Friday, July 30, 2010

Archive for November, 2008

I Beg Your Pardon, Mr. President

Posted by Doug Patton On November - 30 - 2008

During his tenure as President of the United States, George W. Bush has been stingier with his constitutional authority to grant pardons than any chief executive since World War II.

As of November 24, with just under two months left in office, out of the thousands of people pleading for pardons, the president had only found 171 worthy of his mercy.

But it is not the number of pardons that should concern the American people. It is who gets these pardons and who does not. Many presidents have been criticized for controversial pardons. Abraham Lincoln pardoned a man who had been convicted of attempted bestiality because he found the man’s character to be “otherwise reputable.”

Andrew Johnson made good on Lincoln’s desire that a pardon be granted to every soldier who fought for the confederacy.

In 1950, President Harry Truman commuted the sentence of Oscar Collazo from death to life in prison. Collazo had been convicted of trying to assassinate Truman. In 1979, after having served 29 years, Collazo was released from prison after President Jimmy Carter granted him a full pardon.

Richard Nixon pardoned Teamster boss Jimmy Hoffa in exchange for an agreement not to “engage in direct or indirect management of any labor organization” for the next ten years.
 
Gerald Ford will always be known as the man who pardoned Richard Nixon a month after Nixon resigned in disgrace in August 1974. The pardon probably caused Ford to lose the 1976 election to Jimmy Carter, but Ford believed that it was the only way for the nation to get past the Watergate scandal.

Carter, once in office, fulfilled a campaign promise to offer amnesty to anyone who had fled to Canada or elsewhere to avoid the draft during the Vietnam War.

George H.W. Bush granted pardons to former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger and five others in connection with the Iran-Contra scandal, which had occurred during the Reagan administration when Bush was vice president.

Then, of course, there are the notorious, last-minute pardons issued by President Bill Clinton, perhaps the most infamous of which was that of Marc Rich, the millionaire financier who had fled the country after being indicted on 51 counts of tax fraud for which he owed $48 million in federal taxes.

For George W. Bush, the case of Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean is a stench in the nostrils of every thinking American who loves justice.

One night in February 2005, Mexican drug smuggler Osvaldo Aldrete-Davila drove his van illegally across the border from Mexico to the United States carrying 743 pounds of marijuana. When confronted by Agents Ramos and Compean, Aldrete-Davila tried to flee back across the border. The agents, thinking they saw a weapon in the suspect’s hand, opened fire, hitting him in the buttocks. He continued to flee and managed to escape back into Mexico.

Federal prosecutors gave Aldrete-Davila blanket immunity to return to the U.S. and testify against the agents. Ramos and Compean were subsequently convicted of assault with a deadly weapon and violation of civil rights.

Ramos got 11 years in prison. Compean got 12 years.

California Congressman Dana Rohrbacher said the case was “the worst miscarriage of justice that I have witnessed in the 30 years I’ve been in Washington. The decision to give immunity to the drug dealer and to throw the book at the border patrol agents was a prosecutorial travesty.”

It also turns out that this low-life drug smuggler re-entered the United States at least 10 different times in 2005 and that he was caught smuggling drugs while he was waiting to testify against Ramos and Compean. These facts were not brought up at their trial.

I have praised George W. Bush for keeping this nation safe from another terrorist attack since 9/11, for his tax policies and for two solid nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court. But I also have been critical of his weak immigration policies and for his profligate spending during his two terms in office, and I have been extremely disappointed in his willingness to give away the store in these ridiculous corporate bailouts. Overall, if I had to grade him as a president, I would give him a C-minus.

But I will lose my last ounce of respect for this man as my president if he does not pardon Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean before he leaves office. These men put their lives on the line for us just as surely as our brave troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, and justice demands a full presidential pardon.

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© Copyright 2008 by Doug Patton
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Doug Patton is a freelance columnist who has served as a political speechwriter and public policy advisor. His weekly columns are published in newspapers across the country and on selected Internet web sites, including Human Events Online and GOPUSA.com, where he is a senior writer and state editor. Readers may e-mail him at dougpatton@cox.net.
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The president of the World Jewish Congress, Ronald S. Lauder, has criticized recent anti-Israel statements by Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann of Nicaragua, the current president of the United Nations General Assembly.

D’Escoto had likened Israel’s actions vis-a-vis the Palestinians to “the apartheid of an earlier era” and called on the international community to consider stricter measures against Israel including “boycott, divestment and sanctions” similar to those enacted against South Africa in the 1980s.

The GA president had also added that the failure to establish a Palestinian state made “a mockery of the United Nations and greatly hurts its image and prestige.” The Holocaust and other historical crimes against the Jews would not give Israel “the right to abuse others, especially those who historically have such deep and exemplary relations with the Jewish people,” according to Miguel d’Escoto.

WJC President Ronald S. Lauder called the accusations against Israel “false and without basis.” He added: “Israel has served as an ingathering of many people of all colors and races whose citizens are granted equal rights. Not for the first time, the United Nations is applying different standards for Israel and the Jewish people than it does for other countries. When will we hear the UN unequivocally condemn the rocket attacks against Israeli towns from Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip? When will the United Nations speak out against the mockery that the Iranian regime makes of the international community by threatening to wipe another UN member state off the map?”

The creation of a Palestinian state, the WJC president pointed out, favored by a majority of Israeli citizens, could only become a reality once the threats to Israel’s security cease.

Ronald S. Lauder emphasized that recent developments in the international organization, such as the one-sided obsession with Israel on the part of the UN Human Rights Council or the looming repeat of Israel bashing and anti-Semitism at the upcoming UN Durban Review Conference in Geneva next year continue to give rise to great concern. The WJC would continue to work towards equitable and fair treatment of Israel in all the UN venues, he said.

The World Jewish Congress is the international organization representing Jewish communities in over 80 countries around the world. The WJC serves as the diplomatic arm of the Jewish people to governments and international organizations.

 

Source: World Jewish Congress

 

Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and he’s a staff writer for the New Media Alliance (thenma.org).  In addition, he’s the new editor for the House Conservatives Fund’s weblog. Kouri also serves as political advisor for Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor Michael Moriarty. 

He’s former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed “Crack City” by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university and director of security for several major organizations.  He’s also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country.   Kouri writes for many police and security magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer and others. He’s a news writer for TheConservativeVoice.Com and PHXnews.com.  He’s also a columnist for AmericanDaily.Com, MensNewsDaily.Com, MichNews.Com, and he’s syndicated by AXcessNews.Com.   He’s appeared as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News, etc.  His book Assume The Position is available at Amazon.Com. Kouri’s own website is located at http://jimkouri.us

AP Finds Race Hustler to Say Obama Isn’t The Cure

Posted by Warner Todd Huston On November - 30 - 2008

The Associated Press is worried that Americans might accidentally imagine that the elevation of Barack Obama to the presidency could make people think that blacks in America really can get ahead. The AP is so worried that it sought out a race hustler to deny that blacks can make it here no matter what happened on November 4.

As the AP reports it, apparently young Kari Fulton “cringed” when Barack Obama won the past election. She “cringed” because she heard a white guy say that Obama’s election put a dent in the charge of racism in America. And why did she “cringe”? Why, it’s because “racism is still very much alive and well” she told the AP.

And how does young Kari know this? At 23 she never lived through Jim Crow. She doesn’t remember the days when there were few blacks on TV and blacks in music were segregated to separate genres, not mixing with white singers. She wasn’t around when black CEOs didn’t exist and no blacks roamed the halls of Congress or the White House without pushing a broom. So, how does this 23-year-old girl know that “racism is alive and well”? Because she is a black activist, that’s why.

Fulton, 23, was part of a group of young black activists from across the country who worked to register and turn out young black voters in the presidential election. The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation brought the group together shortly after the election to learn about converting their enthusiasm into ongoing political activism.

You see, the AP presents us the opinion of young Miss Fulton because she works for a black-centric activist group. I’m sort of wondering if the AP thought that a race hustler at any age would stick a knife in her livelihood and admit that the need for her activism is less extant?

I wonder what a buggy whip manufacturer would have said in the early 1900s when asked if people would still need buggy whips in the future? Do ya think he might have said, “Why sure. We’ll ALWAYS need buggy whips!”

Of course, the AP is right to say that the problems that blacks in the US face aren’t going to magically melt away because we’ve elected the first black president. But to pretend that nothing has changed regardless of that election is also just as specious. Worse it is an insult to the real discrimination that past Americans suffered through.

The AP then details a series of statistics that shows that blacks have less success than whites in America today. Naturally, these stats cannot be denied. But to assume at this stage of our nation’s history that it must all be because of white racism sadly excuses their own culpability for these problems. In an era when blacks fill spots in every walk of life at the highest levels (now including the presidency) to put their general lack of success solely on “racism” shows a serious lack of introspection.

Not once does the AP bring up the real problem that blacks have in their cultural habits as one reason why they are doing poorly by comparison.

No where does AP mention how Rap “music” celebrates the lowest societal behavior, no where does AP mention the “don’t snitch” attitude that keeps blacks from interacting with authorities, and no where does the AP mention the sordid disinterest of black fathers in the upbringing of their own children. The AP also does not explore the serious lack of interest that many blacks have in education. Not to mention the serious crime problem that black communities are mired in. All these are areas in which blacks not only have the power to affect, but can expect the hearty assistance of government AND their white neighbors.

No, instead of having a truthful discussion on race and the plight of blacks in America, the AP allows race hustlers to dump all blame on “white racism.”

Certainly a Barack Obama presidency won’t solve the problems of America’s blacks, but neither is it something to dismiss so easily. Worse, ignoring the serious problems that blacks impose on themselves is no way to make things better, either.

Sadly, the AP is only too happy to accept the word of race hustlers like our Miss Fulton instead of engaging in a serious discussion of the problems that face us all.

(Photo credit: powershift07.org)

Public Perception Worked For Communism Too

Posted by JR Dieckmann On November - 29 - 2008

During the Soviet Empire, communists employed the tactics of public perception to control the thinking of the Russian people with propaganda distributed through their government-owned media. Many Russian citizens believed life was good under communism, and everything was just dandy in Russia right up to the total collapse of the Russian economy and the downfall of the Soviet Union. Some Russians, fooled by their media, are still wondering what happened to their glorious empire.

The media here in America aren’t owned by the government, but they might as well be owned by the Democrat party when 90% of newspaper and broadcast media are liberal supporters of what ever Bozo the Democrats run for president. With their vast resources, the only information they were willing to distribute on Barack Obama was kept in a small box, and nothing outside of that box was ever discussed in any mainstream media outlet. To see what was in that box CLICK HERE for the brief Obama bio that covers everything the media was willing to tell about the candidate.

You would think that liberal media followers would have become bored with having only their imaginations to rely on for the meanings of “hope” and “change,” while new media followers are still trying to absorb the torrents of information revealed about this spurious president elect. Conservatives are enlightened on an almost daily basis by new revelations about Obama, while liberals are merely gloating over thinking they have elected America’s first black president.

With numerous lawsuits filed from coast to coast by people and organizations demanding to see Obama’s authentic birth certificate (to verify his legitimacy for president), two have finally risen to the U. S. Supreme Court and will be considered for hearing on December 5th. This could very well become the biggest news story of the century, yet there is still no mention of it in the mainstream media. Even if they think the charges are baseless, the lawsuits are very real and warrant some amount of coverage, even by the worthless alphabet media. Don’t be surprised if this whole issue gets swept under the rug by the powers that be in Washington, and the new national seat in Chicago.

By burying the details of Barack Obama’s history and birth, the media attempt to control public perception of the proposed new president in hopes that Americans will never find out the real truth about him and demand that he resign from his political career before he is actually elected by the Electoral College on December 15th.

Congress frequently depends on public perception to mislead the public on important issues. We see this regularly from Nancy Pelosi as she lies and spins every issue to the news cameras with that morbid grin on her face that conceals a face of doom. Democrats remain smug in their confidence that media talking heads will repeat their every word in their mission to influence public perception to keep Democrats in power. As Chris Mathews said: “It’s my job now to make this [Obama} presidency successful.” Ask any liberal politician a direct question on an important issue and you’re likely to get a 5 minute filibuster on what they want the public to think, but it will not include the answer to your question.

I just have to laugh at all this nonsense about Detroit CEOs and their corporate jets. When the Big 3 automaker CEOs came to Washington with their hands out for a taxpayer bailout, the congressional committee seemed more interested in how they got there than in finding solutions to the problem – whether it be a government loan or anything else. These committee jackasses seem to think they are on the Supreme Court. No doubt, during the next (proposed) administration, they will show up for hearings in robes.

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) said to the 3 CEOs “I’m going to ask the three executives here to raise their hand if they flew here commercial.” No hands went up. Then he said “I’m going ask you to raise your hand if you’re planning to sell your jet . . . and fly back commercial.” Again no hands went up. He followed with “Let the record show no hands went up.”

When the hearing was about $25 billion in government loans, why was Sherman so interested in a few thousand dollars a flight for the CEOs to get there, and to be sure it went on the record? Because he knew the media would cover it, and make a big deal about it, to influence public perception against the Big 3 CEOs and corporate America.

We are simply supposed to believe that all of the financial problems encountered by corporate America today are always the fault of “greedy” CEOs, and never the result of lame brained congressional regulation or union extortion of business management to pad the pockets of union officials and workers. The class warfare that was the centerpiece of the Obama campaign has begun now to flourish in a Democrat Congress. Don’t hold you breath for any Democrat CEOs to be called before the panel to answer tough questions though.

Had it not been for government regulations, created by Democrats and applied to the mortgage industry to ensure toxic home loans were granted, the mortgage meltdown would not have occurred. Had it not been for liberal legislation banning domestic energy production throughout most of the country, a gallon of gasoline would not have become unaffordable to millions of Americans who took advantage of those mortgage regulations. Still, Congress wants us to believe that it was all the fault of “greedy” CEOs, and they depend on the liberal alphabet media to create that public perception. The deception worked most effectively.

What’s the big deal over corporate jets? Most all corporate executives and CEOs use corporate jets to get around the country for meetings and seminars. They don’t really have the time or the need to travel on commercial aircraft and risk delays. That’s what corporate jets are for. The Big 3 automakers are not in financial trouble because of their private jets.

If a private jet is good enough for Nancy Pelosi – who demanded her own upgrade it to a 747, then it should be good enough for the CEOs of Ford, GM, and Chrysler who actually work for a living and create millions of jobs and funnel billions of dollars into the economy. If congressional Democrats want to restrict the use of corporate jets, they had better not plan on any campaign contributions from Learjet, and Gulfstream in the future. Their businesses will be in the tank along with the Big 3.

One of the luxuries of becoming a CEO of a major corporation is that you get certain perks and luxuries, providing your company is making a decent profit. It is the responsibility of the CEO to be sure the company is making a profit, but some things are out of the control of the CEOs. What happened to GM had nothing to do with private jets.

GM used to make a fair profit, but that was before Democrats took control of Congress and the price of gas began to skyrocket. GM lost $38.7 billion in 2007. The socialist UAW became to big and powerful, and began demanding too much of the industry pie, while accepting little of the losses. Meanwhile, Toyota has been cutting deeply into GM auto sales with their lower operating costs.

It’s not that their cars are better than GM, Ford, and Chrysler. It’s that it costs less to build them when they don‘t have to pay excessive UAW extortion expenses. They can therefore sell them for a lower price which the Big 3 then have to compete with at a higher manufacturing cost that leaves no room for profit. On top of that comes the costs of retooling their factories to comply with government-created environmental regulations like CAFE, but Congress fails to fund these regulations so compliance by the automakers puts them deep into debt.

The steep rise in the price of gas that began in 2007 cut deeply into GM’s SUV sales – the main profit maker for the company. GM doesn’t make any profit on the smaller, high mileage cars so the losses started piling up. At the same time, Congressional demands that they invest billions into engineering and design to meet CAFÉ standards haven‘t lessoned the costs.

What’s a CEO to do when you’re bound by government regulations and union extortion with threats of labor strikes if you don‘t pay for workers who aren‘t working anymore? UAW demands add $1300 to the cost of every car GM sells. That means that Toyota and Honda can make the same car for more than $1300 less when you factor in automation.

It’s not as though GM has just been irresponsible with its spending. The company has been going through restructuring to cut costs since 2005, but one time buyout expenditures were necessary and expensive, which put the company into the red. Still, in 2006, GM cut its costs by $6.8 billion, and an additional $2.2 billion in 2007. And they didn’t have to sell a single private jet to do it. Restructuring is still taking place to reduce costs but GM doesn’t expect to realize a profit until 2010. Until then, they still have to pay for retooling and union blackmail.

GM’s goal of staying in business and ever again making a profit will depend heavily on major cuts in excessive UAW benefits and wages. Or as Dr. Mark W. Hendrickson writes: “Maybe, just maybe, a crash course in economic reality would impart the lesson that a worker is better off working 40 hours per week at $40 per hour compensation than zero hours per week at $70 per hour.”

Did the congressional committee consider this when they told the CEOs to go home and come up with a plan to reduce costs? Of course not. Word might leak out that the CEOs are already doing the cost cutting job that Congress is demanding of them. The last thing Congress wants is for the CEOs to actually look like fiscally-responsible leaders of their companies. The public perception that CEOs are to blame for the financial crisis must be maintained, and the failed policies of Congress must never be questioned.

What a scam this whole idea of a bailout is anyway. America didn’t just win a global lottery. Hank Paulson and President Bush decided that we suddenly have $700 billion to hand out (which we don’t) and suddenly everyone has their hand out for a piece of the pie. Now Treasury Secretary Paulson, tells us that half of the $700 billion is not going to buy up toxic mortgages, but is being used instead, to buy up stock in banks. The other half of the money ($350 billion) he is saving for the Obama administration to use as they see fit. What the hell is this – “free money” from Mathew Lesko’s version of government?

The $700 billion is not a “bailout;” it’s a handout by government of money stolen from the taxpayers. Obama, ACORN, Clinton, and the Democrats got us into this economic crisis and blamed it all on Bush and the Republicans to win the election. Unfortunately, McCain/Palin did nothing to combat it and defend Republicans. Now Obama is telling us that Democrats have no exit strategy from this crisis, and the only thing he can suggest is another multi-billion dollar “stimulus” handout. Isn’t that Einstein’s definition of insanity – doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result?

How about if Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid get rid of their private jets to help cut the costs of government to the taxpayers? Where do these congressional hypocrites – who continually show a $3 billion deficit in their own budget – get off judging professional corporate executives who are enslaved to unions and government regulations? When did professional politicians become proficient at running anything other than their mouths, while continuing to ignore the regulations imposed on them by the Constitution?

As much as Congress and the media try to create the public perception that the American auto industry troubles were all caused by greedy CEOs, the truth of the matter is that they are victims of Congress, unions, and economic conditions over which they have no control. Congress talks a lot about “oversight,” but who oversees Congress, where a maximum amount of oversight is obviously needed?

With the recent bailing out of Citibank in addition to other financial institutions, while refusing aid to the Big 3, it is beginning to look like our government is interested only in using American taxpayers’ money to bail out international bankers, but not American iconic industries which have fallen victim to them, to unions, and to congressional regulations.

The public perception of Congress and the corporate sector must be maintained if Democrats are to remain in power. Blame the CEOs. Blame the “rich” and take their money which they invest in America – to “stimulate the economy” by giving it to the poor, who will not invest it in anything but flat screen TVs and video games. But never, ever, point a finger at Congress and their insane legislation that has been the root cause of all of our major economic and social problems for decades.

If politicians insist on taking credit for running the country, then it’s time they take credit for this current crisis that they have created as well. If an unscrupulous media want to do the bidding of dishonest politicians to guarantee their invitations to beltway dinners, then they also need to share the blame for creating a false public perception of Congress and the private sector, and for failing to do the job that their professional code of ethics demands of them.

The growing public perception of the alphabet and print media is that they are not to be trusted in presenting fair, complete, and unbiased information to the public. They have sealed this perception with their performance in covering the recent presidential election campaigns. The decline of confidence in the broadcast and print media is expected to continue in coming years until they become a no longer viable media for news and political information.

As more and more people turn to “new media” internet and talk radio, they become more informed and more aware of the truth concerning important issues, and more aware of the misinformation and lack of information being distributed by the elite liberal media. Public perception of mainstream media is changing rapidly, and that’s a good sign for America’s eventual recovery from the liberal wasteland of ignorance that has prevailed for too long now.

JR Dieckmann is Editor, Publisher, Writer, and Webmaster of GreatAmericanJournal.com.  He also works as an electrician in Los Angeles, Ca. He has been writing and publishing articles on the web since 2000. JR can be contacted at http://www.greatamericanjournal.com/contact.htm.

Jewish Group Expresses Grief, Outrage Over Mumbai Terrorist Attacks

Posted by Jim Kouri On November - 29 - 2008

As Indian forces for a third day continued to root out terrorists responsible for a wave of deadly attacks across Mumbai, the American Jewish Committee (AJC), which maintains an office in Mumbai and is in close contact with Indian government and Jewish community officials, issued the following statement:

The outlines of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, are becoming clear. The terrorists targeted India, the U.S. and Britain, and the Jewish people. More than 150 were killed, and more than 300 wounded, either by random attacks into crowds or the murder of hostages.

Among the terrorists’ targets was the Chabad House of Mumbai, located at Nariman House, and among the reported dead are Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife, Rivka. AJC extends its profound condolences to the families and associates of the Holtzbergs, and mourns this unspeakable tragedy — a deadly attack directed against Jews in a pluralistic society that has always welcomed the Jewish people.

We express our grief over all who have been made victims of this terrorist rampage. We are both deeply saddened and utterly appalled by yet another vicious attack apparently by radical Islamist terrorists upon democracies and upon innocent civilians. In addition to grieving for all the civilians who have been killed, we honor the memories of the brave souls of the Indian security forces who have lost their lives fighting the terrorists.

AJC has longstanding relationships with the government and people of India and the Indian-American community, through our office in Mumbai and our network of offices across the United States. We stand in solidarity with the government and people of India and the Indian-American community at this time of tragedy.

At this dark hour, we reaffirm our determination to continue our work to combat hatred and intolerance throughout the world.

“This is India’s 9/11,” said AJC Executive Director David A. Harris, “and should serve as another wake-up call for the world.”

Source: American Jewish Committee

Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and he’s a staff writer for the New Media Alliance (thenma.org).  In addition, he’s the new editor for the House Conservatives Fund’s weblog. Kouri also serves as political advisor for Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor Michael Moriarty. 

He’s former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed “Crack City” by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university and director of security for several major organizations.  He’s also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country.   Kouri writes for many police and security magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer and others. He’s a news writer for TheConservativeVoice.Com and PHXnews.com.  He’s also a columnist for AmericanDaily.Com, MensNewsDaily.Com, MichNews.Com, and he’s syndicated by AXcessNews.Com.   He’s appeared as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News, etc.  His book Assume The Position is available at Amazon.Com. Kouri’s own website is located at http://jimkouri.us

Has Media Let Obama’s Reversal Pass Unnoticed?

Posted by Warner Todd Huston On November - 29 - 2008

Obama is starting to feel a bit of pressure from members of the far left of his own party who are beginning to raise their eyebrows over the fact that he hasn’t shown any desire to institute any “change” thus far with his staff and cabinet picks even though they had “hope” that he would. Obama went so far as to address the situation today as MSNBC reported on its FirstRead blog.

Obama explains away his lack of “change” and his picking of a plethora of out-of-work Clintonites by saying that who he puts on his staff and cabinet don’t matter. It’s because he is the change we seek, you see? But, wait, you might ask. If the press were paying attention, they might remember that during his acceptance speech he said this whole thing wasn’t about him, it was about us? Wasn’t it that we were the change we were waiting for… right?

Is the press going to let him get away with dropping that hoary rhetoric only to say now it’s suddenly all about him? Would they let such arrogance, such a flip-flop, from a Republican pass so easily?

We might recall Obama’s supposed self-deprecation during his acceptance speech in front of the expensive, simulated Greek columns of Obamopolis at the end of the Democratic National Convention.

“But I stand before you tonight because all across America something is stirring. What the nay-sayers don’t understand is that this election has never been about me. It’s been about you.”

But, now all of a sudden it is all about him?

Well, it certainly looks like he’s changed his tune. It IS about him after all.

In response to criticism that he is departing from his promise to bring change to Washington because several members of his economic team were Beltway insiders, Barack Obama said today that his team would combine experience with fresh thinking and his own vision for change.

“Understand where the vision for change comes from, first and foremost,” he told reporters at his third press conference in as many days. “It comes from me. That’s my job, is to provide a vision in terms of where we are going, and to make sure, then, that my team is implementing.”

Of course, the reason he’s come out to say that it’s really all about him after all is to knock aside any charges that he is starting out as the junior member of the new Clinton era. He wants to assert that he is really in charge, of course.

But, this is a complete reversal of the “we are the ones” rhetoric he was mouthing only weeks ago. But, the “no it’s all about me” turn around does fit the arrogance of the non-existent “office of the president elect” conceit he’s indulged in, doesn’t it?

So far, though, the arrogance has been wholly unremarked upon by a pliant media.

Surprised, anyone?

Christian Activism: There Will Be Change

Posted by Marie Jon On November - 28 - 2008

 ”If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).America become a nation that worships God only with their lips? Open your spiritual eyes. We have lost our first love. As the children of the Most Holy Father, it is time for a new ecclesiastic awakening.Chicago gym every Lord’s Day since he won the election.America wanted change. We will have change in the form of a quasi-cult, a social gospel that will bring with it socialism and Marxist beliefs. Things will start moving fast once Obama is sworn into office, that’s for sure. It was Rev. Wright who brought attention to Black Liberation Theology, a teaching that refuses to accept a God who is not identified totally with the goals of the black community.America, but the whole world to behold as the President of the United States attends a denomination that finds bigoted division, anti-Semitism, and disdain for white folk as a godly attribute. I’m sure that the drive-by-media will make his religious beliefs acceptable to the lost masses who see Obama as the one they have been waiting for.California. Even though the state is very liberal, the people voted to keep marriage between one man and one woman. Why are these people continuing in lawlessness? They feel emboldened to do so because of Obama. They understand that his sentiments favor embracing homosexual “marriage.”America’s sake.1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Just across Lafayette Square from the White House is St. John’s Church, an Episcopal parish known as the “Church of the Presidents,” where presidents as far back as James Madison have worshipped. St. John’s has a standing invitation: Pew 54 is the President’s Pew, reserved for the nation’s leader.Washington, occasionally going to St. John’s.Chicago.

Has

This darkened world cannot see the true beauty or the loveliness of the Savior. For, too many do not seek the holiness of divine truth, so that man may understand the Father. Many have hardened their hearts, while some have completely turned away from the One who loves them so very much.

The church is the channel through which the Word shall come to the world. Our Creator constituted the church so that Christ could reveal Himself to us. In turn, we must be a glorious light, so we may reveal Him to others. If only those who claim to be Christians would listen to the words of Christ, then all who come in contact with us would acknowledge that they have been with Jesus. Those in the world would desire to learn of Him.

It has been reported that President-elect Barack Hussein Obama has not been attending church, nor has he decided on a particular D.C. house of worship to join. One wonders what example he is setting as a leader of a nation that has enjoyed the blessing of God. Instead, Obama uses his free time to work out at a

The dilemma for Obama is that he does not want to attend services at a mainstream Christ-centered denominational church. He desires the church that he left while campaigning for the presidency. Obama is arranging things so he can have what he has always believed in.

Will Black Liberation Theology become popular, not only for the White House residents, but for many of those who voted for Obama? Do not be surprised when the multitudes gather in these unbiblical churches to indulge in their abhorrent teachings. The consequences will not be pleasing to the Alpha and the Omega.

It would not surprise many of us who have been observant to see Reverends Jeremiah Wright and Otis Moss III become more public while visiting the president in the Oval Office. They share the same faith as Obama. It’s my belief that all of Obama’s pals will be welcomed at his doorstep.

 

 “If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him.” — Dr. James Cone, founder of Black Liberation Theology.

Many proponents of Black Liberation Theology do not believe in the divinity of Christ or in His Second Coming. They insist, however, that every social injustice that they perceive must be eliminated through the political process.

Liberationists such as Obama believe in a God who participates in the destruction of the white enemy. “What we need is the divine love as expressed in Black Power, which is the power of black people to destroy their oppressors here and now by any means at their disposal. Unless God is participating in this holy activity, we must reject his love.” — Dr. James Cone

What a spectacle, not only for

Barack Obama is not just a far-left radical Democrat. There appears to be no spiritual light in him. How does he reconcile and defend his stance on infanticide? He can because he does not hold to biblical teachings.

The United Churches of Christ provide a place of worship to those who have no problems with Planned Parenthood’s genocide facilities. Gay activists are given a place to wallow in their self-abasing and grievances instead of counseling them that they do not have to live unnatural lifestyles. The book to the Corinthians addresses this very topic (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). In Christ we have victory over the flesh (Romans 1:26-27). However, The United Churches of Christ do not practice sound doctrines. They would rather tickle the ears of their congregations.

For weeks, churches have been the target of those who are not satisfied with the vote that took place in

We can judge Obama by his works and by who he has chosen to befriend. These are legitimate topics to ponder. We must ask ourselves why the most radical people, even terrorists, gravitate towards Obama. A righteous judgment might be in store for a country that has gone astray and not been entirely faithful to fulfill the task of The Great Commission.

“For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. And if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who refuse to obey the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17).

If Christians are not willing to stem the tide of wickedness that abounds, our great nation might see trials and tribulations befall us. These times of troubles may come in the form of terrorist attacks at home and aboard. We’re just beginning to see our own undoing. The headlines of the day are ominous both politically and socially. For you see, it did not bring us favor with the most Holy God when many voted for a “messiah” figure who does not believe in the sanctity or protection of human life. The plethora of unChristlike beliefs that Obama holds is staggering. Just revisit the teachings of BL theology.

 Does it truthfully matter where this faker attends church while having a deceitful heart? “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). We can pray that Obama has a rebirth experience with the God of the Bible for

Excerpts from Associate Press: “Obama’s church choice likely to be scrutinized”:

Churches in the nation’s capital have started extending invitations to President-elect Barack Obama and his family, touting their African-American roots, their ties to presidents past and to Obama himself.

The choices are abundant. Numerous, thriving congregations are an easy walk from

Or he could choose, as many presidents have done, not to attend services at all. President George W. Bush, for instance, has only infrequently attended services in

Whatever choice the Obamas make, it is sure to be analyzed through the prism of Obama’s relationship with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who was Obama’s pastor for 20 years at Trinity United Church of Christ in

Obama resigned from Trinity during the presidential campaign after inflammatory comments by Wright from the pulpit became a campaign issue.

Nick Shapiro, a spokesman for Obama’s transition, declined to discuss which church the Obamas might attend.

Obama has spoken frequently about the importance of his Christian faith. In his 2006 book, “The Audacity of Hope,” he wrote that “the historically black church offered me a second insight: that faith doesn’t mean that you don’t have doubts, or that you relinquish your hold on this world. … You needed to come to church precisely because you were of this world, not apart from it.”

Despite those words, Obama has attended church sparingly in the past several months. Since winning the election, he has spent Sunday mornings at the gym. Many Washington-area churches hope that will change after he is inaugurated.

At Metropolitan AME Church, a historic, predominantly black congregation six blocks from the White House, senior pastor Ronald Braxton says parishioners have been buzzing about the possibility that the incoming president, his wife, Michelle, and their daughters — 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha — might attend services with them. Full Article

Like millions of other Americans, with simple faith I gave my heart to Christ. As a young pre-teen and into my adulthood, I understood the biblical meaning of being washed in the atoning blood that saved my soul. Every single day is a learning experience with my friend and Savior.America must reach the high standard which God has set before us. We can no longer remain stunted in our religious life. The reflection of His light must shine if we are to become light bearers for the Savior. Let’s start today.

The RenewAmerica.us website is sending out a clarion call, rededicating ourselves to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

 There will come a time when God will no longer wink at sin. We are called out to become a people ready to claim the blessed assurance. But first we must feel the need for a humbling experience before a loving Savior. It is Christ who has blotted out, as a thick cloud, our transgressions (Isa. 44:22). Thy “sins, which are many, are forgiven” (Luke 7:47). If we turn to the Lord we will see how precious is the sunlight of His love.

Will God find a people who will wholeheartedly give their all to Him? If we allow The Almighty to have His way, miracles will happen and hurts will be healed. For it was Christ who came to mend the broken hearted. It is the grace of Christ that purifies while it pardons, and readies us for a holy heaven by making us strong while here on this earth.

We can grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, until we reach His full stature.

Because of what many Americans have observed throughout this past election, prospects are fearful and perplexing. You are invited to visit and take part in Christian activism for America’s sake: AmericasRevival.com and DecentAmerica.com need you and your prayerful input.

It is scriptural that we pray for those who have political power over our nation. When we are on our knees, we will experience and understand Christlike humility. We can begin our task by praying for President-elect Barack Obama and his entire cabinet. Time is running out. There will be change!

 Song: If My People Pray

 

 

Marie  is a political/religious-based writer and founder of www.DrawingClose.org — a sister website to RenewAmerica. Marie extends her hand of welcome; visit DrawingClose and receive your free gift of salvation by taking an online Bible study.

Marie’s writings have appeared on many sites, including The New Media Journal, ChronWatch, and ABCNews, to name a few. Marie brings a refreshing and spirited point of view that is reflected in her writings. Marie is a nurse, a lay student of the Bible, and a patriot. She is an advocate for American troops serving abroad, as well as the Blue and Gold Star Mothers of America and their families. Marie enjoys Townhall.com radio, Rush Limbaugh and Larry Elder.

FBI Agents Set to Fly to Mumbai

Posted by Jim Kouri On November - 28 - 2008

For more than six decades, the FBI has stationed agents and other personnel overseas to help protect Americans back home by building relationships with principal law enforcement, intelligence, and services around the globe and facilitating a prompt and continuous exchange of information.

Today, the FBI has Legal Attaché offices — commonly known as Legats — and smaller sub-offices in 75 key cities around the globe, providing coverage for more than 200 countries, territories, and islands. Each office is established through mutual agreement with the host country and is situated in the U.S. embassy or consulate in that nation.

According to a report submitted to the National Association of Chiefs of Police by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a team of agents was ordered to fly to India to investigate the militants who killed four Americans and injured at least two others during a wave of Terrorist assaults that occurred in Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay.

US State Department officials were working out the final details Friday with Indian diplomats for the departure of the FBI team, according to Bureau officials. A second contingent of special agents was on alert to join them if necessary, according to NACOP.

The investigators hope to learn more about the origins of the militants who carried out the lethal strikes on luxury hotels, a train station and an Orthodox Jewish center where a New York rabbi and his wife were among five hostages slain.

An American and his teenage daughter traveling with a religious group from Virginia were among the 150 people killed during the coordinated terrorist operation. American officials were checking with members of the Indian government and hospital officials to learn more about the extent of casualties.

A counterterrorism expert cautioned the news media that it was premature “to reach any hard-and-fast conclusions on who may be responsible for the attacks.”

But the official, who spoke on intelligence matters with the media on condition of anonymity, added that “some of what we’re seeing is reminiscent of past terrorist operations undertaken by groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.”

The two groups mentioned by the official are Pakistani militants who have fought Indian troops in Kashmir and are reported to be linked to al-Qaeda.

Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and he’s a staff writer for the New Media Alliance (thenma.org).  In addition, he’s the new editor for the House Conservatives Fund’s weblog. Kouri also serves as political advisor for Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor Michael Moriarty. 

He’s former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed “Crack City” by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university and director of security for several major organizations.  He’s also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country.   Kouri writes for many police and security magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer and others. He’s a news writer for TheConservativeVoice.Com and PHXnews.com.  He’s also a columnist for AmericanDaily.Com, MensNewsDaily.Com, MichNews.Com, and he’s syndicated by AXcessNews.Com.   He’s appeared as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News, etc.  His book Assume The Position is available at Amazon.Com. Kouri’s own website is located at http://jimkouri.us

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