I have recently tweeted more one liner and thoughts than have been on my blog. That may or may not change. If you have frequented the page, I much appreciate it.
Arizona shootings happened and there was outrage against terminology about guns, crosshairs and anything else remotely "uncivil." Of course, this was all pointed to the conservative, right wing wackos that actually had that guy come out and do the shootings....yeah, right. We won't rehash, but the shooter was not conservative, nor right wing.
Since then, Obama has mouthed off as have so many others. Today, the news is still around the Hoffa speech this weekend. Hoffa was totally out of line. Or was he?
You see, over the ages analogies have been used in speeches left and right to emphasize points being made by the individual or the individual for the organization. In today's heavily politicized world where most everyone wears there feelings, faults and failures on their sleeve, this is difficult to stomach at times. Hoffa's case in point.
Then one adds a perceived family name and the connotations behind the name to the speech mix and you really have mental huddles to calculate and successfully navigate. I have attached two links to the speech and wish to note that regardless of alleged editing, the words were highly charged words.
Personally, Obama put himself on the left-wing extreme when he followed the speech without any condemnation or constructional correction in his speech. Google the speech and you will find that Obama supports and condones the words of Hoffa. This is troubling.
Troubling because politicians, talking heads and other leaders are making devils out of each other. Worse, we are threatening the 2nd Amendment against each other. Fact is, if you get right down to it there are several of the Bill of Rights that are being threatened as we speak. Where is this fact in modern media? Where is our true watchdog?
Fringe anything is going to be in trouble, and the whole group ostracized and worse! Case in point: Jews and Christians. For the most part, quiet, peaceful, loving people. Most never even consider the thought of boycotting a funeral or "crusading" around and killing people. Hasty generalizations such as these are troubling. One might consider this even with Muslims...Sharia Law is one aspect that muddies the water when it comes to those of the Islamic Faith, but I'd say many Muslims are peaceful too.
What do we do? We stick with our Constitution. We protect the identity of America through immigration laws. We regrow a backbone. Stand for something or fall for anything.
The truth of this speech: it is not the problem, it is a symptom of bigger things afoot to dislodge America from it's leadership and prominence. If we voted every career politician out and started over, that probably wouldn't be a bad thing.
Hoffa Yahoo link
Hoffa Real Clear Politics Link
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Sunday, July 31, 2011
COMMON SENSE FROM COBURN
Most will never hear this. Fact is, what needs to be hear at the 8min mark, for sure won't be heard!
We have massive beaurocratic duplication - listen to it. For instance, inside FEMA, a department of HS, there are 17 different agencies at work for disaster relief. CRAZY!
At 10:30min Senator John Kerry jumps in with flattery and then says we have to have more "revenue" income....TAXES people. Really, his comment was a waste of oxygen and Coburn comes back in for reclaiming his time.
Here is somewhat his closure: "There has been a failure of leadership...and when we (Repubs) didn't do it either." And further:
"There are absolutely no cuts in what either Senator Reid or Speaker Boehner proposed in discretionary spending. The spending will rise $832 billion over the next 10 years in the discretionary accounts. Only in Washington is that a cut. Quite frankly, I am willing to work with my colleagues. I have been out there. I said we have to move and eliminate some of these loopholes; we have to reform the Tax Code. I am willing to take heat from my side on that"
He calls for a sacrifice of the American people. Immediate hurt and cuts. On the down-side less, but a stronger economy either way.
What is unfortunate is Dr. Tom Coburn will not be running in 2016 because he promised he wouldn't be. He is a true statesman (as he just mentioned most in Congress are not) and he gets laughed at. John Kerry further jumps in, clearly wanting his partisan desires. Coburn says that these partisan things are not working.
What was not called for is a Budget Amendment. I believe this is the only tidbit that was not mentioned. Now, I realize, at this moment, we probably can't get a BBA, but we need to be shooting for it.
We have massive beaurocratic duplication - listen to it. For instance, inside FEMA, a department of HS, there are 17 different agencies at work for disaster relief. CRAZY!
At 10:30min Senator John Kerry jumps in with flattery and then says we have to have more "revenue" income....TAXES people. Really, his comment was a waste of oxygen and Coburn comes back in for reclaiming his time.
Here is somewhat his closure: "There has been a failure of leadership...and when we (Repubs) didn't do it either." And further:
"There are absolutely no cuts in what either Senator Reid or Speaker Boehner proposed in discretionary spending. The spending will rise $832 billion over the next 10 years in the discretionary accounts. Only in Washington is that a cut. Quite frankly, I am willing to work with my colleagues. I have been out there. I said we have to move and eliminate some of these loopholes; we have to reform the Tax Code. I am willing to take heat from my side on that"
He calls for a sacrifice of the American people. Immediate hurt and cuts. On the down-side less, but a stronger economy either way.
What is unfortunate is Dr. Tom Coburn will not be running in 2016 because he promised he wouldn't be. He is a true statesman (as he just mentioned most in Congress are not) and he gets laughed at. John Kerry further jumps in, clearly wanting his partisan desires. Coburn says that these partisan things are not working.
What was not called for is a Budget Amendment. I believe this is the only tidbit that was not mentioned. Now, I realize, at this moment, we probably can't get a BBA, but we need to be shooting for it.
COBURN: EPIC GOVT FAIL
Just consider these for a while from Coburn's speech this weekend:
Medicare. "Medicare Part A trust fund. Worst-case scenario this year to 2016. That is the fund that solves and pays for hospitalizations for our seniors...The average Medicare recipient paid $130,000 into Medicare. The average Medicare recipient takes $350,000 out. How long do we think that can continue? How long can we continue to tell seniors that we can continue a program based on its utilization rates, based on its reimbursement rates, based on the tax rates, that has a $220,000 difference between what goes out in benefits versus what comes in? It is broke"
Medicaid. "Medicaid is broke. The reason it is broke is because the States are broke trying to take care of it. We mandate what they must do, and yet the States are choking on Medicaid, and we are choking on matching the amount of dollars. Under the Affordable Care Act, it is now estimated 25 million more people will go into Medicaid. So it is broke"
U.S. Census Bureau. "The Census was broke before it started. It cost twice what it did 10 years ago, $8 billion more than what was estimated"
Fannie and Freddie. "We know they are broke. They are $190 billion--that you have now committed for, to pay to get them out of hock--Congress created that $190 billion. That is where we are today. It is going to be $300 or $400 billion that we have to pay--we will be required to pay, citizens of this country"
Social Security. "People say it is not broke. We have $2.5 trillion worth of IOUs. Well, the fact is, that money is gone. Congress stole it, spent it on other things. Now we lack the ability to go into international financial markets to borrow that money to put that trust fund whole"
U.S. Post Office. "The U.S. Post Office is bleeding every day. Yet we have not fixed it. We are going to do a gimmick to buy some time. But the fact is, we have set it up under a system when they negotiate labor contracts under the arbitration system. They cannot consider the financial health of the Post Office. That would be like paying somebody to mow your grass and saying, they will set the price on it and you cannot negotiate what the price is. Yet they are going to lose $8 to $10 billion this year and more every year going forward, and we have not fixed it, not done anything"
Cash for Clunkers. "When you look at the dollars--and the home buyer program, the new home buyer program--they actually had a negative effect on the economy. That is what the studies show now. So we blew through all of that money.
Federal Highway Trust Fund. "The highway trust fund--what is used to build highways and roads and bridges in our country--is broke. We are looking for $13 billion to try to make it whole, and all we did was transfer the last 3 years to that. Rather than reform it, we did not do anything about it"
Federal Health Care Law. "The new government-run health care program. Here is what we know. The new studies show that over half of the employers in this country will drop their insurance for the people who presently have insurance at work. Hundreds of billions of dollars of additional taxpayer money is going to be required to subsidize the exchanges those people are going to go into, because the penalty for dropping somebody's insurance is economically too low to keep employers from doing that"
Medicare. "Medicare Part A trust fund. Worst-case scenario this year to 2016. That is the fund that solves and pays for hospitalizations for our seniors...The average Medicare recipient paid $130,000 into Medicare. The average Medicare recipient takes $350,000 out. How long do we think that can continue? How long can we continue to tell seniors that we can continue a program based on its utilization rates, based on its reimbursement rates, based on the tax rates, that has a $220,000 difference between what goes out in benefits versus what comes in? It is broke"
Medicaid. "Medicaid is broke. The reason it is broke is because the States are broke trying to take care of it. We mandate what they must do, and yet the States are choking on Medicaid, and we are choking on matching the amount of dollars. Under the Affordable Care Act, it is now estimated 25 million more people will go into Medicaid. So it is broke"
U.S. Census Bureau. "The Census was broke before it started. It cost twice what it did 10 years ago, $8 billion more than what was estimated"
Fannie and Freddie. "We know they are broke. They are $190 billion--that you have now committed for, to pay to get them out of hock--Congress created that $190 billion. That is where we are today. It is going to be $300 or $400 billion that we have to pay--we will be required to pay, citizens of this country"
Social Security. "People say it is not broke. We have $2.5 trillion worth of IOUs. Well, the fact is, that money is gone. Congress stole it, spent it on other things. Now we lack the ability to go into international financial markets to borrow that money to put that trust fund whole"
U.S. Post Office. "The U.S. Post Office is bleeding every day. Yet we have not fixed it. We are going to do a gimmick to buy some time. But the fact is, we have set it up under a system when they negotiate labor contracts under the arbitration system. They cannot consider the financial health of the Post Office. That would be like paying somebody to mow your grass and saying, they will set the price on it and you cannot negotiate what the price is. Yet they are going to lose $8 to $10 billion this year and more every year going forward, and we have not fixed it, not done anything"
Cash for Clunkers. "When you look at the dollars--and the home buyer program, the new home buyer program--they actually had a negative effect on the economy. That is what the studies show now. So we blew through all of that money.
Federal Highway Trust Fund. "The highway trust fund--what is used to build highways and roads and bridges in our country--is broke. We are looking for $13 billion to try to make it whole, and all we did was transfer the last 3 years to that. Rather than reform it, we did not do anything about it"
Federal Health Care Law. "The new government-run health care program. Here is what we know. The new studies show that over half of the employers in this country will drop their insurance for the people who presently have insurance at work. Hundreds of billions of dollars of additional taxpayer money is going to be required to subsidize the exchanges those people are going to go into, because the penalty for dropping somebody's insurance is economically too low to keep employers from doing that"
COBURN TAKES THE HEAT
Say what you want to say about the Gang of Six and Tom Coburn. They may not have been all that or were too much ... depending on how you view them; but, Senator Coburn-OK, he is trying to shoot straight! Unfortunately, we aren't geting this in the Media or from most in DC. Watch his speech.
Speech highlights...
"You have heard the debate in the House, in the Senate, of a spending cut. And, of course, that goes to what the heart of the problem is in our country; words get twisted around to the advantage of the politicians but to the disadvantage of the American citizens. We are in trouble financially. Most people will agree with that. We have programs that are in difficult straits"
"There are absolutely no cuts in what either Senator Reid or Speaker Boehner proposed in discretionary spending. The spending will rise $832 billion over the next 10 years in the discretionary accounts. Only in Washington is that a cut. Quite frankly, I am willing to work with my colleagues. I have been out there. I said we have to move and eliminate some of these loopholes; we have to reform the Tax Code. I am willing to take heat from my side on that"
"We need to freeze the size of this government. We cannot afford the government we have. The debate is about what will happen in the future. What will be the revenue increases and the spending increases? Nobody is talking about decreasing the size of the Federal Government. We can't afford this government. We can't afford to continue to spend the money we are spending"
Speech highlights...
"You have heard the debate in the House, in the Senate, of a spending cut. And, of course, that goes to what the heart of the problem is in our country; words get twisted around to the advantage of the politicians but to the disadvantage of the American citizens. We are in trouble financially. Most people will agree with that. We have programs that are in difficult straits"
"There are absolutely no cuts in what either Senator Reid or Speaker Boehner proposed in discretionary spending. The spending will rise $832 billion over the next 10 years in the discretionary accounts. Only in Washington is that a cut. Quite frankly, I am willing to work with my colleagues. I have been out there. I said we have to move and eliminate some of these loopholes; we have to reform the Tax Code. I am willing to take heat from my side on that"
"We need to freeze the size of this government. We cannot afford the government we have. The debate is about what will happen in the future. What will be the revenue increases and the spending increases? Nobody is talking about decreasing the size of the Federal Government. We can't afford this government. We can't afford to continue to spend the money we are spending"
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Obama seeks release of Al-Queda Terrorist
The following letter is from Michael Hoehn, he works and has been highly involved in terrorist studies and fights. He has spoken at the High Noon Tea Party meeting in OKC. He is with the Alliance for Vigilance. Address is below & if you are interested, I have a copy of his power point that I will gladly send you. Please consider his letter and do make the call to the white house 202-456-1414 and tell the admin that no terrorist should be releasesed -definitely, this one should not be released. If you know little about the Muslim Brotherhood, just know...it is not a brotherhood, and American interests are not on their agenda.
Friends,
Late this afternoon I took part in an emergency conference call with civilian leaders in the counter terrorism fight against militant Islam from around the country. We heard an incredible story. The Obama Justice Department has filed a motion to release an Al Qaeda terrorist and one of the leading Muslim Brotherhood figures in the U.S. from prison. The Obama Administration is trying to slip this case under the radar and we need your help.
First, let me tell you just a little bit about this terrorist and what he did. His name is Abdurahman Alamoudi and he is serving a 23-year sentence in “Supermax” in Colorado for his role in attempting to assassinate then Crown Prince (now King) Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. When Alamoudi was captured with over $300,000 he was to deliver to two assassins he said he simply “found” the money outside of his hotel room.
Some have suggested that the Justice Department has filed the motion to reduce Alamoudi’s sentence because he has somehow helped the U.S. in its war against militant Islam. There are several problems with that idea not the least of which is that the motion is “sealed” (or confidential) and so no one will ever know what he could possibly tell us that would be of any value after he’s been in prison for nine years. The other big problem I see is that, according to the Justice Department’s own website, Alamoudi’s original plea deal already contained a requirement that he cooperate with the government in its investigations. Alamoudi should not be entitled to special treatment for something he already agreed to do earlier.
We believe that releasing Alamoudi might be the first step in a bigger scheme by the Obama Administration in its plan to work more closely with the Muslim Brotherhood both here and abroad. In fact, we suspect that this may be a test to see how the public reacts and, if Obama gets by with releasing Alamoudi, he may eventually try to release the “Blind Sheik” to appease the MB. You may recall that the “Blind Sheik” was the mastermind behind the first Twin Towers bombing in ‘93 and that he, too, is serving time in Supermax.
This guy Alamoudi is a major league bad guy. In addition to being an Al Qaeda financier and MB leader, Alamoudi also established the Chaplain’s program for the military and recruited some of his MB associates to fill key positions. MB infiltration of the military is a major problem and I believe that you will see more attacks in the future like that of Major Nidal Hasan at Ft. Hood. Despite the incredible threat that Alamoudi poses, however, he will be free to roam about the country if he is released because he is a U.S. citizen. How would you like this guy living next door to you?
Let me tell you what I think is going on here. Do you remember the quote I told you about from the document that was introduced into evidence in the U.S. v. Holy Land Foundation case? The quote reads in part “(t)he (Muslim Brotherhood’s) work here in America is a kind of grand jihad in eliminating and destroying western civilization from within and sabotaging its miserable house by (our own) hands…” That’s what is happening here. The MB is using the Obama Administration to accomplish its goals and help destroy our civilization by our hands.
We need your help. As I said, the Obama Administration is trying to slip this one through. If we let them know that we’re on to what they’re doing and that we’re not going to put up with it, though, they may back off. I’m not a big fan of the approach some take “Write us a check and call your congressman or the White House” but, in this situation, I believe that calling the White House switchboard will let them know that we’re watching them. So, I’m urging you to call the White House at (202) 456-1414 and tell them what you think. Be polite as the operators are just employees doing a job but tell them that you think it’s an absolute outrage that the Obama Justice Department would even consider releasing an Al Qaeda terrorist like Alamoudi (pronounced “al a moody”). You can even call nights and weekends. Pass this information along to everyone you think might be willing to make a call. I believe that if we generate enough calls we can make a difference. Time is of the essence.
Remember, eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.
I appreciate you.
Michael
P.S. I've attached a link to a very good article on this issue : http://bigpeace.com/fgaffney/2011/07/15/freeing-al-qaeda-2/
Michael G. Hoehn
The Alliance For Vigilance
2009 Approach Lane
Reston, VA 20191
Friends,
Late this afternoon I took part in an emergency conference call with civilian leaders in the counter terrorism fight against militant Islam from around the country. We heard an incredible story. The Obama Justice Department has filed a motion to release an Al Qaeda terrorist and one of the leading Muslim Brotherhood figures in the U.S. from prison. The Obama Administration is trying to slip this case under the radar and we need your help.
First, let me tell you just a little bit about this terrorist and what he did. His name is Abdurahman Alamoudi and he is serving a 23-year sentence in “Supermax” in Colorado for his role in attempting to assassinate then Crown Prince (now King) Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. When Alamoudi was captured with over $300,000 he was to deliver to two assassins he said he simply “found” the money outside of his hotel room.
Some have suggested that the Justice Department has filed the motion to reduce Alamoudi’s sentence because he has somehow helped the U.S. in its war against militant Islam. There are several problems with that idea not the least of which is that the motion is “sealed” (or confidential) and so no one will ever know what he could possibly tell us that would be of any value after he’s been in prison for nine years. The other big problem I see is that, according to the Justice Department’s own website, Alamoudi’s original plea deal already contained a requirement that he cooperate with the government in its investigations. Alamoudi should not be entitled to special treatment for something he already agreed to do earlier.
We believe that releasing Alamoudi might be the first step in a bigger scheme by the Obama Administration in its plan to work more closely with the Muslim Brotherhood both here and abroad. In fact, we suspect that this may be a test to see how the public reacts and, if Obama gets by with releasing Alamoudi, he may eventually try to release the “Blind Sheik” to appease the MB. You may recall that the “Blind Sheik” was the mastermind behind the first Twin Towers bombing in ‘93 and that he, too, is serving time in Supermax.
This guy Alamoudi is a major league bad guy. In addition to being an Al Qaeda financier and MB leader, Alamoudi also established the Chaplain’s program for the military and recruited some of his MB associates to fill key positions. MB infiltration of the military is a major problem and I believe that you will see more attacks in the future like that of Major Nidal Hasan at Ft. Hood. Despite the incredible threat that Alamoudi poses, however, he will be free to roam about the country if he is released because he is a U.S. citizen. How would you like this guy living next door to you?
Let me tell you what I think is going on here. Do you remember the quote I told you about from the document that was introduced into evidence in the U.S. v. Holy Land Foundation case? The quote reads in part “(t)he (Muslim Brotherhood’s) work here in America is a kind of grand jihad in eliminating and destroying western civilization from within and sabotaging its miserable house by (our own) hands…” That’s what is happening here. The MB is using the Obama Administration to accomplish its goals and help destroy our civilization by our hands.
We need your help. As I said, the Obama Administration is trying to slip this one through. If we let them know that we’re on to what they’re doing and that we’re not going to put up with it, though, they may back off. I’m not a big fan of the approach some take “Write us a check and call your congressman or the White House” but, in this situation, I believe that calling the White House switchboard will let them know that we’re watching them. So, I’m urging you to call the White House at (202) 456-1414 and tell them what you think. Be polite as the operators are just employees doing a job but tell them that you think it’s an absolute outrage that the Obama Justice Department would even consider releasing an Al Qaeda terrorist like Alamoudi (pronounced “al a moody”). You can even call nights and weekends. Pass this information along to everyone you think might be willing to make a call. I believe that if we generate enough calls we can make a difference. Time is of the essence.
Remember, eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.
I appreciate you.
Michael
P.S. I've attached a link to a very good article on this issue : http://bigpeace.com/fgaffney/2011/07/15/freeing-al-qaeda-2/
Michael G. Hoehn
The Alliance For Vigilance
2009 Approach Lane
Reston, VA 20191
Monday, June 13, 2011
Michelle's In!
What do you think? Who should be her vice? Over 6K FB likes. How does Palin fit into pic now? Thoughts? Negative vibes? Is she just a female politician? She talk or action? Charismatic and leadership ability? Chime in about current front-runners Romney and Cain? USA Today (Today) has headline story on current candidates and support percentages, what donyou think about early percentages?
Thursday, May 19, 2011
OBAMA'S BETRAYAL SPEECH
Remarks of President Barack Obama – As Prepared for Delivery (items in red will be commentary on my behalf, based on my knowledge and opinion, feel free to comment - this is America and we need discussion on this and all aspects of this Regime's devaluing of America)
“A Moment of Opportunity”
U.S. Department of State
May 19, 2011
I want to thank Hillary Clinton, who has traveled so much these last six months that she is approaching a new landmark – one million frequent flyer miles. I count on Hillary every day, and I believe that she will go down as of the finest Secretaries of State in our nation’s history. (re-election coalition)
The State Department is a fitting venue to mark a new chapter in American diplomacy. For six months, we have witnessed an extraordinary change take place in the Middle East and North Africa. Square by square; town by town; country by country; the people have risen up to demand their basic human rights. Two leaders have stepped aside. More may follow. And though these countries may be a great distance from our shores, we know that our own future is bound to this region by the forces of economics and security; history and faith. (sounds good, as if we had a hand in it...or that he did)
Today, I (beware of these "I's" - he built on groundwork laid before him, Bush gets slammed for everything the Obama Admin does not like, but barely praised for 8 yrs of hunting) would like to talk about this change – the forces that are driving it, and how we can respond in a way that advances our values and strengthens our security. Already, we have done much to shift our foreign policy following a decade defined by two costly conflicts. After years of war in Iraq, we have removed 100,000 American troops and ended our combat mission there. In Afghanistan, we have broken the Taliban’s momentum, and this July we will begin to bring our troops home and continue transition to Afghan lead. And after years of war against al Qaeda and its affiliates, we have dealt al Qaeda a huge blow by killing its leader – Osama bin Laden. (posturing to answer the criticism that he did not follow through with campaign promises)
Bin Laden was no martyr. He was a mass murderer who offered a message of hate – an insistence that Muslims had to take up arms against the West, and that violence against men, women and children was the only path to change. He rejected democracy and individual rights for Muslims(why highlite Muslims? he rejects for anyone) in favor of violent extremism; his agenda focused on what he could destroy – not what he could build.
Bin Laden and his murderous vision won some adherents. But even before his death, al Qaeda was losing its struggle for relevance, as the overwhelming majority of people saw that the slaughter of innocents did not answer their cries for a better life. By the time we found bin Laden, al Qaeda’s agenda had come to be seen by the vast majority of the region as a dead end, and the people of the Middle East and North Africa had taken their future into their own hands.
That story of self-determination began six months ago in Tunisia. On December 17, a young vendor named Mohammed Bouazizi was devastated when a police officer confiscated his cart. This was not unique. It is the same kind of humiliation that takes place every day in many parts of the world – the relentless tyranny of governments that deny their citizens dignity. (does not socialism and welfare do the same?) Only this time, something different happened. After local officials refused to hear his complaint, this young man who had never been particularly active in politics went to the headquarters of the provincial government, doused himself in fuel, and lit himself on fire.(people go postal here too - but we have a country that doesn't stand for it, yet allows for it & allows for a much better life as well...but Obama wants to destroy this.)
Sometimes, in the course of history, the actions of ordinary citizens spark movements for change because they speak to a longing for freedom that has built up for years. In America, think of the defiance of those patriots in Boston who refused to pay taxes to a King (not winning points with this teabagger), or the dignity of Rosa Parks as she sat courageously in her seat. So it was in Tunisia, as that vendor’s act of desperation tapped into the frustration felt throughout the country. Hundreds of protesters took to the streets, then thousands. And in the face of batons and sometimes bullets, they refused to go home – day after day, week after week, until a dictator of more than two decades finally left power.
The story of this Revolution, and the ones that followed, should not have come as a surprise. The nations of the Middle East and North Africa won their independence long ago, but in too many places their people did not. In too many countries, power has been concentrated in the hands of the few. In too many countries, a citizen like that young vendor had nowhere to turn – no honest judiciary to hear his case; no independent media to give him voice; no credible political party to represent his views; no free and fair election where he could choose his leader. (is there such any more?)
This lack of self determination – the chance to make of your life what you will – has applied to the region’s economy as well. Yes, some nations are blessed with wealth in oil and gas, and that has led to pockets of prosperity. But in a global economy based on knowledge and innovation, no development strategy can be based solely upon what comes out of the ground. Nor can people reach their potential when you cannot start a business without paying a bribe.
In the face of these challenges, too many leaders in the region tried to direct their people’s grievances elsewhere. The West was blamed as the source of all ills, a half century after the end of colonialism. Antagonism toward Israel (Here is comes! And how do you just drop Israel into this speech like this?) became the only acceptable outlet for political expression (hmm, really?). Divisions of tribe, ethnicity and religious sect were manipulated as a means of holding on to power, or taking it away from somebody else (remember, Muslims were listed first, as seekers of liberty and via this paragraph it is clear that Jews are not favored).
But the events of the past six months show us that strategies of repression and diversion won’t work anymore. (It follows that one may consider Israel as the repressor causing all this. But Israel is a small quite country and does not act unless acted upon.) Satellite television and the Internet provide a window into the wider world – a world of astonishing progress in places like India, Indonesia and Brazil (progress is not celebrated in US, actually it is discredited in our school systems, welfare system, unions, and govermental jobs). Cell phones and social networks allow young people (setting a platform, subliminally for our young people, to be a voice and if necessary, violent for change) to connect and organize like never before. A new generation has emerged. And their voices tell us that change (here it goes again! what is he getting at. Recall the change we are going through and it is not pretty! High debt, highest by any sitting president and not inheretted from Bush, high unemployment that he was going to fix by 2nd year, economic discontent and uncertainty, budget issues, highly polarized DC, socialist mentality, union control, etc) cannot be denied.
In Cairo, we heard the voice of the young mother who said, “It’s like I can finally breathe fresh air for the first time.”
In Sanaa, we heard the students who chanted, “The night must come to an end.”
In Benghazi, we heard the engineer who said, “Our words are free now. It’s a feeling you can’t explain.”
In Damascus, we heard the young man who said, “After the first yelling, the first shout, you feel dignity.”
Those shouts of human dignity are being heard across the region. And through the moral force of non-violence, the people of the region have achieved more change in six months than terrorists have accomplished in decades. (are the terrorists and "people" equals for change?)
Of course, change of this magnitude does not come easily. In our day and age – a time of 24 hour news cycles, and constant communication – people expect the transformation of the region to be resolved in a matter of weeks. But it will be years before this story reaches its end. Along the way, there will be good days, and bad days. In some places, change will be swift; in others, gradual. And as we have seen, calls for change may give way to fierce contests for power.
The question before us is what role America (and again...what will we change or do?) will play as this story unfolds. For decades, the United States has pursued a set of core interests in the region: countering terrorism and stopping the spread of nuclear weapons; securing the free flow of commerce, and safe-guarding the security of the region; standing up for Israel’s security and pursuing Arab-Israeli peace (throw these in and the others clearly don't matter - the subject is Israel).
We will continue to do these things (will we continue to support Israel) , with the firm belief that America’s interests are not hostile to peoples’ hopes; they are essential to them. We believe that no one benefits from a nuclear arms race in the region, or al Qaeda’s brutal attacks. People everywhere would see their economies crippled by a cut off in energy supplies. As we did in the Gulf War, we will not tolerate aggression across borders, and we will keep our commitments to friends and partners. (hmm, where's the other shoe?)
Yet (ahh, there it is!) we must acknowledge that a strategy based solely upon the narrow (that was a list of complicated items...narrow? Oh, you were meaning the relationship with Israel) pursuit of these interests will not fill an empty stomach or allow someone to speak their mind. Moreover, failure to speak to the broader aspirations of ordinary people will only feed the suspicion that has festered for years that the United States pursues our own interests at their expense. Given that this mistrust runs both ways – as Americans have been seared by hostage taking, violent rhetoric, and terrorist attacks that have killed thousands of our citizens – a failure to change our approach threatens a deepening spiral of division between the United States and Muslim communities (wow. ends justify the means? Since when does America cave to enemies. Imagine this being said about the Nazi community...).
That’s why, two years ago in Cairo, I (hmmm) began to broaden our engagement based upon mutual interests and mutual respect. I believed then – and I believe now – that we have a stake not just in the stability of nations, but in the self determination of individuals. The status quo is not sustainable. (oh boy)Societies held together by fear and repression may offer the illusion of stability for a time, but they are built upon fault lines that will eventually tear asunder (Is America holding "societies" together by fear, etc? What about the liberal hold on minorities and latinos?).
So we face an historic opportunity. We have embraced the chance to show that America values the dignity of the street vendor(we value someone going postal and lighting themselves on fire?) in Tunisia more than the raw power of the dictator. There must be no doubt that the United States of America welcomes change that advances self-determination and opportunity. Yes, there will be perils that accompany this moment of promise. But after decades of accepting the world as it is in the region, we have a chance to pursue the world as it should be (wait there's another shoe!).
As we do, we must proceed with a sense of humility. It is not America ("yet you can attribute that to me...)" that put people into the streets of Tunis and Cairo – it was the people themselves who launched these movements, and must determine their outcome. Not every country will follow our particular form of representative democracy, and there will be times when our short term interests do not align perfectly with our long term vision of the region. But we can – and will – speak out for a set of core principles – principles that have guided our response to the events over the past six months (only this long?):
The United States opposes the use of violence and repression against the people of the region.
We support a set of universal rights.(do you?) Those rights include free speech; the freedom of peaceful assembly; freedom of religion; equality for men and women under the rule of law; and the right to choose your own leaders – whether you live in Baghdad or Damascus; Sanaa or Tehran.
And finally, we support political and economic reform in the Middle East and North Africa that can meet the legitimate aspirations of ordinary people throughout the region.
Our support for these principles is not a secondary interest– today I am making it clear that it is a top priority that must be translated into concrete actions, and supported by all of the diplomatic, economic and strategic tools at our disposal.?? $$$$
Let me be specific. First, it will be the policy of the United States to promote reform across the region, and to support transitions to democracy.$$$
That effort begins in Egypt and Tunisia, where the stakes are high –as Tunisia was at the vanguard of this democratic wave, and Egypt is both a longstanding partner and the Arab World’s largest nation. Both nations can set a strong example through free and fair elections; a vibrant civil society; accountable and effective democratic institutions; and responsible regional leadership. But our support must also extend to nations where transitions have yet to take place.
Unfortunately, in too many countries, calls for change have been answered by violence. The most extreme example is Libya, where Moammar Gaddafi launched a war against his people, promising to hunt them down like rats. As I said when the United States joined an international coalition (NATO, primarily US) to intervene, we cannot prevent every injustice perpetrated by a regime against its people, and we have learned from our experience in Iraq just how costly and difficult it is to impose regime change by force – no matter how well-intended it may be. duh
History and perspective follow:
But in Libya, we saw the prospect of imminent massacre, had a mandate for action, and heard the Libyan people’s call for help. Had we not acted along with our NATO allies and regional coalition partners, thousands would have been killed. The message would have been clear: keep power by killing as many people as it takes. Now, time is working against Gaddafi. He does not have control over his country. The opposition has organized a legitimate and credible Interim Council. And when Gaddafi inevitably leaves or is forced from power, decades of provocation will come to an end, and the transition to a democratic Libya can proceed.
While Libya has faced violence on the greatest scale, it is not the only place where leaders have turned to repression to remain in power. Most recently, the Syrian regime has chosen the path of murder and the mass arrests of its citizens. The United States has condemned these actions, and working with the international community we have stepped up our sanctions on the Syrian regime – including sanctions announced yesterday on President Assad and those around him.
The Syrian people have shown their courage in demanding a transition to democracy. President Assad now has a choice: he can lead that transition, or get out of the way. The Syrian government must stop shooting demonstrators and allow peaceful protests; release political prisoners and stop unjust arrests; allow human rights monitors to have access to cities like Dara’a; and start a serious dialogue to advance a democratic transition. Otherwise, President Assad and his regime will continue to be challenged from within and isolated abroad.
Thus far, Syria has followed its Iranian ally, seeking assistance from Tehran in the tactics of suppression. This speaks to the hypocrisy of the Iranian regime, which says it stand for the rights of protesters abroad, yet suppresses its people at home. Let us remember that the first peaceful protests were in the streets of Tehran, where the government brutalized women and men, and threw innocent people into jail. We still hear the chants echo from the rooftops of Tehran. The image of a young woman dying in the streets is still seared in our memory. And we will continue to insist that the Iranian people deserve their universal rights, and a government that does not smother their aspirations.
Our opposition to Iran’s intolerance – as well as its illicit nuclear program, and its sponsorship of terror – is well known. But if America is to be credible, we must acknowledge that our friends in the region have not all reacted to the demands for change consistent with the principles that I have outlined today. That is true in Yemen, where President Saleh needs to follow through on his commitment to transfer power. And that is true, today, in Bahrain.
Bahrain is a long-standing partner, and we are committed to its security. We recognize that Iran has tried to take advantage of the turmoil there, and that the Bahraini government has a legitimate interest in the rule of law. Nevertheless, we have insisted publically and privately that mass arrests and brute force are at odds with the universal rights of Bahrain’s citizens, and will not make legitimate calls for reform go away. The only way forward is for the government and opposition to engage in a dialogue, and you can’t have a real dialogue when parts of the peaceful opposition are in jail. The government must create the conditions for dialogue, and the opposition must participate to forge a just future for all Bahrainis.
Indeed, one of the broader lessons to be drawn from this period is that sectarian divides need not lead to conflict. In Iraq, we see the promise of a multi-ethnic, multi-sectarian democracy. There, the Iraqi people have rejected the perils of political violence for a democratic process, even as they have taken full responsibility for their own security. Like all new democracies, they will face setbacks. But Iraq is poised to play a key role in the region if it continues its peaceful progress. As they do, we will be proud to stand with them as a steadfast partner.
So in the months ahead, America must use all our influence to encourage reform in the region. Even as we acknowledge that each country is different, we will need to speak honestly about the principles that we believe in, with friend and foe alike. Our message is simple: if you take the risks that reform entails, you will have the full support of the United States. We must also build on our efforts to broaden our engagement beyond elites, so that we reach the people who will shape the future – particularly young people.
We will continue to make good on the commitments that I made in Cairo – to build networks of entrepreneurs, and expand exchanges in education; to foster cooperation in science and technology, and combat disease. Across the region, we intend to provide assistance to civil society, including those that may not be officially sanctioned, and who speak uncomfortable truths. And we will use the technology to connect with – and listen to – the voices of the people.
In fact, real reform will not come at the ballot box alone. Through our efforts we must support those basic rights to speak your mind and access information. We will support open access to the Internet, and the right of journalists to be heard – whether it’s a big news organization or a blogger. In the 21st century, information is power; the truth cannot be hidden; and the legitimacy of governments will ultimately depend on active and informed citizens.
Such open discourse is important even if what is said does not square with our worldview. America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard, even if we disagree with them. We look forward to working with all who embrace genuine and inclusive democracy. What we will oppose is an attempt by any group to restrict the rights of others, and to hold power through coercion – not consent. Because democracy depends not only on elections, but also strong and accountable institutions, and respect for the rights of minorities.
Such tolerance is particularly important when it comes to religion. In Tahrir Square, we heard Egyptians from all walks of life chant, “Muslims, Christians, we are one.” America will work to see that this spirit prevails – that all faiths are respected, and that bridges are built among them. In a region that was the birthplace of three world religions, intolerance can lead only to suffering and stagnation. And for this season of change to succeed, Coptic Christians must have the right to worship freely in Cairo, just as Shia must never have their mosques destroyed in Bahrain.
What is true for religious minorities is also true when it comes to the rights of women. History shows that countries are more prosperous and peaceful when women are empowered. That is why we will continue to insist that universal rights apply to women as well as men – by focusing assistance on child and maternal health; by helping women to teach, or start a business; by standing up for the right of women to have their voices heard, and to run for office. For the region will never reach its potential when more than half its population is prevented from achieving their potential.
Even as we promote political reform and human rights in the region, our efforts cannot stop there. So the second way that we must support positive change in the region is through our efforts to advance economic development for nations that transition to democracy.
After all, politics alone has not put protesters into the streets. The tipping point for so many people is the more constant concern of putting food on the table and providing for a family. Too many in the region wake up with few expectations other than making it through the day, and perhaps the hope that their luck will change. Throughout the region, many young people have a solid education, but closed economies leave them unable to find a job. Entrepreneurs are brimming with ideas, but corruption leaves them unable to profit from them.
The greatest untapped resource in the Middle East and North Africa is the talent of its people. In the recent protests, we see that talent on display, as people harness technology to move the world. It’s no coincidence that one of the leaders of Tahrir Square was an executive for Google. That energy now needs to be channeled, in country after country, so that economic growth can solidify the accomplishments of the street. Just as democratic revolutions can be triggered by a lack of individual opportunity, successful democratic transitions depend upon an expansion of growth and broad-based prosperity.
Drawing from what we’ve learned around the world, we think it’s important to focus on trade, not just aid; and investment, not just assistance. The goal must be a model in which protectionism gives way to openness; the reigns of commerce pass from the few to the many, and the economy generates jobs for the young. America’s support for democracy will therefore be based on ensuring financial stability; promoting reform; and integrating competitive markets with each other and the global economy – starting with Tunisia and Egypt.
First, we have asked the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to present a plan at next week’s G-8 summit for what needs to be done to stabilize and modernize the economies of Tunisia and Egypt. Together, we must help them recover from the disruption of their democratic upheaval, and support the governments that will be elected later this year. And we are urging other countries to help Egypt and Tunisia meet its near-term financial needs. (why us?)
Second, we do not want a democratic Egypt to be saddled by the debts of its past. So we will relieve a democratic Egypt of up to $1 billion in debt,*(we don't have money for this) and work with our Egyptian partners to invest these resources to foster growth and entrepreneurship. We will help Egypt regain access to markets by guaranteeing $1 billion in borrowing that is needed to finance infrastructure and job creation. And we will help newly democratic governments recover assets that were stolen.
Third, we are working with Congress to create Enterprise Funds to invest in Tunisia and Egypt. These will be modeled on funds that supported the transitions in Eastern Europe after the fall of the Berlin Wall. OPIC will soon launch a $2 billion facility to support private investment across the region. And we will work with allies to refocus the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development so that it provides the same support for democratic transitions and economic modernization in the Middle East and North Africa as it has in Europe.
Fourth, the United States will launch a comprehensive Trade and Investment Partnership Initiative in the Middle East and North Africa. If you take out oil exports, this region of over 400 million people exports roughly the same amount as Switzerland. So we will work with the EU to facilitate more trade within the region, build on existing agreements to promote integration with U.S. and European markets, and open the door for those countries who adopt high standards of reform and trade liberalization to construct a regional trade arrangement. Just as EU membership served as an incentive for reform in Europe, so should the vision of a modern and prosperous economy create a powerful force for reform in the Middle East and North Africa.
Prosperity also requires tearing down walls that stand in the way of progress – the corruption of elites who steal from their people; the red tape that stops an idea from becoming a business; the patronage that distributes wealth based on tribe or sect. We will help governments meet international obligations, and invest efforts anti-corruption; by working with parliamentarians who are developing reforms, and activists who use technology to hold government accountable.
Let me conclude by talking about another cornerstone of our approach to the region, and that relates to the pursuit of peace.
For decades, the conflict between Israelis and Arabs has cast a shadow over the region. For Israelis, it has meant living with the fear that their children could get blown up on a bus or by rockets fired at their homes, as well as the pain of knowing that other children in the region are taught to hate them. For Palestinians, it has meant suffering the humiliation of occupation, and never living in a nation of their own. Moreover, this conflict has come with a larger cost the Middle East, as it impedes partnerships that could bring greater security, prosperity, and empowerment to ordinary people.
My Administration has worked with the parties and the international community for over two years to end this conflict, yet expectations have gone unmet. Israeli settlement activity continues. Palestinians have walked away from talks. The world looks at a conflict that has grinded on for decades, and sees a stalemate. Indeed, there are those who argue that with all the change and uncertainty in the region, it is simply not possible to move forward.
I disagree. At a time when the people of the Middle East and North Africa are casting off the burdens of the past, the drive for a lasting peace that ends the conflict and resolves all claims is more urgent than ever.
For the Palestinians, efforts to delegitimize Israel will end in failure. Symbolic actions to isolate Israel at the United Nations in September won’t create an independent state. Palestinian leaders will not achieve peace or prosperity if Hamas insists on a path of terror and rejection. And Palestinians will never realize their independence by denying the right of Israel to exist.
As for Israel, our friendship is rooted deeply in a shared history and shared values. Our commitment to Israel’s security is unshakeable. And we will stand against attempts to single it out for criticism in international forums. But precisely because of our friendship, it is important that we tell the truth: the status quo is unsustainable, and Israel too must act boldly to advance a lasting peace.
The fact is, a growing number of Palestinians live west of the Jordan River. Technology will make it harder for Israel to defend itself. A region undergoing profound change will lead to populism in which millions of people – not just a few leaders – must believe peace is possible. The international community is tired of an endless process that never produces an outcome. The dream of a Jewish and democratic state cannot be fulfilled with permanent occupation.
Ultimately, it is up to Israelis and Palestinians to take action. No peace can be imposed upon them, nor can endless delay make the problem go away. But what America and the international community can do is state frankly what everyone knows: a lasting peace will involve two states for two peoples. Israel as a Jewish state and the homeland for the Jewish people, and the state of Palestine as the homeland for the Palestinian people; each state enjoying self-determination, mutual recognition, and peace.
So while the core issues of the conflict must be negotiated, the basis of those negotiations is clear: a viable Palestine, and a secure Israel. The United States believes that negotiations should result in two states, with permanent Palestinian borders with Israel, Jordan, and Egypt, and permanent Israeli borders with Palestine. The borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps, so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states. The Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves, and reach their potential, in a sovereign and contiguous state.
As for security, every state has the right to self-defense, and Israel must be able to defend itself – by itself – against any threat. Provisions must also be robust enough to prevent a resurgence of terrorism; to stop the infiltration of weapons; and to provide effective border security. The full and phased withdrawal of Israeli military forces should be coordinated with the assumption of Palestinian security responsibility in a sovereign, non-militarized state. The duration of this transition period must be agreed, and the effectiveness of security arrangements must be demonstrated.
These principles provide a foundation for negotiations. Palestinians should know the territorial outlines of their state; Israelis should know that their basic security concerns will be met. I know that these steps alone will not resolve this conflict. Two wrenching and emotional issues remain: the future of Jerusalem, and the fate of Palestinian refugees. But moving forward now on the basis of territory and security provides a foundation to resolve those two issues in a way that is just and fair, and that respects the rights and aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians.
Recognizing that negotiations need to begin with the issues of territory and security does not mean that it will be easy to come back to the table. In particular, the recent announcement of an agreement between Fatah and Hamas raises profound and legitimate questions for Israel – how can one negotiate with a party that has shown itself unwilling to recognize your right to exist. In the weeks and months to come, Palestinian leaders will have to provide a credible answer to that question. Meanwhile, the United States, our Quartet partners, and the Arab states will need to continue every effort to get beyond the current impasse.
I recognize how hard this will be. Suspicion and hostility has been passed on for generations, and at times it has hardened. But I’m convinced that the majority of Israelis and Palestinians would rather look to the future than be trapped in the past. We see that spirit in the Israeli father whose son was killed by Hamas, who helped start an organization that brought together Israelis and Palestinians who had lost loved ones. He said, “I gradually realized that the only hope for progress was to recognize the face of the conflict.” And we see it in the actions of a Palestinian who lost three daughters to Israeli shells in Gaza. “I have the right to feel angry,” he said. “So many people were expecting me to hate. My answer to them is I shall not hate…Let us hope,” he said, “for tomorrow”
That is the choice that must be made – not simply in this conflict, but across the entire region – a choice between hate and hope; between the shackles of the past, and the promise of the future. It’s a choice that must be made by leaders and by people, and it’s a choice that will define the future of a region that served as the cradle of civilization and a crucible of strife.
For all the challenges that lie ahead, we see many reasons to be hopeful. In Egypt, we see it in the efforts of young people who led protests. In Syria, we see it in the courage of those who brave bullets while chanting, ‘peaceful,’ ‘peaceful.’ In Benghazi, a city threatened with destruction, we see it in the courthouse square where people gather to celebrate the freedoms that they had never known. Across the region, those rights that we take for granted are being claimed with joy by those who are prying lose the grip of an iron fist.
For the American people, the scenes of upheaval in the region may be unsettling, but the forces driving it are not unfamiliar. Our own nation was founded through a rebellion against an empire. Our people fought a painful civil war that extended freedom and dignity to those who were enslaved. And I would not be standing here today unless past generations turned to the moral force of non-violence as a way to perfect our union – organizing, marching, and protesting peacefully together to make real those words that declared our nation: “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal.”
Those words must guide our response to the change that is transforming the Middle East and North Africa – words which tell us that repression will fail, that tyrants will fall, and that every man and woman is endowed with certain inalienable rights. It will not be easy. There is no straight line to progress, and hardship always accompanies a season of hope. But the United States of America was founded on the belief that people should govern themselves. Now, we cannot hesitate to stand squarely on the side of those who are reaching for their rights, knowing that their success will bring about a world that is more peaceful, more stable, and more just.
“A Moment of Opportunity”
U.S. Department of State
May 19, 2011
I want to thank Hillary Clinton, who has traveled so much these last six months that she is approaching a new landmark – one million frequent flyer miles. I count on Hillary every day, and I believe that she will go down as of the finest Secretaries of State in our nation’s history. (re-election coalition)
The State Department is a fitting venue to mark a new chapter in American diplomacy. For six months, we have witnessed an extraordinary change take place in the Middle East and North Africa. Square by square; town by town; country by country; the people have risen up to demand their basic human rights. Two leaders have stepped aside. More may follow. And though these countries may be a great distance from our shores, we know that our own future is bound to this region by the forces of economics and security; history and faith. (sounds good, as if we had a hand in it...or that he did)
Today, I (beware of these "I's" - he built on groundwork laid before him, Bush gets slammed for everything the Obama Admin does not like, but barely praised for 8 yrs of hunting) would like to talk about this change – the forces that are driving it, and how we can respond in a way that advances our values and strengthens our security. Already, we have done much to shift our foreign policy following a decade defined by two costly conflicts. After years of war in Iraq, we have removed 100,000 American troops and ended our combat mission there. In Afghanistan, we have broken the Taliban’s momentum, and this July we will begin to bring our troops home and continue transition to Afghan lead. And after years of war against al Qaeda and its affiliates, we have dealt al Qaeda a huge blow by killing its leader – Osama bin Laden. (posturing to answer the criticism that he did not follow through with campaign promises)
Bin Laden was no martyr. He was a mass murderer who offered a message of hate – an insistence that Muslims had to take up arms against the West, and that violence against men, women and children was the only path to change. He rejected democracy and individual rights for Muslims(why highlite Muslims? he rejects for anyone) in favor of violent extremism; his agenda focused on what he could destroy – not what he could build.
Bin Laden and his murderous vision won some adherents. But even before his death, al Qaeda was losing its struggle for relevance, as the overwhelming majority of people saw that the slaughter of innocents did not answer their cries for a better life. By the time we found bin Laden, al Qaeda’s agenda had come to be seen by the vast majority of the region as a dead end, and the people of the Middle East and North Africa had taken their future into their own hands.
That story of self-determination began six months ago in Tunisia. On December 17, a young vendor named Mohammed Bouazizi was devastated when a police officer confiscated his cart. This was not unique. It is the same kind of humiliation that takes place every day in many parts of the world – the relentless tyranny of governments that deny their citizens dignity. (does not socialism and welfare do the same?) Only this time, something different happened. After local officials refused to hear his complaint, this young man who had never been particularly active in politics went to the headquarters of the provincial government, doused himself in fuel, and lit himself on fire.(people go postal here too - but we have a country that doesn't stand for it, yet allows for it & allows for a much better life as well...but Obama wants to destroy this.)
Sometimes, in the course of history, the actions of ordinary citizens spark movements for change because they speak to a longing for freedom that has built up for years. In America, think of the defiance of those patriots in Boston who refused to pay taxes to a King (not winning points with this teabagger), or the dignity of Rosa Parks as she sat courageously in her seat. So it was in Tunisia, as that vendor’s act of desperation tapped into the frustration felt throughout the country. Hundreds of protesters took to the streets, then thousands. And in the face of batons and sometimes bullets, they refused to go home – day after day, week after week, until a dictator of more than two decades finally left power.
The story of this Revolution, and the ones that followed, should not have come as a surprise. The nations of the Middle East and North Africa won their independence long ago, but in too many places their people did not. In too many countries, power has been concentrated in the hands of the few. In too many countries, a citizen like that young vendor had nowhere to turn – no honest judiciary to hear his case; no independent media to give him voice; no credible political party to represent his views; no free and fair election where he could choose his leader. (is there such any more?)
This lack of self determination – the chance to make of your life what you will – has applied to the region’s economy as well. Yes, some nations are blessed with wealth in oil and gas, and that has led to pockets of prosperity. But in a global economy based on knowledge and innovation, no development strategy can be based solely upon what comes out of the ground. Nor can people reach their potential when you cannot start a business without paying a bribe.
In the face of these challenges, too many leaders in the region tried to direct their people’s grievances elsewhere. The West was blamed as the source of all ills, a half century after the end of colonialism. Antagonism toward Israel (Here is comes! And how do you just drop Israel into this speech like this?) became the only acceptable outlet for political expression (hmm, really?). Divisions of tribe, ethnicity and religious sect were manipulated as a means of holding on to power, or taking it away from somebody else (remember, Muslims were listed first, as seekers of liberty and via this paragraph it is clear that Jews are not favored).
But the events of the past six months show us that strategies of repression and diversion won’t work anymore. (It follows that one may consider Israel as the repressor causing all this. But Israel is a small quite country and does not act unless acted upon.) Satellite television and the Internet provide a window into the wider world – a world of astonishing progress in places like India, Indonesia and Brazil (progress is not celebrated in US, actually it is discredited in our school systems, welfare system, unions, and govermental jobs). Cell phones and social networks allow young people (setting a platform, subliminally for our young people, to be a voice and if necessary, violent for change) to connect and organize like never before. A new generation has emerged. And their voices tell us that change (here it goes again! what is he getting at. Recall the change we are going through and it is not pretty! High debt, highest by any sitting president and not inheretted from Bush, high unemployment that he was going to fix by 2nd year, economic discontent and uncertainty, budget issues, highly polarized DC, socialist mentality, union control, etc) cannot be denied.
In Cairo, we heard the voice of the young mother who said, “It’s like I can finally breathe fresh air for the first time.”
In Sanaa, we heard the students who chanted, “The night must come to an end.”
In Benghazi, we heard the engineer who said, “Our words are free now. It’s a feeling you can’t explain.”
In Damascus, we heard the young man who said, “After the first yelling, the first shout, you feel dignity.”
Those shouts of human dignity are being heard across the region. And through the moral force of non-violence, the people of the region have achieved more change in six months than terrorists have accomplished in decades. (are the terrorists and "people" equals for change?)
Of course, change of this magnitude does not come easily. In our day and age – a time of 24 hour news cycles, and constant communication – people expect the transformation of the region to be resolved in a matter of weeks. But it will be years before this story reaches its end. Along the way, there will be good days, and bad days. In some places, change will be swift; in others, gradual. And as we have seen, calls for change may give way to fierce contests for power.
The question before us is what role America (and again...what will we change or do?) will play as this story unfolds. For decades, the United States has pursued a set of core interests in the region: countering terrorism and stopping the spread of nuclear weapons; securing the free flow of commerce, and safe-guarding the security of the region; standing up for Israel’s security and pursuing Arab-Israeli peace (throw these in and the others clearly don't matter - the subject is Israel).
We will continue to do these things (will we continue to support Israel) , with the firm belief that America’s interests are not hostile to peoples’ hopes; they are essential to them. We believe that no one benefits from a nuclear arms race in the region, or al Qaeda’s brutal attacks. People everywhere would see their economies crippled by a cut off in energy supplies. As we did in the Gulf War, we will not tolerate aggression across borders, and we will keep our commitments to friends and partners. (hmm, where's the other shoe?)
Yet (ahh, there it is!) we must acknowledge that a strategy based solely upon the narrow (that was a list of complicated items...narrow? Oh, you were meaning the relationship with Israel) pursuit of these interests will not fill an empty stomach or allow someone to speak their mind. Moreover, failure to speak to the broader aspirations of ordinary people will only feed the suspicion that has festered for years that the United States pursues our own interests at their expense. Given that this mistrust runs both ways – as Americans have been seared by hostage taking, violent rhetoric, and terrorist attacks that have killed thousands of our citizens – a failure to change our approach threatens a deepening spiral of division between the United States and Muslim communities (wow. ends justify the means? Since when does America cave to enemies. Imagine this being said about the Nazi community...).
That’s why, two years ago in Cairo, I (hmmm) began to broaden our engagement based upon mutual interests and mutual respect. I believed then – and I believe now – that we have a stake not just in the stability of nations, but in the self determination of individuals. The status quo is not sustainable. (oh boy)Societies held together by fear and repression may offer the illusion of stability for a time, but they are built upon fault lines that will eventually tear asunder (Is America holding "societies" together by fear, etc? What about the liberal hold on minorities and latinos?).
So we face an historic opportunity. We have embraced the chance to show that America values the dignity of the street vendor(we value someone going postal and lighting themselves on fire?) in Tunisia more than the raw power of the dictator. There must be no doubt that the United States of America welcomes change that advances self-determination and opportunity. Yes, there will be perils that accompany this moment of promise. But after decades of accepting the world as it is in the region, we have a chance to pursue the world as it should be (wait there's another shoe!).
As we do, we must proceed with a sense of humility. It is not America ("yet you can attribute that to me...)" that put people into the streets of Tunis and Cairo – it was the people themselves who launched these movements, and must determine their outcome. Not every country will follow our particular form of representative democracy, and there will be times when our short term interests do not align perfectly with our long term vision of the region. But we can – and will – speak out for a set of core principles – principles that have guided our response to the events over the past six months (only this long?):
The United States opposes the use of violence and repression against the people of the region.
We support a set of universal rights.(do you?) Those rights include free speech; the freedom of peaceful assembly; freedom of religion; equality for men and women under the rule of law; and the right to choose your own leaders – whether you live in Baghdad or Damascus; Sanaa or Tehran.
And finally, we support political and economic reform in the Middle East and North Africa that can meet the legitimate aspirations of ordinary people throughout the region.
Our support for these principles is not a secondary interest– today I am making it clear that it is a top priority that must be translated into concrete actions, and supported by all of the diplomatic, economic and strategic tools at our disposal.?? $$$$
Let me be specific. First, it will be the policy of the United States to promote reform across the region, and to support transitions to democracy.$$$
That effort begins in Egypt and Tunisia, where the stakes are high –as Tunisia was at the vanguard of this democratic wave, and Egypt is both a longstanding partner and the Arab World’s largest nation. Both nations can set a strong example through free and fair elections; a vibrant civil society; accountable and effective democratic institutions; and responsible regional leadership. But our support must also extend to nations where transitions have yet to take place.
Unfortunately, in too many countries, calls for change have been answered by violence. The most extreme example is Libya, where Moammar Gaddafi launched a war against his people, promising to hunt them down like rats. As I said when the United States joined an international coalition (NATO, primarily US) to intervene, we cannot prevent every injustice perpetrated by a regime against its people, and we have learned from our experience in Iraq just how costly and difficult it is to impose regime change by force – no matter how well-intended it may be. duh
History and perspective follow:
But in Libya, we saw the prospect of imminent massacre, had a mandate for action, and heard the Libyan people’s call for help. Had we not acted along with our NATO allies and regional coalition partners, thousands would have been killed. The message would have been clear: keep power by killing as many people as it takes. Now, time is working against Gaddafi. He does not have control over his country. The opposition has organized a legitimate and credible Interim Council. And when Gaddafi inevitably leaves or is forced from power, decades of provocation will come to an end, and the transition to a democratic Libya can proceed.
While Libya has faced violence on the greatest scale, it is not the only place where leaders have turned to repression to remain in power. Most recently, the Syrian regime has chosen the path of murder and the mass arrests of its citizens. The United States has condemned these actions, and working with the international community we have stepped up our sanctions on the Syrian regime – including sanctions announced yesterday on President Assad and those around him.
The Syrian people have shown their courage in demanding a transition to democracy. President Assad now has a choice: he can lead that transition, or get out of the way. The Syrian government must stop shooting demonstrators and allow peaceful protests; release political prisoners and stop unjust arrests; allow human rights monitors to have access to cities like Dara’a; and start a serious dialogue to advance a democratic transition. Otherwise, President Assad and his regime will continue to be challenged from within and isolated abroad.
Thus far, Syria has followed its Iranian ally, seeking assistance from Tehran in the tactics of suppression. This speaks to the hypocrisy of the Iranian regime, which says it stand for the rights of protesters abroad, yet suppresses its people at home. Let us remember that the first peaceful protests were in the streets of Tehran, where the government brutalized women and men, and threw innocent people into jail. We still hear the chants echo from the rooftops of Tehran. The image of a young woman dying in the streets is still seared in our memory. And we will continue to insist that the Iranian people deserve their universal rights, and a government that does not smother their aspirations.
Our opposition to Iran’s intolerance – as well as its illicit nuclear program, and its sponsorship of terror – is well known. But if America is to be credible, we must acknowledge that our friends in the region have not all reacted to the demands for change consistent with the principles that I have outlined today. That is true in Yemen, where President Saleh needs to follow through on his commitment to transfer power. And that is true, today, in Bahrain.
Bahrain is a long-standing partner, and we are committed to its security. We recognize that Iran has tried to take advantage of the turmoil there, and that the Bahraini government has a legitimate interest in the rule of law. Nevertheless, we have insisted publically and privately that mass arrests and brute force are at odds with the universal rights of Bahrain’s citizens, and will not make legitimate calls for reform go away. The only way forward is for the government and opposition to engage in a dialogue, and you can’t have a real dialogue when parts of the peaceful opposition are in jail. The government must create the conditions for dialogue, and the opposition must participate to forge a just future for all Bahrainis.
Indeed, one of the broader lessons to be drawn from this period is that sectarian divides need not lead to conflict. In Iraq, we see the promise of a multi-ethnic, multi-sectarian democracy. There, the Iraqi people have rejected the perils of political violence for a democratic process, even as they have taken full responsibility for their own security. Like all new democracies, they will face setbacks. But Iraq is poised to play a key role in the region if it continues its peaceful progress. As they do, we will be proud to stand with them as a steadfast partner.
So in the months ahead, America must use all our influence to encourage reform in the region. Even as we acknowledge that each country is different, we will need to speak honestly about the principles that we believe in, with friend and foe alike. Our message is simple: if you take the risks that reform entails, you will have the full support of the United States. We must also build on our efforts to broaden our engagement beyond elites, so that we reach the people who will shape the future – particularly young people.
We will continue to make good on the commitments that I made in Cairo – to build networks of entrepreneurs, and expand exchanges in education; to foster cooperation in science and technology, and combat disease. Across the region, we intend to provide assistance to civil society, including those that may not be officially sanctioned, and who speak uncomfortable truths. And we will use the technology to connect with – and listen to – the voices of the people.
In fact, real reform will not come at the ballot box alone. Through our efforts we must support those basic rights to speak your mind and access information. We will support open access to the Internet, and the right of journalists to be heard – whether it’s a big news organization or a blogger. In the 21st century, information is power; the truth cannot be hidden; and the legitimacy of governments will ultimately depend on active and informed citizens.
Such open discourse is important even if what is said does not square with our worldview. America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard, even if we disagree with them. We look forward to working with all who embrace genuine and inclusive democracy. What we will oppose is an attempt by any group to restrict the rights of others, and to hold power through coercion – not consent. Because democracy depends not only on elections, but also strong and accountable institutions, and respect for the rights of minorities.
Such tolerance is particularly important when it comes to religion. In Tahrir Square, we heard Egyptians from all walks of life chant, “Muslims, Christians, we are one.” America will work to see that this spirit prevails – that all faiths are respected, and that bridges are built among them. In a region that was the birthplace of three world religions, intolerance can lead only to suffering and stagnation. And for this season of change to succeed, Coptic Christians must have the right to worship freely in Cairo, just as Shia must never have their mosques destroyed in Bahrain.
What is true for religious minorities is also true when it comes to the rights of women. History shows that countries are more prosperous and peaceful when women are empowered. That is why we will continue to insist that universal rights apply to women as well as men – by focusing assistance on child and maternal health; by helping women to teach, or start a business; by standing up for the right of women to have their voices heard, and to run for office. For the region will never reach its potential when more than half its population is prevented from achieving their potential.
Even as we promote political reform and human rights in the region, our efforts cannot stop there. So the second way that we must support positive change in the region is through our efforts to advance economic development for nations that transition to democracy.
After all, politics alone has not put protesters into the streets. The tipping point for so many people is the more constant concern of putting food on the table and providing for a family. Too many in the region wake up with few expectations other than making it through the day, and perhaps the hope that their luck will change. Throughout the region, many young people have a solid education, but closed economies leave them unable to find a job. Entrepreneurs are brimming with ideas, but corruption leaves them unable to profit from them.
The greatest untapped resource in the Middle East and North Africa is the talent of its people. In the recent protests, we see that talent on display, as people harness technology to move the world. It’s no coincidence that one of the leaders of Tahrir Square was an executive for Google. That energy now needs to be channeled, in country after country, so that economic growth can solidify the accomplishments of the street. Just as democratic revolutions can be triggered by a lack of individual opportunity, successful democratic transitions depend upon an expansion of growth and broad-based prosperity.
Drawing from what we’ve learned around the world, we think it’s important to focus on trade, not just aid; and investment, not just assistance. The goal must be a model in which protectionism gives way to openness; the reigns of commerce pass from the few to the many, and the economy generates jobs for the young. America’s support for democracy will therefore be based on ensuring financial stability; promoting reform; and integrating competitive markets with each other and the global economy – starting with Tunisia and Egypt.
First, we have asked the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to present a plan at next week’s G-8 summit for what needs to be done to stabilize and modernize the economies of Tunisia and Egypt. Together, we must help them recover from the disruption of their democratic upheaval, and support the governments that will be elected later this year. And we are urging other countries to help Egypt and Tunisia meet its near-term financial needs. (why us?)
Second, we do not want a democratic Egypt to be saddled by the debts of its past. So we will relieve a democratic Egypt of up to $1 billion in debt,*(we don't have money for this) and work with our Egyptian partners to invest these resources to foster growth and entrepreneurship. We will help Egypt regain access to markets by guaranteeing $1 billion in borrowing that is needed to finance infrastructure and job creation. And we will help newly democratic governments recover assets that were stolen.
Third, we are working with Congress to create Enterprise Funds to invest in Tunisia and Egypt. These will be modeled on funds that supported the transitions in Eastern Europe after the fall of the Berlin Wall. OPIC will soon launch a $2 billion facility to support private investment across the region. And we will work with allies to refocus the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development so that it provides the same support for democratic transitions and economic modernization in the Middle East and North Africa as it has in Europe.
Fourth, the United States will launch a comprehensive Trade and Investment Partnership Initiative in the Middle East and North Africa. If you take out oil exports, this region of over 400 million people exports roughly the same amount as Switzerland. So we will work with the EU to facilitate more trade within the region, build on existing agreements to promote integration with U.S. and European markets, and open the door for those countries who adopt high standards of reform and trade liberalization to construct a regional trade arrangement. Just as EU membership served as an incentive for reform in Europe, so should the vision of a modern and prosperous economy create a powerful force for reform in the Middle East and North Africa.
Prosperity also requires tearing down walls that stand in the way of progress – the corruption of elites who steal from their people; the red tape that stops an idea from becoming a business; the patronage that distributes wealth based on tribe or sect. We will help governments meet international obligations, and invest efforts anti-corruption; by working with parliamentarians who are developing reforms, and activists who use technology to hold government accountable.
Let me conclude by talking about another cornerstone of our approach to the region, and that relates to the pursuit of peace.
For decades, the conflict between Israelis and Arabs has cast a shadow over the region. For Israelis, it has meant living with the fear that their children could get blown up on a bus or by rockets fired at their homes, as well as the pain of knowing that other children in the region are taught to hate them. For Palestinians, it has meant suffering the humiliation of occupation, and never living in a nation of their own. Moreover, this conflict has come with a larger cost the Middle East, as it impedes partnerships that could bring greater security, prosperity, and empowerment to ordinary people.
My Administration has worked with the parties and the international community for over two years to end this conflict, yet expectations have gone unmet. Israeli settlement activity continues. Palestinians have walked away from talks. The world looks at a conflict that has grinded on for decades, and sees a stalemate. Indeed, there are those who argue that with all the change and uncertainty in the region, it is simply not possible to move forward.
I disagree. At a time when the people of the Middle East and North Africa are casting off the burdens of the past, the drive for a lasting peace that ends the conflict and resolves all claims is more urgent than ever.
For the Palestinians, efforts to delegitimize Israel will end in failure. Symbolic actions to isolate Israel at the United Nations in September won’t create an independent state. Palestinian leaders will not achieve peace or prosperity if Hamas insists on a path of terror and rejection. And Palestinians will never realize their independence by denying the right of Israel to exist.
As for Israel, our friendship is rooted deeply in a shared history and shared values. Our commitment to Israel’s security is unshakeable. And we will stand against attempts to single it out for criticism in international forums. But precisely because of our friendship, it is important that we tell the truth: the status quo is unsustainable, and Israel too must act boldly to advance a lasting peace.
The fact is, a growing number of Palestinians live west of the Jordan River. Technology will make it harder for Israel to defend itself. A region undergoing profound change will lead to populism in which millions of people – not just a few leaders – must believe peace is possible. The international community is tired of an endless process that never produces an outcome. The dream of a Jewish and democratic state cannot be fulfilled with permanent occupation.
Ultimately, it is up to Israelis and Palestinians to take action. No peace can be imposed upon them, nor can endless delay make the problem go away. But what America and the international community can do is state frankly what everyone knows: a lasting peace will involve two states for two peoples. Israel as a Jewish state and the homeland for the Jewish people, and the state of Palestine as the homeland for the Palestinian people; each state enjoying self-determination, mutual recognition, and peace.
So while the core issues of the conflict must be negotiated, the basis of those negotiations is clear: a viable Palestine, and a secure Israel. The United States believes that negotiations should result in two states, with permanent Palestinian borders with Israel, Jordan, and Egypt, and permanent Israeli borders with Palestine. The borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps, so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states. The Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves, and reach their potential, in a sovereign and contiguous state.
As for security, every state has the right to self-defense, and Israel must be able to defend itself – by itself – against any threat. Provisions must also be robust enough to prevent a resurgence of terrorism; to stop the infiltration of weapons; and to provide effective border security. The full and phased withdrawal of Israeli military forces should be coordinated with the assumption of Palestinian security responsibility in a sovereign, non-militarized state. The duration of this transition period must be agreed, and the effectiveness of security arrangements must be demonstrated.
These principles provide a foundation for negotiations. Palestinians should know the territorial outlines of their state; Israelis should know that their basic security concerns will be met. I know that these steps alone will not resolve this conflict. Two wrenching and emotional issues remain: the future of Jerusalem, and the fate of Palestinian refugees. But moving forward now on the basis of territory and security provides a foundation to resolve those two issues in a way that is just and fair, and that respects the rights and aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians.
Recognizing that negotiations need to begin with the issues of territory and security does not mean that it will be easy to come back to the table. In particular, the recent announcement of an agreement between Fatah and Hamas raises profound and legitimate questions for Israel – how can one negotiate with a party that has shown itself unwilling to recognize your right to exist. In the weeks and months to come, Palestinian leaders will have to provide a credible answer to that question. Meanwhile, the United States, our Quartet partners, and the Arab states will need to continue every effort to get beyond the current impasse.
I recognize how hard this will be. Suspicion and hostility has been passed on for generations, and at times it has hardened. But I’m convinced that the majority of Israelis and Palestinians would rather look to the future than be trapped in the past. We see that spirit in the Israeli father whose son was killed by Hamas, who helped start an organization that brought together Israelis and Palestinians who had lost loved ones. He said, “I gradually realized that the only hope for progress was to recognize the face of the conflict.” And we see it in the actions of a Palestinian who lost three daughters to Israeli shells in Gaza. “I have the right to feel angry,” he said. “So many people were expecting me to hate. My answer to them is I shall not hate…Let us hope,” he said, “for tomorrow”
That is the choice that must be made – not simply in this conflict, but across the entire region – a choice between hate and hope; between the shackles of the past, and the promise of the future. It’s a choice that must be made by leaders and by people, and it’s a choice that will define the future of a region that served as the cradle of civilization and a crucible of strife.
For all the challenges that lie ahead, we see many reasons to be hopeful. In Egypt, we see it in the efforts of young people who led protests. In Syria, we see it in the courage of those who brave bullets while chanting, ‘peaceful,’ ‘peaceful.’ In Benghazi, a city threatened with destruction, we see it in the courthouse square where people gather to celebrate the freedoms that they had never known. Across the region, those rights that we take for granted are being claimed with joy by those who are prying lose the grip of an iron fist.
For the American people, the scenes of upheaval in the region may be unsettling, but the forces driving it are not unfamiliar. Our own nation was founded through a rebellion against an empire. Our people fought a painful civil war that extended freedom and dignity to those who were enslaved. And I would not be standing here today unless past generations turned to the moral force of non-violence as a way to perfect our union – organizing, marching, and protesting peacefully together to make real those words that declared our nation: “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal.”
Those words must guide our response to the change that is transforming the Middle East and North Africa – words which tell us that repression will fail, that tyrants will fall, and that every man and woman is endowed with certain inalienable rights. It will not be easy. There is no straight line to progress, and hardship always accompanies a season of hope. But the United States of America was founded on the belief that people should govern themselves. Now, we cannot hesitate to stand squarely on the side of those who are reaching for their rights, knowing that their success will bring about a world that is more peaceful, more stable, and more just.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Rural OK Man Makes Fighting Allergies Harder
In a time that we are fighting Big Government, a small-town man, who simply states he has seen many lose their lives, property and families from Methamphetamine production, has figured a way to increase government on the small scale. David Starkey, of Claremore, OK seeks to make things harder for the allergy stricken person by prohibiting the sell of pseudoephedrine drugs or allergy, dry tablet form, pills.
Yep. Me too, I saw the same thing: drugs kill people. Of course, we all know that "bad" drugs do indeed kill people. The Daily Oklahoman had another article about the 2C-E liquid based drug that killed two young college aged students and seriously injured several others on May 7, which started with "innocent" use of a drug bought online. Cocaine, Heroine and other drugs of hallucinogenic choice have long been understood to mess your life up or kill you a friend or family member...even when used "once...innocently." But Starkey seeks to stop "good" drugs from being there for the common allergy fighter. "Good" drugs may be killers too - if used in a manner outside the realm of the original intent and creation of the drug.
But to say that we need to stop the sell of drugs so that Meth-lab producers will disappear? Really? Sure, it will "stop" a few. But really, they will simply move to another town, find another dark hole and create their despicable poison to be sold to the weak and foolish. The prohibition of the allergy pill will not end the battle on Meth-labs. Creators will only pack up and move to the next Pharmacy and work within the guidelines of cold med purchasing to get the necessary ingredients they need for their evil concoction.
Like gun control advocates, Starkey goes down the path of good intentions put is focusing on the wrong issue. Guns do not kill people...people, who make the choice, kill people. Drugs do not kill people...people, who make a choice, incorrectly use drugs and kill people.
We do not need more laws. We do not need to drive an extra 30 minutes to the next Pharmacy; not yet under Prohibition laws, in order to buy the allergy meds we seek. Sorry Mr. Starkey, appreciate what you are doing, but please stay away from my town!
No, we need real Dads who love their children and teach them wise living. We need parents who will stand behind teachers when discipline is needed at school. We need better education system that instills character, drives excellence, engenders responsibility, promotes good self-acceptance and image, builds discipline and produces individuals that want the best out of themselves, not out of what others think or will "do" for them.
Really, if you want to get right down to it, we need God's laws and love back in our lives. However, many who read this will cry foul! Go figure...read our title again... But one cannot argue the fact that we need a moral compass of spirituality in some fashion that brings people to know there is something bigger in this life to live for than death or the moment.
(Blog created based on two articles from The Daily Oklahoman, May 15, 2011, front page story and Community section story.)
Yep. Me too, I saw the same thing: drugs kill people. Of course, we all know that "bad" drugs do indeed kill people. The Daily Oklahoman had another article about the 2C-E liquid based drug that killed two young college aged students and seriously injured several others on May 7, which started with "innocent" use of a drug bought online. Cocaine, Heroine and other drugs of hallucinogenic choice have long been understood to mess your life up or kill you a friend or family member...even when used "once...innocently." But Starkey seeks to stop "good" drugs from being there for the common allergy fighter. "Good" drugs may be killers too - if used in a manner outside the realm of the original intent and creation of the drug.
But to say that we need to stop the sell of drugs so that Meth-lab producers will disappear? Really? Sure, it will "stop" a few. But really, they will simply move to another town, find another dark hole and create their despicable poison to be sold to the weak and foolish. The prohibition of the allergy pill will not end the battle on Meth-labs. Creators will only pack up and move to the next Pharmacy and work within the guidelines of cold med purchasing to get the necessary ingredients they need for their evil concoction.
Like gun control advocates, Starkey goes down the path of good intentions put is focusing on the wrong issue. Guns do not kill people...people, who make the choice, kill people. Drugs do not kill people...people, who make a choice, incorrectly use drugs and kill people.
We do not need more laws. We do not need to drive an extra 30 minutes to the next Pharmacy; not yet under Prohibition laws, in order to buy the allergy meds we seek. Sorry Mr. Starkey, appreciate what you are doing, but please stay away from my town!
No, we need real Dads who love their children and teach them wise living. We need parents who will stand behind teachers when discipline is needed at school. We need better education system that instills character, drives excellence, engenders responsibility, promotes good self-acceptance and image, builds discipline and produces individuals that want the best out of themselves, not out of what others think or will "do" for them.
Really, if you want to get right down to it, we need God's laws and love back in our lives. However, many who read this will cry foul! Go figure...read our title again... But one cannot argue the fact that we need a moral compass of spirituality in some fashion that brings people to know there is something bigger in this life to live for than death or the moment.
(Blog created based on two articles from The Daily Oklahoman, May 15, 2011, front page story and Community section story.)
Monday, May 9, 2011
Nasanakaft
It is sad to believe the age of the space shuttle is coming to an end. Shuttle Endeavor and Atlantis each have one more flight into the Great Expanse of the heavens. America was boosted into Space, the Final Frontier, when Sputnik made America gasp. After tragedy and tumultuous attempts, we put man into space. Then, we walked on the Moon!
The 80’s brought about the space shuttle era that was intense and focused excellence in space. While tragedy visited the Shuttle Era, America pushed forward!
What lies for America and the Frontier of Space now that the Shuttle Era is coming to a close? USA Today, 5/5/11, tells the story in an uncertain way. Worse still, the photo is of a train carrying a rocket in the background. At least for the near future, our astronauts will ride piggy back. The article continues to be ambiguous on what will happen, but mentions Virgin and their space efforts.
With the down economy, political turmoil, administration’s negativity to American excellence and superiority…it’s a nebulous future at best.
The 80’s brought about the space shuttle era that was intense and focused excellence in space. While tragedy visited the Shuttle Era, America pushed forward!
What lies for America and the Frontier of Space now that the Shuttle Era is coming to a close? USA Today, 5/5/11, tells the story in an uncertain way. Worse still, the photo is of a train carrying a rocket in the background. At least for the near future, our astronauts will ride piggy back. The article continues to be ambiguous on what will happen, but mentions Virgin and their space efforts.
With the down economy, political turmoil, administration’s negativity to American excellence and superiority…it’s a nebulous future at best.
Media Research Center 2011 Gala
The Gala and awards for the worst broadcasting in the last year, exemplifying the biasness in the media. These are clips that you won't see promoted in the main stream; you won't see them retaliated against; you also will not see retractions, apologies or corrections...further, few, if any, jobs were lost due to these comments. To add insult to injury, NPR (National Public Radio) continues to receive your tax dollars to broadcast their comments.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
So, This is What We Pay Congress To Do
House Minority Leader pictured standing, far right, speaks while colleagues play solitaire Monday night as the House convened to vote on a new budget. (AP)
The guy sitting in the row in front of these two...he's on Facebook, and the guy behind Hennessy is checking out the baseball scores.
These are the folks that couldn't get the budget out by Oct. 1, and are about to control your health care, cap and trade, and the list goes on and on…
Should we buy them larger screen computers - or - a ticket home, permanently?
This is one of their 3-DAY WORK WEEKS that we all pay for (salary is about $179,000 per year).
Monday, April 18, 2011
TRUMP ON TRUMP
Love it! True thoughts... plainly said: "Obama must go!" Regardless who wins republican nomination.
Monday, April 11, 2011
OBAMA TRUMPED?
Like him or dislike him - Trump is out there....seriously, not just "different," he is a possibility in the race for President next year. Maybe, we need a "business minded person" to get in there and cut the crap! Maybe we need someone not afraid to say "YOU'RE FIRED!" I don't know. The downside may or may not be his beliefs, political leans, political savvy, foreign knowledge (he does a lot of foreign business right?)...but then...can't be worse than OBAMA - truly, he'd only be better!
Take a moment and take this important poll about the race for President in 2012. Is Trump a valid candidate? What about Gingerich, Bachman? Would you rather have Obama again? All these are answers you can give! Get in there and voice your opinion! Newsmax is a major media outlet - copy this post and email it to everyone you know!
These poll results will be provided to major media outlets and popular radio talk-show hosts across America, and Newsmax assures us - OUR voices will be heard.
To find out more, go here now.
Take a moment and take this important poll about the race for President in 2012. Is Trump a valid candidate? What about Gingerich, Bachman? Would you rather have Obama again? All these are answers you can give! Get in there and voice your opinion! Newsmax is a major media outlet - copy this post and email it to everyone you know!
These poll results will be provided to major media outlets and popular radio talk-show hosts across America, and Newsmax assures us - OUR voices will be heard.
To find out more, go here now.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Underground Church, Depth of Faith
How deep is your faith? Did not ask what religion are you...
http://drudge.tw/eZsGG1 - This link to a story, at base, is a human rights issue. Further, it is governmental control of humans and suppression of faith. It is also governmental fear of people and their innate desire to live in liberty.
This Christian church continued to meet, and not just secretly. This church is an "unapproved" church. Yet, today they met in a public spot. The result: many are detained in a school.
Look around the world. It is not a place of true acceptance. Governments fear uprisings. Countries are at war for differences. Control. Control is desired. The only acceptance without fear of control...found in Jesus Christ. Freedom us found here. Even in repression - this is why the Christian faith is so despised. May we never come to this in America, but may we stop taking it for granted?
http://drudge.tw/eZsGG1 - This link to a story, at base, is a human rights issue. Further, it is governmental control of humans and suppression of faith. It is also governmental fear of people and their innate desire to live in liberty.
This Christian church continued to meet, and not just secretly. This church is an "unapproved" church. Yet, today they met in a public spot. The result: many are detained in a school.
Look around the world. It is not a place of true acceptance. Governments fear uprisings. Countries are at war for differences. Control. Control is desired. The only acceptance without fear of control...found in Jesus Christ. Freedom us found here. Even in repression - this is why the Christian faith is so despised. May we never come to this in America, but may we stop taking it for granted?
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
BOOK 'EM FOR TREASON!
I don't know...and quite frankly, I DON'T CARE - but the Democrats showed be tried for treason! I realize that the true sense of the word is not accurate... But dabgummit, it is past time to be messin' around with our NATION for political Mickey-Mousin' around and political agendas! ARRRGH! I cannot even express in words my frustration!
I have called my senators and reps and given their assistants the what for - but I live in Oklahoma where we are still fairly common sensible people - so, it really doesn't matter that I have called! They are trying everything they can...but again, we live in OK.
Back to the matter at hand - our country is in jeopardy, the President has absolutely no leadership and economic collapse looms. I am tired of this crap! We elect them to do something! Our taxes pay them to function in our interests and requests! They are not doing so and they are putting us in a precarious position! Shut up and work!
Cut the freakin' budget! Ron Paul is a God-send - problem is we have a bunch of knuckle-head losers that don't know the first thing about finance and trouble but obviously know how to destroy this great Nation. Therefore, TREASON!
Impeach and try them all for treason! If they are hunkered down with Schumer-D then they are clearly unethical, immoral, full of character flaws and their inaction and deliberate stalemate and shut down of the UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT is an act of TREASON!
Check out this article - this is a great start!
PS. I wrote/called Schumer's offices at 212-486-4430; 757 Third Avenue, Suite 17-02, New York, New York 10017. Challenge you to do the same!
I have called my senators and reps and given their assistants the what for - but I live in Oklahoma where we are still fairly common sensible people - so, it really doesn't matter that I have called! They are trying everything they can...but again, we live in OK.
Back to the matter at hand - our country is in jeopardy, the President has absolutely no leadership and economic collapse looms. I am tired of this crap! We elect them to do something! Our taxes pay them to function in our interests and requests! They are not doing so and they are putting us in a precarious position! Shut up and work!
Cut the freakin' budget! Ron Paul is a God-send - problem is we have a bunch of knuckle-head losers that don't know the first thing about finance and trouble but obviously know how to destroy this great Nation. Therefore, TREASON!
Impeach and try them all for treason! If they are hunkered down with Schumer-D then they are clearly unethical, immoral, full of character flaws and their inaction and deliberate stalemate and shut down of the UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT is an act of TREASON!
Check out this article - this is a great start!
PS. I wrote/called Schumer's offices at 212-486-4430; 757 Third Avenue, Suite 17-02, New York, New York 10017. Challenge you to do the same!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Super-Women 2012 Ticket?!
Weigh in on this:
Michelle Bachman to throw hat in ring for 2012 Presidential campaign. What about her and Palin together?
What do you think? Pitfalls? Promise? Angles? Like? Dislike? Fear? Excites?
FRENCH BRING DOWN PLANE; NATO LEADS
Well, it is a difficult thing to swallow, but a potentially constructive opportunity for America. What is this comment? What is the title about? As a federalist, patriotic military son, I have a deep rooted love and belief in America. She is who she is because of nearly 300 years of the birthing, formulating and enacting of the idea that Liberty is for all, Government should be limited and because of this we can be strong. Thus, when the President bows to a foreign leader, talks trash on America or is absent in world politics and hyper-sensitive situations; frustration set in...heavily.
Naturally an article spotlighting the French tends to make my blood ... at least heat up... Further, to read a comment from Pres. Sec. Gates making us look like we (even a world collective, with us "at the helm") do not have it all together...oh, ok, now my blood begins to boil. Here is the comment:
"[T]his command and control business is complicated. We haven't done something like this, kind of on the fly before. And so it's not surprising to me that it would take a few days to get it all sorted out."
Yes, the French shooting a plane down and not our boys does create frustration. However, in consideration of the event...maybe it is not all that bad for another country, especially one not known for military prowess, to step out and "man up." Having a list of countries supporting the no-fly is good too.
But what is the over-arching plan here? Is this simply an "oil-thing?" If so, Mr. President, why not give your speech to America that you delivered in Venezuela! Seriously! Why can they drill, deposit an "oil container" in the gulf...and not us? We are the most environmentally conscience country out there by the very nature of how we protect land, but we are burdened with EPA regulation and contraptions that hinder growth! Why should a country like Venezuela be energy independent and not the US? This is crazy. Mr. President you are so out of touch, so manipulated by forces you may not even know - and are acting in a damaging way.
Conclusion: Mr. President, you need a plan. Listen to some of the common sense right, logical right, level-headed right. Not the Rhinos, but true American conservative, fiscally responsible, small government individuals. Act within the limits and guide of the Constitution of the United States of America. Be bold. Be confident.
Naturally an article spotlighting the French tends to make my blood ... at least heat up... Further, to read a comment from Pres. Sec. Gates making us look like we (even a world collective, with us "at the helm") do not have it all together...oh, ok, now my blood begins to boil. Here is the comment:
"[T]his command and control business is complicated. We haven't done something like this, kind of on the fly before. And so it's not surprising to me that it would take a few days to get it all sorted out."
Yes, the French shooting a plane down and not our boys does create frustration. However, in consideration of the event...maybe it is not all that bad for another country, especially one not known for military prowess, to step out and "man up." Having a list of countries supporting the no-fly is good too.
But what is the over-arching plan here? Is this simply an "oil-thing?" If so, Mr. President, why not give your speech to America that you delivered in Venezuela! Seriously! Why can they drill, deposit an "oil container" in the gulf...and not us? We are the most environmentally conscience country out there by the very nature of how we protect land, but we are burdened with EPA regulation and contraptions that hinder growth! Why should a country like Venezuela be energy independent and not the US? This is crazy. Mr. President you are so out of touch, so manipulated by forces you may not even know - and are acting in a damaging way.
Conclusion: Mr. President, you need a plan. Listen to some of the common sense right, logical right, level-headed right. Not the Rhinos, but true American conservative, fiscally responsible, small government individuals. Act within the limits and guide of the Constitution of the United States of America. Be bold. Be confident.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
AMERICA AT WAR...AGAIN!
WE ARE AT WAR WITH LIBYA!
Johnny come lately...but, I just cannot stand the news anymore. It's like, why try? Why type? Why think? The American Media, President and world have gone crazy!
Obama sent America to war WITHOUT CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL!!! Quote out of Washington Times: "By bowing to the will of the U.N. Security Council, President Obama is diluting the sovereign power of the United States."
Do you really understand what this means? I don't think we do! Article I, Section 8 of the UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION (Geesh, do we even care about this anymore!) says that the Congress has the right to declare and raise the funds. The rules of the executive branch are there too!
WHY? Please allow ALEXANDER HAMILTON to answer that: In Federalist No. 69, Alexander Hamilton clearly stated that the President must give deference to Congress in times of peace and in times of war (as quoted from associatedcontent).
"The President is to be commander-in-chief of the army and the navy of the United States. In this respect, his authority would be nominally the same with that of the king of Great Britain, but in substance much inferior to it. It would amount to nothing more than the supreme command and direction of the military and naval forces.; while that of the British king extends to the declaring of war and to the raising and regulating of fleets and armies - all which, by the Constitution under consideration, would appertain to the legislature." (Hamilton, 1768).
Or how about the WISDOM of JAMES MADISON (argh!!! Where are our leaders today!): "In no part of the constitution is more wisdom to be found than in the clause which confides the question of war or peace to the legislature, and not to the executive department... [T]he temptation would be too great for any one man." (Edwards & Skaggs, 2008).
Several have tweeted about this and in this FOXNation article, there are quotes. Fortuately, even Politico and Libs are incredulous - the word "impeachment" is in the first paragraph of the article! Bottom line: Bush went through a RIGOROUS process on the decision of War. Congress wanted to "crucify" (to use the term out there) him on the deal. Just use your freakin' brain and google it - Bush was totally battered on his WAR decision! Yet, the media is wrong on their delineation of the war and "behind" Obama! The Washington Times has an excellent article! READ it!
This is ridiculous! I may be for what is going on...and Reagan should have dealt more severely with Gadhafi in the 80's, but dab-gummit, our "President" has no clue what he is doing, has no plan, usurped the power given him and totally dodged the American People! Further, he is giving us up to the Powers of the UN! And he stated yesterday, (heard him personal say this on the radio) "Allied forces will be taking the lead." What? And the Israeli News system is the first article that Google pulls up! The first page of Google does not even have a mainstream media report on this!!!!
We have a plane shot down already...uh, excuse me, "techical problems" brought it down... What is to be had of this? See next article...
People...do we care? Or shall we just bend over...or bow?
Johnny come lately...but, I just cannot stand the news anymore. It's like, why try? Why type? Why think? The American Media, President and world have gone crazy!
Obama sent America to war WITHOUT CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL!!! Quote out of Washington Times: "By bowing to the will of the U.N. Security Council, President Obama is diluting the sovereign power of the United States."
Do you really understand what this means? I don't think we do! Article I, Section 8 of the UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION (Geesh, do we even care about this anymore!) says that the Congress has the right to declare and raise the funds. The rules of the executive branch are there too!
WHY? Please allow ALEXANDER HAMILTON to answer that: In Federalist No. 69, Alexander Hamilton clearly stated that the President must give deference to Congress in times of peace and in times of war (as quoted from associatedcontent).
"The President is to be commander-in-chief of the army and the navy of the United States. In this respect, his authority would be nominally the same with that of the king of Great Britain, but in substance much inferior to it. It would amount to nothing more than the supreme command and direction of the military and naval forces.; while that of the British king extends to the declaring of war and to the raising and regulating of fleets and armies - all which, by the Constitution under consideration, would appertain to the legislature." (Hamilton, 1768).
Or how about the WISDOM of JAMES MADISON (argh!!! Where are our leaders today!): "In no part of the constitution is more wisdom to be found than in the clause which confides the question of war or peace to the legislature, and not to the executive department... [T]he temptation would be too great for any one man." (Edwards & Skaggs, 2008).
Several have tweeted about this and in this FOXNation article, there are quotes. Fortuately, even Politico and Libs are incredulous - the word "impeachment" is in the first paragraph of the article! Bottom line: Bush went through a RIGOROUS process on the decision of War. Congress wanted to "crucify" (to use the term out there) him on the deal. Just use your freakin' brain and google it - Bush was totally battered on his WAR decision! Yet, the media is wrong on their delineation of the war and "behind" Obama! The Washington Times has an excellent article! READ it!
This is ridiculous! I may be for what is going on...and Reagan should have dealt more severely with Gadhafi in the 80's, but dab-gummit, our "President" has no clue what he is doing, has no plan, usurped the power given him and totally dodged the American People! Further, he is giving us up to the Powers of the UN! And he stated yesterday, (heard him personal say this on the radio) "Allied forces will be taking the lead." What? And the Israeli News system is the first article that Google pulls up! The first page of Google does not even have a mainstream media report on this!!!!
We have a plane shot down already...uh, excuse me, "techical problems" brought it down... What is to be had of this? See next article...
People...do we care? Or shall we just bend over...or bow?
ALLIED PLANE SHOT DOWN!
MOST DISHEARTENING...THE CHEERS. SECOND MOST DISHEARTING...THE EMOTIONLESS MEDIA.... "We're still on right?..." "shhh!"
Monday, March 14, 2011
VIDEO OF TSUNAMI & AFTER MATH
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Friday, March 11, 2011
TSUNAMI STRIKE - CALL TO PRAYER
This Tsunami will go down as indescribable....though there are already massive tweets, videos and talk regarding experiences. We have to realize the call to pray. The stress of Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan is going to be huge. Hawaii's Governor, Linda Lingle, is going to have a long haul and the President of the United States - historically, a stalwart pillar of support to the world, will be called upon again. Pray he will show a resolute and strong America, willing to give and serve others. We must pray for these leaders. Any aspect of their lives, whatever comes to mind, pray. Think of your worst case scenario for the world you live in and the responsibilities you have...multiply immeasurably, and imagine the prayer support needed.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Who Pays for Three Week Shutdown in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin...a very costly three weeks.
Well, here goes it all...in our sound bite and word driven media war, with the goal to influence public opinion and future voting booths, it is difficult to understand what has just gone down. Last night the Republican controlled senate voted without their Democrat peers. One lone Republican voted against the measures. But the budget of Wisconsin may now get back to repairing and fixing itself. Maybe.
But follow me on something that you have not heard anywhere - at least, I don't recall hearing it. Mind you this is simply math and not exact. It is just to prove a point and is the result of about 10 minutes of work.
Here's the deal: For three weeks the Democrats did not come to work. Let's say that they each earn $50,000 plus benefits (probably more as this report is two years old). As a side note they receive on average, depending on temporary residence $66/day per diem, travel expenses, office expenses, health care (equal to state employee) and retirement benefits (with 2.6% employee/8.1% employer contribution as of 2005). That quickly works out to $4166.66 per month, plus extras.
The Democrats have been out of work and vacationing in Illinois for three weeks. That equates to $12,500 in salary for each member. A Per Diem of $66/day would equal $1386 per member. Office expense is $3-10K per member, based on district size as of 2009. Travel expenses might be up to $3,000 per month, depending on district. Let's just focus on the salary, per diem and retirement (8.1% 2005 report), which is about $1012.5 per member for a three week period based on $50K yearly salary in simple 12 month division.
So, for three weeks the basic salary and health care cost of these AWOL elected professionals is $208,579.
Each day they are out of the office living it up in Illinios, they cost the state of WI $9932.33.
This does not include the cost of the many teachers who have walked out for any given number of days. Where this is complicated is "how many are bussed in from even other states?" So, this is hard to add to the scenario...but is no less present and a strain on the state budget. Further, at who's cost are those bussed in persons?
How many of you can walk off your job for three weeks - in essence stating "I don't agree with you Mr. Employer, so I'm out of here...but, you can't fire me. I'll be back sometime."?? Or, feel comfortable calling in six, yet showing up on the 6 o'clock news?
It was WAY passed the time to act legistlatively. Three cheers for the Republicans! Click that hyper link and you will find plenty of very research documentations!
PS. If the budget shortfall is 1.37 million, then the real cost of all the state legistlator and teachers being AWOL for three weeks would (likely/nearly) account for the .37 million easily. FURTHER....can one not argue that the salaries of the Republicans, staff, and Governor may at least partially be applied to this "shut down" of the WI budget? At that point, these three weeks have been very costly!
Now...how is this factoring in nationally?
Well, here goes it all...in our sound bite and word driven media war, with the goal to influence public opinion and future voting booths, it is difficult to understand what has just gone down. Last night the Republican controlled senate voted without their Democrat peers. One lone Republican voted against the measures. But the budget of Wisconsin may now get back to repairing and fixing itself. Maybe.
But follow me on something that you have not heard anywhere - at least, I don't recall hearing it. Mind you this is simply math and not exact. It is just to prove a point and is the result of about 10 minutes of work.
Here's the deal: For three weeks the Democrats did not come to work. Let's say that they each earn $50,000 plus benefits (probably more as this report is two years old). As a side note they receive on average, depending on temporary residence $66/day per diem, travel expenses, office expenses, health care (equal to state employee) and retirement benefits (with 2.6% employee/8.1% employer contribution as of 2005). That quickly works out to $4166.66 per month, plus extras.
The Democrats have been out of work and vacationing in Illinois for three weeks. That equates to $12,500 in salary for each member. A Per Diem of $66/day would equal $1386 per member. Office expense is $3-10K per member, based on district size as of 2009. Travel expenses might be up to $3,000 per month, depending on district. Let's just focus on the salary, per diem and retirement (8.1% 2005 report), which is about $1012.5 per member for a three week period based on $50K yearly salary in simple 12 month division.
So, for three weeks the basic salary and health care cost of these AWOL elected professionals is $208,579.
Each day they are out of the office living it up in Illinios, they cost the state of WI $9932.33.
This does not include the cost of the many teachers who have walked out for any given number of days. Where this is complicated is "how many are bussed in from even other states?" So, this is hard to add to the scenario...but is no less present and a strain on the state budget. Further, at who's cost are those bussed in persons?
How many of you can walk off your job for three weeks - in essence stating "I don't agree with you Mr. Employer, so I'm out of here...but, you can't fire me. I'll be back sometime."?? Or, feel comfortable calling in six, yet showing up on the 6 o'clock news?
It was WAY passed the time to act legistlatively. Three cheers for the Republicans! Click that hyper link and you will find plenty of very research documentations!
PS. If the budget shortfall is 1.37 million, then the real cost of all the state legistlator and teachers being AWOL for three weeks would (likely/nearly) account for the .37 million easily. FURTHER....can one not argue that the salaries of the Republicans, staff, and Governor may at least partially be applied to this "shut down" of the WI budget? At that point, these three weeks have been very costly!
Now...how is this factoring in nationally?
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Obama's Tax by Regulation
Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma posted "Get the Facts" this morning. It is a good read- click here.
People like Earth Justice need to be stopped with truth. Further, Obama cannot continue to back door taxes as he has done in Oklahoma. The news last night warned of 20% increase in energy because coal burning plants in NE are leaving haze in SW over Wichita Mtns. These plants have to correct production to meet New EPA Regs or face hefty penalties. The changes cost a couple billion.
What business in their right mind loves their customers so much as to pay this out of their profits? Why would anyone in right mind even think this preposterous thought? Business by definition, is to make profits...right?
So, this rightfully should be passed on to customers. Thus, 20% increase. That is a backdoor tax - like gas at the pumps, and it hits us all the same: the pocket book.
Question is not "who pays?", but rather "why is this being forced?". Because Obama is being stifled publicly. Just as he overstepped boundaries on Marriage and Family Act, he is making tax law through EPA regulations. See this article with an insert from The Politico.
If you aren't paying attention, doing a bit of hunting on your own and not shutting other avenues of information out - you'd think the conservative march was a witch hunt.
Obama is taking the ground work laid in years past to radically "change" America. Is this really what you voted for....
(Obama would be good to shoot for new refineries, nuclear plants, clean coal, etc - allow alternative energy to be researched and tested in the mean time. Even offer a million dollar reward to real alternative technology - the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf are jokes!)
People like Earth Justice need to be stopped with truth. Further, Obama cannot continue to back door taxes as he has done in Oklahoma. The news last night warned of 20% increase in energy because coal burning plants in NE are leaving haze in SW over Wichita Mtns. These plants have to correct production to meet New EPA Regs or face hefty penalties. The changes cost a couple billion.
What business in their right mind loves their customers so much as to pay this out of their profits? Why would anyone in right mind even think this preposterous thought? Business by definition, is to make profits...right?
So, this rightfully should be passed on to customers. Thus, 20% increase. That is a backdoor tax - like gas at the pumps, and it hits us all the same: the pocket book.
Question is not "who pays?", but rather "why is this being forced?". Because Obama is being stifled publicly. Just as he overstepped boundaries on Marriage and Family Act, he is making tax law through EPA regulations. See this article with an insert from The Politico.
If you aren't paying attention, doing a bit of hunting on your own and not shutting other avenues of information out - you'd think the conservative march was a witch hunt.
Obama is taking the ground work laid in years past to radically "change" America. Is this really what you voted for....
(Obama would be good to shoot for new refineries, nuclear plants, clean coal, etc - allow alternative energy to be researched and tested in the mean time. Even offer a million dollar reward to real alternative technology - the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf are jokes!)
Monday, March 7, 2011
Oil Frustration
A lot of folks can't understand how we came to have an oil shortage here in our country. Well, there's a very simple answer.
Nobody bothered to check the oil.
We just didn't know we were getting low.
The reason for that is purely geographical.
Our OIL is located in:
ALASKA, California, Coastal Florida, Coastal Louisiana, North Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas,Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Texas.
Our dipsticks are located in DC.
Pretty sure there are no questions.
I would simply add: when you rely on a theif to fill your tank...you're gonna get robbed....
- gleened from an email recently received. I looked for the cartoon of Garfiled that did not open in my email, and found this link for the "original post."
Nobody bothered to check the oil.
We just didn't know we were getting low.
The reason for that is purely geographical.
Our OIL is located in:
ALASKA, California, Coastal Florida, Coastal Louisiana, North Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas,Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Texas.
Our dipsticks are located in DC.
Pretty sure there are no questions.
I would simply add: when you rely on a theif to fill your tank...you're gonna get robbed....
- gleened from an email recently received. I looked for the cartoon of Garfiled that did not open in my email, and found this link for the "original post."
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Seekers of Truth
You may be able to name the movies just as I can. Paranormal, The Cell, Sixth Sense, Tron...the list is long. Religiously themed movies are even longer. Poets, painters, musicians...many have written and given the spirit world great place in culture & society. Science and math even attempt to solve problems in this world for both regard to and against the possibility of religion. Worlds have risen and fallen around piety, superiority of faiths, mis-truths and truths.
Psalms 84:2 - "My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord, my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God;"
Is it not interesting that ages ago, David wrote these words through inspiration of the Holy Spirit and penned for all time the eternal truth that our very hearts, our soul, our eternal spirit seeks the connection and relationship of Truth. The very breath of God in us giving us life. It is a truth of scripture that is stated contextually many times, by various writers, in different lands.
God put into our beings the very desire to know Him. Adam and Eve knew God, walked with Him, ate with Hm. They were instructed to abstain from one thing and they failed. Sin and death entered the world - neither existed prior to their choice. But the desire to know and be with their creator never ceased. Man often failed, to the point that God flooded the earth. Because of the choice to follow or not follow the desire of God in their hearts, God started over with Noah and his family. Man soon walked from God again, and began to seek the power of their own hands, created the Tower of Babel and God destroyed it and mixed up language. These are not stories. The time of kings, prophets and judges proclaimed the coming Messiah, the One foreshadowed in the sacrifice of the lamb to cover Adam and Eve's nakedness. Prophecy after prophecy fulfilled in the coming of the Messiah. Jesus, the Messiah, walked the earth, lived as one of us, was sinless, loved, healed. He sacrificed Himself to cover the sins of the world.
If Truth is not to be known, why do we show evidence of seeking truth in so much of our lives. What about popularity, drugs, family, friendship, religion, occupation, sex, alcohol, superiority... These are false truths. These are paths to us becoming god's ourselves. We seek these, often achieve them and evidence ourselves as gods. Pushing the True God further away.
Recently, our family watched The Last Airbender. My son had heard it was a flop movie. Maybe so, some of the acting was poor. But there are so many correlations to the spirit world of many religions. In this world, specifically, the mystic religions. Tangently, environmentalist and new agers.
I thought the theme of "responsibility" through the last Water Bender and her brother was powerful. This was a lesson they passed on to Um (spelling). The fire nation was obviously exemplified as the person that has decided there is no need for God, that they are now god themselves. The fire nation commander kills the Moon Spirit (god) and says "we are now gods". This is what Adam and Eve did. They had the choice to kill the" fish."
The Water Princess...incredulously...says "There is no Love without Sacrifice." (I placed the capitals - as I believe they are necessary for emphasis on more than "I love pizza!") She even goes so far to say "Is is my choice to lay down my life (paraphrase)?" That is powerful stuff. She sacrificed for the many - another corrolation.
While The Last Airbender is not biblically based by any means, it has the truth of spirituality that is a part of every human regardless of their technical, physical, intellectual, industrial, political or otherwise - prowess.
Jesus said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that one lay down his life for his friend." After a night of intense wrestling Jesus "took of the cup" presented Him by His Father. He then eventually, laid down his life for you and for me. It is not Chi, not Benders, Buddha, Muhammad, John Smith. Not of yin, or yang. Not about Karma or reincarnation. No...it is simply this:
That void in your heart that you are filling with everything under the sun...Jesus Christ is all that will fill it. The way you understand this is that you are finite and sinful, even in your goodness. You need the covering of Jesus' Sacrificial gift of Life for you. You accept gifts, recognize the Truth of God in Jesus and allow him to live through you.
Psalms 84:2 - "My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord, my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God;"
Is it not interesting that ages ago, David wrote these words through inspiration of the Holy Spirit and penned for all time the eternal truth that our very hearts, our soul, our eternal spirit seeks the connection and relationship of Truth. The very breath of God in us giving us life. It is a truth of scripture that is stated contextually many times, by various writers, in different lands.
God put into our beings the very desire to know Him. Adam and Eve knew God, walked with Him, ate with Hm. They were instructed to abstain from one thing and they failed. Sin and death entered the world - neither existed prior to their choice. But the desire to know and be with their creator never ceased. Man often failed, to the point that God flooded the earth. Because of the choice to follow or not follow the desire of God in their hearts, God started over with Noah and his family. Man soon walked from God again, and began to seek the power of their own hands, created the Tower of Babel and God destroyed it and mixed up language. These are not stories. The time of kings, prophets and judges proclaimed the coming Messiah, the One foreshadowed in the sacrifice of the lamb to cover Adam and Eve's nakedness. Prophecy after prophecy fulfilled in the coming of the Messiah. Jesus, the Messiah, walked the earth, lived as one of us, was sinless, loved, healed. He sacrificed Himself to cover the sins of the world.
If Truth is not to be known, why do we show evidence of seeking truth in so much of our lives. What about popularity, drugs, family, friendship, religion, occupation, sex, alcohol, superiority... These are false truths. These are paths to us becoming god's ourselves. We seek these, often achieve them and evidence ourselves as gods. Pushing the True God further away.
Recently, our family watched The Last Airbender. My son had heard it was a flop movie. Maybe so, some of the acting was poor. But there are so many correlations to the spirit world of many religions. In this world, specifically, the mystic religions. Tangently, environmentalist and new agers.
I thought the theme of "responsibility" through the last Water Bender and her brother was powerful. This was a lesson they passed on to Um (spelling). The fire nation was obviously exemplified as the person that has decided there is no need for God, that they are now god themselves. The fire nation commander kills the Moon Spirit (god) and says "we are now gods". This is what Adam and Eve did. They had the choice to kill the" fish."
The Water Princess...incredulously...says "There is no Love without Sacrifice." (I placed the capitals - as I believe they are necessary for emphasis on more than "I love pizza!") She even goes so far to say "Is is my choice to lay down my life (paraphrase)?" That is powerful stuff. She sacrificed for the many - another corrolation.
While The Last Airbender is not biblically based by any means, it has the truth of spirituality that is a part of every human regardless of their technical, physical, intellectual, industrial, political or otherwise - prowess.
Jesus said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that one lay down his life for his friend." After a night of intense wrestling Jesus "took of the cup" presented Him by His Father. He then eventually, laid down his life for you and for me. It is not Chi, not Benders, Buddha, Muhammad, John Smith. Not of yin, or yang. Not about Karma or reincarnation. No...it is simply this:
That void in your heart that you are filling with everything under the sun...Jesus Christ is all that will fill it. The way you understand this is that you are finite and sinful, even in your goodness. You need the covering of Jesus' Sacrificial gift of Life for you. You accept gifts, recognize the Truth of God in Jesus and allow him to live through you.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Hillary Stabs American Media
Folks...I'm serious, we must all wake up! More than Tea Party wake up - we must really become active politically. Tragically, I'd say this even to those I disagree with. That said, Hillary Clinton has said that our commercial media stinks. Essentially, that is what she said. In detail, she says said we only get commercials and talking heads not information.
Now, I can barely stomach local free news, I can tolerate CNN; I have no love lost for MSN and equally mindless news. BUT! That does not mean that our country is based on the principle to speak your mind. Further, the 1st Amendment was a huge deal for the Founders! They were represses in the old world, they believed true and informative release of new and info meant the people could know what is going on.
Please read this article by ABC reporting....is that not weak ABC News reporting!!! Where is the outrage!? Why is the article only about what she said? Nothing about 1st Amendment! Nothing to support commercials and promotion of product consumption? Nothing to dispute! Crazy!
It doesn't stop there! Huffington Post (left lean), National Review, Business Insider...nothing but recapping the Clinton perspective. Worse, the comments are only in support of her or have been "flagged offensive."
DONT GO FOR IT!
Al jazeera is anti-America, un-American, foreign reporting! It is not our news! It is not our perspective - EVEN IF "OUR PERSPECTIVE" WERE MSNBC VIEW!!
PEOPLE we are about to loose the most amazing gift (not counting the indescrible Jesus) to the world: America! We must stop this! It may not have begun two years ago, but it has accelerated!
Now, I can barely stomach local free news, I can tolerate CNN; I have no love lost for MSN and equally mindless news. BUT! That does not mean that our country is based on the principle to speak your mind. Further, the 1st Amendment was a huge deal for the Founders! They were represses in the old world, they believed true and informative release of new and info meant the people could know what is going on.
Please read this article by ABC reporting....is that not weak ABC News reporting!!! Where is the outrage!? Why is the article only about what she said? Nothing about 1st Amendment! Nothing to support commercials and promotion of product consumption? Nothing to dispute! Crazy!
It doesn't stop there! Huffington Post (left lean), National Review, Business Insider...nothing but recapping the Clinton perspective. Worse, the comments are only in support of her or have been "flagged offensive."
DONT GO FOR IT!
Al jazeera is anti-America, un-American, foreign reporting! It is not our news! It is not our perspective - EVEN IF "OUR PERSPECTIVE" WERE MSNBC VIEW!!
PEOPLE we are about to loose the most amazing gift (not counting the indescrible Jesus) to the world: America! We must stop this! It may not have begun two years ago, but it has accelerated!
Friday, February 25, 2011
King Obama
It is difficult to put words out there into cyberspace, because one simply must be incredulous with the thought of our President waking up one morning and coming to his own conclusion regarding the laws of the United States. I was aghast at the King's-I mean President's "educated decision" to no longer support the law set by the Marriage and Family Act.
Ok. To not believe in it, agree with it or simply not like it is one thing. But to executively overstep the bounds of the systems of checks and balances and by fiat decide law.
The president, and equally those democrats in WI, are acting in fashion of treason. It is time we address consequences of actions in the manner warranted by action!
Ok. To not believe in it, agree with it or simply not like it is one thing. But to executively overstep the bounds of the systems of checks and balances and by fiat decide law.
The president, and equally those democrats in WI, are acting in fashion of treason. It is time we address consequences of actions in the manner warranted by action!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
ONE LONE WOLF AWAY
It is amazing to me that the Wisconsin Situation is just one vote...one vote from being shut down and settled. The democrats have been called back to work after a lengthy eight day vacation at the expense of the specific tax payers of WI. Finally!
What is it that makes these legistlators believe that they can just walk off the job. Where's the integrity there? Further, where is the Lone Wolf, the Maverick, the Stand Alone that would risk it all, follow the voice of reason and vote fiscal responsibilty?
It is absurd that NOT ONE democrat sees the same truths of the system failure that is happening in WI. Besides that, this is an epidemic - nationally! We have to stop the bleeding! With WI the move would break the ice for states nation-wide to make logical budget cuts.
For that matter, where is the honest, common sense, American, reasonable Union Employee? The One that would return to work based on character and realism? Where is he? What is she thinking? What makes them think that they deserve and must have the benefit package they have? Why is it not possible for them to see the graciousness of the plan proposed by Governor Walker?
Neither would sell papers; that does not produce sensational ratings on the 24hr networks. Interesting that Rep. Corey Mason (D) says in USA Today "They're trying to portray you as rioters," he said. "They're afraid of what you have to say." This sells papers. You cannot tell me that this man cannot see the writing on the wall and know, intellectually know, that the Governor is right!
What is it that makes these legistlators believe that they can just walk off the job. Where's the integrity there? Further, where is the Lone Wolf, the Maverick, the Stand Alone that would risk it all, follow the voice of reason and vote fiscal responsibilty?
It is absurd that NOT ONE democrat sees the same truths of the system failure that is happening in WI. Besides that, this is an epidemic - nationally! We have to stop the bleeding! With WI the move would break the ice for states nation-wide to make logical budget cuts.
For that matter, where is the honest, common sense, American, reasonable Union Employee? The One that would return to work based on character and realism? Where is he? What is she thinking? What makes them think that they deserve and must have the benefit package they have? Why is it not possible for them to see the graciousness of the plan proposed by Governor Walker?
Neither would sell papers; that does not produce sensational ratings on the 24hr networks. Interesting that Rep. Corey Mason (D) says in USA Today "They're trying to portray you as rioters," he said. "They're afraid of what you have to say." This sells papers. You cannot tell me that this man cannot see the writing on the wall and know, intellectually know, that the Governor is right!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Counterfeit Protesters in Wisconsin
Yep and one can bet that those bussed in did not volunteer their time...most, I imagine, were paid to come and protest!
It seems to me that this is a case where Common Sense has switched places with the populace and is now being used by the government. Wisconsin's proposed changes to the union system is only related to the benefits package and is so insignificant. Personally, I say "fine, don't like it, we are broke, it's all gone!"
The percentage change still leaves the tax payer footing the bill of over 90% of the benefits package - regardless of job performance! In the case of WI teachers: $78,000 Thousand dollars for a 180 day work year...maybe 200 days. That's $48.75/hr (200 days benefit of doubt)! That is $11.81 more per hour more than a private sector working 22 8hr days per month for 12 months (and we know that is shy of reality). Further, the private sector often has no where near the benefits package.
Personally, this frustrates me. I guarantee you, a high percentage of these people were also tea party associated; but now, since their personal pocket book is affected, they are on the other side of common sense. It is sad. Wisconsin is badly in debt; the U.S. is horribly in debt. Things have to give - talk about a house of cards! And don't get me started on the Nazi and "teaching [our] kids" comments!
If you are of the same mind - go to Wal-mart on Facebook, Fed-Ex, Disney, Farmers Insurance and others - like them and post a note about standing against Unions. If employers take care of their valuable employees, there is no need for Unions. Unions are blood sucking leeches whose time is long passed.
It seems to me that this is a case where Common Sense has switched places with the populace and is now being used by the government. Wisconsin's proposed changes to the union system is only related to the benefits package and is so insignificant. Personally, I say "fine, don't like it, we are broke, it's all gone!"
The percentage change still leaves the tax payer footing the bill of over 90% of the benefits package - regardless of job performance! In the case of WI teachers: $78,000 Thousand dollars for a 180 day work year...maybe 200 days. That's $48.75/hr (200 days benefit of doubt)! That is $11.81 more per hour more than a private sector working 22 8hr days per month for 12 months (and we know that is shy of reality). Further, the private sector often has no where near the benefits package.
Personally, this frustrates me. I guarantee you, a high percentage of these people were also tea party associated; but now, since their personal pocket book is affected, they are on the other side of common sense. It is sad. Wisconsin is badly in debt; the U.S. is horribly in debt. Things have to give - talk about a house of cards! And don't get me started on the Nazi and "teaching [our] kids" comments!
If you are of the same mind - go to Wal-mart on Facebook, Fed-Ex, Disney, Farmers Insurance and others - like them and post a note about standing against Unions. If employers take care of their valuable employees, there is no need for Unions. Unions are blood sucking leeches whose time is long passed.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Let Us Reason Together...
I am very extremely ... not sure. The right word is not coming to me. Many present themselves: disgusted, flabbergasted, upset, mad, annoyed, amazed, incredulous...The above photos. They are incomprehensible to me. After Arizona, someone has the audacity to have a crosshairs poster? The governor, acting within his responsibility, being called a dictator... God help us.
The last two days have been a spectacle in the upper mid-west. Childish adults have walked out of school and picketed the decisions of the Government of their State. In this case, Wisconsin and Ohio.
Just for information, I went to google Union benefits. Just a simple google of "union benefits standard" brought this link up. Please go to the site and then the link on the left for "benefits of union membership." Take a moment and read the paragraph of "general" membership benefits. I nearly laugh, as I imagine whiny school yard children that cannot take a finger poke, a cross look, a disciplinary correction. So, they make these "benefits" to coddle membership.
Then, they have the "real" benefits. The benefits that eat at corporate profits and makes it incredibly difficult to control "packages". All for their belief in the right to meet and discuss the wages and work conditions. Now, at one time, maybe......., I think the work conditions and the owners/managers needed unions to provide better conditions. Though, with socialist origins of unions....there must be a very limited amount of good in them. Karl Marx and Unions are nearly interchangeable. Thus, there should have been a better way.
Unfortunately we have them and now deal with them. The last two days have been evidence of how they change people. I can hardly imagine a fellow American calling their leadership names that harken to the evil dictators of the world. It is a shame.
History must laugh. We cannot collectively see that we are destroying ourselves. Just as other countries have done. Just ask England. Look at China. Further, those that we have elected either; 1) refuse to act on the behalf of most Americans, or 2). are not acting. In either instance, they are wasting valuable and precious time. Banks are closing, the markets are unstable, money is being printed with nothing to support it, debt is out of control, the budget is so inflated with well meaning items never intended to be a part of this Government in this Land. And our President...such a shame. He is deep in with the Unions, he is the marionette.
We fled England and fought against our "Motherland" because of much of the turmoil going on today. Unrepresented taxes and excessive and abusive governmental control motivated law-abiding citizens to act courageously in the name of Liberty. It was the call of common sense. It was the inner call to something better, a standard worth dying to proprogate.
This something better: the inalienable rights of the individual to pursue and act on their own behalf. It was not an "American Dream" then. No, it was more. It was a God motivated pursuit of Liberty...first with the individual, then in all areas and finally collectively. It saddens me that this pursuit seems to have died. Those of us holding the light have indeed "hidden it under a bush."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)