The Islamic terrorists win another one in the UK. This UK TV show has decided not to do a scheduled story line that included an attack by Islamic Terrorists because they don’t want to offend Muslims. Hmmm! What type of terrorists has declared war on the west? A) Protestant B)Catholic C) Hindu D)Jewish E) None of the above
If you answered E) none of the above you would be correct. The terrorists that have declared war on the west do it in the name of Islam. But the west wants to stick its head in the sand and worries about offending Muslims instead of putting pressure on the leaders of the Islamic religion to step up its efforts to clear the name of their religion if they choose to do so. This is so disturbing on so many levels and it is another defeat against the west even though we will not see it that way.
The truth is the truth, and the truth is not always politically correct. Political correctness will be the death of all things good, including the ability to speak the truth. Just a thought…
8/17/2007 - The first person to purchase the book...
I have received so many kind comments from friends and family that have been buying my book, My Life; Ignored! I want to thank you all!
The first official order that came through the web site was from the person that introduced me and my wife Justine in college, Paula. Without that introduction, the tale I tell in My Life; Ignored! would be a much different one than the one being told. In the Forward of the book, my brother Kenny, sisters Christine, and Trishia write some kinds words including their memories of me growing up. Kenny references the Jimmy Stewart movie “It’s A Wonderful Life” and I couldn’t help thinking that if Paula didn’t introduce us, what my life would have been like. I have been blessed with this life and it is ironic that although I haven’t spoken to Paula in such a long time, and have not seen her for an even longer time, she was the first order.
Now that I am in the “author club” (there is a secret society of authors and I probably shouldn’t be sharing this with you) but they told me it is usually the author’s mom that buys the first 100 books. I failed to inform my mom of this policy since I am new to the “author club”. I am sure my mom is relieved since that would have really dampened her encouragement of me to finish the book. Knowing she had to purchase so many to get the ball rolling.
Anyway, thank you Paula for not only introducing Justine and I but for being the first to purchase My Life; Ignored! I hope you enjoy it!
If you would like to purchase it “just click here”. Mom? Only kidding, she has bought enough to place me on the New York Time’s best selling list!
You will not find this assault on free speech in any newspaper or evening news casts even though it should be a front page or lead story everywhere! There is an ongoing assault on the talk radio circuit, and in particular, Michael Savage, Rush Limbaugh, Shawn Hannity, and others, by the same liberals that are supposedly free speech “advocates”. They advocate the freedom of speech only when it is theirs or speech they agree with! They hate to compete in the arena of ideas because they more often than not, lose. Their ideas can only be implemented under the dark cloud of cover because when the sun shines in on most of their ideas; they are rejected. The most recent example was the illegal immigration bill that was going to give amnesty to the people that have blatantly broken our laws, and worse, it would have given immediate temporary citizenship to criminals, gang members, and terrorists. When we found out and organized around the likes of the above talk show hosts, the bill went down in flames!!! Boy did that tick off liberals and republican elitists and all others that believe they know what’s best for us and the people be damned. We all need to keep a close eye on this assault that is happening and we need to stay tuned to the radio. Even if you don’t like talk radio you need to stand up for the rights of these radio hosts because if they squash talk radio, your speech is next. Just a thought…
8/14/2007 - When we stop putting up with …
When will we stop putting up with illegal aliens killing our citizens before we enforce our borders? It is not an isolated incident and the statistics continue to support an epidemic…
When will we stop putting up with the despair and poverty of our inner cities by supporting the government programs that are perpetuating the problem? It has been going on for thirty years and we have still not learned that money is not the issue; government dependence is…
When will we stop putting up with the excuses for partisan politics over national security interests? It seems that if Bush says black, democrats say white, even if it is clearly black…
When will we stop putting up with Al Gore’s “the sky is falling” rhetoric on global warming? We should all be good stewards of the environment but there is no imminent crisis no matter what the media portrays. Maybe if he would stop jet setting around the world to speak the “environmentalist” wackos, he could do his part along with the rest of us…
When will we stop putting up with a presidential election cycle that spans 2-4 years? Can we make it a 6 week knock down drag out fight that might be interesting enough that most voters would tune in and get engaged? Model it like an American Idol show except shorter…
When will we stop putting up with…? I could go on forever but then you might not put up with me. Just a thought…
8/10/2007 - A ray of hope on the southern border...
A little good news on the illegal immigration front. Homeland Security and the federal government are stepping up enforcement on the Mexican border by adding additional sanctions on employers, adding 3 billion to the budget, and sharing information on driver’s licenses to help employers weed out illegal applicants. All good but we will see if they are serious in the next year by watching their actions. It is all about actions. The words of bureaucrats and politicians are worthless and have no meaning. Stopping illegal’s, drug traffickers, and terrorists at our border; priceless. Just a thought…
The guys that make up the Rich Hand Band were in Harvard Square this past weekend on the street doing what they do best; performing live. Pete Cassani leader of “The Peasants” playing rhythm and lead, Mike Perkins on vocals and mouth harp, Leif Benestad laying down the bass, and Charlie “Berkley Drummer Man” on the skins, and Mike’s daughter Jill shakin the shaker. Check out their medley of Feelin Alright and Can’t Always Get What You Want live and local. Check out this link to YouTube to hear their performance…
I am really excited about the 2008 election because I believe we are going to have two distinct choices of political philosophy; big government and limited government, peace through words and peace through strength. Of course there are many other differences but this election in my view will be defining because of the clear distinction between the candidates.
I believe Romney or Giuliani will get the nod on the GOP side and Hillary will get the nod on the Democratic side.
Hillary is of the belief that the government should make the key decisions in your life, especially healthcare decisions. She also believes that the government is best equipped to decide which companies survive in our capitalist system and how much money people should be able to make. She sees what people earn as the property of the government, and it is the government that allows you to keep a certain percentage of “your” earnings. She believes the market is something to fear not to participate in. She believes terrorists only need a little convincing to understand how good we Americans really are. She will achieve peace through dialogue and despises the military.
Romney and Giuliani believe that the individual in pursuit of their dreams is better for a strong economy than government regulation and intervention. They believe what people earn is the property of the person who earns it, not the government allowing individuals to keep a percentage of their earnings. They both talk about introducing market forces into the economy.
So here is why I am excited all summed up, Hillary vs. GOP:
Big Government vs. Limited government, Peace through passivity (words) vs. Peace through action (strength), Terrorism as a law enforcement issue vs. Terrorism as war, Limited Speech (Fairness Doctrine) vs. Free speech, Government running the market vs. Free markets, Feelings vs. Analysis, Healthcare destruction vs. Healthcare revival, Anti military vs. Pro military.
This is an important election and will define who we are for a long time. I would love to be able to vote for a woman as president but this is not the one. It is about the philosophy of the candidate not the gender that is important here. Just a thought…
8/6/2007 - Oh my, My book is almost ready...
I just spoke with the printer and my book will be ready in about a week. I have mixed feelings of excitement, trepidation, fear, nausea, excitement again, followed by nausea. I can’t wait for people to read it, and I don’t want anyone to read it! I think it is great when I have re-read it, and I think it is not so great when I re-read it. I am most concerned that people get the message I am trying to convey. I know where I am coming from in this book but will the readers?
It is now being scrutinized by the person that does our press releases. I am interested to see what she thinks, and what she thinks should be the focus of the press release. Will she focus on the motivational aspect of the book, the humor, or the autobiographical nature of the message? Or will she ask; why do you want to publicize this book?
Will I sell 100, 1000, 10,000 or none? Well I know I will sell some to family members because they will be the way family always is; supportive.Should I have a book release party and will anyone show up if I do?
Then I think to myself that the concept of this book is to follow your dreams no matter what others think and I get a burst of “I will ignore the critics” energy. I take a deep breath and think of what a great accomplishment this is.
I have to say running for office is much easier than writing a book so I now look forward to my 2008 congressional campaign; God willing. Thank you in advance to anyone that buys my book. Details and a link to purchase will be coming soon. It will be on the home page of my website in the next week or so. In the meantime I will be excited, nauseous, sleepless in Colorado, and really proud to say “I am an author”. Is this country great or what!!!
8/3/2007 - This is EXACTLY why you the taxpayer needs to vote…
Please read this article on earmarks and pork barrel spending; please! Our system is broken and we need to fix it. These “lawmakers” are wasting and wasting and wasting our hard earned dollars on programs that are duplicated, obsolete, or just political favors for donors, and they do it with no conscience or thought of what it means to the future of our country. We need to vote them ALL out to send a message that will be heard around the world. As long as we keep even one current lawmaker in the congress, we will never be able to reform the congress the way it needs to be reformed. Committee chairmen are too powerful and have only self interest at heart. All bills considered need to be considered by the full house. The practice of “bottling up bills in committee” needs to be eliminated. The only thing committees are good for is specialized research on complex issues. The law making process needs to be transparent and the practice of “senior” incumbents controlling the agenda must be reformed. So all you folks that do not vote out there; you are part of the problem. If you don’t like what you see you need to change it. There are always candidates in the congressional races that would make a competent alternative to the incumbent; like me for instance. It is time for huge change in 2008. It can only happen if you and I are willing to step up to the plate. Just a thought…
8/2/2007 - A nightmare in Minnesota…
The bridge collapse in Minnesotais every commuter’s nightmare that crosses over bridges or passes through tunnels on their way to work each day. Looking at the video it is all I can do but shutter to think about how the people sitting in their cars must have been feeling inside. Tragic and nightmarish are the only two words that come to mind for me.
There are heroes that need to be recognized in this tragedy like the first responders and the people that helped others get out of their vehicles. The people that helped those school children out of the bus at their own peril was a shining example of the American spirit and the value we place on human life. God bless those heroes and victims.
The investigation has begun and I will wait for the final report before commenting on cause or blame. I do know this – based on the tax revenue our government collects from taxes related to transportation and gas, there is absolutely NO acceptable excuse that includes a lack of funds for maintenance. There are only two reasons for this tragedy at first reflection; terrorism or neglect. Terrorism is being downplayed at this point so it will most likely be neglect. If I was the government official responsible for the management of the state’s infrastructure, I would be reviewing all records involved with the bridges maintenance records.
There will be blame here and it will be argued that we lack funds in our country for maintaining infrastructure. It will be a hollow argument for the families of these victims in Minnesota but the reality for the rest of us is that the funds are there, but why is our infrastructure not a priority for government officials and politicians? We will hear many excuses and a cry for more funds but listen to hear if anyone talks about the way we prioritize the use of our tax dollars. I suspect it will not be front and center in the argument.
Much will be argued moving forward but today we pray for the victims and their families. In the weeks to come we will be evaluating the facts and arguing where to place the blame for this tragedy. It will be a heated and partisan debate to be sure…
7/31/2007 - American’s are fighters…
Americans love a fight; especially when it is a fight for freedom and honor. America was founded on the belief that all good things are worth fighting for and we never back down in the face of evil. In other words; America is invested in winning. Compare and contrast that to most of the democratic leadership currently suggesting we are losers. They suggest we are losing in Iraq and the war on terror and that we should retreat now. Even when there is evidence that there has been a change in Iraq. It is starting to look like we have convinced the Iraqi people that winning freedom and democracy is a cause worth fighting for.
A question was posed to a North Carolina democratic congressman on one of the talking head shows on Sunday asking him what would happen if General Petraeus’s report is positive? His answer was “it would be a problem for us" (the democrats). Invested in defeat is where the Democratic Party has placed their political future.
So who do you want to support? The democrats that are invested in defeat or those invested in victory? The choice for most will those invested in victory. So when you start considering your candidates for 08, look for candidates that are invested in the American way of life and victory. It probably won’t be a democrat. Just a thought…
7/27/2007 - A little love…
Remember to hug your loved ones every day. I have been spending some great quality time with my family over these past few days and I am doing my best to take my own advice. So far it is so much less stressful than posting about politics in WashingtonDC. I will be back to my usual by my next post but everyone needs a break; even me. Enjoy those hugs!!
The radical organization, National Council of La Raza (NCLR), is telling its members that the illegal immigration debate was about hate towards Hispanics. Nothing could be further from the truth. The effort to stop illegal immigration was an issue first and foremost about security, and in addition about fairness and the ability to control our internal resources. NCLR references debate on the senate floor as evidence of this hate but I can tell you, I followed this debate with a passion and there was no hate involved, only common sense.
NCLR is also the group that promotes a take back of the south western part of the US because there organization believes it is Mexico’s by right. They further lose credibility when they spend much of their resources stopping the congress from passing legislation that would make English the official language. They say they want to keep Spanish as an alternative language and that is fine. Anyone can speak any language they want here in the US. The problem is we spend millions and millions of dollars translating government forms and communications; by making English the official language we can save money but also encourage more people to learn English which will improve their opportunities for success in this country.
So is that hateful? If so NCLR is right but I think it is just common sense. Just a thought…
7/22/2007 - Globalization; good or bad?
This article on the Financial Time’s Web site is headlined, “Backlash in rich nations against globalization”, but I think they are making some big assumptions here. There are 4 questions in this poll and they each tell a different story and I don’t believe the questions support the story as intended.
The first thing you always look at in polls is the population polled. It is conveniently missing in this article. Are the respondents; old, young, voters, men, women, how many are from which countries, etc… The only indication given about the population is that it is a “1000 people online in each of the six countries”. The Harris polling organization was involved but I am still suspicious. I would like to see the breakdown and weighting methodology they used before I agree with any analysis here.
Question 1; “Do you think globalization is having a positive or negative effect in your country?” The largest percentage for all countries is “not sure”. When combined with the “positive” response, it leaves a small percentage overall answering “negative”. But the story makes the statement, “Viewing globalization as an overwhelmingly negative force…” you have to wonder; how did they conclude that? I would even bet that many of the “negative” responders are not well educated in the complexity of globalization.
Question 2; “Regardless of your social background, do you believe all people in your country have the same opportunities to fulfill their potential?” How this question fits is unclear in their statement that there is a backlash against globalization. The only interesting aspect of this question is the US has the highest percentage of respondents answering “yes”. (Only 40%. Shows you how liberals have stolen people’s dreams)
Question 3; “Do you think your country should set pay caps for heads of companies?” Oh boy! This one is scary. Again, we see the lack of understanding in how private business works. The owners of the companies (stock holders) should determine acceptable wages, not the government. The government has no business in this arena. If stock holders are unhappy with the arrangement, they have avenues to address C level wages.
Question 4; “Should free competition be one of the European Union’s objectives”? Overwhelmingly positive responses with the exception of the US responses; there were none listed. Again, “backlash” against globalization?
So here is my conclusion; they used the headline “Backlash in rich nations against globalization” because they know most people would not analyze the data. Therefore; you will remember the headline and assume it is true. This is the only conclusion I can come to because their data does not support their headline. Just a thought…
If it is made in China the cost could be your life. China has closed 3 companies that have been tainting foods and medicines with lethal ingredients. I know we need to keep costs down in order to keep goods affordable, but what if, God forbid, a shipment of frozen food gets to our shores and kills thousands of us before it is detected? Is it worth the price? China and many foreign countries provide cheaper goods because they pay less for labor, have less regulation, and because many industries are government subsidized. I for one would like to know where my food supply is coming from in the world. If I have a choice, even if it is a more expensive choice, I may want to choose the product from the countries I feel understand food safety. I’m not saying I would never buy imported food from China; I would just like the opportunity to make a choice. I am betting most Americans would like the choice as well. Let China compete for our shelf space but let’s make it fair and indicate where our food products are manufactured or grown. If we know, we can choose. Just a thought…
7/17/2007 - The next attack will be due to a “hole” in the fence…
Stories about Middle Eastern illegal’s coming across the border are finally making it onto “main stream” websites like this one on ABC’s site. If you read my blog with any regularity, you know I have been blasting this trumpet for quite a while. This is scary and this is exactly why the American public squashed illegal immigration “reform” with such passion. We know intuitively that this has been going on and we know how important stopping this invasion is to our future. What we need now is to use the passion we showed for killing the bill, and redirect it to get the fence built. We need a fence and we need it now!!!
7/15/2007 - Political correctness is putting our troops in harms way...
Here we have undeniable evidence Iran is pointing 50 missiles at one of our Army bases in Iraq, and we do nothing about Iran. The Israeli’s, our best, longest, and most trusted ally in the area, with a significant interest in monitoring Iran, is trying to help us understand the threat. And what do we do? Ignore it. Before more of our troops die due to Iranian support of terrorists and militia’s adverse to democracy, we must act. We need to start the military campaign now in Iran, and our politicians need to face the reality that the Iranian threat is real. We will hear about the “no weapons of mass destruction” argument used to keep us out. We will hear that by being in Iraq and Iran“we are creating terrorists”. These arguments must be ignored and we must do what is right for our soldiers, the Israeli’s, and for future American generations. I believe the only reason we have been slow to address Iran is the politician’s lack of backbone in making the argument to the American public. We must accept that the world may see this as an assault on the Islamic doctrine, and it is. Iran is an Islamic Republic, and the terrorists have claimed their work is the work of Islam. They have said it, not us. We need to state we are at war with the ideology of this Islamic Republic, even if it is, politically incorrect. Just a thought…
7/11/2007 - Where did all my time go?
This is the title to a song that I hope to record for my next CD but it is a question I ponder often. I don’t know if I’m strange for doing this but it keeps me motivated and it also keeps me grounded. Every day I hug wife and kids and say I love you (even though my son Taylor, being 13, is starting to hug with one arm, but I refuse to stop hugging him!) because I know we need to take advantage of the time we have. When I look forward, I get anxious about having the time to do all the things I dream about doing which includes, running for office, more CD’s,the book tour, and so much more. But I never forget about the past either. The past really helps me to focus on what I can do better as I move forward.
When I started writing my new book, My Life; Ignored!, I had a hard time narrowing down the stories to tell because there were so many. In order to write a book that would have a chance to be published, I had to choose the stories that fit in with my theme; living life to the fullest because time is so short for us here on this earth. I wanted to mention everyone that had an impact on my life but it just wasn’t practical. I am very happy with the result of my effort but there are so many more stories I couldn’t tell.
So many people I have had the chance to know really well, and have had an impact in my life, may not notice their name in my book - but it isn’t because they didn’t have an impact. I have had such a blessed life and I don’t know what I have done to deserve it but I silently thank God every day. The last couple of days I have been thinking about the past 20 years of my life and the one thing I know is that the time has flown by. I have lost touch with many special people that had a significant impact on my life. I can only hope I have impacted their lives in a positive way.
I am looking forward to the release of my book but I don’t want anyone to feel slighted. Just because you are not in the pages doesn’t mean you are not in my heart. When you read the book you will see that you have made me “famous”, and you are “famous” to me for what you have done. I just keep wondering; where did all my time go? Just a thought…
Boy this is going to be a real mine field for these politicians. I can’t say if I were advising any of these candidates, I would advise them to participate in this forum. But since I don’t like any of these candidates I say; go for it! I am particularly interested to see if they allow members of the perverse groups like NAMBLA (pedophiles) into the audience to ask questions like; what is your position on allowing men to violate boys at will? And will the transvestite “community” be allowed to sit in the front row with their big floppy hats; and use the ladies room?
The gay lifestyle is tolerated by most Americans, including me, if the consenting adults are discreet and respectful of my right to protect my children from being exposed to the public displays of profanity often found in “Gay Pride” parades. I don’t condone it or want to see it promoted but I don’t want it to be persecuted either. Most Americans are tolerant but will not accept special class distinction through a government sanctioned institution, like marriage, unless it is “forced” on them. Every time there is a vote to accept “gay marriage” it goes down in a blaze, even in California.
So as a politician the only “good” thing to come out of a debate like this is for it to be forgotten quickly. This is going to be a great test of their “skills”. They will be working hard to look tolerant without producing a sound bite for the evening news. I for one will be sitting next to the “women” in the front row with the floppy hat; but I’ll be using the men’s room. Just a thought…
I subscribe to an e-newsletter (Make it Great), written by a colleague I met through my position as Executive Director of HDI. His name is Phil Gerbyshak. Phil has written his first motivational book “10 Ways to Make It Great!”, and has the dream and drive of becoming a professional motivational speaker, full time! Phil is well on his way. So why am I introducing you to Phil?
Well, first I consider him a friend more than a colleague. But more importantly Phil represents the type of person I would consider to be living a “Life; Ignored!” As most of you know that read this page, my book is about to be published, “My Life; Ignored!”, and ever since I wrote my book, I look at things through a different lens. I read and listen with my ears tuned to the message of my book which I believe is a combination of; self help, motivational, autobiographical, but mostly tongue in cheek funny!
Phil interviews the author of “Attitude is Everything” in this latest e-newsletter, and he has challenged his subscribers to submit their “Favorite attitude adjuster”. So what is an attitude adjuster you ask? Here is my secret to a good attitude and why I wrote my book:
I have a formula for success that I use and it is a complicated algebra problem. Now before you click “back” look at the formula. I believe that if this was how mathematical formulas worked, we would have a lot more “Mathematicians” in this world.
D + (GxA) = S - Like any good formula you need to know the values:
D = Dreams; G = Goals, A = Action, and S = Success
Dreams plus, Goals times Action, equals Success. My favorite attitude adjuster is to know that I am always dreaming, I have set my goals, I am always acting (even if it is one itsy bitsy piece at a time), and I define my own success and IGNORE everyone else’s definition. Your attitude will brighten significantly if you are taking action to implement your passions; whatever they may be.
Jeff Keller, the author of “Attitude is Everything” suggests not watching the news or TV as a way to keep a good attitude. That is not an option for me because as you know, I love politics and current events. My passion is driven by understanding and commenting on the news of the day. But I understand his point; news is depressing. But it is only depressing if you don’t take action to change things. If I go any further here I will be writing a book (wait I did that already!)
Anyway, check out Phil’s e-newsletter, Jeff’s book, and remember; you control you; period. Just a thought…
We need to analyze the profiles of the latest perpetrators of the terrorist attacks in Londonand understand what this means to us in the US, and how we must change our immigration policy. I have been writing for a very long time on the issue of Islam as a “religion of peace”. I have seen no evidence; therefore I consider it a religion of violence. Does that mean that there are no peaceful people in the Muslim religion? No, but the latest profiles help to make my point that this is not about economics, poverty, or a misunderstanding of a faith, it is the fundamental premise of the religion that has submission as its mission. These individuals in the latest London attacks are highly educated, and represent more than just your “suppressed” masses. They knew exactly what they were doing and believed they were following the wishes of the Islamic scriptures.
People that follow Islam believe that all must adhere to the strict rules of the “faith” and that religion and politics are the same. That Shariah law will be the law of the land someday, and that the separation between church and state is something that must be changed over time. Our system of government can not and should not tolerate any efforts of people that want to change the fundamental structure of this countries success; our constitutional separation of church and state. In order to protect ourselves from the slow invasion of our freedoms, we must limit immigration of people that practice Islam. Islam in its current form is in direct conflict with everything we hold dear and have fought and died for over the past 230 years. Islam is a political movement, more than it is a religion, and we must treat it that way. Political correctness is not acceptable here; it is suicidal.
For those of you that keep wishing that “moderate” Muslims will stand up and condemn these acts, keep wishing. For those of you that are interested in keeping this country safe and want to stop this quiet and calculated invasion of our country, we need to support immigration policies that limit the ability of our enemies to migrate here. Until we see a true movement within the “moderate” Muslim community that is actually quantifiable and not anecdotal, we must stop our enemy now. They will stop at nothing to destroy us, we must act accordingly…
Get ready for the left wing hoopla about President Bush commuting “Scooter” Libby’s sentence. There was no crime, only the stories of many of the witnesses that could not be corroborated, and Libbey ended up in a tangled web of he said, she said. This in no way resembles Clinton’s absolute lie under oath for the Monica Lewinsky episode. He was caught red handed lying about his actions. Libby’s “obstruction” charges are so complicated and there isn’t even an underlying crime that he supposedly was “covering” up for. It was a witch hunt and that is the only similarity with the Clinton affair. If Clinton would have told the truth about his sexual escapades he would never have been impeached. Scooter Libbey had nothing to lie about under oath. If you ask somebody about a story from a year ago more than once, I bet even you would have a hard time keeping the story straight. Just a thought…
7/2/2007 - Disturbing logic…
I was driving home on my Friday commute flipping radio channels and I stopped on Hugh Hewitt’s show when it was time for his “Beltway Boys” feature. Hugh was on vacation and the substitute host was Dean Barnett (I believe). Anyway, Dean posed the question to Mort Kondracke, editor of Roll Call magazine; do you believe the “Fairness Doctrine” should be re-instituted? His answer was a resounding yes, and his logic was that the talk radio discussions were bringing down the “civility” of the debate. First, I don’t think that it is anyone’s right to decide how we debate, but he lost his credibility when he was asked to name the people on talk radio that promoted this lack of civility in the illegal immigration debate. He named Laura Ingraham, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh as stirring up a “radical” view of the immigration bill and they were responsible for mis-information on the details of the bill. When pressed for specifics he had none; case closed.
To my complete surprise when the same question was posed to Fred Barnes, editor of the Weekly Standard (a conservative publication, supposedly) his answer was the same. I almost fell out of my car listening to their arguments and pure fabrications on what happens on talk radio. They obviously don’t listen to any of these hosts. The people voice their opinion and radio hosts listen and debate the merits. Some radio hosts state their opinion on issues and callers debate the merits. It seems that Fred is a fair weather conservative because he only likes free speech when the speech agrees with him and his views. It was pathetic and disturbing to listen to two political pundits that make their living off of the first amendment, attack others that make their living off the first amendment. They have been in WashingtonDC way too long when they think any argument can be made to limit free speech against our government. Especially such civil speech which is truly what is happening on the talk show circuit. They should listen once in a while before embarking on such unfounded arguments. Just a thought…
I know this is a silly question but; do you think our congressman deserve a raise? Stop laughing, I can hear you…
6/28/2007 - It’s your credibility; stupid!
This is good news. The fundamental issue Americans had with this entire process was the credibility factor of the Federal Government on immigration enforcement; they had none. The federal government now has the opportunity to show the people that they can enforce the current border legislation that calls for nearly 800 miles of fence along the southern border. If they are serious about real reform, the message they will send by building the fence will go a long way towards goodwill in the next attempt at “comprehensive reform”. We have all known from the beginning that this was doomed because of the way it was designed (in secret), the mad rush to get it done with little debate, and the lack of credibility in past performance of enforcement. This is a nation of laws and today is a great day for the rule of law.
Now we must keep our eye on the vitriol toward the American people from the supporters of this bill in the form of the “Fairness Doctrine”. The current crop of politicians in Washington despises the fact that you and I have a voice. They blame our “ignorance” on the immigration issue but it is really our knowledge of what was in the bill that was the reason for the defeat. Talk radio helped shine the light of knowledge. The supporters of this bill are bound to support the “Fairness Doctrine” because they still think you’re stupid! Just a thought…
6/27/2007 - Fairness or an assault on free speech?
We must re-position the current argument over the “Fairness” Doctrine to reflect the true intentions of the politicians pushing for its reenactment. It is a blatant attempt to crush our constitutional right to FREE SPEECH! To imply that these politicians have any concern for fairness is to be totally naïve to the underlying contempt they have for you and me. They think we are stupid; period. They don’t like the fact that we have an outlet to discuss, analyze, criticize, and organize against their attempts to jam legislation down our throats like they are attempting with this illegal immigration amnesty bill. We tick them off when we speak out. Listen to the tone in the voices of, John Kerry, Dianne Feinstein, Lindsey Graham, Trent Lott, Dick Durbin, Hillary Clinton, Barrack Obama, and others when they refer to you, the “talk radio” crowd, who they see as overly sensitive and emotional about the issues of the day. This is worth paying attention to. If you don’t listen to talk radio, you should. If you do, you should listen closely to the attempt to shut you down and take away your constitutional right to , speech, assembly, and redress of the government, when these incumbent politicians talk about the “Fairness Doctrine”. There is nothing fair about it!
6/26/2007 - Term limits is a must…
Disappointing but expected, our politicians have again helped me to make the argument for term limits. These current politicians are so confident that you will give them a pass at the next election; they have chosen to undermine the fundamental security of this nation by voting for the illegal amnesty bill to move forward in the Senate. I am so angered I can’t even start writing what I feel because I will spew my anger and I don’t want you to have to read it. My answer to this is to vote out my incumbents no matter how they voted to send a message that I am done with the status quo. You should do the same. We need to send a message to everyone running for election in 2008 that we can do without you and when you defy our will, we can really do without you. Term limits. Anyone in?
We are under assault by entrenched politicians because they know when we have a right to speak out, their power is threatened. That is why again I say we need term limits. There isn’t one politician I can name, that if they left congress today, we would suffer as a nation. They are full of themselves. I was tempted to end the last sentence with a different word (you can use your imagination) but this is a family blog. It is a family of American citizens willing to fight back against the tyranny of entrenched politicians. This is going to be a bumpy ride but it will have its rewards at the end if you take a chance and get on the wagon. All aboard??? Just a thought…
6/22/2007 - More evidence of the assault on talk radio…
Two Senators, one that wants to be your president, Hillary Clinton, were vocalizing the need to “legislate” talk radio. What does that mean? Listen to this clip of Senator James Inhofe describe his conversation with Hillary Clinton and Barbara Boxer. Two people that would love to take your talk shows away from you and replace them with what they find acceptable. Chilling, isn’t it? It should be. This is scary stuff folks and it is what happens when people in power want to stay there. Term limits; vote for me!!! Well at least the voters in Colorado’s District 5 will have a choice. Just a thought…
6/21/2007 - The "Fairness Doctrine"?
There is no greater threat to our nation than terrorism and the radical agenda of Islamic jihadists. But we can’t ignore any threat that has the possibility of undermining the values of this great nation. I am speaking specifically about the rights of free speech. The democrats and some republicans are concerned about the power of talk radio and they are determined to limit or possibly end talk radio as we have come to love and hate today. These critics have a problem with talk show hosts and audiences that have the nerve to challenge their legislative agenda, and their ability to ram bad legislation through the congress with little scrutiny.
The premise of their argument is that talk radio is slanted in the favor of people that believe in conservative principals and that there needs to be a “balanced” perspective to challenge the conservative positions. They conveniently forget that 98% of the editorial pages and the 3 out of the 4 major networks are slanted left. They also forget that talk radio has to compete in the arena of ideas, and in order to stay in business it must garner an audience that advertisers are willing to pay for, otherwise they go out of business like Radio America which was the liberals answer to Rush Limbaugh and Sinclair broadcasting. Radio America failed of course because their ideas don’t appeal to any audience that has the opportunity to turn the dial. That is why liberals and people with political power don’t want you to be able to turn the dial. Their ideas do not resonate because they are fundamentally flawed but the supporters of the “Fairness Doctrine” believe if you only heard their ideas more often you would change your mind. They are wrong about their ideas and they are wrong to try to trample your free speech.
Keep a close eye on this legislation. Better yet, keep your ears peeled to the radio and get ready to stand up for your constitutional rights. Just a thought…
A Bloomberg candidacy will be good for republicans and bad for democrats but don't get excited just yet. Bloomberg was a Republican In Name Only (RINO) and he has now left the party to become an independent. He is doing this to leave his presidential option on the table. He was a democrat most of his life and he only switched parties in the New York City Mayoral race because the democratic field was so crowded (good strategy). But Chris Mathews and others are salivating that Bloomberg has a chance to win, which is completely ridiculous. He is a North Eastern liberal and he rubs most people outside of NY the wrong way with his elitist attitude. He can do whatever he wants with his estimated 5 billion dollars of net worth, but he would be better off giving the estimated 400 million he will have to spend on a presidential campaign to the inner city youth programs of New York City. Bloomberg is such a non-starter and his only real value is to give the media stories to fill this marathon of a presidential campaign. The more you get to know Bloomberg the less you will like him as a candidate. He should pursue a life of philanthropy and leave it at that. So get ready for the “Bloomberg Factor” analysis coming from the press that is already bored off its gord with the current contenders. Just a thought…
6/19/2007 - Where are the moderate Muslims?
Another example of the “religion of peace” is described in this news story as Muslims around the world encourage suicide bombers to strike out against Britain. Hmmmm! Britain had the gaul to bestow the honor of Knighthood on Salman Rushdie, author of Satanic Verses, which earned him a death sentence from the late Ayatollah Khomeini. He is the author of many works and according to Britain deserves this honor. The outrage of the Muslim community shows its inability to understand the workings of a democratic society. Christians are maligned more often than any religion and yet the calls for death and destruction never seem to be the answer in the Christian community. So where are these “peaceful” Muslims? I know if they were speaking out the American media would be falling over backward to get the word out. Hmmm! “Religion of Peace”? Again, where are the moderates?
6/18/2007 - China policy and spending...
I am not a protectionist but I can tell you, if I were president, China would not be receiving the special treatment our government has bestowed upon them. They are building an empire on the backs of their children and enslaved citizenry. We must hold China accountable for their actions as a trading partner. We need a more rigorous auditing system in place that reviews their business practices and labor policies while enforcing penalties for behavior that is unacceptable to free and moral nations. If anybody believes China isn’t using slave or child labor has their head in the sand. The latest outbreaks of contaminated food products coming out of China is no surprise. You can’t operate with a labor force like theirs and expect the level of competency you have in developed nations.
Until we deal with our out of control spending here, nothing will change. China is a major investor in our debt. This fact impacts the way we deal with them. It is time to balance the budget (by reducing spending) and work our way out of debt so we can leverage our markets to help improve the conditions of millions of Chinese citizens. Just a thought…
6/15/2007 - People are pissed…
I was at a swimathon this morning and it lasted a couple of hours and somehow the conversation turned political and it wasn’t me that started it; for once. There were 4 women and me, and let me tell you, they were passionate. They were passionate about the illegal immigration issue, the 50 million dollar pants lawsuit, a local Colorado issue giving illegal’s drivers licenses in the state through a bureaucratic loop hole, and Paris Hilton’s sentence; not being long enough. The answer; throw all the bums out. Term limits was mentioned and GW is really lucky he is a lame duck because he would be thrown out on his tail by the electorate if he wasn’t.
We talked about our local congressman Doug Lamborn being AWOL and it is the reason I am going to run against him again. My position; “It is not just the votes that count – it’s the leadership stupid”, or something like that. We need fighters and revolutionaries in congress right now. We are at a critical moment in history and we need people that understand it and want to do something about it. We have Islamic radicals on the move and our leaders are sticking their heads in the sand, cowering from political correctness. We have Hamas staking claim in Gaza, Muslims in this country planning attacks, and don’t be fooled, it only takes one of these groups to be successful, wreaking havoc on this country, with an open invitation through our open border. Wake up! Get involved! Throw the bums out and let’s put term limits back on the front burner of issues. We have to weed out the fundamental problem with our politicians; their infatuation with remaining in power. Term limits will curb that desire and may force them to do their job; protecting this great nation. Just a thought…
6/14/2007 - Chaos...
Hamas has officially stated they are in control of Gaza. The Israeli’s can not wait any longer. They must eliminate Hamas and run them out of Gaza now. Their security is in deep jeopardy and this is a defining moment for them. The Fattah Party has always been weak and difficult to deal with but the slim hope of any agreement is now over. If they don’t act now it will only get more difficult over time.
Fly your flag today in honor of all those that have died protecting her. It’s the least we can do. I wrote this son “The Flag” after September 11th and I hope you enjoy it. I particularly love my kid’s parts near the end of the song.
The immigration bill is not dead yet but the politicians that support it will be in November of 08. Laura Ingraham believes that if this bill passes it will be the end of the Republican Party as we know it and I agree. Conservatives will leave in droves and it will not be just “Christian” conservatives turning their backs on the party. Analysts view the RP through a very narrow lens but it is wider than they think. The RP will be RIP if illegal immigration passes and becomes law. Just a thought…
6/13/2007 - A win for American culture over Islam!
Muslim cab drivers in Minnesotahave been told that if they don’t pick up passengers that have alcohol in their baggage they could lose their license. Finally some sanity. There is a huge clash of culture between those that follow Islam and everyone else. This case is the slippery slope argument in action. First; you allow cab drivers to refuse passengers because of religious beliefs, and soon you have cab drivers refusing to pick up people for any reason; They’re black, Hispanic, white, women, Muslim, gay, you name it, non gratis.
The Islamic religion is a religion of intolerance and we can not let that intolerance permeate our culture. If Muslims choose to live in America they need to understand the constitution and our founding principals. There is a separation between government and religion and if your religion tells you can’t do something but it is lawful under the US constitution, guess what? The constitution wins every time.
There is a huge problem between the beliefs of Muslims and the American culture. We need to make sure we stay true to our founding principals and keep the culture of Islam in check. I am extremely suspicious of the Islamic faith based on their actions and reading the Koran. I treat all individuals with respect and that will not change. But as for the Islamic faith in general, I don’t trust it. I know this makes all of you that are mired in political correctness uneasy. I am being honest which is who I am. You’ll get no apology here…
6/12/2007 - A tribute to my political hero Ronald Reagan…
Today is the anniversary of one of the most powerful speeches given by a US President. Ronald Reagan’s “Tear Down This Wall” speech. I really miss him. He was my inspiration and the reason I continue to follow politics and get involved. My Aunt Dot forwarded some of his greatest quotes and I share them with you on this special day. God Bless Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan and their family. His leadership was an inspiration to us all. Enjoy!
"Here's my strategy on the Cold War: We win,they lose." - Ronald Reagan
"The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help." - Ronald Reagan
"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant: It's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan
"Of the four wars in my lifetime none came about because the U.S. was too strong." - Ronald Reagan
"I have wondered at times about what the Ten Commandment's would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress."- Ronald Reagan
"The taxpayer: That's someone who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take the civil service examination." - Ronald Reagan
"Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other." - Ronald Reagan "The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a government program." - Ronald Reagan
"I've laid down the law, though, to everyone from now on about anything that happens: no matter what time it is, wake me, even if it's in the middle of a Cabinet meeting." - Ronald Reagan
"It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first." - Ronald Reagan
"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." - Ronald Reagan
"Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many rewards, if you disgrace yourself you can always write a book." - Ronald Reagan
"No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. - Ronald Reagan
"If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." - Ronald Reagan
6/6/2007 - My book is coming...
I did not watch the republican debate last night but that is not how I choose a candidate. I personally think this format is more effective in the general election when the candidates are truly squared off in ideas and direction. It sounds like there was a lot of Bush bashing which is deserved in the areas of immigration and spending. Most of the electorate is already sick of this so don’t expect any movement in the polls based on the performances. The hard core voters like me have candidates in mind but are waiting for the field to thin a bit before getting excited. So missing these debates has little impact for us.
A bit of personal news. My book is finished and it is with the editor and I have started on the cover design. I expect it to be ready for sale in July or August. I will be going out to speak at my company’s network of 60 local chapters throughout the US. That is if they request my appearance! My company is publishing the book and I hope I am able to make a few dollars for us as well as getting the opportunity to share my life story with others. It is a motivational book and I hope it does just that for those that dare to read it! As soon as the cover design is done I will post it on my web page with information on when, how, and how much it will cost to purchase. It will be on Amazon, my company’s web site as well as this website. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I will keep you informed as dates and deadlines are secured. Thanks for your support!!
Who is to blame for the plight of inner city Blacks? Is it George Bush? Barrack Obama? The government? You? Me? Where do the seeds of hope and despair originate? I say in each and every one of us. Everyone; black, white, rich, poor, all start out with a reservoir of hope. So what is it that helps some to realize the hope and others to realize the despair?
Questions that only each and every individual must answer for themselves. Any politician that pretends they or the government is the answer is a liar, period. Obama called the reaction to hurricane Katrina by the Bush administration, “color blind in its incompetence”. But who had the people of New Orleans put their hope in prior to Katrina? The government. Look at what it got them; hopelessness, despair, poverty, and dependence. Everything Obama is promising. Nothing will change if he thinks government is the reason for the plight of the Black Community.
Until everyone realizes it is only the individual spirit that realizes hope, nothing will change. Obama is promising same old, same old. My suggestion is run as far from him and his ilk as fast as you can. We can’t stand by and watch another generation get eaten by the lies of more politicians, black or white…
6/5/2007 - Just look around…
This past week I spent part of my vacation at both Disney World and Universal Studios. I couldn’t help but notice the way we as a nation and the world have “super sized”. I say the world because there were many British, Latin Americans, and Europeans amongst the crowds. There were many, many people riding around in little motorized scooters with what appeared to be on the surface, “body dimension” issues (This is now the term being used by the parks for people that can’t fit into the seats on the rides, “This ride may not accommodate people with certain “body dimensions” please try the seat before proceeding to ride”.). There may have been more detailed health reasons for the use of these scooters, but I have to say many of the scooters cup holders and baskets offered up a window into the inhabitants eating and drinking habits. Most had super size, unlimited refill soda cups in them with assorted massive chicken legs and cotton candy. I don’t begrudge people for indulgence but I can make my feelings known that I don’t want to pay for the double by pass and leg amputation surgeries that were in many of these “riders” future.
The democrats are fighting over a healthcare plan run and paid for by government and I can’t help thinking, why? Why do I, someone that watches his diet, exercises twice a week at minimum, limits his alcohol, and gets a good nights sleep, have to pay for the over indulgence and under activity of someone else? Why do they have to pay for my surgery if I happen to have a heart attack while I’m exercising? Why has healthcare become a “right” without responsibility? The best way to continue on this trend to a “super sized” America is to subsidize it with a “free” healthcare system.
So what’s your answer Rich? I have two ideas to start; 1) eliminate all health insurance for non surgical procedures and prescription drugs. When people pay their way they are more likely to be accountable for their habits and use of the system. 2) Train more doctors by taking down the monopoly the AMA has on training and certification. Just like the University and College pricing that has sky rocketed out of control, competition and accountability has to be supplanted in the process of these institutions. These would be a start. Then maybe the people that need to ride around in scooters at Disney and Universal might think twice before refilling that “diet” coke for the 5th time. Just a thought…
6/4/2007 - Just a thought or two...
I spent the last week on vacation in Orlando, avoiding news and politics as much as possible. I did bring a book to keep my political addiction nourished, Bill Bennett’s America; The Last Best Hope, Volume 1. It is our nation’s history starting with Columbus through WW II. I have not finished it but I would recommend it so far, especially if you love history and politics.
Spent most of our time in Universal Studios with a day at Disney. It was fun and great to spend the time with the kids and of course my wife. As we strolled the parks and navigated the lines, we noticed that the world has super sized. Just an observation, not being judgmental. Health care costs are going to bankrupt us based on the anecdotal evidence we observed throughout our week in Florida.
I see the president has resorted to calling the “secure the border” crowd names. He has forgotten who he came to the dance with. There was even an article about how the outrage about the Senate illegal immigration bill has been diminishing. They are delusional. The general citizenry is watching this and the election fallout for ALL incumbents will be significant if they pass this anti American legislation. We’ll see soon enough. Good to be away, good to be back!
5/25/2007 - A prayer for our soldiers…
I truly believe in God and the power of faith. I do not put my faith in the “men of God”. Too often we watch with disappointment, men that proclaim and preach the word of God fall from grace as all humans are prone to do. Therefore, I have little faith in the men of God and I devote my faith directly to my God. I believe in the power of prayer and I believe we all should pray for the men, women, and families of our military that have sacrificed their lives to give us the opportunity to live ours the way we choose. I pray:
Please God wrap your warmth around the hearts of the children who have lost a mom or dad in their service to this nation. Fill their hearts with the love that their parents showed for this country. Help them to take the fond memories they have of their parents and turn them into a beacon of hope for a better future. Comfort the husband, wives, mothers and fathers that have shared their loved ones with us, in protecting our nation, that they will find comfort in your presence and know they are never alone in your spirit. Please God share with the families all of our prayers on this Memorial Day in hope that they understand the gratitude we have for their ultimate sacrifice. We know nothing can ease their pain here on earth, and we know no words can end the pain. Our hearts are heavy but our gratitude is never ending. Amen.
Remember the true meaning of Memorial Day as you crank up the barbecue and fill up the cooler. We can because of what our soldiers have done. Lift your glass and toast their honor. God Bless our military…
5/24/2007 - Devil in the details…
The democrats want one thing in the illegal immigration bill and that is the naturalization and quick path to voting rights for illegal’s; period. If you think about that for a moment it puts the rest of the bill and its “triggers” in perspective. All of the “conservative” issues in the bill are triggers designed to be implemented at later dates like border fencing, merit based consideration, etc… Here is the rub. Ted Kennedy knows that by giving 20 million more illegal voters access to the ballot box, the makeup of our governing body will be impacted in his view, in the democrats favor, and will make for disregarding or changing the “triggers” that much easier in the future. This is a reallllly bad bill and deserves no support from any true American. It isn’t about compassion or the economy; it’s about maintaining the American culture and value system that welcomes immigrants, but legal immigrants. The only bill we need right now, today, effective immediately is a secure border bill that stops the bleeding at our southern and northern border. Employer sanctions and improved identity cards and databases would be nice, but only secure borders will allow for the debate to move forward. Just a thought…
5/23/2007 - It is all about the trust factor…
The truth of the matter regarding any type of “Immigration” reform is that we as Americans do not trust our government when they say they will enforce the border. The laws to enforce the border have been on the books for decades and they have been virtually ignored by the federal government. What makes them think that we should trust them now to do the right thing? That is why the only workable solution is to close the border and monitor the progress for the next two years and evaluate the results. Then and only then can we begin to discuss what to do with those that are here illegally. We can’t give amnesty to people that have broken our laws. That is a concept that does not sit well with the American electorate. I believe if we think about this from a human behavioral standpoint, that if the probability to get across the border is diminished, and the ability to get a job with fake documents is reduced, and employers are punished severely for breaking the laws by hiring illegal’s, the 12 – 20 million number will diminish greatly. They will have no source of income, their families will not be able to join them, and so they will start heading south of the border. The economic arguments don’t hold water for me because I believe we have the domestic worker pool we need for these jobs that Mexicans are doing but we have made it too easy not to work. Don’t trust this bill; trust your instincts no matter what names they call you. Just a thought…
5/21/2007 - Who is running our government anyway? It is time to march on DC to find out!
Who was at the table in these secret negotiations on one of the biggest implications to the future of this nation’s security and prosperity? Special interests groups but not ones with our interests at heart. No one was there representing us! This bill will cost legal citizens 2.5 TRILLION dollars in bounty from you, me, and our children. Where are the representatives looking out for us! I am outraged as you should be. This is the biggest sellout of American assets and wealth in the history of our nation but worse, most Americans can’t get up the energy to unite and fight back. What is going on here? Where is the outrage? I hear it on the air waves but we need to take it to the streets. We need a new march on WashingtonDC to wake up these politicians and show them the real numbers and the real constituency. It is panic time folks! It is time to take a few hundred dollars out of your savings account and fly or drive to WashingtonDC. How does July 4th sound? How appropriate.
Since I am only reaching hundreds of people a month, not hundreds of thousands, I need you to send an e-mail to your list and suggest a March for Legal Immigration on this July 4th. Let’s just start sending e-mails to everyone and see if it gets picked up on the internet and lands on Drudge. We can sit on the Capitol lawn and discuss how we are not happy with the direction this congress and administration is taking us, and that we are just standing up for the rights of legal immigrants and the future of our children to inherit a prosperous nation.
I will make it easy to start. Copy the following text and hit send. Let’s start a march!
(Subject line) March for Legal Immigration
It is time to show our politicians that we are taking back our future and protecting the rights of US citizens and the people that want to come here through legal immigration channels. This is not about anything but securing a prosperous future for our children and the rights of legal immigrants.
We will not stand by and let this congress and administration squander 2.5 Trillion of our hard earned dollars. We will see you on July 4th 2007 at the CapitolBuilding. I’ll be the one wearing Red, White, and Blue, carrying an American Flag. We are Americans and we are civil – and we will not take it any more!
Reading the blogs on both sides of the political spectrum, it seems we have an issue that has finally united us. Both democrats and republicans want the border secured. Instinctually Americans know nothing can be discussed until we close the border securely. If I were confident that the border was secure, I would open my ears to ideas on how to deal with the current crop of illegal’s here in our country. Until then, I hear nothing because I can’t trust this crop of politicians to follow through on a border fence. They will find a way to weasel out of building a fence and we are back to zero with 12 million more illegal’s to deal with. We need to get rid of every incumbent politician and start over in 2008. Every one of them, republican and democrat!!! There’s a thought…
5/17/2007 - Disappointments abound…
I can’t even describe the disappointment I’m feeling about President Bush. I have always believed he is a fundamentally good man but his lack of judgment and his inability to articulate the argument for Iraq, has left me disappointed. This latest attempt to give amnesty to millions of criminals that have crossed our border to take jobs illegally, drive on our roads illegally, supporting criminals that are avoiding taxes and putting hard working Americans out of work, especially in the trades illegally, is the end of the rope for my support of the president. He has lost all credibility with me on immigration. He has ruined our party and I use “our” loosely. I feel so disconnected because I don’t recognize the party anymore under his leadership. He has spent us into oblivion on programs that have little value except to create or reward huge federal bureaucracies (drug bill, education, and farm subsidies); he has left the party hanging on the border, and has tried to treat the opposition as if they are upstanding statesmen; which they are not. We will lose every election moving forward until we find a candidate to rally the party back to our core principles, sound spending policy, tax reform, secure borders and a bold effort to combat our biggest threat, political correctness. We need to boldly proclaim the values of conservatism and embrace what is right without cowering to the criticism of the media and democrats. He has left the party in worse shape than he inherited, and for that there is no other statement to describe his presidency than, disappointing…
5/16/2007 - Winners and Losers in last night’s debate…
I watched last night’s Republican debate and I have to say it moved rather quickly and efficiently for having 10 participants on the stage. Credit goes to the Fox team for keeping the question short, focused, and relevant. The real stand out for me was Duncan Hunter who I thought had great presence and strong answers to the questions posed to him. I would say he moved up to the first tier in my eyes. I won’t even discuss Ron Paul, pathetic. His text polling is evidence of an organized group of people outside the Republican Party trying to influence talking points. Here is my summary:
John McCain: Nervous, uncomfortable and I thought marginal – neutral
Mitt Romney: Good performance, looked great, polished – met expectation
Rudy Giuliani: Gift from Paul made him look strong – strong performance
Duncan Hunter: Showed he can be presidential, good answers – winner
Tom Tancredo: Side tracked in his answer on his key issue immigration – neutral
Huckabee: Alright, didn’t know him well, don’t care if I do – neutral
Jim Gilmore – who?
Thompson: Uncomfortable and not presidential, OK answers – below expectations
Brownback: Who?
Paul: Democratic plant, should not be on the stage for next debate – pathetic
Fox should not be conducting any polling unless they are willing to spend the money on real polling methods. This is not American Idol. Just a thought…
I heard this this morning on the Laura Ingraham radio show; Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer have agreed that the Fairness Doctrine needs to be put on the congressional fast track for consideration and implementation. What is the “Fairness” Doctrine you ask? It is the democrat’s version of your free speech rights. They don’t believe in the free flow of ideas unless they are their ideas. Because liberal and democratic ideals don’t sit well with most Americans, democrats believe that it is best for you if they control what ideas you hear and which ones are best for you and your fellow hick seeds. You see, you just don’t understand what is best for you and you don’t have the capability to discern the speech of conservatives like, Rush Limbaugh, Laura Ingraham, Shawn Hannitty, Mark Levin, Michael Savage, Hugh Hewitt, Michael Medved, and so many more. You are as Rush likes to say, “Mind numb robots”. He says that with tongue in cheek but democrats truly believe that you are. The people to fear are the ones that believe in this doctrine. They are the scariest of all people and are reminiscent of days gone by, when dictators and kings ruled the world. Democrats are more comfortable in a world where discourse is limited and where they are not held accountable by a media they don’t control. So keep your ears open as this doctrine starts to make its way to the headlines disguised as an effort to bring “civility” back to the “public” airwaves. You see the “drive by media” (again a Rush term for the major media organizations) will not be upset with this assault on speech because it reinstates their monopoly on information flow in this country. It is scary to think there are still politicians that think they know what is best for us but there is; they are called the democrats…
I have had this book on my reading list ever since I heard Thomas Barnett interviewed by Hugh Hewitt on talk radio. I am only into the third chapter and I have an entirely new perspective on the military and the transformation that needs to happen in this changing world. He believes that true global connectivity is the key to a peaceful future. The more we interact economically as a community, the more peaceful the world. The problem right now is that the old “rule sets” have changed, and we have been slow to understand the phenomenon and create new “rule sets” that will be embraced by the rest of the world. We are the lone “superpower” and we need to understand how we drive and enforce these new “rule sets”. It is premature to do a review but I wanted to share it with you if you are looking to build your summer reading list.
We are facing a new era and our military is going to increasingly find itself in some uncomfortable situations, like Iraq, until we get a handle on the new enemy and how to deal with them. The new enemy is not wearing uniforms and declaring war from a state pulpit. They are declaring war from reclusive caves in disconnected countries throughout the world.
The cold war is over and the adjustments the military needs to make are unclear and according to Barnett, there is a great inside struggle (inside the Pentagon) to define their “new” purpose. If it is to kill people and break things, that approach works for a defined and stationary enemy, but if it is to nurture democracy and weed out individuals or small groups of despots, the approach will need to be different. I am looking forward to finishing this book and applying Thomas Barnett’s arguments to Iraq. I may be surprised at what I find but as a strategic thinker, I find compelling arguments interesting, and I am willing to listen to reason built on facts and make adjustments accordingly. I just wish our current political crop could do the same.
I highly recommend this book if you want an insiders view of pentagon operations. His writing style is simple and direct, making it a pleasure to read because the topic can be complicated if you are not a military strategist. I can’t wait to get back to the book…
Considered to be politically incorrect to discuss, we have a huge and growing terrorist problem south of our border. Since the late 90’s, intelligence experts say Hezbollah and Al Qaeda have formed a close partnership in many Latin American countries, including Mexico.
As our politicians and particularly George Bush argue to leave our border porous and ignore the millions of potential criminals pouring into our country illegally, terrorists are training and plotting to kill us right below our southern border, and we are discussing what it will do to the berry picking industry if we close and secure our border. Nuts!
This is suicide folks. A battlefront against America is being staged right on our southern border and our politicians are ignoring the reality of this situation. We need to get the current crop of politicians out in this next election cycle and bring in a new body that understands the priorities of the federal government.
There is no greater responsibility to our nation than to secure our borders and hunt down the terrorist’s intent on killing us. This story has been buried because it is considered by many to be politically incorrect. Political correctness will be the death of our nation. You mark my words…
