Daisy Cutter

4 July 2010 ... Independence

2010-07-03T10:54:00.005-05:00

A little over six years ago ... wow, that's been a while ... I started blogging in this space. A lot has changed on a personal level (and beyond, for sure) since then. It's been fun. But candidly, I don't have the energy to keep it up. The marquis is broken (server issues with the fella hosting ) and my bells/whistles are not up to snuff. More fundamentally, I just don't have the energy/wherewithall to make this thing go. There's too much happening in the real world.

But I will still be around the internets from time to time. For those who care to follow or find me, well, email me -- dcutter-at-gmail-dot-com. Talk to "my people", and they will direct you.

Who knows? I may be back at some point in the future here, but for now, I can't see such a time. So, I am going to leave this site here as a museum of sorts of ideas and of one solitary Christian conservative speaking out on behalf of what he believed ... and believes ... during a most tumultuous and important time in our history. Maybe my kids will read it some day. For those of you who know them and feel led to direct them here, I would appreciate it.

One thing I believe in ... and I learned this from my Dad ... is America. I love my country so, to me, it's more like a love story and a relationship with the land I live in. I realize that for many (even those who agree with me on a lot of things), this might seem a bit much.

But I was taught to love my country ... because it is good, decent, and free. And brave men have inhabited this place since its founding. I stand on their shoulders and, as a result, have been able to see most beautiful things and have have had the opportunities to go to most amazing places.

No particular government or politician can dampen this for me. I fell in love long ago, you see. For those who think "love is blind", well, I guess you could look at it that way.

For me, though, it's just that I know the soul of this great lady America.

I am hers.

There she stands.

Yes, God bless America.

Semper Fidelis ...

June 2010 ... still kicking

2010-06-16T22:54:00.006-05:00

Six years ago, I started this project. I am inclined to keep it going, albeit it's difficult these days with work, family, and such. But I do wish to opine into the cyber-ether.

Plus, I have rented a space over at Goomba's. There are Eye-talians there, but it's okay.

Still ... I will probably fire this space up as we head into the fall. If you have any thoughts or suggestions, put them in the comments.

In fact, let's plan on meeting here on July 4 for a humdinger of an American birthday message.

Love to you all in the meantime, and God bless America.

Happy Independence Day, America: We are not a government.

2009-07-04T09:43:00.008-05:00

Happy Fourth, every one. Okay, this will now be my last post until next summer when I come of the BIRR (Blog Individual Ready Reserve) to make hay ... and sense.

But for now I would like to post a few thoughts and direct your attention on the internets whilst I am away.

The title of this post is as appropriate today as ever, it seems. We've talked about it here before, and a lot. (Too tired to dig up the link, so search it out if you must).

But here it goes: America is not a government. America is a nation. A nation has a government. A nation is not its government.

That some don't understand this, like they don't understand gravity when they fling themselves from buildings, is of no moment.

The American nation is fundamentally defined by those of us who share the American ideal at the core of our culture -- that all men are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. Add to that a border and a government, and there is your American nation.

Too many have forgotten this and think that America is all that happens in Washington, D.C. What a small view of the nation. What a small view of life.

I am an American. My dad taught me to be proud of this fact and walk tall. Think big. Whining is not the American way. But winning is.

The current goings-on in D.C. challenge our spirit, but our spirit should never be defeated. Rather, our spirit can not be defeated.

Truth is bouyant. Liberty soars. What are you doing down there?

God bless America. I love her so ... and all of you who love her, as well.

See you in June 2010.

Semper Fidelis,

President touches baseball for first time ever ... humiliates self and handcuffs Pujols with first pitch

2009-07-03T00:12:00.001-05:00

Still shaken by seeing the foregoing up close, Pujols uncharacteristically made a costly error in the first inning.

News Flash: Obama and Demos say, "Give us your cigarettes!"

2009-06-12T11:01:00.005-05:00

After all, it's time to stop smoking now, so cough up yours. Apparently, the "O" needs some more smokes. Never mind that he smoked then (all sorts of stuff) and smokes now ... like a chimney. Do as a I say ... or else!! Leftist is as leftist does.

Full disclosure: I posted this to be fair to the lefties who are upset that we put up pictures of Michelle Obama frowning, appearing after getting dressed in the dark, and preparing to enter the realm of Battlestar Gallactica.

Lighten up, Lefties. You've got the paradise you wanted. If all is well, then why so dour?

Because we are right!! And your heroes are not funny when they are trying to be and are hilarious when they are dead serious.

I was wrong about Obama

2009-06-09T00:01:00.009-05:00

It really is that bad.

I mean, really. Where do I start? Obama and Co. are so in over their heads, and they don't have a clue where the side of the pool is. Alas, it's too long to post it all, especially these days.

Take a look at Michelle. I heard via People, Newsweek, the View and such that she was the happiest, sweetest, bestest first lady ever. I mean, she's in France and having the time of her life. Just look.

What gives? I don't know. Maybe it's that Judge Sotomayor keeps stumbling ... or that the world is going right while the U.S. is trying to go left and keeps nearly getting hit by traffing coming the other way. Left turns have to yield, you know. It's natural law.

Let us pray for a smiling, humorous, warrior who can ride into town and name names and help us take the government back. And no, I am not running for president.

Life calls me to reality, at least until we ramp up for the 2010 elections. Will we see some spine and conservatism on the ballot against the Demos next fall? I am sure hoping so. It's like fish in a barrel, if the Republicans are interested.

In the meantime, Obama and Co. can't tax my joy or keep me from laughing at them ... and speaking out. They are going to have to print me some more money to pay all the taxes they hope to collect.

We are bigger than the Obama Administration.

Out

P.S. My benevolent little post appears to have stirred up the "forces of darkness" by daring to mention Ms. Obama's frown in making a serious point in a light-hearted way. It seems that still there are some who have nothing better to do than to troll this happy little conservative blog.

So, I cheerfully wish the President and the humorless myrmidons who support him well, and also the Empress: Mr. President, may the force be with you ...

I mean, he is going to need more than "the force" to explain this Londoner stunner ...

Will some one please spring for some lights for the Obamas, so Michelle will quit getting dressed in the dark?

Hey, you snarling little lefties out there ... Smile and show your black teeth with the burned-in cigarette holders. That's it. Lighten up. No one is attacking the Obamas' children or advocating same.

I mean, who wants to be demoted to an aging, vile, has-been, lefty late night host?

There's something to get fired up about, you lefties. Remember when you advocated women's rights? Oh, but that was B. P.. Before Palin.

Remember when you had a normal sense of humor ... and it was okay to laugh at such outfits and the clueless wonders who wore them out in public? I mean, if your crazy aunt wore such a thing, you would whisper and laugh about it until she left. Be honest. But don't stare at it ... My EYES!!! AHHHHHHH!!!

Stay strong ... until all lefties are made to admit that God lives, America is exceptional, and Obama makes George Bush looks like Abraham Lincoln.

See you in June

2009-01-26T00:22:00.003-06:00

On or about 15 June 09, to be exact.

I mean, with all this Hope and Change, what could there be to write about, in any event? I jest, of course.

Closing Gitmo ... "stimulating" the economy ... soon Pres. Obama's worldview will meet reality, and hopefully some Republicans with spine. I saw that even today ol' Johnny Mc was saying he couldn't vote for the stimulus. Wow, it must be really bad.

We'll be okay, folks.

Keep up the good fight in your sphere of influence, and I will do the same.

God bless and keep America.

Talk to you in June.

The Bush Legacy ... An Honorable Man in a Treacherous Town

2009-01-19T00:01:00.001-06:00

As I sign off until June, I thought it appropriate to say a few parting words about Pres. George W. Bush, who in part inspired this site.

It's funny, but I have found myself comforted these past few weeks that he is still the president ... even as we prepare to swear in a new one. I continue to wish Barack Obama well, and I sincerely hope he will prove conservatives wrong by embracing the challenge that is the global struggle against Militant Islam. I am also mindful of the gigantic historical significance of his election, with his inauguration coming on the day after MLK Day.

This is a great country, ladies and gentlemen.

Still, I am going to miss Pres. Bush. I've had my moments with him over the past eight years (who hasn't?), but he has fulfilled two terms in some of the nation's most tumultuous times. He managed to keep his word and his honor while doing so, as well.

In thinking through the legacy of Pres. Bush, I concluded that he is an unusual bird in politics for a couple of reasons: 1) He doesn't politick and/or explain and argue for his positions very well; and 2) He does what he says he is going to do. This would seem to make him a sitting duck in political circles, but all told, he has done pretty well.

Yes, Pres. Bush has angered conservatives with his immigration and spending policies. But he has always believed this way; he campaigned as a "compassionate conservative", after all. He never said he was coming to Washington with a huge budget axe. On immigration, Pres. Bush's views were well-known when he was Texas's governor. His views on immigration (which I happen to disagree with) grow out of his faith (which I happen to share). I think he is misguided, but he never wavered on this point.

Pres. Bush said he would appoint judicial conservatives, and he did so. Whether Harriet Miers (whom I vigorously opposed) would have been one, we won't know. But we do know that Pres. Bush did something that he doesn't do often -- he changed his mind -- and withdrew her nomination to appoint Justice Sam Alito instead. Bush's Supreme Court appointments of Chief Justice Roberts and Alito are simply outstanding. His record on judicial appointments is far better than his father's (Souter, any one?) or even Pres. Reagan (who appointed O'Connor and Kennedy).

Remember the dreadful Prescription Drug Plan? I didn't like it when he campaigned on it, but Pres. Bush enacted it. He vowed to work with Democrats and try to "change the tone" in Washington; thus, one of the first things he did was to have Ted Kennedy over the to the White House for a movie and to set the groundwork for the Education Bill. There was a lot of problems in proceeding this way, not the least of which was that Kennedy and Co. were busy putting knives in Bush's back while he was trying to forge a new path.

He said he would cut taxes and he did. Come to think of it, Pres. Bush pretty much did all of what he said he was going to do.

As for the "new tone", recall that one of the things that Pres. Bush promised to do was "restore the dignity to the White House" after the Clinton era. In doing so, I think he was misguided and failed to defend himself and his party too often, but it is clear that Pres. Bush believes that the president shouldn't be a mere petty politico. He did what he said he was going to ... again.

Arguably, one of the very few areas where Pres. Bush wavered from his campaign rhetoric is that he did, in fact, engage in "nation-building" in Iraq. However, as he did with Harriet Miers, Bush changed course only when it was clear that such a move was consistent with the larger principles he had laid out.

Recall that he said after 9/11 that national security and the terrorist threat would become the principal focus of his administration. Again, he kept his word. People can debate the merits of the Iraq War -- especially in hindsight. However, I remember what virtually all thought just one year after 9/11 -- that Saddam Hussein either had or was about to acquire WMD. Even Obama never argued that Hussein did not have WMD. As such, going into Iraq was consistent with the Administration's focus as articulated after 9/11.

More fundamentally, though, Pres. Bush stayed on track to win in Iraq -- even after he had to remake his own team and strategy to win. This happens in wars, even though it can't be communicated effectively to a text-messaging populace.

Pres. Bush stayed on course during an unpopular war; again, he stayed consistent to what he had said he would do. Obama will get the credit for ending the war; Pres. Bush and his team deserve the credit for winning it.

In the end, Pres. Bush didn't explain himself well enough or often enough. That's too bad. However, I think history will.

I think history will be kind to Pres. Bush. He kept his word and he did restore honor the White House. He pledged to make it his first priority to protect the nation from a terrorist attack, and he did just that.

When Demos were fighting FISA (before some switched there votes to help win elections), the leader of the fight for all of us was Pres. Bush. He was doing what he said he would do after 9/11.

In the course of the presidential campaign and since being elected, Obama has already changed his course more than Pres. Bush did in eight years. Obama already doesn't measure up to the standard set by Pres. Bush.

A lot of people are glad to see Pres. Bush go, and I personally think it's time for a change after 8 years, as well.

But I will miss Pres. Bush come Jan. 21.

In a dangerous and difficult time, he was an honorable man in a treacherous town.

Go Israel: As the Opaque Gaza Glass is Broken, We See Inside a Lot of Places

2009-01-06T00:01:00.002-06:00

Go Israel.

These are my simple sentiments as the IDF proceeds with its ground offensive into Gaza. In the past, the Israelis have vacillated between firm responses and collateral-damage squeamishness in dealing with both Hamas and Hezbollah jihadis.

Here's hoping they see the operation through. Most of the world will always be squeamish about doing the dirty work necessary to defeat evil.

The Gaza incursion illuminates and illustrates, on a number of fronts.

First, isn't it interesting that the Arab and Muslim allies of Hamas continue to appeal for a cease fire when the IDF is on the march? What gives? If you've got them surrounded, why do you need help? If you are winning, you don't need the other side to let up. Whose side is Allah on any way?

Oh, hold on. These are the same nations that breed, house, and finance the bulk of the world's deadliest jihadis ... those who "boldly" commit deadly strikes against unsuspecting civilians.

And who do the Arab nations and Hamas appeal to? The weak-kneed former powers in the West. I mean, what a sight to see the terrorists asking the non-believing infidels for a little love. Seemingly, only America stands tall with Israel in these times. However, as long as America and Israel stand together in such a time, it will be enough.

Will Obama follow the lead of Bush here? Here's hoping. Maybe the Chosen One will speak on a difficult subject at some point. He seems to me to be overwhelmed. Maybe he is just worried that his cabinet won't survive until Inauguration Day. Perhaps he is preoccupied with a government stimulus. Keep the check, Mr. Pres.-elect.

But back to Israel, why should it care ... or any one else ... what people think about its decision to defend itself? The Israelis have every right. Who cares what jihadi-sympathizing protesters and governments cowed by militants say?

If Mexico or Canada were lobbing missiles over the border, we likely wouldn't take a poll of world opinion.

Harry Reid might. But most of us wouldn't. We'd just go.

Go Israel.

Happy New Year? I Report, but You Decide

2009-01-01T20:39:00.009-06:00

Happy 2009. So will it be a good year for you and yours ... or not? Perhaps your inclination is to wait to see what circumstances will bring. My retort is that you are a lot more in control of how your year goes than the circumstances you will face.

It appears that a lot of my conservative and Christian brethren are down in the mouth, wondering how we are going to survive these perilous times with the Obama crowd at the helm. I understand their sentiments. This is why I worked to help get the most uninspiring Republican alternative since Bob Dole elected -- genuine concern about the alternative.

However, when concern becomes fear and then fear leads to paralysis, well, we do then become subject to our circumstances. We are, in fact, then the subjects of our masters -- the unfortunate circumstances that we fear and even loathe.

As for me, I refuse to live in such a way. Rather, I am going to face the Obama years with both dogged determination and a smile. I know that these days will present opportunities for me and mine to shine. The Carter Malaise spawned the Reagan Revolution, after all. Then, the happy-footed Clinton Adminstration led to the Contract with America and Republican control of the House for the first time in 40 years.

These sorts of opportunities are about to begin presenting themselves again. Of course, the country (and indeed the world) continues to face the great peril that is Militant Islam. My belief is that we'll see more realism -- at least abroad -- from the Obama Administration as a result. I think we have already seen a dose of this in his national security picks.

Here's another thing that really keeps me upbeat: My side is right. That is, I really get a charge watching post-modern lemmings charge headlong off reality cliffs. The global warming crowd ... the gay "marriage" crowd ... the "we need more taxes" crowd ... the "we can reason with jihadis" crowd ... and the "God is dead" crowd all find that facts are stubborn things when power requires their theories to be tested.

There is a reason why the left uses unelected bureaucracies and judges to push much of its agenda. People want something else; people want what works.

Sometimes I think that insecure conservatives just aren't sure that we are right or perhaps worry what others might think about us when we stand for what is right. As for me, I don't pretend to have the answers to all questions large and small; however, I do believe that I have most of the important stuff right. Thus, I don't fear the post-modern barbarians. They will win some battles here and there, but they'll fold ultimately. I will be there to watch it.

I refuse to waste my time wringing hands and getting down. There is a lot of opportunity in this time. So, let's seize it and make it our time.

Happy New Year.

Count Your Blessings

2008-12-24T00:01:00.001-06:00

I watched "White Christmas" the other night with offspring #2 and #4. We enjoyed it (again). Oh, yeah, there's some sap and a side of corny. But it's a Christmas classic on many levels. I mean, the "Sisters" act by Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye makes the movie worth watching by itself.

Plus, the hero of the film really is a good guy, even though he is repeatedly doubted by his flame. You know the movie was made a long time ago if the leading man was actually right and the woman in his life was wrong ... and more than once. What were they thinking?! Kids could be corrupted watching that stuff.

The girls in the movie also seemed to want to be girls, and they acted like ladies. What gives? Boys, well, they went into "the service" and served their country. I mean pretty much all of them. Then they took care of their Army pals and generals when they got out, no questions asked. That's just what you did.

Post-WWII America was acquainted with sacrifice and hard times. Virtually every one knew the effects of war and a real depression. The hearty and generous spirit, and perseverance of that generation are an encouragement, even today.

And in the film, Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) encouraged the sleepless Betty Haynes (Rosemary Clooney) with the words of this simple but profound little song:

When I am worried and I can't sleep,
I count my blessings instead of sheep.
And I fall asleep counting my blessings.

When my bankroll is getting small,
I think of when I had none at all.
And I fall asleep counting my blessings.

I think about a nursery,
And I picture curly heads,
And one by one I count them
As they slumber in their beds.

If you're worried and you can't sleep,
Just count your blessings instead of sheep.
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings.

Blessings are more than gifts, of course. They are gifts from God, as the "White Christmas" generation understood well. We had blessings then. We have them now.

Christmas is about the ultimate blessing landing on earth to announce that God would go to any and all lengths to make a way for relationship with fallen mankind.

Count your blessings.

Merry Christmas.

Chin up, Conservatives: God Still Controls the Weather and Hell is, in Fact, Freezing Over

2008-12-17T23:30:00.003-06:00

Let's get this straight.

Snow in my home town of Houston. Snow in New Orleans. Snow in Vegas.

Snow in Malibu? Wow, can you imagine what a cold snap it takes for it to be so cold everywhere while the earth is burning up? Global warming could be saving us from another Ice Age. It's truly remarkable.

All of this makes me smile and recall again Who is sovereign and who is not. Man is going to burn up the planet? I sneer at this blind faith/ideology masquerading as science.

All we need at this point is for the insufferable, pedantic Al Gore to be found buried in a snowdrift in Memphis, whilst clutching a copy of "Earth in the Balance" in his frostbitten fingers.

The foregoing is merely a humorous reminder from on high that man cannot control the universe.

Speaking of the role of the Deity, it is apparently not the Rev. Wright, but rather Rick Warren -- the pro-life, pro-Prop. 8 pastor from California -- that will be giving the invocation at Obama's Inauguration. Left ... meet apoplexy.

Of course, Obama is still who he is (which is way left). I do continue to realize that.

Still, though, Hell is freezing over. And the libs are without coats in these conditions, per usual. It's ironic that Hell has to freeze over for the post-modern left to note that it may exist.

BCS DECLARES GERMANY WINNER OF WWII -- U.S. Ranked 4th

2008-12-08T13:25:00.003-06:00

(Via CNN -- Cutter Network News) ... Borrowing from reports from random spammer with some original reporting interspersed ...

After successfully determining the Big-12 Championship Game participants, the BCS computers were put to work on other major contests, and today the BCS belatedly declared Germany to be the winner of World War II.

"Germany put together an incredible number of victories beginning with the annexation of Austria and the Sudetenland and continuing on into conference play with defeats of Poland, France, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands," said BCS Commissioner Pi. "Their only losses came against the US and Russia, and weather played a large factor in the Russian campaign. Furthermore, the D-Day Campaign utilized a high degree of deception to land Allied Forces where the Germans were not expecting them to be."

The BCS tries to looks at the overall picture, and who would be a more "feared opponent", if the war were to continue even though it had already been fought to a conclusion. As Commissioner Pi explained, "Considering the Germans' entire body of work –– including an incredibly tough Strength of Schedule and brutal routs –– our computers deemed them worthy of the #1 ranking."

When questioned about the #4 ranking of the United States, Mr. Pi stated, "The US only had two major victories –– Japan and Germany. The computer models, unlike humans, aren't influenced or even killed by head-to-head contests. Rationality lives on, and our computers, along with the many German military officers who vote in our "human-element" polls consider each contest to be only a single, equally-weighted event."

German Chancellor Adolph Hitler, through a spokesman in Iran, said "Yes, we lost to the U.S., infidels, rather invaders; but we defeated #2 ranked France in only six weeks." Hitler had been criticized for seeking dramatic victories to earn "style points" to enhance Germany's rankings. However, Hitler protested: "Our contest with Poland was in doubt until the final day and the conditions in Norway were incredibly challenging and demanded the application of additional forces. In France, we marched in straight lines under the trees along streets so pretty."

The French ranking has also come under intense scrutiny. Commissioner Pi, though, commented that "France had a single loss against Germany, and following a pre-season #1 ranking, they only fell to #2. Plus, although the battle was over relatively quickly in France, the French managed to keep casualties extremely light."

Japan finished ahead of the U.S. in WWII with a #3 ranking, based largely upon its victories including Manchuria, Borneo and the Philippines. Additionally, as of WWII, BCS computers did not account for the effects of a nuclear attack, Pi said.

Proving that I could be a Sports Blogger: If Texas doesn't get to play for the National Title, blame Provincialism

2008-11-28T11:06:00.003-06:00

For those of you who watched Texas dismantle the hapless and hopeless Aggies last night, the message was clear: Texas deserves a chance to play for the National Title.

I was impressed by the combination of humor and ingenuity of U.T. students with their myriad "45-35" signs. Of course, the Horns won their annual slugfest with then-No. 1 OU, 45-35, on a neutral field at the Cotton Bowl. That should pretty much settle which team is better, one would think.

There were a lot of good signs at DKR-TexasMemorial, such as "If I thought 35 > 45, then I'd be a student at OU". I also liked the nice acrostic for the ESPN audience: "Every Sooner Prays No One Remembers ... 45-35."

This PR campaign is in full force because it appears that a number of the voters in human polls that make up a good portion of the incomprehensible BCS system were impressed with the "style points" scored by OU in its 65-21 national TV thrashing of Texas Tech. Meanwhile, Tech beat Texas on its home field on a miracle pass with one second left to play.

If the three teams (all currently with one loss) end up tied for the Big 12 South lead, the one with the highest BCS ranking will represent the South in the Big 12 Championship Game vs. Missouri, which Texas has already beaten, 56-31, by the way. If either Texas or OU goes to the Big 12 game and wins, then a trip to the BCS National Championship follows.

Given Tech's meltdown at OU, they have essentially fallen out of National Championship contention. Thus, the PR battle is raging between Oklahoma and Texas. In that regard, consider this fine effort. Heck, there is even a giant Facebook group devoted to UT's effort.

So, let me roll a grenade into this debate: The only reason that OU is considered to have a shot a passing Texas in the polls at this point is ... provincialism. Put another way, it's good ol' East and West Coast ignorance.

Around here, pretty much every one understands that Texas Tech is a much different -- and much, much better team -- at home, where they needed a miracle to beat a beat-up Texas team. On the road, Tech has been, well, Tech. It's been this way forever. Thus, my in-office prediction for the OU-Tech game was: OU 55, Tech 24. I was surprised not at all by the OU-Tech result.

Of course, Bob Stoops kept Sam Bradford in the game and winging it well into the 4th quarter to run up the style points, too. People around here are familiar with the Stoops (and Tech) pattern in this regard, as well.

But if your only familiarity with Lubbock and Big 12 football is what you see on ESPN or ABC, then you might not know all of the above. You might want style over head-to-head. Put another way, if you're an LA writer who is still wretching about the turkey being murdered in the background of the Palin video, then you probably don't know that there wasn't much style or surprise to the Tech meltdown versus OU.

My sneaking suspicion is that things will break such that the great campaign underway will get derailed by an Oklahoma State upset Saturday night. This, too, shouldn't be a shocker to those who are familiar with life and football in these parts.

But a little study ... a little getting out-of-doors ... a little opening of the mind is in order. Yes, Virginia, there are small-minded people in large cities near large bodies of water.

To be of assistance, I might suggest a little heavenly guidance. Look up and seek wisdom. I hear that the "45-35" crowd has rented a plane to fly over Stillwater (that would be the home of Oklahoma State for you East Coast beat writers) on ESPN Game Day with a "45-35" sign.

It promises to be some of the best aerial propaganda out here in Flyover Country since the Wicked Witch was talking smack to Dorothy.

Happy Thanksgiving to All

2008-11-26T15:00:00.001-06:00

Here's wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving. We've still got a lot to be thankful for. Hey, can you believe that Pres.-Elect Obama is keeping Robert Gates on as Sec. of Defense? And he's hiring a retired Marine general as his National Security Advisor? I wonder what he must have thought and learned when he sat down with Pres. Bush and got his intelligence briefings.

Kudos to Obama for these smart moves. They address my first concern about him: Will he be committed and effective in protecting the country? He's still Obama, of course, but hey ... just consider the Kos Kid reaction to keeping the architect of The Surge around to wreak havoc on jihadis in Afghanistan. Consider it, and then be thankful.

Obama is also adding people to his economic team who actually believe in the free market. What gives? I am not completely sure, but hey, again, I am thankful. It's funny to to think about true blue lefties feeling had. Who knew that The O had a little McCain in him? I am sure we'll see some true believer-lefties in full flower eventually in the Obama Administration, and we do have the Holder pick, but I must admit ... I am surprised (and pleasantly so) by Obama's first round of picks.

Don't worry. I am not going to let down my guard. We still sleep with one eye open whilst the Lefties have the keys to all the national vehicles and are out beyond curfew every night. But we pause to recall that all ideologies eventually tumble headlong into reality. Then we find out what really works outside of an Ivy League Discussion Seminar. There's something else to be upbeat and thankful about.

I love Thanksgiving. It is an American holiday where we pause and give thanks -- to God, not your public school teacher -- for His many blessings. In doing so, we also remember those early Americans bitterly clinging to their guns and Christian faith, and then surviving. It worked for the Pilgrims when their ideology met reality.

Speaking of reality, here in Big 12 Country, Thanksgiving means football, of course. Big 12 football is not to be confused with that lame, Big 10 brand played by the "Nittaly" Lions and such. It's the real deal. Players are big and fast. They lift their arms up and propel the football down the field in the air (they pass, in other words). Then, they catch the football and even run with it.

The powers that be (that would be ABC and ESPN) dictated that the UT-A&M game would be moved back to Thanksgiving, per the prior tradition. I liked the Thanksgiving Day game until I grew up. Then, I liked the bone that ABC threw me to where we could go to the game on Friday. Now, I have to watch the Horns on Thanksgiving Night on ESPN. Could be worse. I could be a Sooner fan watching OU lose to Oklahoma State on Saturday night (I think this is a probable result, so stay tuned).

For those on the fence, here is another reason to pull for Texas on Thanksgiving Night.

Good overview of the whole A&M psyche/mindset is found here:

Hook 'em Horns. Happy Thanksgiving.

Where to next for conservatives?

2008-11-19T00:01:00.002-06:00

I want to offer a few thoughts for what I see coming for us conservatives as we move into the political wilderness that we face with the forthcoming Obama Administration combined with large Demo majorities in Congress.

I still remain upbeat. Life is too short to waste it being negative. I am not talking about ignoring reality in saying this, but rather embracing it. If people want to pout and talk about how the U.S. is going to the Hot Place because of this election, they can go right ahead.

They can't make me go there, any way. Lack of jurisdiction or something like that.

So, listen up:

1) The Demos are about to get tested in a way that a lot of them haven't contemplated. They are grabbing the wheel on a tough stretch of the road; they will get the credit they deserve for how things go. They've dodged responsibility for a long time, for most of the Left's handiwork is, by necessity, done in the dark. The testing of the Demos in the light of day is going to be good. Why? See #2.

2) Unless they moderate/change their ways, Demos don't have the answers to how to improve the economy (more regulation and taxes?) ... preserve the culture (Prop. 8, any one?) ... or defend the nation (closing Guantanamo and leaving Iraq are the centerpieces of a muscular foreign policy?). Americans don't like much of the Demos' agenda; that's why they hide it and masquerade as tax-cutters and such during national campaigns. Still, the Hard Left Lemmings want to run over the cliff and drag Obama with them. Here's the Demos' problem: Either they wise up and stay in power or they govern as the Demos they are and they go home. Lemmings wishing for wings meet gravity. Works every time.

3) Republicans in Congress should now focus on conservative ideas rather than the next election. I like Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin. But, excepting the ongoing battles to keep Demos from stealing Minnesota' Senate seat and to preserve Saxby Chambliss's seat in GA, Republicans need to move on to what's next. The election is over.

4) What's on the agenda now is fighting the Demos in the halls of Congress and every crevice where they may be located. In doing so, let's get back to the spirit of Reagan, where we cheerfully fight the Demos in the arena of ideas. If we do so, we win. Plus, we get to smile because they are really funny, albeit unintentionally so. Think about it. Some of the best funnies in life are fumbles and noises in quiet elevators.

5) Here on Main Street, it's time for conservatives to get back to work in the real world. Let's live our lives like conservatives; that is, we believe that the government is not the end-all-be-all. So, let's act like it. Take care of your family. Work hard. Mind your sphere of influence. Make first downs. Watch out for your neighbor. Stand watch while your buddy gets some rest. Make it happen, day by day.

So I can get back to my real world, I will be pulling back as we hit the first of the year. Look for ye olden Christmas post (before they are outlawed by the Demos) on or about December 22, one bonus post after Christmas, and a New Year's greeting.

After that, unless/until circumstances warrant once again, I plan to be a simply be a blog reader/lurker/and, of course, a commenter at St. Nick's place ... assuming that GNN sticks around for a while. I am certainly hoping so.

And I will be making hay in my neighborhood.

What about you?

The Final, Definitive Election Post-Mortem: McCain doesn't love Bush. He just loves losing to Democrats

2008-11-14T01:01:00.005-06:00

Okay, so I thought the picture was funny. Other than that, it wasn't the reason that McCain lost. Why did McCain lose?

First, let's get the lay of the land. Here goes:

The demographics in '04 were pretty much like the '08. Not much changed. Exit polling showed that the same amount of people called themselves conservatives and liberals, turnout was about the same as '04, there was no surge of new or young voters, etc. However, instead of a 51-48 Bush win it was a 53-47 Obama win.

Bush got 62 million votes in 2004. Obama got 66 million in '08. McCain got one in five Hillary voters, but lost one in five Bush voters. This was hardly a tectonic shift.

The country has not changed dramatically, but we had a decisive Demo win in the presidential election.

As for McCain, well, I've was against him before I was for him, but I want to preface what follows with this: I've got nothing personal against McCain. He will always have my respect for his service to the nation. However, his ideas and way of dealing with political opponents (Demos at least) have been experimentally verified again and again to be fundamentally flawed.

To take off on Carville's old adage: It's the ideas, stupid.

So, here's my take on what happened:

1) The Economic Meltdown (and McCain's response to it) -- The economic meltdown pretty much made McCain's chances of winning slim, unless he had been able to thread the needle with an exceptional campaign. For better or worse, most voters blame the party in power when the economy goes south. And they equate the presidency with "party in power".

To compound this problem, McCain's extraordinarily poor response to the meltdown was really the defining moment of the presidential campaign. First, he suspended his campaign. Then, he went back to Washington and got set up like a stooge by Demos in Congress. Rather than appropriately firing back, McCain pressed for Blessed Bipartisanship. Demos meanwhile stuck knives in his back and prepared to get as many Republicans to sign on to the bailout monstrosity as they could get.

If McCain had listened to me ... and Dick Morris, and Rush, and many other conservatives, he would have had a defining issue to campaign on down the stretch. Americans hate the bailout (thank God it has saved us, though ... ahem). After all, McCain even could have voted against it and not stopped its passage. He was in a perfect spot. But incredibly he snuggled up next to Obama and voted for the bailout. During this process, too, don't forget that McCain was wildly proposing things left and right on a near-daily basis, i.e., buying back mortgages, firing the SEC Chief, etc.. He railed against corporate greed and excess and couldn't find the heart and energy to go after the Demos who created the Fannie-Freddie mess that was a huge log in the raging economic fire.

Simply put, McCain didn't know what to do, and it showed. Obama just stood there, and he looked like a genius by comparison. Amazingly, McCain singlehandedly put to rest much of the country's doubts about Obama with his own erratic behavior. In such a time, a conservative would have gone back to first principles of the free market. McCain went back to first principles -- bi-partisanship and just doing something, ideas be damned. But elections and politics are about ideas. Election over.

2) Two Terms of a President in Power -- Two terms of any president makes it much harder for his party to win a third term. Pres. H.W. Bush pulled it off while riding the very large coattails of the Reagan Administration. Still, he only had to get past Mike Dukakis, who mounted a tank one time too many.

In this election year, though, we also had two ongoing wars, combined with the public's view that at least one of these wars (if not both) should have been won long ago. Given the aforementioned economic problems, we had a situation where it was tough for Republicans under the best environment.

3) Failures of both Pres. Bush and Republicans -- People were and are rightfully disappointed in Republicans. Republicans lost their way during the last 8 years as the supposed party of smaller government and individual liberty. Republicans in Washington seemed afraid to compare and contrast their views with Demos' views. Indeed, the positions became to hard to distinguish, at all. Republicans advocated open borders like the Demos. Republicans were supposed to know how to manage wars ... get in, win, and get out.

Given the choice between a real Demo and a Republican acting like one, the electorate will choose the real thing every time. Conversely, given the choice between a real Republican and a wannabe, the real thing triumphs every time. Why is this? Such a form of argumentation concedes to the audience watching that the "real thing" is on the high ground.

Of all the failures of Republicans, I think the most deadly one was the failure of the Bush Administration to explain itself, defend itself from critics, and particularly to explain why/how the Demos could get us all killed. The Bush Administration has done an excellent job in taking on the jihadis, but this was not explained to Americans. They didn't even try. If the Administration itself won't tell Americans, why should we expect the public to really know or understand how significant a point this is? Given the non-stop Bush Derangement Syndrome and toxic rhetoric utilized by the Demos for 8 years, a lot of things -- whether fair or not -- eventually stuck in the minds of many voters.

4) Ineptitude of the McCain Campaign -- The McCain campaign was rudderless, and it didn't even have a message of any kind until bloggers caught Obama on tape blabbing to Joe the Plumber. McCain's pick of Sarah Palin was a great move, but then his people hid her from the media. Palin and other conservatives instinctively knew that the Rev. Wright issue was important and could be pivotal. But John McBiPartisanship declared this potential silver bullet off-limits. Instead, there was a late run at Obama on the Ayers issue (a legitimate issue, but nowhere near the association that Obama had with Wright), but still ... the campaign never really explained why Ayers was so important, either. McCain himself made and repeated the inane statement, "I don't care about an old washed-up terrorist." His campaign crowds would boo him when he said this. I care about Ayers. I think he should be in prison for what he did. Most Americans had no idea even how Ayers beat the wrap. But McCain wasn't about to explain it. You could tell he felt dirty just bringing it up.

The myriad associations issues surrounding Obama should have been hit hard and relentlessly throughout the month of August and burned into the brians of voters. If they had been, voters would have likely been unwilling to view Obama as favorably as they did when the stock market melted down in October. McCain wanted to be nice, but Obama wanted to win.

Let us not forget that the McCain campaign was rudderless because McCain is a moderate. Moderates, by definition, lack rudders but unfortunately, they still like to sail.

While McCain was meandering Obama was focused and on message. McCain showed, once again, that he truly believes that politics transcends message and ideology to "get things done". (See his response to the economic meltdown above).

Such an approach "gets things done" all right. It gets Demos elected.

5) Failure to Run as a Conservative -- McCain left a lot of conservative ammunition unspent. Why? He doesn't believe in using it. He may have started as a foot soldier in the Reagan Revolution, but he doesn't share a lot of the views of the Republican base today.

Some criticized Gov. Palin for failing to properly defend McCain's positions on issues, but who could defend McCain's views? McCain, in true moderate fashion, has positions all over the map. Don't look for the common denominator, because such an exercise is futile, a cruel trick question. McCain voted against the Bush tax cuts but then campaigned for them. He changed his position during the campaign to support offshore drilling, but not drilling in ANWR. Who can rationally explain this without reference to the need/desire to get elected?

McCain also refused to meaningfully espouse socially conservative views during the campaign, even though he ostensibly shares the same views. The country does, too. How appropriate that on the night Obama won that Nebraska also voted to end affirmative action? And Florida voted against same-sex "marriage", as did California. California?! McCain had an opportunity to win over many Americans of goodwill on the abortion issue, as well, given Obama's extreme views and support of partial-birth abortion. It was a golden opportunity to move this debate forward, but McCain passed. McCain and other moderate types are uncomfortable making such arguments.

This is why moderates have difficulty winning national elections.

6) Money, money, money -- How appropriate is it that McCain the "Campaign Finance Reformer" would become trapped in the system he created ... and then defeated by the Demo Machine that never was and never will be constrained by such regulation? Conservatives like me warned McCain that this would happen. Funny, but it was also conservatives like me who were left to defend the McCain campaign when the David Brooks and Kathleen Parkers of the world were going wobbly. That's the way it usually goes -- conservatives work to prevent evil and are then left to fight it when it comes. But I digress (slightly).

Obama's campaign openly broke campaign finance laws by failing verify credit card donations. So, contributors could provide unlimited credit card donations from all over the world. But guess whose campaign is going to get audited? You got it. The one that got the federal matching dollars. Good thing McCain got that $85 Million for his whole campaign because Obama raised that much in two weeks on the internet.

McCain and many in Washington propose new "reforms" without simply insisting on compliance with existing regulations. Conservatives know such an approach won't work, and we know that the Demos and their media allies have a huge advantage when we don't have the dollars to fight them off. We told McCain this during the Campaign Finance debate, but he got his way.

Obama's huge financial advantage was pivotal in many close states, and such a fiasco should never be allowed to happen again. McCain-Feingold is a disaster and no Republican should ever be hoodwinked again into staying within the public financing system. Sure, they will say we are trying to buy the election (like Obama just did).

They might even say other mean things about Republicans. Then, we'll track 'em day and night and put up ridiculous wind surfing videos of their leftist candidates and such all over TV in every close state and laugh all the way to the White House.

You commit to fight to win. And then you fight to win. McCain, for all his "fight" rhetoric, failed to fight to win this election.

7) Information, organization, and dissemination -- The Demos own the internet right now, and McCain's campaign acted like it was looking for that other internet that Pres. Bush referenced during his 2004 debate with Kerry. Where are you, Karl Rove? In addition to having an in-the-tank media, Demos got out their message via the internet far better than Republicans. In some way, leftist blogs have a structural advantage over conservatives, but we can and must be more focused.

It helps when you party's candidate is beloved by the party's base. Then, this and other problems tend to take care of themselves. Note that the "great center" doesn't do the heavy lifting in campaigns. (This is yet another reason why you don't tailor your campaign to such voters.) Hard to get excited when you can't decide, I guess.

Live and learn. There is a place for moderates to be elected in the Republican Party -- as congressmen, senators, governors and state legislators in blue states.

Here's the bottom line: In this toughest of election years, McCain still could have won. The loyal oppostion has work to do. But that work is rebuilding a party, and not remaking the country.

A quick note ...

2008-11-13T09:48:00.004-06:00

whilst I am distracted from posting the mother-of-all-election-post-mortems. Note the exquisite timing, too, now that every one has moved on from the election back to covering Sarah Palin.

But seriously, you don't want to miss it. It's going to be really special. Really, it's not. But don't miss it. Probably tomorrow.

In any event, I was just noticing something. The MSM broke in from covering Sarah Palin with a snippet about how Obama's team is full of Clintonoids. The only two missing are Bill and Hill. What's with that? It is kind of humorous, if you think about it.

Hope? And change? Hope, Ark. and Change (Clinton Admin. w/o Clintons)?

And Warren Christopher. I am glad to see he is still alive, but ... is it just me does he look like some one just popped a paper bag in his ear every time he appears in public? Let the guy get some sleep and stop waking him unexpectedly, people. Can't we all get along?

Talk to you soon ...

10 Nov 2008

2008-11-10T00:01:00.002-06:00

Happy Birthday, USMC. This particular birthday reminds me of the one I celebrated on active duty in 1992. Most all the Marines I knew weren't enamored with the election results back then. Indeed, we were shocked. Then, we were told to get our pre-election paraphernalia down. We complied.

Then, we went back to work. That's what Marines do. That's what the nation does. It goes back to work.

Today, the USMC is 233 years young. It's older than the nation, as we Marines sometimes like to recall and remind others. It's older than national politics, I guess you could say.

As long as we have Marines and Americans who share their fighting spirit in the large and small of life, we'll be just fine. Sure, we'll be outnumbered at times. Heck, we'll often be outnumbered.

But numbers don't decide battles. Rather, fortitude, courage, and faithfulness do. Today, the Marines are deciding battles as they have for 233 years.

Semper Fidelis.

So, where from here?

2008-11-06T06:48:00.006-06:00

I am heading out this weekend to take Cutter Junior to a college visit and watch some football. Time to get away from the talking heads and blogs for the weekend. It's official. I have ODS -- not Obama Derangement Syndrome, but O'Reilly Derangement Syndrome.

Hey, Cutter Junior voted in his first election on Tuesday. He hung on the Republican lever, so we are still feeding him. And he got a text from one of his friends reminding all Obama supporters to vote on Wednesday. They are still lined up at the polls here in Texas. So, there is hope for the future.

I see that the long knives and recriminations are already starting to come out. There will be time for that, but for now, I think it's good to clear my head. I will have some thoughts next week on why McCain lost (because I think it is instructive to know exactly why), and more importantly, where we go from here. As Joe Biden would say, in three words, "It's going to be okay, folks."

Can you imagine if Sarah Palin had said 10% of the outrageous things that Joe the Biden said? But I digress.

As for posting as we head into the rebuilding of the conservative movement and Republican Party, well, my agent and I will have a statement on that later. A press conference? Nah, I am not talking to the media, including Fox. I will tell you, though.

Hey, the sun has come up two days in a row now since Obama was elected. We are going to make it. Keep your heads up, your hearts right, and your smiles on.

I will talk to you early next week.

Update: In case you haven't noticed, the Goomba News Network has returned, at least for now. The mercurial descendents of Goomba make appearances from time to time. This time, Goomba News showed up just in time to tip the election to Obama. Let's hope GNN sticks around, any way.

Speaking of which, I was wondering ... Does Goomba work for Reuters?

Congratulations to Barack Obama and the Democrats

2008-11-05T00:25:00.004-06:00

Well, we fought hard but came up short. We can discuss what happened and why (I have some ideas along the same lines as my main man Rove). But that is for another day and time.

Tonight, Barack Obama has defied the odds. Sure, I am disappointed at the outcome, but we must stop for a moment to recognize the magnitude of the achievement.

It started to hit me when I saw Juan Williams choking up describing how amazing the election of America's first black president truly is. Obama himself echoed it. This is is a great country. Let there be no doubt that a black man can achieve his dreams in America.

I sincerely hope and pray that I have been wrong about Obama. I don't think I have been, but time will tell. But know this: I am an American first, last and always. Unlike some, I wish the best for our presidents, whether they were/are my choice or not. I won't have Obama Derangement Syndrome. I am a free member of the loyal, conservative ... Republican opposition. I am feeling pretty good tonight, all things considered.

You see, my country has spoken ... and resoundingly. And I am duty-bound to acknowledge and respect what it has said. And I do. Hey, I even know some good people who voted for Obama.

So, tonight, let's pause and recognize the momentous achievement of Barack Obama's election. Let's hope this puts race behind us as a nation ... and for good.

Now, back to work. Saddle up.

Talk to you soon.

Election Day Message: Keep the Faith and Keep up the Fight

2008-11-04T00:01:00.001-06:00

Greetings, All. Well, we come to Decision Day. It has been rewarding to return to this post for these past few weeks and lay out 25 -- yes, 25 -- reasons to vote for McCain/against Obama. The case is overwhelming, from football to national security. Will we pull it off? It remains to be seen, but ... I think we are looking at a much closer race than a lot of the Obamaphiles have been willing to admit. There's a lot of stuff breaking late. Too bad we didn't see it earlier, but there is a lot of info floating around for those who may not be disposed to vote for the One.

Here are a few things to keep in mind today:

1) Pay no attention to any rumors, leaks, etc. that you hear while the polls where you live are open. This is really important, so don't forget. It happens every four years. We hear the leaks re: a Kerry landslide, Florida is called while the polls are still open, etc. We should be prepared by now. Just vote. Tell some one else to vote. Make a call or two. Send an email. Encourage the faint-hearted on our side. Stay in line, and vote. It's a privilege to participate in the government of the greatest country in history. So, go about it with thanks and good cheer.

2) Remember that, whatever happens today, we are going to make it. We are Americans. We are not a government. We have a government. We run this government, and though this notion may seem antiquated to some, it is still the case. Whatever happens, they can't tax our spirit. They can't regulate our minds. They can't make us surrender to our enemies. We will overcome the same way we always have -- with courage, perseverance, and fortitude. Few people that I know are more concerned about the potential of an Obama presidency than I am. But let's not act like we are beaten (or saved) because of the results of any particular election. We are bigger than this. We are Americans.

3) Have the spirit of a fighter. Prove the critics wrong. Don't let the MSM, the Obama Tide, political correctness, etc., keep you from what you know is right. Life is lived better when facing obstacles. It's harder but more rewarding. There are many standing with us today. Remember that. And remember the fighting spirit of the greatest military on earth.

If our troops were casting all the ballots in this election, it would be a landslide for the good guys.

Here's what they think about Obama:

Don't let them down. Get after it.

Talk to you soon.

Via Ace: Just-Released Video Footage of the End of the Obama Campaign

2008-11-03T15:32:00.000-06:00

Odiousness in Full Flower: B.O. Flips off War Hero

2008-11-03T13:31:00.004-06:00

Take a look.

Well, he can't be all bad. He flipped off Hillary, too.

But seriously, this is what people are thinking about going for? Obama is clueless and classless, and our nation will be diminished by having him elected as president. Note the two clownesses in the back howling at B.O.'s antics. Oh, that's so cute when a candidate for president shoots another candidate the finger.

Let me tell you what I really think: The Obama Campaign is a steaming pile of fetid defication ... on a good day. He showed no respect for Hillary Clinton, and it's the same thing now with John McCain. We are lucky to have His Eminence shining down on us, you see. Those who dare to question the Great Ob are scared off with a few fake lighting bolts, a middle-finger salute, etc.

B.O. thinks he has it won. But he just proves over and over again that he just stinks.

Day 25/Reason #1: If we're all dead, none of this matters

2008-11-03T00:01:00.001-06:00

National Security. It's why I started this blog more than four years ago. Wow, has it been that long?

But national security is the first duty of the federal goverment. As the Commander in Chief, it's the first duty of the president. Pres. Bush has done an excellent job in protecting America from its enemies since 9/11.

These are serious times ... still. We are at war with Militant Muslims in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Iraq has largely stabilized but the situation in Afghanistan is precarious. Nuclear Pakistan is on the brink, as well, and we are increasingly fighting jihadis there. Iran is trying to develop a nuclear weapon, and it repeatedly threatens Israel with its holocaust-denying madness.

Then there's North Korea and Venezuela. There's growing Russian nationalism and expansionism. There are countries most Americans haven't heard of yet.

If elected, Barack Obama will be tested, all right. Even French President Sarkozy calls Obama's Iran policy "utterly immature".

Foreign policy typically defines presidents, unless they wilfully ignore it, a la Clinton. We have enemies now who will not ignore us. The jihadis we are fighting want a fight.

Biden got it right with his recent comments: We tempt our enemies if we elect Obama. Worse yet, we hamstring ourselves.

You can count on Obama being opposed to using U.S. military force. He was against going to war when every one in the world thought Saddam Hussein had WMD. He was against the surge. He said our troops in Afghanistan were "air-raiding villages and killing civilians."

Barack Obama does not understand or trust our military.

I submit that he does not understand or trust America.

I do not trust him.

We know that John McCain loves our military and would defend this nation from all enemies, foreign and domestic. I have great concerns that Obama would fail to defend this nation from foreign and domestic enemies. We know he won't hunt down terrorists like Pres. Bush has.

Obama is not fit to be Commander-in-Chief. McCain is. Case closed.

Go vote, if you haven't already. Make some calls. Send some emails. Drag some folks with you. Let's roll.

Day 24/Reason #2: Don't you want to see the Demos/Leftists/Same Things Go Ballistic on Nov. 5?

2008-11-02T00:01:00.001-05:00

If McCain and Palin pull this off, can you imagine ... I want you to close your eyes now ... wait, you have to open them to read this ... can you imagine the reaction, hand-wringing, implosion, and hysteria that we would see on the Left? There's your reason to watch Olbermann.

But seriously, we need to break the back of the MSM that have foisted the most fraudulent "journalism" on the public in American history. To defeat Obama and his press relations department in the MSM would be a significant victory for free speech, and for liberty as a whole.

Can you imagine reading your favorite blogs (starting here) and then listening to Rush, et al., on Nov. 5, 6, 7, 8, etc.., if we pull this thing off?

Could anything --at least in politics -- be better? Maybe a few things, but not much.

Now, shut your eyes. And imagine. Glorious.

Now, go make it happen. Make some calls. Send some emails. Get out the vote.

One more. See you in the a.m..

Day 23/Reason #3: The High Nine on the Potomac

2008-11-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

The Supreme Court. Frankly, I am shocked at how many conservatives forget how critical the Court is, and how Supreme Court nominations are often a president's most lasting legacy.

Consider that Pres. H.W. Bush vacillated between conservative Edith Jones and some unknown judge out of New Hampshire named Souter. He got that one wrong, but he did nominate some guy named Thomas.

Pres. Reagan had his first two conservative choices to replace Lewis Powell -- Robert Bork and Douglas Ginsburg -- nixed by the MSM and their lefty allies in the Senate. Ah, this was before the rise of Rush and Talk Radio. Those were the days the libs want to go back to, but I digress ...

Pres. Bush has taken a lot of heat on seemingly every front. Some of it is deserved. I was out front opposing his initial nomination of Harriet Miers. But he relented and nominated Samuel Alito. Outstanding, outstanding choice. For Chief Justice, we got Justice John Roberts. Outstanding, outstanding choice.

Pres. Bush's nominations were better than his father, better than (dare I say it? I shall) Pres. Reagan, who nominated Scalia (who is the best justice on the Court, by far) and elevated Rehnquist to Chief Justice, but also left us with Sandra Day O'Connor and Kennedy.

With McCain, we would get judicial appointments to every level of the federal judiciary in the mode of Reagan and Bush.

With Obama, we would get judges who would promote the mushy idea of leftist "fairness" and would eschew interpreting the Constitution as written. We would have no law, if enough of these people are on the bench.

Remember, too, that Obama thinks that the Warren Court was not radical enough. They didn't engage in enough "redistributive justice", as he calls it.

Leftists like to (and have to) do their best work out of the daylight of the legislative process. If Obama gets to appoint 2 or 3 Supreme Court Justices, God help us.

Issues such as the War on Militant Islam, abortion, the Fairness Doctrine, etc., will all be on the table. Obama wants lifetime-appointed leftists to redefine our Constitution.

Don't let him do it.

Day 22/Reason #4: The first unalienable right enunciated in the history of the nation

2008-10-31T00:01:00.002-05:00

Life.

In Obama, we have the most pro-abortion candidate to ever run for president. For partial-birth abortion. For government funding of abortion. Against life-saving measures for children who survive abortions.

Radical.

McCain and Palin have been and are consistently pro-life.

I want to take a moment to speak to those who do not share my pro-life views. I believe -- as did the founders -- that abortion should be a matter for the individual states to decide. Most conservatives share this viewpoint. If Roe v. Wade were repealed, we would be back to where we started in this country. Each state could decide.

Undoubtedly, some states would keep abortion legal while others would restrict abortions, and perhaps outlaw it. In our great federalist system, we can quickly see what works in areas such as education, tax policy, etc. The same can and would be true for abortion.

I realize and respect that this is a difficult issue. Many of us have been personally affected by abortion.

While respecting those who disagree with me on this issue, as a pro-lifer, I am proud to support McCain-Palin.

Day 21/Reason #5: We did not call Obama "the Messiah"

2008-10-30T00:01:00.003-05:00

Consider who did, though:

Chilling.

What more do you need to say than perhaps one of the craziest, most anti-American, anti-Semitic bigots in the world thinks you're the Messiah?

Four more things, that's what.

See you manana.

Day 20/Reason #6: Obama's for "Fairness" ...

2008-10-29T00:01:00.001-05:00

the "Fairness Doctrine", that is. Funny how so many sheep in wolves clothing, especially in the political world, have such nice-sounding names ... "campaign-finance reform" ... "pro-choice" ... "comprehensive immigration reform". Woops, McCain was for two of those, but still ...

Make no mistake about it. If Obama is elected (and he will have increased Demo numbers in Congress, under almost any scenario) he and his leftist pals will move to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine. New Mexico Demo Sen. Bingaman caused a bit of a stir when he came out in favor of repealing it recently. Reid wants to repeal it. Pelosi wants to repeal it. Kerry wants to repeal it. If Demos can do it, they will. In a heartbeat.

So, what does it mean? If reinstated, the Fairness Doctrine would potentially mean the death of Talk Radio as we know it. The "Fairness Doctrine" would require talk radio stations to put on an opposing viewpoint each time some one complained. Litigation would explode and it would be too costly for most, if not all, stations to run talk programs. By the way, there are more than two viewpoints on a particular issue. The whole concept of "two opposing views" and regulating speech is deeply flawed.

After all, there's a reason there wasn't any Talk Radio before Pres. Reagan got rid of the "Fairness Doctrine" in 1987. Ah, but we have the major news networks to keep us informed. I feel better already.

Recall that Talk Radio was about the only thing that kept "Comprehensive Immigration Reform" from becoming the law of the land. We need Talk Radio and free speech to stand against elitists in both parties.

In particular, though, it's the Demos who don't care much for free speech. There's a reason their pathetic, boring Air America can't gain traction. People don't want to listen to it.

The multitude of conservative voices on the radio, on cable, and on the internet are vital to keeping America informed and free.

Think the last part of that sentence goes too far? Consider the tactics of Obama and Co. in attempting to shut down radio programs critical of Obama in Chicago, asking authorities to take ads off the air in Missouri, boycotting news stations that ask tough questions of Biden, calling Sean Hannity an anti-Semite?!!, etc..

I believe in free speech, as most conservatives do. Be very afraid of those who would attempt to use the power of the state to reduce debate.

The Obama crowd is about "getting in the faces" of opponents, per the counsel of the street agitators that trained the O. Make no mistake: If Obama wins and has enough allies in Congress -- as he likely would -- he will come after his critics on the right ... the Constitution be damned.

These are serious times. This is a key issue.

Tomorrow, we begin with the Top 5.

See you then.

Day 19/Reason #7: Who do our enemies want to win?

2008-10-28T00:01:00.001-05:00

I've talked about this line of reasoning before. It's often instructive to see who is pulling for one side or another to sort out the good guys. Here, when we look outside the U.S., we see ...

Less than 10% of the French want McCain. Okay, I realize France is not an "enemy" per se, but the French are a pretty good political contra-indicator.

But let's look at Venezuela, where Bill Ayers' hero Hugo Chavez was just heard slamming Sarah Palin. Chavez called Gov. Palin a "pitiful beauty queen who did not know what she was saying."

When did Chavez get the MSM gig?

Really friends, that's about all you need to know. But still, there's more.

How about al Qaeda? I realize some crazies allegedly are pulling for McCain, but a) I don't believe them, since they saw how the OBL experiment blew up in 2004 in the Bush-Kerry race; and b) if they are truly crazy and are admitting they want a fight with us -- so that they can test the 72-virgin theory -- and McCain will facilitate said fight, then I say it sounds good to me.

Why would al Qaeda fear Obama, who has opposed the "air-raiding villages and killing civilians" American military and our efforts to fight terrorism every step of the way since 9/11? Oh, I forgot ... he flip-flopped and voted for FISA after he had secured the Demo nomination, in the spirit of "tacking to the middle" when it doesn't mean anything other than misleading people to get votes.

What about Hamas? Haven't they endorsed Obama?

And doesn't Obama have a pal named Khalidi (Reason 11A, I recall correctly)? I forget.

What about that "tiny" country Iran? Think they would rather dodge bullets from McCain or talk with Obama?

Coming down the home stretch now, we have six more ... doozies. Don't miss it.

Day 18/Reason #8: Pelosi + Reid + Obama =

2008-10-27T00:40:00.003-05:00

Disaster in D.C..

You know, I can hear the voices of a lot of conservatives talking about how "burning the house" down will teach us all a lesson. We'll teach those wascally Republicans, you see.

The problem is, we all will suffer the consequences.

With Pelosi in charge of the House with increased numbers, and Reid with nearly a filibuster-proof Senate (or, God-forbid, 59 other myrmidons to steamroll the Republicans), the only check on the runaway leftist train would be the White House. However, with Obama occupying it, the White House would actually be pulling the leftist/socialist train ... and fast.

Never before will we have had such a conglomeration of committed, incompetent leftists in charge of our government. So, hold on to your property, and find good cover and concealment because you, mainstream America, will be on your own.

It is naive to think we can undo such damage in 2 or 4 years. We may not have the opportunity to do so for a generation.

Politics involves making choices, which are always imperfect. However, the potential combination of Pelosi, Reid, and Obama, makes the ol' RINO look nearly perfect by comparison. That's saying something, I know, but ... that's the truth, nonetheless.

So, vote Republican. Hang on that lever. It will make you feel good, and it will do the country good.

By the way, with all due respect to Sean Hannity ... come up with 25 reasons and then we can talk.

See you tomorrow.

Day 17/Reason #9: What do you get if your investigated in more than a dozen states for voter registration fraud?

2008-10-26T00:01:00.000-05:00

You get promoted to work on the Obama transition. Check out this video:

This is the One, the glorious transformational, trans-partisan candidate. He has represented ACORN, worked with them and their ilk as they squeezed and intimidated lenders to make loans to people who had no business to buy houses.

And, oh yeah, in case you haven't heard, banks have had some trouble lately.

But these shakedown artists are going to get promoted under an Obama Administration. I am sure that the Transcendent One's Justice Department will investigate ACORN thoroughly.

Day 16/Reason #10: "The Most Anti-Capitalist Candidate Ever Nominated by a Major Party ...

2008-10-25T00:01:00.001-05:00

... is leading in the race to win the presidency?

So says Investors' Business Daily. According to IBD, this explains (at least in part) the recent panic in our stock market. The "socialist tsunami" is coming. Note that IBD called Obama's plan "socialist" even before Joe the Plumber did.

America will be less prosperous under an Obama Administration, if he gets much of what he wants. His "spreading the wealth" around has been tried, and it doesn't grow the pie. It eats the pie.

That's how you give a tax cut to 95% of Americans when there are approximately half that many taxpayers. You cut up the pie and hand it out.

Less pie equals less liberty for us all.

Day 15/Reason #11: Ayers retains the mind and ideas of a terrorist. Obama has retained the association with Ayers

2008-10-24T00:01:00.004-05:00

Bill Ayers. We've heard a lot about this terrorist (but only in his thoughts now).

We know the highlights (although more dribbles out all the time, no thanks to the MSM). We know that Ayers is not just "some one in the neighborhood", as Obama falsely proclaimed during the Demo primary season. Obama and Ayers have remained friendly through the years, Obama started his political career with the help of Ayers, the two served on boards together, and they directed funds to projects designed to radicalize students together (as we discussed five days ago). Obama blurbed Ayers' book. No doubt they have similar, or at least compatible world views.

Consider this video:

Obama's mindless mantra on this subject is that Ayers engaged in terrorist acts when he was 8. But ... but ... Ayers is not sorry, and, in fact, he lauds his prior terrorist acts. He glories in stepping on the American flag while being photographed.

Ayers retains the mind and ideas of a terrorist. Obama has retained the association with Ayers.

This fact alone should disqualify Obama from the presidency.

Think about it. Do you know any terrorists? And if you did, would you socialize with them? Promote their books?

Wouldn't you report them to the FBI? I would. At least find out that he is not wanted any more, and then good riddance.

Okay, so Ayers didn't even make the Top 10 reasons to vote for McCain/against Obama.

And ... we didn't even mention Rashid Khalidi. (We'll make Khalidi 11A).

We could go on and on.

We will tomorrow.

Day 14/Reason #12: Like your guns? Liberty? When caught expressing a desire to take liberties away, Obama tacks to the middle (verbally, at least)

2008-10-23T00:01:00.002-05:00

A classic illustration of the m.o. of B.O. is his treatment of the right to bear arms. When he was campaigning for the Demo nomination, Obama was in full liberal flower mode, expressing his consistent support of handgun regulation. He also expressed support for the unconstitutional handgun ban in Washington, D.C. Remember what the "bitter Americans" were clinging to, after all.

But then, two things happened: 1) B.O. got the Demo nomination; and 2) the Supremes found the D.C. handgun ban to be unconstitutional.

Then, B.O. said he was against the ban, or he at least didn't like it. You gotta give him credit for at least being for it before he was against it, though. It's a fine Demo tradition.

Here's the story of where McCain busted him on his flip-flop.

Here is what you get with Obama: He's a full flower leftist when unscripted and unconstrained by mainstream American opinion (i.e., when he's trying to get the votes of liberal Demos to secure his nomination). When he is pulled into the mainstream and/or asked to explain himself, as he was by Joe the Plumber, Obama tacks the middle, but only verbally.

He provides platitudinous bilge in support of "basic rights", the "American people", fundamental liberties", blah, blah, blah. The media and mushy, moderates melt, coo and ask no further questions.

If you like owning your guns and the rights that we as free Americans have taken for granted since our founding, this is another reason to vote for McCain and against Obama.

The NRA agrees.

See you tomorrow.

Day 13/Reason #13: How long do you have to spend in the church of an anti-American racist to be unqualified for the presidency?

2008-10-22T00:01:00.001-05:00

Jeremiah Wright. That he is reason #13 should tell you how very bad an Obama presidency would be. I fear for my country.

Lest you think that Obama had no idea re: Wright's views (i.e., the U.S. government infected blacks with AIDS, America deserved 9/11 because of its foreign policy, U.S. Marines are the equivalent of Roman oppressors, "G.D. America", U.S of KKK A, etc.), recall that Wright married the Obamas, baptized their kids, and prayed with Obama when he decided to run for the White House.

Check out this video:

If Obama were white, he would be doomed by spending 20 minutes, much less 20 years, in the church of an anti-American racist.

Again, on my list, this is #13. You could argue it should be higher, and I wouldn't quibble with you. But ... there is more as we climb the list.

See you tomorrow.

Day 12/Reason #14: When off script, you get a glimpse of what the candidates think of our military, our country, our property

2008-10-21T00:01:00.001-05:00

Any one who would make such a statement is not qualified to be president.

Jack Murtha, who slandered U.S. Marines as murderers, is not qualified. I don't care if he was in the U.S.M.C.. So was I. Murtha is just as unqualified for elected office as his pal Obama.

If you make an anti-American statement (and that's what Obama's in the above clip was, period), then you shouldn't be president. Motives are irrelevant. If the statement stands, your candidacy should not succeed. If you are troubled by the actions of American troops and/or the inevitable mistakes that ensue in battle, then you make such points in a way that respects our military.

We see this sort of brazen leftist thought by Obama when he is in his element -- i.e., campaigning for far-left voters in the N.H. primary or speaking off-the-cuff with Joe the Plumber.

Moments like these show you what is inside Obama. It is not pretty. For all of his warts, we don't ever have to worry about such a statement out of McCain. We know where he stands.

No wonder Biden says America's enemies will test Obama to see what he is made of -- and fast. His rhetoric sounds like theirs.

Day 11/Reason #15: "Health Care is a Right" vs. a Responsibility Approach

2008-10-20T00:01:00.000-05:00

Incredibly, Obama blurted out his true intentions during the second debate on the subject of health care when he told Tom Brokaw that he believes health care is a "right". Almost no American leftists have been brazen enough to state their true views on this subject, but caught off-guard and feeling pretty good about himself, Obama let it go.

On the other hand, McCain advocates a tax-credit approach that would require people to take charge of their own health. There are many personal preferences and choices bound up in health-care decisions. The consequence of allowing the government to control health care would be disasterous.

Obama's approach, coupled with a solid Demo majority, would put us on the road to what Hillary tried to do back in 1992 -- government-run health care, or as Joe the Plumber would accurately describe it, "socialized medicine."

If he succeeds in this effort, Obama will have undermined American liberty and our economy in a fundamental way. Our quality of care would diminish, as would our options. Responsibility would diminish. America would diminish.

We must not let this happen.

Day 10/Reason #16: On Education --Radicalism and Ignorance vs. Choice

2008-10-19T00:01:00.002-05:00

Perhaps you didn't expect to see this reason here, but I thought the last part of the last debate was instructive.

Obama will be the friend of teachers' unions and will help continue the slide toward national ignorance. Why? You'd have to ask him, but ... Have you seen/heard from some of these grand "newly registered" voters?

On education, Obama is lying (again). He will never oppose teachers' unions in a meaningful way. By contrast, McCain calls education the "civil right of the 21st century". It's a good line, but more importantly, it reveals an understanding of what is at stake when we continue to turn out high school students who can text but can't understand the difference between G. Gordon Liddy and Bill Ayers. Maybe they, too, can grow up to be late-night comics.

And incidentally, remember that Obama now admits only an affiliation with Bill Ayers on education policy. They worked together to get money to Chicago schools to do what? Check it out. Folks, Bill Ayers' education philosophy is to use the public schools to radicalize American students. So, we get politically active little leftists who can't spell. How delightful. I wonder who those pupils will vote for.

On the other hand, McCain shows a commitment to educational choice, which is a key issue to conservatives who see family involvement and accountability as the foundations of education.

An ignorant populace can and will fall for the scams of the smooth talkers of the world. Are we doing that now?

Day 9/Reason #17: McCain's Energy Policy vs. Obama's Energy Policy (pictured below)

2008-10-18T00:01:00.002-05:00

Remember that this is the guy who thought we should "get tune-ups" and "inflate our tires" instead of drilling for oil.

McCain and Palin will drill. You watch, and when we get moving in that direction, prices will fall. It won't take years for that to happen. Plus, McCain is going to ANWR and will come around on drilling there, too. McCain supports a comprehensive, Pickens-like approach. Makes sense.

Obama claims he is for drilling. That's a joke. He claims he's okay with nuclear. Come on. Again, his extremist, environmentalist friends will never let him do these things, and he knows it.

Obama and his crew like it that we are paying through the nose for gasoline now. It makes us more like Europe, saps our national prosperity (it was one of the factors triggering the current economic mess) and it gives the Demos a chance to argue that the American economy needs to be remade in the image of Socialist Europe. Everywhere you look, liberal Demos like Obama are at the core of our economic problems.

Obama's energy policy reflect his small view of America. Inflate your tires. Ride your bike to work. Be a good citizen of the world. Recall his admonition in Oregon earlier this year:

He gets happy feet in front of his lefty friends, you see.

Obama's crowd would like us all driving electric Yugos and living in shacks a fraction the size of Joe the Plumber's.

Day 8/Reason #18: Immigration and the Sound of Crickets

2008-10-17T00:01:00.002-05:00

I know a lot of folks were infuriated that certain subjects either didn't come up in the debates and/or the campaign itself.

Remember the Obama Ad touting his immigration position? You can hear it here.

Well, the O did run one comparing McCain to Rush Limbaugh on immigration. Funny. A lot of us fought ol' Johnny McC tooth and nail because of his immigration position, and he was accordingly chastened.

McCain now says he is committed to enforcement first, and then to reforming our immigration laws. At least with McCain, conservative Republicans who stopped the immigration nonsense last time have some sway. His running mate opposed him on this, too.

With Obama ... well, I know it's a familiar theme, but he would make McCain look like Limbaugh on immigration. Folks, if you don't think things can get a lot worse, just wait. How do you say "ACORN" in Spanish?

The MSM knows this, too. That's why we get the types of questions from the debate "moderators" that we do during debates on an issue that is a winner for Republicans. Remember the question on immigration?

Please note: I have finally figured out how to put pics back on this here blog (after my old program got deleted. You are forewarned. Tomorrow's reason will thus be accompanied by an illustration of my point. Stay tuned.

Day 7/Reason #19: The Future of an Antiquated Notion -- Restraining Government Spending

2008-10-16T00:01:00.002-05:00

One thing that has long undercut the Bush Administration with conservatives -- and the country as a whole -- is its inexplicable and utter failure to restrain government spending in any way. For all of McCain's past heresy on tax cuts (he has repented of those sins, at least for now), McC has always been a champion of restraining spending and highlighting the "earmarkers" and "porkbarrelers". McCain doesn't have to name Obama for us to know that he is one of these; the One has learned the Chicago way well.

Those of you who think the most important thing our government should be doing is spending less of your money have a clear choice in this election. I mean, one of these guys is even named "Sen. Government." What a glorious fumble-in-the-end-zone-and-fall-on-it moment that was by McCain last night. By the way, I thought Johnny McC did fine in the debate. Thought he was going to whip Obama's demo when he was talking about Lewis's incindiary remarks. Was his best performance by far. But I digress ...

The only spending that Obama will cut is defense spending. For everything else, you can count on Obama and his Demo buddies in Congress to be heading out on a shopping spree. Since there will be no tax cuts with the Demos in charge, they also know that such a policy will increase the drumbeat of the need to raise taxes.

In a post-9/11 world, my view is that government spending is important -- particularly when you consider the related effect on other issues -- but it's only reason #19 to vote for McC/against Sen. Government.

Still, all those who clamored for an alternative to Bush should be excited about a McCain Administration.

And those who thought things couldn't get worse than the Bush Administration, please, please, give it a rest ... let me tell you a scary bedtime story about a big, bad, boogie man named Carter that will keep you up all night ... and watch your wallet. You may not have as much dough these days, but the Obama Administration has some things on its shopping list and wants to take you to the mall (don't worry, you'll save money on defense).

Okay, 18 more to go. Fear not. We'll hit it all by the end.

Day 6/Reason #20: Imperfect Candidate or Intolerable Government

2008-10-15T00:01:00.003-05:00

Conservatives know, or should know, the limits of this world. We should be among the first to eschew perfect churches, organizations, and political campaigns, for in joining them, we ruin them.

McCain is certainly an imperfect candidate, and I have typed a lot of words in this space detailing my views in this regard. But really, at this point, what is the point of such arguments? The very real specter of an Obama presidency looms. The theoretical among us like to argue about what ought to be, but the rest of us have to live with what is and what will be.

McCain is an imperfect candidate, for sure. But his campaign will end, and then will begin the presidency of either McCain or Obama.

Obama's whole life story shows us that he would lead the nation farther to the left than any president in our history. His government would be a great encroachment on American liberty and livelihood, that is, if his national security policy doesn't get us all killed first. This intolerable government (what will be, not what may be imagined dancing on the heads of pins), this unmitigated disaster, is the alternative to the imperfect candidacy of John McCain.

So ... for those conservatives who want to bemoan what might have been or what ought to be in this election season, the rest of us are left here to deal with the here and now.

We must defeat Obama. And a conservative not voting for McCain in this election is, in effect, giving a vote to Obama. The Rev. Wright and Co. would like to congratulate and thank you.

Those who whine and look for perfect candidates when we have a candidate the likes of Obama on the other side are worse than ignorant. They are what Obama's Marxist friends used to call "useful idiots". So, don't pat yourself on the back for your "uncompromising conservatism" as the country we love is dismantled by an Obama presidency working alongside big Demo majorities in the House and Senate.

Of course, the Perfect Churchers and Campaign Critics are more virtous and smarter than all of us dolts who are going to vote for McCain. Plus, I mean, the McCain campaign is run so poorly, how could we vote for it, even though the other side was threatening to set the house on fire? What are we, color-commentators or Americans?!? The Left is playing for keeps, and we better realize it.

There may not be much to build back in 4 years, although I am sure that some of the Ominicient Ones Whose Views Should Be Those of Us All can clearly forecast the opportunity to rise again with great vigor under an Obama Presidency.

Theoretically, they might be right in the future. But in reality, Obama is very wrong for the country and leading in the polls right now.

Day 5/Reason #21:Styrofoam Columns, Fake Presidential Seals and Such

2008-10-14T07:54:00.002-05:00

The comedy created by Obama's fake Greek temple at the DNC in Denver wasn't just funny; it was also instructive. Obama worshippers suddenly found their hero prancing naked down the street at the parade ... as some lowly citizens dared to call him on the audacity and placticity of his stage. They seemed stunned that we would notice the man behind the curtain.

That's what all this seems to be in the campaign season to Obama -- a stage. It's unreal. His campaign is a fraud of a performance, designed primarily to trick and create false illusions rather than inform. That he is running on the amorphous and unchallenged platform of "change" makes it all the more surreal. Indeed, Obama is practicing the oldest and dirtiest type of politics -- deceptive demagoguery disquised as statesmanship. Thus far, his appeal stems from the fact that he has done it well, or at least without much scrutiny from the media.

Think about the fraud of the One campaigning as the "first post-racial candidate", while he has been a parishioner in the church of one of the worst race-baiters in America for 20 years. There is talk of a RICO suit against the professional vote fraudfeasors at ACORN (which is "shockingly" an arm of the Obama campaign), but, in reality, the entire Obama campaign is a bait-and-switch of the worst type.

One of the illusions is the sense of inevitability that Obama has been pushing, not just recently (it's over, don't you know?) but for quite some time. Recall the fake presidential coins. Ask no questions, just fall and worship o ye who are unworthy. "Change, change, give me even your ... "

We've never seen such a mixture of fraud and boldness in American politics.

See you tomorrow as we get into the top 20.

Day 4/Reason #22: Hanoi Hilton vs. the Harvard Hawaiian

2008-10-13T00:01:00.008-05:00

My personal view is that you can tell a lot about people by how they treat those who really can't do much for them in return. A good example of this is found in how people treat waiters, flight attendants, and the like. A corrollary here is that our private conduct is much more indicative of the type of person we are than our public conduct.

I read a story the other day about how Obama and his staff treat the press traveling with them like dirt. Mind you, these very same members of the press are true-blue lefties and in the tank for The One. He-Whose-Defication-Is-Not-Odiferous, however, no doubt knows that these lefties in the press will surely stay on the team regardless of how he behaves. He doesn't need to be nice to them, so he won't.

McCain, on the other hand, drives many of us on the right mad by trying to show decency to all. He even told angry supporters on Friday that Obama is a decent guy. McC has that famous temper, but it is generally reserved for politicians. They can take it. (It would be nice to see hm lay into Demos more, but hey). By all accounts, though, McCain shows decency to most every one he encounters, whether they be big or "little people".

Ah, but to Obama, we're all little. My conclusion is that the vast gaps in life experience of the two -- Hanoi Hilton vs. Hawaii-Harvard-"Community Organizer"-pre-Messiah education -- explains this difference.

McCain's life experience has taught him his own personal limits and fallibility. Meanwhile, Obama has been cheered every step of the way as some gift from on-high to all of us lucky beneficiaries. To me, the greatest experience argument against Obama is that life has not tested him in any real way. Rather, life appears to have propped him up, and perhaps given him an inflated view of himself as a result.

As a result of Obama's life experience (or the lack of any real test of leadership), we are left to wonder if Obama has ever been to a place where he only had to rely upon his character and faith for survival. We know McCain has been there.

We should be greatly afraid of a politician who thinks he is better than all of us peons. Arrogance in the small things will show up in the larger things. In stealing our liberty, Obama will know best.

Four down, 21 to go. See you tomorrow.

Day 3/Reason #23: Obama Flunked Math ... actually more serious and fundamental subjects than that

2008-10-12T00:01:00.002-05:00

You might have forgotten the twister that hit Kansas in May 2007. It was pretty bad. Obama, ever the student of U.S. history that he is, understood the magnitude of the disaster and pegged it as the worst natural disaster in U.S. history, with a death toll at 10,000.

In reality, though, the worst natural disaster in our history is the Great Storm (not Ike) of 1900 that hit down the road from here in Galveston. The death toll was estimated at 6,000 to 10,000.
The death toll in the 2007 Kansas twister was 12. Here's the story. Okay, so the One (as in "I can count to one, but not much farther") was 9,988 off. What's the big deal?

After all, Obama was attacking America's military effort in Iraq and Pres. Bush, and that's a most sacred task to the Left. What apparently happened was that Obama was so giddy to attack America's military (remember it was politically expedient at that time) that he got "happy feet" and got drunk, fast and really loose with the facts. To me, it was a telling moment.

Obama's purported opening to attack America's military effort in Iraq was that the war had depleted the Kansas National Guard (and thus impacting the ability to respond to the aftermath of the twister).

Consider the argument made by Obama's flaks afterward that the Anointed was tired and made a misstatement as a result. That's crazy. If he did misspeak, why didn't Obama correct himself during his remarks? Messiahs don't err, I guess. Actually, they were probably trying to slip the comment in the punch bowl and hit the road before any one noticed.

To the Obamaites, though, they don't believe there shouldn't be any real fuss. After all, his larger point, they argue, was correct -- the Iraq War and Bush are so evil, we need to make the case as dramatically as we can.

But the Kansas Mega-Gaffe showed me then that Obama is a vapid mouthpiece for forces much larger than he. He's the Left's Chauncy Gardner, so who's behind him? I wondered that back in 2007.

Now, some of those creepy characters backstage are coming forward. Just a reason to consider, but we have 22 more.

Day 2/Reason #24: Obama sure is secretive, but could he get a secret clearance?

2008-10-11T00:01:00.002-05:00

I've had a secret clearance, and John McCain has likely gone top secret. But query: Could Barack Obama get a secret clearance?

If Obama were to apply for one, he would be asked about: illegal drug use (check); questionable friends and associates (check); people known in college (check?); medical records ... Wait a minute. Where are Obama's medical records, any way? And his education records? What the h .. Is there a journalist in the house?

McCain should confront Obama and challenge him to release these documents. If the issue is relevant to getting a security clearance and Obama wants access to the red button, then hand the info over. Heck, Obama's goons spent weeks in Palin's trash cans.

Obama's drug use alone might disqualify him, but the associations surely would. The point: How can you be elected president if you can't get a secret clearance? I mean, even Slick Willie probably could have gotten one (with an asterisk, because he did not inhale). But seriously, Obama makes previous Demos look, dare I say it? Conservative ...

FYI, click here to see the security clearance questionnaire.

Maybe the moderator at the next debate (Bob Schieffer) can ask questions from the security clearance application of both candidates? Maybe not.

Again, this issue alone is reason enough to vote for McCain/against "the Big O", but I will give you 23 more.

See you tomorrow.

Day 1/Reason #25: McCain knows how to use a football. Obama? Would probably look worse than Kerry if he started lobbing one around the tarmac

2008-10-10T00:01:00.001-05:00

John McCain gave his North Vietnamese captors the names of the Green Bay Packers offensive line to escape torture at the hands of America's enemies.

On the other hand, Obama's friends gave the names of the Dallas Cowboys to escape a free and fair election by Americans.

McCain: Fought to defend American liberty. Obama and his cronies: Fighting to steal said liberties. Liberties not stolen will be taxed.

Actually, this is reason enough to vote for McCain, but ... we'll see you tomorrow any way. Spread the word. We've got 24 more days of fun.

Get your friends, liberals, and all in between in here.

Out

P.S. About that stock market, if we lose 700 points a day, this thing can't last more than two weeks? Not helping? Look at it this way: There goes the capital gains tax that Obama was going to jam down our throats.

Welcome NY Times Readers? Yes, indeed.

2008-10-09T22:47:00.004-05:00

The NY Times digs this site. Not really, but this blog was linked by Angry Left Epicenter's Times Topics page, along with Ace of Spades, the Heritage Foundation, and Digby, for what it's worth.

Seems the Times editors want to know what discerning DC readers want to know: How could there possibly be 25 reasons to vote for McCain? Or put another way, can there be any reason at all, much less 25, to vote against the Big O? It's inevitable, don't you know?

Also saw a number of hits coming in here from a site called "Rezkorama". These internets are great, and these are going to be an exciting few weeks.

DC's Campaign with 25 Days to Go: 25 Reasons to Vote for McCain and against Obama

2008-10-09T14:28:00.006-05:00

Greetings, all. These are important times. I agree with Rush that it looks like conservatives are "going to have to drag McCain" over the finish line. However, today it looks like he has picked it up a bit, in that McC actually named Barney Frank and Chris Dodd for their complicity in the mortgage-financial meltdown.

Four years ago, I broke down John Kerry's anti-American book, "The New Soldier", in the month leading up the election. I did so because I thought then (and now) that the sentiments expressed by Kerry in the book laid the groundwork for why he could not be allowed to become Commander-in-Chief. In my view, his worldview disqualified him from being president. I made the judgment that Kerry's failure to reverse course on his prior anti-Americanism during the Viet Nam War meant that he should not be allowed to lead America. For me, it's pretty straightforward. If you give us good reason to doubt your love for the nation, then it's nonsensical that you should be allowed to lead the nation.

What we saw in Kerry, we see all over again (and then some) in Obama. Actually, the people that Obama is comfortable associating with make Kerry look mild by comparison. Obama is masking a radical agenda with soothing and well-delivered rhetoric.

I am concerned for my country. You know, I've been proud of it all my life.

So ... I will "come out of retirement" for the next 25 days to do the following: I will provide a short post each day to remind you of one reason to vote for McCain and/or against Obama (if that makes some of you feel better).

Posts will be short. If I can't write them in 5 minutes or less and you can't read them in 1 minute or less, well, feel free to slap your computer screen.

It is on.

See you in the morning.

"He's just a guy who lives in my neighborhood"

2008-10-09T11:26:00.005-05:00

"He's just a guy who lives in my neighborhood" could be the phrase that defines a candidate's downfall in '08, as "I was for it, before I was against it" defined '04.

Until very recently, McCain's campain has shown a reluctance to take on the Elephant in the Room (Obama's troubling associations). Ayers, Wright, Resko, Phleger, ACORN, etc. These multiple associations cry out for an explanation. Obama is giving none, or at least none that make sense.

Obama's favorite line is that "I was 8 years old" when Ayers committed his acts of terrorism. But this misses the point. No one would hold Obama responsible for Ayers terrorism, but the fact is that Obama has had a working political relationship with Ayers well into the 1990s. Meanwhile, Ayers has continued to double down and say that his acts of terrorism were virtuous. That Obama would continue to associate with a person with these views is inexplicable. That he claims he would not know of Ayers prior terrorism is unbelievable.

"He's just a guy in the neighborhood" is both untrue and revealing at the same time. The statement shows that Obama knows it's a problem for him that he associated and worked with a terrorist like Ayers. Now, perhaps ... perhaps, probably not, but perhaps ... one might overlook Obama's association with Ayers as an aberration, but Obama has a number of these troubling assocations, and they all occurred long after he after he turned 8.

Obama's racist pastor spews anti-American hatred and claims we deserved 9/11. This sounds a lot like Ayers. Then there's Rezko, the crook. Then there's the crazy Father Pfleger. Then there's ACORN (which is being investigated all over the country for apparently trying to steal the election for Obama). Recall, too, that ACORN received money from the Obama-Ayers association. The associates, it appears, are associates, as well.

And remember who knows Obama best of all -- his soulmate. Michelle Obama said that Obama's selection as the Democrat nominee made her "for the first time in her adult life, proud of her country."

Obama's multiple troubling associations show that he is comfortable in the company of people who at best, don't love America, and at worst, don't like America at all and want to fundamentally undermine the nation and change it to suit their radical worldviews.

Fantastic Political TV tonight

2008-10-02T23:20:00.004-05:00

Wow, it was a fun night. The energy (Palin) is back in the campaign. I thought she did very well, as most folks did. Sure, she missed some opportunities, but I have come to believe that McCain and Co. are intentionally holding their fire on the obvious Fannie connections and the hay to be made.

Overall, the impression made by Palin was extremely strong. Of course she is not a policy wonk type. It would be nice to have a Newt-like character up there busting Demos on every point, but then again, that would be the whole debate. But really, I think many (both inside and outside the MSM, Washington elite) miss that many voters are not attracted to the wonkish approach. I thought Biden didn't do too bad. He made a lot of stuff up ... and he rewrote the Constitution (executive is now discussed in Article I, instead of the legislature).

In truth, I think Palin strikes a deep chord with people, and in a very good way. She has that Reaganesque quality of having strong beliefs but still being very warm and likeable. Don't underestimate the power of this, you ideologues out there. People implicitly know she is trustworthy.

But hey ... the VP debate may not have even been the best political TV on tonight. Did you see Dick Morris savage Kermit the Colmes after the debate? I am looking for the video but can't find it. Morris called Colmes an idiot and asked if he could only read his Demo talking points and threatened to leave the set if Colmes didn't shut up. Colmes was speechless. I thought he was going to start calling for Miss Piggy.

But then, there was this beatdown. O'Reilly called B-Frank a "liar", a "coward" and questioned his manhood. Does it get any better than that? Oh, yeah. He told him to "Stop the crap!" It was inspiring.

You know, O'Reilly has not been at the top of my list of favorites. His schtick and ego can wear thin. But I tell you ... tonight, he did us all proud and he did the nation a service in nailing Frank.

Let's hope that foreshadows what we will start to see over the next few weeks.

It was a good night. (It will be better when I find the clip of Morris slappling Kermit around.)

BTW, told you it would be. Stay strong.

Update: Here is the clip of Dick Morris' old-school education (with paddle) of Kermit.

Bailing out Palin

2008-10-01T14:55:00.003-05:00

As for the bailout ... I would still vote no, absent a serious move to make the bill more free-market oriented, i.e., loans to troubled financial institutions instead of government ownership of assets or an insurance plan.

I see the Senate has added tax breaks to their proposal to sweeten the deal. Expect the measure to make it through the Senate. Courage is in short supply there, rather, acting on the voters' wishes is in short supply because only one-third of them face the music every two years. But don't spending bills have to originate in the House? Never mind ... I forgot that's the irrelevant and arcane application of the Constitution.

In the House, the voters structurally have more say. All you need to know about the bailout is that basically every House member that is in a tight re-election race voted "No". Wait, there's one more thing -- Obama's for it ... now, he is. What he is for is getting political credit, and he thinks something will pass this week.

Obama is to respected, if only for the fact that he campaigns like the first black president -- who incidentally this week blamed Demos for refusing tighter regulations on Fannie and Freddie that led to the current mess. Interesting. Clinton appears to be increasing his "campaigning" in this race, now that O-Vapid has opened up a little lead. The Clintons will leave nothing to chance.

McCain, meanwhile, is for "bi-partisanship." Please. That begs the question about what we are committed to work on together. I haven't yet been persuaded that the Paulson Plan and its variations are going to prevent the sky from caving in, or even that it is a worthy endeavor in the first place. Aren't we about a week after D-Day, any way? In my world, people who are asking for $700B and a large stake in the American mortgage industry have the burden of proof, and it's a high one.

Here's what I suggest for McCain and Co.: Let the Senate and the House Demos pass what they are willing to pass. Pelosi has enough Demos to do the trick, so let her go for it. Chastise the hell out of her for not leading and getting her Demos in line. McCain should oppose the plan, on the principle that this bailout pretty much stands as an antithesis for all he has claimed to stake his political career on ... except for Blessed Bipartisanship.

Let the Demos take credit for this plan, thus, we'll have a coalition of Demos and Bush. The Candidate of Change sides with Bush and McCain sides with us. Now, there's a story. There's the election. Can you imagine the next two presidential debates as McCain hammers Obama for voting for the Bush bailout ... and then Obama tries to break out that 90%-with-Bush nonsense (McCain only sided with Bush when it wasn't a big deal)? McCain says, "There you go again. I oppose Pres. Bush on principle and on weighty matters, and you side with him for political purposes. The American people rightfully and deeply distrust this bailout, and we will reap the consequences for many years. You have shown you are not ready to be president."

But alas, it appears McCain has sided with Blessed Bi-Partisanship. Put your hand over your heart when you read that, understand? You ideological miscreants who put country ahead of getting along, you.

Speaking of the election and letting things happen ... Let Sarah be herself tomorrow night, and she'll likely wipe the floor with Biden. You know and I know that Sarah doesn't wake up in the a.m. filling her lungs with the fresh air of Blessed Bipartisanship and extolling the virtues of Democrats. She would field-dress 'em, if she could.

I pause for a moment for a quick word for the Washington-NY conservative intelligentsia set which is now expressing doubts about the Palin pick, arguing that she is "out of her league", "unprepared", "should withdraw", etc.

You want to know what the "Smart Set's" problem with Palin is? You ready? They don't think she's ready because she's a conservative Christian. They are uneasy with Palin's faith, which should make us uneasy with a lot of them. Funny, how these same people can put faith in the government bailout plan and chastise fellow conservatives for being skeptical of Paulson and Co., but are at the same time skeptical of people who place their faith in God.

Bottom line: McCain's Nervous Nellies who have been reining Sarah in need to let that girl run. Bail her out. Bail her out of this "bipartisan" straight jacket so she can speak freely call Obama-Biden on the carpet. If they free her, she'll run all over Joe like a herd of caribou, and she will filet Obama like a freshly-caught Alaskan salmon, all while the nation watches. And there will be a huge audience, too.

In all this talk of experience, many have lost sight of the fact that Palin's got something that Obama and Biden lack -- character. Thus, if she is free to speak her mind, this puts Biden in a perilous position.

DC to the Bailout, er, Rescue

2008-09-26T10:26:00.006-05:00

Not Washington ... me. Just kidding. Most Americans intuitively know they don't need the feds to bail them out. They just need the feds to move "out the way".

Quick hits on the bailout:

My position: Opposed. Strongly so. We should pursue an an approach along the lines of that advocated by House Republicans (that is, where the government becomes lender, rather than owner, and the taxpayer can be paid back with interest from loans as they perform). This seems to be a sound approach. The Paulson plan is very troubling, and on many levels -- i.e., the rush to passage, the government confiscation of a huge sector of the American economy, and the demand that we minions accept the $700 billion approximation of the problem without question or amendment.

Republicans' and McCain's performance: Excellent, so far. I admit that I thought it was a bad idea for McCain to pull out of tonight's debate and go to Washington. In retrospect, that decision is looking better. Republicans (in particular in the House) pulled the rug out from the Demos yesterday. Demos pretended like they had a deal before McCain got to Washington. Then, all hell broke loose. Frankly, it was good to see. I am also taking some perverse pleasure in watching Congress have to do something substantive right on the eve of the election.

Their shock collars are on, and it's funny to watch them hit us voters at the fence.

Keep in mind, too, that a lot of these Demos -- Dodd, Frank, Obama, et al. -- are hip-deep in Fannie Mae money and mess. Indeed, you can trace a lot of this debacle back to the Demos' refusal to accept tighter controls on the loose money practices of Fannie/Freddie, and the reckless loans that were backed and spawned. As the dust settles, there will be likely be more focus here.

Outlook: Yesterday, before the Republicans turned this thing over, I was thinking we should just replace 90% of Congress every two years, regardless of person and party. Today, I am again reminded that there are indeed differences between the Republicans and Democrats, and these differences matter. This is especially so in the House, where Republican congressmen face the music every two years.

Here is all you need to know about what the country thinks and whether the Republicans are pursuing a wise strategy in demanding changes to the Paulson Plan: Demos have the votes to pass this. But they want Republicans to go along for political cover. I read that one Demo congressman in Pennsylvania reported that calls on the plan were running 50-50 -- 50% of constituents were saying "No!" and 50% were saying "Hell no!"

I hope you have noticed the exquisite irony of Demos begging Republicans to go along with Pres. Bush's Treasury Secretary, who is apparently begging Nancy Pelosi to go along with him.

McCain might have lost some ground in the short-run here, but he is setting himself (and Republicans in Congress) for a surprisingly-good Nov. 4. Demos need Republicans to vote with them on whatever plan is adopted, and Republicans are proposing changes that the public will support. In the meanwhile, Demos are aligned with Pres. Bush and Republicans are opposing him. Some weird Jedi mind trick must be at work. Has any one seen Karl Rove lately?

Barney Frank is apoplectic, so you know something good is happening.

Stay tuned.

Which beach would the Candidate of Change identify more with ... Malibu or Galveston?

2008-09-17T11:49:00.003-05:00

Greetings, all. We continue to emerge from our hovels around here as life begins to slowly return to normal. Make no mistake, it was bad here on the Texas Gulf Coast. It still is.

The power at our house was restored a short while ago, but about 1.25 million as of this writing remain without power.

There is no delicate way to say this: The national media's coverage of this disaster has been breathtakingly ignorant. It's understandable for many outside the Gulf Coast to think the story line here is that the "storm surge was less than expected". The truth is that, while the surge could have been higher, it was wide and deep. The hurricane made a direct hit on the Houston-Galveston area. Hurricane-force winds in this huge storm blanketed the Houston-Area for hours as about 15 inches of rain fell.

The area looks like a war zone in many spots. Trees and power lines are down everywhere. In much of the Houston area, houses that did not lose trees are the exception.

To get a good idea of what really has been happening, go to the Houston Chronicle's web site. Check out the photos on the site. Say a prayer for those who are suffering so mightily and send a donation to a relief organization, if you are so inclined.

You won't hear a lot nationally from the residents of the Texas Gulf Coast, the same people who shouldered much of the burden of sheltering Katrina refugees. Most will just go on about their business of trying to pick up the pieces of their lives.

Life goes on. Here, we get hit about every 20 years or so with a major hurricane. Since the last one was 25 years ago, I blame global cooling for the 5 year respite.

Lots of politicians have been on the radio the past few days. There's been a little finger-pointing, and certainly some pandering from time to time, as you might imagine. Mostly, the comments and the efforts have been constructive, though. The best line I heard came from Pres. Bush, who doesn't need to campaign in Texas (or anywhere) any more. The President said, "By helping your neighbor, you are helping your nation."

Lots of my neighbors are helping their nation around here. That's how many of them live. On Saturday, one neighbor who I didn't even know showed up with a chainsaw to remove a fallen tree from my driveway. Another showed me how to pump my septic. Others gathered and distributed intel about where to get gas. There were thousands of acts of kindness and generosity that you will never hear about.

There were some isolated pockets of exceptions, but the rule was amazingly-civilized and neighborly conduct around here. Nearly all the stop lights have been out (I mean no lights at all), but people respect each other and the law and treat them like 4-way stops. It's a small thing, but it gives you insight into the deep decency of the people of the Texas Gulf Coast.

Meanwhile, on Galveston Island, the situation is dire. Incidentally, Galveston is a heavily-Democrat area of the state. It seems, though, that the national Democrats don't seems to have much time to spend on Galveston Beach. Surely, this doesn't have anything to do with Texas' shiny red status, does it?

Maybe the many black residents who lost everything on Galveston Island can ask the Candidate of Change at the next opportunity.

But alas, it appears they won't get the opportunity. Obama found a beach in Malibu more to his liking than Galveston. The Barack and Babs gathering of last night speaks volumes, and on many levels.

Trembling markets and the self-anointed change agent of our time simultaneously and ominously announce the weakness of much of our sick, self-absorbed politics and culture.

And the cure won't be found in the government.

The cure is among us ... out in the neighborhoods and in our homes.

On 9/11, thinking of planes, change, and hurricanes

2008-09-11T14:05:00.008-05:00

Greetings. Earlier this week, I watched "United 93" again, and I was taken back. It's part of the human condition to forget. We need to be reminded of important things. Funny how the unimportant don't need calendars and clocks to dominate our thinking.

As I was heading off to work today after some pre-Ike preparations, I remembered something. I had forgotten to put my flag out. So, I circled back to the neighborhood and put her up.

I won't forget this day the rest of my life. It took me a few months, yes, even a year or so, to realize that our lives here in America had been transformed. Ultimately, 9/11 led me to this space in cyberspace. The name on the masthead was chosen because it is a symbol of America's daring, steely, and slightly-smiling resolve in the face of the enemies of civilization.

My own conservative political views were changed as a result of 9/11. I came to understand and appreciate the preeminence of national security in national politics.

As I have said before, if we are all dead, then what are we going to be arguing about?

We must never turn back, and we must never allow our countrymen to forget ... even when the hurricanes of life hit.

Speaking of hurricanes, I was talking to a friend this morning and we remembered how when we were kids, moms would fill up the tub with bath water and break out the candles. Then, we would ride it out.

Now, with the 24/7 news cycle and the experience of Katrina, those days are long-gone. Prepping for hurricanes is some kinda deal. So, we are going about it here.

If you watch the news over the weekend, I'll be the bedraggled fellow in downtown Houston shouting: "Nancy Pelosi, where is my global-warming legislation and where is my airboat?"

Or maybe not.

Funny, but you just know how certain things will shake out and how certain people will pull through. Texas will be fine. The rest of y'all need not worry about us becoming wards of the nation.

I am going to go out on a limb and make a prediction: You won't find a bunch of Texans on a bridge whining to Washington after this thing hits.

Speaking of which, we Texans can relate to Alaskans. Last night, Sarah Palin described Alaska as a place where "men are men and women win the Iditarod!"

Man, oh man ... We Texans know a little about guts and the frontier spirit, and we recognize it when we see it (in Sarah Palin) and we know when some one will break and run at the first sign of trouble (like B.O.).

And incidently, we've been electing women governors around these parts for over 80 years. Google "Ma Ferguson" for some fun reading.

And let us remember this weekend what Ma said: "If English was good enough for Jesus Christ, then it's good enough for the children of Texas."

Actually and seriously, Ma did not say that.

What she actually said was: "If English was good enough for Jesus, the greatest Community Organizer of all time, then it's good enough for me, in the spirit of Pontius Pilate the Governor, to order that we seek the truth in the English language only."

With that, I am off.

See you on the other side.

Demos are ... Palin Comparison

2008-09-08T00:01:00.005-05:00

All these storms out there and Hurricane Sarah continues to make waves. The storm surge could put Washington and New York newsrooms under water, before it's over.

I got a hoot out of how she stiffed the big news shows over the weekend. It appears that ol' Charlie Gibson will get the first MSM crack at her this week. Should be fun.

Looking at the polls taking shape over the weekend, it appears that Gov. Sarah Palin is indeed a game-changer. At a minimum, her nomination has put McCain in the game, and likely to stay. Meanwhile, I get a kick out of watching the Demos trying to figure out a plan of attack. It's tough for them. I mean, what do you do? Keep digging in that hole? My suggestion? Focus on McCain, but ... they won't listen to me.

In the middle of Palin-Mania, I thought I would take a moment to acknowledge the obvious -- that we will surely see chinks in the Palin armor going forward. There's quite a legend around Sarah Palin in Alaska and now the country. Fret not when you find that she is not Paul Bunyan.

For instance, a number of media are now breathlessly reporting that the famed Murkowski jet was "put" on Ebay, and not "sold". But this is exactly what Palin said in her speech last Wednesday, although McCain was making merry claiming it was "sold on Ebay ... and for a profit" in Wisconsin on Friday. Man, Johnny Mac was juiced at that rally. But note: The jet was actually sold via a traditional sale. The point of Palin's efforts in this regard, and her creative manner of trying to accomplish the mission, seems to me to be the main point.

Come to find out, Palin also tried to fire the city librarian (a supporter of the incumbent she unseated) when she took over as Mayor of Wasilla. She inquired re: "censoring" books, it appears, although a more proper question would seem to me to be: Would you suggest we limit at all which types of books we buy for our residents here in Wasilla?" But it seems the Obama campaign got loose and published a "banned book list" from Palin's Wasilla. Turns out that the list is entirely bogus, though, and the Obama Campaign took down the bogus list. Worse yet, no books were banned or censored. Here again we see a recurring theme: In there haste to destroy Palin, Leftists are overreaching and losing credibility.

Others are whining about the fact that Wasilla benefitted from federal spending when Palin was mayor. Again, what's the point? What's she supposed to do, put it in an envelope and send it back to Washington after it was appropriated? Then she apparently was for the Bridge to Nowhere before changing her mind. Again, what's the big point? She did change her mind and helped stop the bridge. Critics charge that "she kept the money". I thought that Congress had something to do with what federal money was appropriated.

Isn't Ted Stevens from Alaska? Again, what was she supposed to do, bend his "pork fork" with her frugal, Alaskan mind powers?

The libs are beside themselves. As we speak, MSM types are combing Alaska, and apparently the New York Times is planning a story about Trig Palin. Wow, who knew they were capable of such investigative work?

Surely not John Edwards and B.O..

Meanwhile, B.O. whines about her picking on him, proving again he is unworthy to be our commander-in-chief. B.O. is the incredible, shrinking messiah.

Here are the main points to all this: Don't be surprised when we learn that Gov. Palin doesn't walk on water, even frozen Alaskan water; and 2) The in-depth digging and clear double-standard applied to the Republican VP nominee won't escape the public's notice.

There might be hell to pay in November. Palin is the most popular politican in the country right now. Incredible. And on this score, consider: If she is such an inexperienced, extreme conservative lightweight, just how has she bamboozled more than 80% of Alaskans?

On Larry King Friday night, Michael Moore's first-blush reaction to Sarah Palin was: "She's an extremist." I thought: Wow, the extremist's extremist is ... what? It would appear mainstream.
One wonders how/if the Leftist brain works. Consider: If Palin is an extremist and governs as such, then how do you explain more than 80% of Alaskans approving of her performance? When every one is crazy but you, it's time to look in the mirror.

This entire saga is sure to have some twists and turns going forward, I am sure. So, fasten your belts. But it's fun to have some one to really pull for here.

Here's betting she'll be just fine. Her character has been built over a lifetime. She hasn't been simply prepping for interviews and to be VP.

When there are bumps ahead, I suspect we'll be reminded again that she is a real person like us. The MSM can unearth every rock in Alaska and they won't change this equation. Here's hoping they stay at it.

Dear Mr. Obama

2008-09-06T14:44:00.003-05:00

Our old friend Mark sends this along: Dear Mr. Obama

BTW, though the execution of the Iraq War was in deep trouble pre-surge, as the aforementioned video points out, it would be incredibly wrong to concede that going into Iraq itself was wrong. People need to be reminded of the context of the decision-making process and the near-universal belief that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction -- along with a history of using them -- with 9/11 clearly visible at that time in the rearview mirror.

The trouble is ... A lot of people now evaluate the Iraq War as if 9/11 never happened and/or it was ancient history at the time we invaded Iraq. With the information we had at the time, it was the right move to go into Iraq. The real debate was how to prevail and then come home. McCain, to his credit, was the nation's best leader on this issue. I don't believe it's political hyperbole to say that Iraq would have been lost without him pressing the surge.

Meanwhile, Obama now admits the surge worked (though he voted against it), but still ... can't bring himself to say he was wrong. Messiahs don't tend to err, you know.

Posting update: Inspired by the Sarah Palin candidacy, as I know many of you are, I will resume posting from now through Election Day. Due to real life considerations, don't expect much more than a weekly column. As always you can reach me on the other line of the internets (email) at dcutter-at-gmail-dot-com.

By the way, some of the accomplishments, etc., we have heard re: Sarah Palin have turned out/will turn out to contain some hyperbole. I mean, I don't think she adjusted the Northern Lights, although with an 86% approval rating, there are apparently some who think she could. I jest somewhat, but the point is ... when we confirm that Sarah Palin is not a perfect person/politician, it won't and doesn't change the game.

Rather, she is the real deal, and that's why she has changed the game. We'll discuss Monday.

I hate to gloat, but ...

2008-09-05T00:01:00.001-05:00

The post below this one was written about three hours before Sarah Palin's historic, electric, Reaganesque speech. Yes, John McCain did his thing tonight and did fine, but ... yes, his speech was anti-climactic.

Okay, so after the Palin speech, any one's gloating, speeches, or whatever, seem small. But wait ... what's the big deal about words? What's so important about a speech? After all, haven't we been saying that Barack Obama's only real skill is his soaring oratory?

As Palin demonstrated Wednesday night, ideas -- and the ability to express them powerfully and persuasively -- matter in political candidates. Words are important. Sure, empty words are just that. Change is a verb, and not simply a noun, after all. But national officeholders need to be able to explain ideas and inspire people.

Reagan did this. And ... speaking of the Reagan in heels analogy, which we were talking about last night, apparently this has caught on with people who ought to know.

So, as the Republicans sky from St. Paul with a spring in their step and a real shot to win in November, you can thank Sarah Palin ... and the man with the guts to give her a shot.

One more thing ... listen close. I had a pretty good idea that Sarah Palin would be fine and would be beloved by not only the delegates, but also the nation, if only she were given the chance. I am not gloating now. I am just telling you what I knew. But how did I know this without knowing her?

It's the person behind the words that really provides the power of those words. And the bricks and mortar of personal power is one's belief system.

Palin's confidence, good humor, and genuineness stem from her beliefs. The inspiring words of Wednesday night were brush strokes of this belief system.

I know this belief system because it is mine.

As such, she has made this ticket mine, as well.

Impalin' on Palin

2008-09-03T17:21:00.004-05:00

I poke my head from my hole for a few brief points as we await the big Palin speech. Here are my random, yet purposeful, thoughts:

I am genuinely and pleasantly surprised that McCain pulled this off. He shocked me. Truly, he did. As a result, I have gone from "supporting Obama's opponent" to enthusiastically supporting the McCain-Palin ticket.

The only thing that can/would change my support for McCain is if McCain and Co. would inexplicably dump Palin from the ticket. I doubt very seriously this will happen, but the Lefties are sure pushing the idea. That should tell you something of the merits of going that direction.

Only the Obamas of the world counsel with enemies.

The Media/Demo/Leftist/Same Things are vicious miscreants capable of all manner of dastardly and unspeakable tactics, provided that they are either anonymous or traveling in a pack.

Left alone, however, Barack Obama would likely get his butt kicked by Sarah Palin in a fist fight.

However, she is also a beauty queen, mother of five, slayer of moose, and a former point guard of a state championship basketball team. Where do we find such women? America, that's where.

And how can such a woman be a conservative Christian, pray tell?

Questions such as the foregoing are asked by the Media/Demos/Leftists/Same Things because of their breathtaking ignorance and bigotry toward Evangelical Christians.

Sarah Palin is much more qualified to be president than Barack Obama is.

Given the foregoing, shouldn't the top of the Demo ticket be comparing his experience to the top of the Republican ticket? It would seem so, but Obama doesn't compare favorably there, as well.

Sarah Palin's real sin to the Left is not in having a teenage daughter who is pregnant, but in the fact that here family has gone through two difficult pregnancies where many would have had (or at least understood) abortions.

Palin and her family have lived their convictions and thus heaped burning coals on the opposition's head.

In my church, I have seen a lot more eyebrow-raising things than we have learned about Sarah Palin.

"Amazing Grace" is still a popular hymn in evangelical circles.

In Sarah Palin's church (and mine) we don't tolerate racists and pastors generally don't say "God damn, America."

The so-called "feminist movement" in America, given the treatment of Sarah Palin that has been allowed to persist, is officially dead.

The real question that the Palin candidacy raises is this: Can a person who takes her faith and convictions seriously and does not cowtow to the Media/Washington establishment seek high office?

Put another way, can some one who believes like I do be allowed to run for elected office and have the American people judge him or her on the merits?

I am so proud -- and genuinely excited -- that the Republican Party ... Yes, I can say it, I am so excited that my party nominated Sarah Palin and she has the chance to be the first woman elected to be VP.

By the way, she got rid of the state chef in Alaska so she could cook for her family.

Who does she think she is? A woman?

And oh, the 5 kids Sarah Palin is supposed to be "looking out for" and thus will keep her from doing her job ... One is getting married and another is heading to Iraq.

Knowing what we have learned about her abilities, I think she can handle her responsibilities at home just fine.

Barack Obama thinks he is a celebrity, and to some extent he is. I think Sarah Palin is going to become, as some one said, "Reagan in heels". If she is this ... we will have a rock star in American politics.

Bono with an Updo? How about that?

Indeed, she is the first candidate since Reagan to remind me of him.

That said, you should understand my and many conservatives' defense of Sarah Palin.

Take a look at the title of the post real quick. Remember the scene in Braveheart, when the Scots looked about to be overrun and they pulled out the long sticks, er, the very sharp big sticks.

Those charging, apparently to a glorious victory, were suddenly impaled.

Meanwhile, those who had the courage to stand their ground and then fight back survived. The Demos have been riding in pretty hard the past couple of days. Tonight, the long sticks start to come up.

Courage pays. If the Republicans stick together and fight with the heart of Sarah Palin, they'll be fine.

Whatever the outcome of this election, rest assured that Sarah Palin and her family will be fine, too.

And ... as long as the country keeps producing Sarah Palins, we'll all be fine.

Blogs for Obama's Opponent Launches Here in D.C.

2008-06-30T00:01:00.000-05:00

Just kidding. Well, I am just kidding about launching a new blog roll. But I am not kidding about supporting Obama's opponent.

I understand that some conservatives may not just hold their noses, but they may indeed hold their fire this election. I think that's a mistake, but candidly, it's hard to fault them. McCain and the Republican Party have made it very difficult to get on board. So, you won't find me browbeating those who won't "sell out to the RINO" as I am arguably doing. I simply think that the best course for the nation is to elect John McCain rather than Barack Obama.

Here's five reasons why I am for Obama's opponent:

1) National security -- As I have said a number of times before, if we're dead, then the rest of our debates are pretty much academic. This is another way to say that certain things are foundational. In presidential politics, national security is foundational. And on this point ... Obama wants to talk. McCain supported the surge. Obama never wanted into Iraq. McCain was one of the ones who backed the strategy that is winning the war in Iraq. Obama will pursue a law enforcement-first policy with jihadis. McCain thinks we are at war with the jihadis.

2) Supreme Court -- Several vacancies are almost certainly coming up in the next president's term. This past couple of weeks has reminded us of the importance of the appointment of justices to the Court who will interpret the Constitution per the original meaning of the words on the paper and not their own policy preferences. The approaches of justices like Breyer, Ginsberg, Souter, Stephens, and yes, Kennedy threaten our liberty gravely.

The Bush appointees to the Court have been stellar. Imagine Gore or Kerry appointees dealing with the Heller case. The horrah.

Increasingly, we have seen and will continue to see a melding of issue #1 (nat'l security) with issue #2. By the way ... here's a question for Obama.

McCain has supported Pres. Bush's S.C. appointees, albeit he set up the 14-Mod Squad to vet them. McCain's nominees would be far better than what we could expect from Obama. It's true he would have to deal with the Demos in the Senate, but remember how Roberts and Alito handled them. It was a thing of beauty. We could have Obama making the appointments, if you think that would be better.

For a great overview of this issue, I commend to your reading Big Lizards' outstanding post.

3) View of America -- Simply put, I have no doubt that John McCain loves America. I think he believes the nation has a special place in this world. Like Mark, I don't think that he would sell out the country. We might have to tie him down to keep him from signing an immigration bill, but still ... I jest somewhat. As for Obama, I really do question how he views this nation. His wife/soulmate has not been proud of America until her husband became the Democrat nominee.

So, I am not sure about Obama. If he views the world like the bulk of his post-modern, leftist brethren, then he doesn't think that America is special among nations. To the contrary, most of the Hard Left think we are to blame, at least partially, for many of the world's ills. Usually, they contend that we are mostly to blame, in fact. There is a lot of evidence that Obama associates with those who think not only that America is unexceptional, but in fact, is worthy of derision and even attacks by terrorists.

If you don't think this nation is great and you don't love it, then you don't understand and are not worthy of the people you seek to lead. You are not qualified to be president. I question Obama's views in this regard, and I do so based largely on who he has hung around throughout his adult life.

4) Radical associations -- Of course, the most prominent of Obama's radical associations is his church and the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. However, the problem is really much deeper than the crazies talking from the podium. I tend to agree that you can't hold some one accountable for all the views of a preacher, particularly a guest preacher. Still, look at the consistency of the radical message, and see how those radicals are received. Did you see the cheering masses at Obama's cheering on the diabolical "Father" Phleger? Here's the clip.

Mind you, Obama and his wife have attended this church for 20 years. Looking at the Phleger clip, it would appear that the church is full of Phleger enthusiasts. Can you imagine even considering a vote for a conservative or Republican candidate under similar circumstances?

Hey, by the way, how come you won't hear this kind of radicalism in Obama's church?

Obama's claim is that he doesn't/hasn't supported the radicalism spouted from the pulpit at his church. That is hard to believe, given the time the Obamas have been at the church and the consistently strident message there. Even so, if Obama did not agree with the hateful messages routinely coming from the pulpit at Wright's church, then it shows colossal and a disqualifying lack of judgment to remain in such a church. His defenders point out that he needed to be at the church to advance his political career. If so, then this proves by itself that his entire "change" mantra campaign is a fraud.

Incidentally, be very wary of those who use "change" almost exclusively as a noun. They are generally hiding their true intentions.

But Obama's association with radicals is not limited to the Rev. Wright and the new "fine, young pastor" at his recently thrown-under-the-bus church. Obama has a long history of hanging out with those who hold anti-American views: Here's a good summary of his radical associations and how Obama has dealt with them.

When the going gets tough, Obama acts as an old-style politician, albeit with new-fangled, postmodern, anti-American views.

5) On all issues, Obama is worse ... often far worse -- I share the objections to a McCain candidacy. I know the areas where I have disagreed with him ... immigration, McCain-Feingold, taxes, "bi-partisanship", role of govt., treatment of jihadis, pandering to the Greens, etc. Here's the punchline: On all fronts, where McCain is unimpressive, Obama would be far worse. I know some conservatives are thinking that an Obama presidency, combined with a Demo congress would surely usher in an era of conservative governance, like we saw in reaction to Clinton. I think such thinking is misguided. It relies upon variables beyond our control, not the least of which is the ability to know the future. All we can do is vote for the best candidate on the ballot. If the Demos control everything, there is no telling how many locks they might put on the door for us to get back in. The risk is too great, especially with the world situation. We don't know the future. As such, we'd better make the best choice today.

6) Bonus reason to support Obama's opponent -- If McCain wins, I will assume the role of "loyal opposition", or "Republican Maverick". I think Pres. McCain would appreciate the honor of some one standing by his convictions and lobbing insults, accusations, and counter-proposals at him constantly if/when he were inclined to drift left. Of all candidates, McCain is estopped from complaining of such conduct by "apparatchiks" like me. Indeed, the Republican meltdown has given us conservatives an opportunity to go back to our roots, and to be more skeptical of government. It's liberating (and fun) to be able to both deride and support that ol' RINO McCain. He deserves to get hit by traffic from all directions. This ain't beanbag!

But what about the Republican Party? Some have argued that we shouldn't support McCain because Republicans will view it as a rejection of the conservative base and will move forward without us. I say to them if they try it ... Good Luck! McCain is not going to get elected without conservative support and he knows it. If he behaves like a Demo in office, then Republicans in Washington will continue to pay.

Besides, we are Americans first, and then conservatives before any party loyalty. As long as there is support in the country for conservatism, we'll be fine. America and conservatives will survive McCain ... or even Obama.

Actually, I think McCain as president (particularly with a Demo congress) will likely exceed our expectations. I think that McCain himself will drift right as the country does. Particularly if it's Demos Gone Wild on Capitol Hill, I think you can expect to see him act more in the "Maverick" mode. What a farce, I know. I would rather have a candidate who would act upon his own agenda, and promote and defend it regardless of what the opposition does. But ... Johnny McC is not this candidate. Still, we might get some serious gridlock out of him, which would be just dandy.

He has drifted left over the past 8 years as a foil to Pres. Bush. Now we see him supporting the Bush tax cuts, more drilling, border security, etc. He is at least committing support to these things. And he is doing so after securing the Republican nomination. I think that shows you that McCain knows where the country is. And consider: Without a filibuster-proof Demo Senate, any sweeping immigration overhauls ain't going to happen. If enough conservatives stay home this fall, though, we might get the opportunity for Obama himself to have a filibuster-proof Demo Senate.

But back to McCain, I think he genuinely relishes bucking what people think he will do. When Pres. Bush asked him to be the loyal team player, he played the Maverick. If Demos go wild and start looking for an ol' RINO to poach, though, I would expect him to start quoting Reagan. He's one of those obnoxious contrarians in conversations whose favorite phrase is, "On the other hand ... "

But at least he does quote Reagan. You can bet that Comrade Obama (the proud owner of the Communist Party USA Endorsement) will not be quoting Reagan. Again for me, it comes back to alternatives.

A number of conservatives will probably vote for McCain but won't send money, go recruit voters in the snow, etc. I understand. I'll probably save some money this election cycle, too. However, I will be voting for John McCain, and I would encourage you to do the same.

But in conclusion, consider this: No candidate, president, political party, or government can tax my happiness. Not one of them can change who I am, or make me change my life. None is better than or can destroy who we are as a nation. I am going to survive and thrive no matter if it's McCain or Obama.

By God's grace, we are still Americans no matter who wins in November. Let's act like it.

Back at the Keyboard for a Few: I pause to explain a few thoughts about American Exceptionalism

2008-06-24T22:20:00.000-05:00

Well, my plan has been and remains to post a few thoughts on the upcoming election. We'll see where it goes, but real life continues to call. In the meantime, I was inspired by the thread below to comment on the phrase that both offends and repels hard-core liberals everywhere: American Exceptionalism.

I feel about that phrase how Patton felt about combat: I do love it so.

I stirred up our ol' pal, Charlie, by invoking the phrase in the global warming debate below (we have sometimes strayed into religion around here, you know).

In our debate below, I mentioned that one of the Left's reasons for promoting Environmentalism is that the Left resents American Exceptionalism. Our prosperity is part of that exceptionalism. Thus, the Left resent our big cars, big houses, and the air conditioners that cool them.

In the thread below, Charlie commented,

"We're all people. Daisy, and I am not kidding here... I literally have tears in my eyes... we are all people. Think about that when you want to flaunt "American Exceptionalism" as a virtue. They (whoever "they" are at the time) are people, too.

I wouldn't ask you to sympathize with a Palestinian suicide bomber any more than I would ask you to forgive Timothy McVeigh.

But the world is filled with people.

I wouldn't express those thoughts in the way that Charlie does, but I agree with his sentiments. That is, I believe, even though I argue and fight hard for what I believe in, that God is bigger than me. His ways are not my ways. I try to keep my fight is on the level of ideas. Indeed, all people have equal value. Actually, I would go farther than Charlie. I think all people (even the really bad ones like Larry Craig) have equal value in God's eyes.

But here is my point: All countries and systems of government do not have equal value. Some are better than others. Others are far, far better than others. America has been, and remains, exceptional among nations.

And by the way ... Why is it considered "moving to the center" by Obama when he runs an ad claiming that he loves America? This tells you most of what you need to know about the modern American Left.

Now, listen to what happened while I was responding to Charlie's comment in the thread below.

I am typing away a response to Charlie, and then ...

Our Spanish-speaking cleaning lady comes by my office at about 9:30 p.m. CST. She speaks very little English. By some twist of fate (I think Providence, really), I was watching the Astros. That's not a big deal. It's actually to be expected, because I am a glutton for punishment. But something is wrong with my TV, and this is where Providence meets beliefs ... meets real life. The Astros for some reason are in Spanish on my TV this night. Something happened. I think I hit a button or something, and I can't get it fixed. It's only on this channel, too. I still can speak some Spanish, so I am watching and listening. I mean, I can tell what is happening by watching. Plus, I can understand some of what the announcers are saying.

Our cleaning lady comes in my office, hears the Spanish on TV, and asks me (in Spanish) if I speak Spanish. I tell her, "Un poco." She laughs. Then, we have about a ten-minute conversation re: my Spanish-speaking history, including my dad's fluency in the language. I have talked to her before, but never to this extent. She asks me if we have any other lawyers who speak Spanish. I laugh. I have been promoted to Spanish-speaking lawyer. Eventually, I find out that she wants to locate an immigration lawyer for her husband.

So, I am going to find an immigration lawyer for her, and then call her this week and give her a name. I can't speak for what the immigration lawyer will do, but she won't get charged for my time.

The foregoing is a simple, small act that gives insight into what one person believes about the value of other people.

Why do I tell you this? Well, Charlie, et al., it's certainly not to impress those of you who don't know me. Those who do know me well don't seem really impressed by this here blog, so ... I tell you so you can get some insight into what my beliefs really are.

But remember (and I do understand the irony of this point): You won't find out what people really believe on a blog. You can only see it in how they live their lives. Real belief is found in real life.

Mind you, one of my biggest problems with Johnny McCain is his track record on immigration. We've "spilled a lot of ink" on this subject, for sure. I understand the appearance of irony, but for me, there's not an inconsistency.

Yes, people are the same everywhere. There are great people everywhere, except maybe Arkansas.

But seriously ... there are great people everywhere.

But the greatest country is right here. We live in it, by God's grace. I view it as my duty to do my part to ensure that it stays exceptional for future generations.

So what now?

2008-06-13T00:01:00.003-05:00

I went back and read my launch post for "Blogs for McCain's Opponent". If I do say so myself, I think it was just grand. Here it is again.

I must say that the slicing and dicing of Sen. McCain in my post of three years ago was pretty complete. Yes, I upset the McCainites so bad that the very last commenter called me a Dutch Bagholder. Made my day back then. But what about today?

I'd encourage you to read my "Blogs for McCain's Opponent's" launch post carefully, and read it to the end. I never intended then, and I don't intend now, to help a liberal Democrat (or worse) get elected to anything, much less to be the Commander-in-Chief in a time of war.

So, now we find ourselves in a fine predicament, do we not? As conservatives, we certainly can't be fired up about Johnny McCain. We remember ... McCain-Feingold ... the Gang of 14 ... McCain-Kennedy. The last hyphenated McCain mess is the immigration bill/debacle that conservatives derailed in '06. He's been the media's, not conservatives', darling these past 8 years for a reason.

Indeed, McCain has given conservatives more than enough reason to be unenthused about his candidacy. Still, he seems determined to up the ante even more. Now, he has joined the Green bandwagon, really the Green Church. But the Green god is parading down the street naked, don't you see? We just wrapped up the coldest April on record down here. It's freezing in the Northwest?! What? This whole deal is a massive genuflection to policital correctness, more governmental control of our lives, and corporate cash. Yes, Green is, well, green, as in cash. Tell consumers that you are eco-friendly, and voila, they reward you with green. Makes them feel good. Mind you, their good feelings are based on hot gas/nothing (which, happily, does not harm the environment), but they feel good, don't you know? So, they pay you cash, which is just as good as money. All of this makes me ill and harms my environment.

I thought I saw the End of the Age the other day when I was in a Wendy's drive-thru and they were bragging how green they are. Made me want to rev my engine and head to Mickey D's. Just give me my burger and a large cup of shut ... But I digress.

All of McCain's foibles (immigration, big media-friendly leglislation, green pandering, etc.) point out that he is the friend of big business, and by extension, big government. That's McCain's common thread and his Achilles' heel with conservatives. Yes, conservatives are aware how the interests of multinational mega-corporations diverge more and more from the national interest. And big gov't, the friend of big biz, well ... that used to mean what it meant to be one of us -- that you didn't like empowering the feds to do everything.

But even so, McCain has an opponent.

For simple troglodytes like myself, we can use simple gauges to know which way to go in times like these. Certainly, one of the truest Washington weather vanes is Sen. Ted Kennedy. For instance, we knew that Pres. Bush had gone too far, and that the Education Bill would surely be a big problem, when we learned that it was named Bush-Kennedy. Likewise, if we had any doubt as to whether Sen. McCain had gone way too far on the Immigration Bill, all we had to do was note that the bill was called McCain-Kennedy.

I am telling you ... Sen. Kennedy has always been a big help to conservatives seeking clarity. To put it in perspective, who in Washington can you honestly say would always come up with the wrong answer for the Left (a.k.a, the right answer) on every single question? Really, it's hard to think of any one. Such conservatives don't last long in Washington, but a true liberal icon and dinosaur that gets it wrong every time can last as long as, well, Sen. Byrd ... or Sen. Kennedy. It's the nature of D.C. and its long-term inhabitants who claim to be from other places.

So, who is Sen. Kennedy supporting in this year's presidential race? We'll talk about his choice, and then I will tell you what mine is and why ... next time.

In the meantime, what do you think? McCain or Obama? That's the choice, you know. One of these two will become president next year. So, don't tell me how many Libertarians can balance on a rolled-up Constitution, or the merits of a Nader candidacy (this is Ralph's year, after all).

Which one should it be -- McCain or Obama -- and why? These are the questions we face.

See you next time.

Still kicking ... the nominees for president are Who??

2008-06-04T17:30:00.003-05:00

Get me my laptop. Wait, I don't have one. Still, what is going on?

I'll have some words for both of them ... and you ... soon.

Until then ...

See you on the beach ...

2007-12-21T23:59:00.000-06:00

That's the farewell that my former Marine uncle used to give me when we parted. He wasn't talking about getting a tan, either. We never got the opportunity, but I guess he knew that I would have loved to have seen him there.

It's that spirit that I leave you with today. You won't see me around these parts for the indefinite future but I hope to see you "on the beach" in the struggle to preserve this nation for our children and their children.

I'm hanging up the keyboard, yes indeed. But I'm not dying. At least there's no date set yet. And I might come back next summer or so, if my schedule changes/relents and I have pontification-withdrawal (that sounds like something there's a cheap remedy for on late-night TV) when the election heats up. If you want to contact me ... dcutter-at-gmail-dot-com.

As for why ... well, see the post below. Thanks to you all for checking in, for your support and comments. Keep the faith and keep up the fight.

And keep your eyes on what is real. I'll try to do the same.

Speaking of which, have a very, Merry Christmas. The Babe of Bethlehem is coming back as the Lion of Judah.

Semper Fidelis.

See you on the beach.

Three Years ...

2007-07-06T00:01:00.000-05:00

... might just be enough.

Yes, it's true. I've been thinking about this a while, and I think it's time to step back for a time, maybe for good.

I won't bore you with the gory details, but let's just say, it's time to step back. I want to preface what follows by letting you all know that I am not mad, not upset, none of that. I am doing well, actually.

As for why I am stepping back, I will tell you this: There's a lot going on in real life. You know, I have 4 kids, ages 6 to 16 ... a wife of 21 years ... a law practice (allegedly) ... I am a baseball coach, etc., etc. Looking around, I find that most bloggers out here that aren't making money at this don't seem to have the things going on that I do. There's a reason for this. My real life and the goodwill at home call me back.

Yes, real life is real, and really ... that's where life is at. Much of what happens to me that is really noteworthy and life-changing happens out in the real world. But it doesn't and can't get discussed here. That's not a criticism. It's just the nature of the enterprise.

I started this blog three years ago to make a difference, if only in some microscopic way. I don't know if I have made a difference at all, but that was and remains my intent here ... aside from "doodling into the air" whilst living out my passion. I like to write. Still do. To be more accurate, I like writing with a purpose. That won't change.

In this space, I have wanted to do my small part as part of the information war to defend America, our culture, and our way of life. We remain in a great struggle with Militant Islam. And we must win. There is no other option, no negotiated peace to pursue. With each passing day, we see the unfolding horrors of the unmasked face of our jihadi enemies.

Yet, the comfortable, the affluent, the ignorant, and many of our politicians (which tend to be a combination of all three) would rather not be bothered with the foregoing. It is too unpleasant. No, they would rather not be disturbed from their slumber. But we owe it to our countrymen, and indeed to the world, to tell the truth and continue to wake as many as possible ... to prevent the nightmare from becoming reality.

As I have said here a number of times, most recently on Independence Day, freedom can not negotiate with slavery. America's own history shows that forestalling true liberty for all makes conflict inevitable. We don't know yet exactly what "prevailing" will actually look like in this new kind of war. But we'll find out in time. And when we do, then we know the precise direction we must go -- toward complete victory, as we did in WWII.

My uncle the former Marine and Viet Nam vet has told me that he thinks we'll be fighting Militant Muslims in earnest for the next 100 years. I don't know if he's right, but, absent the End of the Age, I am sure he is closer to being right than our Microwaveable-Foreign-Policy Congress is on the subject. So, "stand up, buckle up, and shuffle to the door."

One recurring theme that I written about here is simply this: America is worth defending. It is a special thing to be an American. It doesn't mean we are better than the world. It means we are more blessed than most every one in the world. I hope I have encouraged you to remember this. Ah, America, I do love this nation so. And I love all our friends and people of goodwill everywhere who show this earthly "Shining City" the love and respect that it deserves.

And in defending America, the West, and what we stand for, I would argue that the best way to do this, in spite of the seriousness of the times, is to do it with a smile and with style. That is, we tackle the great issues of the day not only with a purpose, but also with good cheer. Belief is more persuasive and powerful, although more difficult to maintain, than cynicism.

We have also talked about what a "nation" is, and I have argued that a nation is not merely a goverment. Rather, a nation has a government. A nation (any nation) also has a culture and a border. Without any one of the three -- a culture, a government, a border -- then a nation is a nation in name only. In addition to the threat from Militant Islam, we've got challenges at home on all three fronts. The stakes are high in these times.

Please bear in mind that my absence from this cyber-post doesn't mean that I am less committed to defendiing the nation or to the ideas expressed here for the last three years. Quite the contrary, I am as "gung ho" as ever. In fact, I'll be hanging around some of my favorite sites, with a comment or two, from time to time.

I have enjoyed the ride here very much, and I thank every one of you who has stopped by to lurk, comment, argue, agree, or not. It's been great. Thank you all for your time and for your passion for the nation. Time is the most precious resource that any of us has. I thank you for all you invested here. Your comments and contributions here have educated and inspired me, time and again.

I am especially grateful to you regulars. Many of you have contributed to our nation over and above, and yet you continue to go well beyond the call of duty. I won't call you out, but you know who you are. You have my utmost respect, and as a result, my affection. You have reminded me many times over to always believe in the power of a solitary individual who is relentless in the pursuit of what is right. And as one of you told me once, never, never underestimate the importance of your faithful service in whatever has been placed in front of you today. Your efforts this very day matter greatly. Indeed, that's how a culture, a society, a civilization is built ... with one faithful act stacked upon another, and another. Keep pressing on.

As for the future of this blog long term, I honestly don't know now. I will let you know around Christmas ... right here. My plan is to check back on December 21 to let you know.

I suspect it may be hard to stay away, especially with the elections in '08. Right now, though, I am sick of the elections already. I know, it will get important and interesting next year. Looking ahead, I am pulling for Fred to get in soon (officially) and make it fun for us conservatives. If Newt jumps in, it will be double-fun. Maybe they can run together. I already have their campaign theme: "We may be ugly, but we're right."

I am also hoping that my fellow conservatives will do the right thing and decide that, whoever the nominee of the Republican Party may be, we must ensure that the Democrats do not grab the White House in these times. Remember this: The first duty of the federal goverment is national security. Also, there's a real short book in the library that I hope you'll check out entitled, "Debates by Dead People." These are important times, and this fact should unite, not divide us.

Now, you'll note that there is no space for comments below. Why? Well, this reminds me of a funny story. Once, Julie B (a real person, in fact a really nice person who I have really talked to ... albeit on the phone) got huffy because I posted a picture of Pres. Bush without allowing comments. What a hoot! Funny how blogging changes our perspective on real life. It has changed mine, from time to time, too.

The simple truth is that sometimes one makes a judgment that a particular post says enough. Plus, a lot of these blogger farewell deals are just mini-narsco-dramas with all the please-don't-go teary pleas from other bloggers who are plugging their blogs ("Can I have these readers now since dude has given up the ghost?").

If you want to contact me, you can reach me at dcutter-at-gmail-dot-com. I would like to hear from you, and I'll continue to check the email.

From the outset, this blog has been about ideas, and in that spirit, I'd like to leave you with some thoughts, principally related to the subject of living a life that makes a difference and finishing well. So, consider:

We marvel at human creativity, but indeed, there is nothing new under the sun.

Ultimately, the value of what happens in this life is determined by the One whom we will stand before in the next.

The best way to influence the world is focus on "small unit tactics", that is, start with your own family. Work out from there, into your community, and so on. But if you forget what is at home and fail to build from there, you are building your house on sand.

There are very few people in your life whose opinions really matter. One of the keys to a successful life is figuring out who these people are.

If you realize you have fallen in life, don't worry. You've just joined the crowd. Now, get up.

A lot of people along the way to a life that makes a difference get shipwrecked by difficulties. If and when this happens to you, reach out. We weren't made to make it alone in this life. Isolation leads to a loss of perspective, ineffectiveness, and ultimately to death.

Indeed, life is short, but its consequences -- and your soul -- last forever. So, live in light of eternity.

Be bold. In life, defense wins games, but offense wins championships and changes civilizations. A coward dies a thousand deaths.

Life is unfair. So, take some time to thank God that you haven't gotten what you deserve.

True life ... and joy ... are found in serving others. One must die to his own desires to truly live.

If you know something you need to say ... say it, today. "Thank you" is something that can and should be said every day.

Ask yourself: What in the world did I do to deserve being born in the greatest nation in history, with everything that I need, with people who care about me, and with the opportunity to know and serve God? Nothing. Yes, life is unfair, but God is good.

If you are spending more time on the computer than you are talking to your spouse, well, you need to stop blogging, reading blogs, surfing the internet, reading emails, etc., so much. The real thing, yes, a good person worthy of your time and attention, may be right there, maybe in the next room ... maybe in the same room. Don't miss it.

I've studied a lot, and I've learned a lot from a lot of smart people. So, I'll steal the following from a tremendously learned fellow who was asked to name the greatest thing he had learned in all his years of study. It is this: "Jesus loves me, this I know ... for the Bible tells me so."

Indeed, there is nothing new under the sun, except that which flows from the One who created all things new.

Take care.

Semper Fidelis.

Happy Birthday America: Freedom is Still Beautiful ... and Controversial

2007-07-04T00:01:00.000-05:00

This Fourth of July finds America at war. There have been a lot of Independence Days like this, though, in our history.

But this year, we note that around the globe, anti-Americanism is high and seems to be on the rise.

Why is this? Some would argue that American foreign policy is to blame.

I have heard from friends who have been both to Europe and the Middle East that the very same argument to defend anti-Americanism is consistently being trotted out -- That is, the world "likes Americans, but they just don't like our government."

However, I think this is a cop out that masks the true feelings of many foreigners expressing anti-American views.

To a certain degree, we understand their point about our government. We Americans don't like our government a lot of the time. Still, we don't care much for burning American flags or the President in effigy, either.

Plus, it's our government.

And unlike much of the world that expresses this disdain for our government, we are our government. We understand that our government is a republic, and we further understand that it doesn't represent us perfectly, or even well, at times. But over time, for better or worse, our government is what we, the American people, want it to be.

Our government is really an extension of us because we are free. We are not as free as perhaps we used to be, and we are certainly not as free as we want to be. But we are free.

And our freedom -- freedom to speak, to write, to worship ... or not, to work, to dream, to protest, and to vote, and to do all of the foregoing without fear -- this is a call to arms to much of the world.

Thus, what the current rise of anti-Americanism really tells us is that freedom is on the decline in the world.

So, we hear the loud voices of the anti-American tide.

But what irony to have the subjects of Muslim autocrats in Saudi Arabia tell us that "They like Americans, just not their government." They speak of us as if we are subjects, like they are. They speak in this way because they are subjects.

In Russia, reports of American warmongering and profiteering are accepted as gospel. Regardless of the facts or the price of gasoline here, they just know that we went to Iraq to steal the oil. Why? The Russian people are ruled by a government that engages in this very thing in spades.

Throughout Europe, the naysaying nieces and nephews of the nanny state wring their hands and deride America for daring to confront the fascists of the 21st century. America's freedom and fight endangers the peace, it seems.

Meanwhile, militant Muslims and their allies worldwide decry the debauchery, excesses and corruption of American society. Yes, freedom produces excesses. But these excesses pale in comparison to societies that are led around by the nose by the likes of Zarqawi, Hussein, Assad, Ahmadinejad, and Bin Laden.

Indeed, tyrants and their subjects never have and never will understand freedom.

Both tyranny and freedom expand and threaten the other's oxygen supply. They war with each other. They must. Always.

America's birth certificate was thus a declaration of war, not just on King George's England but on tyrants in perpetuity.

Therefore, America remains a magnet for criticism worldwide prinicipally because America remains a reminder to the world that a people still dares to live in freedom.

Friends take solace. Foes take heed.

We are America the Controversial, because we are free. We are America the Beautiful.

On Immigration: Getting Offensive

2007-07-03T18:33:00.000-05:00

In the aftermath of last week's defeat of the "Comprehensive Immigration Reform" bill (may it rest in pieces, actually, that's a pretty good idea ... start with enforcement), we now ponder what's next.

Lots of people are taking credit, assigning blame (I see it's only Pres. Bush's bill now). Note that we would have never had such a thing take root in the Senate if Harry Reid had not been majority leader, but we need not be disturbed with such trifles as this. Let's let facts be bygones.

This ordeal has me thinking of how we defend ... and how we win.

Defending is easier, and it's not as risky as offense, with its attendant risk of "offending". Deconstruction can be accomplished through a variety of means. But construction is far more difficult, and it requires patience, skill, and plans that account for the various contingencies and obstacles ahead. But when you defend against an attack, a bad argument, a bad strategy ... you don't need to be perfect or sometimes even good. The bad attack often largely does itself in.

In this case, for instance, the proponents of "Comprehensive Reform" overreached in spectacular fashion, seeking to hide from the public the contents of a bill that is fatter than the Bible. Then we found out the whole thing wasn't even written yet. Public skepticism thus reached the boiling point. Then, the "reformers" decried the loyal opposition as bigots, nativists (but wouldn't that make us "Native Americans? and thus good guys?), and the like. Then, we got down to the damning details in the substance of the monstrosity: We learned, not only that Lindsay Graham had zipped up John Kyl in a pod in his Senate Office, but also that the Comprehensive Reformers had little room in their tome for enforcement of the border ... which remains the principal concern of the public on the immigration issue.

All in all, defending this thing was pretty easy, come to think of it. Not to crow and all, but as I recall, I told you it was going nowhere pretty early in the game ... when many others were noting how the sky was falling.

But playing "offense" on immigration reform is going to be much more difficult. Some in the Senate (most notably liberal Demos) have sworn that no "enforcement-only" bills will ever pass Congress. Never mind the fact that this is exactly what an overwhelming majority (in the 70-75% range) wants: Enforce the border and U.S. immigration laws first. Then, we can decide how to handle the illegals who are here.

The opponents of real immigration reform have dug in. They know that defense is easier than offense.

So, what now?

We continue to persuade, to inform, and to educate. We continue to reach out to people who might not agree with us on all issues, but can work with us on the issue at hand. And when appropriate, we remind our elected representatives that we are watching and, though they may not behave like elephants, we have pachyderm-like memories.

In the end, conservatives who want the border enforced are going to have to find some "strange bedfellows" along the way. Want an example? How about labor unions? I have some profound disagreements with labor unions about many things, but I share their skepticism for the creeping internationalism in U.S. business that ignores responsibility to the nation that makes the cash registers ring, or beep, whatever they do now. I am finding myself agreeing with unions more and more regarding their concerns over the disrespect shown to the American worker by American business. This is just an example of a potential ally in this specific fight.

To play offense successfully, we need to find common ground and build coalitions. Hey, I think there's something on the banner of this blog that might speak to this. But I digress ...

So, can we be both winsome and shrewd? I think we can. Ronald Reagan was. Remember the Reagan Democrats? They helped to elect Reagan when the Republicans were a minority party.

Conservatives shouldn't be surprised that they are in the minority, but neither should they be discouraged.

It's not mutually exclusive to be good and smart. Thus, we should be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Last time I'm ever doing one of these things ...

2007-07-02T15:53:00.000-05:00

I know such trivialities irks the erudite readers of this blog, so I will do this only this one last time, promise. Here is the deal:

Julie is a big meme fiend, so she "tags" me. Not wanting to be rude, I will answer, and would only do it for a great blog friend like Julie. But I am going to compromise and do it like a leftist ... that is, I will make up my own rules/ignore the rules of the meme.

Here is Julie's post.

To spice up the boring meme and to give it the flair deserving a non-meme doer, erudite type like me, I will post Julie's answers and give answers in the general subject matter of "random facts". Confused? Don't worry, you won't be for long.

Here goes:

Julie: 1. I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when JFK was shot.

DC: I was a very young baby when JFK was shot.

Julie: 2. My first paying job was as an exercise jockey at Santa Anita racetrack.

DC: I didn't even know they had fitness centers at the track. I am going to check it out the next time I get down to Sam Houston Park. Okay, I am getting off easy here ... First paying job was when I was 14, working as a handyman/janitor at a local office building.

Julie: 3. Weapon of choice is a 62" longbow.

DC: When confronted with foes wielding large bows, I pull out my .38 and take my chances.

Julie: 4. I work in a cheese factory.

DC: I know what it's like to work at a job that stinks. Actually, I work at a sausage, er, obfuscation ... No, I work in a law office. And I represent truth and justice.

Julie: 5. I translated French documents for ERDA (used to be Atomic Energy Commision) about nuclear reactors.

DC: Oh, my. In honor of new French President Nicolas Sarkozy, I will refrain from a French joke at this time. Let's see ... the most interesting translation work that I have ever done was when I cut grass at a local school district (at an unnamed school district to protect the guilty) with some workers that were, maybe, shall we say "undocumented" way, way back when I was in high school. Since I spoke Spanish, I was the translator/go-between for the Mexican workers and the high school kids working there that summer. Was one of the best jobs I ever had.

Bonus Random Fact(s): I'd wager that I've cut more grass than most of the readers of this here blog. I'm counting three or four summers, full-time, plus a half while I was in law school, plus working while I was in school during the school year. Shoot, cutting grass was the first job I had out of college and I was cutting grass full time when I got married, now that I think of it. And I'm still padding my stats, too. But I don't get paid to do it, any more. Now, it's back to amateur status. You know this reminds me ... There's just some jobs Americans won't do. You know?

Julie: 6. In college I learned how to shoe a horse and scale the brick wall of the men's dorm.

DC: Most exciting thing I have scaled is probably the Confidence Course at Quantico, with a nice, thin layer of ice on it.

Julie: 7. I come from a family of writers. (sadly that doesn't help out this blog)

DC: I come from a family of blue collar people. Neither of my parents finished college. My dad was a traveling salesman for most of his days, until the rise of Wal-Mart. My mother was a bookkeeper and worked for many years managing gas stations for Mobil Oil. She was held up a couple of times and kept on doing it. A couple of guys tried to hold up my dad once, but he had his bat with him (I come from a family of baseball fans, too.) My mother wanted me to become a lawyer. My dad never forgave me for becoming one.

Julie: 8. My new goal is to learn how to joust.

DC: I am not much of a goal-setter, truth be told. But I will tell you this: I stay the heck away from people coming after me on horseback with long poles, or I at least get to a location where I can get a good shot at them. I mean, didn't machine guns, aircraft and the like render such warfare obsolete? But seriously, jousting? Is there a league or what? Speaking of real sports ...

Bonus Random Fact: Saw Houston's Craig Biggio get his 3,000th hit on June 28. Was there in person with my 14-year-old son. Biggio got 5 hits on the night (for only the second time in his 20-year career), and the Astros rallied to win with a walk-off grand slam by Carlos Lee. When we were leaving, my son said it was the most amazing game he'd ever seen. I've been following the Astros since I was about 7, and it was the most amazing game I've ever seen, too.

Okay, the Erudition Light is now turned back "on".

Staying in the game ...

2007-06-27T16:34:00.000-05:00

I'd like to move on to other subjects, but "Comprehensive Immigration Reform" seems to be the priority of our government. What an amazing display of focused energy upon a bill that three-fourths of the public does not want. It does make you scratch your head.

When we see wildly unpopular leglislation -- a bill opposed not just by the Republican base but by three-fourths of the country -- we have a problem. And not just in Houston.

Plus, the opposition is intense. Yet, those with superior knowledge than I press onward.

I read somewhere that if Pres. Bush had put this much effort into other stated priorities that we would have, oh, a democratic Iraq and a solvent social security system by now.

Apparently, yesterday's cloture vote was to allow the process to "move forward", while Harry Reid and his inner circle figured out what amendments they would allow to be discussed and how. Meanwhile, they keep the country in the dark and play "kingmakers" (or is it "citizen-voter-better-profit-margin-makers") for the rest of the nation. The whole process is a sham.

Now, I hear they are having another vote tomorrow on whether to clamp down on amendments to Bush-McCain-Kennedy. A few senators who allowed the process to venture into a preliminary discussion of amendments are now wobbling and wanting to defect from the dark side.

Go to Laura Ingraham's website to get contact links for the wobbling 8. Since they had 64 in favor of limiting debate yesterday, my understanding is that we need five of the wobblers to switch to the right side to put this senatorial fiasco out of its misery. Full disclosure: I sent an email to all of them, except Sen. Bond of Missouri. I understand he has already said he will vote against cloture tomorrow.

And keep in mind: The House is saying "no way" over here. Remember: All of them are up for election next year. Funny how the two bodies function in relation to the public, huh?

Redstate has been doing tremendous work on this issue. Check out this post, featuring Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina, one of the real heroes of this debate.

Keep the faith.

Tuesday is Immigration D-Day ...

2007-06-25T00:01:00.000-05:00

In the meantime, a good senator to contact would be Sen. John Ensign of Nevada. He is said to be on the fence (No pun intended. Of course, no one in Congress is actually "on" the fence. The fence is not being built.)

Sen. Ensign is head of the Republican National Senatorial Committee, that is, he is coordinating the efforts to get Republicans recruited for and elected to the Senate in '08. In other words, he has a tough job that guys like McCain, Lott, Specter, Kyl, and Graham are making much tougher.

You can call Sen. Ensign at 202-224-6244. You also can email him.

He is in a tough spot, to say the least. So, I say we politely remind him of this.

Really, wayward Republicans are undermining the ability of the party to raise money nationally, and in a big way. Oh, well ... gotta break some eggs, I guess.

By the way, I see that Sen. Lott-of-Hairspray is waffling (I know, this is a shocker to you) on the bill now. The same guy who said last week that "talk radio is running the country" said on Fox News Sunday that he is "not committed to supporting the final product." He just wants to let the process move forward.

What a hoot! And what a politician. You have to love it. But remember, they do answer to a massive public outcry. In the end, they want to keep their jobs.

If you vote against three-fourths of the nation on an issue where people feel passionately, where the nation's security and identity are at stake, well, consider yourself looking for a new job.

The House is already digging in for a battle royal if this thing makes it over there. All of them are up next year, and they know it will get ugly if they pass this. Maybe we will see congressional approval ratings in the single-digits before this thing is over?

How much you want to bet that one of the Senate "supporters" of the bill who is going wobbly snuggles up to Harry Reid and encourages him to let the thing get KO'ed in the cloture vote? That would be great. Let's hope.

And ... another reason to be hopeful: Any movement that relies upon moderates to provide "backbone" is in serious trouble.

Should be a fun week.

Both Texas Senators on the "Comprehensive Immigration Reform" Bill: No.

2007-06-22T16:32:00.000-05:00

Both Texas Sens. Cornyn and Hutchison are on board in opposing the Senate's Immigration Bill that is lumbering into an ambush, maybe as early as next week. I hate to brag, you know, being a Texan and all, but ... okay, how many states can boast that both of their senators got it right on this bill?

But what do we know, just being the nation's second most populous state, and a border state to boot?

To recap, Sen. Hutchison was trying to patch the thing up with an ill-advised amendment. But to her credit, she has righted her course. Something tells me she has heard from a few Texans. Oh, well. She's heard from at least one. I also contacted Sen. Cornyn -- who has been great in this debate -- and I got the following email in return:

Thank you for contacting me about immigration reform. The need to fix our broken system is clear, and I appreciate having the benefit of your insight on one of the most important issues of our day.

Immigration reform ultimately must be about improving our system for legal immigration, not about creating new benefits for illegal aliens. Although we are a proud nation of immigrants, we are also a nation of laws. If policymakers will agree that all immigrants must abide by the rule of law, then we can reach a consensus on ways to improve the legal process so that it meets the needs of our society, our economy and our national security.

Recently, the Senate debated S. 1348, a comprehensive immigration reform bill. However, I had serious concerns that the legislation, as drafted, would have repeated the well documented mistakes of the 1986 amnesty bill. If we fail to address the rampant fraud and fail to close all loopholes in our current broken system, then we will fail to truly reform our system.

I have been working throughout my time in the Senate to develop a solution to this problem that I believe will work. I would invite you to visit my website at http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/immigration to acquaint yourself with the immigration reforms I support. As we consider this bill in the Senate and beyond, I will continue to promote these policies, but I will oppose any bill that rewards illegal conduct and encourages further disrespect for our laws.

I appreciate the opportunity to represent the interests of Texans in the United States Senate. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.

Way to go, Sen. Cornyn. Now, I plan to be firmly behind Sen. Cornyn's reelection efforts in '08. I've got his request for a campaign donation sitting on my desk at home.

On the other hand ... barring a dramatic turnaround of party behavior, this may be the first year in a very long time that I am not an RNC member. Showing a impeccable since of timing, I got my third, fourth, whatever, desperate reminder in the mail just this past week, imploring me to please, please, PLEASE ... get that donation in the mail ASAP.

So, I am returning my response slip (and I'll even pay the postage, as always) this weekend, with the note: "Enforce the border like you said you would (just last year), and then we can talk."

Finally, if your senators aren't yet on board with 72% of the American people who want enforcement of the border before any further changes in immigration law are made, then call them. Be polite, and remind them that it always pays to do the right thing, especially when the voters, the base, and the people who donate to and work for their campaigns are watching.

Be of good cheer.

Be Ye Encouraged

2007-06-19T06:01:00.000-05:00

I've said for some time that the "Comprehensive Immigration Reform" package in the Senate ain't gonna make it.

Our side has the better arguments. Check this out from Charles Krauthammer (who apparently didn't get the Fox News memo to pledge fealty to Kennedy-Bush-McCain):

Why am I so suspicious about the fealty of the reformers to real border control? In part because of the ridiculous debate over the building of a fence. Despite the success of the border barrier in the San Diego area, it appears to be very important that this success not be repeated. The current Senate bill provides for the fencing of no more than one-fifth of the border and the placing of vehicle barriers in no more than one-ninth.

Instead, we are promised all kinds of fancy, high-tech substitutes -- sensors, cameras, unmanned aerial vehicles -- and lots more armed chaps on the ground to go chasing those who get through.

Why? A barrier is a very simple thing to do. The technology is well tested. The Chinese had success with it, as did Hadrian. In our time, the barrier Israel has built has been so effective in keeping out intruders that suicide attacks are down more than 90 percent.

Fences work. That's why people have them around their houses -- not because homeowners are unwelcoming but because they insist that those who wish to come into their domain knock at the front door.

The whole column is here.

If you want to know where a debate is and is going, look at both the arguments being made and the people making them.

In the current, raging immigration debate, the forces opposing "Comprehensive Reform" have the facts and the goods. And the people bringing it are, in large part, conservatives who are active in deed and donations.

Yes, the supporters of Kennedy-Bush-McCain are persistent and well-funded. And they could pull it off.

But they won't.

Be ye encouraged.

2007-06-15T16:59:00.000-05:00

We haven't discussed it here, but the Hamas takeover in Gaza was an eye opener for some, perhaps. Maybe for those who were watching, but then again, who is watching?

But the conduct of the Palestinian Islamists should come as no surprise.

Islamist is as Islamist does.

Speaking of which, via our old friend Dan Riehl, I came across this informative, comparative post.

Islamist is as Islamist does.

Left Gets Behind Move for War with Iran

2007-06-14T15:00:00.001-05:00

Why? Check it out.

The vote in Iran's Parliament was 148-5 in favor of the measure, showing the "broad, popular support" for it.

Note that the death penalty is authorized for so-called "corrupters of the world". Wow, how could you corrupt this world any more than it already is? But that's a Christian concept (that "the world" is corrupt), and in Iran, Christian concepts are treated somewhat like porn.

Oh, wait. The Left is getting confused again.

Lots of angst to go around re: the immigration bill ...

2007-06-11T16:51:00.000-05:00

and I certainly understand. I share it.

Maybe this will give you a lift, though. I must confess, the phrase "poison pill", referencing amendments put in the immigration legislation to kill it (i.e., the Dorgan Amendment to sunset the sacred "guest worker" provision after 5 years) makes me chuckle. I just can't get images of panicked senators walking very fast with their tassled loafer heels clicking as the scurry back to their offices to regroup.

I put the following in the same category: Apparently, Harry Reid is getting the lion's share of the blame for the immigration debacle unfolding in Washington. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of blame to go around, and for Republicans like Bush, McCain, Specter, Kyl, etc.

But it is a hoot to see Capt. Greanjeans going down with the ship.

In life, it's all about perspective. If you think things can't be worse, well ...

From Rassmussen Reports, we learn the following:

38% of Americans -- Have a favorable view of VP Dick Cheney;

35% of Americans -- Have a favorable view of Pres. Bush;

27% of Americans -- Think the President doing a good or excellent job with respect to Iraq; and

23% of Americans -- Support the failed "comprehensive immigration reform" bill.

And there are these nuggets:

19% of Americans -- Have a favorable view of Scooter Libby; and

19% of Americans -- Have a favorable view of Harry Reid.

So ... Dick Cheney is twice as popular as Harry Reid, who is just a popular as Scooter Libby.

Also, the President's Iraq policy is more popular than "comprehensive immigration reform". More of the public thinks the President is doing a good or excellent job handling Iraq than supports the immigration bill. Plus, the president has almost 50% more support for his handling of Iraq than Harry Reid has support. Incredible.

What are the odds Pres. Bush could get the go-ahead from Congress today to invade Iraq? But, regarding the immigration bill ... he says he'll "see us at the signing ceremony." We'll see.

But wait ... Pres. Bush goes to Capitol Hill to expend some "political capital" tomorrow. He's got a lot of it you know, depending on your perspective.

That Iceberg the "Comprehensive Immigration Reform" Bill Just Hit ...

2007-06-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

... may have done the trick. I think I was one of the first to say ... it ain't happenin'. It might happen at some point in the future, but this bill looks to be officially dead.

All you naysayers, I know, are ready to be mad about the bill that Hillary is going to sign, with a Democrat Congress in '09. Sure, it may happen. But it might not. Point is, it looks like the disaster that is the "Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill" du jour has been averted.

As people who know America and her borders are worth protecting, we ought to believe enough in our people to rise up when it matters. Keep the faith.

With this bill and the audacious way that the Senate attempted to foist it on us, without their gigantic monstrosity even being read ("Trust us, we're from the government, we're here to help you, and we really mean it this time when we say that this is the last amnesty, and we'll get right on that fence."), now the tenor of the debate has changed.

For they were caught in the night, trying to steal across what remains of an America that cares about its border.

The message from the majority of Americans, not simply troglodytes like me, is: Enforce the current laws and add true enforcement measures to keep out illegals while punishing businesses who violate the law. Then, we can talk re: what to do next. If the Congress would simply take this approach, many people would be open to a discussion as to what we do with those illegals who are already here. However, the continuing unwillingness to discuss meaningful border enforcement means that people don't believe what their government tells them on this subject, and the mistrust is as deep as ever.

Start with enforcing the border meaningfully, with a fence, a means to track every one in the U.S., and with punitive measures for those businesses who hire illegals. Then we can actually know how many illegals we really have to deal with. Failure to enforce the border first is a ruse to create a bigger problem, because it's not much of a "problem" any way in the eyes of the proponents of McCain-Kennedy-Bush. But if we enforce the border and punish those who treat the U.S. like a supermarket, then a lot of the illegals won't come and won't need the perks they are currently being offered via "comprehensive immigration reform". That's the dirty little secret that a lot of McCain-Bush-Kennedy proponents don't want people to know.

But hey ... we've got them outnumbered, as recent events have demonstrated. Don't kid yourself: As I said here a while ago, politicians can be influenced if they think they will lose their jobs. They really can. That's the way the system works here ... still.

Finally, another benefit of this bill is that it effectively ended any hopes McCain had to become president. That's not a bad side benefit, I would argue. All of the Republican presidential hopefuls are getting great traction hammering the bill ... the McCain-Bush-Kennedy bill.

Right now those three names are not real popular in Republican circles.

6 Jun 07

2007-06-06T09:26:00.000-05:00

D-Day. We pause to recall this day. Many of us recall it, strangely enough, as a day of triumph. But in reality, it was not. Sixty-three years ago, this was a day of great loss and difficulty. Fortunately, our troops did not yet have to contend with the 24-hour news cycle.

Indeed, D-Day was only the beginning of triumph. Such is the way it has always been. Likewise, when Joe Rosenthal's famous photograph captured five Marines and a Navy Corpsman raising our flag on Iwo's Mount Suribachi on Feb. 23, 1945, the nation rejoiced. But four more weeks of the bloodiest fighting in Marine Corps' history was still ahead.

It's always been this way. We commemorate dates when we planted the flag, declared independence, as we should.

But when you raise the flag of freedom, the conflict is often only just beginning.

The men who hit the beaches of Normandy 63 years ago were ready for the long fight ahead. We should always be, too.

The Continuing Threat and Disgrace of Political Prosecutions

2007-06-05T19:29:00.000-05:00

Had enough yet? It's Scooter Libby, a rich, political elite and not you, you say? Not yet. Just wait.

This is how freedoms disappear. We've talked about this here before. When the prosecutor abandons his oath to seek justice but instead becomes an arm of a political party or institution ... no matter the persuasion ... liberty and justice for all is in jeopardy.

Tom Delay ... Martha Stewart ... the Duke Lacrosse team ... on and on ...

And don't forget Sandy Burglar. Oh, wait.

Via Dan Riehl, we have this comparison.

The Libby verdict is a disgrace. Americans remember that a that a badge doesn't always mean a good guy is wearing it. Or they better.

Back to Quantico

2007-06-04T23:21:00.000-05:00

Last week I made the trek back to Quantico for the first time since I got out of The Basic School (a six-month harassment package with the purported purpose of teaching new Marine lieutenants the basics of leading an infantry platoon) and high-tailed out of Dodge back in 1990. Most Marine lieutenants get the hyakah from Q-town, and are not anxious to come back any time soon.

I was no different. So, it took me 17 years to get back.

But it was pretty special being back. I drove to Officer Candidates School, and I was shocked ... yes, shocked to find that it looked essentially identical to how I remembered it ... the obstacle courses, Brown Field (where we allegedly learned Close Order Drill), Bobo Hall (where I ate the only two helpings of liver that I have eaten in my life, and during the same meal), the squadbays, the places where we hit the trails and the hills, etc. There were a few new buildings, but it was basically the same. Incredibly so.

I even recognized the trees ... the cedar trees that border Brown Field. Once, I tried to jam a shirt in one of them on the way out to the trails to run, only to get caught by the sergeant-instructor.

On the day of my return, new officer candidates were starting the whole process over. A new class was underway. I could tell by the hair (the presence thereof). Also, they were in formation outside the barber shop, which was, of course, where it has been since the dawn of time. Or so it seems. I could have walked right to it, and gone straight to the chair. The barbers were always somewhat pleasant (relatively so).

It was a great day to be there, in this place of great challenges, laughs, anguish, and triumph.

Every Marine lieutenant who has been killed in Iraq earned his bars at this place.

Every Marine lieutenant who served in the first Gulf War became an officer here.

Every junior Marine officer since WWII was trained at Quantico.

Every commissioned Marine officer who served in Viet Nam got their start here ... like my uncle did.

Standing there on Brown Field, I sensed the presence of all of them. And it was humbling all over again to have the same title as they did and do -- "Marine".

2007-05-28T12:51:00.000-05:00

I'm off for a few days ... away from computers and all. See you soon.

Memorial Day 2007: Message from the Fallen

2007-05-28T08:30:00.000-05:00

Memorial Day is a marker on the calendar that says ... "The sacrifice stops here."

For those of us left behind by those who gave their lives in service to the nation, we are forever reminded that whatever we do, we can't do more than they have.

I love America, and I must admit that the sacrifice of the fallen has haunted me at times. Their sacrifice reminds me that I can always do more. As long as we have life and breath, we can never match what they gave.

They left us in myriad ways and wars ... in missions grandly planned and in missions ill-advised ... dying while pressing the attack and dying while in their sleep ... with their heroic deeds forever memorialized and with their actions completely forgotten.

Regardless of their particular circumstances, though, they gave their all. That's what matters today.

Their shattered families were left to repair what they could. Their young wives who swore they would never forget had to forget so that they could get on with life. Their children who used to bound downstairs to see Dad now wonder why a war was more important than them. Their parents buried them, these young people who not long ago graduated from high school with the world by the tail.

What is fair and right about their leaving and our staying? We who have breath can never do enough.

So I have often thought.

But I wonder what the fallen would say, if they could speak. Would they stake a claim as the most heroic among us? Would they wonder if the nation were worthy of their sacrifice? I don't think so.

If we could talk with our fallen comrades and countrymen, I imagine they might explain a side of their sacrifice that we haven't known.

Imagine this voice from beyond the grave, not haunting, but instead encouraging us to go on, with words like this:

I understand that you feel like you haven't given what I did. The truth is, you didn't. But your road is not mine, and we each have a way that we must go. It is not for all of us to pay the ultimate sacrifice for the nation.
And what do I think about my leaving this life and your being left behind, you ask? Well, though leaving this life was painful, for sure, it was a privilege and honor to serve my country and friends and to give my life in service to them.
Yes, my sacrfice cost my family and the people in my life dearly. And it did cost me my earthly life. But still, I gained. How? I gained because you know I loved you. You know because I gave you all I had. We can give no more than our lives. But that doesn't make me better than those left behind. Others were willing to do what I did, but they remained here on earth. But I had a special calling, an appointment with destiny.
But you do, too. Yours is to go on, to live your life in the freedom that we were sworn to protect. So, raise up a new generation that will be willing to make the sacrifices necessary to protect this nation and our way of life. Live your life each day in a way that honors God, whatever your specific calling. Remember that I gave my all for you. And I ask this not for my benefit, but for yours. If you remember the sacrifice that I made, then you will be able to summon the courage necessary to make the sacrifices you will need to make in order to protect freedom.
Now, go and live. Throw the ball with your kid. Hug your spouse. Call your friends. Be a good parent. Be a good citizen. Time is fleeting, so live in a way that you will have no regrets when this life is over.
And finally, thank God every day that you have to live as an American.

I'll remember them today and always.

Immigration: My Simple Take

2007-05-24T15:30:00.000-05:00

Science ... the material is too hard for me. Math ... I am too lazy to do the work. Full-blown philosphy ... too much thinking.

Okay, so let's try "arm-chair" philosophy, with some sweeping generalizations and such.

Seriously, I think I've got something here on the immigration debate.

The proponents and opponents of immigration "reform" are lined up in their various camps based upon how they view America and its ideas and values.

Let me explain.

On the pro-"reform" side, we have big business and big government types. Big business says it needs, but really it wants, cheap labor. Meanwhile, the Hard Left/Big Government coalition sees a huge block of new voters.

The pro-"reform" camp doesn't think much of dimwitted patriots like me. The big business, blue-bloods chuckle their erudite chuckles at my simple-mindedness for thinking that this nation is a place worth preserving, at the expense of the market. To them, the U.S. is merely a market. The Left, meanwhile, sneers at me and my ilk, seeing me not only as thick-headed but also malevolent, for the Hard Left believes that America is the chief obstacle for redistributing the world's resources on the basis of the oligarchs' better judgment, er, need. To the Left, the U.S. is the obstacle.

So, the Left and the Blue Bloods are in bed together, united by their disdain for small-minded Americans who want to see their nation survive.

On the other side ... we have the "anti-reformers", if you will, people like me. These people want existing laws enforced before we create others. We believe that a nation must have a credible border, if it is to survive. We believe that America is a good place, a place where the rights of men are protected as well as any place on the planet.

We believe in playing by the rules. We believe in the power of individuals. We believe that individuals who play by the rules can and still do achieve great things here in America.

We believe in free enterprise; thus, we are skeptical of large bureaucratic institutions, including those that call themselves businesses. To us, free enterprise doesn't mean that business should be able to seek a profit while disregarding the nation's laws.

We don't trust the government on the border. We have heard it all, and the government's credibility reservoir on this subject was drained dry long ago.

And, finally, in the anti-"reform" caucus, we have room for honest liberals who see the importation of a permanent, uneducated underclass into the United States for the exploitation that it is.

We still believe in America.

So let me sum it up: The anti-"reformers" like me are united by their belief in American ideals, while the "reformers" (do words mean anything, any more?) oppose these same ideals.

To me, it's that simple.

See you on Memorial Day.

Debate on this post to end at 1700. Vote here.

2007-05-21T12:31:00.000-05:00

Okay, I am stepping out this week as duty calls. In the meantime, behav ... never mind. Feel free to comment freely on anything that you wish, you know, just like you always do.

As I thought (and hoped) would happen, it looks like the Immigration "Reform" Package (thicker than the Bible and with much more commentators) will not be jammed through the Senate without debate as of 1700 today. That's good. I never thought I would say this, but ... let the Senators keep talking.

It seems to me that the longer you get the chance to look at truth, the better it looks. So, why can the proponents of the bill possibly protest? Is it an urgent matter of nat'l security requiring immediate action? True nat'l security matters tend to get gummed up in the "World's Greatest Deliberative Body. One wonders how they manage such breathtaking speed and trust on an immigration bill that hasn't even been read, much less comprehended. How do you say shenanigan in Latin?

Hey, you have to give the McDevil his due, as he is limbering up good for the primary run. Romney (who has a little Mass. flip-flopper in him, I tell you) is now a staunch anti-immigration guy. It seems he has been spending some time with Republican primary voters. But in any event, Romney was getting after McSenator's bill, and the hair-triggered one did not appreciate it one bit. Here is the report from The Corner:

The New York Sun’s Ryan Sager just asked McCain to comment on Mitt Romney’s public criticism of the immigration compromise. McCain responded, “Maybe I should wait a couple of weeks and see if [his position] changes.” McCain then got in a one-two punch that hit both Romney’s alleged exaggerations about his hunting experience and his employment of immigrants for landscaping work: “Maybe he’ll get out his small varmint gun and drive those Guatemalans off his lawn.”

No, this ain't beanbag. It seems McCain is not going to finish fourth ... or fifth ... for the Republican Nomination without a fight.

But you know, it looks like McCurse is trying to shine the light away from his dust-up with Sen. Cornyn. No, McC is not the brightest guy, cussing out my senator and all when Sen. Cornyn just wants a little light shed on the Immigration Scriptures.

I think McC is secretly trying to emulate Pres. Bush and VP Cheney, who were lauded in some Republican circles for taking on NY Times reporters and Patrick Leahy "big time". So, he tries to get ahead in with Republican primary voters by cussing out Republicans. Guy is genius material, I tell you. Maybe he can be Bloombergs' veep.

Well, I may reappear later in the week, but likely won't post until our annual get-together on Memorial Day.

See you soon.

Friday Quick Hitters ...

2007-05-17T14:01:00.000-05:00

I realize it's Thursday, but a lot is happening/has been happening, and there is just not enough time to do a lot of it justice.

So, I will dispense with the usual fluff and pretending to write a very erudite post about a particular subject and just offer the following pithy but sloppy generalizations about some of what is happening out there:

1) Our three soldiers are still missing in Iraq. I fear we may not see them again, although I certainly hope and pray that we do. Nonetheless, I am confident that we won't see them in a forthcoming video playing checkers with the enemy. My prayers are with them and their families.

2) The new immigration bill is bad. How bad? Well, Lindsay Graham likes it. Every Republican who votes for it should consider it a resignation letter. By the way ... Remember when we had a Republican Congress that prevented such a bill from going to the President's desk, and some people threw the bums out because it couldn't get any worse? Good thing we fixed that problem.

3) Jerry Falwell has died. Some hated him for his stand for Christ. Others hated him for his politics. Others still hated him for his encouragement to Christians to get involved in the political process. Me? I had no problem with any of the foregoing objections to his life and ministry. In fact, Jerry Falwell's life was an inspiration to me, on many levels. I see that some danced on a mock grave of his to celebrate his death. But such actions merely serve to prove the existence of the sin that Jerry Falwell spoke of so frankly. I remember that he also graciously spoke of the remedy for sin. He will be missed.

4) As for the Republican Debates ... I think it's high time we get all the real candidates in there, so that we can root out the non-conservatives more effectively. Of the three "main" candidates, Romney looks to be the best conservative alternative. But this isn't saying much. My choice remains Newt. I am liking what I see and read about Fred Thompson, but I saw that he had a Kerry moment ("for it before he was against it") with Campaign Finance "Reform". Hmmm. Prompts more investigation. Then again, any candidate who slaps down Michael Moore with a big ol' stogie hanging out of his mouth merits a second look.

5) Ron Paul's views on 9/11 and national security are, unfortunately, not a bad joke. Having him at the debates is, however. Rudy's smack-down of Paul was nice, but was it so hard? That's the biggest hanging curveball in a debate since, well, Mondale was doing those things.

6) And speaking of Rudy ... his unequivocal support of abortion rights, civil unions and such, without a corresponding federalism defense (i.e., that the states should be able to decide these matters without federal intervention or oversight) means that, in effect, his candidacy for the Republican nomination is DOA. I like Rudy Guiliani. I like him very much, in fact, and I think he would be great on national security. But I also think that other Republican candidates would be comparable on this issue, and they would not also cause so many cultural conservatives to compromise on that which which we need not and cannot compromise. Funny thing is ... if Roe v. Wade were overturned, as it should be, and abortion were returned to the province of state legislation, Rudy would have a great shot at becoming president. But the case he and other pro-choicers hold as sacrosanct will forever keep a pro-abortion Republican from becoming president.

And finally ...

7) My blog friend Karen has a great photoblog: Photos by Seawitch, which is up for one of the Jewish and Israeli Blog Awards. So, Go vote for Karen. I did.

See you back early next week.

Moving on from Religion and back again ...

2007-05-12T01:04:00.000-05:00

What is Obama thinking with the gaffe of the century ... "10,000 dead in Kansas"? Makes you wonder. He is toast. This gaffe shows not only what is, or rather, isn't there with Obama, but also what lies ahead. It won't be pretty when the lights get turned up. And people don't even know yet that his middle name is Hussein. It will get ugly.

It's fascinating to think about what makes some one say such a thing. Is it the syndrome of the guy who always has to have the better story? Is it something where an individual maybe wants there to be great problems to solve, so the problems are magnified? Did he just goof? But how do you get from less than 20 to 10,000, though? It's puzzling, to be sure.

In any event, it's a bummer to have the hugest gaffe of the election season occur so far from the election. Last year, we had Dean imploding in Iowa as Tom Harkin looked on silently (but obviously) wondering: "Where's the net, any way?" And then John Kerry was for the war before he was against it ... used Botox before he didn't ... and when all else failed, grabbed a football in front of the cameras.

Never underestimate in this video age the power of the "photo-gaffe".

Bonus "photo-gaffe": And then Kerry reminded us that he was a multi-sport star. All of this, of course, had the added benefit of reminding us that the Swift Vets were correct and his medals were clearly fraudulent. Frankly, I don't believe Kerry was even in Viet Nam, any more, because women were not allowed in the combat zone at that time.

Why do I drag out this old horse to beat it again, you ask? Well, for one thing, it still makes me laugh to see those pics of JFKerry. Also, it tweaks the Donks to bring it up, because they just know he would have won if he didn't insist on "playin' a little ball" on the tarmac.

Yet, in their anguish, the Demos forget that we did, of course, utilize the Rove Hack-o-tron in Ohio to great effect. That bothers them, too, to even joke about such a weighty matter, for they don't know if I am joking.

Okay, wheeling on back to matters of faith, via our old friend Cranky, I learned that Starbucks was at it again in pushing their secular, leftist thinking on unwitting customers. It appears that Starbucks put an offensive comment on their coffee cups "to promote thought", or some such nonsense.

Well, we learn the full scoop, including Starbuck's amazing apology via that wily ol' genius Wuzzadem.

Warning: Zarq gets loose at the end and calls a female barista a "mama canine".

Google Ads Fired

2007-05-10T14:26:00.000-05:00

That's it. I fired my one and only advertiser. It's just me, again.

Actually, it's always been me. This is and has always been a non-profit venture ... a labor of love. I do it because, well, you might say I do it for the same reason birds sing.

Google Ads did a couple of things to annoy me. First, they didn't pay. I guess it's the low-traffic deal. But also, instead of putting in ad content to match the interest reflected in the site (as they said they would), I got all sorts of things that I don't endorse out there.

The straw, if you will, was the nice little ad that succinctly inquired: "You gay?" To which I responded. "No. You gone."

So, it's just you and me again. No more advertisers and their ad dollars to cloud my judgment or pollute this pristine blog. Some day when I am a mega-blog-star, I will screen all of my own ads, you know, be the Paul Harvey or Rush of the blogosphere. Nothing but personal endorsements and such. But until then, we'll keep the money out of it.

The Republican Party is Still Reagan's Party

2007-05-05T00:01:00.000-05:00

More proof that Republicans are smarter than Democrats: Republicans started off their debates at the Reagan Library. It was a shrewd move, and a nice reminder to the R-Team -- Remember the last president who was a real conservative and finished strong.

But must we get started so soon on this interminable presidential campaign? I am sick of it already. And I like to follow politics. But I digress ...

The point of this post is it's title.

I've told you before, and I'll say it again: I like Pres. Bush. He has his flaws, as have been discussed here and elsewhere, ad infinitum. But I think he deserves credit for doing overall a very good job at fighting the war against Militant Islam worldwide in these extremely challenging times. But my fellow Texan is no Reagan.

What made Pres. Reagan unique was a fusion of several things: 1) He became president during a time of great national despondency and insecurity; 2) he attacked this national despondency and insecurity with personal optimism and a commitment to a his core conservative principles; 3) the smarter-than-the-world set loved to deride him, because 4) he held a child-like faith, first in God and then in America.

And the beauty was that the tension between 3) and 4) above made him even more influential. He was dumb as a fox, and his demeanor and simplicity won allies and encouraged friends. Oh, that we had more such "simpletons" in Washington now.

The media and the left knew him as merely The Great Communicator. He was that, but many failed to understand that he was great because of his ability to communicate ideas that were and are powerfully true.

As much as any one, he halted the nation's 20-year leftward drift. He challenged liberal dogma, with both conviction and humor. There was a goodness about him that belied the liberal characitures. He helped build back the nation's military. This is personal to me, because when I signed up in 1989, I was the beneficiary of this work.

He made conservatism mainstream, not just in the country as a whole but even on college campuses. I was on campus in 1984, when he won a majority of the students' votes at The University of Texas, a.k.a., the Berkeley of the South.

He defeated the Soviet Union without firing a shot. Yes, he did it. Others grab credit, but they are posing charlatans. He would never claim credit, but he is clearly more responsible than any other human.

Recall that it was the infinitely wiser, bureaucrat types such as then-National Security Adviser Colin Powell who pleaded with Pres. Reagan to relent in his demand that Mikail Gorbachev "tear down this wall". Against the advice of all of his inner circle ... all of them ... Pres. Reagan pressed ahead and the Berlin Wall is no more.

He was just dumb enough to believe in his principles. And his country. And they didn't fail him.

I love him, still. And I miss him.

Pres. Reagan brought together national security conservatives, cultural conservatives, and economic conservatives. He welcomed them all, and he encouraged them to welcome each other. I like this, as you probably know. In fact, this here blog is about serving the "Coalition of the Winning: Protecting National Security. Preserving Culture. Promoting Liberty." That's the Reagan legacy. This blog is part of the Reagan legacy.

Yes, he wasn't perfect, I know. Only Tom Tancredo is (humor alert). Indeed, Pres. Reagan wasn't an Elder of the Perfect Church. He was only the best president of the 20th Century.

Many of those who come now and claim to be following in his footsteps so obviously aren't. Take John McCain, for example. Please, do take him ... as in, take him away. Republican politicians like McCain defy the Reagan legacy in their policy proposals and speeches now, but they dare not take him on directly.

For the nation remembers. And Republicans remember. They want another Reagan.

Which is to say ... they want to win.

Red-on-Red on May Day? Say it is so.

2007-05-02T00:01:00.000-05:00

Is al-Masri, the AQI leader, dead or not? Hard to say, at present. What does George Tenet have to say? That he knew that al-Masri would die at some point?

But seriously, here is a rundown. Getting al-Masri would be tremendous, of course. Whether he's gone or not, though, clearly some interesting things are shaking in Iraq. Apprently, we have some Sunni-on-Sunni, red-on-red taking place. Or are these now Sunni friendlies taking on AQ? That would be quite a development. In either event, if we have Sunnis taking on AQ in a meaningful way, then the Iraq War may indeed be heading in a positive direction.

Memo to hand-wringers everywhere: Bad guys always have to keep their heads on a swivel, that is, sleep with one eye open. This is especially true when you gas people, even purported allies who do not tow a sufficiently militant jihadi line.

Is it just me, or are those AQ fellows not very winsome?

But to the MSM and the Left, the AQ jihadis are like the Geico cavemen. If they weren't so misunderstood by Western technocrats and insurance adjusters, we'd see that they were really sensitive types with real feelings.

And if they are not lovable cavemen, America's jihadi enemies are granted superhero status by the MSM and knee-knockers everywhere.

But it appears evil has a hard time maintaining "coalitions of the willing". And when the unwilling are not unarmed, then the front lines shift.

I return ...

2007-04-26T16:57:00.000-05:00

Greetings, all. I expect that posting will begin to return to somewhat of a regular schedule.

I see that in my absence the world did not spin off its axis, and indeed, a number of things occurred to prove that there is indeed a mysterious rhythm to what happens here. Some would call it fate. Me? I like Providence.

You know, I am a simple creature. Baseball, hot dogs, America, God, I believe in these things. I can't figure out mysteries too very deep.

For instance, why did God make the Democrats so wicked and unintelligent at the same time? This cruel coincidence defies all notions of logic and fairness. The ways of the Almighty are indeed mysterious. Lo, the physical appearance of most female Demo politicians is a mystery greater than the Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster (D-Scotland).

Where am I going with this? Well, I see (as I know you have) that Harry Reid and Co. have passed their "timetable" bill that is certain to be vetoed. This gives the President another opportunity to blast them. He won't, but most people will notice that the Demos remain where they have been for the last 40 years -- on the wrong side of national security issues. National security will remain the issue in the coming months and years. The jihadis will see to that.

Worse than what the Demos did today, they'll soon have to come groveling back and send a bill that appropriates money for the war effort without strings. It's another punch in the nose from an Adminstration that has refused to fight. It's almost like the Demos are running into it.

I am not complaining.

The Bush Administration has failed mightily in explaining our mission and purpose in Iraq. I have long thought that there were much larger things at play in Iraq, as many of you do. (For an excellent analysis of what is at stake in the ongoing surge, check out Wretchard's recent post on the subject). My frustration over the Administration's unwillingness and/or inability to explain the stakes has increased over the months, and now years.

But table the Administration's communication problem for a while, for the Demos have allowed the debate to be framed as this: Do we surrender or not? Given this choice, Americans will side with the President. Nothing like framing the debate in the terms most favorable to the opposition. Mind you, the President hasn't even been able to state his position clearly. No need now.

Thank you, very much.

Why do good things happen to Republicans when they are a bunch of sniveling, tassle-loafered wienies? But heck with Republicans ... More fundamentally, why is God good to America ... still?

It's mysterious. Thank God.

On Vacation ...

2007-04-17T10:21:00.000-05:00

for the remainder of the week. See you next week.

In the meantime, my thoughts and prayers are with the kids and families affected by the Va. Tech tragedy. Here's hoping that cooler heads prevail in the response to this.

As always, comment away as you see fit.

Speaking of Thinking ...

2007-04-17T10:00:00.000-05:00

Okay, I usually don't play blogger games, but this time I will. A couple of blog friends tagged me as a "Thinking Blogger". I am honored to be mentioned by both Chrissie aka "Wild Thing" and my man Teach.

I mean, when you are causing the wild ones to think and the teachers, too, hey ...

I do thank them both, and commend their excellent blogs to your reading. Oh, I am very poor at this blog etiquette things (please don't say, "I know"), but I understand I am supposed to link to the original post, so here it is.

What else? Oh, yeah. I am supposed to list some other blogs that make me think. I haven't gotten around or out much lately, but I will give it a whirl. Some are "big boys and girls", so they probably won't play, but they are worthy of mention because they do make me think.

So here goes:

1) Sweetness & Light -- This blog is incredible, mixing news, amazingly pithy and humorous commentary, and biting, unapologetic conservatism. The combination is very thought-provoking and inspiring;

2) Big Lizards -- Using humor, The Big Liz grinds liberals arguments into a fine dust with thorough, well-reasoned essays ... some of the best think-writing on the web;

3) Riehl World View -- Dan Riehl challenges me with his ideas, work ethic and relentless pounding on the left. Dan synthesizes a lot of complex information in a way that persuades. And he is often blunt. For instane, he hasn't covered the AG story because he "refuses to pimp that garbage." Blunt, but it makes you think.

I would list ol' Charlie, because seeing him come in here and just take it, well, makes me think ... there are crazy people out there. Just joshin', Charles. I see that he has some new blogging digs. I think all that traffic after the last Leftist Howard Beale rant crashed the old site or something. Maybe he will light here for a moment and get some of that "six degrees of separation" deal going. All are welcome to exchange ideas here, and I enjoy it very much. It's all in good fun. It's free speech. I am conservative, so I believe in this stuff. No need to fear the truth.

4) Finally, I am going to list my liberal friend Julie. Julie challenges me occasionally (though mostly via the email), but she makes me think often. She does so without browbeating, but rather by being much different than most of her liberal friends. She engages in dialogue with conservatives, and she understands that who love freedom and America are not the enemy. Indeed, Julie loves freedom and America. She makes me think, but ... thinking's good, if you're right. Don't think I am going soft, folks.

Ahem ... It never hurts to examine the truth ... never. An honest evaluation by a free people is inherently a good thing. (Stepping down from soap box.)

Okay, time to run. There are thumb-sucking pieces to write, pontifications to be made, and post-modern leftists to drive mad.

Thank you all for reading, for your precious time, and for your passion for liberty and this great land.

R.I.P.: Americans' Ability to Think.

2007-04-14T08:20:00.000-05:00

It's official. It's over. It's gone.

We can't think any more, as the Duke lacrosse case demonstrates. And our character (though perhaps not to the level of Europistan) is faltering. It's a deadly combination. Thinking is a moral exercise, in large part ... I think.

I've followed the Duke case, but not as close as many. I followed it closely enough to know that the charges should have been dropped long ago. As a former prosecutor, I take serious the prosecutor's oath not only to seek a conviction, but also justice. That is, a prosecutor is not ethically permitted to try a defendant for a crime just to "check it out". In other words, the prosecutor must first be convinced that he is prosecuting a guilty party, and then that the evidence supports the charge.

We do this because a criminal charge in a free society is a serious thing. It's something separated from politics, or at least it's supposed to be. When criminal charges cease to be taken seriously and are instead viewed as political acts, then we've really got serious problems. And our freedom is in jeopardy.

You all know the details of the Duke case now. D.A. Mike Nifong ran crazy with a disjointed, confused case based on conflicting stories, a constitutionally-improper line-up, and no DNA ... no wait, with DNA that contradicted the accuser's claims. The accuser, by all accounts, was entirely without credibilty and very troubled.

But Nifong apparently ran with this case and filed charges to solidify the black vote in Durham as his Democratic Primary approached. Initially, based upon the first impressions and prejudices of the MSM/Demo/Left/Same Thing set, the case was off and running, with our without evidence.

Thankfully, the wheels eventually came off. Our system still works, in large part, because of two things: 1) We have a large number of checks and balances, such as appellate courts, civil courts, the legislative branch, and even the bar itself; and 2) ultimately, there are still good people around who take pride in their oaths as officers of the court.

I know, I like the lawyer jokes, too. But lawyers ultimately stopped this case.

Still, I think the Nifong matter is an extremely troubling example of the dangerous trend of increasing political prosecutions that must not only be stopped but reversed.

More and more, we have seen the criminal justice system used as a political tool. Libby and Delay are two recent examples that come to mind, but there are many others. Once upon a time, they did the same thing to Kay Bailey Hutchison around these parts. And now, we see the Demos threaten to turn the routine firing of U.S. attorneys into a crime. Perjury traps are not only set, they are sprung, cases are tried, and lives ruined. Political "dirty tricks" are now "crimes".

So, Michael Jackson and O.J. Simpson are free, but Scooter Libby is a criminal? Martha Stewart, whom I am no fan of, is nailed for the vicious act of what? Help me out here. It's the world upside-down.

Have we gotten so morally upright that we have less tolerance for all manner of wrong-doing? Quite the contrary, I think we've degraded ourselves to the point where we can't tell the difference between ill-advised or bad conduct and a crime against society.

But it goes deeper than that. We now think that a finding of "Not Guilty" is a finding of "Virtuousness" No wait, many don't know what "virtuous" means. We think "Not Guilty" means "Good Guy". This is what happens when the clearly-marked lines between criminal and non-criminal conduct are erased and then moved ... and erased again, as needed.

Back to the Duke case, this means that the lacrosse players are now "Good Guys". Being falsely accused and subjected to an unfair media onslaught as they were, they are not only Good Guys, but bona fide Heroes to us now.

To put a cherry on top, they are now even concerned about "the little guy" who may not have the means to fight off a political prosecution. Pass the tissue. Really? I'm sorry, but call me skeptical about these claims which sound a bit scripted to me. Maybe they do feel this way, but these were no choir boys. After all, it was a stripper party we had there. And one of the lads has a conviction in another assault. I am just not getting images of Mom and apple pie with these guys. In fact, they might even be spoiled little punks. Maybe they were then but are not now. We don't know.

It takes some thought, some analysis. It takes more than five minutes. Life is simple of many levels but complicated on many, as well. We see this in the Duke case.

Being "not guilty" means you aren't guilty of this charge or it can't be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. It doesn't make you a hero.

But to the thoughtless generation, it does.

So now ... Political prosecutions are still permitted, the accused Duke lacrosse players are heroes.

But at least Mike Nifong may be on his way to being a Not Good Guy.

Meanwhile, Don Imus is the Worst Human Being to Inhabit the Universe. And Pres. Bush caused it all.

Think about it.

Great no more ... and Britain for how much longer?

2007-04-11T06:05:00.000-05:00

I have been trying to make sense of the British sailors and marines preening for Iranian cameras ever since I saw the "hostages" on film, and I just can't. The entire episode brings me a profound sense of shock, sadness and disgust.

I realize that I hardly know the whole story, but it appears we know enough to know ... the Brits have lost their honor. Can their nation thus be far behind?

You never know when you wake up on a given day what you may encounter ... a thief, a car accident, a chance to be a good Samaritan, an opportunity to help a neighbor.

Think about United 93.

For those in the military, they know that they are their nation's representatives 24/7, standing ready to do both the ordinary and the extraordinary ... to live out months and even years of training.

In this one episode, a few members of the British military encountered their big moment ... and surrendered.

In the process, they disgraced not only all their comrades in arms, but the people they are sworn to defend. In addition, they enboldened not only Britain's enemies, but also America's enemies.

Nothing like firing up the bad guys and then hitting the road.

The speed of their capitulation is inexplicable. Also, the films of their smiling and yucking it up with their jihadi mates should be evidence at a court-martial. Was their not one of them who would implore the jihadis to test their theory re: the afterlife? Any one with a lick of sense knew that the Iranians couldn't afford to harm them.

Also, to find that British Royal Marines were part of this disgrace is incredibly sad to me.

I am left to conclude that the all-things-equal secularists have completely emasculated Europe. I thought the Brits were one last bastion of sanity and courage, but one must now doubt this. Don't you think the Iranians and their miscreant, jihadi brethren do?

As I mentioned last week, the West is facing an enemy that loves death. By contrast, the West loves life, and that is a good thing.

But when this life on earth is viewed as the end-all, then it will ultimately be forfeited to those who would take it for a sordid, "higher" purpose.

Honor makes no sense if this life is the end-all-be-all. Get what you can, while you can, the utilitarians argue. Save your hide, and blame any failings on your environment, your upbringing, or some one else. Get a book deal and go on Oprah while you're at it, too. I mean, who cares about consequences when they may very well come home to roost after you are taking a dirtnap?

The postmodern cowards that dominate Europe ultimately will send every one else to war.

Think about it: Those smiling chaps in their PJ's on the Ahmadinejad Springer Show are the "fighting men" of Britain.

It makes me want to wretch.

So, who is left to stand with us?

Easter Saved My Life

2007-04-07T06:01:00.000-05:00

Greetings, all. The busy spring continues, but here I am. I owe Chrissie and Teach a response on the "Thinking Blogger Award", and I will get to it in the coming week. Let's hope, any way.

Also, I have been taken with the sadness of Britain's coming to grips with the behavior of its sailors while in Iranian hands. I will endeavor to have more to say on this next week, as well, but for now I will just say this: Our Islamist enemies love death, and an enemy that loves death has an inherent weakness against a foe that wants to live, since victory is defined in the here and now. And the object of war is to live through it.

But when people love this life so much that they don't care about the next ... then such people are vulnerable in this life to those who love death.

At Easter, I am reminded: One must conquer death to truly live.

Easter is the greatest conclusion to the greatest story ever told. But that's about it for a lot of people. It's a great ending to a great story.

But it's more to me. You see, Easter saved my life.

Whenever I venture directly into matters of faith, I feel the need to send up a flare to remind you again that, though I am most committed to what I am about to say, our friendship is not dependent upon your agreement with me. What is a true friend, any way? Sounds like a Pontius Pilate moment.

But seriously, I tell you these things from time to time for the same reason that I would tell any one that I cared about, well, anything.

Indeed, your life may depend on it, as mine did.

When I left for college in 1982, I had the world by the tail. I knew almost all of it, and for that I didn't know, I had the tools to figure it out. My newly-minted Christian faith had a self-righteous and self-assured gleam. (It still shines from time to time, I've been told.)

Well, it seems that some of my professors didn't quite share my appreciation for Christianity. They openly challenged all that I believed. They got to me. I struggled to come to grips with some of their questions, in particular, the intractible question of human suffering. One history professor wondered out loud: "If God is a loving God and in charge of the universe, how could He let 6 million his chosen people die at the hands of a madman?" Good question, I thought then. In fact, I still haven't come up with a good answer.

Others were so skeptical that they caused me to wonder if I could know much of anything. Why not just "bag it" and try wild college girls and the good stuff that this world offered instead? It would have been a lot easier and more fun.

But instead of wild college girls, I wrestled with many questions that I couldn't answer ... like predestination. Oh, man. As I ascended the staircase in my mind, eventually I got to the top. But the questions ... and the understanding of the answers to those questions kept going up, and up ... well-above my mind's staircase.

I wasn't God, and there were things that ultimately I could not know for certain in this life.

But during that fretful, difficult but pivotal year when I was deciding what type of man I would be ... I kept coming back to those things that I could know, at least as well as a human being can know such things.

I came back to the resurrection of Christ. Paul, whose old life as Saul was shattered and whose new life began when he met the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, wrote in I Corinthians 15:14 that, if the resurrection were not true, then his faith would be "in vain".

Wow. Paul, the great rabbi who wrote more than half of the New Testament, staked the whole faith on the resurrection. It seemed pretty straigthtforward to me. What I really wanted to know was rather what I believed was true. Was Christ really "the Way, the Truth, and the Life?" If he rose from the dead, then He was and He is.

All my other questions were really on the periphery, because if I answered the one question I needed to answer, well, then I could deal with my uncertainties. Mind you, I am not dismissing curiosity or getting answers to serious questions. All I am saying is that answering foundational questions, or rather the foundational question, puts the others in perspective.

I mean, if you knew God was flying plane you were on, would you worry about the intracies of the engine?

So, I studied the resurrection. How much? Well, lots have studied it more. But let me put it this way: I've studied it more than any one I've met who doesn't believe in the resurrection of Christ.

The more you look at truth, the better it looks.

Where is the body, any way? That's a good starting point. I won't bore you with the details. If you are interested, it's all over the internet. The body of Christ is not, of course. You understand what I am saying.

I concluded that Jesus rose from the dead ... actually, physically rose from the dead. If He was and is God in human flesh, this could be done, after all. And if the resurrection is true, then many things are possible. Death loses its sting, and life has meaning ... every minute of every day.

Believing this, 11 most ordinary and unarmed men turned upside down and conquered the world. In fact, they even went back to the scene of Christ's crucifixion to begin their proclamation of the resurrection.

Eventually, all but one of them would die as martyrs. Only the "disciple that Jesus loved" would not die as a martyr. He was left behind with work to do, you see. In exile, John wrote the Book of Revelation.

Many proofs of the resurrection there are.

But one proof that means so much to me is that ... the truth of Easter saved my life.

See you next week.

Anatomy of a Moderate

2007-03-31T07:01:00.000-05:00

The Al Gonzales circus goes on. The MSM and their Demo allies wait for the Republican carcass to fall. Another arrow ... and then another ... the anticipation builds.

Should Gonzales fall, the Demo/Left/Same Thing/MSM coalition surely will celebrate yet another triumph of beating an enemy into submission.

But wait ... How could the AG truly be regarded as an enemy by the Left? Recall that he was, rightfully, rejected as a SC nominee over concerns that he is not conservative enough. The AG is a slightly-right-of-center, moderate type. He's pro-choice on abortion. He's the President's man, alright, and he has shown a willingness to go to the mat for Pres. Bush. He's been pretty solid on the War on Militant Islam.

But he ain't no real conservative.

I mean, he's tried to let it be known, too. He's even a minority. So, what gives? Why is it such a big deal to get a RINO/moderate/same thing scalp?

Well, it's for the Demo base. More on why in a minute. But first, we must ask: When will these moderate types get it? Probably never.

You see, the last thing that the the Hegelian Washington set wants to be known as is some extreme conservative Republican, like ooooooh, one of those slimy, Bible-believing, apple-pie eatin' types. Indeed, in hushed tones around campfires, moderates gravely warn: "You know, there are actually extremists out there who believe in God and country." Their enlightened moderate and liberal audiences concur and shiver under their blankets, pitying the the horrifying specter of the unwashed. (cue Vincent Price laugh and/or "Phantom of the Opera" organ). "Stop scraring us!", they implore.

It seems one of the few things that true moderates are committed to is telling leftists that they are not extremists like those wascally conservatives. By this, they hope both to be liked and to preserve their places at the seats of power.

But moderates will ultimately do neither, for they fail to understand the Left and its allies.

You see, most moderates, being liberals or liberal sympathizers, don't see that it's the leftists who are the extremists. And extremists can not countenance those who are not true believers.

Moderates are not conservatives, true. But they are not true believer, Jim Jones-style extremists, either.

Thus, they must go, as well, until the entire ideological "line", if you will, is purified.

Ah, but the funny thing is ... the Militant Islamists who have forged a tacit, working relationship with today's Left will do the same thing to the Left once they get the chance.

Extremism is as extremism does.

One man's extremist is another's moderate.

Only those with convictions grounded in objective truth can and will survive this onslaught. Al Gonzales and his ilk are always the first casualties when the extremists hit the beaches.

Where have you gone, Daisy Cutter? Our nation ...

2007-03-27T11:41:00.000-05:00

turns its lonely eyes to you ... woo, woo, woo. Well, not quite.

Been working, coaching baseball, kids, life, etc. Life and the clock are unrelenting.

The world turns. I gotta ask you, though ... Have you learned your lesson yet? I mean, I see that all sorts of good things are happening with replacing Republican minor-league pork barrelers with the pros. Loading up the anti-war bill with pork is a classic demonstration of decadent cowardice.

The Democrats are so pathetic, they even have to buy anti-war votes. I mean, brother, can you spare an honest anti-American leftist? I know, some of you love to flog Republicans, and some surely deserve it.

Yes, there are few perfect choices in life.

The sharks are swirling in the water, it seems. And the AG seems to be bleeding, too. Republicans should go four-corners and watch how principles change when it's an election year. All this will pass.

But in the meantime, what happens to the country? When the Demos are in charge of any branch of government, all you can do is hope to avoid or forestall calamity. But golly, I feel so learned having them in charge. I have learned my lesson all right.

What was it, again?

Our hope is never ultimately in government. In times of crisis, we turn our lonely eyes not to Congress, but to our Joe Dimaggios. Actually, we turn our eyes to the real heroes whose names are known only to their families, colleagues, cohorts, and such. Our power is today where it has always resided ... in the American people.

Speaking of which, there are some good indicators out there. I hear that 300 is a great movie, albeit with some Greek-like nudity. It's interesting to see what movies are coming out. It usually indicates where people are and where they want to go.

And there have been a couple of interesting things happen around these parts lately. Yesterday, they had a huge service of a fallen soldier up in Conroe; the memorial service was held at a giant church up there. Last week, a local street was shut down for a couple of hours as another young soldier was laid to rest.

It's a wonderful thing to see mixture of pride, sorrow, and resolve that these events are building in the populace. One would think that such losses would sap a people, but from what I see, the opposite is occurring.

All depends upon your perspective and your character, I guess. I am surrounded by ordinary, yet great Americans. Our eyes need not be sorrowful or lonely.

The American spirit is far too strong to be surrendered, yes, still. I know there are contrary indicators. I know, and I see a number of them, too. I get discouraged at times. But still ...

And it looks like we are slowly but surely we may be seeing some results from Gen. Petraeus's strategy in Iraq. What do you know? I thought the Demos passed a law saying that couldn't happen. Some one needs to tell our troops.

I guess there are limits to government, after all. Now, that's a reason to be upbeat.

Long Time Ago in a Galaxy Far Away ...

2007-03-19T05:32:00.000-05:00

A Supreme Court nominee was under fire, and the critics swarmed. A woman named Anita Hill appeared with allegations so fantastic that they surely must've been ... Pressure mounted to withdraw the nomination.

And then Clarence Thomas stepped to the microphone and said, "God, Sen. Metzenbaum, is my judge." When I heard these words, I rose from my chair and cheered. Many other conservatives did likewise. It was on.

The battle was engaged. Eventually, Hill and her web of deceit were undone by a withering cross-examination by, of all people, a moderate senator from Pennsylvania. Arlen Specter, the former prosecutor, had what was his finest hours in the Senate, by far.

And Clarence Thomas was eventually confirmed.

I wonder if any of the Republicans in Congress remembers, or would rise to the occasion if they did.

A long time ago in a galaxy far away ...

The Freak Show Unabated

2007-03-16T11:07:00.000-05:00

Emboldened by the Libby verdict and wobbly Republican responses re: firing U.S. attorneys, this Spring finds the Demos in full flower mania and leftist gorging.

A president has the right to fire all of the U.S. attorneys, and then some. It seems, though, that this Administration is stuck in apology mode. No one can or will take credit for any aggressive actions, only passive ones. As a result, they are left looking apologetic when they ought to be taking credit ... and taking credit when they ought to be apologetic.

When you are surrounded by political opponents and outright enemies, you need to be bold and let the chips fall where they may. You have to fight, not hug your way out.

Sensing momentum and with elections still a ways off ... I see that Henry Waxman has summoned the "operative" Valerie Plame to the Hill, to investigate ... in the people's interests, of course. What a complete crock this is. What a joy to have the opportunity to tell them all. But no one seizes the moment.

The horror of starting down Waxman's cavernous nostrils for days should have been enough to tip the '06 elections to the Republicans, but alas ...

The freak show continues to pick up steam. Is there no one in Congress who will stand up and call such lunacy what it is? Is there no one who will mock Waxman, chide Democrats as jihadi-sympathizers, and insist on cutting off diplomatic relations with Mexico until its president can confirm that his relatives here are legal?

Momentum is a neutral, but if you're parked on an incline, it's not.

Timidity breeds more of the same.

As does courage.