Okay, Now, Why Are We There?

I wasn't going to blog about the War in Iraq, but . . .I read an interesting statement yesterday that was made by al-Maliki, the present leader of Iraq. He made the most interesting comment to CNN. He wanted to make it clear to America and Iran that they were not to fight their fight in Iraq. Here's one of the quotes. "Iraq has nothing to do with the American-Iranian struggle, and we will not let Iran play a role against the American Army and we will not allow America to play a role against the Iranian army, and everyone should respect the sovereignty of Iraq," al-Maliki said.

So, now Mr. al-Maliki has made it very clear. Iraq is a sovereign nation that is willing to tell Iran and America what is and is not allowed in Iraq. I say, great, let's get out of there and let him handle it. He's got his "court system," he's got his sovereignty, let him have his country. We've already done him the favor of taking it away from someone else and handing it to him. As I'm sure they know in Iraq, this war has simply become and remains a partisan issue in America. I, as well as most Americans have other questions and concerns, and now that we are telling Iran where they better get off, I have more questions. When America went to war with Iraq, was it really war with the country, or were we in fact, just after Saddam Hussein? Because we know there were no terror cells with any power there before we overthrew Saddam. We went over there looking for WMD, that weren't there either, so why did we go? Our President has stated, with the fall of the regime, we had to prevent terrorists from moving into Iraq, so the "terrorists issue" in Iraq, is after the fact. But back to my question. If we declared war on Iraq, then this leader is getting pretty pushy under occupation, because the war isn't over. And if the war isn't over and Iraq isn't under occupation, we are simply guarding and financing something, and I'd like to know what it is. If al-Maliki and America are on the same side, then why did he address America in the same manner as he did Iran? If he isn't afraid of the Iranian influx, then why are we there trying to protect someone that isn't worried about it? If we really only declared war to get Saddam, that's not exactly war, and that raises all new questions. If Iraq is now feeling strong enough to tell us how it should be, then why are we sending more troops into this civil war that doesn't seem to concern the leader? If America can have a sizeable troop force in Afghanistan and Iraq and now we can offer air assistance to Somalia and tell Iran "what for," but in July we didn't have the manpower to assist Israel, it's well beyond confusing, by now. And I read, now, our leader is considering some sort of funding for Fatah against Hamas. Surely all this can't just be over the oil . . . surely not! So, what are we doing? Does anybody know?

He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but . . .

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?

Revision - Before Our Very Eyes

I have been troubled by something for ages, that I just haven't been able to put into words, but judging from the headlines, I have determined it is time. I am just sick that Saddam Hussein is facing execution at the hands of a puppet court with the US pulling the strings. I haven't been able to understand why I feel so strongly about this, as I am really no fan of Saddam, but there is just something intrinsically wrong with this picture. Everything he has been on trial for took place before the first Gulf War, yet when his troops left Kuwait, the US came home. Everything he has been found guilty of took place through the time we were more than glad for him to be dealing with Iran. The picture of him that was portrayed to America in the 80's was not the same picture we have been shown, recently, of that same era. And I guess the creepiest thing about all this, is that he hasn't been treated as a prisoner of war, yet that was supposedly how he came into US custody. And the "official version" of his capture was creative, to say the least, and nothing like what I read from the marines that claim to have actually been there at the time. So, if we have leaders and a military that can start a war, take down a leader of another country, change a nation's government, and convince them or coerce them to do the dirty work, all without direct cause and supposedly at our most vulnerable, what does that really say about America? And why are Americans so proud of this?

As I have listened to various comments these past three years, I have just been nauseated to hear such "fine Christian Americans" long for vengeance and death. I've heard preachers waste pulpit time commenting on it, I've heard radio call-ins just delight in the idea and hope it is available for viewing and I realize now why I am so distraught.

I live in the country where this sort of mentality is revered and with this mentality, apparently the memory is impaired. Americans are so excited about the death of Saddam Hussein that they seem to have completely forgotten that there is no connection between Iraq and 9/11. The fact that there are now al Qaida cells in Iraq is actually a tribute to Hussein, as there certainly wasn't the terrorist insurgency through his reign. And since Iraq is really just an annex of America, now, I am going to stand before the throne of The Almighty some day and have to give an account to my share of this event. That's right, I pay taxes that are covering this expense. I didn't speak out loudly enough to be heard about this war and this last election. And I have smiled and tried to avoid discord with all the people that did put this power into place and they truly do not seem to have the mental wherewithall to realize 9/11 had nothing to do with Saddam Hussein. I used to think the word 'ignorant' should be used in situations in which a person or persons didn't have the information, but actually it would appear that ignorant is better defined and more descriptive of those that simply choose to IGNORE the facts. Ignore does seem to be the root word of ignorant. So, I'm wondering, since he's being executed for something that took place in 1982 and the mock of a trial is planned to continue after his death regarding the death of Kurds in 1987 or 88, what will this inspire in the way of terrorist problems? Technically, Iraq was attacked by a country that really had no cause or just reason to attack them, and so a 25 year old grudge is revived and a democracy that is too weak and unstable to provide protection for it's people shout "hang him." And America is not only okay with that, they are actually supporting and promoting this program and spreading the propaganda. Well, actually America designed it! But Baghdad is scariery than it ever has been and our American leader is discussing with new leaders how to dig his way out of this hole. We have literally witnessed history revised before our very eyes and no one seems to know or care. Do Americans really believe justice for 9/11 will be served by this execution, or will it just whet their appetite for more?

I have a question about all this, since America is a world leader and we see where the world is being led. What happens in 20 years, if some madman on the other side of the world decides America would make a good target for a pre-emptive strike? For no reason, or maybe some terrorists attack his country and he decides it would seem more powerful to attack a sitting duck than actually find the perpetrator, and suddenly our leaders are faced with giving accounts from 20 or 25 years ago. Or maybe half the nation will be put on trial, you know like an entire party that has been exiled or stood trial in Iraq. And I'm not questioning the leaders. It is clear by now, whether it is Muslim or Christian, democracy or tyranny, power defies reckoning and certainly dares accountability. But I wonder what has happened to the people . . . When did following a political leader become more important than the footsteps and Instructions of the Messiah, they claim to follow? This country may be blustering about teaching and believing, but life actually demonstrates what a society believes. As I read the headlines and listen to the call-ins and know we have leaders that fully believe they have the right to exact death, I am truly afraid. I find it so frightening because the people that believe this Nicolaitan heresy, actually call it safety and security. Unfounded, man-made, pseuo-justice is now an overwhelming fact of life in America, and G~d's Word says, we will be judged as we judged others.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

The First Step is to Admit There is a Problem

A very famous organization comes to mind when that statement is used, and interestingly the Republicans have now come to this determination. Now they are finally willing to admit there is a big mess in Iraq and perhaps they were not prepared for the potential situation that has resulted. I guess at this point, we should all be glad there were no weapons of mass destruction for the insurgents to get ahold of, huh? As I read and hear various perspectives on the war in Iraq, something is becoming very reminiscent of Viet Nam: the need to blame, and the need to pass the buck. I have been infuriated by the number of soldiers that are coming home to face charges. I remember Lt. Calley and how years later, just the thought of that would literally cause me to shudder. I am not pro-war, as a matter of a fact, I fit the criteria for conscientious objector. Even though I do not believe in war and I was never for invading Iraq, I do not understand how our leaders can put a rifle in our young people's hands, put them in an American uniform, which is the same thing as a target in a war zone, and then tie their hands. Considering the fact that teenagers and grandmas are willing to strap on a bomb and self-detinate, I'm sure it isn't easy to differentiate between peaceable civillians and someone that wants to kill you. How can our leaders do this? I can see why our current President was glad daddy had some political favors to call in and keep his guard unit, state side through Viet Nam. And remember Cheney's comment, he had other priorities through the Viet Nam era. Apparently war, moved up on his priority list, as he was Secretary of Defense for Bush 41, of course he didn't have to actually fight, then. And I think John Ashcroft and Bill Clinton both realized school was a much safer place to be, than Viet Nam. So, now what do we do? The potential problem was not accurately assessed, the actual reason to go was not actually the problem, and now the reality of no exit strategy is apparent to everyone, so now what? According to much of news/talk radio, the answer seems to be to blame the media. That's right, blame the media, like that will make the killing stop! The same media that showed hours and hours and hours of the same footage of the twin towers collapsing as our nation was whipped into a warmongering frenzy. The same media that reported how well the war in Afghanistan had gone without any casualties and reported the President's claim to have eradicated the Taliban. The same media that covered that priceless moment on the USS Abraham Lincoln with the big banner behind our President in his flight jacket. The same media is now the reason the military has lost ground? Please . . . While the administration and the new Secretary of Defense discuss the plan, let's not forget that the Chief of Staff, US Army, claimed that the war cannot be won militarily. So if the military cannot win, why consider sending more young men and women into harm's way with no strategy or solution? If this guy says there is no strategy, then who would be organizing the plan? While we are reassessing the situation, let's consider just where Iraq is, now, nearly four years after the fall of Saddam Hussein. Iraq has elected leaders. Iraq has been able to establish it's own court proceedings and carry out executions. I say, if they can do that, it's time to let them run their own country. Iraq was supposed to have a military and police force trained two years ago. Iraq was supposed to be loving their new freedom and the US for bringing it. Of course, the rest of the world is holding America responsible for all this uproar that we keep calling a fledgling democracy! As I continue to hear the rants attempting to rally patriotism, I have begun to consider the founding fathers. Let's consider George Washington for just a moment. He actually went to Valley Forge, he didn't just send others and tell them to send reports and stay the course. But as I really consider what we now refer to as genuine patriots, they were men that had the courage to stand boldly and revolt against an unfair government that was not concerned with the best interest of the citizens at all, but rather only concerned with more power over more land. The very things that Geroge Washington and Paul Revere stood for and stood against, are the very things that a true patriot would stand for and stand against, now. The true patriots of our nation, stood boldly willing to die, and willing to fight, personally for what they believed in. The true patriots of our nation stood against an authoritative oppressive government that taxed excessively and claimed authoritative dominance. The true patriots of our nation weighed the cost of war before they engaged in battle to be sure they could cover the cost and the manpower. The true patriots of our nation didn't just make a lot of noise, point out the problems, or look for someone to blame. The true patriots responded to the troops that came ashore. The Revolutionary War wasn't pre-emptive and it wasn't aimed at a different country, just for the record. Our young people don't have an example of patriotism, they are all being ordered to war, by men that found their way out of the war that faced their generation. Now that we can openly admit there is a problem, perhaps it's time to admit war is not about peace, war is about death and conquest.

Thou shalt not kill. ~ Holy Bible

A New All Time Low, Even for Our Government . . .

I read this article and I just had to post something about it. I could not believe my eyes, as I read this information. What audacity? While Mr. Obama is promoting his book, "The Audacity of Hope," I just keep thinking about our country and there is "no hope" for such audacity! Imagine, an 84 year old Michigan man, never before in trouble, is in jail with a $100,000.00 bond to post for "alleged kidnapping." That's right, he took his wife, of many years, to Florida. This is the same state that just a couple of years ago made horribly divisive headlines as a husband with a new woman and family had the right to starve his wife who was in a nursing home, while the governor stood by wringing his hands, helplessly. This elderly couple had been together for years whe she had a stroke, and he became her guardian after that. I don't know why husbands and wives would have to become each other's guardian, but he did. And then "they" decided he wasn't a good enough house keeper and he might have bitten her with his "broken dentures." So, she was placed in a nursing home and he was removed as her guardian, but he took her out. Now, some prosecutor is going to "sink his teeth" into this case and make an issue of the law. This particular offense happens to carry a possible punishment of life in prison. The alleged offender will be 85, December 25. Interestingly, the tip came from some medicaid bureaucrat in Florida, because the gentleman was seeking treatment of some sort for his wife. The more I read, the more infuriated I became. When "they" determined he wasn't able to care for her properly, couldn't "they" have offered both of them some sort of assistance together. She's living in their home, now; with care, while he sits in jail.
Where is the government in this case of protecting marriage and defending one man and one woman for life?
I have included a link if you'd like to read the article regarding this sad situation and the sad state of ridiculous enforcement of what is in "the citizen's best interest."
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061216/UPDATE/612160412
what G~d has joined together, let no man put asunder

Changing the Focus, Doesn't Change the Facts

As the emphasis becomes realigned in some major issues, I’ve begun to question, again, just what the real deal is.
Our new Secretary of Defense has already made some interesting comments and technically he’s really not even at that post, yet. Remember in the past months how we have heard all the bluster out of Washington about Iran and what Iran better do to get cooperative? Well, apparently Iran knew it was bluster long before Israel and the American citizens realized it, because Iran has just gone right ahead doing what their leader chooses with a few world leaders speaking authoritatively “Now, don’t make us back our words!” Then Robert Gates just takes all of the world a whole new direction by stating that Iran feels insecure being “surrounded by countries with “nukular” weapons. I only read what he said, I have no idea how he says the word “nuclear.” So far, Mr. Gates is not actually sworn in as the Secretary of Defense and he’s got the world talking about Israel and whether or not they have nuclear weapons. Look out Mr. Olmert, you aren’t terribly popular as it is, but your allies are not helping your cause, at all.
Did you read about Mr. Bush’s comment about Mary Cheney’s upcoming visit from the stork? He says he’s happy for her and she will be a fine mom. Well, he wasn’t talking that way in Iowa a couple of months ago. And you know, back when I was a single, heterosexual mom, I never heard a conservative say I would be a fine mom. As a matter of fact, most of his constituents vocalize their disdain and concern regularly, about all the children growing up with a single mom, without a “real family” with “family values.”
I did a bit of research about the Port Security. Remember back when the nation thought the politicians were listening because the American public said NO to the United Arab Emirates securing our ports. Well, as I read this past week, it turns out, the UAE already had control of the ports, before we heard about it. America didn’t have any say over those ports when the UAE purchased them in some other transaction, and now are you ready . . . The UAE is accepting America’s proclamation to not allow them to provide security in those ports, so they are selling them in a cash deal? Does everyone feel more secure now? And the real rub in the deal? America has no say in the ownership, the procedure of the sale or the maintenance. And we thought our politicians were listening. Can't you just picture them in their meetings deciding what they are going to throw at us next, just to keep us occupied in upheaval; so they can do what they really have planned?
And some sad statistics. There have now been more American lives lost in Iraq than in the WTC. Although there are no factual stats for the number of Iraqi civilians that have died in this horror, the lowest estimate exceeds the alleged genocide for which Saddam is being tried, and the almost forgotten fact . . . It would seem that most of America forgot it was bin Laden that supposedly claimed to have attacked the WTC and he’s still no where to be found.
They shall know the truth and the truth shall set them free.

Just Call It What It Is

There were some interesting events in the news this week that really made me stop and think about whether it was a situation of Tolerance or Intolerance. I guess it's just which side of the issue one is on. The national Christmas Tree was lighted this week, and I'm personally glad they called it a Christmas tree, rather than a holiday tree. I don't celebrate Christmas and the holiday I do celebrate doesn't have a tree, so this year when the attempt to raise the argument of tolerance vs. intolerance, I thought "let the Christians have the tree, it is part of their holiday." What's the big deal? I don't expect Santa to pull a menorah out of his gift bag! I do get a bit confused as to how a Christmas tree and Santa makes a Savior the reason for the season, but they don't answer to me, so I'm glad they didn't have to use the term "holiday tree," because a holiday tree means nothing to everyone.

Another interesting paradox this week. The Cheney's are going to be grandparents again, but this is a first baby for this daughter. I've never understood why the gay issue has been openly and vehemently discussed by the conservatives, until it comes to Mary Cheney, then they are just abhored that anyone would even mention her "alternative lifestyle." These same people said horrible and unfounded things about the last president's daughter. Chelsea Clinton was actually still a child and just happened to be the offspring of very controversial parents. But the conservatives were just aghast and deeply offended when Kerry mentioned the fact that 35 year old openly "out" Mary was a lesbian. So what will the discussion be, now that the conservative camp has someone calling this alternative arrangement a family? I'm going to go ahead and put my foot in my mouth in this deal because there is an obvious matter here that just has to be noted. These two women have openly declared their alternative lifestyle and the right to be diverse from the majority heterosexual definition. So why should we see this the same or use the same terms? It is different. And basic reproduction 101 really hasn't changed. There is a man in this situation somewhere, so don't tell the rest of us two mommies is the same thing as a mom and a dad, because babies just don't happen with just two mommies. And gay couples never want to be called single parents, so it isn't the same thing. It doesn't mean I'm going to be as mean as Mary's dad's croneys have been, but it really isn't the same.

Which brings me to the topic I probably harp on the most. How in the world did we go from "Mission Accomplished" to "Stay the Course," to the "situation is grave and deteriorating?" So, if we were really going to just call it what it is, what would we call it? I've been kind of torn between WWIII and precurser to Armegeddon, all along. And I think this latest assessment to call it what it is indicates if the mission were accomplished there would have been no reason to continue to hear "stay the course." In this basic concept of calling things what they are, when something is accomplished, there is a finality of the activity or effort. How does anyone continue doing something that has been accomplished? Now, I am not in politics so all I can do is compare this to the average mundane things of life, but I think the point can be made. When my daughter was young and I told her to clean her room, she wouldn't have had to spend the entire afternoon "staying the course" if her mission had been accomplished, when I first sent her. And you can bet, when her mission was accomplished, she was "outta there!" If I come out of the laundry room and say the laundry is accomplished, that means there is no reason to "stay the course" at the washer and dryer. Of course the main difference in my mundane examples of life and the politics of war is there was no delegating the duty. Perhaps if our politicians actually had to face what they send others into, they would be more circumspect.

Having your conversation honest . . .

Round and Round it Goes, Where It Stops . . . Nobody Knows

I have to write a blog today, because the news is just accumulating too fast this week. I've been wanting to blog about Donald Rumsfeld and his "accomplishments" for some time now. Realizing he is about to be replaced, I feel it is time to give Mr. Rumsfeld his due. He has been quite an interesting man through the Bush administration, but I remember running across some old newspapers when remodeling a house. He was also Gerald Ford's Secretary of Defense. He's been familiar with all the ins and outs of war and peace for a number of decades, but he's done so much more than give us a war with no strategy. What really caught my eye was his career following his brief time in the Cabinet in the 70's. He became the CEO of G. D. Searle & Company. This famous company had a wonderful little chemical that they just couldn't get the FDA to approve through the Carter years, but once the Reagan administration reorganized the FDA, CEO Rumsfeld and company gave us Aspartame. Interestingly, there were many safety concerns about this chemical, that were published at the time, but quickly forgotten, covered, or ignored. Remember when aspartame first became an available sugar replacement, you couldn't cook with it? That's because heat can cause this sweetener to become toxic and there have been hundreds and hundreds of neurological mis-diagnoses that are pure and simply toxic reactions. I also noticed some other recognizable names in reading about G. D. Searle & Co., when Monsanto purchased Searle. One noted attorney in the transaction was Clarence Thomas, another well known name was our last Secretary of Agriculture. Rumsfeld left Searle in 1985 after the Monsanto buy-out and let's not forget those pictures of none other than Mr. Rumsfeld with Saddam Hussein. And the report was that the meetings were friendly, of course that was in the mid 80's when we needed an ally against Iran. Saddam Hussein was found guilty on charges of killing about 140 people after an assination atempt on his life. But this situation happened before the "ally pictures" of Hussein with Rumsfeld were ever taken. And now our news reports that over 130 Iraqi civillians are dying every day . . . in a war that has gone on 3 1/2 years after the Mission was Accomplished! I just can't guess what Mr. Rumsfeld has planned next, but I can't imagine it to be retirement.

Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:

What Happened to the "Downsize Government" Idea?

President George W. Bush already has our government larger than life and much bigger and more burdensome than can be feasibly maintained. I thought it was the conservatives that didn't believe in big government and I thought it was the republicans that didn't believe in the government's involvement in everyone's every day life. And I thought republicans believed in a balanced budget. Well, I've misspoken here, I didn't think all that, I just thought that's what they claimed to believe. When we get right down to the brass "tax" of it all, President Clinton was much more conservative, fiscally; as well as with his foreign and domestic policies. He's the one that established welfare limits and removed the generational hopelessness. And President Clinton is the one that aimed for a balanced budget and to reconcile the horrible debt racked up by Presidents Reagan and George the First. He is also the one that was leading at the time of America's involvement in Kosovo and Bosnia without causing an International incident and in alliance with other nations. Unlike what we are presently looking at, which is the "lone gunslinger approach" then ask for help. I think the icing on the cake for today was the article I read about giving a 4.4 million dollar grant for technological aid for sheep and goat herders in Afghanistan to find grass by satellite and obtain the latest stock market prices by cell phone. Hey, if I had such a huge area for my goats to graze that I needed satellite information, maybe I would find that helpful, but since their country is still wartorn and apparently the fighting is getting worse, wouldn't it be great if the same technology that could find grass in the mountains and analyze manure could find bin Laden, since that was the reason we were told we went to Afghanistan? As I listened to the conservative talk radio host this morning, discuss with a caller the various conservatives that need to compromise on their views that are dividing them, for a common strength. There are the neo-cons, the paleo-cons, the socio-cons, the moral-cons, fiscal-cons, even "crunchy-cons" and I just don't know how many other "cons" there are, but I do see the common denominator. Maybe that's what the rest of America has seen, and voted accordingly. We're just tired of being "conned."

None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.

Raising Issue with a Statement frequently Illustrates the Point

Have you ever noticed that people tend to prove the point, when they take issue with someone's observation on a particular topic? I think one of the most compelling examples in the news, these days would be the reaction by Muslims to the Pope's comment. And the Pope's excuse and apology regarding the comment. Then there was the comment to my blog the other day in which I must share my appreciation for the comments that simply proved the status of our police state. I'm sure the "trigger happy" ones would feel better, if they only had more control. Now back to the Muslims that were so distraught with the Pope's reference to a violent religion, that they were making threats. How did their reaction prove the Pope wrong? And I don't agree with the Pope on too many topics, but they really gave illustration to his comment. And we cannot forget all that happened over a cartoon a few months ago. The posters and mayhem was not peaceable at all. If, in fact their Quran teaches peace, then they need to live it. If they are living what it teaches, then quit telling the world that the threat of jihad is peace. I consider our President to be a fairly aggressive man, but he takes cartoons in stride. He must, there is a new one every day somewhere that certainly doesn't portray him to be a reasonably intelligent human being, and he's being a very good sport, there are only two US led wars. Another individual I don't agree with frequently, but he takes this on the chin, pretty well. What about the Pope backing down? What kind of leadership is this to let another religion intimidate the Vatican? I think it's commendable that he is trying to resolve things peaceably, but there are many, many people that simply don't want to kowtow and walk on eggshells about everything. If he's going to back down from a statement, say it wasn't really his anyway, and then put the pressure on everyone else, he's proving the same point the protestants claimed 500 years ago. If the message changes or waffles, don't expect the rest of us to consider the speaker to be the infalible leader or spokesperson of an entire religion or culture.

If Muslims really want to be perceived as peaceable, maybe they should tell the suicidal grandma bombers to knock it off. She really didn't help the cause . . . If the Pope wants to be seen as a voice of reason and authority, then he needs to stand on what he says, or check his sources better before he says it. And as an American, I would love it, even though I'm not a republican and not in the Bush camp, I would love for a day to go by that didn't inspire a political cartoonist.

Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Where's A Cop When You Need One?

I read about the 92 year old woman in Atlanta that was killed by three narcotics officers and when I read the first article, it mentioned something about a warrant that gave immediate access to the premises without requiring them to announce their presence. Of course, now I can't find that article and there has been ample time to coordinate the information, and the only person that could disagree with the present version, is dead. So, I'm guessing the present story will be the one that stands on record. Where was a cop when a 92 year old woman was getting her door kicked in, in a rough neighborhood in Atlanta? Could she have called and gotten help? How did shooting first become proper procedure? This story reminded me of a personal incident that I experienced about a month and half after 9/11, although, thank G~d, it did not end so tragically. The Patriot Act had just been implemented and "the police state" now had foundation. I was on my way home from synagogue on a Friday evening. I was attending one that was about 70 miles from where I lived, so I was on my way home on the highway, when I saw red lights in my rear view mirror. I pulled over and then realized I was blocking a major exit and remembered something about the latest law to protect those that are supposed to protect and serve us. The law had something to do with enough room for traffic to leave a lane clear when drivers come upon an officer pulling someone over. I don't know what it was, but it crossed my mind and I attempted to at least pull on up out of the exit lane. At that same split second, another patrol car appeared on the scene, spinning through all the lanes and coming to a screeching halt right in front of my vehicle. This "Barney Bad Asterisk" jumped out of his cruiser and pulled his gun on me. Now the officer that had originally put his lights on, was now at my window, as I had been ordered at gun point to put my keys on top of my car and of course keep my hands visible. The reasonable officer at my window just stood there and said, "Ma'm you changed lanes without signalling." I immediately said, "I'm sorry." He asked me what I was doing, where I was going. I told him and he looked at the "other officer" and just shook his head. He asked me for my driver's license so I got it out and gave it to him. The other officer still had me at gunpoint, except I had permission to get in my purse. Which if I was going to be a danger, that would be where I could obtain something, I would think . . . But, I'm just a citizen, what do I know. Anyway, did I mention I had two bumperstickers? One said "Jesus, changing the world, one life at a time." And the other, "Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem," and a "Clergy" sticker in the window. I obviously gave every indication of a potential combatant. The officer asked me why I had moved my car after I started to stop. I told him about the exit lane and that new law. The goofball that still had a bead on me, asked what new law? [I wish I could type his tone.] I told him, I didn't know exactly, but it had something to do with keeping him safe in traffic while he took aim. The original officer, who was very nice and very much just wanting to resolve the entire situation, gave me my license back and told me he wasn't writing a ticket, but warned me about signalling a lane change. I said, "Thank you." As I put my license away, he noticed my badge and asked. I told him I was a police chaplain. I asked him to please be careful, as the behavior that I had witnessed tonight was really frightening and could result in panicked reactions. He indicated, he was well aware of that fact and then realized the other officer still had his gun out. He told him to put it away. By the time, I got back into traffic and on my way home, I saw that the "Barney BA" had already pulled over some other car and was reading them his riot act. I surmised frustration from the last incident.

Then, this week after reading about the 92 year old and remembering my own experience, I heard another situation. A woman was taking her elderly grandma to the hospital and was speeding on a low traffic road. A police officer saw her when she was on the hospital road and turned on his lights and "followed her" to the hospital, to give her a ticket. That's right! When he did see where she was going, he simply followed her, rather than escort her. He then got rude, belligerent, and wrote her the ticket, because that was proper procedure. What happened to the days, when there was an emergency, you tried to get a policeman's attention, so he would provide an escort? Since we keep hearing about a shortage of manpower in law enforcement, what crimes are going on while they are keeping the world safe from "old ladies" and middle aged women drivers? What happened to the days when a "policeman was our friend?" We've all realized and come to accept, when we feel victimized or violated or fearful, it is very difficult to get a quick response from law enforcement agencies, but when did they become the entity that makes us feel victimized, violated and fearful?

The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.

American Problem Solving 101

Our method of resolution is becoming alarming. By "our method," I am referring to the American way of managing problems and resolving issues. As our President traveled through Asia last week, he made more than one interesting comment that just made me shake my head and say, "he is entitled to free speech, he is an American." An interesting comment regarding Israel and Iran made me rethink many of the things that have gone on in the name of spreading democracy. Well, we are spreading something, but . . . When President Bush said, he wouldn't blame Israel for going to war with Iran, there was something fundamentally flawed in that statement. We are the ones that have been challenging Iran and apparently now by his statement, knowingly placing Israel in the line of fire. I hope Mr. Olmert remembers that America is just bluster and won't actually be available for any ally duty, if he decides or feels threatened to have some sort of altercation with the leader of Iran. Mr. Olmert needs to remember, as he builds his monument to the American President, that for now, America has a very unique problem solving method. When our allies need military support, we're busy. When our military takes photographs of prisoner abuse, cameras are forbidden in the war zone. We started this problem solving method, some time ago. You see, we're not just exporting this method of problem solving. We've been utilizing it in our country for some time now. The Institute of Medicine gave the statistics that 98,000 people die annually from medical errors, so we solved that problem. We now have tort reform and cap limits for medical malpractice suits. When there is a problem, American leaders know how to limit the evidence or distance the accountability.

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

Help Me Follow the Logic, Here, Please . . .

My topic has changed by this Friday. Wednesday, I had planned to write about the International Court and the FDA, by Thursday, Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates, but this morning all that had to change as our President truly deserves blog focus on his war strategy. And here we thought he didn't have one. He gave us just a glimmer of what he has in mind while speaking in Hanoi. That's right, Hanoi, reminding all of us that Iraq is not the first quagmire in American history, and by the report this morning, sounds like they're doing all right, even though they didn't embrace the American way of life. Listening to President Bush discuss what went wrong in Viet Nam, while in Viet Nam was disconcerting enough, but his summation regarding Iraq, was mind boggling. "We'll succeed, unless we quit!" Now he's telling other countries, "we're going to stay the course." I still remember the conservative radio call-in show, in which the broadcaster hung up on me, because I noted the comparison between Iraq and Viet Nam, in 2003. Now our President is discussing Iraq in Viet Nam.

"For decades, you had been torn apart by war," Bush said later at a state banquet. "And today, the Vietnamese people are at peace and seeing the benefits of reform." He said that, apparently, as if these people didn't know the years of war didn't bring the reform. Well, maybe all the things I remember reading about Viet Nam and hearing in school while he was in the Air Guard, happened those days he was absent.

While we're discussing military, we're sending 57,000 more troops to Iraq in January. This lame duck Congress is going to legislate like crazy. Maybe we could reduce the troops if we could just get the new Iraqi government to legislate their own Patriot Act and Military Commissions Act of 2006, or better yet, adopt ours. You know, if those Iraqi citizens just had the same healthy fear of their new democratic government, that has been legislated here, our troops could come home. Say did you hear about the Marine Reserves Toys for Tots deal? We're all familiar with this program that goes on every year to give Christmas toys to underprivileged children. This year, a toy company offered them 4000 talking Jesus dolls. From what I can tell, it's about the size of Ken or GI Joe, only no Barbie and no guns, and he speaks Scripture. Anyway, at first they turned the generous offer down. Now, I don't celebrate Christmas, but I thought it was a very kind gesture. They have since announced that they would accept this generous gift from the toy company, but their reason for originally refusing was just priceless. The spokesman Wednesday stated in the CNN report: As a government entity, Marines "don't profess one religion over another," Grein said Tuesday. "We can't take a chance on sending a talking Jesus doll to a Jewish family or a Muslim family." My question would be . . . just how many Jewish families or Muslim families that might be offended by a Jesus doll, celebrate Christmas?

Come now, and let us reason together . . .

Timing, More than Coincidence

Usually we have so much nonsense going on in American news that I refrain from commentary on incidents in other countries, but this one takes the cake. Israel, what's the deal? You will declare war over one kidnapped soldier and then back down and agree to a release of 1000 for one? And you want support in this thinking? What you are thinking? If that isn't enough, and your plate of unpopularity isn't already full enough, what's with the gay parade? It is getting obvious to me by now, that the gay promoters really have the same mind set as Fred Phelps. Intolerant behavior in our face in the name of Tolerance and Free Speech. Fred, you're just a mean cranky old man. You gay paraders, your approach was no different than the terrorists. It was mentioned that if the government agreed to same sex unions, the parade would be cancelled, so it really is about control, now isn't it? I personally have acquaintances that are gay men, and a few woman that I have my doubts about, but we have a line no one crosses. They know where I stand and I know where they stand and we both know, we don't agree. Insisting upon a protest at a funeral is no different than me showing up to Westboro Baptist and insisting that Fred give me time to have my say. Which would be to inform them that they are all nuts. A gay parade in Jerusalem is no different than me going into gay bars to tell them they are committing sodomy, and what G~d says about it. I don't even argue that people can be born with a tendency toward being gay. Scripture says we are all born into sin. We all have certain areas of temptation. I don't have a problem with men that don't like women, for the most part, I don't like women either, and that isn't so G~dly on my part. Why Jerusalem and why this week? I don't know how many around the world outside of Judaism know that this week's Torah reading is the account of Sodom and Gomorrah. Torah reading for this week is Genesis 18: 1 - 22: 24. I hardly think this is coincidence, but I don't know why Jerusalem has accepted this ultimatum from the Gay Pride movement. Gay folks, if your lifestyle is so wonderful and so few of us have the sophistication to accept and embrace, why don't you just establish your little exclusionary group like every one else? What if we decided all heterosexual men that don't take viagra should have a parade? I can assure you, men that don't need viagra have a better way to spend their time than in a parade. Why not a menopause parade? Menopause is perfectly natural and the world just doesn't understand what we women go through when we realize we are no longer young and the nest is empty. People are mean about it, they are just down right cruel about it. Ask me, I can tell you. Hey, how about a PMS Parade? Well, never mind, that sounds more like a scary march than a parade. But you see my point. If the gay community cannot see what we see in the opposite sex, why do they insist upon making us view their perspective. If it's so good, live it, and quit acting like Fred Phelps. And Israel, if you don't stand your ground on something, no one is going to take your statements seriously.

because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of YHVH;

When It's All Said and Done

Well, I guess the nation is supposed to be headed in a new direction, now. I'm thinking Nancy Pelosi is just experiencing some sort of euphoric power rush. This nation is headed in the exact same direction it was headed before the elections. Just to clarify, the Democrats took the house, the Senate was still up for grabs over Virginia, Donald Rumsfeld is resigning, and according to CNN, President Bush acknowledges responsibility for the election results. I'm thinking the democrats will have their hands full, as I don't really expect gridlock. President Bush seems to know how to deal with dissatisfied voters and outspoken politicians. He appears to do what he chooses and then just say, Yeah, I did it, I'm the President. My thoughts on this matter are this. While Nancy Pelosi is consumed by being the first woman speaker of the house, and the Virginia Senate race gets counted, and President Bush says, "I dun it" or "Mission Accomplished" or 'Let's Talk Texan,' I'm thinking something else is going on. What did he mean by taking responsibility for the election results? Didn't his party know how detrimental it was to be in his party, at this point? Donald Rumsfeld's resignation is just interesting. Now the president says, it's been in the works for awhile, but he didn't want to make this resignation an issue before the election. Why? Since the Iraq war was a major issue in this mid-term election, why wouldn't the Republican President allow a resignation by Mr. Rumsfeld before the elections, to garner votes for a change? Since CHANGE was every plank of every democrat's 2006 platform! What was he really thinking, since this fact either escaped him or wouldn't suit his purpose? Donald Rumsfeld has quite a history in American politics. He held this same position in President Ford's administration. He had a political position through the Reagan years and the years of George the First, H. W. I've been wondering something about his "tenure" though. If Mr. Rumsfeld was around through the Iran / Iraq conflict and then on into the first Gulf War era, why didn't somebody recommend that we move on into Baghdad in 1991? According to US history and the recent trial of Saddam Hussein, all of these atrocities had already been committed and were known to have been committed by 1988, so why didn't we do something through the first Gulf War? When Mr. Reagan answered to a shocked nation through the Iran / Contra hearings, was the focus on Oliver North just a distraction? Mr. Reagan very clearly stated that the Vice President knew about this Iran deal and Iran and Iraq were in a conflict from 1980 to 1988. So why now? Why a mockery of a trial in the new "democracy" of Iraq? Why another war? Why a resignation "the day after" because we need change, when change might have retained the party's power? Does Mr. Rumsfeld have a position on the board of some techno-power company, awaiting him, like so many of the rest of the 'resignees' of the Bush administration?

And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass . . .

A Parable for Election Day

I felt so stupid when this dawned on me, this morning. Now I realize why Messiah used agricultural parables. We can learn so much watching the behavior of animals. We live out in the country and this time of the year, mice are seeking shelter. I don't mind if they "camp out in the barn" but they become fair game when they enter the house. This morning, my husband checked traps. Before any PETA people get ugly about our use of mouse traps, just send me your address and I will be happy to try to catch them alive and send all these little creatures to you. Now, on to the real point. We respect the life cycle with the catch of the day by allowing the cat and the poultry access to this treat. It was in watching this, that the truth just unfolded before my very eyes. The cat could care less, since he didn't get to enjoy the hunt and the kill. The chickens on the other hand . . . This must be the inspiration behind the politics of fear. First you have to get everybody thinking like a chicken. And fear is the best way to do that. Then when everyone is thinking like a chicken, just toss out a harmless, dead issue and watch what happens. The chickens will just come running and fluttering and gather round. Then one will grab up that dead topic, run with it for a moment, until another takes it and runs, and all the while the flock is watching all this just scrambling, clucking, and carrying on. Then another runs up and takes this issue and pecks it and scratches some dirt around it, and then when it is so enthralled in it's endeavor, another chicken just grabs it and runs, and this continues and continues and continues . . . Meanwhile, the real issues can be tended to without the chickens in the way. As I listened to the ballot issues, I realized, it's the chicken and mouse game. See, while everyone is thinking cat and mouse, the cat isn't even involved. Have you heard all the nonsense about Ammendment 2? I think it's amazing that the religious right seem to actually believe man creates life in a Petri dish. What happened to G~d? Ammendment 2 isn't about making anyone well, it's about money, power, and playing god, as always. There will still be Dr. Frankenstein experiements with or without passage of this ammendment, but if NO wins, at least we don't have to fund the experiments directly, and the government won't have the control over cloning, at least for now, and the religious right will think they've won. WIN/ WIN / WIN. The last thing our nation needs is the federally funded, potential ability to clone politicians! I haven't heard so much about gay issues on the ballot this week. It seems when President Bush brought it up in Iowa, it really backfired in Colorado, so back to the topic of terror. What about the verdict for Hussein? Now, I see why we had to play the chicken mouse game over international courts a couple of years ago. I remember all the clucking that went on. America has so much more power over this new Iraqi court than it would the International Court. The International Court wouldn't have even entertained the idea of the death penalty, and I've read how strongly that would offend so many Americans. I think American Christians and Mulsim extremists are about the only ones that believe in the death penalty, so not only was the US sponsored court in Iraq, the obvious choice, it was the only option. Maybe it accomplished the mid-term election rally that was so desperately needed. Well, tomorrow is election day. I have no idea what anyone stands for or believes in, or even promised . . . Wow! Politicians don't even make empty promises anymore, they just tell you how bad the other choice is. Maybe next time, while the chickens are all clucking and squawking and fighting over the dead mouse, I should watch and see what the cat is up to.

. . . fear not little flock . . .

The SPIN Cycle

Can you believe the news this week? I was really aggravated that Senator Kerry gave into the ridiculous demand, to apologize. Most people have the intelligence to know what he meant. I heard Bill Bennett, the first morning of the big hullabaloo talking about asking Mother Bush to reconfirm G.W.'s high SAT scores and starting that diatribe from the old campaign. And then, later that same day, or maybe the next morning . . . he just knew Senator Kerry was bashing the troops. So, Bill . . . do you need to make your program a little later in the day, so you have time to think about such matters? Then I heard that Rush Limbaugh felt that had to waste his time addressing Kerry's blunder. I thought trashing democrats was how he spends his time! Did he have other candidates with more to target, if so . . . Rush, was this a wise use of time? I really can't believe that the conservatives can be so consumed by a mispoken sentence. But maybe it was enough to get a few more republicans out to vote. Again, nice job Mr. Senator. I understand Saddam Hussein is scheduled to hear the verdict Nov. 5, right before our election. So, will this verdict have any bearing on the election outcome? I'm guessing a guilty verdict just might rally the Bush camp. Say, he was in my state today. That's right, he made two stops. I live in Blunt country, and the land of Talent. Now, on to the Rev. Ted Haggard's situation. Ted or Art, what were you thinking? You had to know as famous as you are, this would make the news. What is this statement about meth? You bought it, but you didn't use it. Do you remember what your people had to say when Bill Clinton said he didn't inhale? And we won't even address, yet, the potential comparison to Bill and Monica's little situation, because frankly the homosexual aspect really does make it a different issue, conservatively speaking. Of course, it's all about which side of the fence one is, on when it comes to matters of indiscretion, now doesn't it Art? James Dobson went way out on a limb for you, buddy, I hope his favorable comments weren't made erroneously. And Mr. Jones, unusual name, so your conscience got to you and you had to do the moral thing? You had to go public about your drugs and homosexuality, four months after you realized that Ted Haggard was Art, and just days before a big ballot issue? So is your the reference to doing 'the moral thing,' what caused the reported discrepency in your polygraph? Well, it looks like you've got yourself an interesting claim to fame! Just think, by next Wednesday, the accusations and comments should be aiming at 2008. Are we a nation with vision for the future or what?

To every thing there is a season . . .a time to refrain . . .and a time to lose . . .

G.W., John, You're Not Helping!

Every morning, for the past few days, I have awakened to the same tired discussion, by some wanna be that gives the term political pundit new definition in the negative direction. I'm sure the man has a good reputation amongst his followers, don't they all? But really, it was one line that has become as tired as "mission accomplished." I really am disgusted by both parties right now and have resigned myself to this for one more week, unless . . . or until the votes are all settled, and then the whining and complaining will at least change topics, I hope. Now, on to the two boys that are disrupting the parties! We all know that Iraq is the mid-term election issue for Congress and Senate. But please hear this, both of you, with all due respect. You both had your turns in 2004, and Iraq was the election issue then, too.
Mr. President,
We know you think we should all want to fight all the time, but we don't. And I do pray for our troups and I know there are many young men and women with intelligence and degrees in Iraq right now, but according to the news of the past 3 1/2 years, there are also people over there that don't know how to play by the rules of the Geneva Convention and then have the stupidity to take pictures. And in the news there are military personnel brought home, regularly, to face courts martial charges. I've personally cleaned up and repaired damages to an apartment in rental arrears left by a young man that was "all signed up and going to Iraq." I am related by marriage to a recruiter, and I don't know if his recruiting office is by the college or the video arcade, but I know where the recruiting office was in the town where I lived when the war started. Now, your fear, fear, fear and fight, fight, fight is getting tiring to the people who are on your team. The rest of us have really had more than enough!
Mr. Senator,
What were you thinking? Whose side are you on? All your party had to do was change name plaques on doors and parking places and you pull this stunt. I do believe you were "taking a shot" at the President, [can I say that in a blog without upsetting Homeland Security?] but it wasn't necessary to say anything. Your party was ahead. The democrats were winning! There was even talk of you thinking about '08. Now it's 2004, all over again, and I think we know how that turned out for the Dems. Good thing you didn't give up your day job. Listen, John, you're a nice guy, but you're not a comedian, and you do seem to have difficulty staying on topic or at least the same side of the topic, so maybe you shouldn't put yourself out on that limb. Stay with your strengths. I don't like the war in Iraq, either, but I was never in favor of it, I didn't change my mind after we got there.
So, now you two, it's not your party, quit making everybody cry! I remember when Clinton started schmoozing the Republicans in 1994 and now he's fund raising and spending more time with Daddy Bush than G.W. is. Mr. Kerry, you gave the Republicans a much needed boost, and that raises questions in my mind. Mr. President, if the Republicans manage to retain Congress or Senate, it will not be because of you. As a matter of fact, you've left several republican candidates whistling in the wind without endorsement, and I don't know why, but I have my ideas. What 2006 has made me realize and just may cause the entire nation to realize is the fact that we just didn't really have much of a choice in 2004, at all. Thank you both for giving us this election deja vu of 2004, it momentarily distracts from the fact that we are really living George Orwell's 1984?
From which some have been turned away, giving themselves to foolish talking;