Televangelist Pat Robertson created a firestorm when he recently called for the assassination of Hugo Chavez. Christians are offended that a minister would openly advocate breaking a commandment- murder, no less, and non-Christians have opened the flood gates of disdain and mockery. It's religiously unthinkable to suggest killing someone for any reason no matter who they are, what they've done or how evil they may be.
Ok, let’s see if I understand what you’re all saying… when David “assassinated” Goliath he was evil and should have been convicted of murder. But since he saved thousands of Israelites from slavery and death he was favored of God and eventually became king? How’d that happen?
Now I don’t follow Pat Robertson. In fact, I don’t believe anyone who says they can save my soul if I send them my money. I think that makes him a con man, preaching for “filthy lucre.”
But you have to wonder if maybe Ari Fleischer had a good point. When we invaded Iraq the first time, if we had sent a team of seals into Baghdad to take out Sadaam, we would have saved thousands of American and Iraqi lives. Of course we didn’t because everyone in Washington was high and mighty about not stooping to that and tarnishing our image. Haven’t we done other clandestine acts in times of war? Wouldn’t the miserable life of one evil man be outweighed by the lives of thousands of innocent people?
Kinda makes you think!
Monday, August 29, 2005
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Pulling Out Of Iraq
It's an awful fact that soldiers are not the only casualties of war. Mothers, fathers, familes are all affected. Lives are changed forever. Another terrible fact is that you can't reason with a terrorist. They have an ideal. They're obviously willing to give their lives for it. In fact, life is not important to them. That's why they torture and kill their enemies.
They hate Americans for many reasons. Their leaders, from Osama to Sadaam have vowed war on us. They view our attempts at negotiation as weakness. The last time we fought Sadaam, after we pulled out he claimed victory. He continued his reign of propaganda and terror. He tortured and killed his own people. He trained and funded insurgent groups. He stood proudly and defiantly in the face of the "capitalist pigs." And now, in spite of being captured as a coward, he is proclaiming himself a martyr in an attempt to further fuel the fires.
I don't like war. I never understood why countries had to send their children to be slaughtered because their leaders couldn't agree on something. Better to put the leaders in a ring and let 'em duke it out. Save a lot of lives and money that way. But this situation is different. Whether you agree or not with why we're in Iraq, we ARE there. Pulling out too soon will guarantee that the extremists will regain power and the citizens will lose across the board.
It will also send a message to terrorists everywhere that they are winning, that we truly are weak, that we don't keep our word. We're too busy arguing amongst ourselves and living our "infidel" lifestyles to care about what they do. We'll empower them to make bolder moves against us. It's no longer about staying out of other peoples' business. It's about stopping the disease before we become so infected that we can't survive.
They hate Americans for many reasons. Their leaders, from Osama to Sadaam have vowed war on us. They view our attempts at negotiation as weakness. The last time we fought Sadaam, after we pulled out he claimed victory. He continued his reign of propaganda and terror. He tortured and killed his own people. He trained and funded insurgent groups. He stood proudly and defiantly in the face of the "capitalist pigs." And now, in spite of being captured as a coward, he is proclaiming himself a martyr in an attempt to further fuel the fires.
I don't like war. I never understood why countries had to send their children to be slaughtered because their leaders couldn't agree on something. Better to put the leaders in a ring and let 'em duke it out. Save a lot of lives and money that way. But this situation is different. Whether you agree or not with why we're in Iraq, we ARE there. Pulling out too soon will guarantee that the extremists will regain power and the citizens will lose across the board.
It will also send a message to terrorists everywhere that they are winning, that we truly are weak, that we don't keep our word. We're too busy arguing amongst ourselves and living our "infidel" lifestyles to care about what they do. We'll empower them to make bolder moves against us. It's no longer about staying out of other peoples' business. It's about stopping the disease before we become so infected that we can't survive.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Smoke and Mirrors
"Remember the huge tobacco lawsuits of the late 1990's? Threatened with having to foot the bill for all smoking-related illnesses, the nation's largest tobacco companies agreed to pay 46 statesan unbelievable $206 billion. The idea was that the states would use the money 1) to pay for smoking prevention programs, and 2) to defray the costs of health care for smokers who got ill.
So far, however, less than 5% of the $33 billion paid out has gone to prevent smoking. And it gets worse: several states have earmarked their share of the money to help... the tobacco industry. In North Carolina, for example, $43 million of the $59 million they've received has gone to marketing and producing tobacco, the state's biggest crop. They bought equipment for farmers, built a new tobacco auction hall, and put $400,000 toward a new tobacco processing plant. Other states have used the money won from tobacco companies to buy stock- in tobacco companies."
Where is the accountability? Money that was mandated to help citizens who are suffering the effects of smoking is pumped back into the same filthy, decietful machine that caused the problem to begin with. I thought government was supposed to protect citizens, not invest in their deaths!
(Note: The article in quotes was used by permission and is copyright by the Bathroom Reader's Institute. It can be found in Uncle John's Unstoppable Bathroom Reader, 16th edition, p. 243. Some of the most fscinating, enjoyable reading I've found.)
So far, however, less than 5% of the $33 billion paid out has gone to prevent smoking. And it gets worse: several states have earmarked their share of the money to help... the tobacco industry. In North Carolina, for example, $43 million of the $59 million they've received has gone to marketing and producing tobacco, the state's biggest crop. They bought equipment for farmers, built a new tobacco auction hall, and put $400,000 toward a new tobacco processing plant. Other states have used the money won from tobacco companies to buy stock- in tobacco companies."
Where is the accountability? Money that was mandated to help citizens who are suffering the effects of smoking is pumped back into the same filthy, decietful machine that caused the problem to begin with. I thought government was supposed to protect citizens, not invest in their deaths!
(Note: The article in quotes was used by permission and is copyright by the Bathroom Reader's Institute. It can be found in Uncle John's Unstoppable Bathroom Reader, 16th edition, p. 243. Some of the most fscinating, enjoyable reading I've found.)
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
An Open Letter To Cindy Sheehan
Dear Cindy,
First let me tell you how sorry I am for your loss. No parent should have to lose a child. So many families have been changed forever because of military service. I have great respect for the young men and women who put their lives in jeopardy to serve in the armed forces, as well as for their families.
No matter how you feel about the reasons we are in Iraq, I wanted to tell you what Casey was involved in before he died. My best friend served there about the same time as your son. He tells stories that are vastly different from the ones we usually see in the media. He recalls men and women who made great sacrifices because they were proud to wear the uniform and be called Americans.
They freed millions of people from the rule of one of the most evil men alive. That man is now in prison and his equally evil sons are dead. They freed many thousands from torture and death. They not only brought food, medicine and protection to the people of Iraq, they brought them hope and freedom. They restored power, water, communication... rebuilt schools, hospitals, roads. Iraq now has a working education system for both boys and girls. Women have rights. They work, attend school, act as vital members of the community. People can speak without fear of a brutal death. Clinics and hospitals provide the needed health care. They have police and a functioning judicial system. They now have a government that's on the verge of a new constitution. And, contrary to the media, our young men and women have earned the gratitude of most Iraqis.
I think that makes Casey and his compadres heroes.
The resident loudmouths of this country don't want us to remember our sons and daughters that way. They want to fan the tainted flames of propaganda and rhetoric. They have an agenda. Both sides are using you. I'm sure you didn't intend that when you decided to take your stand, but you've become like a piece of meat in a huge feeding frenzy! Some may flatter you as long as you serve their purpose. Once the air time value starts to fade, you'll be dropped for the next hot potato. And where is Casey's memory now? Almost lost in the middle of the media circus. Instead of a hero, a champion of human rights, he's reduced (even in your own words) to just a murder victim. And in a strange reversal, you are trying to assume the role of champion!
Most of us have forgotten the horror we felt on 9/11; how we were galvanized into one national mindset against terrorism. We've slipped back into the political cesspool where we slant the truth and sling blame. One problem is it's hard to recognize the good while we're spewing hate. And the tragedy in this go-around is that we turn a blind eye to the enormous amount of good our soldiers have done and pretend they died in vain. What a vile, ungrateful thing to do!
Maybe it's time to do a little re-thinking. Casey offered the ultimate sacrifice. He gave his life for his country and for suffering people in a far away land. He knew this could happen when he enlisted, yet he served and died honorably. He should be remembered with honor, with love. Anything less would be a real shame. The further this situation progresses, the more his memory will be replaced by your actions. What you thought would be a crusade has turned into a carnival. Put the focus back on Casey. He was an instrument of peace. He helped saved lives and make lives better. Find a way to remember him without becoming part of the problem. Preserve as much dignity as possible. Take comfort in the fact that your voice was heard, but more important, you raised a hero. His, not yours, is the legacy that should be handed down.
One last thing... you mentioned in one of your posts the man who is responsible for your son's death. You're mistaken. There were two. One is hiding in a cave in Afghanistan and the other, thanks in part to Casey, is in prison awaiting trial.
Respectfully,
Mort
First let me tell you how sorry I am for your loss. No parent should have to lose a child. So many families have been changed forever because of military service. I have great respect for the young men and women who put their lives in jeopardy to serve in the armed forces, as well as for their families.
No matter how you feel about the reasons we are in Iraq, I wanted to tell you what Casey was involved in before he died. My best friend served there about the same time as your son. He tells stories that are vastly different from the ones we usually see in the media. He recalls men and women who made great sacrifices because they were proud to wear the uniform and be called Americans.
They freed millions of people from the rule of one of the most evil men alive. That man is now in prison and his equally evil sons are dead. They freed many thousands from torture and death. They not only brought food, medicine and protection to the people of Iraq, they brought them hope and freedom. They restored power, water, communication... rebuilt schools, hospitals, roads. Iraq now has a working education system for both boys and girls. Women have rights. They work, attend school, act as vital members of the community. People can speak without fear of a brutal death. Clinics and hospitals provide the needed health care. They have police and a functioning judicial system. They now have a government that's on the verge of a new constitution. And, contrary to the media, our young men and women have earned the gratitude of most Iraqis.
I think that makes Casey and his compadres heroes.
The resident loudmouths of this country don't want us to remember our sons and daughters that way. They want to fan the tainted flames of propaganda and rhetoric. They have an agenda. Both sides are using you. I'm sure you didn't intend that when you decided to take your stand, but you've become like a piece of meat in a huge feeding frenzy! Some may flatter you as long as you serve their purpose. Once the air time value starts to fade, you'll be dropped for the next hot potato. And where is Casey's memory now? Almost lost in the middle of the media circus. Instead of a hero, a champion of human rights, he's reduced (even in your own words) to just a murder victim. And in a strange reversal, you are trying to assume the role of champion!
Most of us have forgotten the horror we felt on 9/11; how we were galvanized into one national mindset against terrorism. We've slipped back into the political cesspool where we slant the truth and sling blame. One problem is it's hard to recognize the good while we're spewing hate. And the tragedy in this go-around is that we turn a blind eye to the enormous amount of good our soldiers have done and pretend they died in vain. What a vile, ungrateful thing to do!
Maybe it's time to do a little re-thinking. Casey offered the ultimate sacrifice. He gave his life for his country and for suffering people in a far away land. He knew this could happen when he enlisted, yet he served and died honorably. He should be remembered with honor, with love. Anything less would be a real shame. The further this situation progresses, the more his memory will be replaced by your actions. What you thought would be a crusade has turned into a carnival. Put the focus back on Casey. He was an instrument of peace. He helped saved lives and make lives better. Find a way to remember him without becoming part of the problem. Preserve as much dignity as possible. Take comfort in the fact that your voice was heard, but more important, you raised a hero. His, not yours, is the legacy that should be handed down.
One last thing... you mentioned in one of your posts the man who is responsible for your son's death. You're mistaken. There were two. One is hiding in a cave in Afghanistan and the other, thanks in part to Casey, is in prison awaiting trial.
Respectfully,
Mort
Saturday, August 13, 2005
What Makes Me Mad
You know what really makes me mad? When people post their feelings and opinions on the internet. I mean, who do they think they are? Why do they think their thoughts are so impostant that others should be exposed to them? As far as I'm concerned, anyone who'd do this would kiss a pig!
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