Iranian Thugery

If I want to know what is happening in Iran, I turn to Michael Ledeen. Last night he confirmed that the two top leaders of the Green Movement have been kidnapped, blindfolded, and stuffed in the trunks of their cars and taken to three different locations, along with their wives.

Rural to Urban, and Back

Today was a rare Saturday off, so I piled the three youngest in the car to go explore downtown Denver. Going downtown in the big city is a really fun thing for us farm kids. First we stopped at the Brewery/Restaurant founded by our current Governor John Hickenlooper. It is a favorite of mine, because it has a big play space on the second floor. We played shuffleboard and darts, while trying to eat a big plate of nachos. We all found we were better at darts than shuffleboard.

Next we put some more quarters in the meter and walked over to the 16th Street Mall. We rode the Mall Bus for a while, then decided to see if we could go up to the top of one of the tall buildings.
We joined a group of college kids who were going to the 51st floor of a building for a class on community organizing! I kid you not! There was a magnificent view from that height.

When we came back down to street level, lo and behold there was a several block long group of protesters marching in solidarity with the leftists in Wisconsin. It gave me a good opportunity to explain to the kids what was happening. Most of the Denver protesters were unhappy about Planned Parenthood losing the ability to take taxpayer money to kill babies, who have no CHOICE in the matter, but there was also plenty of hatred directed toward Wisconsin Governor Walker for asking union workers there to pay a portion of their healthcare and pensions. Sorry, no photos of the baby-killing narcissists who want your money.

If you judge the popularity of an activity by the most amount of time spent doing it, then riding the escalators clearly was the hit of the day! Going down the up and up the down was the most fun.

Your own worst enemy

Are you your own worst enemy? If so, you are probably not fooling other people, when you try to portray yourself as a victim, and thereby blame your behavior on someone else. If you are in that tiny minority who carry around with you toxicity with which you try to infect others, STOP IT! GO AWAY!

I feel better now.

Media priorities

People Magazine knows a good story/photo-op when they see one. Although CBS News has kept largely quiet about what they reported as a "brutal and sustained sexual assault and beating" suffered by their attractive Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent, Lara Logan, People found a sexy photo of her from 2009, showing lots of breast. The photo shows her next to a man she dated in Iraq, while both were still married to "others." Oh, and the story's bottom line? "She is passionate about what she does." Titillating enough for you yet?

An easy request to fulfill

After our book-reading and prayers, I walked out of Sara's room tonight, but she called out to me as I reached the bedroom door, "Dad?"
"Yes, Sara?"
"In math today Ryan told me that if I didn't stop talking so much, he would call in some Zombies to drink my blood. Can you please make that not happen?"
"Sure, Sara."

Take Your Seats!

Via Theo Spark

A Delusional Dictator

Via Theo Spark

A Stroke of Insight

I am reading a fascinating book entitled My Stroke of Insight by Dr. Jill Taylor. Jill was working as a brain scientist at Harvard, when she awoke one morning to the terrible pain of a stroke. She was hemmorrhaging blood on the left side of her brain. The book is about that experience and her recovery.

Jill explains some things about the left and right sides of our brains. The left brain houses our linguistic abilities, our calculating abilities, our analytical judgment. When Jill lost those functions, they were replaced by an incredible inner peace, euphoria, and bliss (she also uses the terms "grace" and "Nirvana.") She had no verbal cues, but also no lifetime of emotional baggage. The right side of our brains gives us our ability to understand big picture concepts and ideas. Normally there is a constant interaction between our left and right hemispheres. Jill lost that.

Did you know that each of us has approximately 50 trillion cells in our bodies? That most of us have nearly identical brains? It is the 0.01 percent in which we are different, that creates all the fun in the world. Viva la difference! That all living things, including plants, animals and humans share a common DNA? (and, I might add, a common Creator)!

Speaking of our Creator, I found it interesting that Ms. Taylor referred to the "Great Spirit." With only her right brain functioning, she felt "at one with the universe," and a "glorious bliss." Could the right brain be the place where our soul is housed?

A salute to Texas

Texas is about to pass a law allowing concealed handguns on all their 38 public universities serving more than 500,000 students. Only one other state has had the wisdom to enact such legislation: Utah.

Obama cuts out broadcasts on Voice of America to China

President Obama's budget calls for cutting out all radio and t.v. Voice of America broadcasts into China. Oh well, they were probably pushing values like freedom and liberty.

Found: Al Gore!

Al Gore surfaced last week, just long enough to sell the Brooklyn Bridge on February 17th to a group of tourists from Slovakia. According to this blog, proceeds will go toward his new global warming foundation.

U.N. Silent on Gaddafi

Gaddafi (or Qaddafi, if you prefer), a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, is using high caliber, possibly anti-aircraft, weapons against his people. Doctors treating the wounded say the bullets are as big as their fists. So far, no word from the U.N.

Is the media going to follow this story?

CBS reported here that one of their reporters, Chief Foreign Correspondent Lara Logan, was a victim of a "brutal and sustained sexual assault and beating" by a mob of protesters in Egypt on the day Mubarek stepped down. CBS says that this photo of her was taken moments before the attack.

El Rushbo

Finally, someone has given Rush Limbaugh his due. Wilfred M. McClay has written this comprehensive piece in Commentary.

Finishing what Reagan started?

Libya? Yes the Arab revolt has spread to Libya, where Qaddafi has ruled mercilessly for 41 years.
Michael Totten provides the link to this video.

A Guide to the Political Left

If you go here, you will learn more about Barack Obama than you could ever want to know.

More Civility from the Left

Doug Ross posts fifteen pictures from leftist demonstrators in Madison, Wisconsin, where Governor Walker has asked public employees to pay for a tiny part of their pension plans and healthcare. Have you seen any of these photos in mainstream media coverage? I didn't think so.

On vagueness

I have, like, nothing to say. Clark Whelton writes in City Journal about "Vagueness, the linguistic virus that infected spoken language in the late twentieth century."

On to the future!

While conservatives debate about whether Obama is evil or just incompetent, Vice President Biden is above the fray, so to speak. Iowahawk breaks this story about Biden taking us into the future with his proposed highspeed rail (Amtrack) jump across the Grand Canyon.

While you are visiting Iowahawk, be sure to scroll down for a sneak peak at President Obama's weekly school lunch menu newsletter.

The debate is on

So, which is it? Is President Obama "deliberately initiating policies that he knew would injure the economy and the country?" Or, is he merely "arrogant, incompetent, narcissistic, and in over his head?" Rick Moran joins Michael Medved in believing it is the latter, not the former. Like those on the Left, Moran throws out hateful epithets against Limbaugh, Beck, Hannity and Palin, calling them "cotton candy conservatives." What is that supposed to mean? That they are insubstantial? Got a little jealousy thing going on there, Rick?

I hope all this fighting among conservatives does not affect our ability to join together to pick and support a strong candidate who can defeat Obama in 2012. Meanwhile, Obama, Soros, and the rest of the Left must be sitting back and enjoying the show.

A good crony

Donald Trump has contributed to the recent political campaigns of Harry Reid, Chuck Shumer, and Charlie Rangel, to name only a few. These facts were dug up by the Center for Responsive Politics and I found them here.

Trump knows how to be a good crony, to grease the skids of powerful politicians.

Prying open the coffin

Ready for some death jokes?
1. A doctor calls his patient and says, "I have some good news and some bad news."
The patient asks, "What is the good news?"
The doctor says, "I got your test results, and you only have 24 hours to live."
The patient asks, "That's the good news? What's the bad news?"
The doctor answers, "I forgot to call you yesterday when I got these results."

2.(This is one Republicans should pay attention to as they debate issues of purity.)
A man is walking across a bridge and sees another man about to jump off the bridge in an apparent suicide attempt. The would-be-rescuer goes up to the man and says, "Don't do it!" The other man says, "Why not?" He says, "Because there is so much to live for. Are you a religious man?" "Yes." "Me, too! See, we have something in common already, so let's talk this thing though! Are you Christian or Jew?" The suicider says, "Christian." The other man excitedly says, "Me, too!" Are you Catholic or Protestant?" "Protestant." "Me, too! Baptist or Episcopalian?" "Baptist." "Me, too! Baptist Church of God, or Baptist Church of the Lord?" "Baptist Church of God." "Me, too!" Reformed Baptist Church of God or Original Baptist Church of God?" "Reformed Baptist Church of God." "Me, Too! Reformed Baptist Church of God Reformation of 1879, or Reformed Church of God Reformation of 1919?" "Reformed Baptist Church of God Reformation of 1919."

The would-be-rescuer says, "Die, heretic scum!" and pushes him off the bridge.
from Heidegger and a Hippo Walk Through Those Pearly Gates.

Exploring Life, Death, The Afterlife, and Everything In Between

Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein have written a book that combines wonderful humor with an exploration of philosophy, theology and psychology, four subjects that are important to me. The book is Heidigger and a Hippo Walk Through Those Pearly Gates, with this subtitle: Using Philosophy (and Jokes) to Explore Life, Death, the Afterlife, and Everything In Between. The humorists do a good job keeping pace with the philosophers.

"More-in-sadness-than-anger"

Republicans in states all around the nation are having purity wars. Ace of Spades has some thoughts on the subject. Ace likes the politician who comes across as moderate in temperament, but is unflinching in adhering to principles. He really likes Governor Walker of Wisconsin. There are many people who lean conservative, but are not part of the Republican base, and those are the people Republicans need in order to get elected.

Ace says, "I really like Walker. I think a lot of the time people don't understand what I mean when I say "moderate in temperament." Like, I like politicians who come off calm and "just doing the people's business" and stuff. That doesn't mean you can't be a hard-core conservative ideologue -- Walker isn't flinching here at all. But he is doing that more-in-sadness-than-anger thing that sells, projecting the idea that he's just workin' for the people and above partisan spats."

I think Ace is on to something very important.

A Satisfied Mind

Mushroom, at Fungle Jungle, has been thinking about some of the same themes that I have been writing about in this blog. He has written an excellent post here entitled The Crabgrass Monologue. These words of his rang so true to me: "Discontent is like dandelions. Complaints are like crabgrass. If we are going to have a decent lawn or garden, it requires cultivation. We have to work to have beautiful flowers or fruits and vegetables." Just as important, he writes, is the need for containment: "To be content is to be contained. The desires of the contented are contained by what they already have. Not everyone is, or should be, content at the same level, but we can all learn to create boundaries for our desires and to live within the restraints of those fences."

Most importantly, he ends this excellent piece by citing Scripture: "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6)

Now listen to Johnny Cash sing this Porter Wagoner song cited by Fungle Jungle.

Mission Imposible Squirrel

via Neatorama

Are we ready for Chris Christie?

Two of the leading female conservative pundits are asking whether now is the time for Chris Christie to go for the GOP nomination for President. Ann Coulter is adamant that Christie's time is now. Laura Ingraham is asking us to take a look at Christie. His actions flow directly from his words, which is a refreshing difference from Obama's saying one thing but doing the opposite.

The stable place in the Middle East

One country is not being mentioned in the lists of all the places in the Middle East where there is foment and protest: Iraq! Their government is looking more stable than any of the others.

15 Tax Hikes in Obama's new budget

from Business Insider: via Anthroblogogy
* Raising the top marginal income tax rate (at which a majority of small business profits face taxation) from 35% to 39.6%. This is a $709 billion/10 year tax hike

* Raising the capital gains and dividends rate from 15% to 20%

* Raising the death tax rate from 35% to 45% and lowering the death tax exemption amount from $5 million ($10 million for couples) to $3.5 million. This is a $98 billion/ten year tax hike

* Capping the value of itemized deductions at the 28% bracket rate. This will effectively cut tax deductions for mortgage interest, charitable contributions, property taxes, state and local income or sales taxes, out-of-pocket medical expenses, and unreimbursed employee business expenses. A new means-tested phaseout of itemized deductions limits them even more. This is a $321 billion/ten year tax hike

* New bank taxes totaling $33 billion over ten years

* New international corporate tax hikes totaling $129 billion over ten years

* New life insurance company taxes totaling $14 billion over ten years

* Massive new taxes on energy, including LIFO repeal, Superfund, domestic energy manufacturing, and many others totaling $120 billion over ten years

* Increasing unemployment payroll taxes by $15 billion over ten years

* Taxing management capital gains in an investment partnership (“carried interest”) as ordinary income. This is a tax hike of $15 billion over ten years

* A giveaway to the trial lawyers—not letting companies deduct the cost of punitive damages from a lawsuit settlement. This is a tax hike of $300 million over ten years

* Increasing tax penalties, information reporting, and IRS information sharing. This is a ten-year tax hike of $20 billion.

A patriotic David fighting the Goliath Left

A gay man in San Francisco writes in praise of Sarah Palin and tells what it is like to be surrounded by the "tolerant" left.

"The moment I heard her speak, I knew she was special. There was an unmistakable honesty and strength about her. All hell broke loose on the left when she entered the scene. The ferociousness and vileness of the attacks towards her comforted me because I know how the left operates. She was telling the truth, and in doing so was exposing the underlying falsehoods of their belief system. This is when the left always lashes out, it is their gut reaction to their fear of being exposed, and anger and hate speech are their weapons.


If you look at the response and reaction to Sarah Palin from the left, you will realize that this isn't just about political views. Their intense, over-the-top reaction to everything she says and does is because they know she holds the truth that threatens to destabilize their world."

As Insty says, read the whole thing.

Are we going in the right direction?

Click on this chart to read it more clearly
Via Mike's America

Remove obstacles to human creativity!

Does sunspot activity influence human activity? Are solar disturbances "detonators that set off the smoldering discontent of the masses?" "The number of sunspots during any period may not be as significant as whether there is a rapid increase in the numbers, triggering unexpected passions." Since sunspot activity has been steadily increasing, does that explain the passions being unleashed in the Middle East?

There is a man who has been studying this. He has developed a theory called The Tchijevsky Index of Mass Human Excitability, and this blogger tells us about it. He asks, "Could it be that, solar maximums don't stimulate people in ways that make them agitated, but rather, they stimulate human creativity, causing people to strive for improvement. But in places where that creativity is stifled and repressed, where their creative energy has no creative outlet, no chance of improvement, that energy would then be directed to removing obstacles to the manifestation of that creativity and improvement?"

An Object of Beauty

I just finished reading Steve Martin's An Object of Beauty, so I suppose I should write something about it and what thoughts it has triggered in my mind. It is really an historical novel, chronicling some of the important events of the 1990s and the first nine years of the 21st century. Steve's knowledge of art and the art world is impressive, and forms the backdrop of the story. However, the ending left me flat.

The book did get me to thinking about money. How much do we need? Do those who have it in abundance have happiness in abundance? How much of your soul are you willing to sell in order to get lots of money? Are you willing to sell out people who love you?

The main character in the story is a beautiful woman who knows how to flaunt her beauty in order to get what she wants. But she cannot control events like 9-11 or the crash of 2008. Who among us is wise enough to sit on the sideline with cash, once we have amassed some? No, for most of us, the thrill of making lots of money only leads to more risk-taking, and eventual loss.

What will your life magnify?

Ann Voskamp reminds us to pay attention to the small things. Go ahead and find joy and give thanks for the small things. They add up! Ann believes people who do that are the real change agents, the ones who bring us God's light.

Sad, but true.

Via Rachel Lucas

You can trust a raccoon

from Caption This

Viewing the Cosmos

This fascinating blog gives us a new picture each day of our wondrous universe. Today's picture is of the North American Nebula.

One million Nedas

Tens of thousands of people are now hitting the streets in Iran. Their government is disrupting phone, internet, and t.v. service.

Here is a link to a website called OneMillionNedas, showing the areas where tens of thousands of Iranians are protesting the brutal Iranian government. From Wikipedia: "The death of Neda Agha-Soltan[6] (Persian: ندا آقا سلطان - Nedā Āġā Soltān; January 23, 1983 – June 20, 2009) drew international attention after she was killed during the 2009 Iranian election protests.[7] Her death was captured on video by bystanders and broadcast over the Internet[8] and the video became a rallying point for the opposition.[8] It was described as "probably the most widely witnessed death in human history".[9] Nedā (ندا) is a word used in Persian to mean "voice", "calling," or "divine message," and she has been referred to as the "voice of Iran".[10][11][12] Her death became iconic in the struggle of Iranian protesters against the disputed election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad"

On Civility

Victor Davis Hansen, being the classical historian that he is, takes us back to ancient history, 2004-2007, to remind us how civil the Democrats were to Bush and Cheney.

"The beginning of the end of Wall Street"

Also from Maggie's Farm:

"Capital collection, distribution, and creation is a global industry now, and it doesn't really require buildings in New York anymore. Bad for New York City in the long run, but it's great for the world. Capital is the world's most important commodity and even the most powerful governments must now bow at the altar of free market capital.

Wall Street is now a global, virtual, electronic street which is now, in many ways, run by computers."

Posted by The Barrister at 16:26 | Comments (3) | Trackbacks (0)

"The Real Economy"

From Maggie's Farm:
"Official statistics indicate little inflation, and the Federal Reserve is eagerly trying to create more. However, the official rate of inflation is heavily weighted by items we already own that have fallen in price, like houses, and discretionary purchases, like furniture, appliances, electronics, autos and things you find at the going-out-of-business sales. But, the prices are rising -- often rapidly -- of most things you actually need to buy, food, gas, medicine and health care, education. That doesn't leave much dinero in most people's budgets to go out and buy a house, furnish it, replace the car, turn up the sounds. Except for the sounds of moaning at assurances and excuses by the Obama administration and its enablers."

Posted by Bruce Kesler at 22:17 | Comments (8) | Trackbacks :

Supporting liberty in the Middle East

Who called for liberty in Egypt and throughout the Middle East? George W. Bush, in his second inaugural address. Here is a 2005 report from the BBC covering Condi Rice as she traveled from Cairo to Saudi Arabia.

Threats against Glenn Beck, his family, and his staff

Jeff G. at Protein Wisdom points out that Glenn Beck has to spend about $1 million annually just on security for himself, his family, and his staff. At any given moment, there are 15 active threats against his life: fifteen threats that law enforcement take seriously enough to investigate. The FBI makes him wear a flak jacket at book signings and live stage shows.

Betting the ranch

James Pethokoukis believes Obama's budget reveals who he is at his core. Jeff at Protein Wisdom asks, "Was there ever any doubt?" The Chicago Boyz believe Obama is setting up a confrontation and he plans to win.

Here is one guest MSNBC won't be inviting back any time soon!

"Without the pen of the author of "Common Sense," the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain."

L. Gordon Crovitz writes the weekly Information Age column for the Wall Street Journal. Today he recounts the fascinating story of cyberactivist Wael Ghonim, the man who used the social media on the Web to inspire the Egyptian people to rise up and demand the ouster of their corrupt and brutal government. The regime, through its control of traditional media, could not keep up with fast-moving Facebook and Twitter communications.

Crovitz points out that revolutions have always involved media. He quotes John Adams: "Without the pen of the author of Common Sense, the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain."

Can any of us really be above the fray?

Michael Medved is given prime space in the Wall Street Journal today, and he uses it to tear down Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh. Limbaugh and Palin have been saying that we are being governed by people who do not like this country. I agree with their analysis. Medved just cannot conceptualize this reality. Palin and Limbaugh are fighting to restore our country's greatness. Most of us don't want to have to fight. We let the Palins and Limbaughs take the blows for us.

Cronyism isn't capitalism

Once again David Harsanyi has nailed it, writing in the Denver Post that Cronyism isn't capitalism. He uses the example of General Electric's Jeffrey Immelt, Obama's choice to lead a new panel on "job creation." By being an effective Obama crony, Immelt has "insulated" General Electric "from failure and market-driven innovation and competition," writes Harsanyi. The subsidies, bailouts, waivers, and lines of credit have worked well for G.E. and other cronies of big government, but Harsanyi is mystified as to how it benefits any of the rest of us. This is a column that really needed to be written!

Now they tell us!

By 2021 800,000 jobs will be dropped from the economy, as a result of Obamacare. Who says so? Analysts at the Congressional Budget Office! Why didn't they tell us that when Congress passed the legislation?

Celebrate two feet of snow!

Son Erik shows what he can do on a snowboard!

A sad affair

Dr. Sanity writes about the alliance between the political left and the Islamists who want to destroy us. Major Hasan was a beneficiary of that alliance, and made the most of it when he went on his murdering rampage at Fort Hood.

So, what is going to be done about it? Who is going to be held accountable? Nothing, and nobody, it appears. How sad for our country.

Ask, and you shall receive. Don't ask, and you are on your own!

Seven-year-old Sara was still having trouble Monday with a boy named Nathan, who keeps commenting on her physical features. I sat down with her Monday night and we rehearsed some things she could say to Nathan. We agreed to try a three-step plan as suggested by the book The Power of Positive Confrontation by Barbara Pachter.

Step one: "Nathan, I don't like it when you say something about how I look." Step two: "I want you to stop." Step three: "Can you do that Nathan?" When I got home Tuesday and Wednesday nights, I asked Sara how things went with Nathan. Both nights she told me that all he wanted to do was play with her, so she did not have to say anything. I was proud of her for not forcing a confrontation when none was needed. I did not get home early enough tonight to ask her how it went today.

These positive confrontation techniques may seem simple, but they may not be, when you actually try to implement them. For example, what if the other person is one who is immersed in self-pity, and therefore gives herself permission to lash out at you whenever you dare confront her? That happened to me today. I relied on my knowledge of the principles of positive confrontation, and I failed miserably, falling into the self-pity trap myself. I was so ashamed afterward.

Did I start the day in prayer, asking for the power and wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit? No! Did I ask for the Holy Spirit during the confrontation? No! With the Holy Spirit's power, I can conduct myself in a way that I feel good about afterwards, regardless of the outcome of the confrontation. I can be calm, polite, and powerful; but I can only seem to do it when humbly asking for God's direction and Christ's love and forgiveness.

A story of two adoptions

Today I met a woman with two children. She got the two children from orphanages in China. The little boy had been abandoned "in a public place" when he was eight months old, because he had a heart condition, and that wonderful communist country, unlike the USA, has no programs to help parents defray the costs of such illnesses. He was near death when the woman got him from the orphanage. She and her husband paid for his heart surgery and adopted him. He is now an ebullient four-year-old.

The other child, a female now six years old, was also abandoned "in a public place," but she was abandoned the day after she was born. the American woman again went to China and got her out of the orphanage and adopted her.

These lovely children are now brother and sister, living in a loving family with the financial means to take good care of them, in the capitalist land of the free and home of the brave.

Thanks, Bobby!

Who do we have to thank for Ronald Reagan's political career? Bobby Kennedy? Here is the evidence!

A few more items

Item 1: While visiting Reagan country, Sarah Palin was photographed this week. Of the photograph, Tammy Bruce opined, "Liberals, Islamists and Globalists take note: She’ll always look this good, even when ruining your plans." Tammy's post was entitled, Hey World, What A Steel Fist in a Velvet Glove Looks Like.

Item 2:My choice for the GOP nomination for President in 2008 was Fred Thompson. Fred has written a tribute to Ronald Reagan here. According to Thompson, what set Reagan apart from other Presidents was that he truly treasured the values of freedom and democracy "and sought to spread them wherever and whenever he had a chance."


Item 3: Bill Kristol has attacked Glenn Beck for warning of a caliphate spreading across the mideast. Pamela Geller takes Beck's side in this disagreement among conservatives.

Our Three Branches of Government

According to Brett Baier of Fox News, this is what Schumer said: BRET BAIER, "SPECIAL REPORT HOST," JANUARY 31: New York Senator Chuck Schumer says everyone in Washington needs to compromise to fix the debt crisis. Schumer explained in an interview Sunday, quote, "We have three branches of government. We have a House, we have a Senate, and we have a president. All three of us are going to have to come together and give some." Of course, Schumer forgot entirely about the judicial branch that equally shares power with the executive branch and the legislative branch. Schumer's office said it was a slip of the tongue and that he was referring to the three parties at the table.
Schumer photo Via Blonde Sagacity


Read more: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2011/02/01/only-fox-news-and-don-imus-report-schumers-branches-government-gaffe#ixzz1DDwnWMqM

Reagan at his best

Via TigerHawk

To ponder..

from Memri: "Saudi activists have launched a Facebook campaign for change and reform in the kingdom, calling for a constitutional monarchy, Shuria Council elections, general freedoms and rights for women, an end to all discrimination, addressing unemployment, and the fair distribution of property."

from Politico (quoting Dick Cheney): "Cheney recalled how, during a meeting the first weekend after Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, Mubarak granted flyover rights for U.S. aircraft and access to the Suez Canal. Eventually, Egypt sent two army divisions to fight alongside American troops."

“So he’s been a good man and a good friend and ally of the United States, and we need to remember that,” said Cheney, who led the Pentagon during the first Persian Gulf war. “You’re looking for balance here, but I do hope that there is a channel of communication.”

The 1960s, Hitler, Islamists, and the progressives

from Gagdad Bob at One Cosmos: "In the 1960s, the boomer generation gleefully tore the rearview mirror off the vehicle of civilization, while simultaneously believing they could put the pedal to the metal on the engine of progress. Is it therefore surprising that so many fatal accidents occurred? The breakup of the family, soaring crime rates, subrealistic art that became a celebration of the primitive and infrahuman, a deteriorating educational system at all levels, a general recrudescence of neopaganism, with its cult of the body and exaltation of the instincts, women emulating men, men emulating women, the rejection of our own Judeo-Christian wisdom tradition, etc. All because a bunch adolescents went on a joyride and tore the rear view mirror off Dad's car."

More from Bob at One Cosmos: "Yes, the Islamists follow that same pattern (as Hitler), with their insane faith in the transcendently evil. Clearly, it is no coincidence that Mein Kampf is a perennial bestseller in the Muslim world, or that the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem was an ally of Hitler, or that Jew hatred is central to both ideologies."

More from Bob at One Cosmos: "No one is more conservative than a progressive. It's just that what they want to conserve is childhood and all of its privileges, e.g., irresponsibility, dependency, entitlement, rebellion against the grown-ups, polymorphous perversity, weak boundaries, etc."

God will be the Judge

Yesterday, while shopping at Wal-Mart, I noticed a guy snapping pictures with his cell phone camera. Then I realized that he was taking pictures of a man who was unaware he was being photographed. I asked the would-be photographer if he planned to upload his photos onto walmart.com. He said he was planning to do just that. The reason he started taking photos of the man is that he noticed when the man stooped over to get an item on a bottom shelf, that the man's butt-crack was more than a little revealed, since he was wearing loose-fitting sweatpants.

As I watched the photographer, I became annoyed at the photographer. Yes, his subject was not super-cool like he thought he was, but the subject seemed like a jolly person who just didn't care much how he dressed for the Wal-Mart shopping experience. The elitist photographer in his expensive clothes probably felt very superior to the other fellow.

God will be the Judge.

To Ponder...

from Frank J. at IMAO: "Sarah and Bristol Palin are trademarking their names. This is a smart idea. If Sarah Palin got a nickel every time some liberal screeched about her, she’d be the fifth largest economy in the world."

"It seems like the main point of college is to extend adolescence for four more years. And if you’ve ever met an adolescent, why in the world would you want to do that? Time to focus less on whether our children are getting educations and more on whether they actually know how to do anything useful."

"It’s false advertising for a place to call itself American and then have tons of nanny state restrictions on people’s personal activities. Instead, places like New York City or San Francisco (which banned Happy Meals) should only be able to call themselves “America Contiguous” — like Canada."

from Clarisa Feldman at American Thinker: (Obama,) "the man elected by people who quite clearly confused the last presidential election with an American idol contest."

"I think it's a good rule of thumb that whenever Obama begins a statement with "Let me be clear," he means quite the opposite of whatever follows."

Magnetic Polar Shifts causing massive global superstorms

Here is a disturbing story about cracks in Earth's Northern Magnetic Shield, massive global superstorms, a new ice age, and magnetic pole shifts.

The Western concept of freedom versus the Arabic concept: completely at odds

You hear Egyptians talking about "freedom." What freedom are they talking about? Andrew G. Bostom writes in The American Thinker about the fact that the Western concept of freedom is completely at odds with the Arabic word for freedom, which is hurriyya. Hurriyya refers to being in perfect slavery to Allah. In hurriyya, the individual subordinates "his own freedom to the beliefs, morality and customs of the group as the only proper course of behavior...".

Capturing the essence of a wonderful man

I have read many moving tributes to President Ronald Reagan this week, but by far the most moving was the one by Dr. Sanity. She captures the essence of this wonderful man here.

Thinking about skin color

Our seven-year-old African American daughter, Sara, is starting to think and talk about race. Tonight, for example, she said this: "If we moved to Africa, we would take everything that is in our house, so we could show Africans that they do not have to be afraid of us, that we would share with them what we have. If a white person comes to Africa to bring gifts, the Africans might be afraid that the white person is going to grab them and make them slaves. But if they knew you and mom, they would know that you are nice and would not make them slaves."

Then she told me about a neighbor boy whose mom used to be farming partners with Colleen. The boy's name was Mason. Mason used to want to play a "slave game" and always made Sara be the slave. Sara said she did not like that. Actually, she never said anything about that game to us. Furthermore, her brother, Jon, confronted Sara about this memory. He said she actually liked being the slave. If that is true, I am guessing it is because the three boys finally included her in their games, and she was so glad to be included, that she was even willing to play the part of slave. Sigh.

There is a boy at school who keeps calling Sara "Chocolate," and likes to chase her around the playground. I think that was the trigger that got her thinking about color.

"The culture of corruption meets the culture of contempt."

Michelle Malkin blisters the Obama administration for its "War on Jobs," and "War on the West," which she asserts is based on "politicized junk science"by "executive fiat" and "czar evasion." She further asserts that while the Obama administration "pays lip service to “Startup America,” they are pulling out the stops to shut it down." Her final summary: "The Obama culture of corruption meets the culture of contempt. It’s a toxic slick that will ultimately be left to voters to clean up."

(I don't think I would ever want Michelle Malkin on my case).

A secret galaxy

Tonight I overheard ten-year-old Jon and nine-year-old Greg playing, and it caught my interest. I asked them to explain, and they were more than delighted to do so.

Jon explained, "We have created our own galaxy. We have planets, nations, moons, stars, and much more. When I become a movie director, I am going to make lots of money showing audiences our galaxy. It has infinite number os creature, aliens, weapons, planets and trolls."

Greg said, "The trolls have powers. They are in human form. They have a continent of their own called Tenechoctilan. There are three forests on the troll's continent. The Dark forest is on the Good Planet, which is filled with every creature you can imagine. The Forest of Death is on the Bad Planet, which is called Igneous Magmum, where all the trees are on fire, because of a yellow and green fire that never goes out, called Malctise. The Prickly Forest is filled with prickly trees that have spikes."

Greg and Jon continued, constantly interrupting each other in their excitement to tell me all about the trolls. "Trolls start out with only one power, such as Xray Vision, but they can earn more powers, like Sensing. The highest number of powers are held by Halstrin, who now has 300 powers. He is a Master Troll, like a King." Greg thought Halstrin has been alive for thousands of years, although Jon corrected him and said it was only 400 years. The reason for the confusion, I learned, is that trolls do not age. Their average height, by the way, is seven feet.

Yes, some trolls are evil. Sarvis is the Master of the evil trolls. His "main ambition" is to take over the entire solar system. So far he has killed millions of people. Sarvis, of course, has slaves, monsters called Chirloins. Sarvis made the Chirloins out of slime. He inserted souls into them, and they became Dremones. They look like regular humans, except they breathe gas, instead of air. They become ghosts and fly into people and take them over.

There are some humans in Jon and Greg's galaxy. One group of humans are called Sheridans. The others are Coraleins. Sheridans have a leader named Emperor Isaac Falco, who always wears sunglasses for no apparent reason. Coraleins are big, beefy guys who wear metal suits. The suits even have a bathroom inside their suits. All their guns are huge, and they look really weird.

Sarvis has a dragon-like creature who lives in the cliffs. His name is Zandernatch. He is "pretty scary."

I am not sure I have all this information correct, but that doesn't bother other journalists, so why should it bother me, a blogger in his pajamas??

Framing a constitution is not easy!

via a wonderful satirist, Scott Ott, for Scrappleface. I did not know Scott was also an excellent artist!

A pilgrim's journey

Are you a pilgrim? Do pilgrims have to come to America from other places, or can the journey be in one's own heart? Bill Whittle has the answer, in this tribute to Ronald Reagan.

On election night in 1980, I was getting into make-up at the Gainesville Little Theatre, a few blocks form the University of Florida. I was playing Tony Kirby in You Can’t Take it With You. We were going to go out after the show and watch the election returns come in.

Less than a minute before we went on, one of the stage managers practically shouted through her tears: “It’s over! Oh, God, we’re all gonna die!”

“What’s over?”

“The election! Ray-Gun won! He’s going to go to war with Russia!”

Even then, in my most rebellious, least informed, most liberal, least coherent days, I thought that was laying it on a little thick.

I spent the eight years of his presidency dismissive of the senile old idiot who didn’t have sense enough to raise taxes. I’ve spent the last eight years laboring to atone for those eight, and will continue to do so for the rest of my life. Unlike so many of you, I never had the chance to enjoy the man while he was in office. But I did turn back towards the light before he died, and living in Los Angeles, I have been to several events at the nearby Reagan Library.

I always find a few moments to step out, alone, and stand there, head held low, muttering apologies. I wish I could have met him — just to thank him, perhaps shake his hand, or have some other tangible memory of him, like so many of my colleagues are so fortunate to have. Don’t take that for granted.

I cannot think of my own journey without hearing his voice and seeing his smile as he talked about our common country, and can’t read — let alone speak — my favorite Reagan quote without choking up.

“And she’s still a beacon, still a magnet for all who must have freedom, for all the pilgrims from all the lost places who are hurtling through the darkness, toward home.”

Not all of us pilgrims come from overseas. Some journeys take place in the heart.

— Bill Whittle is a commentator for PJTV.

The northern half of the planet is covered in snow!

from Boinky at the Finestkind Clinic and fish market; just one more reason she is glad she lives in the Phillipines!

Polite and powerful positive confronting

I wrote recently about positively confronting people. It does not come easily to me. I did it today, after first botching it. At first I didn't say what I meant. I was off subject. I thought about it a while, and went back to the person and said exactly what I wanted to say. It felt good, and produced good results.

Then, later I was at the big box store and saw a young man I like a lot. He is smart, funny, and has a good attitude. He is a cashier there, but today, because cart-pushers were calling in sick due to the snowy weather, his supervisor asked him to push carts all day. When I saw him it was turning dark, and thus, colder. He has had a bad cold for the past five days. His voice is raspy.

I asked him if he told his supervisor that he has been battling a cold. He replied, "They know. All they have to do is listen to me talk." I told him that what they need is to hear him tell them that he has been sick, and should not be outside pushing carts. He said, "I don't want to bitch, and I feel bad for the guys who are out there. They need help."
I said, "But you are going to jeopardize your recovery from your illness."
He said, "Oh, no doubt. My mom is really mad."
So, I asked him to think about saying to his supervisor, "I have been sick, and have not fully recovered. I would really like to help the guys outside, but I think I should stay inside, so I don't relapse."
He said he would think about it. A half hour later I saw him again, and he was on his way in to tell his supervisor just that. I'll be anxious to hear how that came out.

No school today (means creativity)!

Because of the double digit below zero weather today, the kids stayed home from school. When I got home from work, Jon excitedly showed me the "Lego City Mall" he and Greg had created.

Highlights of the Mall include "The Inn" where there is a Droid asleep in his room, a "techy geek," and Hagrid. The "three-headed pumpkin man" is attending the auction with the "shark dude." The Weapons Store is right next to the petting zoo. At the Weapons Store you can purchase a rifle, pistols, a chain saw, pick axes, flame thrower, walkie talkie, cross bow, and a jet pack. The Petting Zoo has a parrot, rat, owls, spiders, and a dragon.

Harry Potter is sitting on a statue of a Droid. The statue says "Lego City Mall." Harry is happy because he got his letter saying that he has been accepted at Hogwarts.

The Mall parking lot has only one car in it, a four-wheeler. However, in the lot you can find Muhammed's horse, a Droid tank, a bounty hunter's ship, a Droid battleship, and a random jet.

Not to be out done by her big brothers, Sara quickly arranged a "Rainbow Dash World." All of the animals in Rainbow Dash World are ponies, except, of course for the cow, the zuzu pet, the cat, and the lamb. Rainbow Dash knows everything that goes on in Rainbow Dash World. Rainbow Dash's house has a waterfall, bathtub, and living room. One of the ponies, Chocolate, has her own house, but there is no roof, so Chocolate wears a hat. Moo Moo the cow likes to sit in his circle house and watch television. Cat likes to watch himself in the mirror. Lamb likes to be bored.

Energy!

Last weekend I actually had some days off, so while Colleen took Sara on a trip to New Mexico, I took Jon and Greg to a gym and fieldhouse. After a rousing basketball practice in the gym, the boys went rock climbing.
How do you get down from such heights? You jump, of course!



Believe it or not, they still had tons of energy after basketball and rock climbing, and Greg asked if he could run across this field. Jon joined him at the halfway mark on his return.

"Whatever you do onto the least of these..."

At the local big box store today I saw the group of disabled adults that I wrote about here a few months ago. Today I watched their leader, and I was very impressed. He gave each of them a responsibility and then praised them when they successfully completed the tasks he had given them. For example, one person unloaded the items from the grocery cart, another person swiped the credit card, and another person put the bagged items back into the cart. He gave specific praise to each person about what they had done; sincere praise, not phony condescension. The group members love this man, and they seem proud of their individual accomplishments.

Prayers, please

There is a woman I know who has been stricken with Hodgkins Disease. She has really suffered from the chemotherapy and medications. She is such a good person, a real nurturer. She has befriended many young single pregant women and given them great support and guidance. Her name is Cammy. I spoke with her male friend last night, and he told me that the tumors have shrunk significantly. Though her suffering has been immense, it appears that God has responded to all the prayers of the many people who have recognized her value here on Earth. Please consider adding your prayers for her.

People are talking about the weather.

In Colorado we don't talk much about the weather, because it usually doesn't present us with many problems. Days like today are the exception to that rule. It is -23 degrees as I write this out in the country, with a wind chill to -35.

But, guess what? When I pulled up the shade on my bedroom window this morning I looked out to the southeast, and saw a beautiful rainbow! Jack Frost had done his thing with the trees, and the ground was covered with a light snow that fell overnight.

We hear the dire forecasts, pull open the shades with a slight dread, and then are reminded that God's love is here for us if we open our eyes and hearts and seek His will for our lives.

By the way, has anyone seen Al Gore? Just sayin'.