Think About It

Obama's Journey Towards Appeasement

Wow, President Bush hit a nerve when he spoke to Israel’s Knesset.   Barack Obama and the usual suspects in the Democratic Party went ballistic.  So, what did Bush say that upset our liberal friends?  Bush spoke to Israel’s parliament on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Jewish state, and as would have been expected, he pledged U.S. support for Israel and placed Iran on notice.  I am quoting much of President Bush’s speech, because it was a good speech, a speech that Churchill would have been proud to make.   "America is with you in breaking up terrorist networks and denying the extremists' sanctuary. And America stands with you in firmly opposing Iran's nuclear weapons ambitions. Permitting the world's leading sponsor of terror to possess the world's deadliest weapon would be an unforgivable betrayal of future generations. For the sake of peace, the world must not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon," said Bush.

Bush’s speech could have been given by a European leader before one of the crusades.  “The fight against terror and extremism is the defining challenge of our time. It is more than a clash of arms. It is a clash of visions, a great ideological struggle… This struggle is waged with the technology of the 21st century, but at its core it is an ancient battle between good and evil. The killers claim the mantle of Islam, but they are not religious men. No one who prays to the God of Abraham could strap a suicide vest to an innocent child, or blow up guiltless guests at a Passover Seder, or fly planes into office buildings filled with unsuspecting workers. In truth, the men who carry out these savage acts serve no higher goal than their own desire for power. They accept no God before themselves.

President Bush goes on to make it quite clear that the U.S. and Israel are now together in the struggle against radical Islam.  “And that is why the founding charter of Hamas calls for the "elimination" of Israel. And that is why the followers of Hezbollah chant "Death to Israel, Death to America!" That is why Osama bin Laden teaches that "the killing of Jews and Americans is one of the biggest duties," said Bush.

“Then Bush turned his attention to the naïve among us.  “There are good and decent people who cannot fathom the darkness in these men and try to explain away their words. It's natural, but it is deadly wrong. As witnesses to evil in the past, we carry a solemn responsibility to take these words seriously.  Jews and Americans have seen the consequences of disregarding the words of leaders who espouse hatred. And that is a mistake the world must not repeat in the 21st century.

“President Bush then goes on to utter those lines that caused a hysterical breakdown within the Democratic leadership.  “Some seem to believe that we should negotiate with the terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along. We have heard this foolish delusion before. As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939, an American senator declared: "Lord, if I could only have talked to Hitler, all this might have been avoided." We have an obligation to call this what it is — the false comfort of appeasement, which has been repeatedly discredited by history.

“Some people suggest if the United States would just break ties with Israel, all our problems in the Middle East would go away. This is a tired argument that buys into the propaganda of the enemies of peace, and America utterly rejects it. Israel's population may be just over 7 million. But when you confront terror and evil, you are 307 million strong, because the United States of America stands with you,” said Bush.

“It is questionable whether Obama really took that much offense to President Bush’s comments or he simply saw this as a good opportunity to stir a national debate about the merits of face-to-face discussions with our adversaries in the Middle-East.  If that was Obama’s intent, then he has succeeded.  There are pros and cons to face-to-face discussions – and we will hear them all in the next few months.”

Questions: 

Is it wise to enter into sit-downs with the leaders of Hamas or Hezbollah?

Should our President meet with the President of Iran?

Obama has cited previous cases where U.S. Presidents have met successfully with our enemies.  He cites Reagan and Gorbachev, and Nixon and Mao as examples.  Did it work then and will it work now?

The Origins of the New Morality

"Ernie" has some thoughts on today's morality.

"I don't consider myself a conspiracy nut (though I am convinced a devious group is constantly at work keeping the Cubs out of a world series), so I'm totally confused about the downward plunge of American culture and values.  Is there a conspiracy afoot to destroy us from within, or is this just the normal outcome of a free society?  If it's a conspiracy, who's the architect and who's keeping it going?  Is it mush brained liberals?  Islamic terrorists?  Communists?  Rosie O'Donnell?  Reverend Wright?  Liberal media?  I don't know the answer, but I think we need to take whatever time is necessary to study this deterioration and get it reversed.  It's truly destroying us.

Look at today's immorality and the country's seeming lack of concern about it.  Whether it's drugs, porn, homosexuality, greed, corruption, rampant promiscuity, filth driven entertainment, supporting a Muslim for president, or any of the other deadly sins, it's obvious that the "problem" is growing and shows no signs of lessening.  It's sadly becoming the norm.  Even TV commercials are so full of sexual content they should be rated X.  I went into the bank the other day and the 2 young female tellers were wearing blouses that were barely keeping their un-bra'd boobs from falling out on the counter.  That kind of attire may be fine for hookers walking Sunset Boulevard, but not in a bank.  You have to ask why they think dressing that way is acceptable, and why bank managers allow it.  I guess when they see their Hollywood idols dressing that way and changing sex partners on a weekly basis, it's got to be OK.  Right?

In all this immorality I have to ask, "what is the purpose of it all?"  Why is it so important to those in influential industries to force this indecency upon us?  Is it just to see how far they can push the envelope, or is it part of a conspiratorial left wing agenda?  Why wouldn't it be more appropriate to force higher moral values on us?  Filth makes more money?  Probably as good an explanation as any.

And lastly, how do we stop it and start moving back to the moral values and Christian principles that formed this once magnificent country?  You can't look at the GOP for help.  They've not shown one inkling of willingness to buck the liberal agenda.  After all, what's more important?  Standing up for decency or getting reelected?  They've almost totally abandoned the conservative base of the party.  Think about it.  They had 8 years to prepare potential candidates for the presidential race and what did we get?   A 70+ year old democrat in Republican clothing named John McCain.

Anyway, just some of my thoughts.  I'd like to hear yours.  Thanks.

Ernie"

Animal Rights and the Misguided

The well intentioned  but misguided have shot themselves in their collective feet - again.  (We must think up a name for these people.)  Animal rights activist groups had sought a ban on the commercial slaughter of horses.  Sick and aged horses had been sent to approved slaughter houses for decades, but recently the Humane Society and animal rights activists groups won a court decision that effectively closed down slaughter houses that processed horses.

Fast forward to 2008.  Hundreds if not thousands of horses across the U.S. are now being simply abandoned in wilderness areas, left to starve because their owners can’t find buyers or in some cases can no longer afford to feed them.  "We've got people turning horses loose in fields, dropping horses off in the night -- my worst nightmares are coming true, said Professor Temple Grandin at Colorado State University.

The court decision also dictated how horses are to be euthanized and buried.  Now, law enforcement authorities are finding the rotting corpses of unburied horses whose owners have killed them in out of the way areas. 

Recreational horses that brought a couple of thousand dollars a few years ago, now sell for only a few hundred.  The reason is the escalating cost of alfalfa and grain.

Until the court decision is lifted or changed, thousands of horses destined for slaughter are being shipped to Canada or Mexico where horse slaughtering for human consumption is legal.

This leaves me with no questions.  I’m speechless.

Obama and the PC Police

Hillary Clinton, as expected, trounced Barack Obama by a 2- 1 margin in the West Virginia primary last night.  Probably the most interesting thing to come out of this primary is the spin that is coming out of the Obama camp.  Obama’s spinmeisters, CNN,  and the mainstream media are hinting the reason Obama lost West Virginia is because the state is inhabited by working class whites (code for a bunch of inbred Jethros who are clinging to their guns and their religion).  It’s interesting to note that Fox is the only network that questioned the fact that Obama pulled in 92% of the African-American vote in North Carolina.  The not-so-subtle racist charge is intended as a warning for potential voters in the remaining primary states who intend to vote for Hillary.   CNN and other networks are reminding voters that it is not PC to vote for the white candidate.  How could you?  Shame on you?  The PC police are watching you.

This message, of course, is intended to carry over to the general election; however, allegations of racism, no matter how subtle, can backfire.  Americans are weary of the likes of Sharpton, Jackson, and the Reverend Wright. 

Questions:

Does Hillary stand a chance of winning the Democratic nomination?

Can Obama deny her the VP spot if she wants it?

Kansas Governor Sebelius Vetoes Power Plants

Kansas is emblematic of the war between sanity and the eco-nuts.  At issue are two 700 megawatt coal-fired power plants that were to be built in Holcolmb, Kansas, a small farming town of 2,000 that sits on the plains of southwest Kansas.  The Kansas legislature has tried and failed twice to build the two power plants.  Democratic Governor Kathleen Sebelius,  backed by the Sierra Club, vetoed the bills.  The Kansas legislature failed to muster the necessary number of votes to override her veto even though riders were placed in the final bill that would have mandated the energy company, Sunflower, to invest huge amounts in wind and solar energy.

The Governor’s veto is especially ironic in light of the sharply rising cost of oil, not to mention its availability.  But, in the most ironic twist of all, the U.S. has the largest coal reserves in the world.  America is the Saudi Arabia of coal and has known coal reserves of 275 billion tons, which is nearly twice that of Russia and China.

Coal plant opponents are trumpeting the defeat of the power plant bills, saying this is the turning point at which Kansas will lead the country away from old energy sources toward more environmentally friendly types of energy.  Governor Sebelius, who is frequently mentioned as a possible running mate for Barack Obama, is asking legislators to work with her on a new comprehensive energy policy.

As could be expected, the vote fell along regional lines. Legislators who live in and represent the affected area voted for the bills.  Legislators in the more heavily populated eastern regions of Kansas voted against the bills.

The eco-nuts would have everyone believe that Conservatives love the smell of dirty air and prefer that their children and their children’s children be raised on a polluted planet.

The environmentalists have effectively shut down the building of more nuclear and coal fired power plants.  Solar has proved dicey at best in providing reliable ongoing power, so that leaves us with wind energy.
Wind turbines, as an auxiliary energy source shows some promise, but they are expensive to install - and the wind doesn’t blow all the time.
And, wouldn’t you know it, they are opposed by many environmentalists because they kill birds.  So that leaves us with.......?

As usual, the eco-nuts are long on criticisms, but short on coming up with VIABLE alternatives.

Questions:

At what point, will the people wake up and bring some sanity back to our energy policy?

How long will it take to produce viable alternative energy sources?

Will Obama adopt an eco-nut stance on energy?

Where is Russia Going?

The spy novel isn’t dead.   It has been 18 years since Soviet tanks rolled in the vanguard of the May Day parade, which traditionally celebrates the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany.  Tanks and missiles not only rolled through Red Square, but through nearly every major city in Russia.

In the traditional speeches that accompany the the military show, Putin’s handpicked successor, President Dmitry Medvedev, made several thinly veiled comparisons between the Nazi invasion and NATO’s eastward expansion.  Putin, part old-style hard-liner and part magician, has brought a resurgence of pride back to the rank and file Russian. 

Clearly, Russia is reverting back to the days that preceded Glasnost.  Russia appears to be run by a cabal of ex-KGB, the Russian Mafia, and a few old hands from the Communist Politburo.  The primary question is, where are they going with this?

Other Questions:

Is Russia bent on going back to the old-style of Communism or have they come too far down the road of Capitalism?

Will Putin and his cronies use military force if they see their power slipping?

How much of the May Day parade was for the benefit of the Ukraine, Georgia, and other Soviet states who are hostile to the current Russian government?

Or, is this merely a “feel good” parade to take Russian minds off of rising food prices and to stir nationalistic pride?

Where is Russia going on the Capitalism - Socialism - Communism scale?

O.J. Simpson, a "New" Confession?

In an exclusive AP report, Linda Deutsch is  reporting that O.J. Simpson’s ex-manager is stating that O.J. Simpson confessed to him that he murdered Nicole Brown Simpson.  Mike Gilbert claims in his new book, “How I helped O.J. Get Away with Murder: The Shocking Inside Story of Violence, Loyalty, Regret and Remorse,” that O.J.  confessed the murder to him while O.J. was in a marijuana induced stupor. 

Gilbert writes that he was with O.J.  at O.J.’s Brentwood home a few weeks after the murder.  Gilbert claims O.J. was drinking beer and smoking pot when O.J. told Gilbert that he had gone to Nicole Brown Simpson’s condo that fateful night.  Simpson allegedly told Gilbert that Nicole had a knife in her hand when she answered the door.  Supposedly, according to Gilbert, O.J. told him, "If she hadn't opened that door with a knife in her hand ... she'd still be alive."

Gilbert also claims he told Simpson during the murder trial to stop taking his arthritis medicine so O.J.’s hands would swell, which in turn would cause the gloves to not fit.  Gilbert further incriminates himself when he writes that he had a deal with Simpson whereby Gilbert would collect money from Simpson’s autograph signing sessions, then keep 20% for himself and send Simpson the remaining 80%.

While it probably isn’t new news that O.J. Simpson murdered his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, it is rather strange Gilbert would admit his role in hiding Simpson’s assets. 

Questions:

Is Gilbert believable?

Was Gilbert’s story concocted solely to sell book?

Was Gilbert merely seeking his 15 minutes of fame?

Will Fred Goldman’s attorneys be able to get a judgment against Gilbert for laundering Simpson’s money?

Hillary Clinton's Secret Plan for 2012?

As the Democratic primaries draw to an end, so does speculation about what the loser will do and who they will or will not support in the general election.  “Rook” has some thoughts on how this may play out if Hillary Clinton loses the primary.

“Some of the more experienced political pundits are saying privately that Hillary feels she would be better off with a one term McCain presidency than a two term Obama. She can come back after it in four years, since McCain is too old to do two terms. And she hates Obama for stealing her big chance.

If they’re right, and if she doesn’t swing the super-delegates at the convention, then she may refuse to endorse Obama and might even support McCain behind the scenes. She obviously doesn’t care about the party and nothing else matters to her except getting into the white house.

Food for thought…”

Questions:

Will Hillary refuse to endorse Obama if he is nominated?

If the Democrats lose in December, which of them would challenge McCain in 2012?

Obama's Lie to Support Jews in Israel

Sometime when I hear politicians speak, I want to throw up.  On Thursday, Barack Obama pledged his support of Israel at an event sponsored by the Israeli Embassy.  At a celebration marking the 60th anniversary of the Jewish state in Washington, Obama said, `I pledge to you that I will do whatever I can in whatever capacity to not only ensure Israel's security but also to ensure that the people of Israel may thrive and prosper and build on the enormous promise that was made 60 years ago... So it is critical that we send a message around the world, we will stand with Israel, we want them around not just for 60 years but for 600 years and when I am president of the United States they will have an unwavering ally in me."

Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and John McCain also pledged their support of Israel, but in light of Obama’s incessant daily promises to cut and run from Iraq, his pledge to support and defend Israel has to go down in history as the biggest political lie since Hitler shook Stalin’s hand in 1940 and pledged his support to the Soviet Union.

This brings up many questions about Obama and his future policies, should he be elected President:

If the U.S. pulls out of Iraq, will it jeopardize Israel?

Does Obama see the inconsistencies between his campaign promises and his promises to the Jewish community?

Is there a connection between Israel and us being in the Middle-East?

Does the Jewish community understand the implications of Obama’s campaign promise to immediately leave Iraq?

Why haven’t those in the Jewish community condemed Obama’s promises to leave Iraq?

Should We Close our Military Prison at Guantanamo?

A friend and I got into a discussion the other night about our military prison in Guantanamo Bay.  He was outraged at the idea that the detainees were on American soil without having the rights and benefits of a detained suspect in our criminal courts.  Ah, where does one start.  Perhaps with this week’s news from the BBC in Iraq:  “Guantanamo Man' in Iraq bombing.”  It seems one Mr. Abdullah al-Ajmi, a former guest at our facilities in Guantanamo Bay took part in a suicide bomb attack in Mosul that killed several members of the Iraqi security forces on April 29.  Abdullah al-Ajmi had been in U.S. custody in Gitmo and because he was a Kuwaiti, the U.S. transferred him to Kuwait in 2005 where he was acquitted of terrorist charges.  More than 80 prisoners have been transferred to other countries, and over 200 have been released.

According to reports, Abdullah al-Ajmi and two alleged accomplices obtained new passports before going to Mosul through Syria.  Once in Iraq, the trio detonated two car bombs that killed the several members of the Iraqi security forces.

The ACLU  and an battalion of defense lawyers tried to make the case that these military combatants should be tried as criminals in the U.S. courts.  Apparently the Supreme Court cringed at the idea of seeing 400 O.J. style trials, so in a 6-3 decision they gave the U.S. Military Tribunals sole jurisdiction at this time.   

What exactly would the three presidential candidates do about our military prison in Guantanamo is unclear, but if Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton get into office, they are pledging to bring the troops home, so presumedly the prison at Gitmo would no longer be necessary.

Questions:

If the war in Iraq and Afghanistan continues, what should be done with the 400+ prisoners in Guantanamo?

If we withdraw from Iraq and Afghanistan, will the prisoners simply be released?

Do Military Tribunals provide adequate justice for detainees?
Should we close the prison at Gitmo and move it to Iraq or the Middle-East?

What will John McCain do with Gitmo if he is elected President?

What would Hillary or Obama do if elected?