Forget Big Brother, Facebook and Twitter are Watching!

  Usually, this week I would be writing to say Merry Christmas to all of my loyal readers. I still want to do that, but I think I have found something else to say first.
  The whole world it seems has been glued to the Duck Dynasty "controversy". Recently, in an interview with GQ Magazine, Robertson family Patriarch Phil Robertson made some comments regarding homosexuality. A&E, the cable network that carries the most popular reality show on television, promptly put Phil on "indefinite hiatus", whatever the hell that means. Millions of Duck Dynasty fans have come forward on social media not to necessarily defend Phil's comments, although some have, but to defend his right to say them. What he said was based on his beliefs as a Christian, and at least the last time I checked, we still enjoy the right of free speech in America.
  This past weekend, New York based public relations executive Justine Sacco was on her way to her native South Africa when she decided to tweet this little ditty, "Going to Africa. Hope I don't get AIDS. Just kidding! I'm white"! Whether she thought this was cute, funny, edgy, who knows. But what is known is that while Justine winged her way to her native land, that tweet went viral and the hashtag "#HasJustineLandedYet" quickly began to trend on Twitter. Could such a hashtag be interpreted as a threat? Quite simply, yes.
  Here is the problem. If you do not agree with Phil Robertson's beliefs, and you also think what Justine Sacco tweeted was inexcusable, that's fine. God(dess) bless America. What is not fine is the self-appointed Internet Police. It is a phenomenon that has sprung up with the advent of social media. People post comments and/or thoughts, and within a nanosecond, an entire group of nameless, faceless people have deemed what was posted acceptable or unacceptable. No one will condone the senseless disgusting remarks that Justine Sacco made, but within the span of time it takes to fly from New York to South Africa, her life was ruined. Some may say she brought it on herself, but that argument could be made about many things that many of us have said during the course of our lives. Facebook and Twitter allow a certain amount of anonymity. You can use any name you want, create any persona you want. And with that anonymity comes a certain amount of power. But should it be enough power to destroy lives with a keystroke? Justine Sacco's is certainly not the first life to be summarily judged and targeted by the Internet Police.
  So I guess my question is this. Who are these people?! Who do you think you are that you can, with a swipe of your magic wand, in the form of a keyboard, make some one's life miserable?? If you do not share Phil Robertson's beliefs, you have the right to change the channel. What you do not have  the right to do is to silence him. If you do not like what Justine Sacco tweeted, delete it. What you do not have the right to do is to destroy her life for something stupid it took her all of 5 seconds to tweet on the Internet.
  During this Christmas season, maybe one of the things we as Americans should be eternally grateful for, is the right to speak our minds where and when we want. With the acception of Western Europe, and a smattering of countries around the world, no other people on Earth enjoy the right of freedom of speech to the extent that we do. It is so precious, and can be eroded so quickly,

before we know what happened. Let's also remember the men and women all around the world, far from home and their families, who are keeping guard on our freedom of speech, and all of our other freedoms we hold so dear.
  And very quickly, to the Internet Police? Here I am. I will say what I want, when I want, and how I want. If you don't like it, don't read it. If that is a problem for you, then all I can say to you is, bring it.

Merry Christmas from The Conservative Cauldron!          

More Random Thoughts

  The next two weeks are always a slow time of year for writers and bloggers, especially of the political persuasion. Congress will vote on the budget bill this week, which is basically just more of the same. For Republicans, it avoids another government shutdown, and subsequently taking the blame for said shutdown. For Democrats, the deal is a two year one, which they believe will let them skate through the 2014 midterms. That is, until Obama care rears its ugly head.
  So I thought, I would just jot down a few things. You know, just enough to skate until 2014. Hey, if Congress can do it....
  First of all, the whole white Santa/black Santa thing. Besides the fact that there are a whole bunch of way more pressing things for the nation to tackle, this whole story has been taken entirely too seriously. Writer Aisha Harris, in her piece for Slate magazine, stated that the media's default portrayal of the jolly fat guy always being white caused her a great deal of pain and confusion as a child, and her suggestion was that Santa be turned into a penguin, so that children everywhere could identify with him. By reading Ms. Harris's piece, I assumed she was being tongue in cheek. If she really did experience such feelings as a child, I think she should be free to share those feelings, but perhaps she should leave out the penguin part if it is in fact an honest, heartfelt true story. Second, Santa Claus, what ever color he comes in, should be a welcoming sight for any child. I don't know of anyone who would have a problem with a black Santa. I certainly would have no problem with my child being bounced on the knee of an African American St. Nick. What is more important than the visual, is the idea. Maybe I am going out on a limb here, but don't most parents, no matter who they are, try to teach their children that Santa Claus is a representation of the Christmas season? He is about more than receiving gifts. He is about giving to your fellow man, and caring about and helping others. I would have to agree, that Santa Claus comes in all colors, because he is all people.
  Another random observation. News came out this week about the latest mass shooting perpetrator at a Colorado high school. Eighteen year old Karl Pierson was described by some fellow students as a "proud Socialist". It seems as though young Pierson has joined an infamous club. These kind of mass attacks at schools and other places, such as the Aurora Colorado movie theater appear to continue to breed copy cats. As the mainstream media contorts themselves into pretzels trying to tie all of these murderers to the Tea Party, and trying to find any sliver of evidence that they might be even slightly right wing, one big similarity is emerging. Not only do these guys have severe mental issues that failed to set off any bells and whistles with family, friends, or co-workers, at least not any that were loud enough, the one thing they have in common is their political leanings. From Pierson, to the Virginia Tech shooter, to Nidal Hassan, to James Holmes, who may have been a volunteer on the Obama presidential campaign, and a supporter of the Occupy Wall Street movement, all had political leanings that were fairly left wing. But you will never hear these facts from the likes of CBS, ABC, or CBS, and so on. Why? Is it to make sure that all Conservatives are painted with the same right wing kook brush? Is it to make sure that under no circumstances what so ever, Barack Obama is never made to look bad, and could not possibly have anything in common with mass killers? Who knows. One thing is for sure. Most of these guys always saw themselves as oppressed, victims, everyone out to get them. Classic Liberal traits.

  Unfortunately, the battle over Santas and Christmas will resume next year. Unfortunately, more of these copy cat shootings will no doubt occur. More than likely, they will occur in those extra special "gun free" zones.
  Kind of makes one wish for some smarmy politicians to write about. Then again, maybe my fellow writers and I should sit back and enjoy the break. Maybe I will pick a color, and go see Santa Claus.         

A Pattern of Persecution

  Last week, the Obama administration slapped itself on the back after talks between the United States, Great Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany produced a somewhat lopsided deal between the West and the Islamic regime of Iran. While Iran will get a possible $40 billion dollars in sanction relief, the United States and its allies in this deal, get an "agreement" from Iran that they will freeze key parts of their nuclear program, they will cease enriching uranium beyond 5%, and will stop development of the Arak nuclear plant. The U.N. will also get greater access to inspections. There is just one little detail, how are we guaranteed that any of this will actually take place? A great American once uttered these three words, trust but verify.
  But while President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry were all over the place making sure that the rest of the world knew what great Statesmen they were, there was another little deal going, or rather not going on, that flew right under the radar.
  Mojtaba Atarodi is an Iranian scientist, who was arrested in California in 2011 for trying to aid his country's nuclear program by circumventing western sanctions. Saeed Abedini is an American citizen, born in Iran, and a convert to Christianity, and almost certain death sentence in Iran. So what is the problem with this picture? Mr. Atarodi was released under this agreement, while no mention was made of Saeed Abedini, and two other Americans being held by the Iranian government.
  According to the American Center for Law and Justice Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the Obama administration says that they are working on Abedini's and the others release" on the margins". And it is Sekulow who is asking the million dollar question, "Americans are 'on the margins', while convicted Iranian scientists are freed"? He also called it "a betrayal", saying that "Basically, Barack Obama and John Kerry turned their backs on their fellow Americans."
  This would not be the first time for such actions for either one. We can all remember during the 2004 presidential campaign, film of a much younger John Kerry, just back from 4 grueling months in Vietnam, testifying before a Congressional Committee, tossing his fellow soldiers right under the bus, accusing them of all sorts of wartime atrocities. And as for our illustrious President? One word need only to be said, Benghazi.
  Pastor Saeed Abedini had traveled back to his home country before. This time however, he was arrested and charged with compromising national security, but the specific allegations were not made public. He was to serve out an 8 year sentence in Iran's notorious Evin Prison. Last month, he was transferred to the Rajai Shahr Prison, where he will endure even worse conditions.
  There is yet another ominous pattern emanating from this administration. Saeed Abedini is being left to rot in an Iranian prison for his Christian beliefs. The Romeike family, a German family, also Christian, fled their native country because they wanted to home school their children, which is illegal in Germany, and are now facing possible deportation at the hands of Obama, Holder, and Company. What exactly is the Obama administration's beef with Christianity? The President claims to be a devout Christian. Is it a certain kind of Christianity that he feels threatened by? Perhaps it is the kind that is not in accordance with Black Liberation Theology. Is it any Christian doctrine that perhaps might not be heard in the Church of Rev. Jeremiah Wright? We don't really know. What we do know is that an American citizen is being persecuted for his religious beliefs. That should not happen to any American, at home or abroad, and it should be job #1 to get Saeed Abedini and other Americans being held in Iran home to their families.

 
  As of today, the ACLJ must rely on Europe to assist with Pastor Saeed's release. Is President Obama so willing to sacrifice a basic American, no human right, in order to make sure that Iran's Islamic regime is happy? If so, what or who will be sacrificed next?

To find out more about Pastor Saeed Abedini and his case, go to www.BeHeardProject.com                    

Thanks For The Small Stuff

  This is the week, the one week out of the year, that Americans take a day out of their completely impossible lives, to give thanks for their blessings. Most of us are thankful for a lot of the same things, our families, friends, still having a job, if we in fact, still do have a job. We are thankful for our health, and the health of our loved ones. We should absolutely be grateful for those things. But this year, I decided to go a different way. For those of you who know me, I know this is shocking. This year, I thought I would be thankful not just for the big things, but for some little things too. You know, those small little creature comforts that keep us off the ledge after a day that could not suck more.
  I don't watch nearly as often as I would like, but I am thankful for hockey. I have said many times that if I played, I am pretty sure that I would be an enforcer. I would not possess a tooth in my head, but I would be damn good at it. I am thankful for all of the great music on my iPod. Sometimes, I just gotta hear Ted Nugent, the "Peanuts" theme, and "Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" exactly in that sequence. I am thankful for warm summer days, when my car, a 2005 black Chevy Cavalier, is freshly washed and waxed. Having grown up with a dad who was a serious car guy, I see sheer beauty in shiny steel, just begging me to hop in and break a few speed limits.
  Since we are talking about Thanksgiving, we must of course talk about food. They don't call it comfort food for nothing. But not just the standard turkey and dressing. I think it is perfectly O.K. to give thanks for the perfection of an ice cold beer at a baseball game. Be thankful for your favorite cake on your birthday, or that one meal, whether it was something your Mom made you as a kid, something of your own invention, or a fast food favorite that you simply must indulge in every now and then. By all means, giving thanks for Jack in the Box tacos is acceptable.
  Thanksgiving means giving thanks for all of those completely stupid things our friends, family, and co-workers say and do to make us laugh uncontrollably. The best part being when someone else walks in, and there is just no way to explain what is so funny. I can think of a few, and you know who you are. A nickname of "Beckers", "what in the blue hell....?!", and "licking the taco", immediately come to mind. I wish I could explain, but I am laughing way too hard, and it would take way too long.
  Then there are those even smaller things. Your comfy clothes after a long day. A wagging tail attached to your dog who is always unconditionally glad to see you. O.K. Maybe there is just one condition, and it involves food, but it is a nice thought to entertain. Turning on the TV, and finding your favorite movie. Sure you have seen it 237 times, will 238 cause a break out of world peace? Probably not, so who is it hurting right?
  We are all thankful for the most important things and people in our lives. Being thankful for the small stuff does not make you selfish. It makes you human.
  Happy Thanksgiving from The Conservative Cauldron!  
 

A Moment In Time

  This week, America will mark the 50th anniversary of one of the darkest days in our history. Fifty years ago, to the day, John F. Kennedy, thirty fifth President of the United States, was assassinated. That Friday started out dark and rainy, but by late morning, the clouds had given way to a sunny fall day in Dallas. Kennedy was in Texas to bring together two factions of the Democratic Party. Liberal and Conservative Democrats alike had to at least give the impression of unity in order to snag the large number of electoral votes that Texas had to offer in 1964's presidential election.
  The whole world it seemed, had fallen in love with America's first couple. Jack Kennedy was young, good looking and, despite many who thought him too inexperienced, exuded the capability needed to lead one of the world's superpowers. Jackie Kennedy was one of the most glamorous first ladies the nation had seen in quite a while. She was beautiful, spoke several languages, and was always the height of fashion. As soon as Jackie was wearing it, every woman in America was wearing it.
  Those who were there on that awful day, know exactly where they were, and what they were doing. It would be another year and three months before this Blogger would make her debut, but from my husband, then a second grader who remembered the announcement coming over the public address system at his elementary school in the small town of Warrenton Missouri, to my mother, a young wife, who was busy with housework when CBS News, and a visibly shaken Walter Cronkite, broke into daytime programming with the first terrible sketchy reports.
  So many things began that day with the end of John Kennedy's life, and the end of "Camelot". The murder of a sitting President should have been a case with no mistakes, no stone left unturned, nothing left to chance. But in the fifty years since, it has become one of the most talked about murders, and possible conspiracy theories in American history. The Warren Commission, now looked at as just another government farce, wanted the public to believe that a drifter named Lee Harvey Oswald, a guy who had serious Marxist tendencies, had lived in the Soviet Union, brought home a Russian wife, and had a hard time keeping a job, had single handedly pulled off the crime of the century. Had he acted alone? Was  it the Russians? The Cubans? The Mob?
  But the events of that day go so much deeper. For many Americans, they can almost divide American history into pre-Kennedy and post-Kennedy eras. That day ushered in a new mentality, and it wounded the American psyche in ways that have never been able to be repaired. After Kennedy's death, the war in Vietnam escalated, and it brought out an ugliness in people. People who were quick to blame America, and looked to exaggerate each and every one of her flaws. The divide between Left and Right became wider, and the point at which words and actions crossed the line not only were pushed to the limits, but often became just plain unacceptable.
  What would John Kennedy think of the America that was born after his death? Many Conservatives  claim that Kennedy would be one of them today, citing his stance on tax cuts and the no nonsense way he dealt with the Soviet Union and Nikita Kruschev. But what would he think of the faction of Americans that are so quick to "blame America first"? The crowd who thinks that "fundamental transformation" is the best possible solution for a nation so unfair to 99% of its citizens? Would he scold them? Cheer them on? Or wonder what in God's name had become of a country he so obviously loved and gave his life for?
  John Kennedy, a man born of privilege, who could

 take advantage of everything America had to offer to a man of wealth and means, would most likely have this to say to the "blame America first" gang. Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.         

T.E.A = K.K.K.??

  It is always fairly easy to figure out when the Left is out of arguments. The race card is whipped out of any given Liberal's pocket as quick as the knife thrower at the circus. It is the last resort, to go to, old faithful.
  Most Conservatives, be they individuals or groups, have had the race card flung at them. It is almost a badge of honor. But perhaps no group of people has been branded with this accusation more than the Tea Party. Since its inception in 2009 immediately following the election of Barack Obama, Liberals have made it their mission to paint this group of ordinary American citizens as crazed gun toting, bible thumping, right wing extremists, who also harbored tremendous hatred for the nation's first black President, and in general, just anyone who did not look like them. You know, white people.
  But Liberal Democrats expend almost as much energy covering up their own shady racial past as they do trying to convince everyone that all Tea Party supporters have sheets hanging in their closets. Should we take a look at some of those less than harmonious episodes in the life of the Democratic Party?
  Well, for starters, the Ku Klux Klan was founded by Democrats. Nathan Bedford Forrest, and five other disgruntled Confederate veterans, thought it a much better idea to terrorize, lynch, and generally make life in the South a dangerous proposition for newly freed slaves, who just wanted to live their lives, and enjoy the freedom that for so long was denied them.
  But African Americans are not the only ones to enjoy the Democratic Party's steadfast tolerance of, well, anyone who just doesn't look like them. Almost immediately following the attack on Pearl Harbor which drew America into World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a Democrat, issued an executive order, commanding more than 100,000 Japanese Americans to report to internment camps. People who had done nothing more than be of Japanese ancestry. People who were hard working, law abiding citizens. And what did they get for their trouble? Being herded like cattle into "bleak, remote camps surrounded by barbed wire and armed guards". In short, humiliation.
  And in the most recent past, after a debate, candidate, now Lt. Governor-Elect, Democrat Ralph Northam refused to shake the hand of his opponent, E.W. Jackson, a Republican, and oh, by the way, African American. But perhaps the icing on the cake, who can forget, in their zeal to help the Democratic Party, the usual suspects at MSNBC, editing video tape of a Tea Party rally in 2010. The tape shows a man standing in the crowd at the rally, a rifle resting on his shoulder. They were so careful to edit out the crazy right winger's hands and face. Had their editing job been the least bit sloppy, the world would have seen that the entire picture was of a black man at the Tea Party event. Just another face in the crowd. But a face that Democrats could not afford to let

 be seen. It would mess up the whole narrative.
  More and more minority Conservatives are coming forth and making their voices heard, in the Tea Party and elsewhere. Maybe unfortunately for Liberal Democrats, they are students of history.       

The Season of Ghosts, Goblins...and Witches!

  Well, it is that time of year again. There is a chill in the air, the leaves begin to fall, and it starts to get dark early. It is hard to put a finger on, but there is a certain something in the air. For a Witch like me, it is truly a magickal time of year, Halloween is here!
  For Wiccans and Pagans, Halloween is Christmas. Our highest of holy days, or Sabbats. Halloween is an ancient Celtic holiday called Samhain (pronounced sow-en). In addition to being the Pagan New Year, it is the third of three harvest festivals on the Pagan calendar. I could go on with a lot of history here, but that is not why we are here. I realize that I am up against about three hundred years of bad publicity, but part of what I try to do here at The Conservative Cauldron is not only to educate, but also to share my holidays. Why they are important to me, and how I can help people relate to them.
  Besides being a harvest festival, it is also a day in which we remember and honor our ancestors, our loved ones who have gone on to the other world. It is a day that we believe that the veil between this world and the other world is the thinnest. Halloween is a day that we might traditionally engage in some form of divination. Maybe some Tarot cards, runes, or perhaps and old fashioned form of apple divination.
  Unfortunately, it is also usually this time of year when the freaks come out, and not just at night. The mainstream media, always on the lookout for stereotypes which they deem "offensive", wastes no time in trotting out the resident Witch, more than likely, directly from "Witch Central", a.k.a., Salem Massachusetts, wearing the regulation flowing black robes, and way too much eyeliner. And let's not forget the over-the-top fundamentalist Christian Pastor, who is convinced that Halloween is nothing more than an evil Pagan celebration, it's only purpose, to corrupt and persuade good Christians over to the "dark side".
  What I would want everyone to know is this. There is no hidden agenda behind Samhain, or Halloween. I hope I have shown here that Wiccans come from every walk of life. We just want to practice our religion like everyone else. And just like Christians who like to decorate trees and bake cookies at Christmas time, we love the fun part of our holiday too.
  So when my Samhain ritual is finished, I will be on the lookout for fun size Three Musketeers bars, and maybe a few black and orange M&M's. And what card-carrying Witch's Halloween would be complete without watching a perfectly fun Witchy movie like "Bell, Book, and Candle", or my personal favorite, "Practical Magic".
  From The Conservative Cauldron, have a happy, fun, and safe Halloween!      

Growing Pains

  There is an old saying, that the only constant is change. Most things, be they animal, vegetable, or mineral, or even politicians, must change in order to grow and remain viable and successful. Change is not always pretty. In fact, in most cases, it is down right messy.
  Perhaps nothing on Earth illustrates that more than the current state of the Republican Party. In light of last week's latest cave-in to Democrats during the government shutdown debacle, it has become clear that some serious "growing" needs to happen.
  We have seen it happen before. After the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, Democrats were suddenly flapping in the breeze. A young, good looking, vibrant, dynamic President was cut down in his prime. As the sixties wore on, the Democratic Party seemed to come perilously close to splitting in two. On one side were the Kennedy loyalists. Democrats who, by today's standards were quite Conservative. Many of them were staunch Union members, but strong on defense, and strong on lower taxes. On the other, the emerging counter-culture. Hippies who believed in things like, "make love not war", and were so virulently anti-war, they spit on American soldiers coming home from Vietnam. The culmination of this perfect storm being the riot at the 1968 Democratic Convention. It pitted the anti-war Eugene McCarthy-ites vs. the establishment Hubert Humphrey wing.
  Fast forward to today's Republican Party. With the Tea Party sweep in 2010, many of the old guard, the "establishment" Republicans were voted out of office. A new wave of new blood rode into town. Guys like Rand Paul, Mike Lee, and Ted Cruz. These were guys who were sent to Washington by ordinary Americans, tired of the go along to get along back slapping of the establishment. It's guys like Ted Cruz who are not afraid to rock the boat, and name names. And it's got the John McCains, the Lindsey Grahams, and the Karl Roves scared out of their minds. For the first time in a long time, possibly since Ronald Reagan, the status quo is being seriously challenged.
 

This means that the 2014 mid-term elections will truly be a defining moment for Republicans. There is a choice to be made. If rank and file Republicans choose to back the establishment, and believe them when they say things like the Tea Party is dangerous, they will not win another election for a long time. True Conservatives will not tolerate the same old tactics, and it will be time for principled Conservative candidates who will not back down from what they believe, who will not be threatened by Party bosses, and will stand up for their constituents, and Constitutional principles.
  True, the government shutdown would have been bad for Republicans had election day been in the midst of it. But by this time next year, Americans will be deep in the those of Obama care. The Democrats will own it, and election day 2014 could be bright and sunny, not just for Republicans, but Conservatives as well. For it is becoming more apparent, they are not necessarily one and the same.
  There is a song from those turbulent times in the sixties that says,"the times they are a changin". It could be change that Republicans can't afford to ignore.              

What's In A Name

  One of the things that the Left is good at, is distracting from the real problem with a series of small inconsequential ones. The "war on women" being a textbook example.
  Over this past weekend, NBC Sportscaster Bob Costas was at it again. Poor Bob, he just can't seem to grasp the fact that his job is to report what is going down on the playing field. But since he is an employee of NBC, a.k.a., propaganda wing for the Democratic Party, he gets free reign to comment on what ever flies into his head. Bob decided that his opinion was badly needed regarding the ongoing Washington Redskins name controversy. Bob lectured everyone who really just wanted to watch football, on how racist we all are for letting this team name exist for as long as it has. Eighty one years to be exact.
  While Bob and his fellow New York Liberal buddies are busy being appalled by the name "Redskins", let's take a brief look at life for some real life "Redskins", oops, excuse me, that Bob usually just flies over on his way to this game or that game.
  The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation is located in three counties in South Dakota. Established in 1889, it is the eighth largest reservation in the United States. It is also the poorest. With approximately 29,000 residents, the size of a small American town, the per capita income is roughly $6200 dollars a year. As of 2011, the latest figures available, unemployment on Pine Ridge is a staggering 80%. Many people have no electricity, running water, telephone, or sewer systems, and must heat their homes with wood burning stoves. Alcoholism, which many Native Americans seem almost genetically prone to, is around 80%. The rate of heart disease, twice the national average. Rate of suicide, twice the national average. The infant mortality rate, 5 times the national average. Life expectancy for the people of Pine Ridge, 48 for men, 52 for women. It is second lowest, only to Haiti in the Western Hemisphere. Offensive enough yet for ya' Bob?

  The list of grim statistics for these proud people goes morbidly on. But perhaps the most grim fact of all is that, for 124 years, the federal government has supported and overseen every aspect of the lives of Pine Ridge residents, and millions more just like them across the nation. And just how has that worked for them? Crushing poverty, disease, and practically no way off the Reservation, and the government dole to escape it.
  Despite all of the bad news however, there is some good news to report from Pine Ridge. There is a new 60 bed nursing home facility that will provide jobs, and a new Justice Center in the works, also a job creator. The recent construction of a WalMart in nearby Chadron Nebraska was built with the Native American clientele of Pine Ridge in mind.
  So Bob, having heard all of that, are your big boy pants still in a wad over the name "Redskins"? If so, two things. Maybe you should be asking what can be done to help the people of Pine Ridge recover from their "help" from the federal government. Or maybe, you should just stick to touchdowns, balls and strikes.

If you would like to know more about Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, and how you might help, go to  http://friendsofpineridgereservation.org/         

Little Girl Lost?

Sometimes, in the course of everyday life, you see something that you have seen many times before, but every so often, there is a twist on it that makes you stop and think.
  One evening last week, I was on my way home. I stopped at a light at a busy intersection. On the opposite corner, on one of those concrete islands that separate lanes, was a woman. She was standing on the island with a sign. As she was not facing me, I assumed that it was some sort of "homeless need help" sign. I have seen it before. Unfortunately, many people work that intersection. But this was different. Standing next to her, was a little girl. She was maybe 3 or 4 years old, kind of jumping around, playing with something in a bag next to her.
  As I watched her, trying to keep busy, my first thought was disbelief. How is this woman panhandling on a corner with a child?! The light turned green, and I went on my way. But I could not get that sight out of my mind. On a very practical level, I found it sad, that in one of the richest nations in the world, people feel such desperation that they see no other way out than to stand on a corner with a sign. But what about that little girl? As she stood on that corner with her mother, she was being taught an ominous life lesson. She was being taught that it was OK. It's OK to stand on a street corner and beg. It's OK to assume that other people will take pity on you and throw you their pocket change. It's OK to expect total strangers to bail you out. Even worse, what if this woman brought her child to this corner with her to gain more sympathy, thus make more money? I didn't want to go there.
  I keep thinking about that child, and others like her. In our entitlement society, will there be anyone in her life to correct this lesson? Will anyone tell her that education is the one true way off of that corner for her? Will anyone tell it to her straight, that in America, if you are willing to work hard, you can be anything you want to be? Will anyone teach her that she does not have to rely on the government, or others feeling sorry for her? That she can rely on herself?
  Fast forward twenty years. Is that little girl now a junior or senior in college, working on her degree, eager to graduate, and go out into the world and try her hand at her chosen profession? Does she possess that "look out world here I come" swagger that getting ready to dive into your dream job can give you? Or has the cycle continued? Is she a mother herself, with jobless, hopeless men who fathered her children meandering in and out of her and her children's lives? Has someone told her that the more children she has, the more money she can get from the government? Has she learned how to "work the system"?
   I guess I hope for two things. I hope that her Mom can get through this

temporary rough patch in her life. But maybe even more than that, I hope that it is not too late for this little girl. I hope this street corner education, is a lesson that she will soon forget.          

In Closing....

Well, that about wraps it up from here. It has been a great day of speakers, taking pictures, which will be up on Facebook and the Conservative Cauldron website soon, and just being with great Conservative voices, and those of like mind! If we have this much drive, desire, and energy, there is no way that Conservatives cannot win in 2014, and 2016! We have great up and coming candidates, and bottom line, we have the right message.
  Thank you everyone for spending the day with The Conservative Cauldron! I hope you will continue to keep reading! I have had a blast bringing it all to you! Hope you enjoyed!

Paul Curtman

Now speaking, Missouri State Rep. Paul Curtman. Curtman is young, and he is one of the up and coming stars of the Missouri Republican Party. He is speaking today about the Conservative message, and how very right it is. He says the principles of liberty can be life changing. It is to secure our rights that we even go to the government at all. We must elect the right leaders. Freedom is worth fighting for. If our soldiers are fighting for us in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, then we must also continue the fight at home. It is all about freedom and liberty.
  Thank you Rep. Curtman! 

David Keene former NRA President

Next up, former NRA President David Keene. Our values as Americans are all about freedom. For the future of our children and grandchildren. We must preserve our individual freedoms at all costs. The President has a very different vision for our country. Ronald Reagan envisioned "a shining city on a hill". This is not what the Obama administration has in mind. They want the American people to judge gun owners by the actions of a few crazies.
  The membership of the NRA was at about 4 million when Barack Obama took office. He tried to convince Americans that he was a second amendment supporter. But Obama and his supporters needed a tragic event to get the anti gun ball rolling. Then the horrific shootings in Newtown Connecticut. Within hours, a new anti gun law was ready to be introduced in Congress. By the time that Congress was ready to vote on this measure, there were a million new members of the NRA. In the recent recall elections in Colorado, the second amendment supporters were outspent 8 to 1. It is not always about money, but the message and how you get that message out. The second amendment exists to keep America from coming under the thumb of tyranny.
  Some people around the world dream of living in a place like America. We need to keep it that way.
   Great job Mr. Keene! 

Governor Sam Brownback

Now speaking, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback. He is speaking about what path the country will be choosing in the not too distant future. There are two models for America. One is a Red State model, with smaller government, lower taxes, family values. The other is a Blue state model, with big government, high taxes, and a lagging economy. What we don't need is to become Europe.
  In Kansas, they are cutting taxes. They have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation. Seventy percent of Kansans are self-employed. When a society looks at people as problems, not as people. Gov. Brownback wants to work on eradicating poverty by doing such things as creating more trade schools. So when students graduate from high school, there is a trade they can start in, or college students can work their way through college, and not have massive amounts of debt when they graduate. He says that the American people are the foremost experts on American exceptionalism. We all must start at the state level, then work our way out and up. Gov. Brownback says to work where you are!
  Thank you Gov. Brownback! 
    

Panel Discussion- Obama Scandals

 Leading this panel discussion, Donald Devine, PhD, Vice President of the Board, American Conservative Union, Myron Ebell, Director, Center for Energy and Environment, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Tom Fitton, Judicial Watch, Bill Randles, Partner, Bill & Bev Randles Law Group, LLP, John Solomon, Editor and Vice President for Content and Business Development, The Washington Times, and the Moderator, Joe Bast, President, Heartland Institute.
  The panel is looking at the subject of global warming as one of the Obama administration scandals. The administration can make the argument that because of climate change, they can institute all sorts of regulations on Americans. The President is using junk science as a means to further this argument. The science of climate change is anything but settled. They are banning the building of new coal plants, and are against the Keystone Pipeline project. It is all being done in the name of false science. The United States is, in effect, outsourcing the science to the United Nations, who will not care in the slightest about the sovereignty of our nation. The United States is also signing international treaties that also do not recognize the laws of the United States.
  Tom Fitton of Judicial Watch, says the Obama administration is out of control as far as ethics is concerned. Fitton spoke of the IRS scandal, which targeted Conservative and Tea Party groups who filed tax exempt status. Not one Conservative group received tax exempt status before the 2012 election. In Benghazi, there is still no accountability for four dead Americans. The Obama administration has committed over 40 examples of Executive branch over reaches of power. The Fast and Furious, is a slow moving mass murder, that is responsible for the death of Border Agent Brian Terry, and hundreds of Mexican citizens.
  We have a President, not a King.
  John Solomon of the Washington Times, is speaking of the debacle that has become the Middle East. Our ability to lead has been greatly diminished. He talks about the Obama administration scandal of incompetence. Bill Randles, along with wife and law partner Bev, put together one of the first lawsuits against the IRS on behalf of Tea Party groups.
  When Barack Obama took office, he said he would pass cap and trade legislation. When Congress did not pass this law, the administration decided it would do an end run around this. The Department of Interior is expanding the Endangered Species list without any legislation. We are becoming a nation of men, not of laws. Three years ago, there were plans for 100 new coal power plants. Today, there are no plans.
  According to John Solomon, Tea Party groups are still being targeted. But it is not being reported. The IRS recently sent out a new round of letter to these groups, saying basically, that if they were willing to give up some of their rights, they would be granted their tax exempt status. This is still being investigated.
  The biggest question among Conservatives seems to be, how are they getting away with all of this, and what can we do about it? The Obama administration is ignoring the law, going around the law, and making up the law as they go along. They believe that the ends justifies the means. Conservatives will also have to do whatever is necessary, legally, to keep these scandals front and center, and be able to hold them accountable by electing good candidates. The most powerful thing we can all do, is take care of the problem at the ballot box. In the foreseeable future, don't raise the debt ceiling, defund Obama care, and reign in the EPA, are good starting points.
  Thank you to everyone on the panel! 

        
    

Elbert Guillory

Louisiana State Senator Elbert Guillory is now speaking. Guillory recently garnered media attention when he switched parties. In a You Tube video, Guillory explained why, as a lifelong Democrat, he was now becoming a Republican. Today, he is speaking about the danger of being hyphenated Republicans. He says that the foundations of the Republican party are under attack by the Left. He says that Barack Obama is destroying the fiscal integrity of the nation. He is running up a debt that will take the next generations an eternity to pay off. He says that God should be the foundation of all that we do. He likened the Obama administration to a hoard of termites attacking, and Conservatives do not seem to have a sense of urgency about this attack. He called the President "the head termite".
  He spoke of the violent nature of American pop culture, especially in the inner cities. He described it as a "culture of killing". He says that it is this culture, not guns, that are the problem. He also spoke of the breakdown of the family. He says that the Left is attacking the very fabric of American society.
He talked about the Department of Justice filing a lawsuit against the school voucher program in Louisiana. It is Republicans leading the charge against this lawsuit.
  He sais that Republicans are the Party of freedom. Republicans are the party that will repair America's education system.
  Elbert Guillory is the kind of Conservative we should all be proud of!         

Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder

Next up, Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder. Kinder filed one of the first lawsuits against Obama care. He spoke of the recent statement by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance who will not be accessing the BJC Health System here in Missouri. In St. Louis alone, that is roughly 13 hospitals. He asked if Conservatives  want to constantly be on offense against the Left. Kinder says that he believes that 2014 will be the year that Missouri becomes a Right To Work state.
  Great Speech Lt. Gov. Kinder!

Governor Rick Perry

Now speaking, Texas Governor Rick Perry. He says that what is going on now in Washington is a good argument for a part time legislature. The culture in Washington is broken. He says that Washington only changes when the American people force them to. We should look to red states, who are balancing budgets, creating jobs, and reducing taxes. The common denominator is Republican Governors in those states. Texas is creating jobs faster than any state in the nation. He says that American cannot maintain the fiscal course it is on. He spoke of all of the foreign policy bungling of the Obama administration. We must re-establish America's primacy in the world, but we must get our own house in order first. Foreign policy is national security.
  Thanks Governor Perry! God Bless Texas!  

Rick Santorum

Now speaking, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum. He says that one of the major ways that the country has changed is through popular culture. Why are Conservatives on the defense when we have the truth on our side? He says that Conservatives need to become better storytellers. He says that he is engaged in a battle for the soul of the country. He says he gets asked about his daughter Bella all the time. Santorum says that the Republican Party does not have to change to win. We must engage in the culture, in a way that will reach out to the American public. Santorum is now the CEO of Echolite  Studios, a family friendly movie studio. Their movie, "The Christmas Candle" will be out at Christmas time.
  Roughly 40% of the American public identifies themselves as Conservatives, only 20% Liberal. He says the Left will do whatever it takes, and Conservatives must do that as well. That we must all go back into our community with the Conservative message.
  However, Conservatives must also remember, that not all Conservatives go to church during the day, on Sunday. Don't decide for the rest of us, who Conservatives are, and who they are not.
 Great speech Senator!    

Lt. Colonel Oliver North

What would a Conservative convention be without this great American hero! Colonel North said his job at Fox News is to document the greatness of the U.S. Military. He says his heroes do not wear capes, they wear flack jackets, and put themselves in harm's way in places where it is 120 degrees. They are the best trained and equipped military force on the planet. They volunteer to be in far away places, away from their loved ones. Col. North says our Military deserves better than a Commander In Chief who will not identify our enemies for who they are, Islamic terrorists. He spoke of his 14 grandchildren, who will be left with massive amounts of debt. He does not want them do have a leader who is willing to negotiate with terrorists, but not the minority party in Washington.
  Col. North says the corruption in Washington is rampant. The government is broken, but We The People can fix it. We must make a commitment to create a government who will abide by the Constitution. We need elected officials who will live up to the oath of office they take when sworn in.
  It is our responsibility to hold this administration accountable for what happened in Benghazi, and for spying on our fellow citizens. Insist on the liberties endowed upon us by our Creator. If we want to remain the land of the free, we must show our friends and enemies that we truly are, the home of the brave.
  Thank you for your service Col. North, and for all you do!       

Panel Discussion

We will now have a panel discussion entitled, "Can Social Conservatives and Libertarians Ever Get Along? participating on the panel is, Geoffrey Neale, Chairman of the Libertarian Party, Matthew Spaulding, PhD., Vice President, American Studies and Director, B. Kenneth Simon Center for Principles and Politics, the Heritage Foundation, Doug Bandow, Senior Fellow, Cato Institute. The Moderator is Tom Minnery, Executive Director, Citizen Link.
  The main theme of the discussion is, "Libertarian vs. Authoritarian". Not about Republican or Democrat, but about right and wrong. The Republican party must remember their founding principles. Conservatives must stop dividing themselves between Social, Fiscal, Environmental Conservatives. It is hurting us greatly as a Party. Principles are what bring us together as a Party.
  Frank Meyer, one of the early leaders of the modern Conservative movement, said that there must be a coming together of social Conservatives and more secular Conservatives. Libertarians and Conservatives basically have the same beliefs of smaller government, individual rights being upheld. The Panelists say that Libertarians are moral, they just have a problem telling people they are moral!
Mr. Bandow says that you must be virtuous in order to have liberty, and you must have liberty to be virtuous. Libertarians are sort of the opinions that not all sins should be against the law. Mr. Neale says that to some degree, a Party platform is a useless document. He says that Libertarians are concerned about how one lives their life, not what they say they do. he says our elected officials should be holding themselves to a higher standard, not because we do it for them. The main job of government, is to create a framework of self-government.
 Finally, a hypothetical. Should Rand Paul become the 2016 Republican nominee, would Libertarians support him? They like him because of the attention he gives to the concept of liberty, but they think he gives the Republican Party credibility that they do not deserve. The panel believes that if Rand Paul runs on "conserving" America and the Republic, he will win. They say that the enemy is much more dangerous than any disagreements we may have amongst each other.
  Thank You to all on the Panel.     

Brenda Talent

Next up is Brenda Talent, Executive Director of the Show-Me-Institute. She is speaking of the importance of focusing on State wide issue that will ultimately influence national issues. She is also talking about the power of such things as recall elections, such as the one recently held in Colorado where two anti-gun legislators were recalled. In Missouri, people have overwhelmingly rejected Obama care on more than one occasion. She says that the people must believe that they can be better stewards of their own lives than a big over arching government. We must first gear up for the local fights before we can move on to the national ones. She says it is clearly not "morning in America". We must fight to get back to that time.
  In the words of Edmund Burke, evil will triumph when good men do nothing.
  

Frank Donatelli

We are now hearing from Frank Donatelli, Chairman of GOPAC. While so much of our time is focused on getting our federal lawmakers elected, the real fight starts at home, in our own backyard, getting our local candidate elected. GOPAC focuses on education and training of those local grassroots candidates. Donatelli says that at the State level, there is a deep bench of good Conservative candidates coming along. He says that we must pay attention to these new exciting candidates who are waiting in the wings. Someday, they might very well be on the national scene.    

Grover Norquist

Now we are hearing from Grover Norquist, founder of Americans for Tax Reform. He started out by saying that when it comes to our Constitutional rights, the American people just want to be left alone!
 While we as Americans may have a pet issue, whether it is protecting our Second Amendment rights, protecting our religious rights, or anything else, we can all agree that collectively, we are all concerned about every single one of those things.
  Mr. Norquist says that job 1 of the State Legislators is to NOT RAISE TAXES! He says the government will never stop spending if they are allowed to keep raising taxes. Americans must be vigilant not only of their federal lawmakers, but their state legislators as well. The Left will never give up trying to reach in to the pockets of the American people. They will just keep asking for those tax increases in different ways. They will suggest compromise, but "compromise" to the Left usually means that Conservatives cave! He says that we must make sure that we are always moving in the direction of freedom. Make sure that the ground we are travelling is solid as we move forward.
  Norquist says that We The People are the counter pressure to the Politicians in Washington to prevent a constant raising of taxes.
  Keep up the good fight Mr. Norquist!      

Senator Mike Lee

The next speaker is Senator Mike Lee from Utah. He is a rising rock star in the Conservative movement. This week, he and Senator Ted Cruz from Texas lead the push to defund Obama care in the Senate. We were not victorious in the way we would like, but we have definitely not heard the last from Sen. Lee!
  Sen. Lee is recalling some of his first experiences as a freshman Senator. He is a great speaker, and pretty funny! He has a great dry sense of humor too! He is speaking about the importance of asserting our rights as Americans. With Obama care looming before us, Senator Lee says that we must fight for the right to not be under the thumb of an oppressive government that is completely distant from it's people. He talked about the first Americans, who decided early on, that their fellow countrymen were not going to be subjects of a tyrant, that they would live under their own sovereignty, in their own nation.
 Senator Lee says we must start conversations with friends and family, to persuade them that an overreaching government is not the answer. That we must all fight the fight, to ensure that our rights and liberties are not confiscated by a bullying federal government.
 Thank you for all you do Senator Lee!

First Up

Our Hostess this morning is 97.1FM talk's own Dana Loesch. While we are at it, let's all wish her a very happy birthday! What a great way to spend your birthday! To get things started, Dana introduced Rev. Dan Doriani, who gave a great invocation to bless all who are here today. Singer Neal Boyd, who gave us a truly inspirational rendition of the national anthem. The Pledge of Allegiance was lead by Colonel Jack Jackson, USMC (ret.). No better person to lead that pledge than one of our nation's heroes! Right now, we are hearing Al Cardenas, Chairman of the American Conservative Union give the first speech. Why we are here, and why Conservatives must band together, get angry if we must, but get motivated to do what must be done to get our great nation back on track.     

CPAC 2013!

Good Morning Everyone!!
  Finally the day has arrived! I am so glad to be able to be here to cover all of the great speakers and panelists that will be here today! I will try to cover as many speakers as possible, but the day is jam-packed! So grab a cold drink, find a comfortable chair and sit back and enjoy!
  CPAC 2013!   

Walking Out On Heroes

  I went online, and looked up "Duties of a Congressman". It gave the standard fare about being on committees, proposing bills, and deciding if those bills should move on to the floor of the House. Then it said, "representatives of their constituents, (people of their states or districts)".
  If that is the case, then I must file a complaint about my representation in Washington. My complaint regarding Congressman William "Lacy" Clay is not ideological. I already know that is a waste of time. It is not about being Republican or Democrat. It is about placing politics above basic humanity.
  On Thursday, September 19, The House Oversight Committee conducted a hearing on the attacks in Benghazi. Scheduled to testify were Pat Smith, mother of Sean Smith, Foreign Services Officer killed in the attack, and Charles Woods, father of Tyrone Woods, Navy SEAL. Prior to the testimony of Ms. Smith and Mr. Woods, every Democrat on the Committee, with the exception of ranking member Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA), walked out of the hearing. Including Rep. Clay.
  So let's review. The man who has been designated by a vote of the people to represent myself, and approximately 587,000 other constituents in the first Congressional District of Missouri, got up and walked out, snubbed, let's call it what it is, two people whose children gave their lives in defense of this nation.
  Congressman Clay is no rabble rouser. He is not on TV every week. He is a reliable Democratic vote. He supports the bills and amendments put forth by his Democrat colleagues. He is a low-key guy. So how is it that a low-key guy, just trying to stay out of the spotlight, and hang on to that cushy job until he doesn't need it anymore, show such blatant disrespect, not just for fellow Americans, whom he may disagree with over an issue here and there, but fellow human beings?
  Has the Standard Operating Procedure of Liberal Democrats as a whole become, cover this President, and every bit of his ideology, and not to mention his rear end, at all costs? Even to the point of trading in your basic humanity? Congressman Clay is a parent. Can he not put himself in the shoes of these grieving parents? Perhaps it is a bit harder to do so when you file for divorce, and fail to mention that little tidbit to your wife, and said children, and they find out through the local media.
  Bottom line. Lacy Clay represents me. When he walked out of that room, all of the residents of Missouri's first Congressional District walked out. I am ashamed of that. I have to believe that if more of Congressman Clay's constituents actually knew about it, once again, the St. Louis media strikes again, that Republican or Democrat, Liberal or Conservative, just as humans, they would be ashamed as well.
  So Congressman Clay, word of advice. Next time, could you check your petty, childish, and partisan behavior at the door?        

Best Of The Conservative Cauldron-Why I Am A Conservative

  This week is always an emotional week for me. In the midst of the horrific Navy Yard shooting, and the on-going Syrian conflict, this week marks the fourth anniversary of the death of my father. I know that people lose parents every day, unfortunately. But my hope is that, maybe by reading my own reflections about the man my dad was, it may cause someone else to pause and reflect on the passing of their own parent, and remember all of the good and positive things about them. A good friend suggested that I rerun last year's post about my dad. So without further adue, Why I Am A Conservative:
  This coming Saturday marks the fourth anniversary of the death of my father. I still miss him every day. He is the reason I am a Conservative.
  Jerrold Fain was not a complicated man. He certainly was not born a rich man. He may not have been considered financially wealthy, but he was rich in all the ways that count.
  He was the oldest of six children. He grew up in a three room house with five siblings, two parents, and no indoor plumbing until he was 15. He liked to tease my Mom that he thought he was marrying into a wealthy family because she had an indoor toilet.
  At 19, he was drafted into the Army, and spent the next two years in Germany. He told my brother and I many times how he hated every minute of it, but he knew without a doubt, that it had made a man out of him. When he came home, like a lot of other young men newly discharged from the Military, he was broke. So he went to work. He and my Mother married in 1959. Their first home, a small apartment in south St. Louis. They bought their first house in 1963, and two years later, this blogger made her debut.
  My Dad went to night school for a while. He would try to do homework and study, while a curious four year old just wanted to keep him company. He never got his degree, but he worked hard. I never remember him being unemployed at any time. He got promotions within the companies he worked for, many times over others who did have degrees.
  He taught my brother and I that the world did not owe us a thing. If we wanted something, we were going to have to work for it. His heroes were William F. Buckley Jr., and Ronald Reagan. He marveled at Buckley's brilliance when it came to anything regarding Conservatism, and he loved Buckley's "Blackford Oakes" series of spy novels. I was a teenager, and just starting my working life when Ronald Reagan became President. My Dad said, in his quiet way, that he was the right man at the right time. When I brought my first paycheck stub to him, and pointed to two vastly different numbers, the lower one being what I got after Uncle Sam was done with me, I got my first lesson on taxes, "Remember that when you vote", he would tell me. I am also reasonably sure that no one else's father, as they went off to work, told them to "go discover the joys of capitalism". All part of his dry sense of humor that those who knew him best completely understood. "Don't be a sheep!" This was also a favorite nugget of fatherly advice, so I would not do what everybody else was doing, whatever "it" might be. Translated, don't follow the crowd. I think it is safe to say, that one did sink in. He also took me to my first Tea Party. Little did I know that it would be the only one we would go to together.
  It has been a hard four years without him. I know that he would be insanely proud of all that I have accomplished in those four years. I know that he knows, that I am just getting started. Because of him, I know there is nothing I can't do.
  It is those early lessons in Conservatism that made me who I am today.
  Thanks Dad.               

 

Why Can't We Be Friends?

  Over the weekend, I attended the annual St. Louis Hispanic Festival that was held in Kiener Plaza downtown. It was an awesome celebration of food, music, dance, and many vendors, selling everything from hand-made baskets, to Mexican beer and Margaritas. Troops of dancers showed off the rich heritage of St. Louis's Hispanic Community. The Gateway City, once again, proved itself to truly be a melting pot of many different cultures and ethnicities.
  So, you would think that just maybe, Republicans might mix a little business with pleasure. Go to the Festival. Partake of the wonderful family atmosphere, try some great food, and maybe set up a table, or a booth. Talk to people in the Hispanic community. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming. Find out what their concerns are. Find out where the common ground is between the Republican Party and Hispanics. Attempt to dispel the myth that the GOP is nothing but old white men, who don't care about them. Just be seen.
  OK. Now you can wake up. Not only did that not happen, there was no attempt to make it happen. The St. Louis Republican Party had a golden opportunity to go out amongst a group of people, a whopping 27% of whom voted for Mitt Romney, engage them, talk to them, possibly swing a few

votes our way next time around, and no attempt was made to have any presence at the Festival.
  Sources close to The Conservative Cauldron reached out to the St. Louis Republican Party. Their response; they were "aware" of the of the Festival. Aware?! Attempts were also made to reach out to Missouri Republican Party Chairman Ed Martin. He also could not be reached for comment.
  This is yet another shining example of the lackadaisical, don't care, it is too much effort, attitude of the Republican Party as a whole. You cannot claim to care about people, yet only pay attention to them at election time! You cannot assume that the number one concern of all Hispanics is immigration. If your last name is Hernandez, and you have been out of work for a year, the number one issue for you is not immigration!
  And newsflash to the GOP. Conservatives are fed up! We are tired of your spineless go-along-to-get-along practices in Washington. We are tired of no one standing up for Constitutional principles. We are tired of guys like John McCain, Lindsey Graham, and Karl Rove, and other usual suspects calling the shots for the Party. We are tired of Republican Lite. How have these tactics worked for us in the last two election cycles? Hmmm...let's see, yeah not so good. Stop waiting for the mainstream media to like you and say nice things about you. It won't happen. If you are not willing to do the work that needs to be done in order to make the Republican Party a viable alternative to cradle to grave Liberalism, then get out of the way, because clearly you are part of the problem. Hispanics are traditionally quite Conservative, so this should not be hard to do.
  If the City, County, State, or National Republican Party is not willing to rock the boat, stop making noise about all the "new Hispanic friends" they plan to make, and go to places that they have been told it is a waste of time for Republicans to go, then it is Conservatives, who will have no problem going without them.            

Labor Day and the Entitlement Generation

   Americans celebrated Labor Day this week. The last blast of summer, with barbecues, swimming, and the kids bemoaning, if they haven't already, their return to school. The meaning of this day is to pause and reflect on the true backbone of this country, the American worker.
  Hard work is what built America. Plain and simple. When the first settlers arrived in their new land, they knew it would take everything they had in them to survive. And survive they did. Generation after generation of hard working immigrant has arrived in this country

, knowing that the sweat of his brow was his key to success, and a better life for his children. We have all seen grainy old film footage of early 20th century construction workers, sitting on steel beams, hundreds of feet up in the air, eating lunch from a tin lunch pail. One of the most iconic American portraits is of "Rosie the Riveter". As American men went overseas to defeat Hitler and the Nazis, American women took over in the factories, doing what needed to be done to help the war effort. How many times have we seen that picture of Rosie, the look of determination on her face, flashing a fairly impressive muscle. The words above her say it all, "We can do it". An empowering image for women still today.
  But something is happening. Something is changing. America's work ethic, like so many other institutions, is being twisted. In the age of Obama, suddenly, it is cool...to not work! That's right! Sit at home and get paid! And the truly frightening part, more and more people are hopping on the government gravy train, and expecting hard working Americans to keep on pulling that train.
  In a recent study by the Cato Institute, in nearly every state in the Union, welfare pays better than work. In some states, a lot better. In Hawaii, live in paradise, play your EBT cards right, and you can make the equivalent in benefits of $29 dollars an hour. Pretty decent gig.
  Is America, traditionally the poster child for hard work, producing an entire generation of welfare brats who think they are entitled to what hard working people earn because it is "fair"? It is what happens when elementary schools begin to teach the merits of social justice and wealth redistribution. It is what happens when everyone gets a trophy, so that no one's self esteem is damaged. It is what happens when the idea of competition is deemed to be bad. And it begs the question, will a lazy nation be willing to put forth the effort to do things like, work to pull itself out of economic stagnation? Or, worst case scenario, defend itself against foreign invaders? Or will we just wait for someone else to do the heavy lifting?
  Author of the Cato Institute study, Michael Tanner, said he thought that major changes to the educational system were needed so that young people would be able to better prepare themselves for the workforce.
  Perhaps a major overhaul in the American work ethic would be better.
       

Dream or Nightmare?

  On Wednesday, America will remember Dr. Martin Luther King's historic "I have a dream" speech.

He gave this speech, one known around the world, at the Lincoln Memorial, fifty years ago, during the March on Washington.
  Much has changed in those fifty years. Gone are the ugly days of "colored only" signs, black people made to sit in the back of city buses, and separate eating facilities in restaurants. We have proven in America, that we can see the error of our ways, and be strong enough to correct them. This celebration is made even more tangible by the fact that it will be lead by our nation's first black President. A truly historic thing indeed.
  But what of Dr. King's dream? It is a dream all Americans share. But have we twisted his dream in ways that Dr. King never meant for it to be twisted?
  Today, the black unemployment rate stands at 13.4%, roughly double that of the national average of 7.4%. Out of wedlock births are a whopping 73% in the black community. Incarceration rates of black Americans is also extremely high. These are all ominous numbers. But there is another big problem that is emerging:
  Last week, Christopher Lane, 22, a native of Melbourne Australia, here in this country to attend college and play baseball, was gunned down by teen agers, 2 black 1 white. The reason given for the shooting? The suspects were "bored". One of the suspects had tweeted that he "hates white people", that they are "nasty".
  WWII vet, 88 year old Delbert Belton, known to his friends as "Shorty", beaten to death by two black teen agers with flashlights. Robbery being the probable motive.
  A few weeks ago, school bus camera footage of three black teen agers savagely beating a 13 year old white classmate. Among his many injuries, a broken arm. The motive, the 13 year old had possibly turned the boys in for selling drugs.
  Following the verdict in the George Zimmerman trial, stories of innocent white people being beaten by blacks, who proclaimed, "This is for Trayvon"! There are too many of these stories to list here.
  Add to this, men who will claim the mantle of God, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. They have done nothing more than brainwash generations of black Americans into believing that this nation has no desire to help them realize the dreams of success they envision for themselves. That their fellow citizens want nothing more than to keep them mired in poverty and hopelessness.
  They have made race an industry, which in turn has made them wealthy men. But perhaps the most sinister of all, they have assured an entire segment of the black population, that there is no need for them to look in a collective mirror, and take a good hard look at their own racism. That somehow, that particular brand of hate is OK, justified. The stooges in the mainstream media, unwilling to offend, or rock the boat, just encourage it, nodding their heads "yes", up and down, like the dutiful bobble heads they are.
  Unfortunately, racism is a human condition. All humans. It is a condition of the heart. We may never completely eradicate it. What we can do is stop it in it's evil path, where ever and when ever we see it. In whatever shape it may take.
  America is a place where all dreams can be realized. We are all the keepers of Dr. King's dream. We must all work to make that dream a reality, so that America truly will be free at last.           

Show-Me The First Amendment

  Some funny things happened after Barack Obama was elected President. People started to read the Declaration of Independence. They started to read the Constitution. They started to read the precious documents that founded our nation.
  A certain segment of the population, call them Tea Partiers, crazy right-wingers, pick your pejorative, began to fully understand what then Candidate Obama meant when he said he would "fundamentally transform" the country.
  When the generation of peace and love took charge, you know, those champions of tolerance and free speech, they became the very thing they fought so hard against all throughout the 60's. They became "the man". They decided that anyone who disagreed with the President was a racist. Then they set about shutting them down.
  In Missouri, the center of the country, the heartland, where most people don't care a whole lot about what happens in far away places like New York City, a disturbing trend began to emerge. In 2009, a report by the Missouri Information Analysis Center, advised Law Enforcement to be on the lookout for "right-wing extremists". These of course were the people with "Don't Tread On Me", or Ron Paul bumper stickers on their cars. They have extreme views, like opposing illegal immigration or federal taxes. They were even branded domestic terrorists.

 Then, just a few weeks ago, a rodeo clown at the State Fair, did what rodeo clowns have done for years. He donned a presidential mask, and poked fun at the President. The remedy to that form of free speech? The unnamed clown has been banned from working as a rodeo clown in Missouri permanently. Just last weekend, there was a highway overpass "Impeach Obama" rally in St. Charles. Not only did the Highway Patrol attempt to remove ordinary Americans and keep them from exercising their first amendment rights, two of them were arrested when the "suggestion" that they leave was not followed, and jailed for 24 hours.
  So is the first amendment becoming an endangered species? How ironic. Usually endangered species are federally protected. That is not happening with this administration and this president. it will be, once again, up to ordinary Americans to do so. Freedom of speech is the heart and soul, the life blood of what it means to be an American. Our nation was formed by the debate and dissent of ordinary men, who believed that being able to stand up and say what you think about anything was paramount. Why, in Missouri of all places, is the first amendment being compromised? Missourians are no-nonsense people. They know that every other right we enjoy, given to us by our Creator, not our government, hinges on freedom of speech. Should it become extinct, we are no different than any other people on the planet. It is what defines our exceptionalism.
  Many an endangered species have been brought back from the brink of extinction. As a born and bred Missourian, I would hope that the Show-Me state does not become the show place for disappearing liberties.            

Illinois Congressional Candidate Erika Harold

Our final speaker for this year's Smart Girl Summit is Miss America 2003, and now Congressional candidate in Illinois Erika Harold. Erika is also a graduate of Harvard Law School.
 Erika says that conferences like Smart Girl are important because it is vital to get motivated and organized.
  Erika spoke of the defining moment when she became a Conservative. She said in college, she began to read our nation's founding documents. She says that she started to see the perfection and genius of the founding fathers. She says that she would want her 4 year old niece to be like the women who have spoken at the conference. She stressed the importance of being a good public speaker. As Miss America, she spoke to middle school students about school violence and bullying. She said that the students did not expect the story she had to tell them. About being bullied herself in school, and had to leave that school as the bullying escalated to death threats.
  She says that standing up for your beliefs are part of what being a "Smart Girl" means. She has served on the late Chuck Colson's prison ministries. She spoke on the importance of religious freedom. She encouraged everyone to be a movement leader. It comes in many forms for many different people. Be the person who can make a change. Erika says she wants to be the one who shows that the Republican Party is inclusive. She says to not be afraid of failure. She said the biggest thing she was afraid of prior to announcing her candidacy, was that she might fail. Don't let fear of failure keep you from being who you want to be. people will call you names, and question your motives. Don't be afraid of it!
 Finally, believe that your voice needs to be heard. It matters what you have to say. Don't let the number of voices on TV and radio intimidate you. We at the Smart Girl Summit have to be the women to bring change.
  Thanks to Erika Harold for a truly inspirational speech!        

The GOP And Reaching Youth

Now, we will hear a panel discussion on reaching today's youth by the Conservative movement. On hand is new President of College Republicans Alex Smith, Conservative Blogger and Activist Tabitha Hale, Bethany Bowra, and Brittany Morrett.
  Reaching today's youth should be priority number 1 for Conservatives. Most young people today when they hear the word "conservative" think of their own fathers and grandfathers. They are not seen as compassionate. They need to hear the message that Conservatism is empowering for young people. Messaging has come up again and again this weekend. Young people are the most affected by pop culture, and that may be the way to reach them. It must be more than stale dry political messaging. TV shows like "Will and Grace", and "Sex and The City" are very influential to today's teenagers and twenty somethings. Terms like "big government" tends to make young people's eyes glaze over and they don't pay attention. Not everyone is a political nerd, so terms like "end the fed" and "sequestration" need to be taken to another level so that people who are not as tuned in politically can understand it.
  Tabitha Hale asked why don't conservatives have a Chelsea Handler or Jon Stewart? Conservative radio talk show host Tony Katz once said, "instead of the punch line being Sarah Palin, why isn't it Barack Obama?"
  It was brought up that usually, negative campaigns don't work. When young people start to see and hear the mudslinging, they tune out. Brittany brought up that a lot of young Conservatives are clean cut types that some other young people just don't relate to. Conservatives come in all forms and we need to go find all Conservatives, not just the squeaky clean ones, not that we don't love them too!
 Conservatives need to break the mold of what people, especially young people, think Conservatives are. On the vast majority of Conservative websites, the people who write for them are between the age of 24 and 55 and are white males. Many young people are just not into politics, so sometimes Conservative writers have to break out of the mold and write about something that is not political.
  Young people will respond if you make it fun and personalize the message. It was brought up that if voting began at age 30, Mitt Romney would be President today. The demographics are changing every day. Go to different venues that maybe we wouldn't normally go.
  One of the most important things when trying to influence young people is trust. Barack Obama appeals to young people because they think he is cool. Bill Clinton was a hit on The Arsenio Hall show playing the saxophone because it made him cool and hip to younger voters.
 The Conservative message of personal responsibility and smaller government is a good message that young people will listen to, but it is important to stay on message.
  As Conservatives, we believe that Conservative principles lead to a better life for everyone.            

Rant Like A Champ!

GOP activist Kira Davis will now talk about getting your videos to go viral. She got her start by posting a video aimed at Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai. The video went viral, and the White House was made aware of it. It got 1.3 million hits. She says that we now have the technology to be heard and seen at any time and any place. So how do you make a video that people will want to watch? First and foremost, speak from your heart. Speak about what you are passionate about. People will respond to passionate statements and arguments. It's something that ordinary people can do at anytime. If you have a subject that you are passionate about, make yourself an expert on that subject. Another important thing to remember, people love a good story. Kira says that the most difficult thing about sharing personal YouTube videos is telling what may be a painful story publically. But it must be told because it could be helpful to someone else. She also says that you should try to keep your video under 5 minutes. Otherwise people tend to tune out. Kira said that she has received some threats over her videos in the past, but nothing that was very significant. She said that you can't live your life in fear of other people constantly. She says that her faith is a very important and sustaining part of her life.
  Great ideas Kira! We will look forward to a whole bunch of videos from Smart Conservative Women! You are an inspiration!        

More On Citizen Journalism from The Franlkin Center

Still talking about citizen journalists, Ben Yount from the professional writers at The Franklin Center is going to give some pointers on the ins and outs of getting the story right.
  First of all, content is king! Fox News does not care about you, they want what you have on video. Even more important, KNOW THE LAWS! The main three things you want to know- be exclusive, be original, and...don't completely suck. Something is better than nothing. Try to have something that no one else does, don't be the 500th version of something everybody is talking about. If you are the only one with the video, people will have to come to you
  Use your own video, and by all means, keep a copy! make sure you do not edit out of context. Don't make people watch an hour to get to the 2 minutes you want people to see. for better video, hold your phone sideways.
  Make sure you have a plan if you are doing video work. How, when, where, how long, how much. Get the interviews right. You don't have to spend a lot of money to get good quality video. Good software is a must, by again, you don't have to spend tons of cash.
  Ben says the great thing about journalism, real journalism today, is that ordinary people are doing it. We may not all break a Watergate-like scandal, but you can take pictures and videos of things that just don't seem right, just don't pass the smell test, and dig deeper, and get them out there. If you see a professional journalist do it, then by all means, you can do it!
  Thanks Ben! Great presentation! And very helpful to all of us citizen journalists!