Confession time

Its time I confessed. I am an admitted conservative and am also a republican but not too long ago, I strayed. I'm not talking Jimmy Swaggert crocodile tears "I have sinned with a hooker but it was the devils fault" straying. Prior to the 2000 election I entered into a 4 year long illicit relationship with the Libertarians.

See...heres my problem. I dont much trust either the dems or republicans. Honestly, aside from what they spew in rhetoric there isnt much difference between the parties (though there is a significant difference in some of the individuals) and I was looking for that legimate third voice to basically force definitive action from either of the two main parties. My options...

The Greens-Ummmm...no.

The Reform party-Lots of potential, then they go and shoot themselves in the foot. Pat Robertson??? Seriously??? Ross Perot must have been swelling with pride...

Dozens of 'fringe' third parties-ummmm YIKES!

The Libertarians-ever take the worlds smallest political test? http://www.self-gov.org/quiz.html Basically the results of this test will likely prove you to be a libertarian unless you are an extreme leftist or extreme rightist. It wasnt the test that led me to the Libertarians...its just what they use at all their recruiting booths. I know, because I passed out hundreds of them myself. (two best places...college campuses and gun shows...)

I really AM a Libertarian. I believe in the constitution as it was meant, not as it is interpreted to satisfy the quest for a dominant and all powerful federal government. I believe in a strong central government, just one that is bound by the mandates of the constitution. I am a believer in the dominant authority of the states. So...the long and short of it...I AM a Libertarian.

However...

I am NOT a blind follower, so when I DISGAREE about the party platform regarding drugs I am told (get this) "you CANT be a Libertarian and not believe in legalizing drugs." Really? "Really...please feel free to take your leave." Its party politics all over again except for one small little detail. The Libertarians have virtually ZERO by way of elected representation. Now...when I pointed that out and that MAYBE just MAYBE its the extremist position of the party (oh yeah...and nominating people with adopted names like Smokey McPot) that will always keep the party a gathering of bitter malcontents with no political clout. That pretty much sealed my fate locally.

Its not that I even really too much disagreed. The difference...they say pass laws that make drugs legal, I say have the federal government eliminate ALL drugs laws EXCEPT the laws regarding illegal importation at the borders. Let the states deal with it. I could care less if Alaska allows for casual marijuana use or if California allows for medicinal herbal tokage. My vote and voice should be limited to MY state. But apparently that might allow for the states to pass laws that the libertarians still might not like...so..."off with his head."

Oh yeah...and there is this too...being a "reactionary political reformer" in this state is like peeing your pants in a dark suit. Initially it gives you a warm feeling and no one really notices. Then, after a while, the warmth fades and you are just left feeling wet, cold, and nasty. Its easy to cast a vote for the libertarians as a conservative because there is still virtually no way a liberal wins.

So...I am stuck. I am a conservative minded individual with progressive ideas on things like education reform, welfare reform, health care, etc. I dont believe in banning abortions, I do believe in a strong military.

I am stuck with the lesser of two evils. Unfortunately, until the democrats get it that SAYING you have a 'plan' is entirely different than actually HAVING a plan...there isnt much 'choice' at all.

Look...just ignore all those inconvenient facts...

hang on...this is a long one...and may come across as a bit of a rant.

Parental advisory...this posting contains adult topics and may be unsuitable for children. Of course...I'll be talking about Bill Clinton.

I dont know if its disugust or wondered amazement. There is the word chutzpah...but I think this goes beyond even that. It is almost as if many of the current politicians have just simply ignored the fact that we have documents, records, transcripts, video,...all manner of historical documentation that PROVES their words to be lies. Yet they look right in the camera and just say it...and dont bat an eyelash.

Bill Clintons words mean nothing...except to those that worship him as the God of the Liberal movement. Bill Clinton has been caught in countless lies. OBVIOUS lies. Yet, as the God of Liberals, whatever he says, wherever he goes, they just gaze at him with their adoring glassed over stares and nod in agreement.

Cheats on his wife countless times? No...he respects and appreciates and stands for the rights of ALL women. And besides...remember that wonderfully spontaneous moment on the beach just Bill and Hilly (and a photographer, cameraman, and choreographer) dancing together? Sigh. It spawned the Al Gore Pinocchio (wooden) kiss during the dem convention just a few years later.

Rape of Juanita Broderick? She probably wanted it, and besides, she's just another tramp and no one really believes her anyway.

Groping Kathleen Wiley pinning her in a doorway and squeezing her breasts on the DAY OF HER HUSBANDS FUNERAL? Just a misunderstanding...he was comforting her. Aimed for her shoulders...missed...honest mistake...standing in front and not behind. Just a logistics problem really.

52 year old man, president of the United States, abuses a 20 year old staff member, expecting and recieving sexual acts while (apparently according to both of them) never reciprocating, THEN carries out a public campaign to paint HER as the villain and to destroy HER personally? Well...hogwash...its only sex, he just wanted to give her something to remember him by, and besides, it s all part of a right wing conspiracy smear campaign.

The very case that started all the sex scandal...Paula Jones. Ms Jones is painted as a tramp. Hystery remberers little about Paula Jones. Seriously...ask yourself...after all the scandal...what was the case all about?

This.

Bill Clinton had a state trooper ask a campaign staffer to meet with him in his room. She knocks, he beckons, she opens the door. She finds Bill sitting on the couch with his pants around his ankles a towel drapped over his gentials. He is fondling himself. He stands and offers her the opportunity of a lifetime. His words. Kiss it. She politely refuses his magnaminous offer and leaves. She feels she has been harassed and she files a lawsuit.

Was she harassed? Democrats and womens orgs like the NAtional Organization for Women DEMANDED the ouster of Senator Bob Packwood for getting drunk and squeezing the tushies of his secretaries. And that was bad. Seriously. I mean...not Ted Kennedy bad, but still...that was bad. And he left. The republican senators really didnt give him all that many options. So he left. Ted is still there...but Senator Packwood is a senotor no more. And NOW won.

Where was NOW when Clinton exposed himself to Paula Jones? Well...you cant REALLY expect them to turn on their champion and protector of abortion rights can you? So of course...it had to be Paula Jones at fault.

THAT is what started this affair...not some vast right wing conspiracy. Not lying about sex. Slick exposed Willie and got sued for it. Now...how many people do the same thing and end up in jail and on sex offender registries?

My favorite...he looks in the camera and with almost a twinkle in his eye that says look at me i'm SOOOO much smarter than you...and then speaks the words "It all depends on what the meaning of 'is' is".

Wow. Wow. (pause for the effect...interpret that as shocked amazement and almost reverence.) Wow.

So many other whoppers. I led the movement to reform welfare. Well...no...you had welfare rammed down your throat. You fought it every step of the way vowing to "fix it" later.

I passed a balanced budget amendment. No...once again...republican congress rammed it down your throat. You fought it every step of the way.

Great economy. Well...no. dot com economy that went bust as fast as it went boom.

Treated world leaders with respect. Ummm...if respect means leaving them waiting in the rose garden while you attended to more ummm pressing concerns with your intern...

Whitewater. Law firm billing scandals. Boxes of subpoenad documents vanish, then mysteriously resurface in places that where checked countless times. Craig Lingstone, a former bouncer, hired by someone but no one knows who, given an office in the white house, never undergoes a security clearance check, and then ends up with 800 classified FBI files on his desk. Smearing government employees and firing them so Hilly can replace them all with her staff in the travel office. The hits go on and on and on...

More recent liberal examples of chutzpah...

Sandy Berger gets caught with his pants down...literally stuffing top secret classified documents into his shorts and socks...then expects us to give some sort of credence to his words. And of course...as the Gods minion, he is believed.

Just last year when the Abramoff scandal broke (scandal...like its a shocking revelation that lobbyists bribe congressmen...) a list was published that showed campaign and other contributions from Abramoff to every congressman. On that list was democrats and republicans alike. It was printed not from anyones memory but from the congress's own records of disclosures. Yet...Howard Dean stood on the Sunday morning news programs and stated LOUDLy...NO democrat ever took so much as a DIME from Jack Abramoff.

Maybe it was classic Clintonspeak.

No...not a dime. $870,000.00, but not a single dime.

Chutzpah...whats a good word for a really really really really LOT of chutzpah?

meanwhile...

During Clintons most honest and honorable and obviously NOT preplanned (oh...ooops...sorry...my wife tells me I shouldnt use sarcasm because it doesnt translate well)
Clinton states he WANTED to get Bin Laden but his intel agencies wouldnt let him. He WANTED to order his death but others in his chain stopped him. He WOULD HAVE done more but others prevented him.

Of course the FACTS and historical record proves that he is once again lying (how can you tell when Bill is lying? you dont HAVE to tell...you can pretty much just assume that any and everything he says is a lie)
BUT...IF what he says is true and he REALLY saw Bin LAden as THE threat in the middle east and he REALLY WANTED to take him out, and he REALLY DID have the opportunites to take him out...then as a LEADER wouldnt he have done so?

Now...for the record...

There are a lot of things about George Bush I DO NOT LIKE. However, he has restored character to the office of president. He has restored the oval office to more than just a presidential rompous room and a pretty cool place to meet chicks. He doesnt make decisions based on political expediency. He doesnt allow polls or popularity to sway his convictions. He has remained above the fray when it comes to personality conflicts (almost to a fault).

Unlike Bill and Hilly, George and Laura dont schedule press conferences (or softball appearances on network talk shows) so that they can look in the camera and condemn their accusers, especially when it is proven that their accusers are telling the truth. They hold themselves with an air of dignity and decorum that the Clintons could never even understand, let alone pull off. I DO wish that President Bush was more of a real fiscal conservative. I DO wish that he did a better job of explaining the direction (and success and failings) of his policies. I DO wish he stuck with a speaking style he is comfortable with.

Bill Clinton was a "rock star"...George Bush, like him or not, is a leader.

Sorry for the rant...thanks for listening.

What Makes Kings?

George Washington was offered the throne of America following the military victory that won the US its freedom and independence (a stark lesson for those that say war never solves anything). He refused, stating that of course this is the very thing we had battled against, and the country instead opted for a democracy. You know...of...by...for the people. We elected representation and then put in place this awesome concept of checks and balances. The Legislative Branch makes the rules and laws. The Executive Branch signs the laws into power. The Judicial Branch determines if those laws are just within the boundaries established by the constution. A wonderful system.

Somewhere along the way, things have gone horribly wrong.

Congress has abrogated their duties and resposnibilities to the president, in effect, assigning him ( or someday her) the role of king...or at least king for 4 years.

How often do you hear the phrase "the presidents plan..."? Social Security, education, foreign policy, the war on terror...everyone turns to the president for the solution. When did this happen? Why? And for how long will we let this stand?

I think every two years we have the opportunity to send a message to congress. I think that message should be "do your damn job! Just what are we paying you for again???"

Lessons Learned

"Ha ha! You fool! You fell victim to one of the classic blunders! The most famous is never get involved in a land war in Asia, but only slightly less well-known is this: never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line!" Vissini

And the third rule is never trust France to be anything...ANYTHING...other than what history has proven them to be.

It was just 2 short years ago that France made this bold declaration-"Irans nuclear program will not be allowed to stand"Today, French President Chiraq is not only completely against military manuevers against Iran, but now he is opposed to sanctions againts Iran. With friends like these...who needs enema's?

France couldnt wave the white flag fast enough in World War 2. In Indochina they expected the UN to protect what they loudly declared as their 'right' to holdings there, then subsequently sent over 55 thousand troops to their death 2-5 thousand at a time. Just recently France sold its integrity to Saddam in the oil for food program and now, France has decided that islamic extremist leaders that are clamoring today for the death of the pope and attacks on Italy and the US for the popes comments, the same islamic extremist leaders that have called for the extermination of Israel, that we should negotiate and trust them and not call even for sanctions.

I wonder if last weeks announcement by Al Qaida that it was joining Algerian terrorist groups against France had any bearing on their sudden change of course.No wonder Bush's poll numbers are improving.

Oh...BYTEHWAY...France is Kerry's big 'ally' in the war on terror. Nice one.

You just cant make this stuff up...

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2363459,00.html

"An Iraqi militant group led by al-Qaeda has threatened to massacre Christians in response to remarks about Islam by Pope Benedict XVI that have caused offence across the Muslim world.The Pope quoted a 14th Century Byzantine emperor who criticised the teachings of Mohammad for endorsing the use of violence, in a speech to an academic audience at a German university last Tuesday."

OK...now...just to make sure we have this right. Much violence, murder and mayhem in the world. Pope appeals for peace and cooperation of the worlds religions and quotes a 14th century passage. In response, the 'peaceful' religion declares a fatwah and calls for jihad to "massacre Christians" in an attempt to show the world that they are in fact a religion of peace.

Look...Ive been there. Ive spent several years in the middle east and KNOW that the radical lefts dont represent ALL of Islam. I also know that the REST of Islam refuses to speak out against the radical left of Islam because they know all that will bring is death to them and their families.

Yeesh. We need a solution.

Reliving 9-11

In another blog we have been discussing the war on terror and whether 0r not it is important to be reminded of the villany of our enemy in the war on terror. One individual mentioned he had already seen the 9-11 video and has heard the screams of Nick Berg and didnt need to be reminded of them to know how horrible it was.

I guess I dont really disagree. One time seeing a death occur up close and in person should do it for anyone to know how ugly it is.

However, I DO think we as a country need to be reminded of our enemy in the war on terror. We talk about the "war in Iraq" as if it is a war WITH Iraq. That war ended in 2003. We are today at war with terrorists who happen to be pouring in from all around the middle east to engage in terrorist activity.

I often use the subtraction model when I am doing research on theory. In situation X, take away element y from the equation and see what remains. Now take away element z and see what remains. Its usually pretty easy to identify your culprit.

In the most recent middle east conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, take away Israel and what remains? You still have groups of people dedicated to murdering others to further their own cause. Now, take away the muslim terror groups that are perpetrating acts of violence and what do you have? Peace.

Same theory applies in Iraq. Take away the US soldiers and what are you left with? Violent murderous thugs trying to prevent a people from forming a democracy. Now, take away the terrorists (sorry...they just cant be called insurgents) and what do you have? You have an Iraq that has a real shot at peace and democracy.

The common denominator? Its the same one in Blai, Spain, the Phillipines, Pakistan, England, and now most recently France. Extremist Islamic terrorists.

A friend of mine made a comment this week that I thought was telling. This individual is a good man who has known more than his share of pain and hurt. He knows what it feels like to have to bury a child. He said on monday that he was just sickened by this national day of 9-11...what on earth is it going to do for us? Then, on Tuesday he came in to work and said he had forgotten just how evil these terrorists are and how they will stop at nothing to accomplish their goals. How anyone can be their victim. He still doesnt like the war on terror and in fact had begun to think that it was time just to stop because it felt to him like we werent accomplishing anything. After taking the time and watching these different accounts, he changed his mind. More than ever he understands why this isnt a fight we can POSSIBLY stop fighting because it is a fight we cant afford NOT to win.

Thats why I think it is absolutely necessary to remind ourselves occasionally JUST how evil these people are. I dont WANT to have fight them in downtown anywhere USA. I'd just as soon take them on where they are.

Make no mistake. We have extremist terrorists right here in the US today. Our government has stopped terror plots in Florida, California, Minnesota and many other places. They have detected terrorist cells in Miami, Buffalo, and Oregon. But they ARE still here. Maybe we are a victim of our own success in this war on terror. Maybe preventing so many attacks has led to complacency. I hope not.

Pols Polls Polling

Isnt polling and reporting of polling an interesting 'science?'

This article out of Rochester New York states
"President George Bush is receiving his highest job performance numbers in a few months, with about four in 10 (38%) adults having a positive view (up from 34% in August) and 61 percent holding a negative
view."

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/09-15-2006/0004433769&EDATE=

OK...but further down we see the ACTUAL numbers...
Excellent 12%
Good 27%
ONLY FAIR 22%
Poor 38%
Undecided 1%

How did "only fair" become a negative view? As I see those numbers 39 say good or excellent, 22 say fair, and 38 say poor. I guess this gives truth to the saying "beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

BTW...Harry Reid the head dem in the senate got
excellent 1%
Good 22%
Fair 37%
Poor %15
Not Sure 25%

According to this story, Harry only has a 23% approval rating. geez...smile, President Bush.

Whats the Christian verison of Jihad?

Meanwhile...

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23366969-details/Anger+over+Church+advert+which+puts+Jesus'+face+on+beer+glass/article.do

Some of this stuff you just cant make up.

I wonder if the extremists from the Christian world will go on a rampage and commit murder and mahem at the denigration of their savior...

An advertisement featuring the face of Jesus as a 'miraculous' apparition on a beer glass has caused anger among critics who say it undermines anti-binge drinking campaigns.More amazing spiritual stories here...• Pope to inspect 'image of Christ on veil'• Holy toast: Sandwich sells for £15,000• Heavenly chocolate is the Virgin Mary• Our Lady of the underpass• The alligator's skin that spells God• Face of Jesus seen in baby scanThe image of Jesus in the froth left on the sides of an almost empty pint glass next to the words 'Where will you find him?' will spearhead the Churches' Advertising Network (CAN) festive campaign to encourage church-going this Christmas.The poster makes reference to the worldwide trend for finding holy images in everyday objects from the face of Jesus in a frying pan, to Christ on a fish finger, the Virgin Mary on a toasted cheese sandwich and even Mother Teresa in a cinnamon bun.The creators of the new poster said it was aimed at provoking "thought and debate" among young people about where and how people find God. It would be accompanied by a series of radio advertisements in which young people talk about their spiritual beliefs.But the Rev Tom Allen, a 'mission priest' who works with young people criticised the message the image was giving out: "On the day when a Government commissioned report suggests that rather focus on drugs education, schools and youth work bodies should be educating young people about drink, CAN launch this particularly obtuse poster," he said on his website.However, CAN chairman Francis Goodwin said he hoped the poster and radio advertisements would spark a debate about God.The campaign will use the youth forum website myspace.com to encourage discussion. He said: "The message is subtle but simple - where is God in all the boozing at Christmas?"For many, Christmas is just drinking and partying and God is excluded, yet many young people are interested in finding deeper meaning and exploring faith."We hope the link to myspace will offer another venue for them to discuss their feelings and debate the issues."The image of Jesus on a beer glass is the latest in a series of controversial images created for CAN, a group of Christians of all denominations working in the media and advertising.Previous campaigns include a poster depicting Jesus as the revolutionary leader Che Guevara and one suggesting Mary was having a "bad hair day" when she discovered she was pregnant.

Cmon...some times you just HAVE to laugh...

Ironical

In the realm of irony...The pope gives a speech at a conference on bringing the religions of the world together in peace. He invites all religions to denounce violence committed in the name of God. He cites reference to past actions of all religions. In the course of the discussion he quotes (and STATES his source) a 14th century text that describes the muslim actions as being driven by violence. The historical conditions during the 14th century where that at the time the muslims were setting about to conquer all of Europe.

Now...today...muslims are ANGRY that their prophet is related to or connected with the concept of conversion at the hand of the sword. In response the worlds muslim leaders threaten...violence.

ummmmmmm....wait a second...

OK...isnt it a fact that only 2 weeks ago two journalists were given the choice...convert or die?Isnt it a fact that just a few short months ago over 100 people were killed because of a few cartoons?Did we not just read yesterday that Al Qaida...a muslim terrorist group...joined with an Algerian terrorist group and jointly declared jihad on France?Dont we hear daily the exortion of muslims to murder in the name of Allah?

NO...it is NOT ALL MUSLIMS and of course the Pope RECOGNIZED that in his appeal to muslims. YES there are good and honest muslims that practice an honorable and peaceful faith. But some of the muslim extremist fundamentalists apparently didnt get the memo....And unfortunately there are a LOT of them.