Archive for the ‘General Commentary’ Category
"Global Warming" Debate Should Be Resolved by Congress, not the Supreme Court
WASHINGTON–On Wednesday, the Supreme Court will hear oral argument in Massachusetts v. EPA. Filed by a group of states and environmental groups, the case asks the justices to decide whether the Environmental Protection Agency must regulate American car makers' contributions to "global warming."
Cato scholars have filed two amicus briefs on the EPA's behalf, one addressing the scientific claims of global warming alarmists and the other addressing the legal questions in the case. The first, science-oriented brief, authored by Cato senior fellow Patrick J. Michaels and filed by the Competitive Enterprise Institute, questions the notion that global warming will exert a net negative impact on human health and welfare.
by Jeff Lukens
Thanksgiving is a chance to gather with loved ones and share in a time-honored American tradition. For some, it is an excuse to stuff themselves with turkey and football. For others, it is a special time of "giving thanks" for blessings in their lives.
One may ask, "thanks to whom?" Well, thanks to God, of course. Never before has the question been difficult to answer. Perhaps we should consider that America's blessings of prosperity, freedom, justice, peace and opportunity. They are gifts from a mighty and gracious God. These days, however, the preeminence of God may look more like a matter of opinion.
Clearly, this was not the Pilgrims' view. They had come to this land in 1620, not to escape God, but to find Him in His fullness. They bowed their heads in acknowledgment of His power and grace. To them, He was the one and only truth.
In front of them was a desolate wilderness in a harsh Massachusetts winter. Behind them was a vast ocean that separated them from the rest of civilization.
Before starting their new lives, they made a covenant with God written in the Mayflower Compact. They had come to form a colony for the "glory of God." In return, they would receive His protection and blessings in this new land. That bond, of their faithfulness and His blessings, would be the key to their survival.
by Erik Rush
It will all be over shortly, for better or worse; many agree that the midterm election of 2006 is (or was, if you're reading this after 11/7/06) perhaps more significant than will be the general election of 2008. It has been the ugliest, most calumny-ridden election season I've ever seen, for reasons that are apparent to some and not so apparent to others.
As my friend and colleague Marie Jon' put it the other day (and I'm paraphrasing), "The GOP may not be perfect, but the Democrat Party is subversive and evil." I think I would amend that to "the Democrat Party is subversive and is serving evil." I've attempted to clarify on several occasions that this corruption is largely focused within the national Democrat Party leadership (as opposed to some silly blanket indictment of all Democrats as serving evil); this has gone largely ignored by those who choose to manufacture their own reality – or just enjoy writing profanity-laced hate mail.
A great deal of the diatribe that's ensued has centered around the War on Terror (or WWIII, if you prefer), particularly the Bush Administration's handling of the Iraq campaign. It is in this area I've heard most of the blatant lies and fearmongering during the election campaign. Certainly recent and past scandals involving irresponsible Republican leaders and RINO (Republican In Name Only) politicians haven't helped.
I'm no historian, but I imagine it's possible that just prior to Philip II of Macedon's defeat of Athenian forces in 338 BC, there were factions in Athens who were busily casting blame as to how the other (or others) had potentially doomed them to Macedonian conquest. The Old Testament is replete with similar stories (some involving prophets) of those who attempted to provide sober advice to Jewish kings whilst various factions indulged in promoting falsehood, engaged in vainglory – and elected to worship these strange carved poles for some obscure reason.
By Alan Caruba
When the President decided to bring about regime change in Iraq, I thought it was a good idea. Saddam Hussein was among one of the world’s worst dictators, widely credited with slaughtering large numbers of Iraqis and using chemical warfare against both the Kurds of northern Iraq and during his eight-year war in the 1980s against Iran.
However, I couldn’t shake the notion that his animus toward Saddam was personal. His father, Bush41, had been the object of a thwarted assassination attempt attributed to Saddam, and had lost his bid for a second term despite the successful execution of the first war to drive the Iraqis out of Kuwait.
Bush came into office with a promise to cut taxes and then 9/11 completely altered whatever other plans he had. What followed was a brief, successful incursion into Afghanistan to drive out the Taliban, but it was a war largely fought by local warlords whose assistance was purchased with gobs of money and by the application of American air warfare. The result, however, is that the Taliban are back. I doubt anyone wants to take any bets on how long the Bush-backed government in Kabul will last.
In retrospect, one is forced to ask if democracy, American-style, can be implemented in places where there never has been any true democracy? It’s a question I should have asked myself back then.
Within a year of the Iraq war’s inception, some warnings regarding its prosecution were being issued, but few were listening. In January 2004 the Army War College issued a report that criticized the Bush administration’s global war on terrorism as “unfocused.” Its author, Jeffrey Record, said that the war in Iraq was “unnecessary” and “a detour” that diverted attention and resources from the threat posed by al Qaeda.
After the decisive victory of Democrats nationwide as well as here in Massachusetts, conservative columnist Bob Parks will hold a press conference, announcing his candidacy for Chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party Wednesday, November 15 at 1pm, in front of the state party headquarters, 85 Merrimac Street in Boston.
"To say it's time for change is an understatement. Our state party needs to show leadership and help all candidates, not just the one running for the corner office."
Mr. Parks, a native Bostonian, is a well-read columnist whose writings can be found on his website, Black & Right. In addition to writing his own radio commentary; Mr. Parks produces his own television program that airs in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and California. He has appeared as a guest on talk radio programs nationwide, as well as on CNN and C-SPAN. Mr. Parks was also campaign manager for Steve Adam (Congress, MA District 1), as well as a state representative candidate himself. (2nd Franklin District).
Bob studied journalism at Suffolk University, graphic design at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. He worked in the Boston Symphony Orchestra press office, and after leaving the Navy, worked for the Fox Broadcasting Company in Hollywood as a graphic artist. Bob became a columnist in 2002 writing for Men's News Daily, and his columns were quickly picked up by American Daily, Chronwatch.com, The New Media Journal, Accuracy In Media, Republican Voices, along with a number of other Websites.
While serving onboard the carrier USS Midway, Mr. Parks was awarded two Navy-wide Chief of Information awards, and his television program "Black & Right" was awarded two Northeast regional cable access awards.
In a recent interview, Mr. Parks was asked about former Massachusetts Republican Governor William Weld’s statement "I think that our party, in political terms, is largely irrelevant." Bob's responded, "It was good enough to get him elected! Without a relevant Massachusetts Republican Party, there would be no Governor William Weld."
While the Party is still relevant, Bob Parks is in the process of amassing a motivated, seasoned staff here in Massachusetts, as well as some of the top minds in Washington, D.C. All of which will help ensure that the Massachusetts Republican Party and its candidates become more competitive in the future.
For additional information, please contact the New Mass GOP: editor@newmassgop.com
By Alan Caruba
It’s always hard to pinpoint when a historic shift takes place. It is rarely as easy as Martin Luther’s posting of his 95 thesis that launched the Reformation and loosed the grip of the Catholic Church on the governance of Europe or when Henry VIII pushed Rome out of England to create the Anglican Church.
When, however, did the tiny Muslim community in America, estimated to be between two and three million—by contrast there are some six million Jews in America—begin to assert its takeover? I am going to mark it from October 19, 2006 when the Star-Ledger, New Jersey’s largest circulation daily, ran an article, “She’s got it covered: Designer seeks to dress the style-conscious Muslim woman” in its feature news section.
“Many Muslim women wear hijab as an expression of the Islamic tradition of modesty,” noted the article about a 27-year old American Muslim fashion designer. Born to a Jewish mother and a Catholic father, she had converted to Islam as a student at New York University after she married her husband, a Muslim.
When the media begin to find ways to offer up a positive image of Islam, you know they have probably decided that the game is over and we in the West have lost. The American media is expert at showing the white flag of surrender. They have been trumpeting the end of the world for decades now.
Wrong about the Soviet Union right up to the day it imploded. Wrong about the predictions that the Earth could not sustain six billion people. Wrong about the availability of mineral and energy resources. Wrong about global warming. Wrong about cutting taxes. Wrong about the current excellent state of the U.S. economy.
And now the surrender-addicts are ready, like our European cousins, to concede that Western civilization should just roll over and give up in the face of the worldwide Islamic jihad.
Europeans stopped attending Europe’s churches and stopped having enough babies to replace themselves in favor of creating totally unsustainable welfare states. Instead, they imported millions Muslims to do the work they became too old or too lazy to do themselves.
The United States, too, has created a cradle-to-grave socialist system that is going broke at an alarming rate even while the economy is thriving. The Bush administration is conspiring with Canada and Mexico to erase our national borders in order to create a North American Union that will throw our national sovereignty down the rat-hole of a vast bureaucracy that will not have to be responsive to those awful American voters.
Father God:
You are truth. And you have called us as journalists to a profoundly important task. To tell the truth. But to do that, we must find it.
And as we pursue it, it comes in many parts. One group tells us one thing. Another, just the opposite, another something else. Give us the wisdom and understanding and skill to know which parts are true… and then to put the right parts together in the right order.
As we do our jobs, we are often manipulated, misled, managed and maligned. May we not be discouraged. Gift us with patience, guide us with common sense, guard us from pessimism.
Help us to be a voice for the voiceless… To be skeptical but never cynical… Righteously angry at the wrongs we expose, but never revengeful.
Keep our hearts from despair and give us the courage and steadfastness to go to places and ask the questions and shine the light that our readers and viewers need to make sense of this all-too-fallen world.
Keep us safe from harm as we do our jobs. But may we also realize that in doing our jobs, we often cause harm. Make us humbly aware of the power of words and pictures and help us to choose them carefully, always seeking to minimize harm, never exploiting the facts, slanting the story or preconceiving our prejudices to push a personal agenda.
May we admit and correct our mistakes promptly, learning from them.
But O God, may we especially realize that all news is not bad news. That love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control – what your word calls the fruit of your sprit – are all around us and part of the Good News we are also responsible to tell.
May our reports inform, not inflame.
May they encourage not discourage.
May we be sensitive instead of sensationalistic… Reflect reason not ridicule… Be balanced not bitter.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 11 /Standard Newswire/ — The following text is of remarks by President Bush on Veterans Day:
Arlington National Cemetery
11:39 A.M. EST
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you. Thanks for coming. Secretary Nicholson, thank you for your kind words and for your leadership. Members of the Cabinet, Members of Congress, members of the United State military, all veterans, all volunteers who have sworn to uphold the security of the United States, I thank your families for being here and I thank our veterans. I am proud to join you on this day of honor.
On this day, in this month, at this hour, our nation remembers the moment when the guns of World War I went silent — and we recognize the service and the sacrifice of our nation’s veterans. From Valley Forge to Vietnam, from Kuwait to Kandahar, from Berlin to Baghdad, our veterans have borne the costs of America’s wars — and they have stood watch over America’s peace. The American people are grateful to the veterans and all who have fought for our freedom.
Since the presidency of Abraham Lincoln, the National Cemetery has reminded our citizens of the cost of liberty. The simple white markers testify to honor fulfilled and duty served. Most of these markers stand over graves of Americans who came home to enjoy the peace they earned. Too many stand over the graves of those who gave their lives to protect that peace. This day is dedicated to all who answered the call to service — whether they live in honor among us, or sleep in valor beneath this sacred ground.
by Average Joe Boomer
Watching the Towers Fall and Moving Beyond Stuck-On-Stupid!
Watching the twin towers of the World Trade Center come down, live on TV, had a profound affect on many Americans including this baby boomer. Probably due to age, serious motivation to join the Ohio Army Reserve did not develop, however, until 2004 when I was fifty years old. It was not only our enemies who influenced my attempt to join up; it was the mindsets of some of my closest loved ones. Those mindsets appear to be mental blocks that obstruct logic.
This obstruction of logic caused an acute affliction of angst in me until it seemed that only joining our volunteer forces would position me around clear thinkers, to keep me out of the insane asylum. Hopes were for nothing drastic, just going to serve as a slightly arthritic operations guy on a desk somewhere. Unfortunately, age already restricts me from serving as a first time member of our military. Hopefully world events will not degrade to the point that the Army needs to include my age group or skill level, but I was disappointed. Eventually motivation overcame disappointment and this is how it happened. It was not easy because I was stuck on stupid, for a while.
Years of stressful dialog with loved ones who cling to mental blocks about projecting US military power and about George W. Bush, had all ended in failure. My relentless efforts to present common sense, logical conclusions based upon facts from many sources had all failed. Beloved friends and family members were content with their mental blocks. Failure in my efforts finally became undeniable and had to be accepted as the truth.
After a year-long study, the federally funded Commission on the Future of Higher Education reported that U.S. colleges are not giving students “the education that they need.” Pointing to “disturbing signs,” the panel concluded that even though degrees are being awarded, many graduates “have not actually mastered the reading, writing and thinking skills” they should have gained. As can be expected, the report urged wider access to federal grants for those who want to spend four years earning an increasingly suspect degree.
Our colleges are suffering form the same malady as all of our public schools, the dumbing down of the students. This is all because of the government intrusion in operating our school systems. Parents or students no longer have any opportunity for input and are helpless to change the curriculum.
It is no wonder that many graduating students are unable to balance a checking account.