has sometimes been bad in past wars, to be sure. During the Civil War the US Army mistreated Southern civilians by the thousands, their property destroyed wantonly, many imprisoned with but the least suspicion. In the Philippines during the Spanish American war we treated the Moros horribly, torture was sometimes used against them. There is a story of American troops raping a concentration camp victim in WWII. In both Korea and Vietnam, civilians were sometimes badly mistreated, even killed, by American troops suspicious of their loyalty to the enemy. There are many, many recent stories of soldiers mistreating woman of the countries in which they were stationed, as well.
But all this can be said of soldiers of other countries, in other wars, in other eras. But for Americans, such incidents are rarely perpetrated by more than a small group of soldiers, or even single soldier, proving that it is hardly possible to considered such conduct military policy.
Additionally, since the dawning of the 20th century, the US military has professionalized itself until it is one of the few armed forces that so polices its own, ferrets out the guilty, and prosecutes them. We treat these incidents with far more gravity than any other force in history, even up to today.
By contrast, we can see more incidents from other countries than we could ever read through of whole armies acting like maddened animals with the governments those armies represent approving of their conduct. The Rape of NanKing in the 1930s where Japanese soldiers killed thousands of civilians, many who were raped first before being hacked to death with swords is an example the likes of which one can find few parallels in American history. Today the situation in the Sudan can also be seen as such an example of a government sponsoring the type of mass murder not to be seen from American troops. Not to mention the murder factories created by the Nazis in WWII, or even Saddam Hussein of the 80s and 90s. Who remembers the how badly the Armenians were treated by the Ottoman Turks when the Turks massacred upwards to 400,000 in the early part of last century? We can even go so far back as to remember the many Scots that were murdered by English invaders in quelling Scotland for the British Empire, or what happened in India perpetrated by the English, for that matter. Even the French have a few things to be ashamed of from WWII, Vietnam and the Ivory Coast today.
In any case, there is no need to belabor the point to show that government sponsored massacres in huge dimensions are commonplace in man’s harsh history from the earliest days right up to the present. But, the United States has but one incident of government-sponsored abuse and that was in the horrible way in which we treated our own indigenous peoples in the 1800s. The point is, saving for one horrible policy, it has not been a general American policy to mistreat civilians in time of war, especially civilians of other countries. We just don’t have that history and do not constantly ignore abuse as is the habit of so many other military forces and governments the world over.
American policymakers have always been highly cognizant of treating foreign civilians with respect. It has not been a general US policy to mistreat anyone. Yes incidents have happened as they have with every other army in all times in history but it just cannot be legitimately said that it is somehow a common US policy to mistreat our hosts when comparing our conduct to that of the rest of the world.
As they say, “Context is king.”
One more thing must be remembered and taken into account when considering such incidents. We are sending thousands of young men, and now women, too, into situations where only the most mature and level headed person could easily endure and forever keep their cool. Many of these troops are in their 20’s and have not had the time to grow mature in years or outlook. One cannot expect many thousands of 20 year-olds to conduct themselves like mature 40 year-olds all the time when placed in the harrowing and taxing situations in which they are placed. Sometimes these young people are going to make some bad decisions. Sometimes things will go awry. It is simply bound to happen. They are just humans after all.
The duty of the Armed forces is to train these men to understand the situations they are going to face. They are to explain to the troops how to handle themselves and what is expected of them. If a soldier should violate that duty, that trust, he will be punished appropriately and should be made aware of his fate should he so badly fail.
Yes, we should hold these incidents as horrible occasions, as a breach of the faith we place in those particular men that perpetrated them. But to transfer the guilt of a few to the whole of our armed forces as the left and the MSM wish to do? Well, that violates our own duty to support our troops as well as simple common sense.
The media spins up for an attack swarm against the US military…
By now I am sure you have heard of this incident between US Marines and Iraqi civilians in Haditha? It absolutely must be foremost in our minds that all the facts are not in. Still, the MSM are falling all over themselves saying that, when one of their own was killed by an IED and several more were injured, a squad of Marines lost their collective minds and murdered some two dozen Iraqi civilians.
If this really happened it is a horrible incident. It just should never have happened. And, further, those who did this deed will be tried and punished appropriately if found guilty. It is a black mark on the Marines and the USA. The criminality of this incident must not be diminished.
But, even if true, it is just one of some very few such incidents in this war. However, while regrettable, shameful even, it just cannot be said that this incident is indicative of a general US policy in Iraq. Nor can it be said to represent any kind of policy of the US military historically.
We need some perspective here that is lacking with what we are getting from the instant, faux media outrage storm that is building. We need to look at the totality of our conduct in Iraq instead of focusing on one or two incidents. And we also need to understand the nature of war, the general youth of the soldiers we send into them, and the history of other such outrages and their frequency in other wars to properly assess this incident and put it in its proper context.
It must be recognized that, for the great preponderance of our military personnel, their conduct is and always has been exemplary. We do not have day after day of such outrages being reported not have we in the past. In fact, we only have Abu Ghraib and Haditha to point to as such breaches of discipline and conduct to date in Iraq. Certainly there have been other lesser such breaches, to be sure, but these two have grabbed the most attention. As a direct policy, though, our military has gone out of its way to try and make “collateral damage” as little as possible, more so than any other force in history.
While awaiting the investigation of this particular incident, we need to remember that our troops have been in Iraq every hour of every day for over three years. And in all that time, with the many thousands of troops we have there, very few such incidents have occurred. It is often difficult for our troops to tell the good guys from the bad in a situation such as Iraq where insurgents might so easily pass unnoticed among the common people walking the streets. This makes for a soldiery that is constantly on edge, wondering when that next passerby might conceal a bomb under his garments or worrying that the next truck ride they take could end in a fiery explosion from an IED. The tension is ever present.
The personal reactions of our men aside, one can also not legitimately say that winking and nodding at such conduct is institutional US military policy nor can we go further and say it is any kind of direct policy to abuse and torture Iraqi civilians.
The conduct of our troops has sometimes been bad in past wars, to be sure. During the Civil War the US Army mistreated Southern civilians by the thousands, their property destroyed wantonly, many imprisoned with but the least suspicion. In the Philippines during the Spanish American war we treated the Moros horribly, torture was sometimes used against them. There is a story of American troops raping a concentration camp victim in WWII. In both Korea and Vietnam, civilians were sometimes badly mistreated, even killed, by American troops suspicious of their loyalty to the enemy. There are many, many recent stories of soldiers mistreating woman of the countries in which they were stationed, as well.
But all this can be said of soldiers of other countries, in other wars, in other eras. But for Americans, such incidents are rarely perpetrated by more than a small group of soldiers, or even single soldier, proving that it is hardly possible to considered such conduct military policy.
Additionally, since the dawning of the 20th century, the US military has professionalized itself until it is one of the few armed forces that so polices its own, ferrets out the guilty, and prosecutes them. We treat these incidents with far more gravity than any other force in history, even up to today.
By contrast, we can see more incidents from other countries than we could ever read through of whole armies acting like maddened animals with the governments those armies represent approving of their conduct. The Rape of NanKing in the 1930s where Japanese soldiers killed thousands of civilians, many who were raped first before being hacked to death with swords is an example the likes of which one can find few parallels in American history. Today the situation in the Sudan can also be seen as such an example of a government sponsoring the type of mass murder not to be seen from American troops. Not to mention the murder factories created by the Nazis in WWII, or even Saddam Hussein of the 80s and 90s. Who remembers the how badly the Armenians were treated by the Ottoman Turks when the Turks massacred upwards to 400,000 in the early part of last century? We can even go so far back as to remember the many Scots that were murdered by English invaders in quelling Scotland for the British Empire, or what happened in India perpetrated by the English, for that matter. Even the French have a few things to be ashamed of from WWII, Vietnam and the Ivory Coast today.
In any case, there is no need to belabor the point to show that government sponsored massacres in huge dimensions are commonplace in man’s harsh history from the earliest days right up to the present. But, the United States has but one incident of government-sponsored abuse and that was in the horrible way in which we treated our own indigenous peoples in the 1800s. The point is, saving for one horrible policy, it has not been a general American policy to mistreat civilians in time of war, especially civilians of other countries. We just don’t have that history and do not constantly ignore abuse as is the habit of so many other military forces and governments the world over.
American policymakers have always been highly cognizant of treating foreign civilians with respect. It has not been a general US policy to mistreat anyone. Yes incidents have happened as they have with every other army in all times in history but it just cannot be legitimately said that it is somehow a common US policy to mistreat our hosts when comparing our conduct to that of the rest of the world.
As they say, “Context is king.”
One more thing must be remembered and taken into account when considering such incidents. We are sending thousands of young men, and now women, too, into situations where only the most mature and level headed person could easily endure and forever keep their cool. Many of these troops are in their 20’s and have not had the time to grow mature in years or outlook. One cannot expect many thousands of 20 year-olds to conduct themselves like mature 40 year-olds all the time when placed in the harrowing and taxing situations in which they are placed. Sometimes these young people are going to make some bad decisions. Sometimes things will go awry. It is simply bound to happen. They are just humans after all.
The duty of the Armed forces is to train these men to understand the situations they are going to face. They are to explain to the troops how to handle themselves and what is expected of them. If a soldier should violate that duty, that trust, he will be punished appropriately and should be made aware of his fate should he so badly fail.
Yes, we should hold these incidents as horrible occasions, as a breach of the faith we place in those particular men that perpetrated them. But to transfer the guilt of a few to the whole of our armed forces as the left and the MSM wish to do? Well, that violates our own duty to support our troops as well as simple common sense.
Reagan's Children Rising
- By Hans Zeiger
Note: The following commentary is adapted from "Reagan's Children: Taking Back the City on the Hill" by Hans Zeiger (Broadman and Holman, 2006). Used by permission.
"Conservative youth" was once considered an oxymoron. The British Social Attitudes Survey published in 2004 demonstrated that young Brits born around the time of Margaret Thatcher's conservative term as prime minister are personally conservative. They side with their parents on many issues, causing the Guardian to declare that "the age of teenage rebellion is over" in its Dec. 7, 2004, issue. The British press calls them "Thatcher's Children."
"Thatcher's Children" was coined to describe England's economically conservative young people. The Adam Smith Institute polled British youth that were between the ages of 16 and 21 at the turn of the millennium. According to Grover Norquist in the May 1999 issue of American Spectator, 48 percent of British respondents declared a desire to own a business, while only 1 percent admitted a desire to work in local government or civil service. While only 7 percent of young Britons say that a background of privilege is the measure of success, 72 percent say that individual determination is essential. Clearly, Margaret Thatcher's drive for deregulation, lower taxes and smaller government paid off in the political and economic views of young Brits...............
Click HERE To Read On
Note: The following commentary is adapted from "Reagan's Children: Taking Back the City on the Hill" by Hans Zeiger (Broadman and Holman, 2006). Used by permission.
"Conservative youth" was once considered an oxymoron. The British Social Attitudes Survey published in 2004 demonstrated that young Brits born around the time of Margaret Thatcher's conservative term as prime minister are personally conservative. They side with their parents on many issues, causing the Guardian to declare that "the age of teenage rebellion is over" in its Dec. 7, 2004, issue. The British press calls them "Thatcher's Children."
"Thatcher's Children" was coined to describe England's economically conservative young people. The Adam Smith Institute polled British youth that were between the ages of 16 and 21 at the turn of the millennium. According to Grover Norquist in the May 1999 issue of American Spectator, 48 percent of British respondents declared a desire to own a business, while only 1 percent admitted a desire to work in local government or civil service. While only 7 percent of young Britons say that a background of privilege is the measure of success, 72 percent say that individual determination is essential. Clearly, Margaret Thatcher's drive for deregulation, lower taxes and smaller government paid off in the political and economic views of young Brits...............
Click HERE To Read On
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Oh, and Some Soldier Died, Too! - NY Times And CBS Journalists Hurt in Iraq
By Warner Todd Huston
Anyone who pays even scant attention to the news cannot have helped but see that CBS news correspondent, Kimberly Dozier, was severely injured by one of those insidious IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) that have been responsible for so many of the casualties to coalition forces and common Iraqi citizens in Iraq over the last few years.
Ms. Dozier is certainly brave enough for taking the call to go to Iraq and attempt to learn what it is like there and to file her stories from that turbulent region. There is certainly no reason to laugh at her injuries. It is also sad that members of her news crew were killed by the same explosion. We see the names of those men in every report about this incident. Cameraman, Paul Douglas, and sound man, James Brolan, lost their lives in pursuit of the story that day. Brave souls all, regardless whether you think their work is ultimately good or bad.
But, here is the problem that I have with the reports of this incident...
We are deluged with the media falling all over itself to tell us the names of these fallen reporters (whom they invariably treat as "heroes"), we are regaled on how more reporters have died in Iraq than any other conflict. We've been treated to a nice bio of Dozier, Brolan and Douglas with every report.
OK. That's fine, such as it is.
But here is how reporter Christine Hauser from the New York Times described this incident half way through her story: (For story Click here)
Notice those last 10 words?
The treatment of this story smacks of self-indulgence, reeks of the media making the story about THEMSELVES instead of the conflict. And notice that we get no glowing bio of this unnamed American soldier and faceless Iraqi interpreter?
To the NY Times, it's all about the media. But, the NYT isn't unusual with this incident. Nearly every MSM outlet, print or electronic, are treating the story the same way. Many of the stories don't even bother to mention the soldier or the Iraqi who died, much less give their names.
No, it's one big pity party for the Media. Those poor, poor heroes in the media. They are dying when all they want to do is bring us the story. Giving their lives so that we might be "informed".
...Oh, and some soldier died, too.
They sure make it hard to to feel sorry for them!
Anyone who pays even scant attention to the news cannot have helped but see that CBS news correspondent, Kimberly Dozier, was severely injured by one of those insidious IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) that have been responsible for so many of the casualties to coalition forces and common Iraqi citizens in Iraq over the last few years.
Ms. Dozier is certainly brave enough for taking the call to go to Iraq and attempt to learn what it is like there and to file her stories from that turbulent region. There is certainly no reason to laugh at her injuries. It is also sad that members of her news crew were killed by the same explosion. We see the names of those men in every report about this incident. Cameraman, Paul Douglas, and sound man, James Brolan, lost their lives in pursuit of the story that day. Brave souls all, regardless whether you think their work is ultimately good or bad.
But, here is the problem that I have with the reports of this incident...
We are deluged with the media falling all over itself to tell us the names of these fallen reporters (whom they invariably treat as "heroes"), we are regaled on how more reporters have died in Iraq than any other conflict. We've been treated to a nice bio of Dozier, Brolan and Douglas with every report.
OK. That's fine, such as it is.
But here is how reporter Christine Hauser from the New York Times described this incident half way through her story: (For story Click here)
"The three members of the CBS team had stepped out of their armored Humvee to accompany troops inspecting a checkpoint manned by the Iraqi Army, a report on the CBS News Web site said today. They were wearing protective glasses, flak vests, and helmets when the bomb went off, killing the two CBS journalists at the scene as well as an American soldier and an Iraqi interpreter."
Notice those last 10 words?
"...as well as an American soldier and an Iraqi interpreter."
The treatment of this story smacks of self-indulgence, reeks of the media making the story about THEMSELVES instead of the conflict. And notice that we get no glowing bio of this unnamed American soldier and faceless Iraqi interpreter?
To the NY Times, it's all about the media. But, the NYT isn't unusual with this incident. Nearly every MSM outlet, print or electronic, are treating the story the same way. Many of the stories don't even bother to mention the soldier or the Iraqi who died, much less give their names.
No, it's one big pity party for the Media. Those poor, poor heroes in the media. They are dying when all they want to do is bring us the story. Giving their lives so that we might be "informed".
...Oh, and some soldier died, too.
They sure make it hard to to feel sorry for them!
The Absurdity of Fear
- By Greg Stewart
According to The Heritage Foundation, by the end of 20 years, the senate bill, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act (CIRA, S. 2611), could possibly allow an “estimated 103 million persons to immigrate over the next 20 years—fully one-third of the current US population.” In other words, on the average, averaged per year, 5 million legal immigrants would be crashing through gates, in this case, borders of America.
These numbers are astounding; even frightening; until one realizes their absurdity. The Heritage Foundation report by Robert Rector boldly titled, “Senate Immigration Bill Would Allow 100 million New Legal Immigrants over the Next Twenty Years” is nothing more than tilted political spin, filled with supposition, extending the worse case scenarios, and playing on the fears of Americans................
Click HERE To Read On
6,500,000,000 (rounded) World Population
1,313,000,000 billion (rounded) China
1,089,000,000 billion (rounded) India
107,000,000 million (rounded) Mexico
298,000,000 million (rounded) USA
456,000,000 million (rounded) EU
____________________________
3,263,000,000 billion (rounded)
The Heritage Foundation
The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act (CIRA, S. 2611) would be the most dramatic change in immigration law in 80 years, allowing an estimated 103 million persons to legally immigrate to the US over the next 20 years—fully one-third of the current population of the United States.
According to The Heritage Foundation, by the end of 20 years, the senate bill, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act (CIRA, S. 2611), could possibly allow an “estimated 103 million persons to immigrate over the next 20 years—fully one-third of the current US population.” In other words, on the average, averaged per year, 5 million legal immigrants would be crashing through gates, in this case, borders of America.
These numbers are astounding; even frightening; until one realizes their absurdity. The Heritage Foundation report by Robert Rector boldly titled, “Senate Immigration Bill Would Allow 100 million New Legal Immigrants over the Next Twenty Years” is nothing more than tilted political spin, filled with supposition, extending the worse case scenarios, and playing on the fears of Americans................
Click HERE To Read On
Monday, May 29, 2006
Google Ignores Memorial Day
By Warner Todd Huston
This from one of the websites I am a contributor to:
Obviously what we have with Google now is that they have let their 'power" get to their heads. Instead of being the information service they started out to be, they have decided that they should mold content to teach all us idiots on da web who r too stoopid 2 kno what it good and what is bad!
Like the Mainstream Media they have gone from mere reporters, mere chroniclers to activists with the elimination of conservative sites and now deciding not to celebrate our armed forces as the fruits of their turn.
I am about fed up with these jerks!
This from one of the websites I am a contributor to:
NewsBusters reader Mr. Snuggles has pointed out something conspicuously absent from Google’s various pages today – any reference to Memorial Day.(For link:click here)
I’m sure most Googlers are extremely aware of how Google will dress up its logo at its web search or news pages in honor of holidays or special occasions. Google has been known to do this on Halloween, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, etc. In fact, here is a display of all the Google holiday logos so far this year, and since 1999. You’ll even find that Google celebrated Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s birthday just a week ago. For those scratching their heads, he created Sherlock Holmes.
Yet, if you go to Google’s home page here, or its news page here, you will see nothing commemorating today’s national holiday. By contrast, Google did honor the Persian New Year on March 21, as well as Louis Braille’s birthday on January 4.
Furthermore, if you go back through the Google archives, you'll find that, although it has over the years commemorated Shichi-go-san being celebrated in Japan, Bastille Day in France, and Korean Liberation Day, it appears that Google has never dressed up its logo for Memorial Day.
Why might that be?
Obviously what we have with Google now is that they have let their 'power" get to their heads. Instead of being the information service they started out to be, they have decided that they should mold content to teach all us idiots on da web who r too stoopid 2 kno what it good and what is bad!
Like the Mainstream Media they have gone from mere reporters, mere chroniclers to activists with the elimination of conservative sites and now deciding not to celebrate our armed forces as the fruits of their turn.
I am about fed up with these jerks!
Babies aborted for not being perfect in Britain
-By Warner Todd Huston
And here is the problem that I have with abortion on demand, or a nation that makes itself too used to abortions being carried out.
This from the Daily Mail...
(See story:Click here)
The issue becomes that when a country is so inured to abortion, when it becomes so common that it elicits no notice, it will inevitably become used in situations where it should not be used. It becomes killing a baby merely for convenience with no medical justification. This leads to a coarsening of society and causes its members to get more selfish with each succeeding generation.
Who needs the sacrifice of having a child? Who needs to be responsible with your sexual practices? Just rip the thing out of your gut and go on your merry way!
This will also occur with rampant euthanasia. The more we get used to killing those useless old people, the easier it will be to keep expanding the definition of "useless" to fit anyone we want it to fit.
There was a Harvard "professor" (who's name I will not use. He does not deserve the respect) who posited that there is no reason why abortion should be kept to before the third trimester. In fact, he said we should be allowed to kill our children up until they are able to talk because before that they aren't really "human" anyway. He also said we should kill any old person who just isn't living "well" enough to suit him. This is where unthinking abortion and Euthanasia WILL lead. Life will simply be unimportant.
And one more thing is disturbing about this story. In England they have nationalized medicine. That means the government there is responsible for all these needless and immoral abortions because the Doctors work for the government.
I don't know about you, but I do not want the government deciding who should live and who should die.
And here is the problem that I have with abortion on demand, or a nation that makes itself too used to abortions being carried out.
This from the Daily Mail...
The ethical storm over abortions has been renewed as it emerged that terminations are being carried out for minor, treatable birth defects.
Late terminations have been performed in recent years because the babies had club feet, official figures show.
Babies are being aborted with only minor defects.
Other babies were destroyed because they had webbed fingers or extra digits.
Such defects can often be corrected with a simple operation or physiotherapy.
(See story:Click here)
The issue becomes that when a country is so inured to abortion, when it becomes so common that it elicits no notice, it will inevitably become used in situations where it should not be used. It becomes killing a baby merely for convenience with no medical justification. This leads to a coarsening of society and causes its members to get more selfish with each succeeding generation.
Who needs the sacrifice of having a child? Who needs to be responsible with your sexual practices? Just rip the thing out of your gut and go on your merry way!
This will also occur with rampant euthanasia. The more we get used to killing those useless old people, the easier it will be to keep expanding the definition of "useless" to fit anyone we want it to fit.
There was a Harvard "professor" (who's name I will not use. He does not deserve the respect) who posited that there is no reason why abortion should be kept to before the third trimester. In fact, he said we should be allowed to kill our children up until they are able to talk because before that they aren't really "human" anyway. He also said we should kill any old person who just isn't living "well" enough to suit him. This is where unthinking abortion and Euthanasia WILL lead. Life will simply be unimportant.
And one more thing is disturbing about this story. In England they have nationalized medicine. That means the government there is responsible for all these needless and immoral abortions because the Doctors work for the government.
I don't know about you, but I do not want the government deciding who should live and who should die.
Remember our Trops - Memorial day 2006
L.A. Times- In English, But Still Unintelligible
- By Warner Todd Huston
On May 24th, the L.A. Times printed the oddest Opinion Editorial on the subject of making English the national language. "American Spoken Here" was written by David Eggenschwiler, professor emeritus of English at USC, but I defy anyone to tell me what the thing was really about? (For article Click here)
For a professor of English, Eggenschwiler didn't express himself very well, it's sad to say, and after reading -- and re-reading -- the good Professor's piece I was struck by the fact that it isn't clear at all what he was on about. I suppose, though, that one might be a fine professor of English yet still not be much of a creative writer. At least, I hope that this is possible. In any case, it is hard to decipher if he was being sarcastic, sincere or jocular.
One thing was clearly discernible, though. It is obvious that Eggenschwiler feels patriotism equates to ignorance.
"Ignorance is not only bliss but also patriotism", Eggenschwiler clumsily wrote after recounting a meeting with a student who complained that a novel had too many foreign words contained in the text for her to understand the story. This aside of his seemed gratuitous, as well....................................
Click HERE To Read On
On May 24th, the L.A. Times printed the oddest Opinion Editorial on the subject of making English the national language. "American Spoken Here" was written by David Eggenschwiler, professor emeritus of English at USC, but I defy anyone to tell me what the thing was really about? (For article Click here)
For a professor of English, Eggenschwiler didn't express himself very well, it's sad to say, and after reading -- and re-reading -- the good Professor's piece I was struck by the fact that it isn't clear at all what he was on about. I suppose, though, that one might be a fine professor of English yet still not be much of a creative writer. At least, I hope that this is possible. In any case, it is hard to decipher if he was being sarcastic, sincere or jocular.
One thing was clearly discernible, though. It is obvious that Eggenschwiler feels patriotism equates to ignorance.
"Ignorance is not only bliss but also patriotism", Eggenschwiler clumsily wrote after recounting a meeting with a student who complained that a novel had too many foreign words contained in the text for her to understand the story. This aside of his seemed gratuitous, as well....................................
Click HERE To Read On
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Bush Mean to Christians, Says Le Figaro, France
-By Warner Todd Huston
In another episode of "Why the French are Always Wrong", Le Figaro newspaper has published its latest example of how clueless the French are where it concerns what is going on in the world and why it is going on. (See article by Clicking Here)
In an editorial by Pierre Rousselin, titled "Christians Flee the East in Wake of Bush's 'Crusade' ", we are treated to an analysis of how George W. Bush is ruining the lives of Christians in the east with his evil "crusade" against Islam.
Need I say not a word against Islam is mentioned in this editorial? I didn't think that would surprise anyone.
What is amazing about this editorial, though, is the vacuum in which the discomfort of eastern Christians is discussed. It is as if, as far as Rousselin is concerned, there is only one reason, one root cause of this exodus of eastern Christians; George W. Bush.
In fact, the editorial goes so far as to say that the Christians had it good in Iraq under Saddam's brutal regime. Rousselin celebrates how "Christians in Iraq were treated no worse than anyone else" and that they could practice their religion "without fear".
"Treated no worse"? That has the ring of absurdity but should cause, instead, high dudgeon. No worse? How much worse could it have been? Saddam killed millions of his own, funded groups outside his own country that sponsored terrorism, and tried several times to invade neighboring countries and, in the process, killed over a million more. No worse? What an incredibly immoral comment. (Rousselin is also woefully ignorant of how Saddam was increasingly appropriating Islamist rhetoric which would easily lead to the conclusion that Iraqi Christians were not to be "without fear" much longer if one can believe they were in the first place.)
Rousselin acts as if all this turmoil was only caused by Bush's meddling; He went on to say, "George W. Bush wanted to turn Iraq into a laboratory for the new Middle East. Instead, Christians in neighboring countries fear the contagion of the uncontrollable forces that a superficial democratization has unleashed."
In fact, the whole editorial is phrased as if the current wave of Islamist terror is a result of Bush's "laboratory" experiment instead of a result of an increased level of terrorism, an increase to which Bush is responding instead of causing.
Lastly, it is somewhat amusing that Rousselin seems to imagine that Christians in the Mid East might somehow mediate between this "clash of civilizations" now ongoing. Let's face it, the last time Christians living in the Mid East had any real power was hundreds of years ago after some of the real Crusades when Christians held large swaths of territory and commanded large armies to protect them.
In any case, we see aother Frenchman who prosaically views reality from the wrong end. He sees the tail wagging the dog where it concerns from whence terrorism comes. And it is just the latest example of why the French are so clueless.
In another episode of "Why the French are Always Wrong", Le Figaro newspaper has published its latest example of how clueless the French are where it concerns what is going on in the world and why it is going on. (See article by Clicking Here)
In an editorial by Pierre Rousselin, titled "Christians Flee the East in Wake of Bush's 'Crusade' ", we are treated to an analysis of how George W. Bush is ruining the lives of Christians in the east with his evil "crusade" against Islam.
Need I say not a word against Islam is mentioned in this editorial? I didn't think that would surprise anyone.
What is amazing about this editorial, though, is the vacuum in which the discomfort of eastern Christians is discussed. It is as if, as far as Rousselin is concerned, there is only one reason, one root cause of this exodus of eastern Christians; George W. Bush.
In fact, the editorial goes so far as to say that the Christians had it good in Iraq under Saddam's brutal regime. Rousselin celebrates how "Christians in Iraq were treated no worse than anyone else" and that they could practice their religion "without fear".
"Treated no worse"? That has the ring of absurdity but should cause, instead, high dudgeon. No worse? How much worse could it have been? Saddam killed millions of his own, funded groups outside his own country that sponsored terrorism, and tried several times to invade neighboring countries and, in the process, killed over a million more. No worse? What an incredibly immoral comment. (Rousselin is also woefully ignorant of how Saddam was increasingly appropriating Islamist rhetoric which would easily lead to the conclusion that Iraqi Christians were not to be "without fear" much longer if one can believe they were in the first place.)
Rousselin acts as if all this turmoil was only caused by Bush's meddling; He went on to say, "George W. Bush wanted to turn Iraq into a laboratory for the new Middle East. Instead, Christians in neighboring countries fear the contagion of the uncontrollable forces that a superficial democratization has unleashed."
In fact, the whole editorial is phrased as if the current wave of Islamist terror is a result of Bush's "laboratory" experiment instead of a result of an increased level of terrorism, an increase to which Bush is responding instead of causing.
Lastly, it is somewhat amusing that Rousselin seems to imagine that Christians in the Mid East might somehow mediate between this "clash of civilizations" now ongoing. Let's face it, the last time Christians living in the Mid East had any real power was hundreds of years ago after some of the real Crusades when Christians held large swaths of territory and commanded large armies to protect them.
In any case, we see aother Frenchman who prosaically views reality from the wrong end. He sees the tail wagging the dog where it concerns from whence terrorism comes. And it is just the latest example of why the French are so clueless.
Ready or not, here comes Hillary
- By Michael M. Bates
Mrs. Clinton is playing it coy. For the time being, she says, she's just running for re-election to the Senate. Plans for a presidential race aren't yet stirring through her pretty little head.
She may be telling the truth. Stranger things have happened I guess. But it looks like the mainstream media is preparing to do what it can to grease the skids for her candidacy.
Sunday's Chicago Tribune ran on its front page, "Hillary: New York state has embraced her. Will the rest of the country if she runs for president?"..............................
Click HERE To Read On
Mrs. Clinton is playing it coy. For the time being, she says, she's just running for re-election to the Senate. Plans for a presidential race aren't yet stirring through her pretty little head.
She may be telling the truth. Stranger things have happened I guess. But it looks like the mainstream media is preparing to do what it can to grease the skids for her candidacy.
Sunday's Chicago Tribune ran on its front page, "Hillary: New York state has embraced her. Will the rest of the country if she runs for president?"..............................
Click HERE To Read On
Saturday, May 27, 2006
We Do Not Fear Our Soldiers - Memorial Day 2006
-By Warner Todd Huston
On March 15th, 1784 at twelve in the afternoon, after eight long, exhausting years of war, General George Washington unexpectedly entered a room filled with his highest officers gathered together to consider how to address the Continental Army's predicament. A shocked gathering listened to their commanding General address them.
A letter had recently been passed around the officer corps of the Revolutionary army calling for them to consider leading their army in a march upon the Congress, to lead a coup and take hold of the recalcitrant government forcing them to subservience to the military. The officers and men had not been paid for many long months and, with the war with England now over and fairly won, these men wanted what was due them and if they didn't get it, they threatened to take over. This "Newburgh Address" denounced General Washington claiming he had no ability to care for his men and no inclination to get for them what was promised for eight years of hard service at war. Congress and the country had failed them and they were angry.
As he spoke Washington denounced the "shocking" and "insidious" document. He warned that if the Newburgh Address were to be followed the result would "open the floodgates of civil discord" and would "deluge our rising empire in blood". He admonished the soldiery to do their duty to the nation but pledged that he would lobby Congress as hard as he could on their behalf.
Yet, as he finished his prepared remarks, Washington's entreaties seemed to leave his men cold. He sensed that he needed to say more to convince his angry officers, hurt by a Congress that forgot the sacrifices that they all made for their nascent country, to allow civil government to its machinations. After a pause, he fumbled in his pocket and produced a letter written to him by a member of Congress. He began to read, stumbling and halting. He paused and reached into his coat and produced a pair of glasses, surprising his men who had never seen this lion of the Revolution reduced to such an admission of weakness.
"Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have not only grown gray but almost blind in the service of my country", the General said. He finished the Congressmen's letter, but no one in the room heard it for many were reduced to tears of shame. The letter wasn't important. Washington, with his dignified and touching reminder that all had sacrificed for their war, shamed the officers present and none of them could then go forth to ruin the glorious achievement they had won of the fields of battle against the British by marching on Washington and destroying the new nation they had fought so hard to give birth.
This was the one and only time the country had anything to fear from our armed forces. The army disbanded and Congress and a grateful nation did their best to live up to the commitments that had been made to the veterans. Often it wasn't enough. Since the Revolution it has repeatedly not been enough. All too often we move on so quickly from war that we forget our veterans. And that is to the shame of us all.
But, on days like this, Memorial Day, we remember them. We honor their struggle, their duty faithfully given, their loss keenly felt. The saying seen on so many Vietnam memorials is not just a banal slogan. "All gave some, some gave all." Let us think of this little saying. All veterans and serving soldiers give their efforts and suffer the sacrifices of safety and family, but too many give their "last full measure", as Lincoln aptly put it. There is no glory in merely dying for your country. But there is the thanks of a grateful nation for that sacrifice willingly made so that we can live in liberty and enjoy the freedoms that our many fathers, brothers, sisters and mothers died to protect.
Those soldiers in 1784 realized their duty. They put down their arms and went home after their war was over. They did not rampage through our nation acquiring power unto themselves. Unlike so many powerful armies of other nations in other eras, they went peacefully back to their shops, their plow and their home and hearth to renew life in peace, leaving the civil government to resume their duties and lead the country.
We have never had to fear our own army in the United States of America. Initially, the Founders feared a standing army based on the sad history of other nations where a nation's army ended up as big a danger as the enemy's. But our citizen soldiers, our patriots have never been a danger to this great nation. In time of crisis they come forward by the thousands to safeguard our nation and, when the crisis passes, they return home to peace and the waiting arms of family and friends. They return content that they served their time and did their duty, often asking nothing in return.
Well it isn't enough that we turn from them with a casual "thank you". Today, Memorial Day, we take more than a passing moment to remember the sacrifices of our patriot soldiers without whom we could not feel safe and without whom we would not exist.
Thank you is a weak expression of the gratitude and awe we common citizens must feel for you, the members of our armed forces past, present and future. Our feelings run far deeper than our poor ability to express them. So, to our veterans, please accept the heartfelt, inexpressible thanks of a grateful nation.
We salute you.
On March 15th, 1784 at twelve in the afternoon, after eight long, exhausting years of war, General George Washington unexpectedly entered a room filled with his highest officers gathered together to consider how to address the Continental Army's predicament. A shocked gathering listened to their commanding General address them.
A letter had recently been passed around the officer corps of the Revolutionary army calling for them to consider leading their army in a march upon the Congress, to lead a coup and take hold of the recalcitrant government forcing them to subservience to the military. The officers and men had not been paid for many long months and, with the war with England now over and fairly won, these men wanted what was due them and if they didn't get it, they threatened to take over. This "Newburgh Address" denounced General Washington claiming he had no ability to care for his men and no inclination to get for them what was promised for eight years of hard service at war. Congress and the country had failed them and they were angry.
As he spoke Washington denounced the "shocking" and "insidious" document. He warned that if the Newburgh Address were to be followed the result would "open the floodgates of civil discord" and would "deluge our rising empire in blood". He admonished the soldiery to do their duty to the nation but pledged that he would lobby Congress as hard as he could on their behalf.
Yet, as he finished his prepared remarks, Washington's entreaties seemed to leave his men cold. He sensed that he needed to say more to convince his angry officers, hurt by a Congress that forgot the sacrifices that they all made for their nascent country, to allow civil government to its machinations. After a pause, he fumbled in his pocket and produced a letter written to him by a member of Congress. He began to read, stumbling and halting. He paused and reached into his coat and produced a pair of glasses, surprising his men who had never seen this lion of the Revolution reduced to such an admission of weakness.
"Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have not only grown gray but almost blind in the service of my country", the General said. He finished the Congressmen's letter, but no one in the room heard it for many were reduced to tears of shame. The letter wasn't important. Washington, with his dignified and touching reminder that all had sacrificed for their war, shamed the officers present and none of them could then go forth to ruin the glorious achievement they had won of the fields of battle against the British by marching on Washington and destroying the new nation they had fought so hard to give birth.
This was the one and only time the country had anything to fear from our armed forces. The army disbanded and Congress and a grateful nation did their best to live up to the commitments that had been made to the veterans. Often it wasn't enough. Since the Revolution it has repeatedly not been enough. All too often we move on so quickly from war that we forget our veterans. And that is to the shame of us all.
But, on days like this, Memorial Day, we remember them. We honor their struggle, their duty faithfully given, their loss keenly felt. The saying seen on so many Vietnam memorials is not just a banal slogan. "All gave some, some gave all." Let us think of this little saying. All veterans and serving soldiers give their efforts and suffer the sacrifices of safety and family, but too many give their "last full measure", as Lincoln aptly put it. There is no glory in merely dying for your country. But there is the thanks of a grateful nation for that sacrifice willingly made so that we can live in liberty and enjoy the freedoms that our many fathers, brothers, sisters and mothers died to protect.
Those soldiers in 1784 realized their duty. They put down their arms and went home after their war was over. They did not rampage through our nation acquiring power unto themselves. Unlike so many powerful armies of other nations in other eras, they went peacefully back to their shops, their plow and their home and hearth to renew life in peace, leaving the civil government to resume their duties and lead the country.
We have never had to fear our own army in the United States of America. Initially, the Founders feared a standing army based on the sad history of other nations where a nation's army ended up as big a danger as the enemy's. But our citizen soldiers, our patriots have never been a danger to this great nation. In time of crisis they come forward by the thousands to safeguard our nation and, when the crisis passes, they return home to peace and the waiting arms of family and friends. They return content that they served their time and did their duty, often asking nothing in return.
Well it isn't enough that we turn from them with a casual "thank you". Today, Memorial Day, we take more than a passing moment to remember the sacrifices of our patriot soldiers without whom we could not feel safe and without whom we would not exist.
Thank you is a weak expression of the gratitude and awe we common citizens must feel for you, the members of our armed forces past, present and future. Our feelings run far deeper than our poor ability to express them. So, to our veterans, please accept the heartfelt, inexpressible thanks of a grateful nation.
We salute you.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Memorial day 2006
- By Vince Johnson
During World War II 407,300 U.S. military personnel lost their lives in defense of our way of life. Since their sacrifice became a part of history, the world has changed in many ways. Consider some of the things they did not live to see:
A vaccine that prevents polio.
Color TV receiving over 200 Channels everywhere.
Jet airplanes that carry over 400 passengers from coast to coast.
Enactment of Civil Rights legislation.
Black people at every level of political office as well as the Supreme Court except the Presidency.
Humans walking on the Moon.
The "Chunnel" connecting France and England under the English Channel.
People yakking on cell phones while doing 80 on a 8 lane freeway.
Computerized Internet connecting you instantaneously with over a million sources of information and people all around the world.
Heart and liver transplant surgery becoming almost routine.
Most of us would be proud to describe the above changes to those who died in World War II. There are some other changes however, that we might not enjoy talking about. Some of these changes are listed below:...............
Click HERE To Read On
During World War II 407,300 U.S. military personnel lost their lives in defense of our way of life. Since their sacrifice became a part of history, the world has changed in many ways. Consider some of the things they did not live to see:
A vaccine that prevents polio.
Color TV receiving over 200 Channels everywhere.
Jet airplanes that carry over 400 passengers from coast to coast.
Enactment of Civil Rights legislation.
Black people at every level of political office as well as the Supreme Court except the Presidency.
Humans walking on the Moon.
The "Chunnel" connecting France and England under the English Channel.
People yakking on cell phones while doing 80 on a 8 lane freeway.
Computerized Internet connecting you instantaneously with over a million sources of information and people all around the world.
Heart and liver transplant surgery becoming almost routine.
Most of us would be proud to describe the above changes to those who died in World War II. There are some other changes however, that we might not enjoy talking about. Some of these changes are listed below:...............
Click HERE To Read On
Scientists Suggest Bestiality
- By Frederick Meekins
A comical reworking of "Happy Birthday To You" ends, "You look like a monkey and you act like one too."
If certain scientists have their way, that ditty might very well come to be seen as something akin to a racial slur.
It is reported that researchers from MIT and Harvard are contending that, millions of years ago, early humans and chimps got down and dirty with a little interspecies hanky-panky.....................
Click HERE To Read On
A comical reworking of "Happy Birthday To You" ends, "You look like a monkey and you act like one too."
If certain scientists have their way, that ditty might very well come to be seen as something akin to a racial slur.
It is reported that researchers from MIT and Harvard are contending that, millions of years ago, early humans and chimps got down and dirty with a little interspecies hanky-panky.....................
Click HERE To Read On
Civility (When Four Year Olds Rule)
- By R.A. Hawkins
It is interesting to read some of the polls out of Europe, who we should be grateful for. Let me rephrase that: We in the West (as in the USA) would be very grateful for the EU clowns if we had the capacity to learn something and retain it. A recent poll in Germany came to the conclusion that there will be trouble between the Germans and the new and benighted intelligentsia who have immigrated there from the Mid-East. They have noticed a tendency in their new neighbors to do something called an 'honor killing'. That is where a woman is murdered by her father or her brother for having been so foolish as to be maybe raped or, in some cases, actually a willing participant in an immoral act. I can understand them getting a little upset over the latter, but a rape? Murder the victim? Say what?
The girl has been raped and now she's to be murdered because she was a temptress or something? And then we have the idiot President of Iran saying he isn't a four year old. In regards to the incentives the EU is offering the Iranians in their usual Neville way he said: "They think they are dealing with a four year old child who can be given nuts and chocolates in exchange for the gold in his hands."............................
Click HERE To Read On
It is interesting to read some of the polls out of Europe, who we should be grateful for. Let me rephrase that: We in the West (as in the USA) would be very grateful for the EU clowns if we had the capacity to learn something and retain it. A recent poll in Germany came to the conclusion that there will be trouble between the Germans and the new and benighted intelligentsia who have immigrated there from the Mid-East. They have noticed a tendency in their new neighbors to do something called an 'honor killing'. That is where a woman is murdered by her father or her brother for having been so foolish as to be maybe raped or, in some cases, actually a willing participant in an immoral act. I can understand them getting a little upset over the latter, but a rape? Murder the victim? Say what?
The girl has been raped and now she's to be murdered because she was a temptress or something? And then we have the idiot President of Iran saying he isn't a four year old. In regards to the incentives the EU is offering the Iranians in their usual Neville way he said: "They think they are dealing with a four year old child who can be given nuts and chocolates in exchange for the gold in his hands."............................
Click HERE To Read On
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Football's For Wimps in Connecticut High Schools
The controlling state board that regulates and makes rules for the various high school football programs in the state of Connecticut has decided that it isn't nice to win. At least it isn't nice to win with a lopsided score.
From now on, any coach who is "unsportsman" like enough to win by "blowout" will be suspended and unable to coach the team's next game. (See story by clicking here)
Let me annotate that last line to let you more fully understand what this "coach" is saying:
"I think it is a very appropriate rule," (Delaney whined in a limp voice)
"To run up the score is not showing good sportsmanship..." (Because my guys all suck and it would hurt their self esteem if they lose too badly. They are such delicate little wimps and i just can't take their tears anymore...sniff, sniff)
"...which is what we're trying to teach our players." (That winning is only legitimate if we all agree that winners should be allowed to win, unless it hurts our widdle feewings that they won and then we can stomp around, cry and say "it all just isn't fair" and take away that win!)
...There you go. That about explains it better.
Winning is unfair. Excellence is baaaad. And a corresponding lack of ability is really, really OK.
Listen, I am the last person to claim to be a sports fan. In fact, I think all school sports programs should be done away with and the money spent on IMPORTANT things in school (which would be just about ANYTHING but sports as far as I am concerned). But this wimp like focus on making sure everyone "feels" good when they play a game is feminizing our boys, making us averse to winning, and eliminating any drive to excellence in our society.
"Coach" Delaney, if your team is so bad that they get creamed every time they step out on the field, maybe it is YOU who is to blame as much as your half woman-like team!
This PC garbage is maddening!
-Warner Todd Huston
From now on, any coach who is "unsportsman" like enough to win by "blowout" will be suspended and unable to coach the team's next game. (See story by clicking here)
The football committee of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference, the state board that governs high school sports, has adopted a "score management" policy to keep teams from winning by more than 50 points.
Some Section 1 coaches in the Lower Hudson Valley for the most part think it is a good idea, and Suffern coach Bill Delaney said he would welcome its adoption in New York state.
"I think it is a very appropriate rule," Delaney said. "To run up the score is not showing good sportsmanship, which is what we're trying to teach our players."
Let me annotate that last line to let you more fully understand what this "coach" is saying:
"I think it is a very appropriate rule," (Delaney whined in a limp voice)
"To run up the score is not showing good sportsmanship..." (Because my guys all suck and it would hurt their self esteem if they lose too badly. They are such delicate little wimps and i just can't take their tears anymore...sniff, sniff)
"...which is what we're trying to teach our players." (That winning is only legitimate if we all agree that winners should be allowed to win, unless it hurts our widdle feewings that they won and then we can stomp around, cry and say "it all just isn't fair" and take away that win!)
...There you go. That about explains it better.
Winning is unfair. Excellence is baaaad. And a corresponding lack of ability is really, really OK.
Listen, I am the last person to claim to be a sports fan. In fact, I think all school sports programs should be done away with and the money spent on IMPORTANT things in school (which would be just about ANYTHING but sports as far as I am concerned). But this wimp like focus on making sure everyone "feels" good when they play a game is feminizing our boys, making us averse to winning, and eliminating any drive to excellence in our society.
"Coach" Delaney, if your team is so bad that they get creamed every time they step out on the field, maybe it is YOU who is to blame as much as your half woman-like team!
This PC garbage is maddening!
-Warner Todd Huston
NYTimes – Gnosticism is New?
- By Warner Todd Huston
The New York Times seems to be quite confused by all this DaVinci Code stuff. All this focus on religion must be too much for them. The latest is a May 21st article by Laurie Goodstein titled "It's Not Just a Movie, It's a Revelation (About the Audience)" that claims, among other misleading things, that Gnosticism is said to be somehow new on the Christian religious scene.
Goodstein seems to imagine we live in "an era in which many Christian believers have assimilated a whole lot of new and unorthodox ideas, as well as half-truths and conspiracy thinking, into their faith, while still seeing it as Christianity." She has decided to call it "Da Vinci Christianity."
But, like too many in the media, Goodstein thinks she has discovered something "new" when she is merely seeing something that has been around for time immemorial...................................
Click HERE To Read On
The New York Times seems to be quite confused by all this DaVinci Code stuff. All this focus on religion must be too much for them. The latest is a May 21st article by Laurie Goodstein titled "It's Not Just a Movie, It's a Revelation (About the Audience)" that claims, among other misleading things, that Gnosticism is said to be somehow new on the Christian religious scene.
Goodstein seems to imagine we live in "an era in which many Christian believers have assimilated a whole lot of new and unorthodox ideas, as well as half-truths and conspiracy thinking, into their faith, while still seeing it as Christianity." She has decided to call it "Da Vinci Christianity."
But, like too many in the media, Goodstein thinks she has discovered something "new" when she is merely seeing something that has been around for time immemorial...................................
Click HERE To Read On
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Let's Treat Taxes Like Immigration
- By Justin Darr
Remember back to what the immigration issue was about when it began to concern Conservatives. It had nothing to do with racism, guest worker programs, fences along the border, or questions of amnesty. It was about the United States government refusing to enforce the law.
We thought it was wrong for people, who came into the country illegally, to be given free college tuition, released back into the general population after they committed a crime, rather than being immediately deported, issued drivers' licenses, and free medical care. Not because we are cruel and heartless people who do not care about the suffering of others, but because our government had decided to enforce the laws unequally....................
Click HERE To Read On
Remember back to what the immigration issue was about when it began to concern Conservatives. It had nothing to do with racism, guest worker programs, fences along the border, or questions of amnesty. It was about the United States government refusing to enforce the law.
We thought it was wrong for people, who came into the country illegally, to be given free college tuition, released back into the general population after they committed a crime, rather than being immediately deported, issued drivers' licenses, and free medical care. Not because we are cruel and heartless people who do not care about the suffering of others, but because our government had decided to enforce the laws unequally....................
Click HERE To Read On
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Anti-Def. League Leads Charge to Whitewash History
- By Warner Todd Huston
It was a great joke in the old U.S.S.R. that every few years Stalin would "correct" the history books that discussed the early Soviet nation. As decades passed, he would have photos featuring himself and various other Communist leaders that he worked with to create the early Soviet Republic "corrected", removing those other leaders until, in the end, the photos showed only himself. One by one, the other historical figures would disappear from view as Stalin "corrected" history to inform his people of the "real" version of how the Communist country was birthed.
We Americans look at that in horror. We see Stalin's "corrected history" as pure lies, untruths, not real. But, now we are involved in something similar to what Stalin did to aggrandize himself and make a lie of history and the Anti-Defamation League is apparently leading the charge...................................
Click HERE To Read On
Congress Threatens Internet Censorship
- By Frederick Meekins
Thanks in part to sensational media reports, websites such as MySpace.com have gotten a reputation for attracting various kooks such as pedophiles and other nefarious miscreants
Now to make them look like they are doing something, the House of Representatives is considering a bill that would make it illegal to access networking sites such as MySpace.com from a school or library.
While it can be hard to counter the Mrs. Lovejoy from The Simpsons screech of, "But think of the children!", why is this any of Congress' business? ....................
Click HERE To Read On
Thanks in part to sensational media reports, websites such as MySpace.com have gotten a reputation for attracting various kooks such as pedophiles and other nefarious miscreants
Now to make them look like they are doing something, the House of Representatives is considering a bill that would make it illegal to access networking sites such as MySpace.com from a school or library.
While it can be hard to counter the Mrs. Lovejoy from The Simpsons screech of, "But think of the children!", why is this any of Congress' business? ....................
Click HERE To Read On
Monday, May 22, 2006
A Warning To The GOP – You Are ALREADY Losing
- By Warner Todd Huston
Californian, Stephen Frank, has done Yeoman's work with his latest report, 14 Incumbents Defeated in Primary. (Click Here for story)
Frank notes that nation wide no less than 21 Republican incumbents holding both state offices and Federal have been defeated in their own primaries by more conservative GOP opponents in this voting season. And this is probably just the beginning..................................
Click HERE To Read On
Californian, Stephen Frank, has done Yeoman's work with his latest report, 14 Incumbents Defeated in Primary. (Click Here for story)
Frank notes that nation wide no less than 21 Republican incumbents holding both state offices and Federal have been defeated in their own primaries by more conservative GOP opponents in this voting season. And this is probably just the beginning..................................
Click HERE To Read On
Floyd Patterson a gentle man in a violent world
- By Michael M. Bates
Floyd Patterson, who died last week at 71, isn't considered one of the greatest heavyweight champions. He might well be remembered, though, as one of the best men ever to hold the crown. My guess is that would be at least as gratifying to the thoughtful, introspective fighter.
Boxing served as a road out of poverty and possibly a life of crime for Mr. Patterson. Hard work and sheer determination propelled him to a middleweight Olympic gold medal in 1952. He quickly turned pro and, despite being small by heavyweight standards, won the championship in 1956. Rarely has the crown been worn with such grace.
He lost the title to Sweden's Ingemar Johansson in 1959. What he vividly remembered about the match was telling. Getting knocked down by his opponent, Mr. Patterson looked into the crowd and saw John Wayne. The fighter said he was embarrassed at having the screen's great American hero watch him lose..............................
Click HERE To Read On
Floyd Patterson, who died last week at 71, isn't considered one of the greatest heavyweight champions. He might well be remembered, though, as one of the best men ever to hold the crown. My guess is that would be at least as gratifying to the thoughtful, introspective fighter.
Boxing served as a road out of poverty and possibly a life of crime for Mr. Patterson. Hard work and sheer determination propelled him to a middleweight Olympic gold medal in 1952. He quickly turned pro and, despite being small by heavyweight standards, won the championship in 1956. Rarely has the crown been worn with such grace.
He lost the title to Sweden's Ingemar Johansson in 1959. What he vividly remembered about the match was telling. Getting knocked down by his opponent, Mr. Patterson looked into the crowd and saw John Wayne. The fighter said he was embarrassed at having the screen's great American hero watch him lose..............................
Click HERE To Read On
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Our Immigration Problem
- By John Cox
2008 Republican Presidential Candidate
www.cox2008.com
The President's prime-time address last night has provided America with a
unique opportunity to discuss the topic of Illegal immigration in a rational
way. While I support the idea of temporary National Guard assistance to
secure the chaos at the border, we know that such action only briefly treats
one symptom of a much larger problem.
The root cause of our illegal immigration dilemma stems from the
overwhelming availability of illegal employment in the US. Landscapers,
construction companies, manufacturers, and other businesses related to
agriculture and hospitality, far too often take advantage of undocumented
workers who, out of economic desperation, will work for far less pay than
legal residents.
Employers have many economic incentives to brazenly thumb their collective
nose at the rule of law. Perhaps chief of these incentives is the fact that
they have, for far too long, been able to readily get away with it. Other
incentives include avoiding health care costs, workers compensation, and
additional benefits Americans have come to expect. Further, employers enjoy
zero accountability, and all too often wield the threat of deportation as
they demand longer hours, and require harder work for less pay. All of this
combined creates a second class of citizen, which in today’s America is both
shameful and unacceptable............
Click HERE To Read On
2008 Republican Presidential Candidate
www.cox2008.com
The President's prime-time address last night has provided America with a
unique opportunity to discuss the topic of Illegal immigration in a rational
way. While I support the idea of temporary National Guard assistance to
secure the chaos at the border, we know that such action only briefly treats
one symptom of a much larger problem.
The root cause of our illegal immigration dilemma stems from the
overwhelming availability of illegal employment in the US. Landscapers,
construction companies, manufacturers, and other businesses related to
agriculture and hospitality, far too often take advantage of undocumented
workers who, out of economic desperation, will work for far less pay than
legal residents.
Employers have many economic incentives to brazenly thumb their collective
nose at the rule of law. Perhaps chief of these incentives is the fact that
they have, for far too long, been able to readily get away with it. Other
incentives include avoiding health care costs, workers compensation, and
additional benefits Americans have come to expect. Further, employers enjoy
zero accountability, and all too often wield the threat of deportation as
they demand longer hours, and require harder work for less pay. All of this
combined creates a second class of citizen, which in today’s America is both
shameful and unacceptable............
Click HERE To Read On
Is The ACLU Evil?
- By Warner Todd Huston
I have just found a Christian with whom I utterly disagree on a particular issue (thanks to our friends at FreeRepublic.com for finding this article). All I need do is give the title of the Op Ed I disagree with for you to understand my consternation:
The ACLU Is Not Evil, by Stephen L. Carter, published on the Christianitytoday.com website on May 11th, 2006. (ClickHere to go to Christianitytoday.com article)
It seems that Mr. Carter's main point is that the ACLU does a good thing once in a while so we should all cut them some slack. In his piece, Carter says:
This argument is absurd. It's like saying that, because Stalin was on the right side of WWII, he was really a swell guy after all... you know, despite all that gulag and murder of millions stuff! Or, that we can excuse the criminal actions of the Mob because they give to a charity once in a while.................................
Click HERE To Read On
I have just found a Christian with whom I utterly disagree on a particular issue (thanks to our friends at FreeRepublic.com for finding this article). All I need do is give the title of the Op Ed I disagree with for you to understand my consternation:
The ACLU Is Not Evil, by Stephen L. Carter, published on the Christianitytoday.com website on May 11th, 2006. (ClickHere to go to Christianitytoday.com article)
It seems that Mr. Carter's main point is that the ACLU does a good thing once in a while so we should all cut them some slack. In his piece, Carter says:
"More to the point, the ACLU is often right about the First Amendment's free exercise clause, taking on fights that others refuse. It might surprise some critics that the ACLU defends the free speech and free exercise rights of, well, Christians."
This argument is absurd. It's like saying that, because Stalin was on the right side of WWII, he was really a swell guy after all... you know, despite all that gulag and murder of millions stuff! Or, that we can excuse the criminal actions of the Mob because they give to a charity once in a while.................................
Click HERE To Read On
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Remember Our Troops - Armed Forces Day May, 20th
We mustn't forget our troops this Armed Forces Day, especially when we have so many of them in harms way making life safer for so many millions around the world. Today's US military is so very dedicated and they truly believe in the great work they are doing. These volunteers leave the comforts of home to unselfishly lend needed assistance to so many people in need.Armed Forces Day came about in Harry Truman's term in office, but it has gone somewhat forgotten these days. Let's change that, especially in this dangerous world in which we live. Our soldiers are more important than ever to our security and way of life.
I am proud to say that my eldest son is at that work even now. So, I dedicate this reminder about our troops to Pvt. Timothy Huston, ANG.
A little history of Armed Forces Day can be seen on the US Dept. of Defense Website.
On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department -- the Department of Defense. Each of the military leagues and orders was asked to drop sponsorship of its specific service day in order to celebrate the newly announced Armed Forces Day. The Army, Navy and Air Force leagues adopted the newly formed day. The Marine Corps League declined to drop support for Marine Corps Day but supports Armed Forces Day, too.
Go the the Dept. of Def. site for more history.(Click Here)
-Warner Todd Huston
WHY THE RIGHT HAS BEEN LOSING FOR 40 YEARS
-- And How We Can Assure We Continue to Lose
- Resa LaRu Kirkland
A war began 40 years ago, but the Right chose to ignore it. They refused to fight in the streets of America, which had become the frontlines of this war. They believed that they were on the side of right, and that right would always win. They forgot the most crucial thing of all: truth and right need vigilant and never ceasing defense, lest they be overthrown by lies and wrong. That pretty much sums up the past 40 years. Our parents failed to fight that war, and it will now take massive surgery to get back what they quietly allowed to be stolen.
What bothers me most is why they didn’t fight. When I asked him why his generation didn't get out there and defend what the loserly left was trying to destroy, my father told me that they didn't want to make fools of themselves the way the hippies did, and he said it with pride, as if that desire had been a good thing. To save face, they sold out America and freedom, not to mention their children and grandchildren. No wonder it will take Christ Himself returning to smite the enemy and restore truth and right. The Right wasn't--and still isn't, it would seem--willing to be "fools for Christ." The lack of courage is vile, and will be to their great sorrow. I pray they are shown mercy..............
Click HERE To Read On
- Resa LaRu Kirkland
A war began 40 years ago, but the Right chose to ignore it. They refused to fight in the streets of America, which had become the frontlines of this war. They believed that they were on the side of right, and that right would always win. They forgot the most crucial thing of all: truth and right need vigilant and never ceasing defense, lest they be overthrown by lies and wrong. That pretty much sums up the past 40 years. Our parents failed to fight that war, and it will now take massive surgery to get back what they quietly allowed to be stolen.
What bothers me most is why they didn’t fight. When I asked him why his generation didn't get out there and defend what the loserly left was trying to destroy, my father told me that they didn't want to make fools of themselves the way the hippies did, and he said it with pride, as if that desire had been a good thing. To save face, they sold out America and freedom, not to mention their children and grandchildren. No wonder it will take Christ Himself returning to smite the enemy and restore truth and right. The Right wasn't--and still isn't, it would seem--willing to be "fools for Christ." The lack of courage is vile, and will be to their great sorrow. I pray they are shown mercy..............
Click HERE To Read On
Friday, May 19, 2006
On Writing (Bearing One's Soul)
- By R.A. Hawkins
For those of you who are regular readers I'm certain some of you have looked on occasion to see how my book 'Through Eyes of Shiva' is doing. I used to do that until I realized something. This is rather amusing and those of you who are among my liberal detractors should pay close attention here because I'm intentionally giving you the impression that I'm giving you something that you can use against me. That's right I'm speaking even to the pseudo-cons the most vociferous of vermin.
When I wrote that book I sent it to only one publisher because I just have that trusting nature that things will work out. In many ways they have. Once I received the rejection notice from that first publisher I didn't feel all that bad. I had started another book that was a sequel to it. I knew at that time that nobody would pick me up in the middle of writing a trilogy. I decided to self-publish. The problem with self-publishing is that you pretty much kill any chance you have of making it due to the rather pricey nature of your work. My hardbound edition was $31. The paperback was something like $21. As one can imagine the book went nowhere. I tend to suffer from an overabundance of faith and hope so I kept right on working on the second book. Once I finished it I went back to read the first one. I noticed my writing had changed a bit............................
Click HERE To Read On
For those of you who are regular readers I'm certain some of you have looked on occasion to see how my book 'Through Eyes of Shiva' is doing. I used to do that until I realized something. This is rather amusing and those of you who are among my liberal detractors should pay close attention here because I'm intentionally giving you the impression that I'm giving you something that you can use against me. That's right I'm speaking even to the pseudo-cons the most vociferous of vermin.
When I wrote that book I sent it to only one publisher because I just have that trusting nature that things will work out. In many ways they have. Once I received the rejection notice from that first publisher I didn't feel all that bad. I had started another book that was a sequel to it. I knew at that time that nobody would pick me up in the middle of writing a trilogy. I decided to self-publish. The problem with self-publishing is that you pretty much kill any chance you have of making it due to the rather pricey nature of your work. My hardbound edition was $31. The paperback was something like $21. As one can imagine the book went nowhere. I tend to suffer from an overabundance of faith and hope so I kept right on working on the second book. Once I finished it I went back to read the first one. I noticed my writing had changed a bit............................
Click HERE To Read On
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Senate Gives Away Soc. Sec. Benefits to Illegals
Should we be surprised that the Senate has decided that the Social Security withholdings that illegal immigrants paid into the system while they were illegal should be returned to them once they finally become legal? Should we be surprised that the Senate wants to reward violations of the law this way?
I suppose we should not.
From Yahoo News we have this:
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate blocked an effort on Thursday to limit Social Security benefits for illegal immigrants who would become permanent residents under a sweeping immigration overhaul being debated by lawmakers.
Of course they did. Why, we wouldn't want to tell lawbreakers that their past "contributions" to Social Security might be forfeited by illegals as the results of their lawbreaking, would we?
Teddy "the swimmer" Kennedy said,
"Their money sits in the Social Security Administration waiting to be matched with an eligible beneficiary, and once those workers establish the eligibility, how in all fairness can we deny them the credit for their past contributions? "
No, Teddy, THIER money does NOT sit there. OUR money does. They did not legally earn that money and it should not be given to them as a reward for breaking our laws for all those years before they finally became legal residents.
One good thing came out of that session, though. The Inhofe amendment that would make English the official national language passed. This is a great thing and it is hoped that it will eventually become law.
(See Yahoo story by Clicking here)
But, for the most part, it is further proof that the US Senate is NOT pulling for America's interests.
-By Warner Todd Huston
Seattle Schools Say Only Whites Can Be Racist
I am sure that, looking at the title of this piece, many might assume that I am just being another wild eyed, racist, Conservative going off the deep end, making unjust accusations in my black helicopter laden, conspiracy filled mind. But, no clear thinking individual could dispute my conclusion after reading the definition of racism on the Seattle Public School System's own web-site.
The Seattle Schools have re-defined the very word to suppose a special and exclusive meaning quite different of that found in any dictionary. In fact, they have completely ignored the dictionary definition of the word, most likely because it does not fit their political agenda.
Let's start with the Merriam-Webster's Online dictionary definition of the word Racism:
1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
2 : racial prejudice or discrimination
That is pretty straightforward, I’d say. This definition, the true definition, clearly stimulates the conclusion that any race can be a victim and a perpetrator of racism. And we all know this to be true. From the worst, knuckle-dragging member of the KKK to the most violent, criminal of the Black Panthers, to the arrogance of a Japanese Imperialist, racism can come from any group of people, anywhere.
But, not according to the Seattle Public School System! No, according to them, only whites can be racists.
With their opening paragraph, the SPS mangles the word "racism" to be defined in terms of economic and/or "social power" as opposed to assumptions of inherent superiority. Of course, racism might result in oppression on an economic or political basis, but that is not the base action of the word. The base action is a feeling that the racist's genealogy is somehow better than others'. All actions that stem from racism are results of that belief of superiority, but not really a definition of racism itself. After all, Kings oppress, political systems oppress, and religions oppress and racism does not necessarily have to be at the core of that oppression.
Worse they appear to define racism strictly as an American affliction forced by "Whites" on "targeted racial groups". Their web-site starts with this paragraph:
The systematic subordination of members of targeted racial groups who have relatively little social power in the United States (Blacks, Latino/as, Native Americans, and Asians), by the members of the agent racial group who have relatively more social power (Whites).
Now, you can see that I am not just raving, here. This definition simply defies the dictionary not to mention truth. A reader of this definition cannot but conclude that it is only white Americans who are racist. If one did not know better, or did not realize that a dictionary could be better trusted to define words, one would learn from the "schools" in Seattle that "Whites" are racists.
Another segment follows that almost gets it right, but still blames only whites at its conclusion.
Individual Racism:
The beliefs, attitudes, and actions of individuals that support or perpetuate racism. Individual racism can occur at both an unconscious and conscious level, and can be both active and passive. Examples include telling a racist joke, using a racial epithet, or believing in the inherent superiority of whites.
Close, but no cigar, Seattle. Though it is the most nearly correct definition on their web-page, the last 8 words also makes the lie to mere definition and reveals their attempts to politically spin the word. Racism, according to the SPS, is once again something perpetrated only by whites.
This is a blatant and quite disgusting attempt to brainwash students and faculty in the Seattle Public Schools. These people claim to be teachers, yet subvert the very definitions of words to suit their needs. It’s just more proof that our public schools in the US have become practically worthless places of political indoctrination for leftism as opposed to places for learning.
If Bill Gates wanted to help his home state out a bit, he might want to spend a little of his vast fortune to buy the Seattle Public School System a couple thousand dictionaries so that they might be able to find out what words really mean. Unfortunately, it is doubtful he could find a single member of that school system who would know what the heck to do with the darn thing. Besides, they might think he is trying to “oppress” their students with his evil "White" generosity.
(See the Seattle Public School System's web-site byClicking here)
-by Warner Todd Huston
Now THAT'S an Ally!
Pime Minister of Australia, John Howard, praised the USA in a speech at the Council of Foreign Relations in Chicago yesterday.
"Without American leadership, the trials and tragedies of recent years could be but a prelude of darker days to come," Mr Howard said in an address yesterday to the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations. "With American leadership, we can build a better world — not just for us, but for all."
(See story-click here)
Howard has been a staunch ally and we in America should take note and remember his efforts. The Auzzies are a great people and are probably the closest to "American" in their outlook than any other country, including England.
"To the voices of anti-Americanism around the world, to those who shout 'Yankee go home', let me offer some quiet advice: be careful what you wish for."
How right he is. The USA has been a beacon of liberty, prosperity and freedom since the first boat full of landed on our shores.
Every American should keep John Howard in our prayers and he should occupy a special place in our hearts. And we should remember, as well, the people of Australia.
-Warner Todd Huston
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
THE AMERICAN CULTURE
- By Vince Johnson
We are all born into one culture or another. One source divides "cultures" by areas of the world: African, Asian, Caribbean, Central American, European, Latin American, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, North American, Oceania, Pacific Rim, and South American.
The North American Culture contains 57 sub-cultures from Afghan-American to Welsh-American with 55 others between. I have been scanning these cultures in search of something that places the American Culture apart from all the rest. At first, I became very discouraged. It appears there is no scholarly agreement on what the current "American Culture" truly is. Here’s my view of what comprises our culture today:
Griping about the price of gas. If that isn't a basic part of the American Culture, I'll fill your tank as soon I get my credit card below the limit! Speaking of "credit cards," the American Culture is now based on borrowing rather than saving. Didn't your Grandpa advise you to open a savings account rather than applying for a credit card?...............
Click HERE To Read On
We are all born into one culture or another. One source divides "cultures" by areas of the world: African, Asian, Caribbean, Central American, European, Latin American, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, North American, Oceania, Pacific Rim, and South American.
The North American Culture contains 57 sub-cultures from Afghan-American to Welsh-American with 55 others between. I have been scanning these cultures in search of something that places the American Culture apart from all the rest. At first, I became very discouraged. It appears there is no scholarly agreement on what the current "American Culture" truly is. Here’s my view of what comprises our culture today:
Griping about the price of gas. If that isn't a basic part of the American Culture, I'll fill your tank as soon I get my credit card below the limit! Speaking of "credit cards," the American Culture is now based on borrowing rather than saving. Didn't your Grandpa advise you to open a savings account rather than applying for a credit card?...............
Click HERE To Read On
Democrats - NOT Serious on Security
The Senator Jeff Sessions amendment authorizing a triple deep fence running over 350 miles at the American/Mexico border has passed 83 to 16. This shows that many in the Senate might FINALY be getting it. They might finally be realizing that Americans want a fence, that a good fence makes for good neighbors.
Naturally, every Senator that voted against it was a Democrat, though, and this proves that the Democratic Party is just not serious about our nation's security.
Here are the Senators who voted against this sensible measure:
Akaka (D-HI)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Dodd (D-CT)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Inouye (D-HI)
Jeffords (I-VT)
Kennedy (D-MA)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Lieberman (D-CT)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Murray (D-WA)
Obama (D-IL)
Reed (D-RI)
Sarbanes (D-MD)
(List courtesy of Hughhewitt.com)
America, I am telling you right now that if you vote third Party or stay home from the polls in the 2006 midterms or otherwise not vote GOP, you will be handing this country over to a Democratic Party that does not care about our security. YES we have major problems in the GOP but voting third Party will open the doors to worse illegal immigration as well as cause us to lose the war against terror, not to mention any possibility to get conservative judges appointed to the bench.
If you don't mind destroying this country, then vote against the GOP.
If you truly care about the US, vote GOP and work harder to FIX the Party. But don't hand our lives over to a Democratic Party that will turn away as Americans are attacked like they were on 9/11!
I am just as mad as you are at many of the worst RINOs, but attempting to "teach the GOP a lesson" by not voting for them is cutting our own throats... LITERALLY! Besides, giving up is not the American way. We need to roll up our sleeves and fix this Party, not run away like babies, taking our ball and going home!
- Warner Todd Huston
George Washington Didn't Say That
- By Warner Todd Huston
Some of you who follow American History might have heard at one time or another that George Washington warned his countrymen of "entangling foreign alliances" in his farewell address given as he prepared to retire from his second presidential term. You may have heard that he issued a neo-isolationist concept about how the USA should treat its foreign policy ideas.
Here is a relevant section of Washington's farewell address:
Unfortunately, too many view Washington's warning of foreign entanglements incorrectly. Though it is a very common misconception, Washington was absolutely not saying we should never have anything to do with other nations or that we should forever steer clear of "foreign entanglements". Washington was not proposing an isolationist policy................................
Click HERE To Read On
Some of you who follow American History might have heard at one time or another that George Washington warned his countrymen of "entangling foreign alliances" in his farewell address given as he prepared to retire from his second presidential term. You may have heard that he issued a neo-isolationist concept about how the USA should treat its foreign policy ideas.
Here is a relevant section of Washington's farewell address:
"The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is, in extending our commercial relations to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop."
Unfortunately, too many view Washington's warning of foreign entanglements incorrectly. Though it is a very common misconception, Washington was absolutely not saying we should never have anything to do with other nations or that we should forever steer clear of "foreign entanglements". Washington was not proposing an isolationist policy................................
Click HERE To Read On
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Bush's Immigration Speech - Can We Believe It?
Well, all up and down the blogosphere on the right, Bush's immigration speech from Monday night is being drilled, flayed and lambasted. Unfortunately, most of the complaints don't seem to be based on ANYTHING the President said.
Bush is claimed to be offering "amnesty". He isn't.
It is said he is against the fence. He is not.
It is moaned that he wants to make it easier for illegals to automatically become legal. He said no such thing.
In short, nearly all the complainers from the right are claiming that Bush said the exact opposite in all instances of what he actually said. Bush's speech was a well rounded, fairly comprehensive, and even handed speech full of ideas that will work well to curb the giant hole we have in our border.
I think, though, that those bloggers on the right are not attacking the president for what he actually said at all. In fact, most of them seem not to have heard a word that the president said. Nor are they reacting to what he didn't say, for that matter.
What they are reacting to is 30 years or more of no enforcement. In other words, no one believed a single word the president said on the issue and they didn't hear a word. Sure, he had great ideas, but we all feel in our bones that neither Congress, nor the Dept. of immigration beauracracy will enforce any ideas, laws or restrictions no matter WHAT anyone wants.
I can't say I disagree at that level.
We get more evidence every day of why bloated government, all powerful government, is detrimental. It can neither react in a timely nature, nor institute reform and change. It is hidebound, immovable. We don't need new laws, we need to fire thousands of government workers, eliminate their unions and start fresh.
President Chester A. Arthur is called the "Father of the Civil Service" in the USA for getting rid of patronage and reforming the rules for being hired by the Federal government. He created tests and requirements of schooling or experience for newly hired civil servants. But he did NOT intend that these civil servants be impossible to fire.
This sense of entitlement causes Federal workers to feel no sense of urgency, nor pride in their work. They feel they have a job for life, so why all this rushing around?
This and the PC garbage of being afraid to hurt anyone's feelings has paralyzed our border operations.
Until Americans can come to believe that the government will actually enforce the laws they create and until the beauracracy is forced to get the wheels turning, we will never see the border handled correctly. And, until the border is controlled, we can never make any sensible laws for the illegal immigrants that are already here. The later cannot precede the former. The foolishness of shutting the barn doors after the horses got out is not just a mindless aphorism.
The president's speech was great. But, we all just know, as sure as the sun will rise on the morrow, it will amount to nothing. But, let's hope Bush can use his last few years and his waning power to make it happen anyway.
-Warner Todd Huston
Our Newest Op Ed...
"May Day or Mayday in America"
- By Chuck Busch
Whoever managed the public relations effort for the May Ist pro-illegal alien rights nationwide "Day without Immigrants" demonstrations should probably resign or be rewarded with a position in the leftist Mexican Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's administration if elected. While the word did get out to exchange the Mexican flags for more American flags this time, the message of the protesters still rang loud and clear, "Were Mexican and we're going to stay." One sign in Phoenix read, "Today we march, tomorrow we vote." The "El Gran" event was organized by a coalition of Latino immigration groups with the expressed purpose as articulated by The Voice of Aztlan to stage "an economic and labor boycott that will paralyze the U.S. economy." (Where is the RICO Act when you need it?)
Mexican Government's Disapproval
Even the Vicente Fox's government tried to advise US Latino leaders to tone down the protests for several reasons not the least of which is the presidential elections to be held on July 2. Originally the May 1 event was just to be about not spending to demonstrate the economic impact of Latino purchasing power, which now amounts to over $820 billion annually. However, proponents of the work boycott, insisted that this is the only way that the US will appreciate the value of immigrant employee even though it would hurt the employee personally and the businesses they work for. Mexican officials however, were more concerned about a backlash which could undermine their immigration policies with the U.S. Mexican immigrants in this country send $20 billion annually to their families back home which is nearly equivalent to what Mexico receives in oil revenues. .............
Click HERE To Read On
- By Chuck Busch
Whoever managed the public relations effort for the May Ist pro-illegal alien rights nationwide "Day without Immigrants" demonstrations should probably resign or be rewarded with a position in the leftist Mexican Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's administration if elected. While the word did get out to exchange the Mexican flags for more American flags this time, the message of the protesters still rang loud and clear, "Were Mexican and we're going to stay." One sign in Phoenix read, "Today we march, tomorrow we vote." The "El Gran" event was organized by a coalition of Latino immigration groups with the expressed purpose as articulated by The Voice of Aztlan to stage "an economic and labor boycott that will paralyze the U.S. economy." (Where is the RICO Act when you need it?)
Mexican Government's Disapproval
Even the Vicente Fox's government tried to advise US Latino leaders to tone down the protests for several reasons not the least of which is the presidential elections to be held on July 2. Originally the May 1 event was just to be about not spending to demonstrate the economic impact of Latino purchasing power, which now amounts to over $820 billion annually. However, proponents of the work boycott, insisted that this is the only way that the US will appreciate the value of immigrant employee even though it would hurt the employee personally and the businesses they work for. Mexican officials however, were more concerned about a backlash which could undermine their immigration policies with the U.S. Mexican immigrants in this country send $20 billion annually to their families back home which is nearly equivalent to what Mexico receives in oil revenues. .............
Click HERE To Read On
Monday, May 15, 2006
Our Newest Op Ed...
The Worst Reality Check Ever
- By Vince Johnson
We’ve all heard about the "Peter Principles." Here is one of them: "Left to themselves, things tend to go from bad to worse." With that in mind, let's take a look at where America is today:
Government spending: Out of control and getting worse.
Government borrowing: At $9 trillion and no relief in sight.
Crime rate: We are told it is declining.
Prison space: We are told we can't build prisons fast enough.
Terrorist Alert: It has been "Elevated" for 6 months now.
News media: Creates more issues than it has ever resolved.
Journalism: Tries harder to shape opinion than it does to report facts.
American/Mexican border: Virtually meaningless...............
Click HERE To Read On
- By Vince Johnson
We’ve all heard about the "Peter Principles." Here is one of them: "Left to themselves, things tend to go from bad to worse." With that in mind, let's take a look at where America is today:
Government spending: Out of control and getting worse.
Government borrowing: At $9 trillion and no relief in sight.
Crime rate: We are told it is declining.
Prison space: We are told we can't build prisons fast enough.
Terrorist Alert: It has been "Elevated" for 6 months now.
News media: Creates more issues than it has ever resolved.
Journalism: Tries harder to shape opinion than it does to report facts.
American/Mexican border: Virtually meaningless...............
Click HERE To Read On
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Our Newest Op Ed...
A Defense of Western Civilization
- By Warner Todd Huston
The French leftist turned conservative, Jean-Francois Revel, once said of the Cold War era Western world that it was "... the first system in history which, confronted by a power that wants to destroy it, accuses itself..." And what truer charge could be leveled at the post modern west?
The leftist, elite tells us that it must somehow be all our fault that others wish us ill. Our enemies scold us that our own actions are the sole reason for attacks on us and apologists within agree with them. Those same internal apologists turn us away from the evils perpetrated by our enemies to give our faux introspection greater weight. And all past positives we are responsible for are papered over with a series of asides that are meant to make hypocrisy of our success.
Certainly we should look inward to explain our own actions, to identify our past mistakes, and to assure greater success and improved morality for our future. As Socrates is credited with saying, "An unexamined life is not worth living", meaning that introspection is a necessity for growth and continued improvement. That is true for the individual as well as the society. However, introspection cannot incorporate a nihilistic moral relativism, for if nothing can be applauded as a positive advancement because of the mere existence of a negative, then no improvement can ever be realized as all efforts will forever be voided and deemed pointless over niggling mistakes. After all, why keep trying if no progressive achievements can ever be made? What would be the point of the struggle? Why not just devolve into strict self-interest?...............................
Click HERE To Read On
- By Warner Todd Huston
The French leftist turned conservative, Jean-Francois Revel, once said of the Cold War era Western world that it was "... the first system in history which, confronted by a power that wants to destroy it, accuses itself..." And what truer charge could be leveled at the post modern west?
The leftist, elite tells us that it must somehow be all our fault that others wish us ill. Our enemies scold us that our own actions are the sole reason for attacks on us and apologists within agree with them. Those same internal apologists turn us away from the evils perpetrated by our enemies to give our faux introspection greater weight. And all past positives we are responsible for are papered over with a series of asides that are meant to make hypocrisy of our success.
Certainly we should look inward to explain our own actions, to identify our past mistakes, and to assure greater success and improved morality for our future. As Socrates is credited with saying, "An unexamined life is not worth living", meaning that introspection is a necessity for growth and continued improvement. That is true for the individual as well as the society. However, introspection cannot incorporate a nihilistic moral relativism, for if nothing can be applauded as a positive advancement because of the mere existence of a negative, then no improvement can ever be realized as all efforts will forever be voided and deemed pointless over niggling mistakes. After all, why keep trying if no progressive achievements can ever be made? What would be the point of the struggle? Why not just devolve into strict self-interest?...............................
Click HERE To Read On
Saturday, May 13, 2006
New York Times - Do They Really Hate the Military?
I maintain that the NYT so hates the military that they even refuse to learn the slightest thing about it. And apparently they have such disdain for the US military they cannot even find a writer in their employ that knows even standard facts about the military, much less an editor that knows enough to make the proper corrections.
On may 11th, the NYT published a story about the funeral of Sgt. Jose Gomez which featured right at the top of the page a photograph of the Sgt's Mother and Father at the funeral, Mom being consoled by a member of the US military. The caption of this photo identifies that member of the US military as an "officer" when the soldier in question is clearly wearing the rank of Sgt. First Class. (See story – Click Here)
Are we to believe that the NYT couldn't find anyone in their offices that knew the difference between an officer and a Sgt. To get this caption correct? And that was just "mistake" number one in this story.
OK. Everyone is due a mistake once in a while, right? Though it seems as if "mistake" is more the norm for Jason Blair's NYT these days, but that aside…
Unfortunately, there was another “mistake” in this story that adds up to at least a complete indifference about our military. Later on in the story Sgt. Gomez’ military awards are mentioned.
The Times wrote, “…a two-star general presented Mrs. Gomez with the purple star and bronze star that President Bush had authorized her son to receive.”
A purple star? Even the most rudimentarily informed American citizen has heard of the military award called the purple heart but the Times couldn’t even get the name of this well-known award correct showing a complete lack of knowledge or even a minimal knowledge of our armed forces and, in this case, the awards it issues.
To top it all off, there was a further ”mistake” that really seems quite odd. They even got the credit for the photographer wrong. The original publishing of the story had a photo credit for the photo of the Sgt’s coffin leaving the church given to a staff photographer named Ruby Washington. Yet, the correction reveals that the photo was actually taken by staff photographer Ozier Muhammad. If one were conspiratorial minded, one might wonder why they tried to hide the fact that a photographer with an obvious Muslim name was hidden and replaced by an obvious American name? I’ll not speculate further about this one, but it sure seems odd, doesn’t it?
In any case, this kind of slipshod reporting adds up to the NYT finding that they just don’t care enough about the US military to get even rudimentary things about of armed forces correct. And, if they cannot be bothered to know what a purple heart is or what the rank of a Sgt. Looks like, how can we trust them to get the important things right?
Click here for the correction pages on the NYT website.
-By Warner Todd Huston
Our Newest Op Ed...
National Day of Regret
- By Nathan Tabor
To hear liberals tell it, George W. Bush doesn't have a prayer of succeeding.
What with the war in Iraq, soaring gasoline prices, and the high cost of medical care, the President's critics dismiss him on good days as ineffectual...on bad days as a dunce.
Yet, the President, with his cockeyed optimism and can-do American spirit, seems to believe he can and will succeed. And he believes that much of the credit can be attributed to prayer...................
Click HERE To Read On
- By Nathan Tabor
To hear liberals tell it, George W. Bush doesn't have a prayer of succeeding.
What with the war in Iraq, soaring gasoline prices, and the high cost of medical care, the President's critics dismiss him on good days as ineffectual...on bad days as a dunce.
Yet, the President, with his cockeyed optimism and can-do American spirit, seems to believe he can and will succeed. And he believes that much of the credit can be attributed to prayer...................
Click HERE To Read On
Friday, May 12, 2006
New Legislative Actions
The American Flag Display Protection Act (HR 5255), prohibiting a school from receiving federal funds if the school prevents a student from displaying or wearing a representation of the flag of the United States in a respectful manner was created by Rep. Walter Jones.
Rep. Jim Ryun has introduced House Res. 793, affirming that the National Anthem should be sung in English.
Call your representatives today and urge them to co-sponsor the bill with Rep. Ryun and to also support Walter Jones' bill.
Domestic Spying?
What do I think about this faux media scandal? Glad you asked...
As far as I can see, so far the government has not done anything more intrusive than advertisers, bill collectors, and internet service providers have ever done with the information that is easily discovered about each and every one of us.
But, the biggest conundrum that occurs to me about how the left is going after the Bush administration about this issue is that the same goof balls and hypocrites (your Patrick Leahys and Dick Durbins, for instance) who are after Bush haven't said a WORD about the vast amounts of info that the IRS has about each and every tax payer.
Why do you think they are lambasting the Bush administration for having bits of info collected to stop terrorists, but haven't said a WORD about the vastly greater amounts of info that the IRS has?
... could it be that those aforementioned fine Senators get their paychecks from the IRS?
Now, let's look at two instances of what Democrats have done with similar information in the recent past.
-Chuckie Schumer fraudulently obtained GOP candidate, Michael Steele's credit info so that he, Schumer, could plan an attack strategy to best Steele at the voting booth.
-The Clintons used IRS information to harass their political enemies.
Hmmm. Republicans use such info to stop terrorists from blowing us all up, and Democrats use such info to attack their political opponents!
Gee, I'm having a hard time warming to the Democrats' demagogy.
-Warner Todd Huston
DaVinci, SmaVinci
It seems that quite a a few Christian websites and commentators are getting their choir robes in a bundle over the forthcoming Tom Hanks movie, "The DaVinci Code", and the MSM are doing their best to spread the wild fire.
To sum up the film's plot for those of you still unaware, the movie purports to reveal a centuries old conspiracy discovered by the famous Italian artist and inventor, Leonardo DaVinci, fostered by the Catholic Church featuring Jesus being married to Mary Magdalene, Priests who kill those who find out, secret Catholic societies (like Opus Dei) hiding things from the public ... pretty much just a potboiler, conspiracy flick full of nonsense and absurd historical confabulation.
What the Christian community is protesting against is that the writer of the book upon which the movie is based, Dan Brown, presents the story-line as if he were describing real, uncovered history. Brown has even claimed variously in interviews that he is either writing a straight forward history based on real truth about the church, or he is using selective truths and adding to it to create his story. In true showman style, Brown acts as if what he is doing is revelatory, important stuff as opposed to just a story he made up.
This intentional misleading by the author is what Christians the world over are worried about. They are worried that too many in the public will get the wrong idea about the facts of Church history, or what is known and accepted about Jesus' life and these misconceptions will spell trouble for a misunderstood Church that is already best upon by enemies on all sides.
Now, I also hate these Hollywierd stories that are presented like history. It drives me nuts to watch most movies based on historical reality. But, I also know it is just a movie. We should also remember that both the MSM and Hollywood are ginning this up as high as they can, one to make Christians look foolish and the other to fuel ticket sales.
But, all I have to say is that I can count the number of movies that gets history right on one hand. Similarly, "The DaVinci Code" is CRAP. It is 90% fiction, just like every OTHER Hollywood movie that is based on historical reality.
Remember Mel Gibson's film, "The Patriot"? His character did NOT exist. The Church burned by English soldiers with colonists burning to death inside.... never happened.
The 2001 WWII submarine movie, "U571", where the Americans busted Hitler's Enigma code? Nope, it was the Brits.
How about Russell Crowe's award winning star vehicle, "A Beautiful Mind"? There's one that got some names and dates right, but not a whole lot else!
Back to Mel Gibson... His film "Braveheart" condensed about 200 or more years of English/Scottish history into only a few short years and had William Wallace doing things he never did.
The film, "American Outlaws", for instance, was supposed to be about the famous western outlaw, Jesse James. But, they had Jesse's entire 20 some year career all jammed into one year, 1866. They featured Jesse leading troops in the Civil War (he didn't really fight much in that war as he was too young), used the wrong guns, had the wrong clothing, the wrong hats, the wrong ... well, let's just say that the only thing they got right in that film was a few of the names! This one was a horrible piece of junk.
In fact, there are so few Westerns that get history right that if I were asked to give a dollar for every film that did so, I wouldn't be out much. I remember a movie called "The Santa Fe Trail" that was so bad that it presented every single famous Civil War general as having graduated from the same class in West Point even though those generals were decades apart in age and some of them never WENT to West Point in the FIRST place!
This is just a tiny, tiny slice of the movies with bad, bad history in them. There are so few films that get history right, it can't be a surprise that "The DaVinci Code" is full of crap, can it? I'd suggest that if someone is so stupid as to imagine that this movie is revealing true history, then alerting them to the truth won't do you much good anyway.
So, I think worried Christians should get over it.
-Warner Todd Huston
Our Newest Op Ed...
Paying The Price (The Other Side Of Free Choice)
- By R.A. Hawkins
Islam seems to have their very own version of scholar, which reminds me a great deal of the leftist version of a scholar, throwing himself on the flooring, kicking and screaming when he doesn't get his way. The Palestinians have elected Hamas into a position of power and are now very upset that we in the West aren't as happy about it as they are. They are even more upset that we aren't going to fund them anymore. But that's the nice part about freedom of choice. Yes you can choose to elect a bunch of pinheads to run your country. But we can also choose to not support you. That's right kids there are consequences to your actions. The really nice part about all of this is the fact that we don't have all of Arafat's lies and whines to obscure the fact that the people of Palestine have elected a terrorist organization into power. I'm kind of loving this in a major way.
The Palestinians have for years ranted and raved about America being in the back pocket of Israel, never mind the fact we've been helping to keep them afloat with our money. I've no doubt that we're mere days away from the Palestinians accusing Israel of having told us to cut the funding for the Palestinians. It won't occur to any of these slack-jawed dimwits that if Israel can tell us to stop funding them then the Israelis are the ones that allowed them to be funded in the first place. That's the nice part about being a radical, you don't have to think and what you believe doesn't have to make any sense at all. What a wonderful and special place they live in...........................
Click HERE To Read On
- By R.A. Hawkins
Islam seems to have their very own version of scholar, which reminds me a great deal of the leftist version of a scholar, throwing himself on the flooring, kicking and screaming when he doesn't get his way. The Palestinians have elected Hamas into a position of power and are now very upset that we in the West aren't as happy about it as they are. They are even more upset that we aren't going to fund them anymore. But that's the nice part about freedom of choice. Yes you can choose to elect a bunch of pinheads to run your country. But we can also choose to not support you. That's right kids there are consequences to your actions. The really nice part about all of this is the fact that we don't have all of Arafat's lies and whines to obscure the fact that the people of Palestine have elected a terrorist organization into power. I'm kind of loving this in a major way.
The Palestinians have for years ranted and raved about America being in the back pocket of Israel, never mind the fact we've been helping to keep them afloat with our money. I've no doubt that we're mere days away from the Palestinians accusing Israel of having told us to cut the funding for the Palestinians. It won't occur to any of these slack-jawed dimwits that if Israel can tell us to stop funding them then the Israelis are the ones that allowed them to be funded in the first place. That's the nice part about being a radical, you don't have to think and what you believe doesn't have to make any sense at all. What a wonderful and special place they live in...........................
Click HERE To Read On
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Tony "The Tiger" Snow Whumps on Media
Tony Snow Comes Out Swinging
HERE is what I expected from Mr. Snow and I hope that the White House lets him continue doing what he does best!
New White House Press Secretary Tony Snow is starting off in a combative mode against the press by issuing detailed rebuttals to what he considers unfair coverage of Bush.
“The New York Times continues to ignore America’s economic progress,” blared the headline of an e-mail sent to reporters Wednesday by the White House press office.
Minutes earlier, another e-mail blasted CBS News, which has had an unusually rocky relationship with the White House since 2004, when CBS aired what turned out to be forged documents in a failed effort to question the president’s military service.
It's about time the Bush administration fights back against these supposed "news" services who have issued lie after lie after lie about Bush and this administration!
Go GET 'EM, Tony!
-Warner Todd Huston
Our Newest Op Ed...
Biden proves he's a man of his word
- By Michael M. Bates
Senator Joseph Biden is running for president. The man whose platform may include making the world safe for hair plugs won rave reviews for last week's speech in South Carolina, a venue not commonly frequented by Delaware Democrats.
While his decision to seek his party's nomination isn't "official," the senator has made his intentions clear. Only weeks after Monsieur Kerry collapsed like a soufflé in the last election, Biden told Don Imus: "Well, I'm going to proceed as if I’m going to run."
It's been almost 20 years since he last gave the White House a serious try. When he dropped out then, he said: "There'll be other presidential campaigns, and I'll be there." We now know how ingenuous he was. .............................
Click HERE To Read On
- By Michael M. Bates
Senator Joseph Biden is running for president. The man whose platform may include making the world safe for hair plugs won rave reviews for last week's speech in South Carolina, a venue not commonly frequented by Delaware Democrats.
While his decision to seek his party's nomination isn't "official," the senator has made his intentions clear. Only weeks after Monsieur Kerry collapsed like a soufflé in the last election, Biden told Don Imus: "Well, I'm going to proceed as if I’m going to run."
It's been almost 20 years since he last gave the White House a serious try. When he dropped out then, he said: "There'll be other presidential campaigns, and I'll be there." We now know how ingenuous he was. .............................
Click HERE To Read On
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Our Newest Op Ed...
Making the GOP Conservative Again, Vote Against Them
- By Warner Todd Huston
To start off with the first part of the title of this piece is a lie. Well, more an untruth than an intentional lie. You see, the Republican Party has never been a "conservative" Party, so we cannot make it conservative "again". In this age of the wild spending GOP controlled Congress I am seeing all sorts of Op Eds presenting ideas and plans to "return" the GOP to its conservative status. But, it just isn't true that it ever was a solidly conservative Party. With that being true, there is nothing to "return" it to. Rather, we need to make conservative principles more viable, more pervasive within the Party.
Let's face it, Lincoln's GOP was definitely not a conservative Party. In fact, it was rather radical. The 1850's and 1860's GOP wanted to divert tax money to improve roads and canals, were heavy on protective tariffs, and wanted to eliminate slavery which was a constitutional right previous to the Civil War. They wanted a more vigorous Federal government in an era of heavy interests in State's Rights. Lincoln's GOP had an agenda that is anything but conservative in the context of its time...............................
Click HERE To Read On
- By Warner Todd Huston
To start off with the first part of the title of this piece is a lie. Well, more an untruth than an intentional lie. You see, the Republican Party has never been a "conservative" Party, so we cannot make it conservative "again". In this age of the wild spending GOP controlled Congress I am seeing all sorts of Op Eds presenting ideas and plans to "return" the GOP to its conservative status. But, it just isn't true that it ever was a solidly conservative Party. With that being true, there is nothing to "return" it to. Rather, we need to make conservative principles more viable, more pervasive within the Party.
Let's face it, Lincoln's GOP was definitely not a conservative Party. In fact, it was rather radical. The 1850's and 1860's GOP wanted to divert tax money to improve roads and canals, were heavy on protective tariffs, and wanted to eliminate slavery which was a constitutional right previous to the Civil War. They wanted a more vigorous Federal government in an era of heavy interests in State's Rights. Lincoln's GOP had an agenda that is anything but conservative in the context of its time...............................
Click HERE To Read On
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
HAPPY EUROPE DAY
Got a tip from Columnist Mark Steyn that today, May 9th, is “Europe Day”.
(Here is a bit about it on Cornell University’s site)
Well, break out the balloons and horns for the celebration. Of course, all that celebration paraphernalia should be colored black for it shouldn’t be a celebration we participate in as much as a time of mourning for Western civilization lost in Europe.
As France burns, as Germany can’t get below 15% unemployment for any large amount of time, as the Dutch, the Netherlands, Norwegians, Swedes et al find their national identity eclipsed by an uncontrolled Islamic invasion that wrecks their support systems and Balkanizes their society, as the Spanish and Italians turn back to the failed policies of socialism … well, Europe is imploding. Its history is being eliminated by socialist EU policies and unassimilated immigrants bringing their poverty and hatred with them from the Mid East.
So, the funeral procession is gathering waiting for the embalmer to be done with the body Europa. But, the dearly departed won’t have a quite and respectful funeral, for sure. Europe’s killers will be celebrating like drunken Rock stars destroying their hotel rooms and raping their way across the country.
Yes, a happy Europe Day to all of you.
-Warner Todd Huston
Your Donations helped!
Dear readers! I have to thank you for the donation support. You folks donated enough to secure our domain name for another 2 years!
On Publius' Forum, we use the Blogspot address as a portal page, but all the other pages are hosted on publiusforum.com. There resides the full Op Eds and all the other odds and ends you find here on Publius.
And you great guys donated enough to keep the lights on for at least two more years.
THANKS TO ALL WHO DONATED!!
Remember, all donations to Publius' Forum goes solely to support the site. If you would like to donate and help keep the lights on, there is a graphic at the top of the column that says "Donate". Click on that and follow the instructions.
-WTH
Apologies...
Folks, I have to apologize for not hitting the blog as hard as usual, but this is my busy season at the schools. I do history lectures for Jr. High schools all around the area. Between May and the end of June I do about 20 of them. It leaves little time for anything else.
-Warner Todd Huston
Our Newest Op Ed...
First Republican Announces Presidential Run in '08
- By Nathan Tabor
In the midst of all the brouhaha over illegal immigration, one Republican tossed his hat into the ring saying he seeks the GOP nomination for president in 2008.
John Cox is the first Republican to announce his candidacy after he was encouraged by the reaction he received in Iowa especially after getting a standing ovation when he outlined how he will solve the illegal-alien debacle.
In April, Cox, a successful businessman from Chicago, appeared and spoke at three district GOP conventions in Iowa where, according to his campaign aides, delegates "leapt to their feet in a very vocal show of support" after opining on the border security issue..................
Click HERE To Read On
- By Nathan Tabor
In the midst of all the brouhaha over illegal immigration, one Republican tossed his hat into the ring saying he seeks the GOP nomination for president in 2008.
John Cox is the first Republican to announce his candidacy after he was encouraged by the reaction he received in Iowa especially after getting a standing ovation when he outlined how he will solve the illegal-alien debacle.
In April, Cox, a successful businessman from Chicago, appeared and spoke at three district GOP conventions in Iowa where, according to his campaign aides, delegates "leapt to their feet in a very vocal show of support" after opining on the border security issue..................
Click HERE To Read On
Monday, May 08, 2006
Our Newest Op Ed...
National ID Act Threatens Liberty
- By Frederick Meekins
On the April 26, 2006 edition of Politics & Religion, prophecy scholar Irving Baxter Religion and Joseph Farah of WorldNetDaily.com discussed the implications of the National ID Act.
Interesting how, as barriers are being taken down to normalize illegals and allow any foreigner in that wants, that by 2008 actual Americans will be expected to "authenticate" themselves for the privilege of receiving an identification approved by the Department of Homeland Security.
According to CNET.com, your local MVA (that bastion of courtesy and service) will be the party to determine whether the proof of your existence you place upon the altar of the state will be deemed an acceptable libation unto the Beast....................
Click HERE To Read On
- By Frederick Meekins
On the April 26, 2006 edition of Politics & Religion, prophecy scholar Irving Baxter Religion and Joseph Farah of WorldNetDaily.com discussed the implications of the National ID Act.
Interesting how, as barriers are being taken down to normalize illegals and allow any foreigner in that wants, that by 2008 actual Americans will be expected to "authenticate" themselves for the privilege of receiving an identification approved by the Department of Homeland Security.
According to CNET.com, your local MVA (that bastion of courtesy and service) will be the party to determine whether the proof of your existence you place upon the altar of the state will be deemed an acceptable libation unto the Beast....................
Click HERE To Read On
Our Newest Op Ed...
Making Sure Crime Doesn't Pay
- By Nathan Tabor
It’s hard for me to think of a job that’s more frustrating these days than that of a local cop. Day in and day out, local police officers and sheriff’s deputies lay their lives on the line in an effort to bring criminals to justice.
However, shortly after they bring these punks to the jailhouse, the lawbreakers are out on the streets again, free to commit even more heinous crimes. It seems that many of today's lawbreakers are nothing more than career criminals. You and I, as taxpayers, foot the bill for their care and feeding much of the time. And for that investment, what do we get? More crime, more frustration, more burned-out cops.................
Click HERE To Read On
- By Nathan Tabor
It’s hard for me to think of a job that’s more frustrating these days than that of a local cop. Day in and day out, local police officers and sheriff’s deputies lay their lives on the line in an effort to bring criminals to justice.
However, shortly after they bring these punks to the jailhouse, the lawbreakers are out on the streets again, free to commit even more heinous crimes. It seems that many of today's lawbreakers are nothing more than career criminals. You and I, as taxpayers, foot the bill for their care and feeding much of the time. And for that investment, what do we get? More crime, more frustration, more burned-out cops.................
Click HERE To Read On
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Our Newest Op Ed...
Diann burns over alleged racism
- By Michael M. Bates
Diann Burns, Chicago's highest paid television news reader, and her husband recently built a $3 million mansion in the swank Lincoln Park area. Monday's Chicago Sun-Times reported the couple is now suing the contractor for inferior work.
Disputes between contractors and homeowners are common. In this instance, though, Ms. Burns saw something more insidious than shoddy work. So she whipped out that trusty racism card faster than you can say teleprompter.............................
Click HERE To Read On
- By Michael M. Bates
Diann Burns, Chicago's highest paid television news reader, and her husband recently built a $3 million mansion in the swank Lincoln Park area. Monday's Chicago Sun-Times reported the couple is now suing the contractor for inferior work.
Disputes between contractors and homeowners are common. In this instance, though, Ms. Burns saw something more insidious than shoddy work. So she whipped out that trusty racism card faster than you can say teleprompter.............................
Click HERE To Read On
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Congrats to Patrick Kennedy -- No Killing, No Rape...THIS Time
Well, ya gotta hand it to Patrick Kennedy. We finally have a Kennedy scandal where some poor unsuspecting woman didn't wind up dead, raped or has had her reputation destroyed as a result!
Unlike the rest of his misogynistic clan, Paddy boy just drank himself into a near coma and crashed his car. No woman was harmed in the making of THIS outrage.
So, congratulations to Paddy Kennedy. The dumber of the Kennedys at least left our women out of his foolishness ... THIS time.
Leave it to this scum-bag to fall back on the I've-got-a-disease excuse to get him out of this and attempt to create sympathy for himself, too. These Kennedys have no shame and no morals whatsoever. Why do East Coasters put up with these liars, thieves, murderers and rapists?
Now, if only we can track down the officer of the Capital Police who made the decision to allow Paddy to get off free and fire him from the force, we will be all set. Whoever this officer is, he should be chased out of police work and NEVER allowed to get another position in law enforcement again.
Anyway, at least he didn't kill anyone. But, in the end, this is just one more example to show he isn't as "good" as the REST of the family, eh?
-Warner Todd Huston
Our Newest Op Ed...
James Reston's Spanish Imposition
- By Warner Todd Huston
Once in a while an Op Ed will cross the wires that is so egregious, so absurd, that it deserves special attention. The honors this time goes to James Reston, Jr. (I am sure his Father would want us to distinguish the secondary status) for his surreal garbling of history in The American Inquisition, that he penned for USA Today. (Published on 4/17/06, go here for article)
Reston is obviously one of those anti-religious types who sees an evil "Right-wing Christian" around every corner. He takes his place as the newest member of the Chicken Little Club (maybe a Chicken Newdow, if you will), one who careens from newspaper to TV talking head show frenetically waving his arms about all the horrible Christians bringing us into an oppressive Theocracy. Reston is making a bid for head rooster of this wild-eyed sect, with this latest entry in hyperbole.
To make his point Reston falls back on his old stomping grounds of the Spanish Inquisition, a subject upon which he previously authored a book. Begun in the 15th century, the Inquisition is claimed to have taken some 32,000 lives in the many decades of its existence in Spain. It featured imprisonment, torture, murder and the forcible conversion of people from other religions to Catholicism. Certainly one of the blackest marks on Christendom's record..............................
Click HERE To Read On
- By Warner Todd Huston
Once in a while an Op Ed will cross the wires that is so egregious, so absurd, that it deserves special attention. The honors this time goes to James Reston, Jr. (I am sure his Father would want us to distinguish the secondary status) for his surreal garbling of history in The American Inquisition, that he penned for USA Today. (Published on 4/17/06, go here for article)
Reston is obviously one of those anti-religious types who sees an evil "Right-wing Christian" around every corner. He takes his place as the newest member of the Chicken Little Club (maybe a Chicken Newdow, if you will), one who careens from newspaper to TV talking head show frenetically waving his arms about all the horrible Christians bringing us into an oppressive Theocracy. Reston is making a bid for head rooster of this wild-eyed sect, with this latest entry in hyperbole.
To make his point Reston falls back on his old stomping grounds of the Spanish Inquisition, a subject upon which he previously authored a book. Begun in the 15th century, the Inquisition is claimed to have taken some 32,000 lives in the many decades of its existence in Spain. It featured imprisonment, torture, murder and the forcible conversion of people from other religions to Catholicism. Certainly one of the blackest marks on Christendom's record..............................
Click HERE To Read On
Friday, May 05, 2006
Conn. House gives final passage to shield bill
This one is both good and bad...
HARTFORD — Although politicians and journalists are rarely seen on the same side of anything, it took the state legislature on the last day of this year's session to give reporters the legal right to protect their sources.
The bill defines a reporter as someone who works for a newspaper, magazine, radio or television station, or electronic media. The Senate had considered excluding blog writers and limiting protections to people with journalism degrees, but later removed both provisions.
(Original Source- News Times)
First, the good:
The Connecticut State house has extended legitimacy to Bloggers and internet writers. this is a good thing as it extends the political free speech that the founders expected to the electronic world. There is absolutely no reason whatsoever that an internet writer should be exempt from political freedom of speech. There isn't a THING different between the concept of political tract writing of the sort that the Founders wanted to protect and the work of a political Blogger today.
The bad:
However, this bill seems to go a bit too far, making such writers totally untouchable. There is no reason that a reporter or writer should be above the law. Political free speech should not trump libel laws or laws that proscribe the release of government secrets that affect national security.
Still, it is good to see internet writing being considered 'legitimate" by more and more people and governments.
Qualify this a marginal win.
-Warner Todd Huston
Our Newest Op Ed...
Teacher Of The Year Selected For Pandering To Immigrants
- By Frederick Meekins
If immigrants are no different than the rest of us, then why should this prestigious award go to a teacher noted for teaching students from immigrant backgrounds, 90% of whom are on public assistance? Apparently the parents are not so ignorant of American ways that they've never heard of welfare.
If we are suppose to be color blind, why does it even come up in the story where these pupils hail from?
Thus the key to winning this honor is not so much about perfecting one's skills and expertise as a teacher but rather about rendering such skills in the service of the ongoing social revolution seeking to transform the fundamental nature of American society..................
Click HERE To Read On
- By Frederick Meekins
If immigrants are no different than the rest of us, then why should this prestigious award go to a teacher noted for teaching students from immigrant backgrounds, 90% of whom are on public assistance? Apparently the parents are not so ignorant of American ways that they've never heard of welfare.
If we are suppose to be color blind, why does it even come up in the story where these pupils hail from?
Thus the key to winning this honor is not so much about perfecting one's skills and expertise as a teacher but rather about rendering such skills in the service of the ongoing social revolution seeking to transform the fundamental nature of American society..................
Click HERE To Read On
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Our Newest Op Ed...
Congress Draws Up Declaration Of Surrender As Human Rabble Takes To The Streets
- By Frederick Meekins
Throughout much of the 1990's, prescient social analysts such as Pat Buchanan and Michael Savage warned of the changes that would take place in our nation should the government of the United States fail to get control over the flood of immigration that was pouring across the border. At the time, those viewing radical hypertolerance as more important than cultural survival dismissed such warnings as the ravings of lunatics. However, now that increasing numbers of Americans finally want something done about the matter, it may be too late.
In response to certain provisions of the so-called "immigration reform" being considered in Congress that would have criminalized being in the United States illegally, mobs of radical malcontents have taken to the streets no doubt to insinuate violence should political leaders refuse to acquiesce to their demands. Most accounts from the media infiltrated by internationalist sympathizers claim that these demonstrations are expressions of peaceful dissent concerned for the rights of all living within (for at least a few more days) this great country. However, upon closer examination, nothing could be farther from the truth...................
Click HERE To Read On
- By Frederick Meekins
Throughout much of the 1990's, prescient social analysts such as Pat Buchanan and Michael Savage warned of the changes that would take place in our nation should the government of the United States fail to get control over the flood of immigration that was pouring across the border. At the time, those viewing radical hypertolerance as more important than cultural survival dismissed such warnings as the ravings of lunatics. However, now that increasing numbers of Americans finally want something done about the matter, it may be too late.
In response to certain provisions of the so-called "immigration reform" being considered in Congress that would have criminalized being in the United States illegally, mobs of radical malcontents have taken to the streets no doubt to insinuate violence should political leaders refuse to acquiesce to their demands. Most accounts from the media infiltrated by internationalist sympathizers claim that these demonstrations are expressions of peaceful dissent concerned for the rights of all living within (for at least a few more days) this great country. However, upon closer examination, nothing could be farther from the truth...................
Click HERE To Read On
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