by Tina Grazier

George Bush, the United States Military, and by association, the American people have been sharply criticized for the supposed mistreatment of terrorists held at Guantanomo Bay.

"Hostage Letters Recount Jungle Hell," by Frank Bajak – AP

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — A satchel of letters carried out of the jungle by two women freed by Colombian rebels details the heart-wrenching suffering and depredation of the hostages they left behind. *** The letters from eight captive politicians, police officers and soldiers describe being chained by the neck, and suffering from malaria, tropical parasites, heart ailments and diarrhea so severe that one captive couldn't walk. *** Lt. Col. Luis Mendieta...wrote that he is frequently tethered with two fellow captives by chains around their necks. He describes surviving two bouts of malaria, chronic chest pains and being so stricken by tropical ailments that he had to crawl on his hands and knees for about five weeks. *** Among the hostages often chained to Mendieta is former state governor Alan Jara, who was kidnapped in July 2001. His letter says he suffers chronic headaches due to a parasite that has apparently infected his brain, Jenny Mendieta said. "He could die at any moment," she said.

This article should provide some much needed perspective to the over the top reporting on conditions at Guantanamo but the liberal press, and certain entertainers, won't notice the contrast and will instead choose to "see no evil" here...defend this insane and despicable position, if you think you can.

by Tina Grazier

“[T]here is a growing gap between the rich and the poor. If we were all rich, that would be very nice. If we were all poor, it would be too bad, but we would be the same.”—former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright

Ms Albright apparently doesn't see, or appreciate, the unique spirit of every individual...or the grace to be found in individual experience... a telling example of progressive thought.

Might we suggest anesthesia, or perhaps sensory deprivation tanks, for the masses. It would be a lot less painful than this agonizing slide into a state of gray.

The following was taken from remarks by Nick F. in response to “Trashing the Military.”

It begs the question, just how far are liberal progressives willing to go to make their ideal a reality?

To what depths are they willing to sink? What manner of subterfuge and deception are
they to accept in their quest for political control?

Personally I don't know. It can be attested to that the 20th century has seen its fair share of secular progressive advancement at any cost; but the horrors of this phenomena have always been far from our shores for the most part.

I worry about a political ideology which sees itself as beyond contestation. Beyond reasonable debate. So superior that it does not require full disclosure. So determined to dominate that honesty is seen as more of a stumbling block than an asset.

I would love it if anyone with progressive ideas could provide a single laudable reason for this New York Times story.

Does the article inform? No, it distorts. Does the article uplift? No it demeans using innacurate information and disingenuous sympathy. Does the article reveal something that citizens need or want to know? No, it only serves to distort facts as a means of skewing perceptions. What this reveals is the sleazy approach to the dissemination of “information” that New York Times journalists engage.

Truth Escapes the New York Times…Again!

Jack and I agree, Post Script readers will want to know about this:

The lie, straight from the pages of the New York Times, as reported in The Weekly Standard article, “The Wacko-Vet Myth - Now echoed by the New York Times,” by John J. DiIulio Jr.:

The Times "found 121 cases in which veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan committed a killing in this country, or were charged with one, after their return from war." All but one case involved male veterans. They speculated that their research "most likely uncovered only the minimum number of such cases, given that not all killings" were "reported publicly or in detail," and because "it was often not possible to determine the deployment history of other service members arrested on homicide charges."

Here’s the truth as reported in a New York Post article, “Smearing Soldiers,” by Ralph Peters:

Posted by Tina Grazier

Clinton, Obama vs. pay-go, by Alexander Bolton - The Hill

The two leading Democratic presidential candidates have put congressional leaders in a bind by suggesting they waive budget rules and borrow tens of billions of dollars to boost the economy. Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.) have backed away from raising taxes or cutting spending — options that would pay for their economic stimulus packages. *** This means their approaches would violate the pay-as-you-go budget rules that Democrats adopted after winning control of Congress. *** Democrats who control Congress are left with a tough choice — either sacrifice their recently acquired boast of fiscal responsibility or snub their own party’s presidential choice.

Let the weaseling commence! Meanwhile...

A serious and greatly entertaining perspective on this delicious little dilema can be found in the WSJ piece, “Rubinomics R.I.P.”

Posted by Tina Grazier

PA Chairman With PLO Flag That Erases Israel, by Nissan Ratzlav-Katz - Israel National News

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas was filmed this week at a PLO Central Committee meeting with an emblem that negates the existence of Israel as a backdrop. The PLO emblem includes the PA flag above a map which depcits Palestine replacing the entirety of the State of Israel. Directors Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook explained the emblem: "This symbolizes that all of Israel is, or will someday be, 'Palestine.'"

How many times, and with how many "pictures", must we be told by Palestinians that they wish to wipe Israel off the map before we take their word for it?

See no evil, hear no evil…deny the existence of evil…might as well wear some flowers in your hair, tune in…drop out...or should I simply say, "Peace man!"

by Jack Lee

Last week it was the former GOP Speaker of the Senate and Assembly, Jim Brulte, that tossed his considerable voter influence to Prop 93. We wondered what could be worse? Well, here's what's next... Arnold Schwartzenegger ENDORSED 93 today!

by Tina Grazier

An editorial in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, “Voter ID law an ugly effort to subvert ballot,” by Cynthia Tucker makes several outrageous claims:

“This is a brazen effort to block the votes of thousands of people of color who might have the temerity to vote for Democrats…” *** “It is difficult for middle-class citizens to believe, I know. If you live in the comfortable economic mainstream, where taking airplane trips and renting DVDs is a routine part of life, you can't imagine voters without a state-sponsored photo ID.”

Bigotry has indeed found a home in liberal political circles.

by Jack Lee

Well over 50% of Americans feel Congress is corrupt. and to add insult to injury a total 75% don't approve of the way Congress has handled their job. A glance at history says there have always been many examples of corruption to be found in Congress. "The political and commercial morals of the United States are not merely food for laughter, they are an entire banquet." Mark Twain. And there was this other favorite quote, "An honest man in politics shines more there than he would elsewhere!"

Now moving ahead to recent times, we see examples like these: Wayne Hayes went down in scandal over a busty blond secretary hired only for sex, William Jefferson got caught with cold cash in his freezer, James Trafficant was indicted for tax evasion and racketeering, Randy "Duke" Cunningham fell to bribery, Mark Folley resigned over ex with an under age page, Sen. Larry Craig was caught in a sex sting in an airport men's room... and remember when 31 law makers were targeted in Abscam?

The list grows longer with each passing generation and it looks like Mark Twain was right.

Now on a local note in 1991, when the voters decided they were in need of a change in parties, John Doolittle entered Congress along with many others in a new wave of patriotic righteousness. He was fresh with ideas and idealism! The Democrats had made a mess of things and now these new Marshals, these men of good character, were determined to restore that lost trust and confidence back to the American people.

Doolittle was a firebrand and a leader of courage. He set about as a member in "The Gang of Seven", as they liked to refer to themselves, to right every wrong and expose every wrongdoer. Among his early accomplishments was his lead role in exposing the infamous House banking scandal. John T. Doolittle was man of rock solid ethics and he did not disappoint. He believed in God, the Constitution and the American way and in all respects he is one of us to his very core... in 1991. Now these many years later he has left Congress during an election year and amid a widespread corruption scandal.

You have to ask yourself, what happened? I don't pretend to know the mind of Mr. Doolittle but I do know this, he was a good man that served his country well for many years, just like Randy "Duke" Cunnignham who was also a fighter pilot ace and I also know temptation in Washington is beyond belief and it exists on so many levels.

Congress has the power to influence the flow for hundreds of billions of dollars and somebody always desperately wants some of the action or something else from these men of good character every minute of every day.

To remain above the dirt and corruption associated with such enormous power is a feat in itself. Especially, while being assured by your so-called political friends that "everybody does it" and "it's ok" because you have to bend the rules occasionally if you really want to get things done. Sometimes I wonder if we are not asking too much of these mortals?

It takes someone of almost superhuman conscience and character to resist the monstrous temptations that challenge our men and women in Congress year after year and all it takes is just one time to cross that fine line, a line that has been well camouflaged in ways that only Washington insiders can appreciate.

As the old saying goes, "When you dance with the devil, you don't change the devil, the devil changes you". And that is the risk faced by every elected official in Congress. So the next time when you see your local Representative why not thank him/her for being honest and staying out of the scandals? Give them our encouragement to stay strong even though you might take exception to some of their political votes. Wally Herger is that kind of ethical man and you might fault him for his politics, but you can't fault him for his integrity and for that he has my respect.

Congress is not a culture of corruption... it is only a reflection of our culture.

In closing just one more thought from a letter written to a friend by Mark Twain, "Yes, you are right--I am a moralist in disguise; it gets me into heaps of trouble when I go thrashing around in political questions" I can relate only too well to this one!

Posted by Tina Grazier

It is painful to reflect how often public education tends to corrupt the principles and morals. - Matthew Henry, 1662-1714

Any thoughts?

**Late breaking addition:

The above quote was part of commentary by Matthew Henry on Daniel 1:1-7. Just after posting it I came across the following related story:

Oregon school bans motto for religious reference –AP

BLUE RIVER -- Despite the connection to the school mascot, a rural school district has banned a proposed motto for a graduating high school class because it contains a religious reference. Some of the 90 seniors at McKenzie High School had been inspired by a Bible verse quoted at the August funeral of a classmate killed in an all-terrain vehicle accident. *** The entire verse was: "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles." *** The students deleted any references to God in the proposed motto based on the verse and the school mascot name, the Eagles. But McKenzie School District officials rejected the motto as too religious: "They that believe shall mount up with wings as eagles." Brianna Rux, 17, one of the seniors, disagreed with the decision and wrote a guest opinion in The Register-Guard protesting it. She said the verse seemed particularly fitting, given the mascot name and that class members have pulled together to rise above their grief. "Ourselves being Eagles, it seemed a good way to describe who we are that no matter what we believe in, we can overcome," she told the Eugene newspaper on Friday.

Religiophobic educators in the public school system strike again...corrupting principles and morals!

by Tina Grazier

General Motors is betting the farm on a fuel producing company, Coskata, that could mean $1.00 a gallon fuel for cars by 2011. WOW! While a bit of a gamble for GM, this bold move is a grand testiment to the free market and it's ability to deliver sensible solutions to everyday problems. This is the way to make a difference...and we don't even have to protest or wear ribbons. GM needs a boost, the people need relief at the pump, and all would benefit if air quality is improved. Bravo!

GM bets on $1-a-gallon ethanol maker - David Shepardson / Detroit News Washington Bureau

DETROIT -- General Motors Corp. announced today that it's taken a stake in a biofuels research firm that aims to widely market $1-a-gallon renewable fuel as soon as 2011. *** GM chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner, announcing the deal today at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, didn't say how large an investment that automaker has made in the Warrenville, Ill-based start-up firm, Coskata Inc. *** But Wagoner said the deal was essential, adding "We must radically ramp up the production of ethanol." *** Coskata aims to produce 100 million gallons a year of ethanol made by bacteria from matter such as grass and woodchips.

If it walks like a duck…by Tina Grazier

Chavez says no military solution to war in Colombia, Reuters, by Staff

CARACAS - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Saturday that Colombia's long guerrilla war had no military solution and peace talks would only prosper when rebel armies there were labeled insurgents, not terrorists. The leftist Venezuelan leader enjoyed international praise this week for securing the freedom of two female politicians kidnapped by Colombia's Marxist rebels.

Just a spoonful of sugar makes the terrorist calm down? I don’t think so:

by Jack Lee

CALIFORNIA THREE STRIKES TAKES ON NEW MEANING:

1. Worst crime rate
2. Worst educational system
3. Worst state deficit

The number of persons in custody in our state prisons and county jails has been on a steady rise for decades. According to the Dept. of Justice statistics starting in 1966 we had a total of 1289 people per every 100,000 state residents. By 1982 this rate had climbed to 1535 people in jails per 100k and by 1994 it leapt to 2704 persons in custody per 100,000 pop. It is interesting to note that as our school system began to fail in the late 1960's and test scores dropped the crime rate coincidentally increased. Narcotic activity also increased and so did the per capital numbers on welfare.

The current in custody rate per 100,000 is 2915 and the prisons are packed full. In a few weeks the governor may release 20,000 prisoners early to relieve the overcrowding.

The answer from our uninspired state lawmakers has been to throw more money at it and always take the path of least resistance.

Well, I guess when you demand better you will get better, but so far the rage and demand for accountability has been limited to a very small percentage of the population. The overwhelming majority of folks don't like this situation obviously, but they are reluctant to do more than complain and then they are too quick to acclimate to what they feel is impossible to fix.

by Tina Grazier

By now I'm sure you've heard of the new proposal to make sure the State of California and power companies can, at their discretion, control energy consumption in your home. The question I have is what do you think...good idea or completely NUTS?

CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN', By Chelsea Schilling - WorldNetDaily.com

Add thermostats to the list of private property the government would like to regulate as the state of California looks to require that residents install remotely monitored temperature controls in their homes next year. *** The government is seeking to limit rolling blackouts and free up electric and natural gas resources by mandating that every new heating and cooling include a "non-removable" FM receiver. The thermostat is also capable of controlling other appliances in the house, such as electric water heaters, refrigerators, pool pumps, and lights in response to signals from utility companies. If contractors and residents refuse to comply with the mandate, their building permits will be denied. *** The proposal, set to be considered by the commission Jan. 30, requires each thermostat to be equipped with a radio communication device to send "price signals" and automatically adjust temperature up or down 4 degrees for cooling and heating, as California's public and private utility organizations deem necessary.

Posted by Tina Grazier

HUMAN EVENTS, Ronald Reagans "favorite newspaper," has chosen to endorse the candidacy of Fred Thompson:

We begin by recalling the profound words of Ronald Reagan at the Conservative Political Action Conference Feb. 15, 1975: “A political party cannot be all things to all people. It must represent certain fundamental beliefs which must not be compromised to political expediency or simply to swell its numbers.” We believed that then, and we believe it now. The issue for us -- and for the conservative community -- boils down to which of the candidates is most representative of the fundamental conservative principles we believe in. The answer is Fred Thompson. *** To reach that conclusion, we looked closely at the former Tennessee senator and his opponents to judge whether they measure up to conservative standards. Some come close, and others clearly do not. *** We make this endorsement on the basis of much research, having interviewed Sen. Thompson and some of his opponents, as well as examining what they have all said and done. We conclude that Thompson is a solid conservative whose judgment is grounded in our principles.

I highly recommend the article, which contrasts Thompson and his worthy opponents, particularly for those who haven't quite decided on a candidate. February 5th is just around the corner.

Posted by Tina Grazier

Clinton to Seek Package to Lift Confidence in Economy, by Steven R. Weisman - NYT

WASHINGTON — Adjusting her campaign to address increased fears of a recession, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton said Thursday that she would call for quick enactment of a $70 billion emergency spending package and for a possible $40 billion tax rebate later if economic conditions worsen. *** Mrs. Clinton said her proposal, to be announced on Friday in California, would aid lower-income families facing foreclosures of their mortgages, subsidize home heating assistance, extend jobless benefits and create jobs in the energy and environment sector. *** Hillary Rodham Clinton said Thursday that she would call for quick enactment of a $70 billion emergency spending package and for a possible $40 billion tax rebate later if economic conditions worsen.

This woman doesn't have a clue. First she plays the responsible card:

“One of the cornerstones of our presidential campaign is that every new initiative must be paid for,” said Neera Tanden, Mrs. Clinton’s policy director. “But fiscal stimulus is the exception to that rule. The principle is that the spending should be temporary and not add to long-term deficits.”

Then she yells, "Chaaaaaarge it!" as she goes on a spending spree with "other peoples money":

$30 billion for an “emergency housing crisis fund” for states to help low-income families unable to make mortgage payments and in danger of losing their

$25 billion to help low-income families pay heating bills this winter, a tenfold increase of the existing federal program.

$10 billion to extend unemployment insurance for people unable to find jobs.

$5 billion would go for alternative energy programs like home weatherization and low-emission automobiles.

The only thing this proposal for government "spending" will "stimulate" is a few votes for Hillary Clinton. This isn't smart...it's politically calculating...and to h**l with the overall economy...you know that thing that ALL AMERICANS depend on to put bread on the table.

by Nick Freitas

Tonight we all got to see the Fred Thompson us "Fred Heads" knew was always there.

He is adding a little rigor to his substance, and I hope it doesn't go unnoticed by South Carolina voters.

We have a chance to elect a genuine conservative to the White House.

Now I want to talk about one more reason to support Fred Thompson.

Policy implementation. Now as conservatives, we have certain principles, and those principles equal policy end states. Essentially our ideal, for how we would like to see ths country run. Those principles are centered around liberty, personal responsibility, a strong national defense, strict adherence to the constitution, respect for private property and economic freedom and the defense of the family and innocent human life at all its stages.

But in addition to these principles, conservatives respect tradition. We understand that to attempt to change tradition over night leads to bad policy. As soon as benefits are not immediately realized the electorate feels duped, and runs back toward old polices all the more determined to defend them. In short it is not simply about the policy, but how it is implemented to ensure that it is given adequate time to work.

by Jack Lee

Republican Rep. John Doolittle announced his retirement Thursday after a 17-year congressional career. He said he would drop his re-election bid for a 10th because he no longer loved his job.

We can only hope that Republican candidates can now save this congressional district from falling to democrats. That would be like adding insult to the injury caused by the Doolittle scandal.

McCain’s Costly Tax on Energy, by Roy Cordato - NRO

Raleigh, N.C. – What do John McCain, Environmental Defense, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Pew Center on Climate Change have in common? They have united to support a massive new tax increase on energy — which will raise costs throughout the economy and threaten the vitality of, among others, the oil and automobile industries. *** The proposed bill, co-sponsored with Joe Lieberman, mandates an energy-rationing scheme that all economists acknowledge is equivalent to a broad-based energy tax which is similar to Bill Clinton’s 1993 Btu tax proposal. Energy would be taxed through the back door by placing a cap on the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) that energy-producing companies can emit. It puts a legal limit on the amount of energy that can be drawn from conventional sources such as oil, coal, and natural gas.

Please vote wisely in February...and November!

New U.K. nuclear plants approved - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LONDON – The British government today announced support for the construction of new nuclear power plants, backing atomic energy as a clean source of power to fight climate change.
Business Secretary John Hutton told legislators that nuclear power "should have a role to play in this country's future energy mix, alongside other low-carbon sources." *** He said nuclear energy was a "tried and tested, safe and secure" source of power. *** Hutton said the new plants would be paid for by private energy companies, not the government, and that most would be built on the sites of existing stations.

Has the world turned upside down or does the more liberal UK just understand the real threat to the planet?

"We need to be a nation of high fences and wide gates -- and we get to decide when to open it and when to close it."

This is right on the money! It expresses a position of responsibility, of respect for the law, and it removes the argument. We welcome people to the US AND we expect them to come legally and only at our discression.

Fred Thompson is an adult who knows how to lead. He doesn't try to please "groups" of voters He did well in the debates tonight. I thought the best top three candidates were Thompson, Romney and Giuliani. I have serious issues with the rest of the field.

by Jack Lee

There have been a lot of stories going around for years about certain US companies dealing with rogue countries. Now a new academic study written for MIT has detailed in very cold terms how some of our Fortune 100 corporations are still doing business with terrorist states, including Iran. In particular GE and Halliburton were mentioned. Both have a number of subsidiary companies outside the US and in the Middle East that deal regularly with both Iran and Syria. They say they are just fulfilling old contracts, but are they really and is this a trade sanction violation?

Our government is aware of it, but they tend to take their queue from the White House as part of our foreign policy. The SEC and State Dept. have clear rules against such business deals with terrorists and especially against Iran. As you know Iran has been caught a number of times supplying insurgents and helping to kill our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Until the MIT article broke, only the left in America was screaming about US companies doing deals with rogue nations. Unfortunately we weren't listening to them because so much of what the left says is just a bunch of baloney, but apparently we were wrong on this one and now the evidence proves it.

Since 9/11 President Bush has been regularly briefed about US companies that deal with terrorist nations and he has declined to take any affirmative action to stop it. My question to you is, should President Bush take action against these companies and enforce the rules, even if it could hurt the company's bottom line?