The New Media's Betrayal of General Petraeus by James Smith

I watched the mainstream television media's nightly news programs over the last several days. I even turned the channel so I could hear different programs. The one thing I learned from these broadcasts comes from what these networks are not reporting. There was not any news on Iraq. Not a single story. No daily suicide bombings. No massacres. No civil war with chaos and conflict. No stories about the American quagmire.

In September, the media was in a near frenzy about the Iraq war with the testimony of General Petreaus in front of the members of Congress. The chaos in the streets of Iraq was reported on a nightly basis. Now, we can't even get a single story from our television media on Iraq on the nightly news. It is becoming clearer with each passing day that Al- Qaeda is being soundly defeated in Iraq. Even Osama bin laden's recent audio tape in Iraq indirectly admits as much. In fact, though we may not be able to find much positive news from Iraq on American television, Aljazeera has been reporting since early November that the Iraqi people have turned on Al-Qaeda and are taking back their country.

The latest statistics from Iraq confirm that the American troop surge is working. The data indicates that bombings and attacks of every kind in the country are down by more than half. Therefore, the real story which is not being reported by the mainstream news media, is the effectiveness of the United States military in restoring order and defeating the insurgency in Iraq. The military victory is a direct result of the capable leadership of General David Petreaus.

The statistics in Iraq showing a dramatic drop in violence are indications that the troop surge led by General Petreaus is working, but there are many other signs as well. The tone and direction of the Iraq war debate in the Democratic presidential primary has changed. The candidates are now acknowledging success with the surge while still questioning the effectiveness of Iraq's government to implement an ultimate political solution. The discussion of the issue of Iraq has gone from hot button to muted in the last several weeks on the campaign trail as well.

Then there is the somewhat surprising commentary from the liberal press. Consider this quote written recently by Marty Perez in The New Republic: "Up to now, Democrats have been stinting in their recognition that the situation in Iraq has improved: 'Yes, violence is down a bit, but...' That is the wrong posture. They need to celebrate the success, as long as it lasts, as enthusiastically as the Republicans. They also need to stop harrying the administration with symbolic war-funding measures demanding a timetable for rapid withdrawal, as though nothing has changed. This would take little away from their larger valid criticisms of the war and of its conduct until very recently."

Also, consider this recent quote from Newsweek's Charles Peters: "I have been troubled by the reluctance of my fellow liberals to acknowledge the progress made in Iraq in the last six months, a reluctance I am embarrassed to admit that I have shared. Giving Gen. David Petraeus his due does not mean we have to start saying it was a great idea to invade Iraq. It remains the terrible idea it always was. And the occupation that followed has been until recently a continuing disaster. ... Still, the fact is that the situation in Iraq, though some violence persists, is much improved since the summer. Why do liberals not want to face this fact, let alone ponder its implications?"

The positive signs in Iraq are indeed everywhere. Even Rep. John Murtha (after a Thanksgiving trip to Iraq) said; "I think the 'surge' is working," describing the President's decision to commit more than 20,000 additional combat troops this year. But the Iraqis "have got to take care of themselves." The antiwar Murtha has spent months of time in the House of Representatives in 2007 crafting bills to prevent the very troop surge he now says is "working".

Also, consider this recent story in the New York Sun: "'Talks Are Set on Ending Battle of Iraq -- Quiet Announcement Signals Start of US, Iraq Parley' -- "And so the Battle of Iraq is to be brought to an end, in T.S. Eliot's phrase, 'not with a bang but a whimper.' With the eyes of the world focused on the Middle East peace talks in Annapolis, Md., President Bush's war tsar, Lieutenant General Douglas Lute, quietly announced that the American and Iraqi governments will start talks early next year to bring about an end to the allied occupation by the close of Mr. Bush's presidency. The negotiations will bring to a formal conclusion the U.N. Chapter 7 Security Council involvement in the occupation and administration of Iraq, and are expected to reduce the number of American troops to about 50,000 troops permanently stationed there but largely confined to barracks, from the current 164,000 forces on active duty".

The talks to withdraw most of our troops from Iraq by the end of 2008 is yet another indication that the troop surge has been successful. The truth is that General Petreaus has given America an opportunity to claim victory in Iraq, and end this war. The television news media does not report any of this and, in effect, does a disservice to the men and women in Iraq who fight for this country. This lack of effective media reporting in Iraq is also a betrayal of its responsibility to report to America the incredible success of its military under General David Petreaus.

James William Smith has worked in senior management positions for some of the largest financial services firms in the United States for the last twenty five years. He has also provided business consulting support for insurance organizations and start up businesses. Mr. Smith has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Boston College. He enjoys writing articles on political, national, and world events. Visit his website at http://www.eworldvu.com

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Omaha, Nebraska experienced a horrific tragedy yesterday. Robert A. Hawkins, age 19, went on a shooting rampage inside the Von Maur store located in Westroads Mall. In the process eight individuals were killed by Hawkins and several more were wounded. Hawkins ended up taking his own life. Reports are that Hawkins used an AK-47 in his assault. The names of those killed have been released and they are: Gary Scharf, 48, a customer and resident of Lincoln; John McDonald, 65, a customer and resident of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Angie Schuster, 36, an employee; Maggie Webb, 24, an employee; Janet Jorgenson, 66, an employee; Diane Trent, 53, an employee; Gary Joy, 56, an employee; and Beverly Flynn, 47, an employee.

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Humerous Look at the Democrat Presidential Hopefuls

"The Patriot Post (PatriotPost.US)".

For more visit www.patriotpost.us

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Fox News All Stars

The Sunday panel focused on the recent claims of improper use of funds by former New York city mayor Rudy Giuliani. Giuliani denied such impropriety occured in regards to his funding of his security detail when he was mayor. The panel also talked about former President Clinton's statements declaring he never supported the Iraq war, contrary former statements. Finally the panel comments on the elections in Venezuela and Russia. They discuss the leaders of both countries, who have taken more and more control of their countries at the cost of full expression of democracy, in Russia and certainly in Venezuela.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/12/karl_rove_chris_van_hollen_rou.html
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Syndication Weekly

In a belated return to my regularly scheduled blog contribution I turn to the venerable conservative columnist, George Will. In his latest writings, Will focuses on the issue created by Senator Daniel Akaka of Hawaii, who aims to get special recognition for "Native Hawaiians." Will points out the favor that this singling out of a racial group would garner from the likes of Hermann Goering himself. The Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act would set up a Native Hawaiian Governing Entity which might lead to issues of, reparations, Independence, or even secession. Much opposition has been voiced against the legislation by groups and individuals for differing reasons

Opposition to the Akaka Bill includes:
1.Those who believe that the bill is unconstitutionally race-based;
2.Those who believe that it could begin the process of secession of a single racial group from the United States;
3.Those who believe that it could thwart the process of secession of Hawaii from the United States and the restoration of an independent Hawaiian nation controlled by native Hawaiians (native Hawaiian sovereignty activists);
4.The United States Commission on Civil Rights
5.The administration under President George W. Bush, which issued a letter arguing against the earlier version of the bill
6.Aloha for All, a Hawaii based civil rights group;
7.The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, a Hawaii based think-tank
Source material taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akaka_Bill

As Will points out in his article, Congress does not create tribes but recognizes them by measure of certain stated criteria. The many who read about such lesson should not be surprised to know that it is being lead by a Democrat. The party has certainly tried to fight every social fight and to correct every perceived wrong, even if it must be created by their legislation. The problem is the few Republicans who have gone along with the legislation. A further example of a few individuals who have not figured out their proper role in government. The nation that we have tried to build as one of oneness and undivided will once again have to stand up against the forces of liberals who try to divide and separate.

Taken from George Will's article, Guess who is fomenting racial disharmony in paradise? http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/will112907.php3, Courtesy of The Jewish World Review

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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 .

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Meet the Snowman, Republicans
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Thank You, Abu Dhabi
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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.

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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
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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.

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$5 Gas in CA
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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

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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

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
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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
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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
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Syndication Weekly

In this first installment I present one of the most recent articles by Charles Krauthammer. Krauthammer is a prominent, conservative columnist and one of my favorites. The column points out the uncanny ability of Hillary Clinton to sit on the fence on many issues. This ability to navigate through policy, and to always leave room to wriggle free from previous positions earns her the title of, The Great Navigator. As Mr. Krauthammer writes, Mrs. Clinton rivals the great explorer Columbus as she navigates her way towards the presidency.
The Great Navigator
By Charles Krauthammer
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/11/AR2007101101598.html

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Romney Open to Iran 'Bombardment'
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The Greatest Story Never Told by Dean Barnett

Sadly, this is a something that requires mention on blogs and alternative media sources. The need comes from the fact that progress in Iraq fails to get its due coverage by the mainstream media. The Weekly Standard's Dean Barnett gives a voice to this problem.
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Check.asp?idArticle=14262&r=uwbgt
check out more great articles at www.weeklystandard.com

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The Case For Mike Huckabee by Jonathan Alter

The GOP race for president may be as open as it has been in a long time. This is compounded by the fact that no clear successor is in place. Another issue is that conservatives have not coalesced around one particular candidate. This leaves a certain mystery and uncertainty as to who will command the party going into next fall's election. Many candidates are vying and wooing conservatives for their support as they declare themselves, the real conservative. Each man appears to have his positives and negatives that may cast doubt on their true conservative credentials. One of the men who seems to have a solid case to be the conservative candidate is Mike Huckabee. Newsweek's Jonathan Alter takes a look at the former governor, and in doing so makes the case for Mike Huckabee as the best hope for Republicans.
http://www.newsweek.com//id/57616
Courtesy of RealClearPolitics.com

Fox News All-Stars

The panel discusses Al Gore and his Nobel win and Free Trade.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/10/panel_on_al_gores_nobel_prize.html
Taken from RealClearPolitics

22 Ways To Be a Good Democrat

This was sent to me by a relative of mine.
1. You have to be against capital punishment, but support abortion on demand.

2. You have to believe that businesses create oppression and governments create prosperity.

3. You have to believe that guns in the hands of law-abiding Americans are more of a threat than U.S. Nuclear weapons technology in the hands of Chinese and North Korean communists.

4. You have to believe that there was no art before Federal funding.

5. You have to believe that global temperatures are less affected by cyclical documented changes in the earth's climate and more affected by Soccer moms driving SUV's.

6. You have to believe that gender roles are artificial but being homo sexual is natural.

7. You have to believe that the AIDS virus is spread by a lack of Federal Funding.

8. You have to believe that the same teacher who can't teach fourth graders how to read is somehow qualified to teach those same kids about sex.

9. You have to believe that hunters don't care about nature, but loony activists who have never been outside of San Francisco do.

10. You have to believe that self-esteem is more important than actually doing something to earn it.

11. You have to believe that Mel Gibson spent $25 million of his own money to make "The Passion of the Christ" for financial gain only.

12. You have to believe the NRA is bad because it supports certain parts of the Constitution, while the ACLU is good because it supports certain parts of the Constitution.

13. You have to believe that taxes are too low, but ATM fees are too high.

14. You have to believe that Margaret Sanger and Gloria Steinem are more Important to American history than Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Edison, and A.G..Bell.

15. You have to believe that standardized tests are racist, but racial quotas and set-asides are not.

16. You have to believe that Hillary Clinton is normal and is a very nice person.

17. You have to believe that the only reason socialism hasn't worked anywhere it's been tried is because the right people haven't been in charge.

18. You have to believe conservatives telling the truth belong in jail, but a liar and a sex offender belonged in the White House.

19. You have to believe that homosexual parades displaying drag, transvestites, and bestiality should be constitutionally protected, and Manger scenes at Christmas should be illegal.

20. You have to believe that illegal Democrat Party funding by the Chinese Government is somehow in the best interest to the United States.

21. You have to believe that this message is a part of a vast, right Wing Conspiracy

.22. You have to believe that it's okay to give Federal workers the day off on Christmas Day ..........but it's not okay to say "Merry Christmas."

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The Drudge Report Top Headline

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Gray Friday: Dow Down Over 360
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China to Establish Communist Party in Space
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8SBP0H80&show_article=1

DREAM Act a Nightmare

There are times when congress actually gets it right and passes good and meaningful legislation. The DREAM Act would not fall into that category. This is essentially an old idea that is once again being brought forward in hopes of its eventual passage. Time can change many things but the simple passage of time has not made this legislation any better or better for our country.

The DREAM Act seeks to give support to those illegal aliens that made their way or were brought here by their parents before the age of sixteen. Apart from these illegals receiving a green card status and provide them with in state tuition in our colleges and universities. That status would enable backdoor amnesty as these aliens would be able to bring their families into the country after them. Liberals can not seem to give up on their amnesty and try to sneak it through at every turn.

For now at least, the American people have displayed that they are vehemently opposed to granting amnesty to border violators. But many of those in Congress seem unable to process this and continue on their quest towards a completely open border. These would include people such as Illinois Senator Dick Durbin who is trying to revive this legislation.

The Illinois Senator has decided that this is legislation that must be passed for our own good. People like Durbin are so blinded by their ideology for them to ever see what is in our greatest good. They feel that if America shows concern for its internal security and future preservation that they have no compassion for those in dire conditions. This means no wall and no action against illegals already within our borders. This is an issue that will more than likely be fought over and over into the foreseeable future. We should not have the wool pulled over our eyes or allow the concealing of such falsity.

Well I am here to say that I will not apologize for my views or my opinions. I say that knowing full well that such stances are usually met with shouts of racism or xenophobia. Well let those cries sound out because it is not racist or xenophobic to desire you country to protect its citizens. After all that is the assigned duty of our elected populace. Many of them have unfortunately forgotten that part of their sworn oath. Instead they have regressed into beings solely fixated on the rights and privileges of those not of this land.

I might be talking about one particular piece of legislation but it is a piece in a bigger part of the liberal puzzle. They take what they can get a little at a time so as to disguise their full intentions. The truth of their agenda is seldom heard by many ears as much of the media is in full lock-step with that agenda. There is something to be said for common sense. Unfortunately this is not a trait usually found in most politicians. This is a country not known for killing dreams. In fact we are a country that provides the opportunity for individuals to fulfill their dreams. But as far as the DREAM Act goes, that is one dream that deserves the death penalty.

Up on My Soapbox: Motorcycles Are Not Cars

I am mad, darn mad, and I can not take it anymore. The object of my rage is motorcycles taking up parking spots meant for cars. I wonder why people can be so inconsiderate to us the drivers of cars who must fight for each parking space as if it was Park Avenue real estate. This has been a particular bugaboo of mine for along time and surfaced again today. It is the same scenario over and over again. I race to get to my class on time and try to find a parking spot close to the building. I proceed to drive past occupied space after occupied space. I then see what appears to be an open spot and my heart races as I think to myself "what luck." But what I have seen is simply an optical illusion, a dirty trick played on my mind. And like Charlie Brown I believe that Lucy will hold the football for sure this time. But she never does and the space is not only occupied but filled by a motorcycle. I do not have anything against motorcycles per se, but when it costs me a parking space anything is open game. I notice these spots filled by these motorcycles as they go partially filled and it enrages me. At the very least it seems like a waste of space, space that should be filled up by my vehicle. This is my soapbox moment to vent all my anger and rage and to make my plight known. I know I am not alone is this as I am sure others have fallen prey to the false empty space that tempts and teases you. I am not a believer in segregation but I can make an exception in this instance. I think we should keep motorcycles and their lesser cousin, the scooter, out of our spaces. Each time I am confronted with this experience my minds wanders and I think what if I drove my car into this motorcycle to reclaim what is rightfully mine? The answer comes back as a damaged car and any number of broken bones. After all large people with tattos usually accompany those motorcycles and I can always park around the block.

AARP & Other Liberals Spearhead Charge for Clintoncare II

Author: J.J. Jackson

As groups get bigger I swear their collective intelligence decreases. Nothing could be a truer example of this than one of the largest groups in America, the American Association of Retired Persons. Often affectionately known as the AARP I prefer to call them the Anti-American Retired Persons because I believe in truth in advertising.

Here you have a group that on one hand uses the power of capitalism. They flaunt the purchasing power of their vast membership to negotiate with companies all over the globe to get special discounts and incentives for their members in return for promoting these same companies to their members. But on the other hand they pimp anti-American ideas such as socialism and collectivism.

Case and point, the AARP has been running ads featuring cute, and dare I say naive, children who are reading from their given script and pleading with Americans to support candidates that promise universal health insurance coverage. They’re basically promoting Democrats and other liberals.

It’s no real big surprise. Their constituents are on two of the largest unconstitutional programs ever devised, namely Social Security and Medicare. You knew it could only be a matter of time before they decided that they needed to try and expand that base and their power.

So this push by the AARP just ahead of Hillary’s big announcement of her new and improved socialist plan for America shocks none.

Forget that she already tried to float this idea past American citizens in nineties and that it was soundly rejected. But hey, try, try again right?

So here comes Senatorette Clinton this week giving us Clintoncare Part Deux.

All you need to know about Hillary Clinton is that she said of her grand scheme, "At this point, we don't have anything punitive that we have proposed”. The key words being “at this point”. You got to love the way they couch their plans and telegraph their future intentions don’t you?

At this point there is no punishment. How about tomorrow? Well, we’ll get back to you...

You just wait for those “future” plans Comrade Hillary slyly discusses. Because what is going to happen if Americans do not join? If even one person chooses that path then the whole claim of universal health insurance (not care mind you) falls apart and you can bet your bottom dollar that all sorts of punishments will be created to deal with those people who won’t fall in line.

Clinton did however slip up and let out what she though at least one punishment for not joining Hillarycare will be. She envisions a day when, “you have to show proof to your employer that you're insured as a part of the job interview — like when your kid goes to school and has to show proof of vaccination”.

So join or you can’t work?

On a side note, and unfortunately for Hillary, her claim about vaccinations and public schools is not true. For example in Pennsylvania you do not have to be vaccinated to attend public school. So I am not sure where Hillary is getting her “facts” from. Perhaps she is just making things up again? She seems to do that quite often and has shown that she is certainly not above letting the “facts” get in the way of a good story.

I apologize to those of you who have decided not to vaccinate your children. For I am sure I’ve just given Comrade Clinton a new item to add to her list of “things to order the unwashed masses to do”. After all, mommy knows best!

Hillary Clinton also said of her rehashed socialist agenda that her plan, “expands personal choice and increases competition to get costs down.” You have to love how liberals claim that having no choice is actually a “choice”. Mandating that you must participate in this plan as in her own self-professed future vision, if you want to work is, is somehow a “choice”?

In further nanny state fashion, Senatorette Clinton thinks that she can wield the power of government to coerce people to act the way she desires them to. Most notably, she plans to use the tax code. She has said of her plan, “We're providing incentives and tax credits which we think will be very attractive to the vast majority of Americans." And what if Americans disagree? Well, were back to the “at this point” clarification of there being no “punitive” measures. This is the same government that used the tax code for years to punish couples for getting married. Remember that.

The facts are, that beyond talking points Hillary Clinton still has given little details about her health insurance (not health care) for all plan. But that reality hasn’t stopped those who fawn over Marxist ideas from touting Senatorette Clinton as having “detailed” her plans. Break it all down and here is what it comes down to; government nebulously mandating how insurance companies and private industries operate and even how the citizenry must behave. And of course, it would be “paid for” in part by the left’s favorite past time; raising taxes. Don’t complain. Don’t you know that it’s their money?

What? You disagree? Be careful. The re-education camps await you.

If you are an insurance company and don’t want to insure pre-existing conditions because you are rightfully scared of people only buying insurance after they have been diagnosed with a disease only to drop it once they have been treated, taken tens of thousands of dollars in care and before they have paid enough in premiums to even cover the cost, oh well! Too bad. Government says otherwise, so you will comply if you want to be in the health insurance business.

Freedom to contract and freedom of association be damned. It’s just not the liberal way.

The truth they are trying to hide is that everyone in America has “health care” if they seek it out. What everyone does not have is “health insurance” to help defray the costs when they do. Nor should they. Insurance is a luxury. Not everyone has a 50’ yacht either and I doubt many would suggest government should provide such for the people that do not.

People like Clinton claim that we need universal coverage because the uninsured cost the rest of us in higher premiums and other costs. But who do you think is going to pay for those that would be covered under this plan but don’t have insurance now when the government runs it? The Tooth Fairy? Or will the money just come from the magical, mystical money tree Hillary has in her back yard? Heck no! The cost of the current “uninsured” will still be carried by the rest of us. It is just a shell game to try and hide that fact and grant more power to the government. Hence why she needs to raise taxes.

Clinton can’t even discuss her ideas without the obligatory double speak saying, “My Republican opponents will try to equate healthcare for all Americans with government-run healthcare.” Well, uh yeah Comrade Clinton because it is! If the government is mandating that all Americans have to have healthcare, creating laws regarding how the system works, dictating what you must do once in the program and enforcing that doctors, hospitals and insurance companies do what government says they must in order to cover all Americans then it is “government-run healthcare” by default. When you pass a law it isn’t a “recommendation” or a “request”. It’s a law! Did you ever take a civics course that you actually passed? Because this is pretty basic stuff here!

But then again, this is from the frontrunner for the nomination of the party that claims that it is a “pro-choice” yet is forcing you to pay into a government retirement plan. And let’s not forget that the party she represents frequently gets endorsements from the Communist Party USA for their presidential candidates. Are those little red lights in your brain going off yet?

Clinton said of her plan, “I believe everyone – every man, woman and child – should have quality, affordable healthcare in America. I intend to be the president who will do that.” Well, that’s all well and good that you believe that. Now do you mind pointing to where in the Constitution you and your fellow travelers are granted the power by “We the People” to mandate how we manage our own choices with regards to healthcare? Are you going to point out to us, finally after all these years of waiting patiently, where you are given the power to dictate what price something should be and hence its “affordability”? Or are you just going to ignore that major problem with your plans like you always do?

Uh huh. Silence. That’s what I thought.

We already have Medicaid for the “poor” who supposedly can’t afford health insurance and Medicare for the elderly who are dubbed by the left as too stupid to save for their own needs after retirement and Congress wants to make families with an income of up to $80,000 eligible for SCHIP. How much more do we have to give?

Once again, please let myself and other Americans that still actually believe in liberty have real choice and chose to pass on this and chose not to contribute to the program. But then again, that “choice” isn’t one of the government approved “choices” now is it?

For the left, “choice” is simply a mandate from them. And you will abide by it “or else”. If not they will eventually get you with future punishments that don’t exist at this time while they stick the camel’s nose under the tent today.

"The sad reality is that the uninsured don't just struggle with costs themselves, they impose costs on the rest of us," Clinton said. And why is that? Is it because politicians and the courts let them impose these problems on us by allowing them to get out of paying their debts, bailing them out with tax payer dollars and maybe only at best paying a fraction of the cost to those that provide their services thus increasing costs to the rest of us? There once was a time in America when if you owed a debt you paid it you either paid it, rotted in jail or were ordered to work off you debts to those you owed them to.

But then again, hard work scares liberals. Responsibility is too much to ask them to promote. So those concepts are certainly not on the table. But government mandates? Heck, that’s the way they think they can create utopia!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/politics-articles/aarp-other-liberals-spearhead-charge-for-clintoncare-ii-219155.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 .

A Hillary by Any Other Name

I have been spending a lot of time thinking about the former first lady. I will admit my thoughts are not positive in nature. I try to not let them seep into a hateful rage and remain grounded in the truth that this is a women with the wrong set of ideas. I think many individuals are thinking about this women especially as she runs for our nation's highest office. But I wonder sometimes what the fate of this women would be if her last name was Smith or Jones? Would we be talking about Hillary Smith as the next President of the United States? I am of the opinion that we would not and there is where I see the real problem.

I suppose by my comments that I imply a certain illegitimacy to Senator Clinton's presidential run. The problem is that without her infamous attachment with her president husband I do not see how politician Hillary emerges to run for chief of the West Wing. Certainly I think most would have to admit this fact and in doing so might have to concede, Hillary Clinton is an artificial candidate created by creators of the Bill Clinton mystique.

I would say that Mrs. Clinton has used this mystique and the presumed glamorous times of the nineties with the Clinton White House occupation in her quest to fulfill her ambitions. Ambitions that have recently come to light in books detailing the Clinton's partnership and alliance to make all of their political dreams come true. It happened for Bill and as his time in the sun set Hillary's was beginning to rise.

She was not content to live out the behind the scenes life of a former first lady but instead to seek out some of the same glory and power her husband enjoyed. So she pursued a Senate seat in New York, a state very accepting of her kind, liberals. She now had the position to cultivate real political experience. She was not long for the Senate and we now have candidate Hillary again, but this time she wants her own keys to the White House. And with her husband's political machine, and deity-like image among Democrats behind her, she has vaulted to position number one for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Hillary finds herself in a top three with a one-term senator and a first-term senator. Not a group with a vast amount of political dirt under the fingernails. No, the real experienced pols have been relegated to the proverbial second-tier status. The Democrats say they want change, maybe shying away from experience is what they mean by that?

Not that I am saying that Washington experience is the be all end all or even preferred in most cases. I just cringe when I hear the pundits and sycophants drool over their top-tier candidates and most notably Mrs. Clinton. All I hear is how experienced she is and how that will be a welcome change from our current president. Well from reading her bio on Wikipedia I have found that before becoming a senator she was a lawyer, served on some corporate board, and was wife to a philandering pervert. That may qualify her for life in Washington D.C. but does that constitute a presidential resume?

I think it is great if some no-name American wants to throw their hat into the ring of politics. It is certainly every citizens right to run for public office. I just have a problem with this one particular politician because of the office she is running for. Seething rage will only get you so far before you have to look at the opposition's ideas. The truth is I believe that the junior senator from New York is wrong on the ideas. I worry that she may get that chance to sit behind the desk in the Oval Office, because at this point in history she just might get that chance. I just hope there are enough worriers out across the country who see the disaster on the horizon. Because that is what I think a Hillary Clinton presidency would be, a disaster. Whether it be a naive approach to foreign policy or an over expansion of government control of our lives, I think selecting such a leader would be a mistake. My point is that I wonder if we would even have these concerns if she was a Hillary by any other name?

Tough Love: Why the Federal Reserve Should NOT Cut Interest Rates

by Robert M. Clinger III

With the real estate bubble having burst and the financial system in a tizzy over the attending fallout in the mortgage markets, bankers, investors, homeowners, and CEOs are calling on the Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) to cut the federal funds rate in an effort to avert a financial meltdown. However, the Federal Reserve should see through these self-serving calls and hold rates steady for the time being.

A cut in the federal funds rate, or several cuts as the futures markets are predicting, may well spur growth in GDP from the tepid rate of the first half of the year. With this, however, comes the risk of increasing inflationary pressures at a time when inflation is likely to remain above a comfortable level for maximum economic output. In addition, increased economic activity resulting from lower interest rates at a time of sustained higher energy prices could result in inflationary pressures spiraling out of control.

A cut in the federal funds rate would also likely result in a long-term strengthening in the dollar. With the dollar currently weak in the foreign exchange markets, consumers here in America may find domestic-made goods less expensive than imported foreign goods. Likewise, foreign trading partners would find American produced goods relatively less expensive than their own domestic goods. Thus, the weaker dollar may well lead to a shrinking of the current account deficit. Cutting rates and strengthening the dollar could lead to an increased current account deficit which could have adverse economic consequences.

Further, a cut in rates now may well lead to increased spending by consumers, many of whom have already spent beyond their means. Higher rates have reduced the proclivity of consumers to make purchases on credit and have prompted repayment of debt and increased savings. This increased savings comes at a time when America has become a nation of dissavers in recent years.

More importantly, cutting rates now is not going to stem the much needed cooling of the housing market. Highly accommodative monetary policy that saw the federal funds rate cut to 1% was what the economy needed in the aftermath of September 11, 2001 and likely helped to avert a potentially deep recession. However, the FOMC, as is so often the case, overshot on the downside by cutting rates so aggressively. The environment of virtually free money, credit, and mortgages from 2002 to 2004 created a moral hazard--mortgage companies and banks loaned money for real estate purchases to many individuals who otherwise would not have been able to afford such investments. At one point, exotic mortgages (reverse amortization for example) and interest only mortgages accounted for over half of those underwritten.

Cheap money could not last forever, and, ultimately, the time would come to pay the piper when rates began to rise. Little heed, evidently, was given by lenders to the ability to service the debt obligation when rates increased down the road. By then, the underwriters would have packaged and resold those loans to other investors. Consumers also failed to consider the consequences of when the music stopped and they were unable to pay for purchases made on credit that had been and were still beyond their means. The irrational exuberance that surrounded the noble desire to achieve the American dream of home ownership clouded some consumer's and lender's judgment.

The blame for the current situation has to be shared by all parties. Consumers thirsted for the American dream but spent beyond their means with mortgages and credit cards. Lenders made the American dream sound possible with sales pitches that seemed too good to be true. Investors bought speculative properties and flipped them for quick gains with what was perceived to be no risk, driving up prices in some places and further fueling the exuberance. The FOMC failed to take the punch bowl away whilst the party was still going strong by opting for a measured removal of accommodative monetary policy in twenty-five basis point increments. Whereas their rate cuts had, at times been in fifty basis point increments, their reaction in removing accommodation was weak and timid.

Through all of this, did no one--lenders, consumers, investors, the Federal Reserve policymakers--recall the old adage, "If it seems too good to be true, it probably isn't true?"
Now that the party is over and everyone has a bad hangover, these same partygoers are turning to the Fed to bail them out of the problems that they have created. During the Greenspan era at the Fed, investors and financial market participants manifested in their minds the existence of a protective "Greenspan put"-the notion that the Fed would aggressively cut interest rates to avoid a steep decline in the markets. Indeed, the Fed cut rates in the early 1990s following the savings and loan crisis and again in the late 1990s following the Asian contagion and bailed out the markets following the collapse of Long-Term Capital Management.

The mandate of the Federal Reserve, however, is not to protect the markets from sharp declines. The mandate of the Fed is, as defined by the Federal Reserve Act, to "maintain long run growth of the monetary and credit aggregates commensurate with the economy's long run potential to increase production, so as to promote effectively the goals of maximum employment, stable prices, and moderate long-term interest rates." Whilst working to ensure the stability in the overall financial system is important, this should in no way imply that the Fed should bail investors out of bad investment decisions. Declines in markets (a.k.a. corrections) are a perfectly natural part of a well-functioning, orderly financial system and serve to adjust asset prices towards more fundamental valuations.

To be sure, the Fed should not cut interest rates now. Yes, credit conditions did deteriorate considerably in mid- to late August. The injection of over $69 billion into the system coupled with a cut in the discount rate helped shore up confidence amongst lending institutions. But cutting the federal funds rate (leading to lower interest rates overall) will not stop the pain the real estate market is feeling and the further pain that is to come. To stop the default on loans and subsequent foreclosure on properties with adjustable rate mortgages would require a cut in rates to levels of 2003 and 2004 when the federal funds rate was still under 2.25%. However, consumers who are already stretched too thin and who are buried under mountains of mortgage and credit card debt would still not likely be able to satisfy their debt obligations. Additionally, such a dramatic cut in rates again would start a vicious cycle of loose policy all over, further compounding the situation.

But more importantly, doing so would send a signal to the financial markets that this Fed will bail them out when they get into trouble as a result of bad investment decisions. Thus, the Fed would be obligated to bail out the next hedge fund that goes bust, and the next one, and the next publicly-traded mortgage lender that goes under, etc. Much like a spoiled child whose parents continue to bail him out of trouble without any consequences, the Fed would play this role well for unruly investors. And like the spoiled child, the investors would never learn their lessons. No, what we need is tough love from the Fed. Let the markets and investors sort this one out on their own. The Fed must hold rates steady. After all, the best lesson is a bought lesson, and it appears that investors and lenders may have bought and paid for this one to the tune of $50-$100 billion.

Robert M. Clinger III & Sebastian G. PereyCopyright 2007 Thinking Outside the Boxehttp://www.thinkingoutsidetheboxe.com/
Article Source: http://www.articlecube.com/

Rep. King Enters No P.C. Zone

Representative Peter King of New York made one thing clear, he is not concerned with political correctness. This was obivious after his comments about there being too many mosques in America.

The reaction that such comments would elicit would be highly predictable. But these reactions would simply be reactions to the congressman's statement on a purely superficial level. I think what Rep. King was doing was being a honest politician, the kind of thing we constantly complain that we do not have enough of.

"There are too many people sympathetic to radical Islam," King said.

I think his point is an honest assessment of the current situation. When Islamic extremists carry out terrorists acts there is no condemnation or outrage from the moderate Muslim population.

We tend to judge people by their actions or lack of action as in these cases. I think it is entirely appropriate to question the motives of those in our country that have such an association to radical extremism and terrorism. If not, we risk a slow and steady infiltration of unwanted elements that do not wish to live out the great American dream but to destroy it.

Iraq War: to Leave or not to Leave

Author: Josh Greenberger
(September 17, 2007) It's probably safe to say that all Americans, regardless of whether they were for or against the Iraq war, would like to see our troops come home. The problem is, to pull out we need to leave a stable country behind. An immediate withdrawal would leave Iraq with a vulnerable military force, sectarian infighting and a power vacuum that would immediately be filled by terrorist factions.

Calling for an immediate withdrawal, as some are doing, ignores the many lessons learned from middle east politics and turmoil.

After the 2005 Lebanese elections, Hezbollah won 14 seats in the 128-member Lebanese Parliament, and now also has 2 ministers in the government. Hezbollah has since launched thousands of rockets into Israel. On July 12th, 2006, Hezbollah captured 2 Israeli soldiers, sparking a 34-day military conflict with Israel. By August 13, 2006, Hezbollah had fired close to 4,000 rockets into Israel.

In August of 2005, Israel pulled out of Gaza. That territory has been racked with violence ever since. As late as June 2007, British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett lamented, "Once again, extremists carrying guns have prevented progress against the wishes of the majority ... "

With terrorists already in Iraq, why does anyone believe things would be different there? Will terrorists just get up and leave if we do? Hardly likely. In fact, Iraq would be a far bigger prize to terrorist than anything they've ever acquired before.

Lebanon has a population of around 4 million, covers around 10 thousand sq km, and has no oil. Iraq, on the other hand, has a population of almost 30 million, covers an area of over 400 thousand sq km., and possesses one of the world's largest proven oil reserves. With such vast resources at its disposal, a terrorists organization could grow exponentially.

We either finish the job today or fight again tomorrow. The difference is, today, as organized and as powerful as terrorists have become, we're still fighting rag-tag cells. Tomorrow we could be fighting a major power.

by Josh Greenberger
from shopndrop.com
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/politics-articles/iraq-war-to-leave-or-not-to-leave-215937.html
About the Author:

Real Clear Politics Latest Poll

Tuesday, September 11
Race
Poll
Period
Results
Spread
California Republican Primary
SurveyUSA
09/07 - 09/09
Giuliani 28, Thompson 26, Romney 14, McCain 18
Giuliani +2.0%
California Democratic Primary
SurveyUSA
09/07 - 09/09
Clinton 51, Obama 27, Edwards 14
Clinton +24.0%
Republican Presidential Nomination
NYT/CBS News*
09/04 - 09/09
Giuliani 27, Thompson 22, Romney 14, McCain 18
Giuliani +5.0%
Democratic Presidential Nomination
NYT/CBS News*
09/04 - 09/09
Clinton 44, Obama 26, Edwards 17
Clinton +18.0%

The First Hsu to Drop?

Scandals and politics seem to go together like peanut butter and jelly. They have been occurring at all periods of time and we have seen a rash of them in recent years. Some involve sex, some involve bribes and money, and others consist of sex and money. What I am saying is that we should not be surprised when scandals occur and a politician is somehow involved in the story. And certainly when we hear the name of one political family and scandal we should be far from surprised. Of course I am talking about the Clintons. Many volumes of books and articles have been written on the Clinton's exploits over the years. And they contain all the salacious parts of a scandal, namely sex and money. Most of attention had been paid Bill in his early political career and during his time residing in the White House. But Hillary herself was not immune to the scandal scrutiny, the Rose Law firm and Whitewater to name a few. You would think that after there time in the White House, having achieved the power and position that they had so ambitiously sought, that the word scandal would have disassociated itself from them. Well so far it has from the former president but not from his Oval Office seeking wife. Ironically it involves an Asian fundraiser not unlike the ones associated with the ex-President Clinton. His name is Norman Hsu and he has been a very prominent Democratic Party donor. His exploits have been released into the public by the media. The controversy involves bundling of contributions and the Paws, a middle income family living in California, who by accounts have contributed $200,000 to Democratic candidates since 2005. In a bizarre mystery Mr. Hsu was apprehended recently in Colorado after failing to appear in court. The illness he suffered is not known but with the involvement of the Clintons into the story speculations abound. Some of those associated with the Clintons have been known to suddenly die in unusual circumstances amid swirling controversies. This is hardly something that Senator Clinton wants to follow her on the campaign trail but we will have to wait and see if the story gains any traction among the media. Is this the only bump for Mrs. Clinton on her road to the White House, or like her husband is this only the first of many mysteries and controversies to come?

What Experience?

It has become standard for political candidates to try and distinguish themselves from their opponents by touting their experience. Each candidate points to their long public service records and commitment to serving the people as a reason why people should vote for them. This is not anything new in politics nor is it exclusive to the Republicans or Democrats. We have already seen many examples of this in this presidential election campaign season. But I got to thinking about those touted Democrat front-runners who each has declared they are the most experienced and qualified to sit behind the desk in the oval office. One would only have to look at the experience of Clinton, Obama, and Edwards to wonder what experience they are referring to. I start with John Edwards who is in the third position of first-tier candidates. What experience does he have? Well we know that he is a very wealthy man who made his millions as a slip and fall lawyer as Curtis Sliwa might say. I must not forget his forgettable term in the U.S. Senate where he was apart of so much important legislation, none comes to mind of course. Then we have the rock star Barack Obama. We know that he served in the Illinois legislature and is presently serving in the Senate. Certainly he has served the people of Illinois and continues to serve them, but does he have the experience necessary to run a country effectively? And finally we have the leader of the pack, the former first lady, Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton. I got to thinking about her experience that she claims to have over her opponents. It may be that I am not intelligent enough to understand the complexity of her experience that would make her the ideal person to lead the world's superpower. I know she used to be a lawyer, but with people's opinions of lawyers I do not know if that is something to run on. We know that she has been a spouse of a politician, a first lady of Arkansas and later the United States. Maybe that is the experience Mrs. Clinton is referring to? But I almost forgot that she serves the people in New York as their junior senator. Each of the three is lacking when it comes to meaningful legislation attached to their names. But yet we will constantly hear from the candidates or their handlers that each is more qualified then the other and infinitely more than the Republicans whose first-tier candidates have actually run major cities and states. I am sure this trend will continue as each candidate tries to convince the electorate that they can lead and preside where others cannot. I will continue to ask and wonder and I would hope for others to ask an honest question of these candidates, what experience?

Reconsidering Larry

After a week of heavy press coverage and press conferences we know one thing for certain, that Larry Craig is not gay. And maybe that is up in the air for the moment. It seems as if the Idaho senator has had a change of heart and is thinking about taking back his resignation declaration after people like Senator Arlen Specter have told him to fight on. I will say one thing about this entire situation, I have not come away very impressed with Senator Craig's judgment. We have him declaring he was not involved in a scandal involving pages back in 1982 before names were named and he pleads guilty to some sort of activity in a Minneapolis airport bathroom. I have been thinking about this situation as I turn from channel to channel and listen to talking head after talking head. I realize that lewd or sexual behavior in a public environment is wrong but is that the case in this situation. I am still very much confused with what exactly took place and what the crime was. To me it looks like at the most a man flashing his hands under a stall and touching another man's foot with his. I am not a lawyer but I thought solicitation involved certain acts being performed in exchange for money. With the absence of money being exchanged you have two individuals with consenting feet. It might have helped if the police officer in the other stall had been wearing a camera to record the lewd activity that Mr. Craig apparently exhibited. Or intent might have been better established if the officer had been able to get Senator Craig to enter his stall. I hope if Craig is innocent that he decides to fight on and clear his name. I think his excuse for pleading guilty to a lesser crime to make things go away is troubling. I think if you are innocent you should declare it up front and not take the fall for something you have not done. These people should be able to fight their charges without have to try and hide them for fear of the public hearing about them. In the end their innocence will either be proven or not. I still do not know what the whole truth surrounding this situation is. I think it comes down to two possibilities. You either have an innocent senator with a lousy judgment or you have a politician with a penchant for foot philandering.

Real Clear Politics Poll Average

Republican Presidential Nomination
8/06 to 8/28

Giuliani-27.9%

Thompson-16.9%

Romney-14.1%

McCain-11.1%

Battered Person Syndrome in Liberal Form

Battered person syndrome is a psychological condition resulting from the suffering of abuse at the hands of someone else. This results in the victim having a low self-esteem, believing the abuse is their fault, and seeking out the abuser for comfort. Although this is associated with a physical abuse situation I think some of the same principles can be applied to liberals and their feelings about terrorism. And maybe I would not associate it to all liberals but the far left acolytes of liberalism who seek to blame America first for inviting the terrorists to attack us. It is a mentality that I can not get any grasp of. How someone could blame us for the heinous and evil acts perpetrated by radical Islamists. But we have heard the voices of individuals like a Cindy Sheehan who denounce our actions against the radical Islamic fringe and instead refer to our leaders as war criminals for taking such actions. Even those on the other side of the aisle like Ron Paul want to limit our intervention and instead resort to a policy of stick your head in the sand a.k.a. isolationism. He made the comments during one debate seeming to say that we have brought the wrath of the radicals on ourselves with our policies towards the Middle East. I find it disappointing to say the least that an elected official would claim that we would be to blame for men flying planes into buildings on our shores whatever our foreign policy. I think some of this talk is a result of those on the left who are so concerned with how we as a nation are viewed by the rest of the world. We tell our children early on in life that they should not be concerned with how other people think of them and that they should be their own person. Well the message is not resonating and we end up with individuals who are obsessed with implementing the European model into our country. I think these people need to seek professional help with their infliction. It is not only a disappointing position to take but potentially a dangerous one. That mindset leaves us open to real threats and dangers by simply dismissing them as unreal or even worse our fault.

Nattering Nabobs of Negativism

I think Spiro Agnew had it right when he referred to the media by that alliterative phrase. I think the statement would still apply to today's media which focuses on the negative more than the positive. It might be that the press corps is composed of pessimists or maybe they are unwilling to print the good news because it goes against their biases. It has certainly been hard to find the positive news during this current president's presidency. Two glaring examples of this are the coverage of the war and the economy. To find a news story about Iraq that does not contain doom and gloom is practically impossible. The stories tend to leave out the positive and focus on the negative. We hear about the death and destruction but not the reconstruction and rehabilitation of a country domineered by a tyrant. I do not have to tell you the kind of impact that has on the public back home. Poll after poll seem to suggest that the American support for the war has dwindled over the past five years. The media has done a good job of molding the story to fit their agenda. Even now as we are seeing some improvements with the surge the media is unwilling to give it a chance. You must ask yourself if the media is not vested in our defeat in the middle east from the rhetoric they fill their margins and columns with. The media has also shown a reluctance to report the good news of our economy. The Bush administration's economic policies have brought us out of the Clinton-Gore recession and the devastating effects of 9/11 to our economy. It is those tax cuts which have allowed for the economy to grow and prosper as we have seen in the dramatic rise of the stock market. But all we hear is how the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Even the reduction in the unemployment rate to historic lows has not been enough to impress the media enough to report the positives. I think Agnew had it right when he referred to the media as nattering nabobs of negativism but I would include the politicians on the left side of the aisle under that umbrella as well. The Democrats in lock step with their liberal compatriots in the media have had an attitude of negativism since President Bush took office. It seems as if these two groups are opposed to anything with the president's fingerprints on it. This is clearly evident by their reaction to the economy and war in Iraq. The Democrats have made such an issue of denouncing the war in Iraq that with the success of the surge some in their leadership have become worried for their political futures. This would include Representative Clyburn who was worried about what would happen to the Democrat if we were successful in Iraq. And then you have Senator Harry Reid declaring the war lost a couple months ago. They makes these statements from the confines of Capitol Hill. We have seen recently the reports from those that have seen the situation on the ground and have come back with positive news. And not all of them have been conservatives but liberal-minded media and politicians. Maybe the Democrats should try to understand the truth of the situation before decrying the Petraeus report before it is given. I write all of this because I wonder what goes on in the mind of liberals. Those in the media and the politicians of the left have made it clear that negativism is their platform and standard operating procedure. They will continue to try and drive down confidence and support on issues like the economy and the war on terror because it does not fit their agenda. I hope that Americans start to realize this and are not swayed by this propaganda. I think we need more glass half full people in this world. So when you are confronted with these nattering nabobs of negativism confront them back with the truth and positiveness so that we can make them an extinct species.

Bush White House Loses Chief Architect

The man who was described as President Bush's brain has decided to vacate the White House. Karl Rove, one of President Bush's closest advisers and friends, has made the announcement that he is leaving at the end of the month. Rove is the man who is largely credited with helping Bush ascend to the presidency. He has decided that after six and a half years in the White House that he wants to spend more time with his family. It would seem odd that Mr. Rove would not finish out the second term with the president but the long hours and stress that accompany working in the west wing seem to have caught up to him like others before him. Pundits who discussed this on the twenty-four hour news channels felt that Rove could still be an influential voice for the White House and the Republican Party. Rove stated that he did not have a clear plan as to what he would do in the future. A book about his life in the White House is a real possibility. What is known is that the Democrats will not have him to aim their poison arrows at. Rove has been a target of the left and is hated at a level usually reserved for Dick Cheney. He has been a man who has been very successful in his career but liberals would only recognize him as being part of the dark side with some evil grand scheme. The president will now have to leave office is eighteen months with one less ally by his side. The president will now have to survive without his closest political advisor and friend.

Straw Poll Closes With Romney Victory

If you stayed until the end of the Iowa Straw Poll as I did you found out two things. The first being that it took too long to get the results, an hour and a half late, and two the winner was not a surprise. Former Governor Mitt Romney took the victory in yesterday's event with about 31% of the vote. That was not really a surprise as Mr. Romney has been the presumed winner for awhile now and with the lack of participation by the other front runners it was almost an inevitability. One surprise of the day was the second place finish of former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. Even in a watered down field he was still able to catapult over the other so-called second-tier candidates to a respectable showing in the poll. The question is whether this finish will allow him to increase his fundraising to keep his campaign going. The day may have not had the same feeling though as it did back in 2000. The attendance and vote totals were down from the last Iowa Straw Poll. The overwhelming heat may have had something to do with that or it may be that the event had to compete with the Iowa State Fair going on in Des Moines. Perhaps the reason was that the front runners in the race like Giuliani, McCain, or even a Fred Thompson were no shows and people were not as interested. I was able to make it down to the event and despite the weather I enjoyed the day. I think it gives people a chance to see the candidates up close and personal. I think it goes along with the whole idea of retail politics that defines the process in Iowa. Some may say the the event is not important because it is not a real vote. But it does show the organization of the campaigns and how they are able to mobilize their supporters. It will more than likely have the effect of weeding out some of the candidates like a Duncan Hunter or Tommy Thompson who both did not perform very well in the poll. We will have to see if those who finished near the top will be able gain some momentum and keep their campaigns going into the next couple of months before the caucus.

The Race to the Middle

If you have been keeping up with the politics you know that the campaign season for 2008 has started even earlier than previous election cycles. This year we have a multitude of candidates to choose from on both sides of the political aisle. We have already had a number of debates to find out how the candidates stand on the issues. We are at the point in the campaign cycle where the candidates are focusing their positions towards the primary voters. That means directing your views and comments towards your party's base. The point being to garner as much support from your base to get your party's nomination. So that is why we have the Democrats flying off to the Daily Kos convention to make an appearance. The people that participate on the Daily Kos website are increasingly becoming the base of the Democrat party. These are hard liners of the left that represent the radical views of people like Penn, Sheehan, and Glover. The Democrat's are so afraid of losing the support of these people that they practically let their political lives be dictated by them. I watched the interview between Bill O'Reilly and Senator Chris Dodd and watched as Senator Dodd defended the Daily Kos throughout the entire interview. O'Reilly pointed out the vile picture that had been put on the website but Dodd was unwilling to make even any hint of a remorseful statement about the picture. It revealed all to much to me as I watched the back and forth. That got me thinking about the usual trend in presidential politics. We usually see candidates speak to their base and try to convince them of their credentials but after winning the nomination they run to the middle. This being to attract any individuals in the middle who are undecided about their choice for president. The candidate seems to seek a new tone as they seek to show that they can not just lead the members of their party but the entire country. I wonder during this election cycle if we will see that race to the middle after both parties have chosen their candidates. I would hope that a candidate would stick with what they say along the political trail and not compromise their ideals to reach the masses of independents who ride the fencepost. Otherwise their positions seem somewhat disingenuous. I do hope however that if we do have a race to the middle that the Republicans are first to the finish line to pick up the moderate's vote. Because I fear for what a Democrat president we mean for our country. I think of that old phrase you are judged by the company you keep. One only has to look at the company the Democrats keep to know that they are the wrong choice to lead our country especially at this crucial time.