Watchman's Words

Christmas Meditation

2011-12-22T11:40:00.002-06:00

So when the wise men (not kings) came from the east to see Jesus, they said something that in almost every other context would be incorrect. They asked to see the one who was "born king of the Jews." Except that future rulers are not kings when they are born--they are princes. No one went to London however many years ago it was and asked to see King Charles; they would have asked to see the Prince of Wales.

Jesus wasn't born to later become the king; He was and always will be the King...even as a baby. Yes, He was a babe in a manger (and He cried, despite what the song says), but even then He was the King. I think we should remember that more than we do.

The Curmudgeon Speaks

2011-12-02T19:43:00.003-06:00

So we visited the Christian (sic) bookstore (sic) the other day...more of a relgious kitsch market if you want an accurate name...and while I was walking past another row of stuff that wasn't book, I saw a line of toy Bible hero characters for little kids.

Just a small word to any of you who create or promote such things: I'm pretty sure Samson didn't have flowing blonde hair. That action figure only needed a hammer to pass for Thor. I get marketing; that's what I do for a living. But for Heaven's sake, can we try for at least a little bit of historical accuracy?

(Yes, the Scrooge is strong in this one...why do you ask?)

Rick Perry and Old Spice

2011-11-28T13:26:00.012-06:00

Just saw a Rick Perry campaign ad on TV. As we don't live in Iowa, it must have been a national buy. The ad was great. It touched the right themes to appeal to both the GOP base and disgusted independents. There's just one little problem. Unscripted, Perry is...well let's be charitable...he makes Bush 43 look eloquent.

And I just couldn't help it (well I could have but what fun would that be?)

Look at your candidate

Now back at me

Now at your candidate

Now back at me

Sadly he is not me

But if he used Old Spice,

Maybe he could speak like me!

Seriously, what is wrong with the GOP? Out of thousands of elected officials all over the country (more than at any time in history following the crushing victory of 2010) we can't find a single conservative candidate capable of stringing two coherent consecutive sentences together? President Obama deserves the same 40 state defeat that ended President Carter's disastrous single term...but you can't beat something with nothing. One blogger I read from time to time says that his Pomeranian could beat Mr. Obama. He might be right, but I'm not at all confident that any of the current Republican candidates can equal a show dog.

A Question from the Grocery Aisles

2011-08-05T14:26:00.001-05:00

Why is Captain America's picture on the 2 liter bottles of Canada Dry?

Taking Chance

2011-05-30T20:41:00.003-05:00

This evening for Memorial Day we watched Taking Chance. Based on the journal kept by Marine Lt. Col. Mike Stobl when he escorted the body of a young Marine killed in Iraq in 2004 home, the film follows his journey to Montana. It was astonishingly powerful. It's understated, moving, beautiful and deeply patriotic. I can't think of a anything we've ever done that made me more grateful for the price that has been and is still being paid for America to remain the nation we know and love.

Trust me when I tell you that you do NOT appreciate fully the sacrifices being made every day for our freedom unless you have seen this movie. I would have said I did, but I would have been wrong. It's not an easy thing to watch, but it's vital. Find a copy. You'll be glad you did. (Get a box...or two...of Kleenex first.)

Thirty Years Ago Today

2011-03-30T09:35:00.002-05:00

Thirty years ago today John Hinckley tried to kill President Reagan. Three decades ago I was a college freshman, walking toward the college bookstore when someone ran by and told us the news. I remember listening to WBBM radio much of the afternoon and early evening. As Peggy Noonan wrote later, it's a bad sign when the news people don't know any more than you do. Only later did the details emerge--how close the bullet was to Reagan's heart, how the decision of one Secret Service officer to go directly to the hospital rather than back to the White House first saved the President's life, and how Reagan insisting on walking inside under his own power before collapsing just inside the hospital doors. It was, as the Duke of Wellington said after the Battle of Waterloo "the nearest run thing you ever saw." It was one of the great pleasures of my life to turn 18 in time to vote for Reagan (and perhaps as importantly, against Carter...who I once assumed had permanently locked up the title of worst President ever...until recent events have posed a serious threat to his claim). Reagan remains one of the truly great men as well as having been one of our greatest Presidents. Reagan famously told his wife "Honey I forgot to duck." I'm glad he lived through that awful day. Our nation is the better for it.

My Favorite Christmas Song

2010-12-25T10:43:00.002-06:00

Years ago when the kids were very young, we were driving to church for a Christmas Eve service. On the way we were singing Christmas songs. We did carols, hymns and fun songs (but no "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer"...that came later...). After we had sung a few, Brenda said, "Let's sing our favorite Christmas songs."

So I started with my favorite, "What Child Is This?" After that, it was Bryant's turn. I think he was either four or five that year. And without hesitation he said, "Jesus Loves Me."

I opened my mouth to tell him that wasn't a Christmas song. And then I closed my mouth to words and started singing with him. Because really, is there a better one? Is there anything else that describes the purpose and meaning of Christmas better than those simple words? I know lots and lots of Christmas songs, but I can't think of a more fitting or appropriate one still today:

Jesus loves me
This I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak
But He is strong
Yes Jesus loves me
Yes Jesus loves me
Yes Jesus loves me
The Bible tells me so.

Missed it by That Much

2010-12-24T22:45:00.003-06:00

So last year we had seven inches of snow on Christmas Eve. This year we had temps in the upper 30s and rain, but no snow. Still, even though I'm spoiled after last year, we've had a wonderful day. We watched Miracle on 34th Street (the real one) and now we're watching White Christmas. Hard to beat Bing Crosby, even without the snow.

Merry Christmas everybody. God bless us, every one.

That's a Really Good Question

2010-12-22T22:55:00.002-06:00

I was going through some material from a new client today and came across this thought. "When Jesus told the weary and heavy laden to come to Him for rest, who did you think was going to show up? People who don't need anything?" Of course the ones (us) who come to Jesus are messed up. Yet once we have come, we spend so much time trying (and expecting others) to look perfect that we forget who He invited for rest. Maybe if we put down the masks for a little while we would find the grace that we're missing. From God. From man. And (maybe most of all) for man.

A Perfect Parody for Our Times

2010-12-21T21:08:00.002-06:00

The version of this that's floating around the Internet is both anonymous and too explicit to reproduce here...but here's my cleaned up version of the chorus (to the tune of the classic Christmas hymn "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer")

Grandma got molested at the airport
Flying home to our house Christmas Day
It should be plain she's no more threat than Santa
They all should be arrested--TSA

It is a tribute to the political correctness that is probably going to end up getting all of us killed that we're practically strip-searching grandmothers and nuns and taking porn photos of everyone (and if you believe the government's line that they aren't keeping those...along with complete tabs on who each person is, I can offer you a really good deal on a bridge) but can't seem to keep track of who is supposed to be our "no fly" list until after the fact. But at least we won't have to face the charge that we are guilty of the awful sin of "profiling" as we lie dead in the smoking ruins.

Irony Is Pretty Ironic Sometimes

2010-12-20T22:30:00.001-06:00

Julian Assange's lawyers are complaining that the police have leaked details of the rape accusations that have been against him in Sweden. Seriously, guys? Talk about chutzpah.

After the Music Stops (and the Snow Melts)

2010-12-17T16:29:00.002-06:00

Ever wonder how the story of Frosty really ends? Well wonder no more...

(Image shamelessly swiped from Dan Phillips)

For Those Who Have Ears To Hear

2010-11-23T17:19:00.001-06:00

Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied;
Come to God’s own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.

All the world is God’s own field, fruit unto His praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown unto joy or sorrow grown.
First the blade and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord our God shall come, and shall take His harvest home;
From His field shall in that day all offenses purge away,
Giving angels charge at last in the fire the tares to cast;
But the fruitful ears to store in His garner evermore.

Even so, Lord, quickly come, bring Thy final harvest home;
Gather Thou Thy people in, free from sorrow, free from sin,
There, forever purified, in Thy garner to abide;
Come, with all Thine angels come, raise the glorious harvest home.

Henry Alford
(first published in 1844)

To Borrow a Line from Charles Dickens

2010-11-22T21:09:00.003-06:00

If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about putting up his Christmas lights and tree before Thanksgiving should be boiled in his own pudding and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

Seriously people, rushing past the day to give thanks to get to the day there are only so many shopping days left until is both a character flaw and a disgrace. There will be plenty of time for Christmas--it deserves its full measure of attention and celebration...but not at the expense of Thanksgiving. The sad fact is that our nation can't even be bothered to give up one day (have you noticed how many stores are open on Thanksgiving now?) to stop and acknowledge both the source and the incredible number of our blessings. As President Lincoln said in his Thanksgiving Declaration in 1863: "To these bounties, which are are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God."

A nation and a people who have received so much but are not willing to be grateful cannot expect to long enjoy the blessings they take for granted. This is true in both the natural and the spiritual senses...and it's time for America to repent and give thanks...before its too late.

He'd Rather Switch Than Fight

2010-10-21T22:44:00.002-05:00

So NPR fired Juan Williams for telling the truth about the way people feel about Muslims and the threat of terrorism. They said he "violated" their ethical standards, but somehow Nina Totenberg who wished on the air for Jesse Helms or "one of his grandkids" to get AIDS still works there. That is pretty typical for the liberal double standards. But that's not what is so funny.

First, Williams just picked up a major pay raise. Fox is reportedly going to pay him a cool two million a year to work for them. Nice work if you can get it.

But even funnier is this little gem (hat tip Don Suber): to prove their commitment to diversity and tolerance, and their opposition to bigotry, NPR just fired their only black journalist. Double standards anyone?

A Great Time Was Had by All

2010-09-27T19:56:00.003-05:00

The title of this post is not technically true. The announced attendance at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium last Saturday was 76,808 (a record for that dilapidated and cramped facility that is NOT a good place to watch a football game) and most of them went home unhappy. Their team failed to knock off the #1 team in the country, despite a valiant effort.

However to the minority of Bama fans in attendance, and especial to the four of us (wearing black Bama shirts in defiance of the "red out" declared by Arkansas fans), it was a thoroughly great time. We watched our team overcome a large number of obstacles to pull out a win. I love the fact that the kids got us tickets to go and that we were able to see our first Bama game as a whole family. Thanks you two!

I am one happy guy.

Bring Them Up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord

2010-09-25T00:12:00.002-05:00

I am about to enjoy one of the great benefits of having reared my children according to the principles of wise and godly living. The kids got me a special combined birthday/Father's Day present: tickets to the Alabama-Arkansas game. We're driving over to Fayetteville for the game, and I can't wait.

Growing up a Tide fan in the 70s meant an expectation of constant excellence. And it's nice to have that again. We are looking forward to a great family outing, and a football dinner consisting of the other white meat.

ROLL TIDE.

A Surprising Confession from a Political Junkie

2010-09-17T15:03:00.003-05:00

I have been a political junkie since 1968, when my mother explained to my then six-year-old self the difference between electoral and popular votes. I have passionately followed and participated in politics over the years. One of the things I'm most happy about is that I turned 18 in time to vote for Reagan over Carter in 1980. I know who's running for obscure offices in a surprising (and perhaps scary) number of places. I keep up with the trends, the polls, the parties and the candidates. And I have a confession to make.

I am thoroughly sick of this election season, and can't wait for it to be over.

The country appears to be ready for a swing back toward sanity after four years of the Democrats proving they don't know what they're doing either, and two years of President Obama confirming everything some of us said about how his complete and total inexperience would impact his job performance. There are a few good candiates to get excited about, (watch Mr. Rubio from Florida...you'll be seeing him again soon) a few strange ones to get amused at, and perhaps the change some of us are hoping for (to coin a phrase) is waiting over the horizon.

I just don't care. I know it's important. I know why it matters. I will go an vote in November, even though since I live in the reddest state in America there aren't any particularly compeling races. (As an aside, if you don't go and vote, you are seriously not fit to live in this country, but that's another rant.) I hope the good guys win, the bad guys lose, and that someday we can tell the difference between the two groups.

I still don't care. I'm bored with stupid campaign ads. I'm tired of hoping the GOP doesn't live up to their nickname as the stupid party and find a way to give back the advantages they have (and they're trying hard). If we can already have Chrsitmas stuff in the stores, can't we at least get the election over with? Please?

Just Asking

2010-09-16T22:10:00.002-05:00

If someone did a humorous, light-hearted version of the story of Robin Hood, would it properly be called a comedy of arrows?

A Birthday Present for the Bear

2010-09-12T18:08:00.002-05:00

Yesterday would have been Paul Bear Bryant's 97th birthday. In honor of the occasion, the number one ranked Crimson Tide crushed Penn State, a team Bear memorably beat four teams (including the famous "goal line stand" in the 79 Sugar Bowl for a national championship) during his illustrious career. The final score of 24-3 failed to capture the one-sided nature of the evening. But it was a fitting present to the great coach who did so much to build an already-great legacy of football excellence to a level unequaled in college football history.

ROLL TIDE.

And happy birthday, Bear.

Never Forget; Never Forgive

2010-09-10T23:40:00.003-05:00

Nine years ago, 19 murderous thugs practicing the teachings of their religion (which is NOT a religion of peace, unless you count the peace of the dead they leave scattered in their wake) killed nearly 3,000. Sadly, I think it's going to have to happen again (at least once) before we take the threat seriously. Certainly the current administration does not. Sadly most of our citizens do not either. But the proof is there in the empty hole in the New York skyline (and why in the name of all that is good and right in the world haven't we managed to rebuild?) for anyone who is willing to look. The fact that we are not serious does not mean our enemies aren't--they are. And they will be back unless they are stopped first. Will we do that? It sure doesn't look like it.

That is the greatest tragedy of this sad anniversary.

His Lips Were Moving

2010-09-01T21:58:00.003-05:00

The President announced last night that "combat operations in Iraq are over." Yeah...right. There are still 50,000 troops in Iraq. Carrying guns. And serving as targets for IEDs and suicide bombers.

But here's the punchline. Today the New York Times reported that Defense Secretary Robert Gates, visiting the troops in Iraq, told them that combat pay still applied. (hat tip Tom Maguire) So pray tell, if combat operations are really over....

We Will Bury Ourselves

2010-08-16T19:40:00.004-05:00

Nikita Khrushchev once famously said of America, "We will bury you." The USSR is gone (though Putin is trying to bring it back) and they failed. But no nation lasts forever. And we're hard at work trying to dig graves. One is currently being prepared in New York City at the site of the 9/11 attacks. A Muslim front group is trying to build a mosque there, to promote "tolerance, understanding and dialogue" of course. Which sounds perfectly reasonable to the ignorers of history.

The site they want to use marked in red on this photo.

During the terrorist attack, the wheel assembly of one of the jets used to bring down the Twin Towers crashed through the roof of this building--it's that close. A mosque there would be an insult to the memory of the victims of the terror attack in any circumstances, but this is a special situation.

For centuries one of the hallmarks of Islam has been the building of mosques to commemorate their great victories. There is the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem on the site of the Jewish Temple, the Cordoba Mosque (for which this current project is named) in Spain which was once the Church of St. Vincent...the list goes on and on. And this mosque is no different. It is meant to mark the spot of a Muslim triumph over America...and to serve as a center that will train a new generation of radicals--homegrown radicals--to strike at America. This is not a question of religious freedom as the President tried to frame it the other night, it is a question of warfare by another means.

What is right is not always the same as what is legal. It should be legal for a mosque to be built there (it should be legal for churches to be built in Saudi Arabia too, but it isn't); but it shouldn't be done. And if it is to be done, we must recognize it for what it is...or worse will follow.

A Prayer for the Fourth

2010-07-04T14:23:00.000-05:00

Recessional

God of our fathers, known of old--
Lord of our far-flung battle line
Beneath whose awful hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine--
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget - lest we forget!

The tumult and the shouting dies;
The captains and the kings depart:
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget - lest we forget!

Far-called, our navies melt away;
On dune and headland sinks the fire:
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!
Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,
Lest we forget - lest we forget!

If, drunk with sight of power, we loose
Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe--
Such boasting as the Gentiles use
Or lesser breeds without the law--
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget - lest we forget!

For heathen heart that puts her trust
In reeking tube and iron shard--
All valiant dust that builds on dust,
And guarding, calls not Thee to guard--
For frantic boast and foolish word,
Thy mercy on Thy people, Lord!

Rudyard Kipling

Happy Father's Day

2010-06-20T20:25:00.002-05:00

It's a day for me to celebrate twice.

Forty eight years ago I was blessed to be born into the family of Alvin Byers. A godly father is an incredible gift. He led his family in the paths of righteousness and set a wonderful example for his children to follow.

I got to spend the day with two very special young adults. Rhonda and Bryant were a blessing to us as children, but it's been even better to have them turn into such wonderful friends as grownups.

So it's a good day...no make that a great day. Best one so far!

The Last Full Measure of Devotion

2010-05-31T14:14:00.002-05:00

Today our family is together, enjoying a day away from the routine. But it is not just a day for mattress sale and eating good food. It is also day to honor the sacrifice of millions of men and women who paid what Lincoln called the last full measure of devotion so that we could be free. And if we ever lose the spirit of gratitude, it will not be long until we also lose the willingness to sacrifice to defend liberty...and it will not be long after that until liberty is lost.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

-- John McCrae, 1915

Commencement, the Sequel

2010-05-24T14:54:00.003-05:00

It is our pleasure to announce that Rhonda Alyssa Byers has done it again. She's pictured above at her graduation from the University of Oklahoma with her Masters Degree in Human Relations.

It's been a diffcult journey for this precious young lady. Because we found out she had cancer just before her graduation from college and she could not be covered by our insurance unless she was a student, she had to begin her graduate degree while doing chemo. And she did...and got a 4.0 that first semester. Now she's completed the program, and will be taking more classes (what else?) to qualify for her license as a counselor.

God has some very special things in store for our little girl...and I can't wait to see what they are. Congratulations Bear.

Hold the Mayo

2010-05-06T15:16:00.002-05:00

Yesterday (Cinco de Mayo--a Mexican celebration of an old miitary victory...and really who celebrates beating the French?) a group of high school students in California were sent home for a "disruptive" act. No it wasn't the students waving Mexican flags or wearing green, white and red. It was five students who were wearing American flags. The principal didn't want there to be trouble. So he sent them home.

This country is in a heap of trouble.

Commencement

2010-04-29T11:47:00.005-05:00

Last week Bryant Earl Byers graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Technology degree as a member of both the honor roll and the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Today he left home, driving west two and a half hours to the bustling metropolis of Pond Creek, Oklahoma, where he will be living as he works in nearby Medford for ONEOK. This Fortune 200 company selected him for their staff after two lengthy interviews, a background check, a drug test, a physical, and thorough review of his education and training. I think they made a great choice...and so did he.

It simply could not be possible to be more proud of a child. God blessed us with the two greatest kids in the world and we have done our best to bring them up in the nuture and admonition of the Lord. We've also been blessed to receive help from both sets of their grandparents, and the heritage of faith we passed on to them did not come from us.

Now after twenty-one years, Bryant is moving on. This morning before he left we prayed together and I asked him to be an example of a Christian and gave him four charges after reading I Timothy 4:12-16. 1) Fear God. 2) Love God. 3) Serve God. 4) Call your mom.

I'm so excited to see where he goes with the great opportunity. Congratulations Bud on the commencement of your adult life. God bless you. (And Roll Tide!)

The Lying Weasels at General Motors

2010-04-27T10:14:00.002-05:00

Have you seen GM's new ad touting the "fact" that they paid off their bailout loan "in full, with interest, five years ahead of schedule"?

It's a complete lie.

They took other bailout money and used that to "pay back" the government. Even Democratic Senator Tom Carper described it as "taking money out of one pocket to put it in the other one." GM didn't pay back anything. They're still bleeding billions of dollars. Their current business model isn't viable. They're just trying to convince you otherwise to suck you in and get you to buy one of their substandard vehicles.

If you want a real car from a real car company, scratch anything from Government Motors off your shopping list. You'll be glad you did in the long run.

Easter Day

2010-04-04T15:25:00.002-05:00

Quickly run, tell His disciples
That the stone is rolled away,
And the borrowed tomb is empty
He's alive this Easter Day.

Trembling hear the angel telling
That defeated is the grave;
Gladly rise and spread the message
To the world He came to save.

Leave behind your graveyard spices
Death has given up its prize;
Not among the dead the living
Greet the dawn with joyful eyes.

Trade your fears for gladsome singing
Echo the Lamb's victory roar!
Man's redemption is accomplished
He's alive forevermore.

A Lesson from the Eagles

2010-04-02T12:23:00.002-05:00

There are several pairs of nesting bald eagles within an hour of where we live. It's been a delight to watch them feed and care for their young. Now thanks to my educated daughter, we've found a place where you can actually watch several different nests around the country and see the little ones being fed.

http://www.iws.org/bald_eagles/nestcam.htm (We like the Two Harbors one the best.)

Brenda pointed out this morning that the parents (the mom and dad trade off taking care of the eaglets) move around the nest to position themselves so that they provide shade from the sun. And when she showed me that, I thought of the words of David when he was running for his life from King Saul.

Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. Psalm 57:1

All of us deal with "stuff." Dr. George Truett of First Baptist Church in Dallas used to say, "Be good to everybody because everybody is having a tough time." He was right. If you're having a tough time today, go look at the eagles and remember that God will hide you in the shadow of His wings.

Meanwhile Back in the Real World

2010-03-27T19:25:00.002-05:00

In the fantasy world of Democratic controlled Washington, the health care "reform" bill they just passed is going to bring down costs and provide immediate benefits.

Yeah right.

Meanwhile back in the real world, the fine print is already taking away many of those so-called immediate benefits. You probably heard (if you could bring yourself to listen) that starting in six month, children cannot be denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions. Nope. That's what they said out loud, but what the bill actually says is that those new rules start in 2014. Hope and change indeed.

Even worse are the costs. By closing what the Democrats called a loophole--actually the tax credits provided to companies that continued to provide insurance benefits for retirees (that provision was put in to keep people off Medicare...which is bleeding money like crazy)--they guaranteed an upheaval of massive proportions. Remember, this is not an accident, they did it deliberately over the objections of the business commumity. There are two problems with that. First, according to conservative estimates (not estimates by people who are conservative but etsimates that try to deal with reality instead of fantasy), this is going to dump at least two or three million people onto the states' (which is a nice way to pretend like it isn't costing anything by keeping it off the Federal books) Medicare programs that are already woefully underfunded. Second, it's going to cost businesses billions of dollars. Already since the bill was passed companies like AT&T, John Deere, Caterpillar, Valero, 3M and more have announced that they will be forced to take a charge against future earnings to account for the massive increases in costs that will be imposed by complying with the new provisions. Wonder how those businesses will fund this enormous increase?

Interestingly enough, companies are required by the Securities and Exchange Commission to announce such changes...but Congress is furious. In fact the House of Reprehensibles is about to drag company execs in to chastise (and intimidate) them over pouring cold water on the victory parade. This bill is a disaster. And we still don't have a good handle on all the stuff snuck in to the more than 2,000 pages at the last minute under cover of darkness. (Yeah, that whole Obama promise to post bills online for five full days before he would sign them, not so much.)

Living in a Defiled Land

2010-03-24T10:07:00.004-05:00

So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it. Defile not the land therefore wherein ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the Lord dwell among the children of Israel. Numbers 35:33&34

The mistake most Christians make in looking at modern day America is found in the commonly heard statement, "God is going to judge us unless..." God is already judging us--and we have it coming. The Bible pattern is clear. God judges His people. If they repent, He restores them. If they reject His message, His judgment increases. If they continually refuse to repent, hardening their hearts and their necks, eventually they will be destroyed.

We haven't listened to the message of war. We haven't listened to the message of economic destruction. We haven't listened to the message of unqualified leadership.

I shudder to think of what is coming next.

We are living in a defiled land. If we--God's people--do not repent, we are going to suffer right along with the rest of our nation. The liberties and freedoms we derive from living in America are not guarantees of God. They are the result of decisions and sacrifices made in the past. They are our birthright, but birthrights can be traded in for bean soup. And if we do that, we have no justification to complain about the consequences.

Can a Committed Christian in Good Conscience Vote for any Democrat?

2010-03-23T00:18:00.002-05:00

No.

Not anymore.

Regardless of the individual candidate's proclaimed personal beliefs, if you vote for a Democrat, you are voting for someone who has intentionally and deliberately chosen to align themselves with a political group fully dedicated to the murder of the unborn at taxpayer expense...and as we saw on Sunday night, when push comes to shove they will vote with their party instead of their proclaimed "principles."

No votes for any Democrats, not even for dogcatcher, can be justified before a holy God.

Paul told Timothy, "Neither be partaker of other men's sins." (1 Timothy 5:22) The Apostle John wrote, "If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed. For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." (2 John 1:10&11)

The GOP is far from perfect. They are not as committed to either conservatism or life as they should be. But they are not actively and intentionally facilitating the murder of the unborn. If you can't vote for the Republican in your area for some reason, then stay home. (Spare me the drivel about third parties...in our system that's a wasted vote.) Or bear the consequences of partaking in the evil done with the willing support of "conservatives" in the ranks of the Democratic Party.

C. S. Lewis Had It Right

2010-03-22T11:28:00.007-05:00

"Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."

It's time for a change indeed.

The health care debacle has exposed several things. First, the myth of the pro-life and/or conservative Democrat. There simply isn't any such animal. When push comes to shove, they will fold and vote in lockstep with the dominant liberal leadership of the party. If they truly have any principles, they are not committed enough to them for it to mean anything.

Second, the folly of teaching the Republicans a lesson by staying home and kicking them out of office. I was disgusted by many of the things done by the GOP during their brief reign of power. They spent money like, well, like conservative Democrats (back when there were some). But all we got for turning them out was this monstrous government expansion.

Third, the hope of the nation is the massive outpouring of anger directed at this travesty of bribery and a shame. There is still time to undo this, although it will not be easy. Every liberty-loving American, both those of us who are political junkies as well as those who prefer to stay out of the arena, must act now. We must strengthen the spine of those who oppose tyranny and evict from office those who would impose it on us. We have one last chance, and we'd better use it or else.

Finally, a quick word for Bart Stupak--Judas got thirty pieces of silver for his betrayal. All you got for saddling us with paying for the abortions you claim to oppose was money for three airports in your district. There is blood on your hands...and all the washing in the world will not remove it. It didn't end well for Judas and it won't end well for you.

The End of America

2010-03-21T22:44:00.002-05:00

The United States of America as a nation of free individuals ended today. The glorious experiment in liberty died from the combination of a lust for power in the elected class and a willingness to trade freedom for "security" on the part of a significant portion of the population. The buildings and monuments are still in place. The borders and names on the map won't change (yet). The flag will still look the same. But the nation we knew is gone.

Tomorrow morning you will wake up as a ward of the state...a subject, no longer a citizen.

This is the reality. The question is whether we the people will accept that fate, allowing ourselves to become accustomed to our chains, or whether we will rise up again as our forefathers did to break the yoke of opression and tyranny.

I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death.

I Demand a Recount

2010-02-18T19:31:00.000-06:00

How did it happen that my youngest child is 21 years old?

Boycott Visa

2010-02-15T14:47:00.003-06:00

Visa is a major sponsor of the Olympics. It's impossible to watch for more than a few minutes of the Winter Games without seeing one of their ads. I'm not sure my television is going to survive the experience.

That's because every time I see one of those revolting ads I want to throw something. They are an American company, and if they were supporting America, I'd be happy. But this "Go World" garbage makes my blood boil. By itself it really isn't that big a deal. (My daughter thinks I'm making too big a deal out it.) But it is indicative of a mindset that I think is very dangerous to the future.

If an American company had run such an ad fifty years ago, they would have been deluged with angry protests and their mail would have been filled with cut up credit cards. Back then, there wasn't any question about who to support at the Olympics. Back then we were clear about where we stood. Back then we cheered for other teams out of sportsmanship but cheered for ours to win out of patriotism.

Go U-S-A. And boycott Visa.

The Better Half

2010-02-14T20:23:00.002-06:00

Today is my 24th wedding anniversary. It snowed this morning, which reminded me a lot of the day we got married. The weather that day was so ugly that they sent the kids home from school early. Fortunately most of the people coming to the wedding from any distance were Brenda's friends and family who were coming from Minnesota. They sneered at the Tennessee "winter" and plowed on through.

The Bible says that a virtuous woman is more valuable than rubies. It's true. The Bible says that a prudent wife is an inheritance from the Lord. That's true too. And there's no doubt that I married way over my head.

Having now been married for more than half my life, I say without hestitation that this has definitely been the better half. It's been quite a ride, but she has been there every step of the way. In the song we did for our wedding (words--me, music--her) we said "I know I can take what comes, I do not have to see; I simply need the knowledge Dear, that you are there with me."

Thanks for loving me, Babe.

Counting Down the Days

2009-12-31T00:00:00.002-06:00

Just a week left now till Bama faces off with Texas for the national championship. Playing the Longhorns has not been kind to us in the past. They are one of the few teams we've played more than once that we've never beaten. The reports out of practice have been good. I can't wait!

ROLL TIDE

Does the Man Listen to What He Is Saying?

2009-12-28T22:52:00.003-06:00

Today the President took a moment off from his Hawaii vacation to discuss the failed airplane bombing on Christmas day. (Wags have labeled the terrorist the Undibomber which seems to fit.) He said this (according to the New York Times): "We will not rest until we find all who were involved..." And then the President returned to his vacation.

Does he even listen to what is coming out of his mouth? Or perhaps like O. J. he is looking for the real bombers out on the golf course.

Homeland Insecurity

2009-12-28T09:41:00.003-06:00

The fecklessness of President Obama's appointment of the laughable Janet Napolitano as the Director of Homeland Security hasn't cost us a tragedy...yet. Her clueless pronouncement yesterday that the "system worked" in near-miss attempted bombing of a flight into Detroit on Christmas day has been too much even for Obama's cheerleaders in the media to swallow.

I had the misfortune of living under her misrule when she was governor of Arizona. The fact that such a textbook example of the Peter Principle could be elevated to such a critical position simply underlines the lack of seriousness with which President Obama approaches the threats we face in the world. They still don't get it--there are people out there who want to kill us, and they aren't going to stop just because we're nicer to them.

And it's worth mentioning again that for all of his failings, President Bush took the job of protecting America seriously. He may have put an idiot in charge of FEMA, but not DHS. I think we're going to miss him a lot more before the current four year Presidential term is over.

Eat Your Heart Out Bing Crosby

2009-12-24T23:00:00.001-06:00

Seven inches of snow in Broken Arrow today. Definitely a White Christmas!

Later Gator!

2009-12-05T20:17:00.002-06:00

There is nothing quite as satisfying as the tears of your defeated enemies! ROLL TIDE!

The President Meets Wile E. Coyote

2009-11-19T20:19:00.003-06:00

In the classic Warner Brothers cartoons, the Road Runner (and now and then Bugs Bunny) had to deal with a clever foe called the Coyote. He frequently introduced himself as Wile E. Coyote, genius. He even had it printed on his business card. Once in a while he called himself a "super genius." Of course his self-assesment left something to be desired on the accuracy front, but it made for a good joke.

We were repeatedly told during the campaign (and doesn't it feel like the President is still running for office instead of governing in it?) how brilliant Mr. Obama was. Hmmm. Not so sure about that one. The announcement this week of new recommendations by a government panel for the detection of breast cancer seems to me to be the kind of thing ole Wile E. would do. It's certainly a self-inflicted wound.

I think they figured it out pretty quick because they trotted out HHS Secretary Sebelius to calm fears by pointing out that this was a non-binding recommendation. (Of course she neglected to mention that under Obama's Health Care plan such recommendations would be binding, but that's probably to be expected.) This not only confirms Sarah Palin's assertion that "death panels" will be making your health care choices for you in the future, but it undermines the support of the key remaining constituency that has been supporting health care reform--women. In a single stroke, they managed to give ammunition to their critics by proving the most pointed accusations true AND hack off their biggest supporters by undermining their future health care and even their lives.

Yep, super genius...or maybe it's more like the Coyote's confession at the end of Operation: Rabbit, "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is MUD!" To which Bugs replied: "And remember, Mud spelled backward is Dum!"

Elections Have Consequences

2009-11-15T15:15:00.002-06:00

The fallout from the off year elections is always subject to debate. Obama's staffers blamed Creigh Deeds' loss in Virginia on his failure to join himself to the President closely enough. Republicans countered by noting Jon Corzine's loss in New Jersey despite his repeated efforts to do just that. One of the biggest questions going forward is the impact of these results on the health care debate in Congress.

The House of Representatives passed "reform" on a 220-215 vote, despite a huge Democratic advantage. That certainly does not bode well for the coming debate in the Senate where the GOP needs just one defector (and Lieberman has already declared he will oppose the public option) to sustain a filibuster. The question seems to come down to this--will their losses in the off year elections make the Democrats more afraid to push the issue or more desperate to do so?

There's little question that the window on this monstrosity is going to close soon...the real question seems to be which side of it the American people will be on when it closes. My hope is that the self preservation instinct will kick in and the incumbent donkeys will find a way to abort (they do believe in abortion don't they?) this thing before it completes the ruination of the ecnomy that has already been started with the "stimulus" bill. With unemployment north of 10% you would think the margin for action on a hugely expensive piece of legislation like this that will make employers much more reluctant to hire workers wouldn't even merit discussion...but when you consider the collective IQs of Pelosi, Reid, Biden and company, perhaps it isn't that surprising that they're pushing full speed ahead.

The Dirtiest Team I've Seen This Year

2009-11-14T19:48:00.001-06:00

Watching the Bama-Mississippi State game on ESPN. The MSU Bulldogs are the dirtiest team I've seen all year...in fact in several years. They take cheap shots, rip off helmets, and clothesline tackle. I hope we beat them by 40.

Tennessee Vols Unveil New Helmet Design

2009-11-12T20:18:00.001-06:00

Lame Kitten has been working to build his "street cred" and establish a thug program. Reckon in that at least he is succeeding.

Armistice Day

2009-11-11T22:11:00.002-06:00

The guns fell silent on this date in 1918, marking the end of the "Great War" and restoring peace, at least for a little while. The day became an anniversary of peace and then a day to honor veterans. And they deserve all of the honor, respect, appreciation and thanks they receive...and then some. All of the things we enjoy and too often take for granted are the direct result of their sacrifice.

So on this day, I would like to express a special word of appreciation to Sgt. James Alvin Byers of the 45 Infantry Thunderbirds who answered the call of his country and went to the cold mountains of Korea. Thank you for serving and especially thanks for coming home. I'm glad you're still here to thank!

Next Week We'll Know More

2009-10-29T00:13:00.002-05:00

There are four major elections coming up next week as the "off year" cycle mercifully winds it way toward a conclusion. (If you share my misfortune of living in a media market with an election, you're probably as sick of polictical ads as I am, and I doubt if any of us "normal" people approve those messages.) The reasons these elections are so important goes far beyond a couple of governorships and a couple of House seats. Here's why:

1) Off year elections can be a harbinger of change. The GOP's success in 1993 proved to be prophetic as the Contract with America swept the Republicans into power in 1994. Conversely the Dems' success in 2006 was the herald of bigger things to come in last year's cycle. If the Democrats lose the governorships (VA and NJ), both currently held by Democrats, it will go a long way to answering those who suggest the Republicans are in permanent retreat. Polls suggest a squeaker in NJ (and it's never a good idea to get involved in a close race with the Dems in a state like that) and a GOP blowout in Virginia. President Obama carried both states...so it's at least something of a test for the transferability of his aura as well.

2) The NY-23 House race is a fascinating case study. It revealed the gaping fault lines within the Republican Party. It's a test of the power of the Internet, Sarah Palin, the GOP establishment and the Democrats ability to take a GOP seat when the other party is divided. I frankly have no idea what's going to happen. If Democrat Bill Owens wins, the GOP may well be looking at a civil war. Each side will blame the other for the loss. Can that particular Humpty be reassembled? Don't know. If the RINO wins, business as usual will have prevailed and disheartened conservatives will mutter again about being ignored and taken for granted. If Hoffman pulls off the improbable upset, Palin's stock will soar. The only possible path to the White House for her is to build a power base across the country during the 2010 elections, and this is an early test of the strategy. She doesn't have to have Hoffman win, but it would sure help.

3) The CA-10 race has gotten almost no attention. The district is D+11 or D+18 depending whose numbers you use, and the Democratics are running the Lt. Governor of California. The only question here is the depth of discontent California voters might be feeling with the malaise of the economy and their state's crushing deficits. Electing one of the chief architects of higher spending and taxes is like steers voting for meatpackers...yet the people of California continue to do so. If there's going to truly be a full-scale "throw the rascals out" election next year, a GOP upset here might be an early sign.

If there's an election where you are, vote. It is both your privilege and your duty to do so.

God's in His Heaven; All's Right with the World

2009-10-24T23:37:00.008-05:00

Phat Phil is gone. Lame Kitten has come. And though the creamsicle hillbillies deserve their due for a hard-fought game, there are no moral victories in football (though there certainly is crying in Knoxville tonight) and the forces of good and light triumphed over the forces of evil. In the end, Mt. Cody was too high for the Viles to climb and they go home defeated again. That's three in a row for those of you keeping score at home.

ROLL TIDE!

Sarahcuda Goes Rogue

2009-10-22T22:51:00.002-05:00

If you don't follow politics closely, you're probably not aware of (or perhaps even interested in) the special election that will be held on November 3 to fill the NY-23 US House seat. The seat opened when President Obama nominated the Republican incumbent to be Secretary of the Army. To try to hold the seat, the local GOP nominated a far-left RINO (Republican in Name Only) who is pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, and pro-Obama's "stimulus" package. She is running against not only a standard issue New York Democrat, but a 3rd party challenge as well.

Today Governor Sarah Palin announced her endorsement of the 3rd party conservative candidate Doug Hoffman in the race over the "Republican" candidate. This is going to be very, very interesting. It's a brilliant move on Palin's part. Any 3rd party candidate is always going to be a long shot. But it's a special election, there's not much else on the ballot, and so passion on the part of supporters goes a long way toward winning. And if there's anything Palin proved in last year's election, it's that she generates passion.

She's backing a candidate almost no one expects to win, so if he doesn't, she won't take a fall. But if Hoffman wins...the shattering of crockery against the walls of the GOP establishment in Washington is going to be something to behold. She is taking direct aim at the party "leaders" who did so much to undermine her. I'm getting the popcorn ready. This is going to be one to watch.

Who Thinks This Looks Good?

2009-10-22T01:08:00.005-05:00

There's been a firestorm of threats and charges raging on the Internet (and isn't that a shock?) over the criticism of Ralph Lauren's rather badly photoshopped recent model picture. When people published the photo as part of their critique, they received threatening legal notices warning of copyright violations. Now I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on television, but even before we get to the fair use question, if you publish an ad, it's pretty hard to argue that you don't want people to see it. But leaving that aside...

You can see the ad, and some of the commentary (language warning applies) here at one of the more notable critic's haunts. After you look at the ad...go ahead, I'll wait...back? OK...then please help me answer this question: Who thinks this looks good? I mean if it were the picture of a real person who really looked like this, who outside the grip of terminal anorexia would be happy with it? Yet this same Ralph Lauren company fired a model (5' 10" weight 120) for being too "fat." Does not compute.

The only appropriate response, aside from mockery and the offer of "nutrious soup and sandwiches" is found in the words of the brilliant Ogden Nash:

It's fine for women to be lithe and lissome
But not so much so that you cut yourself if you happen to embrace or kiss 'em.

Oh Snap!

2009-10-16T23:13:00.003-05:00

You know the jobless numbers we get every month? The one that last month showed unemployment at 9.8% (the highest since 1982)? The one that shows over four million Americans had lost their jobs since the recession began? Turns out they're wrong...probably way wrong...and not for the better. Check this out (from Seeking Alpha, via Instapundit) regarding the adjustments the Bureau of Labor Statistics makes each month to the numbers to account for small businesses starting and failing:

For the six months since March 31st the birth/death adjustment has added 815,000 jobs, an average of 135,000 per month. Since small and medium sized firms are suffering from severe credit restrictions, they are much more likely to have reduced employment significantly rather to have added that many jobs. That means current monthly job losses may be running as much as 135,000 higher than is currently being reported. While we won’t know the true number for another year, those being laid off will know, and they will be reducing their spending accordingly. The Fed certainly knows what’s happening and that’s one reason they are promising near-zero interest rates indefinitely. (emphasis added)

The next time you hear some talking head proclaiming the recession is over and recovery is "just around the corner" remember that he (or she) is probably using these overly optimistic numbers the government is giving out. Things are going to get worse before they get better.

The NFL Is Saved

2009-10-16T00:38:00.002-05:00

Now that the danger of having someone like Rush Limbaugh involved with one of their teams has past, the NFL is safe once again as a haven for dog fighters, wife beaters, vehicular homicide committers, drug abusers, serial drunk drivers, wildly immoral cheaters and other assorted thugs. I'm so glad things worked out that way.

Another Flag Post

2009-10-14T23:35:00.003-05:00

Not a joke. Not a parody. It's for real. And it's very, very sad. (found from Mr. Indispensable himself)

Does the Obama Administration Understand This?

2009-10-13T23:58:00.003-05:00

I am not at all sure our current leadership in either the White House or Congress understand this. I think there are enough of us left who do to keep the country from going entirely off the rails...but that's certainly not a sure thing. And the biggest question of all is where those who do or would fly this flag find a political home. The GOP has drunk deeply of the poisoned Washington well, and they aren't much (if at all) more friendly to the twin and inseperable concepts of liberty and responsibility than the Democrats are. But since the electoral game is rigged, people who want to have an impact are pretty much stuck with the two parties we have. So is it possible to remake the Republican Party in the image of Reagan? If not, the Gadsden Flag is going to be flying in a lot of unfriendly skies...

Bama Rolls to 6-0

2009-10-10T22:06:00.002-05:00

The Tide completed a perfect first half of the regular season today with a 22-3 victory over Ole Miss. The performace of the defense was close to perfect. The offense stalled repeatedly in the red zone, limiting the final margin. Credit to Ole Miss for an excellent defensive effort, but it's wasn't nearly enough to keep up with Bama.

Unlike last year, this year people expect us to be good. The last two games have revealed some weaknesses, but overall, there just isn't too much to complain about. Here's why: last year we beat Kentucky by 3 and Ole Miss by 4. This year: 18 and 19 points respectively. This is a very good team. If we play up to our abilities, we are going to be hard to beat. It's looking more and more like a rematch with Florida in the SEC Championship Game is in our future.

ROLL TIDE!

President Obama Given Nobel Peace Prize

2009-10-09T10:36:00.002-05:00

The college I attended once gave an honorary "Doctor of Horse Sense" degree to the favorite horse of one of the founder's friends. (Yes, this is a true story. Please don't ask me any questions about the college I attended. Thank you for your cooperation.) During the ceremony, the horse left behind a present to express his appreciation.

I couldn't help but think of that story this morning when I heard the news that President Obama had been given (I cannot in good conscience use the term "won") the Nobel Peace Prize. It is (what has become) a meaningless award given to someone who had done absolutely nothing to merit it, and all it accomplishes aside from the rather obvious joke is to leave behind a steaming mess for someone else to clean up.

And I can't help but note this irony. On behalf of America, President Obama failed to win the Olympics. On behalf of himself, he is given an international prize. Seems somehow fitting for the "me first" president. But perhaps someone should remind him of the ultimate fate of Narcissus.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States

2009-10-03T09:31:00.002-05:00

Before the election I noted that one of God's judgments on nations was to give them immature and unqualified rulers. After the already near-eternal first eight months of his term (please God forgive us and limit it to one!) in office, it has become abundantly clear that President Obama is exactly that. The economy is still in the tank (that tends to happen when the only possible outcome of the steps you take is to make things worse); the war in Afghanistan, the one candidate Obama declared crucial to the war on terror, is about to be abandoned; and the world community, the group that was supposed to love America again after Bush was replaced just snubbed the Obamas' personal plea for Chicago to get the Olympics.

We are in deep trouble here folks. And we deserve it. Repentance, like judgment must begin at the house of God. It was not in the end the wickedness of Sodom that led to destruction, but rather the failure of Lot to see to the rightousness of his own family. We can't fix this problem by voting in a new President. What we need is for God's people to have a King ruling over their hearts and lives. That's the only solution. In the meantime, pray like David that God will withhold the judgment we deserve.

Jimmy Carter Opens His Mouth (Again) and Removes All Doubt (Again)

2009-09-16T22:50:00.002-05:00

The worst (completed term) President of my life opened his mouth and proved him a fool yet again, deriding the criticism of President Obama's health care "plan" (when I was younger a plan required specifics, but maybe things have changed) as based on racism...and "an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African American should not be President." And I suppose my utter revulsion at his foolishness both in and out of office is based on an inherent feeling that a Georgian should not be President. (Sorry Newt)

Such utter folly isn't surprising when you consider the source. But it is surprising that people still listen to the cracked peanut. He was a disgrace in office, but an even bigger one since leaving it.

Was Wouk Right?

2009-09-11T12:59:00.002-05:00

The epigram that furnished the title for probably his most famous book says "The beginning of the end of war is remembrance." I wonder if he was right. Even more, I wonder if we are capable of remembering. So many people would prefer to forget. Not this day of all days should that be allowed.

Moneyback Guarantee

2009-08-31T23:09:00.002-05:00

No matter what else you read today, I guarantee this will be the funniest thing you read. If after reading it you don't agree, I'll refund your money.

Ted Kennedy Dies; Mary Jo Kopechne Could Not Be Reached for Comment

2009-08-26T01:01:00.003-05:00

Just over forty years after coldly and deliberately deciding that his political career was more important than a young woman's life, Ted Kennedy has finally gone to his eternal "reward". (Hint: he just thought global "warming" was bad.) There is a sense in which I feel sorry for him. Teddy's ruthless and immoral father produced offspring who followed his footsteps all too well. But personal responsibility demands more than blaming dad.

In a more just world, Kennedy would have spent at least years if not decades in jail for his crimes rather than being firmly entrenched in the Senate. I'm not glad he's dead. I don't rejoice in the death of the wicked. But I am glad he will never spend another of my dollars on one of his insane follies. I am glad he will never promote the murder of another unborn and innocent child. I am glad he will never lie about another judge like Robert Bork. I am glad he won't be spewing his liberal twaddle any more. Good riddance.

It's Here!

2009-08-07T02:49:00.000-05:00

After weeks of hard work (and years of training), making sure every detail is just right, every size, price, style, color and thread matches, I'm delighted to announce that Brenda's embroidery and monogramming business, Great Stitch, now has a fully functional...and totally beautiful...website.

Go see how great it is right now greatstitch.com!

Ex Presidents Should Be Seen and Not Heard

2009-08-05T18:32:00.003-05:00

So the biggest news of the day was former President Clinton's successful trip to North Korea to secure the release of two Americans jailed by lunatic Communist regime. And while I'm delighted that those two ladies are now and know that their families must be experiencing incredible joy and relief, I can't help but feel that we have set yet another precedent for which we will pay for years to come.

There's no question that some kind of deal was made. The North Koreans are notorious for not giving anything away for free. But what? Did we promise them food for their starving millions (and would the government care if we did)? Did we promise to look the other way while they export nuclear technology? Did we promise to lean on South Korea on their behalf?

While all of these would be bad, yes, even the food because it would support one of the most brutal governments on earth, and past food aid has largely found its way to the military and political elites, the worst question of all is this: did whatever deal we make embolden our enemies and endanger all Americans living abroad? I'm afraid the answer is: Yes, We Did.

Cash for Clunkers: An(other) Obama Attack on the Poor

2009-08-04T20:21:00.002-05:00

The government's "cash for clunkers" program has been in the news a lot this week. The money (our money) Congress voted to hand over to auto dealers (not customers really) was supposed to last until November; it's already gone. But this program is a Trojan horse that is going to harm to poor in America for years to come.

In the fine print of the program, the dealers are required to completely destroy the cars they take in under the program. The stock of used cars and even more importantly used car parts is being depleted, all to line the pockets of the politically connected car dealers. This was justified in the name of environmentalism and combating (nonexistent) global warming. But for not much gain (estimates vary, but the best ones I've seen suggest that the program might save one quarter of one percent of our gas consumption) there is going to be a lot of pain down the road. For those of us who aren't willing or able to purchase a new car, this program offers nothing except of course the opportunity to pay for it with our tax dollars. For those of us who are soon going to be in the market for used cars, the President's program offers higher prices and fewer choices...sounds like a preview of health care "reform."

This Is Not What a Recovery Looks Like

2009-08-03T22:47:00.003-05:00

From the increasingly indispensible Geoff over at Innocent Bystanders comes this simple chart that destroys all the "good news" being trumpeted by the Obama Administration of the GDP "only" decreasing by 1% in the second quarter. It's all fiction.

Unless you believe that the government can continue to spend hundreds of billions of dollars--borrowed dollars--without consequence, this is not a recovery. Keep your eye on the blue line. There's a reason tax revenues are falling faster than any time since 1932. And if that continues, the government must either cut back or borrow yet more trillions. Any guess which they'll choose?

What the Decline of a Great Nation Looks Like

2009-07-30T21:26:00.002-05:00

From NYTimes.com:

On the set of “Julie & Julia,” [the upcoming movie about a woman inspired to cook...and write about it...by Julia Child] the lobsters posed a special challenge. Ms. Adams appears to plunge two live lobsters into a pot of steaming water. The steam is actually a cool mist, and just off camera representatives from the American Humane Association monitored the creatures’ health. (emphasis added)

Lobsters are food for goodness sake. They're not people. They're not some kind of higher beings. They are not an endangered species. They're supposed to be boiled...and eaten with drawn butter. What a bunch of wimps we are rapidly becoming.

Most Radical Anti-Life Administration Ever

2009-07-29T01:32:00.003-05:00

The man President Obama has appointed as his chief science advisor has some rather interesting views about when life begins (via Patterico). In a 1973 book John Holdren co-authored with noted pro-abortion anti-humanity freak Paul Ehrlich, we find this gem:

“The fetus, given the opportunity to develop properly before birth, and given the essential early socializing experiences and sufficient nourishing food during the crucial early years after birth, will ultimately develop into a human being,” John P. Holdren, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, wrote in Human Ecology: Problems and Solutions.
***
The specific passage expressing the authors’ view that a baby “will ultimately develop into a human being” is on page 235 in chapter 8 of the book, which is titled “Population Limitation.”

At the time the book was written, the Supreme Court had not yet issued its Roe v. Wade decision, and the passage in question was part of a subsection of the “Population Limitation” chapter that argued for legalized abortion.”

This is the guy advising President Obama on your health care (hint: they insist on including abortion), global warming (not), and other key issues that matter to our lives. This is what the President thinks normal, mainstream science looks and sounds like. I would say God help us, but as noted before in this space, we are suffering a judgment we brought down on our own heads. Perhaps God forgive us would be a more apt expression. And maybe someday, with some proper intellectual guidance, Mr. Obama will develop into a leader who can steer our country aright...but I wouldn't hold my breath on that one if I were you.

The Dumbest Thing a Politician Said This Week

2009-07-26T20:54:00.003-05:00

It's very difficult to achieve this honor because so many politicians say so many dumb things so often. But the prize this week must go to South Dakota Senator Kent Conrad who takes the prize for this statement regarding the health care "reform" process making its way through Congress.

"There are not the votes for Democrats to do this just on our side of the aisle. It is not possible and perhaps not desirable either," Conrad said on ABC's "This Week."

If you haven't counted lately, there are sixty Democrats in the Senate. Even if all the Republicans voted in lockstep (highly unlikely) there votes are indeed there "just on [his] side of the aisle." Wonder what he's trying to hide?

"Jolting" Joe Biden

2009-07-26T14:11:00.002-05:00

From Jonathan Adler at the Corner: Today Vice President Joe Biden argues that the stimulus bill is misunderstood. He writes [in a New York Times editorial]: "the act was intended to provide steady support for our economy over an extended period — not a jolt that would last only a few months." Yet as Mark Silva reports:

As recently as June, at a roundtable in New York, Biden called the Recovery Act "an initial big jolt to give the economy a real head start.''

In March, the vice president said ''the Recovery Act, as we call it, provides a necessary jolt to our economy to implement what we refer as 'shovel-ready' projects.''

If Blanche DuBois relied on the kindness of strangers, "Jolting" Joe Biden must rely on the short memories of voters. But this sort of loose acquaintance with the truth is nothing new for Mr. "I have a much higher IQ than you" Biden. In fact he calls nothing to mind so much as this classic from the old MGM musical days:

How could you believe me when I said "I Love You"
When you know I've been a liar all my life?
I've had that reputation since I was a youth -
You must have been insane to think I'd ever tell the truth.
How could you believe me when I said we'd marry,
When you know I'd rather die than have a wife?
I know I said, "I'll make you mine,"
But who would know that you would go for that old line?
How could you believe me when I said "I Love You"
When you know I've been a liar, a good for nothing liar,
All my good for nothin' life?

Fred Astaire, from Royal Wedding (Lerner and Lane)

Does Obama Know Any Real Doctors?

2009-07-23T00:31:00.002-05:00

Yes, I know his wife "worked" at a hospital (getting her salary doubled after then Senator Obama pushed through millions in earmarks), but reading his words from tonight's press conference...I wasn't about to watch it...football season is only seven weeks away and I don't want to replace my television set...I wonder if he knows any real practicing physicians. The President said:

"Right now, doctors a lot of times are forced to make decisions based on the fee payment schedule that's out there. So if they're looking and you come in and you've got a bad sore throat or your child has a bad sore throat or has repeated sore throats, the doctor may look at the reimbursement system and say to himself, "You know what? I make a lot more money if I take this kid's tonsils out."

There may be some doctor somewhere who does that, but none of the ones I know--and we've seen way too many the past few years--are performing unnecessary work just for the sake of money. The President's health care plan is based on lies, false assumptions, misleading descriptions and unsupported wishes. I devoutly hope that it fails in Congress.

A Red Letter Day

2009-07-21T23:46:00.001-05:00

Today Rhonda's hair was long enough to put in a pony tail! It's sort of a Shetland pony tail, but it still counts! She's come such a long way since chemo, and we're rejoicing in the small victories too.

A Short Question for NASA

2009-07-20T19:09:00.002-05:00

Forty years ago today, Neil Armstrong took "one small step." He managed to do that on a rocket with computers less powerful than my cell phone and without the benefit of modern materials and construction techniques. So why can't we do it today? We're not just not making progress, we're actively going backward. When the (poorly designed from the very beginning) space shuttle is retired next year, we will have no effective space program.

For a seven year old kid who sat up for what seemed like forever waiting for something to happen as we watched the live broadcast of the first moon walk, it's incomprehensible that we've retreated from that vision. I'm not a big JFK fan, but the Apollo program to send a man to the moon was both a stroke of genius and a boon to our nation. Somebody needs to get on the ball and either get NASA back to what it used to be, or else get it out of the way and let private enterprise do the job. This is a sad anniversary for me because of how we have failed to advance from the 1960s. Shame on us.

A Sad Anniversary

2009-07-18T21:49:00.003-05:00

Forty years ago today, Senator Ted Kennedy drove his car off the bridge at Chappaquidick, ending the life of Mary Jo Kopechne. In a more just world, he would have paid for his crime and his political career would have ended, but he was a Kennedy and it was Massachusetts, and he got his driver's license suspended. The position in which Kopechne's body was found indicated that she was alive after the wreck...and died a slow and agonizing death that almost certainly could have been prevented had Kennedy sought immediate help. But he was more concerned with saving his own political career than with her life. It's worth remembering that act of cowardice and self-preservation as he is praised as the "lion of the Senate." Lying of the Senate would be closer to the truth. What a despicable excuse for a man.

As the old bumper sticker put it, Ted Kennedy's car killed more people than Three Mile Island.

Too Soon To Judge the Stimulus Package

2009-07-18T13:18:00.002-05:00

Much debate has raged over the stimulus package rammed through Congress mostly unread in the opening days of the Obama Administration. "It's working," the President declared recently. But given that the promise was the stimulus would hold unemployment to 8% and it's already reached 9.5% skeptics have naturally pointed out the discrepancy. The problem with assessing whether the stimulus plan works is that you first must understand what it's purpose is.

When it was being proposed and (rapidly) debated in Congress, conservatives pointed out that it was a quick fix for anything because the spending was backloaded--by design, most of the money was to be spent in 2010 or later. For all the talk of "shovel-ready projects" and the urgency to pass it immediately, there had to be another purpose. I think the key is found in the number 2010. The stimulus package had a major purpose and a large side benefit. The side benefit was to reward Democratic constituencies (something on which much Republican ire focused) but that was not the main design. The main purpose of the stimulus package was to help Democrats win in the 2010 election.

We won't be able to judge whether the stimulus "worked" until those results are in. The stimulus as passed was never going to make much immediate impact on the economy. And by virtue of the fact that it only stimulates growth of government and bureaucracy rather than private enterprise it was never going to create real wealth and prosperity. The remainder of this year is going to be tough. Unemployment will almost certainly top 10% by this fall and the housing market continues to be an anchor dragging the entire economy down.

The real question will be whether the economy begins to recover before mid-2010. If it does (no thanks to the stimulus, but the Mainly Socialist Media will give all credit to The One anyway if it does...and probably try hard to cover for him if it doesn't) then the GOP will sink even further. If there is no recovery, the shoe will be on the other foot. For a preview of what an election in a bad economy will look like next year, simply look at the polling data for this year's races for governor in Virginia and New Jersey. Obama carried both states--VA was close and NJ was a blowout. But the Republicans are polling way ahead in both races.

Obama has staked a lot on the stimulus package. And he knows it's a gamble. That's why he's pushing so hard to get health care, cap and trade, bank reforms and more through Congress. This year may be (please, Lord, make it so) his only chance.

Your Tax Dollars at Work

2009-07-16T21:17:00.003-05:00

In a sane world, this would be satire. But given our "leadership" in Washington these days, nothing seems capable of being over the top. (hat tip Powerline) And so, sadly, tomorrow the House Democratic leadership has scheduled a vote on the following:

H.R. 1018 is the "Restore Our American Mustangs Act." It can fairly be described as a welfare program for horses. Believe it or not--this isn't satire--here is what the bill will do:

The "Restore Our American Mustangs Act" ... would create a new $700 million welfare program for wild horses. The program:

* Conducts a horse census every two years

* Provides "enhanced contraception" and birth control for horses

* Establishes an additional 19 million acres of public and private land for wild horses

* Covers $5 million tab to repair horse damage to land

* Mandates that government bureaucrats perform home inspections before Americans can adopt horses

In an era of record smashing deficits, it's hard to imagine who seriously thinks that we have the money for this kind of nonsense. Ugh.

The Next Time That Crazy Guy with all the Animals Comes By, Get on the Boat!

2009-07-15T01:26:00.006-05:00

We are in a world of trouble. Remember that the projections made by the Obama Administration called for unemployment to peak at 8% (currently 9.5 and heading higher) and economic growth to have started returning by now (not so much). Here is a look at some hard data from the real world that puts Hope and Change to flight...well, there is definitely change, but as Obi-wan said, "these aren't the droids you're looking for." (from BizzyBlog)

You can click on the chart for a larger version, but in plain English, tax revenues for the second quarter declined by more than a quarter of a trillion dollars! The deficit for this year (the part they admit to, and there are some serious accounting tricks being used to make things look far better than they really are) is already over $1.1 trillion dollars...and we've still got three months to go. If they weren't cooking the books we would likely end the fiscal year (September 30) with a two trillion dollar shortfall.

What does this mean? It means that Obama's plan to tax the rich to pay for health care can't possibly work. It means that the Waxman-Markey abomination to fix "global warming" by taxing businesses (and who do you think pays those taxes?) can't possibly work. It means that any significant economic recovery is a long, LONG way off. And our vehicle is being driven very fast the wrong way on a one way street.

"If Only the Czar Knew"

2009-07-14T22:57:00.002-05:00

In Russia many years ago, the peasants lamented their lot in life with the phrase, "If only the Czar knew." They believed that if the leader only knew how bad things were, something would change. At least one wag suggested that it was the discovery that the Czar did know but didn't care that led to the Russian Revolution.

When President Obama was in Ghana recently, he decried the toll of corruption. "No business wants to invest in a place where the government skims 20 percent off the top," he said. The United States corporate tax rate (generally regarded as the highest in the world) is 35%. So the question is, does the Czar know and not care, or is he truly as clueless about the way the real world works as his lack of experience and words so often suggest?

Desperate Need for "Proper" Schooling

2009-07-14T10:31:00.002-05:00

This morning on the Today Show, they interviewed someone named Ian Halperin who apparently wrote a book about Michael Jackson. (I guess it pays the bills, but that hardly seems like a productive use of time for an adult.) In the course of discussing what comes next for the singer's three children, Halperin said they "have a desperate need for proper schooling." I know absolutely nothing about the education Jackson's children have received, but I do know this: the bias, prejudice and hostility toward home schooling in our society is getting a lot worse.

Of course this strikes a chord with me because of the decision we made (a long time ago now) to homeschool our children. There were many factors involved in that decision, and with both of them now in college both we and they would describe it as the absolute right one. They are not maladjusted misfits, undereducated failures, or ignorant of modern society and science (though thankfully they do reject much of the bogus "science" that fills the airwaves and textbooks). In fact, they're both honor students in difficult academic fields at excellent schools.

Does every family who homeschools do a good job? Of course not. Does every family who homeschools make mistakes? Of course. But how is that different from a more traditional classroom education? Does anyone seriously want to argue that our public and even private schools are succeeding with every student? Homeschooling suffers from sometimes accurate but usually greatly exaggerated portrayals of the people and product involved. But a similar eye turned toward mainstream education could produce far worse. No, it isn't for everyone. But homeschooling is a valid, valuable and viable option for receiving an education.

And Mr. Halperin, next time you want to slam homeschooling, just "Beat It."

Be Afraid; Be Very Afraid

2009-07-13T22:12:00.002-05:00

From a column by Francis Cianfrocca at The New Ledger (hat tip He Who Needs No Linkage) on our response to the current economic crisis:

If this works, I’ll be the first to tip my hat to Ben Bernanke and the intellectual revolution he has founded. But it will be a repudiation of centuries of financial history. What’s far more likely to happen is that the massive reflation efforts will work for a time, possibly for years, possibly for a decade. In that time, some fundamental aspects of global finance and trade will need to be repaired. Two that spring to mind are the bad habit of Americans to spend beyond our means, and the worse habit of China and other developing countries to respond to our overspending by undervaluing their currencies and allowing their economies to overexpand.

The pathway to success for Bernankeism is all about buying time to reset the underlying imbalances. But it’s an extremely dangerous game because the tools of Bernankeism (and Obamian deficit spending) are all about giving us far more of what made us sick in the first place. If we can fix the basic problems before the painkillers wear off, we might be all right. If not, the game will end in a deflationary episode that could rival the Thirties.

Eight Weeks to Go

2009-07-11T21:21:00.001-05:00

Just eight weeks left till Bama plays Virginia Tech to kick off the football season. It's been a very long offseason since the debacle in the Sugar Bowl. I can't wait for the new season to start. Bring on the Hokies.

Happy Birthday Rhonda

2009-07-09T21:08:00.002-05:00

A bittersweet day for a very special young lady, but a good day nonetheless. The last year by far has been the most difficult of her life. But God is good, and we still have her with us. A godly young woman, an excellent student, an artistic spirt and a close friend, she's been hurt and suffered far more than her dad would like. But through all of it, she trusts in God and continues to follow him.

My prayer is that the next year will be far better. Happy Birthday Bear.

Abortion as Eugenics

2009-07-08T20:22:00.004-05:00

An amazing admission surfaced today from Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (hat tip to Ed Whelan at the Corner) on the topic of abortion. This is from an interview she did with the New York Times Magazine. A lot of us have known this for a long time, but it's startling to hear it admitted in public.

Frankly I had thought that at the time Roe was decided, there was concern about population growth and particularly growth in populations that we don’t want to have too many of. So that Roe was going to be then set up for Medicaid funding for abortion. Which some people felt would risk coercing women into having abortions when they didn’t really want them. But when the court decided McRae, the case came out the other way. And then I realized that my perception of it had been altogether wrong.

Abortion was promoted specifically and directly at reducing the black population...the "populations that we don't want to have too many of"...and the same group that votes 90%+ for the party of death--even though it means death for their own people. It's not just all about money, although it certainly is a huge financial racket. It's about eugenics, plain and simple. And if a pro-abortion Supreme Court Justice feels free to say so in public, that's an awfully bad sign for the future of our country.

George Washington Slept Here

2009-07-07T23:17:00.003-05:00

I learned something very interesting (to me, but then it's my blog...) over the weekend. Brenda and I have been doing some research into our family trees. It's been fun to see what we can find. We've even made a couple of trips, visiting old cemeteries and digging through stacks of old books and records at libraries.

Anyhow, my parents came for a visit and I was hunting some things on my dad's side of the family. On his mother's side, my eighth great-grandmother was Elizabeth Warner. She was born in Virginia in 1672 and died in 1719 (Two hundred and ninety years ago). From her and her husband, the line runs through the Lewises to the Alexanders to the Cannons to the Byerses.

The interesting thing came in when I found that Elizabeth Warner had an older sister named Mildred...who married Lawrence Washington and had a son named Augustine, who had a son named George (him, you've probably heard of). I'm not very good with the whole third cousin twice removed thing. But since my ancestor was George Washington's great aunt (that part I'm sure of), I'm at least a little bit related to the Father of Our Country.

And that's pretty cool.

The Decline and Fall of the United States of America

2009-07-07T23:08:00.002-05:00

No great civilization can long survive the collapse of some sense of public morality. Some people argue with George Washington's assertion that religion is indispenable to such morality; history does not. Any nation that honors the immoral and "call[s] evil good" as the prophet Isaiah put it is on a steep slope to destruction.

Yes, we're there. Yes, I'm talking about the national media/public obsession with the funeral service for a child-abusing, drug-abusing, once talented freak. No, he's not in a better place. No, Al Sharpton, he was indeed "strange." (I do feel very sorry for his three kids, who are about to become pawns in a fight that's liable to take years and chew up whatever, if anything, is left of their inheritance. They don't deserve what's coming next.) It's a sad sign of the decline of our country. A better generation would not have tolerated Jackson, let alone lionized him.

We're in sad shape. And I'm afraid it's going to get a lot worse. The things we have lost are not easily, if ever, recovered. A few months back I heard a preacher say, "No nation in history that turned its back on God ever returned to Him without an intervening judgment."

We Should Sing More Than the First Verse!

2009-07-06T23:53:00.000-05:00

O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust.'
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Calvin Coolidge on Independence Day

2009-07-04T14:04:00.002-05:00

On July 4, 1926, the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, President Calvin Coolidge, the only President born on the fourth of July, gave a speech to commemorate the anniversary. You really should read the whole thing (it's an extraordinarily eloquent address from the man known as "Silent Cal"), but here are the final paragraphs:

Before we can understand their conclusions we must go back and review the course which they followed. We must think the thoughts which they thought. Their intellectual life centered around the meeting-house. They were intent upon religious worship. While there were always among them men of deep learning, and later those who had comparatively large possessions, the mind of the people was not so much engrossed in how much they knew, or how much they had, as in how they were going to live. While scantily provided with other literature, there was a wide acquaintance with the Scriptures. Over a period as great as that which measures the existence of our independence they were subject to this discipline not only in their religious life and educational training, but also in their political thought. They were a people who came under the influence of a great spiritual development and acquired a great moral power.

No other theory is adequate to explain or comprehend the Declaration of Independence. It is the product of the spiritual insight of the people. We live in an age of science and of abounding accumulation of material things. These did not create our Declaration. Our Declaration created them. The things of the spirit come first. Unless we cling to that, all our material prosperity, overwhelming though it may appear, will turn to a barren sceptre in our grasp.

If we are to maintain the great heritage which has been bequeathed to us, we must be like-minded as the fathers who created it. We must not sink into a pagan materialism. We must cultivate the reverence which they had for the things that are holy. We must follow the spiritual and moral leadership which they showed. We must keep replenished, that they may glow with a more compelling flame, the altar fires before which they worshiped.

Overlord at 65

2009-06-06T14:54:00.001-05:00

Sixty-five years ago today, thousands of American, British, Canadian, French and Polish troops stormed ashore in the Normandy invasion that marked the beginning of the liberation of Europe from Nazi control. The carefully drawn battle plan, as usually happens, did not survive first contact with the enemy. But the courage and sacrifice of the men on the beaches was not in vain.

Those who are left are now in their 80s and even 90s. We owe them a debt that can never be fully repaid. Twenty-five years ago President Reagan concluded his remarks on the fortieth anniversary of the invasion with these words:

The men of Normandy had faith that what they were doing was right, faith that they fought for all humanity, faith that a just God would grant them mercy on this beachhead or on the next. It was the deep knowledge -- and pray God we have not lost it -- that there is a profound moral difference between the use of force for liberation and the use of force for conquest. You were here to liberate, not to conquer, and so you and those others did not doubt your cause. And you were right not to doubt.

You all knew that some things are worth dying for. One's country is worth dying for, and democracy is worth dying for, because it's the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man. All of you loved liberty. All of you were willing to fight tyranny, and you knew the people of your countries were behind you.

Where's the Gipper When we Need Him?

2009-06-05T19:37:00.002-05:00

Five years ago today, the greatest president of my lifetime, Ronald Wilson Reagan, died at 93 years of age. He took office in a time of great economic chaos (much higher unemployemnt, inflation and interest rates than now) and by the use of free market principles and conservative philosophy ushed in an era of incredible growth and prosperity. In addition to forcing the Soviet Union to the brink (as Jack Kemp used to say, "Communism didn't fall, it was pushed") Reagan also revitalized America's spirit at home.

His heirs largely didn't share his vision for a strong and prosperous America that is inextricably linked to the values of individual freedom, and as a result, we're rapidly squandering both. Those who are too young to remember the 70s don't understand the pessimism and fear that gripped America in those days...but it's going to be back with a vengeance soon. If we don't get another leader like Reagan (and as much as I hate to say, there simply isn't one out there at the moment) we're going to find out where that road leads. And I don't think the "shining city on a hill" is going to like the answer very much.

I fear that, as they said of General George Patton, we shall not see his like again.

The Country's in the Very Best of Hands

2009-06-05T19:16:00.007-05:00

As you look at the chart below (from the brilliant Geoff at Innocent Bystanders) keep this in mind: the blue lines are what President Obama's economic team told us was going to happen in order to convince Congress to spend nearly $800,000,000 we don't have. The red dots are what happens when "hope and change" meets The Gods of the Copybook Headings. It's not exactly a fair contest. We are way far up the creek with no paddle in sight.

The Treasury says the national debt is climbing to the sky
And govermnent expenditures have never been so high.
It makes a feller get a gleam of pride within his eye,
to see how our economy expands,
The country's in the very best of hands.

You ought to see the congress when it's drawing up a bill,
"Where as"'s and "to wit"'s are crowded in each codicil.
Such legal terminology would give your heart a thrill.
There's phrases there that no one understands.
The country's in the very best of hands.

from the musical "Lil' Abner"
Gene de Paul/Johnny Mercer
1956

I Wish it Was All a Joke

2009-06-03T22:03:00.005-05:00

...but it's all very real.

1) President Obama has placed a 31 year old with no automotive experience in charge of General Motors. I'm sure my "investment" and "ownership" share is in good hands.

2) President Obama called America one of the "largest Muslim nations in the world."

3) More than half a million more people lost their jobs in May. So far President Obama's plan to "save or create" jobs is not working so good. In fact, he's averaging a job loss of 16,000 per day every day since he was inaugurated.

4) President Obama, who during the campaign said his father was "atheistic or agnostic" now says his dad was Muslim. Hope and change indeed.

5) A nutjob who claims to be a Christian kills an abortion doctor and the President issues a condemnation. A nutjob who claims to be a Muslim kills a US soldier at an Army recruiting station and the President issues....nothing at all. Not worthy of his notice.

Will the news media cover these things in depth and detail? Take a look at this photo and you tell me:

Yep, that's NBC "news" anchor Brian Williams bowing to the President at the conclusion of their White House interview.

Obama Takes US Off Car Standard

2009-06-01T11:41:00.002-05:00

On April 5, 1933, President Franklin Roosevelt made it illegal for most Americans to own gold when he signed Executive Order 6102, which ordered people to turn in their gold to the government for $20.67 per ounce. While there were some exceptions for dental use, jewelry, and artists and others who used gold in their jobs, most people were not exempted from this draconian order. Because of the economic crisis gripping America, most people were willing to give up what had previously been regarded as an essential liberty without complaint.

On June 1, 2009, President Barack Obama announced the death of the second of the "Big Three" automakers with the GM bankruptcy. Having already shattered the rule of law on the Chrysler bankruptcy to make sure to reward his union supporters, Obama is issuing directives and orders at least as far reaching as FDR's that are going to radically alter the way America lives. This may seem wildly speculatively today, but it is not beyond the scope of Mr. Obama's imagination:

Your ability to choose what car to buy and drive, already impacted by rising CAFE standards (which will kill thousands every year due to safety concessions required to increase mileage) and will now be affected by government control of design and manufacturing decisions by the automakers. But what comes next? What if we don't make the "right" choices? What if all those government cars sit in dealers showrooms (the ones that are left) month after month? Even worse, what if Fords, Toyotas, Hondas and BMWs keep selling? Will the President allow us to remain free, or will he take us off the car standard?

When will we start being offered incentives to do the "right thing? Or, more troubling, when will we start being required to? The government has already passed a law that will require you to buy the "right" light bulbs starting in a couple years. They're already required TV stations to broadcast the "right" signal. Why should cars be any different?

Thoughts on the Murder of George Tiller

2009-05-31T22:08:00.002-05:00

1) Vengeance belongs to God.

2) George Tiller was one of the most disgusting human beings ever to pollute the air of planet Earth. He has blood on his hands--the blood of thousands of innocents. He made Joseph Mengele look like a choir boy. He is no doubt at this very moment burning in the very hottest part of Hell, and he deserves it. He should not have been murdered.

3) No one who is truly pro-life can possibly support Tiller's murder. In a more sane society, he would have already been arrested, convicted and executed by the state as a mutliple murderer. But that does not justify anyone taking the law into their own hands.

4) This event will be used by our current government to paint every defender of innocent life as a terrorist. They believe this already, and they have been handed a very powerful stick with which to beat us...one they will use.

5) A religious organization that accepts blatant and unrepetant sinners like Tiller without demanding they change does not deserve to be called a church.

6) Tiller won't murder any more babies. That does not justify his murder. It's a sad day. Period.

Is It Football Season Yet?

2009-05-27T23:36:00.002-05:00

Random sports observations...

Is there anything in the world of sports less interesting than NBA basketball?

Yes. Soccer. And hockey. And NASCAR (which as you may not know is an acronym...Non-Athletic Sport Center Around Rednecks). Ugh.

The Braves were a lousy team when I started following them. They couldn't win anything. Except for Hank Aaron, there just wasn't a whole lot of excitement. But after them getting good for so long, it is painful to watch this current iteration. Here's something you won't hear me say everyday--I miss Ted Turner.

So bring on football. Roll Tide!

Chickens, Meet Roost

2009-05-26T20:46:00.002-05:00

For all the conservatives who stayed home last November...for all those deluded fools (like Christopher Buckley) who thought Obama wasn't so bad...for all those pro-lifers who didn't trust McCain...well, here comes the bill in the form of a "wise Latina" who WILL increase the power of government and decrease your freedom and guarantee the abortion holocaust continues. Great job.

Duty, Honor, Country

2009-05-24T15:17:00.001-05:00

from General Douglas MacArthur's Farewell Address at West Point, May 12, 1962:

You are the leaven which binds together the entire fabric of our national system of defense. From your ranks come the great captains who hold the nation's destiny in their hands the moment the war tocsin sounds. The Long Gray Line has never failed us. Were you to do so, a million ghosts in olive drab, in brown khaki, in blue and gray, would rise from their white crosses thundering those magic words: Duty, Honor, Country.

This does not mean that you are war mongers.

On the contrary, the soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.

But always in our ears ring the ominous words of Plato, that wisest of all philosophers: "Only the dead have seen the end of war."

The shadows are lengthening for me. The twilight is here. My days of old have vanished, tone and tint. They have gone glimmering through the dreams of things that were. Their memory is one of wondrous beauty, watered by tears, and coaxed and caressed by the smiles of yesterday. I listen vainly, but with thirsty ears, for the witching melody of faint bugles blowing reveille, of far drums beating the long roll. In my dreams I hear again the crash of guns, the rattle of musketry, the strange, mournful mutter of the battlefield.

But in the evening of my memory, always I come back to West Point.

Always there echoes and re-echoes: Duty, Honor, Country.

Today marks my final roll call with you, but I want you to know that when I cross the river my last conscious thoughts will be of The Corps, and The Corps, and The Corps.

I bid you farewell.

For Memorial Day

2009-05-22T16:44:00.001-05:00

In Flanders Fields

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Honor the fallen. Thank the living. Pray that we don't break faith.