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I love it, Beenlurkin! Makes me want to vote for Sarah that much more!
Mel<---card carrying member of the NRA!
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.." Theodore Roosevelt
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.." Theodore Roosevelt
Sarah Palin is no superwoman and her lack of love focus calls into question her Christian charity. Jesus said "Blessed are the peacemakers" and He reminded us that we must go beyond loving those who love us and also lover our enemies. When she became Wasilla's Mayor, Sarah fired the police chief for supporting her opponent not because he was doing a lousy job. This would have been a great opportunity to show God's light, but instead Sarah kept it under a bush. When the town librarian stood on 1st Amendment grounds after Sarah personally found some of the library books morally & socially objectionable Sarah fired her (Sarah had to rehire her though because the towns folk got very upset with Sarah). Again, here was an opportunity squandered. Sarah Palin's Christianity wants to remove the Tree of Knowledge from the Garden of Eden so Mankind can't make the choices he needs to make. Sarah loves her guns and loves to shoot things, yet Jesus even at his arrest said "put up your sword, those who live by the sword shall die by the sword." In fact most of this superwoman's executive decisions seem to involve firing people: police chief, librarian, the Agricuture Board so she could fire the Creamery Board, the Creamery Board and Monegan. She seems more like a spoiled child than a superwoman.
What kind of Superwoman decides at nearly 44 years of age to have another child knowing full well the likelihood of having a Down Syndrome baby. From what I've read during this pregnancy she only took 3 days off for maternity leave - how does that help the situation?
She supposedly said NO to the Bridge to nowhere (even though she was in favor of it originally) and she kept the Fed's $27 million Alaska was given to build the approach roads to the bridge. What kind of superwoman builds access roads to a bridge that you're not going to build?
Sarah Palin's Christianity wants to remove the Tree of Knowledge from the Garden of Eden so Mankind can't make the choices he needs to make. Sarah loves her guns and loves to shoot things, yet Jesus even at his arrest said "put up your sword, those who live by the sword shall die by the sword."
What nonsense. You lost all credibility with this little screed when you equated gun ownership [defending one's life] with being unChristian. The Lord told the apostles to arm themselves with swords to defend their lives.
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.." Theodore Roosevelt
MM, I just love that video of her DD, Piper, fixing the baby's hair! What a sweet little girl and beautiful little baby boy.
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.." Theodore Roosevelt
If you've read the press coverage of Sarah Palin, chances are you've heard plenty about her religious views and private family matters. If you want to know what drives Gov. Palin's politics, and has intrigued America, read this.
Every state has its share of crony capitalism, but Big Oil and the GOP political machine have taken that term to new heights in Alaska. The oil industry, which provides 85% of state revenues, has strived to own the government. Alaska's politicians—in particular ruling Republicans—roll in oil campaign money, lavish oil revenue on pet projects, then retire to lucrative oil jobs where they lobby for sweetheart oil deals. You can love the free market and not love this.
Alaskans have long resented this dysfunction, which has led to embarrassing corruption scandals. It has also led to a uniform belief that the political class, in hock to the oil class, fails to competently oversee Alaska's vast oil and gas wealth, the majority of which belongs to the state—or rather, Alaskan citizens.
And so it came as no surprise in 2004 when former Republican Gov. Frank Murkowski made clear he'd be working exclusively with three North Slope producers—ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips and BP—to build a $25 billion pipeline to move natural gas to the lower 48. The trio had informed their political vassals that they alone would build this project (they weren't selling their gas to outsiders) and that they expected the state to reward them. Mr. Murkowski disappeared into smoky backrooms to work out the details. He refused to release information on the negotiations. When Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Irwin suggested terms of the contract were illegal, he was fired.
What Mr. Murkowski did do publicly was instruct his statehouse to change the oil and gas tax structure (taxes being a primary way Alaskans realize their oil revenue). Later, citizens would discover this was groundwork for Mr. Murkowski's pipeline contract—which would lock in that oil-requested tax package for up to 40 years, provide a $4 billion state investment, and relinquish most oversight.
Enter Mrs. Palin. The former mayor of Wasilla had been appointed by Mr. Murkowski in 2003 to the state oil and gas regulatory agency. She'd had the temerity to blow the whistle on fellow GOP Commissioner Randy Ruedrich for refusing to disclose energy dealings. Mr. Murkowski and GOP Attorney General Gregg Renkes closed ranks around Mr. Ruedrich—who also chaired the state GOP. Mrs. Palin resigned. Having thus offended the entire old boy network, she challenged the governor for his seat.
Mrs. Palin ran against the secret deal, and vowed to put the pipeline back out for competitive, transparent, bidding. She railed against cozy politics. Mr. Murkowski ran on his unpopular pipeline deal. The oil industry warned the state would never get its project without his leadership. Mrs. Palin walloped him in the primary and won office in late 2006. Around this time, news broke of a federal probe that would show oil executives had bribed lawmakers to support the Murkowski tax changes.
Among Mrs. Palin's first acts was to reinstate Mr. Irwin. By February 2007 she'd released her requirements for pipeline bidding. They were stricter, and included only a $500 million state incentive. By May a cowed state house—reeling from scandal—passed her legislation.
The producers warned they would not bid, nor would anyone else. Five groups submitted proposals. A few months before the legislature awarded its license to TransCanada this July, Conoco and BP suddenly announced they'd be building their own pipeline with no state inducements whatsoever. They'd suddenly found the money.
Mrs. Palin has meanwhile passed an ethics law. She's tightened up oil oversight. She forced the legislature to rewrite the oil tax law. That new law raised taxes on the industry, for which Mrs. Palin is now taking some knocks, but the political background here is crucial.
The GOP machine has crumbled. Attorney General Renkes resigned. Mr. Ruedrich was fined $12,000. Jim Clark—Mr. Murkowski's lead pipeline negotiator—pleaded guilty to conspiring with an oil firm. At least three legislators have been convicted. Sen. Ted Stevens is under indictment for oil entanglements, while Rep. Don Young is under investigation.
Throughout it all, Mrs. Palin has stood for reform, though not populism. She thanks oil companies and says executives who "seek maximum revenue" are "simply doing their job." She says her own job is to be a "savvy" negotiator on behalf of Alaska's citizens and to provide credible oversight. It is this combination that lets her aggressively promote new energy while retaining public trust.
Today's congressional Republicans could learn from this. The party has been plagued by earmarks, scandal and corruption. Most members have embraced the machine. That has diminished voters' trust, and in the process diminished good, conservative ideas. It is no wonder 37 million people tuned in to Mrs. Palin's convention speech. They are looking for something fresh.
yep, amd sadly most were not in self defense. One of my biggest struggles with being a Christian is the violence that is glorified in the name of God. David...a man after God's own heart seems to me to be the absolute worst of the bunch.
I don't think that God would stop anyone from defending themselves...but having quite a bit of knowledge about the horror inflicted by guns(when used as a tool for evil)...I KNOW something has to change. We are a murderous bunch in America and guns make it all to easy to accomplish. And I say this as a man that carries a 9mm Sig Sauer attached to his hip many, many days. (and I am not, nor would I ever be, a card carrying member of the NRA).
This is an interesting newsletter I rec'd yesterday, by one of my favorite journalists -
Raining Petro-Dollars In Georgia
The US just gave $1 billion to the country of Georgia… a billion freekin’ dollars to help clean up a mess that the US created with more of its stupid petro-diplomacy.
That billion doesn’t include the hundreds of millions in military aid the US has racked up in Georgia in the past year… money spent on antagonizing Russia so it would go nuts before the US elections… or the hundreds of millions the US will spend on more military aid until at least January 2009.
And, forget for a minute that if the next US president is Sen. John McCain, the US’s next war will likely be fought in Georgia… let’s focus on that billion dollars.
A billion suddenly appreciating smackeroos.
If the US was so intent on blowing that wad overseas, instead of, say, on the US state of Georgia’s terrible public school systems, why didn’t it spend it this way...
REWARD
$1 Billion For Capture of Osama bin Laden أسامة بن محمد بن عوض بن لادن‎
I’ll bet you a cool billion would have loosened some tongues.
Hell, Osama might have turned himself in – a billion bucks buys a lot of C-4.
Of course, the problem with a big reward is that someone might catch the scoundrel alive. That’s a dicey reality that could lead to a messy public trial – one that embarrasses both the US and its skanky ho mistress, Saudi Arabia.
You know, the kind of mistress where your wife divorces you and your friends go “for that.”
In fact, every time I think of the US’s relationship with Saudi Arabia I think about President Bill Clinton… and what many men, including me, who are still not totally detached from the media assault on image and sex, thought about him.
“You are the leader of the free world you could have had the Swedish Bikini Team. Instead every one of your hoes was u-g-l-y… even-after-thousands-of dollars-of-cosmetic-surgery ugly.”
Raining Dollars In Georgia
So, here we are this week, and the Dark Prince, aka The Vice President of the United States, is in Georgia with the US’s wallet. He’s spreading big bucks around Tbilisi and talking tough – doing advertorials for Sen. McCain from what amounts to a GOP convention offsite.
Senator Barrack Obama may have had Invesco Field… but Cheney, doing his best George C. Scott doing Gen. George Patton, was preaching to the US’s right wing from yet another foreign battlefield… talking tough about the need to slap down the dreaded Ruskies.
It was surreal – like a black comedy.
What’s even more surreal is that certain segments still fall for the Red Menace marketing ploy… kind of like some people can’t help themselves from opening emails with the subject line – “lose 40lbs in 30 days.”
Slippery Isolation
Now, this is just a gut feeling – a big gut since I’ve never fallen for the “lose 40lbs in 30 days come on…”
But, doesn’t US foreign policy – that will continue under McCain… and in a year or two under Palin – make a strong case that the US is trying to isolate itself from the rest of the oil-producing world?
The US will get little or no oil or gas from Russia. None from Iran. There’s a chance it could get some from Iraq, but turn your back on that mess for a second and fugetaboutit!
On top of that, Saudi Arabia needs to manage its reserves to make them last. And, finally, McCain/Palin won’t kiss OPEC darling Hugo Chavez’s butt, so don’t count on much more than a dribble from Venezuela.
NIMBY’s Last Gasp
So, who is going to feed the beast?
In the end, the neo-isolationism will force US citizens to demand a rapid expansion of domestic production – offshore and on – or pay $5 to $6 at the pump.
The Canadians, who already sell the US more oil than anyone else, will go nuts in their oil sands in order to meet demand.
And, maybe this isn’t a bad strategy.
After all, the whole world is growing up… becoming mechanized and modernized in the image of the US. The US can’t keep coming up with excuses to attack every country that has major oil reserves.
Russia is going to sell to Europe and China.
The Africans will keep what they need and sell to Australia, the rest of Oceana, China and India.
The Azerbaijani’s will sell to China and India, as will the Iranians and, ultimately, the Iraqis.
This isolation plan will also sit well with the US’s ultra-conservative minority, which doesn’t want to be beholden to any darned foreigners… heck, they barely tolerate them bagging their groceries (maybe their wives don’t tell them about that) and mowing their lawns.
Lucy, I’m Home
So, by isolating itself, the US can return to Happy Days… the charming 1950s when women stayed home, African Americans stayed in their place and Mexicans stayed in Mexico.
And, don’t go all liberal smug on me here… there are million and millions of Americans who really crave the 1950s, so you must be sensitive to their feelings.
Even better, this neo-isolationism will find the petrochemical industry restored to greatness and its close friend the President, Sarah Palin, returning North America to its Industrial Revolution pollution standards – all in the oily name of national security.
Russia will be an enemy again. School kids will once again learn duck and cover. The environment will be a mess, food will be unsafe, but Social Security will suddenly become solvent because people will once again start dying younger, like in their early 70s.
Man, does this isolation stuff solve some big problems or what?
Story of O
And, the only guy who can screw this up is that Sen. Barrack Obama.
He wants to make friends with the world.
I mean, you know he’s a big-time, left leaning, equal opportunity-for-all-including-your-wives-daughters-and-graddaughters, pinko liberal.
But, maybe the nut bags on America’s fringes are correct and US Sen. Barrack Obama is also a God-fearing Muslim… not a God-fearing Christian… because any culture that actually believes you get a passel of virgins in Muslim heaven as a reward for crashing into the World Trade Center is naïve at a deep and scary level… as in naïve in its cultural DNA.
So maybe Sen. Obama is naïve enough to put forth a foreign policy strategy that wants to make friends across the globe and to restore the US’s reputation as mediator and not a kick-butt-cost-is-no-object instigator.
Because, you have to be inexperienced in the ways of US politics to think that twice in a lifetime someone can win the US presidency without a global enemy with which to threaten the electorate. It’s the rule Bill Clinton broke and the real reason some people hate him … and the reason they’ll hate Sen. Obama if he can pull it off.
Regardless of what your articles state, Obama is evidently BRIGHTER intellectually than McCAIN, who, at least, is affected by the AGE FACTOR on his brain.
I made it happen..a joyful life..filled with peace, contentment, happiness and fabulocity.
Regardless of what your articles state, Obama is evidently BRIGHTER intellectually than McCAIN, who, at least, is affected by the AGE FACTOR on his brain.
the ability to deliver a speech...which is all Barack Abortion has going from him...does not equal intelligence. He's an evil man that pretends to be a Christian. His friends are also horrid excuses for human beings.
the ability to deliver a speech...which is all Barack Abortion has going from him...does not equal intelligence. He's an evil man that pretends to be a Christian. His friends are also horrid excuses for human beings.
You do not have to deliver a speech to be 1st in your class at Harvard Law School or to author books on your own.
This is so ridiculous!
You don't really know Obama's religious beliefs. That's between him and the LORD and you don't really know his friends.
I made it happen..a joyful life..filled with peace, contentment, happiness and fabulocity.
I KNOW that any Christian that supports abortion is not a Christian. If you truly believe what the Bible says...you know...the playbook for Christianity, then you cannot endorse the slaughter of God's children.
As for why Barack finished first in class at Harvard...great accomplishment...wonder how much other factors played into that though.
William Ayers...Reverend Racist...enough said about that.
