By G. Murphy Donovan
The author had two tours in Vietnam as a junior officer and
subsequently served as command Intelligence briefer in Hawaii where he
updated CINCPAC, John McCain’s father, on POW matters.
Donald Trump is a piece of work even by New York
standards: tall, white, loud, brash, entrepreneurial, successful, rich,
ruthlessly candid, well-dressed, and fond of heterosexual women. He has
married at least three delicious ladies in fact. Trump has five children and
seven grandchildren. Indeed, his progeny are well above average too, smartly
groomed, photogenic, and successful to boot.
As far as we know, Donald does not have any
tattoos, piercings, unpaid taxes, or under-aged bimbo interns. He is not a
drunk or a junkie either. Trump projects and enterprises probably employ
more folks than the NYC school system -- or the United Nations.
You could say that Trump is living the life, not the
life of Riley, but more like Daddy Warbucks with a comb over. “The Donald,”
as one ex-wife calls him, is not just living the American dream. Trump is
the dream -- and proud of it.
You could do worse than think of Trump as upwardly
mobile blue collar. He is the grandson of immigrants and the product of Long
island, a Queens household, and a Bronx education. The Donald survived the
Jesuits of Fordham University for two years before migrating to finish his
baccalaureate at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
When readers of the New York Times , The New Yorker ,
and the New York Review of Books speak of “the city”, they are not talking
about the Queens or the Bronx. Growing and schooling in the blue-collar
boroughs gives Trump a curb level perspective, something seldom found in
Manhattan. Or as any “D” Train alumnus might put it, Trump has “a pretty
good Bravo Sierra detector.”
So what’s not to like about Donald Trump? He doesn’t
just stay in four-star hotels; he builds them. He doesn’t just own luxury
condominiums; he makes them. He doesn’t just own historic buildings; he
restores them. He doesn’t just eat at the best restaurants; he creates them.
He just doesn’t belong to the best country clubs; he builds those, too.
And Donald Trump, unlike the Manhattan/Washington
fantasy Press and every Beltway political pimp, doesn’t just pay lip service
to a bigger and better economy, he creates micro-economies every day.
The only thing we don’t know about Donald Trump is why
he would like to immigrate to the District of Columbia.
In any case, the merits of entrepreneurs like Trump
might best be defined by the character or motives of his critics. Trump
detractors are for the most part “B” list politicians, ambulance chasers,
and a left-leaning Press corps that lionizes the likes of Nina Totenberg,
Dan Rather, Chris Matthews, Andrea Mitchell, and Brian Williams.
If the truth were told, most of Trump’s critics are
jealous, envious of his wealth and they loath his candor. Donald might also
be hated for what he is not. Trump is not a lawyer, nor is he a career
politician who lives on the taxpayer dime. Trump is paying for his own
campaign. Bernie, Barack, McCain, and Kerry could take enterprise lessons
from a chap like Trump.
Unlike most government barnacles, Trump can walk and
chew gum at the same time. He knows how to close a deal and build something.
He is a net creator, not consumer, of a kind of wealth that provides “life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” for Americans -- real jobs not
feather merchants.
Today, Trump has nothing left to prove. Yet, success
has allowed him the rarest of public privileges, an electoral pulpit and the
courage to speak his mind. Alas, truth is not necessarily a political asset
in a socialized democracy.
Indeed, the erstwhile presidential candidate stepped on
his crank recently by suggesting that Mexico, already exporting dangerous
drugs, cheap tomatoes, and even cheaper labor, was also exporting violent
felons to the US.
Truth hurts! Trump’s rude candor is underwritten by
nearly half a million illegal felons in American jails. Coincidentally,
events have conspired to support Trump’s take on Mexican dystopia with the
El Chapo Guzman jailbreak and the murder of Kathryn Steinle by Francisco
Sanchez.
Senor Sanchez sported a lengthy criminal record and had
been deported on four previous occasions. San Francisco, a "sanctuary" city,
failed to honor existing warrants and released Sanchez from jail just before
he blew Kathy Steinle away.
As serendipity would have it, Trump then went to
Phoenix on 12 July and gave a stem winder to a sell-out crowd on the subject
of illegal immigration. Senator John McCain was not pleased to have The
Donald on Arizona’s front lawn and intemperately called Trump supporters
“crazies.” Trump returned fire saying that McCain was no hero.
Here again Trump cut to the quick, pointing out that no
one qualifies as a hero because he was shot down or captured. Indeed, being
a hostage in North Vietnam is not necessarily heroic either. McCain is
thought by some to be a heroic because he refused to accept an early
release.
In fact, the Hanoi parole offer was a ruse, a Hobson’s
choice, designed to embarrass McCain and his father at CINCPAC.
If McCain took the parole and abandoned his fellow
POWs, he would have shamed his father and been ostracized by shipmates.
Indeed, had John McCain not been the son and grandson of famous no
victorious, Pacific Command flag officers, no one would have noticed him
then or now.
Few of the demagogues who have come to John McCain’s
defense could name any of the 600 Vietnam-era POWs other than McCain. McCain
is famous today because he, like John Kerry, has parlayed a very average
Vietnam military service into a three-decade political sinecure.
We know of 50,000 Vietnam veterans that might be more
deserving than John McCain. Unfortunately, they died in a war that generals
couldn’t win and politicians couldn’t abide. A body bag seldom gets to play
the “hero.”
McCain is no political hero either.
He is famously ambiguous on domestic issues like
immigration. He is also a Johnny-come-lately to Veterans Administration rot,
which has metastasized as long as McCain has been in office. On foreign
policy, McCain is a Victoria Nuland era crackpot, supporting East European
coups, playing cold warrior, and posturing with neo-Nazis in Kiev. McCain
pecks at Putin too because the Senate, like the Obama crew, hasn’t a clue
about genuine threats like the ISIS jihad or the latest Islam bomb.
To date, Trump has run a clever campaign. He is
chumming, throwing red meat and blood into campaign waters and all the usual
suspects are in a feeding frenzy. McCain, the Press, the Left, and the
Republican establishment all have something to say about “the Donald.” It is
truly amazing how cleverly Trump manages to manipulate the establishment.
If you are trying to sell an idea or a candidacy,
there’s no such thing as bad publicity.
Who knows where the Trump campaign goes? For the
moment, he has scored direct hits on Mexico and McCain. With El Capo on the
loose again, every time a toilet flushes in Sinaloa, Mexican garbage is
likely spill out in Los Angeles, Hollywood, San Francisco, Portland, or
Seattle. Indeed, it’s hard to believe that the Left Coast could survive
without cheap labor, pistileros , meth, coke, heroin, or weed. Necrotic
immigration and its byproducts are ready made targets for a gunslinger like
Trump.
Trump is no bigot. He probably employs more Latinos and
Blacks than Enrique Peña Nieto or Barack Obama. In his own way, Donald Trump
is both immigrant and POW, a refugee from Queens and still a prisoner of
Wharton. The Donald is The Dude, the guy with babes and a roll of Benjamins
that would choke a shark. He is the wildly successful capitalist that some
of us love to hate.
Before democratic socialism, success and effectiveness
were measures of merit. It doesn’t take much insight to compare Trump’s
various enterprises with federal programs. Public education, banking
oversight, public housing slums, poverty doles, veterans fiascos, Internal
Revenue hijinks, and even some Defense Department procurement programs are
consensus failures. The F-35 “Lightning” fighter is an illustration,
arguably the most expensive single DOD boondoggle in history. Pentagon
progressives seldom win a catfight these days, but they still spend like
sailors.
If and when Trump fails, he is out of business.
In Trump’s world, failure has consequences. In
contrast, Washington rewards failure with better funding. Indeed,
generational program failure is now a kind of perverse incentive for Beltway
politicians and apparatchiks to throw good money after failed programs.
The difference between Trump and McCain should be
obvious to any fair observer; Trump has done something with his talents.
McCain, in contrast, is coasting on a military myth and resting on the
laurels of Senatorial tenure.
Any way you look at it, Donald Trump is good for
national politics, good for democracy, good for America, and especially good
for candor. If nothing else, The Donald may help Republicans to pull their
heads out of that place where the sun seldom shines.
The author had two tours in Vietnam as a junior officer
and subsequently served as command Intelligence briefer in Hawaii where he
updated CINCPAC, John McCain’s father, on POW matters.
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Saturday, August 8, 2015
Donald Trump's Position In The Race
It is unlikely that Donald Trump will accomplish anything more than a little more publicity for his enormous ego. In my wildest dreams I cannot fathom that Trump will finish higher than 10th in this farcical republican circus.
I see Trump as a very wealthy wannabe celebrity who lets his ego feed on such things as these debates. It is an adrenalin high for him and he craves to be spoken about by the media. He has some good personal thoughts about making America great again, and recovering America's position as the worlds leader with a healthy economy, and military dominance. Thoughts which I wish he could actually put into action. But his one big problem is that he is enamored with himself, and he can do nothing more than promote self and then sit back and admire what he is doing while reveling in the media's response to almost everything he does or says. He is in no way a serious contender for president of the worlds most prolific economy, most dominant military, and the mightiest nation in the history of the world.
True enough, our current president, barack hussein obama, our present islamic half breed idiot in charge, has almost destroyed our country, and is on a personal best conquest to spend more money on his own personal stinking self and his half male wife (if we use the term loosely), than any other world leader since the beginning of time, and will continue to do so if the dems win again. But if Trump is even to have a chance, he will have to do a 180 and come up with a strategy that is plausible and which will appeal to the largest number of voters, and which will win over all the media moguls to his side. But with his ego, that ain't gonna happen.
Trump - things you don't know about him
Thankfully, at least, he’s waking some of the RINOs up.
The criticisms of Trump are amazingly missing something. They are lacking in negative stories from those who work for him or have had business dealings with him. After all the employees he’s had and all the business deals he’s made there is a void of criticism. In fact, long term employees call him a strong and merciful leader and say he is far more righteous and of high integrity than people may think and while it may surprise many, he’s actually humble when it comes to his generosity and kindness.
A good example is a story that tells of his limo breaking down on a deserted highway outside of New York City. A middle-aged couple stopped to help him and as a thank you he paid off their mortgage, but he didn’t brag about that. Generous and good people rarely talk of charity they bestow on others.
But as much as all this is interesting, the real thing that people want to know is what Donald Trump’s plan is for America.
It’s funny how so many people say they don’t know what it is, or they act like Trump is hiding it. The information is readily available if people would just do a little homework. But, since most Americans won't do their own research, here, in no particular order, is an overview of many of Trumps positions and plans:
1.) Trump believes that America should not intervene militarily in other country’s problems without being compensated for doing so. If America is going to risk the lives of our soldiers and incur the expense of going to war, then the nations we help must be willing to pay for our help. Using the Iraq War as an example, he cites the huge monetary expense to American taxpayers (over $1.5 trillion, and possibly much more depending on what sources are used to determine the cost) in addition to the cost in human life. He suggests that Iraq should have been required to give us enough of their oil to pay for the expenses we incurred. He includes in those expenses the medical costs for our military and $5 million for each family that lost a loved one in the war and $2 million for each family of soldiers who received severe injuries.
2.) Speaking of the military, Trump wants America to have a strong military again. He believes the single most important function of the federal government is national defense. He has said he wants to find the General Patton or General MacArthur that could lead our military buildup back to the strength it needs to be. While he hasn’t said it directly that I know of, Trump’s attitude about America and about winning tells me he’d most likely be quick to eliminate rules of engagement that handicap our military in battle. Clearly Trump is a “win at all costs” kind of guy, and I’m sure that would apply to our national defense and security, too.
3.) Trump wants a strong foreign policy and believes that it must include 7 core principles (which seem to support my comment in the last point):
· American interests come first. Always. No apologies. Maximum firepower and military preparedness.
· Only go to war to win.
· Stay loyal to your friends and suspicious of your enemies.
· Keep the technological sword razor sharp.
· See the unseen. Prepare for threats before they materialize.
· Respect and support our present and past warriors.
4.) Trump believes that terrorists who are captured should be treated as military combatants, not as criminals like the Obama administration treats them.
5.) Trump makes the point that China’s manipulation of their currency has given them unfair advantage in our trade dealings with them. He says we must tax their imports to offset their currency manipulation, which will cause American companies to be competitive again and drive manufacturing back to America and create jobs here. Although he sees China as the biggest offender, he believes that America should protect itself from all foreign efforts to take our jobs and manufacturing. For example, Ford is building a plant in Mexico and Trump suggests that every part or vehicle Ford makes in Mexico be taxed 35% if they want to bring it into the U. S., which would cause companies like Ford to no longer be competitive using their Mexican operations and move manufacturing back to the U. S., once again creating jobs here.
6.) Trump wants passage of NOPEC legislation (No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act – NOPEC – S.394), which would allow the government to sue OPEC for violating antitrust laws. According to Trump, that would break up the cartel. He also wants to unleash our energy companies to drill domestically (sound like Sarah Palin’s drill baby, drill?) thereby increasing domestic production creating jobs and driving domestic costs of oil and gas down while reducing dependence on foreign oil.
7.) Trump believes a secure border is critical for both security and prosperity in America. He wants to build a wall to stop illegals from entering and put controls on immigration. (And he says he’ll get Mexico to pay for the wall, which many have scoffed at, but given his business successes I wouldn’t put it past him.) He also wants to enforce our immigration laws and provide no path to citizenship for illegals.
8.) Trump wants a radical change to the tax system to not only make it better for average Americans, but also to encourage businesses to stay here and foreign businesses to move here. The resulting influx of money to our nation would do wonders for our economy. He wants to make America the place to do business. He also wants to lower the death tax and the taxes on capital gains and dividends. This would put more than $1.6 trillion back into the economy and help rebuild the 1.5 million jobs we’ve lost to the current tax system. He also wants to charge companies who outsource jobs overseas a 20% tax, but for those willing to move jobs back to America they would not be taxed. And for citizens he has a tax plan that would allow Americans to keep more of what they earn and spark economic growth. He wants to change the personal income tax to:
· Up to $30,000 taxed at 1%
· From $30,000 to $100,000 taxed at 5%
· From $100,000 to $1,000,000 taxed at 10%
· $1,000,000 and above taxed at 15%
9.) Trump wants Obamacare repealed. He says it’s a “job-killing, health care-destroying monstrosity” that “can’t be reformed, salvaged, or fixed.” He believes in allowing real competition in the health insurance marketplace to allow competition to drive prices down. He also believes in tort reform to get rid of defensive medicine and lower costs.
10.) Trump wants spending reforms in Washington, acknowledging that America spends far more than it receives in revenue. He has said he believes that if we don’t stop increasing the national debt once it hits $24 trillion it will be impossible to save this country.
11.) Even though he says we need to cut spending, he does not want to harm those on Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security. He believes that the citizens have faithfully paid in to the system to have these services available and that the American government has an obligation to fulfill its end of the bargain and provide those benefits. Therefore, he wants to build the economy up so that we have the revenue to pay those costs without cutting the benefits to the recipients. He disagrees with Democrats who think raising taxes is the answer and says that when you do that you stifle the economy. On the other hand, when you lower taxes and create an environment to help businesses they will grow, hire more workers, and those new workers will be paying taxes that become more tax revenue for the government.
12.) Trump also wants reform of the welfare state saying that America needs “a safety net, not a hammock.” He believes in a welfare to work program that would help reduce the welfare roles and encourage people to get back to work. And he wants a crackdown on entitlement fraud.
13.) Trump believes climate change is a hoax.
14.) Trump opposes Common Core.
15.) Trump is pro-life, although he allows for an exception due to rape, incest, or the life of the mother.
16.) Trump is pro 2nd Amendment rights.
17.) Trump’s view on same-sex marriage is that marriage is between a man and a woman, but he also believes that this is a states’ rights issue, not a federal issue.
18.) Trump supports the death penalty. Trump believes that there is a lack of common sense, innovative thinking in Washington (Hmmm… looks like he believes in horse sense!). He says it’s about seeing the unseen and that’s the kind of thinking we need to turn this country around. He tells a personal story to illustrate the point: “When I opened Trump National Golf Club at Rancho Palos Verdes in Los Angeles, I was immediately told that I would need to build a new and costly ballroom. The current ballroom was gorgeous, but it only sat 200 people and we were losing business because people needed a larger space for their events. Building a new ballroom would take years to get approval and permits (since it’s on the Pacific Ocean), and cost about $5 million. I took one look at the ballroom and saw immediately what needed to be done. The problem wasn’t the size of the room, it was the size of the chairs. They were huge, heavy, and unwieldy. We didn’t need a bigger ballroom, we needed smaller chairs! So I had them replaced with high-end, smaller chairs. I then had our people sell the old chairs and got more money for them than the cost of the new chairs. In the end, the ballroom went from seating 200 people to seating 320 people. Our visitors got the space they desired, and I spared everyone the hassle of years of construction and $5 million of expense. It’s amazing what you can accomplish with a little common sense.” On top of his saving years of construction and $5 million in expenses, he also was able to keep the ballroom open for business during the time it would have been under remodeling, which allowed him to continue to make money on the space instead of losing that revenue during construction time.
Donald Trump’s entire life has been made up of success and winning. He’s been accused of bankruptcies, but that’s not true. He’s never filed personal bankruptcy. He’s bought companies and legally used bankruptcy laws to restructure their debt, just as businesses do all the time. But he’s never been bankrupt personally. He’s a fighter that clearly loves America and would fight for our nation. Earlier I quoted Trump saying, “I love America. And when you love something, you protect it passionately – fiercely, even.” We never hear that from Democrats or even from most Republicans. Donald Trump is saying things that desperately need to be said but no other candidate has shown the fortitude to stand up and say them. Looking over this list of what he wants for America I see a very necessary set of goals that are long past due. Before we criticize someone because the media does, maybe we should seriously consider what he has to offer.
I didn't verify any of this. Some I did find interesting. Not endorsing Trump at all, but I do like it when those seeking political office are willing to answer questions without all the hedging and polling answers. It is probably generational on my part.
I see Trump as a very wealthy wannabe celebrity who lets his ego feed on such things as these debates. It is an adrenalin high for him and he craves to be spoken about by the media. He has some good personal thoughts about making America great again, and recovering America's position as the worlds leader with a healthy economy, and military dominance. Thoughts which I wish he could actually put into action. But his one big problem is that he is enamored with himself, and he can do nothing more than promote self and then sit back and admire what he is doing while reveling in the media's response to almost everything he does or says. He is in no way a serious contender for president of the worlds most prolific economy, most dominant military, and the mightiest nation in the history of the world.
True enough, our current president, barack hussein obama, our present islamic half breed idiot in charge, has almost destroyed our country, and is on a personal best conquest to spend more money on his own personal stinking self and his half male wife (if we use the term loosely), than any other world leader since the beginning of time, and will continue to do so if the dems win again. But if Trump is even to have a chance, he will have to do a 180 and come up with a strategy that is plausible and which will appeal to the largest number of voters, and which will win over all the media moguls to his side. But with his ego, that ain't gonna happen.
Trump - things you don't know about him
Thankfully, at least, he’s waking some of the RINOs up.
The criticisms of Trump are amazingly missing something. They are lacking in negative stories from those who work for him or have had business dealings with him. After all the employees he’s had and all the business deals he’s made there is a void of criticism. In fact, long term employees call him a strong and merciful leader and say he is far more righteous and of high integrity than people may think and while it may surprise many, he’s actually humble when it comes to his generosity and kindness.
A good example is a story that tells of his limo breaking down on a deserted highway outside of New York City. A middle-aged couple stopped to help him and as a thank you he paid off their mortgage, but he didn’t brag about that. Generous and good people rarely talk of charity they bestow on others.
But as much as all this is interesting, the real thing that people want to know is what Donald Trump’s plan is for America.
It’s funny how so many people say they don’t know what it is, or they act like Trump is hiding it. The information is readily available if people would just do a little homework. But, since most Americans won't do their own research, here, in no particular order, is an overview of many of Trumps positions and plans:
1.) Trump believes that America should not intervene militarily in other country’s problems without being compensated for doing so. If America is going to risk the lives of our soldiers and incur the expense of going to war, then the nations we help must be willing to pay for our help. Using the Iraq War as an example, he cites the huge monetary expense to American taxpayers (over $1.5 trillion, and possibly much more depending on what sources are used to determine the cost) in addition to the cost in human life. He suggests that Iraq should have been required to give us enough of their oil to pay for the expenses we incurred. He includes in those expenses the medical costs for our military and $5 million for each family that lost a loved one in the war and $2 million for each family of soldiers who received severe injuries.
2.) Speaking of the military, Trump wants America to have a strong military again. He believes the single most important function of the federal government is national defense. He has said he wants to find the General Patton or General MacArthur that could lead our military buildup back to the strength it needs to be. While he hasn’t said it directly that I know of, Trump’s attitude about America and about winning tells me he’d most likely be quick to eliminate rules of engagement that handicap our military in battle. Clearly Trump is a “win at all costs” kind of guy, and I’m sure that would apply to our national defense and security, too.
3.) Trump wants a strong foreign policy and believes that it must include 7 core principles (which seem to support my comment in the last point):
· American interests come first. Always. No apologies. Maximum firepower and military preparedness.
· Only go to war to win.
· Stay loyal to your friends and suspicious of your enemies.
· Keep the technological sword razor sharp.
· See the unseen. Prepare for threats before they materialize.
· Respect and support our present and past warriors.
4.) Trump believes that terrorists who are captured should be treated as military combatants, not as criminals like the Obama administration treats them.
5.) Trump makes the point that China’s manipulation of their currency has given them unfair advantage in our trade dealings with them. He says we must tax their imports to offset their currency manipulation, which will cause American companies to be competitive again and drive manufacturing back to America and create jobs here. Although he sees China as the biggest offender, he believes that America should protect itself from all foreign efforts to take our jobs and manufacturing. For example, Ford is building a plant in Mexico and Trump suggests that every part or vehicle Ford makes in Mexico be taxed 35% if they want to bring it into the U. S., which would cause companies like Ford to no longer be competitive using their Mexican operations and move manufacturing back to the U. S., once again creating jobs here.
6.) Trump wants passage of NOPEC legislation (No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act – NOPEC – S.394), which would allow the government to sue OPEC for violating antitrust laws. According to Trump, that would break up the cartel. He also wants to unleash our energy companies to drill domestically (sound like Sarah Palin’s drill baby, drill?) thereby increasing domestic production creating jobs and driving domestic costs of oil and gas down while reducing dependence on foreign oil.
7.) Trump believes a secure border is critical for both security and prosperity in America. He wants to build a wall to stop illegals from entering and put controls on immigration. (And he says he’ll get Mexico to pay for the wall, which many have scoffed at, but given his business successes I wouldn’t put it past him.) He also wants to enforce our immigration laws and provide no path to citizenship for illegals.
8.) Trump wants a radical change to the tax system to not only make it better for average Americans, but also to encourage businesses to stay here and foreign businesses to move here. The resulting influx of money to our nation would do wonders for our economy. He wants to make America the place to do business. He also wants to lower the death tax and the taxes on capital gains and dividends. This would put more than $1.6 trillion back into the economy and help rebuild the 1.5 million jobs we’ve lost to the current tax system. He also wants to charge companies who outsource jobs overseas a 20% tax, but for those willing to move jobs back to America they would not be taxed. And for citizens he has a tax plan that would allow Americans to keep more of what they earn and spark economic growth. He wants to change the personal income tax to:
· Up to $30,000 taxed at 1%
· From $30,000 to $100,000 taxed at 5%
· From $100,000 to $1,000,000 taxed at 10%
· $1,000,000 and above taxed at 15%
9.) Trump wants Obamacare repealed. He says it’s a “job-killing, health care-destroying monstrosity” that “can’t be reformed, salvaged, or fixed.” He believes in allowing real competition in the health insurance marketplace to allow competition to drive prices down. He also believes in tort reform to get rid of defensive medicine and lower costs.
10.) Trump wants spending reforms in Washington, acknowledging that America spends far more than it receives in revenue. He has said he believes that if we don’t stop increasing the national debt once it hits $24 trillion it will be impossible to save this country.
11.) Even though he says we need to cut spending, he does not want to harm those on Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security. He believes that the citizens have faithfully paid in to the system to have these services available and that the American government has an obligation to fulfill its end of the bargain and provide those benefits. Therefore, he wants to build the economy up so that we have the revenue to pay those costs without cutting the benefits to the recipients. He disagrees with Democrats who think raising taxes is the answer and says that when you do that you stifle the economy. On the other hand, when you lower taxes and create an environment to help businesses they will grow, hire more workers, and those new workers will be paying taxes that become more tax revenue for the government.
12.) Trump also wants reform of the welfare state saying that America needs “a safety net, not a hammock.” He believes in a welfare to work program that would help reduce the welfare roles and encourage people to get back to work. And he wants a crackdown on entitlement fraud.
13.) Trump believes climate change is a hoax.
14.) Trump opposes Common Core.
15.) Trump is pro-life, although he allows for an exception due to rape, incest, or the life of the mother.
16.) Trump is pro 2nd Amendment rights.
17.) Trump’s view on same-sex marriage is that marriage is between a man and a woman, but he also believes that this is a states’ rights issue, not a federal issue.
18.) Trump supports the death penalty. Trump believes that there is a lack of common sense, innovative thinking in Washington (Hmmm… looks like he believes in horse sense!). He says it’s about seeing the unseen and that’s the kind of thinking we need to turn this country around. He tells a personal story to illustrate the point: “When I opened Trump National Golf Club at Rancho Palos Verdes in Los Angeles, I was immediately told that I would need to build a new and costly ballroom. The current ballroom was gorgeous, but it only sat 200 people and we were losing business because people needed a larger space for their events. Building a new ballroom would take years to get approval and permits (since it’s on the Pacific Ocean), and cost about $5 million. I took one look at the ballroom and saw immediately what needed to be done. The problem wasn’t the size of the room, it was the size of the chairs. They were huge, heavy, and unwieldy. We didn’t need a bigger ballroom, we needed smaller chairs! So I had them replaced with high-end, smaller chairs. I then had our people sell the old chairs and got more money for them than the cost of the new chairs. In the end, the ballroom went from seating 200 people to seating 320 people. Our visitors got the space they desired, and I spared everyone the hassle of years of construction and $5 million of expense. It’s amazing what you can accomplish with a little common sense.” On top of his saving years of construction and $5 million in expenses, he also was able to keep the ballroom open for business during the time it would have been under remodeling, which allowed him to continue to make money on the space instead of losing that revenue during construction time.
Donald Trump’s entire life has been made up of success and winning. He’s been accused of bankruptcies, but that’s not true. He’s never filed personal bankruptcy. He’s bought companies and legally used bankruptcy laws to restructure their debt, just as businesses do all the time. But he’s never been bankrupt personally. He’s a fighter that clearly loves America and would fight for our nation. Earlier I quoted Trump saying, “I love America. And when you love something, you protect it passionately – fiercely, even.” We never hear that from Democrats or even from most Republicans. Donald Trump is saying things that desperately need to be said but no other candidate has shown the fortitude to stand up and say them. Looking over this list of what he wants for America I see a very necessary set of goals that are long past due. Before we criticize someone because the media does, maybe we should seriously consider what he has to offer.
I didn't verify any of this. Some I did find interesting. Not endorsing Trump at all, but I do like it when those seeking political office are willing to answer questions without all the hedging and polling answers. It is probably generational on my part.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
I hope I'm Wrong
Subject: Blog idea: We're OK now
Boehner and O'Connell heading up the senate and the house. Boy! Sparks will start flying now! 2 days ago Mitch made the unbelievable statement that (sic) "Obama continues to show signs that he's not going to move to the middle". Really Mitch? Are you telling us that you really thought he might move to the middle? Crap, he and his fellow socialists think they are in the middle! Anyone who knows anything about Obama knows he's a far left Alinsky socialist radical who will only move one way. That's right, further to the left. Come on, Mitch. After the 2010 democrat losses, did he move to the middle? No, the only movement then was the RINOs moving farther to the left. Good grief, I'm hoping after 2014 the RINOs will start moving back to the middle. (That would be a left to right move for any of you ivy league grads).
I hate to be overly negative here, but I have no faith whatsoever that these 2 have any plans to do anything but "compromise" with our beloved muslim messiah, Hussein Obama. A quick question. Why was O'Connell voted to lead the senate by the outgoing senate members? Why wouldn't they wait for the new senate & house to select their leaders for the next 2 years? Personally I was rooting for people like Trey Gowdy to lead. We got anymore like him?
We'll find out very soon what kind of leadership we now enjoy. Let's see what happens when Hussein issues blanket amnesty for millions of Hispanics who broke our laws, not to mention the millions of hangers-on who will be allowed to reunite (in the US) with their law breaking relatives. Mitch has already made a bold and brazen comment that he was disappointed, and Boehner lit another cigarette, put down his golf clubs and warned Hussein that he was poisoning the well. Wow, that oughta make him get in line.
Well at least Obummer got China to start initiating pollution control methods by 2030, while we have to start immediately. That means more EPA executive orders, folks. He's going to fool around and really upset John and Mitch if he isn't careful.
Hope I'm wrong. In the interim, adios America.
Saturday, July 18, 2015
BUCHANAN TO OBAMA
By Patrick J. Buchanan
Mr. President,
You say we need to have a conversation about race in America. Fair enough. But this time, it has to be a two-way conversation. White America needs to be heard from, not just lectured to. This time, the Silent Majority needs to have its convictions, grievances and demands heard. And among them are these:
First, America has been the best country on earth for black folks. It was here that 600,000 black people, brought from Africa in slave ships, grew into a community of 40 million, were introduced to Christian
salvation, and reached the greatest levels of freedom and prosperity blacks have ever known. Jeremiah Wright ought to go down on his knees and thank God he is an American.
Second, no people anywhere has done more to lift up blacks than white Americans. Untold trillions have been spent since the '60s on welfare, food stamps, rent supplements, Section 8 housing, Pell grants, student loans, legal services, Medicaid, Earned Income Tax Credits and poverty programs designed to bring the African-American community into the mainstream.
Third, Governments, businesses and colleges have engaged in discrimination against white folks -- with affirmative action, contract set-asides and quotas -- to advance black applicants over white applicants. Churches, foundations, civic groups, schools and individuals all over America have donated their time and money to support soup kitchens, adult education, day care, retirement and nursing homes for blacks. We hear the grievances. Where is the gratitude?
Fourth, Obama talks about new 'ladders of opportunity' for blacks. Let him go to Altoona? And Johnstown, and ask the white kids in Catholic schools how many were visited lately by Ivy League recruiters handing out scholarships for 'deserving' white kids?
Fifth, Is white America really responsible for the fact that the crime and incarceration rates for African-Americans are seven times those of white America ? Is it really white America's fault that illegitimacy in the African-American community has hit 70 percent and the black dropout rate from high schools in some cities has reached 50 percent? Is that the fault of white America or, first and foremost, a failure of the black community itself?
Sixth, As for racism, its ugliest manifestation is in interracial crime, and especially interracial crimes of violence. Is Barack Obama aware that while white criminals choose black victims 3 percent of the time, black criminals choose white victims 45 percent of the time?
Seventh, Is Obama aware that black-on-white rapes are 100 times more common than the reverse, that black-on-white robberies were 139 times as common in the first three years of this decade as the reverse?
We have all heard ad nauseam from the Rev. Al about Tawana Brawley, the Duke rape case and Jena. And all turned out to be hoaxes. But about the epidemic of black assaults on whites that are real, we hear nothing. Sorry, Barack, some of us have heard it all before, about 40 years and 40 trillion tax dollars ago.
Friday, July 17, 2015
Something Else to Remember
Want to see your representative do the "Washington two step". Ask this question.
What happened to the money of those who died before they collected Social Security?
EVERY ONE HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO READ IT...
THIS IS SURE SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT!!!!
THE ONLY THING WRONG WITH THE
GOVERNMENT'S CALCULATION OF AVAILABLE SOCIAL SECURITY IS THEY FORGOT
TO FIGURE IN THE PEOPLE WHO DIED BEFORE THEY EVER COLLECTED A SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK!!!
WHERE DID THAT MONEY GO?
Remember, not only did you and I contribute to Social Security but your employer did, too.
It totaled 15% of your income before taxes.
If you averaged only $30K over your working life, that's close to $220,500.
Did you see where the Government paid in one single penny?
We are talking about the money you and your employer put in a Government bank to insure you and
Me that we would have a retirement check from the money we put in, not the Government.
Now they are calling the money we put in an entitlement when we reach the age to take it back.
If you calculate the future invested value of $4,500 per year (yours & your employer's contribution) at a simple 5% interest (less than what the Government pays on the money that it borrows).
After 49 years of working you'd have $892,919.98. If you took out only 3% per year, you'd receive $26,787.60 per year and it would last better than 30 years (until you're 95 if you retire at age 65) and that's with no interest paid on that final amount on deposit!
If you bought an annuity and it paid 4% per year, you'd have a lifetime income of $2,976.40 per month.
THE FOLKS IN WASHINGTON HAVE PULLED OFF A BIGGER PONZI SCHEME
THAN BERNIE MADOFF EVER DID.
Entitlement my foot; I paid cash for my social security insurance!
Just because they borrowed the money for other government spending, doesn't make my benefits some
Kind of charity or handout!! Remember Congressional benefits? free healthcare, outrageous retirement packages, 67 paid holidays, three weeks paid vacation, unlimited paid sick days.
Now that's welfare, and they have the nerve to call my social security retirement payments entitlements?
They call Social Security and Medicare an entitlement even though most of us have been paying for it all our working lives, and now, when it's time for us to collect, the government is running out of money.
Why did the government borrow from it in the first place?
It was supposed to be in a locked box, not part of the general fund.
Sad isn't it?
What happened to the money of those who died before they collected Social Security?
EVERY ONE HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO READ IT...
THIS IS SURE SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT!!!!
THE ONLY THING WRONG WITH THE
GOVERNMENT'S CALCULATION OF AVAILABLE SOCIAL SECURITY IS THEY FORGOT
TO FIGURE IN THE PEOPLE WHO DIED BEFORE THEY EVER COLLECTED A SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK!!!
WHERE DID THAT MONEY GO?
Remember, not only did you and I contribute to Social Security but your employer did, too.
It totaled 15% of your income before taxes.
If you averaged only $30K over your working life, that's close to $220,500.
Did you see where the Government paid in one single penny?
We are talking about the money you and your employer put in a Government bank to insure you and
Me that we would have a retirement check from the money we put in, not the Government.
Now they are calling the money we put in an entitlement when we reach the age to take it back.
If you calculate the future invested value of $4,500 per year (yours & your employer's contribution) at a simple 5% interest (less than what the Government pays on the money that it borrows).
After 49 years of working you'd have $892,919.98. If you took out only 3% per year, you'd receive $26,787.60 per year and it would last better than 30 years (until you're 95 if you retire at age 65) and that's with no interest paid on that final amount on deposit!
If you bought an annuity and it paid 4% per year, you'd have a lifetime income of $2,976.40 per month.
THE FOLKS IN WASHINGTON HAVE PULLED OFF A BIGGER PONZI SCHEME
THAN BERNIE MADOFF EVER DID.
Entitlement my foot; I paid cash for my social security insurance!
Just because they borrowed the money for other government spending, doesn't make my benefits some
Kind of charity or handout!! Remember Congressional benefits? free healthcare, outrageous retirement packages, 67 paid holidays, three weeks paid vacation, unlimited paid sick days.
Now that's welfare, and they have the nerve to call my social security retirement payments entitlements?
They call Social Security and Medicare an entitlement even though most of us have been paying for it all our working lives, and now, when it's time for us to collect, the government is running out of money.
Why did the government borrow from it in the first place?
It was supposed to be in a locked box, not part of the general fund.
Sad isn't it?
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Trump trumps Trump
Trump trumps trump
Trump for president? Sounds ridiculous except when you hear him speak, then he sounds very much like a right wing conservative, but the question is, what is he exactly? He has been a big donor to democrats for many years, including Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, the Clinton Foundation, and other far left libs, and lib causes. So what is he? An opportunists seeking/buying allies in government?
The one thing that seems to be overlooked by the media and establishment republicans is he surged to #2 in most polls because he espoused TEA Party ideals. In other words he came out stirring up the conservative base of the party showing moderates that if you want to win all you have to do is promote conservative values. Appeal to the Republican base. The question is, will the RINOs get the message? I seriously doubt it. They like the idea of big government so long as they can be in control of it. Romney won the independent vote and lost the election. Doesn't that register with the RNC?
Meanwhile little Hillary continues to blame her troubles on that vast wing conspiracy that has been working against her and her cheating husband for the past 30 years. She is completely separated from all those endless scandals, all those examples of incompetency, all her Alinsky-ite values, all her lies, all those dead embassy personnel.....all just republican lies. If it weren't for talk radio, Fox News and Donald Trump (and Cruz), you wouldn't be hearing much about it. (side note): Has anyone noticed how the Clinton's had more friends, associates and adversaries commit suicide than Joseph Stalin did? Could be a nasty unfounded rumor.
I think Trump will stay in the race long enough to build a fire under the republican base, then choose which of the other 17 candidates would best appeal to that base, then put his money and support behind that candidate. If he will do that we could see a campaign that makes the Swift Boaters look like choir boys.
Who that emerging candidate might be is a huge question. Most likely Cruz, Walker, Perry, with a few other possibilities such as Fiorina, Jindal, Rubio, Paul. Who it is not is Jeb Bush, Graham, Pataki, Huckabee, and Santorum (whom I liked in 2012). Christy has enough Trump-like fight to gain a lot of support, but his "Obama hug" and the bridge scandal will get heavy play in the far left media. The female Fiorina can attack the female Clinton without being accused of war-on-women manhood by the media. She could get by with things the men wouldn't dare try. (Except maybe Trump).
My main reason for silently hoping Trump is the candidate is because I'd love to see him debate Hillary. That would be priceless.
Trump for president? Sounds ridiculous except when you hear him speak, then he sounds very much like a right wing conservative, but the question is, what is he exactly? He has been a big donor to democrats for many years, including Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, the Clinton Foundation, and other far left libs, and lib causes. So what is he? An opportunists seeking/buying allies in government?
The one thing that seems to be overlooked by the media and establishment republicans is he surged to #2 in most polls because he espoused TEA Party ideals. In other words he came out stirring up the conservative base of the party showing moderates that if you want to win all you have to do is promote conservative values. Appeal to the Republican base. The question is, will the RINOs get the message? I seriously doubt it. They like the idea of big government so long as they can be in control of it. Romney won the independent vote and lost the election. Doesn't that register with the RNC?
Meanwhile little Hillary continues to blame her troubles on that vast wing conspiracy that has been working against her and her cheating husband for the past 30 years. She is completely separated from all those endless scandals, all those examples of incompetency, all her Alinsky-ite values, all her lies, all those dead embassy personnel.....all just republican lies. If it weren't for talk radio, Fox News and Donald Trump (and Cruz), you wouldn't be hearing much about it. (side note): Has anyone noticed how the Clinton's had more friends, associates and adversaries commit suicide than Joseph Stalin did? Could be a nasty unfounded rumor.
I think Trump will stay in the race long enough to build a fire under the republican base, then choose which of the other 17 candidates would best appeal to that base, then put his money and support behind that candidate. If he will do that we could see a campaign that makes the Swift Boaters look like choir boys.
Who that emerging candidate might be is a huge question. Most likely Cruz, Walker, Perry, with a few other possibilities such as Fiorina, Jindal, Rubio, Paul. Who it is not is Jeb Bush, Graham, Pataki, Huckabee, and Santorum (whom I liked in 2012). Christy has enough Trump-like fight to gain a lot of support, but his "Obama hug" and the bridge scandal will get heavy play in the far left media. The female Fiorina can attack the female Clinton without being accused of war-on-women manhood by the media. She could get by with things the men wouldn't dare try. (Except maybe Trump).
My main reason for silently hoping Trump is the candidate is because I'd love to see him debate Hillary. That would be priceless.
Saturday, July 4, 2015
Independence Day
Something to remember….
Patriotism and the Declaration of Independence
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?
Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.
Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.
Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.
Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor.
What kind of men were they?
Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.
Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well-educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts and died in rags.
Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him and poverty was his reward.
Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge and Middleton.
At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson,Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed and Nelson died bankrupt.
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife and she died within a few months.
John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.
So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.
Remember: freedom is never free! We thank these early patriots, as well as those patriots now fighting to KEEP our freedom!
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Truth Decay
Truth Decay
'Truth decay' aptly describes the growing lack of concern for truth among influential players in our society. I got the phrase from Douglas Groothuis. Truth itself, of course, cannot decay, but truthfulness can and is. We are in trouble, deep trouble. Victor Davis Hanson collects some examples in Lying, Inc.:
Everyone knows that “Hands up, Don’t Shoot” was an outright lie [3]. Michael Brown never did or said that. Forensics, logic, and the majority of eyewitness accounts confirm that the strong-armed robber struggled with a policeman, lunged at his weapon, ran away, and then turned and charged him, not that he was executed in polite submission.
Does that lie matter? Not at all. “Ferguson” is routinely listed as proof of police racist brutality — and by no less than the president of the United States. Michael Brown is now the Paul Bunyan of the inner city. U.S. congressional representatives and professional athletes alike chant and act out “Hands up, Don’t Shoot” dramatics. The public shrugs that although it is all a lie, it is felt to be sort of true on the theory that something like that could happen one day, and thus it is OK to lie that it already has. Most knew that the strong-arm robber Michael Brown was about as likely a “gentle giant” as Trayvon Martin was still a cute preteen [4] in a football uniform.
Community agitator and frequent White House visitor Al Sharpton has lied repeatedly about his income taxes [5] and the reasons why he cannot produce accurate tax records, in the manner that he habitually lied about the Tawana Brawley case, the Duke Lacrosse caper, and the Ferguson “hands up, don’t shoot” meme. The public assumes both that Sharpton is an inveterate liar and that to dwell on the fact is either a waste of time or can incur charges of illiberality or worse. Most are more interested in his more mysterious, almost daily-changing appearance than the untruth that he hourly espouses.
Hillary Clinton, to be candid, is a habitual fabulist. She entered public life lying about everything from her 1-1000 cattle futures con to the location of her law firm’s subpoenaed legal documents. Recently she has been unable to tell the truth in any context whatsoever. She will lie about big and small, trivial and fundamental, from the immigrant myths about her grandparents to the origins of her own name Hillary to her combat exposure in the Balkans. The subtext of “what difference does it make” was something like: “Even if you find out that I lied about the run-up to and follow up on the Benghazi killings, it won’t matter in the least to my career.” She was right, of course, in her assumption that lying had career utility and brought more pluses than negatives, as her current presidential campaign attests.
Her press conference on the disappearing emails was unique in American political history in that everything Ms. Clinton said was, without exception, a demonstrable untruth. It is not that no one believes her, but rather than no one can possibly believe her when she insisted that she would have needed multiple devices for multiple email accounts, or that public officials routinely alone adjudicate what is and is not public and private communications, or that other cabinet officers apparently created, as she did, exclusively private email accounts — and servers — for public business or that security personnel on the premises protect the airwaves from hackers. Even her own supporters know that she lied, and trust that it likely will not hamper her presidential run. Her life has become about as real as that of Annie Oakley’s.
Both Hillary and Bill Clinton lied about almost every aspect of the Clinton Foundation. She knew that the foundation was created to spend 90% on travel and insider salaries and benefits, and 10% on direct grants to charities, that it offered thin moral cover to skullduggery, and that it drew donations from zillionaires, who in turn offered Bill Clinton lopsided lecture fees that he otherwise would not have commanded, and expected favorable U.S. government treatment for their cash. Hillary assumed that beneath the skin of a “charitable organization” the three Clintons ran a veritable shake down operation that resulted in mother, father, and daughter becoming multimillionaires. The Clintons will expect the issue to dissolve, either on the premise that the notoriety cannot do much more damage to the already sullied Clinton name, or that the Democratic Party feels that it can nominate no other candidate who raises as much money and is so recognizable as the proverbial prevaricator Hillary Clinton.
President Obama’s approval ratings seem to have gone up almost in direct proportion to the degree he has lied. On over twenty occasions [6] in reelection scenarios, Obama lied in stating that he would not issue blanket amnesties and order non-enforcement of current immigration law given that it would be unconstitutional and unlawful to do so. We accept at the time that such assurances were about as truthful as his convenient opposition to gay marriage — rhetorical constructs that warp and weave according to the realities of the next election. Who objects when Obama’s lying is felt to be for the higher cause of equality of result?
Almost every element of his promises about Obamacare — easy online signups, reduced premiums and deductibles, maintenance of current policies and doctors [7], national savings, and less frequent emergency room use were not just untrue, but realized in advance as simply not possible. Almost every parameter that Obama outlined in advance about the current Iranian talks proved about as true as were his redlines to Syria should it use chemical weapons. As a good community organizer, Obama accepts that his noble goals are government-mandated egalitarianism and that such utopian agendas require any means necessary to achieve them. And so he lies and the public seems bored and apparently appreciates why he must do so.
When elites customarily lie without much consequence, the public follows their examples.
Monday, April 13, 2015
Does It Really Matter???
STEP BY STEP...
IN HITLER’S GERMANY THEY WATCHED AS THEY CAME FOR THE JEWS.
IN HITLER’S GERMANY THEY WATCHED AS THEY CAME FOR THE GYPSIES .
IN HITLER’S GERMANY THEY WATCHED AS THEY CAME FOR THEIR NEIGHBORS .
IN HITLER’S GERMANY WHEN THEY CAME FOR THEM...IT WAS TOO LATE.
WHENS ( this is shocking)
WHEN I FINISHED READING THIS I WAS SHORT OF BREATH.
Looking back through the past 4 years, many "Whens“ pop up. Read them all to better understand where we are going as a country.
WHEN - he refused to disclose who donated money to his election campaign, as other candidates had done, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN -he received endorsements from people like Louis Farrakhan, Muramar Kaddafi and Hugo Chavez, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN -it was pointed out that he was a total newcomer and had absolutely no experience at anything except community organizing, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN -he chose friends and acquaintances such as Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn who were revolutionary radicals, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN -his voting record in the Illinois Senate and in the U.S. Senate came into question, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN -he refused to wear a flag lapel pin and did so only after a public outcry, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN -people started treating him as a Messiah and children in schools were taught to sing his praises, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN -he stood with his hands over his groin area for the playing of the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN -he surrounded himself in the White House with advisors who were pro-gun control, pro-abortion, pro-homosexual marriage and wanting to curtail freedom of speech to silence the opposition, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN -he said he favors sex education in kindergarten, including homosexual indoctrination, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN -his personal background was either scrubbed or hidden and nothing could be found about him, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN -the place of his birth was called into question, and he refused to produce a birth certificate, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN -he had an association in Chicago with Tony Rezko- a man of questionable character and who is now in prison and had helped Obama to a sweet deal on the purchase of his home - people said it didn't matter.
WHEN -it became known that George Soros, a multi-billionaire Marxist, spent a ton of money to get him elected, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN -he started appointing White House Czars that were radicals, revolutionaries, and even avowed Marxist /Communists, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN - he stood before the Nation and told us that his intentions were to “fundamentally transform this Nation" into something else, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN - it became known that he had trained ACORN workers in Chicago and served as an attorney for ACORN, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN - he appointed cabinet members and several advisers who were tax cheats and socialists, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN - he appointed a Science Czar, John Holdren, who believes in forced abortions, mass sterilizations and seizing babies from teen mothers, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN - he appointed Cass Sunstein as Regulatory Czar who believes in "Explicit Consent," harvesting human organs without family consent and allowing animals to be represented in court, while banning all hunting, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN - he appointed Kevin Jennings, a homosexual and organizer of a group called Gay, Lesbian, Straight, Education Network as Safe School Czar and it became known that he had a history of bad advice to teenagers, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN - he appointed Mark Lloyd as Diversity Czar who believes in curtailing free speech, taking from one and giving to another to spread the wealth, who supports Hugo Chavez, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN -Valerie Jarrett, an avowed Socialist, was selected as Obama's Senior White House Advisor, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN -Anita Dunn, White House Communications Director, said Mao Tse Tung was her favorite philosopher and the person she turned to most for inspiration, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN - he appointed Carol Browner, a well-known socialist as Global Warming Czar working on Cap and Trade as the nation’s largest tax, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN - he appointed Van Jones, an ex-con and avowed Communist as Green Energy Czar, who since had to resign when this was made known, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN- Tom Daschle, Obama's pick for Health and Human Services Secretary could not be confirmed because he was a tax cheat, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN - as President of the United States, he bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN - he traveled around the world criticizing America and never once talking of her greatness, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN - his actions concerning the Middle East seemed to support the Palestinians over Israel, our longtime ally, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN - he took American tax dollars to resettle thousands of Palestinians from Gaza to the United States, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN - he upset the Europeans by removing plans for missile defense system against the Russians, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN - he played politics in Afghanistan by not sending troops early-on when the Field Commanders said they were necessary to win, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN - he started spending us into a debt that was so big we could not pay it off, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN - he took a huge spending bill under the guise of stimulus and used it to pay off organizations, unions, and individuals that got him elected, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN - he took over insurance companies, car companies, banks, etc., people said it didn't matter.
WHEN - he took away student loans from the banks and put it through the government, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN -he designed plans to take over the health care system and put it under government control, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN -he claimed he was a Christian during the election and tapes were later made public that showed Obama speaking to a Muslim group and ‘stating' that he was raised a Muslim, was educated as a Muslim, and is still a Muslim, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN -he set into motion a plan to take over the control of all energy in the United States through Cap and Trade, people said it didn't matter.
WHEN-he finally completed his transformation of America into a Socialist State, people woke up--- but it was too late. Add these up one by one and you get a score that points to the fact that Barrack Hussein Obama is determined to turn America into a Marxist-Socialist society. All of the items in the preceding paragraphs have been put into place. All can be documented very easily. Before you disavow this do an Internet search. The last paragraph alone is not yet cast n stone. You and I will write that paragraph.Will it read as above or will it be a happier ending for most of America?
Don't just belittle the opposition. Search for the truth. We all need to pull together or watch the demise of a free democratic society. we need to seek the truth and take action for i t will keep us FREE. Our biggest enemy is not China, Russia, North Korea or Iran. Our biggest enemy is our complacent selves. The government will not help, so we need to do it ourselves.
It’s your decision. does IT matter?......AND WHEN.
Thursday, April 9, 2015
David's Sling is Resurrected
The Real Power Behind "David's Sling"
No matter which side the international community falls regarding the U.S./Iran "deal" on nuclear weapons, all can agree that Israel has a huge stake in the outcome. It's always interesting to peruse the different media sites to try and determine how the "official spin" is being perceived.
U.S. media outlets seem hesitant to declare it a victory for the U.S. (or the world), as all signs point to further stalling by Iran and continued development of their nuclear capabilities. Furthermore, the U.S. seems to be more concerned with protecting Iran's "right" to nuclear expansion, than to the concerns of our ally, Israel, over overt Iranian threats to their homeland.
Russia Today, (RT), a global multilingual television news network based in Moscow and funded by the Russian government, asserts that the recent testing of Israel's anti-ballistic missile system, called "David's Sling" is in reaction to the latest in the Iran nuclear talks. This short-range ballistic missile defense system is designed to intercept medium range missiles from nearby Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon, home of the Shi'a Islamist militant group and political party, Hezbollah -- who, have sworn to annihilate Israel, and not surprisingly, hailed the news that Iran is closer to securing a nuclear bomb.
Keeping in line with that sentiment, The Daily Star, a news outlet in Lebanon, declared that the preliminary success of "David's Sling" would not protect Israel "from the threat posed by Hezbollah’s ever-expanding and varied arsenal of missiles and rockets." In fact, The Daily Star wrote that an assessment by the Israeli army released within the last week predicts that Israel could be hit by as many as 1,500 rockets a day in the next war, leaving hundreds dead and requiring mass evacuations. They also predicted that "the success rate of Israel's 'Iron Dome' and 'David’s Sling' in knocking out Hezbollah’s rockets is largely irrelevant." The substance of the article states that Hezbollah, and Israel's enemies, should have no problem evading "David's Sling."
Perhaps all those who are willing to discount Israel's latest defense system should do a little historical research. I'm sure you realize that it is no coincidence that Israel chose to name its anti-ballistic missile system after the choice of weapon of their legendary Shepherd King, David. Israel's ancient enemy, the Philistines, also mocked the effectiveness of the original David's sling. But those who oppose Israel in modern times should take heed of the outcome of the battle between the slight, young, boy and the giant named Goliath. Interestingly enough, RT refers to Israel's latest anti-ballistic missile system as "unique, small, and agile", a description that could as easily be applied to David, as he engaged in his epic battle.
Just as today, there seemed to be a huge discrepancy in the weapons the enemy combatants chose; and it looked as if David's sling was no match for the 9 foot giant, Goliath, whose protective armor weighed over 150 pounds, and who carried a spear that measured 26 feet! But as those watching the ancient battle soon concluded, it was a mistake to underestimate David's sling or the power behind it.
First of all, David's sling was a formidable weapon. It has been argued by experts in ancient warfare that a good slinger hurled a stone as far and accurately as a good archer. One Roman writer noted that opponents in leather armor were in far greater danger from sling missiles than arrows. Even if the stone did not penetrate the armor, it was capable of inflicting a fatal internal injury.
Now consider that David, the shepherd boy, had ample practice slinging his stones at wolves, lions, and bears who attempted to attack his sheep. He boasts to King Saul that he has killed any threat to his herd by this simple method. Then consider that David probably wound up his sling with a circular arm motion, slinging around probably at six or seven revolutions per second. Experts on ballistics have speculated that the stopping power of the rock fired from David's sling was roughly equal to the stopping power of a [.45 caliber] handgun. It was an incredibly devastating weapon when applied to the center of Goliath's forehead!
Of course, you realize that the real power behind David and his sling was the God of Israel. David, representing the nation of Israel, declared that, with his sling, he would be delivered out of the hand of his enemies. He prophesied that all would see that the battle was the Lord's, and that he, David, was supported by the hosts of heaven.
If I was going to pick a name for a weapons system to protect Israel, none could be found more appropriate than "David's Sling". Remember last summer's rocket attacks from the Palestinian militants, Hamas, against Israel? Do you remember the miraculous interventions and divine miracles attributed to the Iron Dome defense system? I think we can expect more such miracles for Israel, as God defends her from those who wish to destroy her.
As I pray for the peace of Jerusalem, I also pray for the salvation of the Jews and that they make the connection between their Shepherd King David and his Holy descendant, their Messiah. Let them call on His Name in their time of trouble, just as King David called on YHWH in his battles. Let them recognize the source of their protection, and let the world take note of the power behind "David's Sling" ....
Psalm 27:3 Of David ... Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.
No matter which side the international community falls regarding the U.S./Iran "deal" on nuclear weapons, all can agree that Israel has a huge stake in the outcome. It's always interesting to peruse the different media sites to try and determine how the "official spin" is being perceived.
U.S. media outlets seem hesitant to declare it a victory for the U.S. (or the world), as all signs point to further stalling by Iran and continued development of their nuclear capabilities. Furthermore, the U.S. seems to be more concerned with protecting Iran's "right" to nuclear expansion, than to the concerns of our ally, Israel, over overt Iranian threats to their homeland.
Russia Today, (RT), a global multilingual television news network based in Moscow and funded by the Russian government, asserts that the recent testing of Israel's anti-ballistic missile system, called "David's Sling" is in reaction to the latest in the Iran nuclear talks. This short-range ballistic missile defense system is designed to intercept medium range missiles from nearby Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon, home of the Shi'a Islamist militant group and political party, Hezbollah -- who, have sworn to annihilate Israel, and not surprisingly, hailed the news that Iran is closer to securing a nuclear bomb.
Keeping in line with that sentiment, The Daily Star, a news outlet in Lebanon, declared that the preliminary success of "David's Sling" would not protect Israel "from the threat posed by Hezbollah’s ever-expanding and varied arsenal of missiles and rockets." In fact, The Daily Star wrote that an assessment by the Israeli army released within the last week predicts that Israel could be hit by as many as 1,500 rockets a day in the next war, leaving hundreds dead and requiring mass evacuations. They also predicted that "the success rate of Israel's 'Iron Dome' and 'David’s Sling' in knocking out Hezbollah’s rockets is largely irrelevant." The substance of the article states that Hezbollah, and Israel's enemies, should have no problem evading "David's Sling."
Perhaps all those who are willing to discount Israel's latest defense system should do a little historical research. I'm sure you realize that it is no coincidence that Israel chose to name its anti-ballistic missile system after the choice of weapon of their legendary Shepherd King, David. Israel's ancient enemy, the Philistines, also mocked the effectiveness of the original David's sling. But those who oppose Israel in modern times should take heed of the outcome of the battle between the slight, young, boy and the giant named Goliath. Interestingly enough, RT refers to Israel's latest anti-ballistic missile system as "unique, small, and agile", a description that could as easily be applied to David, as he engaged in his epic battle.
Just as today, there seemed to be a huge discrepancy in the weapons the enemy combatants chose; and it looked as if David's sling was no match for the 9 foot giant, Goliath, whose protective armor weighed over 150 pounds, and who carried a spear that measured 26 feet! But as those watching the ancient battle soon concluded, it was a mistake to underestimate David's sling or the power behind it.
First of all, David's sling was a formidable weapon. It has been argued by experts in ancient warfare that a good slinger hurled a stone as far and accurately as a good archer. One Roman writer noted that opponents in leather armor were in far greater danger from sling missiles than arrows. Even if the stone did not penetrate the armor, it was capable of inflicting a fatal internal injury.
Now consider that David, the shepherd boy, had ample practice slinging his stones at wolves, lions, and bears who attempted to attack his sheep. He boasts to King Saul that he has killed any threat to his herd by this simple method. Then consider that David probably wound up his sling with a circular arm motion, slinging around probably at six or seven revolutions per second. Experts on ballistics have speculated that the stopping power of the rock fired from David's sling was roughly equal to the stopping power of a [.45 caliber] handgun. It was an incredibly devastating weapon when applied to the center of Goliath's forehead!
Of course, you realize that the real power behind David and his sling was the God of Israel. David, representing the nation of Israel, declared that, with his sling, he would be delivered out of the hand of his enemies. He prophesied that all would see that the battle was the Lord's, and that he, David, was supported by the hosts of heaven.
If I was going to pick a name for a weapons system to protect Israel, none could be found more appropriate than "David's Sling". Remember last summer's rocket attacks from the Palestinian militants, Hamas, against Israel? Do you remember the miraculous interventions and divine miracles attributed to the Iron Dome defense system? I think we can expect more such miracles for Israel, as God defends her from those who wish to destroy her.
As I pray for the peace of Jerusalem, I also pray for the salvation of the Jews and that they make the connection between their Shepherd King David and his Holy descendant, their Messiah. Let them call on His Name in their time of trouble, just as King David called on YHWH in his battles. Let them recognize the source of their protection, and let the world take note of the power behind "David's Sling" ....
Psalm 27:3 Of David ... Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
A Very Inconvenient Man.
Apr 6 at 6:53 PM
148 Christians massacred in a Kenyan school, beheadings of Christians all over the middleast, and Christians being murdered or forced to flee for their lives and barely a whimper from Obama. We have Americans wrongfully imprisoned in Iran and somehow freeing them isn't important enough to mention in the nuke talks. But no big deal. We've got Christianity being attacked by athiests, liberals, Marxists, Muslims all over America and not a word about that either. Could it be that this president reared in Muslim schools and who once identified himself as a Muslim on his passport could actually want Christianity destroyed?
He has not only allowed Christian persecution to go undeterred, but now he's turned his sights on our only democratic ally in the middle east. Could somebody please tell me why Israel is not a part of the nuke talks since they have been identified by Iran as their #1 target for destruction? If not in the talks, at least serving as a valuable advisor to the Obama's regime? Does the leader of the free world throw Israel under the bus in favor of supporting the IslamoNazi regime in Iran? His hatred for Netanyahu and Israel is so blatant that he doesn't even try to hide it. He does however, expect republican senators and representatives to hide their support for Israel and in turn support him in facilitating Israel's demise.
It's even getting hard for far left extremist libs to support him on this issue. Course they won't be very obvious about their doubts because after all, political power and control is more important than the wellbeing of Israel and the free world. So they say as little as possible (just enough to fool their Jewish voters into thinking they care), just as does the media. But make no mistake, these liberal vermin will vote against any republican bill that tries to improve or clarify American interests in this pro-Muslim treaty. They can't let the republicans have a political victory on the verge of an election year.
Hillary is out of the loop on this one. Seems her server is out of order. God help us
148 Christians massacred in a Kenyan school, beheadings of Christians all over the middleast, and Christians being murdered or forced to flee for their lives and barely a whimper from Obama. We have Americans wrongfully imprisoned in Iran and somehow freeing them isn't important enough to mention in the nuke talks. But no big deal. We've got Christianity being attacked by athiests, liberals, Marxists, Muslims all over America and not a word about that either. Could it be that this president reared in Muslim schools and who once identified himself as a Muslim on his passport could actually want Christianity destroyed?
He has not only allowed Christian persecution to go undeterred, but now he's turned his sights on our only democratic ally in the middle east. Could somebody please tell me why Israel is not a part of the nuke talks since they have been identified by Iran as their #1 target for destruction? If not in the talks, at least serving as a valuable advisor to the Obama's regime? Does the leader of the free world throw Israel under the bus in favor of supporting the IslamoNazi regime in Iran? His hatred for Netanyahu and Israel is so blatant that he doesn't even try to hide it. He does however, expect republican senators and representatives to hide their support for Israel and in turn support him in facilitating Israel's demise.
It's even getting hard for far left extremist libs to support him on this issue. Course they won't be very obvious about their doubts because after all, political power and control is more important than the wellbeing of Israel and the free world. So they say as little as possible (just enough to fool their Jewish voters into thinking they care), just as does the media. But make no mistake, these liberal vermin will vote against any republican bill that tries to improve or clarify American interests in this pro-Muslim treaty. They can't let the republicans have a political victory on the verge of an election year.
Hillary is out of the loop on this one. Seems her server is out of order. God help us
Thursday, March 26, 2015
America, Irretrievably Lost
Time is like a river. You cannot touch the water twice, because the flow that has passed will never pass again. Written by a USMC Vet.
The American Dream ended (on November 6th, 2012) in Ohio . The second term of Barack Obama will be the final nail in the coffin for the legacy of the white Christian males who discovered, explored, pioneered, settled and developed the greatest Republic in the history of mankind.
A coalition of Blacks, Latinos, Feminists, Gays, Government Workers, Union Members, Environmental Extremists, The Media, Hollywood , uninformed young people, the "forever needy," the chronically unemployed, illegal aliens and other "fellow travelers" have ended Norman Rockwell's America . The Cocker Spaniel is off the front porch... The Pit Bull is in the back yard. The American Constitution has been replaced with Saul Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals" and Chicago shyster, David Axelrod, along with international Socialist George Soros will be pulling the strings on their beige puppet to bring us Act 2 of the New World Order.
Our side ran two candidates who couldn't even win their own home states, and Chris Christie helped Obama over the top with a glowing "post Sandy " tribute that elevated the "Commander-in-Chief" to Mother Teresa status. (Aside: with the way the polls were run, he didn't need any help!) People like me are completely politically irrelevant, and I will never again comment on or concern myself with the aforementioned coalition which has surrendered our culture, our heritage and our traditions without a shot being fired.
You will never again out-vote these people. It will take individual acts of defiance and massive displays of civil disobedience to get back the rights we have allowed them to take away. It will take Zealots, not moderates & shy not reach-across-the-aisle RINOs to right this ship and restore our beloved country to its former status.
Those who come after us will have to risk their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to bring back the Republic that this generation has timidly frittered away due to "white guilt" and political correctness... An American Veteran......... Semper-Fi
The American Dream ended (on November 6th, 2012) in Ohio . The second term of Barack Obama will be the final nail in the coffin for the legacy of the white Christian males who discovered, explored, pioneered, settled and developed the greatest Republic in the history of mankind.
A coalition of Blacks, Latinos, Feminists, Gays, Government Workers, Union Members, Environmental Extremists, The Media, Hollywood , uninformed young people, the "forever needy," the chronically unemployed, illegal aliens and other "fellow travelers" have ended Norman Rockwell's America . The Cocker Spaniel is off the front porch... The Pit Bull is in the back yard. The American Constitution has been replaced with Saul Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals" and Chicago shyster, David Axelrod, along with international Socialist George Soros will be pulling the strings on their beige puppet to bring us Act 2 of the New World Order.
Our side ran two candidates who couldn't even win their own home states, and Chris Christie helped Obama over the top with a glowing "post Sandy " tribute that elevated the "Commander-in-Chief" to Mother Teresa status. (Aside: with the way the polls were run, he didn't need any help!) People like me are completely politically irrelevant, and I will never again comment on or concern myself with the aforementioned coalition which has surrendered our culture, our heritage and our traditions without a shot being fired.
You will never again out-vote these people. It will take individual acts of defiance and massive displays of civil disobedience to get back the rights we have allowed them to take away. It will take Zealots, not moderates & shy not reach-across-the-aisle RINOs to right this ship and restore our beloved country to its former status.
Those who come after us will have to risk their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to bring back the Republic that this generation has timidly frittered away due to "white guilt" and political correctness... An American Veteran......... Semper-Fi
Saturday, February 21, 2015
The Genius of the Shoe Bomber and what it nets him
Date: Saturday, January 17, 2015, 1:17 PMShoe Bomber Sentenced
This is an interesting judgment. Too bad it was not publicized more. Remember the guy who got on a plane with a bomb built into his shoe and tried to light it? Did you know his trial is over? Did you know he was sentenced? Did you see/hear any of the judge's comments on TV or Radio? I didn't think so.!!!
Everyone should hear what the judge had to say.
Ruling by Judge William Young, US District Court:
Prior to sentencing, the Judge asked the defendant if he had anything to say.
His response: After admitting his guilt to the court for the record, Reid also admitted his 'allegiance to Osama bin Laden, to Islam and to the religion of Allah,' defiantly stating, 'I think I will not apologize for my actions' and told the court 'I am at war with your country.'
Judge Young then delivered the statement quoted below:
'Mr. Richard C. Reid, hearken now to the sentence the Court imposes upon you.
On counts 1, 5 and 6 the Court sentences you to life in prison in the custody of the United States Attorney General. On counts 2, 3, 4 and 7, the Court sentences you to 20 years in prison on each count, the sentence on each count to run consecutively. (That's 80 years.) On count 8 the Court sentences you to the mandatory 30 years again, to be served consecutively to the 80 years just imposed. The Court imposes upon you for each of the eight counts a fine of $250,000 that's an aggregate fine of $2 million.
The Court accepts the government's recommendation with respect to restitution and orders restitution in the amount of $298.17 to Andre Bousquet and $5,784 to American Airlines.The Court imposes upon you an $800 special assessment. The Court imposes upon you five years supervised release simply because the law requires it. But the life sentences are real life sentences so I need go no further.This is the sentence that is provided for by our statutes. It is a fair and just sentence. It is a righteous sentence.
Now, let me explain this to you. We are not afraid of you or any of your terrorist co-conspirators, Mr. Reid. We are Americans. We have been through the fire before. There is too much war talk here and I say that to everyone with the utmost respect. Here in this court, we deal with individuals as individuals and care for individuals as individuals. As human beings, we reach out for justice. You are not an enemy combatant. You are a terrorist. You are not a soldier in any war. You are a terrorist. To give you that reference, to call you a soldier, gives you far too much stature. Whether the officers of government do it or your attorney does it, or if you think you are a soldier, you are not-----, you are a terrorist. And we do not negotiate with terrorists. We do not meet with terrorists. We do not sign documents with terrorists. We hunt them down one by one and bring them to justice.
So war talk is way out of line in this court. You are a big fellow. But you are not that big. You're no warrior. I've known warriors. You are a terrorist. A species of criminal that is guilty of multiple attempted murders.
In a very real sense, State Trooper Santiago had it right when you first were taken off that plane and into custody and you wondered where the press and the TV crews were and he said:"You're no big deal."
You are no big deal. What your able counsel and what the equally able United States attorneys have grappled with and what I have as honestly as I know how tried to grapple with, is why you did something so horrific.
What was it that led you here to this courtroom today? I have listened respectfully to what you have to say. And I ask you to search your heart and ask yourself what sort of unfathomable hate led you to do what you are guilty and admit you are guilty of doing? And, I have an answer for you. It may not satisfy you but as I search this entire record, it comes as close to understanding as I know.
It seems to me you hate the one thing that to us is most precious. You hate our freedom. Our individual freedom. Our individual freedom to live as we choose, to come and go as we choose, to believe or not believe as we individually choose.
Here, in this society, the very wind carries freedom. It carries it everywhere from sea to shining sea. It is because we prize individual freedom so much that you are here in this beautiful courtroom, so that everyone can see, truly see, that justice is administered fairly, individually, and discretely. It is for freedom's sake that your lawyers are striving so vigorously on your behalf, have filed appeals, will go on in their representation of you before other judges.
We Americans are all about freedom. Because we all know that the way we treat you, Mr. Reid, is the measure of our own liberties.Make no mistake though. It is yet true that we will bear any burden; pay any price, to preserve our freedoms.
Look around this courtroom. Mark it well. The world is not going to long remember what you or I say here. The day after tomorrow, it will be forgotten but this, however, will long endure. Here in this courtroom and courtrooms all across America, the American people will gather to see that justice, individual justice, justice, not war, individual justice is in fact being done.
The very President of the United States through his officers will have to come into courtrooms and lay out evidence on which specific matters can be judged and juries of citizens will gather to sit and judge that evidence democratically, to mold and shape and refine our sense of justice.
See that flag, Mr. Reid? That's the flag of the United States of America. That flag will fly there long after this is all forgotten. That flag stands for freedom. And it always will.
Mr. Custody Officer. Stand him down.
So, how much of this Judge's comments did we hear on our TV sets?
We need more judges like Judge Young.
Pass this around. Everyone should and needs to hear what this fine judge had to say. Powerful words that strike home.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
A HISTORY LESSON
A HISTORY LESSON. MOST OF US ALREADY KNOW THIS. ALL OF US SHOULD.
You may recall that a few weeks ago, President Obama spoke of three former Presidents making prisoner swaps at the end of wars that took place on their watch, "much like this swap" he said convincingly.
CNN News carried this quote, “This is what happens at the end of wars,” President Barack Obama boasted Tuesday when he was asked about swapping an American Army Sgt. Deserter for five vicious Taliban terrorists. "That was true for George Washington... That was true for Abraham Lincoln and that was true for FDR. That’s been true of every combat situation, that at some point, you make sure that you try to get your folks back... And that’s the right thing to do.”
Really?
That statement blatantly demonstrates that the most powerful man in the World and two term President of the United States lacks even a grade school level of knowledge of American History; specifically, history as it relates to three of our most famous presidents and it demonstrates again that we have essentially elected a foreigner who has no understanding of the very country that he reigns supreme over. Then again, he was educated at an Ivy league school so you can't expect too much.
What's wrong with his statements? Let's keep it simple-- EVERYTHING is wrong!
George Washington did not become president until six years after the Revolutionary War ended in 1783. By 1789 there were no longer any prisoners for him to exchange.
FDR died of a stroke before the end of WWII. Like Lincoln, he stayed dead after the war so he couldn't do what this jerk says he did. You'll recall that Harry S. Truman made the decision to drop two nuclear bombs on Japan, ending World War II. He made no deals for prisoners.
None of the Presidents that Obama noted were in office at the ends of those wars, making it impossible for them to make any sort of prisoner swaps, let alone the 5 for 1, plus unspecified cash, for a deserter and traitor by our "57 States" president.
It should be pointed out that many deserters and traitors were shot or hung during all three of the aforementioned wars.
What amazes one even more than the ignorance of the President is that he has managed to surround himself with a staff that is just as clueless.
Architect of Destruction
Maureen Scott is an ardent American patriot who was born in Pittsburgh, PA , and retired to Richmond , VA , in 2000. Free from the nine-to-five grind of writing for employers and clients, she began writing political commentary to please herself and express her convictions.
Architect of Destruction
By Maureen Scott
Barack Obama appears to be a tormented man filled with resentment, anger, and disdain for anyone of an opinion or view other than his. He acts in the most hateful, spiteful, malevolent, vindictive ways in order to manipulate and maintain power and control over others. Perhaps, because, as a child, he grew up harboring an abiding bitterness toward the U.S. That was instilled in him by his family and mentors...it seems to have never left him.
It is not the color of his skin that is a problem in America.
Rather it is the blackness that fills his soul and the hollowness in his heart where there should be abiding pride and love for this country.
Think: Have we ever heard Obama speak lovingly of the U.S. Or its people, with deep appreciation and genuine respect for our history, our customs, our sufferings and our blessings? Has he ever revealed that, like most patriotic Americans, he gets "goose bumps" when a band plays "The Star Spangled Banner," (no he gets goose bumps when he hears the ''Muslim call to prayer" (his words) or sheds a tear when he hears a beautiful rendition of " America the Beautiful?" Does his heart burst with pride when millions of American flags wave on a National holiday - or someone plays "taps" on a trumpet? Has he ever shared the admiration of the military, as we as lovers of those who keep us free, feel when soldiers march by? It is doubtful because Obama did not grow up sharing our experiences or our values. He did not sit at the knee of a Grandfather or Uncle who showed us his medals and told us about the bravery of his fellow troops as they tramped through foreign lands to keep us free. He didn't have grandparents who told stories of suffering and then coming to America, penniless, and the opportunities they had for building a business and life for their children.
Away from this country as a young child, Obama didn't delight in being part of America and its greatness. He wasn't singing our patriotic songs in kindergarten, or standing on the roadside for a holiday parade and eating a hot dog, or lighting sparklers around a campfire on July 4th as fireworks exploded over head, or placing flags on the grave sites of fallen and beloved American heroes.
Rather he was separated from all of these experiences and doesn't really understand us and what it means to be an American. He is void of the basic emotions that most feel regarding this country and insensitive to the instinctive pride we have in our national heritage. His opinions were formed by those who either envied us or wanted him to devalue the United States and the traditions and patriotism that unites us.
He has never given a speech that is filled with calm, reassuring, complimentary, heartfelt statements about all the people in the U.S. Or one that inspires us to be better and grateful and proud that in a short time our country became a leader, and a protector of many. Quite the contrary, his speeches always degenerate into mocking, ridiculing tirades as he faults our achievements as well as any critics or opposition for the sake of a laugh, or to bolster his ego. He uses his Office to threaten and create fear while demeaning and degrading any American who opposes his policies and actions. A secure leader, who has noble self-esteem and not false confidence, refrains from showing such dread of critics and displaying a cocky, haughty attitude.
Mostly, his time seems to be spent causing dissension, unrest, and anxiety among the people of America, rather than uniting us (even though he was presented to us as the "Great Uniter"). He creates chaos for the sake of keeping people separated, envious, aggrieved and ready to argue. Under his leadership Americans have been kept on edge, rather than in a state of comfort and security. He incites people to be aggressive toward, and disrespectful of, those of differing opinions. And through such behavior, Obama has lowered the standards for self-control and mature restraint to the level of street-fighting gangs, when he should be raising the bar for people to strive toward becoming more considerate, tolerant, self-disciplined, self-sustaining, and self-assured.
Not a day goes by that he is not attempting to defy our laws, remove our rights, over-ride established procedures, install controversial appointees, enact divisive mandates, and assert a dictatorial form of government.
- Never has there been a leader of this great land who used such tactics to harm and hurt the people and this country.
- Never have we had a President who spoke with a caustic, evil tongue against the citizenry rather than present himself as a soothing, calming and trustworthy force.
- Never, in this country, have we experienced how much stress one man can cause a nation of people - on a daily basis!
Obama has promoted the degeneration of peace, civility, and quality of cooperation between us. He thrives on tearing us down, rather than building us up. He is the Architect of the decline of America, and the epitome of a Demagogue
Monday, February 2, 2015
WALL STREET JOURNAL "SIZES UP" OBAMA
A "deadly" article regarding Obama, at the Wall Street Journal, which today is the most widely circulated newspaper in America.
Article from the Wall Street Journal - by Alan Caruba:
"I have this theory about Barack Obama. I think he's led a kind of make-believe life in which money was provided and doors were opened because at some point early on somebody or some group (George Soros anybody?) took a look at this tall, good looking, half-white, half-black, young man with an exotic African/Muslim name and concluded he could be guided toward a life in politics where his facile speaking skills could even put him in the White House.
In a very real way, he has been a young man in a very big hurry. Who else do you know has written two memoirs before the age of 45? "Dreams of My Father" was published in 1995 when he was only 34 years old. The "Audacity of Hope" followed in 2006. If, indeed, he did write them himself. There are some who think that his mentor and friend, Bill Ayers, a man who calls himself a "communist with a small 'c'" was the real author.
His political skills consisted of rarely voting on anything that might be deemed controversial. He went from a legislator in the Illinois legislature to the Senator from that state because he had the good fortune of having Mayor Daley's formidable political machine at his disposal.
He was in the U.S. Senate so briefly that his bid for the presidency was either an act of astonishing self-confidence or part of some greater game plan that had been determined before he first stepped foot in the Capital. How, many must wonder, was he selected to be a 2004 keynote speaker at the Democrat convention that nominated John Kerry when virtually no one had ever even heard of him before?
He out maneuvered Hillary Clinton in primaries. He took Iowa by storm. A charming young man, an anomaly in the state with a very small black population, he oozed "cool" in a place where agriculture was the antithesis of cool. He dazzled the locals. And he had an army of volunteers drawn to a charisma that hid any real substance.
And then he had the great good fortune of having the Republicans select one of the most inept candidates for the presidency since Bob Dole. And then John McCain did something crazy. He picked Sarah Palin, an unknown female governor from the very distant state of Alaska . It was a ticket that was reminiscent of 1984's Walter Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro and they went down to defeat.
The mainstream political media fell in love with him. It was a schoolgirl crush with febrile commentators like Chris Mathews swooning then and now over the man. The venom directed against McCain and, in particular, Palin, was extraordinary.
Now, 6 full years into his presidency, all of those gilded years leading up to the White House have left him unprepared to be President. Left to his own instincts, he has a talent for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. It swiftly became a joke that he could not deliver even the briefest of statements without the ever-present Tele-Prompters.
Far worse, however, is his capacity to want to "wish away" some terrible realities, not the least of which is the Islamist intention to destroy America and enslave the West. Any student of history knows how swiftly Islam initially spread. It knocked on the doors of Europe, having gained a foothold in Spain.
The great crowds that greeted him at home or on his campaign "world tour" were no substitute for having even the slightest grasp of history and the reality of a world filled with really bad people with really bad intentions. Oddly and perhaps even inevitably, his political experience, a cakewalk, has positioned him to destroy the Democrat Party's hold on power in Congress because in the end it was never about the Party. It was always about his communist ideology, learned at an early age from family, mentors, college professors, and extreme leftist friends and colleagues.
Obama is a man who could deliver a snap judgment about a Boston police officer who arrested an "obstreperous" Harvard professor-friend, but would warn Americans against "jumping to conclusions" about a mass murderer at Fort Hood who shouted "Allahu Akbar." The absurdity of that was lost on no one. He has since compounded this by calling the Christmas bomber "an isolated extremist" only to have to admit a day or two later that he was part of an al Qaeda plot.
He is a man who could strive to close down our detention facility at Guantanamo even though those released were known to have returned to the battlefield against America. He could even instruct his Attorney General to afford the perpetrator of 9/11 a civil trial when no one else would ever even consider such an obscenity. And he is a man who could wait three days before having anything to say about the perpetrator of yet another terrorist attack on Americans and then have to elaborate on his remarks the following day because his first statement was so lame.
The pattern repeats itself. He either blames any problem on the Bush administration or he naively seeks to wish away the truth.
Knock, knock. Anyone home? Anyone there? Barack Obama exists only as the sock puppet of his handlers, of the people who have maneuvered and manufactured this pathetic individual's life.
When anyone else would quickly and easily produce a birth certificate, this man spent over a million dollars to deny access to his. Most other documents, the paper trail we all leave in our wake, have been sequestered from review. He has lived a make-believe life whose true facts remain hidden.
We laugh at the ventriloquist's dummy, but what do you do when the dummy is President of the United States .
We the people are coming!
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
What is Obama about
1. Mr. Obama is a very intellectual, charming individual. He is not to be underestimated. He is a cool customer who doesn't show his emotions. It's very hard to know what's behind the mask. The taking down of the Clinton dynasty was an amazing accomplishment. The Clintons still do not understand what hit them. Obama was in the perfect place at the perfect time.
2. Obama has political skills comparable to Reagan and Clinton. He has a way of making you think he's on your side, agreeing with your position, while doing the opposite. Pay no attention to what he SAYS; rather, watch what he DOES!
3. Obama has a ruthless quest for power. He did not come to Washington to make something out of himself but rather to change everything, including dismantling capitalism. He can't be straight forward on his ambitions, as the public would not go along. He has a heavy hand and wants to level the playing field with income redistribution and punishment to the achievers of society. He would like to model the USA to Great Britain or Canada.
4. His three main goals are to control ENERGY, PUBLIC EDUCATION and NATIONAL HEALTHCARE by the Federal government. He doesn't care about the auto or financial services industries but got them as an early bonus. The cap and trade will add costs to everything and stifle growth. Paying for FREE college education is his goal. Most scary is his healthcare program because if you make it FREE and add 46,000,000 people to a Medicare-type single-payer system, the costs will go through the roof. The only way to control costs is with massive RATIONING of services, like in Canada .. God forbid!
5. He has surrounded himself with mostly far-left academic types. No one around him has ever even run a candy store. But they are going to try and run the auto, financial, banking and other industries. This obviously can't work in the long run. Obama is not a socialist; rather he's a far-left secular progressive bent on nothing short of revolution. He ran as a moderate but will govern from the hard left. Again, watch what he DOES, not what he says.
6. Obama doesn't really see himself as President of the United States but more as a ruler over the world. He sees himself above it all, trying to orchestrate & coordinate various countries and their agendas. He sees moral equivalency in all cultures. His apology tour in Germany and England was a prime example of how he sees America as an imperialist nation that has been arrogant, rather than a great noble nation that has at times made errors. This is the first President, ever, who has chastised our allies and appeased our enemies!
7. He is now handing out goodies. He would like to blame all problems on Bush, from the past, and hopefully his successor in the future. He has a huge ego and Dr. Krauthammer believes he is a narcissist. (the Dr. IS a psychiatrist)
8. Republicans are in the wilderness for a while but will emerge strong. Republicans are pining for another Reagan but there will never be another like him. Krauthammer believes Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty & Bobby Jindahl (except for his terrible speech in February) are the future of the party. Newt Gingrich is brilliant but has baggage. Sarah Palin is sincere and intelligent but needs to really be seriously boning up on facts and info if she is to be a serious candidate in the future. We need to return to the party of lower taxes, smaller government, personal responsibility, strong national defense and State's Rights.
9. The current level of spending is irresponsible and outrageous. We are spending trillions that we don't have. This could lead to hyperinflation, depression or worse. No country has ever spent themselves into prosperity. The Media is giving Obama, Reid and Pelosi a Pass because they love their agenda. But eventually the bill will come due and people will realize the huge bailouts didn't work, nor will the stimulus package. These were trillion-dollar payoffs to Obama's allies, unions and the Congress to placate the left, so he can get support for #4 above.
10 When Lehman brothers failed, fear and panic swept in, we had an unpopular President, and the war was grinding on indefinitely without a clear outcome. The people are in pain and the mantra of change caused people to act emotionally. Any Dem would have won this election; it was surprising it was as close as it was.
11. If the unemployment rate is over 10%, Republicans will be swept back into power. If it's under 8%, the Dems continue to roll. If it's between 8-10%, it will be a dogfight. It will all be about the economy. I hope this gets you really thinking about what's happening in Washington and Congress. There is a left-wing revolution going on, according to Krauthammer, and he encourages us to keep the faith and join the loyal resistance. The work will be hard but we're right on most issues and can reclaim our country before it's far to late.
2. Obama has political skills comparable to Reagan and Clinton. He has a way of making you think he's on your side, agreeing with your position, while doing the opposite. Pay no attention to what he SAYS; rather, watch what he DOES!
3. Obama has a ruthless quest for power. He did not come to Washington to make something out of himself but rather to change everything, including dismantling capitalism. He can't be straight forward on his ambitions, as the public would not go along. He has a heavy hand and wants to level the playing field with income redistribution and punishment to the achievers of society. He would like to model the USA to Great Britain or Canada.
4. His three main goals are to control ENERGY, PUBLIC EDUCATION and NATIONAL HEALTHCARE by the Federal government. He doesn't care about the auto or financial services industries but got them as an early bonus. The cap and trade will add costs to everything and stifle growth. Paying for FREE college education is his goal. Most scary is his healthcare program because if you make it FREE and add 46,000,000 people to a Medicare-type single-payer system, the costs will go through the roof. The only way to control costs is with massive RATIONING of services, like in Canada .. God forbid!
5. He has surrounded himself with mostly far-left academic types. No one around him has ever even run a candy store. But they are going to try and run the auto, financial, banking and other industries. This obviously can't work in the long run. Obama is not a socialist; rather he's a far-left secular progressive bent on nothing short of revolution. He ran as a moderate but will govern from the hard left. Again, watch what he DOES, not what he says.
6. Obama doesn't really see himself as President of the United States but more as a ruler over the world. He sees himself above it all, trying to orchestrate & coordinate various countries and their agendas. He sees moral equivalency in all cultures. His apology tour in Germany and England was a prime example of how he sees America as an imperialist nation that has been arrogant, rather than a great noble nation that has at times made errors. This is the first President, ever, who has chastised our allies and appeased our enemies!
7. He is now handing out goodies. He would like to blame all problems on Bush, from the past, and hopefully his successor in the future. He has a huge ego and Dr. Krauthammer believes he is a narcissist. (the Dr. IS a psychiatrist)
8. Republicans are in the wilderness for a while but will emerge strong. Republicans are pining for another Reagan but there will never be another like him. Krauthammer believes Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty & Bobby Jindahl (except for his terrible speech in February) are the future of the party. Newt Gingrich is brilliant but has baggage. Sarah Palin is sincere and intelligent but needs to really be seriously boning up on facts and info if she is to be a serious candidate in the future. We need to return to the party of lower taxes, smaller government, personal responsibility, strong national defense and State's Rights.
9. The current level of spending is irresponsible and outrageous. We are spending trillions that we don't have. This could lead to hyperinflation, depression or worse. No country has ever spent themselves into prosperity. The Media is giving Obama, Reid and Pelosi a Pass because they love their agenda. But eventually the bill will come due and people will realize the huge bailouts didn't work, nor will the stimulus package. These were trillion-dollar payoffs to Obama's allies, unions and the Congress to placate the left, so he can get support for #4 above.
10 When Lehman brothers failed, fear and panic swept in, we had an unpopular President, and the war was grinding on indefinitely without a clear outcome. The people are in pain and the mantra of change caused people to act emotionally. Any Dem would have won this election; it was surprising it was as close as it was.
11. If the unemployment rate is over 10%, Republicans will be swept back into power. If it's under 8%, the Dems continue to roll. If it's between 8-10%, it will be a dogfight. It will all be about the economy. I hope this gets you really thinking about what's happening in Washington and Congress. There is a left-wing revolution going on, according to Krauthammer, and he encourages us to keep the faith and join the loyal resistance. The work will be hard but we're right on most issues and can reclaim our country before it's far to late.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
The True Meaning Of "Scapegoat"
As The World Turns
Ancient Israel had a Day of Atonement, in which the sins of the nation were transferred to the scapegoat:
"And they made a ramp for it [the scapegoat] on account of [the pilgrims] because these used to yank at its hair, and cry out to it, 'Take our sins and go!' 'Take our sins and go!' " (Mishnah Yoma 6.4)
And after the scapegoat had died, the sins of the people were considered to have perished with it; the people were thus cleansed and righteous.
Today we have no less need for a scapegoat; and some portions of our society have already found convenient targets on whom to impute their sins.
There is crime in the inner city, but there are no criminals there, because the perpetrators are all innocent; their conduct is someone else's fault. Poverty, drug abuse, fatherlessness -- the blame for all this rests not on the drug seller or the husband who abandoned his family or those who decried education; for these are all righteous since their guilt has been transferred.
There are mobs forming in the streets, but all of them are innocent. They proclaim their righteousness with every shout, and point the finger of guilt at those who would restrain them: "Take our sins and go!"
Who is more innocent than someone who has just robbed a convenience store, and then assaulted a police officer?
Who is more righteous than someone who quarrels with police, and resists their lawful orders?
And who is more guilty than the great-grandson to the fifth generation, whose ancestors once dabbled in the slave trade? Or who ancestors never traded in slaves but who has the same outer color as those who did? Why should not all the imperfections of the descendants of slaves be transferred to them?
Who is more culpable than someone who would rob these perpetrators of their innocence? Who is more wrong than an officer of the law, whose very function would deprive men of their scapegoat, and tell them they have to retain their own sins? Why is this considered among the greatest of lies? Because for these righteous with their scapegoats, there can be no crime.
Writing in the 19th century, Dostoyevsky put these words into the mouth of the holy monk Zossima:
...for even if the uneducated man of the people is depraved and cannot abstain from his foul sins, he knows that his sins are cursed by God and that he is doing wrong when he sins. (The Brothers Karamazov)
Within a culture delineated by biblical norms, even the "depraved" could locate the dividing line between right and wrong. But we no longer think in such terms; today the line passes only between oppressors and oppressed. Someone else is to always to blame; we are innocent.
We are conditioned by politicians and media to believe that breaking the law is not misconduct, it is really just an expression of social protest, a right to which one is entitled; a primeval cry for -- of all ironies -- justice. I took shoes or goods and broke windows, but I am righteous. You are the guilty ones. Your white privilege is responsible, therefore you bear the sin, and not I.
Dostoyevsky has Zossima continue:
But this is not true of the upper classes. They want to. . . devise a system of justice based on pure reason, not on Christ, as before, and they have already declared that there is no such thing as crime and that there is no sin. And from their point of view, they are right -- for how can there be crime if God does not exist? In Europe the masses are rising against the rich; their leaders are inciting them to blood and violence and are teaching them that theirs is a righteous anger.
Cleansing anger must always convince itself it is righteous. It is that cleansing anger that purged Dostoyevsky's Russia, a few decades later, resulting in millions of deaths. But their killers were not murderers, they were righteous men who had no sin. "Take our sins and go!"
Having dispensed with God in our public life, and nourished politics which explicitly exclude Christ or any other biblical principles, why should we expect anyone to believe that they should be held individually accountable? We have reduced humanity to membership in one of two groups: the victims, or their taskmasters. The pure, or the unblemished. We batch people neatly into these generic lumps. Were you born into the wrong class? Your guilt is inherited and can never be discharged. Were you born into another class? You have no guilt, you are forever immaculate no matter what you do, because it is others who will be made responsible for your deeds. "Take our sins and go!"
But in doing away with God, we also do away with the only acceptable scapegoat.
"But they cried out together, saying, Away with this man..."
(Luke 23:18)
Malcolm Muggeridge observed:
The Christian religion . . . for two thousand years persuaded Western man that he existed as one of a human family whose father was in Heaven. As in a family, each individual was separately and particularly loved. The most sacred, the most inviolable thing on earth was a human soul, any and every one, whether it inhabited the flesh of rich or poor, clever or foolish, well or sick. Thus, to incorporate a man into a herd, and put him under the necessity of following the herd's destiny, was to destroy the purpose of his being. He was himself or he was nothing. Of the herd, the fearful image stands forever -- the Gadarene swing rushing to destruction. (Things Past)
How long before our own culture plunges over the cliff, in a mad race to escape guilt, and to insist that it can find its own path to righteousness without God?
Ancient Israel had a Day of Atonement, in which the sins of the nation were transferred to the scapegoat:
"And they made a ramp for it [the scapegoat] on account of [the pilgrims] because these used to yank at its hair, and cry out to it, 'Take our sins and go!' 'Take our sins and go!' " (Mishnah Yoma 6.4)
And after the scapegoat had died, the sins of the people were considered to have perished with it; the people were thus cleansed and righteous.
Today we have no less need for a scapegoat; and some portions of our society have already found convenient targets on whom to impute their sins.
There is crime in the inner city, but there are no criminals there, because the perpetrators are all innocent; their conduct is someone else's fault. Poverty, drug abuse, fatherlessness -- the blame for all this rests not on the drug seller or the husband who abandoned his family or those who decried education; for these are all righteous since their guilt has been transferred.
There are mobs forming in the streets, but all of them are innocent. They proclaim their righteousness with every shout, and point the finger of guilt at those who would restrain them: "Take our sins and go!"
Who is more innocent than someone who has just robbed a convenience store, and then assaulted a police officer?
Who is more righteous than someone who quarrels with police, and resists their lawful orders?
And who is more guilty than the great-grandson to the fifth generation, whose ancestors once dabbled in the slave trade? Or who ancestors never traded in slaves but who has the same outer color as those who did? Why should not all the imperfections of the descendants of slaves be transferred to them?
Who is more culpable than someone who would rob these perpetrators of their innocence? Who is more wrong than an officer of the law, whose very function would deprive men of their scapegoat, and tell them they have to retain their own sins? Why is this considered among the greatest of lies? Because for these righteous with their scapegoats, there can be no crime.
Writing in the 19th century, Dostoyevsky put these words into the mouth of the holy monk Zossima:
...for even if the uneducated man of the people is depraved and cannot abstain from his foul sins, he knows that his sins are cursed by God and that he is doing wrong when he sins. (The Brothers Karamazov)
Within a culture delineated by biblical norms, even the "depraved" could locate the dividing line between right and wrong. But we no longer think in such terms; today the line passes only between oppressors and oppressed. Someone else is to always to blame; we are innocent.
We are conditioned by politicians and media to believe that breaking the law is not misconduct, it is really just an expression of social protest, a right to which one is entitled; a primeval cry for -- of all ironies -- justice. I took shoes or goods and broke windows, but I am righteous. You are the guilty ones. Your white privilege is responsible, therefore you bear the sin, and not I.
Dostoyevsky has Zossima continue:
But this is not true of the upper classes. They want to. . . devise a system of justice based on pure reason, not on Christ, as before, and they have already declared that there is no such thing as crime and that there is no sin. And from their point of view, they are right -- for how can there be crime if God does not exist? In Europe the masses are rising against the rich; their leaders are inciting them to blood and violence and are teaching them that theirs is a righteous anger.
Cleansing anger must always convince itself it is righteous. It is that cleansing anger that purged Dostoyevsky's Russia, a few decades later, resulting in millions of deaths. But their killers were not murderers, they were righteous men who had no sin. "Take our sins and go!"
Having dispensed with God in our public life, and nourished politics which explicitly exclude Christ or any other biblical principles, why should we expect anyone to believe that they should be held individually accountable? We have reduced humanity to membership in one of two groups: the victims, or their taskmasters. The pure, or the unblemished. We batch people neatly into these generic lumps. Were you born into the wrong class? Your guilt is inherited and can never be discharged. Were you born into another class? You have no guilt, you are forever immaculate no matter what you do, because it is others who will be made responsible for your deeds. "Take our sins and go!"
But in doing away with God, we also do away with the only acceptable scapegoat.
"But they cried out together, saying, Away with this man..."
(Luke 23:18)
Malcolm Muggeridge observed:
The Christian religion . . . for two thousand years persuaded Western man that he existed as one of a human family whose father was in Heaven. As in a family, each individual was separately and particularly loved. The most sacred, the most inviolable thing on earth was a human soul, any and every one, whether it inhabited the flesh of rich or poor, clever or foolish, well or sick. Thus, to incorporate a man into a herd, and put him under the necessity of following the herd's destiny, was to destroy the purpose of his being. He was himself or he was nothing. Of the herd, the fearful image stands forever -- the Gadarene swing rushing to destruction. (Things Past)
How long before our own culture plunges over the cliff, in a mad race to escape guilt, and to insist that it can find its own path to righteousness without God?
Ancient Israel had a Day of Atonement, in which the sins of the nation were transferred to the scapegoat:
"And they made a ramp for it [the scapegoat] on account of [the pilgrims] because these used to yank at its hair, and cry out to it, 'Take our sins and go!' 'Take our sins and go!' " (Mishnah Yoma 6.4)
And after the scapegoat had died, the sins of the people were considered to have perished with it; the people were thus cleansed and righteous.
Today we have no less need for a scapegoat; and some portions of our society have already found convenient targets on whom to impute their sins.
There is crime in the inner city, but there are no criminals there, because the perpetrators are all innocent; their conduct is someone else's fault. Poverty, drug abuse, fatherlessness -- the blame for all this rests not on the drug seller or the husband who abandoned his family or those who decried education; for these are all righteous since their guilt has been transferred.
There are mobs forming in the streets, but all of them are innocent. They proclaim their righteousness with every shout, and point the finger of guilt at those who would restrain them: "Take our sins and go!"
Who is more innocent than someone who has just robbed a convenience store, and then assaulted a police officer?
Who is more righteous than someone who quarrels with police, and resists their lawful orders?
And who is more guilty than the great-grandson to the fifth generation, whose ancestors once dabbled in the slave trade? Or who ancestors never traded in slaves but who has the same outer color as those who did? Why should not all the imperfections of the descendants of slaves be transferred to them?
Who is more culpable than someone who would rob these perpetrators of their innocence? Who is more wrong than an officer of the law, whose very function would deprive men of their scapegoat, and tell them they have to retain their own sins? Why is this considered among the greatest of lies? Because for these righteous with their scapegoats, there can be no crime.
Writing in the 19th century, Dostoyevsky put these words into the mouth of the holy monk Zossima:
...for even if the uneducated man of the people is depraved and cannot abstain from his foul sins, he knows that his sins are cursed by God and that he is doing wrong when he sins. (The Brothers Karamazov)
Within a culture delineated by biblical norms, even the "depraved" could locate the dividing line between right and wrong. But we no longer think in such terms; today the line passes only between oppressors and oppressed. Someone else is to always to blame; we are innocent.
We are conditioned by politicians and media to believe that breaking the law is not misconduct, it is really just an expression of social protest, a right to which one is entitled; a primeval cry for -- of all ironies -- justice. I took shoes or goods and broke windows, but I am righteous. You are the guilty ones. Your white privilege is responsible, therefore you bear the sin, and not I.
Dostoyevsky has Zossima continue:
But this is not true of the upper classes. They want to. . . devise a system of justice based on pure reason, not on Christ, as before, and they have already declared that there is no such thing as crime and that there is no sin. And from their point of view, they are right -- for how can there be crime if God does not exist? In Europe the masses are rising against the rich; their leaders are inciting them to blood and violence and are teaching them that theirs is a righteous anger.
Cleansing anger must always convince itself it is righteous. It is that cleansing anger that purged Dostoyevsky's Russia, a few decades later, resulting in millions of deaths. But their killers were not murderers, they were righteous men who had no sin. "Take our sins and go!"
Having dispensed with God in our public life, and nourished politics which explicitly exclude Christ or any other biblical principles, why should we expect anyone to believe that they should be held individually accountable? We have reduced humanity to membership in one of two groups: the victims, or their taskmasters. The pure, or the unblemished. We batch people neatly into these generic lumps. Were you born into the wrong class? Your guilt is inherited and can never be discharged. Were you born into another class? You have no guilt, you are forever immaculate no matter what you do, because it is others who will be made responsible for your deeds. "Take our sins and go!"
But in doing away with God, we also do away with the only acceptable scapegoat.
"But they cried out together, saying, Away with this man..."
(Luke 23:18)
Malcolm Muggeridge observed:
The Christian religion . . . for two thousand years persuaded Western man that he existed as one of a human family whose father was in Heaven. As in a family, each individual was separately and particularly loved. The most sacred, the most inviolable thing on earth was a human soul, any and every one, whether it inhabited the flesh of rich or poor, clever or foolish, well or sick. Thus, to incorporate a man into a herd, and put him under the necessity of following the herd's destiny, was to destroy the purpose of his being. He was himself or he was nothing. Of the herd, the fearful image stands forever -- the Gadarene swing rushing to destruction. (Things Past)
How long before our own culture plunges over the cliff, in a mad race to escape guilt, and to insist that it can find its own path to righteousness without God?
Ancient Israel had a Day of Atonement, in which the sins of the nation were transferred to the scapegoat:
"And they made a ramp for it [the scapegoat] on account of [the pilgrims] because these used to yank at its hair, and cry out to it, 'Take our sins and go!' 'Take our sins and go!' " (Mishnah Yoma 6.4)
And after the scapegoat had died, the sins of the people were considered to have perished with it; the people were thus cleansed and righteous.
Today we have no less need for a scapegoat; and some portions of our society have already found convenient targets on whom to impute their sins.
There is crime in the inner city, but there are no criminals there, because the perpetrators are all innocent; their conduct is someone else's fault. Poverty, drug abuse, fatherlessness -- the blame for all this rests not on the drug seller or the husband who abandoned his family or those who decried education; for these are all righteous since their guilt has been transferred.
There are mobs forming in the streets, but all of them are innocent. They proclaim their righteousness with every shout, and point the finger of guilt at those who would restrain them: "Take our sins and go!"
Who is more innocent than someone who has just robbed a convenience store, and then assaulted a police officer?
Who is more righteous than someone who quarrels with police, and resists their lawful orders?
And who is more guilty than the great-grandson to the fifth generation, whose ancestors once dabbled in the slave trade? Or who ancestors never traded in slaves but who has the same outer color as those who did? Why should not all the imperfections of the descendants of slaves be transferred to them?
Who is more culpable than someone who would rob these perpetrators of their innocence? Who is more wrong than an officer of the law, whose very function would deprive men of their scapegoat, and tell them they have to retain their own sins? Why is this considered among the greatest of lies? Because for these righteous with their scapegoats, there can be no crime.
Writing in the 19th century, Dostoyevsky put these words into the mouth of the holy monk Zossima:
...for even if the uneducated man of the people is depraved and cannot abstain from his foul sins, he knows that his sins are cursed by God and that he is doing wrong when he sins. (The Brothers Karamazov)
Within a culture delineated by biblical norms, even the "depraved" could locate the dividing line between right and wrong. But we no longer think in such terms; today the line passes only between oppressors and oppressed. Someone else is to always to blame; we are innocent.
We are conditioned by politicians and media to believe that breaking the law is not misconduct, it is really just an expression of social protest, a right to which one is entitled; a primeval cry for -- of all ironies -- justice. I took shoes or goods and broke windows, but I am righteous. You are the guilty ones. Your white privilege is responsible, therefore you bear the sin, and not I.
Dostoyevsky has Zossima continue:
But this is not true of the upper classes. They want to. . . devise a system of justice based on pure reason, not on Christ, as before, and they have already declared that there is no such thing as crime and that there is no sin. And from their point of view, they are right -- for how can there be crime if God does not exist? In Europe the masses are rising against the rich; their leaders are inciting them to blood and violence and are teaching them that theirs is a righteous anger.
Cleansing anger must always convince itself it is righteous. It is that cleansing anger that purged Dostoyevsky's Russia, a few decades later, resulting in millions of deaths. But their killers were not murderers, they were righteous men who had no sin. "Take our sins and go!"
Having dispensed with God in our public life, and nourished politics which explicitly exclude Christ or any other biblical principles, why should we expect anyone to believe that they should be held individually accountable? We have reduced humanity to membership in one of two groups: the victims, or their taskmasters. The pure, or the unblemished. We batch people neatly into these generic lumps. Were you born into the wrong class? Your guilt is inherited and can never be discharged. Were you born into another class? You have no guilt, you are forever immaculate no matter what you do, because it is others who will be made responsible for your deeds. "Take our sins and go!"
But in doing away with God, we also do away with the only acceptable scapegoat.
"But they cried out together, saying, Away with this man..."
(Luke 23:18)
Malcolm Muggeridge observed:
The Christian religion . . . for two thousand years persuaded Western man that he existed as one of a human family whose father was in Heaven. As in a family, each individual was separately and particularly loved. The most sacred, the most inviolable thing on earth was a human soul, any and every one, whether it inhabited the flesh of rich or poor, clever or foolish, well or sick. Thus, to incorporate a man into a herd, and put him under the necessity of following the herd's destiny, was to destroy the purpose of his being. He was himself or he was nothing. Of the herd, the fearful image stands forever -- the Gadarene swing rushing to destruction. (Things Past)
How long before our own culture plunges over the cliff, in a mad race to escape guilt, and to insist that it can find its own path to righteousness without God?