Myths of Iraq

Nothing better to break the blogging silence than a piece on Iraq.
Given the anniversary of "shock and awe," this op-ed gives an insiders view of Iraq as it stands now and allows us a chance to reexamine the issue. Iraq has become a tired story trying many Americans patience. Bleak depictionsn night after night, with seemingly no end in sight. I used to look forward to Sunday mornings with the Fox News roundtable followed by Little Russ, until the subject matter turns to Iraq, then I tune it out. This piece addresses that issue by stating that its the medias fault for inaccurate reporting. That may or may not be true. Most likely it is somewhere in the middle, as with any story we read these days. This anniversary is the perfect time to examine what progress and failures have been made, reexamine our own personal stance on such a devisive issue, and look forward to 'sucess' in the Middle East.


http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2006/03/myths_of_iraq.html

Evangelical Bias, The Great Threat of Modern Conservatism

This article below illustrates only a certain aspect of why I believe the evangelical right is destroying the Republican Party and moreover, it is why I believe they are destroying the conservative movement. It is their narrow zeal that keeps us from signficant progression. It is not about equality, it is not about morals or prosperity but about their "christian kingdom". A single idea based on a narrow world view of christianity, and all those that oppose that idea. This narrowly defined world view of nothing or all why I fear the evangelical movement to my very core.

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2006/02/19/is_america_ready_for_a_mormon_president/

Romney, One Step Closer

Hey guys, I will be starting a State of Kansas Elect Mitt organization. Go to Americansformitt.com and join (if you are so inclined) the new national group to elect Mitt. Here is a recent article from Mitt's last trip to South Carolina.

By Dan HooverSTAFF WRITERdchoover@greenvillenews.comStepping up his soundings as a potential 2008presidential candidate, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romneytold Greenville Republicans on Saturday that thefederal government, without naming President Bush, isspending too much money and has "underappreciated" theterror threat's scope."Look at the numbers," he said of Washington'sspending habits, and warned that by 2020, entitlementswill consume 70 percent of the budget. "That wouldmean defense would get 15 percent. How can you be thesuperpower of the planet and only have 15 percent ofyour budget go into national defense?"Romney told more than 300 Republicans attending abreakfast before the county party's convention thatthe threat to America is bigger than many believe andis aimed at bringing down the nation, not just bombinga shopping mall.At the most critical period in U.S. history, whenAmerica and the world are under attack by "globaljihadists," not just a small group of terrorists,Romney said some leaders have "underappreciated andunderestimated" the threat's magnitude.Romney said America's foes' "global view is that theywere given a huge part of the planet for their people,and it's their job to go back and recapture all thatportion. One nation keeps all that from happening,from combining all those nations under one element:the United States."But Romney went on to express appreciation for Bushfor "being willing to declare war on terror."In recent weeks, Romney has emerged as a terror warhawk who supports increased monitoring of foreignstudents and shifting from programs geared to reactingto attack to those aimed at preventing them.He made no direct reference to the presidentialsweepstakes, but turning to South Carolina Gov. MarkSanford, said, "You're lucky to have this man as yourgovernor, and he'd make a good president, too."Sanford has sought to end speculation he's interestedin a White House bid of his own.Romney was followed by South Carolina Sen. LindseyGraham of Seneca who weighed in on spending by theGOP's congressional majority, saying, "We've forgottenwhat it's like to be a Republican when it comes tospending money. I want the president to start vetoingsome bills. Veto some," he added for emphasis.For Romney, the appearance was sandwiched between aFriday night dinner in Spartanburg and another speechThursday to the Lexington GOP convention, all part ofthe run-up to South Carolina's first-in-the-Southpresidential primary in two years.

Good Quote

"The government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." - Ronald Reagan

What is Al Gore Thinking??

I think this one goes without saying. To make outrageous unsubstantiated claims against your country, in "enemy territory" during a time of war, is this a smart move Al? Not only is it completely stupid, and dangerous, its treasonous. What is this guy thinking? It's one thing to disagree with the administration, or even dissent, but this is over the line.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Feb-17-Fri-2006/news/5930845.html

Religious Tolerance?

This guy makes a compelling argument about the Danish cartoon controversy and the consequent fallout among followers of, as he calls it, a religion of peace. Freedom of expression taken too far, maybe. Overreaction, most definitely. How would we react if The Prophet was depicted in like manner? I can tell you for certain there would not be riots, burning, destruction and death in the Salt Lake Valley. Quite the opposite. Aside from a PR statement denouncing any such depiction, from a religion of peace, 'turn the other cheek' would be the end result if such slander should befall the Saints.
Thoughts?
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_3497863

Walter E Williams on "Rights"

This is one of the great classics of Mr Walter Williams. It think this needs to be preached from the rooftops because it is the very core of the social debate.. "now"... read on.

http://www.townhall.com/opinion/column/walterwilliams/2006/02/08/185444.html

State of the GREEN Union

Energy independence, Alternative energy sources, and Dick Cheney's resignation? All part of the State of the Union, according to Thomas Friedman. This commentary brings up some great points about U.S. dependence on a commodity that is indirectly, and in some cases, directly, funding global terrorism, and how to best change the direction of our nation to become more self-sufficient and green? In this case, being green is not a leftist crazy ideology, but a long-term pragmatic view of a cleaner, self-sufficient, secure nation.

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635180292,00.html

Hot In the Hot Tub!

Wow, it looks earth hit record temperatures in 2005! Is it Global Warming? A Heat Wave? Liberal Conspiracy?

The real question...How in the double heck do these folks know that this is hottest the earth has ever been? They state that this is the hottest the earth has been since they started taking the temperature of the earth in the late 1800's. I'm sorry but weren't these folks crapping in outhouses in the 1800's? Running water? Electricity? Micro-Evolution? Weren't the hustlers, women of the night, and the 8 year old kid who cut his toe on the plow share dying of infection because they didn't know that little micro-organinisms were destroying them from the inside?

And we are supposed to believe that they could take the core temperature of the earth?

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsarticle.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyid=2006-01-24T230108Z_01_N24226172_RTRUKOC_0_US-ENVIRONMENT-WARMING.xml&rpc=22

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

We watched the classic film "Mr Smith Goes to Washington" in one of my classes today. I had heard a lot about this film and had always wanted to see it, and today I got my chance.

This film was incredible, and I will tell you why. It is a timeless film, especially during this time when we are learning about corrupt senators associated with Abramoff, and defense contractors, etc. This film is as valid today as it was back in 1939 when it was made. It makes one realize that that perfect, honest idealogue that goes into the black hole known as Washington D.C., becomes corrupt and falls into the money trap. There is a great scene in the film where Jimmy Stewart's character is listening to a veteran senator explain why it is he did what he did. He explains that there has to be compromise in bills brought before the senate, and how things work on the senate floor. It was very telling, and depressing. This is sort of an expose on how things really work in Washington.

Anyway, if you all havent seen it, then put it in your Netflix queue, or go to your local video store and rent it, you wont be sorry.

Reaganomics Revisited

"It is no coincidence that our present troubles parallel and are proportionate to the intervention and intrusion in our lives that result from unnecessary and excessive growth of government." -Ronald Reagan

Twenty-five years ago today, Ronald Reagan was inaugurated as the 40th President of the United States. The following piece takes a look at what Reagan accomplished in his tenure, and how his views on government and economics changed the mindset and practice of many Republicans. The opening statement was from his inaugural address. Sounds like something that could be said today, doesn't it?

http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110007843

Are Public Schools Cheating Children....and Parents?

Here is yet another post that hits the core of many of our previous arguments, The role of government. In this case, What is the role of government when it comes to education? John Stossel brings up some good points in the following commentaries about competition, privatization, the contrast between education in Europe and the United States, and even uses a local example, the Kansas City, MO school district, to prove his point. I have an inkling that CitizenSaint wants to delve more deeply into this topic, so I will just post these two articles and watch the sparks fly. Enjoy...

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Commentary/com-1_18_06_JS.html

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Commentary/com-1_11_06_JS.html

Glenn Beck

A mormon pundit is getting his own show on CNN.

Corruption at the Federal Level

Whay say ye armchair pundits, over the Abramoff scandal?

He has been linked to DeLay, Bob Ney, and others. We have been talking in this blog about the corruption that money and power bring to politics; this is just one example that illustrates our arguments. Stories like this make me wonder how our elected officials will ever regain the public trust. Its no wonder no one shows up to vote every four years, we don't trust the people we would elect. Is this why the "constitution will be hanging by a thread," thus the elders of the church come to save the government? Is this one of many reasons why the church will come to the rescue? Will we see more and more LDS men and women in elected positions over the coming years; I think those are the only candidates we could surely trust.

Good Ol' Pattie B. With Another Well Written Expose on America

I don't always agree with Pat Buchanan, he is close to what I hate most about the extreme right, but lately he has turned from a zealot to a real American realist. I enjoy his 'take no prisoner' mentality on what he thinks is happening to America an to those he thinks is destroying it. I know I may be stretching a bit here but I think he is as close to an Ezra Taft Benson, in terms of his politics and outlook on America, that we have in our modern day.

I love his quote most of all from this article, "However Iraq ends, the era that began with the fall of the Berlin Wall has reached its close. That place in the sun the Greatest Generation won for us, and the Cold War generation kept for us, the baby boomer generation appears to have lost. And perhaps forever. "

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=48069

Romney Insulted by Damon Going to Yankees

Found this on another Romney blog.
Go BoSox!

http://cbs4boston.com/sports/local_story_355193512.html

Fiscal Insanity

I have been reading a little bit of this other blog called Talking Taxes the last few weeks. There was an interesting post today about the New CBO Report on Long-term Deficits. The CBO director, Douglas Holtz-Eakin said this: “Imagine a world in which there was no Katrina, no Rita, no costs of the Gulf Coast cleanup or annual events of that type. Imagine a world in which there was no necessity to spend funds in Iraq and Afghanistan or elsewhere in the globe, fighting a war on terrorism. Imagine a world in which it was possible to meet all our nonsecurity needs, in highways and education and welfare, without earmarks and without pork barrel and which allowed us to keep such spending flat and not go up at all. Imagine that world also included tax increases as all the laws the Congress has passed in the last several years sunset. Imagine in that world there was no economic slack– the economy always performed at absolutely top notch perfect levels.In that world, our Congress would face deficits as far as the eye could see and have enormous fiscal challenges.”
Later, a CQ reporter asks Holtz-Eakin to respond to the supply-side argument that economic growth will help keep our deficits and debt in check:
CQ: For people who think current tax cuts or future tax cuts can create more economic growth ,what level of economic growth would we need annually to grow ourselves out of this problem?Holtz-Eakin: It’s not possible. Don’t even think about it. [long pause] You can’t grow your way out of this problem, it’s just too big.
We have been talking about big government, large deficits, public debt, etc; so I thought you guys might be interested in this. I think it illustrates how big the problem is. Why don’t we hear more about this on the news media? Maybe they are talking about this, I wouldn’t know since I don’t watch. I just wonder how many Americans actually realize how deep we are in, and how much deeper we sink in every day. I really worry about it, because the politicians aren’t going to be frank about it, so the problem is never going to go away. I think they figure the less the American people actually know about government, the better, because it gives them carte blanche with no accountability. With an ignorant public, they can do whatever with no pressure. How can we get the word out? How can we educate our fellow citizens?

This is why we need Democrats

The Patriot Act will not be renewed and so now, the founders can sleep well at night... Oh, and also all those who the government was spying on. The most dangerous threats of the Sept. 11 attacks has been defeated but I doubt you will see a parade for it. I know for sure G. W. won't have a publicity stunt on an aircraft carrier to celebrate its defeat. I will however, as any freedom loving, constitutional adhering, American should.

Much like our forces in Germany, the Patriot Act will hopefully go down as a relic of the war against terrorism. Constitutional scholars will hopefully wright many books on the inherent dangers of such laws in a free society such as ours. Wiretapping of citizens, unlawful arrests of citizens without trial, as well as the right to hold you indefinitely, secret warrants on books, businesses and any other organization and many others, will hopefully go down in history like that of McCarthyism, a cruel and un-American experiment in response to unsettling times.

I'll be anxious to see what happens to this administration on the chargers of unlawful espionage that has been thrown around lately.

In simple terms, thank you Mr. Feingold, Mr. Craig, Mrs. Clinton...in short, thank you Democrats. (and a couple of right thinking Republicans)

Africa

I just read a most interesting op-ed piece written by a guy who volunteered in Africa 40 years ago. We have all seen and heard all the celebrities talk about debt relief and donations for the poor in Africa. I respect Bono very much both as a musician and humanitarian. I bought into what he said and says, concerning thier need for cash and drugs. I think debt relief is a good idea, mostly because Bono and Brad Pitt are such good salesman. This guy brings to light some things no body is saying. He brings up the point that as long as corrupt people keep rigging elections, there is no use just throwing money at the continent. How can we, the western world, help the Africans if there is corrupt leadership at the top? What is the fate of Africa? I feel awful about their situation, but what short of invading country after country and toppling the corrupt regimes can we do?

The author of this piece never develops his argument against debt relief, which I think could still be a good start in some countries over there. He also compares old Ireland with Malawi, how they were similar, and how with some education and a rational government, Ireland became what it is today. He doesn't expand on that transformation very much, and I think that could have helpful to shed light on what to do in modern-day Africa.

If we are going to focus on evil dictators, terrorism, injustice, etc. then we needn't look any further than Africa. So what are we going to do about it? How does Africa fit into our priorities? If simply throwing money at them dosen't work what will work? I like the suggestions in the article; education, and keeping the smart people there to work in there own countries would help by leaps and bounds. Also, the rest of the world would probably do well to look at what the church is doing in Africa.

Romney's Move Toward 1600 Pennsylvannia

(Moderators Comment: This posting will now be the official home to all of the latest links, news articles, reviews and criticisms of Mr. Wonderful, Mitt Romneys poltical aspirations. )

In a speech yesterday, Mitt Romney stated he would not seek re-election in the state of Mass. What does this mean?? He is testing the Presidential campaign waters. This quick blurb in the Trib lays out some of his successes while in office. An addition to his already solid resume.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0512150187dec15,1,675986.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed