You are President of the United States. In border cities like Detroit, Seattle, San Diego and El Paso, there is a daily barrage of mortars and rockets fired indiscriminately into these urban areas. You have negotiated truces only to see the rocket attacks increase before the ink is dry. Your citizens live in constant fear as the attacks come at all hours and they have as little as 15 seconds to seek shelter. The aggressors don't care who gets killed or what is attacked - a school, hospital, women, children, elderly - it does not matter. The more casualties and fear the better.
What would you do?
This is exactly the situation Israel has faced for over 6 years! Even after all military personnel and citizens were forcibly removed from Gaza - ending the "occupation" and supposedly the largest grievance against Israel. The squatters in Gaza decided to elect Hamas whose campaign promise was the destruction of Israel at any cost. What followed was an ever increasing volley of attacks, becoming more sophisticated as time passed.
Over 5,500 rocket and mortar attacks have occurred during the last seven years. 3,000 attacks have have taken place in 2008 - in spite of a ceasefire. With the level of violence continually escalating, and an enemy that preaches your destruction 24/7 from halls of authority, mosques and even on children's programming, you finally must realize that war is the only answer.
Nobody likes war. But the only way to peace is the complete annihilation of the threat. Hamas and the various factions in Gaza only chance of success is draw Israel into a bloody PR nightmare. Hamas cannot win militarily - especially if Israel takes the gloves off. Their only hope is to win the battle of world opinion. That is why you see the useful idiots in the western press and all of the Middle East talking heads using words like "massacre" and "disproportionate force" when it is obvious the IDF has gone out of its way to avoid civilian casualties. Hamas is counting on civilian casualties - even if they have to manufacture them.
For the sake of the handful of innocent Gaza residents who truly desire peace and prosperity, may the war be quick and decisive.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Sunday, December 07, 2008
December 7th - A Date Which Will Live In Infamy...
Today is the anniversary of the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. Exactly 66 years ago and also a Sunday morning, hundreds of Japanese planes caught US forces unprepared for war. The attack resulted in the loss of over 2,000 military and civilian lives.
As America braces for the inauguration of Obama, its good to reflect back on what he has promised while campaigning. Obama has expressed a willingness, almost joy, at the prospects of sitting down with Iran and other terrorists and terrorist-sponsors. Even though history has proven time and again that appeasement will only embolden an enemy, Obama believes that the weight of his charisma will change the mindset of a people that fervently believes that all infidels deserve death. This mission has propelled their religion for over 1,000 years through conquest after conquest until finally they could not keep up technologically with the West.
But now with the benefit of oil wealth, we see their true nature and purpose emerge as they can now afford to fund the spread of their religion. And as in times past, they will use terror, or the threat of terror, as a means to accomplish their plans.
As we saw on 9/11 and just recently in India, this enemy needs to be taken seriously. It is not just a handful of lunatics. It is a movement that infects most of the Middle East. Not all muslims are terrorists, but it is painfully obvious that the vast majority of terrorists are motivated by this religion.
As America braces for the inauguration of Obama, its good to reflect back on what he has promised while campaigning. Obama has expressed a willingness, almost joy, at the prospects of sitting down with Iran and other terrorists and terrorist-sponsors. Even though history has proven time and again that appeasement will only embolden an enemy, Obama believes that the weight of his charisma will change the mindset of a people that fervently believes that all infidels deserve death. This mission has propelled their religion for over 1,000 years through conquest after conquest until finally they could not keep up technologically with the West.
But now with the benefit of oil wealth, we see their true nature and purpose emerge as they can now afford to fund the spread of their religion. And as in times past, they will use terror, or the threat of terror, as a means to accomplish their plans.
As we saw on 9/11 and just recently in India, this enemy needs to be taken seriously. It is not just a handful of lunatics. It is a movement that infects most of the Middle East. Not all muslims are terrorists, but it is painfully obvious that the vast majority of terrorists are motivated by this religion.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Who's Your Buddy?
I was thinking about writing a blog on which party stands up for freedom and instead came across a very nice read in American Thinker that does just that. This is a great article and I encourage you to take a look. Here is the closing paragraph which is spot on.
When the day comes that the only thing between me and liberty are some Bible-quoting know-it-alls, I'll reconsider. But right now, there are a lot of things between me and liberty, and the "religious right" is not one of them. In fact, I see them voting for more liberty, not less. If the Republican Party ever decides it really wants to be the party of liberty, rather than the slower-road-to-socialism party, I'll gladly join the religious right there.
A Libertarian Defense of Social Conservatism
As much as I approved of George Bush and his war on terror, his domestic spending policies and decisions were very much aligned with the left. I still believe the Bush Presidency will go down as a success - 7 years without a major terror attack, Iraq and Afghanistan liberated etc. You can't argue with that success no matter how bad a case of BDS (Bush Derangement Syndrome) you have.
The financial problems of 2008 are largely the result of Democrat (stupid) policies. The banking scandal can be traced back to Carter/Clinton/Congress encouraging loans to those that could not qualify and then refusing to reign in Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac when it was obvious trouble was brewing.
The rise of gas prices is directly related to bad (Democrat) policies designed to "save the planet." By limiting drilling/new refinery construction and then forcing ethanol on consumers, the government involvement forced prices up across multiple industries causing the slowdown we enjoy today - Thank you Dems.
When it comes election time you do have a choice. Unfortunately, Republicans continue to offer up a liberal-lite instead of a true Conservative. Over my lifetime there is the right solution to solving the world's problems and then there is the liberal solution. Each time Republicans compromise with the left, we simply create even more problems to solve.
When the day comes that the only thing between me and liberty are some Bible-quoting know-it-alls, I'll reconsider. But right now, there are a lot of things between me and liberty, and the "religious right" is not one of them. In fact, I see them voting for more liberty, not less. If the Republican Party ever decides it really wants to be the party of liberty, rather than the slower-road-to-socialism party, I'll gladly join the religious right there.
A Libertarian Defense of Social Conservatism
As much as I approved of George Bush and his war on terror, his domestic spending policies and decisions were very much aligned with the left. I still believe the Bush Presidency will go down as a success - 7 years without a major terror attack, Iraq and Afghanistan liberated etc. You can't argue with that success no matter how bad a case of BDS (Bush Derangement Syndrome) you have.
The financial problems of 2008 are largely the result of Democrat (stupid) policies. The banking scandal can be traced back to Carter/Clinton/Congress encouraging loans to those that could not qualify and then refusing to reign in Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac when it was obvious trouble was brewing.
The rise of gas prices is directly related to bad (Democrat) policies designed to "save the planet." By limiting drilling/new refinery construction and then forcing ethanol on consumers, the government involvement forced prices up across multiple industries causing the slowdown we enjoy today - Thank you Dems.
When it comes election time you do have a choice. Unfortunately, Republicans continue to offer up a liberal-lite instead of a true Conservative. Over my lifetime there is the right solution to solving the world's problems and then there is the liberal solution. Each time Republicans compromise with the left, we simply create even more problems to solve.
Stop Me If You've Heard This Before...
From the "President-Elect" Radio Address:
We wont do it the old Washington way. We wont just throw money at the problem. We'll measure progress by the reforms we make and the results we achieve -- by the jobs we create, by the energy we save, by whether America is more competitive in the world.
--- Read on. Its the same "let's just waste more taxpayer money to show how much we care" nonsense. Same song, different verse.
Today, I am announcing a few key parts of my plan. First, we will launch a massive effort to make public buildings more energy-efficient. Our government now pays the highest energy bill in the world. We need to change that. We need to upgrade our federal buildings by replacing old heating systems and installing efficient light bulbs. That wont just save you, the American taxpayer, billions of dollars each year. It will put people back to work.
--- Big Yawn. Why not cut the bloated overhead and reduce the number of redundant jobs. Or better yet, get rid of government agencies that do nothing. Talk about saving some money! Run government like a business - cut back expenses when times are tough.
Changing light bulbs? Give me a freakin' break!
Second, we will create millions of jobs by making the single largest new investment in our national infrastructure since the creation of the federal highway system in the 1950s. We'll invest your precious tax dollars in new and smarter ways, and well set a simple rule - use it or lose it. If a state doesn't act quickly to invest in roads and bridges in their communities, they'll lose the money.
--- As I said in an earlier blog, government creates nothing but dependencies. Any "job" created becomes a mandate to be funded by someone. Usually the cost is dumped on state or local authorities to pay for the "new job" when the Federal government cuts off funding after reaping the rewards of the PR and photo-ops.
BTW - Government does not invest. They spend and waste our precious tax dollars.
Third, my economic recovery plan will launch the most sweeping effort to modernize and upgrade school buildings that this country has ever seen. We will repair broken schools, make them energy-efficient, and put new computers in our classrooms. Because to help our children compete in a 21st century economy, we need to send them to 21st century schools.
--- Why not consider some real change such as a universal voucher system? How many billions have we dumped on government run schools only to see them continually fail? Enough already. get the government out of the education business.
As we renew our schools and highways, we'll also renew our information superhighway. It is unacceptable that the United States ranks 15th in the world in broadband adoption. Here, in the country that invented the Internet, every child should have the chance to get online, and they'll get that chance when I'm President - because that's how well strengthen Americas competitiveness in the world.
--- Universal DSL! Woohoo!! Pony rides, cake and punch for all!
And exactly who will pay for this? I don't know why I even ask. I'm sure it will be me and everyone else out there who actually pays taxes.
We wont do it the old Washington way. We wont just throw money at the problem. We'll measure progress by the reforms we make and the results we achieve -- by the jobs we create, by the energy we save, by whether America is more competitive in the world.
--- Read on. Its the same "let's just waste more taxpayer money to show how much we care" nonsense. Same song, different verse.
Today, I am announcing a few key parts of my plan. First, we will launch a massive effort to make public buildings more energy-efficient. Our government now pays the highest energy bill in the world. We need to change that. We need to upgrade our federal buildings by replacing old heating systems and installing efficient light bulbs. That wont just save you, the American taxpayer, billions of dollars each year. It will put people back to work.
--- Big Yawn. Why not cut the bloated overhead and reduce the number of redundant jobs. Or better yet, get rid of government agencies that do nothing. Talk about saving some money! Run government like a business - cut back expenses when times are tough.
Changing light bulbs? Give me a freakin' break!
Second, we will create millions of jobs by making the single largest new investment in our national infrastructure since the creation of the federal highway system in the 1950s. We'll invest your precious tax dollars in new and smarter ways, and well set a simple rule - use it or lose it. If a state doesn't act quickly to invest in roads and bridges in their communities, they'll lose the money.
--- As I said in an earlier blog, government creates nothing but dependencies. Any "job" created becomes a mandate to be funded by someone. Usually the cost is dumped on state or local authorities to pay for the "new job" when the Federal government cuts off funding after reaping the rewards of the PR and photo-ops.
BTW - Government does not invest. They spend and waste our precious tax dollars.
Third, my economic recovery plan will launch the most sweeping effort to modernize and upgrade school buildings that this country has ever seen. We will repair broken schools, make them energy-efficient, and put new computers in our classrooms. Because to help our children compete in a 21st century economy, we need to send them to 21st century schools.
--- Why not consider some real change such as a universal voucher system? How many billions have we dumped on government run schools only to see them continually fail? Enough already. get the government out of the education business.
As we renew our schools and highways, we'll also renew our information superhighway. It is unacceptable that the United States ranks 15th in the world in broadband adoption. Here, in the country that invented the Internet, every child should have the chance to get online, and they'll get that chance when I'm President - because that's how well strengthen Americas competitiveness in the world.
--- Universal DSL! Woohoo!! Pony rides, cake and punch for all!
And exactly who will pay for this? I don't know why I even ask. I'm sure it will be me and everyone else out there who actually pays taxes.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Choice Is Good...But Only For Our Dear Leaders...
It seems Obama will be sending his girls to a private school when they arrive in Washington. Like so many Democrats in the past, they fall on swords to protect public schools, continuing to waste billions on them, but they would never ever send their kids there.
Observe:
According to a 2007 report by the Heritage Foundation, 37 percent of U.S. Representatives and 45 percent of U.S. Senators enroll their children in private schools – a rate four times higher than that of the general population.
Simply put, choice is a good thing – but only for those rich or powerful enough to enjoy it.So what is Obama's solution for the rest of America's parents?
For all his talk of "change we need," and "change we can believe in," Obama's plan is all too familiar – keep throwing more money into the same old failed bureaucracies while branding anyone who wants to empower parents as being "anti-public education."
America Needs "Change Parents Can Believe In"
I don't fault them for wanting the very best education for their children. On the contrary, I applaud them for wanting the very best. That should be the right of every parent.
We should have a universal voucher system with a dollar amount that follows the child wherever the parent chooses. And there should be economic incentives for those that choose to home school. As a taxpayer, I want to fund quality education - the very best possible, not fraud, corruption and indoctrination camps that currently exist when schools are controlled by the government and unions.
You want to improve education? Raise teacher salaries? Raise test scores? Get parents more involved?
The answer is easy. Get government and unions out of education. Create a universal voucher system that follows students. And let the private sector enter education, allowing competition and free market forces to produce the best possible solutions.
If Democrats REALLY were concerned about teaching the children, they would give this some serious consideration. Instead they view public education as a jobs program that creates a dependent class of secure votes for their cause and a means of dumbing down future generations. And that is just pathetic.
For those wanting more meat on this subject, here is a nice overview from the Heartland Institute:
Executive Summary: Can Vouchers Reform Public Schools?
Observe:
According to a 2007 report by the Heritage Foundation, 37 percent of U.S. Representatives and 45 percent of U.S. Senators enroll their children in private schools – a rate four times higher than that of the general population.
Simply put, choice is a good thing – but only for those rich or powerful enough to enjoy it.So what is Obama's solution for the rest of America's parents?
For all his talk of "change we need," and "change we can believe in," Obama's plan is all too familiar – keep throwing more money into the same old failed bureaucracies while branding anyone who wants to empower parents as being "anti-public education."
America Needs "Change Parents Can Believe In"
I don't fault them for wanting the very best education for their children. On the contrary, I applaud them for wanting the very best. That should be the right of every parent.
We should have a universal voucher system with a dollar amount that follows the child wherever the parent chooses. And there should be economic incentives for those that choose to home school. As a taxpayer, I want to fund quality education - the very best possible, not fraud, corruption and indoctrination camps that currently exist when schools are controlled by the government and unions.
You want to improve education? Raise teacher salaries? Raise test scores? Get parents more involved?
The answer is easy. Get government and unions out of education. Create a universal voucher system that follows students. And let the private sector enter education, allowing competition and free market forces to produce the best possible solutions.
If Democrats REALLY were concerned about teaching the children, they would give this some serious consideration. Instead they view public education as a jobs program that creates a dependent class of secure votes for their cause and a means of dumbing down future generations. And that is just pathetic.
For those wanting more meat on this subject, here is a nice overview from the Heartland Institute:
Executive Summary: Can Vouchers Reform Public Schools?
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Look Mom, I'm Driving!
The auto company execs are off to Washington to grovel for "guvmint" handouts. This time they did it right, by actually driving their crappy cars all the way to Washington instead of their fancy private jets. Observe:
All three CEOs made the trip to Washington in high-mileage hybrid vehicles—the types of cars critics say the Detroit Three should have been making more of instead of becoming enamored of higher-profit, less fuel-efficient vehicles like SUVs and Hummers.
Ford announced Tuesday that it will sell its five corporate jets, and GM said it would close its corporate jet operations on Jan. 1 and try to sell the remainder of the lease time on its seven aircraft.
Ron Gettelfinger, head of the United Auto Workers, will once again join Wagoner, Nardelli and Mulally before Congress. He is traveling to the hearings in Washington on a commercial flight, just as he did two weeks ago. Gettlefinger has typically traveled to other union business on commercial flights but is often seen driving to events near Detroit with his wife.
Not just another car ride for GM CEO Wagoner
Well, I appreciate that these guys are willing to make the symbolic gesture of actually driving to Washington, but it does nothing to change my opinion that ZERO taxpayer money be given to bailout failing businesses. The problems at GM, Chrysler and Ford are self-inflicted and they need to do what any other business would do - file bankruptcy and reorganize.
Either they can get their costs down and compete with the rest of automakers or they simply need to go the way of the buggy makers a century ago. Not a dime of taxpayer money should ever be given to any business or industry.
Why is this so hard to understand?
All three CEOs made the trip to Washington in high-mileage hybrid vehicles—the types of cars critics say the Detroit Three should have been making more of instead of becoming enamored of higher-profit, less fuel-efficient vehicles like SUVs and Hummers.
--- snip ---
Ford announced Tuesday that it will sell its five corporate jets, and GM said it would close its corporate jet operations on Jan. 1 and try to sell the remainder of the lease time on its seven aircraft.
Ron Gettelfinger, head of the United Auto Workers, will once again join Wagoner, Nardelli and Mulally before Congress. He is traveling to the hearings in Washington on a commercial flight, just as he did two weeks ago. Gettlefinger has typically traveled to other union business on commercial flights but is often seen driving to events near Detroit with his wife.
Not just another car ride for GM CEO Wagoner
Well, I appreciate that these guys are willing to make the symbolic gesture of actually driving to Washington, but it does nothing to change my opinion that ZERO taxpayer money be given to bailout failing businesses. The problems at GM, Chrysler and Ford are self-inflicted and they need to do what any other business would do - file bankruptcy and reorganize.
Either they can get their costs down and compete with the rest of automakers or they simply need to go the way of the buggy makers a century ago. Not a dime of taxpayer money should ever be given to any business or industry.
Why is this so hard to understand?
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