Tuesday, January 31, 2006
SOTU Speech Highlights
In this decisive year, you and I will make choices that determine both the future and the character of our country. We will choose to act confidently in pursuing the enemies of freedom -- or retreat from our duties in the hope of an easier life. ... the road of isolationism and protectionism may seem broad and inviting -- yet it ends in danger and decline. The only way to protect our people, the only way to secure the peace, the only way to control our destiny is by our leadership -- so the United States of America will continue to lead.
Abroad, our nation is committed to an historic, long-term goal -- we seek the end of tyranny in our world. Some dismiss that goal as misguided idealism. In reality, the future security of America depends on it. ... Every step toward freedom in the world makes our country safer -- so we will act boldly in freedom's cause.
Terrorists like bin Laden are serious about mass murder -- and all of us must take their declared intentions seriously. ... Lacking the military strength to challenge us directly, the terrorists have chosen the weapon of fear. ... But they have miscalculated: We love our freedom, and we will fight to keep it. ... If we were to leave these vicious attackers alone, they would not leave us alone. They would simply move the battlefield to our own shores. There is no peace in retreat. ... But our enemies and our friends can be certain: The United States will not retreat from the world, and we will never surrender to evil.
We are the nation that saved liberty in Europe, and liberated death camps, and helped raise up democracies, and faced down an evil empire. Once again, we accept the call of history to deliver the oppressed and move this world toward peace. We remain on the offensive against terror networks. We have killed or captured many of their leaders -- and for the others, their day will come.
...[T]here is a difference between responsible criticism that aims for success, and defeatism that refuses to acknowledge anything but failure. Hindsight alone is not wisdom, and second-guessing is not a strategy.
We must keep our word, defeat our enemies, and stand behind the American military in this vital mission. Our men and women in uniform are making sacrifices -- and showing a sense of duty stronger than all fear. And those who know the costs also know the stakes. Marine Staff Sergeant Dan Clay was killed last month fighting in Fallujah. He left behind a letter to his family, but his words could just as well be addressed to every American. Here is what Dan wrote: "I know what honor is. ... It has been an honor to protect and serve all of you. I faced death with the secure knowledge that you would not have to.... Never falter! Don't hesitate to honor and support those of us who have the honor of protecting that which is worth protecting." ... We're grateful to all who volunteer to wear our nation's uniform...
We now know that two of the [Sept. 11th] hijackers in the United States placed telephone calls to al Qaeda operatives overseas. But we did not know about their plans until it was too late. So to prevent another attack -- based on authority given to me by the Constitution and by statute -- I have authorized a terrorist surveillance program to aggressively pursue the international communications of suspected al Qaeda operatives and affiliates to and from America. Previous Presidents have used the same constitutional authority I have, and federal courts have approved the use of that authority. Appropriate members of Congress have been kept informed. The terrorist surveillance program has helped prevent terrorist attacks. It remains essential to the security of America. If there are people inside our country who are talking with al Qaeda, we want to know about it, because we will not sit back and wait to be hit again.
Fellow citizens, we've been called to leadership in a period of consequence. We've entered a great ideological conflict we did nothing to invite. ... Sometimes it can seem that history is turning in a wide arc, toward an unknown shore. Yet the destination of history is determined by human action, and every great movement of history comes to a point of choosing.
Today, having come far in our own historical journey, we must decide: Will we turn back, or finish well?
Before history is written down in books, it is written in courage. Like Americans before us, we will show that courage and we will finish well. We will lead freedom's advance. ... And so we move forward -- optimistic about our country, faithful to its cause, and confident of the victories to come.
Full text available at WhiteHouse.gov ¶ Tuesday, January 31, 2006 3 comments
Abroad, our nation is committed to an historic, long-term goal -- we seek the end of tyranny in our world. Some dismiss that goal as misguided idealism. In reality, the future security of America depends on it. ... Every step toward freedom in the world makes our country safer -- so we will act boldly in freedom's cause.
Terrorists like bin Laden are serious about mass murder -- and all of us must take their declared intentions seriously. ... Lacking the military strength to challenge us directly, the terrorists have chosen the weapon of fear. ... But they have miscalculated: We love our freedom, and we will fight to keep it. ... If we were to leave these vicious attackers alone, they would not leave us alone. They would simply move the battlefield to our own shores. There is no peace in retreat. ... But our enemies and our friends can be certain: The United States will not retreat from the world, and we will never surrender to evil.
We are the nation that saved liberty in Europe, and liberated death camps, and helped raise up democracies, and faced down an evil empire. Once again, we accept the call of history to deliver the oppressed and move this world toward peace. We remain on the offensive against terror networks. We have killed or captured many of their leaders -- and for the others, their day will come.
...[T]here is a difference between responsible criticism that aims for success, and defeatism that refuses to acknowledge anything but failure. Hindsight alone is not wisdom, and second-guessing is not a strategy.
We must keep our word, defeat our enemies, and stand behind the American military in this vital mission. Our men and women in uniform are making sacrifices -- and showing a sense of duty stronger than all fear. And those who know the costs also know the stakes. Marine Staff Sergeant Dan Clay was killed last month fighting in Fallujah. He left behind a letter to his family, but his words could just as well be addressed to every American. Here is what Dan wrote: "I know what honor is. ... It has been an honor to protect and serve all of you. I faced death with the secure knowledge that you would not have to.... Never falter! Don't hesitate to honor and support those of us who have the honor of protecting that which is worth protecting." ... We're grateful to all who volunteer to wear our nation's uniform...
We now know that two of the [Sept. 11th] hijackers in the United States placed telephone calls to al Qaeda operatives overseas. But we did not know about their plans until it was too late. So to prevent another attack -- based on authority given to me by the Constitution and by statute -- I have authorized a terrorist surveillance program to aggressively pursue the international communications of suspected al Qaeda operatives and affiliates to and from America. Previous Presidents have used the same constitutional authority I have, and federal courts have approved the use of that authority. Appropriate members of Congress have been kept informed. The terrorist surveillance program has helped prevent terrorist attacks. It remains essential to the security of America. If there are people inside our country who are talking with al Qaeda, we want to know about it, because we will not sit back and wait to be hit again.
Fellow citizens, we've been called to leadership in a period of consequence. We've entered a great ideological conflict we did nothing to invite. ... Sometimes it can seem that history is turning in a wide arc, toward an unknown shore. Yet the destination of history is determined by human action, and every great movement of history comes to a point of choosing.
Today, having come far in our own historical journey, we must decide: Will we turn back, or finish well?
Before history is written down in books, it is written in courage. Like Americans before us, we will show that courage and we will finish well. We will lead freedom's advance. ... And so we move forward -- optimistic about our country, faithful to its cause, and confident of the victories to come.
Full text available at WhiteHouse.gov ¶ Tuesday, January 31, 2006 3 comments
The State We're In
A poll shows that 57% thought Bush's State of the Union speech was "very" or "somewhat convincing" as opposed to only 44% who said "not at all".
As to the state of our United states, 63% thought it was "fair", "good", or excellent. Only 36% rated it "poor". ¶ Tuesday, January 31, 2006 0 comments
As to the state of our United states, 63% thought it was "fair", "good", or excellent. Only 36% rated it "poor". ¶ Tuesday, January 31, 2006 0 comments
Your Tax Dollars at Work
From the AP: "The Louisiana Superdome, damaged by Hurricane Katrina, will get $6.3 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help with repairs. The agency announced Monday that the money will be used for the removal of standing water and water-related damaged items.
'Its rehabilitation is essential to New Orleans' recovery,' said Scott Wells, FEMA's federal oordinating officer."
Why? The Saints are on the verge of bugging out of Louisiana anyway.
"Repair costs are estimated at about $140 million and most of that is expected to be covered by the state's insurance and by FEMA. ... Officials have said that the facility can be repaired and ready to reopen for major football events by Nov. 1."
Provided the Saints are still around. As it is the state has to keep paying them more and more to keep them. I can think of a lot of places that $6.3 million could be used to help the citizens of New Orleans and Louisiana recover from the hurricanes. ¶ Tuesday, January 31, 2006 2 comments
'Its rehabilitation is essential to New Orleans' recovery,' said Scott Wells, FEMA's federal oordinating officer."
Why? The Saints are on the verge of bugging out of Louisiana anyway.
"Repair costs are estimated at about $140 million and most of that is expected to be covered by the state's insurance and by FEMA. ... Officials have said that the facility can be repaired and ready to reopen for major football events by Nov. 1."
Provided the Saints are still around. As it is the state has to keep paying them more and more to keep them. I can think of a lot of places that $6.3 million could be used to help the citizens of New Orleans and Louisiana recover from the hurricanes. ¶ Tuesday, January 31, 2006 2 comments
No Media Bias Here
Christiane Amanpour, CNN Chief International Correspondent: "The war in Iraq has basically turned out to be a disaster and journalists have paid for it, paid for the privilege of witnessing and reporting that and so have many, many other people who have been there."
Yes, God bless those valiant journalists who are out there in harm's way defending freedom bringing liberty to the world.
"I mean, by any indicator Iraq is a black hole. Yes, they have had elections. What kind of a government are they going to come up with. Will it be a national unity government? Or will it be the one that sows the seeds of civil war?"
Does it matter? Aren't they supposed to be against nation building and sowing democracy? Isn't self-determination enough?
"And by any indication whether you take the number of journalists killed or wounded, whether you take the number of American soldiers killed or wounded, whether you take the number of Iraqi soldiers killed and wounded, contractors, people working there, it just gets worse and worse."
Except that it's not.
On Pakistan: "Well, we're there to report what's actually going on and we pay a heavy price for trying to get to the truth. And the truth is what our business is all about. And that's why we're out there, despite the enormous, enormous personal cost to us, to our families, and to our networks."
Think she's as underpaid as our soldiers? Or do you think she's compensated pretty well to pay that "heavy price for trying to get to the truth".
Entire transcript available at CNN
¶ Tuesday, January 31, 2006 2 comments
Yes, God bless those valiant journalists who are out there in harm's way defending freedom bringing liberty to the world.
"I mean, by any indicator Iraq is a black hole. Yes, they have had elections. What kind of a government are they going to come up with. Will it be a national unity government? Or will it be the one that sows the seeds of civil war?"
Does it matter? Aren't they supposed to be against nation building and sowing democracy? Isn't self-determination enough?
"And by any indication whether you take the number of journalists killed or wounded, whether you take the number of American soldiers killed or wounded, whether you take the number of Iraqi soldiers killed and wounded, contractors, people working there, it just gets worse and worse."
Except that it's not.
On Pakistan: "Well, we're there to report what's actually going on and we pay a heavy price for trying to get to the truth. And the truth is what our business is all about. And that's why we're out there, despite the enormous, enormous personal cost to us, to our families, and to our networks."
Think she's as underpaid as our soldiers? Or do you think she's compensated pretty well to pay that "heavy price for trying to get to the truth".
Entire transcript available at CNN
¶ Tuesday, January 31, 2006 2 comments
Welcome, Judge Alito
Judge Alito was sworn in as a member of the Supreme Court today in what the AP called "one of the most partisan victories in modern history". Not sure what they're comparing it to since a great many votes fall along party lines. Personally I think it's just stating the obvious.
I was somewhat intrigued by poll results that I read. According to the poll 58% were "pleased" by his appointment while 28% said they would "wait and see". Only 14% said they were "displeased". On the question of whether they expected Alito to "shift" the court to the right 82% said "Yes" and 18% said "No".
I was amused to read some of the reaction from those enlightened, tolerant, peaceloving liberals who were upset over the vote in Congress. (Typos in bold, all spelling errors and bad grammar as written. Expletive deleted.)
To Democrat Sen. Tim Johnson of SD: "Get the F out of the Democratic Party you stinking NAZI swine! It's clear that your nothing but a corrupt swine. I'm sure you are very happy being a part of the most corrupt government on the planet.. There for next go round you can count on us doing EVERYTHING in our power to make sure you spend the rest of your life taking bribes as a pluming inspector. Since you are in fact worse than your avg run of the mill republican NAZI we be voting for the NAZI party next election. At least a continued republican congress will quicken their destruction. You see the one unchangeable fact is,, republicans are so vial, so corrupt, such liars that they will eventually start feeding on their own filthy swine. An event the entire planet is praying for.Well, rot in hell and count on our votes going to ANYONE that has a chance of ending your 2-bit stay in the big city." - From Sioux Falls, SD
"If you're troubled, then earn your elected keep, and get your arse on up to the podium and DEBATE it for god's sake. This is a LIFETIME appointment, and your spine's turning to jelly NOW? I hope you so enjoy swimming in the coagulated, murky pond of apathy, Senator Johnson, because that may very well end up being your new career once the people paying your salary become the wiser to what a horrible deed you're about to commit.May you sleep well the day that Alito finally gives George his long-awaited crown." - From Spearfish, SD
To Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska "Alito's OK with you?? Get out of the Democrats you stinken NAZI pig! Oh,, you're going to vote no..I know we have a moronic majority,, but that leaves millions who at some point are going to start asking why you swine made it happen." - From Lincoln
(This guy sounds like "Sioux Falls"above. Imposter, or just reading from the same Leftie talking points?)
(This next one is really ridiculous!)
To Democratic stalwart and former KKK Grand Wizard Robert Byrd of WV: "Shame on you, you DIRTY BYRD! Having 5, yes a majority of CROSSBACKS on the Supreme Court is UNAMERICAN. I used to like you but no more. You no good G**D** BAPTIST TRAITOR. LONG LIVE WASP's. May you soon KICK the BUCKET you senile old PHART. May you burn in the eternal lake of fire. I will be the first to URINATE on your grave and then DEFECATE you sub-terranian vermin, pond scum, Limbaugh lover. You're nothing but a stinking REPUBLICRAT!"
(Byrd a Limbaugh lover? A Republicrat? These people are just nuts. I love it!) ¶ Tuesday, January 31, 2006 0 comments
I was somewhat intrigued by poll results that I read. According to the poll 58% were "pleased" by his appointment while 28% said they would "wait and see". Only 14% said they were "displeased". On the question of whether they expected Alito to "shift" the court to the right 82% said "Yes" and 18% said "No".
I was amused to read some of the reaction from those enlightened, tolerant, peaceloving liberals who were upset over the vote in Congress. (Typos in bold, all spelling errors and bad grammar as written. Expletive deleted.)
To Democrat Sen. Tim Johnson of SD: "Get the F out of the Democratic Party you stinking NAZI swine! It's clear that your nothing but a corrupt swine. I'm sure you are very happy being a part of the most corrupt government on the planet.. There for next go round you can count on us doing EVERYTHING in our power to make sure you spend the rest of your life taking bribes as a pluming inspector. Since you are in fact worse than your avg run of the mill republican NAZI we be voting for the NAZI party next election. At least a continued republican congress will quicken their destruction. You see the one unchangeable fact is,, republicans are so vial, so corrupt, such liars that they will eventually start feeding on their own filthy swine. An event the entire planet is praying for.Well, rot in hell and count on our votes going to ANYONE that has a chance of ending your 2-bit stay in the big city." - From Sioux Falls, SD
"If you're troubled, then earn your elected keep, and get your arse on up to the podium and DEBATE it for god's sake. This is a LIFETIME appointment, and your spine's turning to jelly NOW? I hope you so enjoy swimming in the coagulated, murky pond of apathy, Senator Johnson, because that may very well end up being your new career once the people paying your salary become the wiser to what a horrible deed you're about to commit.May you sleep well the day that Alito finally gives George his long-awaited crown." - From Spearfish, SD
To Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska "Alito's OK with you?? Get out of the Democrats you stinken NAZI pig! Oh,, you're going to vote no..I know we have a moronic majority,, but that leaves millions who at some point are going to start asking why you swine made it happen." - From Lincoln
(This guy sounds like "Sioux Falls"above. Imposter, or just reading from the same Leftie talking points?)
(This next one is really ridiculous!)
To Democratic stalwart and former KKK Grand Wizard Robert Byrd of WV: "Shame on you, you DIRTY BYRD! Having 5, yes a majority of CROSSBACKS on the Supreme Court is UNAMERICAN. I used to like you but no more. You no good G**D** BAPTIST TRAITOR. LONG LIVE WASP's. May you soon KICK the BUCKET you senile old PHART. May you burn in the eternal lake of fire. I will be the first to URINATE on your grave and then DEFECATE you sub-terranian vermin, pond scum, Limbaugh lover. You're nothing but a stinking REPUBLICRAT!"
(Byrd a Limbaugh lover? A Republicrat? These people are just nuts. I love it!) ¶ Tuesday, January 31, 2006 0 comments
Good Advice
Ralph Peters is a retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel who now writes on policy issues.Several years ago he wrote a piece titled "When Devils Walk The Earth". I recently reread it and, as always, am amazed at the clear-headed genius of this man. At the close of the paper he gives a list of "Do’s and Don’ts for a Superpower". I have edited it for length, so if you want the whole picture, go the Air War College site and read it.
1. Be feared.¶ Tuesday, January 31, 2006 0 comments
2. Identify the type of terrorists you face, and know your enemy as well as you possibly can. Practical terrorists may have legitimate grievances that deserve consideration ... Apocalyptic terrorists ... seek your destruction and must be killed to the last man. ... Our bloodiest successes will create far fewer terrorists and sympathizers than our failures.
3. Do not be afraid to be powerful. ... Our great strengths are wealth and raw power. ... Our responses to terrorist acts should make the world gasp.
4. Speak bluntly. Euphemisms are interpreted as weakness ... Speak of killing terrorists ... Timid speech leads to timid actions.
5. Concentrate on winning the propaganda war ... Convince hostile populations through victory.
6. Do not be drawn into a public dialog with terrorists ... You legitimize the terrorists by addressing them...
7. Avoid “planning creep.” ... Focus on the basic mission—the destruction of the terrorists ... All other issues ... are secondary.
8. Maintain resolve. ... “experts” ... will always present you with ... reasons for doing nothing, or for doing too little (or for doing exactly the wrong thing). ... prevent diplomats from gaining influence over the strategic campaign.
9. When in doubt, hit harder than you think necessary. Success will be forgiven. ... failure will not. When military force is used against terrorist networks, it should be used with such power that it stuns even our allies. Demonstrate power whenever you can. Show, don’t tell.
10. Whenever legal conditions permit, kill terrorists on the spot (do not give them a chance to surrender, if you can help it). ... This is war, not law enforcement.
11. Never listen to those who warn that ferocity on our part reduces us to the level of the terrorists.
12. Spare and protect innocent civilians whenever possible, but do not let the prospect of civilian casualties interfere with ultimate mission accomplishment. ... In a choice between “us and them,” the choice is always “us.”
13. Do not allow the terrorists to hide behind religion. ... We must establish a consistent reputation for relentless pursuit and destruction of those who kill our citizens.
14. Do not allow third parties to broker a “peace,” a truce, or any pause in operations. ... We must be single-minded.
15. Don’t flinch.
16. Do not worry about alienating already-hostile populations.
17. Whenever possible, humiliate your enemy in the eyes of his own people. ... Shame him publicly, in any way you can.
18. If the terrorists hide, strike what they hold dear... Do not be squeamish. Your enemy is not.
19. Do not allow the terrorists sanctuary in any country, at any time, under any circumstances. Counter-terrorist operations must ... be relentless. ... We must be faster, more resolute, more resourceful, ...more uncompromising than our enemies.
20. Never declare victory. Announce successes and milestones.
21. Impress upon the minds of terrorists ... everywhere ... that American retaliation will be powerful and uncompromising. ... It is folly for charity to precede victory. First win, then unclench your fist.
22. Do everything possible to make terrorists ... live in terror themselves. Do not be distracted by the baggage of the term “assassination.” This is a war. The enemy is by definition a war criminal. On our soil, he is either a spy or a saboteur, and not entitled to the protections of the U.S. Constitution. Those who abet terrorists must grow afraid to turn out the lights to go to sleep.
23. Never accept the consensus of the Washington intelligentsia, which looks backward to past failures, not forward to future successes ...
24. In dealing with Islamic apocalyptic terrorists, remember that their most cherished symbols are fewer and far more vulnerable than are the West’s. ... Worry less about offending foreign sensibilities and more about protecting Americans.
25. Do not look for answers in recent history, which is ... subject to personal emotion. Begin with the study of the classical world—specifically Rome ... Mild with subject peoples ... the Romans in their rise and at their apogee were implacable with their enemies. The utter destruction of Carthage brought centuries of local peace, while the later empire’s attempts to appease barbarians consistently failed.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
MLK Supports Operation Iraqi Freedom!
He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
Sound familiar?
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. ~ Edmund Burke
Why did we liberate Iraq? Because it was the right thing to do! Thanks to Jay for pointing out this truth. ¶ Tuesday, January 24, 2006 9 comments
Sound familiar?
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. ~ Edmund Burke
Why did we liberate Iraq? Because it was the right thing to do! Thanks to Jay for pointing out this truth. ¶ Tuesday, January 24, 2006 9 comments
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Comments on "Sole"-ful Story
Way back in October I did a post about Erin Vader of Bowling Green State University and Sgt Gilbert Zepeda and their work with "Soles for Souls," a project to provide shoes for Iraqi children. Last week I received the following comments from Erin.
"I just read this while I was working on collecting stories about our project for a research paper for someone else. Very cool. Thanks for the compliments. By the way, the project is over. Gil is back on American soil, and we collected upwards of 7,000 pairs of shoes from 25 states in a matter of months. :) It went well. Thanks for the support."So congratulations to Ms. Vader and Sgt Gilbert for a job well done, and many thanks for proving that, as always, America is the greatest and the best nation on Earth! ¶ Sunday, January 22, 2006 1 comments
Sunday, January 01, 2006
A New Year, A Clean Slate
One of my favorite Disney movies is "The Lion King" and one of my favorite scenes is when adult Simba meets Rafiki, the mandrill shaman, for the first time. Simba has run away from home because he believes he has done things too terrible to face or atone for.
There is a poem I had to memorize in grade school that, while not a very good poem, expresses a wonderful sentiment. It is "The Land of Beginning Again" by Louise Fletcher Tarkington. You can go read the whole thing but I will post the closing lines.
I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ... one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. - Paul's letters to the PhilippiansA new year has arrived and with it an opportunity to begin again. I love that we put so much emphasis on fresh starts at the new year. And I love that it follows close on the heels of the Christmas season. We take our second chance just a week after we acknowledge the ultimate sign that God is a God of second chances.
One of my favorite Disney movies is "The Lion King" and one of my favorite scenes is when adult Simba meets Rafiki, the mandrill shaman, for the first time. Simba has run away from home because he believes he has done things too terrible to face or atone for.
Simba: I know what I have to do. But going back will mean facing my past. I've been running from it for so long.Sound familiar? "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead."
[Rafiki hits Simba on the head with his stick]
Simba: Oww. Jeez... What was that for?
Rafiki: It doesn't matter, it's in the past.
There is a poem I had to memorize in grade school that, while not a very good poem, expresses a wonderful sentiment. It is "The Land of Beginning Again" by Louise Fletcher Tarkington. You can go read the whole thing but I will post the closing lines.
I wish that there were some wonderful place
Called the Land of Beginning Again,
Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches,
And all of our poor selfish grief
Could be dropped like a shabby old coat at the door
And never put on again.
So, this New Year's Day I want to begin again. I want to be the husband my wife wants, the father my children need, the aiman my country deserves, and the servant my God demands.
What do you want to take a second chance at? Where do you need to begin again? Whatever your resolutions are you can achieve them.
It's in the book.
"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." - Peter
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." - Paul
