YOU did it, Thanks

A week ago a cry went up from Christians everywhere to make their voice heard in this issue.  YOU DID.  Things change.  They are big talkers till someone takes them on, then they run like wounded puppies.

 

Thanks. 

 

 

KU withdraws intelligent design course

J-W staff reports

Thursday, December 1, 2005

A controversial class on intelligent design at Kansas University has been dropped from the spring schedule, the university announced Thursday.

Paul Mirecki, chair of KU's religious studies department, withdrew the class, "Special Topics in Religion: Intelligent Design and Creationism," after controversy erupted over e-mails he had written disparaging Catholics and religious conservatives.

"My concern is that students with a serious interest in this important subject matter would not be well served by the learning environment my e-mails and the public distribution of them have created. It would not be fair to the students," Mirecki wrote in a prepared statement.

"It was not my intent when I wrote the e-mails, but I understand now that these words have offended many on this campus and beyond, and for that I take full responsibility. I made a mistake in not leading by example, in this student organization e-mail forum, the importance of discussing differing viewpoints in a civil and respectful manner."

Provost David Shulenberger added: "I granted Professor Mirecki's request and agree with his recognition that his actions had created an untenable situation. We still think the course itself not only has merit but is important and should be taught at some point.

"While the e-mails were unquestionably offensive, I know that Professor Mirecki regrets the situation he created. He has taught biblical studies and other religious studies courses here for 16 years and has an international reputation for his research. I hope this serious scholar will continue his work."

The State Board of Education's conservative majority last month successfully pushed changes in the state's public schools science standards that critique evolution - with intelligent design at the heart of those standards. Mirecki's course was inspired by that decision.

Now that's the official version, Here's the rest of the story:

 

Friday, December 2, 2005 University kills anti-ID course Posted: December 2, 2005 1:00 a.m. Eastern By Jack Cashill © 2005 WorldNetDaily.com Moved in no small part by articles in WorldNetDaily and a few other online publications, Kansas University Chancellor Robert Hemenway effectively killed an anti-intelligent-design course planned for the spring. As reported yesterday, Paul Mirecki, the head of the Religious Studies Department at Kansas University, had proposed a course titled "Special Topics in Religion: Intelligent Design, Creationism and other Religious Mythologies." When it came to light that Mirecki had justified his course on an atheist and agnostic website as "a nice slap in [the fundamentalists'] big fat face," he was coerced into removing "mythologies" from the title. When it was further revealed on these pages yesterday that for years Mirecki had been posting virulently anti-fundamentalist and anti-Catholic diatribes on KU's Society of Open-Minded Atheists and Agnostics (KU-SOMA) website, Chancellor Hemenway tightened the screws. "I want to be clear that I personally find Professor Mirecki's e-mail comments repugnant and vile," said Hemenway in announcing Mirecki's withdrawal from the course. "They do not represent my views nor the views of this university. People of all faiths are valued at KU, and campus ministries are an important part of life at the university." Despite his position as head of the Religious Studies Department, Mirecki had made it clear just how little he valued the Christians in his midst. For instance, when one SOMA communicant complained of being approached by a person giving out Bibles, Mirecki sympathized, "Yeah, I was offered one and asked the guy why he wanted the 'dark ages' to return. He just smiled at me with that inane look of the 'convinced.'" "The Evil Dr. P.," as Mirecki identified himself on the SOMA site, valued the world's Roman Catholics even less. When a student described the ailing Pope John Paul II as a "a corpse in a funny hat wearing a dress," Mirecki responded, "I love it! I refer to him as J2P2 (John Paul II), like the Star Wars robot R2D2." The SOMA crowd was equally harsh on conservative Jews, especially the sort who "sacrifice red heifers." Although acknowledging that Mirecki made the right decision by withdrawing from the course, Hemenway insisted that "this unfortunate episode does not in any way diminish our belief that the course should be taught." John Altevogt, the conservative activist who smoked out the SOMA website, was not assuaged. "The decision itself is meaningless," said Altevogt. "What is at issue is that a religious bigot who appears to be compelled to engage in hateful conduct is not only allowed to lead a major university department, but the department of religious studies." What troubles Altevogt, too, is that the chancellor failed to address the question of whether any discipline would be applied to a professor who made "anti-Semitic, racist and bigoted statements," as well as the campus group that he mentored and encouraged. Altevogt insists he is just looking for equity. "If a fraternity can be removed from the campus for hazing," Altevogt continues, "is an organization [KU-SOMA] whose members gleefully recount harassing and persecuting visitors to the campus based on their faith or group affiliation to simply be ignored and accepted as part of the university community?" The Kansas Legislature is asking these same questions, and until the answers are known, neither is Mirecki's future. Jack Cashill is an Emmy-award winning independent writer and producer with a Ph.D. in American Studies from Purdue.

I have an opinion about everything, maybe I'm wrong, or not

Is everyone entitled to an opinion about everything?  Or, Anything?  Who is qualified to postulate and adequately defend an opinion?  I submit, it might be a smaller number than we all think.  When I see talking heads on TV, when I see admitted non experts writing quasi scholarly books on oil shortages, global warming, and why God doesn't exist I'm tempted to say, "How bout a nice cup of shut the heck up" (heck is a replacement word). 

 

We have drifted into a culture born of talk radio where there is a democracy of thought which says, "everyone is entitled to their own opinion".  That's just not true.  Oh, you are entitled, and we are entitled to dismiss you as uninformed if you come on with some half baked thesis born out of ignorance.  I know, I'm an expert at being half baked and dismissed a great deal.  My heart's not broken.  I'll not stop.

 

Here's the real question.  Are there areas of knowledge (medicine, aeromechanics, history, calculus, archeology, engineering, computer science, physics, astronomy, english literature, geology, and a hundred other disciplines) where most people are frankly just out of their realm?  Is it possible that there are areas than not having enough depth of understanding or vocabulary in an area to present a meaningful argument or debate precludes the capacity to enter into the debate with any competence or expectation of success whatsoever? 

 

There are times when the discussion or debate is not possible because of asymmetrical expertise on the part of the participants?  It's not that someone can't argue.  It's just that without an even depth of understanding, the arguments are meaningless.  They can only be ignored or mollified, not answered except to say, go research this, and then when you have the answer, come back. 

 

I know nothing about mathematics.  In school I did badly  in math. I have a friend, Max, who is a PhD in Mathematics.  If I decided to argue with him that it's impossible to accurately measure a 4 sided area if one side is curved or irregular he would be courteous but somewhat dismissive.  If I insisted I was right, he should appropriately smile and say, look it up.  Study calculus.  Argument with me, for Max,  would be fruitless.  It would only upset me and would not persuade Max whatsoever.  He is an expert.  I am a novice.  Oh, I took Grade School, High School and Some College Math.  All were painful.  Even with this background, other than using a calculator, I'm not competent to field an effective debate about theoretical mathematics. 

 

I am not an expert in many things.  But I am pretty well informed and considered expert in a few.  Horticulture,The Bible & Faith, Marketing and Marketplace Macroeconomics which has come from decades of studying mob mentalities of the marketplace in stocks, bonds, and futures trading.  All of these areas came from the school of hard knocks, study, formal education, time, activity, and serious dedication to them.  I have other areas of interest, politics, sociology, international affairs, music, Shakespeare, Opera, and a few others.  But they pale in comparison to what I really know and I don't claim much expertise.  I would come at them with a fair amount of trepidation.

 

I don't get many people that challenge me in Horticulture.  I know what I'm talking about and it seems to satisfy. 

 

I don't have many people question my Marketing expertise.  It's pretty well proven by the anvil of experience.

 

Even in Macroeconomics, I don't get too many people who want to argue about it because it's pretty straightforward and subjective.

 

The area that always puzzles me is that I get into banal discussions from people who shouldn't be even trying to do other than ask questions in the area of Faith. 

I'm always amazed.  Everyone has an opinion.  Everyone because they went to Sunday School is an expert.  They may not have ever read the Bible cover to cover once, let alone several times as my wife has, they may not have studied under good bible teachers, in fact those with the most "opinions" are the ones who hardly ever darken a Church Door.  But they have opinons.  Of WHAT?  Oprah, Crystals, Deepak Chopra?  It's amazing.

 

I have been really critical in the past of the level of Biblical ignorance in this country.  We have pastors across the nation who's level of Bible scholarship is pathetic.  Yet, they have opinions, views and ideas which they express like they come from the pages of scripture.  And they are baseless. 

 

My hope is if we are on the verge of a new awakening that we will end up with more and better debate of substance and not that which is all hat and no gun. 

 

Monday Night Insurgents

 

Imagine MNF Being Covered Like Iraq

By Jon Ham

November 30, 2005

RALEIGH — Watching Monday Night Football the other night, it occurred to me that if one imagined the mainstream media covering that game the way they cover the war in Iraq (or the economy), the absurdity of their reporting would be plain for all to see.

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts, seeking to silence critics who say they are overrated, fell short of that mark on Monday night by outscoring the Pittsburgh Steelers by a mere 3-point margin in the first quarter.

Despite the unspectacular first-quarter margin, Colts head coach Tony Dungy insisted that his team was winning the battle. “Hey, we’re up three,” said Dungy. “In my book that’s a lead.” But critics pointed out that the Colts gained their lead only as a result of a desperation 80-yard pass by quarterback Peyton Manning to Marvin Harrison on their first play of the game.

“That score was based on subterfuge and was patently unfair,” said one critic, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation by league officials. “It amounted to abuse of opposing players to fool them like that.”

Despite scoring on their first snap of the game, and later scoring a field goal to go up 10-0, the Colts allowed Pittsburgh to score with only 1:18 left in the first quarter. Colt critics demanded that Dungy acknowledge that he had made coaching mistakes in the quarter, but he refused to do so.

The Colts have become a target of critics since going undefeated so far this year. That so many Colt players have openly expressed a desire to go undefeated the whole season is seen as arrogance and a sense of exceptionalism by many, causing many former friends to turn against them.

The staunch Pittsburgh defense, though out-manned and out-gunned, managed to battle the Colts to a standstill in the second quarter, allowing them only six points. Those familiar with the Colts say this second-quarter swoon reveals a lack of depth on offense due to unmet recruitment goals during the off-season.

The insurgent Steelers, striking sporadically with lesser equipment against the hegemonic Colts, inflicted serious damage with several tackles, a sack and some pass breakups, holding Indianapolis to only two field goals in the 15-minute span. Observers said it looked as if the tide were turning in favor of the insurgent Steelers.

In the third period, the Steelers again held the Colts to a single touchdown, damaging the Colts’ aura of invincibility and giving hope to the insurgents that their time would come. Some critics pointed to the stands as some Colt fans began filing out, saying that this showed the Colts losing support at home.

The Steelers were even stronger in the final period, holding the Colt juggernaut to a mere three points. “I think Indianapolis was just in the wrong game, at the wrong place at the wrong time,” one Colt critic was heard to say.

The final score, by the way, was Colts 26, Steelers 7.

Jon Ham is vice president of the John Locke Foundation and publisher of its newspaper, Carolina Journal.

What ARE we Supposed to Print?

Yesterday it was "revealed" by unnamed reporters that evil had been committed. 

In the days of Jayson Blair and Dan Rather how dare we try to get a good story about good things into the media. 

 

Here's the deal:

 

The Pentagon had hired a public relations firm to develop positive content and submit it to newspapers and electronic media in Iraq - For the Iraqis. 

 

OOOOOOOOOOOO

 

I think that's why we pay our taxes.  I feel good about this.  What are we supposed to do.  Pull punches?  Of course we want to say good things, positive things, encouraging things.  That's what war media is all about.  Oh and it must be working.  They wouldn't be hollering if it wasn't.  No one ever kicks a dead dog.

 

Of course this uncorroborated story was reported with glee by the MSM's good friends and allies AL JAZEERA.  

 

Sometimes I just want to punch somebody. 

 

The hypocrisy of the Mainstream Liberal Media is beyond belief.

Last Post: #5 of 5: Why the Iraq War is the Right War in the Right Place at the Right Time

In view of the president’s speech on Iraq to be given Wednesday I wanted to put out there what I know and believe about Iraq and it’s future.  Much of what I postulate and claim here is drawn from the 4 prior essays.  I didn’t want to be considered derivative of his speech.  He hasn’t called me.  I haven’t emailed him my thoughts.  He wouldn’t use them anyhow.

 

I suspended the “my opinion in red”, for this part of the essay.  Much of this is my opinion based on the facts I researched earlier in parts 1-4.  In that way this is an "if than" summary. A summary before the Jury of my peers.

 

It’s long, it has titles.  It covers a lot of real estate and reviews a lot of what has already been said.  So, let’s get started:

 

First let me deal with some of the issues of the day before I tell you of the outcome.

 

LIE OF THE LEFT = BUSH LIED

 

It is a settled fact that the President gave us what he believed.  Both parties knew what they knew.  It was poor intelligence. Some of it was because of a build down of the CIA by Clinton.  The Republican’s like things that save money.  They agreed. The protestations by Bob Graham are just lies.  He should be ashamed. I have in the past cataloged comments by people from the Democratic party of their conviction of WMDs and the need to take out Saddam Hussein.  That is no longer up for debate.  No one lied, everyone was mislead.  It is among the most egregious contentions that anyone would send men and women to die (both parties voted YEA) without good reason.  We all did this together.  ALL of us red and blue states alike.  And if there is guilt: there’s plenty to go around.  This guy says it better than I could. 

 

HOW DID WE GET INTO THIS MESS?   LONG VIEW

We as a country carefully trained the world what to expect from us as a nation.  They just don’t believe in us any more.  I’m amused by people who say our status in the world is reduced by Iraq.  Our status stunk because of decisions made by Leaders for the last 30 years.  Every one reduced our stature of a country that must not be messed with.  When 9-11 happened it was an act born out of contempt for a weakened irresolute USA.  Osama bin Laden said as much. (we can see that as soon as the Americans take casualties they run away)  So did General Nguyen Giap of North Vietnam in 1990. (we were not strong enough to drive out a half million American troops, that wasn’t our aim.  Our intention was to break the will of the American government to continue the war)   And as recently as 2 weeks ago a Japanese official said the same thing. (The USA could never win a war with China over Taiwan, they lose their resolve and retreat after a couple thousand war dead)  They think we are weak and spineless.  Thankfully, that applies only to certain people in government.  Not our President.

 

There are other actions and Global lessons learned from our enemies (and our weak Allies) about who we are as a nation.

 

Nixon’s silence after the 73 oil embargos

          Message: We can control them, Our Oil is Our Power

 

Carter’s Windfall Oil Profit Tax

Message: The US doesn’t want to produce Oil.  It increase our dependence on foreign oil because stateside profits were taxed. 

 

Carters Handling of Iranian Hostage Crisis

Message: The US won’t attack even if their own people are in peril.  And Russia invades Afghanistan in response to keep it out of the hands of similar Islamic terrorist and keep it for themselves.

 

Carter Training of Militants after Afghan War starts with USSR

          Message: The US likes wars they don’t have to fight in

 

Peace Accord angers Islamist Fascists who assassinate Sadat.  US does nothing.

Message: Don’t count on the USA to back you Mr World Leader if you cooperate.  You are a pawn.  They become less willing to stick their neck out.

 

Reagan Pulls troops out of Beirut after Barracks Bombing

          Message:  If they take casualties, they will run

 

Reagan fuels both sides: Weapons for Saddam and Iran (contra) during the Iran Iraq war

Message:  The USA likes dead Muslims, no matter how they are killed. 

 

Iraq Invades Kuwait.  Bush 1 does nothing but try diplomacy.  Response to the invasion was slow, uncertain, tied up in UN junk.  Iraq doubted our resolve.

Message:  The USA believes in diplomacy over action.  Diplomacy with tyrants like Saddam is like feeding a hungry alligator Hershey’s Chocolate Kisses.  He’ll eat them as long as you feed him but he really want to eat

you.  This fired up the Isalmists.  Let’s get em, they said.

 

Bush 1 and Powell back off from invading Baghdad and taking control. 

          Message:  The price was too high, too scary. OOOOO.

Our enemies began to see a pattern.  We don’t have the guts to finish the job.

 

Bush 1 turns his back on potential over throwers of Saddam even when we told them we would help.

          Message: You can’t trust the Americans

 

Clinton Endorses Gays in the Military

Message: To a fundamentalist religion like Islam, this is a joke and sent the message that real American soldiers wear PINK!

 

World Trade Center Bombing in 93.  After arresting the guilty parties, little effort made to go deeper and seek out their supporters.

Message:  Get a few dummies to do the deed, they’ll never come after us

 

Saddam tries to assassinate Bush 1 in Kuwait.  No substantive response from the USA.  A few pawns arrested.

Message:  Put on your orange, it’s open season on American’s and their President

 

Mogidishu and Blackhawk down withdrawals

          Message:  Humiliate a few Americans and they will run

 

North Korea Clean’s the Clinton Administration’s Clock on “Nuclear Disarmament”

          Message: They are not only impotent, they’re stupid

 

CIA encourages Kurds and The Iraqi National Congress to overthrow Saddam.  Then Clinton backs down.  Leaves thousands to die.

          Message:  If the US says, “we’re behind you”, they’re not

 

Osama bin Laden Bombs 2 US embassies in Africa.  We bomb a factory in Northern Sudan. 

          Message:  The US is oblivious to who it’s enemy is

 

An arrest warrant for OBL is issued.

          Message:  Hide and Seek is now the game

 

USS Cole is bombed, Clinton does nothing

Message: Hey fellow terrorists, lose your own life and kill an American, it’s worth 72 Virgins.  This was the real kick off to the suicide bombing binge.

 

2000 “Election” of Bush 2 divides the country deeply

          Message: Divide and conquer now will work.  It has.

 

CONCLUSIONS THE WORLD MAKES OF US PRIOR TO 9-11

We are an unreliable ally, an impotent foe, an incompetent world power and a bumbling bunch of infidels in the eyes of the Islamic terrorists. 

   

      

TRUTHS ABOUT OUR ENEMY AND HIS GOALS

 

They believe that if they hit us on many fronts it will keep us off balance. 

 

That succeeds for a while in a 24/7 news cycle.  Plus more people are interested in what Brittany is wearing, or who Paris is “dating” (innuendo intended) or if Jennifer Anniston has found true love than hearing hard truth about a global struggle for dominance. 

 

That’s what this is.  There is no longer the option of living and letting live.  They won’t let us live.  They are a conquering army. More insidious than Hitler and the Axis powers ever were.  Far more purposeful than The USSR.  This is about cultures, religion, power. 

 

There are imperfect solutions which must be found.  War is never perfect.  The result must be. 

 

For instance: Iraq is ethnically and religiously divided.  It never was a country except as caliphates (tribal governments) with overarching Persian control. 

 

It consists of Kurdistan, the Shiite South and the unsettled Sunni Triangle.  Except for a few attacks the north and the south are in relative peace.  But like India Kashmir and Pakistan, Former Yugoslavia under Tito, England and Scotland, Northern and Southern Ireland, and even in a soft way Basque separatists in Spain, or Quebec Separatists in Canada.  Not exactly peace, but detente.

 

Iraqi peace may not be easy to hold, but it must be won to become whatever it will become.  If we have learned anything about how to pull together a country after a bitter civil war of our own perhaps we can help them do the same.  Easy?  No.  But essential.

 

WHY THE UN CAN NEVER BE PART OF THIS EFFORT

Let me disabuse you of any potential positive influence from the UN regarding Iraq.  That is a sham organization at best and a corrupt haven for global criminals at worst.  They have no place at all in Iraq’s future.  I am thankful John Bolton is there if only as a rat patrolman for the rats that run wild in that building.

 

Madeline Albright was the worst secretary of state and worst UN Ambassador this country ever had. The corrupt Oil for Food scandal was her baby.  She catered to the UN without any capacity for influence.  Her unsteady hand is at the root of many of the problems we face today. 

 

The UN is the most impotent body of nations.  NATO has more power and unity than they do.  IF we had sense it would be disbanded.

While the UN formed the state of Israel by the Balfour Declaration in 1917  but now 1 out of every 4 resolutions from the UN has to do with condemning Israel.  It’s a den of liars and thieves.  

 

The UN has been shameful in aiding and abetting genocide.

This is an example of UN peacekeeping.   During the Balkan wars, Blue Helmeted Dutch Troops stood by and watched as Thousands of Bosnian Muslims were massacred by Serbs at Srebrenica on July 13, 1995.  

 

I won’t even mention the UN’s  impotence in Rwanda.  The UN is useless.

 

I won’t be able to get rid of the UN but I need to let you know they have no part in Iraq’s future.

 

 

MY OPTOMISITC VIEW OF THE FUTURE OF IRAQ

 

I have hope.  A great deal of hope.  Despite the gloom and doom from the left, there is a lot of reason to believe things are getting better and will continue to get better:

 

IF Alqueda is staging men and munitions in Iraq it means we have them where we want them and when they are neutralized it will be harder for them to start again elsewhere.  Jordan, nope.  Syria, Iran.  Only if they like really flat burned over land.

 

IF Iraq settled down and builds hotels, tourism (I’d go), agriculture, and mass exports of oil at $40 a barrel you will see a phenomena like Germany became after WWII or Japan.  We will have a sizable continent in Iraq for decades to come.  We must never pull out complexly.  Maybe only 30,000 but like Germany, Japan and South Korea, it will become another peacekeeping mission with American bases.  We are still in Korea and are just leaving Germany and Japan.

 

Saddam is gone, his evil reign over, his thugs are gone and people no longer live in fear of him the world is a better place.

 

IAbu Graib was a problem, and it was, it was a indicator of bad oversight of not well led soldiers, not bad policy.

 

Oil is being pumped and sold, Sewer, Water, and electricity is being hooked up that’s the sign of a war nearly won.  You don’t hook up things,  you cut them off in war.

 

IF we back down now we condemn Iraq to the scrap heap of the world.  We would sanction terrorist action and once more reinforce the USA’s image in the world as a global wimp.

 

 

THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER EVERY DAY IN IRAQ

 

Kurds are free and peaceful.  Look at this Kurdistan Website:  

 

Someone will be a leader of Iraq.  It might be a strongman like Tito was.  That may be essential.  Even if it’s Chalabi, we must allow this to happen as it should.

 

Even though France and England are slow to recognize this, the Islamic Fascists in their countries are there to do them harm.  Islam practiced by peaceloving sects is a positive thing.  It however has at it’s core warlike tenets.   Those are doctrinal things that are as argued by those in Islam as we argue about Creationism.  This is always a problem.

 

I have hope for IRAQ

People without hope are the walking dead.

Hope in Iraq is of the spirit and you can’t kill the spirit.

 

Blue thumbs in 2 elections and once more in December proves the spirit of the people.  They are becoming partners in their own destiny.  Good partners.

 

Democrats know full well that the buildup to 150,000 soldiers in Iraq was a pre vote buildup for security.  After that time 30,000 will be withdrawn.  They will of course take credit for this action. 

Insert bitter reviling here.  Every time a contingent of troops comes home over the next 2 years, the Democrats will take credit, but it will be most like Stewart on Mad TV.  “Look what I can do”  And about as important.

 

WE HAVE ALREADY WON, IT’S JUST NOT REPORTED

 

The reports of victory and significant progress in Iraq are everywhere.  Only people who purposely turn a blind eye can admit there is not future and in the end it won’t have been worth it all. 

 

A few links:

Australia understands the importance and is in this for the long haul.  We are not alone.

 

A soldier just back from Iraq weighs in

 

A report on progress by the Christian Science Monitor

 

The Iraqi Army is stepping up to take the lead

 

20 New Cement plants are being built by entrepreneurs in IRAQ

 

Security in Southern Iraqi City passed now to Iraqi Troops

 

5 New Universities being launched in Iraq

 

Iranian infiltrators arrested in Basra by Iraqi Police

 

New Refinery opened in Southern Iraq

 

New power project for Electricity in the South

 

Sunni Arabs Trust the Iraqi Prime Minister

 

Tomorrow Night I imagine our president will have many others.  I just wanted to get my 2 cents in before.  I'll be interested to compare.

 

 

LAST WORD FROM ME PERSONALLY

 

I believe this is part of a divine plan of God.  My belief in what is going on in the Middle East will be the power of Leavening.  A successful profitable Iraq will by example topple and replace corrupt dictatorial Islamic governments all throughout the Middle East.  This will mean a safer better world for all of us.  That’s why I believe this is a war beyond our comprehension.  This is for our very future as a world.

 

Why GWB?  I think God has a way of using the foolish things of the world to confound the wise 1 Corinthians 1:27-28.  Gideon was the lowest of the low but defeated the Midionites with 300 men against huge odds. Judges starting at V 15.  David was considered an idiot at Gath while hiding from Saul. 1^st Samuel 21: 10-15  And of course Balaam’s Talkative Donkey Numbers 22:28-30.

 

Even Jesus when on the cross was considered a failure by everyone, even a thief on one side of him.  Guess that didn’t turn out the way the masses thought that day, did it.

 

GWB is not the brightest; I think that may be by design.  He doesn’t have it all together.  He certainly can look foolish like King David.  But as is evidenced by some smart people in Presidencies past, they have the ability to rely on earthly wisdom and ending up looking really stupid and foolish later.

 

My hope isn’t in politicians or press.  Iraq is for me is a walk of Faith.  It was important to have the evolution discussion so I could encourage you to not separate your faith from your reason.  Many believe they are mutually exclusive.  That’s too bad.  Both must work or one is a sham in your life.  Reason can be the enemy of faith.  But Faith well exercised is never the enemy of Reason.  If they are exclusive and I have to choose, I know what side I come down on.  I’m not moved by what I see, I’m not moved by what I hear, I’m just moved by the mighty word of God.  That is enough.  Filter everything thru that and you will never go wrong.

 

I’m a big believer particularly looking at Israel’s past in the factor known as “BUT GOD”.  Israel was also an artificial partitioned land.  But God’s grace and favor has preserved and enlarged her.  It has become a divider and a stumbling stone for many.  Israel has taught us how to deal with terrorism and national security in many ways.  They are most of all an example of courage. 

 

I am allowed a few peeks behind the curtain from time to time.  I will tell you of a couple of them.  All by faith and not by sight.

 

I tell you these things so that when they come to pass you will know that it’s all real.

 

I appreciate this because it helps me keep balance and offers comfort during difficult circumstances.  I can’t conjure it up.  It just happens.  I am not alone in this. Many people are given this if the just open their eyes.

 

Here are a few:

 

The election on Dec 15 will have a few surprises.  But all for the best.  And it will be successful. It will be a first last step on the way to the victory we hope for.

 

The terrorists will continue but they are spiritually driven.  We don’t fight against flesh and blood. We fight against spiritual forces.  We must break their spirit.  We will.  It will take time.

 

There will be a significant confession and or revelation by an Iraqi General near the end of January beginning of February 2006. He will give absolute proof of not only the existence of WMDs before the war started in 2003 but where they are today.  What happened to them.  He was the General responsible for ferrying them off to Syria and other places for safekeeping.  He will name names.  He flew some of the cargo planes.  This will rock the Middle East and take any wind left out of  WMD discussions in the USA.  The timing will be good because it will come before the 2006-midterm elections in the USA. 

 

The Republicans will hold house and senate in fall of 2006 because of the success of the war, the economy and the futility of the opposition’s arguments.  Bush has a very low approval rating right now.  The Democrats approval rating in congress is lower. 

 

The Kurds will be instrumental long term in leading the way to Iraq entering the 21^st century.  This was prophesied thousands of Years ago by the Prophet Isaiah.  There is a fulfillment yet to come.  Isaiah chap 13: V 17-22.

 

Just so you understand, The Meads are the Kurds of today (who are not Semitic Arabs) and the Persians are the Iranians of today (who are also not Arabs).  Islamic yes, but just not Arabian.

 

When Saddam was captured in his spider hole, I immediately thought of the following chapter. Isaiah 14:

 

That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased! 5The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers. 6He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth. 7The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing. 8Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us. 9Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. 10All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us? 11Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.

 

15Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. 16They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; 17That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners? 18All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house. 19But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet. 20Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned. 21Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities. 22For I will rise up against them, saith the LORD of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, saith the LORD. 23I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the LORD of hosts.

 

Read it in your own Bible.  You will see.  That’s how he gives me a peek behind the curtain from time to time.

 

God is still God, and he cares for Babylon.  He will restore it as a mighty place.

 

I have hope, Much Hope.

 

Iraq would be lost, BUT GOD!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The War (Debate) is Over, Thank God

Joe (great American) Lieberman comes out with more common sense than I have heard for a long time.  It's in Todays WSJ. 

 

Even potential Presidential candidates Biden and Obama (of Illinois) are getting religion on this.  They have seen the queen of the hop, Hillary, harvest disenfranchised conservatives with a few thumps on the drums of war.  We're such suckers for the smell of napalm in the morning.  Be still my heart.  Why doesn't the Democratic party run an intelligent, balanced candidate like Joe Lieberman for President?  Oh Yea, right, they did.  OOPS!

 

Two weeks ago I said that the whole Iraq war argument from the left was experiencing an exhaustion gap.  You are seeing a resettlement of the left's postion. That's why I backed off on my final volley. It's sitting right here. I'm rewriting as fast as I can to accomidate the new realities. You are welcome to keep your kerosene driven left wing opinions if you like, but the train has left the station.  It's all over.  The final blow was the fiasco a couple Friday nites ago with the riot in the house.  Messy but essential.

 

Sometimes people like John Murtha are just plain wrong.  Look at what he said a week ago and how so 6 months ago it all seems now.

 

I am thankful for this.  It was getting stupid.  Now, maybe we can proceed with the execution of this essential battle for civilization with some common sense.

 

Rudyard Kipling said it best in his poem "IF" . 

 

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;

 

Read the whole Poem at the link.