... and our response should be "And if you change yours, we won't nuke you off the planet. Thanks. "
But unfortunately we won't do that, we'll fold to the pressure to "just get along" and just quit being mean ol' bullies. What a freaking joke, ya know? I mean the reality of this situation is that we are nearing the end of the American way of life because we keep allowing the rest of the world to dictate how we handle things.
If the United States continues to bow at the feet of the United Nations and concede to every whim of our "friends" in the international community we will very shortly be brought to our knees. Glenn Beck made a great point today. He said (paraphrase) that the reason we were so confident after 9/11 is that we know that if this country unleashed the full might of it's military power that no nation or combination of nations on the planet could make a stand against us. He's right. What reasonable person didn't think by about noon on 9/11/2001 that we probably would be at war with another country in the coming hours, and that given the situation it would probably last about 10 minutes?
The answer to that is, no one (again, by that I mean no reasonable person) thought at that moment that we would hesitate in our response. We all believed that it would be swift, forceful and probably very VERY violent. We expected some country to face severe consequences. Instead we waited. Not that we didn't do the right thing by gather all the facts, but when we did gather our facts, we went in with a very modest show of force.
Instead of showing our strength and willingness to combat even the strongest military, we allowed political correctness to rule our actions. This is unacceptable. Do you want to know why poll numbers show that people are not satisfied with the war in Iraq? Because we didn't win, even though we had the capability to annihilate the enemy. Ask and real conservative, and if they don't try to spin it, they will tell you that we are so disappointed in the restraint that has been shown. We have the most advanced and well trained military force in the world and yet we have not allowed them to do their job as they were trained. We have put our soldiers on trial for defending themselves, we have subjected ourselves to ridicule and by our weak response we have invited every enemy of the U.S. to test us. They don't believe we'll use our force because we now have shown exactly how weak we are as a country. Republican or Democrat, doesn't matter. We have not fought to win. We will pay the price.
We must show our strength or face the horrible consequences.
Otherwise, lets just be like Switzerland and agree to not be the world's big brother.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Looking Forward from 2006
So two days ago Americans went to the polls, made their decisions based on a number of things that may or may not be valid based on your perspective and world view. I'm not going to get into that. I don't think at this point it is a relevant conversation to have. Conservativism didn't lose, as badly as we want to say that it did, quite simply because right now in the Republican Party there aren't any REAL conservatives.
The truth is, that the Republicans lost because people like us who are ACTUALLY conservatives don't like the fact that we have been subjected to some of the biggest spending in history. We don't like that we have fought a war U.N. style. The list goes on.
Here's what needs to happen for conservatives in the next two years:
- Get a plan: Take a week, lick your wounds and then get to that drawing board. Get together real facts, with real proof that REAL Conservativism not only works but actually benefits the people.
- Distance ourselves from the "Republican" idea. Maybe a third party of REAL conservatives would benefit us. Perhaps the name "Republican" is forever tainted with the stink of the last few years for a lot of people. Consider that either the Republican party will need a BIG revamp or we need to scrap the whole thing and start over.
- Make clear differentiations: Help people understand who conservatives really are and what we really believe. Don't allow people who do not fit the conservative mold squeeze into something that represents us, and don't let people who don't believe in conservative values run as our candidates.
- Don't play dirty: People are tired of the mudslinging, bashing and general sleaze that has become politics in this country. Run on your merit, respond with facts when it becomes necessary, but don't play dirty. Make people so refreshed by your approach that they want to vote for you because they feel like you actually care about being genuine.
- Remember Ross Perot? He got on TV and showed a plan. If he hadn't left the election and then jumped back in, we would have very likely had our first independent President. The important thing to note here is this: HE HAD A CLEAR PLAN! He gave us a picture, he showed us the numbers. It wasn't just words that passed, there were images!!!!
With a few fundamental changes in the way conservatives present themselves, a victory will be easily had. We have to present ourselves with integrity, confidence and a defined and visually presented plan.
Over the next 2 years, conservatives had better get on the path to the fundamentals of what they believe or we will be in another period of high taxes and welfare.
The truth is, that the Republicans lost because people like us who are ACTUALLY conservatives don't like the fact that we have been subjected to some of the biggest spending in history. We don't like that we have fought a war U.N. style. The list goes on.
Here's what needs to happen for conservatives in the next two years:
- Get a plan: Take a week, lick your wounds and then get to that drawing board. Get together real facts, with real proof that REAL Conservativism not only works but actually benefits the people.
- Distance ourselves from the "Republican" idea. Maybe a third party of REAL conservatives would benefit us. Perhaps the name "Republican" is forever tainted with the stink of the last few years for a lot of people. Consider that either the Republican party will need a BIG revamp or we need to scrap the whole thing and start over.
- Make clear differentiations: Help people understand who conservatives really are and what we really believe. Don't allow people who do not fit the conservative mold squeeze into something that represents us, and don't let people who don't believe in conservative values run as our candidates.
- Don't play dirty: People are tired of the mudslinging, bashing and general sleaze that has become politics in this country. Run on your merit, respond with facts when it becomes necessary, but don't play dirty. Make people so refreshed by your approach that they want to vote for you because they feel like you actually care about being genuine.
- Remember Ross Perot? He got on TV and showed a plan. If he hadn't left the election and then jumped back in, we would have very likely had our first independent President. The important thing to note here is this: HE HAD A CLEAR PLAN! He gave us a picture, he showed us the numbers. It wasn't just words that passed, there were images!!!!
With a few fundamental changes in the way conservatives present themselves, a victory will be easily had. We have to present ourselves with integrity, confidence and a defined and visually presented plan.
Over the next 2 years, conservatives had better get on the path to the fundamentals of what they believe or we will be in another period of high taxes and welfare.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Finding Solace in My No Vote
Well… I’m here to talk about politics and I’m not even voting today. Yep. You heard me straight. I’m not voting today. With a recent move, I have found myself without the time to get re-registered to vote. And to be honest, I am ashamed. I take time here to preach politics and my conservative values, yet I’m not making my own name heard. This is also happening at a time when there is little doubt that the conservative base will be losing its decade long stronghold over our government. It is a real shame, and I gate that my voice will not be heard.
However, I must admit that I do find some solace in my lack of a vote in 2006. Why you ask? Because this has been the dirtiest election that I’ve seen in my lifetime. The mudslinging has reached such new highs that you can almost see the red clay on the politicians’ suits in their television ads. This congressman owns a business that is causing cancer! That senate candidate is a racist bigot! Your governor is taking all of you money and sending it into space!!! Heck, even the minor rural elections are causing a stir.
The nastiest I have seen has been here in my home area of North Alabama. State Senate candidates Bobby Day and Arthur Orr have spent so much time bashing one another that I can honestly say that I have no idea what the other stands for. To be honest with you, I wish that I had run against them on the platform of Brewster from Brewster’s Millions. I would run on the “Don’t Vote for Me!” ticket. If you haven’t seen it, trust me… go rent it.
My point is… I’m tired of politics. All we need in the United States today is honesty. And what do we have? A bunch of schmucks who care little about anything other than getting elected. I miss the Regan days. Small government and true conservatism. Those days will be back I know. And I know another thing… I will not be missing the 2008 presidential elections. And you know, in some ways I hope the liberals do win this year… that will just result in a landslide for the 2008 conservatism.
Happy Voting!
However, I must admit that I do find some solace in my lack of a vote in 2006. Why you ask? Because this has been the dirtiest election that I’ve seen in my lifetime. The mudslinging has reached such new highs that you can almost see the red clay on the politicians’ suits in their television ads. This congressman owns a business that is causing cancer! That senate candidate is a racist bigot! Your governor is taking all of you money and sending it into space!!! Heck, even the minor rural elections are causing a stir.
The nastiest I have seen has been here in my home area of North Alabama. State Senate candidates Bobby Day and Arthur Orr have spent so much time bashing one another that I can honestly say that I have no idea what the other stands for. To be honest with you, I wish that I had run against them on the platform of Brewster from Brewster’s Millions. I would run on the “Don’t Vote for Me!” ticket. If you haven’t seen it, trust me… go rent it.
My point is… I’m tired of politics. All we need in the United States today is honesty. And what do we have? A bunch of schmucks who care little about anything other than getting elected. I miss the Regan days. Small government and true conservatism. Those days will be back I know. And I know another thing… I will not be missing the 2008 presidential elections. And you know, in some ways I hope the liberals do win this year… that will just result in a landslide for the 2008 conservatism.
Happy Voting!
Voting: not just a choice, it's a responsibility.
Years ago, a few men and women believed that people were born with some dignity and the ability to control their own lives and should have a voice in how their lives were directed by their government. Those men, unorganized by modern standards, ill-equipped by any standard and with virtually no money or supplies, fought a war against people who were not only soldiers of the King of England, but also represented the real enemy: the idea that people need and want to have their lives directed by others.
Fast forward 230 years to me sitting on my sofa writing this post. I'm listening to the audio from a radio show that aired the day the Iraq war started. The tension of that day is now also replayed in my mind as I remember standing in the Communications building on my college campus between classes watching the news as the first missiles were fired. A few days later, I stood in that same lobby and watched as Shock and Awe began. The fear still fresh from the September 11, 2001 attacks, it was believed that new attacks would follow this mission. It seemed almost certain.
As I look back on that day, I see now that while we moved in the right direction that day, we did not move there in the right way. We were too cautious, far too concerned about the way that we would be perceived. The country began the conflict with thoughts of not how to defeat the enemy, but rather how we could help our image in the world. We went there with no intention of the problems we have now, but we did not prepare for the possibility that our new, more friendly warfare would not produce the results we had desired.
We entered this war on a false premise...not the premise that WMD's were there, or that we could gain oil or whatever hair-brained arguments are out there. We entered this conflict on the false premise that a softer, politically correct, media involved and more friendly war would win the hearts and minds of the people we had show up to help. We entered on the false premise that a people, as a whole, can be changed by talking and negotiating. We entered on the false premise that there are ways to win a war that don't involve complete and undeniable victory.
The US and her allies forgot the important fact that militant Islam believes that to survive is to win.
So today, people are going to the polls. The media has shown a very dim and dismal picture of the war. That depressing image is reflected in the polls, and the sentiment seems to be that people just want change. They don't even seem to care where that change comes from, just the idea that we have to do something different.
There is an important question to be asked here: What are you wanting to change?
Republicans have let down their constituents. They have pandered to the liberal mindset for far too long. Unfortunately, no Conservatives seem to be available to step up and actually lead as conservatives, so even if Democrats gain control of the congress, will anything change?
Well, the simple answer is yes, despite what they are saying. I know that leading democrats are saying that there will be no impeachment hearings... there will be no pulling out, no raising the taxes but their record is clear.
There was a commentator yesterday who noted that democrats will not impeach President Bush until they run out of things to do that they agree on, and that as soon as that happens, they will have to do something.
They won't have to raise taxes, they just won't renew the tax cuts. That simple.
On Iraq? Do I even need to re-state their position?
So, are things bad? Yes, I think they are. I will concede that the leadership of the Republican party has been weak and ineffective, but I don't think that changing directions is the way to go. Instead, we should be telling the people who say they stand for our values that we want to seem them ACTUALLY standing up for our values.
Our soldiers throughout the history of this country all the way back to the American Revolution have fought with the freedom to choose in mind. We owe it to them to choose responsibly.
Fast forward 230 years to me sitting on my sofa writing this post. I'm listening to the audio from a radio show that aired the day the Iraq war started. The tension of that day is now also replayed in my mind as I remember standing in the Communications building on my college campus between classes watching the news as the first missiles were fired. A few days later, I stood in that same lobby and watched as Shock and Awe began. The fear still fresh from the September 11, 2001 attacks, it was believed that new attacks would follow this mission. It seemed almost certain.
As I look back on that day, I see now that while we moved in the right direction that day, we did not move there in the right way. We were too cautious, far too concerned about the way that we would be perceived. The country began the conflict with thoughts of not how to defeat the enemy, but rather how we could help our image in the world. We went there with no intention of the problems we have now, but we did not prepare for the possibility that our new, more friendly warfare would not produce the results we had desired.
We entered this war on a false premise...not the premise that WMD's were there, or that we could gain oil or whatever hair-brained arguments are out there. We entered this conflict on the false premise that a softer, politically correct, media involved and more friendly war would win the hearts and minds of the people we had show up to help. We entered on the false premise that a people, as a whole, can be changed by talking and negotiating. We entered on the false premise that there are ways to win a war that don't involve complete and undeniable victory.
The US and her allies forgot the important fact that militant Islam believes that to survive is to win.
So today, people are going to the polls. The media has shown a very dim and dismal picture of the war. That depressing image is reflected in the polls, and the sentiment seems to be that people just want change. They don't even seem to care where that change comes from, just the idea that we have to do something different.
There is an important question to be asked here: What are you wanting to change?
Republicans have let down their constituents. They have pandered to the liberal mindset for far too long. Unfortunately, no Conservatives seem to be available to step up and actually lead as conservatives, so even if Democrats gain control of the congress, will anything change?
Well, the simple answer is yes, despite what they are saying. I know that leading democrats are saying that there will be no impeachment hearings... there will be no pulling out, no raising the taxes but their record is clear.
There was a commentator yesterday who noted that democrats will not impeach President Bush until they run out of things to do that they agree on, and that as soon as that happens, they will have to do something.
They won't have to raise taxes, they just won't renew the tax cuts. That simple.
On Iraq? Do I even need to re-state their position?
So, are things bad? Yes, I think they are. I will concede that the leadership of the Republican party has been weak and ineffective, but I don't think that changing directions is the way to go. Instead, we should be telling the people who say they stand for our values that we want to seem them ACTUALLY standing up for our values.
Our soldiers throughout the history of this country all the way back to the American Revolution have fought with the freedom to choose in mind. We owe it to them to choose responsibly.
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