In response to the LAPD's iWatch ads asking us to observe each other in fear and report terrorist activities...

Seems to me the real terrorists are the ones who spread venom in an attempt to split the country in two and undermine the president. Those who have openly declared war on him and turned their backs to the needs of the people for the sake of putting party and themselves first above all else. And those who sell our representation to the lobbies for a mess of pottage. They're the ones we should be afraid of.

When terrorists from other lands strike it can galvanize us together in a common goal. But when the domestic kind preach and act they push us further into the "us vs. them" pattern that has threatened our Union since the first ships landed here. If our country falls, it won't be due to al qaeda or other predators, but rather to the subversives within our own borders and the effect we allow them to have on us all.

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/23/lapds-iwatch-terrorism-ad_n_331575.html

Dear Congressman Chaffetz

Dear Mr. Chaffetz,

First let me thank you. You were the only one of our legislators to take the time to answer my letter. I appreciate your effort and concern. It makes me feel as though perhaps the people do have a voice in Washington, albeit a small one. I also appreciate your directness in answering questions and issues without the usual Congressional doubletalk. Simple, clear. The rest of your group could learn a lot from you.

We differ on how to handle the economic crisis, though we share many of the same concerns. The first stab at the stimulus bill was certainly bloated and partisan. It was night and day better than the former administration's bail out, but you're right, it had the appearance of being cooked up in a Democrat back room. And I don't trust the Speaker or her friends.

What bothers me is how the Republicans all chose to play partisan games instead of represent the will of the people. Last November we made it very clear that we wanted Washington to take a new direction. We want change. We need it desperately. We watched as Congress lavished our money on Wall Street. Yet when it came time to do something positive for the citizens you refused.

We're in serious trouble. We're losing our jobs and homes at alarming rates. Personally I just lost my business, am facing a career change after more than 30 years and we barely saved our home from the auction block. I'm no different than millions of other citizens. While we're trying to keep from drowning, we see how financial and insurance companies are abusing our hard-earned dollars; how fuel and other corporations are making all time record profits; how our own legislators have the power to correct things but won't. Your answer... do nothing that directly impacts and lifts the rank & file, and give more tax breaks to businesses.

And to add insult to injury, after the bill passed without you, some are quietly supporting it while others are still refusing to accept funds for their constituents, people who want and need them.
With all due respect, I hope the members of Congress that have an "R" next to their names will put away Newt's book of party tactics and start listening to the people who voted them into office. And those with a "D" need to wipe the smirk off their faces. We need you all to work together for our interests for a change. With every election, those that don't will find themselves back in the private sector, watching Congress and hoping they'll represent them... for a change.

Sincerely,

An Open Letter To Congress

Ladies and Gentlemen of our Legislature:

We watched with interest as you responded to the financial crisis on Wall Street. Saw how you came together swiftly and worked as a team to help your friends in that industry. And while there are serious issues with how the money is being handled, still you acted.

We now watch with nausea as you seem intent on derailing any attempts to solve the greatest national crisis since the Depression. Instead of unifying for the common good you play partisan games. You negotiate your struggle for power. Plot to block the voice of “the enemy” at every turn. Waggle your fingers at everyone but yourselves for causing and not ending this terrible recession. It would be appropriate if each of you, Republican, Democrat, junior, senior, leader, rank and file, were to wear togas and play fiddles. You do the Washington Two-step while we, the people, are losing our homes and jobs at alarming rates. Normal Americans can’t afford to put food on the table or take their children to the doctor, but corporations are making record profits, stealing tax dollars for bonuses, hiding assets, and you sit in your hallowed halls with your backs squarely turned against the very people you were elected to represent.

The Whole point is…. You’ll do it for your “buddies” but not your country. That’s sick and VERY Un-American.

We realize it may be too much to ask you to give up your love affair with lobbies and corporate interests. Heaven forbid we should expect you to stop the influence peddling, pandering and wallet padding. And we mustn’t even think of hoping that each of you will obey the law and take responsibility for your actions and hollow promises. But just this once, when we really need you most, couldn’t you take a few minutes of your precious time and work together for the sake of the people?

It’s time to fish or cut bait. Take down the party pennants. Put down the microphones and swords. Belly up to the discussion bar, lock the door and don’t come out until you can shake hands and act in our interest for a change. If you don’t the problems will only get worse and we can’t afford that. And stop blaming the president we just elected for everything. America wants change. We made that clear with our votes. If you get with the program, that change will come. If not, there will be no one to blame but yourselves.

And keep in mind, your jobs are at risk, too. We, the people, are watching. What you do now will determine how we vote. Over the next several elections there may end up being no incumbents left in Washington. Unless you’re content with that prospect, choose right now to do your job. Put aside your petty squabbles and party differences. Leave the egos at the door. Take a stand for our sake, for the sake of your country. It’s the right, and necessary, thing to do.

A Concerned Citizen

John McCain, War Hero

Senator John McCain is playing the POW card. He claims his experience qualifies him to be commander in chief and president. It also protects him from his enemies. The “Hero Pulpit” is high above the crowd and beyond reproach. If that's true, why are his records sealed and the subject taboo? And not just his military records here but the careful notes and logs made by his captors in Vietnam?

Here's a few things we DO know:

1.He graduated at the bottom of his class at the naval academy. Some reports state that he wouldn't have graduated at all if not for his father, the decorated admiral.
2.He crashed 5 planes.
3.He broke both his arms, not from abuse by Viet Cong but failing to hold them in when he ejected after being shot down.
4.He received special treatment in POW camps due to his father's position.
5.He gave military and other information to his captors in exchange for medical treatment not afforded other prisoners.
6.He made 32 propaganda films/tapes for the Viet Cong.
7.He was given access to dignitaries and international reporters.
8.He was kept away from other prisoners much of the time (which makes verification conveniently tough).
9.He was given the nickname “Songbird” because he so freely gave out information.
10.He snubbed the villager that saved his life after the crash, but maintained a life-long relationship with one of his captors.
11.He was not promoted after being released, which is often the case.
12.He went to great lengths to have his military and POW records sealed.
13.He also fought to seal the records of other MIA/POW's and prevent their families from investigating and trying to recover their loved ones.
14.He continues to hedge against benefits for GI's, even though he is the recipient of those benefits.

His whole campaign is based on his status as a war hero. But if he's really the hero he claims to be, why not release the records? Why change and embellish the few stories he likes to repeat? Why not help others who are still missing their soldiers in Vietnam after all these years? Why not speak out for better treatment of GI's and veterans? Why not talk about his experiences candidly and answer questions frankly instead of holding them up as a banner of unimpeachable glory?

Don't get me wrong. I don't question his patriotism. I think we owe a huge debt of gratitude to all our service men and women. They risk and often give their lives for us, while we sit comfortably at our computers and complain to each other about how hard life is. In that respect, John McCain is a hero, just like all the others who wear the uniform in harm's way.

But General Clark was right. In going over his list of experiences, I can't see how any of them qualify him to be president. They certainly don't prove him to be a great military tactician. If anything they point toward failure.

Is this the kind of president we want? One who hides behind the flag, whose only focus is war, and who gets his advice from the lobbyists who work to subvert our economy and our rights? I don't think so! It's time for John McCain to take his place on bingo night at the DAV lodge, where he can tell his stories any way he likes. We need a president who's up to the task of improving ethics on the hill and solving the terrible problems we face here, at home.




References:

http://prisonplanet.com/articles/february2008/020708_never_tortured.htm
http://polidics.com/ethics/fellow-pows-say-john-mccain-was-a-coward-and-a-traitor-in-viet-nam.html
-U.S. News and World Report, May 14, 1973 article written by former POW John McCain
http;//iperceive.net.
Faith of My Fathers by John McCain.
The Nightingale’s Song
The Phoenix New Times March 25, 1999
New York Daily News, June 5, 1969
The interview with Dr. Fernando Barral, a Spanish psychiatrist, was published in the Havana Granma in January 1970. March 25, 1999, The Phoenix New Times
http://www.usvetdsp.com/mcprsrel.htm
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-542277/How-war-hero-John-McCain-betrayed- Vietnamese-peasant-saved-life.html
http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com/cin_declassified_landing.htm

Fighting for the Right to Choose

If it's wanted, it's a child. If not, it's just tissue.

Personally, I think society would be better served by "fighting" for widespread education on prevention and responsibility rather than fighting for more widespread abortion. They're already legal and routinely available. But isn't it better to teach our kids to avoid problems and be responsible for themselves rather than simply flushing whatever "minor annoyances" come their way?


I'm not talking about abstinence only education. Our kids needs every tool available to protect themselves from a host of dangers, complications and life changing situations. While abstinence is the only sure way, it's unrealistic to expect that of everyone. They need a wide range approach. To be prepared, they need to understand all the risks, all the ways to protect themselves and be instilled with a sense of responsibility for their actions.

Simply fighting for greater acceptance of abortion isn't a solution. It's a cheap excuse to relieve us all of responsibility. There's a tendency in our culture to dispose of our problems rather than manage them. We throw away marriage, family, children, friendships, financial and legal obligations, jobs, anything that might take extra effort. Trouble is, we don't learn anything and we end up losing out on the things that can bring the most joy into our lives, all for the sake of convenience.

Nowadays, with all we understand about HIV/AIDS, std's, etc, it's more important than ever to think before we act. If you don't want to be at risk for pregnancy or other things, it's very easy to prevent them. We're not mindless animals who must have unprotected sex at every opportunity.

Yes, there are situations where abortion should be considered. But it must never be touted as the normal form of birth control when there are so many things we could have done to prevent it. Whether you consider a fetus tissue or a child, wouldn't it make sense to prevent it from forming rather than having to rip it out afterwards?


This is in response to an article on Huffington Post by Frances Kissling, "The Best Candidate For Choice." She describes her many years of fighting for the right to choose, and how it applies to the current presidential candidates.

The Best Candidate For Choice

Celebrating Our Differences Into The Toilet

Clarence B. Jones wrote an article for Huffington Post. Clinton vs. Obama: Lest We Forget
He discussed the racial overtones that have been needlessly injected into the battle for the nomination for president, as well as a perceived struggle between race and sex discrimination. He talked about the life's message of Martin Luther King, Jr, his impact on us all and how we should be continuing in the path of tolerance and understanding.

Here are a few of my own thoughts...

It's too bad we even have to have this discussion. Many have devoted and even sacrificed their lives to make this a better country. We stand in their shadow and reap the rewards, yet we wear their suffering on our sleeves as if it were our own. Some are quick to offend and others take offense easily. The rest of us range from simple voyeurs to tag team slugging partners. Whether racist, sexist, religious or any other form, bias is ugly.

It shows up in many ways, too. Outright discrimination and abuse, crude jokes, slanderous speech, insensitivity, indifference. But also crying race as a tactic, harboring resentment for things that didn't happen to us personally, overgeneralizing and even celebrating one's race or working to advance one against another.

As long as we tolerate bias, we'll always be "us vs them." Instead of focusing on color, ethnicity, sex, lifestyle or other differences we should be working together to be better neighbors, citizens, Americans.

Beautiful walls are made by blending hues, not by throwing on colors that compete for attention. Our country is a grand melting pot. We can come together in a fine way, or continue to promote our differences as uneasy tenants and enemies. In which case the sacrifices of our forebearers will have been for nothing.

Cults, Religion and Politics

Many are quick to blame all religion for the abuses and crimes of some kooks. Jesus never taught the things they do. They distort the gospel to serve their own perverted interests.

But then, we do the same thing politically. Our party system makes enemies of us all. The Constitution was designed to ensure our rights, freedoms and help us work together as citizens. Yet politicians abuse it for their own gain and we end up hating each other along party lines.
Parties are a lot like cults. We pay homage to flawed leaders, follow and defend policies that serve special interests and benifit mainly the elite. And we mistrust and spew venom at anyone who marches to a different drummer.

The problems aren't caused by faith in either the Constitution or the Savior. But rather in "radical clerics" of whatever flavor. And in our tendency to be an us vs. them society. People who are quick to criticize but apathetic about extending a hand. Sad!



This was submitted to Huffington Post as a response to anti-religious comments after an article about cults.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mona-ackerman/when-a-loved-one-joins-a-_b_78302.html

"Do-Something Democrats"

Senator Kennedy recently wrote an article at Huffington Post. First he decried the Republicans for being the do-nothing congress. Then he applauded the Dems, calling them the "Do_Something Democrats." As proof, he touted himself for "dramatically reforming our education financing system" by introducing legislation to reduce student loan interest rates.

Making a decent education more affordable is a good thing. And I'm glad at least someone thinks members of congress can accomplish anything!

But I think it's a little early for that moniker, Mr. Kennedy. Your party took control of congress with grandios promises to make sweeping changes in the first 100 hours. Paramount on that list was ending the war in Iraq and raising the ethics bar in Washington. After all the negative screeching about Pres. Bush and his "lies and illegal war", all you could come up with was a SYMBOLIC statement against escalating the battle. How pathetic is that? Where is the bitter resolve we've been listening to for years?

And the ethics reform? A couple of small hoops for lobbyists to tiptoe through as they do their influence peddling dance around the halls of congress. What about ending the lobby entirely? What about making members of congress responsible for their actions?

How do you and the others in the new-improved legislature sleep at night? You make non-binding statements and minor changes to make yourself look good, and all the while you continue to pad your wallets with corporate money and turn your backs on your constituents and the young people dying overseas. Each time you pat yourselves on the back it makes a distictly hollow sound!

Do you really want to accomplish something? Get everybody together and put a stop to the war. Then permanently end the lobby and make profound ethical changes. Then put a stranglehold on corporate oil, drugs and tobacco. Do that, and you'll have the whole country behind you to accomplish all the other things we desperately need.

Ethics and Lobby Reform in Washington

Today there's talk of a new ethics reform package in Congress. Democrats want to make some changes so they'll look better than Republicans, but they argue about just how far to take it. Seems no one in Washington is very eager to empty the vast lake of money, influence and perks available to them. They want to put a little damper on the lobbies. That's like saying "Influence peddling is a big deal to us, but we want to make it less obvious for appearance sake."

Here's what I think must be included in an ethics reform bill.....

1. Outlaw the lobby. Period!
2. Mandatory term limits
3. No retirement package
4. Standard health care
5. Salary subject to activity. No vote, no check. 50% there, 1/2 check.
6. Liability for ALL criminal activity
7. Pay raises according to min wage and budget deficits.
8. Even, public funded campaigns.

THAT... would be a good start!

Then we can address the many other problems that comprise the sloth machine in our overblown bureaucracy.

Democrats Win The House And Senate

I can't wait until the change is in place with congress. The country will be safe again, the war will end, there will be a full pot on every table, fuel prices will drop, the economy will soar and the whole world will be a beautiful garden. Did you know that a democrat's feces doesn't stink? They all have honesty flowing in their veins. They think only of their neighbors and constituents. They all do an honest days work and they never, ever break the law.

There will be no use for lobbyists because Dems are immune to influence peddling. They refuse to pander to corporations. And they're all staunch environmentalists. The lives of fish and caribou will never again be tainted by the demon crude oil. There will be no unwanted or handicapped children. There will soon be a complete cure for every disease. Pedophelia and spouse abuse will be things of a forgotten past.

And there won't be any need to further reform Congress. Dems are self sufficient. They don't rely on perks, grand salaries, retirement packages or deluxe heath care. They limit their terms of office voluntarily, never vote for their own pay raises, and are totally, fiscally responsible.

Did I mention that a Democrat's crap doesn't stink?

My Christmas Wish

This was a letter to a best friend, a soldier serving in Baghdad...

I'm thinking tonight how grateful I am that you and so many others are willing to sacrifice so much. We're sitting home, fat, lazy, safe (or at least relatively safe in this neighborhood!), trying to get the spirit of Christmas in our hum drum little lives. We seem almost oblivious to the fact that you're over there, a million miles from home, family, loved ones, in the valiant struggle for freedom.

We think we have it rough here. Financial troubles, traffic jams, angry bosses, pesky neighbors, the occasional sound of a gunshot from somewhere else. You're seeing the other side of life first-hand. How different it would be here if it weren't for you who have either put your lives at risk or given them up entirely to ensure our safety. Someone asked, where are Bat Man, Superman and the other superheroes when we need them? Well, we don't need them when we have you! The men and women of the armed forces. You are the real heroes. We owe you a debt we could never repay. And the way we act sometimes, I hope we're worth it.

We whine and complain. We distort the truth to fit our political slant.We are quick to point a finger at others and slow to take responsibility, unless it makes us look good. We are a breeding ground for laws, lawsuits and lawbreaking. We remove God from our lives and then blame Him for our problems. We are a country of greedy, selfish, pompous asses. At first glance, it might seem better if God would just wipe the country clean and start over.

But we are also a country of hard workers. Of people who dream, and sometimes fulfill those dreams. We were founded on principles of faith, and most still cling to those standards. We are a society of freedom. Free to speak our mind. Free to move about. Free to worship. Free to help our neighbor. Free to reach our highest potential or wallow in the lowest depths And we owe those freedoms,in large part, to you... in Baghdad, and around the world.

My Christmas wish for you is that God will reward you generously for your efforts. That He will keep you safe and bring you home soon.That your families will be provided for well in your absence. That loneliness will be replaced with comfort. That He will guide you in your activities. That you will continue to do your best and act honorably.That your work will help to bring peace to a troubled world and keep our nation free. And that we will be more deserving of your service and sacrifice.

Merry Christmas
(Written 12/25/03)

A Liberal Agenda

People complain that "progressives" don't have a platform. Here's one list of beliefs ascribed to liberals. Interestingly, all but one of these are based, at least in part, on rational thought.

SAVE THE: Environment. Humans rape, plunder and pollute the earth with little thought for the future.

SAVE THE: Ozone layer. Our chemicals and emissions damage this protective layer of our atmosphere.

SAVE THE: Caribou and Alaskan wilderness from destruction by the oil industry. (Why is it so easy to complain about dependence on foreign oil, but we refuse to allow an increase in local oil and nuclear energy, and just can't get any other energy sources going either? Just asking!)

SAVE THE: Wetlands. Not only habitat for water foul and other wildlife, but protection for our cities. ( The drowning of New Orleans was the fault of big oil and the government)

SAVE THE: Parks. We have millions and millions of protected square miles within our borders. Mountains, deserts, forests, prairies, the works. We need more! And they must be protected from the use of humans at all costs.

SAVE THE: Americans from corrupt oil companies, big businesses, gun lobbies, religion and the crooked government.

SAVE THE: Whales from the whaling industry and injury from sonar equipment.

SAVE THE: Fish from pollution from industries and oil tankers.

SAVE THE: Animals from laboratory testing of any kind, from abuse and from the fur makers.

SAVE THE: Poor and elderly. Our system made them and holds them in their situation. We must provide for them.

SAVE THE: Criminals. Again, we created them. It's not their fault. There should be no death penalty. It's immoral to kill someone for any reason. Their rights and comfort must be protected way beyond those of their victims.

SAVE THE: Enemies. Terrorists only react to our crimes. The world leaders who slaughter their own are of no consequence to us. Their threats against us are meaningless. When we go to war, it's our fault. Innocent civilians are only killed by us. Insurgents are our friends. All death and destruction from war is the fault of our president and that makes him a murderer. Excuse all members of congress who approved war, but have since come to their senses and speak out against it.

SAVE THE: Government. All branches of government are infested with criminals. But the only ones who's offenses matter are the ones who's political philosophy is right of center. They must be vilified at every opportunity, while we protect the reputation of our "own."

BUT DON'T SAVE THE: Embryo and fetus. They are just worthless tissue. They can be destroyed for any reason with no thought of responsibility. They can be cut up and experimented on, ripped to shreds with instruments, burned with solutions and have their brains sucked out. It doesn't matter because we have decreed that there is no life there. We ignore the beating heart, the working circulatory and nervous systems, the response to light, touch and other stimuli, the complete genetic profile, the promise of life and the future of our species.



For all the talk about saving everything and making sure every living thing has rights and protection, thinking of the future for our children and their children's children, we have decided that the only thing in this world that has no rights and is entirely expendable is the unborn child. The very seed of our existence, joy of our lives and hope for our future is a "lifeless glob of cells."
So much for the liberal agenda!

Eliminate the Lobby

In light of the recent lobbying scandals, I posted the following comments on Huffington Post. It's a response to Ms. Huffingtons article on lobbyists who have family ties to politicians.

Don't start with just family ties. Lobbying should be outlawed, period! Congress isn't there to serve special interest. They're supposed to serve the people. Their capacity to do that is destroyed by the constant "wine and dine, scratch each other's back" mentality in Washington.

Gone are the old days when representatives met at great personal sacrifice, in a locked room with no ventilation, and drafted the Constitution. Where are the men and women of honor who devoted their lives to making this country a better place? Instead we have prople who make a career of wallowing in perks, padding each other's wallets, feeding their bloated egos and acting irresponsibly without consequence.

Start with eliminating the lobby. Then move on to term limits and all the other reforms we need on the hill.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/lobbying-reform-lets-cu_b_17990.html

Another Weather Disaster

This text is from a county emergency manager out in the western part of North Dakota after the recent snow storm. I wish I could meet him and shake his hand.

WEATHER BULLETIN

Up here in the Northern Plains we just recovered from an Historic event ---

may I even say a "Weather Event" of "Biblical Proportions" --- with a historic blizzard of up to 44" inches of snow and winds to 90 MPH that broke trees in half, knocked down utility poles, stranded hundreds of motorists in lethal snow banks, closed ALL roads, isolated scores of communities and cut power to 10's of thousands.

FYI:

* George Bush did not come....
* FEMA did nothing....
* No one howled for the government...
* No one blamed the government
* No one even uttered an expletive on TV...
* Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton did not visit
* Our Mayor's did not blame Bush or anyone else
* Our Governor did not blame Bush or anyone else either
* CNN, ABC, CBS, FOX, or NBC did not visit - or report on this category 5 snow storm
* Nobody demanded $2,000 debit cards.....
* No one asked for a FEMA Trailer House....
* No one looted....
* Nobody - I mean Nobody demanded the government do something
* Nobody expected the government to do anything either
* No Larry King, No Bill O'Rielly, No Oprah, No Chris Mathews and No Geraldo Rivera
* No Shaun Penn, No Barbara Striesand, No Hollywood types to be found

And

* Nope, we just melted the snow for water
* Sent out caravans of SUV's to pluck people out of snow engulfed cars
* The truck drivers pulled people out of snow banks and didn't ask for a penny
* Local restaurants made food and the police and fire departments delivered it to the snow bound families
* Families took in the stranded people - total strangers
* We Fired up wood stoves
* Broke out coal oil lanterns or Coleman lanterns
* We put on an extra layers of clothes because up here it is "Work or Die"
* We did not wait for some affirmative action government to get us out of a mess created by being immobilized by a welfare program th at trades votes for 'sittin at home' checks.
* Even though a Category "5" blizzard of this scale has never fallen this early...we know it can happen and how to deal with it ourselves.

resourcefully!!!!!!!!!

Corruption in Congress

With the Democrat witch hunt going on right now, it's easy to lose sight of the whole picture. All parties and government bodies are infested with corruption. Our system breeds it. We send these people to represent us. In the process they get power and money. They have lobbyists clammoring to schmooze and woo them. They get perks up the wazoo. And... we usually look the other way as they break the laws and trust they were elected to protect.

In the interest of fairness, here are a few links to articles about some Dem's involved in the "game:"

Democratic Senators Who Live In Glass Houses... Kevin Aylward

The most corrupt member of Congress?
Doug Thompson

Extremely Corrupt Democrats mole333

Leftists Corrupt the Pulpit Michael Reagan

Lawmakers For Hire

We need to make some changes. Accountability, term limits, ban on lobbies, to name a few. If we don't, congress is guaranteed to grow bigger, richer and far more corrupt (if that's possible!)

Pick A Side And Stick With It

Cindy,

I started my usual activity of finding all the contradictions and mistakes in your article. This time, though, I had to stop. I realized there's a bigger picture here.

I was remembering all you've written about prayers, and faith, and vigils. How you countered Congresswoman Musgrave's "hostility" with an offer to pray for her serviceman son. How you felt the need to shower after meeting with some of the legislators.

And the more I read your words, the more I realized that they are filled with contention and hate. It became clear that these are the words of someone who will say and do anything to prove a point. Your constant name-calling and mud slinging is supposedly offset, somehow, by your "Joan of Arc" personna. You're no more a Christian than Pat Robertson is!

I used to think you were a grieving mother who became disillusioned and deluded. Now I recognize you as just another activist with an axe to grind.

Your talk of faith and prayer reminded me how Jesus spoke of those who pray openly- to be seen by others. How their words speak of Him but their hearts are far from Him. Stop using your faith as a badge and a tool. It's unbecoming. You can't declare the love of Christ and spit venom in the same breath.

You make life harder for those with real faith, especially with all the anti-religion bigots out there. Jesus taught love, tolerance, forgiveness. Not hate, intolerance and name-calling. Pick a side and stick with it!

(This post was written in response to Cindy Sheehan's article on Huffington Post:)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cindy-sheehan/warhawk-republicans-and-_b_8312.html

Cindy's Visit To Louisiana

Cindy,

Your article was interesting. I do have to ask you a few questions…

“The people in LA who were displaced have nice, if modest homes that are perfectly fine. I wonder why the government made them leave at great expense and uproot families who have been living in their communities for generations.”

Where have you been? Many of those homes are under water or destroyed. And lots of those “nice” homes are slums. Did you actually go to New Orleans or look at any pictures? And it was the local and state leaders who gave the evacuation order- which was DESIGNED TO SAVE THEIR LIVES!

“When I think of how many other poor neighborhoods are being decimated and made so desperate and hopeless by the failed policies of the Bush administration, it makes me so angry”

Don’t understand much about the welfare system, do you? It’s a breeding ground for dependence. It was that way LONG BEFORE Pres. Bush, and if the Dem’s get their way this next election it will outlive us all. Not to mention the huge problem of government corruption in New Orleans. Their own leaders have been fostering poverty for years.

“One thing that truly troubled me about my visit to Louisiana was the level of the military presence there.”

Ummm, again, where have you been? There’s been a huge argument by dem’s about how there aren’t enough troops because of Iraq and how the feds wouldn’t get the guard in fast enough. They are there to help in many ways. Why are some being used to keep the peace? Because some of the locals are living in anarchy. Looting for food is one thing I think we might all do. But when they overpower the police, steal and destroy property, terrorize the citizens and shoot at rescuers, I think you can safely say they’ve crossed the line. And you cry “governmental fascism.” Shame on you!

“If George Bush truly listened to God and read the words of the Christ, Iraq and the devastation in New Orleans would have never happened.”

So now you claim Pres. Bush isn’t truly religious because he can’t control the weather?

“The failure in every level of our government is criminal negligence.”

You say that, but the only finger you point is at Bush. Are you saying that he’s responsible for everyone’s criminal negligence? He made Mayor Nagin ignore his own disaster plan? He made Gov. Blanco drag her feet? And everyone else that had a part in the grand dropping of the ball?

You talk a lot about your visit to Algiers. How they came through the hurricane relatively unscathed, and yet they were devastated. How there was no flooding there, but they want a boat to provide help to people in flooded areas. How the poor were forced from their nice homes in spite of the approach of the largest hurricane disaster in American history. How lawlessness is rampant, but you want the soldiers moved out immediately. How there was no help for them until your Veterans for Peace showed up to save the day. You convey the message that Algiers is a town with no leadership, who are totally dependent on the federal government which does nothing, and they are now saved by you and your flock. Does that about cover your editorial?

And then you manage to get in this statement: “One thing George has taught us is that we are self-sufficient and we have a country that is worth fighting for and we are not going away.” So the “greatest terrorist in the world” taught us that we who totally depend on the government are self sufficient, that our country is worth fighting for even though you abhor having our soldiers fight abroad and at home. And that you are not going away, which you will because Algiers is only a short photo op on your way to Washington!

Cindy, you either need a new speech writer or you need to take your medication and get some rest. The country will be okay without you while you’re gone.

Note: Cindy Sheehan's article can be found at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cindy-sheehan/a-bright-spot-in-bush-wor_b_7433.html

Banning the Pledge of Allegiance?

I'm so sick of us having to tippytoe around and change our policies and beliefs because someone might be offended.

This is America. You are free to believe whatever you want here. But when one faction tries to force their beliefs on the other by law, that is unconstitutional. It shouldn't be allowed. That's what's happening here. Atheists, who are a very small minority, are trying to force the whole of the nation to comply with their own beliefs. They have convinced judges they're right, which makes it a legal case promoting one "faith" over another. That's expressly forbidden in the constitution.

"Offended" is a much abused term. Here it's an emotion brought on by the intolerance of a few toward the many. Wow, what a great reason to legislate against the majority of the country!

In America, we celebrate Christmas. If you don't believe in Santa Claus, that's your business. But don't take away our right to celebrate just because you happen to differ. Part of celebrating Christmas is remembering Jesus with reverance. If you don't believe in Jesus, that's fine. Celebrate whatever you want or whoever you want. I don't go to Iran and tell them not to observe Ramadan. I don't disrespect Jews for their holidays and beliefs. If you're the only Jew in a school full of Christians, don't take the school board to court because you might be offended that they celebrate the holiday with programs and songs. It's a national holiday, for crying out loud!

In America, most of us believe in God. Some worship a heavenly man. Some worship a vaporous cloud. Some worship money. Some worship themselves and expect us to. Some choose not to worship. Whatever. Your right to worship or not isn't more important than mine. Tolerance!

In America, we speak english. If you want to live here, you should learn it. If I moved to Bolivia and expected their government to cater to me, do you think they would? But here, we spend millions publishing everything in 40 languages so we won't "offend" somebody.

In school we learn American history coupled with patriotism. The pledge of allegiance is part of that. If you don't like it, don't say it, but don't take it away from the rest of us.

If there's something you'd like changed, bring it up with your congressman. If it has merit, it can be voted on.

America was born of a desire for freedom. Freedom from tyrants, freedom to worship, freedom to speak our minds. Part of having those freedoms is having tolerance for others, and that goes both ways. Someone is going to have a different set of values than you. If you don't like what I believe, that's your right. If you allow yourself to become offended, get over it!

If you don't like it here, there's the door. Don't let it hit you where the good Lord split you!
Americans, don't bow down to the intolerant few who want to force us to comply. Be proud of who we are. Stand up for a change and be counted.

Veterans For Peace- Shopping List

The Veterans for Peace have set up shop in Covington, LA. Their anti-war "road trip" is taking a break to help victims of hurricane Katrina, which I think everyone would applaud (until we get to the fine print). They've issued a shopping list of things they need in order to be effective in helping, and here's where the problems start. They want our donations so they can pay for nurses, food bank trucks, self contained kitchens and office and media equipment. Nurses, ok. Food bank trucks, well, maybe. Self contained kitchens... isn't that a bit much? And office/media equipment. What? Did I hear that right- office and media equipment?

Depending on which site you get the list from, they want up to $45,000 of our donations to pay for the following:

(5) Apple iMac G5 Computer 20" Monitor = $3,000 each
(5) 500 Gigabyte Firewire Harddrive= $500 each
(5) Canon XL2Digital Video Camera = $4,500 each
(2) Digital Projector (3000 lumens) =$1,000 each
(5) Apple iPods with recording = $600 each
Monthly Satellite Access and Website Hosting Fee = $200 pr/mo

Do they think the American people are STUPID? Why would we spend that kind of money to upgrade their media wagon when we could be using those funds to feed and clothe the suffering? Not to mention those grotesquely overpriced TOYS have no business being there anyway.

Veterans for Peace are using the disaster to scam us into outfitting them for their pilgrimage into the political arena. Shame on them!

How about those self contained kitchens and food service trucks and vans. Will they be leaving all that stuff in New Orleans for the benefit of the people? And this rolling media center, in their own words- "will support refugees, volunteers, Red Cross, staff, press, keep in touch through via email, web, blogs, and teleconferencing. In order to insure our message gets out." And there it is, folks, the whole reason behind the humanitarian effort and the huge expense-

"In order to insure our message gets out!"

Dear veterans, if you need all this stuff to be "truely effective" in helping the disaster victims, as you say, then maybe you're not cut out for charity work. By your own admission, you're not effective. That means you're in the way. Go home and let someone be there who will make do with what they have for the right reasons. We will not trust our donations to someone who uses them for their own agenda under the guise of hurricane relief.

By the way, how many hungry mouths will an ipod feed?



Here are links to some of their sites in case you want to see for yourself:
http://crawfordpeace.nfshost.com/node/1865
http://www.vfpsb.org/
http://www.vfproadtrips.org/

New Orleans Bush Bashing

First, let me say how horrifying Katrina's devastation is. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims. This article is in no way directed at them in this terrible hour. It's written in response to Van Jones' editorial Bush's Role in the Drowning of New Orleans on Huffington Post. Lots of people are so quick to blame the federal government for everything bad that happens in America. In this case, most of that blame actually belongs to others. And the pundits can't see that all this bashing helps to divide the nation instead of pulling us together to aid those who so desperately need our help.

* * * * *

Everybody's so quick to blame "W" for all of this. In your article you blame him for the flooding because he diverted money. We were in the middle of a war. Should we have said, hmmm, let's leave our servicemen more ill-equipped and pour money into something that might happen years down the road? I imagine if he'd had a crystal ball things might have been a little different. "Experts" have been warning us of disaster for years. I don't know a state or city that has completely prepared for anything. You gonna blame that on W too?

New Orleans has known about the problem for how long? If you want to blame someone, blame the city fathers for not doing more about the situation and protecting their citizens. Blame the city planners for building below sea level in the middle of lakes and next to a gulf, and putting the city in a bowl with no drainage. Blame the CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) who should have stepped right in with a plan developed years ago. Community first, then state, then federal. That's how it works.

You forget that when they ran a mock flood several years ago, 1/3 of the citizens said they'd refuse to evacuate no matter what the government said, even if it was a hurricane. If I were given 3 days warning of an approaching hurricane and I couldn't drive my family out, by hell I'd walk them out! I wouldn't just sit there and blame everyone for making it happen and not rescuing me fast enough.

Another thing... you just have to play the RACE CARD, don't you. Take a natural disaster and turn it into whites hating blacks. I think color was the LEAST of anyone's worries as they tried to get out. It's true that most of NO's survivors are poor and black, which was also true of the community before the flood. That doesn't make it a race issue. It means that New Orleans had a large number of PEOPLE who were poor, under educated and stuck in a rut. Blame the city for not working hard enough to train and motivate them. Blame the welfare system for making it too easy to live on checks and stamps. Blame the people for not having the balls to stand up and change their own lives. Blame bleeding hearts like you who find it easier to complain about it than to dig in and help people improve their lives.

Better yet, stop blaming. There are far too many who need our help, and they need it NOW. Put down the poisoned pen and either start writing checks or handing out food and water. The way to insure America's survival is to help each other instead of tearing each other down.