Tuesday, December 30, 2008

21 Days And Counting

This post will be very short tonight. There is but one thing on my mind, and, I hope, yours as well.Today, two of President Bush's advisers carefully spelled out the starting points for the presidents plunge into mediocrity as this country's president( their opinions, not necessarily mine). The president's incoming aptitude for the job was compared to Sarah Palin's supposed lack of fitness to hold such high office. To think the president would have surrounded himself with such less than loyal men, is most difficult to understand. Typical Bush bashing, I thought, as I read the story. It concluded with the observation that Mister Bush had never sought a just and lasting peace between Israel, and Hamas, with the events this week in the Gaza Strip sorely underlining his failures, and any hope for a lasting, and favorable legacy.

Putting aside the presidents faults, alleged, perceived, and actual, he has it within his grasp to do something quite meaningful indeed. The nagging question is: Will he do it?

On this Christmas last, I spent more than a few moments contemplating the fate of Ignacio Ramos, and Jose Compean. Their families, too, were in my thoughts, and in my prayers. I still have not reconciled myself to the fact that these two men are suffering along with their families and friends, for actions taken against an illegal drug smuggling alien. Quite in spite of what I would guess to be hundreds of thousands of requests to commute the sentences of these two Border Patrol agents, and actually pardon them, nothing yet has been done, and time is running out quickly.

Yes, I have been sorely disappointed with President Bush, and his performance. But! I would be the first to congratulate him if he will simply do the correct thing here. Issue full pardons before his time runs out. His failure to do this will only serve to confirm the negative assessments made by those very close to him, and that would be a terrible shame.

If you have not already done so, then send your requests, if you agree, to comment@whitehouse.gov

Ignacio and Jose would be most thankful, as would be their families, and that is the very least we, in good conscience, can do for them at this time.

Happy New Year, everyone, let's make sure it is a good one for the Ramos, and Compean family as well.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Life In The Midst Of Turmoil

Today, Christmas day 2008, is seasonable enough, although forces are at work trying to diminish the significance of this day. Nativity scenes across the world, are beng desecrated, and the likenesses of the baby Jesus are being stolen. In one particularly bizarre incident, a bottle of beer was left where once the baby Jesus did lay. Secularists, atheists, and especially, non-believers are the cause of these acts of depravity in our town squares, and in our cities. Worse, they are engaging in acts of scornfulness, directed at those who truly believe in the existence of God.

As such, they are not a real threat to us, for their numbers are small. However, when a goverment body looks askance at these acts, without any real comment, they in effect, are condoning these behaviors, and abetting them. It seems no one knows what to do, and so, nothing is done at all. The proposition 8 opponents in California, exemplify this attitude by virtue of their constant attacks on the Mormon Churches of California.

Away in a manger, no food, no bed, nothing of material comfort for the baby Jesus. Yet, he does not cry, simply looks up at the stars, and sees the Star of The East, the star announcing his birth to a skeptical world. the Wise men came, drawn to the place of the baby's birth. King Herod, himself, was vitally interested, for he saw in the baby Jesus a threat to his hold on the Kingdom, to his very power.

Stillige Nacht, the Christmas carol given to us by Germany many years ago, stressed the calm of the evening, and the brightness too. Round yon virgin, lay mother and child. Tenderness abounded, and earth had at last, a new King, the son of God!

Good King Vaclav, also known as Wenceslas, was the King of Bohemia in the tenth century. A Catholic, Wenceslas looked out one evening from his castle window, and espied a poor man gathering winter fuel. So taken by this scene was Wenceslas, that he went out with gifts of food and other comfort for the man who had gathered the winter's fuel for his family's warmth. The feast of Saint Stephen is celebrated on December 26th in Czechoslovakia, and though no refrence was made to the Nativity scene in the lyrics, it has become one of the most popular Christmas carols, signifying man's inherent goodness, and his willingness to share his own gifts with others less fortunate.

If you think seriously but for a minute or two, you may understand how Christmas carols extoll the common virtues of generosity, and personal sacrifice. All these gifts, given by only God to man, are the soothing balms which never fail to inspire feelings of completeness, and of joy in us. What a contrast to the devilish actions of the defilers, and the antagonists of the Mormon Church. I, for one, do not fret over these people's actions, because, ultimately, they will answer to their God, our God, in spite of their throwing off the shackles of personal responsibility.

Yes, today is the most beautiful day of the year! Warmth is felt without the fire beside you. Joy is in the heart, and a Baby's birth is celebrated once more. Jesus came into this world pennieless, and He left it the same way. He never traveled more than 200 hundred miles from His home, and never acquired the higher learning of those most critical of Him, and His mission to save us. No other man in recorded history has had as profound an effect on the fortunes of man himself, than Jesus has.

It is "free will" that leads many of us to doubt, and to sin. Why is it that anger, is always an important component of the makeup of people who deny their place at the table of God? Why too, is it that when such people lie on their death beds, that they somehow are confronted by their personal demons, and realize that mere uncompromising faith would have saved their eternal lives?

The one thing that believers are not, is weak. Weak of mind, and weak of faith. This is why the tables turn for us, and why others of no faith sit alone.

Celebrate the Baby Jesus' birthday today. Do it with firmness, and with great faith in eventual outcomes. None of us likes to say, "I told you so!", for the apparentness of the moment of epiphany for all, is in itself a holy and glorious realization.

Merry Christmas, to one and to all. And remember that Ebenezer Scrooge himself, a cold-hearted man who despised Christmas, came around to his own belated understandings, through the impoverished Cratchitt family, and especially young, and lame Tiny Tim. It was not too late, even for Scrooge himself, nor is it too late for all the non-believers wreaking havoc around the world. Each has their own Jacob Marley to contend with, and each, certainly is worthy of final redemption.

Say prayers for them all, the Baby in the manger would smile knowingly at that act of human generosity, and human understanding.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

When In The Course Of Human Events...

Long ago, Thomas Jefferson opened up discussion with his partner Framers, by penning this most famous of phrases. In doing so, he set into motion the mechanics of revolution against an oppressive King George, and his policies of taxation without fair return to the original colonies in America.

What followed, is known history to most of us. To some others, it is as vague an understanding, as is trying to understand the laws of nature themselves. The former, quite naturally, are those who have captured Jefferson's vision for this new country. The latter, unfortunately, could probably never understand the importance of that phrase, nor it's significance to our history as a country.This is what we must contend with, both today, and tomorrow also. Yet, there are eerie parallels preceeding the revolutionary period, and another time in the long ago history of man.

Christ studiously avoided pronouncing himself as the Messiah for all of his life. he did this to the end, when he stood before Pontius Pilate, awaiting his judgement. It was only then that he acknowledged himself to be a king, and the son of God Almighty.

Robbin Webber, a writer, authored a column in "The World News and Prophecy", in 2006. The title was: "This is the Way: When in the course of human events..." Robbin saw the connection between Jefferson's time, and the period of the "Jubilee", when Jews were emancipated from debt; were given back land lost, as well as other lost freedoms. The Jubilee was a time of census taking, which occurred every 50 years on the Biblical day of atonement, Yom Kippur. This was a glorious state of revolution, for things denied were returned to rightful owners.

The Jews yearned for the coming of their new king, that they might reclaim lost lands, and lost glory as a nation of peoples. Generally speaking, it was Christ, who through his miraculous acts of allowing the blind to see once more, and healing the sick, was thought to be the "Messiah" or new king for the Jewish people. Unfortuntely, the people were not themselves impressed with the idea of Christ being the Son of God. They in effect, through their denials, brought about his eventual downfall, and crucifixion. It became a matter of believing, or not believing in the "Second Coming of Christ. From that day forward, many have chosen to not have the strength that such faith requires.

And the world waits, and waits some more.

Jefferson, and his fellow compatriots worked determinedly to establish the most unique, and the most intriguing form of self governance the world had ever seen. Their vision has survived a tumultuous history of war, ravages of nature, and of man himself---but barely so. We too, as the ancient people, seem to be in a perpetual state of denial regarding the fate of our country. The "Second Coming" will one day be upon us, but will we be ready, and be accepting?

Nations come, and they fade away into the vastness of a dark and foreboding history of mankind. For whatever reason, the skeptics among us often hold sway, and deter us from eternal truths, and eternal salvation. These same skeptics populate our seats of current day government, and we, the people, await the second coming of a saner approach to solving our problems, which by Biblical standards, are not so severe, but nonethless equally as important ot those suffering under the yokes of oppression.

The Liberty Bell was to be rung, to announce liberty at hand throughout our country. Today, that bell, sits alone in a protected environment in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It's pealing of righteous liberty for all has been muted by the actions of the few, against the many. Still, it stands as a symbol of the greatness; the firmness of the convictions held by brave men those many years ago.

So, yes, there is an interesting parallel here. We are at a cross road of decision making for ourselves. For those of us who believe in the original "Second Coming", we too, believe that any nation which professes itself to be a great nation, must endure the hardships, and render the sacrifices to be made in the name of goodness.

In the article, Robbin pondered whether or not the original phrase "when in the course of human events..." had lost it's meaning, and it's ultimate purpose as a guide to continuous prosperity as a people of this, the greatest nation in the history of the world.

All that is required is "Faith". faith in onesself to be the good and caring citizen. Faith in the collective abilities of those who lead us, to do so in full accord with the Founding principles

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

A Camel And The Loss Of Faith

much as for the acquisition of raw power? With power, others may be influenced to believe as they believe. Power is intoxicating, and too often wielded poorly, with calamitous effects on the unknowing. Does the Madoff scandal come to mind?

Ordinary people manage to eke out a survivable existence based solely on their commitment to honest labor, and honest dealings with those with whom they trade. Devoid of such honesty, mortal life loses quite a bit of it's lustre, and it's appeal for us. Moments of despair are foisted on us by virtue of our own actions, actions that do not satisfy the standards of christian beliefs.

Christ, during a rare moment of anger, entered the Temple of the money changers, and drove out those who sold, and those who bought in the Temple. Christ sternly announced that, "...you have made it a den of robbers!" ( Mark 11:15-17 RSV)

Robber. Greed. Money Changers. All may be found today on Wall Street, in New York City. The ancient money changers were more business like than their contemporary counterparts, and they had to face an irate Christ in their temple. Todays money changers are not frightened of the likes of Congressman Barney Frank. No, they appeal to us through Barney for more and more money that their ship of capitalist state may stay afloat and on course. Now, not a soul is bashful about stepping forward and asking, at times demanding, more of our financial resources. With this money firmly in hand they go on about their lustful way. Company revenues underwritten with this infusion of new money, are now pronounced as fit vehicles for rewarding executives with seasonal bonuses and perks we could only dream of.

Greed is deadly to the soul. It is deadly to the health of a nation, And when we acquiesce to the greedy one's demands, we too, are accomplices, abeting the evil that surely follows.Many years ago, Liberalism, Classc Liberalism, was indistinguishable from modern day Conservatism. The Founders themselves were of the Classic Liberal mold, and a country was born, thrived, and became the envy of the world. In mid-century, it was John Kenneth Galbraith who preached in behalf of Liberalism, and we were on our way to a new kind of Liberalism---Modern Liberalism. At one time Liberals believed in liberty, individual liberty, and freedom too. Property rights were an important cog in this spinning wheel. Entrepeneurship was not only encouraged, it was looked upon with pride. Stocisim, and stiff upper lips guided a nation forward, but then came the rocks inhabited by the Sirens of greed, and of corruption. The end was near for Classic Liberalism.

Ali Baba, and his merry band of maurading Congressional thieves are working assidulously to dominate our every doing, our every thing in life. The money changers, too, from on high look down on us, contemptful of our very existence it seems. they will exchange "Holiday" greetings with one another this year, and pass us by on the sidewalks we share. Theirs will be an example of Godlessness on parade, for they have given up on Christ, and given up on the most meaningful things in life itself.

We are religiously instructed to tithe our meager monies in the name of goodness, and we do so. But no one ever told us we would be told that tithing doesn't always stop at our home, and in our pockets. Tithing, a metafor for taxation, is said to be noble in and of itself. The only thing noble about this is, the self styled noble aristocracy which seeks to enlist us as Knights of someone elses round table. All this, in the name of a new God, the god of wealth and power acquisition, for the privileged few, but not for the ordinary folk.

Wish yourself a very Merry Christmas this year. So great a number of people, bound inescapably to the gentried set, and not a peep is heard. It is long past the date when we should have taken more direct action against these people. The time is here, the time is now!

So, to Barney, and Chris, and Chuckie, and Nancy, and Harry, it is time for you to pull the Christmas sleigh through the darkened night.In your travels, may you gain the wisdom, and the strength to admit your failings, and tell us you seek repentance. Do it now!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Ophiophobia Anyone?

At home alone, I sit in the comfort of my surroundings, and reflect on life. Not any life in particular, but my life, and the lves of those I love. But! When it becomes apparent that we are not really alone behind our closed doors, my thoughts turn to what others are thinking of at this same time. In Sweden, for example, social reconstructionists are applauding that country's efforts to bring in outside foreign "workers" to answer their declining demographic status. You see, the Swedes, growing older, need the strong backs of someone, anyone, to care for them as they retreat into retirement. The result thus far? Rock throwing at buses has increased 66% in just one year! No one seems to know why, but the fickle finger of Swedish fate points it's forgiving finger at the immigrantt population new to the Swedish scene. Rapes of young Swedish women are also up, and the hand wringers fret foolishly, and wonder what has gone wrong.

Anti-semitism is on a steady rise in Europe, and in the sub-continent in Spain. Apologists in high places merely wish for the "Jewish" problem to go away, possibly Israel as well. Somewhere, there are other people smiling, one might think. Now, is not the time for their active participation in the demise of Europe, for the Europeans are doing that quite famously on their very own.

Here in America, we people are thinking of similar things. How to recover our grasp on our country, and how but to simply feed, and clothe our families. The grandeur of America stands as a symbol of a mighty people, and a strong and proud country. Our motto ought to be: "Laborare est orare", to labor is to pray. While we are at it, in keeping with the Latin frame of reference, we should also remember: "Soli Deo Gloria", The glory is in God alone.

Fitful men are hard at work, honest labor they believe, devising plans for the remaking of America. The night grows darker, and so do our chances for retainment of our values, and our way of life.Europeans are also fitfully working. Doggedly, they pursue a new and improved colossus of a revised European Union. This new Union based on the language precepts of the Lisbon Treaty, assure them of one simple new fact of life. They will lose, effectively, their national sovereignties. That is ok though, for the benefits heavily outweigh the negatives of membership they are told by the European elitists at the helm. Funny thing happened on the way to the dance however. The Irish (you can always count on the Irish to screw things up) decided that this newest version of the EU was not necessarily in the best interest of their country. As a result they are being labeled as being obstructionists by those in Europe who obviously know better than the Irish, what the best interests of Ireland really are.

Does any of this sound somewhat familiar? Hmmm...now that I think of it, these people might just as well be in Washington, where we are being told that they, the elitists (US version) know so much better what it is that is in our best interests.Amazingly, these squabbling Europeans are being held up on false idol pedestals by the elitists, and we are told we must emulate their work, and seek their forgiveness for eight long years of cowboy diplomacy by that evil one, himself, George Bush.

We are told further, that soon we will come to be loved and appreciated for whom we have become under the guidance of a much more understanding Barack Obama.

To our left, across that pearl water expanse known as the Pacific Ocean, the Chinese too, wait for signs that America is imploding upon itself. Then at the right moment, and not a minute sooner, they will pick up the pieces of a new Roman decay, and build anew right on top of Old Glory!

Unless.........we summon the ghost of Colonel Christopher Gadsden for an encore performance. You might remember the Colonel. He was the man from South Cariolina who presented that famous yellow flag, with the menacing likeness of a coiled eastern rattlesnake, over the words; Don't Tread On Me, to the secretary of the US Navy. As menacing as the snake appears, a rattler won't attack without provocation, after that, all bets are off.

We need a similar flag to represent us. Perhaps a yellow likeness with one of the fiercest descendants of that same snake, coiled and waiting, just waiting. The wording would be a little different however. This time the flag will read: Don't Tread On Us!!

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Wall Street Good At..What Else?...Building Walls

ABC News is good for something after all.

The good fellow news gatherers of the much maligned MSM, have done themselves proud. They almost sound like responsible, and quite reputable members of the Fourth Estate. Should we applaud them, or boo them? Personally, I believe they are just rubbing our noses in the scummy mess created by Liberals and their MSM handlers.

In the western looking canyon atmosphere of New York City's financial district, aka Wall Street, the monied men in business suits are showing us how to do it, to US that is. ABC News asked 16 of the banking institutions receiving federal TARP money (bail-out money) how they planned to use that money, and whether they were gong to pay executive bonuses this year from those same funds.

Not surprisingly, only one of the 16 banks gave a straight answer to what must have seemed like a loaded question. American Express Group told that it would be paying 100 milion in bonus money to 168 employees. However, they cautioned that the bonus money would come from company revenues, and not from capitally invested federal TARP funds. Here I pause to offer a sigh of relief. They actually answered a question truthfully!

The other 15 recipients of TARP funds ranging from the 150 billion extended to American Express Group ( Exactly what is a GROUP anyway?) to Marshall and Isley on the lower end of federal largesse at 1.715 billion, all said the same thing. They were going to use federal money to extend loans to "credit worthy customers", assist mortgage holders who were having poblems repaying loans, BUT they would not use federal money to pay executive bonuses, rather, they would be paying the bonuses with company revenue money.

Let's see, two revenue streams, one federal, one company, each with a seperate purpose in mind. Nothing like clean books I always say. Still, something stinks in Denmark.

Anytime you read or hear the word "federal" used to describe a sum of money, large or small, think of it as YOUR money being spoken of. Money that you didn't specifically agree to be used in the manner the feds want to use it. Here's another way to look at this:

We, you, all of us here at TS, and others across America, are the benefactors, and not the beneficiaries, of this kind of federal thinking. For example, should these banking institutions NOT have received YOUR money where then, would the money have come from to pay these executive bonuses? From company revenues? But I thought we were told these companies were too big to fail, and that WE had to bail them out. Without money, how could they have justified paying exhorbitant bonuses to these top execs? Face it, this was all going to be done in spite of your objections, or mine. not that it was a fait accompli, simply that these institutions were TOO BIG to fail.

Weren't we the magnanimous ones? We came through right when our country needed us most, didn't we?

Congress, taking it's cue from Wall Street, afforded themselves a pay raise this week. I suppose this was because they too, were too big to fail, and here we came with buckets of additional money to their rescue. Now,don't you go looking for proclamations of acclaim for your actions taken in behalf of all those too big to fail, there won't be any, any time soon.

We the "suckers" got suckered by people just like us. People whom we pass on the street each day, people we keep re-electing to public ofice, and we keep coming back for more of the same.So, during this Christmas season, this holiday period, I will be going to Walter Reed Army Hospital with my grand children to commiserate, and honor the true brave souls who too, were suckered by those many who sent them to their places of personal enlightenment in a faraway land, and then were critical of them, and of their mission. As a matter of fact, we'll be doing this on January 20th, 2009, when not too far away others will be assembed to hear from the ONE, and the ONLY.

Wall Street builds additional walls, behind which decisions are made as to how best to use the funds we so graciously provided them with. These are walls that must be breached. We are Joshua, and those walls are no impediment to our energies, and to our will. Those walls will tumble down!

Merry Christmas everyone! May your days be bright and fulfilled of promise. Please say prayers for our fighting soldiers, especially those with bleak futures ahead of them. We will carry your thoughts with us.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Enough Is Never Enough

Rod "Blago" Blagojevich, the embattled Illinois governor has vowed that he will not step down from office, and will fight on to remain in office, in spite of an impeachment panel's moves to do just that---get him out of there. Oh, and by the way, the panel insisted that they will not impede, nor do anything to prevent federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald's efforts to bring an indictment in the corruption scandal raging in Illinois, and by extension, in Washington, DC.( know what I mean?)

Unfortunately, Mr. Fitzgerald seems to have already done what the impachment panel has promised it won't: namely, destroy the case against Rod and others. The jury pool is tainted they say, but how can you determine that from among all the stench invested in "the Chicago way" of doing things political?

Aren't there bigger fish to fry, you protest? Of course there are, so let's begin with a few of the most egregious out there. For the sake of sanity, not brevity, I'll list them in numbered order:

1. Caroline Schlossberg Kennedy, or is it Caroline KENNEDY Schlossberg?No less than former president Bill Clinton pronounced her as "qualified" to be a US Senator.Where does that leaveSarah Palin's qualifications in the former president's mind. I wonder? Hey! Let's not go there!

2. Bill Clinton himself.His library's list of money donors was released today. There are few surprises on the list: Saudia Arabia, Brunei,Kuwait, Oman and Qatar are all there, along with the usual suspects, i.e. the Hollywood elites, and sundry others.How's that for a potential conflict list, Hillary?

3. Barrack Obama
Enough said.

What a boring cadre of list seekers these are. There must be different fish in another section of the pond. Let's go look together. Ahah! Who are those funny men with the strange looking hats on? Oh, they are Amish people you say. Boy! I'll bet they would like to be on someone's list, wouldn't you think? Don't I remember them from somewhere? Some movie perhaps about nine years ago, I believe. Yes! Harrison Ford and kelly McGillis were the featured actors, and in the end Harrison was busy helping all the men with the funny hats, to build a new barn. I remember it clearly now.

Well, they've made someone's list. In fact, a county Supervisor's list in Jackson County, Wisconsin. It seems these Amish have the gall to build their own homes in accord with their traditons, and do not feel it necessary to abide by county and local building codes when constructing their new homes. That is just too much for Gary Olson, the Supervisor in question. He believes they must comply in spite of their religion's dictates, and has taken them to court to force compliance. Next thing you know, he'll threaten to huff, and puff, and blow their homes down. Simultaneously, other cases have been bought against more Amish folk in Wisconsin, and New York State. Inasmuch as the Amish never defend themselves, advocates have taken up their cause, in their behalf, and strong legal arguments have been put forward, defense attorneys agree.

Now we have the new Devil, and he is the Amish people! How dare they protest on simple grounds of religious beliefs? The world waited, and the world was given the "Annointed One". The Amish stay in the background of daily life, ask for nothing, but now get a dose of political reality in the form of a zealous county Supervisor in Wisconsin, of all places. And I thought they were famous only for their cheese, and cows.

Harrison Ford, old though he may be, must surely be seeing a sequel in his film future. The movie "Witness" starring he and Kelly, is the best choice for sequelization. We, I mean he, could call it "Next Witness Please!", or how about, "The Kingdom of The Crystal House Crunchers"? "Star wars" doesn't fit here too well, does it?

Hey! wait a minute! Instead of Amish advocates, how about enlisting the opponents of California's Proposition 8 in the defense of these affable farmers? Couldn't they stir things up a bit? Let's see, Rick Warren? Nah, he'll be too busy figuring out what in the heck Obama wants him to come to Washington for. How about John McCain, the man with time on his hands, and a certain willingness to cross the furrowed earth, if not in Washington, then certainly in Wisconsin's fertile farmland? Sorry, "I have to cross an aisle here today, and the traffic is not so bad here." John will say.

All in all, the Amish will have to reconcile themselves to this new day in America, or will they?Just as Ramos and Compean have not lost their lustre as American patriots, neither shall the Amish have to relinquish their tenacious hold on their religious principles (there's that word, principle, again)

The Liberals are hell bent on taking taking God and religion out of America, and now, the Amish have been added to their list of things to wrench from the hands of a proud, and free people. I pray the stink rising from the fields of Wisconsin are the remnants of a dying, and rotting corpse of Liberalism itself, and not the sacred beliefs of proud Americans.ps. might not the Amish affix the holiest of names, and call their individual home sites "Holy Houses, or Places"? That seems to work effectively against the Liberal "dhimmi" in Iran and other places in the near east.

Oh Grand Unifier, where are you when needed most?

Enough said!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Conservatism Is...

There are those who call themselves "Compassionate conservatives", but who are really Liberal more than not. There are those who say they are Conservative, but like the actors who do not live up to the billing, stray unavoidably from true Conservative principles often times. There are so-called "social" Conservatives, with a tendency to engage in profligate spending of public money to that end. Then there are the "fiscal" Conservatives, who are derided for lacking a social conscience caught in the rat trap because they dared to NOT spend the public moneys, and are labeled as being without a "social conscience".

This year in particular, the "Republican party elders" offer that it is time to redefine Conservatism, for it is no longer a winner for them as a party. None other than Colin Powell, has said recently that the republican party should "fire" Rush Limbaugh, purportedly, because Rush was a bad influence, and the party should disassociate itself pronto. Newt, among others, I think, believes that the Reagan Era is long gone, and rather effete, if not down right antithetical to modern day Conservative view points.

You get the picture. We lost an election by giving these people exactly what they demanded in a candidate for the presidency this year, and somehow, it is the Conservative base's fault for that loss. It was not so much that Conservatives acceded, Conservatives were unable to convince the party of the need for a principled individual to represent the party in 2008. Instead, Washington insider elitists got their wish, and when their wish bore not the fruits of victory, they looked elsewhere for someone to blame, ergo, the Conservative base.

We do not have to go back to the Founders discussions when implementing their vision for the greatest country ever to represent a people. We have only to travel back some 28 years to the nascent days of the man who was to become Conservatism's most eloquent spokesperson. Ronald W. Reagan was this man. Initially, he was not held in the highest regard, but how he prevailed over the rebirth of true Conservatism. His Conservatism was, and still is, contemporary with the Founders visions for America. Conservatives got a belated taste of Reagan's principles with the ascendancy of Sarah Palin to the vice president role in this recent election.

Many things Sarah is, and some things she is not One thing she is however, is a Conservative in the classic mold. In other words, when Sarah speaks, the world listens, and the Liberals denigrate her, her family, and hence, all Conservatives nation wide. Liberal fear is the root cause of this media hysteria, and the blatherings of the ONE, and the SECOND (Joe Biden). There is a fundamental reason for all this, and it is Conservatism itself.

So, what is Conservatism? If a reasonable man were to search his very soul, he would doubtless find his thoughts transforming themselves into very Conservative mouthings indeed! The very foundation of America was built upon Conservative ideas, Conservative ideals, and most importantly, Conservative principles of self governance.

How difficult is it to understand the nature of man himself? A yearning to be free, and especially free of the constraints of federal government. It has always been the other way around hasn't it? Government has always been constitutionally constrained from intrusions into personal life through the "enumeration of powers" as set forth by the Framers as a safeguard against a tyrranical government one day usurping the collective power of the people. States were left as the custodians of the bulk of the power, for the people, of the people, and by the people themselves. You wouldn't recognize this today, nor would the Framers either.

Conservatism as both a political, and personal philosophy, requires that no government, or group of individuals may impress their desires on those so governed, without the consent of the governed. Conservatives abide by the principle that we are free to succeed, or to fail in the manifold things we choose to do for ourselves, those things being both moral and legitimately engaged in. Liberty! Liberty is a Conservatives life blood, and it courses through the veins of our self sufficiency with the same effect that Warfarin, or Lipitor does in the veins of our mortal existence. Absent that liberty, our mortal existence remains very questionable.

Conservatism, Liberal protestations aside, is the most passionate of all political ideologies when it comes to individual rights, liberty and freedom. Charitable examples include the extending of a helping hand to those truly in need, and teaching those so afflicted to survive on their own that they too, may enjoy the fruits of their own labors. Conservatves teach others how to dirty their hands in honest labor, not do the work for them, thereby lessening their self dignity, and sense of worth or value to themselves and their families.

Since the 1994 Congress took their seats, there has been a steady reduction of dependency on government, especially through the Welfare Reform efforts of that congress. It is the Republican party which has lost it's ideological way, and not Conservatism. What is it that Rush always says defiantly, "Conservatism works every time it's tried!" How true

Ask yourself these questions: Do you simply want to go home at the end of a day of hard work, and be alone with a loving family? Do you want to simply be left alone to try alternative methods of advancing your family's future? Do you cherish your country's beliefs, and are willing to defend those beliefs with the sacrifice of your own life, if necessary? Do you believe in a future for your children and grand children uncomplicated by messy, and intrusive government mandates regarding your personal behavior? Do you believe in Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness?

If your answers are yes, then come on and confess, you are a Conservative!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

The jolly Green Giant Is Headed Your Way

Now that Barack Hussein Obama (it's ok to use his middle name now) has named Steven Chu, a professor at the University of California, at Berkeley, Ca,, as his energy secretary, Lisa Jackson, chief of Staff to Jon Corzine, Governor of New Jersey, as his administrator of the EPA, Carol Browner, former EPA head under Bill Clinton, as his White House energy and environmental policy "tsar", and finally, Nancy Sutley, Deputy mayor for energy and environment in Los Angeles, as his White House Counsel on environmental quality, well, we are in for one heck of a ride.

This cast of characters will be shepherding Obama's policys regarding America's future energy needs. Needless to say, our future appears to be one of greater dependence on foreign sources for the desperately needed oil of our country's economy. Further, it seems there will be more corn put into bio-fuels, and less corn into the tummys of the "hungry" Americans we hear so much about these days. Soon enough, we will be replacing the age old "aw shucks!", with a revised phrase to use called simply: "less shucks!" Compact fluorescent bulbs, notwithstanding their personal environmental perils, will be the order of the day, and I do mean ORDER! How in heaven's name are all the soon to be laid off workers in this free falling economic mess going to read the want ads, looking for new jobs?

Meanwhile, the American Petroleum Institute has submitted a new report regarding the nation's recoverable oil and natural gas supplies. This study recognizes the rather dire nature of our country's willingness to develop coastal areas, the ANWR, and proven western reserves. Without boring you with the details, let us focus rather, on what is in store for us as innauguration day approaches. Obama has announced repeatedly that he is not even lukewarm to the idea of America securing it's energy independence. In fact, with the four appointments noted above, so-called renewable energy schemes are to be put into place almost immediately. Doubtless, this will make the "greens" ecstatic, but Americans will continue to suffer in the face of a worsening economy. What can we do?

First, the president-elect must determine whether or not such policys are fully warranted. By this, I mean are the prospects of massive unemployment something to gloss over? When tens of thousands of American workers might find well paying jobs in the oil industries efforts to bring oil and gas to us, from within America's borders, should we not invest in that promise of needed employment relief? If the intent by Obama is to actually spend the trillions, not billions, of dollars he has proclaimed he would, then where is this money to come from? The Fed can print only so much valueless paper, and then the bottom falls out. Back at the ranch, the revenues flowing into federal coffers as a result of a committed drive to secure energy independence, would sky rocket.

Although the ONE and his administration seem to have no questions, there are answers waiting for the relevant questions to be asked. Perhaps, that's it. No person with an IQ of 100 can escape undetrstanding this, why then, is not the solution as apparent to them, as it is to the common people among us? It just might be a matter of policy after all, might it not? A policy of degrading this nation's wealth, and it's standing in the world of nations.

Many on the political scene have commented on the hypocrisy of Liberalism and it's goals. however, only one has spoken at length about what all this means for America. That person is Sarah Palin, and I surely hope she speaks out soon on these plans for the demise of a once proud, soon to be, nation. She understands better than most Washington insiders, that a man needs not only dignity, but an opportunity to dirty his hands at honest labor. At the end of a day of honest toil, that man wants nothing more than to be able to go to a warm, and comforting home, with his family beside him. Still, this incoming administration denigrates, and demonizes the great American dream.

Remember this, victims are not born victims, they are cleverly made into victims by those whose sole interest is in the preservation of political power. Haven't we had enough of this contemptful thinking? Let's create the jobs, and not the long welfare lines. Let's invest once more in the America we all love, and forget about the communal community of nations ideal about to be forced upon us.

America is at the precipice. Shall we simply fall over, or should we resist with the determination, and the resolve of the early pioneers? Such valiant people knew not the perils in their paths, they had a greater goal for themselves, and for their families, and ultimately, for America itself.

Drill baby, drill, has been a recent battle cry. First, we must "drill" that sentiment into the heads of the incoming administration. After all, this is America. Nothing is impossible here, a tad difficult possibly, but certainly, not impossible. Watch out jolly green giant, something's headed your way. Remember the battle cry of Larry the Cable Guy? Git 'er done!!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

A Day To Wonder

Many are the cares, many are the woes
facing each one of us day in day out
never it seems are the moments when
each one of us is tired and without
but a glimmer of hope that lies just ahead
around the corner and up on the hill
under a shade tree so bushy and tall
are the children Jack and his Jill
they laugh and they play joyfully so
in their world all is right or so it seems
these children two with eyes that shine
realizing no more than their dreams...

Yes, our children dream, and they have their dreams of future days and nights. In a perfect world theirs would be the fruits of our labors in their behalf. In a perfect world, they, none of them, would ever think of asking for anything save that which was rightly, and justly earned. But a perfect world is only a vision of what ought to be, and not what actually is. A perfect world being a simple idea that motivates people, is still but a dream, although one worth striving for, wouldn't you say?

Jesus Christ's birthday, Christmas, is one such example of an idea whose time is put before us as a sign of hope and of peace for all. It is much more than that though. To believe in Christmas, to believe in anything at all, is to exercise your faith in the inherent goodness of man, and in the guidance of a loving, and just God. Before any child is left alone to dream the dreams of children many, they must understand the implicit necessity of embracing faith in themselves, their parents and their God. By extension, they must have faith in the governments established, and in their resolve to be good citizens. At times, they must stand and question, loudly, and boldly, when they are witness to acts not in the best interests of themselves, their parents, and especially their country.

The task, not the chore, of educating our children will always bear fruitful results, providing that education is offered to them in meaningful ways. Our sincerity is their adopted sincerity. Our determination is their commitment to similar feelings of wanting to know more, and more about their world to come. Our shared love for the ideals set forth by the Founders, becomes their enlightened view of how to act and how to react to threats that threaten their way of life.
In time, the torch is passed, and comfort is derived by the teachers among us, from the newest examples of youthful accomplishments.

David, with but a sling, slew the Goliath, and the Jews were saved. Washington survived the winter at Valley Forge, crossed the Delaware, and a nation's future was born amid the swirling snows. Lincoln persevered, and carried the conscience of a nation across his strong shoulders, and a nation was saved from itself. Later, Johnny came marching home proudly, and a nations rightful place in the world was secured. A man named Churchill defied an onslaught from the east, and stirred the minds and hearts of Americans all. Another man named King lighted the way out of darkness, and another named Reagan taught a nation how to believe in itself, and in it's simple goodness. All these exampes of men bound by the common thread of faith, are illustrious, profoundly so, and more than worthy of being studied and honored by our children. They too, will one day add their own precious examples of accomplishments underwritten by a faithful resolve to do the correct things.

All being ephemeral, the fame and the famous too, pass away to other places, to other destinies. Jesus Christ is the lone exception. He survives in the mind, the heart, and in our souls. Each new day is a new day of promise, a new day of sacrificing for the better good. let this not be lost on anyone, principally our leaders, and especially our children. Glory in the highest is our constant refrain, and our greatest hope. May it never be said of us that we have failed. That we selfishly ignored the requisites of faith, and good will toward others. Above all, that we sacrificed the future for the peace of the moment.

In the movie, "The Bishp's Wife", the homily written for the Bishop by the Angel of God, stressed that a single stocking was hung, and that stocking was the stocking hung for the baby Jesus. There was nothing in that stocking on Christmas Eve. The question posed was, "What will you put in the stocking for your Lord, Jesus Christ?"

An empty stocking hangs from the mantel. It awaits you, and your faith in all that is good. What will each put into the stocking hung with the greatest of care?

Monday, December 08, 2008

Has Anyone Noticed?

That Al Gore hasn't been heard of or from, for some time now? There must be a reason for this. Wait a second, I've got to turn the heat up a bit, as it is getting colder by the day. Now, back to Mister Gore. I spent some time surfing (no, not that kind) this weekend, and I was able to come up with some very fascinating information.

My grandchildren have been taught to be close to being professional skeptics when at school. They question virtually everything being taught them, for they believe that school should be a place where you are taught HOW to think, and not WHAT to think. Admittedly, this sometimes causes problems for them, but they have also developed a thicker skin than most when it comes to teachers dominating the class rooms with THEIR versions of what is truth, and what is not.

Mostly, the children, most of them, don't bat an eye when they are fed the liberal pap that passes for a solid education.. Instead, they leave their schools on any given day, indoctrinated into believing just about anything that is told to them. Gone, it seems, are the days of standing upright, and questioning anything that just doesn't make sense.How easy it is to turn a skull full of mush into a predictably correct frame of mind. take for example, the matter of being taught that global warming is upon us, and that man himself, is mostly to blame for that unfortunate circumstance we find ourselves in.

Put aside the matter of polar bear depletion, ozone layer depletion, and glacier depletion on Mount Kilimanjaro, in Africa. As it turns out, man alone is not responsible for all this. In fact, man is quite incapable of destroying this planet, or any other all by himself. And, this is where the fun begins.

First, there is the not so simple matter of developing a sustainable hypothesis, utilizing observable phenomena, and other scientifically derived facts. When constructed, this hypothesis must withstand the tests applied to it, that enable one to safely conclude that the theory, or hypothesis is true. Proponents of the theory, i.e. Al Gore, will then parade their particular version of what they believe to be a truth before a wide eyed public. Opponents, on the other hand, will insist that not enough is known to be that accepting of the theory as being uncontestably factual.

This is where enlightened children come into play.When they are told, for example, that the debate is over, they will protest that there has been no real debate at all. At least not a debate where they were permitted to be partners in the gathering of factual data. Such children who rise defiantly, will assert that testing models are woefully incomplete, taking into account only data recorded for perhaps the last one hundred years, and therefore, scientifically, and geologically incomplete. Children who are trained properly, look at all the facts available, and not just the so-called facts that underscore the tests so necessary to determining the sole truth, the inescapable truth.

Assuming this is being discussed in a science class, a reputable science class, taught by reputable teachers, the students will protest that there is no consensus in science as they are being led to believe. Even the great Einstein himself, the greatest classical physicist the world has known, admitted to making a mistake or two on his quest to discovering a unified field theory. Sure, he may have been wrong about quantum mechanics, but that did not sufficiently tarnish his legacy, nor his value to the public discourse about matters foreign to most of us. To this day he stands alone as a man of his time, a man of significant importance to our eventual understanding of complex cosmological matters.

From the science class, the questioning minds next turn to the civics class, where the minds of the children turn to questions of politics, and to questions of economics. There is a correlation between what is learned(?) in previous classes, and what is learned(?) in succeeding classes. Before you know it, these children possessed of the audicity to merely question that which is being taught, sense an empowerment of the mind. Their minds. The connections, starkly before them, stand out like beacons of light, and they learn in spite of, not at the behest of, teachers who themselves have a vested interest in the outcome of their efforts.

It has been said that theories may never be proven, only disproven. The great man, Einstein, famously apologized to Sir Issac Newton. he did so in a curiously intimate manner saying, as if to himself, "Newton, verzeih mir" [Newton, please forgive me]. This was Einstein's way of apologizing to Newton for having disturbed the classical purity of Newton's theory of gravity His great respect for his hero, Newton, led him to do this in spite of his knowing he had discovered something Newton had not, or could not, have discovered for himself.

The question begs: will Al Gore similarly apologize for foisting upon us his hoax of a theory? Not likely will he do this.Therefore it is for the inquiring minds of the next generations of mini Einsteins to sit in judgement of all theories , good, valid, but especially those theories that serve a unique purpose, such as the discrediting of America's free market system by charlatans such as Mister Gore..It is not that we can not do this ourselves, we should always question motives, and intentions. It is simply that the children have so much more time to do so much more. Would we want it any other way, really?

Friday, December 05, 2008

History? What History?

Certainly, it is bad enough when America's school administrators, and teachers refrain from imbuing their (our) students with a proper sense of shared history.History, like a chain, is comprised of constituent links, each as strong as the others, both succeeding, and preceeding it. The strength of the chain itself relies on the willingness of individual links to do their job efficiently. Such chains tether a country's citizens to themselves, much as a similar chain will anchor a ship at sea, or to the dock of it's port of call.

Occasionally, there are links that fail, and the chain itself is doomed. So too, are each individual links, the many components thereof, which fade into the darkness of the sea, in this particular case, the darkness of an unforgiving world's history. This is exactly what came across my mind when I watched Senator "Chuck" Schummer, of New York, while he listened to an exasperated young woman giving testimony before a Senate commitee hearing in Washington DC, on October 1st, 2003. The woman, Suzannah Gratia-Hupp, a Texas state representative, detailed the horror she experienced when her parents were shot by an obviously deranged killer. Her concluding statement was perfect. She told the assembled Senators that her 2nd ammendment right was put into place for the express purpose of protecting her, from them, the Senators of the federal Government, and all others in positions of unlimited power, and influence

.Long ago, the English philosopher, John Locke (a man who profoundly influenced Thomas Jefferson) argued that the PATRIARCHA, the brain child of Sir Robert Filmore, was intellectually, and morally wrong. In Lockes First Treatise of Government, he assailed the idea that Kings descended from Adam, and thereby possessed a Devine right to their thrones, they, being the descendants of Adam, to whom God had given the earth. This "Jure Divino", the devine right of kings all, would be the eventual downfall of all governments, Locke asserted. A prescient man this John Locke. He must have known there would be the likes of the Chuck Schummers in the world to come after his passing.

Today, it seems that our children's history begins at the moment of their birth. We can thank our educational institutions for that misguided concept. Many of us believe ourseves to be the whole chain, and of only one link, we are that link, and that chain. So too, must it be for Chuck Schummer and his Liberal brethren, that they believe themselves to be not a link in the chain of America's history, but they themselves to be THE CHAIN.

Remember the wise man who stated: Those who forget, or neglect history, are doomed to make the same mistakes over, and over again? To the list of disagreeable ingredients in this boiling stew, add arrogance and a dash of impunity. What you get is a stew alright, but beware, for the stew will poison you and your mind.

Is it any wonder many of our children think this way? There will be no future historians to write of them, for their history will be written in the very next generation by similarly unprepared generation (whatever letter you desire).With no chain of generational links, our ship will drift to sea, and face the storms that shall come---the storms of ignorance and of decay. The rotting corpse of a once great and proud peoples will wash ashore on some distant isle, and the island's people will be perplexed. But they will go on their way, for they possibly have a chain. One that stirs the pride of the people in themselves. One that safely tethers them to their future. The buzzards will circle, and one day they too, will be gone, as are the traces of a once great civilization

What history? Perhaps the answer lies in paying attention to the opinions of men like John Locke.

Thursday, December 04, 2008

He Reached Into His Pocket, And Found A Little Less...

...of that most priceless of things dearest to him---His freedoms! This afternoon, my youngest grand son told me that, tomorrow, he would be taking a bus to the middle school nearby. I of course, asked him why, and his answer was revealing. "I am going to the Holliday Concert, Pop pop." I thought things over for a minute, and softly said,"You mean a Christmas concert, don't you?" The young man looked at me and said once again, "No! It is a Holliday Concert. You are not the boss of the school, they just call it a Holiday Concert, that's all."How I wished he might have told his teacher that he would just sit out this "Holiday" concert, and wait for the "Christmas" concert, and then he would go to that one instead.

At this point, I knew it was not a distinction I was going to be able to make with ease. The distinction between Christmas, and Holliday concerts.Several hours later, i was still agitated by what he had told me, and I got to thinking about something said by Charlton Heston, actor, and American Patriot a while back. It was in Washington DC, on December 6, 1997, on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the Free Congress Foundation.

During his remarks to the assembled guests, Mister Heston said the following:"A cultural war is raging across our land, storming our values, assaulting our freedoms, killing our self-confidence in who we are, and [in] what we believe." Mister Heston, then asked those who owned guns to raise their hands. "I wonder how many of you own guns, but chose not to raise your hands? How many of you considered revealing your conviction about a constitutional right, but then thought better of it?"If so, then you are the victim of the cultural war being waged against traditional American freedom of beliefs and ideas. You have been assaulted and robbed of the courage of your convictions. Your pride in who you are, and what you believe in has been ridiculed, ransacked, and plundered! It may be a war without a bullet, or bloodshed, but with as much LIBERTY, LOST. you, and your country are LESS FREE!

"Holliday concert, or Christmas concert? Which will it be?

In Holland, Geert Wilders, a Dutch Parlamentarian, wages a lone battle against what he views as an immigration policy that dooms the Dutch to eventual Islamification of the land of Peter and the dike. Of windmills, and colorful tulips dotting the countryside.In England, citizens worry that they too, are being overwhelmed, and sense their country is quite in the same mess as Holland. In these countries, there are ministries serving the needs of MULTICULTURALISTS. So too, in Canada, but mere hundreds of miles to the north, do these same denizens of the cold winter nights live and thrive, not at the will of, but at the expense of, the people they purportedly serve.

The year is 2008 AD, and not 2008 the common era, as the History Channel refers to it as being.

How better to illustrate this post than to accompany it with that calendar year 2008 shot of Sarah Palin, with her shotgun resting across those strong, and unyielding shoulders. This, my grand son shall see, and he will gain a greater appreciation for the freedoms remaining; for those freedoms yet to be taken back in the name of the PEOPLE of America.This young lad will forcefully exclaim, "Merry Christmas!" to his fellow students, and to his teachers also. In time he too, will come to understand that there are things very much worth fighting for;Things that other young Americans are both fighting for, and even dying for, all in our name.

What will it be for you? A Holliday Concert, or a Christmas Concert?

Merry Christmas everyone, and to all, a good night!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Jaywalking Again!

Senator Harry Reid has extended an invitation to Senator John McCain that John just can't refuse. Harry wants John to join him in conferring legal status on millions of people illegally here, in America. Of course, the sooner the better. Early Spring is the target time, and John seemingly, can not agree more. John, the wolf in Conservative clothing, is only weeks away from a failed presidential bid, and apparently, could not resist the stroll across the aisle, to help his pals from the Left. Really, there ought to be a law against this kind of jaywalking.

Isn't the real reason John lost the election, simply one of his being the lesser of two Liberal candidates, ergo, a foregone loser? You could tell he knew that, by the manner in which he exchanged leering glances at Sarah Palin while at campaign(?) stops this Fall. She was doing real damage to Obama's chances, and John had to rein in his running mate, lest she assist him in winning the role he truly didn't want to play---President!

Now, that may seem a rather harsh assessment of John's efforts, but what else are we left to conclude? By "we", I mean Conservatives, and not rank and file Republicans, who had as much to fear in a successful Sarah, as did the Democrats. Decisions, decisions! What is a man to do? Get back to the comfy confines of a Senate chamber, and begin plotting the next across the aisle trips, all in the best interests of the "American People", that's what.

Also on the agenda, is the not so small matter of passing the "Censorship Bill" under the auspices of "fairness" in broadcasting. Put aside the fact that in spite of Conservative talk radio, Obama clearly won the election. Why then the need to stifle free speech, unless the real reason is to secure a tight monopolistic control over ALL speech in America? Will John once more cross the crowded aisle to support this brazen Liberal attempt to diminish even more of our liberties?

Will John be, at all, a voice of reason, or simply a voice in the Senate wilderness? I heard today, that in the year 2013, a new vote will be found in the Franken recount effort. A vote held in the hands of a dead hunter in the wilds of Minnesota. That vote reduced the difference numbers to 50 or so, but unfortunately, Al had passed away the year previous. You've got to admire such resolve, don't you?

Meanwhile, Obama, through his Cabinet, and staff appointments, is reminding us just how much better Sarah Palin was qualified to be our next President. Whatever happened to the "audacity of hope, and of change"? In Obama's mind, "change" equates to more of the same old, same old. Trillions in debt is America, and the clock, ticking away our freedoms, looks just like the clock of Atomic Doom. Remember that one? The clock she ticks, and America's chickens are fleeing the coop! Reverend Wright didn't quite put it like that, but it will do for now, for today.

Now, back to the conflicted ones among us, they are as confused as am I. One heck of a mess to try to explain, but I'll try.

Monday, November 24, 2008

The Vaccuum Of Hope

So, here we are some 57 days until the Presidency changes hands. Ordinarily, this period of time,
separating the orderly transfer of power from one party to another, is benign, even melancholy for most outgoing presidents, and a wistful anticipation of great things to come by the incoming president. These times however, are extraordinary. There is precious little President Bush can or should do, to alleviate economic pressures confronting America. In effect, his presidency is now over, not officially, but effectively, over. The incoming president, Barack Obama, can not officially do anything at all. Nothing.

He could, though, through his articulation of his policy plans, instill a sense of encouragement in the minds of average Americans. He has largely chosen to ignore the healing effects this would have, and instead, has kept himself busy appointing Clinton retreads as his new Cabinet members. One might say this is personal policy, versus the healing of his country's ills, a public policy opportunity. Secrecy is the rule today, it seems, at least as far as the public gaining an insight into just who is this man we have elected?

The secrecy extends from not only knowing just when he was in Reverend Wright's church, listening to the poisonous homilies therein, and further, not being able to see one of his college thesis papers. His health records remain a mystery, save for the one page letter offered by his doctor. All this, and then there is the matter of just exactly where was this man born anyway? Is he legal in the sense that he meets the fundamental requirement of being a native born American.

If someone were to ask me: Where were you born? I would be able to tell them specifically, the place, the date and time, and any other supporting information essential to know. It is a matter of city, and state official record. I can furnish not only the state certificate, but the hospital of birth certificate as well. It really is no big deal, but in Obama's case it apparently is a VERY big deal, because the Supreme Court of the United States will be hearing a case on December 5th, regarding this matter. Wouldn't it be much simpler to just go back to the house, and retrieve the same type of documents I, or any one of you, possesses, and show them to the interested parties? "My gosh, what is all this fuss about ?" Obama could say, absolutely destroying the credibility of his challengers.

But, no. We are left to wonder why such mysteries are allowed to persist. Why anyone of good, and jolly spirit would permit this to go on. Why, indeed? The man, The One, wants so much to be considered as being of the mold of President John F. Kennedy. Does this mean he desires, or does not mind, the conspiracy theorists soon to converge upon him? Of course, there are no good or even simple reasons for this. Just lots of unanswered questions to ponder. We don't have time for that, the American people that is, we are in the throes of diminishing opportunities, and financial ruin descending, we need much, much more than all the mysteries surrounding this man.

Questions deserve accurate answers not subtle hints. Why are not the birth places of the prior 43 presidents a matter of unanswerable difficulty? Why should it be only this one? Our chances, apparently, of knowing as much as we should about this man, are equivalent to being able to accurately predict the winner of the next Kentucky Derby. Just can't be done!

No, I won't be one of those hanging on each of the One's words come next January 20th. I'll be too busy researching whatever records I may have access to, in order to find suitable answers for myself, to the questions that nag. And that's just not right. I should be able to appreciate the significance, and the importance of the moment, but will be denied, and that's not my fault either.

Let's have a Happy Thanksgiving, none the less, and give thanks for that which appears about to be lost. I have my family, but America needs so much more, doesn't she?

Saturday, November 22, 2008

It Got Me To Thinking

Amid warnings that we are in for a severe winter, I wondered, “Just where the heck is Al Gore when you need him most? I mean I could sure use some extra heating oil, and Thanksgiving isn’t even here yet. It would be nice if the man behind the Global Warming hoax actually presented himself front and center to explain what in God’s name is going on here. His earlier invention, the internet, has been largely useless in terms of finding the man. I want answers, and I want them now!

Well, I’ll have to turn to lesser things, such as pulling out my copy of the US Constitution, and reading once more the words of Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison. These two men spent many a cold night in the late 1700s answering their own questions, and the questions of those who opposed the Constitution’s adoption by the colonies. Their work, known as the Federalist Papers, pre-supposed the value of constitutional government, and their articulately stated opimions and views hold forth to this very day. An amazing byproduct, is that the keen intellect, and prescience on display back then, has not replicated itself unto this very day. Say what you will about Liberal influences in our public education system, the fact remains that these men were perfect not only for their time, but, boy, could we use men like that today.

Quite tellingly, Hamilton in his concluding remarks, said: “I answer in the next place, that I should esteem it the extreme of imprudence to prolong the precarious state of our national affairs, and to expose the Union to the jeopardy of successive experiments, in the chimerical pursuit of a perfect plan.” Further, Hamilton reasoned that: “I never expect to see a perfect work from imperfect man.” All men that is, who desire finding the “perfect plan” Hamilton admonishes us: “The result of the deliberations of all collective bodies must necessarily be a compound, as well as of the errors and prejudices, as of the good sense and wisdom, of the individuals of whom they are composed.”

Finally, Hamilton, in a moment of pure candor, quotes another writer: “To balance a large state or society, whether monarchical or republican, on general laws, is a work of so great difficulty, that no human genius, however comprehensive, is able by the mere dint of reason and reflection, to effect it. The judgements of many must unite in the work, experience must guide their labor, time must bring it to perfection, and the feeling of inconveniences must correct the mistakes which they inevitably fall into, in their first trials and experiments.”

These were not simply words of caution, they were instructions to those willing to listen. It is hoped, but not likely, that Barack Obama hears these words from his ancestral forefathers. Social experiments, over the years, have failed miserably when done on the grandest of scales. So too, will this be the fate of most of the program changes Obama has promised to us in the name of “change”

Since the Founding of America, many Congresses, and Presidents have tinkered their way around constitutional constraints, mostly with abysmal results. Today is no exception, save one fact: The current Congress, and the incoming President, seem hell bent on casting aside the wisdom of men like Madison, and Hamilton. All this in the name of what? Certainly not a better America, for America is greater when men disavow themselves of the notions that THEY can do better.

Madison and Hamilton wrote by the light of flickering candles at night, and by the strength of their publicly stated convictions during the light of day. Before the current crop decide to “change” America, it would be better if they first ask themselves, “What would Madison and Hamilton have said?”

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

What Ever Happened To Johnnie Mack Brown?

Some years ago, The Statler brothers, a country music group recorded the song, "Do You Remember These". In the song, the brothers were lamenting the passing of the good old days, and all the old cowboy heroes of the time. Further into the song, they recalled things such as "movie stars on dixie cup lids", and girls with "cooties" in their hair. Ah yes, the good old days, long gone, but not forgotten. The Statlers wondered what ever happened to Johnnie Mack Brown? Well, the election is over, and now someone will surely record a song lamenting the passing of the "current" good old days. "Whatever happened to Johnnie McCain", will be the query of all who remember the good old election campaign days of summer. Or will they? Will anyone remember John, as he crosses the aisle just one more time, and not for old times sake, either.

As it turned out, John was a major disappointment to all Republicans. Certainly, he will be accorded status for a valiant run, but in the end, will it make any difference? Hopefully, McCain will not allow himself to be used by the Obama administration, but indications are that he has already begun to cross that notorious "aisle" once more. Never could trust a maverick could we? To think that McCain forced Sarah Palin to embrace that same "maverick" tag, was demeaning to a decent Conservative, but she will recover. Her star, in it's ascendancy, will pass John's falling star on it's way down. Then, and only then, will Republicans be able to pick up the pieces and move on.

Often times, as a wolf in the wild must do to save itself, the party will gnaw off the gangrenous paw, just to ensure it's living for another day in the wild. It was a nice ride John, and it was even pleasurable to hear you extoll the virtues of Ronald Reagan, and claim you were a true, blue Conservative. But we knew it was not true at all. You used us, just as you have allowed the Liberals to use you in certain ways. Remember? Feingold, Kennedy et al? You were so proud of your reaching out in a bi-partisan way in behalf of the American people, to get something done, that needed not be done.

You couldn't find the aura of a gentleman to wrap yourself in when given the opportunity to defend your running mate on national television. That's ok though, because Sarah doesn't need you any more, she's on her own, and doing well. For all your qualities, John, you just didn't measure up when the real fight of your life commenced. Everyone is wondering why, and they grow fewer in numbers with each passing day. So, let's hoist our mugs aloft, and salute the man himself. He has earned at least that small amount of respect, but a new day of promise is upon us, a day with a woman front and center. This is Sarah's time, so let it begin.

Monday, November 17, 2008

How Decisions Are Made

This past week was pleasant in bucolic Greenville, South Carolina. Then, all hell broke loose. At the St. Marys RC Church, some 150 years old, Father Jay Scott Newman, placed a message to parishoners in the weekly church bulletin: "Voting for a pro-abortion politician, when a plausible pro-life alternative exists, constitutes material cooperation with intrinsic evil, and those Catholics who do so, place themselves outside of the full Communion of Christ's Church, and under the full judgment of Divine Law." He added further, that such persons should not receive Holy Communion, until they are reconciled to God in penance. Additionally, he advised his parishoners that they must pray for the president-elect, and cooperate with him whenever "conscience permits."

There you have it. The good shepherd tending to his flock of God's children, as he saw the need to so do. His parishoners agreed by a 9-1 margin with his message, and then the hammer fell. Somehow, the press got hold of his church bulletin's message, and it became, of course, national news. The ensuing heat generated by the story, prompted a statement by Monsignor Martin T. Laughlin, administrator of the Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina. In his statement, Msgr. Laughlin allowed that the "churches clear moral teaching on the evil of abortion had been pulled into the partisan political arena." He went on to say that, "Father Newman's statements do not adequately reflect the Catholic Church's teachings." Interestingly, he also said that "Man has the right to act in CONSCIENCE, and in freedom, so as to make moral decisions...and guided by the AUTHORITATIVE teaching of the Church." Sounds very clear to me, how about you?

Coincidentally, on November 13, 2008, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, through their Catholic Campaign for Human Development sub-committee chairman, Roger Morin, severed their financial relationship with ACORN, citing an embezzlement FINDING, and other acts of impropriety. This action provoked no outrage, no editorial dissection of motive underlying the action taken, nor any word at all. Nothing like good clean decisions made in the best interests of the Church, and it's benefactors. Gosh, that was easy enough, and they didn't have to go very far back in time to come to a just conclusion.

Here is the dilemma, On the one hand, a monetary decision is made in good faith, one consonant with good business practice. All's well, that ends well. Then, there is father Newman, guided by HIS conscience, and by centuries of Church teaching. From the first century Didache, to Pope John Paul II, in his "Evangelium Vitae" (Gospel of life), it has been eminently clear that abortion is FORBIDDEN, as is murder. The law of retribution, Lex Talionis, stresses that abortion calls for STRICT penalties. Moses himself, said so, and here some 1900 years later, so too, did father Newman advise his flock regarding the evils of abortion, and how to select in good conscience, one person of a better moral understanding of the evil, than another not so held to the mandates of HIS church's teachings. This is clear to me, how about you?

I suppose the central point is that the Church hierarchy, in it's haste to make the matter go permanently away, chose to make Father Newman a scapegoat. Of course, Father Newman would not agree with me, but I, in good conscience have made that distinction not for him, but for me. How is it that a sound business practice, absent historical significances, may be almost unilaterally made in but a minute or two, by the same people who, with two millennia of teaching and precedent, struggle with such a simple task?

Father Newman obviously, acted in good faith with his conscience and training as guides before writing his admonition to HIS parishoners. he should be praised, silently, if one must, but praised for holding firmly to the tenets of Canon Law. It truly is that simple. Why have others made it so difficult? You may supply your own answers here.

And now, there are new things to teach those who will save us from ourselves...

Sunday, November 16, 2008

The Chill Of Winter Has Arrived...

...And with it, a certain realization.

The chill you feel in the air is not necessarily a product of northerly winds this Fall. The chill we feel, is the chill put upon the spirits of proud Americans who fear their country is being taken from them by the forces of change. At least half of all Americans are in this, together with another sizable group who simply wanted to be a part of history in the making. It is this latter group that is so fascinating. In particular, Douglas Kmiec, a professor of law at Pepperdine University, seems to be representative of the lot. A practicing Catholic, Kmiec nonetheless became a vocal supporter of Barack Obama, and headed up Obama's Catholic outreach effort to secure the Catholic vote in America. He, as a former member of the Reagan and Bush administrations, had earlier supported Mitt Romney's candidacy, but when John McCain became the party nominee, he felt the need to look elsewhere for someone to support.

So, he found Barack Obama, a man whom he believed not to be religious, but a man with Christian beliefs. With this in mind, Mr. Kmiec certainly was aware of Obama's disregard for human life surviving a botched abortion. Apparently, the various significant points of law in play concerning this was an override to the application of not only common sense decency, but of the moral laws to which we are all subject. In professor Kmiec's case, he has said that he is lost if the decision to bar him from receiving Holy Communion persists.

We are to assume that the professor is, and has been cognizant, of the Catholic Church position regarding abortion. In both legal, and non-legal terms, it is murder. It is not "infanticide", which seems to be a mind cleansing definition in the minds of the elites among us Fortified with years of such religious awareness, and certainly in possession of his cognitive faculties, the professor nonetheless made the conscious, and deliberate decision to support a man with ideas so foreign to almost all practicing Catholics in America.

He claims that in a conference call with the Pope himself, that if the Pope said, "Douglas, you are wrong!", he would tear out the first 174 pages of his Obama support manifesto. Here, Kmiec offers a glimpse into the soul of the Obama supporters who "went along for the ride into history in the making". The "latter group I spoke of earlier, is filled with the Douglas Kmiecs of the world. People of sometimes clear vision, who push that vision aside purposefully, when confronted by a charismatic wolf in sheep's clothing. We should not condemn these people, we should offer prayers for them, that they return safely to the path of moral conviction.

Remember this: Those same forces are still out there, attempting to steal elections in Georgia, and in Minnesota. They will find their Douglas Kmiecs, and they will mesmerize them into signing up for the "cause". America is not lost, but America is in a state of mortal flux. Conservatives will win the day, and they will do it with purposeful dignity.

The children call, I must get to them knowing the charlatans are but mere minutes away...

Friday, November 14, 2008

The Fight Has Begun

Rahm Emanuel has apologized to an Arab acquaintance for remarks made by his father, which suggested that Rahm, a Jew, would be supportive of Israel, hence, so would Barack Obama. Not yet in office, Obama's appointments are busy stirring the pot of boiling world stew. One may only imagine what other such seasoning may be added to this roiling brew come January 20th, 2009. Add to this development, the converging upon Minnesota of outside Liberal lawyers, Move On loyalists, the NEA, and, of course, Acorn membership, for the unselfish purpose of "stealing" the election of Norm Coleman, twice certified. We should have faith that the Minnesota Secretary of State, Mark Ritchie, a former Acorn head, will discharge his Constitutional duties flawlessly, and with the highest degree of fidelity. Yeah, right!

The oft quoted Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US House, promised "civility", and a true spirit of bi-partisanship two years ago. Now, as forecast, Washington Congressional Democrats are on the brink of begining an investigation into the soon to be former, Bush administration for foul deeds done over the past eight years. Nothing like a partisan in wolf's clothing is there? Clearly, the democrats desire a filibuster proof Senate, and are willing to traverse any road, legal or otherwise, that will secure that goal for them.

Obama, in his haste to "act" presidential, rather than to "be" presidential, is sure to make many mistakes leading up to his inauguration in some 67 days from today. Of a sudden, William Ayres, has found his voice, and is not bashful at all in recounting his former life as a terrorist. In the newest version he simply engaged in activities that were possibly not legal, but his intent was not to hurt people. Well, bless his little terrorist heart! More than likely, we'll be hearing from the rest of Obama's pals, and sooner than later.

When the Democrats are finished, President Bush won't have to worry about his legacy at all. In fact, he, if they are successful, will turn out not having been our president at all! I like clean slates, don't you? It gives us a fresh new start on the road to despotism, and to Socialism itself. Jeremiah Wright's "chickens" having come home to roost, are but a portent of what awaits America during the next four years.

All this, the foregoing, is not refutable, simply taken as the promises of Obama himself to all Americans, voting and non-voting Americans. Legal, and non-legal Americans, and anyone else favorable to the Obama Crusade.

As we descend into the dark, and gloomy winter of 2008, let us remember that what the Germans could not do at Bastogne, Belgium, in the winter of 1945, so too, will the Democrats not be able to do, to a prepared, and informed rest of us. That's us, as in US citizens! The battle has started, are we similarly prepared to beat back the advancing forces of Socialism? The answer is a resounding, YES!

And now, back to the little people whose futures depend on us.

Saturday, November 08, 2008

Fairness, to be or not to be?

Now that the election is over, you may bet the "Fairness Doctrine" advocates will rouse themselves from their slumbers, and move forward vigorously to reinstate that infamous assault on free speech. In short, the doctrine was founded on a particularly solid point. Some sixty years ago, the FCC decided that it was in the public interest to require broadcast stations to air contrasting points of view vis a vis editorial positions taken by STATIONS, in political matters. This made sense, because if a particular candidate for political office believed himself to not being properly, and accurately portrayed in a broadcast stations editorial pronouncements, well, then he felt a need for equal time to correct what he viewed as being inaccuracies, or untruths. As a rule, this made good sense, and the FCC promulgated rules of it's own to ensure "fairness" on broadcast air waves.

However, since Ronald Reagan's deregulation in the 1980's, and the eventual overhaul of the Fairness Doctrine" itself, there hasn't been much of a perceived need to reinstate the doctrine. That is, until Democrats, and Liberals decided for themselves that stations with Conservative talk shows were not truly fair and balanced in their programming standards. As a result, Congressional Democrats are now calling for the doctrine's reinstatement, creating a new standard of "Fair and Balanced" programming. The dirty truth is that these talk shows thrive on audience participation, and have been wildly successful business enterprises as a result. On the other hand, Liberal talk shows have been tried, but have failed for good reasons. They just don't work! Liberal views depend not so much on audience participation to make their shows work well, for Liberalism itself, is intellectually undefinable, making it virtually impossible to succeed.

The whole point behind these calls for the doctrine's reinstatement, is to stifle free speech, and eliminate the "competition " as it were. This is most puzzling, for there are only a handful of such "Conservative" talk shows on radio. They are eminently successful because all discussions are IDEA based, and not of some nebulous quality that would allow for public indoctrination. These shows are but a part of a broadcast stations daily menu, and do not reflect the views of the station itself. That is true fairness itself. Additionally, these stations are independent business enterprises, and must make money from advertiser willingness to pay that money. On each of these shows furthermore, Liberal points of view are encouraged and sought after. On many, liberal callers are often put to the "front of the line", though oftentimes to the dismay of their Conservative counterparts. All in all, it is an entertaining format, and not one detrimental to the public good at all.

And another thing, with the Democrats recent election showing, it would appear that they were able to somehow convince a number of voting Americans to see things their way. To me, that signals a disturbing move attempted by Democrats in Congress, to purge the air waves of anything that they do not favor as a voice of political expression. Although we could hold up the example of the MSM, and the print media, as not being the respectable "news" organizations they purport themselves to be, I won't do that just now. Suffice it to say that if we do nothing, we will lose our only voices of reason, at least as we see them to be.

The Liberals have most of it, don't they? A willing and compliant press, our country's public education system, and power in the Congress! What more can they possibly need? Total control it would appear to be. Mark Levin says famously that "Tyranny is at the bottom of the slippery slope upon which we stand. Tyranny, despotism, socialism, and Marxism await those blinded by the guile and the intentions of the ruling class: Washington elitist politicians of the Democrat stripe!

Are we going to stand idly by, and watch our First Amendment stripped from the US Constitution?

NO, a resounding NO!!

And now, back to the education of those who will ultimately save us from ourselves. They vitally need instruction on that same Constitution, you know, the Constitution they are not receiving training on in America's public schools. Yeah, that one.

Thursday, November 06, 2008

What Happened To The Good News?

Let's see here: Our country elects it's first black Liberal as president, and the DOW plunges 370 points. I suppose this was in honor of the "changes" to come in the market place. Within the next two months, it is said that sports agents will hurry to take advantage of this current years tax rates, allowing the boys of summer, fall and winter, (did I mention spring?) to keep more of their hard earned money before it is retrned to the suckers who pay inflated ticket prices to see their heroes on the fields of play. No self respecting sportsman would pass up that opportunity would he/she?

We need change, was the unrelenting mantra of Obama, and his delerious supporters. So far, all we have gotten are the two invitations sent to Rahm Emanuel, congressman, Illinois, and Robert Gibbs. The former has accepted the White House Chief of Staff position, and Gibbs will likely do the same, accepting the White House Press secretary's appointment. Wow! more change that just doesn't smell like change. In Emanuel Obama is getting a hard knuckled politician who once sent a dead fish to a political foe. Then there is the story of Emanuel's tirade in Chicago directed at politicians he felt had disrespected him. You know, where he sat at a table with a steak knife in hand and said"Dead!", after each of the recalcitrants names were mentioned. Republicans have less to fear from Emanuel, than do Congressional democrats who defy Obama's legislative plans.

meanwhile, the bufoonish Tom Brokaw was heard on the Charlie Rose television show saying that, "Obama is an enigma, we don't know much about him other than the two biographies he has written." Well, Mr> Brokaw, you are a journalist, are you not? You could have, provided that you wanted to, assigned a reporter or two to find out just who in the name of God was this candidate named Obama. But you didn't. You were too busy advancing the cause of the Messiah, and now are trying simply to cover your a**! Others in the MSM are filing their own mea culpas, in the hope that the tarnish so encrusted on their reputations, may be removed before the public starts asking serious questions. You people got exactly what you wanted, and now will have to live with the consequences. I wonder to what will they attribute the greatest one day fall after a presidential election of the DOW since 1900? Oh, I know. The failed economic policies of the Bush administration. Yeah, that's it. Mr. President, you deserve all the ridicule having come your way since election 2000! Your unwillingness to fight the good fight was not only beneath the presidency, as you insist, but apparently beneath your ability to do so: engage the enemy on his turf. Similarly, John McCain's campaign chieftains should beware their laying blame for McCain's loss at the feet of Governor Sarah Palin. McCain himself didn't have the fire in his belly either. In that regard, he is more like President Bush, than not.

I spoke with Obama voters today, and politely asked them to give me reasons for the need to change, and remake America. Needless to say, these were exceedingly brief, and very quiet conversations that never really got off the ground. So much for the intelligent among us.

Meanwhile, things were very routine for those whose futures depend on each of us. The rain, looming threats of snow, the wind, and play. Their day of "hope" will come, but will it be too late for them? This, I ask of myself, and anyone else within earshot.

Now, back to those with mundane worries. They are looking forward to Christmas already. This year will be as last year, but what about next year and the years to follow?

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

What's Next?

We have a new President-elect. His name is Obama. We are told to rejoice for the choices made, and for the history of the moment. We are admonished to be gracious, and to congratulate this man for his victory over the reluctant John McCain. This we are told, but this I deny.

True Conservatives, constantly on guard against enemies of our Constitution, now have their work cut out for them. No, I can not offer congratulations, nor be gracious in advance of the carrying out of the many promises made by Obama. Carry them out is his intent, and our warning. In spite of the Democrat claims of racial divides being created, let us remember that it was THEY who injected race into every available cavity of the now past election period. For Conservatives, it was never about race, certainly not the party of Thomas Sole, Walter Williams, Ken Blackwell, Michael Steele or Condy Rice, and Clarence Thomas. Conservatives have always been the ones discussing issues in terms of their Constitutional relevance, and not in terms of being made to simply feel "good" about Liberal decisions made without concern for Constitutional limits on those decisions made.

No. Conservatives must band together more tightly, and rid the movement of those who sought to redefine it. Rid them by letting it be known they are not welcome at the discussion table when the rebirth begins. Republicans, elitist, and simply RINO, are the cancer that has riddled the Conservative movement of it's life sustaining nourishment. Let the ridding begin!

For all their likeability, neither George Bush, nor John McCain have led the movement in a positive way. President Bush, over an eight year period, allowed the Liberals, and the MSM to define him as a bumbler, and a clod unworthy of the presidency he "stole" from Al Gore, and John Kerry. President Bush felt that fighting back against these negative forces was beneath the Presidency itself, and so, he became to many Americans that which they were told he was: unfit for the job. John McCain, obviously so proud of his "maverick" status, and a fierce military warrior of whom the country was rightfully proud, similarly did not have the desire nor the fire in his belly to combat the enemies of our Constitution: Liberals. Yes, they are to be praised for their service to America, but also faulted for their lack of visionary leadership.

Obama, today, appealed to the roughly half of America that did not vote for him. He acknowledged that their votes went not his way, and he was reaching out for our support in the long days ahead. I believe Obama to be a man of his word, and his words are what frighten the hell out of me, and I am sure many other Americans as well. This man who proclaimed himself to be a "uniter" has fallen back to the default position of dividing this country thoroughly, and with purpose. Last night he told adoring supporters there would be many failures in the next year, and beyond to the fourth year of his presidency. This a prerequisite step to campaigning for a second term before he has begun his first. He spoke of the need to sacrifice on the part of all, which provoked looks of bewilderment in the adorers eyes. Don't worry though, it will all be blamed on the terrible presidency of George Bush and those awful, nasty republican supporters of his.

True, he does not have a fillibuster proof Senate to assist in the implementation of his plans for "change", and the "remaking" of America. But, with Republicans like Arlen Spector, and Lindsay Graham, even that is not so certain a brake on the wheels of destructive power about to be unleashed. This is a situation we all knew could happen, but did not anticipate ever happening to an enlightened public. Well, the lights are on full glare now, and the scene is not so pretty out there. That which America asked for, America is about to get. Do not come to my door looking for a sympathetic voice with which to commiserate, I'll be too busy, as was the Hollander, Peter, with my fingers, if not my hand in the hole in the dike about to be breached.

Over half of Americans who voted yesterday, I suppose were voting as they would for Warren Sapp on "Dancing With The Stars". The shallowness, the very real contempt for our country's history was on display yesterday, and half the world laughed with glee as America got it's comeuppance in a big way. The other half, well, they have lost a world leader to whom they looked up, and were saddened.

I caution these Leftists who want to make victims out of a majority of Americans. You can not succeed. You will not be allowed to succeed, for if history is the guide it is portrayed to be, you will be the ones deposited on the ash heaps where you belong. You want a fight, a protracted struggle? You've got it, in spades.

The lessons to be taught to those who survive our ignorance, are many, and extremely important. Back to school with them, and with their futures in mind...