Tipping Point

I'm sure you have read Gladwell's "Tipping Point".  The idea that an issue or a circumstance pressures until it tips one way or another.  It's never one thing, it's a cumulation that results in a change.

 

I think we are seeing this played out before our very eyes:

 

1. Ports of Arabia.  The UAE company taking over Several American seaports.

This was a bad idea.  Politically a bad idea.  But, as the dust settles it appears that with a little modification this will happen.  The President is committed to it and now with a few days under my belt I'm prepared to let him do what he believes is right.  He played it until the tipping point hit and now he will get what he believes is right.  This is a case of an argument run to exhaustion and no longer works.  I need to trust him to do right more often.  I think he is smarter than he looks.

 

2. Iraq. I know the conventional wisdom is that Iraq is going to settle into a civil war and the sides will blow each other up.  I now believe a tipping point has been reached there as well.  This crisis as bad as it is will result in a strong man with a strong government backing taking control.  Oh, the sectarian hatred will continue.  It has lasted a long time.  But, Iraq recognizes that if it doesn't get this under control hell will break loose.  This will be led by the clerics. 

 

So, watch and see.  Those are my predictions.  They aren't much different from others in the past but I think there is room for hope.

Don't Misjudge the Port Report

It's been amusing for the navel gazers on TV and radio (Liberals all) to debate the port controversy.  Here are proposed reasons why we as conservatives in and out of the legislature are against and have opposed the President on this issue:

 

• It's an election year and republicans need to distance themselves from him
• Bush is a failed President and no one wants to stand with a failure
• The secrecy of the Bush Whitehouse backfired
• This is a cronyism ploy
• Bush needs this to make friends he doesn't have.

 

And lots of others you have seen.

 

Well, wrong lefty breath.  Nothing of the kind is true. 

 

We opposed it because it's wrong.  By the way it's also over.  But Bush needs to say to Dubai that see, I tried hard, I'm your pal. It's those rotten congressmen.

He saves face and the deal fails.

 

So relax, the deal's dead.  Bush saves face. I like the fact that the message is sent to the Arab world, politics and position matters and you better do more than kiss up to a few politicos.

 

 

Phase out Phase Six

The no child left behind act was intended to fund and test schools that could succeed and those that just couldn't get it done. 

 

Now after 5 years there are a large number of public schools who have hit the wall.  They have tested, they have tried, they have tutored and they have tilted off the wall.

 

They have failed.  Once a school gets to this point it is called being in Phase 6.  That is the 6th year of a 5 year program. 

 

I don't think the education dept thought this would happen.  It did.  So, now what to do.

 

I want to send a message to my President.  If a school hits phase 6:  Do not listen to the whine of the administrators.  Do not hear the pitch of the teachers.

They had 5 years.  Now let someone else work on it.

 

If you worked in the private sector and had 5 years to reach certain objectives with your corporate workforce as a manager and you didn't they would fire you.

 

So, here's what to do.  Phase out schools that didn't make it.  Be ruthless.  Don't back down.  Make it painful. 

 

I promise you won't have to close very many before the message is loud and clear.  I'll bet results will come then.

 

Abolish public education.  Let vouchers reign.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crunchy not Squishy

I have had a hard time conversing with liberal friends about how I come to the views I do.  They are mine, they are clear and they are not Republican.  I am a Republican voter but I am more like a great number of conservatives.  We are emerging from the woodwork.

 

I have for a long time been very critical of Wal-Mart.  That has been criticized by some of my Republican and conservative friends.  I have other views that are counter to conventional thinking on the part of republicans.  For instance, I am against the capitalist concept that it is OK to pay people the least amount you can to increase profits.  There is a price for low wages.

 

I am not afraid to speak out against thing that my President does when I think he is wrong; like the port deal, the Prescription Drug Plan, parts of the Patriot act, and trying to save a failing public school system (it should be abolished) .  On the other hand, he is right about so many things and I trust him so much to do right things like his Health Care proposals and the war on terrorism so that he merits my trust.

 

I have been interested to read reviews of a book and a philosophy  about conservatives like me who do not follow lock step with the mainstream.  I have for a long time thought we would take over ultimately.  I believe we will. 

 

I don’t shop at health food stores much, I don’t wear Birkenstocks except in summer, and I seldom hesitate to use fertilizers or chemical sprays.  But I am conservative and I do not resemble some of the suits who occupy power in our country.  So, unless you mistake me for who I am, I am a big fan of Edmund Burke.  So maybe I am a Birkenstock Burkean. 

 

Look out Republicans.  We are everywhere, and we’re taking over.

 

The good news about Islam

I want to believe this, I really do.  I am hopeful.  But read it and hope with me.  Maybe we need to be led by what we know rather than what we see and hear.

 

Read the whole thing.

 

 

 

---

Posted: February 21, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern

By Jim Rutz

---

© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com

I thought you might be ready for some encouraging words about Islam and its deadly branch, radical Islamism. So here it is:

The whole religion is heading toward collapse.

Actually, it's crumbling already. Take, for example, two hardcore Muslim countries, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Since 1997, by our count, 522,000 Bangladeshi Muslims have turned to Isa, the No. 2 Islamic prophet we know as Jesus. This is often a difficult step to take in a highly repressive Muslim culture. Currently, about 10,000 a month in Bangladesh are becoming Christians. That doesn't sound like a lot in a nation of 144 million, but it's a rising number, multiplying geometrically.

Also: Just in the last year, 500,000 Pakistani Muslims have recognized Isa as Lord and become His followers. Some 240,000 of them made decisions for Him in only three days of a crusade in Lahore, the capital, in November. (In fact, the government agency that officially counts crowds stated that it wasn't 240,000, but 300,000!) Again, half a million is not an impressive proportion of a nation of 162 million, but hey, that's in just one year!

If you lack a reference point for these numbers, consider that until now, three or four Muslim converts a year was par for the course for most missionaries.

However, the Pakistan numbers aren't coming from traditional "methods." They're coming from a mind-boggling array of supernatural healings. In the large meetings in November, quite a few blind people were healed, which impressed the Pakistanis immensely. Also, some wheelchair-bound people were abruptly freed. One woman had been in a wheelchair for 40 years, and the crowd was blown away when she suddenly stood up and ran back and forth across the stage, waving her hands and shouting in joy.

The mission leader told me that very few of the healings came as a result of anyone laying hands on people. In other words, God is doing this, we aren't.

(If you wish to make a tax-deductible contribution to their future crusades, just write me at jrutz@wnd.com.)

Guns and roses are just a stopgap

Even though this long-term trend is accelerating, we still have a pressing need for short-term relief from attacks by al-Qaida, Wahhabi/Saudi-financed terrorists, Abu Sayyaf guerrillas, Hamas suicide bombers, etc. So on the military front, we absolutely must hang tough in places like Iraq and Iran.

I'm also supportive of Condi Rice and our platoons of diplomats and operatives around the world, wobbly though they may be. Talk-talk is better than bang-bang any day. And way cheaper.

But I feel that in the long run, the spiritual salvation of large numbers of Muslims is our only hope. As one reader wrote me:

• Islamic peoples drove nearly all the Christians out of the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Europe.

• Islamic peoples drove nearly all the Buddhists or Confucians out of Central Asia, back into China and Southeast Asia.

• Islamic peoples have sought to destroy Israel from the beginning. They have run the Christians out of Palestine, even those in Bethlehem.

• Islamic peoples are slaughtering the few remaining Christians in northern Africa, in Egypt and the Sudan.

• Islamic peoples are killing Catholic and/or Dutch Reformed Christians in Indonesia.

• Islamic peoples are killing Chaldean Christians in Iraq.

• Islamic peoples in Lebanon killed or drove off Lebanon's Christians.

• Islamic peoples in the Caucasus Mountains are killing off Christians and atheists.

• Islamic peoples in southeastern Asia are killing Buddhists in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

• Islamic peoples in Nigeria are attempting to impose Sharia and kill Christians and tribals.

• Islamic peoples killed 3,000 people from many nations in New York City.

His list was longer than that, but you get the idea. The one-eighth of the Muslim world that accepts militant Islam must be stopped ... and then changed to the depth of their hearts.

Neither guns nor roses can do that – they can change the behavior of the peaceful seven-eighths to a great extent, but that doesn't get down to the root issue, which was prophesied so succinctly of Ishmael ("father of the Arabs") 3,900 years ago:

He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.

– Genesis 16:12

Those words have proven true in spades, but they do not constitute an eternal destiny. As Christians, let us reach out to Islamists, returning love for hate, and reverse 1,400 years of history.

SMART PEOPLE DON'T BELIEVE IN DARWIN

This article appeared in World Net Daily this week.  It’s worth reading.

 

If you have struggled with the idea that an intelligent educated person is automatically assumed to believe in evolution you need to read this.  I am fairly smart and biologically educated and don’t believe in evolution as the origin of our species.  But, so you understand, I don’t stand alone, here is another oh, 500 PhD's who are not convinced.  How about you?

 

500 doctoral scientists skeptical of Darwin
Growing list of signatories’ challenges claims about support for theory

More than 500 scientists with doctoral degrees have signed a statement expressing skepticism about Darwin's theory of evolution.

The list include 154 biologists, 76 chemists and 63 physicists. They hold doctorates in biological sciences, physics, chemistry, mathematics, medicine, computer science and related disciplines.

Many are professors or researchers at major universities and research institutions such as MIT, The Smithsonian, Cambridge University, UCLA, University of California at Berkeley, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, Ohio State University, University of Georgia and University of Washington.

The statement, which includes endorsement by members of the prestigious U.S. National Academy of Sciences and Russian Academy of Sciences, was first published by the Seattle-based Discovery Institute in 2001 to challenge statements about Darwinian evolution made in promoting PBS's "Evolution" series.

The PBS promotion claimed "virtually every scientist in the world believes the theory to be true."

"Darwinists continue to claim that no serious scientists doubt the theory and yet here are 500 scientists who are willing to make public their skepticism about the theory," said John G. West, associate director of Discovery Institute's Center for Science & Culture.

The institute is the leading promoter of the theory of Intelligent Design, which has been at the center of challenges in federal court over the teaching of evolution in public school classes. Advocates say it draws on recent discoveries in physics, biochemistry and related disciplines that indicate some features of the natural world are best explained as the product of an intelligent cause rather than an undirected process such as natural selection.

West said Darwinist "efforts to use the courts, the media and academic tenure committees to suppress dissent and stifle discussion are in fact fueling even more dissent and inspiring more scientists to ask to be added to the list."

The statement, signed by 514 scientists, reads:

"We are skeptical of claims for the ability of random mutation and natural selection to account for the complexity of life. Careful examination of the evidence for Darwinian theory should be encouraged."

West said the Discovery Institute was encouraged to launch a website for the list because of the growing number of scientific dissenters.

"Darwin's theory of evolution is the great white elephant of contemporary thought," said David Berlinski, a signatory and mathematician and philosopher of science with Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture. "It is large, almost completely useless, and the object of superstitious awe."

Other prominent signatories include U.S. National Academy of Sciences member Philip Skell, American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow Lyle Jensen, evolutionary biologist and textbook author Stanley Salthe; Smithsonian Institution evolutionary biologist and researcher at the National Institutes of Health's National Center for Biotechnology Information Richard von Sternberg, editor of Rivista di Biologia/Biology Forum – the oldest still published biology journal in the world – Giuseppe Sermonti and Russian Academy of Natural Sciences embryologist Lev Beloussov.

 

If for no other reason

I have found the whole port story with Bush and the UAE amazing. I didn't know who was for or against. I was against for lots of reasons. I think all our ports and all our shipping, all our logistics should be controlled and operated by US firms. People like Ken Lay or Bernie Ebbers are held accountable. I want to put a bad port operator in jail too.

SO, it was firmed up today when I heard the news. Jimmy Carter thinks selling the ports to the UAE is a good plan. That seals it for me. If for no other reason than that. I'll bet Kofi Annan thinks it's a good idea too.

Beloved President Bush, you now have an out. You can now say the fact that Jimmy Carter came out for it and since we know he don't have a lick of sense we have withdrawn our support of this transaction.

That's your out Magnificent One.

Stupid Christians

My brother had a run in with a pastor yesterday. The pastor had it coming. It had to do with being "Sensitive" to those who are homosexual. If Sin is Sin and if you believe as many Christians do that Homosexuality is a sin then your sensitivity must stop at the perpetuation of the action.

I know some apostate churches ordain and marry homosexuals. That doesn't mean they are Christian. Church leaders are no more Christian than the anticorruption department in Chicago's Daley administration is uncorrupted.

I feel bad that they (Homosexuals) are trapped in a delusion.
Lots of us are. Kleptomanics believe they can't help it. Embezzlers always plan to pay it back. People that solicit prostitutes always believe that this time is the last. Same with a person getting drunk, stoned, or abusing his wife.

All sin. I sin. You sin (or you lie). But I don't expect my Christian friends to stand by and watch me commit adultery (I'm not) and not say anything because they want to be sensitive.

There is a branch in Christianity that has been suckered into the gay agenda. They believe that sensitivity will win homosexuals into the Kingdom of God. Jesus was sensitive to the woman at the well wasn't he? He called her out in 2 minutes flat. She responded. Repented.

So don't hand me that. I'll befriend people in sin but then try hard not to be their buddy but to help them see Jesus.

Another really stupid Christian who is just as deluded is Jimmy Carter. I won't call him a fool since there is biblical prohibition against that. But He is a lot like the man in a sunday school class who saw a gray animal with a bushy tail running up a tree with a nut in it's mouth. He knew the right answer was Jesus, but it looked a lot like a squirrel to him.
Read this. You decide if Carter is a squirrel. I know he is as deluded as anyone ever has been in the world. John Q Adams recommended that after being President of the United States, in order to avoid this kind of embarrassment Ex-Presidents should be deported and stripped of their citizenship.

Mostly that's a dumb idea, but, in Carter's case, I'm not so sure. He's the limit. How do we get him deported.

This piece that follows is from Ankle Biting Pundits. Read it all. It will help you understand just how stupid good well meaning christians can be in their attempt to be "Sensitive".



Is Jimmy Carter On The Hamas Payroll?

Well what else could explain his latest finger-wagging at America and Israel?

It is not surprising that Jimmy Carter has penned a Washington Post Op-Ed demanding that the US and Israel give Hamas a chance. Yet no matter how many times Jimmy Carter steps forward to defend terrorists and enemies of this country it still manages to cause a visceral reaction of disgust, anger and shame at this disgraceful excuse for an American, let alone an ex-President.

For years Carter has basically abused what is normally a respected status as an ex-President by becoming the mouthpiece for dictatorships spanning the globe and enemies of America. What's worse, he always seems to make America or its allies the bad guy in every situation, and complaining that if we only understood the plight of these maniacs we could alllive in harmony.

Before we get to his latest apologia for terrorist monsters, let's look at just a smattering of the man's actions since leaving office. He's managed to do the following:

- In 1984, visited the home of then Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin. According to Dobryning Carter was concerned about Reagan's defense build-up and explained that Moscow would be better off with someone else in the White House. If Reagan won, he warned, "There would not be a single agreement on arms control, especially on nuclear arms, as long as Reagan remained in power."

- In 1991, wrote a letter to the UN asking them to stop President Bush 41 from removing Saddam from Kuwait

- Stymied the attempt of President Clinton to stop North Korea from getting nuclear weapons, saying of Kim Jong Il: " I found him to be vigorous, intelligent, surprisingly well-informed about the technical issues and in charge of the decisions about this country." As for the North Koreans, Carter said the "people were very friendly and open." The capital, Pyongyang, is a "bustling city," where customers "pack the department stores," which looked like "Wal-Mart in Americus, Georgia."

-Told Haitian dictator Lt. Gen. Raoul Cedras he was "ashamed of what my country has done to your country."

- Vouched for Fidel Castro's statement that Cuba did not have the capability to produce biological weapons.

- Backed Hugo Chavez's claim that the Venezuelan elections were fair in the face of numerous reports to the contrary by respected election monitors and polling companies

Keep in mind also that while President, Jimmy lectured Americans about an "irrational fear of communism, as well said that Yugoslavia's Marshall Tito was "a man who believed in human rights", called him "a great and courageous leader" who had led his people and protected their freedom."

With that background, let's turn to the issue at hand - Jimmy Carter's plea of acceptance for a terrorist organization.

Today's Op-Ed is so full of distortions, outrageous statements and ignorance it's hard to know where to start. Let's try from the beginning.

(Former PM) Mahmood Abbas also has the power to select and remove the prime minister, to issue decrees with the force of law when parliament is not in session, and to declare a state of emergency. As commander in chief, he also retains ultimate influence over the National Security Force and Palestinian intelligence.

What Carter fails to realize is that when he was PM Abbas didn't have control of these organizations, so why in hell would he think Abbas, who is now out of power, would have more power. Well, I guess it's easy to rationalize anything when you are an apologist for terrorists.

Carter continues and explains the genius of the Palestinian system:

After the first session of the new legislature, which was Saturday, the members will elect a speaker, two deputies and a secretary. These legislative officials are not permitted to hold any position in the executive branch, so top Hamas leaders may choose to concentrate their influence in the parliament and propose moderates or technocrats for prime minister and cabinet posts.

Don't you just love that one? Hamas, "may" choose to propose "moderates" for some posts. What is their definition of "moderate"? Someone who only wants to blow up 100 Jews and infidels at a time rather than 1,000? And how typical is it of Jimmy Carter to place his trust in a bunch of terrorists with a long history of killing to get their way?

But Carter's trust doesn't end there:

Abbas has announced that he will not choose a prime minister who does not recognize Israel or adhere to the basic principles of the "road map." This could result in a stalemated process, but my conversations with representatives of both sides indicate that they wish to avoid such an imbroglio. The spokesman for Hamas claimed, "We want a peaceful unity government." If this is a truthful statement, it needs to be given a chance.

What in the hell has Hamas ever done that would cause any sane person to "give them a chance". Funny how Carter takes the assurances of Hamas leaders who when sworn in said that negotiations with Israel "do not figure in to their plans.

Carter also warns the US and Israel to not do anything that would cause the Hamas government to fail.

Any tacit or formal collusion between the two powers to disrupt the process by punishing the Palestinian people could be counterproductive and have devastating consequences.

More devastating than giving tacit and overt approval to a government whose charter calls for the destruction of Israel and is already aligned with Iran's madman President and other enemies of freedom like Hugo Chavez and Bashir Assad?

Carter is angry that funds to these terrorists will be cut off and proposes a solution.

Abbas informed me after the election that the Palestinian Authority was $900 million in debt and that he would be unable to meet payrolls during February. Knowing that Hamas would inherit a bankrupt government, U.S. officials have announced that all funding for the new government will be withheld, including what is needed to pay salaries for schoolteachers, nurses, social workers, police and maintenance personnel. So far they have not agreed to bypass the Hamas-led government and let humanitarian funds be channeled to Palestinians through United Nations agencies responsible for refugees, health and other human services.

This of course is the same UN that gave us the Oil For Food scandal, and has been running refugee camps in the area for over 50 years which have become havens for terrorists. Only Jimmy Carter could look at the UN's history of scandal, corruption, ineffectiveness and anti-Semitism and think that's the answer to anything but more of the same.

But, Carter says, we must have some sympathy for the poor Palestinians.

This common commitment to eviscerate the government of elected Hamas officials by punishing private citizens may accomplish this narrow purpose, but the likely results will be to alienate the already oppressed and innocent Palestinians, to incite violence, and to increase the domestic influence and international esteem of Hamas. It will certainly not be an inducement to Hamas or other militants to moderate their policies.

No offense, but the Palestinians have made their bed, elected these terrorists with their eyes wide open and knowing the repercussions of their actions. Elections have consequences, and it's not as if many of these people have taken the Gandhi route over the past 6 decades. Why Carter ignorantly hopes that Palestinians will "moderate" their cause given that their radical views won the election is beyond me. I wonder what color the sky is in Jimmy Carter's world.

But what follows is perhaps the single most idiotic piece of garbage I've heard, perhaps ever.

A negotiated agreement is the only path to a permanent two-state solution, providing peace for Israel and justice for the Palestinians. In fact, if Israel is willing to include the Palestinians in the process, Abbas can still play this unique negotiating role as the unchallenged leader of the PLO (not the government that includes Hamas).

It was under this umbrella and not the Palestinian Authority that Arafat negotiated with Israeli leaders to conclude the Oslo peace agreement. Abbas has sought peace talks with Israel since his election a year ago, and there is nothing to prevent direct talks with him, even if Hamas does not soon take the ultimately inevitable steps of renouncing violence and recognizing Israel's right to exist.

It would not violate any political principles to at least give the Palestinians their own money; let humanitarian assistance continue through U.N. and private agencies; encourage Russia, Egypt and other nations to exert maximum influence on Hamas to moderate its negative policies; and support President Abbas in his efforts to ease tension, avoid violence and explore steps toward a lasting peace.

Read that again. He thinks that Israel can have talks with Abbas even if Hamas won't talk. Keep in mind that Abbas has bargaining power or leverage.

And why in God's name does Carter think that Hamas will "inevitably" renounce violence and accept Israel's right to exist. Perhaps Carter is clairvoyant because, as stated above, they refused today to even talk to Israel.

What's even more telling is how he describes Hamas' stated policy of driving Israel off the map and ridding the whole area of Jews. He calls it a "negative" policy. These people convince mothers and fathers to allow their sons and daughters to strap explosives to themselves to blow up innocent men, women, and children and all the outrage this embarrassing excuse for a man can offer is to call in it a "negative policy".

This coming from a man who is more afraid of giant rabbits than genocidal maniacs.

We're often told that Carter is not a "dumb" person. I agree with that. It's impossible for him to be so stupid as to think that Hamas is ever going to change, so you have to wonder why he's lending his name and alleged prestige (all of which is outside this country, because Americans have rightfully rejected him as a hapless, cowardly self-absorbed egomaniac) to these murderous thugs who wish the destruction of our way of life.

It's really too bad that President Bush doesn't call Carter on the carpet publicly for the harm he has caused and continues to cause to this country. That's OK, we'll do it for him.

And let's keep one final thing in mind, this is the person that the Democrat party featured prominently at their convention, even allowing Michael Moore to share to VIP box with him.

When will someone in the Democrat party have a "Sister Souljah moment" and call out Carter for what he is - a friend to America's enemies? Could it be because the base of the Democrat party today shares the same beliefs as Carter? How sad is it that a Democrat wanting to be President can't stand up to the lunacy of Jimmy Carter for fear of alienating the party faithful? I think that in and of itself explains why the American people don't trust Democrats on national security.

CNN Takes A Stand

There has been a secret memo released regarding CNN reporting on Islamic activities. 

 

After my shameful attempt at humor and in the interest of keeping my head I apologies for the tasteless way I characterized the nutcase Islamic fascist extremist crackpots.  Oh wait, there I go again.

 

I'm insufferable.

 

So, An honest report of a more courageous and honorable organization like CNN is in order. 

 

Read this copy of this important memo and do likewise.  I mean, you do like to keep your head, don't you?

 

Now, they want to talk to me about taking the mark of some beast.  I'm wondering if I should sign up. 

 

Will you?

Mohammed Voodoo Doll

I am really sick and tired of Islamic fascists rioting all over the world over a few cartoons depicting Mohammed in some form or another. 

 

I won't even go into the sacrilege that goes on with Jesus and film and art.

My Christian freinds have thought about burning down a KFC if the DaVinci code is shown in our town.  But we won't.

 

It is so wrong to be killing and destroying when at the same time the people fomenting these riots are creating suicide bombers who kill little kids, behead Americans, and destroy innocent life every day.  No riots over that. 

 

I have come up with a solution.  I am going to propose to some entrepreneur out there to create a Mohammed Voodoo Doll.  A doll that looks like and is named Prophet Mohammed.  The business could be called, Graven Islamic Images, Inc. They could find likenesses of Mohammed on Google Images.  Sell these dolls on the internet for $10 each.  I'll buy a dozen.

 

I don't believe in Voodoo.  But I figure people that believe that a sure trip to heaven with mass quantities of virgins at the other end is strapping yourself into a Honda a blowing yourself, anyone that stupid probably believes in Voodoo. 

 

So, here's the deal Islamic nutcases, you blow up some little kids in Iraq, Mohammed gets a pin or two in the gut, you kill one of our men or women, Mohammed gets knifed, you behead one of ours, Mohammed loses his head and I'll think of some porky desecration to boot.

 

I'll need to buy a dozen at a time since I plan to destroy his image often.

 

And, oh by the way, you riot over this, it's a ham and Mohammed soufflé I'll feed to my dog.  He'll eat anything. 

 

It's time to call this what it is, global Islamic insanity. 

Burned up - Burned out

 I went to see a business associate and man I friend last night.  His life changed a couple weeks ago. 

 

His house burned and everything in it.

 

I have never had such an experience. I've had floods.  But not burning.

 

He is upbeat.  That's the kind of man he is.  Neighbors have taken him in.  They will rebuild.  Life is going on.

 

But, as he told me of starting over, a few issues he related shook me.  He has no clothes.  They were all burned. All his wife's clothes.  No shoes.  No suits.  No coats winter or otherwise.  Just the virtual shirt on his back and his wife's. 

 

They aren't broke.  They have insurance.  Insurance is paying for the restoration of life.  But I thought about my shoes.  I would miss some of them.  My passport.  My birth certificate.  My pictures.  My computer stuff. 

 

I guess Katrina was far away for me.  They lost everything too.  But, Burning out completely gave me a start.

 

I admire him.  I might whine a little more than he does.  On the other hand, he reports it's kinda freeing.  I mean all his stuff is gone.  Some was stuff he was happy to see go. 

 

There is an old saying, 3 moves are as good as a fire.  I have moved more than 3 times in 20 years.  But fire seems more permanent and less discretionary.  I don't think that saying is true anymore.

 

Hang in there Randy, you have friends.  I'm one of them.

Hearts of Hearts

Feb 14, Valentines Day. This is 43 of them that Peggy and I have spent as sweethearts. 

 

She's still my valentine.  I want the world to know.  But you already do if you read this at all.

 

This morning, after a fast, she took a Cholesterol test.  Before she called me with the results I knew what they were.  Having a prophetic gift is a burden sometimes.  Sometimes I would rather not.

 

Genetics are the problem.  I am out of shape and overweight and have the Cholesterol readings of an athlete.  She is trim but carries around DNA that is against her and is a few straws short of 280. 

 

It's not fair and it's not lifestyle. 

 

She's a tigress.  No statin drugs for her.  She will have to have it monitored.  She is scheduled to go back in a few months. She is determined to do this with lifestyle changes.  If she makes lifestyle changes I will have to as well. Couldn't hurt. 

 

But, I held her last night, thinking of the DNA that created who we are, and thought of a quote a friend of mine uses often, "You can't repent of your DNA". 

 

But maybe we can try.

Arrest That Opera

Last Night Peggy and I went to the Lyric Opera again.  Twice in one week. It was Das Rosenkavilier by Richard Strauss.  I had heard it on the radio broadcast from New York.  I had never seen it. 

 

I guess superlatives leave me a little short.  It was fabulous in every manifestation you can imagine. 

 

The music was sublime.  4 hours never went by so fast. I didn't fidget in my seat as I usually do.  I just sat entranced. 

 

The costuming extraordinary.  It was very 18th century Vienna.  Classical. but beautiful without being ostentatious.

 

The sets were why I love our Chicago Lyric Opera company.  Intricate, believable, clever.

 

And the singers.  I know why the "male lead" is a trouser role but a young tenor would do as well and maybe be a little funnier.  Susan Graham was and is a great actor and played the part of a man playing the part of a woman.

 

I loved it all.  I have always loved certain operas but this one was exceptional.  Listenening to it will never be the same.  I will see this again. 

 

BUT, don't you hate when there's a but?  There is one issue I wondered about. 

The story starts and ends with the conflict over an affair between a character of high Royalty (a Marshallin) of perhaps late 30's or early 40's.  She has a young lover.  Really young.  17 years young.

 

OK, I understand, this was 18th century.  Things were different.  But, today we are putting 30 something female teachers in jail for having sex with teenage boys.  Just like in this opera.   I know, opera is full of all kinds of weird sexual stuff.  Wagner is famous for it.  But, this poignant love triangle plays itself out and you find yourself for feeling sorry for the older woman who is losing her little boy sex object to a young woman he is going to marry. 

 

I'm not defending teachers who seduce their students.  I am saying, maybe it was ever thus.  Maybe we don't understand this whole woman man boy girl thing well.  Maybe men and women are different.  Maybe the whole attempt to level the playing field and attempt to make men and women the same is wrong. 

 

Just asking.

 

On the other hand, as I got home at 2 pm (the opera got over at nearly midnight) I was still floating and singing "Ohne Mich". 

 

See this opera if you ever get the chance.  It's Grand.

UBERSETZUNG WOERTERBUCH

One of the reasons for friction among liberals and conservatives is that we often don't even speak the same language. Words can take on a very different meaning when used by the other side, and so to help everyone sort it out, here is a quick list of words and their leftist meanings:

Freedom Fighter = jihadist holding aloft Danny Pearl's head.

Terrorist = anyone working in the Bush administration.

Freedom of Speech = liberals uttering nonsense.

Hate Speech = pointing out liberal nonsense.

Racist = fallback position when you have nothing else to argue.

Intolerant = actually believing that some things are wrong.

Economic Justice = gimme gimme gimme.

Spending Cuts = not as much government growth as we'd like.

Tax Cuts = the worst idea since anti-communism.

Torture = anything causing discomfort.

Mainstream = killing unborn children and men marrying men.

Nazi = anyone who disagrees with me.

Moderate = anyone to the right of Pol Pot and to the left of Hubert Humphrey.

Hero = Fidel Castro.

Enemy = Joe Lieberman.

Bipartisan = Democratic legislation.

Divisive = Republican legislation.

War on Terror = a fake war that unfortunately pummels us at the polls.

Social Security = insignificant problem that will go away on its own.

Welfare = Free ride for the rest of your life on the government... Woo hoo!

 

Abortion = Birth control... (And the government should pay for it.)

 

Stolen Election- any election won by a Republican

 

Moderate = Hillary Clinton...

 

Social Security = A wonderful retirement plan.

 

Jimmy Carter = Peace maker and Great President. (a great liberal delusion)

 

Liberal Media = Objective Reporting

 

Whistleblower = upstanding citizens who tattle on the Bush administration.

Leaker = dirty rats who try to expose liberal plots against Bush.

Perjury = A good idea if you can get away with it...

 

Progressive=Anything but.

 

HAT TIP TO KEN 

Deadeye Dick

So that you won't have to watch Leno, Letterman, or the Daly Show on comedy central here are the Jokes you will hear.  As you know Dick Cheney shot a friend with buckshot by accident while hunting quail.  He's ok.

 

So, here are some Obvious Jokes you will hear that if they tell them you must shut your TV off in disgust. I'm not funny and even I can crack these:

 

Anything Deadeye Dick

 

Having to do with a member of the Gang that couldn't Shoot Straight

 

Why doesn't Dick take ______________ Hunting.  Insert political nemesis name here.  Hillary, Soros, Carter. 

 

Dick should have gone to Iraq because______________.

 

Dick Cheney weapon of mass destruction.

 

The list is long and already tedious.  If you are a member of the joke writing team for any of the above mentioned shows, no joke here, nothing to see, try being just a little bit creative. 

 

They won't be.

 

Sigh.

True Believer or Truly Deceived

Someone is badly deceived. It might be you, it might be me. So, to clear this up I suggest you take this truth test and see who it really is.

Do you believe:

1. That OBL would not have bombed us again if we had done nothing whatsoever in response to the terrorist bombings of 9-11.

YES____

NO_____

2. That the strife in Europe with Muslims going on right now would have not have happened without the Iraq war.

YES____

NO_____

3. That the Islamic Fundamentalist Fascists would have backed down and played nice if we had done nothing after 9-11.

YES____

NO_____

4. That the country of Iran would not have pursued Nuclear Weapons had we not gone into Iraq or Afghanistan.

YES____

NO_____

5. That the bombings which happened in London would not have happened if we had not been in Iraq.

YES____

NO_____

6. That Iraq under Saddam would have been impotent and innocuous in the world if we had just let him alone.

YES____

NO_____

7. That the bombings in Bali, the execution slaying of Theo Van Gogh, the bombings of embassies in Saudi Arabia would not have happened if we would not have gone into Iraq.

YES____

NO_____

8. That the fact we are in Iraq and Afghanistan is no deterrence to the current crisis in potentially nuclear Iran.

YES____

NO_____

9. That if we leave Iran alone, leave and whistle in the dark that everything will work out just fine.

YES____

NO_____

10. That an independent free Iraq and Afghanistan is bad influence for the other middle eastern countries.

YES____

NO_____

11. That the fact there were snafus in prewar intelligence our presence in Iraq has worsened the world situation and it's all Bush's fault.

YES____

NO_____

Give yourself 5 points for every Yes answer and a Zero for every NO.

0-15: You are on solid intelectual ground. It's not pretty but you aren't decieved.

16-30: Good basic roots but you need to reflect a little more on the whole thing. There is hope. Watch more Fox News.

31-50: Too Much CNN and New York Times media influence. Try relaxing and openng your mind a little bit. It won't hurt. There may be hope of sanity for you.

55: Head firmly inserted in the Sand and other places. There's little hope for you. Give up. Read Alice in Wonderland. You are one of them.

Muslim 10 Commandments

According to this, God has given a new set of Commandments to the Muslim World.  I just thought I would pass them along.  Please don't come and firebomb my house Achmed.

2 Years Ago

February 8, 2004 a dear friend and influence on my life changed worlds stepping from Time into Eternity.  Pastor Dan Rothwell. 

I met him in 1976.  I was on a spiritual search.  A young girl that worked at KFGO radio at that time suggested I might find it interesting to attend a bible study he was holding on Wednesday nights.

 

I went to the building on 10th street and there was no one there.  All of a sudden this nice man introduced himself.  He had longish black hair, was kind and about my age.  I told him why I was there.  There was no Bible study that night but could I come back. I said I would, I didn't.  But I didn't forget how he treated me.

 

A few years later I was invited to a presentation the same church was putting on at the Fargo Convention Center.  It was good enough.  But there was a man I knew there as a carouser, a wild man, who was taking up the offering in Kentucky Fried Chicken buckets. 

 

I said Hi. So did he.  He worked in a car dealership.  A year later I was at a low point in my life, my marriage, my health.  I stopped at the dealership just to talk to this friend who had obviously gone thru a life change.  He told me what had happened.  I wanted that.  So he prayed for me.  I stepped out in faith.  I prayed to receive the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.  I began going to the Church Dan Rothwell was pastor of.  I had never heard anything like that.  I had never seen anything like that.  I wanted what they had.  I wanted their freedom.

 

I began going to a prayer meeting that Pastor Dan conducted on Saturday Mornings.  This is months after I was prayed for in the car dealership.  I was enjoying this new fellowship but I wanted more.  I knew, there has to be more.

On my knees, all alone, without anyone around, in this prayer meeting the Spirit of God fell on me.  I began to speak in tongues and I was ruined forever. I'll never ever be the same.  I am so happy that in 1980 this all happened.  It is one of the most wonderful glorious things that ever happened to me.  I thank God every day for the fullness of His Spirit in me.

 

I became a member of that Church.  I became friends with Pastor Dan. I told him things about me I wasn't proud of.  Having been a Bible Scholar even before I became a believer we began a habit of discussing his sermons under preparation every week.  I would offer my 2 cents worth.  This became fun for both of us.  Iron sharpened iron.

 

Then I began teaching. I would watch what he did and then I did the same.  He was so influential in my life.  He was apostolic and didn't really understand it.  He was Prophetic in his consolation and didn't know it.  He was wise.  Very wise.  He didn't counsel like a Pastor.  He counseled like the wisdom of God.  And when he taught he could wring more truth out of a verse of scripture than anyone I had ever seen preach.  I wanted that anointing.

 

His influence was that of how to lead by example.  I never wanted to disappoint him.  For years I would have dreams where I would find myself awakened by fear that I had promised to do something for him and didn't.  He showed you could be bold and trust God.  He brought full blown Pentecost to life with balance.  We may not see his like again on this side of the veil.  I look forward to seeing him on the other side.  He would be 61 now.  He was 6 months older than me.  I met him when I was 30 and so was he.  New to Fargo. 

 

I no longer grieve. I just miss him.  I hope he would not be disappointed at what I have made of the investment he made in me.  I don't think he would be. 

 

Tomorrow morning I will teach the Book of Revelation with a mantle of anointing I can point back to a little Church in Fargo ND. 

 

God Bless Pastor Dan's family.  In a distant way I'm one of them.

Western Civilization will Survive and Prosper

TWO EVIDENCES:

 

NUMBER ONE: Last night I went to a Jr High school band concert.  I'll bet you are saying, better you than me.  You'd be wrong.  They were great.  Better than I remember our high school band 45 years ago.  They played Ellington, Gillespie, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and others.  It was excellent.  They were into it.  No rap groups (I don't dislike rap actually I just was heartened by this). 

 

NUMBER TWO: The ballroom dance craze in schools, on TV, on dance floors teaching and experiencing excellent dance by good dancers. 

These are both things the Islamic fundamentalist fascists will remove if they take over. This is western civilization.  This is worth fighting for. 

 

Western civilization is alive and well.  Long may it live.

 

 

A little Clarity Please

This week's King funeral caused a great deal of furor. I'm still angry about the behavior of some lowlifes.

So, I just want to be sure we all know what to do when it happens, and it will, someday a Kennedy or Carter will change worlds. When that happens if a person is allowed to speak at their funeral will the reverse be OK? I just want to be sure we know the rules. From the Anchoress:

So…if, let’s say, tomorrow Jimmy Carter dies (or Ted Kennedy, or any liberal) and there is the funeral…if some conservatives get up and use the occasion to criticize liberal dignitaries in attendance, that will be okay? Because, after all, Carter, or Kennedy, or whoever “were political people?” Is this really what you want, folks?

I mean, chances are highly unlikely it would happen - conservatives tend not to do that sort of stuff - but if it ever did happen - then what? If, let’s just say, someday we’re watching the fumeral of a former Democrat president, fer instance - and a conservative gets up and moves away from tribute and into politically charged speech…makes sneering remarks about 17% mortgage rates, or Iranian hostages, or bombing aspirin factories, or talking for years and years about WMD’s, or ignoring Rwanda, or lying under oath, or accessing FBI files, or whatever - that will be okay, right?

You won’t have a problem with it, because the funeral of a “political” person is now simply one more “political event,” right? And sometimes crassness is called for? Can even be touted as a virtue?

Well. If those are the new rules, don’t forget who made ‘em up.

I don't want to be part of those rules. What's good for the Goose is good for the Gander seems to apply here.

But, conservatives are too classy to act like those morons did at the funeral this week. The real name for the classless left is trailer trash, that's who they really are. No, that's too good. It insults both trailers and trash.

PS:
Jerry Springer's show was higher class then the left showed themselves to be at this funeral. Maybe that should be the new name for the left wing nuthouse. The Jerry Springer Party. Then the Democrats can regain their former good reputation and good name. It was a proud place at one time. It's been soiled.

On Teaching Religion in our Schools

I'’m a Christian. I want every person to know Jesus. There is an attempt to teach religion in our schools. I'’m against it. Religion is defined by the dictionary in part as: A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.

It'’s religion that is being taught with unrestrained zeal and devotion that I am against. You know it's religion when:

• There is no empirical proof
• It requires faith to believe it
• It attempts to explain origins, events and creation
• It relies on ancient bits that are pieced together
• It says that all other beliefs are wrong
  

That religion is evolution. The "church of evolution" has taken it upon themselves to establish a state church against the tenets of the constitution. Is evolution a religion? Some educators have put together legislation to outlaw the teaching of anything other than evolution in the classrooms where origins are taught. This is establishing a state religion. This article appeared in a Madison Newspaper an excerpt of which appears below:

"Our children must be exposed to what science really is about and how the scientific enterprise functions, free of political or religious connotations," Berceau said at a news conference where she was flanked by Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, and University of Wisconsin-Madison professors. "It is designed to prevent the introduction of pseudo-science in the science classroom."

Under her plan, parents could file lawsuits if their children's science teachers went beyond the curriculum to teach non-science-based theories, she said. Berceau said philosophy or other courses could teach intelligent design or other religious-based theories.


They call intelligent design pseudo science. I won'’t call evolution pseudo religion.

I'’ll just call what it is: Religion! The priests of which are so evangelical they fear and hate anything that challenges them at any level.

Don'’t let this religion in your classrooms to the exclusion of any others.

This is a war for the hearts and minds of your children (and grandchildren) and the classroom is the battlefield.

Shameful Mr Peanut

I have spent the afternoon doing paperwork in front of the TV screen watching the funeral of Corretta Scott King’ in Eddie Long’s church building.

Much of it has been inspirational and uplifting. I thought President Bush’'s statement was eloquent and in the right nature appropriate to the moment. Several others were in line with the day.

President Clinton and the Future President Clinton were magnificent.

Then there was Jimmy Carter. How did he ever become President? This is the lowest I have ever seen him sink. I have never had a very high opinion of him but it went down lower today if that is at all possible. He is hopeless. I know he thinks he said something of meaning today. He only said mean and base things. Please Mr. Peanut, Go away. You’'re embarrassing.

Seeing him on the dais with the Presidents Bush 1 and 2 and Clinton 1 and 2 he looked very small. He didn't even shake the standing President's hand when he came to the podium after shaking all others on the podium. That was out of line. President Bartlet from West Wing would have cut him off at the knees. He would have deserved it. Carter is now (in the world of Gene) the worst President this country ever had and if he could be impeached post presidency I would vote for it.

I expected banality from Ted Kennedy. Some other unknown Reverends got up and said some inappropriate things. I don’'t know who they were and if we are lucky they will slink back into the holes they came from.

This was a funeral, like President Clinton said, “"This is about a woman"”. He chastised the politicizing of the event. If you ever wondered about the class or lack of it of the left wing in this country I advise you to watch this funeral in full. I hope the RNC keeps copies. It will shock and shame you.

But they know no shame. I'’m not shocked.

We are all Temps

I have a friend in NYC who calls himself a permanent Temp worker.  It's a joke.  I have another friend who after more than 30 years with a Fargo Radio station was unceremoniously fired on Friday of last week. 

 

I feel wounded.  I always admired his "Permanence".  30 years.  Wow. 

 

In that time I have owned/started a dozen different businesses.  Been hired and fired a half dozen times.  And had a church fold.

 

I'm the poster child for impermanence.  I'm not sad.  I've lived a great life.  I still do.  Sometimes my sweet wife would like to see me "settle down".  After over 60 years that's highly unlikely.

 

But, Larry's expulsion reinforces a truth I have always known.  Even when it looks permanent, nothing is permanent.  Permanence is an illusion.

 

I first became aware of this fact during the Vietnam War.  I was signing up when my Cousin Jim Lee came to visit.  I loved him.  He was my favorite person in all the world.  I asked him if he thought he would end up in Vietnam.  He said, there was no chance, it would take act of congress to place him there.  He was about to enjoy his military experience on this side of the pond.

 

In 5 months he was in Hanoi. 

 

I didn't join.  Only then did I come to the realization, permanence is an illusion.

 

So whatever you are doing right now.  It's not permanent.  You can and probably will be replaced, fired, go out of business, be demoted, be let go, kicked out the door or go belly up; or whatever euphemism meets your purpose.

 

We are all temporary employees in an impermanent word.  I enjoy being a temp.  Keeps my edge sharp.

 

Heck, even life isn't permanent.

In praise of Erroll Garner

We have this wonderful jazz program on Public Radio in Chicagoland with music from the 30's-60's.  (Buckley on Jazz) I have enjoyed it for over 30 years.  We often traveled with a group of friends while it played on the radio in the late 70's going to the Lakes for dinner at DeRox Supper Club when we lived in Fargo.

 

Today the featured artist was Erroll Garner.  It was so great to hear him again.  I only have one album (33 lp) from the 60's I bought after hearing him live in the old wooden festival hall building at NDSU.  It was not greatly attended but he played with gusto.  Hearing him groan along with the music, a syncopated left hand and a hammer interpretation with the right hand amazed me once again today. 

 

Hearing him play Ain't Misbehaivin' was worth the price of admission.

 

I think it's time I revisited the work of a truly great piano artist. 

Erroll Louis Garner, January 15, 1921 - January 21,1977.  Rest in peace.

 

Killing the Mockingbird

This is about accusation.  False and Real.

 

My wife and I have a fair bit to do with kids.  Lots of reasons. But we do.

 

There is a disturbing trend which is resulting in accusations. False and Real.

 

In schools "Don't Touch Me"  is code for I don't want to do what you are asking  to do and so I won't and there's nothing you can do about it. 

 

Inappropriate touching is wrong.  Sometimes if a kid (6-7-8 grade) is uncooperative and needs some physical direction (like out of the room) he/she cries rape.  Not rape exactly, Don't Touch Me.  It's not far separated in it's tone.

 

It puts fear in the hearts of teachers and workers in the school.  Every few months in the Chicagoland area there are episodes where a teacher or principle trying to keep order physically restrains a student.  And is sued.

 

Schools are a mess.  Public education should be outlawed.  That's another discussion.  I'm hopeful that public education will fall off the edge of the earth.

 

But, we have taught thin skinned accusing behavior to our kids and are reaping a whirlwind we didn't think was blowing.  Stranger Danger is good.  Don't take candy from the old man in the car.  Don't let anyone touch you inappropriately.  All good.

 

But Judge, Jury and Prosecutor is now in the hands of teens and sub teens.

 

Don't Touch Me now means I'll get my lawyer.  Or my rich parents will. 

 

Same thing applies to racial comments.  Someone calls someone a name and the long arm of the law comes out.  I'm not for calling anyone names but this doesn't need Barney Fife and his deputies involved. 

 

Don't Touch Me has gone too far.  It's the killing a mockingbird accusation that has neutered our schools, churches, caretakers and authorities.  We are reaping a whirlwind of sassy kids, disorder, lack of focus and a new generation who doesn't get it. 

 

I lived in fear that Mr. Schuske would kick the crap out of me if I sassed back in class.  If I had known he couldn't I would have sassed more.  Or worse.

Encountering the Borg

You know the Borg.  They have become the metaphor for nearly every kind of unified force for evil.  A mindless collective consciousness.

 

I have seen every Borg episode of Star Trek Next Gen several times.  I’m easily entertained. 

 

Tonight I encountered a member of the Borg Collective.  How do I know? 

 

First the Borg are oblivious to others around them. 

 

Second they did what they did without consideration for others. 

 

Third they were connected thru implants in their brain the Borg collective. 

 

Fourth they are rude as they pursue what they do.  If you get in their way they will walk over you.

 

I was at Quiznos.  I like their subs.  Toasted.  Wheat.

 

In walked a Borg.  He had a Bluetooth cranial implant.  He was talking to someone somewhere.  Loudly.  There were others in the shop.  He talked so we could all participate in his self-important conversation.  I think when you get the Borg Bluetooth implant it requires that you talk very loud at all times.  He did barely acknowledge the man from whom he ordered his sandwich.  He had his teenage son with him.  He didn’t acknowledge him either.  If a car had driven thru the window of the shop it wouldn’t have mattered.  What he was talking about was far more important.  Some big software deal. 

 

Borg are always tweaking the system.

 

He got his sandwich, got into his ship (I didn’t see if it was square) and lifted off.

 

Resistance in this case is NOT futile and I REFUSE to be assimilated. 

 

Evil Bluetooth Borg.

How I got here

I am not of "Germans from Russia" heritage.  Many people from the Dakotas are.  We were different.  Redlin's are Prussian.

 

Our Stambuch (Family Tree) goes back as far as 1271.  We were rooted originally in Estonia which at that time was a Germanic area.  We were Pastors, College Professors, Farmers, Shoemakers, and Crusaders.  We liked going to war.  Later when Martin Luther did his thing we were part of the peasant wars.  There are actually two little towns named REDLIN in Germany, one near the town of Wittenburg where Luther posted his 95 thesises, and one in protestant Mecklenburg Vorpommeran, Germany.  I have visted both of these places.

 

My people were pushed out of Pommerania (now Poland) after Kaiser Bill lost it.  Here's a picture of the Church my Great Great Great Grandfather was baptized and married in. 

 

They came to America on a boat in 1888.  They had been pushed off their land, moved to Schleiswig-Holstein in Northern Germany, and then to Iron Ridge Wisconsin and then to homestead in South Dakota north of Watertown.  I was born there 55 years later.  Remements of the old homestead sod house and all still stands kind of.

 

Germans from Russia were socialistic. ND Bank, State Mill and elevator. etc

They lived communally.  Voted NPL.  Were pacifists. That's why ND is considered to be one of the most socialist states in the union.  That's why is still screwed up today electing liberal representitives and voting for Bush.  ND doesn't know who it is.

 

We were never part of any commune, socialist movement, NPL, and we were supporters of the military. 

 

We are just a little different from other Germans in ND.  We were Fiecely Christian, Conservative, Independant, and just a little hard to get along with.

 

We still are.

 

 

A Recommendation from Gene's Bookclub

 A book you should read (but liberals won't):

 

Fred Barnes has written a little book.  It’s called Rebel in Chief.

 

It's an extension of what he wrote in 2004 right after Bush kicked Kerry's Butt.

 

Just reading exerpts I grasped why I and so many of my ilk are so slavishly loyal to George W Bush.  He represents the person we wish we would be if somehow they made us President (or King).

 

Some of the things he says about our magnificent President in this book are:

 

GWB plays by a different set of rules, he has a complete lack of interest in being loved by the Beltway establishment.

 

He operates his administration like a small occupying band of insurgents, an elected band of brothers and sisters on a mission.

 

He sees himself as an alien in the realm of the governing class having been given a green card by the voters. 51-48%.

 

He avoids being sucked into the Washington mindset and echo chamber.  He and Laura avoid the capital’s social whirl.  He goes to bed early (he ducked out of a dinner with India’s prime minister at 9:30am to go to bed).  He was up at 5:30am because, as he said, “I’ve got a lot to do”. 

 

He goes to Crawford Texas, to relax, not to the Kennedy center.

 

His emotional distance makes it easy for him to break some furniture sometimes.  In his first term metaphorically he busted up a whole living room.  He abrogated the missile defense treaty (Star Wars), He gave a really cold shoulder to Al Gore’s Kyoto treaty (thank the Lord), He insisted immediately that 9-11 was an act of war, he ignored the international community’s insistence that the path to peace in the middle east was negotiating with Yasser Arafat. 

 

He committed Washington’s cardinal sin of taking on Social Security, trying to do major reform.

 

And he cut taxes.

 

As a result his Rebel in Chief style has brought republicans to the mountaintop.  He initiated a political realignment that continues today.  He helped congressional republicans achieve a majority as well.

 

Clinton got what he strived for, Personal Popularity.  Bush is willing to surrender personal popularity to get what he seeks: a transformation of American Politicos that makes the Republican Party the majority party.

 

Bush talks about Jesus far less than Clinton did.  He doesn't wear his faith on his sleve like Clinton did.  He is deeply religious but private about it.  But his memorable quote is: Liberty is not America’s contribution to the world but is God’s gift to Mankind.

 

Somehow Bush is able to stand strong in the face of bad news:

The news media hammers hard on him about Iraq, Drug entitlement program, the accusation of a culture of corruption, $3 gasoline, Iran, the ownership society that hasn’t yet gotten traction.

 

George W Bush has recently been reading about George Washington.  He is said to have commented, he was the first, I’m the 43^rd.  They’re still analyzing him.  In 200 years they’ll still be analyzing me.  I will do what I believe to be right.

 

I guess it will come as no surprise, I am so glad he is there in the White House and in Charge.  He is my hero.  

 

As for me and my house, God Bless President Bush