It is far too easy now to forget how much the world changed with the right man at the helm.Ronald Reagan entered the presidency with America nearly flat on her back.Four years of democrat (socialist, progressive, liberals whatever) rule had ruined our economy and emasculated us in the eyes of friends and enemies alike.For those of us who lived through it, Barack Hussein Obama is déjà vu all over again.Seven years later that period of decline was a distant memory.On December 31, 1987 President Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev gave a joint New Year’s message.Reagan spoke to the people of the Soviet Union and Gorbachev to us.
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics had gone from a towering bear of a state to a financial ruin.Rather than threatening us, they were hoping we wouldn’t kick their ass.That’s what happens when you have a real President.We can have a real American success story again when we create real change on November 6, 2012.
I was aboard USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2) when we pulled into New York harbor for a Bob Hope special. We weren't at war, but we still appreciated him and the rest of the gang. A fitting tribute to a great friend of service men and women as well as an American patriot.
“For most of us, the holidays bring back such a trove of memories, evoked by things as simple as the scent of pine or the painted scene on a greeting card, that our Christmases become not separate events on a calendar but a chain in which all are linked together as one. This is as it should be, for Christmas is a holiday that we celebrate not as individuals nor as a nation, but as a human family...May our prayers this Christmas call forth that serenity of heart and confidence in the future that are the best of all possible gifts. May the song of our people be one of thanks for God's blessings on America and of petition for His continued blessings upon us, especially on those who face this Christmas in want or loneliness. Let us raise our hearts and voices in common song for the reign of peace and the rule of goodwill, that in the words of the carol, all may celebrate ``everywhere, everywhere, Christmas tonight. Nancy joins me in wishing all Americans a Christmas of true peace and a New Year filled with happiness and joy.”
- Ronald Reagan; December 11, 1986
I was catching up on my reading when I stumbled across her post of Bill Whittle’s “A Voter’s Guide to Republicans” reposted here:
Good find Lisa!
Whittle ends the confusion here between related (one might say “incestuous”) political ideologies. We Conservatives are frequently called “Nazis” or “Fascists.” This is your typical liberal (Socialist, Progressive, Democrat, whatever) double-speak at work. Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini were both creatures of the political left. Socialism, Communism, and Fascism all share the same ideological tree believing that the State knows best.
I have found it amazing to watch the twists and turns in this current Republican Presidential primary. However the things that has given me a serious case of whiplash is the battle over who is and isn’t a “Conservative.” I suppose that this isn’t really a new battle, but who would have even considered six months ago that we would be questioning the “Conservative” credentials of the likes of Newt Gingrich? Chris Christie? Or Ann Coulter?
I would suggest that “Conservative” is in the eye of the beholder. Or maybe “Conservative” only applies until someone becomes a front-runner and thus a target.
The “Conservative” alternative to Wikipedia provides a pretty good list of topics common to all “Conservatives” at: http://conservapedia.com/Conservative
I think that list is pretty comprehensive and if that list is the litmus test then I am a 100% authentic “Conservative.” There are 23 categories there. If I disagreed with one (4.3%) does that tarnish my “Conservative” credentials? How about two disagreements (8.9%)?
The TEA movement carved out a slice of the political spectrum that only covers three of those points (13%). Does that qualify TEA folks as “Conservatives?” I would say it does not and of course there is evidence for that view point.
If you take the viewpoint that you and I agreeing 80% of the time makes us friends – that means you must conform to 19 of 23 points (82.6%). Check that list out again - http://conservapedia.com/Conservative – any room for ambiguity there? Do you think that reasonable people might disagree on the exact parameters of what “The death penalty” means? What is a “failed social program?
My point is this attempt to out “Conservative” each other is becoming pretty stupid in my opinion. Does anyone believe that Michelle Bachmann is “the only authentic “Conservative” in the race” as she asserts? Preposterous. While we’re at it, you might drive Mitt Romney’s positions by that list. I think based on that list – he’s one of us. The only really odd man out in this race is goofy Ron Paul. I think Paul agrees with most of that list – but who the hell knows?
I think that Governor Rick Perry is cool with that whole list so he’s still my pick.
Kim Jong-Il died yesterday and I am good with that. I wish the little bastard had died many years ago. I was in South Korea when his Father Kim Il-Sung headed off to Hell. It’s a funny story.
I had left Seoul early that morning headed down to Chinhae in the South. I had been listening to cassette tapes the entire way as I don’t speak or understand Korean so radio was out. As I pulled into the town of Chinhae I went into a gas station to refuel and was greeted by the happiest Korean I had ever seen. I thought that he was happy to see that big American (Mi-guk) car pull in for gas. He was jumping up and down jabbering in Korean. I tried to explain that I didn’t understand him – but he just got more animated. The only Korean I knew (Sang mekju too-se yo) would get me a draft beer in Seoul, but wasn’t going to help in this situation.
I was trying to get some damn gas, but my new ecstatic friend grabbed my arm and was trying to pull me into his station. I dutifully followed. I think (I’ll never know for sure) that he wanted me to hear the radio. Of course the announcer was speaking - Korean – I’m not sure why Mr. Gas Station thought that would help. What did get my attention though was that Mrs. Gas Station was sitting in front of a deep sink.
I must digress. I had been in Korea at this point for nearly a year. I was scrupulously careful to drink water only from a bottle in Korea. I had endured a bout or two with Kim Il Sung’s revenge, but had generally enjoyed good health even though I often ate and drank on the economy. So imagine my surprise to see Mrs. Gas Station perched on a stool in front of the deep sink next to a mountain of empty water bottles which she was cycling under the tap and then affixing a tamper-proof cap. (Note to International travelers: Don’t trust the cap)
Anyway, still clueless as to why everyone but me was happy, I paid for my gas and extracted myself. With a fill-up I could get either a roll of paper towels or a bottle of water – I took the towels.
When I got to the base at Chinhae security was tighter than I had remembered even though everyone seemed very happy. When I got to my ultimate destination I was told that the Great Leader Kim Il Sung was dead. I’m pretty sure that was what Mr. Gas Station was trying to convey to me.
Kim Jong-Il – now that you are finally at room temperature yourself, good riddance. I for one am glad you are dead. Say “Hi” to your Dad for me you little communist prick. Imagine a world without Communists - how wonderful would that be?
Part of my Christmas tradition is to send a Christmas card to the Anti-American Civil Liberties Union. Generally it is a Christian-themed card and I scrawl “Keep Christ in Christmas” in it and sign my name.
ACLU 125 Broad Street 18th Floor New York, NY10004
I’m making it a goal to be on all the correct enemies lists. Please join me.
I spent several hours in a car recently with a 30 year old business major. We were talking about politics and the general state of the Nation. He was in complete despair over the state of the economy, our reputation abroad, and our potential to pull ourselves out of this mess. He didn’t see a path to greatness again.
I asked him if he had any idea about Ronald Reagan. He responded that he had read about him, but had no conscious memory of Reagan. That’s too bad. Of course if you’re only 30 years old you were born right about the time that our Nation was on the ascendency. President Jimmy Carter was only a bad memory and everything seemed suddenly possible under Ronald Reagan. That’s sad as the political memories of a 30 year old probably kick in around the time of Bawdy Bill Clinton.
The first conscious political thought that I remember was the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. I knew we were a Republican household and I remember how concerned both my parents were. I was eleven years old. So a thirty year old today might remember “Read my lips, no new taxes” (President George W. Bush) and the resulting fragmenting of the Republican Party (damn you Ross Perot). Or their most poignant memory might be “I did not have sex with . . . . “ (President Bill Clinton). Sad really.
Our Nation’s rise under Reagan was meteoric and made fools of all the pundits, economists, and other naysayers. We all need to remind the Nation what Republican leadership can do. Even the George W. Bush years weren’t bad until Nancy Pelosi got her evil hands on the Speaker’s gavel. Certainly by every objective measure we were better off in January 2007 than we are today. We were even better off in January 2009 than we are today.
Watching Barack Obama I can understand why a 30 year old would be despondent – we older folks need to give them real hope for real change.
We are 335 days from Election Day 2012, facing a formidable opponent, and we are still flailing around. A neighbor asked me if I really thought that we could beat Barack Obama and I confidently said that we could – but that’s not in the bag yet. We still have to overcome our squabbling and back-shooting that weakens us all. How could we loose you say? This is how:
Bad Scenario #1: Conservatives are working themselves into a frenzied froth over Mitt Romney. Many are swearing not to support him if he becomes our nominee – really? My current choices for President are (1) Rick Perry, (2) Anyone but Mitt Romney or Ron Paul, and (3) Mitt Romney. I’ve held my nose before and I pledge I will do it again. I love my country too much to allow Barack Obama a second term. If you are painting yourself into a box about not voting for Romney – do yourself a favor and stop painting. If the Senator Kelly Ayotte (Conservative – VT) and John Thune (Conservative – SD) Romney endorsements become a trend – you had better get ready to eat some harsh words or loose the White House again.
Bad Scenario #2: The TEA movement has been a blessing and a curse. Their popularity is about even with that of Occupy Wall Street right now. As regular visitors know, I have no ideological differences with the TEA movement, but rather my differences are with tactics and strategic vision. Where Republican candidates have met the TEA litmus test they have been helpful (some might even say decisive). However where a Republican didn’t meet such a test or where the TEA movement bubbled up their own candidate the effect has been catastrophic. Going into the next election I doubt there will be as many people pandering to the TEA movement as there were in 2010. In many areas a TEA endorsement may still be relevant; in Northern Virginia (and a host of other places) it will be toxic. It will matter how the rank and file members take that. If they return to wherever they were during the 2008 election cycle we could get similar results. However if they band together with their natural allies in the Republican Party, it might have a dramatically different result than 2008.
It is not too early to be working for a candidate. I was at the Bolder-Fresher Tour in Richmond a week ago Friday and Ron Paul supporters were working the crowd. Mitt Romney supporters have been gathering signatures to put Romney on the primary ballot for several months now in Virginia.
The bottom line is (with apologies to Ben Franklin) “We must hang together or surely we will loose this election.”
We've tried it the other way for three years now - I think it's time to try it Rick Perry's way.
"It is the duty of all men in society, publicly, and at stated seasons, to worship the SUPREME BEING, the great Creator and Preserver of the universe. And no subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained, in his person, liberty, or estate, for worshipping GOD in the manner most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience; or for his religious profession or sentiments; provided he doth not disturb the public peace, or obstruct others in their religious worship." --John Adams, Thoughts on Government, 1776
Get back to work you Malazy people. Your President is calling you out.
For those of you who don't remember President Jimmy Carter, you are lucky. Until President Barack Hussein Obama, Carter was without a doubt the worst President in my lifetime, maybe in the twentieth century.
However there is hope, you may not remember President Ronald Reagan. All is not lost, whether the flavor of the week is Perry, Romney, Gingrich, or Cain - anyone of them can bring this country roaring back. Reagan turned the economy, the American spirit, and the world around on a dime. We have been here before and Republicans know how to get us out.
