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ARCHIVES: July
2005 Helen
Thomas to kill self… July 29, 2005 Veteran
columnist, journalist, Washington insider and of course…liberal, Helen Thomas
has vowed that if Vice President Dick Cheney runs for president, which he
certainly won’t she will kill herself. Thomas made the comments when she
noted that the last thing this country needed was another liar in the White
House. Exactly what type of liar was she talking about? One who lies to the
American public in the spirit of Lyndon Johnson, one who lies to himself in
the spirit of Jimmy Carter, one who lies to his wife as in John Kennedy or
one who lies to everyone in the spirit of Bill Clinton? Exactly what type of
liar doe she mean? By the way what is it exactly that she feels Dick Cheney
has lied about? Can she produce evidence of anything? For that matter can she
produce evidence that the president lied about something, in Iraq perhaps? No
she can’t! Leftist mythology holds that the president lied about the justification
for war with Iraq, yet it was Bill Clinton who signed the order calling for
regime change in Iraq. It was John Kerry who argued that Saddam Hussein
possessed vast stockpiles of weapons. It was Al Gore who called for
pre-emptive action against Saddam’s threat, yet these leftists forget such
rhetoric when they aren’t in power. So exactly who is the liar. If Bush and
Cheney are liars as Thomas claims, then her liberal heroes must be liars as
well and thus the stories she writes must also be lies, thus we are all one
big lying family. http://www.villagesoup.com/commletters/letters.cfm?TopicID=5341 Woman sues
for burning backside July 29,
2005 A woman in
Kansas has filed suit against Denny’s for burns she supposedly sustained
after sitting on a toilet seat at Denny’s. Never mind the obvious question of
why anyone in their right mind would sit on a toilet in a 24hour restaurant.
What person is so foolish as to not even look down before taking a seat? Is
she so lazy that she won’t even turn her head before plopping herself down.
Is she so vile and filthy as to not care what she’s getting herself into.
This woman deserves nothing. Not only can she not prove Denny’s is to blame,
but even if this did occur at Denny’s she should have had the wherewithal to
look at the seat before sitting. Perhaps if we adopt a looser pays legal
system, then such nonsense can go the way of the Do Do Bird, as this woman
certainly should. http://www.washtimes.com/upi/20050728-090224-7657r.htm Where NASA
went wrong July 29,
2005 NASA is still
attempting to come to grips with the Shuttle program. The fleet is grounded
and one shuttle sits docked at the International Space station with its fate
uncertain. In the 1970s NASA announced plans to design a build a reusable
space vessel and the Space Shuttle was born. The US abandoned the moon
canceling three planned moon shots (Apollo 18-20). In 1973, NASA sent up its
first space station, Skylab. This station cost far less money to build and
had sufficient capacity for astronauts and a host of experiments. The Soviets
continued to use their one-shot Soyuz vessels and pioneered work on permanent
space stations, while NASA continued to poor money into the shuttle program,
what resulted was a partially reusable vessel that has to be retrofitted
after practically every launch. Because they were working with limited budget
they had to make design changes and cutbacks, what has resulted is a colossal
waste that has never lived up to its billing in the 1970s. The US would have
been better off using expendable vessels and focusing on space station
development and eventual planetary exploration. Instead we have a shuttle
program eating up a sizable portion of NASA’s miniscule budget and apparently
even that isn’t sufficient as the shuttle is still having problems. NASA has
revealed that foam insulation broke off during the recent shuttle launch;
this foam could have damaged the orbiter during launch, which would spell
certain doom during re-entry. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/07/29/MNGREDVVKS1.DTL China
embarks on PR blitz July 28, 2005 The Chinese
government has embarked on a public relations blitz. Apparently, the tyrants
in Beijing are growing increasingly concerned over the growing anti-Chinese
rhetoric, echoing from the halls of Washington. This is a very interesting
situation. Politicians on both sides of the aisle find China to be an easy
target. Its an undemocratic, militaristic tyrant nation, which is
experiencing unprecedented growth and just as the Europeans like to jump on
America and blame this nation for all its ills, many American politicians do
the same to China with regard to American domestic concerns. The Chinese on
the other hand don’t help matters. They threaten their neighbors, including
our allies. They don’t abide by accepted rules of the capitalist system; yet
seek to benefit from it. They allow top figures in their government to
threaten nuclear war with the United States, yet they wonder why there is
such hostility toward China. To combat that hostility, the Chinese have
adopted a new media strategy, after all, for all that bellicose behavior,
China can ill afford to tick off policy makers in Washington. America is
China’s biggest customer. We invest huge amounts of capital in that country
and buy billions of dollars of Chinese goods. Any trade difficulties would
spell economic doom for China, they know that which is why they now seek to
repair damage that they themselves have made worse by their past behavior.
American politicians are slick. They capitalize on this fear of China to draw
attention away from their own failings as political leaders. China is not the
cause for the loss of any American jobs or anything of the sort. Those
American industries that innovate and produce efficiently are able to compete
in any marketplace in the world. Take General Electric, International Paper,
Coca-Cola, Apple Computer, Motorola, Microsoft, Boeing, Gulf Stream, Intel,
IBM. These companies prosper and compete all over the world. They are among
the most profitable in the world and such anti-China rhetoric has had no
affect on their bottom line. http://www.washtimes.com/upi/20050728-084235-3425r.htm Shuttle
fleet [sic] grounded again… July 28, 2005 Within days of
the supposed successful launch of Space Shuttle Discovery, the National
Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) has grounded the US shuttle fleet. The
action comes after cameras reveal that foam insulation broke off during
launch. It was this foam insulation, which damaged the re-entry tiles on
Columbia in 2003, causing its fateful demise. Now as Discovery docks with the
International Space Station, NASA finds itself in a precarious predicament.
One shuttle is in space and two others remain grounded. Above all NASA can’t
seem to get it right. NASA has had more trouble in the last decade with all
our advances in technology, than they did in the 1960s when all of this was
new. What’s different? In the first place there is no interest among the
general public and thus no interest among politicians and thus NASA’ budget
is miniscule. There is no interest as we noted, because the average American
cares nothing for science and knowledge when they can watch TV, go to the
movies and download inane musical selections. In the second place NASA has
had problems because there is no competitive drive as there was in the 1950s
and 60s during the Space Race with the Soviets. Today, NASA is stagnant and
we have seen numerous examples, including SpaceShipOne that demonstrate how
space exploration could be handled by private entities. It is time NASA
accepted the fact that the Space Shuttle Program is and always has been a
failure. The Shuttle was supposed to be able to make upwards of 25 launches a
year, which it hasn’t. In fact this week’s launch was only number 114 after
over 20 years of launches. The Shuttle was supposed to be 100% reusable,
which it isn’t. The Shuttle was supposed to make money by serving as a ferry
for private satellites, which it doesn’t. Indeed, NASA would be hard pressed
to give one example where the shuttle has proven a resounding success. Ground
the shuttle now and stop wasting money on decades old technology. EU panders
to Iran…again July 28,
2005 If at first
you don’t succeed appease and appease again. That’s the message of European
diplomacy. A message that was first taught by Neville Chamberlain and honed with
expert skill by the tired old fossils in Berlin and Paris. Word has it that
the European Union will make an offer to supply Iran with a guaranteed source
of nuclear fuel if Iran agrees not to try and produce its own nuclear fuel.
This agreement, like a similar agreement with North Korea in 1994, is
destined to fail. The Iranians have given nothing during these negotiations;
meanwhile the Europeans have made concession after concession. The Iranians
have threatened and the Europeans have cowered. Exactly what message does
this send to other aspiring nuclear tyrants? Both North Korea and Iran have
used threats to gain concessions during negotiations, and yet these mistakes
and missteps are continuously overlooked. Even the US has failed to take
notice. In the end there can be but one result. The tyrants will get what
they want and the west will be forced into the same position it was in 1939,
continue to appease or finally take a stand before plunging into the abyss.
No one can expect to gain in a negotiation when they negotiate from a vantage
point of weakness and cowardice. The Iranians know full well that the
Europeans will do anything to avoid conflict, just as they did in the 1930s
and 40s. Knowing this they should have every expectation of getting exactly
what they want and surely they will. http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-07-27-eu-iran_x.htm North
Korea makes demands July 27,
2005 The tyrants
in North Korea have issued new demands during the 6-party talks now underway
in Beijing. North Korea demanded that the US remove nuclear weapons from the
Korean peninsula and drop plans to topple the communist government in the
North. There is one major problem with this plan. All of these scenarios are
figments of the mind of Kim Jong Il. There are no nuclear weapons in South
Korea and the US has not even entertained a plan to topple the North’s
government. Why should they? The North is doing a great job of starving
itself into oblivion and in the words of Woodrow Wilson, one shouldn’t
interfere when your enemies are destroying themselves. The South Koreans,
always eager to do anything to please the North, even offered to open up
South Korean (and US) bases to inspection. If anyone has a reason to be
fearful of the other it is the US and South Korea. After all, it is the North
that has frequently made threats about invasion and nuclear attack. It is the
North that continues to make incursions on land and at sea, yet they continue
to act as if the opposite is true. We can be certain the North won’t offer to
open any of their bases to inspection. These tyrants have long noted how
appeasers in other regions have given tyrants their every demand, simply by
making threats and the South Korean’s certainly appear eager to fill the role
of appeaser in East Asia. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,163774,00.html The
billionaire vs. the demagogue July 27,
2005 Bernie
Marcus, the billionaire co-founder of the Home Depot, is one of the chief
benefactors in the massive construction project known as the Georgia
Aquarium. This aquarium situated in the heart of Atlanta has been trumpeted
as the largest Aquarium of its kind, with fish from around the world. This
aquarium is also expected to bring http://wsbradio.com/news/0725homelessmarcus.html http://www.11alive.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=66719 Iraq wants
US troops to leave soon July 27, 2005 At a joint
press conference with US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Iraqi Prime
Minister, Ibrahim Jaafari made it clear that he would like US troops to
leave soon, though no timetable was set for US withdrawal. Jaafari wants the
US to accelerate the training of Iraqi security forces, so that the Iraqis
will be prepared for the eventual US pullout. This sentiment has been echoed
by US commanders who see a US withdrawal beginning early next year. This
sentiment is also echoed by ThePhalanx.com as it is in our long term best
interest. Essential for a US pullout is a stable Iraq, and this can only be
done if the people are fully involved in their government and have a vested
interested in seeing that government succeed. Clearly the terrorists are
opposed to the government and will stop at nothing to bring it down. They
have made it clear their contempt for democracy and will kill anyone,
including Muslims to see it fail. The Americans can only do so much to fight
the radicals, but the Iraqis can do so much more. It is essential that the US
leave Iraq soon. Not only is it a drain on resources, but America simply
cannot govern another land. The Iraqis, however, must step up. They must
demand these radicals leave their country and they must back up their words
with deeds, otherwise, they will be bogged down in struggle for decades.
Above all, we cannot permit Iraq to be a haven for terrorists, anymore than
we can permit another Saddam Hussein to rise from the chaos to threaten the
region yet again. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4720083.stm Terrorists strikes highlights the global threat July 26, 2005 Britain, Egypt and Turkey. All three countries have been
the victims of recent terror strikes. Critics, including London’s mayor have
argued that its western policies, namely in Iraq, that are the cause for
these attacks. This message has been picked up by Al Qaeda, who use it as a
rallying crying when recruiting more fanatics to their murderous cause. The
Left also uses this cry when attacking the Bush Administration or Tony
Blair’s government. Such rhetoric has only one consequence, that of
undermining the war on terror. As Australian Prime Minister John Howard noted
on a recent visit to the UK, these terror attacks did not begin with the Iraq
war. Indeed, western nations have been a target for Islamic terrorists long
before Iraq, have we forgotten Sept 11, 2001? This major terror strike
certainly took place before Iraq. Howard noted the terror attack in Bali in
which scores of Aussies were killed. This too occurred long before Iraq. Even
if attacks in Britain were the result of Britain’s involvement in the Iraq
war then why exactly were Egyptians targeted this past weekend? Over 60
Egyptians (and Muslims) were killed at Sharm al-Shaykh on the Red Sea, yet Egypt has been a vocal
critic of the Iraq war and what of Turkey and the recent terror attacks in
Istanbul. They too opposed the war, yet are the victims of murderous
violence. The lesson is clear. Islamic terrorists care nothing about Iraq or
the plight of its citizens, any more than they cared for the Tsunami victims
in southeast Asia. These terrorists have been striking for DECADES, long
before either Iraq war and long before either George Bush. These people are
bent on global destruction and the eradication of the west, and democracy in
particular. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq, has made it
clear that his war is with democracy, as it is inconsistent with Islam in his
eyes and nothing will reconcile that. Perhaps America and the world will wake
up to this global threat before we are fully engulfed. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4704735.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4713723.stm Bin Laden’s cocaine plot July 26, 2005 According to recently published accounts. Osama Bin Laden
tried to sell poisoned cocaine to Americans. Information recently reveals that
Bin Laden approached drug lords in Columbia with a plan to purchase vast
amounts of cocaine. Then Ben Laden would lace the drug with some type of
poison thereby insuring the deaths of thousands of American dope fiends. The
Columbians, apparently, balked at the idea as it would be “bad for business,”
after all what business would want to kill off their customers? The Columbians also feared retaliation
from the US government, if their involvement were revealed. WARNING: INSENSITIVE REMARK COMING. Should we really
care if Al Qaeda wants to kill off the dredges of society? After all, any
moron who is taking Cocaine obviously doesn’t care anything about their lives
as it is, or the lives of anyone around them. It could be argued that these
people are slowly killing themselves in the first place. Why not give Ben
Laden a pass if he wants to lace an illegal and sometimes fatal substance
with another fatal substance? These people have already been warned urged and
threatened not to use such drugs. Indeed, Ben Laden could come on tape and
announce his plans to lace the drugs and many would still take them. Even if
Americans aren’t taking poisoned drugs, these dope fiends are still doing Ben
Laden’s bidding, as his organization is actively involved in drug trafficking
and thus every drug deal could be financing renewed terror attacks, for all
these people care. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,163633,00.html Pennsylvania Lt. Governor, shows how much she cares July 26, 2005 Catherine Baker
Knoll, the Democratic Lt. Governor of Pennsylvania, showed a family just how
much she cared about their recent loss. Knoll crashed a funeral for Joseph
Goodrich, a Marine who was recently killed in Iraq. According to reports, Lt.
Gov Knoll came to the funeral, uninvited and proceeded to pass out her
business card and then made statements about the state government’s
opposition to the war. Pennsylvania’s governor tried to explain the incident,
saying Knoll wasn’t campaigning, but was trying to make it known that she was
available if anyone needed her. Exactly what would these people need from the
Lt. Governor? Exactly what could she do? Does she have the ability to bring
people back to life? Will she single-handedly bring Al Qaeda to its knees?
Knoll knew exactly what she was doing. She further demonstrates the cold and
calculating behavior of the left, who care nothing for human suffering or
human misery, not to mention a lack of respect for privacy. What they care
about is publicity and political expedience. Exactly why was she attending an
event that she was not invited too?
Obviously, such behavior was over the line and if this woman is too
incompetent to realize that then perhaps she should tender her resignation.
And where is the Lt. Governor anyway. Why is it that the governor is speaking
on the incident? Is she a child, can she not speak for herself? Apparently
the incident only prompted Knoll to write a letter, which was obviously
penned by a staffer. In the letter Knoll stated that she arrived too late to
speak to the family, but as the Marine’s sister-in-law noted she certainly
made time for the television cameras. Apparently incompetence and missteps
are not new to the Lt. Governor, who apparently has mistaken the governor for
late actor Edward G. Robinson. http://kdka.com/local/local_story_206104801.html Renewed
terror strikes in London July 21, 2005 This morning
police in London are responding to several minor explosions in the London
transit system. So far it appears these blasts will not approach the carnage
and devastation of the recent London terror attacks, but they don’t have to.
The terrorists in this case aren’t so much attempting to kills Brits, though
they would like nothing more. They are simply trying to scare the British
people. The first attacks didn’t have the desired results. Tony Blair and the
British people didn’t kowtow to Al Qaeda’s demands, they didn’t cut and run
as in the Spanish example, so the terrorists figure, why not remind them who
they are dealing with. The idea is to convince the British people that
nowhere is safe as long as they don’t submit to the demands of the Islamic
extremists. It is unclear how Britain will respond. This is yet another test
of British solidarity and will determine if Britain can navigate through yet
another smokescreen. The left and Al Qaeda (Including London’s Mayor), will
tell Britain that it is all America’s fault. That Tony Blair and Afghanistan
is to blame, but we must remember what the Islamic clerics of Britain have
said. We must remember what Al Qaeda in Iraq have said. This is a war against
“non-Muslims” this is a war against moderate Muslims and above all this is a
war against democracy. As we at the Phalanx pointed out last week, terrorism
didn’t begin in 2001 or with the election of George Bush, we recounted
numerous acts of murder and terrorism in the 80s and 90s and we could recall
countless more in the 70s and 60s. Why? Because their war is with all of us,
in any time period. If you have any doubts, ask the Dutch, ask the Indians,
ask the Thai, ask the Sudanese, ask the Kenyans, ask the Filipinos and ask
even the Chinese. Ask almost anyone anywhere in the world and they know the
threat of Islamic extremists as ruthless murdering savages bent on world
domination. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4703777.stm Democrats
try to derail nomination July 21,
2005 Vocal liberal
firebrands like Charles Schumer of New York are working overtime to dig up as
much information as possible on John Roberts, in an effort to derail his
appointment to the US Supreme Court. Bush nominated Roberts for O’Connor’s
position earlier this week. Roberts, is a federal appeals court judge in
Washington and when confirmed for that position he received unanimous
support. Now Democrats are backpedaling in an effort to secure a liberal
majority on the court. One that will further erode civil liberties and
individual freedom in America. From the get go, Charles Schumer voiced
reservations because Roberts failed to answer pointed questions about
previous http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/07/21/scotus.main/ China gets
it right (for a change) July 21,
2005 For years
China has artificially pegged its currency to the US dollar. What this
basically means is that there is a fixed exchange rate. For years 8.28 yuan
equaled 1 US dollar. What does this mean you ask? Well 10 years ago the US
dollar had a higher overall value than it does today. Thanks to inflation,
the dollar only buys a fraction of what it could buy during your parents’
generation (no matter how old your parents are). Since the Chinese currency has
a fixed exchange rate, the value of goods and services from China have not
kept pace with inflation. Thus Chinese goods appear to be undervalued, thus
giving them an unfair competitive advantage in the international marketplace.
China is the only major country that clings to fixed exchange rates. This has
enabled China to give foreign competitors a run for their money as they
attempt to sell goods in China and as Chinese firms sell their wares abroad.
The Chinese have been under intense pressure to drop this fixed exchange
rates, but has thus far refused, until today. China finally announced that
they will allow their currency to float, which essentially means that its
value will be determined by the market not communist party central planners
in Beijing. This decision can only be good news for US industry as well as
other foreign manufacturers. http://money.cnn.com/2005/07/21/news/international/china_yuan/index.htm?cnn=yes American
education in the toilet July 20, 2005 Meeting in
Iowa for the National Governor’s Association Meeting, the nation’s governors
came to the rather obvious conclusion that America’s schools don’t prepare students
for the challenges they will face in an international marketplace. The
governor’s talked of proposals to re-design the nation’s school system in a
manner that offers greater challenges and preparation for successful careers.
As with many other “reform” efforts, this one is destined to be forgotten,
soon relegated to the dustbin of history. Increasingly a number of prominent
figures in business, education and politics have warned that the US is
continuing to fall behind other industrialized nations (like Britain and
Japan) and even loosing ground versus some developing nations (like China and
India). This problem is becoming more and more acute as American industry
becomes increasingly desperate for talent. More and more many US corporations
have looked to foreigners to fill their staffing needs. We have been warned
that our educational system is inadequate, yet little has been done. The list
of American educational deficiencies is long: the school year is too short,
as well as the school day. The curriculum isn’t rigorous nor is it
challenging, when compared with curriculum in foreign schools. Schools devote
entirely too many resources to sports teams and other non-academic endeavors.
Students are undisciplined and treat neither the educators, nor their peers
with respect. All the while foreign students continue to leap ahead of their
American brethren. Why is this? Why has the world’s richest, most innovative
and most powerful nation fallen behind in academics? As with the problems,
the reasons for America’s failures are long. America has become a nation that
has fully embraced the entitlement attitude. This hearkens back to the
populists of the late 1800s. More and more, many Americans feel they are
entitled to special treatment, special rewards and special incentives,
regardless of merit and regardless of effort. This entitlement generation has
embraced sloth as a way of life. The sloth culture has thoroughly corrupted
our schools and many other aspects of America. Why are school days short?
Because parents want them that way. Why is the school year only 180 days, far
shorter than in Korea and Japan? Because parents want them short. It wouldn’t
be convenient for distant parents to have longer school days or a longer
school year. Parents don’t want more rigorous curriculum, as they might have
to take more of an interest in the children they sired. Don’t suppose for a
minute that if parents wanted tougher standards, that they wouldn’t have
them. After all politicians want to be re-elected. We live in a culture that
places almost no value on knowledge and education. Children and adults alike
value sex, sports, perversion, music. Anything but that which can improve
their lives or their station in life. That which is desired is that which
requires the least amount of effort. That which requires effort is not
desired at all. Today’s children (and their parents) place no importance on
science or history or math or literature. Today’s children (and their
parents) lack any understanding of the concept of a work ethic. How else do
you explain the fact that most teens can name the winner of American Idol,
but can’t name a single Supreme Court Justice, or the Vice President, or a
prominent scientist from any era or one of Shakespeare’s plays (with the
possible exception of Romeo and Juliet). Many changes are needed if America
can expect to compete in the world of tomorrow. There must be greater school
choice. If schools must compete for students, then schools will excel. In
every instance where there has been a monopoly such as the public school
system, there is complacency, stagnation and little if any innovation. School
curriculum must be more rigorous if America’s youth are to be successful, but
what good is a rigorous curriculum if it isn’t valued or supported by society.
Look at America’s most popular figures, most of them are brain dead buffoons
who make money by memorizing other people’s words or singing someone else’s
songs. The champions of business, science and literature are virtually
unknown. Can things change? Perhaps, but not without a significant event to
open our eyes to the dangers that lie ahead. http://www.whotv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3603408 http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/16/education/16STUDENTS.html Chinese
officials on the lecture circuit…lecturing the US that is July
20, 2005 The Pentagon,
recently issued a report on Chinese military modernization and the concerns
the DoD has about Chinese military spending and the risks such spending poses
for US military and political strategists. The report was prepared for
Congress as well as the president. The report was not prepared for the United
Nations or for the Chinese leadership. Nonetheless, the reckless and
tyrannical dictators in Beijing have taken it upon themselves to lecture the
US about the necessity of staying out of Chinese internal affairs (or even
talking about China amongst themselves). Apparently, the Chinese are so
obsessed with suppressing free speech, that they actually believe their
freedom crushing laws apply beyond their borders. They argue that the US has
no grounds to issue such statements about Chinese military development. The
Chinese then lecture the US on sovereignty and staying out of internal
affairs, yet it is the Chinese who are doing that very thing. It is not the
US who tells China what reports they can issue and when, yet China feels
compelled to input their two cents in America’s internal policy decisions. A
Chinese spokesman, called on the US to “respect the facts, correct its
errors, stop gratuitously attacking China, stop interfering in China's
internal affairs, stop its words and deeds that damage Sino-U.S. relations.”
Gratuitously attacking China? Exactly which nation threatened to nuke who?
China. Exactly which nation has been threatening its neighbors with
inevitable invasion? China. Clearly the Chinese are sensitive to their
position and hope to engineer their continued military rise in a clandestine
fashion, so as not to interfere with the delicate business relationships they
have with other nations. China’s rise, however, is of no surprise to foreign
analysts and America will not be cowed or dictated too by authoritarian
communists afraid to let their own people govern themselves. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/20/AR2005072000461_pf.html Why is the US cozying up to India and vice versa? July 19, 2005 Why is the US cozying up to India and why is India buddy
buddy with the United States? One word…China. The US and India have never
been the best of friends. During the post-war era, India embraced a socialist
model economy and was quite friendly with the Soviet Union, Pakistan had
always been America’s traditional ally In South Asia. Beginning with Nixon’s
trip to China in 1972, that nation became friendlier to the US as well.
China, however, was frequently at odds with India, they clashed over border
disputes and that animosity continues today. Now in the 21st
century, Pakistan is still a traditional ally of the United States, but China
has become increasingly hostile to US interests. This hostility was
epitomized in a recent statement by a prominent Chinese http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5922_1435487,0015002100000000.htm Ebonics is back July 19, 2005 Remember Ebonics? A few years ago, this word (and subject)
made news when the Oakland School system (where else but California)
announced that they would begin teaching Ebonics in the schools. What is
Ebonics you ask? Basically it’s a dialect of English spoken primarily by
Black youth, though not exclusively. That’s essentially a complicated way of
saying “slang.” This Back Vernacular has been embraced by leftist,
paternalistic school systems across California, since Oakland broke ground in
the 1990s. This method of teaching is embraced by schools who have given up,
rather than teaching, they have decided to be taught by the kids. This is
essentially a racist overture. The message is that Blacks can’t learn
Standard English so why bother to teach it. What an unbelievable statement
for a teacher to make. Children don’t need to be taught slang. That can be
picked up after school. What’s next? Will all schools begin teaching in the
vernacular? Are we supposed to believe that Blacks are the only people on
earth or in the United States that use slang? Has anyone actually listened to
a teenager (of any race) in this day and age? Proponents of Ebonics expansion
contend that Blacks learn best in their own language and can’t be expected to
learn by teaching Standard English. This is a veiled insult of the highest
caliber and one we must come to expect from liberals. They disguise their
bigotry under the guise of compassion. To say that an entire group of people
can’t learn is no different than the utterances of slave masters 150 years
ago. Rather than lifting up students, more and more school systems are
failing them. Instead and entrusting students and giving them a sense that
they can achieve anything if they put their mind to it we tell them that you
can’t learn so we are going to teach down to you, we aren’t going to bother
to try and teach anything that may not come natural. What’s next? Vernacular
physics and vernacular calculus and vernacular economics? http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=45334 Murderer
was against murder…. July 19, 2005 Eric Rudolph was sentenced yesterday for an Abortion Clinic
bombing, which left a police officer dead. Rudolph was on the lamb years
before being caught in the Appalachian Mountains two years ago. Eventually
Rudolph pled guilty to the abortion clinic bombing as well as bombings in
Atlanta, including the 1996 Olympics. As victims and victim’s families railed
against Rudolph in an Alabama court, Rudolph stood silent. Rudolph’s plea
deal earned him a two life sentences in prison, he will be sentenced for the
Atlanta bombings next month, again he will receive life sentences for those
bombings as well. Rudolph made no apologies for his actions and argued that
abortion was murder and therefore he was entitled to fight abortion with
deadly force. Indeed, Rudolph was defiant in court. Not so defiant, however,
to risk the death penalty we see. Depending on who you ask, Abortion may be
murder but that does not condone Rudolph’s actions. He is a murderer pure and
simple and nothing will change that. If abortion was his motivation for
bombing abortion clinics what were is motivations for bombing the Olympics
and a gay bar in Atlanta. Simple hatred! What else would expect from a forest
dwelling Neanderthal a goon who hides in the shadows striking innocent people
with the loathsome pleasure of a Nazi storm trooper. Some people apparently
hate gays so much that even murder is justified. Yet this goon, has the
audacity to call himself Christian, well, Jesus may not have approved of
homosexuality, but something tells me he wouldn’t have approved of killing
them. I guess love your neighbor has a different meaning for those who prefer
foraging in the Appalachian mountains. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/18/AR2005071801293.html Mom tries to give baby e. coli July 18, 2005 In what is perhaps the sickest and most depraved case of
child abuse we have ever heard, police have arrested, Stephanie McMullen, a Florida woman for child abuse.
Apparently, medical personal at the hospital became concerned because
McMullen’s child had been hospitalized repeatedly for serious illnesses and
the child was only 22 months old. Upon close examination the doctors found
e.coli bacteria and concluded that it had to have been injected into the
child’s bloodstream. The most likely source of the e.coli bacteria was human
feces. Upon searching McMullen’s home and work locker, a host of
incriminating evidence was found. The woman’s attorney claims the child has
an eating disorder, which is utter nonsense. The child isn’t anorexic or
bulimic, those are caused by social behavior, if the parent was caring for
the child properly there would be no problems. Others have suggested that the
woman may have Munchausen’s syndrome, the victims
of which inflict illnesses in an effort to gain attention for themselves. In
reality it makes no difference what her excuse is. The fact of the matter is,
she injected feces into her child, this is an act of treachery and depravity
unrivaled. She could have easily killed her infant child and we are expected
to palate such tired excuses. This woman deserves the maximum punishment
allowed by law, which should include child abuse and attempted murder.
Perhaps a few decades in a maximum-security prison would cure her desire for
attention. http://www.wftv.com/news/4728708/detail.html Cohabitation in, marriage out July 18, 2005 It was bound to happen in the convenience and sloth based
culture that is embraced in America today. Invariably, the tide would turn
against marriage in favor of “cohabitation.” And studies now support that
contention. As USA Today notes: “Men
and women who moved in together used to raise eyebrows. Living together out
of wedlock, once considered "shacking up" or "living in
sin," has lost its stigma as cohabitation has become mainstream.”
According to data released by the US Census Bureau, some 10 million people
are living together. As cohabitation is on the rise, the number of people
getting married continues to decline. Studies also show that those who opt to
live together are less likely to get married and those that do are much more
likely to get divorced. This goes against mainstream conventional wisdom. The
proponents of shacking-up argue that by living together people can gain a
greater sense of compatibility, increasing the likelihood of a successful
marriage. This conclusion, however, is in error, as research clearly
indicates. Studies have clearly shown that those living together are much
less committed. This, however, is frequently overlooked. The explanation,
however, is obvious. Those who resolve to live together are choosing the
option, which requires, no sacrifice, no dedication to an individual and
ultimately no commitment. When a person chooses marriage (theoretically) they
are saying in the presence of the law, friends, family (and God) that they
are committed to this person and disregard all others. It’s a symbolic act
yes, but in symbolism there is meaning, which is lacking in these other
arrangements. Unfortunately many people are resolving to have kids and raise
families in such settings, which have irreparable damage on young children,
as well as sending the message to kids that nothing is permanent, nothing is
valued, nothing is sacred and even love and commitment are temporary. What a
wholesome message. Invariable we should not be surprised in a society where
people continuously seek the path of least resistance. Where people look for
reward regardless of effort. http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2005-07-17-cohabitation_x.htm Horse gets the better of a pervert July 15, 2005 A Seattle man now knows the price you pay for
nonconsensual sex. Recently a Seattle area man died at Enumclaw Community Hospital. The man died from injuries he
sustained during nonconsensual sex….with a horse. Using surveillance equipment,
police were able to track down the farm where the man-horse encounter took
place. The victim, who’s name has not been released (why we ask, shouldn’t
residents know a local moron for what he was), suffered massive internal
bleeding after fornicating with a horse. Bestiality
is not illegal in Washington State but animal abuse is and apparently the
farm where this incident took place is a regular paradise, for those
interested in having sex with farm animals. Authorities found chickens, goats
and other animals on the premises. And while the horse in question was
uninjured in the encounter, authorities may be able to bring charges of
animal abuse toward participants who have bed down smaller animals who could
suffer injuries. The local Humane Society has called for the state
legislature in Washington to ban bestiality. We at the Phalanx have to ask
why? If people are vile, sick and moronic enough to engage in such a
practice, why not let them, but they shouldn’t expect to receive medical
attention on the public dime, if things go awry. Rather than pass a law
banning the practice, Washington should erect billboards along all major
thoroughfares with pictures of these sexual predicators of sorts. Since these
people obviously prefer the companionship of barnyard animals perhaps they
should live amongst them, eat what they eat, sleep where they sleep and graze
where they graze. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002382718_horse15m.html?syndication=rss Chirac:
we’re better than Britain July 15, 2005 As we noted
briefly in our report on the French Bastille Day celebration. French
President Jacques Chirac, used the backdrop of a national holiday, to assail
a supposed ally and trumpet the supposed accomplishments of French society.
Chirac noted that the French social model was superior to that of the
British, countering remarks made by his Interior Minister, Nicolas Sarkozy,
who posed the question that perhaps it was France that was wrong and the
world that was right. Chirac noted that France invested a greater proportion
of its national wealth into education and scientific research than Britain.
But with what results? Chirac admitted that Britain had a far lower
unemployment rate, but countered by noting that France has a lower poverty
rate. Chirac also noted that French agricultural production exceeds that of
the rest of Europe. This statement, however, is misleading as France only
exceeds Britain in agricultural production in terms of total figures, but
then again France has more than twice as many people working in the
agricultural field. When you look at agricultural production per capita,
Britain far exceeds French agricultural productivity and efficiency. French
agriculture is also highly dependent upon huge subsidies from the French and
EU governments. Simply put, Chirac’s flumelry doesn’t match reality. Chirac
claims that France is the superior nation, indeed, he would argue the best
nation in the world, but by what barometer? By what standard does France
eclipse Britain or any other western nation for that matter? Perhaps the only
arena in which France and Britain are comparable is in population. Both
nations have approximately 60-61 million people, but by most measures of
success Britain eclipses France. In terms of overall wealth, Britain exceeds
France. In terms of average income, level of unemployment, percent of
population living with AIDS, economic growth rate, inflation and net
immigration rate, France is eclipsed by Britain. In a variety of measures
France comes up second. In terms of religious freedom for example and
individual liberty, France is second to Britain. Indeed, the simple fact that
Chirac felt compelled to broadcast to the nation all the reasons why his
country is supposedly superior highlights exactly why it isn’t. In what other
country, except perhaps China or Russia, would you expect a leader to go on
national television with such drivel? Others would be content to let facts speak
for themselves, which is the very reason why Tony Blair did not bother to
dignify a response. Most Frenchman are quite unsatisfied with the meager
performance of their country and hence the reason Chirac felt compelled to
make such ridiculous statements. He obviously can’t produce results, so why
not pull a Mussolini and draw attention away from domestic problems by
tearing down others. The only aspect of this story that is truly surprising
is the absence of any mention of the United States. Perhaps Chirac didn’t
mention the US in his tired comparison because aside from sloth and
complacency, there is little in the way of French superiority to the American
system. China threatens US with nuclear weapons July 15, 2005 The peace loving People’s Republic of China, flush with
confidence from years of economic growth and foreign direct investment, now
feels confident enough to play the game all tyrants love to play: nuclear
brinksmanship. During a recent speech on Taiwan, General Zhu Chenghu, declared that the US would come under
Chinese nuclear attack if they interfered with any conflict between the PRC
and the island nation of Taiwan. The overly nationalistic Chinese, still
cling to the belief that Taiwan is a rogue province that belongs to China.
Clearly the dictatorial Chinese do not belief in the concept of
self-determination. Regardless of this Taiwan is for all intents and purposes
an independent state. They exercise their own foreign and military policy.
They exert control over their own economy and are inclined to continue to do
so. General Zhu is only the latest in a long line of Chinese leaders who
threaten war, to divert attention from tyrannical practices at home. As Zhu
noted: “We . . . will prepare ourselves for the destruction of all of the
cities east of Xian. Of course the Americans will have to be prepared that
hundreds . . . of cities will be destroyed by the Chinese.” This statement underlines
the foolhardiness of the Chinese leadership. While it is true, China has made
great strides in recent decades. China remains a third world nation, with an
average per capita GDP on only $5000, many people in China remain nestled in
poverty. This recent outburst also underestimates the abilities of the United
States. If China were foolish enough to launch a nuclear strike upon the
United States, that would demand a full-scale retaliatory strike upon the
People’s Republic of China. Zhu is incorrect in declaring that Chinese cities
east of Xian would be lost. Chinese cities in every corner of China would be
lost as US ICBMs have an unlimited range when reaching earthbound targets.
General Zhu quantified his rant by noting that his views were not those of
the Chinese leadership and he did not expect war with the US, but the
insinuation is clear and US strategist should take note of the growing
Chinese threat. http://news.ft.com/cms/s/28cfe55a-f4a7-11d9-9dd1-00000e2511c8.html London terror mastermind captured July 15, 2005 The supposed mastermind of the
London terror attacks has been captured in Egypt. Magdi Mahmoud al-Nashar is a 33 year old Chemist
who studied in the US and Britain. Authorities believe Al-Nashar left Britain
shortly before the terror attacks were carried out. The supposed mastermind
of the attacks was captured in Cairo today, after a massive worldwide manhunt
that involved several police organizations, including the FBI. Al-Nashar is
the fifth person suspected by British authorities in the bombing. The other
four are believed to have died in the attacks. This represents a pattern for
Islamic terrorists, as they convince naïve young Muslims who, for one reason
or another, are disaffected and convince them to carry out these treacherous
acts of villainy. Meanwhile leaders like Al-Nashar flee under cover of
darkness to bring harm to others at a later date. While it is unclear at the
moment, British authorities suspect that there may be others involved in the
bomb plot. One thing is for certain, many Brits, including authorities, have
tolerated the presence of radicals in their country and now they are paying
the price for that complacency. Hopefully, the lesson of London will be
learned by those advocates of political correctness in the US as we move to
stamp of Islamic terror. Our options: Convert, Submit or Die July 14, 2005 In the wake of the terror attacks in London, many Britons
are asking the same questions many Americans were asking four years ago. Why
us and what do they want? To a pragmatist, to anyone who is a student of
history, to anyone with a memory and to anyone who can read and hear the
answer is clear. They want for us the same thing that the Nazis wanted for
the Jews and the Slavs of Eastern Europe. They want us dead and more
lebensraum for them. All non-Muslims are targets and all Muslims who do not
share this thirst for conquest are also targets. Anywhere and everywhere that
people pursue peace and democracy, terrorists strike in their efforts to
sabotage peace and stability. In Israel, terrorists strike just as soon as
the Palestinians and Israelis come to terms. In South Asia, terrorists attack
houses of worship and government buildings in India, just as India and
Pakistan try to negotiate a solution to their problems. In Thailand,
terrorists target teachers for extermination, because they are Buddhists. In
the Philippines terrorists kidnap and murder tourists. In Indonesia
terrorists attack aid workers assisting in the Tsunami relief efforts. In
Sudan terrorists murder massive numbers of peasants for the crime of
following Christ and not Mohammed. In each of these incidents the face of
terror is Islamic extremism and in each case America is not involved, yet
contemporary liberal doctrine and Islamic terror rhetoric holds that the
terrorists are active because the US is in Afghanistan and Iraq, but In 1998,
Osama Ben Laden held that it was acceptable to kill any American anywhere in
the world, because we had troops stationed in Saudi Arabia. These statements
and the examples cited obviously can’t be reconciled, as it is clear threat
the war waged by Islamic radicals is not only with the United States, but is
far in its range and scope and has much more to do with hatred of the west
than with Afghanistan and Iraq. It can be further noted that terrorism is far from a new
occurrence. In the past 2 decades there have been thousands of acts of
terror, including many notable attacks on Americans. During the 1980s 30
Americans were kidnapped and killed in Lebanon. In 1983, Islamic terrorists
launched a suicide bomb attack on the US embassy in Lebanon, that same year
there was a terror strikes on the US embassy in Kuwait. In 1984 there was
another attack on the US embassy in Lebanon. Also in 1984 a Kuwait Airlines
flight was hijacked, resulting in the deaths of 2 Americans. In 1985 Islamic
terrorists struck a restaurant in Madrid killing many. Also in 1985 and
cruise ship and an airline were hijacked, in both cases an American was
killed. Also in 1985 two European airports were bombed with more death and
destruction. In 1986 a bomb exploded aboard a TWA flight from Greece, more
death. Three days later Islamic terrorists struck a disco in Germany, dozens
more killed. In 1988, Islamic terrorists destroyed a Pan Am jet over Scotland
and that’s just the 1980s. In 1993, Islamic terrorists attacked the World
Trade Center in New York. In 1995 a bomb exploded at a US base in Saudi
Arabia. In 1996 a bomb exploded at a US military housing complex in Saudi
Arabia. In 1998 there were two simultaneous attacks on US embassies in
Tanzania and Kenya. In 2000 there was an attack on the USS Cole in Yemen. All
these attacks occurred during the Clinton administration, but the left would
have you believe that George Bush, single handedly created the Islamic
terrorist threat. In any case, the threat is clear and the threat is not
new. The threat, however, is growing as these Islamic terrorists are becoming
more brazen and rash. Their war is not just with the United States, as
leftists here and abroad would argue. Their war is with the west, democratic
ideals and Muslims who do not submit to their view of the world. We as
Americans have three options according to the Islamic terrorists, we can
convert to Islam, we can submit to Islamic law or we can die. Those are our
only options. No other alternatives are available to us. As Abu Musab al
Zarqawi noted they (Al Qaeda) oppose democracy and earlier this year he
stated his objections to the practice:
These facts cannot be reconciled, we must therefore be
mindful of the threat we face, it is the threat of total war and or subjugation.
The Islamic fascist radicals wouldn’t have it any other way. http://www.townhall.com/columnists/larryelder/le20050714.shtml Ebbers
cries in court July 14, 2005 Bernard
Ebbers, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for orchestrating the world’s
biggest fraud scheme. Ebbers, the then CEO and Chairman of Worldcom, was a
key player in the $11 billion securities scheme. Ebbers was found guilty
earlier this year for his role in the fraud. From the onset, Ebbers
proclaimed his innocence. At one point Ebbers noted that he wasn’t familiar
with the books. If that had been true, as it obviously wasn’t he would have
deserved to be punished. How is it conceivable that the leader of one of the
country’s largest telecommunications firms could be unfamiliar with the
details of that business’s finances? Isn’t that what he is paid to do in the
first place? Ebbers claimed to have limited knowledge of accounting and left
the details to others. This defense, is reminiscent of the tired excuses used
by Nazi war criminals in the wake of World War II, and while Ebbers actions
did not result in the deaths of any people, his actions were very much
criminal and undermined not only the livelihoods of investors and employees
but contributed to our weakened economy in the aftermath of 2001, given the
growing distrust of US corporations. Ebbers, who is 63, is set to begin
serving his sentence in October of this year. Why not now? Given his age and
the length of his sentence it is likely that he will spend the rest of his
life in prison, which is fitting for the leader of a criminal enterprise
surpassing the wildest dreams of Al Capone, Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky.
Ebbers cried like a new born baby as his sentence was handed down, as well he
should cry for all the innocent victims he defrauded. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/07/14/ebbers_weeps/ Bastille
Day: Only in France July 14,
2005 In case you
hadn’t noticed and it’s easy to see how one might miss it. Today is Bastille
Day. Only in France would people celebrate and march in honor of a prison
break. The Bastille was a prison in the heart of Paris in 1789. On July 14,
angry crowds stormed the prison seizing gunpowder and hacking guards to
death. The Bastille held no political prisoners, as the French would have you
believe (only murders, pickpockets and other lowlifes). France commemorates
this day as the beginning of the French Revolution. The uprising that began
in France in 1789 was many things but it was certainly no democratic
revolution. After the events of 1789, French “revolutionaries” went on to
murder more than 60,000 of their fellow countrymen, no not by the sword on
the battlefield as they fought for a better democratic world, but by the
guillotine after a Kangaroo court convicted many French through hearsay and
slander alone. And did this usher in democracy, no, it ushered in the age of
Napoleon and yet another absolute tyrannical monarch (what else would you
call an emperor) and when Napoleon was defeated did democracy come to France?
No, the king returned to power. It wasn’t until the Franco-Prussian war of
the 1870s that France became a democracy and this was at the hands of the
Germans who saw democracy as a weak form of government, imposing it on France
to permanently weaken her. So what exactly is Jacque Chirac and other
Frenchmen celebrating? Chirac used the backdrop of the holiday to trumpet
French successes (this must have been a short speech). He hailed the French
welfare state, noting that less Frenchmen lived below the poverty line than
in Britain and argued France was investing heavily in research and education.
This may be so, and we doubt that it is, but it certainly has failed to
produce results. France has extremely high levels of unemployment and a
consistently stagnant economy. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4681297.stm Cleric: All people are fair game July 13, 2005 An Islamic cleric in Britain has given tacit approval to
the bombings, which took place in London last week. Hani Al-Sibai, who is the director of the Al-Maqreze Centre for Historical Studies, made it clear
that it was a great victory for Al Qaeda. Al-Sibai argues that there is no
such thing as an innocent civilian. Essentially, the world is composed of
believers and non-believers, those who are non-believers are acceptable
targets for Islamic radicals who seek to wage Holy War against the world.
During an interview with Al Jazeera, Al-Sibai also noted that Tony Blair was
unfairly blaming Muslims for this attack. He noted that it could have been
the work of a western intelligence service, could this be a swipe at the United
States? In any case, such a suggestion is pure nonsense of the highest
caliber. There is no question this attack is the result of Islamic radicals
just like the vast majority of all terror strikes committed since the 1960s.
Al-Sibai also justified Ben Laden’s tired claim that Al Qaeda and its attacks
were justified because of past transgressions against Muslims over several
hundred years. Apparently in the eyes of radical Islam, an insult at any
period in history can be avenged now and continuously and in perpetuity. This
of course is nothing more than another excuse to justify wholesale slaughter
and murder on a global scale. If Muslims are so eager to avenge history,
shouldn’t the people of Europe and North Africa have a claim to avenge Muslim
transgressions as Islam spread ever so violently across the Mediterranean
world? During Al-Sibai’s interview, he also criticized certain Muslim groups,
who spoke out against the violence, claiming they did nothing for the poor
and aren’t interested in people’s problems. This accurately describes Al
Qaeda. What have they done for poor Muslims, whose problems do they care
about? Where was Al Qaeda during the Tsunami disaster in Southeast Asia. Al
Qaeda was no where to be seen, but America and all the other infidels were
right there giving their time, donating equipment and millions upon millions
to assist in the relief effort. How much did Al Qaeda give? Not one dime,
because they only care for destruction. Al-Sibai’s ranting and raving is
nothing more than a smokescreen to justify murder, yet this smokescreen also
reveals their true intentions, as it is clear that they see ALL non-Muslims
as enemies and potential targets. Make no mistake about it, these radicals
will not rest until the world is under their feet. http://memri.org/bin/latestnews.cgi?ID=SD93205 More support for strong economy July 13, 2005 Recently we commented on figures, which supported the
administrations arguments that the economy is continuing to perform well.
Jobless figures continue to decline and our economic growth rate surpasses
every other industrialized nation. Now we have reports that tax revenue has
increased significantly during the past quarter. So significant is the growth
in tax revenue that the White House has been forced to revise down figures on
the deficit. The current budget deficit is $251 billion, which is far lower
than predicted and much less than the same period 1 year ago. Government
reports reveal that corporate tax revenue is up 40% and individual tax
revenue is up as well. This evidence further deflates leftist claims that the
president’s tax cuts have crippled the economy. Obviously this is a claim
rooted in politics not in the science of economics. As the president wisely
calculated, by reducing taxes, citizens and businesses have more available
cash to spend on the domestic economy, thus increasing revenue for businesses
and leading to further economic growth and job creation. This has been proven
every time it has been tried, yet leftists cling to the opposite model of
increasing taxes, which serves only to slow an economy. The New York Times
correctly pointed out, however, that government spending continues to
increase, something neither the GOP nor the left seems to have the ability to
stop. Indeed federal spending has increased by 7% this year alone. This
excessive spending must be curtailed if the budget is ever to be brought
under control. This further demonstrates the failure of both major parties to
institute real reform. Put simply, a politician is incapable of reducing
spending because spending is a means of exerting political influence, which
is addictive to a politician and impossible to reject. Terror attack in Baghdad reveals depravity of extremists July 13, 2005 Yesterday a suicide bomber in Baghdad launched an attack,
which killed 24 people in the Iraqi capital. The attack resulted in the
deaths of many children, as well as a US soldier. Before the attack, soldiers
were handing out candy to the children. Once again, this attack highlights
the depravity and murderous savagery of people bent on one goal: death. These
radicals have contributed nothing to Iraq’s people, only to their deaths.
They haven’t given anything to charity, supposedly one of the five pillars of
Islam. They haven’t fostered greater community, or done anything to advance
their own spiritual beliefs indeed they have done more to undermine faith in
Islam than any American ever good. What message is delivered when radicals in
the name of Islam continuously kill other Muslims, including women and
children? The message is: we only care about power, death and destruction and
that is truly all these radicals care about. Meanwhile ordinary Iraqis go on
trying to rebuild their lives; building schools, businesses, worship centers,
etc…Yesterday’s attack on the Iraqi children wasn’t the only depraved suicide
attack. A terrorist, blew himself up inside a Sunni Mosque in the town of Jalawlah. A Mosque of all places, and a Sunni
one at that. We thought the Sunnis supposedly supported the Islamic
extremists. Apparently no one is safe in the minds of these brain dead
terrorists. Sadly, these bombings won’t stop until ordinary Iraqis make it
stop. It takes more than security forces to create a stable country. The
people must come out in force against the terror and work cooperatively with
the security forces to identify and halt attacks before they are initiated.
Then and only then will Iraq be secure. http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/07/13/iraq.main/ 10 year olds having sex? July 12, 2005 The problem of teenage promiscuity is well documented. For
years, parents, politicians, religious leaders and school officials have been
trying to encourage teens not to have sex and at the very least to use
protection when engaging in the practice. Now comes a report from Community Information, Empowerment and
Transparency (CIET Africa), which says that 1/3 of 10 year olds are having
sex. Believe it or not, there was actually a time when 10 year olds didn’t
even know what sex was, now apparently a 1/3 of them are practitioners and
with devastating results. The Study, which included many thousand South
African school children, reveals how deficient parents and schools in that
country actually are. Many respondents indicated they didn’t believe condoms
had any affect in preventing disease or pregnancy. Several indicated that
violent sexual activity was socially acceptable and many others felt that
having sex with a virgin could cure AIDS. South Africa is better off than
most African countries. The country’s democracy is stable and respect for the
rule of law appears fairly common. South Africa, however, still has its share
of problems including high levels of unemployment (nearing 20%), AIDS and
high birth rates among the poor. These factors will make it far more
difficult for ordinary South Africans to emerge from poverty. As long as
these countries take such a cavalier attitude toward sex, they will continue
to be burdened with extreme poverty. The G8 recently announced plans to
significantly boost African aid, all of which is moot without structural
reform and that reform must extend beyond judicial and political reform, it
must also address issues like high birth rates and AIDS as these factors are
contributing to Africa’s poverty rate and making the likelihood that the G8
will be compelled to give even more down the line so much more likely. http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=15&art_id=vn20050710123619850C495299 Radical Muslim killer vows to kill again July 12, 2005 Mohammed Bouyeri, a radical
Islamic extremist, vowed that he felt no remorse for the killing of a Dutch
filmmaker, Theo van Gogh, and declared that if given the opportunity he would
do it again. The murder of Van Gogh touched off a wave of violence in the
Netherlands and demonstrated to the overly tolerant Dutch, how dangerous the
threats they face truly are. Bouyeri, used his trial as a circus. http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-neth12.html US reiterates support for Japanese seat on Council July 12, 2005 Secretary
of State Condoleezza Rice, has renewed her support for a Japanese seat on the
UN Security Council. Japan, along with Brazil, Germany and India have been
pushing for reform on the UN Security Council. They are seeking four
additional seats to add to the existing five permanent members. Naturally,
the US has not been a big fan of this proposal. In the first place, Europe is
already overly represented with Britain and France. There is no justifiable
reason for Germany to have a seat as well. Perhaps the Europeans can have a
EU seat, since they want a common foreign policy anyway. In the second place
several of these members make no secret of their desires to restrict the
influence of the United States, even to the point of place the US in extreme
danger. Brazil and Germany see themselves as major powers, which have been overlooked.
Major powers, however, actually contribute to world stability. Something
Brazil cannot claim, and something Germany could never claim. India is fairly
benign, while not being vocally anti-American, the nation has not contributed
much in the realm of promoting stability or fighting terrorism, which is
unfortunate considering the amount of terrorism that takes place in India. Of
all these countries, only Japan is truly deserving of a seat of the UN
Security Council. Japan, like Britain in Europe, has been a staunch American
ally and a bulwark against communism in the past and a bulwark against terror
and fanaticism at present. Japan has also contributed to security in Iraq.
Japan has given generously to promote security and stability around the world.
Japan, thus has demonstrated its desire to fully participate among the body
of nations, just as nations like Germany have sought to shrug their
responsibility, while condemning others who take action in support of peace.
Thus, Secretary Rice is correct in endorsing the Japanese bid as Japan has
demonstrated that it would take on such a role with vigor and determination
to see her duty through. Columnist:
Churches shouldn’t be exempt from eminent domain July 11, 2005 Recently in the local Atlanta newspaper, a liberal columnist argued that churches should not be exempt from eminent domain. This is one argument that you would expect from a self-avowed liberal columnist. Diane Glass, a leftist was probably quite enamored with the Supreme Court after their ruling on eminent domain. After all the left detests the concept of private property as this gives the general populace some semblance of power and independence and as we all know, leftist doctrine compels subservience to the state and thus anything that empowers must be eliminated. Two things that empower are spirituality and ownership of private property. This ruling against eminent domain has already struck the first blow against the concept of private property all that remains is god. Then God must go. Does anyone truly wonder why both communist and fascist regimes of the past century sought to destroy the church and other faiths as well? Because spirituality teaches that ther | |||||
