Can America Survive?

  I have started to write this blog at least five or six times. But each time did not seem to do it justice. So I will write about how I feel about all that I saw last week each time I turned on the television.
  I am still not sure where to start. I know first of all, I am DAMN sick and tired of watching the flag of the nation I love burned by animals! I refuse to tap dance around it any longer. They are animals who have no respect for anything and anyone. But I am supposed to be intimidated every time they are offended?! They are offended every five minutes! I can't keep up! What I want is for the world to be intimidated when AMERICA is offended!
  I know, however, that that will not happen until at least November. I am tired of having a President who is ashamed of this nation. I am tired of him putting himself and his re-election before the safety of Americans who put their lives on the line in places that are not friendly to America. How many more American Embassies have to be taken over and how many more Ambassadors sodomized and killed? How many more American flags must be torn down and replaced with Al-Quaida flags?
  I am tired of a useless whorish media, who will prostitute themselves at every turn, and do whatever they deem necessary to not only prop up this inept, incompetent President, but also decide for me and every other American, what they think I should and should not know. They are guilty of criminal negligence.
  There are reports that the State Department had credible knowledge of possible violence and did nothing. is it more important that our enemies not be offended than keeping American citizens safe? More important than keeping them alive?
  I can only speak for myself, but I suspect that I also speak for millions of other Americans. I am outraged, offended, pissed-off. The fact that my country is being looked at as weak , and ready to cave to the first band of two-bit terrorist cowards that comes along, is simply unacceptable.

  There is no way in hell that all of this was over some stupid-ass YouTube video. No. It was calculated and planned just like 9/11. And like 9/11, it was an act of war, and we must treat it as such. It has visited our shores before, and it will do so again, if we don't remind the world, and quickly, what happens when Americans, are offended.        
  
    

9/11 What Has Changed?

  Tomorrow, we remember September 11, 2001. This year, it falls eleven years to the day exactly. Like my parent's generation, who knew exactly where they were and what they were doing when John Kennedy was shot, my generation remembers where they were and what they were doing that warm sunny morning, when the world was changed forever.

  But really, what is different? What has changed since that terrible day? One could point to the biggest thing, Osama Bin Laden has gone on to his just rewards. I am willing to bet it does not include paradise or virgins. Most of Al Quaida's top henchmen are either dead or used to life in the Caribbean in Cuba at Gitmo.
  These are fantastic accomplishments, and we have the finest people in the world, the U.S. Military to thank. They continue to keep our nation safe in the face of an enemy that will never cease to give up on conquering the United States, and ultimately, western civilization.
  Everyday life has changed in ways we might not have foreseen a decade ago. Airline passengers are subjected to invasive searches and scans. A process that many experts in the security industry believe could be done a lot better had we just made a call to the Head of Security at El Al Airlines.
  Mosques seemed to have popped up in more places since 2001. It is a tough line to balance for a lot of Americans. The very founding of our nation was the result of different people coming from different lands, with different customs, all in search of a better life in America. We try so hard to be welcoming to Muslims who move into our neighborhoods. We want to treat them the way we ourselves would want to be treated. We weigh good intentions against natural feelings of wariness. Because even though they are innocent, they look like and share the same faith as the people who murdered 3000 Americans in one morning.
  Americans have changed as individuals. Something was taken from us that day. A sort of innocence, for lack of a better word. We were not prepared for the evil that was visited upon us, and it left a permanent scar.
  Eleven years later, we hope that we are much better prepared, for whatever people who wish us harm would do to us. Americans are a unique combination of strong will, stubbornness, resilience, and just plain hard-core.
  If the rest of the world has forgotten that, we should remind them.   

A Quick Look Back

  First of all, Happy Labor Day to all those hard-working Americans out there. You know who you are. You manage to schlepp yourselves out of bed every morning and go do whatever it is you do because, well, what else would you do? So thank you to everyone who runs a business, and yes, you did most certainly build that, goes to work, and basically keeps America moving.
  As we get ready for the Democratic National Convention this week, complete with all the rhetoric, stretching of the truth, and that's putting it mildly, and just general grade school type, sophomoric antics put on by America's Liberals, let's take a look back at last week's Republican National Convention.
  When Hurricane Isaac decided to put in an appearance, Monday's schedule was postponed and put off until Tuesday. Tuesday night's keynote address came from Ann Romney. And it was worth the wait. She spoke of how she and Mitt Romney met, a classic American teen-age tale of meeting a boy who made her laugh at a high school dance. She talked about their first apartment, complete with a kitchen table made of a door atop two sawhorses. But she also said what great times those were. She went on to describe what kind of man Mitt Romney is. How he never shies away from helping those in need, of years of work done on behalf of the Mormon Church, and his love of America. "This man will not fail!" She said.
  Wednesday was just as exciting, with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice giving a rousing speech. She talked about the leadership role the United States plays around the world. She spoke of the inherent greatness of America, and on a very poignant personal note, spoke of growing up in 1950's Birmingham Alabama under segregation and Jim Crow laws. "Even though I couldn't go to a movie theatre or eat a hamburger at the drugstore lunch counter, my parents made sure to tell me there was nothing I could not do, even be President of the United States, and so I became the Secretary of State." She received a standing ovation.
  The man of the hour, however, was Vice-Presidential Candidate Paul Ryan, who accepted the Party nomination for Vice President. Ryan talked about living on the same street he grew up on in Janesville Wisconsin. Of working at waiting tables and McDonald's. "It did not occur to me that I would remain in the same station in life for the rest of my life." He spoke of his Mom, Betty, who, after she became a widow when Ryan was 15, she went back to school and eventually started her own business. He also brought up the fact that so many college graduates today cannot find jobs in their fields and are forced to move back in with their parents. Paul Ryan gave the best line of the night when he said," People should not be forced to live out their 20's in their childhood bedrooms staring at faded Obama posters. On a humorous note, he acknowledged the generation between himself and Mitt Romney, talking about their ipods. "My play list starts with ACDC and ends with Zeppelin!"
  Thursday night's run up to Mitt Romney's acceptance speech began with what many said was the best speech of the convention, given by Florida Senator Marco Rubio. He talked about his parents. Cuban immigrants escaping revolution in Castro's Cuba. They knew a new life in America would not be easy at first, but they new that perseverance and hard work would pay off and they would be able to give their children opportunities that they never had themselves. Rubio got emotional as he spoke of his Father's death just months before his election, and his Mother turning 80 the same night. He spoke of the endless opportunity for success that every American has before them. The chance for education, entrepreneurship and a chance at the American Dream await not just natural born Americans, but those who come to her shores in search of a better life.
  Mitt Romney accepted the Republican Party's nomination for President of The United States. He talked about the struggle that Americans have lived with the past four years. The struggle with an economy that is not getting any better, despite billions of dollars in stimulus money, and month after month of anemic job growth. Twenty three million Americans out of work, some for more than a year, some just giving up looking for work. He talked about weak foreign policy and disappearing influence abroad. he said that we would help our allies in any way possible, and make it clear to rogue nations that misbehavior would not be tolerated by a Romney/Ryan administration. He talked about a strong middle class, and getting government out of the way to better help small businesses grow and prosper.
  Will we hear chants of "USA USA USA!!" this week in Charlotte? Will we hear "America The Beautiful" and "God Bless The USA"? Or will we just have to endure a week of hearing what a disaster Barack Obama inherited and Chris Matthews giggling about a tingle up his leg?
 Let's hope that the contrast will be loud and clear for voters. 

Conservative Media Bias? Yes!

  What are Conservatives chief complaints about the Liberal media? That there is always an agenda, that it is hopelessly one-sided, and that they can beat a story to death until the next shiny object comes along, and then they are on to their next object of destruction.
  But in the wake of the Todd Akin circus this week, with Conservative media right there to jump on, who needs Liberals? Let's get some things straight right from the start. What Akin said was inexcusable, and should not be condoned by anyone, and he should never have done an interview with Charles Jaco in the first place. Anyone who has lived in St. Louis for 5 minutes knows that Jaco does not exactly have the warm fuzzies for Conservatives.
  As soon as this story broke, every Conservative media pundit, not so much local, but definitely national, promptly went about finding a table to get up on and jump up and down and scream about how Todd Akin must go now! Most of these people had never even heard of Todd Akin, but they were sure he was going to all but hand a second term to Barack Obama.
  Instead, what if this had happened. All those Conservatives went on TV, acknowledged the incident, roundly condemned it, even gave their opinion on whether or not he should stay or go. Then said, "Now let's talk about the economy, let's talk about jobs, let's talk about how we can get this country moving again." That's not what happened. Mark Levin must have popped a blood vessel the way he ranted on. Ann Coulter called Akin a "selfish swine", who only thought of himself by staying in the race. Funny, I know there must be one or two people who support Akin. Certainly no one bothered to find them. Is this the "fair and balanced" that we Conservatives have been known to give a rant or two about?
  Did I miss something, and it is Halloween already? I thought for sure that must be those pesky Liberals howling again. Well no, it was not. Today, a Rasmussen poll came out that shows Claire McCaskill up by 10 points. Ya' think?!!
  What I think is that there was an agenda to this as soon as it hit, and it became known that the top GOP honchos were going to pull the money plug. There wasn't a single Democrat anywhere to be found squawking about this. President Obama only touched on it briefly a few days after it happened, and briefly again today. Even though Todd Akin was the one uttering those unseemly comments to get the wrecking ball rolling, our own Conservative media grabbed that ball and boy did they run with it.
  We all know what is at stake in this election. Taking control of the Senate is almost as equally important as taking the White House, especially if we are to have any hope of repealing Obama care. Maybe if the whole situation had just been condemned by all, and then we talked about something important, we would not be where we are. Come November, if Todd Akin loses the Senate election, the blame will not just be on him. It will also fall on the complete over reaction by top GOP officials, both state and national, and yes, we will have our own Conservative "experts" to thank as well.
  So nice going people. What happens when the almost impossibly high standards we are beginning to set become so steep that even mere mortals are unfit to run for office?
  Maybe some people should just come down off the table, and in those immortal words from Archie Bunker, stifle yourself.                

Piling On

  I really have been trying very hard not to write about Congressman Todd Akin, and his unfortunate remarks about "legitimate" rape. For the simple reason that the whole thing is so stupid and blown wildly out of proportion.
  Having said that, what I find completely jaw-dropping is the never ending ability for Republicans and Conservatives to eat their own. Nobody on the right is going to condone what the Congressman said. It was inane and uneducated at least. Highly insulting and insensitive to any woman who has been a victim of rape and abuse at best.
  Akin has since apologized for what he said. As a supporter of Akin's I like to think what he wanted to say was actually correct, it just got horribly twisted in the transition from brain to mouth. But for some on our side, apologies and promises to do better next time are just not good enough. Establishment Republicans seem to be saying,"Congressman, could we please have your head on a platter so as to make an example of you for the next Conservative that writes stupid checks with his or her mouth that their brain never intended to cash?" "Better yet, could you please just step down from the race so that we can hand a much-needed Senate seat back to Claire McCaskill so she can continue to rubber stamp every Obama edict that comes down the pike?
  It is times like these that require, shall we say, a little "testicular fortitude" from Conservatives. But in the wake of comments by Mitt Romney and others condemning what Akin said, and both the Missouri and national GOP Committee pulling support from Akin's campaign, it appears that he will be getting, at least from the State Republican Committee, the CD1 treatment. The CD1 treatment is when you do not support your strongest candidate, and basically hand the election to your Democratic opponent because you don't want to make anyone angry. Hey Missouri GOP, how did that work out for you?
  Unfortunately, it is probably likely that the Republican Grand Poobahs will make life miserable for Todd Akin until he cries "Uncle", and withdraws from the race. Maybe the Libertarian or the Constitution Party candidates are still available. They can probably count on a call from the Republican Party.          

Lessons From The Campaign Trail

Last week was a long week. Maybe because I am on vacation this week. It was also a hard week. One that I did not think was going to end so quietly.
  At the risk of telling my life story on a blog, I am working on a career change. Something in Politics. I haven't quite narrowed it down yet, but something. So I worked on my first campaign. A Congressional campaign. It was fun, educational, sometimes surprising, and a lot of work. But last week in particular, it was sad. We lost.
  You at least try to be a grown-up about the whole thing. After all, you win some, you loose some right? You suck it up, put your big boy pants on, and life goes on. You try to pinpoint where you might have gone wrong, and vow to do better next time. Usually one of life's lessons learned early on.
  But as I sat with my fellow campaign workers watching election results, I knew that each one of us was feeling the same way. We were sure the numbers were going to get better. It was still early. As it got later though, the numbers were not getting any better. Finally, I knew I had to leave. I still had a paying day job I had to get up early for. Nobody wanted to leave. Leaving would make it final. But we did. Maybe it sounds a bit silly, but we were all a little teary-eyed and were trying not to show it. We had all worked so hard.
  On the way home, I felt such a sense of loss. Not just because we had lost the election, but this had been such a big part of my life the past few months. What now? I didn't sleep well that night. Perhaps it was a combination of realizing that the next step was not going to take place, and too much Kentucky Fried Chicken.
  When my alarm went off the next morning, I stumbled to the shower as usual. As I started to wake up, I realized that yes, this was an ending of sorts, but it was also a very important beginning. I had my own projects in the works that I could now devote more time to, but as a group, I knew that we were definitely not done. We had other ideas and possibilities we were kicking around. The world, at least this corner of it, had not seen the last of us.

  I have met amazing people in the last few months. People I am so honored to call my friends. They have taught me a lot, and given me some valued experience to take with me as I maneuver along the career-change path. I know because of them, that path will have a few less bumps in it than it might have had. I have always been one of those people who never quite knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. I think I might just know now.

Community Organizing Conservatives

It seems like the Left has always cornered the market on boycotts, protests, and making enough noise to get their candidates elected. But in case no one has noticed lately, something is starting to happen.
  It began in early 2009 when the mainstream media declared the Republican Party dead. Then, CNBC's Rick Santelli ranted that a Tea Party style revolt needed to happen. The rest, as they say, is history.
  Conservatives have learned a lot in the last four years. They learned that they were definitely not alone. They learned that a big part of the problem was in house. Old timey squishy Republicans, who got elected and re-elected year after year. They didn't rock the boat, didn't make waves once they got to Washington. They slapped Liberal Democrats on the back and called them their friends so everybody would like them.
  So in 2010, Conservatives found their voices. They found them in a big way. With the help of the Tea Party, which had become reality, they swept through the House of Representatives and Governor's mansions in a way that had not been seen, at the very least since 1994.
  Elections years are tricky things it seems for the mainstream media. Once again, they are sounding the death knell for the Tea Party. They must figure they have to start on that early. But once again, Conservatives are fighting back. With the support of Chick Fil A in record numbers, after the uproar over comments made by CEO Dan Cathy in support of traditional marriage. Then, with the run-off election in Texas, where the Tea party favored candidate, former State Solicitor General Ted Cruz won over Republican "establishment" candidate, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, who was thought to be the heir apparent to this seat. Cruz will face Democratic nominee Paul Sadler in November.
  Ted Cruz won the nomination because of Grass Roots. Pure and simple. The biggest thing for Conservatives to take away from the Ted Cruz victory, and others like it, is that they have discovered their power. They went door to door, they made phone calls, they held fund-raisers. They organized the community for Ted Cruz. And they won. Now they have to keep winning. Keep flexing their muscles. Get rid of wishy-washy moderate Republicans. Stop giving a damn whether or not the mainstream media is going to like us. They won't. Keep standing up and speaking out Conservatives. Keep rocking the boat until we overturn it.
  Establishment Republicans, your time is up.