There has been a flurry of speculation over who Donald Trump would endorse in the Republican race. Some reports said he was going to endorse Newt Gingrich and some said he was going to endorse Mitt Romney. There was so much fuss about this endorsement that one would think that this was the defining moment in the contest. I know I certainly was breathlessly anticipating the announcement.
Now that the announcement has been made that he is backing the former Massachusetts governor, I’m a little more certain of my selection. He said his decision was based on his tough position on China and that old bugaboo of common sense, “electability”. Now we must keep in mind that electability is defined by the polls provided by the formerly mainstream media whose agenda is far different than those of us who love freedom and love our country. Need I add that it is an atheistic, socialistic formerly mainstream media we are turning to for electability measurement.
It is good to have a confirmation of the wisdom of my choice. Many others feel the same way. A FoxNews poll showed many of the same mind. Ten percent said his support would make the candidate more appealing while twenty seven percent said Trump’s endorsement would make them less likely to support a candidate. The rest just didn’t care.
Years ago when I worked at National Religious Broadcasters. The big event of the year was the annual conventions in Washington DC. Most every well known Christian voice was heard at these gatherings. The President of the United States would usually ride up Connecticut Avenue to address the assembled crowd. This was particularly exciting as this was all happening during the Reagan years.
James Dobson tugged at the heart strings, S.M. Lockridge spoke with passion. However, for me, the most memorable speaker, was Dr. Robert A. Cook from The King’s College in Briarcliff Manor, NY. – now moved to New York City. He was a delightful gentleman who had a way of putting things into perspective. He began his address by telling us that two days before, he talked to Vice President Bush, and just the day before, he talked to the President. Then, with a twinkle in his eye, he said. “But this morning… I talked to God.”
In his own, plain spoken way, the bow tied Dr. Cook showed an unusual understanding of the what was important and where the real power rests. As great a man as Ronald Reagan was, he could not walk on water or turn water into wine… and, even though this may come as a surprise to some, neither can the man who occupies his office now nor any of those seeking to replace him.
The Barack Obama administration is quietly in the process of rigging use of the US Census of 2010, which deliberately counted millions of illegal aliens, for the purpose of restructuring the apportionment of the US House of Representatives. Accordingly, as candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor of one of the negatively affected states (Montana), Mr. Bob Fanning and I have joined with several others in becoming amici curiae in a pending federal lawsuit brought by the State of Louisiana against the US Secretary of Commerce, et al., which was filed January, 13, 2012 in the United States Supreme Court.
What has happened is, the US Census Bureau erroneously claims that it “‘is required by the U.S. Constitution count everyone living in this country, regardless of immigration or citizenship status.’” Accordingly, they have counted millions of illegal aliens in the 2010 Census and are using those figures to apportion the US House of Representatives. If this egregious misinterpretation of the US Constitution is allowed to stand, five states (Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, and Ohio) will lose representation in the US Congress to which they are lawfully entitled, while three states (California, Texas, and Florida) will be awarded additional representation in the US Congress to which they are not lawfully entitled. And, of course, this will also directly impact the makeup of the Electoral College, which ultimately elects the President of the United States.
Of course, this manipulation of the 2010 US Census also impacts the election of the US President, as those states that are granted more seats in the US Congress are also granted more votes in the Electoral College as the Electoral College is composed of a “Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress. . . .” (Article. II. Section. I. Clause. 2. US Constitution). And, as everyone knows, under the US Constitution, it is the Electoral College that ultimately elects the President of the United States. Thus, the states of Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, and Ohio, will be unjustly denied their lawful votes in the Electoral College, while California, Texas, and Florida, are being unjustly granted unlawful votes in the Electoral College. Would it not be extraordinary if the margin by which President Obama is re-elected in the Electoral College would be provided by the manipulation of the census data under his control? Again, this would be an outrage!
Newt Gingrich’s convincing win in South Carolina has certainly opened up the GOP Presidential race considerably. Just a few days before, the formerly mainstream media, including many supposed conservative commentators were sure that Mitt Romney, after victories in Iowa and New Hampshire was on his way to a quick and decisive nomination as the Republican standard bearer.
However, as John Adams told us, “Facts are stubborn things”. The facts in this case, include the Iowa caucus results being reversed to give Rick Santorum the victory. Romney was no longer 2 – 0 in the prior contests. Another fact was that CBS News, in an obvious attempt to swing the election results, made a clumsy effort to damage the former Speaker with a hatchet job interview with his former wife.
As with many ill-conceived efforts to strong arm the public, an aggressive, confident response can turn the entire situation around. John King’s attempt to put Gingrich on the spot with an embarrassing question turned sour quickly as it was met with a surprisingly determined response that called out the network and the questioner for what they were. The crowd cheered. Instead of turning on the former Speaker, they understood this was just an attempt to dredge up old news and remove the effect of any repentance and change of heart the man may have had.
The Republican race is getting more interesting and gaining clarity as the days go by. Yet even as we see the contest settling down into four separate camps, we are looking at an artificial divide, with minimal distinctions in some areas. When we saw the first debate, there were far too many talented, but imperfect candidates. Compared to the other side, the Republicans were experiencing an embarrassment of riches.
Four recent news stories have helped bring us to the point where South Carolina could help define the future of the Republican Party and the United States of America. When it was needed to give Romney a boost toward ultimate victory, the powers that be in Iowa found the votes to give him a thin, eight vote, victory of Rick Santorum. Now, with time to reflect and review the ballots, it seems that the Pennsylvania senator now has a 34 vote lead – long after the news cycle that declared his nicely coiffed opponent the winner.
To make matters more interesting, these results may not be certified since eight units can not even find the material to verify their initial counts. Come on guys! Stolen elections and dishonest counts are a time honored tradition in the Democrat Party. When it comes to the GOP, I would like to attribute it to incompetence – given their unique ability to consistently snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, yet, even that is not very comforting. If I am wrong, however, it confirms our worst fears that those running the party care just as little about the will of the people as do the donkeys. Whatever the ultimate reason, if we ever learn it, the whole situation just does not pass the smell test.
When you talk to so many Democrats, you hear them characterize conservatives, and Republicans in particular, as soulless, rich white folks who get their money by taking advantage of poor, working folks. They buy companies, sell companies, and, worst of all, try to squeeze more and more out of the workers, eventually firing them in cost cutting efforts to bump their stock price up a few cents a share. They live secluded lives, apart from, and looking down on the little people they use to make their fortunes.
Now, let’s think about this for a moment. Is there any candidate, front runner or back marker, who fits this stereotypical image many hold of the GOP? I’ll give you a hint. He has really nice hair. He, along with others, bought companies – made some successful and sold others just for the assets, leaving the workers to find their own way to the unemployment office.
This is not necessarily an attack on all of the practices of Bain Capital, but we really need to look past the “electability” issue the press and Republican establishment keep pushing in our faces. Is this a time for anyone so removed from the average American to run for the presidency? In some ways, it’s a lot like the question, no matter what you think of his qualifications, is it the time for Jebb Bush to run for the office?
Looking past the press reports of Mitt Romney’s decisive victory in the Granite State primary, there are a few things that need to be considered. Using New Hampshire as a bell weather of anyone’s electability or even desirability is about as reliable as extrapolating Barack Obama’s popularity from results in the District of Columbia.
This small northeastern state, which by virtue of an accident of electoral timing, has found itself in a position of disproportional influence in the national debate. When we look at the political landscape, we find that it is as friendly to conservatives as MSNBC or CNN. How could we expect results different from those reported. We could, perhaps, expect a little deeper analysis in the reporting.
The fact that Jon Huntsman finished third says more about the character of the electorate than the quality of the candidate. When we look at the people running and representing the state, Romney and Huntsman fit right in – Gingrich, Santorum and Perry do not. Does this mean that because New Hampshire elects squishy Republicans and progressive Democrats, the rest of the country should make the same bad decisions?
The Iowa Caucuses have allowed the people of the small farm state the unusual opportunity to flex their political muscles. Beyond the timing of the event, there is no reason to pay this much attention a gaggle of hopefuls crisscrossing the state in an exercise of retail politics. There is nothing earth shattering about the number of delegates awarded, yet the press, both formerly mainstream and legitimate, make this one state of good people a bell weather for the entire nation.
Talking heads, ever looking to reasons to make their learned pronouncements, want to expand on the preferences of a little over a hundred thousand Iowa Hawkeyes, into a national referendum. There is a complete lack of perspective by inflating the importance of this state in the heartland America. However, if we do want to take a sampling to apply to the whole country… Iowa is as good as any… better than most.
Considering the crucial nature of the decision at hand, one has to wonder about the wisdom of permitting any one state, or early sequence of states to do the initial paring of an unwieldy number to the top few who will carry on to the end. The results might well have been different in South Carolina or New York. However this is the process we are dealing with and anyone who wants to be President really needs to be able to work with people from all over the country.
With all the enthusiasm for the various personalities running for the Republican nomination, it’s easy to loose sight of the issues that drive the need to replace the current White House resident. As the passions rise, so does the level of rhetoric and the hostility toward other candidates and their supporters. Passion is great, hostility toward others who should be on the same team is not. It makes it too easy to fragment ourselves in a way that makes it difficult to achieve our goal.
What are these issues? Here are some that are critical to our survival as a nation. I make no claim to omniscience, so there are probably others. However, we shall start with these for your consideration:
One of the most pressing problems our country is facing is the economic doldrums where the Federal Reserve and members of the banking community seem to be profiting nicely while the rest of the country is struggling for survival. They are continuously throwing new money in to the system as production plummets. Anyone with an understanding of non-Keynesian economics knows this will never work. The banks, even foreign banks and governments, are bailed out and the American citizen sees his dollars devalued as inflation depletes their purchasing power, and loans are still difficult to get.
With the rise of the tea party, we are witnessing an epic battle between the conservative grass roots and the more moderate (read more liberal or progressive) party insiders. The relationship can be acrimonious at times as the struggle to hold on to power often takes precedence over working for the good of the country.
However this division is nothing new. In 1964 the country witnessed the Goldwater and Rockefeller wings of the GOP do battle for the soul of the party and the welfare of the country. Having won the battle at the Republican National Convention in San Francisco, Barry Goldwater had to deal with party members who never acclimated themselves to the idea that their candidate was more guided by principle than by political considerations. To their horror, the party fathers are facing the same rebellion in the ranks this time around.
As I was watching Saturday night’s debate, a radical idea came into my mind. It was a thought that I’m sure will anger many partisans completely committed to one of the six remaining candidates. No, it’s not that I’m waiting for Sarah Palin to jump in to the race. We’ll look at that a little later. This radical thought is that, while every one of the Republicans on the stage had some valid points that would serve our country well, we do not have a perfect candidate among them. However, with such acrimony among the various supporters, it’s plain that it’s not just the candidates lacking in perfection.
Being human, we should know that perfection is not within our grasp. There comes a time when we have to just make the best choice we can, then make sure it works. Since there is no one that has every issue nailed down, the selection comes down to prioritizing the strong points of each one and making the painful decision about what we can put on the back burner for the moment as we accomplish our primary task of evicting Barack Hussein Obama from Washington public housing.
I’m sure there will be disputes about what the primary issue is, but let’s get started looking at what each prospective president would contribute to the cause. I also want to make clear that these issues are complex and those we look at are not the only strong points any of the people bring to the table or that they are not the only points that matter.
“Photo ID laws are very similar to a poll tax,” whines Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Later she adds, “there really aren’t many instances of voter fraud.” Such is the fantasy world the wild haired legislator lives in. She thinks it is terrible that people have to identify themselves when the cast a vote that helps determine whether our country lives or dies.
In her world, there is no guile in the Democrat voter base that continuously votes itself more and more benefits from the public treasury. She complains that her constituency has a higher proportion of members with no government supplied ID. She says it is difficult for them to get such an ID. This is interesting as so many have found a way to fill out the forms necessary to receive benefits at major expense to the taxpayers.
The point is that if is important enough to sign up for benefits, shouldn’t voting be at least equally important? It seems to be one more case of the progressives looking to do things for the people that really should be doing for themselves. By doing this, they are really diminishing the people they are attempting to help.
We are told by the Republican establishment and the formerly mainstream media that Mitt Romney is the only potential candidate that could defeat the current White House resident. They tell us that he is the only one who can appeal the uninvolved Americans living in the mushy middle. We are also told that positions by the others seeking the presidency proposing solutions that would actually work, are too far outside the mindset of the media and consumption numbed Americans to be acceptable.
As is so often the case, the conventional wisdom dispensed from on high fails to look beyond the prejudices of their own echo chamber of inside the beltway thinking. They miss so much that is plain to normal Americans. Mitt Romney, we are told, is the only one who is “presidential” enough to be convincing. I’m not exactly sure what “presidential” means. It could be that he is more like them… which, in itself, is frightening – and disqualifying. Being “presidential” could also mean a more regal air, or as some would see it, elitist.
One of the real reasons Romney is unelectable is the same reason the previous darling of the “moderates” in the Republican Party, John McCain was unelectable back in 2008. He related well to the insider king makers who felt comfortable with inoffensive style and acceptance of government solutions to non-governmental problems. He faced a broad field of candidates, most of whom were more conservative than McCain. The key to his victory in the winner take all primary system was fragmentation of the conservative vote.
We saw results of the Republican establishment meddling in the county just across the James River from my home. By looking to overthrow the certified candidate who lost their approval and imposing their own wishes, they have managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Even though, in this case, there might have been some justification, their efforts were totally devoid of common sense and practicality.
Matt Geary was the Republican candidate for Commonwealth Attorney, running unopposed. Then came the admission, “Last year I did something that I shouldn’t have done. I got into a relationship that I shouldn’t have been, and as a result I broke my wife’s heart, I broke my childrens’ heart.” Clearly he had done something wrong.
I do not know the man personally, so I cannot speak to the sincerity of his repentance. The Henrico County Republican establishment decided to take steps that committees all across the commonwealth attempt to stifle when it is the grassroots that are unhappy with their selection – they found someone to run against, supposedly, their own candidate.
In some ways the large number of candidates seeking the Republican nomination for President seems to be an embarrassment of riches. Compared to the assumed opponent, everyone is a shining example of integrity and concern for their country. The problem is that comparing this field to Barack Hussein Obama is setting our sights way to low. Since I am not working for ESPN, I can say that compared to Hitler, Jimmy Carter wasn’t too bad a leader either.
We, the Americans who are not looking to take everything from our country and fellow citizens, can do better than simply finding someone that will do a better job than the current disgrace of an office holder. Our country has slid so far down the wrong direction and people realize this. Just going back part way would be missing out on a (“an” for those preferring the stuffy academic lingo) historic opportunity to turn our country around completely, not just part way.
There are a couple of people in the race who would do an admirable job if they were to find themselves in office. Unfortunately, unless they pick up some support quickly, the two to five percent each will win would be enough to throw the nomination to the likes of Mitt Romney – the man most rank and file Republicans find detestable. That is except for the ego tripping Jon Huntsman who has pretty much zero chance of getting the job.
There has been much speculation lately about Governor Cristie joining the GOP presidential race. It has been inspired in part by Republican establishment types shaking in their boots that they may have a genuine conservative representing “their” party. The other part of the equation is people who genuinely believe he is the answer to defeating the pretender in the White House.
I must admit that when he is taking on the unions and the press I am right their cheering along with the rest his fans. He has the chutzpa we need in this world of political correctness and cowardice. It’s kind of like the attitude of the t-shirt I saw in a store window along the Asbury Park boardwalk many years age, that said, “Welcome to New Jersey, Now go home”. People are responding to a leader that is not afraid to speak up and stand against the prevailing “wisdom”.
The problem comes when he partakes of the conventional “wisdom”. Governor Cristie does this with disheartening and frightening frequency. Of course, the agenda driven formerly mainstream media hasn’t really given the public much of a heads up on some of his more controversial positions.
Elections have consequences. Sometimes the bring people to power that want to end them. Recently North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue raised the prospect of taking the power of the ballot away from the people… temporarily she alleged.
“I think we ought to suspend, perhaps, elections for Congress for two years and just tell them we won’t hold it against them, whatever decisions they make, to just let them help this country recover,I really hope that someone can agree with me on that. You want people who don’t worry about the next election.”
This is obviously the thinking of a liberal progressive who believes that government action can cure all the ills of our country… never mind that their actions created almost every problem we collectively face today. It is the supreme confidence that comes from never having to be accountable for the consequences of your actions. This is exactly the situation she talked about setting up for congress… pretty much like they have experience for years.
With the fall of the Berlin Wall and the supposed dissolution of the Soviet Union, it was widely assumed that communism was no longer a threat to our country. President Reagan had won the victory and we could relax and let our guard down. Unfortunately, we forgot Wendell Phillips warning that “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”
In watching the debate of Republican presidential candidates I saw a stage full of essentially decent people. Any of these people would be better than the current White House occupant. There are some who would be somewhat better than the Chosen One, and some who would be a breath of fresh air and would bring the hope and change our country was promised, but never received. Then there are those who fall somewhere in between.
What was clear is that within this group are some pretty good ideas. Then there are some pretty bad ideas as well. Some appear presidential and some would be very good advisers. Observing each of these candidates, I thought back to the early days of GOPAC where one of the primary teachings for those looking to run for office was that you run because you want to DO something, not because you want to BE something. I get the sinking feeling in listening to some that they just want to BE president.
At the risk of being misinterpreted as having made up my mind who would be the best choice to give Barack Hussein Obama the boot, I would offer the some thoughts on what I’ve seen. Read more of this article »
Let’s not forget that yesterday’s re-call elections in Wisconsin were all about the liberal-progressive presumption that public-employee labor unions are entitled to substantially higher wages and benefits than private-sector workers, even at the cost of bankrupting states and cities.
During election campaigning in Wisconsin we were treated to the spectacle of liberal-progressives proclaiming, with sanctimonious hypocrisy, that their re-call referenda were democracy in action. They hoped that the rest of us would forget the mob action of labor union thugs who criminally invaded the state capitol building to prevent the real democratic exercise of voting for proposed legislation. They also hoped that we would forget Democrat/Socialist legislators’ illegal refusal to present themselves for a legally convened session of the Wisconsin legislature. Read more of this article »
There has been a move afoot in recent years by some who would wish to abolish the Electoral College as being an undemocratic institution that violates their sense of fairness. Many of these direct voter promoters are still smarting from the 2000 election that put George Bush in the White House rather than the psychopated Algore.
The progressives among the supporters of this movement tend to forget that the reason Florida votes came in so close was a steep drop off in the voters on the panhandle – which was in the central time zone – with the polls still open when eager reporters called the state for Algore almost as soon as the eastern polls closed. Whether this was a mistake or dirty pool is the topic of another article someday perhaps, but it had the effect of discouraging Bush voters from wasting their time in an exercise in futility. No one knows what the margin of victory would have been, had this early announcement not been made.
In any case, the Electoral College with distributed vote counts, was part of the rules of the electoral game each candidate (and his staff) were well aware of all through the campaign. It cannot be said that it was a surprise sprung on the poor Democrat at the last minute to make him lose. Read more of this article »
After the tragic shooting of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords which claimed the lives of several others, including Federal District Judge John Roll, the progressive left screamed for a return to a level of civility. The civility they were demanding was from their opponents apparently, as they made no move in this direction themselves. The fact that Judge Roll was at the center of the Arizona immigration law dispute, and may actually have been the primary target is beside the point when our socialist opponents want to make the most of a crisis or tragedy.
As we moved forward from that calamity in Tuscon, the left kept up their vicious and, largely unfounded, attacks on anyone exhibiting even a minor degree of common sense. During that time the semi-loyal opposition maintained, in general, a more gentlemanly and ladylike demeanor, refusing to call the regime and its’ supporters on the vile and disgusting behavior and speech visible on the nightly news and in the blogosphere.
In some ways it is a credit to these American patriots that they did not stoop to the level of their opponents. Their behavior was usually measured and circumspect. In some ways it makes one wonder if they take the battle to save our republic as seriously and those who stand against our liberties do. As I noted before, their behavior was usually measured and circumspect – except when it came to dealing with opponents from within their own camp. Read more of this article »
I was chatting recently with a friend in the Republican Party about some of the people looking for the presidential nomination. Although I like and respect the gentleman, it was a meeting of the two kinds of Republicans – one a party person and the other an issue person. We both agreed that the pretender to the presidency was taking us in the wrong direction.
Our solutions, though, would take us in two different directions. The traditional Republican approach is to use conflicts with the Democrats to try to work out a compromise. The idea is to get concessions from the other side – for instance, in giving them a debt ceiling increase in exchange for significant cuts in spending. This traditional approach makes the assumption that they are 1) dealing with people you can trust to keep their word and 2) that we, in our already bankrupt condition, can afford to go even further into debt.
This thinking, I believe, is a result of the normalcy bias that prevents people from seeing the real dangers that present themselves, particularly because they never have been present in the past. It is same normalcy bias that led World Trade Center workers to return to their offices to turn off computers and lights rather than get themselves out of the building as quickly as they could. Some died because of this delay. Read more of this article »
Even though he has not officially announced his intention to make a run for the White House, Donald Trump has shot to the top, or near the top, of many Republican presidential polls, much to the consternation of many who already have an emotional investment in one potential candidate or another… or in their ability to act as king maker within the party. Weather he can ultimately win, or if he would be good for the country is a question for another day.
Many political advisors and analysts will most likely miss, what I believe, is the key to his meteoric rise in this new area of endeavor. If they were to see this, the question would arise, why aren’t they telling their clients to do the same? Instead they keep advising their charges to try to act like statesmen, rather than actually being one.
Trump, with is vast experience in negotiations and public relations, has pulled few punches and is viewing Barack Hussein Obama as an enemy to be defeated rather than someone they have to make nice with. His “go for the throat” style of valuing results over process may frustrate him if he ever has to deal with the Senate, but it resonates with many who see the country falling apart and people in leadership positions who can only express “concern” and spend far too much time explaining why they can’t get the job done. Read more of this article »
There have been multiple studies exploring the positive relationship between church attendance and civic involvement. The most recent I’ve come across one by The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement (CIRCLE). To those who understand the balance between depending on the grace of God and working out their salvation with fear and trembling, it is not surprising to see proof even from secular researchers that frequent attendance at worship services is an indicator of greater involvement in community betterment activities – both civic and political. While it is can be argued about the cause and effect relationship, the fact remains that study after study shows that Christians tend to be better citizens… helping out in their communities, taking responsibility to help the disadvantaged and campaigning for the candidates of their choice.
Given that some activities follow the liberation theology radicalism of Jeremiah Wright, it can still be said that though some are misguided, the desire to make a better world and stand up for their fellow man is manifestation of the same James 1:27 that tells us “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” While we may not agree with their approach, this desire is closer to the ideal we are working toward than that of someone selfishly living only for themselves… and we can pray for their redirection and increased understanding. Read more of this article »
President Obama says he wants to find common ground with the GOP as they look for a way to solve the budget impasse. He has this fantasy that there is a common ground between his spendthrift policies and the teaparty inspired push for fiscal restraint and respect for the taxpayers. The sad fact is that some of the old timers in the Republican Party also believe this is possible.
One has to consider if there is really a common ground between wisdom and foolishness… sanity and insanity… right and wrong that is not foolish, insane or wrong in itself. In the quest to be seen as reasonable, many of our congressmen and senators who give really great campaign speeches, act like compromise is the way to get things done. Unfortunately, it is… but not what the people need.
If something is wrong, like spending money we don’t have, and charging it to to generations not yet born, putting us in debt to people who don’t like us and giving it to, among others, people who have sneaked into our country illegally… then what justification is there for a compromise of any kind? If giving a hundred million dollars to Planned Parenthood to facilitate the killing of babies is wrong… is not giving them fifty million dollars wrong as well. Read more of this article »
My first experience with George Allen came a few years after I escaped from Sopranoland and arrived in the Old Dominion. He was a one term congressman who had just been redistricted out of his seat by the partisan Democrat machine that ruled the commonwealth with an iron fist in those dark, dreary days. He was a young and hungry politician eager to press the flesh and meet the people.
He was running for governor in the early days of 1993 eagerly seeking people to join his “A-Team” as he ran on a “Jeffersonian conservative” platform that included keeping bad actors off the streets longer through the abolition of parole and a generally more efficient government in Richmond. My teenage daughter spent time working at his campaign headquarters and was thrilled when he came around and chatted with those volunteering their time on his behalf.
Much to the chagrin of the entrenched Democrat establishment, Allen won and took up residency in the Governor’s Mansion. He kept his promise to restore truth in sentencing and end the practice of paroling violent criminals long before their time was served. He even went further and made the Department of Motor Vehicles a functioning part of Virginia government. Many other accomplishments marked his time in office, which was ended by term limits, and the citizens were indeed better off for George Allen having served. Read more of this article »
Often these pages offer analysis of events or circumstances based on the writers observations and experience. This time, I’d like to pose several questions for consideration… and provide a context that may help define the difference between right and wrong.
After reading the passage below, it would be good to consider questions like, is it possible for the government to steal? Is it possible for a government to murder. It is generally agreed that it is wrong for a person to take some else’s property or take their life” Is there s difference between something that is right and something that is legal?
Let’s read a little and think about it.
1 Some time later there was an incident involving a vineyard belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. The vineyard was in Jezreel, close to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. 2 Ahab said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth.”
3 But Naboth replied, “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors.” Read more of this article »
It’s New Years Eve and we are about to enter 2011. The past year has been one of tremendous success for the people of the United States… and tremendous failure for our representatives who are charged with the job of guarding our republic and protecting our freedom. Sure some progress has been made in our nations’ capitol, but it has only been to slow down the our plunge into tyranny. The victories we have seen show us what we, the people, are capable of when we get together and stand against our would be masters.
We can sit back in satisfaction for having driven many of the worst offenders from positions of power. But… some remain and they are still determined to impose their will on the American people. If we do sit back and rest on our victories, they will evaporate like our jobs and our national prosperity. Remember the high so many of us felt on election night as we saw one after another of these big government types go down to defeat. That, and the work the legitimate foes of small government heading to Washington, is the payoff for our efforts. Not all of our favorites were elected… but supporting them was still worth our effort.
We have felt, as they say, the “thrill of victory and the agony of defeat”. This shows we are alive and in the arena. Even though we need to stand against some of his progressive policies, we need to consider the words of Theodore Roosevelt when he said: Read more of this article »
It’s been coming at us for years. Remember those old black and white movies where most of the men wore suits and ties? Beaver Cleaver came home to a mother wearing a nice dress, heels and pearls, and his dad sat around the house in a white shirt and tie. Remember when IBMers were clones in gray suits? Then, corporate offices adopted “casual Friday”… then casual every day. While I’m not a big one for coats and ties myself, I still find it annoying to find myself sitting in a nice restaurant next some guy in shorts, a tank top and flipflops. Even our own president still dresses like a community organizer while his wife often looks like her wardrobe comes from the sale rack at a thrift store.
But, these lowered standards of formality are just minor situations compared to what is now taking place in many airports around the country. Our government is forcing random citizens to parade themselves through a device where some unseen TSA agent sees more of them than if they were on a beach in the skimpiest of bikinis. Should someone have the audacity to object, the alternative is to be felt and fondled in a way that would land the writer and reader in jail were we to do it to some stranger on the street or in the office. Once again our government has taken the authority to set itself above the law it imposes on the citizens.
There have been many thoughts about this practice that is supposed to make the flying public safer and thwart the efforts of those who hate us. Interestingly, the nation that is hated even more than ours has found it unnecessary to resort to such universally obnoxious and intrusive methods. Of course the Israelis use the various intelligence apparatus they have available, but they take the logical steps of concentrating their limited resources on potential fliers who, most normal people, would find the most likely to take destructive actions. They sit them down, look them in the eyes and probe their motives rather than confiscating everyone’s toothpaste. Read more of this article »
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With all the enthusiasm for the various personalities running for the Republican nomination, it’s easy to loose sight of the issues that drive the need to replace the current White House resident. As the passions rise, so does the level of rhetoric and the hostility toward other candidates and their supporters. Passion is great, hostility toward others who should be on the same team is not. It makes it too easy to fragment ourselves in a way that makes it difficult to achieve our goal.
As I was watching Saturday night’s debate, a radical idea came into my mind. It was a thought that I’m sure will anger many partisans completely committed to one of the six remaining candidates. No, it’s not that I’m waiting for Sarah Palin to jump in to the race. We’ll look at that a little later. This radical thought is that, while every one of the Republicans on the stage had some valid points that would serve our country well, we do not have a perfect candidate among them. However, with such acrimony among the various supporters, it’s plain that it’s not just the candidates lacking in perfection.
“Photo ID laws are very similar to a poll tax,” whines Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Later she adds, “there really aren’t many instances of voter fraud.” Such is the fantasy world the wild haired legislator lives in. She thinks it is terrible that people have to identify themselves when the cast a vote that helps determine whether our country lives or dies.
We are told by the Republican establishment and the formerly mainstream media that Mitt Romney is the only potential candidate that could defeat the current White House resident. They tell us that he is the only one who can appeal the uninvolved Americans living in the mushy middle. We are also told that positions by the others seeking the presidency proposing solutions that would actually work, are too far outside the mindset of the media and consumption numbed Americans to be acceptable.
We saw results of the Republican establishment meddling in the county just across the James River from my home. By looking to overthrow the certified candidate who lost their approval and imposing their own wishes, they have managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Even though, in this case, there might have been some justification, their efforts were totally devoid of common sense and practicality.
In some ways the large number of candidates seeking the Republican nomination for President seems to be an embarrassment of riches. Compared to the assumed opponent, everyone is a shining example of integrity and concern for their country. The problem is that comparing this field to Barack Hussein Obama is setting our sights way to low. Since I am not working for ESPN, I can say that compared to Hitler, Jimmy Carter wasn’t too bad a leader either.
There has been much speculation lately about Governor Cristie joining the GOP presidential race. It has been inspired in part by Republican establishment types shaking in their boots that they may have a genuine conservative representing “their” party. The other part of the equation is people who genuinely believe he is the answer to defeating the pretender in the White House.
Elections have consequences. Sometimes the bring people to power that want to end them. Recently North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue raised the prospect of taking the power of the ballot away from the people… temporarily she alleged.
In watching the debate of Republican presidential candidates I saw a stage full of essentially decent people. Any of these people would be better than the current White House occupant. There are some who would be somewhat better than the Chosen One, and some who would be a breath of fresh air and would bring the hope and change our country was promised, but never received. Then there are those who fall somewhere in between.
By Thomas Brewton
There has been a move afoot in recent years by some who would wish to abolish the Electoral College as being an undemocratic institution that violates their sense of fairness. Many of these direct voter promoters are still smarting from the 2000 election that put George Bush in the White House rather than the psychopated Algore.
After the tragic shooting of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords which claimed the lives of several others, including Federal District Judge John Roll, the progressive left screamed for a return to a level of civility. The civility they were demanding was from their opponents apparently, as they made no move in this direction themselves. The fact that Judge Roll was at the center of the Arizona immigration law dispute, and may actually have been the primary target is beside the point when our socialist opponents want to make the most of a crisis or tragedy.
I was chatting recently with a friend in the Republican Party about some of the people looking for the presidential nomination. Although I like and respect the gentleman, it was a meeting of the 
Even though he has not officially announced his intention to make a run for the White House, Donald Trump has shot to the top, or near the top, of many Republican presidential polls, much to the consternation of many who already have an emotional investment in one potential candidate or another… or in their ability to act as king maker within the party. Weather he can ultimately win, or if he would be good for the country is a question for another day.
There have been multiple studies exploring the positive relationship between church attendance and civic involvement. The most recent I’ve come across one by 
President Obama says he wants to find common ground with the GOP as they look for a way to solve the budget impasse. He has this fantasy that there is a common ground between his spendthrift policies and the teaparty inspired push for fiscal restraint and respect for the taxpayers. The sad fact is that some of the old timers in the Republican Party also believe this is possible.
My first experience with George Allen came a few years after I escaped from Sopranoland and arrived in the Old Dominion. He was a one term congressman who had just been redistricted out of his seat by the partisan Democrat machine that ruled the commonwealth with an iron fist in those dark, dreary days. He was a young and hungry politician eager to press the flesh and meet the people.
It’s New Years Eve and we are about to enter 2011. The past year has been one of tremendous success for the people of the United States… and tremendous failure for our representatives who are charged with the job of guarding our republic and protecting our freedom. Sure some progress has been made in our nations’ capitol, but it has only been to slow down the our plunge into tyranny. The victories we have seen show us what we, the people, are capable of when we get together and stand against our would be masters.
It’s been coming at us for years. Remember those old black and white movies where most of the men wore suits and ties? Beaver Cleaver came home to a mother wearing a nice dress, heels and pearls, and his dad sat around the house in a white shirt and tie. Remember when IBMers were clones in gray suits? Then, corporate offices adopted “casual Friday”… then casual every day. While I’m not a big one for coats and ties myself, I still find it annoying to find myself sitting in a nice restaurant next some guy in shorts, a tank top and flipflops. Even our own president still dresses like a community organizer while his wife often looks like her wardrobe comes from the sale rack at a thrift store.
