Truth and Justice

Scott Pilgrim vs. The Culture: A Hero for the 21st Century?

2010-08-29T13:36:00.002-04:00

Anyone who knows me knows that I really enjoy heroes, comic books, and video-games.  Now if someone

 can successfully turn that into a movie, I am all in.  Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is all this and more.  Scott

Pilgrim vs. the World is based on the six volume comic book saga of the same name, volume six having just

recently released in the last month.  In truth, I have not read the comic books yet, so I do not know how well

it follows the source material.

In the film, Scott Pilgrim (played perfectly by Michael Cera) is a 22 year old bass player in a band with some friends from high school. The band's desire is to make it big, to sign with a producer everyone calls “G-man” and Scoot is dating Knives Chow a high school senior. Enter Ramona Flowers, a roller-blading punk girl with wild hair colors that Scott really wants to date. The audience soon learns that in order to date Ramona Flower, Scott Pilgrim has to fight and defeat Ramoa's seven evil exes (a.k.a. The League of Evil Exes). It's riot to watch Scott Pilgrim go one-on one with with Lucas Lee (played by Chris Evans - Fantastic Four's Human Torch and soon to play Captian America) and Todd the Bass Player (played by Brandon Routh; Superman in Superman Returns). I particularly enjoyed the “Bass Battle”.

Some are going to see this as romantic-comedy-esque, because yes, romance is one of it's main themes, and

it's a very funny movie. As someone who doesn't like romantic comedies all that much, I actually like this

(battling a League of Evil Exes who all have superpowers to win the heart of a girl while; who doesn't?).

This movie is that, but it's so much more. This is a movie that is a complete ode to a generation that's grown

up loving video-games and comic books. One of the wonderful aspects of the films is the use of music and

sound effects from the classic video-game franchise The Legend of Zelda (a Nintendo series which happens

to be my all-time favorite gaming saga). From using the history of Pac-Man as a pickup line; learning the

bass line to Final Fantasy II; many nods to classic arcade fighters like Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter;

Thor's Hammer – Mjollnir; and a final duel influenced as much by role-playing games as it was by Star Wars;

this is a movie that a gamer/superhero fan will love. In many ways this is the movie that was made for the

“Nintendo generation”. There are nods to many other cultural icons like Bruce Campbell/Evil Dead,

The Seven Samurai, and the late John Huges.

The whole idea of seeing Scott Pilgrim (while surely flawed) as a hero goes beyond honing skills, winning

fights, scoring points, and collecting change in the process – it's the idea that he's willing to fight and defeat

seven evil villains so he can date a girl, not so he can take over the world. He's willing to risk life and limb

because of a girl (and to protect his friends). Most films don't execute this all that well, but Scott Pilgrim

does so in a way that's humorous and nostalgic. It's nice to see the geek hero triumph and see a character

actually learn something worth learning. Pilgrim is a much better hero than many of the anti-heroes who are

popular today, such as Wolverine, Punisher, Blade, and Spawn. There is an innocence to his heroism that is

akin to Link in the Legend of Zelda games –Scott Pilgrim didn't seek to become a hero, the circumstances

found him. I think this is a film that will define this generation long after it leaves theaters. Children of the

Eighties have The Goonies, and this generation has Scott Pilgrim – just beware the Nega-Ninja.

Captian America; A hero and a movie, but not a country?

2010-07-21T22:59:00.001-04:00

In 2007 I talked about the death of a hero, the death of an icon in both the comic book world and American culture; I talked about the death of Captain America. Back then Marvel decided (in what ended up being a stroke of marketing genius because the issues flew off the shelves) to kill Captain America as part of the Civil War storyline, Marvel’s take on terrorism, the Patriot Act, and the Global War on Terror during the Bush Administration. This event was so huge it actually made national news in 2007.

In 2010 Captain America is making news again because a new movie is slated to hit theatres next summer. Anyone who knows me knows how excited I get when a new comic book movie is getting ready to release. Batman, Iron Man, Incredible Hulk, Thor, Green Lantern; I love it all, and I love what Marvel is doing in trying to build a consistent and cohesive movie universe. I’ve looked forward to this one particular story because it’s a story about a man who embodies all that is good about America - in a phrase “America’s exceptionalism”. The idea of America being ‘the Last Best Hope of Earth” as Lincoln said or that “city on a hill” made famous by President Regan’s quoting Christ from the Gospel of Matthew. The idea America is a force for good in the world (it’s even part of the marketing for the United States Navy now).

Unfortunately at San Diego Comic-Con last week, it was reported that Joe Johnston (the director of the upcoming Captain America: The First Avenger using a script written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely - the same talent that did Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe and appreciated that source material) has been sure to tell the world that “Captain America isn’t about America”. I find this hard to believe considering that much of it is a period piece set during World War II. Honestly, how can you have a movie about an American superhero (with America in the title AND set during World War II – when the comic book itself at that time had covers of “Cap” punching out Hitler) and it not be about America? Then I remind myself what happened to the Man of Steel in 2006 (so much for Truth, Justice, and the American Way right?) Instead, Johnston wants to create an aura of equivalency by saying that America is no better than anyone else, because the rest of the world is just as great.

In order for this to make sense, consider the source material that is being drawn from. I’d bet money that the source material for this film isn’t the old Captain America comics insomuch as it is from the newer Marvel Universe known as the Ultimate’s universe. In this universe the Fantastic Four, Spiderman, the X-Men, and the Avengers have all updated, modernized, and re-imagined for the 21^st Century and all that entails (in full disclosure I was an avid reader of this universe up until a few years ago). One of the markers that points to this is Nick Fury, head of S.H.I.E.L.D. In this universe, Nick Fury is an African-American who looks a lot like Samuel L. Jackson. It’s no mistake because if this particular iteration of Marvel characters ever made it to the silver screen it was fully understood that Sam Jackson would play that role. What I find disappointing about this is the gentlemen who wrote an excellent screen treatment of the first Narnia story and stayed true to the material are going to stray from the origins of Captain America and not make this an opportunity to showcase American exceptionalism and still make it a World War II period piece.

I hope I’m wrong about this, and I hope John Nolte at Big Hollywood Blog is wrong too; next summer, we’ll find out.

Before and After Tienamen Square: The State of Liberty and Freedom in Communist China

2008-06-07T12:48:00.003-04:00

Thursday, June 4, 2008 marked the 19th Anniversary of the Protest of Liberty and Democracy at Tienanmen Square in China. On that day in 1989, individuals who believed in liberty and freedom in the face of the Communist dictatorship stood up and captured the attention of the world (as illustrated through the picture of the man standing in the way of the column of tanks as they came lumbering down the street). Since that day, there are still 130 individuals who are wasting away in a Communist prison cell in China simply because they stood up for the inalienable rights to Life and Liberty which God, the Creator of the Universe, wrote upon them.

In 2002, a man by the name of Brother Yun, a leader in the House Church movement in China in the 1970's and beyond, published his story, The Heavenly Man. In the book, he describes the great lengths to which the Communist Government in China went to silence him and other Christians in a desire to crush the spread of Christianity across China within the last twenty-five years of the 20th Century. Many people were arrested, imprisoned, tortured, and killed in trying to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ across China; in the spreading of the Gospel, religious freedom was strengthened despite a vast and evil government which tried to snuff out it's flame. Many in the West would stand ashamed, as we do not know what real suffering, difficulty, and persecution are. This is a hard book to read and digest.

Today, in 2008, many would make the case that China has changed and continues to - for the better. In various provinces and locals it is stated that the Communist government allows for local democratic elections, and sometimes the hand-picked puppet candidate of the Communist Party actually loses. Religious freedom is said to be greater today because the government looks away when individuals meet for worship, because they are good citizens. Considering this: as long as someone is not "disturbing the social order" by spreading their beliefs to others (i.e. Evangelism) the government is hands off. However, isn't this the call of the Christian, to help bring others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ? What about the Church serving as the conscience of the State, as Martin Luther did at the start of the Reformation, as Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Confessing Church did in Germany during the Third Reich? (Remember, Bonhoffer was executed for his beliefs which put him in oppostion to the Nazi government in Germany.) If this were to happen in China then surely the government would take harsh action.

What about Beijing 2008? In two months China will strut before the world stage as the host of the Summer Olympics. The Communist rulers there have forced the athletes competing in the Olympics to sign an agreement stating they will not speak out against the government and its human rights abuses. Even acclaimed director Stephen Spielberg stepped down in February as a technical advisor to the events this summer because of China's involvement in the conflict in Sudan.

So the question becomes: Are things better than they were in 1989? Yes and No: Yes, Communist China is experiencing an economic boom which has now caused great concern for the United States (and rightly so), but any advancement in the areas of religious and democratic freedom appear as but a mask, and if a true turn about occurs it will not be expedient. Therefore, in the intervening time many will continue to experience suffering and oppression for what they believe, be it religious faith or a desire for democratic freedom.

Communist China is still the dragon, even if the world deems it not.

On the Eve of the National Day of Prayer, the zeal for Life is fanned further into a blazing flame

2008-04-30T23:57:00.002-04:00

There are days in life when one cannot do anything but sit back and marvel at how the Almighty has orchestrated Life itself and different paths that cross.

Tonight I spent three hours with ardent pro-life Members of Congress and staffers as we were confronted with the horrific reality that is abortion in the United States. Representative Trent Franks (AZ) organized a special dinner briefing around the premise of combating abortion in our nation. To just illustrate how incredible God can often be, one of the speakers, an OBGYN nurse, has a seven year old grandson who has Cerebral Palsy and we got to talking and comparing notes on life and she asked some great questions in relation to what he’ll face in the future, from others, from a school system that does not understand him, and what aging could possibly do to his muscle and joint health. It’s a real honor to be considered an encouragement to someone such as her, as she has been on the front lines of this fight in ways I never will. What’s more, scenes from a documentary on fetal development, as aired by National Geographic, were playing throughout the evening and I commented to a Member of Congress about how the image shown at six months must be what I looked like when I was born a preemie kid. The reaction to that was one of amazement, especially since I now work on pro-life policy in Congress.

First up, Phil Kline, former Attorney General of Kansas and nationally known for going after Dr. George Tiller, the abortion doctor known to have broken the law by conducting abortions in circumstances deemed illegal by state law in Kansas. General Kline spent much time discussing how America rationalizes cruelty (from the slave, to the holocaust, to the unborn). Moreover, he cut to the heart of the issue by discussing the effects of relativism in society as resulting from the absence of any abject moral standard of absolute Truth.

Second was Jill Stanek, the aforementioned OBGYN. This dear lady has seen more horror in the halls of hospitals as a result of abortion than I or anyone else care to admit or expirence. So many children aborted, some still alive, and left to die because they were not wanted. In the end she was fired for what she saw and stood up against. Since then she has testified before the Judiciary Committee in the House of Representatives and various state legislatures across the nation about abortive practices.

Finally, Dr. Fletcher Armstrong. If there is anything to learn from this amazing man it’s this – follow the same path that William Wilberforce did to abolish slavery in England, that Martin Luther King did during the Civil Rights movement, and victory will come easier; change the hearts and minds of the citizenry first and the codifying of morals into law to protect the unborn will come much easier. For if we take away the self-evident Truth that all Men were created equal and Endowed by their Creator with the inalienable right to LIFE, then what does America, our bastion of Liberty really have to offer anyone? There must be LIFE in order to enjoy Liberty and pursue happiness.

Not as deep as my thoughts on Strange Encounters, but I think a good example of what the Father can do to use a broken but willing vessel to astound even those in positions of power and authority. If that is what door number two brings, I'm all about it.

Chasing Peace: Another Inklings Wedding

2008-04-26T23:34:00.002-04:00

In three years this is my first non-political blog entry here:

Today was the second Inklings weddding, as Tom and Alana Puskarich are married now. The first one was last July when Mike and Amon Colburn were married. It was such a joy to be around the entire Inklings family this afternoon - many of whom I hardly see as Inklings has grown and off-shot over the last semester.

It was a peaceful thing, no where to be, nothing to do but focus on the second most important day in the lives of Tom and Alana; no work, no reading, and minimal pain - at least it began that way.

Not to mention making a fool of myself on the dance floor trying to swing dance with Chris, Mike, Jana, Adrian, and the rest of the gang.

It was a good day...

Wounded, but Warriors still.

2008-04-13T23:29:00.002-04:00

Last Friday April 11, 2008, I found myself a part of a most unique opportunity which rarely, if ever, is covered by our nation’s media outlets. On a sunny day in the nation’s capitol I boarded a bus with a co-worker which was in route to the Pentagon. A chance had been offered to me to welcome home some of our wounded Warriors; the best our nation has to offer in the defense of our God-given freedom, those who have fought well but have not emerged unscathed. Pending our arrival, as I saw the United States Air Force memorial in the distance, it's three spires rising high into the blue, I contemplated how I would never get to serve in such a capacity for the United States; for my country – hence the decisions which led to my current station. I would never walk the halls of the Pentagon or any other American military instillation as such a warrior, but only a civilian. However, in every generation of our family someone has served so someone always walked as such, as my brother does now.

As we arrived and disembarked from the bus, I hadn’t expected to be told how happy military and civilian staff of the Pentagon were to have a small contingent of Congressional aides present to welcome these folks home. I, along with others, was led into a long hallway where many unknown faces were already present standing against the walls. Looking down the hallway this is just what was; grateful people from all walks of life showing respect and gratitude for the willing sacrifice some choose to make to defend our great nation. I didn’t know what to make of the scene, didn’t know what to expect once the procession started. Next thing I knew the music began and with the clapping, just continuous clapping, as the musical standards of the military branches played. First down the hall: a young man, probably younger than I, in a wheelchair because he was missing both legs. I was later told in detail the different prosthetics he would be receiving so that the ability to walk and function as normal as possible would not be lost to him; he was just the beginning. Some warriors were in casts, others limping. A good number seemed to be doing just fine; still the clapping continued at a steady pace as the honorees moved down the line, thanking many of us for being there to support them; their faces saying all that needed to be said. One warrior in particular had lost an eye, and I can imagine the day in his future when his young daughter asks why her father looks a bit like a pirate – what a story that will be.

As I looked I saw heroes, regardless of race, gender, mobility or whatever else – those who, when the country asked “Who will go for us?” said, as the prophet Isaiah did “Here I am, send me”. The call came, and they answered, willing to defend the Constitution of the United States of America, and the People of these United States without purpose of evasion. It was an honor to be there, something everyone should get to do, but yet this never gets talked about, goes vastly under reported in the news, even though it happens once a month, and as a result the knowledge of such honoring is not widespread.

But now you know, and knowing is half the battle.

In the New Year the Quest to Protect the Unborn Continues

2008-01-23T21:38:00.000-05:00

Yesterday marked the 35th Anniversary of the landmark legal decision we have come to know as Roe v. Wade. This is the decision that legalized abortion in America. Since that day in 1973, almost 50 million young lives have been snuffed out - according to statistics from the Alan Gutmacher Institute, the statistics arm of Planned Parenthood, the United States should reach the 50 million mark this year.

Virtually unreported in the Main Stream Media (MSM) however, was the annual event known as the March for Life, which also happened yesterday. This march finds thousands of pro-life Americans in Washington DC raising their voices in protest to abortion, in defense of the unborn, who themselves have no defense. I was there, out in the cold, listening to members of Congress and Senators pledge themselves in defense of those younglings who never get to experience the liberty and freedom America offers.

As part of yesterday's events, I had the privilege of meeting with twenty or so high-school students who had come to Washington to participate in the march. As I talked with them, I was once again amazed at the fact that so much of the present and future success of the pro-life movements is dependent on these students, on this generation - this is a hefty burden, but not one which is seen with annoyance or disdain but rather vigorous energy. I had the chance to share with them how not too long ago I could have been one of those lives which didn't get the chance to be, save parents filled with God given courage - to show what's possible.

Today, I had the chance to view a documentary entitled I Was Wrong, the story of various women who have had abortions and come to the conclusion that it was an incorrect decision. In no certain terms, this film went into the actual abortion procedures, as well as testimony concerning the physical, emotional, and mental side-effects and consequences. Of special note is the story of one Norma McCovey. This woman had an abortion, as well as worked in Planned Parenthood abortion clinics. In the documentary she discussed how she got into drinking and other forms of substance abuse in order to deal with the feelings of loss, guilt, and shame she experienced post-abortion. In the end, she came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and has experienced the Forgiveness God offers through Christ. Here's the kicker: Norma McCovey is the plaintiff Roe in Roe v. Wade as well as Doe in the companion case Doe v. Bolton.

It's tough stuff, and while it is my hope and prayer the pro-life movement is victorious in the end, it is the days, weeks, months, and years after that day that concern me, as the backlash comes and the enemies of Life are enraged and re-invigorated. What is the defense plan then?

Time will tell, until that day I continue to work in the defense and stead of those I could have joined...

Not an end, but a beginning: The Showdown over ENDA

2007-10-02T22:19:00.000-04:00

A number of months ago I wrote in this space about Hate Crimes legislation which was moving through the United States House of Representatives. Since that time, the legislation has passed the House, been included in similar legislation in the United States Senate, and finally passed in the Senate (just last night) when it was tacked on to a defense spending bill - which the President has said could be "veto material" because the Democrat led Congress is forcing the issue on the President, and in turn America.

Meanwhile, another piece of legislation is making it's way through the House of Representatives; this legislation is known as the Employment Non-Discrimination Act or ENDA. This legislation seeks to add sexual orientation as a protected class in the hiring and firing process. Like the Hate Crimes legislation which preceeds it, ENDA has some constitutional problems:

First among them is Freedom of Religion as outlined within the First Amendment in the Constitution. Supporters of ENDA would dismiss this because of the religious exemption which does exist within the legislation. This exemption allows churches to be protected, as this legislation sees churches to be centers of theology and prositilization. However, it is unclear if this exemption covers religious schools or religious organizations which are not churches; even if it was clear, the government would then be the decider of who applies and who does not, who gets to actually live by their religious convictions in every area of their lives and who does not. It's called checking your religion at the door - something an indiviual whould never have to do. If they have to, their freedom of religion has been violated.

Second, once again, is the issue of the Fourteenth Amendment. Under this amendment, no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without the due process of the law. This amendment, when ratified, concerned situations under which a person was born, such as gender, race, ethnicity, and skin color. Individuals and organizations who have lobbied for this legislation (such as Human Rights Campaign) often cite this part of the Constitution in their favor. The problem arises because, while disability can sometimes be a condition at birth, sexual orientation is not - or has not been proven scientifically. Therefore, since that is, in truth, a choice, it is not covered under the Fourteenth Amendment. Under the Fourteenth Amendment, it is considered "applied" to a group of people if the characteristic of this group is immutable, there is a history of abuse, and if there is a lack of political influence. As I have already pointed out, sexual orientation is not immutable. Also, the "alternative lifestyle" lobby has great influence within the political process, typically through the Democratic party. That said, the Fourteenth Amendment would not apply.
Third, again, is the issue of the Tenth Amendment and the Enumerated Powers within the Constitution. This amendment states: "The Powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited it by the states, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people". This is the basis of Federalism; the separation of powers between the State, the states, and the People (the people being the most sovereign part of our American democracy). In this instance, this legislation, if enacted, would override the efforts of the states to create their own ENDA laws - taking said ability away from the states.

Finally, and not a constitutional issue but still a problem is increased litigation. Under this legislation, if made law, the door is opened for additional lawsuits against business who decide not to hire someone. If someone applies for a job, and is not hired, it would be easier to sue that business for discrimination even if the person is not a homosexual, because they could easily claim that they are. If a person is a homosexual, then, even if that is not the reason they are not hired, let's say they were actually not qualified for the job, they could claim their sexual orientation is the reason and either settle out of court - stealing money from a legitimate business - or drag a business into a long and protracted legal situation which would cost the business a lot of money to see through; this is bullying, no doubt.

It is interesting to note that in previous sessions of Congress, this legislation has been intorduced but has never gotten out of committee. With the switch in majority control last November, all of the sudden this has become an issue which will see time on the House floor, soon. What is this really? It's the new majority doing all they can to please a key voting demographic.

If this makes it into law, it will not be an end, but just the beginning of an agenda coming into political promenence which would never pass at the ballot box if it were left up to the American people and the entire truth given to them.

On the eve of Independence, forget not the Patriots.

2007-07-03T23:46:00.000-04:00

I can think of no better way to consider and celebrate tomorrow’s remembrance, on this the eve of America’s day of Independence than by watching The Patriot. In this I consider the lives and intertwining destinies, long fulfilled, of great men. Among these men, ones we know, ones we’ve learned of since childhood: Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Franklin, and Samuel Adams, a man of more than amber ale, considered to be the Father of American Independence. Along side these great men, filled with wisdom and knowledge from the Creator, consider lesser known men, but nonetheless men of renowned: Patrick Henry, the great orator of Independence, Dr. Benjamin Rush, statesman and signer of the Declaration, Peter Muhlenberg chaplain of the Revolution, and Robert Morris, the man upon who’s shoulder and credit much of the Colonial efforts for Independence was financed.

Pause a moment upon what these men, among many, set out to do; they set a fledgling country free. Remember, that the decision to take up arms against the King of England was not an easy one or a conclusion reached in rash consideration, but an option of last resort. Prior to the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party to protest the Stamp Act Lexington, and Concord, there was concentrated effort on both sides of the Atlantic to prevent the war, with even members of the British Parliament beseeching the King to not push the Colonists to conflict. Unfortunately, this effort failed. Having done all to prevent separation, the Framers were left with no other choice but to declare independence from a monarchy which imposed upon them forced quarter of British soldiers, suspension of parliamentary government amongst the colonies, and taxation without representation among stated reasons within the Declaration of Independence. It’s worth noting that the single grievance which we are taught as school children, taxation without representation, is listed seventeenth on a list of twenty-seven. It was upon this document, and the ideals sealed for eternity within it, that these men pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor for which we take this day in July to commemorate. The battles they fought were not distant from their lives and homes, as the war we fight today often is, but on their lands and amongst their homes. They gave it all for a cause which all did not see through to completion, for at trials end some had died and others were imprisoned, tortured, and destitute.

Going back to our birth, a lesson is apparent: No Sacrifice, No Victory. What know we of sacrifice? The conflict for the fate of the world we find ourselves a part of, we are told, is fought in a land far from ours. Its affect does not touch us all as it touched these men, their families, and their compatriots. Instead of acknowledging a struggle does exist for the fate of the world against a brutal enemy who will win at all costs, factions within our great nation undercut our brave men and women by wanting to run, to surrender, to embrace a defeatist attitude of the heart from which flows a policy founded in the desire for political divisiveness instead of a united home front to which our soldiers can look to for courage and support, knowing we will stand firm with them for we can take no other course.

Upon it’s opposite we should stand united, willing to finish this work, to grasp victory and hold it high. Concurrently, there must be a realization that there is a second major front in our current struggle: within the hearts and minds of Americans this skirmish transpires, through the media and through deceit wrapped in fine words. For if the hearts and minds of the home front is won by the opposition, a major blow is struck against freedom, and the anchor upon which it rests, the consenting will of the free, is relinquished. Therefore, stand firm in the knowledge that bringing freedom to the captive, extending freedom to those that cry for it, as Lincoln did is a primary conduit by which these lands are kept safe.

In Washington, a time of Darkness...but in the midst, a little light still shines

2007-05-18T22:12:00.000-04:00

Last week in Washington a vote was taken to deal a blow to our men and women in uniform fighting overseas to keep us free. On May 9, 2007 Rep. James McGovern of Massachusetts introduced HR 2237, "To provide for the redeployment of United States Armed Forces and defense contractors from Iraq". This resolution reached the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote of passage the next day. Thankfully it was voted down 171-255; nevertheless, the mere fact that many within our government do not support the mission of our men and women in the war against Islamofacism is disappointing at best and contemptible at worst.

If that were not enough, there was also a vote on the funding that our men and women need to fight the war against Islamofacism. The Democratic Majority's idea? Fund part of it now, and if in 3-4 months there is not marked improvement, forget the rest of it. Thankfully, the Senate's attempt to cut funding by vote failed yesterday, May 17, 2007, by a vote of 67-29.

This week, the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, attempted to strip the Republican minority of one of the primary parliamentary assets at their disposal - the motion to recommit. This motion allows for the minority party to call for a bill that they disagree with to be recommitted back to the committee of jurisdiction so that it can be reevaluated before coming again to the floor for a vote. Now why might the Speaker do that? The answer lies in the fact that Republicans have used that asset extensively as of late and won. During the 12 years that the Republican party held the majority, the Democratic party successfully wielded the motion to recommit one (1) time. Since coming to power in January of 2007, the Democrats have lost to the minority party eight (8) times thanks to the motion to recommit. In other words, when Democrats get beat, they do everything in their power to take from Republicans what is rightfully theirs as a minority, effectively saying they cannot play fair and have to cheat to "win". So much for the most ethical Congress ever...

On the ethics and lobbying reform front, it may very well be possible that the "Meehan Amendment", H.R. 2039, was defeated in committee, thus preserving the ability of grassroots organizations to inform the public on the actions of Congress and call ordinary citizens to action.

Developing...

The Hate Crimes Bill - H.R. 1592: Will you need a "Minority Report"?

2007-04-30T14:29:00.000-04:00

During the summer of 2002, Steven Spielberg and Dreamworks pictures released the film Minority Report based on a story by sci-fi author, Phillip K. Dick. A great film, it told the story of a future where pre-meditated murder was virtually non-existent in Washington D.C. because of the "Department of Pre-Crime". This law enforcement arm used three young indiviuals, known as "pre-cogs" to be able to identify and locate murderous intent, before the actual act took place. Due to this breakthrough, only crimes of passion where there was no pre-meditation involved, posed a risk. Even then, the "Department of Pre-Crime" was a great success, as the perpetrators of "passion crimes" were still apprehended. As the film progresses the main character discovers, thanks to the pre-cogs, that he will commit a crime of passion. As he tries to figure out how this will all transpire, he becomes aware of the one piece of evidence that will vindicate him; his "minority report" - the actual string of images within the mind of the lead pre-cog which will prove his innocence. In the end, he's declared innocent of all charges and brings down the "Department of Pre-Crime" in the process, just before it is scheduled to go national.

This film dealt with the question of "if a person thinks it, will they really do it?"; the idea of the future being set in stone, if it is pre-ordained or changeable. In this film, the concept of "thought crimes" comes to the forefront.

In light of this Utopian idea, consider what is actually happening in the US Congress: as of today, H.R. 1592 passed in the House of Representatives by a bi-partisan vote. Commonly referred to as the "Hate Crimes Bill", this piece of legislation seeks to add to the existing categories that classify hate crimes (such as race, gender, and ethnicity) categories such as disability and sexual orientation (Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual, and Transgener - GLBT). Additionally, this legislation would allow the Federal Government, through the Department of Justice, to assist State and Local law enforcement with the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes. While this may seem like a good and proper thing to do, there are some large problems with it.

First among them is Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Speech as outlined within the First Amendment in the Constitution. The concern here, is that this legislation opens the door to repress the the Speech and Religious freedom of groups that would speak out against homosexuality as immoral and wrong, based on that group's religious doctrine. No, this bill would not create that problem but it could lead to it, thus allowing the United States to become as Canada has, where religious figures (who are not accepting of GLBT) are not allowed to speak out, as jail time would follow if successfully convicted of "hate speech". As the creators, implementers, and guardians of American Law, the government has a responsibility to guard against the unintended consequences of the laws they create, and this could eventually be one of those unintended consequences.

Second, is the issue of the Fourteenth Amendment. Under this amendment, no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without the due process of the law. This amendment, when ratified, concerned situations under which a person was born, such as gender, race, ethnicity, and skin color. Individuals and organizations who have lobbied for this legislation (such as Human Rights Campaign) often cite this part of the Constitution in their favor. The problem arises because, while disability can sometimes be a condition at birth, sexual orientation is not - or has not been proven scientifically. Therefore, since that is, in truth, a choice, it is not covered under the Fourteenth Amendment. The danger with disability comes when the disability is not a birth issue and happens after, how is it to be considered then? Under the Fourteenth Amendment, it is considered "applied" to a group of people if the characteristic of this group is immutable, there is a history of abuse, and if there is a lack of political influence. As I have already pointed out, sexual orientation is not immutable. Also, the "alternative lifestyle" lobby has great influence within the political process, typically through the Democratic party. That said, the Fourteenth Amendment would not apply.

Third, is the issue of the Tenth Amendment and the Enumerated Powers within the Constitution. This amendment states: "The Powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited it by the states, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people". This is the basis of Federalism; the separation of powers between the State, the states, and the People (the people being the most sovereign part of our American democracy). Within H.R. 1592, is a clause which says there are cases, when a state or local authority requests, the Federal government in the form of the Justice Department, can come in and assist with the investigation and prosecution of Hate Crimes. Alongside this is another clause which states that in certain cases, when a locality or a state has has not properly handled a hate crimes case, the Justice Department can come in and take control of the case.

Consider this scenario: someone is attacked and it is thought to have happened because of that persons sexual orientation. During the course of the investigation it is determined the person was attacked for reasons other than sexual orientation. The individual is prosecuted according to said evidence and the sterner penalties for hate crimes, according to the law signed by President Clinton in 1994, are not applied. Could then the Justice Department, say under a Democratic President, reopen this case, under pressure from special interests, and render the individual state's judicial decision as null and void? It's a possibility, one which could now be viable but was not so before. Under this bill, the Tenth Amendment could be violated and state's rights, trampled.

These are the concerns and dangers raised by this "now passed" bill. One might wonder, though "why would the government do this? Why might they seek to trample somethings laid out in the Constitution?" At this point in time, the Democratic Party is in power in Congress, having not been in this position for a dozen years prior. In light of this, they seek to please, and keep happy, primary constituencies which they receive votes from; the "alternative life" style lobby is one of the primary groups they seek to please. Could it be said this is about power and keeping it? Yes. Is that the only reason? Probably not.

Despite all this, the reality is that the door has been opened and the Constitution eroded.

The silver lining in this raging storm is that the President has vowed to veto this bill; what's more is that the House looks to NOT have the veto proof 2/3 needed to overturn the President's action. Bottom line - conservatives have won this round, or so it seems...

Might there still come a day when such thoughts, beliefs, and ideas are criminalized? In Canada there already seems to be cases where that is true. Is voicing those thoughts considered action enough? Does voicing them actually mean they will be carried out? Maybe, maybe not; one should consider the person and the context.

Will you someday need that Minority Report because of "thought crime"? Only the future can answer that...

A Day Long Remembered: In the Highest Court, a Victory for Life

2007-04-21T15:43:00.000-04:00

Three days ago, Wednesday, April 18, 2007, the Supreme Court of the United States reached a landmark decision in deciding to uphold the President's 2003 ban on the practice of partial birth abortion or PBA. This victory is one that pro-lifers across America have waited long and worked hard for. What this decision has accomplished is the outlawing of a procedure where the baby is partially delivered from the mother's womb, and as this is happening, the child's skull is punctured and the child's brain extracted, and subsequently destroyed, thus ending a young life that some within our great nation see as not viable even at that time, the latest of stages, the actual delivery process. This process is commonly referred to as D/X, meaning dilation and extraction. Unfortunately, other abortive practices are still viable and protected.

Yet, not even 24 hours after the decision was handed down, Senators such as Barbara Boxer of California, who champions a woman's reproductive rights, a choice, as above the right to life, something that is indisputably protected by the Constitution, has come out saying that this ban is a bad thing and that she will fight it - having introduced a bill in the Senate to do so. Senator, and Presidential hopeful, Hillary Clinton has also come out on this issue saying that it is a violation, Constitutionally, of a "woman's right to choose". Other Presidential hopefuls on the Democratic ticket, John Edwards and Senator Obama, have both said they strongly disagree and are disappointed by the Court's ruling.

There is still much work to be done to protect the unborn, but certainly this is a leap in the RIGHT direction.

After Lackland: Rage, Rage against the dying of the light...

2007-03-26T20:02:00.000-04:00

President Ronald Regan famously once referred to America as "a city upon a hill", a beacon of light and hope for all around the world to see; he was right. America is that, to a great degree, because we have among us the best and the brightest, with many of them coming from those that serve, of their own choice, in our military. This past weekend I spent two days, give or take, at Lackland AirForce Base in San Antonio, Texas. The occasion: my younger brother was to graduate from Basic Training, and graduate he did, from a class of 600 fellow Airman.

While I was there I saw the sacrifice and dedication our men and women put forth to defend us, because these indiviuals give up everything: family, friends, comforts, and home to be transformed into confident and disiplined warriors, and this was JUST Basic Training. As these trainees come through the grueling seven weeks they learn honor, respect, reliance, love for country, and the importance of family. I say it because I saw it, because I heard it. It is an incredible sight to see 600 graduates march in perfect unison, to see them stand tall and strong, to see a chapel filled with those that desire the righteous and just spirit of the warrior, willing to go where they are called and defend the freedom of those that cannot defend it.

Yet while I was away to see this wonderous sight, word reached my ears that the Iraq Supplemental was passed by a vote of 218-212, just a six vote spread. While on it's face this may seem like it is not a problem, such is not the case. Among the defense bill, generous amounts of "pork projects" had been inserted, funding that would go to the home districts, not to our troops in harms way that defend us around the clock by keeping the conflict from our shores. Beyond that, is the much media covered stipulation that by September 2008 the withdrawl of our forces will be complete, as the majority within the House sees this conflict as "unwinnable". The good news here is that, although passed in the House, the bill is destined for the legislativie netherworld, as it will be vetoed if it passes the Senate.

The issue here is the idea of there being those within the Congress that seek to diminish the the light that is America, illustrated by a pervasive unwillingness to support the mission that our military men and women are engaged in at present. Rather, there seems to be a willingingness to undercut the efforts overseas by bickering and warring politically at home. If this continues, the just light of freedom that our military is working hard at spreading in that volitile region may be diminished and subsequently snuffed out.

To prevent this, we must work hard as a nation to show our support for our armed forces, letting them know that we as Americans do love and support them, even if some in Congress do not; we must do as poet Dylan Thomas once wrote, we must "Rage Rage against the dying of the light..."

Killing Cap: The Death of an American Icon

2007-03-08T13:18:00.000-05:00

He's to the Marvel Universe what Superman is to Detective Comics, or was. He's one of the most beloved comic book characters of all time. He's Captain America, and now, he's dead.

He's a comic book character, so what's the big deal?

The answer to that lies in the essence that made up the character of Steve Rogers. With Superman if someone wanted to turn the Man of Steel away from being an American superhero, desipite the fact that he stood for "Truth, Justice, and the American Way", it's not so hard to do - and the minds behind Superman Returns admitted to doing that, by leaving out the fact that he stands for the American Way. With Captian America you can't do that, for the greatness that is the United States of America stands at the center of the essence of Cap's heroism as a character. He fought Hitler, Communism, and terrorists all in defense of keeping America safe in the world of Marvel.

So why kill him? Personally, I think it's comic book writers trying to play politics and be relevant in a world where comics often exist to take us from reality and show us something better. For this reason I stayed away from the "Civil War" storyline. In an attempt to be current and put their own spin on measures like the Patriot Act, they've killed an icon, saying in effect that America no longer enjoys the status among the world that it once did, and that it should not, because America is no better than anyone else. Such a sad thing to try and say, just like the creators of the Matrix tried to say with V for Vendetta; in so doing, the comic book world has lost one who could be said to have been it's greatest hero.

So long Cap, let's hope I still one day get to see you on the silver screen, once again to show how great our beloved America really is.

A Vote of "No Confidence" in our troops - it's a big mistake.

2007-02-20T22:36:00.000-05:00

Last week was crucial week in our nation's capitol as shown by the heated debate that took place on Capitol Hill. The subject of the debate was one of the key issues of our time: Iraq, one of the key fronts in the GWOT. To be more specific, the debate was concerning the troop surge that President Bush has put forth as the new direction in the war in Iraq. The focal point of this debate was a non-binding resolution that condemned the troop surge.

One thing must be made clear at this point, a non-binding resolution does nothing. It is called a non-binding resolution because it is not bound by anything, as a result of it's passing, nothing will change and nothing new will go into effect.

The debate was a heated one, a debate that did little, a debate where no persuasion went on, but people's opinion were heard. Many within Congress has opposed this surge and the war for quite some time. Some have been opposed to all of it from the very beginning, others supported it in the beginning but are now against it, while even others have supported it from the beginning. The only true positive was that there was a platform for those in Congress that do support the troops, to say so, publicly.

Personally, I believe that if you say that you support our military then you must support the mission that they are risking their lives for. If you do not support the war, if you think it is morally incorrect, then you are morally bound to do so - even if I am going to disagree with you. The rub comes when those that say that the war is morally wrong draft, debate, vote on, and pass a piece of legislation that was impotent and in actionable from the start, doing nothing and accomplishing no real action. This, in fact is what was passed last Friday.

So, if no real action can be taken as a result of this passed legislation, has it done anything? Yes and No. No it hasn't put a stop to the war in Iraq, but it has told our troops that a majority of Congress has no confidence in their ability to complete the mission - something that should never have happened in the first place. Thankfully there were a number of individuals who do support the troops who spoke out loud and clear. They spoke out about the importance of the mission that our Armed Forces is engaged in, why it must be fought and won.

As an American, I believe that we all have a moral and patriotic responsibility to support our men and women in uniform. Why? The have volunteered to do what they are doing; they made the free will choice to serve. They serve, fighting and protecting us all, making sure that the conflict stays where it is and doesn't come to our shores again. We owe them our support, and our confidence; this resolution does not do that, thus it's a mistake.

Doth Justice be too hard a thing?

2007-02-05T22:33:00.000-05:00

Justice. Think about it, let it roll over in your mind for a moment. What comes to mind? If you're me, it's the Justice Leauge of America (JLA) right away.

Consider the following for a moment...

1. The quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness: to uphold the justice of a cause.

2. Rightfulness or lawfulness, as of a claim or title; justness of ground or reason: to complain with justice.

3. The moral principle determining just conduct.

4. Conformity to this principle, as manifested in conduct; just conduct, dealing, or treatment.

5. The administering of deserved punishment or reward.

Do these come to mind? Or when someone says Justice today, does one get this idea of "Social Justice" - the righting of social wrongs? Now I am not saying this is a bad thing, but wiser minds than I have said that "stealing from one person is the work of a thief, while stealing from many is social justice".

I'm not here to talk about Social Justice, I'm talking about Justice that has to do with the righting of wrongs done by concrete evil, by people who are evil and depraved, like Saddam, Hitler, Kim Jong Il, UBL, Hugo Chavez, or Amadinejhad. Justice where you know something is wrong and it must be fixed, that evil is at work and that evil needs a good vanquishing.

Do we talk about this in Christian circles anymore? (Outside of the Military that is...) Nope. We talk about Faith, Hope, Love, Mercy, Unity, ect. Not that these are not important, they are, but certian concepts are forsaken today because they are hard, and the world doesn't like them. They force us to confront the inate sinfulness and depravity of man, for he is NOT good in and of himself, contrary to what David Sanger and Benjamin Creme would have someone believe (no, you aren't God, and Bruce Almighty checked out a long time ago...).

I think the Military has a good handle on this, better than anyone else, and even then, that solid foundation for the confronting and vanquishing of what is evil may be diminishing, as the god of Political Correctness is paid homage, creating a void of blackness that still needs something to fill it...which is increasingly difficult when the gods of tolerence won't let God enter the picture for these troops to rely on, barring Chaplins from doing what they want to do, to walk through the valley of the Shadow of Death with their men, their comrades.

Maybe all of this is because my brother is about to join the brotherhood that is the United States Air Force, as he begins his training in just over 24 hours, or maybe this is me stating a position on the eve of the political war that is going to break out when the Democratic majority attempts to stop the efforts of the President to go forward with the extra troops, attempting to strip the military of funding to use to fight the central front on the War on Terror - thus leaving my brother and his fellow Airman unable to defend our freedom.

I find myself convinced more and more that a central front to the War on Terror is the home front...and there needs to be good people to fight that battle too.

And the Children Shall Lead: The Battle to preserve life still rages

2007-01-22T22:35:00.000-05:00

Today, was a great day in Washington, a day that I see as a day of hope. Today marked 34 years since the landmark decision of Roe v. Wade was decided. This was a Supreme Court decision, which like many other court decisions, has been perverted and stretched to allow for abortion on demand, even though great victories against that have been won in recent years, something that was not even intended originally, but since has mutated into faulty and fragile law, held together by the sheer will and audacity of the American Political Left and organizations like Planned Parenthood and NOW.

As dark and complicated a picture as this is, I have reason to hope. I hope because as in years past many Americans came out in support of life at the Right to Life march in Washington, and this year I saw something I had not considered in the past: many of the participants were kids, teenagers. I met with a number of them myself today as they came to visit Capitol Hill. I found myself amazed that they were here, in the blustery cold, to stand for something that all must cherish (only to find that previous years have been worse weather-wise).

Here's to them, our future, fighting for that sacred gift on behalf of those that are too fragile and small. I'm proud to know them and to stand beside them as they take up the charge given to Solomon in Proverbs 31 - to speak for those who for themselves, cannot.

To Err on the side of Life...

2007-01-11T21:57:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, the "100 hour" agenda of the new Democrat Majority continued with a vote on federal funding for Embryonic Stem Cell Research (a.k.a. Stem Cell Research). Now in August of 2001, President Bush enacted a law which allowed for Federal Funding to go to Embryonic Stem Cell lines having had been destroyed (the embryo penetrated, the nucleus removed, and a viable life extinguished) prior to the day that Bush enacted this law. From then on federal funding has not been allocated for such research and the subsequent destroying of human life; he did this to stop a horrible practice that had been going on in the name of science and progress.

One must recall that there are now multiple sub-headings under the term "Stem Cell Research". One is Embryonic Stem Cell Research (ESCR) as described above. Another type is Adult Stem Cell Research (ASCR), where Stem Cells are taken from a living and breathing person, post womb, and certian cells are used to create cells of the same type. The third (and a recent breakthrough) is Ambiotic Stem Cell Research, a recent development that has unvieled the ability of scientists to take stem cells from the ambiotic fluid that results from the birthing process. This new development allows for the acquisition of stem cells that have similar properties to embryonic stem cells, without actually destroying the embryo.

Now the distinction that has just been laid out rarely ever enters the public discourse. When SCR is put before the public, "Stem Cell Research" means "Embryonic Stem Cell Research". These other procedures are rarely discussed, much less hailed as the incredible advances that they are. It is ASCR that has yielded 70+ cures for different diseases, while ESCR has yeilded no cures or great advances. Additionally, it has been reported ESCR trials in labratory animals have actually yeilded cells that have become cancerous within the animals that ESCR cells were injected to. With ASCR, this has not has not happened, not to mention the fact that ASCR has been sucessfully used on people and ESCR has not. This lack of distinction caused former Senator Jim Talent of Missouri to lose his seat in the Senate as of November 2006, because his opponent (and the Media) painted him to be "Anti-Stem Cell Research", when in truth he supported the stem cell research procedures that yeilded results and protected innocent life. His sitation highlights the fact that the distinction needs to be made and certianly in races for political office, because if not things can go down a dark path.

Enter House Resolution 3, the Democratic Majority's attempt to try and undue the stand which the President has taken all these years. This resolution, which sadly has passed, seeks to expand the amount of federal funding which would go to ESCR. Right now the amount of funding is a whopping nothing - no federal monies are allocated for ESCR. This being the case, many in the Democratic party would have the public believe that ESCR is not going on at all because it recieves no federal funding. Contrary to this, ESCR actually happens all over the country in the halls of research facilities and universities, but this is all finding by the private sector. The new Democratic majority wants to see federal funding go to support ESCR. In layman's terms, Democrats want to see your tax dollars go to fund research that has yet to yield a worthwhile return on the investment that the private sector has put into it. Additionally, this funding (America's tax dollars) would go to extinguish viable life that would be destroyed as a by-product of ESCR.

Now a question arises amongst all of this: if ESCR has yet to yield a solid return on investment (even in the private sector) and also extinguishes innocent life by destroying embryos, then why would it be so solidly supported by the new Deompcratic majority? To find the answer, return to the beginning: the President's stand on ESCR. H.R. 3 is a bill that is identical to a bill that was put forth last year. It passed both the House and the Senate, but when it reached the President's desk he VETOED it (as he should have). This is the only bill he has ever vetoed as President. That said, why is this such a big deal to the new majority?

Answer: Vengence

This time around, if the bill reaches the President's desk and he vetos it again, as he says he will, the new majority in both the House and the Senate will attempt to override the Presidential veto. They will attempt to override the veto and allow the tax dollars of hardworking Americans go down the drain, through the use of federal funding being put towards reseach that has done little to no good and extinguishes innocent life.

All of this in the name of vengence, in the name of "beating" the President. This is certianly an err, but it is not an err on the side of Life.

Is America winning the "Shadow War?"

2007-01-09T20:19:00.000-05:00

Yesterday it was announced that the United States has clashed with terrorists in Africa, in Somolia (of Black Hawk Down fame). This was a terrorist capturing and killing operation. Greater detail about the situation can be found here, thanks to Richard Miniter of Pajamas Media.

When things like this transpire, and the public is made aware of it, it leads to the question of "Is America winning the Global War on Terror"? This question is a very pertinent one, as the President unviels his new plan for the War in Iraq tomorrow night, and Congress considers legislation concerning the implimentation of the suggestions made by the 9/11 Commission to improve security.

It is my personal opnion that the answer to that question is "yes, America IS winning the War on Terror". Many would disagree because of the President's comments in the past, but it must never be forgotten that Iraq is not the entire theatre, as well as the fact that America has not been attacked in these last five years. The fact that America has not been attacked begs the question of why hasn't America been attacked in the last five years?

I believe the answer lies in what we don't hear, what we don't know. Earlier I mentioned Richard Miniter of Pajamas Media. Mr. Miniter has garnished a reputation as a expert on terrorism, and has written three best-selling books on the War on Terror. In his second book, Shadow War, he deals heavily with events and operations from September 2001 through March 2004 (the bombings in Madrid, Spain) that the US government took part in and spear-headed to hunt down and capture (or kill) terrorists plotting against the United States (and much of what he details had never been reported prior to the publishing of this book). It is because of the vigilance that Miniter portrays, that America has not been attacked since 9/11. During this time, many terrorists were captured or killed. Have there been mistakes and does Shadow War talk about some of them, it sure does. However, America is still attack free at this point and it is not because the terrorists have not tried (consider the Shoe Bomber, Richard Reid, and the plot in August of 2006 to hijack planes from London to the United States).

Having now read such a volume, I find myself wondering about the operations that have happened across the world since March of 2004 that no one knows about, operations that have probably averted terrorists plots and kept America safe. This most recent operation in Somolia only highlights the part of the Global War on Terror that is fought to keep America safe, the part that is fought in the shadows...

The First "100 Hours": Are Promises Broken, Set Precedent?

2007-01-08T19:00:00.000-05:00

Back in December of 2006, one of the prime headlines in both Roll Call and The Hill (Capitol Hill newspapers) dealt with the proposition by the incoming Democratic leadership of a "new Congressional Work-week", meaning that business would start Monday evening and conclude Friday afternoon - a 5 day period where Representitives in the House would be legislating and debating in Washington, instead of the three days that have been common while the Republicans were in control of the House. That was one of the big promises, one of the big shake-ups that was going to happen under Pelosi's leadership. However, the House was not in session today, thus breaking that pledge of a 5 day work week in Washington for Members of Congress.

It was later discovered that the House was not in session because of the Ohio State and FL football game this evening...

In other news, a number of freshmen Democratic members of Congress were elected as more centrist/conservative Democrats, who supported not raising taxes. However, last week, Democratic legislation was proposed that would allow tax hikes to be voted on by a simple majority vote, as opposed to the 3/5 majority vote needed under Republican leadership prior to the 110th Congress. Various pundits such as Bob Novak and Grover Norquist have much to say on the subject of possible tax increases that could be fourthcoming.

As I stated previously legislation may soon be considered that would call for the continued and addition funding of embryonic stem-cell research. As of today there has been an apparent scientific breakthrough concerning such scientific endeavors. Part of the article can be found here, thanks to Ed Morrisy of Captain's Quarters.

I read the article today, and I found it interesting that researchers were not hailing the end of Embryonic Stem Cell Research that destroys the embryo (though that is discussed as little as possible), but they were saying enphaticly that this was NOT the end to such research, just something along side of it; yet ESCR has NOT yeilded the results that the scientific community has wanted to see, but Adult Stem Cell Research has yeilded the desired results - something that seems to be hidden to a great degree from the public.

Count on this to still be a hot button issue as the 110th Congress progresses, certianly as Democrats wil try and increase funding as part of their "100 Hours" inititive.

One of the many renditions to this story can be found here and information as to the background on Stem Cell Research and what the new Democratic majority will attempt to accomplish can be found here, under The Destruction of Human Embryos for Research.

110th Congress - Signaling a New Age in America?

2007-01-04T22:28:00.000-05:00

History was made today in the halls of the Capitol here in Washington D.C. With the swearing in of the new members elect of the House of Representitives, the Democratic Party is now holding majority status and Nancy Pelosi has become the first woman to ever hold that post in the 200+ year history of the United States. I think that it is great that a woman has finally achieved that honor, but I am not a supporter of Pelosi - I wish it were someone on my side of the asile.

Does this groundbreaking event signal a new age in politics in America?

Speaker Pelosi has said that under her leadership the 110th Congress will be the "most ethical Congress ever". I question the Truth of such a statement because of the fact that one of her commitee chairs is none other than Mr. John Conyers, the Cogressman who, over the new years weekend admitted that he "accecpts responsibility" for possible ethics violations. Add to this that until recently, Speaker Pelosi wanted Alcee Hastings, a former impeached judge and now member of Congress, to chair the Inteligence Committee; the comittee that is intimately involved in the Global War on Terror.

Another facet of this incoming Congress that catches my attention is yesterday's events concerning Cindy Sheehan and the shortcutting of a Democratic Leadership Press Confrence. Yesterday, Sheehan and her fellow anti-war protesters inturrupted a press confrence and once the leadership walked away from the mic, Sheehan siezed the opportunity to express to the Democrats and the Media that it is the Anti-War Left that got the new majority elected, and thus this new majority had a obligation to end the war in Iraq and bring the troops home.

That said the new majority faces the following crisis: do they govern to the center and work to keep their new majority in 2008 and beyond? Or do they bow to the demands of Sheehan and others on the Left, bringing their majority further to the left and in greater danger of being rejected by the center-right electorate of the United States in 2008?

I do know that the Democratic agenda includes sweeping legislation changes within the first 100 hours of Congress; legislation on issues such as ethics and lobying reform, raising the minimum wage, and increased funding for stem cell research (be aware that this means embryonic stem cell research, research that extinguishes life - the distinction between adult and embryonic is hardly ever stressed).

Does all of this signal a new age in American politics? In some ways yes - a woman has achieved one of the highest offices in the land. In other ways no - politicians continue to break their promises made on the campaign trail.

Look for legislation to be brought forth that sounds good, but in truth is weak (or has loop holes that exonerate the majority and punish the minority). Look for the new majority to bow to the anti-war left while looking like they are not going to do so.

Stay tuned...

Through the Palantir: The Future of Congress

2006-11-18T22:57:00.000-05:00

36 or so hours ago, the final election for the 2006 cycle ended - the election of the new minority (Republican) leadership. Within this cycle there were multiple races - Minority Leader, Minority Whip, and Confrence Chair (A similar race too place the day before for the new Majority Party, the Democrats.) In the Republican races, the former Majority Leader (John Boehner) is now the Minority Leader, the former Majority Whip (Roy Blunt) is now the Minority Whip, the former Policy Chair (Adam Putnam) is now the Confrence Chair. Now in the Democratic races, the former Minority Leader (Nancy Pelosi) is now Speaker of the House (and the first female to hold that spot), and the former Minority Whip (Steny Hoyer) is now the Majority Leader (after defeating John Murtha for that spot, who I might add, had the backing of the New Speaker).

There has been a unmistakeable shift in leadership for what will be the 110th Congress, but the question to ask is "what does this all mean?". For Republicans, it means that they are now in the minority and will no longer weild the gavels on various committees. For Democrats it means that they now "have the power" to paraphrase from an old 1980's action cartoon involving a castle called Greyskull.

The result of the Republican elections on leadership is that the GOP may find itself in the minority for a lengthy period of time because those in leadership positions before November 7th, 2006 are still in leadership going into the 110th Congress. Why might it find itself there? The answer lies in the fact that the Old Guard has been reaffirmed, the old guard under which the Majority status that the Republicans held was lost. The voice for reform may have been squelched, and it is that voice for reform and realignment that is needed in this crucial period.

The result of the Democratic Leadership elections is that of a divided party, thanks to Speaker Pelosi throwing her weight behind a far-left figure like Murtha, who's calls for phased redeployment (withdrawl) of troops in Iraq has resounded like nails on a chalk board. She's made a back-room enemy of the new Majority Leader, her second in command, Steny Hoyer, who she also beat out for the Minority Leader post in 2001; so there is a bit of rivalry and bad political blood there.

This is the leadership makeup of the Congress as the 110th session opens in Janurary 2007, with the Democrats enjoying a 20+ seat lead over Republicans. Before one thinks that the Democrats will steamroll though, take a second look. Many of the Democrats that ran, ran to the Center/Right as conservative Democrats, even running on a more conservative platform that some Republicans. So the outcome lies with them, will they govern as they promised that they would, which would put them in bed as it were with Republicans more often than not? Time will tell.

Reguardless though, I know this: if reform and reevaluation within the ranks of the GOP does not happen, and happen soon, as the light may be dimming, then a majority exist in their name and their favor is likely not not happen for a long while. The idea that Republicans will bounce back in 2008 because the Democrats have messed up so badly that they cannot recover, is not a winning game plan (for it looks like that could be the plan at present), no, it's a blueprint for continual defeat - even if it works.

The country wants and needs leadership - leadership that is good, solid and principled. The GOP would do well to remember this and not to rely on the mistakes of their opposition, for leadership this is not, and luck it is...no matter what Obi-Wan Kenobi says...

Decision 2006: The Aftermath

2006-11-10T13:32:00.000-05:00

It's been three days since America voted for a change in direction for the country and, I think it will bear out, for the world. The results are in and Democrats are now the majority in the House by a margin of 20+ seats and the Senate by a razor thin margin of one seat. This is a change in direction that will not have good consequences, as the governments of Eroupe, the UN, and the terrorists (including Iran) are also elated at such turn of events.

What happens now? Expect that both parties will be clamoring for the alligence of one Sen. Joe Lieberman, now an independent, as his vote may very well become the factor in many pieces of legislation (and in turn whole agendas) being pushed forward. Expect that in the Senate some Republicans will pander to certian inititives in the name of wanting to still have street cred.

In both Houses of Congress expect to see talk of bi-partisanship for a time, while behind the scenes plans are set and decisions are made to enact two of the most hyper-partisan years yet - the Dems have the gavels and they will use them. The idea here is to make the minority party look like they are being vengeful, and not wanting to cooperate, thus making hyper-partisan Democrats look like the good guys. That plan sounds much like the plan of President Amadinejad of Iran in his attempts to reach the American people and make the President look bad while he, Ahmadinejad, is the benevolent one who wants peace. Don't be suprised to see attempts at impeachment, troop withdrawl, and defunding of the military's mission against Terror in Iraq.

This is what likely will happen. The question is, what needs to happen. The answer is simple - Congressional and Senatorial Republicans need to stop acting as Republicans and start to take up the Conservative mantle again, the mantle that Regan held, and the mantle that Lincoln held when he helped to create the Republican party - get back the idea of limited government. Get back to the idea of serving the people that put the representitives there and not themselves.

Let me say that not everyone does this, but many do, as the culture and draw of this town and the lure of power and prestige often trumps ideals - don't let it.

On a final note, I've learned how personal these contests can be, in that for some of us our jobs ride on the outcomes. I've friends who are looking for a job now and I am just thankful I still have one, I still have the opportunity to serve.

On the front that is the situation in the state of Michigan, well, I only hope that the state can pull out of the economic dive it is in, and I know that the re-election of Granholm and Stabenow won't help things, I grieve for my state.

Stay Tuned as we see how much actually transpires...

The Cost of Your Vote

2006-10-31T19:37:00.000-05:00

In just seven short days indiviuals from all across the country will be doing their part in the great democratic process of America by voting and in so doing will be executing, what I belive to be, their duty to the representitive republic in which we all live.

This idea brings a question to my mind: How much is your vote costing you?

Me? Well it cost 15.00 to overnight the ballot request to the Township of Canton, MI and it will probably cost me 15.00 - 20.00 to overnight the absentee ballot back so it will get there in time to be counted and rendered effective.

Some might say, "Hey, isn't that a little hefty a price tag to put on something that isn't supposed to cost us anything anyway?" I say no, not at all, because remember that we vote because we are a free people, a free nation, a free country, and freedom, well it's NEVER free. That freedom has a price because it cost blood, sweat, tears, heartache, and sacrafice - in a nutshell that freedom has cost lives. It's cost the lives of people who believed that freedom is God's gift to the world, people who fought to rid the world of evil when it reared it's ugly head generation after generation. These indiviuals, in a large part, have been part of the Armed Forces of the United States; from the Geroge Washington's, John Trumble's, and Peter Muhlenberg's of the Revolution to the Seth Welty's, Rob Hebron's Joe Knable's, Joe Schneider's and Andy Klien's of today's War on Terror. The vigilance of these and countless others over two and a half centuries are why we enjoy the freedom we do, why we can even partake in the choosing of those that represent us, for they are Public Servants, not Public Masters.

When you go to the ballot box next Tuesday, remember those that have fought so that you can execute this sacred right that we have as Americans; vote your concience, certianly, the hope being that a vote cast is a vote cast in favor of canidates who support the troops AND their mission in the War on Terror.

Alex P. Keaton and Politics?

2006-10-24T21:04:00.000-04:00

Within the last few days there has been a lot of focus on a few new political ads that feature Michael J. Fox, known to many in America as the iconic Marty McFly from Back to the Future, and Alex P. Keaton from Family Ties. These ads have been used in the Senate races in both Missouri and Maryland, supporting both of the Democratic canidates for Senate in those states. The ads that have aired focus on the controversial issue of stem-cell research.

The reason that these ads have been so controversial is due to the fact that for the last fifteen years Mr. Fox has struggled with Parkinson's disease, a disease that many believe could be cured with advances in stem cell research. Mr. Fox puts forth the idea that Republican canidates for Senate in Missouri and Maryland, Jim Talent and Michael Steele respectively, oppose stem-cell research. Within these ads, no distinction is made between the types of stem cell research that exist, mainly Adult and Embryonic stem cell research.

Here is the ad itself...

Now someone like Michael J. Fox supports SCR in all of it's forms, along with the canidates that he is doing ads for. On the other hand, Talent and Steele do not oppose SCR in it's entirety, they just oppose Embryonic SCR, as it is a procedure that kills the embryo, thus extinguishing a life.

Steele had something to say in respone to this ad, and Talent's stand on this issue is no needle in a haystack, but it is something that is out in the open.

What needs to be realized here is that there is a difference between Embryonic and Adult SCR, and that difference needs to be laid out plainly, instead of being hidden or blurred in the name of political advantage and victory; there are vital and important human lives at stake here, young lives that have no say on their own, so someone must speak up for them.

Election 2006: Analizing Evangelical Christians?

2006-10-24T19:06:00.000-04:00

In a post that I wrote one month ago today, I talked about a conference I went to involving values voters and the issues that matter to them. In that post I defined a values voter as follows:

"As I see it these voters are indiviuals who vote based upon canidates that aspouse the same values that these voters hold dear, mainly the Right to Life of an unborn child, the defining of marriage in the traditional sense of one man, one woman, and Religious Liberty."

I still stand by what I wrote then, be there no doubt of that, as I frimly believe that the Almighty does have something to say about issues that have become "hot button issues" in recent years.

What brings me to today however is the fact that there have been some articles lately that have been published that seek to take these voters (Evangelical Christians specifically) and figure out what makes them tick, to try and predict what the turn out is doing to be two weeks from today. The particular article I am referring to is within the pages of one of the latest editions of Time magizine. The article talks about what the GOP is doing to "court" us as it were and get us to the polls, not to mention discussing the implications of the Mark Foley scandal and other Republican woes that have surfaced.

I'm not baffled as to why in the last six years Christians have all of the sudden come to the forefront politically as if we're some new breed of constituency; those that call themselves followers of Jesus Christ have always been here. The reason we've come out of the wood work within the last few years is simple - decisions are being made by the government of the United States on key issues, decisions that followers of Christ know are wrong because they go against what is written in the Scriptures. Not only is this the case, but the knowledge that the Founding Fathers set the country up to operate in a certian manner, a manner that is now being violated by the leviathan of big government, a manner that is supposedc to respect all religions, not attack Christianity as it tends to do through court decisions.

Canidates and the Media want an answer, and I have one for them: stand up for what is Right and not what is politically expiedent or popular.

Dr. Ben Rush (one of the prominent Founding Fathers we no longer hear of) said it best in a letter he wrote. In this letter there response by John Adam's reply of "Yes if we fear God and repent of our sins" to Rush's question of how they would fare in conflict against Britian. In light of that question and response Rush wrote the following:

"This anecdote, I hope, will teach my boys that it is not necessary to disbelieve the tennats of Christianity or to renounce morality in order to rise to the highest ranks of political usefulness or fame"

If only such an idea were wider spread and understood, there would be no such need by the media to figure Christians out, they'd already know.

Russian Dissent: Does it exist? I thought not...

2006-10-08T18:09:00.000-04:00

Over the weekend I've come across an interesting story, a "murder mystery" that well, sure is a murder, but I see the mystery as absent.

We are lead to believe that the country of Russia is moving forward, that it has become democratic. In a democratic society, dissent is something that is allowed; as much as the American Left gets on my nerves, it's their right to protest, to dissent against things they don't agree with. In Russia, apparently if you're a loud enough critic of the indiviuals in power, you get a bullet in your skull. Somehow I don't see that as "democratic", "Stalinistic" sure, but democratic, not so much.

If that wasn't enough, the situation with the former USSR satalite country of Georgia is worsening (scroll down on the above link for this). Crackdown, deportation, and blockade seem to be the MO here, with a possible military takeover on the way; the old Bear wants to come out of hybernation, to awake once more, and Vlad is more than willing to accomidate...

HT: Joel Rosenberg

Foleygate: The question no one seems to have asked...

2006-10-07T10:13:00.000-04:00

I'm hesitant to write something on such an issue as the Foley scandal, but there seems to be something that has been plauging me about it lately. As terrible as it is, and as dispicable as it is, I wonder about his family. What about them? What has it done to them, how has it hurt them? Doesn't someone consider such factors as they engage in such loose and lurid behavior or are they too selfish to think of others?

I must admit though that I find it amazing that someone can vanish as fast as he did, it's like he dissapeared...

A weekend with Values Voters: A case for Church involvement in the political process

2006-09-24T20:01:00.000-04:00

Over the last two to three days I had the pleasure to attend "The Washington Briefing"; a summit for "Values Voters" that was put in by the Family Research Council, here in DC, and Focus on the Family.

Now some are going to ask, "who are these 'values voters'?" As I see it these voters are indiviuals who vote based upon canidates that aspouse the same values that these voters hold dear, mainly the Right to Life of an unborn child, the defining of marriage in the traditional sense of one man, one woman, and Religious Liberty. This tends to be the same demographic of voters that have gotten much press in recent years because of the reaching out to them that the President has done in both of his campaigns. Also as I see it, it is not entirely correct to call these voters "Republicans", but it is more correct to see them as "conservatives" that tend to vote for the Republican platform, as it is closer in line what these voters aspouse to.

During this confrence, I heard from a number of speakers on a number of things. Sean Hannity and former speaker Gingrich spoke on a pleathera of issues facing the nation today, focusing of course on the threat that we face from Islamofacists that seek to cripple and destroy our nation. The Honorable Charles Pickering spoke on the issue of judical tyranny and legislating from the bench. I heard speakers on values driven healthcare, immigration, and enviromentalism.

The most important session in my estimation though, was a panel that discussed the role of the church in the political process. Now let me put the breaks on for a second and address something, as some who read this might say, "but what about Jefferson's seperation of church and state?" It is here that I firmly believe that such an idea is not within the confines of the Constitution as it was wriiten and has since then been inserted under the guise of a "living breathing Constitution", taken from the letter written by (then President) Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists in 1802, where if taken in context one realizes that Jefferson was defending religion, not divorcing it, as the Baptist were concerned that a sect, a denomination of Christianity, not Christianity itself, would come to dominate the country - as different sects had the ear of those in Washington at that time.

Jefferson wrote that personal coorespondence letter to assure the Danbury Baptists that what they were concerned about was not going to transpire. One also much recall, that when the First Ammendment was written, which in truth is really the Third Ammendment according to the original document, Jefferson was in France as the American Ambassador to that country, having not even been in America when Madison penned the words of that ammendment.

Ok, back to the panel. On this pannel were three wonderful gentlemen who talked about the role that the church can play in politics in light of what God does say about certian issues that have been thrust into the political arena spotlight during our lifetimes. Two of these main issues being that of Life and Family. There's no doubt that God is Pro-Life (because He created it) and Pro-Family (He forged that institution too, in the Garden of Eden). That said there is nothing wrong with the church being involved in politics to support and undergird these issues by participating in voter registration, get out the vote efforts, and providing a arena for within which all canidates can share their views on these issues that are, in fact part of God's heart. Granted that yes, a church cannot tell someone how to vote (even though some churches do so), but raising awarenesss for such issues as Life and Family in relation to something that is the duty of every American, to vote, period.

Christ dealt with the political powers of his day, the pharisees, sadcucees, teachers of the law, and even Roman officials like the Centurion why should His followers not do the same?

I Remember...and will never forget...

2006-09-12T22:45:00.000-04:00

Written 9/11/2006

I remember...

I can't help but sit here in tears as I think about what today means. We all remember where we were, just like our parents remember where they were when Kennedy was shot and our Grandparents remember where they were when Pearl Harbor was attacked...

I was just waking up to my dad's yell and then scrambling down the stairs as I watched the second plane become a weapon. Not three days from then I was to start college in Ohio, and it was there that I would meet others with the same calling, friends who would get thrown into the geopolitical world we now live, as together we do all we can along our perspective avenues to fight this fight; be it from the intel angle, or the humble position of one tasked with keeping constituents happy so that the one chosen to represent them stays in office as they do all they can to do battle against the terrorists...

It's hard for me to watch all this, harder than it was then, because now my understanding is greater than it was; I see more now, and I live and work where I do. On a day like today that all sinks in, it sinks in deep - when I realize that those people that died in that plane that crashed in the field in PA, no only died as heros, but perserved for me my chance to join the fight; they brought down a plane thats intended target was the beloved set of buildings I get the honor and privledge to work within everyday, doing my small part to affect policy by communicating it; nothing I could say or do can express the thanks and admiration that they and countless others deserve, on that day and subsequent days, and even now as the fight continues; People like:

Doug Champaine, Joe Knable, Joe Schnieder, Josh Carter, Chris Moran, John Simmons, Don Franks, Jesse Hornback, Mr. Helland, Jesse DeVine, Justin Lyon, Nate Lee, and most of all my "little" brother Seth, who will begin his training soon.

Go get em guys, do the job I can't...

In light of this, a scripture comes to mind...

"Do not grow weary in doing good, for you will reap a harvest if you do not give up..." - Galatians 6:9

"Lan astaslem." - I will not submit, I will not surrender...

Over at Regime Change Iran there is a must see video about "9/11, five years later..."

Iran: Nazi Germany of the 21st Century?

2006-08-21T19:44:00.000-04:00

According to Ed Morrisy of Captain's Quarters, this could indeed be true.

It's been said time and again that those who learn not from history are doomed to repeat it. The horrors of what happened under the Nazi party in Germany in the 1930's and 1940's could indeed be shaping up again in Iran, as the case has been made (Mike Wallace's interview with Ahmadinejad not withstanding - of which I am currently subjecting myself to) that President Ahmadinejad is akin to a "21st Century Hitler".

Someone who:

- Denies the Holocaust ever happened, saying that the Europeans invented a myth

- Doesn't "give a damn" about UN Sanctions against his country for continuing to proliferate nuclear technology for a purpose other than power and electricity

- Equates an Islamofacist Martyr to be the same as an American solider defending the liberty of his country, not only that he says that this is a "beautiful" thing.

- Desires to wipe Israel "off the map" and "imagines a world without America"

Having just finished the first part of the interview I realize that Ahmadinejad is very good at sidestepping questions, not answering them, amd making himself look good. He never answered the question about the Holocaust and he never answered the question about "wiping Israel off the map", rather he made the whole segment a referendum on American policy and American and British control of the United Nations Security Council. Furthermore, instead of pressing harder on these things Mike Wallace backed down and let the Iranian Leader control the interview.

It must be understood that behind those black eyes, the Iranian President is saying, "Mike Wallace, you stupid old American, I want to use this to blind and decieve the people of your country, and if I could kill them all I would."

In this the second part of the interview, Ahmadinejad has called Israel a "muderous regime" - and called Mike Wallace a "representitive of the Zionist Regime" and says that President Bush wants to solve everything with "the bomb" - specifically Nuclear.

In this third section of the interview Ahmadinejad states that in the Israel/Hezbollah conflict Lebanon is just defending itself and fighting for its independence. In addition he says that Iran has not attacked another country in 200+ years, but then what about Israel right now being attacked by Iran's proxy Hezbollah? What about the attack in 1983 against the Marines in Beruit Lebanon? What about possible connections between Iran and the 9/11 attacks?

Best Quote from Mike Wallace to Ahmadinejad - "Are you ever wrong?"

This much is clear - Ahmadinejad dispises the United States, he is proud and arrogant, and sought to use this interview as a chance to decieve the American people.

The big question - Did he suceed? Not against me.

Catching up with Janet Parshall

2006-08-21T19:04:00.000-04:00

Last night I had the chance to listen to some recent segments of Janet Parshall's America. Who is Janet Parshall you ask? She is a great God-fearing and Christian woman who does a radio talk show here in the DC area. Her husband, Craig Parshall, is a DC area lawyer and an author who has written a number of fiction novels that I highly reccomend - novels that blend Christianity, Politics, and Law.

All of that said I stumbled across two segments of her show that I found very interesting:

The first of these segments deals with the Israel/Hezbollah (that is to say Iran's terrorist proxy that is fighting a war for it) Conflict. In this segment she talks with one Carolyn Glick, a writer for the Jerusalem Post, about the current situation - a.k.a. the failure of the recent United Nations Security Council Resolution ("cease-fire") to cause Hezbollah to disarm. In truth this "resolution" does not call for them to disarm, but for them to "talk and discuss".

While all of this diplomacy is going on, Hezbollah is being refurbished and rearmed, ready for what some call Round II. Who won Round I then? The terrorists and Iran - which only embolden's them against the West/Israel/The USA.

So, what happens now? How might this effect the outlook for Israel? Politically, I would imagine that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and his Administration is not in good standing with their countrymen. They have been shown as impotent and unable to conduct an effective war. Add to this the idea that a number of the Administration, including Olmert and his wife, are being investigated for corruption or sexual misconduct (in the case of the Minister of Justice).

In light of that, I hope that, provided that Olmert's government falls, Benjamin Netanyahu once again comes to power and wipes the walls, and the floor, with these Iranian proxy fighters. Netanyahu believes as the late Ronald Regan did - that peace comes through strength.

Secondly, I caught a segment that had to do with the recent ruling by a judge in Detroit (a judge that was shopped around for) that ruled that the NSA program to monitor terrorist activities (no it is NOT a domestic spying program) has been deemed unconstitutional. This decision has been appealed by the government, and there is a STAY in place (meaning that the NSA program is still in place and being used until the decision comes down).

The Plaintiff here is the ACLU and some of it's clients (thus this should be one's first clue that something is fishy). The Judge herself describes this program accruately when she said that this program "monitors international calls" - thus busting the myth that this is a "domestic spying program" - it isn't.

One of the biggest issues in this case, as in any case is that of standing, or a solid and valid reason as to why one would bring this case forward in the first place - in other words what is the damage that is being done, what is the injury to the plaintiff(s). In a nutshell the "standing" is as follows - that clients of the ACLU are afraid to call the ACLU because they believe that the government might listen in on those calls! I am not making this up, and I am glad I'm not.

Personally I think that this is great, that people are afraid to support it, as the ACLU has been one of the main proponents of "upholding the Wall of Seperation of Church and State" that they tout as the high idea in America, when in fact, thanks to the court, they have warped, broken down, and rebuilt - and inso doing have perverted the original intent of the First Ammendment - that is to say that there was never intended to be a seperation between religion and the public square (which according to the actual document at the National Archives is actually the third ammendment [or Article]).

This however is a discussion for another post...

For Democrat "Generals" the board is being set...

2006-08-19T22:14:00.000-04:00

It's popped up on Drudge that the Democratic National Committe has devised a new calander for presidential nomination (adding two new locations in addition to Iowa and New Hampsire) and has threatened to thwart any democratic canidate that goes against that calander.

Wow, what to say to this? Well apparently it is being done because certian demographic and monority groups have complained of late that their voice is non-existent in the primary selection process. While this could be true, the truth of the matter is simple, so let's cut through the bull: Democrats see this next presidential decision as their best shot to put a stranglehold on the government of the United States (following a hopeful off-year chance for victory in a few months). That said they know that they need to bolster their chances as much as they can to capture 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and this is how they apparently plan to do so.

Regardless though, this seems to be creating a rift in the democratic party, just as Joe Lieberman's run as an Independent will continue to do. To that, I say, more power to you folks, for a house divided agaist itself cannot stand.

Have we forgotten what we're up against?

2006-08-19T13:17:00.000-04:00

Last night I went to see World Trade Center. Granted I didn't "like it" as much as I "liked" United 93 (you can't really like such films). Part of this is because Oliver Stone directed it - even though I will give him points for being "Nuetral" when it comes to his typical liberal filth.

That said I know the question arises that "Hey is it too early for movies like this, because the memory is so fresh?" On one hand I would say that maybe yes, it is too soon, certianly for those that found themselves in the middle of the events that transpired on 9/11. Yet on the other hand I wonder if we as a nation have forgotten what we're dealing with here when it comes to fighting the GWOT and against radical/militant islamists that, yes, want to kill us because we are Americans, because they see us as inferior infidels - and this war is fought on several fronts.

Cal Thomas has an excellent article that once again adresses what we are dealing with, what we are up against.

I ask such questions in light of recent attempts (foiled, thank God) be terrorists to kill more innocent people, the veiled threats made by Iran alluding to August 22, 2006, the August 31, 2006 date for Iran to end uranium enrichement - as stated by the impotent United Nations Security Council, and most importantly, the failed chance by Mike Wallace of CBS news to hit the President of Iran with some hard questions in a sit down interview in Tehran.

This interview frightens me. It does so because as the blog Regime Change Iran pointed out with it's link to another excellent article, the key to understanding the motivation for President Ahmadinejad's policy is to understand his apocolyptic brand of Islamic faith; something that Mike Wallace didn't do at all! Instead he leads the American public to believing that the Iranian President isn't an Anti-Semite, but yet the media subliminally propigates the idea that Mel Gibson is.

Joel Rosenberg recently wrote an article that is a must read for anyone concerned about this Mike Wallace screw-up. Rosenberg deals with what Ahmadinejad should have been asked so that America would get the correct picture instead of one that paints this messianic physcopath as "a good guy" - as Mike Wallace commented on Sean Hannity's radio show, and this said about someone who wants to "wipe Israel off the map"?

These are the type of people that we deal with, threats foreign and domestic, and yes I think that such a cavilear attitude by certian members of the media is indeed a threat.

This, among other reasons, is why we can't forget what happened almost five years ago (and how it changed everything) because once we begin to forget, we become lax, and it is then that the terrorist enemy begins to gain a victory (and we a loss) that to us, largely remains invisible.

The Middle East Conflict's Third Party - Mr. Mel Gibson

2006-08-03T23:46:00.000-04:00

Now I like Mel Gibson, I really do. I give him total props for going out on a limb and making The Passion of the Christ - one of the most moving films I've ever seen, probably the most moving actually. However I have a problem - if you'd have watched FOX News today, well you'd have thought that his arrest, DUI, and comments reguarding the Jewish population were as important as the conflict itself that is happening over there.

Why do I say this, because at certian parts of the afternoon, that's all they talked about. Now I am not knocking Fox's coverage of the conflict itself, I think they've done a decent job, but to talk about Mel Gibson as often as they did while people are dying in this conflict - shame on them.

In other news, tensions are high in the region with some leaders saying that this is a nightmare that is hurtling towards a clash of civilizations, while Sec. of State Rice signals a possible solution - although I think that coming closer to the stand of certian countries in Europe isn't the answer.

Let Israel finish the job...

After my evening with the Copper Scroll...

2006-08-02T23:46:00.000-04:00

Last night I was up till 2 am reading the new novel by Joel Rosenberg, The Copper Scroll. The book was excellent, as I expected it to be. This novel is the 4th in a series that has gotten a lot of press in recent years, and in recent days. The escolotogical undertones aside, the novel was wonderful on the political thriller side of things. I highly reccomend it.

That said, there has been some intense interest as of late in the media about the "end times" undertones in these books. As an example, see the recent segment on CNN.

The interesting thing about these books is that they have a "tendency" to actually happen in one way or another, in that events that the books describe end up happening in real life either before or after the publishing of the books. The best place to go to see what I am referring to is Rosenberg's own blog.

I must admit that things like this do give one pause and reason to think and evaluate - that is where I will leave it...

As the Struggle in the Middle East continues...

2006-08-01T23:57:00.000-04:00

There seems to be events constantly happening in the world that vie for our attention.

A few years back (2002) the big issue was North Korea and the nuclear ambitions of a backwards country that is one of the last (but strongest) vapors of an evil ideal gone by. (NK is still an issue, certianly because of their failed missle tests as of late, having fallen into the Sea of Japan - that and Dear Leader is just jealous of all the attention that others are getting that he wants).

Then came the ever present conflict in Iraq to liberate said country and the putting down of the tenacious insurgency (which continues even now).

Recently, (as this blog has shown in the last 6-8 months) it's been about Iran. Ultimately it is still about Iran, but the recent conflict with Israel and Hezbollah, seems to have shifted the world's focus from Iran to Israel - something that Iran loves. Why, because the world is no longer breathing down her neck about nukes...for now. Said conflict though, we must not forget, is not only Israel's but ours as well. (While PM Olmert says Israel is winning, with unprecedented air strikes and troop deployments, others disagree.)

Now comes word that Fidel Castro is in poor health and has had to relinquish his duties as President to his brother Raul. Will he bite the dust, one can only hope - even if his death is "very far away"

All of these things of course, to take our focus off of Iran, a transparent problem that we just can't seem to tackle correctly - this article reminds me of "Iran's Bragging Rights" - which (to me) is a facet of the case as to why the US Senate needs to confirm John Bolton.

For Iran - 31 days and counting down, while maintaining a war by proxy

2006-07-31T23:20:00.000-04:00

Last night I commented briefly on the fact that the United Nations has given the nation of Iran 31 days to discontinue it's nuclear enrichment program, or face the possibility of sanctions. In truth, Iran just looks at that and laughs, because they know the track record of the UN when it comes to putting its money where its mouth is, and it's a terrible one.

Iran has already publicly stated that they will not abide by such notions. When will the world wake up from the slumber that it finds itself in? It has already been shown in the past what appeasement accomplishes, what happens when there is only words and no action - it invites the sort of vile action in response that happened on 9/11 - because the perpitrators think that they can get away with it. Even if in the end they don't, and they are captured or killed, irrreguardless the damage is done.

Nothing is being said here that hasn't been said in the past, the difference now being that Iran also has a proxy war going on against Israel that it hopes can be used to damage Israel physically and the United States diplomatically and politically, as we find ourselves responsible to solve the crisis. If we do and fail, we're damed - if we don't, we're damed there too.

Using Hezbollah, Iran wants to see Israel drawn into the same kind of conflict that the US Military is engaged in in Iraq - one they cannot leave even if they wanted to. As it was stated in a recent article on Why Hezbollah Fights -[to] "Draw Israel into an invasion of Lebanon and, following resistance, move to an insurgency that does to the Israelis what the Sunnis in Iraq have done to the Americans."

Hezbollah is a organization of terrorists, plain and simple, and as such they should not be negociated with or held back, they should be destroyed, as to never be able to rise like a pheonix from the ashes to haunt the earth once more. However it is international community opnion that this is too harsh.

Ben Stien puts it best...

Wise words from Peter Brookes of the Heritage Foundation

The Jedi Returns - again - hopefully for good this time...

2006-07-30T23:55:00.000-04:00

I've been away about a month and a half now. I've just had other things to do and blogging on world events has become less of a priority. This doesn't mean by any stretch of the imagination that I don't try and keep up on what is happening in a world that seems to have a ever chaging geo-political climate, just that time is premium these days and I've slacked off. The jobs and classes keep me busy.

Irregardless though, I am going to try and get back into posting on a daily basis about what is going on around the world, but mainly with the Iran/North Korea nuclear situation and what is happening in the Middle East with Iraq and now the conflict between Israel and the Iranian proxy terrorist organization, Hezbollah; these are the issues, up against which decisions will be made that will mold the world as we know it for the next generation and beyond.

To begin such a journey though, one must begin here, with a article that Charles Krauthammer wrote this past week. He does a great job of cutting through all of the rhetoric and bull about "disproportionate responses" and gets to the heart of the matter.

Also keep in mind that as of this writing, Iran has 32 days to halt its nuclear proliferation or the United Nations Security Council will consider sanctions. (We've heard this before and so has Iran, things do not bode well...)

Until next time, at the same "bat blog" same "bat web address"

The Federal Marriage Ammendment; Churches and the Right to Political Speech

2006-06-15T07:30:00.000-04:00

It's been about a week or so since the Senate voted on a montion for cloture to bring about the Marriage Protection Act. For those that don't know, it didn't get the 60 votes needed to end debate, meaning that it would have never gotten the 67 required to pass in the Senate (as something that is desired to have become a constitutional ammendment requires a solid 2/3 vote.

Had it passed it would have had to achieve the same in the House (which I suspect would have been easier, as there are more conservatives in the house and less RINO's - Republican's in Name Only). After that it would have had to pass under the same requirements in 75% of the states - either through the legislature or at the ballot box.

A tough job indeed, yet highlighting how important and final ammendments to the United States Constitution really are.

While the lines on this issue are pretty clear, and supporters are legion on both sides, it is something that I truly believe that the country needs.

It's been shown through various social science and sociological studies that for a child to have the best chance to grow up healthy, a crucial issue that that the child have both parents, a mother and a father. Children that do not have that are more likely to become deviant and not grow up to become good citizens of the great nation within which they reside.

Not only that, but religious liberty, one of the highest aspirations of the US Constitution is at stake as well. In a great article that was published a few weeks back in the Weekly Standard, Maggie Ghallagher discussed this in the context of Catholic Charlities of Boston having to pull out of the adoption business because they would not allow same-sex couples to adopt children who they cared for prior to adoption, for one simple reason - the Catholic Church forbid it. Hence, they had to drop out of the business or risk violating the law in Massachusetts.

If this can happen, being only the beginning, in the name of freedom of sexaual orientation and "equal rights", what's next; pastors getting punished for speaking out against such things because it is against what they believe? It's considered punishable "hate speech" in Canada to speak out against homosexauality from behind a pulpit. Would that happen here? It could.

Not only that, but there is a bill floating around the House right now that would protect churches from losing their 501-c3 status as tax exempt organizations if they were to speak out on a political issue. This is a GOOD thing, something in direct connection to what I mentioned above about Canada, but going the RIGHT direction, and not the direction Canada has gone. There are some out there that have not forgotten that some of the greatest statesmen in our country were once clergy; thank God for those that have not forgotten.

Iran just can't keep secrets...

2006-06-04T11:08:00.000-04:00

Via Captain's Quarters this morning, comes the tale of how the President of Iran has publicly unvieled the package that the EU, the UN, and the USA desire to present to them as incentive to halt nuclear proliferation for military means. This comes after Kofi Annan asked for the package to be kept close to the vest, by the Iranian Government, opps!

The situation here with Iran doesn't look to be getting better. As I've said before, all of the diplomatic efforts up till now have failed to achieve anything of lasting merit. This latest move continues to reafirm the idea that President Ahmadinejad is playing his hand briliantly, as his government identifies and puts on display those of the Jewish and Christian faiths. The world community is desprately trying to appease Iran in hopes that they will let up with their nuclear ambitions. I simply ask this - did the world not learn two generations ago when the same happened with Hitler? We all know how that turned out. Chaimberland's ghost haunts us even today.

This is not where it ends, but where it begins. Iran is now cracking down on the internet, filtering it like China does (using American software to do so). Never forget that Iran has a plan and a program, that Iran has bragged about fooling the West, and they (the government) have the resolve and patience of world class poker players, waiting and watching with a stalwart face. Dethroning the player that is ahead in the game sometimes takes an upset, and an upset sometimes takes decisive action to become reality.

The fact that all of this is motivated by an apocolyptic idea of bringing the world to the brink, only to have the 12th Imam, "the Messiah", bring it back and reign supreme is something that only Ahmadinejad, Nicole Carpathia, or Damien Thorne could love.

Conservatives at a crossroads?

2006-05-15T07:57:00.000-04:00

Over the weekend, as a I frequently do, I did some reading of my favorite bloggers. This time around two of them stand out like day does from night, Mark Tapscott and "Captain" Ed Morrisy. Recently, both of these upstanding gentlemen have written, at length, about the dissatisfaction and disinfranchisement that many conservatives are feeling as the '06 election approaches.

Such disinfranchisement exists because a number of those that we have worked so hard in the last six years to put and keep in office have failed us in key areas, such as runaway federal spending, dealing blows to political free speech through the McCain-Fiengold attempt at election reform, and not dealing with immigration in a manner that conservatives would approve of (at least on the part of the spineless US Senate).

Now make no mistake, there have been some great things that have come out of the last six years, such as two new appointments to the SCOTUS (the Miers fiasco doesn't count), tax cuts and doing all that is possible to make them stick, and the ousting of Saddam Hussien - good can come out of dark and evil circumstances. From another angle, I apprecaite the fact that conservative social values and faith have taken center stage once again - for the first time that I can remember in my young life.

So both good and bad have happened in the last six years under Bush and a GOP led congress (for at least the last two). Some however, may think that the answer for the malcontent on the part of conservatives would be to sit out come November. This is not the case, and I am glad that Captain Ed and Mark have both made a point of stating that fact. To disengage is to admit defeat. To disengage is to hand the victory over to those who would seek to take the country down a road that I do not want to see it go down - as Hugh Hewitt stated when he was at The Heritage Foundation recently, "If the Democrats win, we will lose the War on Terror because they will withdraw the troops from Iraq"

I see the time in which we live as a time to engage - for conservatives to engage is politics like never before, just as those that follow Christ should engage the world, not withdraw from it - the controversey surrounding the DaVinci Code film that comes out this Friday being a good example.

Here is what conservatives don't want to do when something bad happens or politics don't go their way: approach life as Tom Cruise's character Mavrick did in Top Gun after his rear and best friend Goose died - they would put him in the cockpit and he wouldn't engage. Above all, engagement is what is needed at this point in time, more than ever. As Viper, Tom Skerrit's character, said to Mavrick - "A good pilot is compelled to evaluate what's happened, so he can apply what he's learned."

That is what needs to be done here and is being done - evaluation of what has happened so far and where things are going. The question then is this, what have we learned?

If you ask me, we've learned that we must engage instead of going off into a corner and crying ourselves a pitty party.

Just like Mavrick we've got to get back in the seat and buzz the tower, so that the world knows we're still here.

Eyes in Space...

2006-05-13T10:54:00.000-04:00

According to Drudge this morning, there exists a agency that spies from space.

In a Sci-Fi sort of way I think that's cool, however, I find myself wondering why this stuff is made public and gets reported. In so doing do we not hamper our nation's ability to fight terror and ultimately protect ourselves, all in the name of the "public having knowledge"?

Now I understand the importance of FOIA, and the public's access to what the government does, but there seems to just be some things we should not be privy to, things that are in place to protect us and monitor our enemies, foreign and domestic. If the American public knows, you can be sure the terrorists can find out as well.

Where is the balance?

An invisible Headline: "US Winning War on Terror"

2006-05-11T10:35:00.000-04:00

Take a peek at the great post by Mark Tapscott of the Washington Examiner (and formally one of my bosses at The Heritage Foundation). Also, go here, to Captain's Quarters, for more

If someone needs more proof that we're winning the war, and what the terrorists are after, look no further. Notice that the terrorists want to influence our MEDIA - something that they seem to have an easy time on, because the media never reports the fact that we are winning!

On Iran...

2006-05-11T10:19:00.000-04:00

I few days ago I tired to, unsucessfully, post about the fact that the envoys of major nations cannot agree on what to do about Iran and the nuclear ambitions of that nation's government. Such indecision on the part of the United Nations Security Council cannot help the situation, yet the question arises "can anything really be done?".

Such a question comes to the surface because of the nations of Russia and China. With both these nations vetoing any resolution that has any sort of "teeth" in dealing with Iran, nothing is happening - just as Secretary Rice has announced yet another delay in deciding what to do. In waiting, the EU will resume a diplomatic attempt at resolution - a path that has been walked before and begat nothing worthwhile.

Meanwhile, Iran gets what Iran wants - time to continue to enrich and reseach bomb creation. In all honesty, Iran is playing the game excellently, using proxy's to tie the hands of the world's nations, so that nothing is really accomplished.

Earlier this week, Iran's President sent to President Bush a letter, calling for him to return to Christianity. This from a man who has no true and right view on the world, only his thoughts that are shewed by his apocolyptic vision of greatness at the hands of the 12th Imam; the letter was rejected out of hand. Why would such a move be taken on the part of the rouge government? The answer is simple - to show to the people of Iran that "it's their (the USA's) fault things aren't working, we tried, and failed". A way to wash their hands of blame - it is a clever move in this international chess match, one with everlasting and dastardly impications.

I always go back to the words of Fmr. PM of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu - who said that in Middle East culture, what is respected in such situations is shows of force, not appeasement and in-action.

Never forget that Iran has a plan and a possible program to see it through

The world has a choice to make, a hard one

The board is not quite set, but when it is, the pieces will move...

Russia and China still oppose sanctions

2006-05-02T09:54:00.000-04:00

This just in - but to no one's suprise.

Sanctions seem to be the only option that is honestly being considered at this time. That said, Iran knows that as long as sanctions are blocked (thanks to Russia and China) the hands of the world are tied, because even though military action is still a option in the eyes of President Bush, not all diplomatic options have been used as of yet, and until they are no action will be taken. It's become a political cat and mouse game instead of being concerned about security.

Iran is continuing to play the world for fools, as they go about their secret business and formulate their plans - not to mention openly brag about what they are doing.

If this were not enough cause ofr concern, Iran has said once again that they will strike Israel - this time if the USA does anything that they determine to be evil, which could mean sanctions or military action.

This doesn't help the desire by the UNSC to reign in Iran (but it does help bolster the case that Iran needs to be reigned in). Iran knows it and will continue to be emboldened by such statements. Sadly there may come a time shortly when hard decisions need to be made that will cause harm to some degree. An attempt to reign in Iran may cost Israel something, but the questions is do you pay now and end the affair or end up paying to a greater degree later.

Cautious about June 6th 2006? Apparently

2006-05-02T08:55:00.000-04:00

Now this I can't believe.

Yes Ann Coulter's new book comes out that day, and the remake of The Omen does as well, not to mention the next Left Behind novel, but seriously folks all that is just marketing on purpose - is someone going to cause trouble that day just because of 666?

Inconcieveable

The latest on Iran...

2006-04-28T22:23:00.000-04:00

Thanks to sites like Debkafile, there is access to information on Iran like this and this. In addition to that, is the latest that has been posted at Captain's Quarters - that the IAEA has offically said there has been no cooperation with Iran.

Here, no means no, and it would seem the IAEA is letting their nay be nay in not beating around the bush and getting to the point - Iran is not on board. It's clear that the US and the UK are going to continue to push the idea of sanctions, with China and Russia against such a move (of course).

I certianly echo the Captain when he said that "Much rides on the next step. Too bad the main actor in this drama is a nutcase like Ahmadinejad."

Iran: Among other things is a Terrorist State

2006-04-25T08:27:00.000-04:00

One look at most of my posts recently and it's clear that Iran has continued to be a subject of interest to me (as well as circumstances surrounding it). Reason being is that Iran is a problem. Not only is Iran a problem, but other influential nations (such as Russia and China) become an issue when they support Iran (by not supporting action that the rest of the world wants to take against Iran to stop the chances of a nuclear confrontation).

A few days ago I came across a post at Captain's Quarters that was also backed up by Regime Change Iran - that Iran had brought on board (to deal with a possible US led attack) known terrorist operative Imad Mugniyeh, a man who is on the FBI's "Most Wanted" list for his role in a series of high-profile attacks against the West, including the 1985 hijacking of a TWA jet and murder of one of its passengers, a US navy diver. - Sunday Times Article

It has been said again and again, something needs to be done here, and not some soft handed action either. We know Iran is playing this game for keeps, and that they are ready and willing to wear-down and out-last the West in such a game. Time, for all practical purposes, is on their side - not ours. I go back to the posts on "The Plan" and "Iran's Secret Program"

Also reported on Captian's Quarters in recent days is that Russia and Iran have reached an enrichment agreement. The questions that the Captian poses are indeed good ones; the answers are probably not ones that the United States wants to hear.

Keep an eye on the news this week, as Iran is nearing the end of the 30 day time frame that the UNSC gave it to deal with it's nuclear ambitions. The question now is, "will the United Nations take strong action against Iran in the form of sanctions or otherwise?"

I wouldn't count on it, not with Russia and China in Iran's corner. Look for the UNSC to deliberate more and more on the issue, while Ambassador John Bolton does his best to move towards some sort of action.

Babylon Rising from the Ashes as a Pheonix?

2006-04-19T08:00:00.000-04:00

I know very well that the Scriptures speak of this, but happening in my lifetime? It very well may be happening, as I came across this morning on Joel Rosenberg's blog.

I want to laugh, I really do, but I can't. I want to say, not while I'm here, but I can't. In my spirit I know that many of the events the Scriptures speak of will either happen in my lifetime, or the precursors to them will transpire...

Frightening yet exciting at the same time...

Has the USA lost to China?

2006-04-19T07:55:00.000-04:00

Is this really true?

If it is, which I hope it isn't, I figured it would happen sooner or later. I wonder how this will play into Future events...

Russia still Iran's "Friend" by opposing sanctions...

2006-04-18T11:03:00.000-04:00

So the United Nations Security Council still seeks to impose sanctions on Iran, but Russia (as well as China) still oppose such a move.

Both Russia and China want to see additional diplomatic avenues pursued. Such a desire is pointless in light of the fact that such efforts by the EU 3 have proven absolutely fruitless up till now. Iran isn't going to give up enrichment of uranium unless they are forced to do so, and all of this diplomatic talk that has been going on just serves as a effort to stall anything really being done. It would seem that Iran's Plan may be working after all.

Somebody needs to take they're wodden shoes called "Sabo" and put them "into the machines (of Iran's plan) to stop them" - hence Sabotage...

Iran's Plan...

2006-04-16T14:42:00.000-04:00

Came across this in the Telegraph today, thanks to Hugh Hewitt.

If playing the waiting game is in fact Iran's plan at this point, someone or something needs to halt that plan. If Iran has her heart set on waiting out the "Bush anomaly", with a Democrat comming into the Oval Office in November 2008 - a likely occourance - then there will be little national or governmental will at that point to tackle the Iran issue through anything but diplomatic means; even Tony Blair has publicly stated that Britian will not support military action. All the while, Iran will continue to try and produce the bomb; not just one but as many as she can. This would put America and Israel in grave danger.

Iran's Secret Program?

2006-04-15T11:25:00.000-04:00

Is this a new development?

The plot thickens...

If you give a mouse a cookie...

2006-04-15T10:52:00.000-04:00

You know he'll become emboldened and ask for a glass of milk, right?

What if you let a radical enrich uranium? Then he'll start speaking out against his enemies! And yet again!

A dark time is ahead if things don't change here, as Iran's President continues to speak out against against Israel and the United States (as Joel Rosenberg notes).

It seems to be much like the era of the 1930's as Bill Kristol wrote about in recent days, when the world could have done something about Hitler to prevent the events of WWII but did little or nothing, learning the hard way that appeasement isn't a course of action that works. Which is in line with comments that Benjamin Netanyahu (former PM of Israel) has made of numerous occasions about the mindset of the the people in the Middle East - that appeasement only invites more carange and mayhem, that if someone hits, you hit back twice as hard, or prevent them from hitting you in the first place.

Rosenberg also mentions Russia in recent posts, and how nearly half of the people in russia favor Putin having a third term, something that is currently unconstitutional for them to do.

Why would I mention Iran and Russia in the same "breath"? Aside from the fact that Iran, through Russia, has an ally on the United Nations Security Council - someone that will work to move against any action that the United States or the EU 3 want to take against Iran through the vessel of the UNSC - and that there is an alliance between the two nations (through weapons selling and Russia willing to assist Iran with nuclear proliferation, albeit on Russian soil), I believe that the fate of both nations is tied together, as one rises and falls so will the other.

Hugh Hewitt also has some links on "Iran and the American Left". As Hugh suggests, I also do - take a look at Regime Change Iran, probably the best place to keep up on what is happening inside and outside Iran, and how that affects Iran and the rest of the world.

Remember though, these wise and immortal words - "all it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing"

We aren't doing anything as of right now, as it has even been admitted that "our policy has been all carrots but no sticks"

If that's the case, evil will triumph...

May it never be...

Hamas resognizes Israel?!

2006-04-14T10:09:00.000-04:00

Woah, stop the presses! Thanks again to Captain's Quarters for this momentous piece of news.

The Captain says it much better than I ever could. I do find it facinating that Hamas would make such a statement, but in the end I think it's all part of a game to say - "Hey, we were willing to recognize Israel (under the '67 boarders) but they would not allow us to do so, it's their fault, not ours" It's true that Israel would most likely never allow herself to be recognized under such a condition, Hamas knows that and is just trying to play a game and make Ehud Olmert and his cabinet look bad.

I do agree with the Captain that such a move though, will force Hamas to be honest with their own and acknowledge their words, that and to admit that the United States has indeed won this round.

Civil War Brewing...but not in Iraq

2006-04-14T09:57:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Captain's Quarters this morning, I came across a piece that talks of civil war in the Palestinian territory of Gaza (now that Israel has withdrawn and given up that land). It will be a battle between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.

Now I don't agree with the fact that Sharon pulled out. I see that as former Prime Minister Netanyahu does - as showing a sign of weakness to the terrorists and others that would like to harm Israel or flat out destory her (treaty with Egypt and Jordan aside, that would mean most ofthe surrounding countries).

However, that decision was made and is now past. We are seeing some benefit from it as it does leave the Palestinian's to their own devices, reaping that which they have sown though their choices of political representation.

Keep watching in the comming days for outbreaks of violence, and as the Bible instructs, pray for the Peace of Jerusalem.

The key to Iran is Russia?

2006-04-14T09:43:00.000-04:00

According to a NY Post Column, written by Amir Taheri, it would seem so.

Having found this, thanks to Joel Rosenberg, it sure does support the ideas that he writes about in the Ezekiel Option. Add to that the fact that Russia has been far less than cooperative when it comes to the West dealing with Iran, because in Russia and China (as shown by the UNSC) Iran has two big Allies that will work against anything "significant" happening to deter Iran from her course to produce a bomb.

So if Russia is the key, then what is do be done, as we've seen that they are already "buddy buddy" with Iran and don't support the United States or the "EU-3" (France, Germany, and Russia) in trying to stop Iran.

Hard Choices lay ahead...

Iran: "Revenge of the Mullahs?"

2006-04-13T08:59:00.000-04:00

There's alot going around the blogsphere in the last few days about Iran because of the uranium enrichment situation and the latest is not good.

According to Drudge Report this morning, Iran has vowed to not back away from enrichment, saying that their efforts are "unstoppable". If that were not enough already, Joel Rosenberg cites parts of a Bloomberg story that says Iran could have a nuke in 16 days. This just conjures up visions of Bruce Greenwood as JFK in the movie 13 days about the Cuban Missile Crisis...

Hugh Hewitt has posted both his and Bill Kristol's thoughts and reactions on Iran as they shared a stage yesterday, as well as other links to thoughts on Iran...

Hard choices are ahead...

For Real: Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine

2006-04-11T18:30:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Porkbusters!

Byrd kinda looks like ol' Sidious doesn't he?

Iran: Begun, the "Enriched War" has...

2006-04-11T18:22:00.000-04:00

It's all over the blogsphere and the news, so much so that I read it on my Pocket PC while on the Subway - Iran has joined the Nuclear Club

We knew this was coming...

Now we either find a way to restrain the Iranian government or wait till they have the bomb, and watch the world change in an instant...

Iran: No longer a "Phantom Menace"

2006-04-11T09:38:00.000-04:00

The government of Iran and their "Quest for the Bomb" under the guise of "energy production" continues to be an issue.

As always, Joel Rosenberg has some great thoughts.

Ian Schwartz over at Expose the Left has the video of Hugh Hewitt on Hardball with Chris Matthews discussing Iran and the "nuclear option"

I don't have any answers here, except that I know this - America cannot let Iran get the bomb, if that happens, the world as we know it could change overnight, as the President of Iran has spoken out against both Israel and the United States, threatening to wipe Israel off the map and saying "Imagine a world without America".

Consider all of this in the context of what both Rosenberg and Hewitt call "the 12th Imam" - a situation where the Iranian President believes that within the next few years the 12th Imam (the Islamic Messiah) will return, and it is part of the Iranian President's destiny (or so he says) to usher in that return. There is striving here, towards something, an end of the world senario where radical Islam is saved and it's enemies are dealt with.

Scary Senario...

If we are not a nation of laws...

2006-04-11T09:18:00.000-04:00

Then what are we?

Laws are part of what makes this nation great, precepts that are put down for people's safety and betterment. Law helps to hold civil society together, for without such a mechanism it would no longer be civil.

I ask this question because of events that have transpired over recent days in reguards to the immigration issue in this country.

A number of weeks back, there was a pro illegal immigration rally in San Francisco that drew half a million marchers. Such efforts have continued over the time that has elapsed between then and now, culminating yesterday with various illegal immigration marches around the country, in cities like Detroit, Washington D.C., Houston, Berkley, and other places.

Why have such demonstrations taken place? The answer lies in the halls of a Capitol - immigration reform legislation that has come down in both houses of Congress. On the House side of things, legislation has been passed that would make it a felony for someone to be here illegally. In other words, if someone came to the United States and did not do so using the legal process put in place, they could be sent to prison (and probably deported). While this legislation passed, it has angered many people, as those it has angered believe that they have a right to be here, regardless of what the law says.

Which brings us to the Senate. In order for this House bill to become law, it needs to pass approval in the Senate (as welll as the House) so that President Bush can sign it - it's what the Constitution says in Article I, Section 7. So the question is, will the Senate take the same hard-line stand of "pro-enforcement" that the House has taken? This is not likely, as one of the main sticking points of this Senate version of immigration legislation has been a "guest worker" program.

This guest worker program provides a path to citizenship that is dependent not on following the law, but on how long someone has been in the country, illegally, already. In the Senate right now, the legislation cannot pass because there cannot be an agreement between both parties on this. Some conservative voices in the Senate are adamently against such a program because it provides amnesty to illegal immigrants, sending a message of "if you break our laws, that's ok, we'll help you out anyway". The President is the one that proposed such a program in the first place.

So the question comes, why would the Senate allow for a "guest worker" program, even though it sends a "breaking the law is ok" message?

It's simple - Fear.

It's a mid-term election year in the USA. Democrats are vying to take back power in the Houses of Congress, while Republicans seek to keep it. Since "all who attain power are afraid to lose it", that makes for some interesting situations.

The African American vote in the United States has been solidly going to the Dems for a long time. Thanks to President Bush, the Latino/Hispanic vote has been sucessfully courted by Republicans for the last six years. Republicans in Congress are afraid to lose this voting bloc, afraid to let it go to the Dems. Due to this fear, they are willing (for the most part in the Senate) capitulate to this voting bloc in order to make them happy and keep that voting demographic squarley in their camp (while the Dems try to do all they can to take it away). To do so means "let them stay" instead of enforcing the law.

Here, not only are we dealing with an immigration problem, but also a National Security one, as terrorists can come across the border into the United States to try and harm our nation.

Don't expect the Senate to pass something hard hitting like the House did, but do expect that whatever they do eventually pass will land us in this same spot in 2026 (twenty years from now) as what was passed in 1986 under Regan (twenty years ago) did litle to stem the tide and helped us get to where we are today, and were yesterday.

If we are not a nation of laws, then what are we?

Michelle Malkin has posted pictures and video from various demonstrations around the country.

A Burden for Truth...

2006-04-08T11:49:00.000-04:00

Note: I normally don't double post something on two blogs, but this is an exception.

I cannot explain in full what's happened over the last 2-3 weeks. Just that God has afforded me the perfect place within which to learn and study about our Nation's founding. In so doing the findings are astounding.

There is so much that we as Americans are no longer taught or instructed about when it comes to the History of our nation, some good, some bad. But it is our beginnings that I find most amazing, in focus, the reliance of our Founding Fathers on Christ and the Bible. At one time such things permiated our country, so much so that when Alexis De Tocqueville, author of Democracy in America, came to America to deduce from whence her greatness came he said:

"On my arrival to the United States the religious aspect of the country was the first thing that struck my attention; and the loger that I stayed there the more I perceived the great political consequences resulting from this new state of things"

"I sought of the greatness and genius of America in her comodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there; in her fertile fields and boundless praries and it was not there; in her rich minds and vast world commerece, but it was not there. Not until I went to the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great" (Itallics Added)

Is that not amazing, does that not make you want to weep? So many in this great nation don't know that, they have no idea of such things because such things aren't taught. They aren't taught in the name of "Seperation of Church and State" that "invisible wall" that pervents religion from entering the public square. This isn't what the Founders intended, such a wall existed so that the State could not control the Church. It was fully intended for the Church to work hand in hand with the state, as some of our greatest statemen at the time of our founding were clergy.

As I have said before, even education was set apart for God's purposes then, as some of our oldest and most respected establishments of post secondary education (such as Princeton, Harvard, Yale, and Rugeters) were started by stalwart Christian men, having set before them as institutional missions the grounding of students in the Word. Consider for a moment Harvard University and one of it's original precepts:

"Let Every Student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well the main end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life, and therefore to lay Christ at the bottom, as the only foundation of all sound knowlege and learning"

This just the tip of the iceberg; how far we've come, come away from the things that the nation was founded upon.

I believe with great certianty that if our nation was educated soundly in such history, it would have a great effect upon the minds and hearts of those who reside here, for when you study such matters, you learn the central precept that the Fathers knew - solid government of a nation only comes when there is solid governance of the hearts of the people of said nation, governance that comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. For "from the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks" (and a man acts).

What will we do, will the "Revolutionary" ideas of governance and government that formed this great nation some day return?

I sure hope so...

Teachers against Religion?

2006-04-07T19:06:00.000-04:00

It would certianly appear that way, according to an article in the UK's Gauardian.

"Britain's biggest teaching union, the National Union of Teachers, warned yesterday that religious fundamentalists were gaining control of state schools - predominantly through the government's city academy programme..."

So the "religious fundamentalists" are "gaining control" of the schools through the use of a program that the government put in place, and the government is doing little about it, as the program is being executed. Does that not tell the NUT something; does that not tell them that the government that pays their salaries, as they are in a way public servants, teaching in schools that are government funded, having taxpayer dollars as the vessel through which they earn a living, that this government is ok with what is apparently happening, therefore they shouldn't be as alarmed as they appear to be?

"A motion to be debated at the NUT's annual conference in Torquay over the Easter weekend calls for an end to state funding for faith schools, and legislation "to prevent the growing influence of religious organisations in education and the teaching of creationism or intelligent design as a valid alternative to evolution".

So they want to government to hault what it has decided to do: to promote a healthy education and debate for a child as to the origins of themselves and the universe; an alternative to the whole "you're a worthless cosmic accident" way of teaching?

"The NUT's attack is in response to proposals in the education and inspections bill which give faith groups a much bigger role in running state schools."

There's a bill in Parliment that would give faith based organizations a larger role in running state schools?! They have a role?! Imgaine if that happened in America, my gosh, the ACLU would be asking a bigger price than David's 200 Philistine foreskins to try and stamp out such an effort!

"The motion cites a recent Guardian/ICM poll in which a majority said they were opposed to state funding of faith schools."

What don't we know about the sample that was used for the poll?

Recently, the Archbishop of Canterbury warned that creationism should not be taught in schools.

A man of the cloth against the teaching of Creation? Is this what it's come to?

The Department for Education and Skills said last night: "We have a long tradition of faith schools in this country. They are popular with parents and make an important contribution to community cohesion by promoting inclusion and developing partnerships with schools of other faiths, and with non-faith schools."

If our Dept of Ed said that, the ACLU and the NEA would fall over dead!

To think that the Founding Fathers of our country could not imagine education apart from Christ and the Bible. Noah Webster, American Education's "Founding Father", published a dictionary where a majority of the original definitions of words were biblically grounded. (Since that time, and in many of the recent versions, these definitions are omitted.) Many of our University's were started by evangelical Christians and it's Presidents were Christian well into the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The mission of these locations of learning was to ground it's students in the Word and as such have it overflow into the various disiplines.

It is no longer like this in America, yet in England, ENGLAND, the country our forefathers left because of religious persecution, it is better than it is here, with a greater acknowledgement of Christ in education. Yet in America we have cases that come down that say no prayer in schools, no "under God" in the pledge, and no prayer at sporting events or graduations...in the words of DC Talk "what have we become?"

The Revolution must Return...

To Tony Blair: Carry on good Sir, and listen not to the sqwakings of the unions...

Krauthammer on Illegal Immigration

2006-04-07T09:57:00.000-04:00

This morning, in the Washington Post, Charles Krauthammer has written a piece on what shouldl be done about illegal immigration in our country.

About the "wall", I can agree totally. I like the fact that he cited the example of the effectiveness of the wall in Israel, then brought it down to basic terms in relaying what a fence around a person's house is for, discussing the purpose it serves.

However I don't agree with the amnesty idea being put forth for those already here once the "wall" is built. You're still giving a free pass to those that have broken the law - even if it serves a purpose of assisting to secure the future. There needs to be enforcement all around, period.

Conservatives and Democrats United?!

2006-04-06T11:11:00.000-04:00

There's the saying that goes something like "if it's too good to be true, then it probably is", but this time it may very well be true. In the Washington Times this morning (via Drudge) this article appeared. I couldn't believe it. Here's the first sentence:

"Senate Republicans will filibuster their own immigration bill today in the face of steadfast refusal by Democrats to allow amendments to the bill that many conservatives view as granting amnesty to illegal aliens."

It looks as if conservatives in the Senate and Democrats are united against various members of the GOP over this immigration issue, as the GOP doesn't want to do much about the amnesty concerns that have arisen. Conservatives of course are concerned about this and the many veins it touches such as security and terrorism, jobs, and the economy, and the Rule of Law. Conservatives don't believe in a "free pass", as they shouldn't. The curious thing (that isn't really when one looks at it closely) is the Democrats on this issue. They appear to be against amnesty this time around, however, the mostly likely reason is because Republicans are for it, something that normally, Dems would support, as they have no problems with giving a "free pass". However, they see this as a political opportunity to do some damage and hopefully gain an upperhand for November, doing what it takes to get the job done of trying to take back a congressional majority that has not been theirs for twelve years or so.

School Vouchers: Parental involvement in Education and the 200th Post

2006-04-06T09:20:00.000-04:00

I don't talk much here at Truth and Justice about Education, maybe I should. The only overtures I've made toward the subject can be found here.

However, this morning, Captain's Quarters has a post about the subject of school vouchers and an interesting one at that. The reason I bring this up is because of the idea of responsibility. I believe that it is just as much (or more) the responsibility of the parents to train and teach their kids, as it says in the Bible - "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it".

For some, this might mean homeschooling their kids, and I have friends who I know will be doing that. For others, this whole suject of school vouchers is an example because it allows the parents to choose what school they want their children to attend, using some of the money they would have paid in taxes for their child's public education to fund the choice they as parents make.

I agree with the Captain that this is a great idea and it would appear as one that the Republican Majority and the White House have fallen behind on. Not only that, but the following quote frim the Captain makes a great point:

"The GOP had an opportunity in 2001, and a better one in 2003 with complete control over Congress, to push for school vouchers in order to empower parents with real choices for their children. That more than any other government program holds the key to unlocking people from the cycle of poverty -- a good education."

Not only that, but it brings responsibility back into the equation, in that in people leave the schools for greener pastures then those left need to get their act together, a crucial piece that seems to be missing in a time where a song by MxPx says it all "Responsibility, what's that?"

Abraham Lincoln once said that "the philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of the government in the next". If we want to find a way to drive out practices and philosophies within our government that do not agree with what the Founding Fathers had in mind, it must start now with the school system. Giving parents control, input, and influece into their child's education is a good first step.

Mark Tapscott: on the "same page" as Richard Miniter

2006-04-05T07:48:00.000-04:00

As I was surfing the net yesterday, I came across a video of Richard Miniter being interviewed by Roger L. Simon of Pajama's Media. In this video, Miniter puts forth the idea of using the collective power of the blogs to help translate the documents that have been released recently.

I sent that link over to Mark Tapscott, my blog father and a great advocate for freedom of information and bringing in the sun to uncover the darkness of government, and this morning I find it on his site, Tapscott's Copy Desk, and there I am. Thanks Mark, glad to help.

New Ann Coulter book?

2006-04-04T17:55:00.000-04:00

Yes folks it's true. This book is set to release on 6/6/06. I don't know what it's about, but in jest I'd laugh if it was about the Antichrist. Why? On that same day is the release of Omen 666 (the remake of the 70's horror classic) and the final piece in the Left Behind prequel trilogy The Rapture

Can't wait...

A long week of nothing...

2006-04-04T11:17:00.000-04:00

This my no means means that nothing has happened in the last 7-9 days, but just that I didn't post on it, which I know is not normal. However, last week was a hard week for me as much of the physical pain I deal with on a day to day basis was at a heightened level, which meant that every night, instead of posting I would sleep, and every morning I'd get extra sleep instead of getting up early to check the headlines.

However, I'm going to try and put an end to that now, as many things have happened this week...

1. Cynthia McKinney - if you haven't caught wind of this, check Drudge or Malkin.

2. Moussaui Trial - Death Penalty an option (as it should be).

3. Iran - UNSC comes out formally against Iran, and as expected, Iran resists.

4. Tom Delay to give up seat - here and here

Believers in Christ and immigration

2006-03-27T08:12:00.000-05:00

Here we have a tough issue to tackle. On one hand, we know that God is a God of laws, but on the other a God of Grace. On one hand some believers might say "let them come, they are those less fortunate and deserve a better life, something that believers should support". On the other though, a stand that says "no they need to come here under correct legal terms, as open borders and immigration is a opening for terrorism, and the whole 'breaking the law' thing, well that's not something that Christians should support"

I find myself standing in the second camp, as I care too much about this great country to see it attacked again, and I cannot advocate breaking the laws set down by government, an institution given to us by the Father, as outlined in Romans 13.

A night at the Movies: V for Vendetta

2006-03-26T00:15:00.000-05:00

Imagine a world where darkness is the norm and government is oppressive. A world where there is an underground plea to “Remember Remember the 5th of November…”

This is the world of V for Vendetta. Originally a comic book published by Vertigo, a division of DC Comics, it hit the silver screen last weekend, after being delayed from it’s November 5th, 2005 release.

In the world portrayed in V, America has fallen into civil war because of the prolonged conflict in the Middle East and public opinion regarding it; no longer is she the Superpower she once was, much less the “City on a Hill”. Now, England reigns supreme and is governed by an oppressive government that spouted out of the country’s conservative party and considers America a Godless country that has befallen judgment. This government is headed by a man who is “deeply religious”, and as such sees homosexuality as offensive and wrong, consequently tasking the government that he rules with stamping out such a practice. The media in this scenario is controlled by the government and there is a consistent spin that is put upon everything.

Enter Ivey, a girl who lives on her own and works for the British Television Network (BTN). Early in the film she goes out past the curfew set by the government and is in danger of getting raped by the Secret Police who have caught her.

Enter V, a masked man in the style of The Shadow, who uses knives instead of guns. Wearing a mask in the style of Guy Fawkes, the man who sought to blow up parliament in the 1600’s, V is London’s Batman fighting against what he sees as wrong doing and injustice, not on the part of physco-semantic criminals, but the conservative and oppressive government. V saves Ivey, from those who sought to do her harm, and she later saves him as police forces try and kill him after he takes over a television station and broadcasts his message against the government for all to hear.

Much in the fashion of Phantom of the Opera, V takes Ivey to his lair and she stays with him, until later deciding to leave, which ultimately gets her captured by the government police.

The police process and jail her, subsequently torturing her and demanding that she reveal V’s whereabouts. During her confinement, she learns of a prisoner, and hears her story, a story of homosexual love that has since been outlawed. She was jailed and died for that offense. Eventually Ievy is let go and is reunited with V, joining him on his quest to deliver the ultimate blow to the establishment, the destruction of Parliament.

On one level the film was amazing, the acting superb, and the action tense and Matrix-like (which should come as no surprise as the creators of the Matrix did this film). On another the film is disturbing. The fault lies in the message, the politics of the film. It is no secret that Hollywood is liberal and filled with individuals that chide and bash America’s current government and the global conflict that we find ourselves in. As such they see the Republicans, “the conservative party”, a party that is headed by a man who is “deeply religious”, as oppressive and hating of homosexuals because Christian doctrine condemns the practice. This being said a movie was produced so that there could be a blow delivered against those that ascribe to the above political demographic.

It is also no secret that Alan Moore, the comic’s creator, crafted the tale as a strike against Britain under Lady Margaret Thatcher in the 1980’s, so in that respect the film stays close to the original intent of the creator’s work.

However, I began to formulate a mental image as I watched the film. I did indeed associate the government portrayed with a country, with many countries – Germany under Hitler, the deposed Taliban in Afghanistan, and more recently, the country of Belarus over in Europe; especially in the final scenes with the protest against the government’s military/police. (If you're not familiar with the country, read some previous posts.) Notice however that I did not name America among the countries that came to mind, nor would I ever. In America we don’t know oppression, we don’t know restrictions; we’re the freest country on earth. America is nothing like what was portrayed.

It’s sad to see such amazing film makers politicizing things as if they are experts in American government, politics, and policy – all because they donate to liberal coffers.

A message to Hollywood: when will you realize that the America hating is old news and doesn’t work? Better luck next time.

Eye on Belarus - Democracy Strikes Back

2006-03-25T11:36:00.000-05:00

In Belarus, the fire of Democracy continues to burn brightly despite attempts by the Lukashenko government to stamp it out. Yesterday the state police came in to October Square in the Capitol of Minsk and arrested some few hundred protestors, destroying the city of tents that the democratic protestors have erected. In the face of such a move by the Soviet style government within the last dictatorship in Eroupe, the protestors are back today by the thousands to rally against the illegitimate government that has secured itself a thrid term as of six days ago.

As the protestors are back in action so are the police, having clashed at the rally. Twenty or so peole have been detained by the police, as of this writing. The number of protestors continues to rise, as the reported numbers are somwhere between 3,000 and 5,000.

There are some amazing developments in the name of deomocracy happening today in Belarus. It's proof that the desire for democracy and freedom is strong in the hearts of many who are prevented from expirencing such freedom. Recent history has a number of examples that one can look to to back such assertions. The people's revolution in the Philipines in the 80's, and in the last few years the Orange and Velvet revolutions in Ukraine and Georgia.

Freedom and Democracy are ideas and principles that aren't just "Western" but they are universal ideas that all people want to expirence. Such is evident in places like Iraq and Afghanistan (despite recent developments concerning a Christian convert) where people are thankful that a "coalition of the willing" led by the United States has come in and toppled the totalitarian regimes that ruled those countries (the media in America and around the world paints a different picture but that is a picture that is inaccurate). It's a indiviuals God-given right to be free and not opressed by the government that they live under; the people of Belarus are doing all they can to assert that right. Interestingly enough though, violence is something that they have said they won't resort to, unlike the state "law enforcement" that has resported to great acts of violence in the previous days.

May that fire continue to burn brightly like the stars in the night sky

For Belarus

Eye on Belarus - Send in the Troops

2006-03-24T07:33:00.000-05:00

As of 3:30 am March 24 Belarus Time, Lukashenko sent in the troops to break up the city of tents that protestors of the rigged elections had been using for shelter during their protests before and since the elections held last Sunday. All of the protestors have been arrested and the square is completely empty.

What about the massive demonstration to be held tomorrow?! "Is this the last Hurrah" for hopes of Democracy in Belarus? "Say it ain't so..."

I wish I had more time, but I give my first Capitol tour this morning and I need to go ride the route I'm taking to give it, wish me luck.

Publius Pundit has more

Russian Documents, Intel, Saddam, and OBL

2006-03-24T07:10:00.000-05:00

Via Drudge this morning the headline reads "ABC News: Doc show that Russian Ambassador gave Saddam US War Plans"

WHAT?! And we think that Russia can be trusted to deal with Iran?! I wonder how high in the Russian government such a move was approved...

Not only that, but the document further varifies contact between OBL and Saddam, as the meetings may have not been attended by Saddam, but were certainly approved by him. Is this vindication at last for those that have pounded the ground with this mantra? I hope so.

This document even connects oil for food to this Russian Ambassador, man is he screwed.

Captain's Quarters has more on these alarming developments.

Star Wars director Slams President Bush

2006-03-23T08:37:00.000-05:00

In a speech given last night, famed Star Wars director George Lucas slammed President Bush when he said that ""Study abroad is extremely important; just for kids to get outside this country and experience the fact there is a big world out there, we are a provincial country. Our president has barely been out of the country."

I take issue here, Lucas doesn't know what he's talking about. Bush is the President, let's not forget that. He makes visits of State all the time, it's part of his job. As a case in point, there were rumors that the Commander in Chief would speak at the 2005 graduation of Cedarville University last year - he didn't because he was in the middle of an State visit to Russia at the time. He also went on a visit it Israel when he was still Gov. of Texas, not to mention attending G8 summits every year and the Economic Confrence of the Americas. these are just the State visits that I can remember. Barely been out of the country Mr. Lucas? I think not.

Now those that know me know that I love Star Wars. I think that in creating such a world that Lucas is indeed a genius, as Pelosi stated when she gave him the award last night. However, I don't appreciate that Lucas has joined the Hollywood ranks of those that are critical of the administration in words and on film. Such a controversey surrounded Lucas around the release of Episode III last year when he said that he had the Vietnam War in mind when he outlined the Prequel films but was disheartened to see the same thing happening again with Iraq.

Russia and China stand together on Iran

2006-03-23T08:22:00.000-05:00

So says the headline on Drudge Report this morning. Russia and Iran have agreed to stand together on Iran, wanting the UNSC to tone down the language in a statement against Iran and the nuclear efforts of the government of that country. Russia and China seek to "give diplomacy more time and space".

I find myself not suprised by this, it was comming. Iran knows that they have allies in Russia and China, so effectivly this ties the hands of the UNSC unless it drafts a statement that has no teeth and is little more than a slap on the wrist. These elements within the UN weaken it's ability to "govern" and speak out on such issues, rendering the body ineffective (to a greater degree than it already is). As I have said many times, Iran is already mocking the West and will continue to do so until we hit back hard. Talks have failed, it's time for action, at least some hard hitting sanctions.

Criminalizing Jesus?!

2006-03-23T07:56:00.000-05:00

This morning (via Drudge Report) came this article concerning some recent comments from Hillary Clinton, the Jr. Senator from New York. Captain's Quarters is reporting on this as well, with some great analysis of the landscape in Israel during Christ's time, as to historically refute Clinton's comments about Christ being an "illegal immigrant".

Seriously, what is this? Clinton trying to suddenly invoke Jesus as to appease someone? If you're fooled by such a reference, please raise your hand. It's just a marketing tactic, that's all, just more positioning for a race in 2008 that she'll lose. Let the chess game continue.

Law and Order: NBC's political arm

2006-03-22T22:19:00.000-05:00

Tonight and last week, NBC's most recent episodes of the hit show Law and Order have served to make huge political statements.

Last week's episode dealt with the killing of a secret service agent, one connected to a high profile lobbyist who was connected to indian tribes. This plot was a clear swipe at Jack Abrahoff and his dealings with indian tribes and politicians on both sides of the asile.

Tonight's episode dealt with the killing of a private contractor who was back from Iraq. He was killed by the brother of someone he worked with, someone he sent to die. Various comments were made about Bush, Cheney, Haliburton, Exxon, and other companies and "the power they have". The key comment being about "doubting where the country is going in Iraq"

*sigh* It never stops does it, and George Clooney says he's proud of being out of touch...

Afghanistan: Christians Under Fire pt. III

2006-03-22T21:55:00.000-05:00

Today has been a big day in this whole situation as President Bush has finally come out and commented on this while he gave a speech today in West Virginia. Countires like Canada, Denmark, and Germany are lining up in favor of Rahman's freedom. Even CAIR is advocating for it; that's amazing. As always, Michelle Malkin, Captain's Quarters, and Tapscott's Copy Desk have more on the situation.

Finally something is happening and the world is speaking up on behalf of this courageous Christian Warrior!

Eye on Belarus: Is "People Power" dying?

2006-03-22T08:10:00.000-05:00

One again, Captain's Quarters and Publius Pundit are keeping an eye on Belarus for those interested. It seems that the momentum of the "People's revolution" has died down some, due to a number of different factors, such as climate conditions and actions taken by Lukashinko to quell what he would see as "civil unrest". There seems to be plans to reconviene this weekend to protest again, but momentum may be lost and as such, needs to be regained.

I continue to marvel at, and tip my hat to, the courage of those under such opression who want to see their country free.

Christian under Fire pt. II

2006-03-22T07:59:00.000-05:00

This morning, Captian's Quarters, Tapscott's Copy Desk and Michelle Malkin are running posts on the Christian man in Afghanistan who is being threatened because of his faith in Jesus Christ.

There has finally been a United States response to the issue, albeit a response that has been softer than other countries. Why there hasn't been a actual presidential response to this I don't know, but there should be one. That country is supposed to be liberated from such henious acts under it's new constitution and government, something that doesn't seem to be happening with any deliberate speed. Under such a system there should be respect and tollerance for differing religious beliefs. This isn't just a United States democratic idea, but a universal underpinning of democracy that should be available to all. I may not agree with the differing faith of another, but I don't threaten to kill him for it, which is exactly what is happening here.

If nothing else, pray for this man, that the power of God might be evident and that he might be used in a mighty way for the Father's purposes.

HILLARY Positioning - "It's her time now"

2006-03-21T12:32:00.000-05:00

In the New York Daily News today, it's been reported that HILLARY now has control and "the final say" in what her husband, the former president, says and does, because "It's her time now"

A very telling quote: "The senator's camp knows, however, when it's politically prudent to put her near her husband, like when they visited victims of Hurricane Katrina, the funeral for Coretta Scott King and in Israel at the anniversary of the assassination of Mideast peacemaker Yitzhak Rabin." (Italics/Bold Added)

Thus continues the saga of HILLARY positioning herself for what I beleive will be a failed attempt at another eight years at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. If she gets the nod, then the conservative network will come out of the woodwork in greater numbers than they did in the 2004 cycle, it will be a sight to see, such a class of the idological titans. Those that oppose HILLARY (such as myself) know what she's really about, that all of this pro GWOT and pro Troops talk is just that, talk. It's all in positioning herself as a centrist that she hopes to win. In her attempt to do such, I hope she fails, completely.

All of this has been said time and time again, but it bears repeating - a mark of important information. If it worked for Solomon when he wrote Proverbs, then it works for me.

Eye on Belarus...

2006-03-21T11:27:00.000-05:00

This morning, events are continuing to unfold in Belarus. Over at Captain's Quarters, Captain Ed has the latest and at Publius Pundit, there is a great deal of background.

Finally, something might break. I for one hope that Belarus goes the way of Georgia and Ukraine. This of course wouldn't make Russia happy, and it will be interesting to watch what happens and see Russia's response toward the country that serves as the buffer to the European Union if it has it's "Orange" or "Velvet" revolution

Bush on Iran: It's all about the EU 3

2006-03-21T10:57:00.000-05:00

This morning, President Bush is giving a informal press confrence to the American people and his press corps. In this press confrence, President Bush has said that the diplomatic efforts to deal with Iran fall on the EU Three: Germany, France, and the UK. The desire is to solve such issues diplomatically, and to that end the permanent five members of the United Nations Security Council (and Germany) are going to meet this week. The United States seeks to work with all of the members here, including Russia and China.

With such a plan, there are two great problems. The first problem is that the EU Three's efforts have produced little results of note, in other words things have failed. Such failure has led Iran to even boast about how they have fooled the West. Secondly, trying to work with Russia and China on such things is very difficult as Russia has worked in recent months to asssit Iran with the nuclear ambitions, vieled in diplomatic talks. Even those attempts have "failed" in one way or another. Both countries have stalled votes on Iran that the Security Council has tried to pass, along the lines of sanctions and such.

There needs to be other action taken, as diplomatic talks seem to be going nowhere fast.

Situation: Belarus - The Catch 22

2006-03-20T19:37:00.000-05:00

This morning various news wires and networks had reported the overwhelming victory in Belarus in the elections; the victory wasn't for democracy though, it was a tyrant's victory by way of a rigged election. One pole however surmises that the victory margin for the current and still "President" of the country was much less than reported, saying that such margins were inflated to twice their actual size, meaning that the tyrant that currently rules the country was not able to get the 50% vote needed to actually win the contest.

So what will the world do about such a situation? It is within this question that the Catch 22 becomes apparent because for the West and the rest of the world to do something, it would need to be jarred into action by massive bloodshed (and many world die). However, those in power aren't stupid and know if that bloodshed comes and the United States and other countires are spurred into action then trouble will be at their doorstep. So the bloodshed needed to spur action will never come, and the world will do little to nothing about the last Soviet era dictatorship in Eroupe.

Something must be done, what is it - no one knows, yet...

Afghanistan: Christian under Fire

2006-03-20T08:03:00.000-05:00

Yesterday and today, via both Michelle Malkin and Joel Rosenberg, I've read accounts of a man in Afghanistan who's on trial and under threat of execution for being a believer in Jesus Christ. I can't imagine that, I just can't. It also makes it tough to ligitimize a belief system that is prime in a country that would do such to a man. Think of this one case that is actually getting "press" through such blogs...and consider the many cases no one outside of that country ever hears of...

Don't know what else to say...

A weekend for Protests and Demonstrations

2006-03-18T12:33:00.002-05:00

Anti-War demonstrations are going on this weekend across the world. In countires like Australia, Japan, Turkey, Spain, Germany, Greece, Austria, and Denmark. Now the Denmark one catches my eye because of the cartoon row that's now a days getting little press, but a month or so ago was all the rage, a situation that can ultimately be linked to the GWOT just as these protests against the war in Iraq are.

However, in the name of Freedom and Liberty, a few things are happening this weekend.

There is an anti-China rally happeneing in Tiwan to protest the mainland's threats to attack the island.

Also, there's another demonstration of note happening this weekend right here in Washington DC - one concerning the political freedom of the country of Belarus.

I posted on it a day or so ago, here. It's tomorrow from 8 am - 8 pm, corresponding with tomorrow's elections in Belarus. Many indiviuals will be comming to the Ebassy of Belarus to vote in this election, which is also where the demonstration is going to be held.

Those that are vying for their freedom in that country have many obstacles to overcome, the greatest of which is a oppressive government of old Soviet style that has done all it can to oppress those that would stand up against it in the name of Freedom. The Opposition party to this tyrannical government has endured much to get to the elections that will be held tomorrow, and even though a hard loss is likely, I tip my hat to those with the courage to stand up under opression and do all they can in the political process to stop it.

For Belarus.

A Benifit of Sunshine Week: Documents Decoded

2006-03-18T11:30:00.000-05:00

A few days ago, I posted on Sunshine Week, the week every year when government transparency becomes the big issue. This time around a number of documents have been released to the public, documents that concern the GWOT. Found here, thanks to Iraq the Model, Michelle Malkin, Pajamas Media, and the army of translators, is the first of many of those documents. If this is just the first, I am certianly interested in seeing more.

Go ahead, connect the dots, what do you see?

The "Return" of Iran

2006-03-18T10:59:00.000-05:00

The big news on Iran, for the last week or so, has been that they are now willing to sit down with representitives of the United States and "discuss" Iraq (i.e. the role of the Iranian government in shadow operations to support the Al-Quieda/Baa'thist insurgents). While some would say this is a sign of Iran finally cracking, Stephen J. Hadley, the President's top Foreign Policy advisor, states differently saying that this is most likely a ploy to divert attention from the fact that Iran wants a nuclear bomb.

Make no mistake, the government that is in power in Iran at this time hates the United States, and I posess little doubt that their government is doing what they can to spin this in their favor at the hands of the state run media, saying things like "look, the US wants to talk with us instead of using force because they fear us"

I'm reminded of what Benjamin Netanyahu said a number of months ago when on"Your World w/ Neil Cavuto" - that in the Middle East, the only thing that is truly respected is force, not talks, not giving land away, but strengh for strength force. The former prime minister cited the example of when he was in charge how there were 2-3 years of relative peace because the enemies surrounding Israel knew that if they did anything, Israel would strike back twice as hard.

I can't help but think the same thing here, that talks will do little, certianly when you have an apocolyptic madman as President of that country.

If events such as these were not enough, Russia of course is putting in its two cents as well. Thanks to Joel Rosenberg there's an interview posted that was done by a Russian news agency, in which one of the top nuclear minds in Russia said "Iran can have nukes"

In all honesty I'm wating for a full fledged Russia-Iran allicance. There are many things we don't know, things going on behind closed doors that are hidden from view, but I think it'll come. Remember, this is the same country that has said that Hammas is not a terrorist organization.

In addition, Captain's Quarters reports that "Russia says 'Neyt' to quick action on Iran" from the United Nations Security Council, as other members want things done in a mre expiedient manner. Not suprisingly, China backs Russia's stance on the issue.

Again, I go back to what Netanyahu said about Middle East culture and force. The actions of the world community at this point have done little, except give Iran bragging rights to flaunt about how they have duped the West and give them additional time to reach their goal of attaining the bomb. There has to be some way to put Iran in its place, if not, the world may never be the same.

Developments in the world of Roe v. Wade

2006-03-17T17:30:00.000-05:00

No, we're not talking about Ray "I don't care how they get out of the city" Nagin.

We are talking about the ever present conflict over right to life for the unborn. In an interesting turn of events, espically since the state legislature has shown interest in imposing tough abortion restrictions, Tennessee has issued a ruling through it's courts concerning pro-life lisence plates.

On the more ugly side of the tracks though, two women have died after using the RU-486 or "morning after pill". It's unknown if the pill is the cause, and an investigation is underway.

For Freedom in Belarus

2006-03-17T08:15:00.000-05:00

Yesterday evening, Captain's Quarters had a post on Belarus, the last Soviet style dictatorship that serves as a buffer between Russia and the former Soviet satillite countries that have joined the EU in the last two years or so.

Why might I take note? It's because I met Henry Johnson, the Founder of Poglyad a non-profit organization that does all it can to promote Democratic Freedom in that country. Henry has family ties there so this is an issue very close to his heart. Not only that, but Henry has worked very closely with the congressional office that I now work for, as our office has championed this cause. In support of the attempts at Democratic Freedom, that are being snuffed out by the government, there will be a demonstration rally this Sunday at the Embassy of Belarus. I'm going to do my best to be there to support such a great effort.

As important as Democracy in the Middle East is, there are other countries that need to expirence the March of Freedom as well.

For Belarus.

Adjusting to the new life and jobs amidst Sunshine Week

2006-03-16T22:42:00.000-05:00

Now that I've gotten settled and life is in what seems to be full swing, I'm finding that I've got little time to blog like I used to, the solution - less sleep I guess.

As I discovered a few days ago, it's Sunshine Week here in Washington. It is during this week that various events go on (sponsored by various organizations across the board) that seek to promote greater tranparency and honesty within government, to "shine the light in the darkness" - very John 1:5 or John 3 like (when Christ is talking about Darkness hating the light because their deeds are evil). I went to one such event at The Heritage Foundation on Tuesday. This is a great concept and idea that is also supported through op-eds and blog posts among other things.

Within this vein, comes the following BIG NEWS thanks to Michelle Malkin, that a gaggle of documents on Iraq have been released to the public.

Certainly a step in the right direction

The Return of the "Jedi" Blogger

2006-03-12T21:48:00.000-05:00

The last four days have been rather busy, as I've moved my life half way across the country again, back to Washington DC. It's good to be home, that's for sure. So starting tomorrow I'll be back at it.

For now consider this: Iran builds a secret bunker and "how could Iran inflict pain on the West?" This is how.

The People of Iran: Not a "Happy Camper"

2006-03-08T10:30:00.000-05:00

At Captain's Quarters this morning, Captain Ed has posted on a story run by the Washington Post. It concerns the unease felt by the Iranian people with reguards to their government's stand against the world. I touched on this about a week or so ago, here.

No matter how one looks at the situation as it stands right now, the losers seem to be the Iranian people - the people that resent their government for how it rules, and struggle under its boot. Even if military action is taken, and I support it being so, the people of the country will find themselves continuing to suffer at the hands of their government, possibly as retaliation for any action taken by the nations of the world against them (the government). This assists (I believe) in making the case for State Department funding going towards democracy efforts in Iran (as the Sec. of State testified a few weeks ago).

If you give a mouse a cookie...he'll ask for a glass of milk...that's happening right now as the Iranian government has turned down proposal after proposal, because the cookie of negocations (period, and not instant military action) wasn't good enough, now Iran want the to milk the situation until they get what they want - doing all they can to use fear to keep the EU in a corner, cowering like a frightened puppy.

Democratic Party finally on the ball?

2006-03-08T10:10:00.000-05:00

It has been released that a new voter information effort is underway for those that are left of center politically. As one might surmise, such an effort is headed by the DNC and its chairman. However, this time that is not the case at all. The effort to catch up to the GOP in using technology to harness and collect such information is actually being headed by Harold Ickes (a longtime Clinton aide) in what seems to be a break from the norm, signaling a "no confidence" vote in current DNC Chairman, Howard Dean. If that were not enough, the billionare leftist, George Soros is said to finance this entire operation.

Clearly this is an effort to ratchet things up for HILLARY ('06/'08). In addition this is a sign that the current path of the Democratic Party is a failure and some within the ranks are trying to turn the ship around for HILLARY's sake, as to not totally blow her chances at another eight years in the White House.

With this turf war going on, does that mean that conservatives and the GOP can hail the end of the Democratic Party?

Iran to America: "Harm and Pain"

2006-03-08T09:48:00.000-05:00

That's the Drudge Report Headline this morning. It's part of a statement made in retaliation against the US for our role in bringing Iran before the Security Council and calling them on the carpet for their nuclear program.

How long will it be now before the UNSC takes some serious hard hitting action? I posted on the chances of that here and also here. Bottom line - chances are the burden will once again fall to the USA to mop up the mess, with the help of coalition partners.

House conservatives reach out for fiscal sanity

2006-03-07T10:11:00.000-05:00

It's a better and brighter day in Congress today, as the Republican Study Committee takes aim at fiscal sanity by putting together an alternative budget proposal for FY '06-07.

In this proposal, the RSC seeks to cut 650 Billion over five years. Part of this would be done by slashing Medicare and Medicade, as well as cutting back funding for the Energy, Commerce, and Education Departments.

On it's face, this looks like a good proposal, however I have one concern with it - Medicare. If funding is slashed by 350 Billion over 5 years, that being 70 Billion a year, what will that do to the 7,000 or so Medicare service providers that specialize in Medicare home health - a alternative to keeping patients in the hospital and spending $2500 a day doing so. Instead, patients are cared for in their own homes, by trained professionals, at a fraction of that $2500 price tag. The organizations that specialize in this kind of care (those associated with hospitals and those not) get their funding to care for people from the government and across the board, such an industry sees being cost effective as an excellent way to save government funds insteaad of having the rug pullled out from under them and making them do the same care at the same level of excellence, with less. It sounds a lot like the Israelites having to deliver the same quota of bricks under Pharoah without having easy access to the straw.

The people who administer the care to those that need it, they have names, faces, famlies, and lives - just as those that need Medicare do. Consider their provisions before making decisions.

h/t: Captain's Quarters

College Terrorism

2006-03-06T22:45:00.000-05:00

Over at Tapscott's Copy Desk, Mark Tapscott continues to investigate the OU Bomber case, now in light of the incident last week at UNC Chapel Hill.

It will be interesting to continue to compare and contrast both of these incidents. Reguardless though, facts need to be laid out in the open and further happenings prevented.

h/t: Mark Tapscott and Michelle Malkin