Monthly Archives: September 2010
Dave’s Quote of the Day
“We will have to see whether we are allies or enemies.”
- Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik referring to NATO and the escalation in tensions between the alliance and Pakistan.
I strongly suggest Mr. Malik think long and hard about what he is saying and which side he wants to end up on.
Time’s Up
The Constitution Club is one of the few places I felt comfortable enough to clearly air my political (and other) views with reasonable, like-minded individuals who have become, in some way, cyber-friends. My stay here has been pleasant, and even some of the posters I found disagreeable in word didn’t strike me as disagreeable in behavior.
It pains me to say it, but this will be my final post for the foreseeable future. I am having to deal with preparing for the loss of two grandparents and the poor health of a dear uncle, and frankly, politics and everything else has begun to take a back seat in my life. I will post links at my Facebook site, but at this time, I just don’t have the interest to blog under the circumstances.
It has been a true pleasure working with the lot of you, and as things improve here, I may consider rejoining. Thanks for the invite, and much success to you, ConClubbers.
The Whining Sound You Hear….
Muslim States Press U.N. Council to Condemn Anti-Islam Actions, Speech
The OIC (Organization of Islamic Countries) has decided that the recent attempt by certain Christians here in the states to burn the Qu’ran is worthy of legal penalization. They are now petitioning the UN to pass a law against “instances of intolerance, discrimination, profiling and acts of violence against Muslims occurring in many parts of the world.”
Now, let’s throw aside the fact that the military just burned countless Bibles at the request of these countries….and the fact that Christians aren’t even allowed to speak of Jesus in their countries….and the fact that radical Islam (which they support) seeks to kill Christians, and any Muslim that converts to Christianity. Maybe then, I would be sympathetic to their plight.
But we can’t discount those facts. And it doesn’t leave them much credibility…or much respect. I feel sorry for them. Not so much for the fact that some misled Christian threatened to burn their book, but for the fact that they are so pathetic in their response.
But look at the phrasing that they used: “….instances of intolerance, discrimination, profiling and acts of violence…” Notice how they sneak that phrase “profiling” in their petition? Don’t want any extremists profiled.
And this coincides with their annual “running of the bull” (and I don’t mean the four-legged kind)–their presentation of the “Defamation of Religion” garbage that they peddle every year at the UN. This resolution to supposedly end religious by making an international law against persecuting religions is nothing but smoke. A closer look at this resolution shows that, for example, a Christian could be arrested for prosletyzing or calling another religion a false religion. On top of that, Islam is the only religion ever mentioned in this resolution.
Radical Islam is very sneaky and underhanded.
TEA Party Article Round Up
It appears that a day doesn’t go by without an amazing amount of print dedicated to the TEA Party movement and its perceived influence in American politics this election. What will happen to all that energy, effort, and energy after the election is hard to tell. I sense that if there are even a few successful TEA party candidates in the November elections (which there are sure to be) then the work will begin almost at once for the 2012 elections. There a large number of vulnerable Democrats and squishy Republicans up for re-election in two years in the Senate and a lot of novice challengers will undoubtedly already beginning to make plans to harness the momentum and sour national mood we have already seen and try to knock off a few more Washington insiders and liberals. It also gives the Liberty movement a couple more years to continue to improve their strategies, learn from the mistakes and successes of this election cycle, and refine the technology and web of connections that has made the TEA party types as successful as they have been.
Already a year and a half old they have shown the ability to withstand every attempt to make them self-destruct or discredit them to ruin. In many ways you have the feeling they are just getting warmed up. This mid-term election, if I had to make a prediction, is in effect just “round one” of a very long fight reign in the socialist, progressive agenda that now pervades nearly every aspect of your personal and business life. I have come across a few interesting articles lately that I believe are worth sharing with a wider audience.
The Tea Parties and the Future of Liberty is a piece by Stephen F. Hayes, a Senior Writer for the Weekly Standard. This appeared in the latest Imprimis issue and was mailed to nearly two million people as well as appearing online in numberous places. I just received mine this week.
The Insurgency: The times, they really are a-changin’ and The Insurgecy II: The Road Ahead by Michael J. Lotus of RightNetwork was brought to the attention of a wide audience by Instapundit.com and is worth the read. We are finally starting to get some good analytical looks at this surprise movement. It took long enough.
Rasmussin Reports published the commentary Tea Party Has Elites on the Run by Tony Blankley which concurs with my assertion that the TEA party is in essence a revolt by the middle class.
Angelo M. Codevilla makes a similar assertion in America’s Ruling Class — And the Perils of Revolution which appeared The American Spectator. The TEA party revolt is not just against Big Government but against Big Banks and Big Business as well. It is as much against hyper-active and exploitive capitalism as it is against the ruinous and bankrupt policies of socialism. The politicians who have sold out to any of these entities at the expense of the average American is increasingly being held accountable for their actions. Such a feeling is in in its infancy but growing among the activists on the Right.
Robert W. Merry, writing for Stratfor Global Intelligence, makes the case in The Tea Party and Insurgency Politics that we are not witnessing something new in American politics and that this particular insurgency will have a long-lasting effect on the political system.
And the Wall Street Journal currently surmises that the Tea Party Movement Gathers Strength, Rachel Alexander wonders Will Dead RINO’s Mount One Last Charge and Daria DiGiovanni warns against ‘Misunderestimating’ The Revolution.
For my early take on the TEA party movement see The Rise of the Tea Party.
Dave’s Quote of the Day
“[The tea party movement] is about electing people who are going to get the Federal government to stop pressing the handle that has been flushing America’s wealth, ingenuity, and capacity for hard work down the toilet bowl of history by promising more and more to people who have produced less and less until no one has anything.”
–political analyst Rich Galen
Princess Lisa Radio Ad
Let Freedom Ring has released a fairly harsh radio attack ad on “Princess” Lisa Murkowski and her increasingly pathetic attempt to mount a write-in campaign for the US Senate. Some have placed it among the best ads so far in the mid-term elections. You will have to be the judge of that, but I think it is pretty darn funny.
My (Madam) Congressman is going down in flames
My congressional district, to my horror and embarrassment, got caught up in the hope and change, hurrah-for-Obama moment in 2008 and narrowly foisted a Democrat upon the fine citizens of Northern and Eastern Colorado. This year Betsy Markey is in the crosshairs and running for her political life. She was widely denounced as little more than a traitor for her Obama care vote. In a move of desperation (she is something like 11 points down to the Republican challenger) she has teamed up with Moveon.org and sent a desperate plea for help to all their members in her district. As I “joined” Moveon.org several years ago to keep tab on my radical progressive friends (I guess I’m also a “member” of Code Pink *shudder*) I received her plaintive plea in my email inbox yesterday. Apparently, so that I could kind of make fun of it and reprint it here today.
The Republicans are rubbing their hands together. They think I am an easy target this November.
I have been a strong advocate for progressive issues and have voted my conscious (typo in original email – Dave) time and time again. I have taken tough votes because I wanted to do what’s right and now Sarah Palin, Karl Rove and the Republican noise machine have put a big target on my back. I need your full commitment. My race is a top-target and I need you with me, fighting hard to protect this seat. We’ve seen how the Republican noise machine works: by exploiting fear and spreading misinformation. We know my opponent, career politician Cory Gardner, and his slick advisors are going to use every resource at hand to lie about my record. This is why I need your help right now more than ever before. I will be up against a full barrage of negative Karl Rove style attacks. Please stand with me today to combat the Republican noise machine. Will you join the hundreds of grassroots supporters and show how strong our momentum and support really is? Click here to help ward off the slick Republican lies and misinformation by volunteering: http://markey.zissousecure.com/take_action/volunteer
There is so much at stake. My opponent would be one of John Boehner’s key lieutenants, working to repeal health insurance reform and the tough new Wall Street Reform laws that will protect our retirement security. He has vowed to fight against women’s reproductive rights and even voted against stricter penalties for drunk drivers. This is one of the most critical races in the country and the outcome will have repercussions that will be felt far past the borders of CO-04. I am committed to fighting for Colorado’s working families, but to keep doing that I need your help. I’m asking you to commit your time and energy as well. Please show your commitment by signing up to volunteer right now so I can ward off the slick Republican lies and misinformation. http://markey.zissousecure.com/take_action/volunteer
Losing this race is simply not an option and I need you to be 100 percent behind me — I can’t make it without each one of you committing to stand beside me and fight.
Thank you,
Betsy Markey
Member of Congress
PS: I need your support now more than ever. Click here to help ward off the slick Republican lies and misinformation by volunteering.
Bye Bye Betsy! Even the Huffpost asked Is Betsy Markey Giving Up?.
I’m An American – Music Video
I received an email from a gentleman named John Schwarzman asking if I would post and share his “I’m An American” song and video. Of course, I am always glad to help out a fellow patriot and conservative in any way possible and I hope you enjoy the simple but timeless sentiment that John shares in his song. Feel free to pass this along and share it with others.
John shared the following in regards to the feedback he has received so far.
I want to say how deeply honored I am that so many people have viewed this video, and for the wonderful comments you have been leaving. Thank you so much!
When I wrote this song, I felt that it said what so many are feeling. But would people respond? Half way through making the video, I wondered if this might be one of the crazier ideas I’ve ever had. Not anymore…
Thank you for your appreciation and for continuing to share with family and friends! Send this video around the world and back!
Dave’s Quote of the Day
“Bureaucrats and politicians in Washington think they should decide what kind of lightbulb we use, what kind of toilets we flush, what kind of car we drive…They’ll buy your teenage daughter an abortion, but they won’t let her buy a sugary soda in a school’s vending machine.”
- Maverick Delaware senate candidate Christine O’Donnell
“…maybe we should invite the ‘Glee’ cast to perform next.”
The Dems can’t pass a budget this year, they can’t extend the Bush Tax Cuts, they couldn’t pass the National Defense Authorization Act, but they could get Comedian Stephen Colbert to testify before congress.
One has to wonder what they were thinking when they dreamed this stunt up: hire a professional clown to testify before a panel of doomed dems and then what – pray nobody makes the connection? Well, perhaps Chris Matthews and Brian Williams mightn’t, but for the rest of us outside The Tank, the one-liners write themselves.
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Friends, Forum, and Facebook . . . Let’s Get Rrrrreeeadddddyyyy to Rummmbllle
It amazes me how politics today and one word, “Obama”, can bring family and friends to a point of turning backs and walking away from each other or putting up the gloves, ready to fight.
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Jim DeMint’s courage and Lisa Murkowski’s betrayal
An excellent column by Marc Thiessen of the Washington Post. The GOP establishment still needs to be taught a lesson and it is up to the rank and file to make sure they get the message. The Republican party made the mistake in the past of becoming a top down instead of a bottom up party. That is in the process of being corrected even as we speak. Entire state organizations are being taken over by conservatives with their 9-12 and Tea Party allies and inroads will need to be made on the national party level as well. That is much harder to do but the party insiders are no longer in charge of the message and increasingly not in charge of campaigns, the candidates, and fundraising. They are rapidly becoming irrelevant in many ways. The message to them is lead, follow, or get out-of-the-way. They had the chance to do the former so for many of them it is time to do the latter two. From now on they will be held accountable to fiscal and conservative ideals and if they are not then they will be dealt with. That is the promise. Ask Specter about that.
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An Unsuspecting Culprit is in our Wings
Proposition 19 is preparing to take center stage in the upcoming California elections on November 4, 2010. To legalize marijuana or continue to keep marijuana illegal is up for debate. Proponents of the initiative cite that legalizing and taxing marijuana would generate much-needed revenue and that legalization would allow law enforcement to focus on other crimes. Experts in the field of drug policy, policing, prevention, education and treatment report that neither of these claims withstand scrutiny. Democratic Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, Attorney General and candidate for Governor Jerry Brown and Democrat Obama’s drug czar Gil Kerlikowski oppose Proposition 19. Governor Schwarzenegger says,
The Honeymoon is Over
Yet another disappointed Obama voter. Welcome to reality lady. This is the change you voted for. I hate to say “I told you so” but “I told you so.”
Dave’s Quote of the Day
“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”
-George Washington
Say Your Last Goodbye to the Edison Light Bulb
I’ve got to be honest, I have no problem with people voluntarily implanting a host of little mercury bombs throughout their house. I just have a problem with it being forced upon us while ensuring that every lightbulb from now on ever used in the US will be made in China. It does seem a bit strange that we would in effect give a cranky and often borderline unfriendly communist regime sole power over our ability to artificially light up dark spaces or see at night. But that is what we have done. Worried about a possible oil embargo? I worry about a light bulb embargo. Talk about having us over a barrel. Gives a potentially new meaning to the words “lights out” if we ever really piss off the Red Chinese by overly criticizing lead covered toys, horribly defective drywall, or death inducing pet food.
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Old Man Favre
A well written and humorous article on “old man” Favre. Unfortunately, the ride has to end sometime. And for Favre it should have ended last year. That was his last chance to get to the Super Bowl and he almost made it. To think he could recreate the magic that was Favre and the Vikings last year was just a bit of wishful thinking I’m afraid. The Vikings will be lucky to go 8-8 this year and at the end I suspect that one of the great quarterbacks that we have always enjoyed watching over the years will finally be retiring for good.
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Middle East Miscellany
Michael Rubin of National Review gives analysis on three stories coming out of Turkey. I had originally come across his work covering Iranian politics, and he’s a worthy read.
Cross-posted at RudyCarrera.com.
Dave’s Quote of the Day
In times of change, the Patriot is a scarce man; brave, hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot.
- Mark Twain
Breitbart Forces Obama’s Protesters To Fold Up Shop
Andrew Breitbart has brass ones to go out and confront that crowd alone. He’s a godsend and a true patriot.
On Saturday, September 18th, Glenn Beck and Andrew Breitbart headlined an event entitled “Right Nation 2010,” held just outside of Chicago, Illinois.
As you will see in our video report from the scene, when Andrew Breitbart arrived at the Sears Centre, he was met with an angry mob of protesters who were calling for an ‘end to hate’ while also hurling expletives and homophobic slurs toward the targets of their enmity.
In the following dramatic video, Breitbart brings the protest to a complete halt by cleverly asking sign holders to do the impossible: explain the placards they were carrying. In the end, the frustrated organizers abruptly end their protest and leave.
Read the whole thing, and watch all the videos.
…Is anyone else beginning to see a pattern developing here?
It’s getting more and more obvious every single day.
Kim’s son named heir
Kim Jong-il may be nearing death. News has just broken that his son, Kim Jong Un, has been named as North Korea’s future leader. This will be interesting to watch, as Jong Un has no real leadership experience, and there is also a wild card with the possibility of one or more military leaders salivating at the chance to take power for themselves.
HT: John Batchelor Show.
Cross-posted at RudyCarrera.com.
Dave’s Quote of the Day
“On what grounds should she run as independent? Because she really likes being a senator? Because she’s bummed the seat-for-life her father gave her turned out to be more temporary? I think independent campaigns or party switches are forgivable or understandable on some grand issue of principle. Joe Lieberman’s steadfast support for the war comes to mind. But reading this, it sounds like Murkowski thinks she should run because the people who like her have told her what she wants to hear. How is she anything more than Arlen Specter in a dress?”
- Johah Goldberg on Lisa Murkowski’s (Alaska) decision to run as a write in candidate for the US Senate after losing the primary.
Public school children taught to pray to Allah on Mosque field trip
In late May of 2010, public school children in Wellesley, Massachusetts, took a field trip to the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center – a radical Saudi-funded mega-mosque run by the Muslim American Society of Boston. There, the boys were separated from the girls. And the boys were asked to join the Muslim adults in their prayer, which some of them did.
Must Supreme Court Judges Obey The Constitution?
I came upon a very interesting-if-technical legal blog today.
In the trial of the lawsuit against the state of Arizona, perhaps reading this will clarify what the Constitution and those who wrote it demands in such cases.
God Bless America!
Alaska gored by a RINO
Sen. Lisa Murkowski mounting write-in bid for Senate
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski says she’ll mount a write-in campaign in Alaska in an effort to hold onto her seat after last month’s stunning Republican primary loss to Joe Miller. Murkowski made her announcement Friday evening at a rally in Anchorage while surrounded by supporters chanting: “Run, Lisa, Run!”
This falls under the category of “are you kidding me?”. Followed by “are you serious?” and, cue the sarcasm, “good luck with that.” People don’t know how to be good losers anymore and I guess the days of crossing over the aisle to shake your opponents hand after they beat you fair and square has gone the way of opening the door for ladies and the Roman Empire. Every shrill voice who has screeched about how O’Donnell endangers the GOP takeover of the Senate should now be equally shrill about how Murkowski now endangers that same goal. But they won’t, because it is a one way street to attack those who dare to not hurrah abortion, cheerlead the homosexual agenda, or otherwise imprudent enough to mention the word “constitutional.”
I can tell you one thing. This is not going to be your usual boring mid-term election. There is a surprise every day and it gets weirder all the time.
Pope’s astronomer would be pleased to baptize an alien “no matter how many tentacles it has”
BoingBoing isn’t what one would call good reading for those into theology (and neither is the shamelessly liberal Guardian), but there was an article which piqued my interest today. Mark Frauenfelder posted an article on Jesuit Guy Consolmagno, the Pope’s astronomer, who, unlike some of the proponents of Intelligent Design (a theory I consider myself agnostic to), has no problem with the idea of Evolution. He’d even be willing to baptize an alien if asked. A strange, but interesting, chap.
Cross-posted at Apocatastasis.
6 arrested in UK in alleged terror threat to pope
To be perfectly honest, I’m surprised that it wasn’t some psychotic atheist group trying to gun for the Pope rather than the usual Islamofascist slimebags. Britain has become an absolutely hostile ground to Christianity, though they allow Islam without so much as a peep, and any manner of perversion to seep into popular culture. Dawkins, Hitchens and those who peddle atheistic trash have much to answer for in making the island such hostile territory.
For his part, Pope Benedict XVI has remained calm and has stuck to his schedule, undaunted.
HT: Breitbart.
Cross-posted at Apocatastasis.
2 held in alleged nuke bomb making for Venezuela
We have enough headaches worrying about Iran to our geographical East, and North Korean to our geographical West. Now, two American citizens have decided it was a brilliant idea to help the Hugo Chávez regime make nuclear weapons. There goes the South. Are penguins conspiring for nuclear technology as well?
Overwhelm the System (by Wayne Allen Root)
I obtained this write up from a friend who voted for Obama. I think I heard the words “regret” and “I’m such a fool” five times over. The writer is Wayne Allen Root, a political commentator and a regular guest on Fox News.
This write-up reminds me of a bumper sticker seen on the back of my ol’ baby blue ‘69 Ford Bronco years ago when we’d take off for the hills for off-road rides and adventure: Get in, sit down, shut up, and hold on. The difference is, We the People are not sitting down and shutting up.
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Helena Sex Ed Curriculum (barely) Revised…
Helena, MT (ConClub) – The Helena School District’s feeble attempts to quell widespread public opposition to teaching a gay activist/liberal/progressive sex-ed program beginning in kindergarten and including homosexuality from the outset, represent too little in the way of real, substantive change. Thus, they have categorically failed to impress what turned out to be a small army of local critics here. A well attended meeting hosted by Helena Youth Advocates (HYA), a grassroots organization comprised largely of concerned parents was held at the Public Library this evening. As well as vocal parents, it appeared to include opposition activists, politicians and even one teacher (who wishes to remain anonymous for obvious reasons).
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Historical Anecdote of the Day
The Attempted Assassination of Theodore Roosevelt
Some twenty-five years after the death of my father’s parents I discovered among the boxes of their effects a number of old and interesting books. Included among them was Theodore Roosevelt: The Man As I Knew Him by Ferdinand C. Iglehart, D.D. (pastor of the Park Avenue Methodist Church in New York City) published by The Christian Herald in 1919. The preface ends with these words:
This book is sent out stained with my tears and those of the nation; with sorrow in our hearts that we shall see his face no more, but bright with hope that his spirit will remain with us, and that we shall see him again, and breathing a prayer that it may be used for the happiness and benefit of our fellowmen, and the establishment of Christ’s Kingdom on earth, to which Theodore Roosevelt, the man and the Christian, devoted his life.
The following passage is found on pages 235-237.
Infighting and Fickleness on the Right.
Image via Wikipedia
The fickleness of the Right is astounding at the moment. I haven’t seen this much infighting since my time on this earth, and I am not sure I want to keep watching it. But then again I am not sure any of us have ever seen primaries like this. With that said though, it really is surprising how people are going for the jugular concerning Palin and who she picks. This includes O’Donnell, who won last night but has seemed to split people down the middle on supporting her. As I just watched the primaries in my State and what is happening here, I am stunned on how the primaries went in Delaware and how nasty it was and probably will become again. What I am concerned with isn’t the fact that Castle lost or that he will not help O’Donnell with her campaign, but the fact that Delaware is pretty moderate/liberal. It is very much like Massachusetts when it comes to the mindset of the people. There is no denying it nor is there a reason to argue about it. So we have O’Donnell and Coons as well as Miller and McAdams and others in other states which makes it very nerve-racking and overly stressful this coming November. Maybe I am having electigue (new word) and I am wishing this was over with. But it is more the nastiness of the people on the right that has me pushing back and watching rather than helping. Does anyone else feel the same concerning these elections?
NRSC Refuses To Support O’Donnell
And Mike Castle shows exactly why he’s a loser by refusing to endorse her. The GOP insiders are so mad they could spit. Well, here’s a thought: who owns the money the NRSC is withholding from the Delaware race? The NRSC didn’t earn it – we donated it. Maybe we should send the money we were going to send the NRSC directly to O’Donnel, at least for the next two months! The NRSC need Conservatives a lot more then Conservatives need the NRSC.
Dave’s Quote of the Day
“The road to serfdom in America does not involve a knock in the night or a jack-booted thug. It starts with smooth-talking politicians offering seemingly innocuous compromises, and an opportunistic leadership that chooses not to stand up for America’s enduring principles of freedom and entrepreneurship.”
Tea Party Candidate (The Unknown Frenchman) Set To Take New Hampshire GOP Senate Primary?
The Granite State held out as long as it could; a GOP stronghold in Commie New England for the past 100 years, it went Dem in 2008 and this was taken as a sign that the Dems were going to be ascendant in the Northeast until Logan’s lifestone went black.
Well, it’s not to be. NH will turn out their Dems this year; they’re polling lower than Larry Flynt at the Lilith Fair. Worse, still, establishment GOP Senate candidate Kelly Ayotte (who has been all over the radio and TV – such as it is in tiny rural NH) appears to be cratering today in favor of the Tea Party Frenchman (who has had no money for media buys) Ovide Lamontagne.
Ovide who? Yes, exactly! The Beast’s family has lived in NH since 1650 and the Beast has literally never heard of this guy before today! But he’s WINNING and he’s winning BIG! Currently 45% to Ayotte’s 35%. Now, there’s a lot of vote yet to tally, but this is truly amazing.
UPDATE: Maybe there’s a reason the Beast never heard of this guy, the race is now neck-and neck. Lamontagne – 39%, Ayotte – 38%
UPDATE #2 (1:09am): Oops – Ayotte’s taken the lead by 1,100 votes, this is gonna go all night.
9/12: In Search Of “People Of Color”
“Yeah, I have seen many – The American Color!”
UPDATE: Special BONUS Video! The Boomtown Rats Redux
Article Roundup for September 3, 2010
These missives will become fewer and fewer due to focusing my interest in November’s elections…
Iranian prosecutor ready to release American woman by Nasser Karimi, AP/Breitbart. Iran is doing everything it can to keep its vile name in the news. Sarah Shourd, one of the hikers snatched and imprisoned in Iran, is ill with a lump in her breast and precancerous cervical cells. These monsters now want to parade her release as an act of clemency at the end of Ramadan. What pigs.
Inside al Qaeda with Former Terrorist, bin Laden Associate Noman Benotman by Erick Stakelbeck. Meet Mr, Benotman, once part of a Libyan cell dedicated to knocking off Muammar al-Gaddafi and establishing a beachhead for the terrorist organization. He has since been reformed, and his information on Osama bin Laden is worth listening to.
Venezuela on the Brink by James K. Glassman, Commentary Magazine. Venezuela now has the worst economy in the world. This election will decide if the country’s fate. Will they choose change or a permanently moribund economy?
Turtle Bay’s blind mice by the Editorial Board of the New York Post. The U.N. have continued to prove to the world what an utterly useless body they have become. Though I applaud their cultural work, and have no problem seeing collaboration between countries in cultural preservation, I do see a problem when a bunch of countries with less-than-democratic pedigrees have the gall to pretend to be objective parties when dealing with rogue nations.
Blood on the Olympic Snows of Sochi? by Kim Ziegfeld, La Russophobe. The world will be sending its finest athletes to one of the most active places for terrorism on Earth. What are they thinking?!
Cross-posted at RudyCarrera.com.
Whatever happened to the Summer of Recovery
Heh! Trick question of course. It was never meant for you if you weren’t a construction project:
Raise your hand out there, how many of you thought Joe Biden was promising jobs?
Maybe a little more looking is warranted:
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Extending the Bush tax cuts
I’m still trying to figure this all out.
John Boehner said he might play nice with Obama and support whatever tax cuts Obama wants, since it’s better than nothing. Robert Gibbs immediately attacked Boehner pointing out it was the policies of the last eight years that got us in this mess now. That reflects what Obama said in Cleveland last week as well. So, now Boehner is being attacked for saying he will possibly support Obama. Which side is the “party of No”?
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Claims of Racism Against the Tea Partiers (baggers)
The musician(s) in this video could very well be racist, but how does this video generalize to the tea partiers? This was a question I asked of an online forum claiming that this video prooves that the teapartiers (teabaggers was the term used) are racist.
My response ~ It is my opinion that this video is being simulated as propaganda against the tea party movement. The tea partiers are gathering to gain support to bring back US Constitution principles, not to incite their so-called racism against President Obama. Propaganda is nothing new in politics and this is just more of it.
I am appalled at how claims of racism continue being used to further the cause of silencing those who are against the current administration’s policies.
International Koran Burning Day
….seems to have come and gone with relatively few incidents and no backyard bonfire in backwater Florida by the man who started it all. There were just a few relatively minor copycat incidents on this day including a man who burned a couple pages of the Koran at Ground Zero in New York and someone who managed to defile one in multiple ways using a dog and then posted the pics online. Probably the major reason I have somewhat disliked the firestorm about Koran burnings and the like over the last couple weeks is that it was a major distraction from truly focusing on and commemorating 9-11. What we lost that day, and the memory of the victims who we lost that day, are cheapened when we allow petty distractions and publicity stunts to distract us from contemplating and understanding what is truly important. Rather sad to see.
George W. Bush: Address to a Joint Session of Congress Following 9/11 Attacks
No commentary necessary.
George W. Bush: Address to a Joint Session of Congress Following 9/11 Attacks
Cross-posted at RudyCarrera.com
But just don’t burn the Koran…
I’ll reserve commentary on the subject and allow you to draw your own conclusions.
US Military Burns Bibles In Afghanistan
Military personnel threw away, and ultimately burned, confiscated Bibles that were printed in the two most common Afghan languages amid concern they would be used to try to convert Afghans, a Defense Department spokesman said Tuesday… Military officers considered sending the Bibles back to the church, he said, but they worried the church would turn around and send them to another organization in Afghanistan — giving the impression that they had been distributed by the U.S. government.
Burn Baby! Burn!
So, now we have this doowa wanting to burn Qu’rans in protest of the mosque in New York. He’s claiming to be a Christian, but I can tell you that Jesus would have nothing to do with this. I’m sure his motives are admirable, and that he’s doing what he thinks is right. But burning Qu’rans does absolutely nothing, other than incite anger and put a lot of people in harm’s way. The muslim extremists already have enough excuses of their own as to why we should be killed without us adding to that list by our own stupidity.
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Dave’s Quote of the Day
“If it wasn’t for the media, it wouldn’t go anywhere. Why would 40 to 50 people, if that, be able to make such a big impression on the whole wide world over one little thing?”
– Eddie Houk, who lives 300 yards from the Dove World Outreach Center where a couple hundred Korans are scheduled to be destroyed on Saturday during the “International Burn A Koran Day” festivities.
Ain’t that the truth? I was pretty much saying the same thing to my wife this evening. I just can’t believe how much the media has stoked, publicized, and otherwise drawn attention to what should have been considered basically a “non-event.” I feel the same way about the way the media hypes the “God Hates Fags” people who show up in their tens to cause trouble. If you disagree with what a publicity seeker is seeking to publicize then don’t play their game and endlessly publicize it. The media and their liberal allies are far more upset about the backyard barbecue of a few Korans purchased on Amazon.com than they are about those who torch the American flag or mock Christianity through nasty and sometimes downright sick desecration of Christian symbols. And that to me is what is the most disturbing thing about this entire silly mess. So they burn a few Korans. So what? Far worse outrages are committed in this country on a daily basis (for example LA is enduring its third night of illegal immigrant rioting and disturbances). So why all the silly fuss now from generals, cabinet officials, presidential spokesmen, and even the President in regards to what a couple dozen people are doing in backwater Florida this weekend. This country loves its drama and the “outrage” of the week that gets everyone’s adrenaline flowing and fingers flying on the keyboard. It’s an amazing thing to watch. If these slightly misguided folks carry out their plan look for copycat burnings in a variety of places and I promise to deliver the youtube evidence of Rev. Jone’s backyard bonfire as quickly as I can get a hold of it. For that is what us bloggers do…
November Bloodbath
It’s predictions time, guys and gals. Now that the endgame is on, with the majority of voters just starting to pay attention to election season (after Labor Day), how many seats will the GOP pick up? Here’s the Beast’s picks:
House Of Representatives (39 seats needed to gain the majority): GOP +60
Senate (10 seats to gain the majority): GOP +10
Governorships: GOP +10
Anybody else?
Double Standards: A Matter Of Perspective
Sometimes I wonder why conservatives or Christians (much less those who identify with both groups) continue to be surprised by their treatment by the secular and non-Christian world. If we would believe what the Bible says, this is to be expected. It’s even supposed to keep getting worse! So how can folks a lot like me, who are inclined to forgive anything, expect to be treated consistently with those who are easily offended? How can we compete with those who file lawsuits and even justify murder upon the slightest hint of provocation? Christians must never harbor the illusion that we live under the same standards applied to everyone else.
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Where’s Walter?
Jeff Dunham’s Walter character on the left. Joe Biden, Washington’s character on the right. It is quite laughable. After Obama’s speech today in Michigan, guess I needed something to laugh at.
A Nation Of Bond Villains
The Beast caught the weekend episode of “Hannity” last night, in which Sean interviewed a college Prof who’s writing a book about the way Liberals see Conservatives (can’t find the details yet, but they will will be forthcoming). His thesis should be familiar to anybody who has spent any time in the lefty Fever Swamps: Liberals believe the truth of their Ethos is so manifest, so self-evident that anybody who denies it is either Evil or Stupid. The Evil conservatives are the guys with the brains who are out to make billions or enact a racist, sexist, islamophobic theocracy, and The Stupid Conservatives are those too dimwitted to realize they’re being used.
And while Conservatives grant Libs the benefit of the doubt, insofar as they they tend to argue that Libs are well-intentioned, but naive and wrong, Libs don’t return the favor at all. Which is a bit odd, considering that movement which rejects moral absolutes under the umbrella of Postmodernism seems to view the world in the same stark colors of black and white that would be adopted by the primmest seventeenth-century puritan preacher.
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A Man After God’s Heart!
At first blush this doesn’t seem relevant to ConClub, but I’d like to suggest that what I’m about to share is very much at the heart of our problems in America today.
If you follow the title link (or click here) you can read more about author and megachurch pastor Francis Chan’s decision to leave his church and pursue God 100%. I am almost in tears reading it for two reasons. First, because of how strongly I support and hope to encourage him in this–a big part of me wants to join him! On the other hand, I’m downright heartsick to read that “everyone” (his megachurch pastoral peer group) thinks he’s “cuckoo for cocoa puffs.” If senior and renowned pastors can’t understand what moves him, I’m profoundly troubled! What am I to make of that? Either the Church is Christ’s bride and body–made up of people like me–slaves called to be totally sold out to him…OR…those leaders are businessmen, teachers, and musicians playing a lucrative game on a bunch of suckers. What gives? Are those leaders sheep, goats or wolves? What would Jesus say?
For myself, I’d rather be in a church of 5 deeply flawed and unordained peers that have surrendered everything to Christ, than in a body of 30,000 lukewarm mega-pastors/preachers/teachers/worship leaders, exceptionally talented staff, and gifted/interesting congregants! Why? Because Jesus wants our hearts to be totally his.
My prayer is this: Lord, let my life resemble that of one of your prophet’s, not become one motivated by profits. Amen!
Poem: Teimuraz Zanaturi – [Untitled]
A poem by Georgian poent Teimuraz Zanaturi, translated into English by his son, Achiko Lursmanashvili:
Remember – life is already miracle itself…
and one more thing: there is no secret,
…Because Christ said – “Nothing is hidden…”
so, walk, just walk along the life way
and you will find your treasury.(Here is the poem in the Georgian language.)
იცოდე – ცხოვრება უკვე სასწაულია…
და კიდევ ერთი: არ არსებობს რაიმე საიდუმლო,
რადგან თქვა ქრისტემ – „არაფერი არ არის დაფარული…“
ასე, რომ იარე, უბრალოდ იარე ცხოვრების გზაზე
და შენს განძს ნახავ.
Cross-posted at Steinblóm.
VIDEO: Biosphere – Valchiere
Gier Jenssen has been making chillingly beautiful ‘arctic ambient’ music since 1983, and has released albums which are not only stark in terms of listening, but in packaging as well. Whoever does his graphic design should be commended. He has recorded under the name Biosphere since 1991.
This particular track comes from a compilation called X-Rated – The Electronic files. The music doesn’t have the pornish vibe one would expect from so-called “X-rated” music, though there is a bleak sensuality to the track.
A note of thanks to my friend Qualo Infinity, who posted the track at his Facebook account.
Cross-posted at A Miscellany of Tasteful Music.
VIDEO: Cristina Pato – Live on TVG
Never in the wildest dreams of my youth did I ever thing that bagpipe music would ever have the potential of being sexy. Cristina Pato, once a green-haired mohican, has metamorphosized herself into a Celtic enchantress, playing a bagpipe in a manner that could easily remind one of a saxophone, with just as much emotional depth.
I do not know the names of the tracks she performs here, but I can tell you that she is performing on TVG (Television Galicia) on a program that appears to be dedicated to the late Galician film director Chano Piñeiro.
Cross-posted at A Miscellany of Tasteful Music.
VIDEO: Barış Manço & Kaygisizlar – Trip (To A Fair)
It’s not often that either myself or my readers have a chance to sample a slice of vintage Turkish psychedelic music. Here is a track from Anatolian legend Barış Manço, along with his band.
A hat tip goes out to my dear friend, Yasen Kazandjiev, for posting this video.
Cross-posted at A Miscellany of Tasteful Music.
Burger King’s Blunder
Last week, Burger King was purchased by 3G Capital in a $4B deal. It has been reported that Burger King’s continuing losses were attributable to it’s target-market’s struggles during the recent economic downturn. Admittedly, Burger King’s target-market has been low-income minorities, and, as such, it is believed by the Burger King board that it’s market participants have taken the biggest hit. In plain terms, what Burger King was saying was that not even the most depressed of the depressed could afford its products.
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VIDEO: Alan Stivell – Land of My Fathers (Bro Gozh ma Zadoù; Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau)
Breton harpist Alan Stivell has done more than many to spread his and other Celtic cultures. Here is a clip of him performing a Welsh standard. The title, “Land of My Fathers,” is a translation from the Welsh “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau” and the Breton “Bro Gozh ma Zadoù.”
Cross-posted at A Miscellany of Tasteful Music.
Dave’s Quote of the Day
This was the revolt of the bourgeois, of the responsible, of the orderly, of people profoundly at peace with the traditional mores of American society… The tea party’s detractors want to paint it as radical, when at bottom it represents the self-reliant, industrious heart of American life. New York Times columnist David Brooks compares the tea partiers to the New Left. But there weren’t any orgiastic displays at the Beck rally, nor any attempts to levitate the Lincoln Memorial — just speeches on God and country. It was as radical as a Lee Greenwood song.
Article Roundup for September 3, 2010
Another round of news, dear friends, as I enjoy the movie “Ivan’s Childhood” while I type this out…
Militancy and the U.S. Drawdown in Afghanistan by Scott Stewart, STRATFOR. Now that American troops are leaving Iraq (and sure to come back soon enough as chaos will ensure once the Baathists and Al-Qaeda remnants feel ‘brave’ enough to go on a nationwide killing spree), attention will be focused on the alleged ‘Good War’ in Afghanistan. The militants in Afghanistan will pose a far different challenge to the organized, but mainly secular, terrorists Iraq has to contend with. They are a wily bunch, and will fight tooth-and-nail until dead or victorious.
Afghanistan and the War Legend by Robert W. Merry, STRATFOR. Straight talk for President Obama regarding how to handle Afghanistan.
Václav Havel by Johan Goldberg, National Review. The legendary Czech playwright, president and Frank Zappa fan speaks out against government incompetence regarding economic matters.
Mass Extinction Threat: Earth on Verge of Huge Reset Button? by Jeremy Hsu, LiveScience.com. My retort to this silliness? Something along the lines of Chris Tucker’s comment to Jackie Chan: “We gonna diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiie!”
Hamas leader rejects talks with Israel by Diaa Hadid and Karin Laub, Associated Press. A swat to the back of the head for anyone foolish enough to think that Palestinians were ever serious about peace. Shame on you. There were never serious, and would be going against their own raison d’etre if they altered their charter to make peace with Jews.
Cross-posted at RudyCarrera.com.
The Problem with Alaska’s Republican Senate Race.
I am not sure about what others think, other than they wanted Miller, but this is not going to be a good general by any means.
So here is the problem, in Alaska, you don’t fight like you do in the lower 49. You don’t play the blame game, nasty name game, or call the lawyers on each other game. You just do not do it. This State is too small and people find out the background of those who cause problems. Right now people are ticked off and do not want Miller in any way, shape or form.
Since Miller and this people have been attacking from the beginning, it is no wonder that Murkowski did what she did at the end before she conceded. Miller also had something else that many don’t realize. The Ron Paulian vote. Did you know that Ron Paul endorsed Miller, like Huckabee did? Nope, I didn’t think that you knew. And the fact that most of the Ron Paulians voted for Obama, it bothers the heck out of me that these people are coming out in droves to get Miller on the ticket.
Supposedly Miller had this 85K only for his running, but God help me you should have seen the ads for him via the outside influences and the fact they lied about Murkowski as well. Murkowski had over a million dollars, but I didn’t see as much advertising or signs… and the reason I know is I have all over this state these last two weeks. I have seen more signs for Miller than Murkowski and McAdams combined.
And who is this McAdams guy? This is the democrat who may take the run of Senate away from the Republicans. But here is the clincher. Murkowski, after saying she wouldn’t run or had never heard about running Libertarian, may be running as a Libertarian? My head swims at this.
My question, as I can not find an answer. What happens when an Incumbant runs under a different “Party” and wins? Are they still an Incumbant or…..? This election is going to be in the National News Media again, sooner than later.
Liberal Axiom Of The Day
When Republicans lose the the support of the public, it’s a sign the Republicans have failed the American People. When Democrats lose the support of the public, it’s a sign that the American People have failed the Democrats. And we must be punished.
Or at least, lectured. Doing the duty today: Pulitzer prize winning WaPo columnist Eugene Robinson takes us behind the woodshed and wields the rhetorical switch.
According to polls, Americans are in a mood to hold their breath until they turn blue. Voters appear to be so fed up with the Democrats that they’re ready to toss them out in favor of the Republicans — for whom, according to those same polls, the nation has even greater contempt. This isn’t an “electoral wave,” it’s a temper tantrum.
He’s just so disappointed in us. We have behaved abominably, and we should know better. He gave us every opportunity but now he has no choice but to give us a good, hard talking-to:
In the punditry business, it’s considered bad form to question the essential wisdom of the American people. But at this point, it’s impossible to ignore the obvious: The American people are acting like a bunch of spoiled brats.
Nanny Pelosi and Uncle Obama have worked so hard for us and do we show any gratitude at all? Nope. And worse, we’re starting to hang out with those bad kids on the other side of town, the ones who experiment with dangerous substances like guns and tax cuts, fight and boast and embarrass us in front of the neighbors:
It’s bad enough that the Democratic Party’s “favorable” rating has fallen to an abysmal 33 percent, according to a recent NBC-Wall Street Journal poll. It’s worse that the Republican Party’s favorability has plunged to just 24 percent. But incredibly, according to Gallup, registered voters say they intend to vote for Republicans over Democrats by an astounding 10-point margin. Respected analysts reckon that the GOP has a chance of gaining between 45 and 60 seats in the House, which would bring Minority Leader John Boehner into the speaker’s office.
Uncle Obama and Nanny Pelosi have gone easy on us up til now – maybe they haven’t explained how hard they work for us as well as they could have, but we should have known better, and we’re expecting way too much out of them.
The nation demands the impossible: quick, painless solutions to long-term, structural problems. While they’re running for office, politicians of both parties encourage this kind of magical thinking. When they get into office, they’re forced to try to explain that things aren’t quite so simple — that restructuring our economy, renewing the nation’s increasingly rickety infrastructure, reforming an unsustainable system of entitlements, redefining America’s position in the world and all the other massive challenges that face the country are going to require years of effort. But the American people don’t want to hear any of this. They want somebody to make it all better. Now.
Well, don’t expect our new pals to wash and cook and clean for us the way the Dems do. Those losers won’t work their fingers to the bone. Just keep blowing our allowance on fripperies and see what happens:
The richest Americans need to pay higher taxes — not because they’re bad people who deserve to be punished but because they earn a much bigger share of the nation’s income, and hold a bigger share of its overall wealth. If they don’t pay more, there won’t be enough revenue to maintain, much less improve, the kind of infrastructure that fosters economic growth. Think of what the interstate highway system has meant to this country. Now imagine trying to build it today.
And when it all comes crashing down (even worse than it is now, presumably – THB), we won’t have Nanny Pelosi and Uncle Obama to kick around anymore.
THERE. Now DON’T we feel ashamed of ourselves?
Professor Stephen Hawking says no God created Universe
I’m a longtime fan of Professor Hawking’s work, A Brief History of Time. It is truly one of the most intriguing reads on science ever created for laymen such as myself. I don’t claim to know a lot about the ‘Big Bang’ Theory (proposed by a Catholic Monsignor, Georges Lemaître), but judging by this poorly-written article posted at the BBC, neither does Hawking. Theoretical models and concepts are fine, and frankly wonderful in many cases, but for Hawking to say that no God created the Universe seems both haughty, bizarre, and to be a desperate ploy to sell his new book, The Grand Design.
It also continues a trend of science getting too big for its britches, acting as though life is a random accident and we essentially have no purpose other than being here, consuming what we can and dying off until a new breed shows up. For a person with a theistic worldview, this seems incomprehensible to the point of stupidity. Does one truly feel, in his heart of hearts, that we are but an accident? That life is merely the result of spontaneous creation? Hawking doesn’t bother to prove his point. He merely speaks, and the secularists wriggle in delight that he made his declaration public.
Unsurprisingly, Hawking is being picked apart by the religious community. More power to them. As much as I respect the man, it’s hard to take Hawking seriously when he peddles bizarre abandon-the-Earth-or-else theories or rubbish about aliens and then expects to take his anti-Deism at face value.
Cross-posted at Apocatastasis.
James Lee hearted Al Gore
James Lee was influenced by Al Gore. He believed An Inconvenient Truth was gospel. What else do I have to say?
Just a suggestion, only a suggestion, maybe Obama needs to direct his Homeland Security people to look in a different direction? The last two attacks certainly can’t be described as “right wing extremism”. Ya think Janet Napolitano’s making that argument to Obama right now? Do you really?
Originally posted at Moonage Political Webdream.
Well…THIS Sucks…
Via Furry John on Cape Cod: “If it passes East, “dry side,” heavy offshore winds, some trees down. Great surfing. Passes to our West = nightmares with variety. Boats 1500 feet up on the land. Collapsed walls. Trees you’ve known your whole life on their side, roots torn out. Dead people. Either way, <150 miles = instant November.”
Hurricane Earl and 1938 –YOW!
“The storm, following a low pressure area as the course of least resistance, was unable to swing westward because of a high pressure area which had developed over the Middle Atlantic States – fortunately for that region.
Unfortunately for Long Island and New England, another high pressure area had developed over the Atlantic. Between those two areas was a valley of low pressure. A Valley of Death that was a dagger pointed into the heart of New England. Into that valley or trough went the hurricane, now sweeping along at more than 60 miles per hour.”
NOW LOOK AT THIS. DO YOU SEE THE TWO HIGH PRESSURE ZONES? DO YOU SEE THE LOW BETWEEN THEM? THAT LINE IS THE TROUGH!
Fun, fun, fun!
Discovery Channel Hostage Crisis: Natural Consequence Of Tea Party, Anti Mosque, Right-Wing Eliminationist Rhetoric
Whose Nuts Now?
Saving the environment and the remaning species diversity of the planet is now your mindset. Nothing is more important than saving them. The Lions, Tigers, Giraffes, Elephants, Froggies, Turtles, Apes, Raccoons, Beetles, Ants, Sharks, Bears, and, of course, the Squirrels. – James Lee, EnviroMartyr and Friend to Arboreal Rodents Everywhere
It was inevitable. In this atmosphere of hate and bigotry, when the racism races through the body politic like a bunch of racist racers running a race where they’re winning the race against the good guys who can’t race because they’re not racist, somebody was bound to snap.
Glen Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Newt Gingrich and who knows – maybe Mike Rowe and Bear Grylls too – all have watered the tree of hate with the blood of bile and now they harvest the the crop of nuts of evil. Can anybody blame activists for losing it? Not this Beast! It’s time to take a stand for free speech and shut these people up once and for all! if not for us, then at least for the Lions, Tigers, Giraffes, Elephants, Froggies, Turtles, Apes, Raccoons, Beetles, Ants, Sharks, Bears, and, of course, the Squirrels.
News Corp.’s True Agenda
It has recently come to my attention that FoxNews parent, News Corp., has contributed $1 million or more to support the Republican Party in the upcoming elections. This information seems to keep crossing my desk via leftist sources wanting to, once again, prove a link between the Company and the political right. At the same time, the slant attempts to further the case that Corporate America is evil, is in league with the Republican Party and both are somehow out to destroy the world as we know it. I have not bothered to research the amount of said contribution(s), nor have I even attempted to verify the claim at all. And, I am not here to confirm or deny any such relationship News Corp. may have.
What I will admit is that News Corp. is indeed an American company. It is a business. A business exists to make a profit. Various taxes imposed on businesses impede those businesses’ ability to earn profits. These are all facts. Why is it such a stretch to believe that any company, including News Corp., would fund a political party that supports lower tax assessments? Mr. Murdoch’s only agenda as head of News Corp. is to ensure the company’s going concern. It appears he simply approved an investment in the company’s future.
It seems those who despise FoxNews for its often-entertaining opinions (yes, I did say opinions) want to cloud these very simple facts and create a fictional new picture painting yet another American company as being “evil” using emotionally charged accusations fitting leftist non-business agendas, all the while blindly forgetting what News Corp.’s sole purpose is.
On a similar note, is News Corp.’s reasoning in this regard not the same logic each and every earning individual in America should mull over when making a decision in November? The fiscal aspect of an American family makes it much like a business. Is it too far-fetched to believe the family deserves any less economic consideration than News Corp.?
Luckily, families don’t need to pay $1 million to make an investment in the future. The votes cast are much more valuable.
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