Blogs for Borders
Candidly Conservative put me on to a blog that I hadn’t seen before called Blogs for Borders. The blog calls together other bloggers that believe in the need for more secure borders. Here is a quote from their “Join” page:
If you believe in the sanctity of American Sovereignty, respect those who waited and legally immigrated, are for the equal and uniform application of law and realize the need for strict border enforcement, then you share our frustration with the lack of border security, and our goal of improving it.
If you are against illegal immigration and want to be a part of Blogs For Borders, please follow the directions below and then email Stan at free constitution (at) gmail *d0t* com with “Blogs for Borders” in the subject line. Don’t forget to include your blog address! (When sending email replace “(at)” with “@” replace “*dot*” with “.” and REMOVE ALL SPACES–I have to do this in order to avoid the flood of spam)
Blogs For Borders is a group of bloggers that share these goals, receive optional weekly blogburst video emails they are free to post and share on their blogs, and conduct themselves in ways that reflect and honor the American spirit.
So, if you think that it is important to restrict immigration to LEGAL immigration, and you have a blog, consider going over and joining up. At the very least, you can hook up with folks that have the same kind of idea about immigration.
There is a lot of argument about more secure borders in our country today, but I really think that we need to be more strict about the laws. The fact that there are so many immigrants here illegally tells us that we need to secure the borders, and enforce the laws. I am not against immigration…I’m against ILLEGAL immigration, and there is a big difference. If there is anyone who wants to go through the proper channels, and come to this great country legally, more power to them, come on in and make yourself at home. But, if you want to sneak in, and try to get all privileges of being here without paying the price, then you shouldn’t be allowed in!
President Bush On ANWAR…
The President’s press conference just ended a little while ago. I got to watch the last 15 minutes of it, and I thought he hit a couple of home runs! A couple of the things that he pushed for (I should say continues to push for) are things that I have been wanting to hear him say more clearly, and with conviction. I think he got that done today. I guess that is one good thing about being in the last few months of your 2nd term–you don’t really have to care much about what others seem to think of you. Of course, one of the things I have really liked about this president is that he has never really cared what others thought about him. Even when I didn’t agree, I appreciated that he did what he thought was the right thing to do, and never stuck his finger in the air to see which way the wind was blowing! Anyway, here are a few of the things I liked about President Bush’s press conference this morning:
A real plan for the “energy crisis”. President Bush pushed for drilling for oil in Anwar. That is the most logical plan for success when it comes to our energy problems. We can provide enough oil for our nation for a long time (how long is still under debate, but most acknowledge there is a lot of oil there). One reporter said that this would be a “long term” solution, but she was dead wrong about this. If we announced today that we were moving equipment into Anwar, the price of gas would start coming down almost immediately. Even if the Arab nations thought we were bluffing, when we started moving equipment into Anwar, they would fall all over themselves to lower the price of oil. Unfortunately, the democrats are going to continue to fight tooth and nail over this solution. Nancy Pelosi wants to open up our reserves…like that will really work. The best outcome that I have read lowers the price at the pump somewhere between $.05 and $.20 per gallon, and that only in the short term until our reserves begin to deplete!
Make the tax cuts permanent. We all know that President Bush has been pushing for this since he got the tax cuts through in the first place. But, he really emphasized in this press conference the connection between the threat of increased taxes and the current economic “slow down”. Anyone who can’t put two and two together and understand that the threat of increased taxes causes people to stop spending their money is an idiot! If you think that a bill is going to come due next week, and the only way you can pay it is to save the money you have today, what will you do? Those that are truly conscious of their obligations will do what they have to do to pay their bills. The democrats are telling us that they are going to raise taxes! They are going to get rid of the Bush tax cuts, which means that middle class Americans (not just the wealthy, as they try to make us believe) are going to owe more money. I read a few days ago that anyone making over $50,000 will suddenly owe $4000 to $5000 more per year in taxes. That is significant! We need the confidence that we aren’t going to have a new tax load before we will be willing to spend our money.
Put the economic blame where it belongs. Now, I have not agreed with a lot that President Bush has done fiscally, but to try and pin the economic “slow down” on him and his administration is ludicrous! He spoke this morning about how the democrats in congress have intentionally stalled legislation dealing with our trade with Columbia. We have an unfair setup with Columbia right now. They send their exports to us duty free, and our exports to them are taxed. If small businesses could send their products out tax free, they could make more money, and thus may just save their own businesses. I’m not an economist, and I don’t even play one on TV, but it makes sense to me that if we can export more products, it would be good for our economy. After all, the more I may sell as a business man, the more money I can make. It seems that principle would spread out over the whole economy. Furthermore, it is the democrats who continue to call for more and more spending. I found it ironic that the same democrats who try to make it sound like the Bush administration is spending too much on the Iraq war are the same democrats calling for the War Spending Bill to be increased with their pet projects! As I surf the web and read the liberal blogs, I keep seeing these annoying little widgets that tell us how much is being spent on the Iraq War. However, what is not told is how much of that number is the pork put in by the democrats! The president has set a cap on the spending bill, and it is the democrat led congress who are trying to add to it, and expand the spending. Please don’t act high and mighty about wanting to stop the spending if you are going to keep adding to the bill.
Nicely call Jimmy Carter an idiot. When asked if Jimmy Carter’s nice little visit with Hamas was beneficial, or whether it could cause problems, President Bush responded very diplomatically. He explained why he could not, and would not meet with the terrorist group. They are the group responsible for much of the unrest in the Middle East. They are a group that is against peace, and will continue to be so. Jimmy Carter’s visit to the region completely undermined the work that every president has done in the region since his time. The truth of the matter is, Jimmy Carter was an extreme failure in foreign policy when he was in the White House, and he continues to show his inadequacies in that department now. He didn’t have enough sense to listen to those who are far wiser than he in such matters. Don’t get me wrong, I think Jimmy Carter is probably a good guy, with good intentions. He has done some good work in this country, especially with Habitat for Humanity. But, he really needs to stay here, and work on those projects, instead of trying to deal with things he obviously knows nothing about. He has become an embarrassment to even the democratic party, and that is saying something!
I am sure there were a lot of other things that were worth discussing in the press conference this morning, but these stood out in my mind as I watched. If you saw it (or heard it) and want to add to my list, feel free to do so in the comments below!
Sad, But True…
Here are a couple of comics that came in my email today from one of our most loyal readers (there aren’t many in that classification yet!) Enjoy!
When I first posted these cartoons, I wasn’t going to add any commentary to them, but decided that I would (for better or for worse.) I heard on the radio the other day how racist it was that a large percentage of white voters voted for Hillary Clinton over Barak Obama in the Pennsylvania Primaries. I think it was something like 60% of whites voted for Hillary. Then it came out that 90+% of blacks voted for Obama. But, that wasn’t racist. Why not? Come on folks, if it is racist one way, then it is just as racist the other!
Personally, I am sickened by how race has become so central in this election. That and feminism. If I don’t vote for Hillary then I am sexist, and if I don’t vote for Obama, then I am racist. Maybe it is just that I don’t agree with their politics! (Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner!) Or maybe they are just ageists for rejecting John McCain… The truth is that I would vote for a woman who I thought was qualified for the job, and race makes absolutely no difference to me. I’d be happy for Condoleezza Rice to run on the ticket! My guess is that all the libs calling for us to vote for their candidates because of race, or sex would be changing their tune in a hurry if she ran!
National Day of Silence: NOT ME!
Last Friday was the “National Day of Silence”, in which hundreds of secondary schools and colleges around the country celebrated homosexuality. That’s right, our school systems have become nothing more than a social platform for the left wing of this country. I know you already knew that, but this is just another prime example. The idea was that people in the schools would take a “vow of silence” to show solidarity with the homosexuals who have to remain silent for fear of persecution. All students were encouraged to participate.
This movement makes the error of equating speaking out against homosexuality with racism and bigotry. So, those who refused to participate in the “Day of Silence” are marked and persecuted for being “homophobic”. Isn’t that kind of against the very principle they claimed to be promoting? It is a typical liberal ploy: You can have free speech, and you can proclaim your message to the masses…as long as you agree with us.
Well, I for one, will not agree. I thought it was great that there were protests all over the country against this lunacy. Of course, it won’t make the news, as that would be against the principles of the liberal media, but it happened. There was an article in the Seattle Times that related what happened in the Mt. Si School District. It turns out that “Day of Silence” was far from silent. Ken Hutcherson, who speaks out against granting homosexuals special rights, organized a protest at the school. He and at least 100 supporters showed up to protest the activities of the Gay Straight Alliance. About 40 students tried to counter demonstrate, by trying to shout down the protesters and beating on drums. I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t seem to fit in with the whole “Day of Silence” motif. Other students blared radios with gay-favorable music and shouted at the group of protesters. Again…where does “silence” come into this?
By reading this article, you will see the difference between two mindsets. Those opposed to the “Day of Silence” proposed some activity outside of school, and school hours. The point is that such indoctrination of the lefts lack of morality is not appropriate for the school system! How can it possibly be appropriate to teach that it is ok to be a homosexual in our schools, but not ok to teach against it? It is not the school’s role to teach morality to my children at all–they are supposed to be instructing our kids in reading, writing and arithmetic.
On the other hand, those involved in this “Day of Silence” show just how much they think a political and social agenda is a part of their teaching responsibility. In fact, according to this article, one complaint from previous years was that teachers participated, thus remaining silent and NOT TEACHING!
Some teachers also chose to remain silent, drawing objections from students who said they were there to learn. Otherwise, last year’s event occurred largely without incident.
Administrators directed teachers to teach this year and said that students should respond if called upon in class.
So, the school sponsors the event, and then tells the teachers and students not to participate. Obviously, they were not as dedicated to the cause as they tried to act. But, also involved in many of the statements is the reflection that disagreement is not acceptable. Funny how the mantra of the liberal is “tolerance”, but only when you agree with them. One student carried a sign saying “I believe in the separation of church and hate.” That indicates that if you don’t agree with them, then you hate.
Judging from this school, all we see is that one whole day of school was lost. The president of the GSA called this a success. We wonder why our students can’t compete with the rest of the world. This is one reason…this totally wasted day is what is classified as “a success” by liberals. And they want to blame President Bush…
Does Senator McCain think the Democrats are going to play nice?
Senator (and presumptive Republican Presidential nominee) McCain is taking his “I’m willing to reach across the aisle” a little too far these last few days. Have you heard about the North Carolina Republican Party running the ad against the Democratic candidates for governor? In the ad, they play clips of Senator Obama’s former pastor Jeremiah Wright ranting his now infamous extremist epithets, then the ad says that the candidates have endorsed Senator Obama, who is “too extreme for North Carolina.” There is nothing in the ad that is in anyway racist towards Senator Obama, yet Senator McCain is imploring the North Carolina Republicans to pull the ad on that basis.
Senator McCain is falling hook-line-and-sinker into the trap that the Democrats have set. They want any criticism of Senator Obama to be perceived as racist, even when no such thing exists. It is a shame that the Republican candidate for President is apparently going to be unwilling to place any campaign ads that are negative of Senator Obama. Does he really think Senator Obama is going to show him the same courtesy?
To their credit, the North Carolina Republicans have refused to pull the ad, citing that the ad reflects North Carolina issues, not national issues. Senator McCain is, in my opinion, overstepping his bounds in asking them to pull the ad. It has nothing to do with him or his campaign. In addition, Rush Limbaugh made a good point on his program yesterday: If Senator McCain is allowed to portray himself as a “maverick” and do things his own way, why is it then wrong for members of his party to do the same thing? He wants to be able to do things any way he likes, but expects others in his party to fall “in line” with what he wants.
Senator McCain has been quick the last few days to protect the Democrats while degrading members of his own party. That’s more than “crossing the aisle.” That’s being a Democrat in Republican clothing. Such is what we conservatives will have to deal with, having a liberal running on the Republican ticket. If he does not wake up soon, though, we’re going to have someone much more liberal living in the White House. He needs to quit playing into the Democrats hands, and be willing to criticize Senator Obama. There is much to criticize.
I hope this election cycle will help teach Republicans to start grooming a true conservative for a Presidential run. Senator McCain is not the answer.
Global Warming: Cause of the Rich!
Today I came across an interesting article on the Newsweek Website on the subject of Global Warming, and how it it continues to not be an issue in the presidential campaigns. I have a completely different perspective of the global warming issue than does the author, Evan Thomas, which is really not surprising. I have found that I rarely agree with the authors of that magazine…it seems they must have a “liberal quiz” that you have to pass before you can write for them. Thomas takes the position that global warming is a real issue, but that most of us in the real world don’t worry about it enough.
One thing that I see in this article that is true is that this issue is really an issue of two basic groups: the mainstream media and the wealthy. I have been a bit under the weather today, and so I have watched more television than most days. The commercial breaks have been full of “Green” commercials, since it is “Earth Week”. Every major sponsor on NBC has produced a “green” commercial. Interestingly, one sponsor suggested turning off the lights. I wonder if that applies to the television set too. You know, the source of their income…
On another blog, I recently wrote about Al Gore, and his drive to combat global warming. Part of the point of that post was that he is so wealthy, it is easy for him to implement what he proposes. I would like to amend that idea to include that he is also making a fortune off of the global warming issue. Would he really be so “involved” if he wasn’t? Al Gore has become the face of the rich, who have begun trying to force the concept of global warming down our throats.
But, as this article points out, global warming is just not an issue for the masses. No matter how much the Al Gore types and the mainstream media try to force us to accept it, and make it an issue, in general it is just not resonating with the masses. In Pennsylvania, the topic was so far down the list of most of the voters that the exit pollers didn’t even ask questions about it! This issue is just not convincing to the average person. When you cannot first prove that the phenomenon takes place, and you cannot show if the phenomenon is present that humans are responsible, then how do you get the average Joe to spend his hard earned dollar to stop it? Al Gore may be able to drop several hundred thousand (million?) dollars to ease his conscience, but that is not for the average American! Besides, when we as the average Americans, see Gore refusing to follow his own proposals, how seriously are we supposed to take him? After all, he continues to fly around the world on his own private jet, when he could just as easily fly commercial!
Let’s face it, this is an issue that is being thrust upon us by the media, and by those that are wealthy enough to act like they are making a difference. I don’t know if they really think they are making a difference, or if they are just trying to draw attention to themselves and make more money off of the issue.
As I have stated in other places, I believe that we need to take care of the world that we have been blessed with. But, we need to be realistic and rational about the decisions we make. Lets not jump to faulty conclusions just to support those with the means to shout the loudest and the longest.
Christian License Plates: Separation of Church and State?
There is evidently a great debate going on in Florida over whether to allow the production of a “Christian License Plate.” The state of Florida has a ton of different specialty plates, everything from professional sports teams, to NASCAR and anti-abortion. However, the introduction of a Christian plate has raised the ire of many, including the Florida ACLU.
The problem with the state manufacturing the plate is that it “sends a message that Florida is essentially a Christian state” and, second, gives the “appearance that the state is endorsing a particular religious preference,” said Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida.
I’m just curious, but how does manufacturing this plate indicate that “Florida is essentially a Christian state”? Or how does it give the “appearance that the state is endorsing a particular religious preference”? This is simply a matter of supply and demand for the state. If there are enough people who are willing to pay for the specialty plate, then it is worth producing. If there weren’t enough interest in the product, the state wouldn’t be even discussing the possibility of producing the plates.
One lawmaker, Rep Kelly Skidmore, a proclaimed Catholic, opposed the production of the plate:
“It’s not a road I want to go down. I don’t want to see the Star of David next. I don’t want to see a Torah next. None of that stuff is appropriate to me,” said Skidmore, a Democrat who voted against the plate in committee. “I just believe that.”
This seems to get at the heart of the matter for some. They believe that to allow this plate would mean that they would have to allow plates for other religions, or organizations (some have suggested even the KKK). But this is simply not the case! There would have to first be the overwhelming support of such a plate, a demand for the product. There is obviously going to be such a demand for this license plate. If there is a demand for other religious plates, then they too can be produced. Those who are trying to equate a KKK plate with a Christian plate are simply trying to prejudice their audience. How do you compare a hate filled, borderline terrorist organization with an established, accepted religious group?
This issue is not about state sponsorship of a religion, but rather th choice of the individual to put something they believe in on their cars. The only reason that the state is involved is because of good capitalism, and the state wants to make some money. The state of Florida does not sponsor NASCAR or anti-abortion groups just because they produce the license plates. They would not be supporting Christianity by producing a Christian plate.
This is another instance of Liberalism reaching too far. The idea that there is supposed to be a complete “separation of church and state” has been taken way too far. That mythical clause in the constitution is the basis of most of this type of wrangling among our politicians. How can it possibly hurt anyone for another to have a cross on their license plate?
Now, lest I leave the wrong impression, if I lived in Florida, I would not buy this plate. My point is that to argue against it on the basis set forth is ludicrous! Supply and demand, folks, supply and demand. If the state can make money off this, more power to them.
The Pennsylvania Primaries: Hillary Victorious
Yesterday’s prediction came true. Hillary won in Pennsylvania, and won big enough to boost her already inflated ego, which is really a good thing. It looks like she will be staying in the race for the long haul now. She may even be able to convince the big wig super delegates to stay with her, and swing the nomination in her direction come September.
After winning Pennsylvania, Clinton came out with both barrels blazing. She has done everything but declare herself the winner. She won Pennsylvania, and so “the tide has turned.” She has started attacking Obama for not being able to “close the deal” in states like Pennsylvania. She obviously thinks that will look good to the fat cats who will ultimately make the decision for who the Democratic nominee will be. I think the question will really come down to how much those same fat cats owe Bill Clinton…if there is enough political capital in the coffers, then she will get the nod.
Personally, I think it is hilarious that such a big deal is being made of the fact that she has won Pennsylvania, and now she is on the upswing. It appears to me that she is still the underdog, and is still quite a bit behind Obama in the delegate race. At last count, Hillary has 1575 delegates and Obama has 1705. I think Obama is still in the lead, if I remember my basic mathematics principles correctly. He is still leading in states won, delegates won, and in the popular vote. Yes, I think this is going to be interesting coming down to September and the Democratic Convention!
Another thing that Clinton has completely ignored is the mass changing of registrations from Republican to Democrat. I know she, as well as the general media outlets, want to believe that this is because the Republicans are fed up with their leadership and have jumped ship to the other party. The local news in my area reported on it in just that way (and even had a few interviews with folks who made the claim, with sly grins on their faces). I’m sure this major shift had absolutely nothing to do with Rush Limbaugh’s “Operation Chaos” which encouraged registered Republicans to make the change. I heard on Mike Church this morning that he was encouraging the same thing, and referred to the movement as the “Talk Radio Militia.” According to an article on MSNBC (it pains me to even site them, but surely their pure statistics are accurate) since the first of the year, there have been 101,499 new applicants for Democratic registration, and 132,688 have switched to the Democratic party. Now, I am not naive enough to believe ALL of those are the result of the movement encouraged by talk radio. But, I think it is ridiculously naive for the Democrats to think that the movement is all legitimate movement of discontent (maybe bitter?) Republicans. I guess maybe we will find out in November!
The Teflon is wearing off.
I (and many others) have noticed over the last several months that Senator Obama seems to be the “Teflon” candidate. No matter what happened, nothing stuck. He got a free pass from the media on absolutely everything. He was propped up as the ‘golden’ candidate, despite having a dismally thin resume.
However, in the last few weeks, he has finally started coming under fire from even the media. The “Teflon” has apparently worn off. He has desperately tried to brush off the criticisms, but I believe many people are finally starting to see through the facade that he built.
Senator Obama is, without question, a great orator. He sounds fantastic when he delivers a speech. But what has he really said in those speeches? I haven’t personally heard much of a plan for America, plans for the economy, plans for Iraq. The only constant in his speeches is “change.” He’s going to “change” Washington, “change” America, and “change” politics. He delivers this speech to great fanfare, but never seems to explain what he means by “change.”
He has tried to paint himself as a different kind of politician, one who is above the fray of everyday “down and dirty” politics. But in recent weeks as he has come under fire for his dubious associations, his reaction has been that of the quintessential politician. He wants to brush off his relationships with less-than-stellar companions as “unimportant” to the American people, and, in my opinion, whine about actually being asked a serious question in a debate. Is someone who whines when confronted with a serious question actually qualified to “answer that phone at 3 a.m.”?
First, does it not seem arrogant to say in a speech following the last debate that it ‘took 45 minutes to get to anything that Americans are concerned about’, when the first 45 minutes concerned questions about his relationships with a racist pastor and a domestic terrorist? He even went so far as to say that he thought Americans were “smarter” than to think that his relationships with those folks would affect his own thinking, the inference apparently being that if you did think it might affect him, then you weren’t “smart”. I personally am very concerned that the man who would be President has a “friendly” relationship with a man who admittedly wishes he had done more in his domestic terrorism days.
And then there was the infamous gaffe about discontented Americans clinging to their guns and religion. He has tried to explain that away, but this also seems to be sticking.
My hope is that the last few weeks will show people that Senator Obama is fully unprepared to be President, that there is nothing on his resume that qualifies him, and that he is no different than any other politician. The fact that he sounds better doesn’t necessarily mean he has anything of substance to say.
The Shootout in Pennsylvania
Well, it may all come down to today. The big showdown is coming to a head today in the great state of Pennsylvania. Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama have been slugging it out for the last several weeks with the prize of 158 delegates on the line. This is not a “winner take all” state, so they will be dividing those delegates up between the camps.
Hillary is going to need to win big to really have a chance in this election. However, I predict that she will win with a significant margin, at least enough to keep her in the race. Rush Limbaugh has been pretty successful (it seems) with “Operation Chaos”, which has encouraged Republicans to change their registration to “Democrat” just to be able to vote in the Democratic primary. The whole point was to cause the infighting of the Democratic party to continue for as long as possible, and in the end to hand the nomination to Hillary. The belief is that Barak is the stronger candidate (because he has been propped up as such, not because of anything that he has actually accomplished), so Republicans want Hillary in the general election. It will certainly be interesting to see what might happen with this vital primary today.
There is a good chance that both Clinton and Obama will be in this race until late into the summer. They will probably both stay in until the Democratic Convention. Clinton’s best chance may be to hang on until then, and then steal the nomination through the Super Delegates. It is interesting to me that there are no rules at the Democratic Convention that required won delegates to actually vote for their candidate. Clinton has been taking advantage of that point to try and convince some delegates to vote for her at convention, even though the districts they represent were won by Obama.
There are certainly a lot of variables still in play on the Democratic side of this election. If Clinton draws closer through the primary today, then she will redouble her efforts to seat the delegates from Michigan and Florida (even though she agreed to exclude them because of their heinous crime of moving up the date of their primaries). It certainly looks like those two states could have a great impact on the final outcome of the election. I think I may enjoy sitting back and watching Barak and Hillary duke it out for the next few months. Who knows, this may last until September 5th and the Democratic Convention. With enough fighting among themselves, even the Democrats may be sick of them both by the time the general election rolls around!
