Culture of Violence 2

Following my post on the "Culture of Violence," which was published as a letter in the Kokomo Tribune, a column by Stephen Dick entitled "Conservative Voices Promote Violence" motivated me to offer a reasoned response because, once again, this perspective and logic fail at every turn.

Mr. Dick blasts conservatives for promoting violence. How do they do that? Well, by telling the truth. Mr. Dick is angry with conservatives because of their audacity to declare that abortion kills human life. Is this not the truth, though? Mr. George Tiller’s daily occupation was to destroy human life just as certainly as his own life was destroyed in an alleged murder. In order to paint conservatives with his broad brush of culpability, Mr. Dick has to set up a completely fabricated foundation upon which to build his fanciful accusations. He does this early in his column: “…but deep down right-wing true believers agree with the violence.” Making such an indictment would lead one to believe that his column would be filled with the empirical evidence to substantiate his audacious claim. He provides none.

Instead, Mr. Dick attempts to equate an incident involving willful armed robbery and subsequent self defense with support for pre-meditated murder and turn that into his basis for declaring that conservatives promote violence. Does that not strike you as one of the most ludicrous arguments you have ever heard? The alleged murder of Mr. Tiller had nothing to do with self defense. No conservative he cites, and no conservative I have read or heard, has come anywhere close to condoning the shooting death of Mr. Tiller. The simple truth is that conservative ideology honors the rule of law. In one of the few statements of pseudo-fact in his column, Mr. Dick writes, “Whatever your point of view, Tiller was operating under protection of the law.” Conservatives recognize this. We also recognize that it is bad law and are motivated to correct it by legitimately petitioning our government as provided in our federal and state constitutions. The truth is that abortion is currently protected by court ruling, not by properly legislated law. Nevertheless, it is currently protected. But even that truth cannot mask the reality that the action protected is one that cruelly and violently tears asunder in the womb a human life in the fetal stage of development. The closer the innocent life is to the time of birth, the more cruel and violent the abortion procedure becomes. Operating under the protection of law though he was, Mr. Tiller specialized in the cruelest of abortion procedures.

Not only did Mr. Dick not see fit to mention the violent cruelty inherent in the act of abortion, he goes so far as to write that “to many women, Tiller had been a savior.” How very interesting that the act of dismembering a human life in the womb should result in sainthood for the perpetrator of such violence. Following this line of logic, then, Mr. Dick should have no problem accepting the coronation of Jerome Ersland as “savior” as well. After all, Mr. Ersland’s action resulted in the protection of an unknown number of innocent victims from the deadly danger of further armed robberies by the criminal he shot in self defense. If the world is so much better off because of the dismembering of an innocent human life in the womb, then how much better off is the world by the eradication of one who willfully and purposefully endangered other’s lives through armed robbery? Simply applying Mr. Dick’s logic leads both liberals and conservatives to only one conclusion.

From start to finish, Mr. Dick sets himself up as judge, jury, and executioner of conservatism. Only through his incredibly flawed indictment of what “true right-wingers” believe can he even begin to tie the actions of a lone gunman to an entire ideology that respects our constitutional rule of law. Only through his flawed indictment can he suggest that shining the light of truth on the vicious actions of a cruel industry is a promotion of violent behavior. If Mr. Dick is so concerned about a rising level of violence in our culture, then perhaps he needs to do what I do: actually address one of its principle sources. Pro-abortion advocates want us to believe that they are concerned about eliminating acts of violence in our culture. This is difficult to accept given that they espouse foundational ideologies and actions that have handed our culture the license to treat other human beings without respect, without compassion, and without justice.

Moral Law

I am rather certain that many jokes are making their way through cyberspace about the nature of David Carradine's death. I haven't actually pursued finding any, so I don't have absolute proof. Still, I would be more surprised if no smart-alek comments exist than if they do.


Mr. Carradine's tragic death highlights a significant truth: those who insist on violating the moral law of God run the risk of very significant consequences. The Associated Press reports, "Pornthip Rojanasunand, director of Thailand's Forensic Science, said Carradine may have died attempting a sex act known as auto-erotic asphyxiation - cutting off oxygen to the brain for sexual arousal. The practice is said to result in a form of giddiness and euphoria - similar to alcohol or drug intoxication - that enhances the sexual experience. 'If you hang yourself by the neck, you don't need so much pressure to kill yourself. Those who get highly sexually aroused tend to forget this fact,' Pornthip said." (Kokomo Tribune, 6/6/2009, p. A6)

"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry." (Colossians 3:5) Perhaps some visitors to my blog would want to deny that Carradine's action fits a literal Biblical concept of "sexual immorality." Fine. Protest if you want, but the result speaks for itself. Mr. Carradine is still dead because he engaged in unnecessarily risky behavior. Had he been pursuing an active relationship with the Living God, he would likely still be alive.

Americans have become fascinated with the concept of moral relativism to the point of wishing away the reality of moral law. Indeed, President Obama "quietly" issued a proclamation that June is now Lesbian, Gay, bisexual, Transgendered (LGBT) pride month. The actions of these so-called "sexual minorities" continue to spread a significant array of deadly diseases - HIV, hepatitis, and other sexually transmitted diseases. These are all diseases that rulers like President Obama say they want to see "stamped out" ("We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States." -- President Obama from the cited proclamation). Well, a great way to reduce the number of HIV infections is to refrain from legitimizing the behavior that provides the environment for its spread.

The truth is that the moral law of God will not disappear just because of policy and legislation. Mr. Carradine's death is tragic, and it should be told how dangerous it is to willfully violate moral law. Just as tragic are all of the continuing suffering and deaths that will result from officially recognizing and legitimizing behavior that spreads terrible disease.

"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." (Galatians 6:7)

(photo: David Carradine)

Liberal Jokes: Warning North Korea

If it was not such a sobering situation, I would be rolling on the floor with laughter every time I heard an American administration or U.N. official issue a “stern warning” to North Korea. This administration was propelled to power by organizations that believe that military force is always unnecessary, and the world is quite aware of the value of U.N. resolutions. We can be certain that totalitarians are really worried about these “stern warnings.” Besides, everyone knows that North Korea had nothing to do with 9/11. So what’s the big deal? Maybe the president will send Michael Moore over there so that we can get the real picture.

Culture of Violence

Have some American citizens lost all sense of perspective and logic? With Big Media as willing accomplices, the move is on to use the death of George Tiller as a means to silence pro-life individuals and organizations. The connection being made is that pro-life rhetoric is as responsible as the alleged murderer for Mr. Tiller’s death. Such connections completely fail several tests of logic and common sense. Consider, for example, if Mr. Tiller had been a child molester. Would his death be a reason to call for the silencing of all who continue to oppose child molestation? Proceeding on the basis that readers of this blog are an intelligent group, I will answer for us: of course that would not be a reason for opposition to child molestation to cease. We would continue to seek to defend and protect the most vulnerable among us. In fact, I have heard and read comments from quite a few who espouse various ideologies of the left describe what they would like to see done to convicted child molesters. Trust me, their descriptions of punitive retribution fall well outside the current boundaries of “cruel and unusual punishment” as defined in today’s legal system. Yet there seems to be no concern that such expressions of opinion contribute to a widening culture of violence.

Pro-abortion individuals and organizations concerned with rooting out sources of cultural violence would do well to look in their own mirror. Their whole reason for being is permeated with acts of tremendous violence against the most innocent and vulnerable in our culture. Their violence toward children in every stage of fetal development, including post-birth, is completely reprehensible. For pre-birth abortions, the fetal child is literally ripped apart. For post-birth abortions, the newborn child is left to die from neglect and dehydration. Such actions clearly fall outside the current boundaries of “cruel and unusual punishment” as defined in today’s legal system, but pro-abortionists demand that this violence done to the most innocent and vulnerable in our culture continue unabated as a legal right for the sake of convenience.

Pro-abortionists want us to believe that they are concerned about eliminating acts of violence in our culture. This is difficult to accept given that they espouse foundational ideologies and actions that have handed our culture the license to treat other human beings without respect, without compassion, and without justice.

(Image: Fetal hand grasp photo. For full story, click here.)

Different Than Bush?

Gasoline has hit $2.75 per gallon in my neck of the woods. This brief report tells us that OPEC has no intent of backing down from keeping current production levels relatively low.

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Wed Jun 03 2009

Morning Perspective

Powered by Minyanville: OPEC Not Budging

OPEC's Secretary General Abdullah al-Badri said yesterday the price of crude oil could spike to $80-90 a barrel by early next year. But even if prices were to reach that level, the cartel won't be expanding production until an over-supply has been absorbed. In a story by Reuters, al-Badri said last week that he expected to see crude around $70-75 a barrel by the end of 2009, and acknowledged that at current prices there is some speculation but nowhere near the levels when the commodity spiked to a record $147 last July. But continued speculation as well as a falling US dollar could help push prices near triple digits by the beginning of 2010, al-Badri said. He also added that until oil inventories in industrialized countries fall from a current 62 days to 52 days worth of future demand, the cartel won't be making any moves.

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So how does this differ from the administration under former Presidnet Bush? I thought that all those cronies who benefited from high gasoline prices were out of office now. It couldn't be that we have been fed a line, could it?

Memorial Day Greeting

Truthfully, I'm not being original this morning. I was impressed with a little article from Navy News about the upcoming commemoration of the Battle of Midway that captures the essence of Memorial Day and am passing it along.

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[Retired CAPT John W.] Crawford said that one of his vivid memories is being in a room with the torpedo plane pilots prior to their takeoff and the bravery of those men -- bravery that he only saw in retrospect."I've learned in the years since that they were flying very old and much slower planes than the Japanese," Crawford said. "They must have known their chances of coming back were not very high, yet they were not down about that. Such brave men, doing what they felt they were required to do."According to Crawford, of the three squadrons of torpedo planes, none of the planes in the squadron that embarked from Yorktown in the initial attack on the Japanese fleet returned, and only one Sailor survived. A similar fate also met the torpedo plane squadron from the Hornet. ("Midway Vet Recalls Historic Battle," Navy News, 5/21/09)
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Thank you to all the veterans and all who have supported them in any way. God bless you on this Memorial Day.

When Liberals Collide - Part Tres

I am seeing more liberal ideologies colliding. It is inevitable. As a result, one question to be raised is what happens when liberal special interests can no longer get along? I admit that it is fun to watch them slap each other silly. But that's just me.

This time, conflict arises between auto union interests and environmentalist interests. The article taken from The Detroit News is by Manny Lopez, auto editor. The issue is that Charles Hurley, nominee to run the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), has resigned. Writes Mr. Lopez, "His offense? Hurley in the 1990s sided with automakers over the safety impacts of downsizing vehicles to increase fuel efficiency. Unfortunately, that's tantamount to slapping someone's mother when it comes to being 'green.'" ("NHTSA nominee withdraws: Green politics is to blame," printed in The Kokomo Tribune, 5/15/09, p. A4)

Mr. Lopez goes on to provide evidence of the prudence of Mr. Hurley's stand. But that matters not to "enviroactivists" (Lopez's term). "No matter, activists want everyone to drive microcars. And they'll take out anyone who suggests otherwise. 'The administration now has an opportunity to name someone committed to both the safety and fuel economy programs that they run,' said Dan Becker, director of the Safe Climate Campaign. Translation: Vet all candidates through us before appointing your own people. Silly president." (ibid.)

So the power grabs are in full swing. President Obama has a lot of special interests to pay bakc, and they aren't all playing on the same team. In spite of his stated billing as the "great unifier," he has created some pretty inriguing King Kong vs Godzilla (or Alien vs Predator, for the younger mindsets) scenarios out there.

"But it sounds like [Hurley] was thrown under the bus by activists who want to run the auto industry and that doesn't bode well for the president's alleged interests in helping Detroit's car companies survive." (ibid.) Well, Mr. Lopez, I hope that you have received this news flash: "Obama plans to announce on Tuesday that he will couple pollution reduction from vehicle tailpipes with increased efficiency on the road. It would be the first time that limits on greenhouse gases were linked with federal standards for passenger cars and light trucks." (Assoc. Press, "Obama set to link m.p.g., emission standards," The Kokomo Tribune, 5/19/09, p. A1) Sounds like there will be even more qualified nominees thrown under the bus.

Wait'll you see where the liberal collision is next time!

Let the games begin!

Morality is Immoral

From el Rushbo...

"The message that President Obama delivered in his speech at Notre Dame was: morality is immoral. Pro-life is the extremist position, not a moral position. Yet we should compromise and work to reduce abortions. Where's the compromise between life and death -- and why work to reduce the number of them occurring if there's nothing wrong with them?" -Rush Limbaugh, 5/18/2009

In his commencement address, President Obama declared, "I found myself drawn not just to the work with the church; I was drawn to be in the church. It was through this service that I was brought to Christ. And at the time Cardinal Joseph Bernardin was the archbishop of Chicago. For those of you too young to have known him or known of him, he was a kind and good and wise man."

Obama was "drawn to Christ," but believes it to be perfectly OK to not merely kill human beings in the embryonic stage of life, but to mandate that they die through neglect if they are born alive following an abortion attempt. Obama as an Illinois state senator in April 2002 stating his opposition to the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act: "And that essentially adding an additional doctor, who then has to be called in an emergency situation to come in and make these assessments is really designed simply to burden the original decision of the woman and the physician to induce labor and perform an abortion." On August 16, 2008, after the forum at the Saddleback Church, Obama responded to Christian Broadcasting Network's David Brody, "I have said repeatedly that I would have been completely and fully in support of the federal bill that everybody supported, which was to say that you should provide assistance to any infant that was born, even if it was as a consequence of an induced abortion. That was not the bill that was presented at the state level. What that bill also was doing was trying to undermine Roe v. Wade. By the way, we also had a bill -- a law already in place in Illinois that ensured lifesaving treatment was given to infants. So for people to suggest that I and the Illinois Medical Society, so Illinois' doctors, were somehow in favor of withholding lifesaving support from an infant born alive is ridiculous."

Hmmm... Requiring an additional doctor to be called in an emergency situation is a burden on the woman and the physician who originally decided to induce labor and perform an abortion. Supporting the state bill would undermine Roe v Wade.

Yep, murdering infants in and out of the womb... Sounds like Obama was really brought to Christ alright.

I can think of only one thing sadder than the statements this man makes; there are actually people who believe him.

Taking One for the Boss

I post this not to try to prove that President Obama is different than former presidents, but to demonstrate how much he is like them, no matter how much he has promised change. Without a doubt, members of former administrations have had to take one for the boss. It is no different in the Obama administration. When the heat got turned up and someone had to take the fall, it was not going to be the president.

For all his talk about change, what has changed?

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WHITE HOUSE MILITARY OFFICE CHIEF RESIGNS OVER NYC FLYOVER CONTROVERSY - FOX News Alert, 5/8/09
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Enemies of Barack

Eerie how financial wizard President Obama speaks more vehemently toward Americans who oppose his policies than he does toward enemies who threaten national security. One of many examples comes from the Chrysler financing proceedings as a group of lenders continues to oppose the plan.

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U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Arthur Gonzalez overruled objections from a dissident group of Chrysler LLC lenders, who argues that the loan was too closley tied to the sale, setting Chrysler on an irreversible path to complete the deal at the lender's expense. "As the court is aware, we're concerned htat we're starting construction of a bridge that may turn out to be a pier," said Tom Lauria, an attorney for the lenders... The biggest obstacle appears to be Lauria's clients, who may be forced to disclose their identities today... The group of holdout lenders refused to take the four banks' deal and go along with the government's restructuring plan for Chrysler, and President Obama blamed them for pushing the automaker into filing for bankruptcy protection Thursday. "I've never represented a group of creditors who were called out by the president of the United States for just standing up for their rights," Lauria said. (Associated Press, Kokomo Tribune, 5/5/09, p. A5)
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Don't worry, though. President Obama will unite us yet... resistance is futile.

Quick Update on peta

I failed to include a link to an organization opposed to peta's practices: PETA Kills Animals.

When Liberals Collide - Part Deux Already

Remember the presidential campaign promise & pledge to change the way business is done in Washington? One of those promises being, in particular, to eliminate lobbying?

Turns out that the legion of lobbyists is growing during the Obama administration. After all, there is now more taxpayer money than ever floating around ready to be snagged by most favored contributors. Sheila Krumholz of the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonprofit spending-watchdog group, says it's virtually impossible to keep special interests out of the stimulus-funding equation. "The administration has the will to try to curb the influence of lobbyists," she says. "It's just not as easy as they thought." [Personal thought: How naive. BHO may lack quite a few presidential experience skills, but being well-versed in the lobbying jungle is not one of them. He was & is well aware of his deceitful game to dupe his wide-eyed fans.]

Indeed. Even the ACLU (think that they are without lobbyists in DC?) has a thought about such attempts. Following a White House memo barring lobbyists from speaking with administration officials about stimulus projects and requiring written communications to be posted online, the American League of Lobbyists (ALL) and the ACLU called the new rules "an ill-advised restriction on speech." (Reported by Parade, 5/3/09, p. 14)

Who would have predicted that BHO would be receiving an evil eye from the ACLU? Let the games begin!

When Liberals Collide

How do liberals resolve opposing issues? The case before us:

Uber-lib Oprah Winfrey recently promoted the new KFC grilled chicken as a welcome healthier alternative to the fried chicken. An Oprah endorsement is a big deal in the business marketing world (FOX News, 5/7/09).

At the same time, KFC is one of ultra-uber-lib PETAs (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) top enemies. They would like to see KFC shut down no matter what it takes to do so.

So what happens when liberal radical ideologies collide? Let the games begin!

US News & World Report, 5/6/09

College Commencement Hypocrisy

Those who disagree with or oppose the invitation of President Obama as commencement speaker at Notre Dame University have been largely dismissed as being closed minded and other such euphemisms. Critics of the invitation have been told in no uncertain terms that they need to remain open to all sides of public debate. Meanwhile, in a parallel universe not far away, University of Vermont officials dropped conservative Ben Stein as their commencement speaker because their invitation “touched off a firestorm of critical emails from people objecting to Stein's take on evolution.” (The Huffington Post, 4/6/09. Mr. Stein was invited on the basis of his lectures on economics, by the way.) How interesting. On the one hand, it is critical that a university campus ignore protests and remain open to diversity and a wide range of ideology, but on the other hand, it is critical that a university campus cave in to protests and protect its students from diversity and alternative ideology.

There is a descriptive word for this - give me just a moment. I’ve got it! It is called hypocrisy! College campuses are filled with hypocrites. As a pastor, I know all about dealing with hypocrisy. I am told often enough that “I don’t go to church because it’s full of hypocrites.” Voila! We deal with hypocrisy by avoiding those places where hypocrites gather. Colleges are full of hypocrites; therefore, we should avoid going to colleges. Somehow, though, I think that plenty of people will find ways to overcome their hypocritophobia when college football and basketball seasons roll around. Even people who express their disgust for hypocrisy will still go to and visit college campuses in spite of them being filled with hypocrites. There is a descriptive word for this, too. Amazingly, it is the same word I used above - hypocrisy. See you in church.

Letter to President Obama

April 29, 2009

Dear President Obama:

On this occasion of your 100th day in office, I have been reflecting upon my situation. In spite of all of your promises made before and after your inauguration, I discover no positive change in my personal financial situation. My retirement portfolios remain well below the value they had prior to your inauguration. Happily, I have not been downsized or subjected to pay cuts at this time, but I see that many of my fellow Americans are still being subjected to this malady. I note that in spite of your promises to change Washington, D.C., the members of Congress who created this financial quagmire remain in office while others who have not been elected now serve in your administration.

However, I am not writing to merely point out the problems that remain and the promises that have yet to be fulfilled. Like most hard working Americans, I work and strive for solutions. Therefore, I offer this solution so that you can expedite to me your promised assistance. Simply provide me with the routing and account numbers to your checking and/or saving account. I will take care of the rest. I promise you that I will not deplete your account; I am only seeking what you have promised to be my fair share of the American pie. Since I know how sincerely you have made these promises, I feel certain that you will not mind providing me your personal assistance in this matter.

Thank you for being the greatest president since... well... ever!

Sincerely,

Charles Layne

American citizen

P.S. A young college student broke down in tears at a John Edwards' campaign rally as she pleaded for the help she needed. Mr. Edwards proceeded to tell her and everyone else that this is why he needed to be elected as the next president. He promised that she and all other Americans in crisis would receive the assistance they so desperately needed. Upon learning of this event through our faithful media, Mr. Rush Limbaugh made the effort to discover the identity of this suffering student, personally contact her, and personally provide her the financial assistance she needs to complete her education. Since Mr. Limbaugh is using his personal resources to accomplish this act of compassion, no American taxpayers are hurt in the process.

I feel certain, Mr. President, in my heart of hearts, that you are no less compassionate than Mr. Limbaugh and would willingly assist your fellow Americans, who you so humbly serve, by making available your personal resources. I look forward to your reply - especially the routing and account numbers I previously requested. Thank you!

Snatching Defeat from Jaws of Victory

This guy is dead set on ruining our national security.

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Obama administration to release photos showing alleged abuses by U.S. troops

While fearing backlash, White House to release images in May

By Peter Wallsten, Greg Miller and Julian E. Barnes Washington Bureau
April 24, 2009

WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration agreed late Thursday to release dozens of photographs depicting alleged abuse by U.S. personnel during the Bush administration of prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan.At least 44 pictures will be released by May 28, making public for the first time images of what the military investigated at facilities other than the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.Defense Department officials would not say exactly what is contained in the photos but said they are concerned the release could incite a Mideast backlash. -- Chicago Tribune, 4/24/09

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Actually, there would not be as much a backlash if, when released, BHO told the world that this is what awaits captured enemeies of America. One of the under-reported effects of Abu-Ghraib was that terrorist recruiting was down until the libs got hold of the "atrocities" and said they had to stop. Funny... the terrorists agreed! The American left and terrorist recruiting have this amazing capacity to go hand in hand.

But never fear, they are patriotic. (I will leave it to the interested reader to figure out who the "they" refers to.)

Prepare for Hate Mail

Here comes the thought police. Carrie Prejean, Miss California, was asked in the Miss USA pageant if she believed in gay marriage. Her answer: "We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite. And you know what, I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised." I hope she is prepared for hate mail & hate speech.

You can imagine how the tolerant left and homosexual communities are taking this. They cannot imagine how anyone not slobbering over homosexual marriage "rights" could be crowned Miss California. "Keith Lewis, who runs the Miss California competition, tells FOXNews.com that he was 'saddened' by Prejean's statement.'As co-director of the Miss California USA, I am personally saddened and hurt that Miss California believes marriage rights belong only to a man and a woman,' said Lewis in a statement." Now will it be a requirement for all Miss California contestants to sign an affidavit of support for homosexual perversity?

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Miss California's answer sparked a shouting match in the lobby after the show. "It's ugly," said Scott Ihrig, a gay man, who attended the pageant with his partner. "I think it's ridiculous that she got first runner-up. That is not the value of 95 percent of the people in this audience. Look around this audience and tell me how many gay men there are." (FOX News, 4/20/2009)
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News flash for Mr. Ihrig: Miss California was asked if she "believes" in homosexual marriage, not you. Are you suggesting that your immorality is to be imposed on Miss Prejean?

Rhetorical question, I know.

(Photo: Miss Carrie Prejean, Miss California)

The Left's Darling

Here we go with another unsurprising consequence of handing government more & more power. And another unsurprising consequence of liberalism. One of the left's latest darling thugs, Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, has had enough criticism.

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After Chavez vowed on national TV to throw Rosales in jail, the government filed corruption charges against the 56-year-old mayor. Two weeks ago, Rosales dropped out of sight. Supporters say he is hiding — from an enemy who now has the power to crush all opposition. (FOX News, 4/14/09)
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I'm willing to bet that it is not former President Bush that Chavez's opponents are calling "el diablo." I just have a sneaking hunch.

Yikes!!!

I do not know who is going to end up ruling us, but these world governments are taking a nasty turn...

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G20 leaders and ministers sat down to hammer out new rules for world financial markets today after a warning from France and Germany that a London summit should declare an end to the unfettered capitalism that has plunged the global economy into recession. (G20 leaders begin talks to 'bury' free market, 4/2/2009)
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What frustrates and angers me most is the willing complicity of Big Media to report such nonsense with no critical analysis at all. I dare any of them to find "unfettered" capitalism anywhere, especially in these nations blaming free markets for their economic woes. It is government interference in the free market that has created these woes. A free market would never condone the poor business decisions that politicians have imposed upon businesses over the past few years.

Well, as if this is not silly enough, take a look at the type of folks who are demanding the demise of capitalism...

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Police officers came under attack while they tried to help a dying man at the G20 protests in the City last night. (Police were attacked... 4/2/2009)
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What idiots - both inside & outside the meeting.

Thoughts on the Christian Faith

This one will be long. I was looking for a past letter to the editor and ran across a couple of "blasts from the past." Actually, I found quite a few great letters - no bias here.

Since we are approaching the solemn remembrance of Holy Week, I decided to reprint a couple of my letters stressing the role that the Christian faith can have and the positive impact it can make in a culture wandering far from God and wondering how it can ever extricate itself (short answer: it can't; it takes God's mercy, forgiveness, and love to make us whole).

Here goes...

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January 2007
Dear Editor,

Two articles on the Kokomo Tribune Opinion page of January 2nd tell us much about our culture. In a reprint from The Herald Bulletin of Anderson, a writer asks, “Have girls gone wild?” Latching on to recent scandals with the Miss USA contestants and others, the writer expresses concern about the direction that girls and young women are heading. We read, “The lure of celebrity and fame, strong throughout history, seems to be almost the driving virtue of many young people. Constantly in touch with some kind of media, young people see themselves in others and the more traditional influences - parents, churches, schools - cannot compete with the glitter and fun of celebrities at play.” Their point is that young women and men are making poor decisions for immediate gratification and ignoring the long-term effects that these decisions can have on their lives. The article ends tepidly, “We hope young people searching for role models to emulate find some who embody values beyond themselves.”

The other article printed on the same page offers an excellent solution. Pat Fagan of the Heritage Foundation writes that “…a powerful resource is quietly and far more effectively contributing to the common good in myriad ways: religious practice.” Mr. Fagan informs us in his report that regular attendance at religious services is linked to healthy, stable family life, strong marriages, and well-behaved children. Regular worship attendance is linked to reduced incidents of domestic abuse, crime, substance abuse, addiction, and other social diseases. He delineates other advantages gained from regular worship attendance.

In the first article, one of many social problems is plainly laid out, but no useful answer is given. In the second article, evidence of the practical good of religious worship provides the necessary antidote to the problem described in the first article. Sadly, while our children and young adults are frequently taught their freedoms to choose immorality, the moral, ethical, and values-forming lessons from religion are squeezed out of the public arena. So we are left with lots of problems and no solutions. Men and women in our culture today can see that there are major problems and crises, and they can tell us that people are suffering, but when God’s everlasting love is given as the answer to cultural problems and suffering, American elitists go to work to keep the truth from being made known.
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January 2007
Dear Editor,

In the article printed on 1/12/07 (Kokomo Tribune, p. A5), Lewis Diuguid shares comments about the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., made by Clayborne Carson, director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Institute at Stanford University. Writes Diuguid, “King was an ecumenical religious leader, accepting that ‘each religion is a path to the truth,’ Carson said.” If this is true of the Rev. King, then born-again Christians must reject this particular teaching as false. While there are many solid reasons to celebrate and honor what the Rev. King accomplished for us, Christian believers cannot accept any teaching that would replace the Lordship of Jesus Christ with any other religious belief, doctrine, or principle. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,” declares Jesus in John 14:6. For the Christian believer, there is no other religion that is a “path to truth.”

This does not mean that Christians cannot work with other faith groups to accomplish shared goals for the public good. As a military Chaplain endorsed by a Christian denomination, I worked freely alongside men and women of a variety of faiths to accomplish community relations projects in overseas and domestic ports we visited. I worked with Commanding Officers to ensure that all of the men and women under their commands were free to practice their religious belief within the guidelines set forth in Department of Defense policy. It did not mean, though, that I compromised my own faith by participating in worship services that did not recognize the exclusive truth of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Nor did anyone else have to compromise their faith by participating in worship services that violated the tenets of their religious doctrines.

I also take exception to Diuguid’s and Carson’s comment that fundamentalists are using religion for power. Since there is no distinction made concerning which religious “fundamentalists” they refer to, I draw the conclusion that the authors make no distinction between so-called Christian “fundamentalism” and any other religious fundamentalism. I will not go into the obvious inaccuracies of lumping all religious practices into the religious equivalency argument. I do note, though, the hypocrisy of addressing favorably the Rev. King’s legacy of preaching a “social gospel” engaging Christianity in economic justice which can be used to shape public (and political) policy while, at the same time, denouncing “fundamentalists” for “using religions for power.” If it is commendable for the Rev. King, as a minister of the Christian faith, to specify political and economic racial prejudice as immoral and then to seek to address and redress those concerns through appropriate legislative and judicial channels of our government, then it is equally appropriate for ministers of the Christian faith to continue to define, address, and seek to redress other forms of immorality in our free public arena of politics and policy. To celebrate one form of legislated morality as commendable and then accuse another as an abuse of “religion for power” smacks of the grossest of hypocrisies. When brought to the public arena within the boundaries of our Constitution, then all expressions of concern confronting and correcting culturally ingrained immorality are commendable and worthy of celebration.

It is unfortunate that the contemporary celebrations of the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., have become attempts to belittle and diminish the Christian faith which provided the strength, courage, and motivation for Rev. King to seek justice in the face of what appeared to be overwhelming odds. It is an affront to all Christians of every race who have subsequently sacrificed to expand upon the gains made by the Rev. King and to continue to confront the sad consequences that all forms of immorality have upon the societies and cultures upon which they are practiced.
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May God's blessings be with you.

I Am Genius

Read my April 1st entry, "Overloaded," then return to the editorial cartoon here which was included in my copy of the Kokomo Tribune on 4/2/2009.




I am genius!!! -- except Mr. Bob Lang was no doubt compensated for his effort. **sigh**

Overloaded

I have to get an April 1st entry. Don't want it to slide by without me making a post. So...

I have been thinking lately how overloaded the news for my commentaries is. I thought that things would take a breather after the election. After all, the candidates are no longer going after each other.

Wrong!!! There must be more alarming news now than ever before. I find some article in my local paper (which ain't humongous by any stretch of the imagination) every day over which I raise my eyebrows. President Obama has turned into Obama, Inc. He and his non-tax paying cronies are intent on taking over and running private business. They have no regard for owners, stockholders, boards of directors, or anyone else who runs a company. Now Obama, Inc. is going to dictate to GM how to run an auto company. This would be a hoot if it were in another country. These people (uh, liberal Democrats) are going to spell disaster yet.

I wish I could wake up tomorrow, find that someone has posted a big APRIL FOOL for America, and then we get back to normal.

PS I know that the photo is not President Obama, Inc., but it is a Democrat (Sen. Harry Reid), and he does symbolize what they are doing to America. :)

Taking More Time Than It Should

I didn't make many entries last week because I was finishing my tax preparation. My principle frustration is not over paying taxes; it is over the complicated, convoluted instructions we have to follow. Even with the help of tax software (I have used Turbotax for years), it is challenging to get simple, straight answers on what should be simple issues.

I know I sound like the proverbial broken record on this, but I would like to see this unusable tax code replaced with the Fair Tax. The simplicity itself would be reason to rejoice. There are some very reasonable people who tell us that dismantling the current tax code will never happen. Well, it's supposed to be our government - the government of the people. There are all kinds of minority special interest groups getting their ways these days; why can't someone as reasonable as Fair Tax supporters get their way? I like to thik that the tax code can be changed, but it will take dedicated effort. I sometimes wish that conservatives (and the Fair Tax issue is not really a conservative/liberal issue) could be as united over some issues as liberals are over theirs.

Oh well, I'm finished with my tax preparation for another year. Yay!!!

Victory - But Remain Vigilant

My entry on March 12 expressed my concern about this administration and Congress weakening national security and eroding benefits for military personnel and veterans. Shortly after my premonition, the Obama administration proposed billing veterans' health insurance for care they receive through the Veterans Administration (VA) for service-connected injuries and illnesses. Every Veterans' and military service organization objected to this proposal; some met with the President.

The first word was that their meeting made no impact on the proposal. However, it was later announced that this proposal has been dropped. This was probably the result of concerned citizens making contact with both Congress and the administration.

It is probably not over, though. This excerpt from an e-mail comes from Captain Ike Puzon, Director of Legislative Affairs for the Naval Reserve Association:

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The most disturbing issues surrounding this event... is that the proposal seems to be a bargaining chip for Veterans and military members to accept or agree to other pending (and unknown) budget cuts. When asked about what the 'savings' would go toward, if anything in VA health care, the White House answer was more disturbing - 'we don't know, we'll get you that information.' Many believe that the President may still move forward with the 3^rdparty billing plan and use the saving for other health care initiatives or other mandatory spending programs unknown to us at this time. It is reported from those that attended the meeting... that there was a clear lack of knowledge of how this would affect veterans and veterans' groups, and that the President did not want to hear the argument about 'moral and governmental obligations to wounded veterans that would be compromised by this initiative, if implemented.'

We urge you to write your Congressional delegation in opposition to 3^rd Party billing of Veterans care, and in opposition to any fee increases to military members' health care systems. (3/20/2009)

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It is extremely troubling when the proposal to erode veterans' benefits originates from our Commander-in-Chief. Every American who is concerned about our national security and benefits for military personnel and veterans must remain vigilant... very vigilant.

Ignorant

Yes, that is the descriptive term used by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to describe the President of the United States of America. President Obama's crime in this instance? To accuse Chavez of "exporting terrorism" and being an obstacle to progress in the region. "At least one could say, 'poor ignorant person,'" Chavez shared over the air last week.

One of the liberal utopian dreams during the past few years has been that once the Bush administration was done, we could settle down to a nice, cozy peace with all of these brutal tyrants. I guess we have moved up Chavez's food chain. Our President is no longer "the devil;" he is merely "ignorant."

I suppose that President Obama will be looking for a bigger olive branch. Lucky us.

The Obama Teleprompter

All right, folks. You have to check this blog out. The American spirit of innovation is not done in yet.

Barack Obama's Teleprompter Blog.

Enjoy.

Conservatives Right - As Usual

Well, well, well. Along with other conservatives, Rush Limbaugh revealed how Sen. Dodd and other members of Congress were quite aware of the upcoming contractual bonus issue at AIG, along with the revelation of the "Dodd amendment." Sen. Dodd rejected these "accusations" and told the American public that some "unknown" person or group changed the wording to his amendment prior to the vote. Yet, he still voted for the stimulus bill in spite of the "changes."

So now try out this headline: "Sen. Dodd admits adding bonus provision to stimulus package." (FOX News, 3/18/09)

Yet, conservatism & conservatives are bad for America. My, my, my. I guess they are: they keep tripping up liberals with truth.

Remember: How to anger a conservative - tell her a lie. How to anger a liberal - tell him the truth.

Tyranny - or - Politicans Gone Wilder

The political response to the AIG bonus issue concerns me greatly. First, neither our politicians nor Big Media is reporting the affair accurately. That, of course, is no surprise, but it does greatly influence the way that the normal American forms opinions, conclusions, and solutions. There are virtually no comments that even though these are "bonuses," they are contractual obligations that AIG entered into. Neither are our great and wonderful INVESTIGATIVE journalists informing the public that the politicians who rushed the stimulus (re: bailout) bills through their hallowed halls of Congress already knew and approved this.

On 3/17/09, Rush Limbaugh commented, "Sen. Chris Dodd wants to tax AIG retention bonuses at 90%, but Dodd added 'an exception for contractually obligated bonuses' into the stimulus bill! Once again, we have the real architects of this disaster acting like innocent bystanders who had no idea this was coming. We're being played for suckers with this populist assault to distract from Obama's poll numbers." I am well aware that Rush can be disliked for many reasons, but if you are trying to decide whether to believe Rush or our elected officials, keep a few things in mind... (1) Rush makes his living by claiming to be accurate and truthful. If he is not, he can be exposed by the evidence. Most of the time, those opposing Rush attempt to harm his character instead of refuting his evidence. Since Rush's enemies are out to destroy him, I am certain that they would not overlook introducing evidence that clearly refutes him. If such evidence is not presented, it makes me think that it does not exist. (2) While he may or may not influence people, Rush has no power to impose (legislate) his will upon others. Our politicans do, and as a result, they are also susceptible to questionable, if not corrupt, influence. It is beneficial for them to keep such influences secret or, if exposed, to mislead the public about it. (3) Take any political issue that has been discussed by Rush over the life of his program. Compare the known facts that eventually came out with Rush's public comments and any politician's public comments. Who stands up as the more truthful and accurate? I'm not suggesting that anyone adore or idolize Rush; just suggesting that when facing an issue such as this, you consider the track record of those involved.

Back to the AIG issue. More on the "Dodd amendment" can be read at newsmax. Sen. Dodd is now claiming that his amendment was changed in committee, although no one is "able" to tell the Senator or the public who made the changes. Which leads us to ask Sen. Dodd and ALL of our other Congresspeople, "Did you vote for this stimulus bill without reading it? Why did you do such a thing?"

Second, the political response concerns me gretatly. This is the really insiduous, frightening part. Our Congresspeople now believe that they are justified to target specific citizens, determine that they have been paid too much, and pass legislation - that means, make it law! - that their compensation be taxed at a rate of 100%!!! According to those behind this proposed legislation, the reality that the compensation received by employees of AIG are contractual retention bonuses means nothing. A nearly exact quote by a Senator I heard last night discussing this is that contracts can, and should, be broken. This completely overturns any concept of the rule of law upon which America was founded and upon which America has thrived. This is tyranny!!!

Now you and I know full well that hardly anyone is going to feel sorry for multi-millionaire AIG executives to lose a few assetts, especially in the economic troubles we face. Almost everyone, if not everyone, interviewed by Big Media, will cheer their Congresspeople and BHO for this "bold" move to punish millionaire executives. They are, of course, the bad guys in our nation. So why go out on a limb and take an unpopular stand of appearing to support AIG executives?

Bear in mind that during the presidential campaign, the definition of "rich" was not millions; it was specified as income of $250,000. In fact, at various times and places in the campaign, the figure cited was even less. Still, that's quite a bit more money than most of us make, so why be troubled? Make the "wealthy" redistribute their "wealth."

I am troubled because not only individuals are targeted. Businesses are targeted, and even small businesses are going to have revenues exceeding $250,000. Higher tax rates mean higher prices of goods and services. This translates into a "tax hike" for everyone regardless of income level. It also probably means less hiring or more layoffs by business. But our government has learned to manipulate populist sentiment, target specific citizens and sectors, and pass legislation that imposes harsh tax rates. This is tyranny!!!

I am troubled because our government determines that contracts are meaningless if they stand in the way of political agenda. Think about, for instance, those 401(k)'s and traditional IRA's and Roth IRA's and any other legitimate tax sheltered plans that currently exist. Private citizens contract with their government to follow specified contractual obligations in order to receive favorable tax treatment. Did you catch the word "contract" in use here? Wait a minute, our government has declared that contracts can be voided if they interfere with political agenda. So when our federal government is later strapped for cash more than it is now, what is to prevent them from shrugging their shoulders and declaring, "What contract? That contract is meaningless to us because we need your money. So we will tax it at any rate we deem sufficient, even up to 100%!" Given the precedent now being set, what is to prevent this scenario from happening? This is tyranny!!!

If this does not get your attention, you are comatose. If you disbelieve the logical extensions I have made from the present issue, you are not paying attention to reality. This is happening right now. Never before have I witnessed our government - the people's government, remember? - specifically target American citizens and businesses to this extent in order to destroy them. Targeted: AIG executives; the coal industry (and by default, the electric utility industry); private aviation; the "wealthy" (as variably defined on any given day); banks; responsible and successful citizens and businesses; national security; veterans; our free market economy; and the American Constitution. I welcome any additions to this list.

This is tyranny!!!

Politicians Gone Wild

Politicians from both parties (D & R) are going wild lately. Most, it seems, believe that they should be dabbling into the personal affairs of business and private citizens - including calls for death. Sen. Grassley (R-IA) offers this recommendation: "I suggest, you know, obviously, maybe they [AIG executives] ought to be removed... But I would suggest the first thing that would make me feel a little bit better toward them if they'd follow the Japanese example and come before the American people and take that deep bow and say, I'm sorry, and then either do one of two things: resign or go commit suicide. And in the case of the Japanese, they usually commit suicide before they make any apology."

In the same article, President Obama lambasted them for "recklessness and greed."

Uhhh.... who keeps giving them tons of money so that they do not have to face any consequences for their actions? A free market economy will not allow AIG "recklessness and greed" to prevail. Indeed, it is unlikely that it would have gotten to this point because subprime loans would not have been politically imposed upon responsible business in the first place.

Hey, politicians going wild, this is all a logical consequence of the moral relativism you have been imposing on Americans for decades now. To use a popularized figure of speech, your chickens are just coming home to roost.

Enablers

AIG executives keep on ignoring public relations as they anger the public by authorizing bonuses after taking bailout money. Well, what do we expect when a society decides to replace "nature's law" with moral relativism?

Uh... who has been enabling these arrogant brutes by pumping money into their boardrooms?

A free market would inevitably correct these deficiencies, but free market principles are not part of the arsenal being used by this administration in its "war" on the economy.

Military & Veteran Alert

For some reason, I have recently been thinking about the impact that the more radical liberal agendas might have on national security and benefits for military personnel and veterans. In spite of their earlier "we support our troops smokescreen," those on the left have typically tipped their hands concerning their opinions about the U.S. Armed Forces. In his infamous essay "Some People Push Back: On the Justice of Roosting Chickens," Ward Churchill wrote that American and coalition force action against the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait was "a performance worthy of the nazis during the early months of their drive into Russia." Even though they both have prior military service, Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) and Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) have made several extremely demeaning remarks against American men and women in uniform over the past few years. In a recent Chicago Tribune editorial (reprinted in the Kokomo Tribune, 2/9/09, p. A5), "Former Sen. George McGovern said recently that Obama should reconsider a U.S. military buildup in Afghanistan. He said the president should call a five-year 'time out' on war and bolster efforts to feed children in poor countries."

With these kinds of opinions and pressures from the left, I have been wondering: How long will it be before our national security capabilities are threatened? How long will it be before bills are introduced that will strip military personnel and veterans of their benefits because they are nothing but "baby killers," "nazis," and "criminals" and therefore not eligible for support from American citizens?

Whether my premonitions are divinely inspired or not, my latest copy of Naval Reserve Association News (3/2009, Vol. 56 No. 3) indicates that some dark storm clouds are already on the horizon. ADM Casey Coane, National Executive Director, writes, "Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) has called for a twenty-five percent reduction in defense spending. The President has apparently asked the Services to tell him what a ten percent cut would do to them." [emphasis added] (p. 4) CAPT Ike Puzon, Director of Legislation, reports, "We have received numerous inquiries about a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report. Many have claimed that TRICARE for Life (TFL) is at risk... We are concerned with legislation that might affect military health readiness and deny earned health benefits." (p. 9) Included in CAPT Puzon's report is the reality that the current Congress has the all-time lowest percentage of members who have served, or serve, in the U.S. military. On the positive side, Rep. Chet Edwards (D-TX) has reintroduced The Military Retirees' Health Care Protection Act as a preemptive strike against the Defense Department attempt to raise deductibles, copayments, and enrollment fees for TFL. (p. 13)

When bills are introduced that will cripple American national security capabilities and weaken or eliminate military and veteran benefits, how will your Senators and Representatives vote? How much longer will Americans continue to elect politicians who favor the dangerous anti-American policies of the radical left?

I encourage you to take action before it's too late. (1) Let your Senators and Representatives know that you are opposed to any bills that erode America's national security capabilities and benefits for military personnel and veterans. (2) Share this article with other military personnel, veterans, families, friends, and others who do not want to see a weakened America or military personnel and veterans robbed of their rightfully hard-earned benefits. Thanks for your help!

My Letter

Here is my letter to my Congressmen and President:

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“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
– The 10th Amendment to the Constitution

I find it deeply troubling that so many of my elected officials in the executive and legislative branches of government are working intently to violate the 10th Amendment. All of you have taken an oath of office and have stated to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. How can we be a nation of laws if the supreme law of the land, our Constitution, is ignored?

I still believe in the 10th Amendment, as well as the entire U.S. Constitution, and respectfully ask that you represent me by adhering to our vital founding document.


Sincerely,

*****

I encourage you to send your own. Use as much or as little of my text as you want. Sadly, our elected officials these days need a strong reminder about the source of government from we, the people.

Tax Time Again

Once again, Americans are burdened with tax preparation. Each year's tax law changes seem to bring new complications. Read "Keeping Track of Your Basis" in IRS Pub 564, the instructions for the tax treatment of mutual funds. It should be more straightforward than this.

Or consider this year that the market turmoil caused your mutual fund to generate capital gains distributions. This means that you have an additional tax liability. But say that the economic downturn required that you sell an assett like a car. Of course you lost money on it. But you cannot use that loss to offset your other gains because you cannot claim losses on consumer goods. However, in the unlikely event that you made money selling a car or some other consumer item, you are supposed to include the income on your tax return. How's that for a fair system?

So, once again, I invite any interested citizen to consider the proposals of Americans for Fair Taxation (known as the Fair Tax). If nothing else, it would eliminate the complications that we can all do without.

Tenth Amendment

America's Tea Party (re: the movement started by Rick Santelli's challenge to President Obama's economic policies) is calling for Americans to contact their Representatives to remind them of the 10th Amendment (one of the Bill of Rights) to the Constitution.

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Thomas Jefferson described the Tenth Amendment as “the foundation of the Constitution” and added, “to take a single step beyond the boundaries thus specially drawn … is to take possession of a boundless field of power, no longer susceptible of any definition.”

Our token leaders continue to redefine and expand their unconstitutional bounds of power. We cannot be a “Nation of Laws” if the supreme law, the Constitution, is ignored. In honor of the 10th Amendment, we Americans can send our representatives in every level of government a simple reminder on March 10th by sending the following e-mail:

Dear Representative [NAME]

This is a friendly reminder that I still believe in the 10th Amendment. Please represent me.

Thank you,
[NAME]

Or, if you have really had ENOUGH, personalize your message.

>>>FIND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE HERE <<<

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
– The 10th Amendment to the Constitution

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Consider contacting your Representatives, including the President, and asking them why they are overstepping their constitutional boundaries. Of course, if you have a Representative who is actually fighting for our constitutional protections, take the time to thank him or her.

As far as human institutions go, our Founders established a brilliant form of government. They recognized the dangers of allowing government to expand beyond the control of its citizens. We need to remind ourselves of this and, in turn, remind our elected officials.

Obama's Secret proposal to Balance the Budget

From my brother, Douglas...

"I think Obama has a secret initiative to balance the budget without congressional action.

He's going to keep nominating secretaries until they've all paid their back taxes. Brilliant!!!!"

:-)



(Photo: Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner)

Administration Being Tested

Remember when V.P. nominee Biden said something weird about an Obama administration being tested? Wonder if he meant something like this...

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SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea vowed Tuesday to punish U.S. and South Korean "warmongers" after the American military said it would go ahead with annual joint exercises that Pyongyang calls an invasion rehearsal. ("N. Korea Vows to Punish U.S., S. Korea 'Warmongers'")

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U.S. - S. Korea joint military exercises are held regularly. This time, though, North Korea carries on as if it is an act of war. The historical truth is that the only invasion initiating a war in Korea thus far has come from the north.

Tyrants love weakness. Hope President Obama is ready for his tests.

March Madness

I wrote in my last post that I was looking for some good news. I think I have found some.

I guess this is good news, anyway. It's March madness time! Well, I suppose you could apply that to college basketball tournaments, but March is also college spring break time. And reports tell us that "The party goes on. Despite economy, college students plan spring break trips." (Kokomo Tribune, 2/22/09, D5). Bookings for pleasure and volunteer service destinations remain strong. I guess this qualifies as good news.

Oh, and it has been sunny here with warmer temps predicted. Happy days know no bounds.