July 5, 2009 – Much can be said to explain, or even justify Hamas’ recent political concessions, where its top leaders in Gaza and Damascus agreed in principle with a political settlement on the basis of the two-state solution.
On June 25, Damascus-based leader of the Islamic group’s political bureau, Khaled Meshaal reiterated Hamas’ rejection of recognizing Israel as a Jewish State, rightfully dubbing such a designation as “racist, no different from Nazis and other calls denounced by the international community.” However, he did endorse the idea of a two-state solution, which envisages the creation of an independent Palestinian state on roughly 22 percent of the land of historic Palestine.
The announcement was hardly earth shattering, for other Hamas leaders have alluded, or straightforwardly agreed to the same notion in the past.
Does anyone remember this infamous quote? “My friends, we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world, I hope you’ll join with me as we try to change it.” Barack Hussein Obama
This statement, made just before the election, was laughed off at the time as just a little gaffe, to be overlooked and forgotten. After all, anyone may occasionally misspeak their thoughts. Let me assure you that this was no more a gaffe than when his fatherly friend and mentor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright proclaimed his hate for America. In this instance, Obama said EXACTLY what he meant! In his first six months in office he has succeeded in bringing our once great nation nearer to socialism and eventually Communism. Obama has launched his attack on America to destroy our Republic and he is not alone in his efforts to subjugate the American population. He has gained the support of others of like thinking in Congress and the Courts and in the liberal media which adores this man and loudly sings his praises.
“Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.” – Ronald Reagan
In the perpetual battle of ‘us’ versus ‘them’ and the left/right spitting match-rock fight, it is oftentimes too easy for ideology and partisanship to overshadow reality. Both the “Us” team and the “Them” team are rock solid convinced they are right, the other guys are wrong and don’t want to confused with any facts that contradict their preconceived opinions and prejudices.
Meanwhile, the nation is pretty evenly divided between mutually exclusive polar opposites.
General Quarters… General Quarters … This is a Drill …All hands on deck !
How I remember that alarm being sounded aboard ship years ago. It seemed like every time I left the stuffy troop compartment to go up topside to catch a breath of fresh air, grab a smoke, or enjoy a nice hot cup of coffee, the sadistic skipper would invariably sound the General quarters alarm, which would send the sailors scurrying about manning their guns, or posts, in a drill to stave off a non existent enemy attack, while forcing the Marines back down below to their hot stuffy dungeon to wallow around in the stench of the odor of body excrement.
This always perplexed me, as I wondered why we always held General Quarters drills in the middle of the South China Sea, when the North Vietnamese had no navy to speak of, with the exception of a few small patrol boats, or an air force which consisted of a handful of MIG 17′s, plus one Trojan Trainer plane hijacked from the Laotian air force.
July 5, 2009 – In the national debate about health care reform absolutely nothing makes less sense than the positive views of much of the public about private health insurers. There is no good reason to have positive views of private health insurers, the companies that have relentlessly increased the costs for very limited health insurance. Copays, deductibles and premiums have raped those lucky enough to have health insurance while also making it very difficult much of the time to get coverage for all kinds of health problems. The US health care system is unbelievably inefficient, providing far less effective health care for what is incredibly high costs, compared to all other industrialized countries. The main reason is the private health insurance industry.
I’ve heard it all- the cries, the pleas, the whines, the double speak and the lies. “We need the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to protect us from terrorists.” “We must have Real ID to protect us from illegal immigration.” “We must have E-Verify to protect American jobs.” “Traffic light cameras are necessary to make the streets safer.” “Security cameras on street corners make our neighborhoods safer.” “I’m glad the TSA is there at the airport – I feel so much safer getting on an airplane.” And my favorite lie of them all – “If you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear.”
Take note: every single one of these issues results in bigger, more invasive government, and not a single one will do anything to solve the intended problem. Every single one will make you less free, less happy and less safe.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
July 4, 2009 – “And the rocket’s red glare ….. the bombs bursting in air ….. gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave ….. O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?”
That’s right! The “star-spangled banner does yet wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave” and it will continue to wave, because Americans will not let go of their hard-won freedom.
As Francis Scott Key watched over the ramparts from his sloop, after visiting a British ship in an attempt to exchange a prisoner during the war of 1812, he managed to hold on to his strong belief in liberty and as long as that flag still waved over Fort McHenry in the battle of Baltimore, liberty still lived in his mind and on the land he loved.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same." ~ Ronald Reagan
July 5, 2009 – Much can be said to explain, or even justify Hamas’ recent political concessions, where its top leaders in Gaza and Damascus agreed in principle with a political settlement on the basis of the two-state solution.
