" You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on Earth, or we will sentence them to take the last step into a thousand years of darkness."
Ronald Reagan
Gillian Gibbons must be scared and feeling alone in her prison cell in Sudan. Wanting to help those in need, Ms. Gibbons left the safety of her home in England to become a teacher at Unity High School. But today she sits in prison while thousands of Muslims are calling for her execution. And what evil crime did she commit…murder, child molestation? No, she committed an affront to Allah by allowing her students to name a teddy bear “Muhammad:”
Muhammad the Pooh One only needs to read the quotes from those who refuse to show any compassion or tolerance towards Ms. Gibbons to understand the absurdity of the situation:
"No tolerance: Execution," and "Kill her, kill her by firing squad." – Chants heard by protesters outside Gibbon’s prison cell. "Imprisoning this lady does not satisfy the thirst of Muslims in Sudan. "This an arrogant woman who came to our country, cashing her salary in dollars, teaching our children hatred of our Prophet Muhammad," But we welcome imprisonment and expulsion." the cleric, Abdul-Jalil Nazeer al-Karouri told worshippers.
Her students chose from several names and voted to use Muhammad, the most popular boys name in the Muslim culture. The atrocity was reported to the authorities by a fellow teacher. Why did this fellow teacher not educate Ms. Gibbons that simply naming a toy after the Prophet might be considered insulting?
Ms. Gibbon’s was sentenced to 15 days in prison, and upon her release, deportation (which I am sure she will welcome). But Ms. Gibbons is not the only victim in this travesty. The students are losing a dedicated, caring teacher, as well as learning an important lesson about their religion. That lesson is that there are some Muslims who have perverted the Islamic religion so much that a person could face harsh punishment, or even death, for naming a teddy bear Muhammad. How the students choose to use this lesson rest with them.
This week Hillary Clinton started to run a new ad in New Hampshire. In this ad she uses the “tired old mantra” that the big, bad “Republican Attack Machine” is singling her out because she is the “one candidate with the strength and experience” to win and lead America:
This ad only serves to confirm that Hillary is a polarizing figure not because of who she is, but how she conducts herself in a negative manner. According to Hillary, and her minions, pointing out a candidate’s shortcomings is an attack….that is just ridiculous! Two weeks ago Hillary was using the term “mud-slinging (definition: abuse or insult)” when she was held to task by her fellow Democrats. Once again, this charge is outlandish and an outright falsehood.
Hillary invented the term (along with members of President Clinton’s staff) “vast right-wing conspiracy” to explain her own husband’s failures:
Hillary never apologized or corrected the statements made during the 1998 “Today” show. But why would she……..she’s Hillary Clinton, damn it! Hillary continues to use this type of rhetoric because her “fans” keep eating up. Like a “has been” entertainer who has to sing the same song over and over to earn a living, I guess Hillary lives by the motto “give the people what they want.”
This will backfire if Hillary makes it to the general election, and looking at the recent polls, that is a “big” if.
Please refer to my original story: “Hardly Undecided”
What happen at the Republican Debate on 11/28/2007, is just another example of the bias, intentional or otherwise, demonstrated by the media.
During the debate citizens were allowed to submit their questions, via “Youtube,” to the presidential candidates. CNN decided which questions would be asked. One such person, Retired General Kerr, asked about Gays in the military. General Kerr had every right, based on the debate format, to ask the question. However, there are several issues of concern:
General Kerr was in attendance at the debate, as a guest of CNN. General Kerr was allowed to express his displeasure, in person, to the answer provided. This broke with the agreed upon format of the debate:
General Kerr is an active supporter of Hillary Clinton (Clinton Press Release: General Keith Kerr). General Kerr, a member of LGBT (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, and Transgender) for Hillary Clinton, is a panel member of Hillary Clinton’s steering committee to address Gay issues. This fact, easily obtained by anyone who performs a simple Google search on General Karr’s name, should have eliminated General Kerr’s participation in the question portion of the debate.
It is inexcusable that CNN did not do a simple check on General Kerr, considering the importance they attached to his question (which was evident by inviting Mr. Kerr to the debate and allowing him an opportunity provide follow-up remarks to the answers provided).
But guess what, General Kerr was not the only “plant” that participated in the debate:”
Youtube Questioners Identified as Decided From the start, with the stupid “Youtube” GOP song video, followed by the planted questions from Democratic supports, and then ending by allowing General Kerr an active part in the debate, CNN and Youtube shamed themselves and this debate only served to confirmed CNN's anti-Republican agenda.
We should remember that all the Democratic Presidential candidates refused to attend the Fox News Debate, believing Fox would be biased against them, which is absolute rubbish. Fox News would have never allowed what we have seen from the CNN debates to occur. But knowing CNN/Youtubes obvious biases, the Republicans showed up anyway. Something all Americans should remember.
Lets just forget for a moment that mans journey to innovation and discovery began with the harnessing of fire.Or that wood continues to be a valid source of heat and energy.In fact as I write this article, I am sitting in front of my woodstove with my dogs (Jack the Wonder Dog and Super Rudy).No, let us instead look to the noble leaders of San Francisco for guidance.
San Francisco, that oasis of lunacy and immorality, citing “air quality concerns,” has enacted a ban on certain fireplaces:
One only needs to read the editorial page of the San Francisco Chronicle to see that Mr. Warren’s comments were not well received.Hell, even Vermont wouldn’t try and pull something like this…would they?
Much has been made about the debates, from the planting of questions to the decision by both sides not to attend certain debates. But what about the actions of the press? This next video demonstrates the large concern most Americans have at the way information is offered to them. Americans have grown to mistrust many politicians, in large part thanks to the press. The media has played the role of “willing accomplices” in the presentation of misinformation.
As this video demonstrates, these audience members were active participants in the Democratic Party. Even more alarming was how far CNN went to filter questions that could be asked:
All of this came on the heels of the previously reported "planted question" directed at a Clinton event:
Integrity is not subjective. Unlike art, the truth should never be “in the eye of the beholder.” It is events like these that make the debates irrelevant, which is too bad. Debates should be an opportunity to find out what our next President is made of, but instead we are served up “Youtube” ready, canned answers; or worse, censored or planted questions. CNN should have never referred to any of these audience members as "Undecided," when many of them had clear affiliations with organizations, PAC's, or movements that have declared their support already for one of the candidates on the stage.
This week saw the defeat of a strong world leader, the reminder of man’s folly, and zombies going shopping:
A New Direction for Australia: Australians went to the polls and decided, for better or worse, that it is the people who have the power in a Democracy:
The political pendulum swings back and forth, usually moving to the extreme pull of one or two issues.Australians have been experiencing an unprecedented economy. But with prosperity comes an almost lackadaisical approach to social issues, usually believing they are unrelated to the economic success of a country.The Conservatives will return when the political pendulum swings back, but only if they remain true to their Conservative beliefs. But one thing is true, the world and Australia were a better place with a leader such as John Howard.
The Titanic II:
The folly of man is that we believe that with each advancement in technology, that nature grows weaker.Tell that to the 154 passengers of the cruise ship Explorer:
I am sure that it is only a matter of time before this is blamed on Global Warming.
Black Friday - Putting the "Ka - Ching" into Christmas:
Eerily reminiscent of the zombies in the movie “Dawn of the Dead,” shoppers waited in line all night seeking the “Holy Grail” of bargains.Granted that there were only a handful of the items people desired, but that did not deter most:
Imagine if this sort of effort was evident on Election Day.Maybe we should start offering greatly reduce electronics for everyone that cast a vote, or we could have the voting booths set up at Wal-Mart, Sears, K-Mart, or Kohl’s.Cast a ballot, get a GPS at 50% off.
Not to belabor the point, but it is important to remember that “Christ – mas” is more than just a time for us to max out our credit cards.It is a time to celebrate God’s greatest gift to man, his only son (John 3:16)-“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
By remembering this, we honor the spirit of the season.
That's it poochies, another quick look at the news that makes some people bark, some whine, or some howling at the moon.Peace
It seems that there is no holiday in America today that isn’t under attack.Thanksgiving is no exception, with Seattle schools taking politically correctness to new heights:
Thanksgiving is for all Americans to reflect on the many things we have to be thankful for, a great nation, our family and friends, and Gods blessings.One only needs to read Abraham Lincolns Proclamation of Thanksgiving to understand the true nature of the celebration:
Proclamation of Thanksgiving
Washington, D.C. October 3, 1863
This is the proclamation which set the precedent for America's national day of Thanksgiving. During his administration, President Lincoln issued many orders like this. For example, on November 28, 1861, he ordered government departments closed for a local day of thanksgiving.
Sarah Josepha Hale, a prominent magazine editor, wrote a letter to Lincoln on 28, 1863, urging him to have the "day of our annual Thanksgiving made a National and fixed Union Festival." She wrote, "You may have observed that, for some years past, there has been an increasing interest felt in our land to have the Thanksgiving held on the same day, in all the States; it now needs National recognition and authoritive fixation, only, to become permanently, an American custom and institution." The document below sets apart the last Thursday of November "as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise."
According to an April 1, 1864, letter from John Nicolay, one of President Lincoln's secretaries, this document was written by Secretary of State William Seward, and the original was in his handwriting. On October 3, 1863, fellow Cabinet member Gideon Welles recorded in his diary that he complimented Seward on his work. A year later the manuscript was sold to benefit Union troops.
By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.
By the President: Abraham Lincoln
William H. Seward, Secretary of State
So to all of us, Happy Thanksgiving and God Bless America!
Veterans Day is for honoring all the brave Americans who are currently serving as the vanguards of freedom, as well as to honor all those, living and dead, who answered the call to duty.
Like many of our holidays, Veterans Day will be celebrated on a Monday so that workers can enjoy a long weekend. Little time will be spent reflecting on the significance of Veterans Day, which is unfortunate. Americans can sometimes take for granted the freedom and prosperity we enjoy, which has been secured for us by those that served in the US Military.
In 1988, President Reagan gave a speech at the newly dedicated Vietnam War memorial (The Wall, which is celebrating its 25th Anniversary). To hear President Reagan speak, you realize the debt we owe all the brave men and women that served our country:
Veterans and their families have made tremendous sacrifices, and in return asked for very little. Somehow saying “thank-you” just does not seem to be enough, but you would be surprised. We can say thank-you by attending a local remembrance or parade. We can show our gratitude by making pledges to organizations that support Veterans. We can volunteer our time at local facilities primarily designed to lend a hand to those that have served. We can write our representatives to ensure funding of vital services that assist Veterans is maintain, and in some cases increased. There are numerous ways to say thank-you, but doing nothing at all is not one of the ways.
So on this Veterans Day take a moment to remember the sacrifices that our Veterans and their families have lived with – and may God bless them.
No, not really. In fact the news out of Iraq continues to be positive. But you really wouldn’t know that unless you looked and listened really hard.
When the war was not going well, every major news outlet (such as the NY Times, NBC News, CBS News) made sure that America was “well informed.” But have you noticed the almost deafening silence coming from the Fourth Estate? Worse yet, these same outlets either bury the story deep into their coverage, or downplay the positive results:
The interesting part about this story was the use of Iran’s old kingdom name, Mesopotamia, which is something the NY Times does quite often. Our US Military is doing an incredible job, as part of this story demonstrates, and somehow the NY Times just cannot state the success is occurring in IRAQ.
Up next are two stories about the resolve of the Iraqis:
The Washington Post just couldn’t help but remind us that the press conference was held “in the heavily fortified Green Zone.” Funny, I don't recall them mentioning the same fact when they attend a press conference at the heavily fortified White House?
Even with some negative tinges in the story, it demonstrates that Iraqis are trying to work together, and with the US Military, to build a new Iraq. In fact, in another under reported story, Iraqis held a parade last week to call for national unity:
This following piece demonstrates once again the huge hearts that our American soldiers posses, and the commitment to compassion they have for the Iraq people.
"Helping Those in Need" One of the heroes of this story, Soham Hassan Ka-Naan, is also an innocent victim targeted by a ruthless enemy. The other heroes are those members of the US Military who helped her. In the words of Khalid Hassan Ka-Naan (Soham’s brother) …”God Bless the US Soldiers!”
Our last story is not positive, but a reminder of why we must remain vigilante.
I went down to my local polling place to vote, and I found myself all alone.Well, not exactly alone.There were the poll workers, a police officer, and a few political volunteers holding signs outside.At first I found it somewhat spooky, then I began to wonder……“how many other of my fellow citizens had bothered to vote?”In a city of 30,000, less than 20% of my neighbors had bothered to cast a ballot.How reassuring.
Granted this was not a Presidential year, or even a Gubernatorial election.No one was running for Federal or State office, nor was there any State referendum on the ballot.This election was only about electing my City Council, School Board, and Police Commission.These are the very same people that will decide the vision for my city.I was only casting a vote for the representatives that control my schools, my police and fire departments, and are task with the safeguarding my community standards.How important is that stuff anyway (note the tone of sarcasm)?
It is not like we do much better during our presidential elections.Mind you, in the same week when thousands were protesting in support of Democracy in Pakistan, many Americans “just didn’t have the time” to vote.What must the rest of the world, many without the simple right to freely elect their representatives, think of us?
Like a playground teeter-totter, our political process moves us up and down with each bounce of an election. Bouncing up and down on that teeter-tooter is fun at first, and then it gets a little boring. This boredom is usually relieved when one of the bouncers decides to jump off, typically when the other bouncer is up in the air. One bouncer is laughing while the other is rubbing their butt from the fall. Many Americans have jumped off the teeter-totter known as Democracy, while many more are rubbing their butts.
We all have an issue we are passionate about, but all too often we surrender our power to others. Don’t wait until the fringe of each party has selected the candidates before you decide to get involve. It should not matter that we are casting a ballot for President, Governor, Mayor or Dog Catcher.In 2004 there were over 215, 000,000 eligible voters (Remember, America’s population is around 300,000,000). 56% of the eligible voter’s cast a ballot (122,000,000). Of those 122,000,000, George Bush won roughly around 56 % of vote (62, 000,000). 16 (that’s right…sixteen!) other candidates received another 1.5 million votes. So in the end 20% of Americans decide for the rest. Makes you wonder what our country would look like if all 215,000.000 eligible voters showed up on Election Day. Imagine still if 215,000,000 participated in the Primary process.
What excuse do you use not to vote:
I don’t like either candidate (out of sixteen candidates, you didn’t believe in at least ONE!)
I am disgusted with both parties (once again, what about the other sixteen candidates).
I am too busy (more busy than a solider in Iraq?).Yet, somehow more people found time to vote for the next American Idol than cast a ballot in the 2006 elections.
I don’t know where the candidates stand (but you can tell me who did what on Desperate Housewives, how your fantasy football team is doing, or which spoiled teen drama queen is in trouble).
American’s hold the power for change, yet too many Americans have chosen to walk away from the very act that millions have sacrificed to preserve.The famous quote “the pen is mightier than the sword” could easily be change to “the vote is mightier than gun.” Over 80% of the citizens of Iraq showed up and voted. Do the Iraq’s know something we have forgotten? To quote Vice-President Cheney - ""It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you."
Like that schoolyard teeter-totter, participating in the experiment we call the Republic of the United States is not always exciting. But if you jump off, the only one left to decide is the one with the sore butt. The only one left is the voter who:
Cast their ballot in anger, not in reason.
Pulls the lever based on the propaganda that has been spoon-fed to them, instead of with the respect of those who have sacrificed to make this country great.
Votes the straight party ticket, when they should be voting on the individual merits of each candidate.
Thinks of themselves instead of America.
Believes that America is a pure democracy where the majority rules, instead of a Republic governed by the rule of just laws.
America is “the people’s child.”Conceived in liberty and born of sacrifice.We, you and I, are now the parents of the United States of America.And like a parent, it is our obligation to look after our child so that it can continue to grow and thrive.When American’s opt not to vote, they freely relinquish their power to others. It is important to remember that in order to make democracy work you must be an active participant, not simply an observer.And honestly, in the end, those who choose not to vote have no right to complain.
One only needs to read the quotes from those who refuse to show any compassion or tolerance towards Ms. Gibbons to understand the absurdity of the situation:
One only needs to read the quotes from those who refuse to show any compassion or tolerance towards Ms. Gibbons to understand the absurdity of the situation:
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