tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312053142024-03-13T15:55:57.314-05:00ScholarPolitics, History, Religion, Science, Art, Music, Languages, Books, Mathematics, etc.
<p><i>"Beholding the bright countenance of truth in the quiet and still air of delightful studies."</i> (John Milton 1608-1674)</p>Mary Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857047574888092479noreply@blogger.comBlogger213125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31205314.post-78413349830174696852009-11-25T11:33:00.002-06:002009-11-25T11:33:52.246-06:00Happy Thanksgiving Day!I hope all of you will have a very happy Thanksgiving with all your family and friends!Mary Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857047574888092479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31205314.post-3480382068102438262009-09-22T12:12:00.001-05:002009-09-22T12:12:57.292-05:00Sand Art Video<span style="font-size:130%;">At the link below, you will find a video showing sand art, created as you watch, with a short explanatory article. The video runs about 8 1/2 minutes--well worth your time.<br /><br />"</span><a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2009/09/art_for_arts_sake_memory_for_t.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Art for art's sake--Memory for the sake of memory</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">"</span>Mary Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857047574888092479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31205314.post-49269370902284934122009-08-08T10:35:00.002-05:002009-08-08T11:02:21.825-05:00What a Difference an Idealogy MakesLately the left has been accusing the right of all kinds of misbehavior at townhall meetings held by Congress members in their districts. Truth is, the right, while a bit noisy, is far more well-behaved than the left.<br /><br />Pamela Geller at <a href="http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/"><em>Atlas Shrugs</em> </a>and Michelle Malkin at <a href="http://michellemalkin.com/"><em>Michelle Malkin</em> </a>have posted some comparisons and I place the links below for your edification.<br /><br /><a href="http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/08/pelosis-leftist-lies-and-the-pimps-that-spread-them.html">http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/08/pelosis-leftist-lies-and-the-pimps-that-spread-them.html</a><br /><br /><a href="http://michellemalkin.com/2009/08/04/this-is-what-mob-rule-looks-like/">http://michellemalkin.com/2009/08/04/this-is-what-mob-rule-looks-like/</a><br /><br />And what about the beating in St. Louis that sent the victim to the hospital? That was leftists beating up a black conservative man. <br /><br />If it was up to me, the townhalls would be much quieter because it is hard to hear what anyone says if a lot of people are yelling. I would rather see the conservatives asking pointed questions and making their comments one at a time into a microphone. Save the chants and yelling for the end if the Congressperson won't listen. However, a little well-behaved noise and signs making valid points are hardly mob mentality, nor are these people bussed in by insurance companies or the Republican National Committee. These are individuals who take themselves to these meetings, sometimes having to take off work to do it. These are individuals who are fed up with Obama and the Dems taking away our freedom and spending us into oblivion. They are also fed up with Obama's so-called foreign policy which consists of apologizing for America, making nice with our enemies, and betraying our friends. <br /><br />It is the leftists who bus in groups and engage in mobbish thuggery. Then they project their own tactics onto peace-loving conservatives who are doing nothing worse than insisting that Congress represent their constituents accurately and remember that they work for us and not the other way around. That goes for President Obama and his czars and cabinet and everyone else he has surrounded himself with.<br /><br />And what's up with the White House wanting American citizens to inform on one another? <br /><br /><a href="http://michellemalkin.com/2009/08/07/whos-behind-the-internet-snitch-brigade/">http://michellemalkin.com/2009/08/07/whos-behind-the-internet-snitch-brigade/</a><br /><br />America is a great country and many people recognize that it is past time to stop the politicians from wrecking it.Mary Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857047574888092479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31205314.post-24817022168817552862009-07-30T13:51:00.002-05:002009-07-30T14:06:04.568-05:00Uses of LanguageAt the <a href="http://www.hoover.org/">Hoover Institution </a>website is an article about George Orwell, his use of language, and why the preservation and use of the English language is important. The article is titled "<a href="http://www.hoover.org/publications/policyreview/46506232.html">Orwell's Instructive Errors</a>" and was written by Liam Julian.<br /><br />The article discusses what Orwell had to say in his essays about the use of language and also how Orwell himself used language in some of his writings. One of the essays referred to is "<a href="http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/orwell46.htm">Politics and the English Language</a>".<br /><br />These two pieces are of interest for political reasons, but also for the use of both readers and writers.<br /><br />I don't agree with everything Liam Julian said. For example, in the following paragraph he seems to think right-wing extremists are the same as conservatives, which is assuredly not true.<br /><blockquote>It is, certainly, not only denizens of the left who theorize and euphemize their way out of inconvenient situations. The staunchest apologists for the worst elements of British Empire were conservatives, and now, as in Orwell’s time, it is conservatives who lean most heavily on theory to explain away indigence and squalor as inevitable in a free society and thereby rid themselves of responsibility to alleviate the burdens of the impoverished. Certainly America’s foremost racists are found on the right, and they have all sorts of theories. And yet such justifications — whether of racism, imperialism, neglect of the poor, or even creationism — currently have but parochial appeal. The left is in power now, and so it is that today’s most influential and worrisome euphemizing comes from the left. </blockquote>Regarding racism in particular, it is people like Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and, yes, Barack and Michelle Obama who keep racism most alive in America. They are not found on the right in America. Nonetheless, the article has some interesting things to say about the uses of language.Mary Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857047574888092479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31205314.post-55684046772193781042009-07-30T12:41:00.003-05:002009-07-30T12:44:49.258-05:00Classical MusicSome thoughts about classical music and why it has lasted are linked at <em><a href="http://www.aldaily.com/">Arts & Letters Daily</a></em>. The article is called "<a href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/0d850256-4bdf-11de-b827-00144feabdc0.html">Is Classical Music Trying to be Fashionable</a>?" by Andrew Clark.Mary Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857047574888092479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31205314.post-63238725314479029022009-07-28T10:06:00.004-05:002009-07-28T11:54:40.341-05:00Healthcare LegislationFortunately, it appears that the healthcare bills in the House and Senate will not be voted on before Congress' August recess. I hope that voters all over the country will try to learn as much as they can about said bills. I am posting a few links that can help you and if you want to suggest a link in the comments, please feel free to do so.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.tysknews.com/News/HR3200_lead.html">A link to the House bill (HR 3200) and a list of some of the provisions</a> There is also a link to help you contact national reps about this bill.<br /><br />"<a href="http://www.nypost.com/seven/07232009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/trying_to_talk_around_the_facts_180857.htm?page=0">Trying to Talk Around the Facts</a>"<br /><br />"<a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2009/07/what_to_ask_your_congressperso.html">What to Ask Your Congressperson About Obamacare (First in a Series)" </a>Some questions to think about<br /><br />"<a href="http://keithhennessey.com/2009/07/28/cbo-calls-tko/">CBO calls a TKO on the House health bill</a>" includes charts and graphs<br /><br />"<a href="http://factsnotfantasy.blogspot.com/2009/07/your-easy-guide-to-democrat-health.html">Your Easy Guide to Democrat Health Reform</a>" includes a chart of the bureacracy involved (the following article refers to this chart: "<a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/07/23/gop-charges-dems-censorship-sign/">GOP Charges Dems With Censorship Over Sign</a>" )<br /><br />That is just a small bit of what's available out there. I would also suggest that you pressure your congresspeople to read each bill completely before passing it. They have no business passing anything that they aren't familiar with.Mary Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857047574888092479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31205314.post-87467064368603220952009-07-03T13:04:00.000-05:002009-07-03T13:05:20.629-05:00From the Archives: The Fourth of JulyA happy 4th of July to you. This is America's Independence Day. Think of your freedoms and what it cost to obtain them.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.history.com/"><em>The History Channel</em> </a>has a nice summary of the events surrounding our gaining our freedom. The article is here: "<a href="http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=VideoArticle&id=6948">U.S. Declares Independence</a>".<br /><br />Another interesting article by George Will can be found at <em><a href="http://www.townhall.com/">Townhall</a></em>. It is called "<a href="http://www.townhall.com/columnists/GeorgeWill/2008/07/04/the_valuable_self-validating_tradition?page=full&comments=true">The Valuable Self-Validating Tradition</a>". <br /><br />Enjoy the reading and enjoy the Fourth. Think about what it all means for us.Mary Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857047574888092479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31205314.post-89064354544200642332009-06-20T10:17:00.003-05:002009-06-20T16:35:45.230-05:00The Trouble in Iran (Updated)The clashes in Iran have already started today, after the Ayatollah's speech yesterday warning against any more street protests. The Iranian people have apparently had enough and will not give up. Good for them! Obama has at least released a statement supporting the Iranian protesters, although it could have been stronger. Every little bit helps. Paul Kengor writes about how President Reagan handled this sort of thing <a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/06/freedom_fighters_and_the_ameri.html">here</a>.<br /><br />In my last blog post I wrote that I would be refraining from links, but that isn't always a practical thing to do. You can find information on the Iranian protests in many news outlets, but I would like to point out some that I think have good up-to-date coverage. One is <em><a href="http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/">Gateway Pundit</a></em>, a blog that includes reports, photos, and videos. Two more are <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/"><em>The Guardian</em> </a>and <em><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/">Telegraph</a></em> in Britain.<br /><br />I wouldn't say that Mir Hossein Mousavi is the ideal opposition leader. In the past, he has proven not much different from Ahmadinejad. He only got on the ballot because he was approved by the Guardian Council. Still, there is hope that he may go with the persistant rebellion by the people and can and will make needed changes. See <a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/michaelledeen/2009/06/17/so-now-whats-going-on-in-iran/">here</a>. See "<a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/cracks-begin-to-show-in-the-iranian-regime/">Cracks Begin to Show in the Iranian Regime</a>" by Ryan Mauro.<br /><br />There is a lot at stake and I wish the Iranian people success in their rebellion against tyranny.<br /><br />Updated to Add: Michelle Malkin has <a href="http://michellemalkin.com/2009/06/20/saturday-in-iran/">a blog post </a>up with links to a twitter page and updates elsewhere.Mary Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857047574888092479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31205314.post-24832881458819990302009-05-30T10:09:00.005-05:002009-05-30T10:37:15.526-05:00Poly Ticks(Hat tip to JR for the punny title to my post!)<br /><br />The last time I wrote a post, I had this blog briefly shut down because some sort of robot thing pegged it as a spam blog since I had so many links including several to the same site. I asked the powers that be to review. They did and promptly released my blog from blog jail. No harm, no foul.<br /><br />Actually, that probably was a good thing to happen because I knew I was overusing links. What I was trying to do, of course, was document my ideas and facts and also link you to articles explaining the viewpoint better than I could. Now I think what I will attempt is to explain myself without resort to links. The links in my sidebar are frequent sources for me, but you can always ask me about anything you read here.<br /><br />My big thing this week is the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. She has made racist and sexist statements (that a Latina woman would probably make better decisions in court than a white male who hasn't had the rich experiences she would have had). If a white male had said the opposite, he would have been hung out to dry, so I do not see any reason to let her off the hook for such ideas. She has also said that judges make policy. Judges are to do nothing but uphold the law by applying it to the cases before them in a fair and impartial manner.<br /><br />There are also problems with her gun control opinions and her recent ruling in <em>Ricci v. DeStefano</em> against the firefighters whose promotion test results were thrown out solely because of the race of those who passed (all white except for 1 Hispanic). She also has a very high percentage (60%) of her rulings overturned. That can't be good.<br /><br />I could list several other difficulties with her nomination, but those are the most important ones I've come across so far.<br /><br />The oath a Supreme Court Justice must take is as follows: 'I, (name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me as (title) under the Constitution and laws of the United States. So help me God.'<br /><br />Somehow, I believe that Sonia Sotomayor is incapable of being true to that oath.Mary Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857047574888092479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31205314.post-23051487876344689052009-05-15T11:27:00.002-05:002009-05-15T11:55:16.041-05:00Some of the Issues America Faces"<a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/05/liberal_fantasyland.html">Liberal Fantasyland</a>" by Randall Hoven<br /><br />"<a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/victordavishanson/929/">Cracks in the Facade</a>" by Victor Davis Hanson<br /><br />"<a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-next-europe-trip-will-obama-apologize-for-wwii/">The Next Europe Trip: Will Obama Apologize for WWII</a>?" by John Rosenthal<br /><br />"<a href="http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=31871">Obama's 'Public' Health Plan Will Bankrupt the Nation</a>" by Lawrence Kudlow<br /><br />"<a href="http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/sowell050509.php3">'Empathy' Versus Law</a>" by Thomas Sowell (<a href="http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/sowell050609.php3">Part 2</a>, <a href="http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/sowell050709.php3">Part 3</a>, <a href="http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/sowell050809.php3">Part 4</a>)<br /><br />There are, of course, many additional issues. We all need to get serious about informing ourselves and thinking things through. If we don't, we will lose America as we know it.Mary Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857047574888092479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31205314.post-13847471421699262872009-05-14T09:56:00.003-05:002009-05-14T10:38:53.832-05:00ExplanationsConservatives have a hard time being understood, or so it seems. Last September, Lisa Fabrizio at <a href="http://spectator.org/"><em>American Spectator</em> </a>made an effort at "<a href="http://spectator.org/archives/2008/09/24/explaining-ourselves">Explaining Ourselves</a>". Give it a read and see what you think. <br /><br />Other articles at <em>American Spectator</em> that might interest you are:<br /><br />"<a href="http://spectator.org/archives/2009/05/06/shine-the-light">Shine the Light</a>" by Lisa Fabrizio<br /><br />"<a href="http://spectator.org/archives/2008/08/06/understanding-american-politic">Understanding American Politics</a>" by Peter FerraraMary Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857047574888092479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31205314.post-16539696013231736282009-04-28T07:32:00.004-05:002009-04-28T09:18:04.380-05:00An Assortment of Things to ConsiderWith so much going on in our world today, it is hard to focus on any one thing. We do our best to keep track, but we can feel that things are spinning out of control. I have gathered a few articles that may let you think a little more deeply about some of today's concerns.<br /><br />"<a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/04/offshore_oil_drilling_an_envir.html">Offshore Oil Drilling: An Environmental Bonanza</a>" by Humberto Fontova<br /><br />"<a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/04/why_the_law_is_foreign_to_gins.html">Why the Law is Foreign to Ginsburg</a>" by Selwyn Duke<br /><br />"<a href="http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZWZkMGM0M2JjNmY5N2RjNjBkMTBlNzFlMjI4N2NkOGE=">Koh Fails the Democracy Test</a>" by John Fonte<br /><br />"<a href="http://www.jewishworldreview.com/0409/prager042809.php3">Nine Questions the Left Needs to Answer About Torture</a>" by Dennis Prager<br /><br />"<a href="http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/sowell042809.php3">Survival Optional</a>" by Thomas Sowell<br /><br />"<a href="http://spectator.org/archives/2009/04/28/soros-show-trials">Soros Show Trials</a>" by Matthew Vadum<br /><br />"<a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124044375842145565.html">Presidential Poison</a>" from the <em>Wall Street Journal</em> opinion page<br /><br />Those articles cover a range of issues, yet don't touch on them all. You can read one viewpoint in the mainstream media (see "<a href="http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=31622">Media Sharks No More</a>" by Jed Babbin), but you may not be aware that there are other ways of looking at these issues, and what I try to do is let you be aware of those other ways.Mary Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857047574888092479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31205314.post-86147854930315144822009-04-27T15:11:00.002-05:002009-04-27T16:23:51.760-05:00More Political StuffYesterday's post about the torture memos and "truth commissions" and all have me thinking about the issue. I ran across two other columns today that give more to consider. See what you think. <br /><br />"<a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/conservatives-torn-on-interrogation-truth-commission/">Conservatives Torn on Interrogation 'Truth Commission'</a>" by Jennifer Rubin at <em><a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/">Pajamas Media</a></em><br /><em></em><br />"<a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/04/the_torture_controversy.html">The Torture Controversy</a>" by Rob Miller at <em><a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/">American Thinker</a></em><br /><em></em><br />Both bring out some of the consequences that having such 'truth commissions' and trials would set for our country.<br /><br />On a much more cheerful note, indulge in some daydreaming about what it might be like if Texas seceded from the Union with this <a href="http://capitolhillcoffeehouse.com/"><em>Capitol Hill Coffee House</em> </a>column by Richard Geno titled "<a href="http://capitolhillcoffeehouse.com/more.php?id=7196_0_1_0_M">Texas Does Not Have Enough Land</a>".Mary Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857047574888092479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31205314.post-11078349351814462342009-04-25T13:57:00.003-05:002009-04-26T09:11:21.636-05:00The Torture Issue (Updated)Torture is a touchy subject. Few people can tolerate even the discussion of such a topic. I know that I don't like to think about it or read about it, not even in fiction. It has come to the forefront lately, particularly since President Obama felt the need to release Bush administration memos about torture. I don't know what his motives were, although I suspect it has a lot to do with appeasing his leftist followers from his continuation of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, or perhaps it is an effort to distract the public from the economic issues here at home. Be that as it may, there is talk of creating a "truth commission" to look into the torture issue.<br /><br />I ran across an interesting piece at <a href="http://www.weeklystandard.com/"><em>Weekly Standard</em> </a>titled "<a href="http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/016/422ggyuo.asp">Telling the Truth</a>" by Noemie Emery. It is a very thought-provoking article and will give you a new perspective on this issue.<br /><br /><strong><em>Updated to add:</em></strong> This link is to a video of Norah O'Donnell interviewing Liz Cheney (daughter of the former Vice President), former assistant deputy Secretary of State, regarding torture and the memos. It is worth watching. It runs 8:36. <a href="http://www.redstate.com/moe_lane/2009/04/25/liz-cheney-breaks-nora-odonnell-on-torture-discussion/">http://www.redstate.com/moe_lane/2009/04/25/liz-cheney-breaks-nora-odonnell-on-torture-discussion/</a>Mary Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857047574888092479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31205314.post-83583382802849365922009-04-24T13:42:00.002-05:002009-04-24T13:50:47.557-05:00Global Warming and Mainstream MediaHere are two very important links regarding global warming and Al Gore.<br /><br />"<a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2009/04/house_democrats_shield_gore_fr.html">House Democrats shield Gore from debate on warming (Updated)" </a>by Thomas Lifson<br /><br />"<a href="http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=31584">10 Questions for Al Gore</a>" by Steven Milloy<br /><br />Why don't we hear about these things from the Mainstream Media? Perhaps the following video gives us a clue. <br /><br />"<a href="http://www.thefoxnation.com/politics/2009/04/23/fox-nation-exclusive-ge-ceo-confronted-shareholder-meeting">Updated Exclusive! Entire GE CEO Confrontation</a>"Mary Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857047574888092479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31205314.post-81970390090457355502009-04-24T10:15:00.003-05:002009-04-24T10:25:15.637-05:00Margaret Sanger a Feminist Heroine?!Some feminists say that Margaret Sanger is a feminist heroine, an early feminist icon. I have to wonder if they are familiar with <em>all</em> of Sanger's ideas. If they are, I have to wonder about their own values.<br /><br />"<a href="http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=M2Q5NjA0ZmIzYmQ5Y2RjMmNhMmMyYTI4ODA0Y2E1ZmQ=">Mrs. Clinton Can’t Defend Patron Saint of Planned Parenthood</a>" by Mona Charen (at <em><a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/">National Review Online</a></em>)<br /><br />Ms. Charen writes:<br /><br /><br /><blockquote>Mrs. Sanger was certainly a birth-control pioneer. But when you examine the totality of Mrs. Sanger’s views, you’d think modern feminists would blanch — at least a little. Margaret Sanger was a most thoroughgoing racist. “Eugenics,” she wrote, “is the most adequate and thorough avenue to the solution of racial, political, and social problems.” </blockquote>She also writes:<br /><br /><blockquote>Representative Smith asked Secretary Clinton to respond to Mrs. Sanger’s views about the “deterioration in the human stock” and “the perpetuation of defectives, delinquents, and dependents.” As Goldberg has observed, conservatives are always asked to “own” their intellectual forebears and to disavow that which requires disavowal. Yet liberals skate by without having to distance themselves from the dreadful opinions and writings of their heroes and heroines.</blockquote>We would all do well to consider the whole person before we hold anyone up as a role model--a hero or heroine.Mary Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857047574888092479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31205314.post-22365460471016784232009-04-23T16:35:00.004-05:002009-04-23T16:57:01.168-05:00Obama's World TourMy apologies for being such a slacker on blogging. I've had a lot going on, but I will try to post more often.<br /><br />President Barack Obama has recently been on several overseas trips, meeting with foreign leaders at various summits. I suspect that too many in America don't realize the import of what Obama has been saying and doing. Two articles at <a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/"><em>American Thinker</em> </a>will give you some food for thought about the seriousness of it all.<br /><br />"<a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/04/american_imperialism_obama_sty.html">American Imperialism, Obama Style</a>" by James Lewis<br /><br />"<a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/04/hillary_at_the_latin_american.html">Hillary at the Latin American Summit</a>" by Humberto Fontova<br /><br />The last thing we need is to have our President and our Secretary of State giving legitimacy to such foreign leaders as Castro, Chavez, Ortega, and others. We should not be supporting such governments that are cruel to their own people. In addition, we do not need to be showing such weakness to the world. We encourage cruel oppression by doing so. We also should not be throwing our allies, such as Israel, Britain, Poland, and Columbia, under the bus. Today's foreign policy is in serious trouble because of the actions of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton and others like them in Congress and elsewhere. Actions have consequences.<br /><br />Think about it.Mary Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857047574888092479noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31205314.post-54654250600574358012009-03-15T11:03:00.004-05:002009-03-15T12:01:00.521-05:00Climate Change NewsThis past week, <a href="http://www.heartland.org/">The Heartland Institute </a>sponsored the <a href="http://www.heartland.org/events/NewYork09/proceedings.html">2009 International Conference on Climate Change</a> in New York City. <a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/"><em>American Thinker</em> </a>has a good article on this event. It is titled "<a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/03/the_clear_and_cohesive_message_1.html">The Clear and Cohesive Message of the International Conference on Climate Change</a>" by Marc Sheppard. It is clear from information from genuine scientists that panic over global warming is needless and that allowing governments to wreak economic havoc on their countries in the name of global warming is a huge mistake.<br /><br />There is another article on global warming/climate change at <a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/"><em>Pajamas Media</em> </a>called "<a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/skeptics-score-at-climate-change-conference/">Skeptics Score at Climate Change Conference</a>" by James Lewis. Mr. Lewis talks about the conference, but also discusses some other goings-on in the world of global warming.<br /><br />As always, I do advocate responsible stewardship over the earth, but that is not what the global warming panic is about. It is about power and money, not about reality.<br /><br /><strong><em>Updated to add:</em></strong> Another piece at <em>American Thinker</em> is of interest. It's called "<a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2009/03/more_global_warming_pills_to_s.html">More Global Warming Pills to Swallow...</a>" by Gregory Young. This is a blog post discussing some of the fraudulant statements to come out of the United Nations, and <em>why</em> they are fraudulant.<br /><br />Another source of global warming/climate change news is found at <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/"><em>National Review Online</em> </a>in a blog called "<a href="http://planetgore.nationalreview.com/">Planet Gore</a>".Mary Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857047574888092479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31205314.post-54832221044946092482009-02-28T09:38:00.005-06:002009-03-02T08:26:27.631-06:00More Shenanigans and Some AlternativesI was appalled to read this article this morning at the <em><a href="http://www.examiner.com/">DC Republican Examiner</a>.</em> It's called "<a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-2304-DC-Republican-Examiner~y2009m2d27-Impeachment-Time--Obama-Grants-Eminent-Domain-Rights-to-China-to-Secure-Debt">Impeachment Time: Obama Grants Eminent Domain Rights to China to Secure Debt</a>". This was, as the article states, confirmed by sources at the US Embassy in Beijing, although we don't know the position of said sources. More confirmation is needed, but if this is true, it is very bad for America. <strong><em>Updated to add:</em></strong> This eminent domain rights story may not be true. You can read an updated blogpost at <a href="http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/"><em>Atlas Shrugs</em> here</a>. <br /><br />Additional information onObama's plans for America can be found at Larry Kudlow's CNBC Blog in a post titled "<a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/29434104">Obama Declares War on Investors, Entrepreneurs, Businesses, and More</a>". President Obama is going against common sense and economic reality in his handling of the economic crisis, which would be better resolved by him doing nothing than what he is doing. Even better, though, would be tax cuts. That would truly get the economy moving again. I've noticed that Obama and the Democrats repeatedly say that the Republicans are just being obstructionist and need to offer alternatives. This is a lie because the Republicans have repeatedly offered alternatives, like tax cuts and targeted infrastructure projects, but have been ignored. Who are the real obstructionists?<br /><br />Three other articles you should read and consider:<br /><br />"<a href="http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZjY0OGQxNmMxZDgzMGRiOGEwNDY4N2E5MmFlZDUyNTY=">Obama the Rhetorical Magician</a>" by Rich Lowry<br /><br />"<a href="http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YmNjYmZkNDA0NDUyZmU2M2UzMjAwZmJjMjhjNjM5NmU=">The Politics of Fear</a>" by Jonah Goldberg<br /><br />"<a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/claudiarosett/if-obama-turns-america-into-europe/">If Obama Turns America into Europe..." </a>by Claudia Rosett<br /><br />There are places to learn about an alternative way to Obama's vision of America. I provide the following websites for your perusal.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.basicsproject.org/">The Basics Project</a>, particularly the <a href="http://www.basicsproject.org/constitutional_digest.htm">Constitutional Literacy </a>page<br /><br /><a href="http://www.acuf.org/">The American Conservative Union Foundation</a><br /><br /><a href="http://patriotpost.us/">The Patriot Post</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.heritage.org/">The Heritage Foundation</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.gop.com/">Republican National Committee</a> (the Platform is <a href="http://www.gop.com/2008Platform/">here</a>)<br /><br />There are various pages within these websites that discuss issues, provide historical documents, or give the platforms. See what you think.Mary Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857047574888092479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31205314.post-36467573364218018712009-02-21T09:48:00.003-06:002009-02-21T12:51:43.884-06:00More of the SameIn all of the hoopla over the so-called stimulus bill, has anyone noticed that Congress is getting ready to vote on <em>another</em> half-trillion dollar spending bill? I didn't think so. Here is an article about it from <em><a href="http://www.humanevents.com/">Human Events </a></em>titled "<a href="http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=30788">Another Huge Spending Bill Planned for Next Week</a>" by Connie Hair. Republican House leaders are requesting, apparently in vain, that the bill be posted online immediately so that the American people can see what is in it. And presumably so that members of the House can also see what's in it. Didn't President Obama promise openess and transparency? Where is it?<br /><br />Other evidence of the lack of transparency in this government is listed in Alan Caruba's "<a href="http://factsnotfantasy.blogspot.com/2009/02/it-smells-like-fascism.html">It Smells Like Facism</a>" on his <a href="http://factsnotfantasy.blogspot.com/"><em>Warning Signs</em> </a>blog. He mentions HR-45 which is a Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009, an expectation that the EPA will regulate carbon dioxide, and a proposal to reintroduce the so-called Fairness Doctrine. This is all being done relatively quietly. Why?<br /><br />Here's an article about another example from the <a href="http://www.dcexaminer.com/"><em>D.C.Examiner</em> </a>titled "<a href="http://www.dcexaminer.com/politics/The-RAT-hiding-deep-inside-the-stimulus-bill-39805642.html">The RAT Hiding Deep Inside the Stimulus Bill</a>" by Byron York. It discusses serious changes in the way "allegations of fraud and corruption are investigated — or not investigated — throughout the federal government." Hmmm. Then there is the healthcare item hidden in the "stimulus" bill. You can read about it at <a href="http://spectator.org/"><em>The American Spectator</em> </a>in "<a href="http://spectator.org/archives/2009/02/18/the-hidden-healthcare-horror">The Hidden Healthcare Horror</a>" by Lawrence A. Hunter and at <em><a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/">Bloomberg</a></em> in "<a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&refer=columnist_mccaughey&sid=aLzfDxfbwhzs">Ruin Your Health with the Obama Stimulus Plan</a>" by Betsy McCaughey.<br /><br />The above is just the tip of the iceberg. You can read the stimulus bill itself <a href="http://readthestimulus.org/">here</a>. It's searchable text.<br /><br />There are more issues that we aren't hearing enough about. Why aren't some investigative reporters in the mainstream media (MSM) digging into this: "<a href="http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/02/tight-before-the-election-of-president-hussein-an-electronic-run-on-the-banks.html">RIGHT BEFORE THE ELECTION OF PRESIDENT HUSSEIN: 'A $550 Billion Electronic Run on the Banks' </a>"? I'd like to see some evidence one way or the other about this. Go to the "<a href="http://www.tysknews.com/News/news.htm">News</a>" section of <em><a href="http://www.tysknews.com/">Thought You Should Know</a></em> for more news articles on various topics that you won't hear much, if anything, about in the MSM.<br /><br />Thankfully, some of the American citizens are beginning to wake up to the attempt to expand federal government's interference in our lives and to shrink our freedom. One example is CNBC's Rick Santelli and his famous rant in the Chicago pit. See also Lawrence Kudlow's article "<a href="http://www.gopusa.com/commentary/lkudlow/2009/lk_02201.shtml">Subsidize Bad Behavior</a>?" at <em><a href="http://www.gopusa.com/">GOPUSA</a></em>. You should be able to watch Mr. Santelli's video in the right sidebar. If not, see it <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEZB4taSEoA">here</a>. Other evidence that Americans are starting to be fed up with the Fed's attempted takeover can be found at <a href="http://michellemalkin.com/">Michelle Malkin's blog</a>. See "<a href="http://michellemalkin.com/2009/02/20/rebel-yell-taxpayers-revolt-against-gimme-mania/">Rebel Yell: Taxpayers Revolt Against Gimme-Mania</a>" and "<a href="http://michellemalkin.com/2009/02/21/tea-party-usa-the-movement-grows/">Tea Party U.S.A.: The Movement Grows</a>". These are not heartless, selfish people, although I am sure some will attempt to portray them that way. These are people who understand the Constitution and freedom and reject the Obama government's attempts to violate both. Private charity is the way to go to help those who need help. It is wrong, wrong, wrong to legislate away our choices in any matter.<br /><br />There are those, including Obama, who would use Republican errors in the past of continuing government's unnecessary spending as an excuse for their own spending. What's that old saying? "Two wrongs don't make a right." American needs to pull itself together and get back to the Constitution. You will greatly miss your freedom when it is gone. Read "<a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/want-hope-and-change-buy-a-goat/">Want 'Hope and Change'? Buy a Goat</a>" by Oleg Atbashian at <em><a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/">Pajamas Media</a></em>. I hope you will follow the above links and give some thought to what they are saying.<br /><br /><strong><em>Edited to Add:</em></strong> See this JB Williams piece at <a href="http://capitolhillcoffeehouse.com/"><em>Capitol Hill Coffee House</em> </a>titled "<a href="http://capitolhillcoffeehouse.com/more.php?id=6850_0_1_0_M">Obama's Failing Economic Recovery Plan</a>". (hat tip JR)Mary Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857047574888092479noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31205314.post-49359509452672835142009-02-16T09:15:00.004-06:002009-02-16T10:02:08.644-06:00We Can Learn a Lot from the ClassicsI just read a marvelous essay over at <em><a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/">American Thinker</a>.</em> It's called "<a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/02/how_democracies_become_tyranni.html">How Democracies Become Tyrannies</a>" by Ed Kaitz. This should be read by every American.<br /><br />Mr. Kaitz's essay refers to scenes from <a href="http://www.grtbooks.com/exitfram.asp?idx=0&yr=-427&aa=PL&at=AA&ref=plato&URL=http://www.constitution.org/pla/republic.htm">Plato's <em>Republic</em> </a>to show how, indeed, democracies become tyrannies, all with the permission, even encouragement, of its citizens. Here are two paragraphs from Mr. Kaitz's essay:<br /><blockquote>The answers to these questions were famously addressed in a few pages tucked within the greatest masterpiece of the classical world: Plato's Republic. On the surface, and to most reviewers of Plato's writings, the Republic is a dialogue on justice and on what constitutes the just society. But to careful readers the deeper theme of the Republic is the nature of education and the relationship between education and the survival of the state. In fact, the Republic is essentially the story of how a man (Socrates) condemned to death for "corrupting" the youth of Athens gives to posterity the most precious gift of all: the love of wisdom.<br /><br />In the Republic, two young men, Glaucon and Adeimantus, accompany the much older Socrates on a journey of discovery into the nature of the individual soul and its connection to the harmony of the state. During the course of their adventure, as the two disciples demonstrate greater maturity and self-control, they are gradually exposed to deeper and more complex teachings regarding the relationship between virtue, self-sufficiency, and happiness. In short, the boys begin to realize that justice and happiness in a community rests upon the moral condition of its citizens. This is what Socrates meant when he said: "The state is man writ large."<br /></blockquote><br />The essay bears reading, as does Plato's <em>Republic.</em><br /><em></em><br /><strong>Updated to Add: </strong>There are two other articles referencing classics that would be a good read for you also. One that also references Plato's <em>Republic</em> is "<a href="http://www.tcsdaily.com/article.aspx?id=020609A">How Republics Die: Plato's Cautionary Tale</a>" by Mark J. Boone. Another, referencing Ayn Rand's <em>Atlas Shrugged</em>, is "<a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123146363567166677.html">'Atlas Shrugged': From Fiction to Fact in 52 Years</a>" by Stephen Moore.Mary Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857047574888092479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31205314.post-64951512168769939722009-02-01T13:50:00.003-06:002009-02-01T15:48:07.092-06:00Environmentalism and the EconomyConservatives support good stewardship of our earth. We depend on the earth's resources for everything we do and to trash the earth or to waste the resources is wrong and foolish and short-sighted. However, there are radical environmentalists who insist that humans are nothing more than just another species of animal and that preserving the earth should take precedence over everything else, including human life and well-being. This is a very wrongheaded view of things.<br /><br />We have watched as Al Gore and his supporters have preached global warming and have blamed man for it. They have claimed that the earth is in dire straits because of global warming. They have also proclaimed that the debate is over and some have even threatened to charge those who disagree with them with serious crimes. Additionally, those who disagree with these global warming theories face loss of funding and loss of jobs.<br /><br />In spite of all this noise, the earth has actually been cooling since 1998. More and more scientists are fed up with the false information being put out by Al Gore and his comrades and are speaking out, providing much data that proves the errors in the global warming theories. I have to wonder how some scientists have become so politicized. They, of all people, should support the truth and search for the truth. <br /><br />Perhaps much of the problem comes from science jobs and funding being politicized and so scientists play along with the currently politically popular theories in order to get jobs and funding. This happens with evolution, as well as with global warming. On top of all that, there are people who, because of their indoctrination at school, have so bought into evolution and, lately, global warming, that they attempt to intimidate those who disagree with them into silence, shouting them down and accusing them of being ignorant. Actually, we aren't ignorant at all. We just have the good sense to search beyond mainstream media and the popular science magazines to find the facts and to not swallow whole some idea just because it's taught in school. It's certainly true that there are crazies out there supporting any and all viewpoints, but their writings are also not where we turn for facts. I realize that no one supporting either evolution or global warming will admit that those who disagree with them have any legitimate sources of information, but we do. There are scientists and journalists out there with the integrity to dig for facts and to publish them. <br /><br />What brings all this to my attention right now is that our current administration is ready to push harsh environmental regulations on the auto industry, regulations that will cost so much to implement as quickly as demanded that they will likely kill the auto industry. This after the government handed over billions to save the auto industry. Kind of schizophrenic, isn't it?<br /><br />Environmentalism, in going beyond good stewardship and common sense, will ruin our economy and damage our national security. Why do I say this? Because the environmental regulations being demanded will cost more to implement than our nation can afford and because wind, solar, biofuels, and other alternate sources of energy are nowhere near well-developed enough to provide this nation with all of its energy (and they may never be), yet environmentalists want to prevent us from drilling for our own oil and natural gas, using our coal, and building nuclear plants. This leaves us dependent on foreign nations, some of whom are enemies and none of whom will put our interests over their own, which is where national security issues come into play.<br /><br />Forget utopia, we're headed for dystopia if these laws and regulations are allowed to be put into effect.<br /><br />As usual, I will provide you with a list of articles to read and contemplate. There are many more out there, of course. This is just a sampling.<br /><br />"<a href="http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=87552">Tear Down the Amazon Rainforest Idol</a>" at <a href="http://www.worldnetdaily.com/"><em>World Net Daily</em> </a>(which also links to an article in <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/"><em>The New York Times</em> </a>(!) titled "<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/30/science/earth/30forest.html?_r=3&pagewanted=1&hp">New Jungles Prompt a Debate on Rain Forests</a>" by Elizabeth Rosenthal )<br /><br />"<a href="http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=N2RlNDFjZDNjNzdkYzBjMGUxNTA0ZDlmYTZlM2VjMTY=">Lefty, It's Cold Outside</a>" by Deroy Murdock (It's good to know that not everyone on the Left is fooled!)<br /><br />"<a href="http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YmU0ZDZlNTc3YjI2Mjk4YmEyZmJiMTNiNzg3MzhmOWU=">The Rise of Self-Defeating Industrial Policy</a>" by Rich Lowry<br /><br />"<a href="http://planetgore.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZTZiMGIyZjE0NzYyYTg0MGUyODg2MzQ4MTE2M2VjZjU=">California's Carbon-Tax Lesson for America</a>" by Edward John Craig (on the <a href="http://planetgore.nationalreview.com/"><em>Planet Gore</em> </a>blog at <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/"><em>National Review Online</em> </a>)<br /><br />"<a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/victordavishanson/thoughts-on-the-therapeutic-style/">Who is the 'They' Now in California</a>?" by Victor Davis Hanson (This piece talks about more than just the environment, although that is in there, too.)<br /><br />"<a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/anthropogenic-global-warming-the-greatest-fraud-in-history/">Anthropogenic Global Warming: <em>The</em> Greatest Fraud in History</a>?" by James Lewis<br /><br />"<a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/mileage-standards-not-the-way-to-energy-independence/">Mileage Standards: Not the Way to Energy Independence</a>" by Brian Douglas<br /><br />"<a href="http://spectator.org/archives/2009/01/30/all-seriousness-aside">All Seriousness Aside</a>" by Paul Chesser<br /><br />"<a href="http://spectator.org/archives/2009/01/29/his-winter-of-discontent">His Winter of Discontent</a>" by William Tucker<br /><br />That will give you sufficient reading for now. In addition, several of the above articles have interesting links in them. <br /><br />Whether we are talking about "stimulus" bills or environmental regulation bills, it is so important that we stop the panicked rushing about and think these things through carefully, gathering actual facts to use in making the decisions.Mary Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857047574888092479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31205314.post-73900121430295576782009-01-31T16:07:00.002-06:002009-01-31T16:49:16.127-06:00More Stuff to Contemplate about a Government Running AmokI would have liked to write a post on something other than politics and the economy. However, America is in such serious trouble now that President Obama and the liberal Democrats are in charge, that the people of this country need to stand up and tell them to stop. In his inaugral address, President Obama said it was time to set aside childish things, but he and his cohorts are behaving like children turned loose in a candy store. They are stuffing the so-called stimulus package with their wish lists of social spending instead of anything that will stimulate the economy. What they need to do is scrap this bill and cut taxes. Permanently. That will, as shown by past experience, increase revenues and stimulate the economy to a great extent.<br /><br />Here are some articles to read that will help you understand what is going on in our government today:<br /><br />"<a href="http://www.gopusa.com/commentary/lkudlow/2009/lk_01311.shtml">Shelve the Stimulus</a>" by Lawrence Kudlow<br /><br />"<a href="http://www.gopusa.com/theloft/?p=859">Help! The Government is Trying to 'Do Something'</a>" by Bobby Eberle<br /><br />"<a href="http://www.gopusa.com/commentary/mreagan/2009/mr_01291.shtml">Unclogging the Liberal Pipeline</a>" by Michael Reagan<br /><br />"<a href="http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/sowell012709.php3">What are They Buying</a>?" by Thomas Sowell<br /><br />"<a href="http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/williams012809.php3">There is No Santa</a>" by Walter Williams<br /><br />You could do not better than to read everything you can find by Thomas Sowell and Walter Williams. These men know whereof they speak, whether it is about economics or politics or anything else they turn their hands to. They have common sense, good character, and integrity, to mention just a few of the reasons I admire them both so much.<br /><br />As you read the above articles, notice what the money is going for and how long it will take to get any of it done. We are supposed to be panicked and stampeded into rushing this bill through--a bill that will do nothing to stimulate the economy, which is supposed to be what it is for. <br /><br />Email your Congresspersons and Senators today and encourage them to put a stop to this foolishness. All they need to do is cut taxes.Mary Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857047574888092479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31205314.post-57354315052778639632009-01-17T08:09:00.002-06:002009-01-17T09:19:58.615-06:00Some Things to ConsiderThere are so many situations these days that need our attention. We are just 3 days away from the Obama presidency, which will last at least 4 years. What is that going to be like? Here is one take from <em><a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/">Pajamas Media</a></em>. In an article called "<a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/questioning-obamas-patriotism/">Questioning Obama's Patriotism</a>", Bernard Chapin discusses some of what we can look forward to. He writes:<br /><blockquote>In the president-elect’s vision, we only will become a great nation if we alter ourselves into becoming another nation, one that precisely matches Obama’s desires and expectations.</blockquote>and<br /><blockquote>In the hopes of clarification, let me state with absolute certainty that the reason we should question the political left’s patriotism is that they are not patriotic.<br /><br />On a plethora of policies, from immigration to missile defense, the Democratic stance suggests that they do not have a dog in the fight when it comes to America’s national security. Were they not so embarrassed by our history, along with the unfashionable folks who inhabit our non-urban enclaves, they might well think differently.</blockquote>and concludes with<br /><blockquote>Promoting coat-and-tie radicals like Hillary Clinton and Leon Panetta to the heights of power no doubt will intensify Obama’s prestige among foreign leaders. There’s nothing that foreign intelligence services appreciate more than the placement of total patsies as the overseers of America’s autonomy.<br /><br />They probably did not think their prospects for aggressive action could improve any more than they had on November 4, but now will be pleased that Christmas — or what may soon become known as “Western Incineration Day” — is coming a second time this year. It will be interesting to see how long it takes for the definition of “traitor” to be exchanged with “patriot” in the politically correct dictionaries found on American university campuses.</blockquote>In between these quotes, Mr. Chapin discusses some of Obama's choices for cabinet positions and what these might mean for the future of our country and its citizens.<br /><br />Another situation that should be of grave concern to all is media bias. Most people, if they pay any attention to the news at all, turn to the Mainstream Media (MSM) for their information. This is not a wise choice, as we saw during the campaign for the presidency--the MSM were so strongly "in the tank" for Obama that the public did not get nearly enough information about Obama. The public also did not get good information about John McCain and Sarah Palin. At <a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/"><em>American Thinker</em> </a>there is an article about the media. It is "<a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/01/the_artificial_reality_of_the.html">The Artifical Reality of the Matrix Media</a>" by Selwyn Duke. Mr. Duke begins by writing: <blockquote>A common defense of error today is to say, with due indignation, "I have a right to my opinion!" Legally this is true, given that our First Amendment is extant. But as G.K. Chesterton once said, "Having the right to do something is not at all the same as being right in doing it." There is no moral right to an immoral opinion -- nor to one bred of emotionalism unconstrained by reason -- nor to a deceitful one.</blockquote>Mr. Duke then discusses some examples of misinformation put out by the MSM and concludes with this: <blockquote>Yet, where does the real blame lie? Some may say that since the media deny us the information necessary to render good decisions, it's not fair to claim that people get the government they deserve. But it must be remembered that people get the media they deserve, too. After all, there is a reason why a celebrity gossip piece might get ten times the readership of incisive social commentary. If people want sweet lies and stories about Paris Hilton, bread and circuses, there will always be "journalists" willing to provide them. It's just as with politicians, only here people vote for demagogues by clicking a mouse, pressing the remote or buying a paper.<br /><br />So journalism isn't dead -- not any more than the readership, anyway. It's just that those practicing the authentic variety are seldom elected to high office.<br /></blockquote><br />Throughout the article, he makes some good points. Do you think we get the media we deserve? Certainly it seems to me that many people are uninformed and don't care that they are uninformed. Worrisome.<br /><br />One very obvious recent example is the MSM coverage of the Israeli-Gaza conflict. To watch/read MSM reports, one would get the idea that Israel suddenly attacked an innocent, peaceful group of people for no reason. Nothing could be further from the truth. At <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/"><em>National Review Online</em> </a>you can read "<a href="http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YmU0ZjM4NmQyYTZlZjk4NTQ2ZTYzNGI0NWFhM2M4ZGQ=">Camera-Ready Victims</a>" by Mona Charen for a different viewpoint from that portrayed in the MSM. At <a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/"><em>American Thinker</em></a><em> </em>is an article titled "<a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/01/the_cancer_known_as_antisemiti.html">The Cancer Known as Anti-Semitism</a>" by Lauri B. Regan and, for interesting thoughts as to why anti-semitism exists, take a look at "<a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/01/what_is_it_about_the_jews_1.html">Hating the Jews</a>" by Kyle-Anne Shiver. These articles will give you something to consider.<br /><br />It seems to me that what this country needs are more people willing to write and publish the truth and even more people willing to seek out the truth and learn what reality is. <br /><br />The economy is on everyone's mind, of course. At <a href="http://www.humanevents.com/"><em>Human Events</em> </a>you can read an article outlining what would probably do the most good in restoring the economy--reducing taxes. It's titled "<a href="http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=30291">What Works</a>" by J. D. Foster and William W. Beach. <br /><br />There are numerous subjects that require our attention and many articles in the above linked news organizations and others that can help us sort out what is true and what would be the best solutions. I hope we will continue to take an interest in what is going on in our country and in the world and to seriously consider what sources of information we seek out and what biases we ourselves might be harboring that would slow our acknowledgment of the truth.Mary Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857047574888092479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31205314.post-2095059018114977952009-01-02T08:47:00.003-06:002009-01-02T09:34:24.436-06:00What to Do, What to Do?As a conservative, I'm very concerned about the upcoming term of a liberal president supported by a liberal congress. With so many issues on the table--the economy, energy, health care, etc.--it is easy to worry that we're about to be led down a primrose path to the left. So what can those of us concerned about the loss of liberty, property rights, religious freedom, and other precious freedoms we have enjoyed here in the USA do? I ran across an article at <a href="http://spectator.org/"><em>American Spectator</em> </a>with some ideas. It's titled "<a href="http://spectator.org/archives/2008/12/31/what-conservatives-must-now-do">What Conservatives Must Now Do</a>" and is written by Peter Ferrara.<br /><br />Mr. Ferrara discusses grassroots organizations that can then grow and strengthen our nation, getting us back to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" and following the Constitution instead of wandering off into the wilderness. Mr. Ferrara writes:<br /><blockquote>First and most important is to build up mighty, grassroots networks across the country. This is something that conservatives must do, not Republicans, who need to work on their own grassroots party network. Conservatives have become too good lately in lecturing Republicans on what they must do. We need to lead by building a powerful political movement, and the Republicans will then naturally follow.<br /><br />The radical, liberal-left agenda is tailor made for generating grassroots firestorms in opposition. Included in that agenda is national legislation to remove all state restrictions on abortion, all parental notification, waiting periods, informed consent, and partial birth abortion restrictions. Instead we are slated for taxpayer funding for abortion on demand. Another beaut is national legislation to remove all state protections of gun rights, such as conceal and carry permits. Then there is the federal takeover of health care, the federal shutdown of proven, reliable energy production, global warming regulation to shut down what is left of the economy, the "fairness" doctrine to shut down talk radio, and national legislation to take away workers' rights to a secret ballot election to determine whether they will be forced into a union in their workplace. That last item also includes forcing union contracts on businesses, small, medium and large, in place of the current system of free negotiation.</blockquote>After this partial list of what we have to work on, he goes on to describe what a grassroots organization might look like and what it could accomplish. I like that a lot of the focus is on informing Americans on the issues. It seems to me that there are far too many people who have the idea that they are entitled to have everything provided for them and done for them, and it blinds them to the serious losses they would face if the government attempted that--loss of freedoms of all types, loss of property rights, loss of choices (where to live, where to work, how to worship), and loss of quality in what is provided.<br /><br />Many people don't understand insurance, for example, whether we are talking about health insurance, property insurance, or any other type of insurance. Let's take health insurance for an example. From what I hear people saying, they think that in exchange for a small monthly premium, all their health expenses should be paid by the insurance company, right down to the aspirin they had to take when they woke up with a headache. That is assuredly not what insurance is for. Insurance is to protect people against large losses (expenses) such as surgery, long term therapy, major illnesses such as cancer, and so forth. People are expected to cover the small expenses themselves--the bottle of aspirin, the deductible on the insurance, etc.--because those are affordable and can be worked into the family budget. Compare it to auto insurance--you don't expect auto insurance to pay for gas and oil changes. The auto insurance is to pay for the large expense of repairing your vehicle after an accident. If you don't understand what insurance is for, it is your responsibility to learn. It is not the government's responsibility to step in and pay/force the insurer to pay for every tiny expense. If we turn our responsibility over to the government, we are no longer free to make choices and, with government's poor record of managing anything, we can expect to have poor quality health care, if we can get it at all.<br /><br />With all the concern over the economy, health, energy, and the many other issues facing us, I am hopeful that people will be more inclined to learn all they can about these issues and decide what they can support and what they cannot, thinking things through to their logical conclusions. <br /><br />I am also hopeful that people will re-evaluate their own lifestyles and do everything they can to promote prosperity in their own families. Go back to budgeting and saving. Go back to home-cooked meals with healthier ingredients. Go back to reading books and watching movies at home instead of going out for expensive entertainment. Have family game night or take the family to the park to play. Stop living beyond our means. If you have a lot of changes to make, make them gradually, if you must. Talk to your family and enlist their support. Look on such changes as an opportunity and an adventure, not a deprivation. It's a great time to regroup and begin living a more sensible life. <br /><br />Even when there is a lot of upheaval going on in the world, we can avoid making ourselves ill and depressed with worry. Look for the good. Appreciate what you have. Seek out the good in life and look for ways you can improve your life. It's the beginning of a new year. Make it a good one!Mary Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857047574888092479noreply@blogger.com0