Friday, November 30, 2007

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Real Clear Politics Republican Presidential Nomination Polls

Republican Presidential Nomination
RCP Average
11/08 to 11/28
28.5% Giuliani
14.2% Thompson
12.7% Romney
12.8% McCain
9.2% Huckabee
Giuliani +14.3%
Rasmussen
11/21 - 11/28
27% Giuliani
10% Thompson
14% Romney
14% McCain
12% Huckabee
Giuliani +13%
Reuters/Zogby
11/14 - 11/17
29% Giuliani
15% Thompson
9% Romney
9% McCain
11% Huckabee
Giuliani +14%
FOX News
11/13 - 11/14
33% Giuliani
12% Thompson
8% Romney
17% McCain
8% Huckabee
Giuliani +16%
Gallup
11/11 - 11/14
28% Giuliani
19% Thompson
12% Romney
13% McCain
10% Huckabee
Giuliani +9%
American Res. Group
11/09 - 11/12
25% Giuliani
17% Thompson
21% Romney
12% McCain
6% Huckabee
Giuliani +4%
Cook/RT Strategies
11/08 - 11/11
29% Giuliani
12% Thompson
12% Romney
12% McCain
8% Huckabee
Giuliani +17%
Courtesy of www.realclearpolitics.com

Blowback Happens Regardless by J.J. Jackson

Author: J.J. Jackson

When in doubt, get a catch phrase. For some opposed to certain policies, such as helping people in the Middle East throw off dictators, they have one that is a simple term; blowback. It’s become a term of derision hurled against those that they disagree with in order to justify why the United States should adopt a blanket policy of isolationist non-interventionism in world affairs and avoid any debate.

But what really is the concept of blowback? It’s actually a one word statement of a longer common principle we are all familiar with; every action has an equal and opposite reaction. “Blowback” is simply the consequences of one’s actions. And despite the way it is often used by simple minds to try and justify their simple opinions, creating blowback is not carte blanche bad. It is simply the product of action.

You do A and B results. That is “blowback”. And it varies in degrees.

Let’s say I decide in the spring to plant tomatoes instead of potatoes. But come harvest I want some nice crisp french fries. Well, then I’ll have to go to the store and spend money on potatoes someone else grew. Blowback.

Maybe you decide to rob a bank to try and make a quick couple bucks and get shot by the cops in the process. Blowback.

My neighbor decides he wants to park his truck illegally on the no parking side of the street outside of his house and the cops show up to give him a ticket. Blowback.

He then gets upset and decides to complain about people actually parking legally on the side of the street where parking is allowed and makes a butthole of himself and ticks off his neighbors. Blowback yet again.

A man shoots a woman in broad daylight in front of twenty people and no one comes forward to finger the perpetrator. When the neighborhood becomes riddled with crime because no one has any courage, that’s blowback too.

What if some brave man actually comes forward and agrees to testify against the criminal only to have his life threatened by the members of a local gang to which the criminal belongs? Yep, you guessed it – blowback.

The gang members succeed in shooting him dead? Very unfortunate blowback.

Try to eliminate unconstitutional spending on social programs like Welfare and don’t get enough votes from those wedded to such socialist policies to be re-elected? Blowback raises its ugly head yet again.

When the founding fathers decided to declare independence from Great Britian and the result was thousand of dead Americans during two wars that followed what was that? Uh, huh. Blowback.

Decide that paying tribute to Muslim pirates who were enslaving American citizens and get even more piracy and more Americans forced into slavery as a result of the appeasement? Yep, blowback strikes again.

Declare war on NAZI Germany who is waging a war of aggression, slaughtering millions of Jews in ovens and gas chambers, have American men and women die in the ensuing war and draw the ire of several nations for fighting against them and such an atrocity? There’s that blowback thingy again.

Promise to help a group out if only they would rise up and start to overthrow their dictatorial leader only to not show up and make good on your promise and have them hate you now too? Ouch. Blowback!

Now, what do we see from all these real world examples? Well, we see clearly that sometimes this phenomena called blowback is a bad thing that actually can come from doing the right thing just as it can come from doing the wrong thing. That is not something people looking for a nice, short, one size fits all catch phrase like to have to be exposed to however. To them decrying “blowback” is a simple way to defend their position regardless of whether or not it is sound.

“Blowback” is bad. And according to their theory, being bad it must be avoided. But the problem is that it ultimately cannot be avoided. It’s a catch 22. Sort of damned if you do and damned if you don’t.

I generally tend to find that those who decry “blowback” as a reason against action in everything from local to foreign affairs are people that just don’t want to deal with consequences and making moral judgments. Even though by taking such a tactic they are still having to deal with consequences and are making moral judgments. To quote a famous lyrical line, “if you chose not to decide you still have made a choice.” And you are probably no better prepared to deal with the inevitable blowback that decision results in I’m sad to say.

As we see in the example above where the locals refuse to finger a criminal, confront evil and chose inaction for fear of “blowback”, they still get blowback just the same.

On an international scale, fear of blowback is often perpetrated by those that have an “I’ve got mine now go fend for damn yourself” mentality who forget our own history of asking for and receiving help from the likes of France during our own revolution.

But history is not important. Remember, they’ve got theirs. No go away! Don’t ask them for help. Shoo!

Blowback happens. Much like excrement I’m sad to say. It’s a fact. Whether you chose to act or opt instead for inaction you get blowback of one form or another. Whether you chose to act or opt instead for inaction, I have bad news for you, someone is not going to like you. Maybe that dislike is justified or maybe it is irrational. But that doesn’t matter.

Decrying “blowback” as a reason not to act is silly. Especially knowing this. Choosing not to act and intervene on behalf of someone in a given situation against evil is still a choice. A very, very bad choice. And all you have done by making such a bad choice is possibly created two enemies instead of one; the evil which probably already hates you and the people that would have been willing to be your friend, even if tentatively, had you helped them. At best you’ve created only one new enemy. Which is one more than you had previously.

All actions we take result in another action which result in another action which in turn result in another action whether we chose to remain neutral, stand by side A or ally with side B. Decrying “blowback” and quaking before the possibility of the ifs and buts that might come as the result of ones actions is really nothing more than justifying cowardice. And it can be paralyzing for some.

Choosing not to decide or choosing to not do what is right on purpose can have just as dire of consequences as making poor choices and decisions. Making reasoned choices is important and good. Being paralyzed by fear is bad.

Make no mistake, I am not suggesting the United States run around the world lending our military to every pet cause. I’ve talked about making reasoned choices in how we act and not every situation requires that we do. But each situation does require independent thought. And if in the end action is a sound choice it should be taken.

In the end, the best thing is to simply do the right thing. The best thing to do is stand by people who want to at least try for liberty and some semblance of freedom. Just remember that they, like you, are probably not perfect. They will make mistakes in that pursuit and you probably will not agree with everything they themselves want to do in their quest.

But it’s best to give them a chance if you think they are honest and sincere in their desire. Because the blowback is coming whether you like it or not; whether you act or not. That’s called reality.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/politics-articles/blowback-happens-regardless-261981.html

About the Author:J.J. Jackson is the owner of American Conservative Daily Blog . He is also the lead designer for The Right Things - Conservative Political T-shirts . His weekly articles and exclusive content can be found at Liberty Reborn .

The Daily Drudge

The top headline from The Drudge Report
'Dirty Trick'
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/29/eveningnews/main3556470.shtml
Courtesy of www.drudgereport.com

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

The Daily Drudge

The top headline from The Drudge Report
Thank You, Abu Dhabi
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20071127/D8T68TNG1.html
Courtesy of www.drudgereport.com

The Inevitable Hillary Clinton

I usually find myself flipping around to the many news channels, CNN, Fox News, etc. These shows usually have one or more pundits that are called upon to prognosticate and reveal their wisdom and truth about future political happenings. I do not doubt the sincerity or intelligence of these people, but I think darts thrown at dartboard might be able to come up with the right response with the same degree of success. I figure if those people can do it why not me? For the purpose of this article I will become a pundit and try to forecast the political future.

I mean to focus my prognostication on the Democrats and their choice to run for president. Hillary wins. Yes that is the extent of my psychic abilities. To some it might seem like an easy pick, I would classify it as inevitability. You must understand how that disappoints me on many levels. I see the eventual nomination of Hillary Clinton as a foregone conclusion. There are many reasons for this feeling.

Senator Clinton surely is not going to be changed by the current lot of candidates seeking her party’s nomination. A newbie senator, a one-term, once rejected presidential candidate, an expired Alaskan senator, and a United States representative fighting to win the hearts of out-of-this-world beings does not evoke great excitement. This group as is currently composed on top will hardly rattle the Clinton machine. That machine in and of itself is a reason to bet on Mrs. Clinton’s nomination. The machine is to well oiled and practiced in picking up and chewing out opponents. Add to this a seemingly endless supply of money from contributions, assuming they do not have to be returned. There is still one factor that I have forgotten about, Bill. The former president and hopeful first man is still a beloved commodity around Democrat circles. This has proven useful as his wife advances in her political career, a mutually beneficial relationship that might yield historic returns.

Well I will not have to wait long to see if my prediction comes true. The Iowa caucuses are right around the corner and the Democrat presidential nominee will probably be known soon after. If I am right my career as a pundit will be off to a great start. It might show that Democrat know the difference between a candidate qualified to be president and someone who was simply married to one. One does not qualify the other. There are many are many adjectives I could use to describe Hillary Clinton, for the sake of propriety I will use only one, inevitable.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Fox News All-Stars

The weekly round table discusses the campaign of Fred Thompson. His entry into the presidential race has been met with a luke-warm response. The gang analyzes this and Thompson's sagging poll numbers. The real surprise has been the rise of Mike Huckabee's numbers in Iowa which show him second only behind Mitt Romney. Might it be Huckabee who vaults into the first tier to displace Fred Thompson and make a run at Romney and Giuliani? We will soon see as the Iowa caucus fast approaches.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/11/fred_thompsons_sinking_poll_nu.html
Courtesy of www.realclearpolitics.com

Story of the Ant and the Grasshopper Old and New

This was sent to me by a relative and I thought I would share it with everyone. It is especially important for all those who are questioning the importance of their vote in 2008. Who you vote for will have a very real effect on your life.

*OLD VERSION*:

The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.

The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed.

The grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Be responsible for yourself!
************************************************************
*MODERN VERSION:*

The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.

The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving.

CBS, NBC, PBS, CNN, and ABC show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food.

Hillary gets her old law firm to represent the grasshopper in a defamation suit against the ant, and the case is tried before a panel of federal judges that Bill Clinton appointed from a list of single-parent welfare recipients..

The ant loses the case.

The story ends as we see the grasshopper finishing up the last bits of the ant's food while the government house he is in, which just happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles around him because he doesn't maintain it. The ant has disappeared in the snow. The grass hopper is found dead in a drug related incident and the house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the once peaceful neighborhood.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Be very very careful how you vote.

Thursday, November 08, 2007

The Daily Drudge

The top headline from The Drudge Report
$5 Gas in CA
http://www.theksbwchannel.com/news/14536489/detail.html
Courtesy of www.drudgereport.com

Giuliani Gets Evangelical Leader's Endorsement

With the endorsement yesterday of the 700 club's Pat Robertson, Giuliani may have silenced his critics who claimed he would be unable to draw evangelical support. In a surprising move the ultra-conservative Robertson threw his support to Giuliani who has supported gay marriage and is a pro choice Republican. The surprise is that Robertson chose not to endorse more traditional conservatives such as Mitt Romney or Fred Thompson. This move might help conservatives and evangelicals coalesce around one candidate. As we have seen from past campaigns conservatives and evangelicals have been a major force in Republican politics. The move should help Giuliani in the south which tends to have a more conservative voting base.
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20071107/D8SOTN7G1.html

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

The Daily Drudge

The top headline from The Drudge Report
Oil Hits New Record
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071106/oil_prices.html?.v=19
Courtesy of www.drudgereport.com

President Bush Speech-November 1, 2007-Firing on All Cylinders

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=L._Winslow]L. Winslow

President Bush, his critics, and the divisive politics in Washington DC never stop. In November 1, 2007 President Bush delivered a hard hitting speech to the Heritage Foundation, one which was applauded by all true Americans. Republicans, saw the President in true form. He looked like he was back to his old self, hitting on all cylinders.

Republican Party supporters urged him to please keep up the great work and do more of those types of speeches. As all Americans know we are in a critical time and those who follow history understand all that is at stake, he is correct. Supporters ask that he Hang tough and concentrate, good things await and there are challenges are ahead.

Amongst the topics of the speech were issues of so-called definitions of torture and if the United States should use torture tactics on occasion with Al Queda International Terrorists who kill innocent civilians through bombings or by way of cutting off their heads. Should we be allowed to sprinkle water on their heads until they talk?

Opponents of the President's common sense on this issue claim that the United States of America, should not use the sprinkling of water on the heads of murderers and bombers who plot and plan to kill Americans or commit such acts. Most decent Americans wish to save American lives from the International Terrorist murdering thugs, unfortunately the President has some opposition to these reality based and rational methods.

In President Bush's excellent speech he brought home the realities of who we are dealing with and what must be done. As Americans we should support our Commander in Chief rather than supporting the wishes of Osama bin Laden and Al Queda, unfortunately the President's vocal opposition is aiding our enemies and that is putting the American People at severe risk. Think on this - it matters.

L. Winslow is an Economic, Political and Technology Advisor to the Online Think Tank, a Futurist and retired entrepreneur http://www.worldthinktank.net/ Currently Mr. Winslow is planning a bicycle ride from Canada to Mexico and in Spring across the US from San Diego to Virginia Beach to raise money for charity. Previously he was a track star athlete, private pilot, involved in politics, community volunteerism and a Franchising Founder. Mr. Winslow has chosen 100 titles of Books he wishes to write and has completed ten thus far. The subjects include; Community Planning, Future Tech, Franchising, Small Business, and Third World Issues.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=L._Winslow http://EzineArticles.com/?President-Bush-Speech---November-1,-2007---Firing-on-All-Cylinders&id=813441

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Syndication Weekly

Cal Thomas discusses the problem with both Democrats and Republicans. He sees their current governance as ineffective, and that they need to work in tandum to produce beneficial legislation. Cal Thomas is also the author of, with liberal Democrat strategist Bob Beckel, Common Ground: How to Stop the Partisan War That is Destroying America.
Carrots and Sticks
http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/thomas110107.php3
Courtesy of www.drudgereport.com

Four Hurdles Republicans Must Clear by Fred Barnes

The road to the White House is going to be an uphill journey for Republicans. Many have written off the Republicans and there chance of electoral success come November '08. The Weekly Standard's Fred Barnes has identified four hurdles that Republicans must clear. For the country's sake let's hope Republicans can clear these hurdles and not fall flat on their faces.
http://weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/014/310sbgqy.asp
Courtesy of www.realclearpolitics.com, www.weeklystandard.com

Thursday, November 01, 2007

The Daily Drudge

The top headline from The Drudge Report
I'd Talk Directly With Iran
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/11/01/america/obama.php
Courtesy of www.drudgereport.com

Fox News All-Stars

The gang discuss the success on the ground in Iraq and the resolution by congress to condemn Turkey for past atrocities involving the Armenians.
Success in Iraq, Turkey Resolution
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/10/success_in_iraq_turkish_resolu.html
Courtesy of www.realclearpolitics.com