Blame Bush; Beats taking responsibility!

I have for sometime considered myself a rather astute observer of Politics. I understand that politics is a blood sport, one in which you try to craft your image using, slick marketing, political spin doctoring, and the occasional political knifing of your opponents. The recent trend over the last six or seven months by the mainstream media to lay the blame for virtually every problem in America squarely at the feet of President George W. Bush has seemed to work out brilliantly. Although this last move by the media was a political master piece. They where actually able to blame President Bush for the Hurricanes in the gulf coast. I mean come on people, have we totally lost our grip on reality or what?
I mean this is a man who the Democrats ( and there lap dogs in the media) have since he stepped upon the world stage as a candidate for office in late 1999 labeled as a blundering dunce who was just short of a drooling village idiot, and yet he time and time again ran circles around his opponents. This is the same man who to spite his ivy league education ( I know I know, his daddy must have bought it for him right? Of course) To spite the fact that he graduated from Harvard and Yale and is the only President to hold an M.B.A. is considered to be an idiot and a fool because after all, he's not an elitist liberal.
Now I must say that the "Blame Bush" bus has gone too far this time. The President ( who remember is suppose to be an idiot and moron right?) does not have the power to cause the hurricane, it was caused by nature, hurricanes have been taking place for millions of years ( Before Bush or even Halliburton, no really!) the disasters plan for New Orleans was put into place by the mayor and the Governor not the President, the local leaders dropped the ball, the president ordered troops, food and money to the gulf but as many have forgotten those things take TIME.
Im not saying that the Federal governments response was flawless, mistakes where made, there where blunders but come on. Shouldn't we be more concerned about fixing what went wrong so that it doesn't happen again rather then trying to win a petty political point or two.
However it seems that the media is so consumed with trying to make the President look bad that they have forgotten this disaster is really about the people who's lives it has effected. The accounts in the media have become so erroneous that I am surprised anyone actually takes them seriously I must admit that know the mainstream media as I do I am not surprised. The days of journalistic integrity are gone.
The first charge that was made was that President didn't respond quickly enough,yet he ordered the federal troops to be ready the night before the storm hit, ( remember that federal troops cannot be deployed within any state without the consent of the Governor except in times of insurrection, that is federal law, it was the Goddess Governor Blanco that waited several days to finally call for federal troops)The next charge levvyed at the Great Satan ( George Bush) is that he cut the federal funding for the levvys and that's why they broke and "he meant it to happen because hes the devil?"which was the basic message being sent by the media and opprotunistic democrats.Yet if you check the federal budget records aka reality it will show that the funding for those levvys has actually increased under this President. Another baseless charge leveled at this President is that he didn't respond quickly because he doesnt care about the poor and minorities that lived in New Orleans. The facts are simply this, under this president the poverty rate for N.O. has dropped from 13.6%( the poverty rate under Clinton) to 12.6% , the federal government is spending over 384,000,000 dollars to combat poverty more then was spent under Clinton. As for the racial charges they are simply diahrea of the mouth and not worthy of a response.
Now I am not by any means saying that the President made no mistakes or that the federal governments response to this disaster was anything other then terrible. Where the President did fail is in his oversite of FEMA director Micheal Brown who was clearly in way over his head. Another mistake he made was to not appoint one person to be in over all command of the federal response on the Ground like he did after 9/11.
I would call on those who are part of the "Blame Bush" crowd to grow up and realize that EVERYTHING that happens in this world that is bad is not the fault of the President.( Republicans did it Under Clinton and it was dispicable then too) That while you may, and are fully within your rights to disagree with and actively oppose this President and his policies, it is lunicy to try and pin every problem on him. Maybe if this crowd would take some responsiblities for there own actions, and actually take charge of there lives they wouldn't have to look for someone to blame everytime something doesn't go right. But I am sure that this will fall on deaf ears of the very crowd im talking about.In between foaming at the mouth and calling the President every name but a child of God, and trying to blame him for everything that has or will ever go wrong, take a minute ( your friends will wait to start the "Blame Bush" meeting) and think about what I have said here. Then take a minute( there will be pleanty of time left over to blame Bush for the sorry state of your lives) and give back to your fellow man in whatever way you know how.

Why not a liberal you say?

I have often been asked by people who know me and know my politics this question. Why are you a conservative? I always respond with the same answer, after I have a hearty chuckle of course. I respond with the simple truth. Because I believe ultimatly in the indominable spirit of man, in the ability of a free people not bound by repressive government to be able to reach any level of success that they are willing to work for.
I also tell them that I am a conservative because I don't want to spend my life attached to the government tit, to steal a phrase from my grandfather.
I also feel that the idea's aspoused in conservative thinking and politics, allows man to be as free as possible. I know that liberals think that they hold the patton on compassion but I ask you? What is more compassionate, creating a system that allows people, without the interference of government to achieve there personal, political, and or finacial goals through hard work and perserverance? Or is it more compassionate to tell generations that they can never be a success without the government actively taking a part in there lives, and then making those people dependant upon the government for there basic survival. Also in doing so the government, forces upon these good people generational poverty and a victim mentality.
Now don't get me wrong I as do most conservatives strongly support the idea's of gender, and racial equality. These ideas I believe trancend the political spectrum and are basic American idea's.
But I am a conservative because I have always believe one should try to become more then the station to which they where born. Every American should strive to fullfill there full potential and it is the role of a free government who serves there people to set a level playing field and then get out of the way. Conservative philosopies and politics allow this dream to be a reality.
It is for these reasons that I am a proud card carrying member of the Conservative mainstream.
A proud crowd of Americans such as William F. Buckly, Barry Goldwater, Walter Williams, and Ronald Reagan, I think im in pretty good company.

Realizations

I was going about my business today.Doing my duty and I began to look around. It struck me, just how different it is here then in my small corner of the world. The vast deserts, the sparce vegitation, and a people who; aside from their religion have no sense of who they are as a people, or more accuratly as a country in the modern world.
I guess as an American I take for granted my national identity. The fact that from the moment I was born I was taught of the majesty of America. The "Land of the Free" the "Home of the Brave" and so forth. That identity as much as my own name, family, and religion have defined who I am as a man. I always assumed that national identity was basic component of every human being. I was mistaken,in this region of the world one's identity is based upon their ancestry. There religion plays a large role as well, but unlike in America a persons nationality is much less important then there ethnicity.
While this does have it's advantages I ultimatly believe it does more harm then good. You see as an American, I identify with other Americans, but unlike many other people there is not simply one template to define what an American is. Americans are not all white, black, oriental, hispanic,greek, eastern european,or even arab. An American is not just Christian, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddist ,ect ect ect. An American is not only a Republican, Democrat, Libertatian, Green, Socialist, Communist, ect ect ect. You see our national identity trancends race, religion, political ideology, and the like.
Being an American is different than anything else in the world. It is more about where we live and the idea's of Freedom, self determination, hard work, capitalism, and the rugged determination of man that defines us as a people.
Wheather your ancestors came to American on aboard the Mayflower, or later on ships from all parts of the world, you are still apart of one nation under God. Some among us fought for the rights there forefathers where denied, violently at times. Yet even those who where for a time enslaved finally one there freedom and have added a richness to the American way of life that will be cherished for all times.
So If I could give the people of Iraq one piece of advice it would be this; unite as Iraqis. You can do that and still keep your cultures. You can be a Shite, Sunni, Kurd as well as an Iraqi. If you can put aside bitter ( and honestly many times minor) differences and unite for the greater good, a stable and free Iraq. You will be doing a great service to the countless generations who will come after you. They will have something unique to the arab world. A country based on shared idea's not on skin, religion, or politics. That nation will have a long and glorious future. One that Mohammad himself would be proud of.

Waltz

I think about the atlantic gulfstream, upon which rides the fridged noreaster. It's mighty gales and cold strong winds wipe away the last traces of spring. With it go the sunny days, the lazy morning swims, and the last of the tourists back to their inland homes. Just as every year, I am sad to see it go. For it's departure sets the stage for mighty winter, for strong cold gales, and fridged barren waters.
I will miss the days of spring, like a lover from long ago. Who's very presence made you smile and who's scent sent tingles up your spine. The feel of sand between my toes. The waves breaking on the beach, the gulls circling over head, as if they possess a secret known only to the fowl of the coasts. The days before me hold chilling winds and strong cold sea's. The ocean's once welcomed embrace, will soon become a sharp slap. Bright and lovely days replaced with a barreness, day after day of bleak shadows, of cold sand beneith my feet and a chilled sting upon my face.
Yet unlike a past lover, the spring will come again. The warm breeze upon my cheek, the caress of the waves against my skin. The sweet scent of a Zephyr on the air. To sit upon that warm sand, so inviting, so appealing. To scribe my mundane musings, as the gulls squawk and the waves sing there age old songs. To feel the warmth all around me and know that it will; all too soon fade, the cycle never ending. The sea, forever locked in the dance of the seasons and the waltz of the ages. For it must all too sadly be!

Legacy in the making

Late last night Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist died after a prolonged battle with cancer. His passing which of course every red blooded American ( and the few decent liberals still out there) morn, brings about a second vacancy on the Supreme Court. The last time there where two vacancies together Richard Nixon was President. He appointedJustices Rehnquist and Powell which went a long way towards reshaping the Supreme Court. Now President Bush has an even greater opprotunity to reshape the court for the twenty first century. This may above anyting else be his greatest legacy.

I am waiting to hear the liberals begain there caterwalling about how the nominee need be "mainstream" which to a liberal means Pro choice, Big Government, and anti-Constitution. I fully expect to see within the United States Senate the Biggest confirmation battle in history. Bigger then the Bork hearings, bigger even then the Clarence Thomas hearings. I fully expect liberals to show their true colors and filibuster any decent conservative, strict constructionist nominee the President puts forward.

I do wonder what happen to the days when a nominee was looked at for there qualifications and then voted on, not for their politics but for their Judicial record. This Supreme court which made in my opinion the greatest blunder since the Dredd Scott case in there decision concerning Eminent Domain is however filled for the most part with fair minded, highly competatant Justices. Justices that where confirmed by Senators that could ( for the most part ) look past party lines and vote Yes on good nominees. I call upon the senate democrats to look past there unbridled hatred for this President and for the sake of the country do the same.

Horrified

The tradgedy that took place in the gulf coast this week made me feel real sympathy for my fellow Americans. I was heart broken at the massive amount of suffering that took place. I was also disgusted at the reports of the violence committed by some of the ( for lack of a better word ) citizens of the gulf coast against their fellow man. I am not so much talking about the looting of food, water, and other basic essentials, that after all was neccessary for many peoples basic survival.
I of course am referring to the barbarians in New Orleans and elseware who robbed, rapped, murdered and assaulted their fellow citizens for there own personal gain. These thugs are the lowest form of human life. It is these kinds of people that make decent folks fear for their safety and for the safety of their loved ones. I was glad to hear that the national guard troops now restoring order throughout the gulf coast where told to take a heavy hand with these thugs.
As an optimist, I have always believe that mankind is inhearently good. However when I hear of such acts of barbarism during times of great tradgedy I wonder if my basic belief in the decency of my fellow man is misguided.
I wonder what posses a person to see such great suffering and think only of themselves. To see people hurting and try to use it to their advantage. Why in a situation like this one in the gulf coast, don't people put aside there petty personal interests and work together for the greater good?
New Orleans, the big easy a great city, a city of style and grace. The capitol of Jazz and blues, the home of cajun food and the garden district. A city which has played a pivotal role in this nations history, destroyed by mother nature, and yet worst of all violated by a small number of there own people. I weep for all the decent folks suffering tonight in the south. I weep for the Big Easy which will rise again, to even greater glory.
Finally I'd like to warn the thugs, and gangsters, and human vultures of the gulf coast. Their will come a day in this country when the good people finally have had their fill of being preyed upon and then human refuge like you will no longer be tolerated or excused as a product of your enviroment. You will be labeled for what you are, human garbage. You will be locked away no longer to prey upon decent people. I for one look forward to that day.

Never

Flooded, I squint nearly overwhelmed by the piercing light.
The heat smacks my face like a jilted lover. Drawing from me as if
it where a thief in the night my breath.
I cannot take even a moment to collect myself; to draw a breath. I must press on,
completion of my work that is all that is before me.Each man must carry a burden, one that is
his and his alone. Mine is lighter then some, and yet greater then the multitudes, I embrace it
upon broad shoulders. To whatever end providence has designed.
I hear the whispers thru the ages. Voices of those long dead. They sing the chorus of this place.
That from these sands upon which I trod, life first sprang. Yet my weary eyes cannot see any traces
of the beauty that was Eden. I seek the waters, the flowing rivers that fed mighty Babylon, the great
empires of Saladin and Alexander. Yet I find nothing, desolation, sand, and shrubs and barrenness.
There is nothing of Paradise in the lands before me. Or so you would say upon first glance.
Yet I see their treasure in the faces of the people. In a culture that has endured since time out of mind.
A people misunderstood and misrepresented by a few. With the strength of Allah, they hold to their faith, which has served them so well through the ages.
There's is not mine and yet I understand. I toil everyday for their future. So that they may; with Allah's word clutched to their breast and burned in their hearts, have the chance that has been stolen from them for far to long.
While I long to return to my beloved home. To the amber waves of grain, to view once more the purple mountains
majesty. To raise my family among the rolling green hills of the midwest. I will never forget what I saw here.
What I learned here, or what I did in this desolate place.