The Solutions of Man. . . More Politics

I have now been blogging for two years. Yes, I began the last week of January of 2005. I was looking at a few of those early blogs and aside from some typos that I missed, they could be reposted today and remain timely. I say that because so much of our current history is being revised right before our very eyes, but what is remaining consistent is the fact that neither party here in America has the solution for America. And frankly America doesn't have the solution for the rest of the world. I haven't heard Rush since our electricity was restored, but I do remember him stating something about the Senate ethics committee. While the Senate is supposed to be dealing with their ethics they were discussing, of course, lobbyists and now politically influential bloggers. It has now been discussed that bloggers that carry political influence with a significant number of readers should be required to register like lobbyists. Well, let me explain my stand, here before the passage of another law that could effectively make more of us criminals. I am not an influental blogger of the magnitude being discussed, but let me go on the record stating, "Neither Party, democrats or republicans have a political solution for America. America's much needed solution is not political, but spiritual, and there are NO political decisions being made according to Scripture. If the individual officials are casting their vote according to G~d's solution, it isn't carrying the majority." And also for the record in case I become an influential political blogger of lobbyist magnitude, the order of listing the parties is purely alphabetical.

Since I mentioned the Sentate, I have noticed, it seems every day, another Senator declares his candidacy for the White House. With Senate on the campaign trail, who is taking care of our legislation and protecting the rights of the people that elected them? Just getting a majority together to not discuss their ethics isn't going to win my favor. With this much campaigning already, we'll have nearly two years of mud-slinging before the actual election. I don't think America can stand that much political meanness for that long. It's already not worn well, and it hasn't even gotten aggressive, yet. Although I am not planning to vote for Hillary, I do have to comment that she seems to be in a much better mood these days. Continual public scrutiny, Kenneth Starr every time anyone turned around, a womanizing husband, a teen-ager, and menopause had to make those years in the White House difficult at best. So, I think her campaign should go well, but I have a real problem with her reference to 9/11 when she was in Iowa. She was not a Senator from New York on 9/11, and if history has not been revised this quickly, I thought she had to purchase a home in the state just to run. But I do clearly remember that she was running against Giuliani for her first term in the Senate in 2002. And the revisionists absolutely cannot touch or retouch the whereabouts of Rudy Giuliani, September 11, 2001. Talk to your people, Hillary, the critics will tear those comments to shreds. If a nobody like me, just schlepping through the radio stations and internet caught it, the pros are going to have a hayday.
If I were a political strategist, I would have two thoughts. One, being a republican isn't real popular right now and the democrats are all vying for the primary, so they'll be politically destroying each other, anyway. And second, I think the really smart candidate from either party or even a third one, will just wait awhile until all the early campaigners sling the mud and spend their fortunes to ruin each other's reputation, then just step right up and simply be less dirty. From the looks of America, the majority really goes for the candidate that has his own moral standardm, anyway.
And for all the candidates, a word of caution. The person that gets elected to the White House with who knows how many wars going on and unimaginable debt will probably just be a one-termer, so keep that in mind.
But I'm not a political strategist and I'm not a politically influential blogger, I'm a minister and a writer and the only solution I can offer America was written over 3,000 years ago.
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear YHVH, and depart from evil.

Just What is Treasonous?

I was listening to some retired general, being interviewed by the guest host that has been filling in for Bill Bennett in his morning radio show. I miss Dr. Bill. Anyway, as I listened to this general and guest host banter about John Kerry and use the term treasonous, I questioned that intense accusation. I don't agree with John Kerry on several issues, but then, as it turns out, John Kerry doesn't usually agree with John Kerry from day to day on several issues, so . . .

I looked up the word, treasonous: Having the character of, or characteristic of, a traitor. Which of course led me to look up the word, traitor: Someone who betrays his country by committing treason. And now the word, treason: A crime that undermines the offender's government. And now, I'm thinking, all of the politicians are fitting that definition. Our entire government has been undermined for years, by many of our elected officials. Now, I don't think John Kerry needs to go air dirty American laundry in Syria or Iran, but then, Iran wasn't killing Americans in Iraq until President Bush started a war there. And the majority of our country didn't despise democrats until Bill Clinton changed his address to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. And technically, it was George the First that proclaimed the New World Order, which according to Scripture is a definite deterrent to the life and government that we have known. So, is the definition for treason going to become a partisan issue, as well? Why not, it's America, everything is partisan. And oh, that reminds me. My mom asked me last year, if I would blog our family dirty laundry, so she could read it and I declined, but I will blog something that she and I once discussed. She is a staunch republican and very supportive, I mean very supportive. She's been looking forward to Senator Brownback running for president since George W. got elected for the last time in '04. Anyway, she once told me she would never vote for a "moderate republican." I swiftly chided, that we finally had a political view in common, as I would never vote for even a moderate republican, either. We both chuckled at our bipartisan moment . . .

Well, Mom, I heard Chuck Hagel the other day, and I don't know if he's a moderate, but I was truly impressed with his boldness and his candor. I just may be leaning toward a republican vote for a man that could cause Cheney to break "Reagan's 11th Commandment."

Back to treasonous. Has the War in Iraq made us vulnerably accessible to Iran? If so wouldn't that be undermining our national interest and government? Has the debt for War in Iraq stolen the security from future generations of this nation and government? Did deposing Saddam Hussein remove the buffer between Iran and American and the rest of the world? I checked, it isn't treason to not hate the deceased, even if they were supposed to be an enemy. And it technically isn't treason to bad mouth our country, while we still have free speech, although it can be tacky. I have heard treason defined as giving aid and comfort to the enemy and I really have to ask this. If our President has named Hezbollah a terrorist organization and a threat to our safety and freedom and if Hezbollah occupies 14 seats in the Lebanese parliament, then wouldn't allocating several hundred million dollars to the Lebanese government, technically be giving some aid to a known enemy? Mathematically, if there are 128 seats on the parilament and Hezbollah occupies 14, then 9 - 10% of all monies allocated to the Lebanese government is in the hands of Hezbollah.

The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: from the 55th Psalm

The Pundits' Redundance

In the winter, I awaken to News Talk radio for two very important reasons. One, the windows are all closed and I can't hear the rooster crow, and two, I just can't lay there very long and listen to the endless nitpicking of a given topic, so it's a great motivator to get up. I have discovered there are a few hosts that do give some valid information with their opinions; however. And I have to admit, I have a morbid curiosity to hear some of this Conservative News/Talk radio in small doses. I haven't yet ascertained whether the listeners are actually faithful fans or merely programmed, or perhaps it's simply a matter of money and the capitalists like the opinions that are espoused. And today, I'm going to just give my nitpicky opinion. Last night on some talk show, I heard a recording of Hillary Clinton singing the Star Spangled Banner. This was not a solo, just in the group where she was speaking and unfortunately her mic was already keyed. Then this morning I heard it twice within 30 minutes. Now here's the deal. In all the times this was played, the hosts felt compelled to make some sort of inference or inuendo about her singing. Hillary wasn't auditioning for a solo at Carnegie Hall. I'm guessing she's aware that her singing voice is certainly not her long suit, but what's wrong with these people that they have to make fun of someone? And what would the comments have been, and how would the dissection have occurred if she hadn't joined the group in singing the Star Spangled Banner? The more conservative talk radio I hear, the more I'm beginning to wonder if several of these hosts were tormented by a bully in the 3rd grade, or perhaps they were the bullies in the 3rd grade. Or was potty training just too traumatic? How can civilized individuals present themselves to be politically knowledgeable and want to be taken seriously when they stoop to this sort of crude sophomoric behavior? And how can such a large listening audience revel in this sort of thing? I used to tell my children this sort of behavior was "rude, crude, and socially unacceptable." And now, it's called Conservative News Talk Radio.

. . . and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. Where there is much talk there will be no end to sin . . .

The Point of the War in Iraq

I would like to begin this blog with kudos to Peggy Noonan and Chuck Hagel. Here is the link if you'd like to read her article.
http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/?id=110009577

I am so ashamed that it has taken me this long to actually see the point to the War in Iraq, and I say that personally, because I have had a small illustration right before my very eyes for nearly the past 4 years and it just now dawned upon me.

Remember the unity right after 9/11? I was all for going to Afghanistan and finding the guy that was responsible, but we didn't . . . and we still haven't. We were drawn together through a tragedy, but in reality, we are Americans, we were drawn together with a vengeance. And, just as I have witnessed personally in the past few years, when heat gets poured on in another situation, the best recourse for an American is to "puke up" a past offense or even inuendo and just watch the fur fly. Although, it has nothing to do with the issue at hand, except amazingly, it becomes the issue at hand. And that is exactly what happened to Saddam Hussein and why there is no strategy for the War in Iraq. The War in Iraq is simply the point that keeps America debating and divided, to enable new legislation and distract from the facts. It's also a safety net to have a pointless war that is scheduled to last into the next decade to allay any pesky accountability for those that have commandeered it. I'm sure it's a tricky walk between the accusations of combatant and treason, that are all punishable by death, so we don't ask and we don't tell, because we've now been told, nobody is listening.

As I look back on the beginnings of the War in Iraq, I am reminded of my personal illustration. Of ridiculous phone calls and shameful e-mails that were nothing more than a feeble attempt to change the subject and avoid accountability. So, like Hussein, I developed the same respect for the yammering demands. Unlike Hussein, I do live in America, and I could simply wait for the silent treatment, rather than occupation. But, to continue my illustration. This Iraqi war and occupation and lynching of Hussein, hasn't changed the facts of 9/11, with one exception. The President's approval rating has plummeted and Iraq calls their "freedom" occupation, right along with most of the rest of the world. And the American people are divided and really don't want reconciliation. I have discovered that I have that same opinion of people that change the point to cover their true agenda or to confuse the issues. Unreconciled is a good place to just leave it. That works on a small personal scale, but that won't work in Iraq. We know, we can't leave defeated. Even those of us who were against it from the beginning, know, we can't leave defeated, yet Iraq knows that too and until now, seems obliviously disregarding of all of our effort. Will that change soon? I'm guessing they have figured out that their freedom really wasn't the point either. People that want freedom are willing to die for it themselves, rather than have it thrust upon them and enforced for them. There are numerous decisions getting made here in America about other matters, and the big debate about democracy and republic are beginning to get introduced on "News" Talk radio again, so we can come to the "enlightened understanding" that Americans elect people to make decisions for us, rather than hanging on to this crazy notion that the elected officials are listening to their constituents. Just how much freedom have Americans given up to bring freedom to people that aren't willing to fight for it? I can verify that freedom bought by another is never embraced, and independence determined by another is never truly defined. The point of the War in Iraq is to keep everyone's focus on the War in Iraq.

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

Speaking Directly - The Straight Scoop

Well, I watched the State of the Union Address last evening and I realized, I have been harsh. As I sat watching our President, I thought, I don't think he should be president, but he would just be a scream at a bar or a party. I really think our President has a colloquial charm about him and probably a humorous side. As I listened to his domestic policies, I thought of the scene in Best Little Whorehouse in Texas in which Charles Durning sang and danced. Now, come on, all cynicism aside, can't you just see President Bush doing a great impression of Durning as he "danced a little side-step?" As I listened to him discuss our borders and offering guest worker status, I realized, and so should the rest of America. Protecting our borders isn't about guarding the entrance, it's about monitoring those that might exit. I receive, on an average, of 20 e-mails a week about illegal immigrants and I don't think the long list of addressees in the "forward" have any clue that their ancestors were also once immigrants, regardless of their blue blood pedigrees and "fascinating" genealogies. Not to mention, someone by now, should be realizing the majority of our nation seems willing to go into captivity and call it security. I've been hard on the genealogists, but in all fairness, perhaps some ancestor was the last productive member of many American families, who knows . . . And I will be sending Mr. Twain's War Prayer to everyone that sends me some pro-Iraq war forward, and I will send it to every name on the address line from the forward before. I haven't known how to respond to those annoying pro-war forwards, as they primarily come from very non-military personnel. I am not pro-war and unlike most of Senate, I was never for the war in Iraq, and I was under the impression until last fall that the war in Afghanistan was over in '01. Now I did hear that our President mentioned Hezbollah in Lebanon, again in his speech. He never mentioned whether they are back on his terrorist list and would consider actually helping Israel next time, or just using a recognized term to rally a segue in the "new" Iraq plan. Maybe Americans were listening last night better than they were in October of '04. This medical concern of our politicians isn't really about health, it's about getting more monitoring devices into and onto the citizens. Remember ancient American history, before the 1970's? Remember how they used to test medication and cosmetics and various other products on the animals, before approval for use on humans? Well, now they've been testing RFID tags (micro-chips) in the animals . . . can anyone guess who or what will be next? Our fearless leader already announced the FDA approval before the '04 elections, and all these "mark of the beast, fearing religious right-wingers" elected him anyway. Did you hear we have something like 7 million new jobs created in the past so many years? Of course, there was no mention of the huge percentage of Ford Motor Company that has become obsolete and the thousands of jobs no longer in existence. I don't know where all these new jobs are, real estate is slowing down, retailers haven't exactly made record sales, and I've been reading that construction is slowing down. Isn't everything sold in Wal-mart manufactured in China? Well contractors are needed in Iraq, and I hear the pay is really great, if you can stay alive until payday.

Okay, putting my cynicism away again, let's get back to a kinder, gentler blog. What did we learn last night? We learned that our President will be making the same sort of decisions he's been making for the last 6 years and whatever happens in the next two years, both parties will have someone else to blame. The republicans can complain about Congress being uncooperative with the administration. And the democrats can complain that nothing will change without a change in the administration. We learned, still, nobody knows where the buck stops . . .

But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

And man said, "Let there be war. . ."

I think part of good writing is not only writing what someone else will read, but recognizing the need to share something by another author, and so, today before the State of Union address, I must share an interesting perspective from a writer with whom many of us are familiar, but usually associate with humor. Mark Twain recorded an interesting perspective to prayer; the fullness and the many unmentioned results of the request made before the throne of The Almighty, in asking for Victory. This was not published until after his death, because in his own words, he stated. "I have told the truth in that, and only dead men can tell the truth in this world." I found this in the book called The Wit and Wisdom of Mark Twain, edited by Alex Ayres, published by Meridian, as well as many links on the Internet.

This request for Victory, Mr. Twain entitled, "The War Prayer"

"O Lord our Father, our young patriots, idols of our hearts, go forth to battle -- be Thou near them! With them -- in spirit -- we also go forth from the sweet peace of our beloved firesides to smite the foe.

O Lord our G~d, help us to tear their soldiers to bloody shreds with our shells; help us to cover their smiling fields with the pale forms of their patriot dead: help us to drown the thunder of the guns with the shrieks of their wounded, writing in pain; help us to lay waste their humble homes with a hurricane of fire; help us to wring the hearts of their unoffending widows with unavailing grief; help us to turn them out roofless with their little children to wander the unfriended wastes of their desolated land in rags and hunger and thirst, sports of the sun flames of summer and the icy winds of winter, broken in spirit, worn with travail, imploring Thee for the refuge of the grave and denied it- For our sakes who adore Thee, Lord, blast their hopes, blight their lives, protract their bitter pilgrimage, make heavy their steps, water their way with tears, stain the white snow with the blood of their wounded feet! We ask it in the spirit of love, of him who is the Source of Love, and who is the ever-faithful refuge and friend of all who are sore beset and seek His aid with humble and contrite hearts. Amen.

And God said, Let there be light . . .

Coming to Terms

It's been a very interesting week, here in the southern plains and through the Ohio valley. We personally, have been among the fortunate, as far as our health and safety have been concerned. We already live a fairly simplistic existence "off the land," but I have missed electricity. It's odd to realize, as we hear about how "they did it" a hundred years ago, the very things we have had to concern ourselves with are the conveniences of the last hundred years. A hundred years ago, they didn't have to worry about the plumbing freezing, as there was none. A hundred years ago, they didn't have to worry about the refrigerators and freezers, defrosting, as there were none. So, we have learned the inconvenience of our conveniences. We've been without electricity for a week now, and our survival skills have been an interesting balance between wit, creativity, and a bit of preparedness, but we've had plenty of time to contemplate. And I've said all of that to lead into the new experience I have had since the lights went out. Even our local radio station has not been able to transmit, so our little battery powered radio had been tuned to a different station. And I did something on day five without electricity that I never thought I would do. I listened to an hour of Rush Limbaugh, which is why I am using the generator power to blog. This guy gave me so much material, I just had to share. He, of course, is rallying the warmongers to disregard, disrespect and defy the democrats regarding Iraq. There have been over 3,000 US military deaths and the democrats and many republicans are attempting to resolve this mess. Mr. Limbaugh's commentary was priceless. He informed his listeners that more than twice that number of people, 7000 died last year in the US by pharmaceutical errors due to misreading the doctor's handwriting. And he also said that over a half a million are injured every year from this same problem. He concluded this portion of his speel by stating that the democrats had no answers for Iraq, just criticism regarding the republican administration. But he failed to remind his listeners that it was the republicans that resolved the 7000 pharmaceutical deaths and 1/2 million medication injuries by tort reform and limiting mal practice law suits, I believe they used the term "frivolous." I am amazed at the lack of information that might truly resolve the issues and he merely did exactly what he accused the "others" of doing - criticizing without a solution. I was particularly entertained as he explained how these liberal democrats just harp and harp and witch hunt when it comes to giving the republicans problems, and I of course, thought of Kenneth Starr and Newt Gingrich with President Clinton, and the other talk radio that is still harping about Sandy Berger. The final comment that I heard, as I didn't want to overdo on my introduction to the world of Rush, was regarding Al Gore and global warming. Now, this is just stupid to make a polarized issue out of weather, and it's stupid on both parts. Obviously the weather patterns are changing and I'm guessing not just one direction, and none of it seems to be for the better, so why aim at each other? Perhaps everyone should realize it isn't mother nature that is in control of the weather and rather than cast blame for the differing comments, it's time to all stop taking advantage and misusing the earth, that in fact, doesn't belong to us! I'm going to say, here, that G~d just isn't happy with the way people are taking care of things. Now, back to his comment about propaganda. Rush said he never watches or listens to propaganda. Can his listeners say the same thing?

I did need to comment about the war. We need to realize buying magnets to stick on our cars that say "support the troops" isn't really supporting the troops and I don't think the average American is even aware of that. And I am sick of the e-mail forwards hailing this war. Retired generals are now saying, it has been a civil war since shortly after we arrived and it got me thinking. Back in 1861, what would have happened if another country, came over and removed our leader, for our own good? You see, in America, without another country causing it, our civil war was over in about 4 years and our President wasn't lynched, as a matter of a fact, several that were accused of conspiring in his death were lynched. According to history, the woman that owned the establishment where the men planned the assination of Lincoln was lynched with them. I can't imagine how America would have struggled through some other nation telling us what freedom was and demanding that we become independent, their way!

Haven't we proven that keeping everything in turmoil and everyone at odds, doesn't really solve anything?
What I have come to understand when it comes to "good old American politics" is; the other side’s solution is always wrong!
There will always be some sort of red or blue herring introduced to divert the attention of the masses from the true point.
Each side has it’s spin, but if it’s the other side, it’s called propaganda.

I feel like a week without lights has been very illuminating . . .

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Time to Put Our Money Where Our Mouth Is

It's interesting to observe our civilized civil war here in America as we discuss how to resolve the one we started in Iraq. First, I find it curious that we, a fairly young nation, have chosen to involve ourselves in civil wars in so many countries whose history far predates our own. Iraq has been around since Bible times, but they didn't show up and tell us to listen to Lee or Lincoln and they certainly never lynched either one. I don't understand why President Bush isn't willing to follow the examples set by his predecessors. President Eisenhower left a North and South Korea, which we still have today. President Nixon and Ford left a North and South Viet Nam, after years of US involvement, so why can't we simply have a North and South Iraq or even three, add Kurdistan. After listening to President Bush the other evening, it's clear, now that he can admit it seems to take an iron fist to keep Iraq, stable. Hmmm? This increase of troops is going to be pretty tricky. If he asks for the money before he sends them, Congress can have some input with controlling the purse strings, but if he sends them now, and asks for extra funding next month . . . how can Congress refuse? It would be like refusing those soldiers rifles after they get there, and our President has already promised to be tough on everyone . . .
So, here's the plan. We now know how unhappy the Bush camp is with the dems in Congress, and we have democrats heading to Iraq to look things over. All of the Bush camp that thinks democrats are socialists and heading for communism, needs to refuse every "social" entitlement that is just pushing our nation toward "socialized everything." Let's have the Bush camp refuse their social security checks, implemented by a democrat president, and let's have all the republicans refuse their medicare, also implemented by a democrat president, and then let's take that money and finish up this war that these same people so strongly believe in. And for those that do believe in all the government handouts and have strongly supported the social advancement the democrats propose, then I propose they live off of that and do not maintain their personal ownership of property. After all, if a person is no longer able to work, why should they have property to maintain and be taxed, and being unable to maintain or use it, why do they need to own it? These two ideas alone would change the economy of America. According to a statement in Congress today, there are 43 million Americans on Medicare, now add the cash from Social Security checks and the extras that go along with disability and we've got a substantial fund to work with. Frankly, everyone in America has proven Senator Kennedy's statement, and that should make all of America feel proud! He said the civil war in Iraq was not military, but political, and the proof lies here in America. Everything that our nation makes a partisan issue tells the world that it's "just politics." So, do we as individuals start actually standing and living by what we are saying or do we just keep talking? Maybe it's time to make our wallets and purse strings as partisan as our opinions.
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers . . .

Busy, Busy, Busy, With No End in Sight!

Well, I guess we are now fighting on three fronts. I don't know how we are going to maintain that, but apparently the powers that be, have it all figured out. I don't think we'll be hearing about any mission accomplished for a good long while, now! And you know, I'm amazed, all the news/talk radio right wingers have to do is bring up some "Clinton failing or comment" and the Bush camp just gets all excited again, and ready for more war. It's like teasing a pit bull, only the broadcasters are nice and safe in their studios with screeners for the call-ins, while the rest of us have to deal with the Pavlovian results.

I'm going to get down to the brass tacks, here.

First to PM Olmert and Israel, my personal apology. It should be obvious by now that America has revised our terrorist list. Apparently, you didn't receive the memo. The people that used to be on our list, like Hamas and Hezbollah just don't annoy our leader like they used to, so you'll just have to deal with the fall out on your own. It should be painfully clear to you, by now, because it certainly is to the rest of the world, America's not lifting a finger against those two groups. Why, America helped bring Hamas to greater power, remember? I personally am just sickened by the way America has stood "beside" Israel and done everything in it's political power to draw fire. I really thought when you set out to get your soldier back, you meant what was said at the beginning, and the American forces did seem stretched at the time, not that I'm making an excuse, but as it turned out, you are willing to negotiate and back down and trade and America wasn't as busy as I thought, now that we have managed to get into Somalia, as well. My advice to you, Israel, next time America pats you on the back and calls you friend . . . have someone check your back, for the "kick me" sign.

Mr. al-Maliki, the more you have to say, the more I'm getting tired of listening. You now refer to your due process as transparent. Well, for those of us who can see through all the "transparent hoohah," we know where you learned that word and by the way, you have now officially participated in an old fashioned wild west Texas lynching. All the people that continue to vote for the war and all the dependency you are demonstrating are stealing my grandchildren's future and I'm beginning to take it very personally. Western culture is by definition, a selfish, greedy, materialist culture, and that means we aren't going to continue to fund your helplessness endlessly. We've got half of the Senate ready to run for president, and some of them know when to say enough is enough, and if they don't, well with all the campaigning we may not have a majority in the Senate until '08! And who knows, one of them is just liable to be the next person you have deal with.

Now, to those Americans that are pro-war, once Social Security runs out, do you really think the rest of us are going to want to finance all these war games, or medicare, for that matter? You see, we don't have the unlimited resources that the current older generation of this country has. Do you realize back when the older generation was contributing, the withholding percentage was dramatically less? That means not only did you not pay in what you are collecting, you paid a much smaller portion of your income and your greediness is literally taking food out of the mouths of the children. There was no medicare tax until the boomers came of age. And SS used to be 1% and income tax withholding was a much smaller percentage. Use your heads, this is not going to work much longer, and now we're in another war. All Americans born between the two World Wars have had the most income, the best retirement plans and the best inheritances, literally the best of the best. And rather than invest in your own grandchildren, you want all the American funds sent overseas. Come on, I'm sure some of you can do the math . . . Can't someone see the reality in this "transparent administration?"

But you have not given ear to Me, says YHVH; so that you have made Me angry with the work of your hands, causing evil to yourselves.

A Personal Letter to Iraq

Dear Iraq,
I live in the country that is responsible for bringing you a "new way of life." I don't agree with my leaders, but they are the leaders and I am just a nameless, faceless citizen, but they do have my number. I'm sure most of you remember how that feels. Let me tell you a few things about your "democracy teacher." First, every time the liberal party, here at home, starts talking about a democracy and the will of the people, our leaders remind us, this is not a democracy but a republic. The next thing everyone here yammers about is a country based upon a Constitution. And we have one whiz-bang Constitution, but we also have something that I haven't heard that you people have come up with, yet. We have a Bill of Rights. It's in pretty sorry shape right now, but it was a good document for nearly 200 years. It's taken a beating in the last 5 years, however; but it is a good document. It was drawn up, not by the leaders, but by the people. The Constitution protects our "sovereignty as a nation," the Bill of Rights protects the citizens from it's government. You ought to check into it before much longer. Now about "your judicial system." It needs work. Appointing people to carry out an execution, who have a personal vendetta or an axe to grind against the accused is not justice, it's called vengeance at best and revenge at worst. But mostly, it comes across to the rest of us as pretty stupid and very ugly. So, before you exercise your sovereign independence in executions, you might want to consider a few steps of independence along the way, like taking care of yourselves. The President of Ameriraq is expecting the Americans to come up with more money for you people to have jobs. We don't have jobs! I just read the stats. In the past 2 months, alone, there have been a quarter of a million jobs supposedly "created" and our unemployment rate hasn't changed. Does that make sense to any of you in the other half of Ameriraq? I must tell you, I wasn't very impressed when the statue came down in '03 and in your new found freedom, it was reported that the number one request was satellite TV. I don't have satellite TV, and if you've lived this long without it, you don't need it until you can pay for it yourself. We have a large number of Americans that consider it their entitled right to do nothing and receive money, and frankly, they were here first. When it comes to the Government Dole, it is first come, first serve, and you are way out at the end of the line. I still don't see that your new found democracy is working for you, but I read in our headlines, now that Saddam is dead, America might not expect so much, after all. It seems, now; as of last Saturday morning, the mission truly has been accomplished! We that are stateside in Ameriraq are about to hear the new strategy for fixing your country. Have any of you told the President what it is you want? Obviously you are still satisfied with barbarism and intimidation, as long as the power has shifted. Now, let me talk to the grandmas, grandma to grandma. I don't want my grandchildren paying for this endeavor and the bill is astronomical. So, let's see if there is a better way to get someone to listen than the legacy of the Palestinian grandma.
Now, on to religion. We know you don't believe all religions are the same. You believe quite devoutly in yours. I believe quite devoutly in mine, and obviously when it comes to religious beliefs, we all feel that our personal way is correct, that's why we believe it! You people all have the same religion, just two different sects, so why do we still have to be there to arbitrate your holy war against each other. Would you want to have to solve the issues between the Catholics and the Baptists here? Now, if your Quran teaches peace, live it and do it! I can assure you, if any nation was living the New Testament, they would not be in a war and certainly there would be no capital punishment. So maybe we all have a better understanding of where we are, now. I don't think you people lack intelligence or strategy, but I do think this situation has brought a significant reduction of world status to the USA, and I think you guys know it. You know we look bad and you also know according to the Geneva Convention, we've got to help you get fixed up in style, so are you really victims or have you, at minimal cost to yourselves killed Saddam Hussein and all but ruined the USA?
and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?