text:
I hate to be someone who delights in the persecution of others, but this one is much too good to pass up.
Patrick Buchanan writes a column that every Conservative should read
I will be the very first to confess that there are issues in politics that I very high disagree with Patrick J. Buchanan on. However, Mr. Buchanan does have a good idea of what Conservatism should be about; having said that, let me personally recommend this article here by Patrick Buchanan. Again, I have disagreed with the man, at times; but this is not one of them.
This article ought to be in the e-mail inbox of every darned last Conservative in America this morning.
Obama supported company gets U.S. Loan and builds cars…. In Finland
This ought to be a lesson to every last Democrat who voted for Obama and Biden.
The Video:
The Story:
With the approval of the Obama administration, an electric car company that received a $529 million federal government loan guarantee is assembling its first line of cars in Finland, saying it could not find a facility in the United States capable of doing the work.
Vice President Joseph Biden heralded the Energy Department's $529 million loan to the start-up electric car company called Fisker as a bright new path to thousands of American manufacturing jobs. But two years after the loan was announced, the job of assembling the flashy electric Fisker Karma sports car has been outsourced to Finland.
"There was no contract manufacturer in the U.S. that could actually produce our vehicle," the car company's founder and namesake told ABC News. "They don't exist here."
Henrik Fisker said the U.S. money so far has been spent on engineering and design work that stayed in the U.S., not on the 500 manufacturing jobs that went to a rural Finnish firm, Valmet Automotive.
"We're not in the business of failing; we're in the business of winning. So we make the right decision for the business," Fisker said. "That's why we went to Finland."
via Car Company Gets U.S. Loan, Builds Cars In Finland – ABC News.
Here is the real-world translation to that last line in that story; we did not want to have to deal with the labor unions in this United States, so we moved our manufacturing overseas.
Take note my Democratic Party friends who happen to read this blog, all two of you. This is what happens to the Democrats and their union counterparts, when they elect internationalist Democrats, who really do not give a care about what happens to American workers. Internationalist Democrats and their Republican counterparts, the globalists — like Richard Nixon, who do not care about American workers, they are corporatists, who support crony capitalism.
This right here is a perfect example of why the relations between the Democratic Party and the labor unions are frosty at best. That is because the Democratic Party for the last few instances that they have won elections, have been putting internationalist Democrats into the White House. This type of a Democrat talks a nice game, and puts out platitudes to the American autoworkers and their representatives in the unions; but when the "Rubber hits the road" so to speak, things change. They begin showing their true colors and start doing things to kick dirt in the face of the American worker.
I do not write this as a Conservative mocking the left, goodness no. I write this as someone who has a father, who is a retired General Motors worker, who is a member of the UAW. If anyone would know how the Democratic Party has treated the American autoworker in the last 30 years, it would be me. There was a time in this Country, when the Democratic Party used to respect the American autoworker and would literally step in front a train to defend them. Sadly, that time has passed, as the unions have lost their influence amongst the Democratic Party.
The loss of that influence in the Democratic Party is partially due to the actions of the internationalist Democrats, like Bill Clinton, who signed into law NAFTA and TAFTA. Some of that loss of influence is also due to the declining membership roles within the UAW and other said unions. Either way, it is sad transition in America, when our politicians in Washington D.C. put interests abroad before interests here at home.
Some of my readers, all three of you, might be shocked to see that I do not take a more mocking tone on stories like this and here is why I do not; Pat Buchanan said it best once, on one issue that I actually agree with him on — the American worker. Pat once said, "As goes Detroit, goes the Nation," and you know what? Pat Buchanan is right about that, the United States of America used to be a manufacturing marvel. We produced everything ourselves, and other Countries used to come here to see how we did it all. Sadly, those times have come and gone, due to many reasons, a list of which is longer than the length of this blog entry will permit.
What is solution you ask, I know what it is; but most of the people who will come here to read, will not agree with it. However, I will give the solution. Firstly, the solution is NOT to bust up the unions, as they have as much right to proper representation, as the company owners have a right to make a profit. The solution to the problem is to get rid of these idiotic so-called "Free Trade" agreements. Secondly, the solution is to impose strict tariffs on EVERYTHING and I do mean everything that is manufactured overseas and imported into our Country.
These actions would do a couple of things; firstly it would protect the American workers from the globalists who want to undercut the American worker to make a quick dollar on the backs of cheap sweatshop labor in foreign countries like China. Secondly, it would solve our Nation's revenue problem by creating a reliable source of income; one of which we did have in this Country for a very long time, before the globalists ripped it out, in favor of trade agreements.
Further, the solution is in whom we elect; Republicans and Democrats alike need to elect those who put America's interests first, and not the interests who those abroad. To be fair, Republicans have done this too in this past and we as Americans need to watch what these new crop of Republicans really represent; do they represent the interests of the crony capitalists or do they have the American people's interests in mind? Supposedly, the Tea Party movement brought some of this "America First" type of populism to the Conservative movement, but as of late, it seems that the Tea Party was nothing more than a passing fad. I just hope the people, who went to these protests, use the principles that were promoted at the Tea Party rallies, at the ballot box come November 2012.
Others: Michelle Malkin, New York Times, New York Magazine, The Heritage Foundation, Questions and Observations, Fantastical Andrew Fox, RedState, The Strata-Sphere, Hot Air, Sky Dancing, Conservatives4Palin, americanthinker.com, Big Government, Weasel Zippers, Fire Andrea Mitchell!, JammieWearingFool and Betsy's Page
No, I did not watch the debate last night.
Like AllahPundit, I find these Republican Party fashion shows to be quite the bore. I guess it is the bickering, the finger pointing and the general stupidity that turns me off.
However, I will say this; and as much as I hate linking to this blog, because of it's douche-bag owner. I saw the following this morning and I literally laughed out loud…:
RICK SANTORUM: I am Catholic. And Angry! I am an Angry Catholic Conservative! RAWR!
If that does not nail Rick Santorum to a peg, I do not know what does. 😀 Although I must say, I never saw it as "anger," but more of this idiotic bandying around his Catholic Faith. Between him and Romney's whack job Mormonism, I fear for what this Country could become. If either of these two is picked for the nominee, I will be voting Libertarian Party again. I will repeat, what is on my About Me page and, I think, is on my About This Blog Page; and that is that my loyalty is not to the Republican Party —- but rather to principles. If I feel that the Republican Party is going to pick a big Government establishment Conservative, as George W. Bush was, I will vote Libertarian Party.
Some of you might be asking, "If you're a Christian and a Fundamental Baptist, who do you dislike someone who is running as a Christian Conservative?" To this, I answer the following: My issues with Roman Catholicism aside —- While I think that it is great that there is a President candidate, who is a Christian and is not afraid to represent that, I just feel that Religion should not be the core or center issue in an election. This Nation is facing some serious issues, related to fiscal matters, not social; social Conservatism is a battle that the Republicans and the Conservative Christian community fought — and ultimately lost — back in the 1980's. The Republican Party does not need to fight that battle again. I am very sorry to say this, but as much as I am a Christian and a defender of those beliefs. I do not believe that it is the right of anyone, to force his or her religious beliefs on anyone at all A logical fallacy drove the Christian Conservative movement of "God and Country" in the 1980's and essentially, it was a dismal flop. This is because the philosophy of Senator Barry Goldwater was correct; which said you could not legislate morality.
This is why I tend to separate myself from the extreme religious right in this Country. This is what people like Ed Brayton tend to misunderstand about me. I am not an extremist at all. Just because I happen to think that Islamo-facism is a bit a problem and I happen to defend American values, does not make me someone who is alignment who is agreement with the far religious right, who believes in Christian domination. I just do not believe that any belief should be dominated over any other. I believe that ALL faiths should be able to practice their faiths in peace, without fear of persecution from Government or other rival faiths. I also happen to believe that if someone decides that he or she wishes to refrain from subscribing to that faith, that he or she has the right to be left alone as well.
This, my friends, is the true definition of freedom.
Video: Does Mitt Romney believe that he is literally going to become a god?
It is a question that all Conservative, Republican and Tea Party voters need to know.
The Video of the Interview:
The Story via WorldNetDaily.com:
The daughter of a Mormon bishop who has abandoned her family's faith claims in a new book the election of Mitt Romney to the presidency would put the U.S. in danger due to what she calls the Republican's "outrageous," "horrific" and "mind-controlling" beliefs.
"While he attempts to portray Mormonism as just another Christian religion, Mitt Romney counts on his skills to shift our attention away from what he truly believes," says Tricia Erickson, author of "Can Mitt Romney Serve Two Masters? The Mormon Church Versus the Office of the Presidency of the United States of America."
"If the American people knew what he truly believed, they would surely not place him in the highest office in the land."
Yet others, such as professor Richard Bushman, a Mormon and previous missionary himself who has taught at Harvard, Columbia and Brown Universities, are defending the faith. He calls Erickson "disillusioned" and someone who "instead of walking away felt an obligation to discredit [her] former faith."
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the official name for Mormonism, has rocketed into the national consciousness this month since Rev. Robert Jeffress, a Rick Perry supporter who pastors the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas, said Romney was "not a Christian" and that Mormonism is a "cult."
"Part of a pastor's job is to warn his people and others about false religions," Jeffress said Sunday, standing by his controversial remarks. "Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Mormonism are all false religions."
In her book, Erickson paints an unflattering picture of the Mormon faith, which counts not only the former Massachusetts governor as a member, but also fellow GOP presidential contender Jon Huntsman, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., radio talk-show host Glenn Beck, singer Gladys Knight, actresses Amy Adams and Katherine Heigl, "Napoleon Dynamite" actor Jon Heder, entertainers Donny and Marie Osmond, and sports stars including the NFL's Steve Young, Danny White and Merlin Olsen.
Erickson goes on to expose the insane beliefs of the Mormons and tell about her horrifying experience in that cult:
Erickson says Romney believes:
He will become a "god" in the afterlife and be given his own planet
Satan is Jesus' literal brother
Jesus was not born of a virgin birth
He will be given his own afterlife kingdom where he will have sexual relations with his wife, Ann, to populate his kingdom with spirit children as God the Father Himself has a wife on His own planet.
"Mormonism teaches we pre-existed on God the Father's planet as spirit children before we were planted in our mother's wombs," Erickson told WND. "And the reason why we're here according to Mormonism, is so that we can work out our own progression to godhood and our own planets themselves."
The author, who herself was married in a Mormon temple at age 19 but now considers herself a non-denominational Christian, says there's a secret agenda Mormon officials don't like to talk about publicly.
"A complete takeover of the government," she said. "They have more people in the CIA, the FBI. They have an employment office for Mormons in D.C. to be able to infiltrate them into the government."
"They've been trying since the beginning to get someone in the presidency, because they believe they have to establish their authority so when Jesus comes to Earth, the Mormon Church will take control of the government and the Mormons will be the government of God on Earth," she continued.
Erickson says her main concern is that the leader of the free world have the ability to discern fact from fiction.
"It may be crucial to our survival," she said. "If his beliefs are distorted, which they unequivocally are, why would it not be be critical to our existence to protect our country from being placed in the hands of such a person?"
When asked for specific rituals she considers bizarre, Erickson claims Romney and other Mormons take part in clandestine marriage ceremonies involving "outrageous" customs. Explaining her own Mormon wedding, she says she was forced to completely disrobe against her will.
"It was horrific," she told WND. "There I was standing naked. They brought this bowl of water, and started washing my body down and whispering prayers over my body. They stopped over the right and left breast, the navel and knees and prayed specific prayers."
To help ensure the general public did not learn details of the rituals, she says believers took a symbolic knife to feign their own murder if members spilled the beans of what really goes on behind closed doors.
"They actually had us slashing our guts open and our guts falling to the ground if we told people of the secret dogma of the ceremonies," Erickson said.
"Mitt is not a casual Mormon," she told online interviewer Thom Hartmann, noting Romney has reached the upper echelons of the faith. "There is no way that he will be able to not listen to the [Mormon] prophet. His eternal salvation depends on it. He has to put the church first over country."
Here is a video that also shows what Mormon's truly believe:
As much as I would like to say that this is the first time that I have heard this; it is not, this young lady is not the only person to have told stories like this about the Mormon Cult. Another well-known author, speaker and former Mormon, Ed Decker has exposed the Mormon cult for what it truly is.
Here is Ed Decker's testimony of how he came out of the Mormon Cult:http://saintsalive.com/plugins/content/jw_allvideos/includes/download.php?file=images/stories/audio/outofmormonism.mp3
Here is another very, very, interesting radio program with Ed Decker. It is about the Free Masons and the founding of America. The Free Masons and the Mormon Church are joined at the hip. Please listen to this, you will find it very interesting. The show is from the early 1990's, I believe anyhow. The show and the ministry which Ed appeared on went bankrupt in the 1990's and went off the air. Ironically, the host's wife died of cancer; she was diagnosed, not long after this show was broadcast.http://saintsalive.com/plugins/content/jw_allvideos/includes/download.php?file=images/stories/audio/foundingofamerica.mp3
The next book that I very highly recommend, is actually a comic book. It is a part of the "Crusader's" series of Comic by a man, who I have much respect for; his name is Jack Chick:
Click here to read a sample of this hard hitting comic!
Here is the comic that I recommend that ALL Republicans, Conservatives and Tea Party people read:
I also recommend that all Christians, Republicans, Conservatives, and Tea Party folk read this pamphlet here.
I also recommend you buy the Book of the person referenced above:
I also recommend the following books on the subject too:
Republicans need to know the truth; this is the way to it.
Thanks for reading.
RINO John McCain hearts the #OccupyWallStreet protesters
You are a #OccupyWallStreet protester and you are a confirmed leftist — all down with Mao and all that. Is this who you want being your spokesman?
The Occupy Wall Street movement is getting sympathy from an unlikely person: Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).
The 2008 GOP presidential nominee said he understands the growing protest movement's concerns over Washington bailouts of major financial institutions.
"Down in Arizona today, Maricopa County has the highest number of homes underwater of any place in this country," he told reporters Wednesday. "And it's disgraceful that we took care of the financial institutions, and we did nothing about the housing crisis. So I understand their frustration."
He later quipped that he may be the "only" Republican does.
via John McCain feels protesters' pain – On Congress – POLITICO.com.
No John, we should have not taken care of either. We should have let the banks fail, that were failing and we should have not messed with the housing market either; as both would have corrected themselves. This proves that which I and many others like me have believed for years, that John McCain is nothing more than a two-bit big government conservative or as we call them, Republican in Name Only or RINO.
Others: Weasel Zippers, The Gateway Pundit and Michelle Malkin
Terror plot directly linked to Iran uncovered by the U.S. Government
This does not look good at all. 🙁
FBI and DEA agents have disrupted a plot to commit a "significant terrorist act in the United States" tied to Iran, federal officials told ABC News today.
The officials said the plot included the assassination of the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the United States, Adel Al-Jubeir, with a bomb and subsequent bomb attacks on the Saudi and Israeli embassies in Washington, D.C. Bombings of the Saudi and Israeli embassies in Buenos Aires, Argentina, were also discussed, according to the U.S. officials.
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said in an announcement today that the plan was "conceived, sponsored and was directed from Iran" by a faction of the government and called it a "flagrant" violation of U.S. and international law.
"The U.S. is committed to holding Iran accountable for its actions," Holder said. He said the White House will be meeting with federal agencies before announcing "further action" in regards to Iran.
FBI Director Robert Mueller said the arrest of a suspect in the plot shows the U.S. will "bring the full weight of [the] law to bear on those responsible" and that "any attempts on American soil will not be tolerated."
The stunning allegations come against a backdrop of longstanding tensions between Iran and the United States and Saudi Arabia. In the last year, Saudi Arabia has attempted to build an anti-Iran alliance to push back against perceived aggression by Iran in the region.
via U.S. Says Iran-Tied Terror Plot in Washington, D.C. Disrupted – ABC News.
This basically proves my point; that Bush did not do enough after 9/11. If Bush had acted like a real President and not like a wet rag after 9/11, we would not have this sort of troubles. Although, I will admit; I have sneaky feeling that this might spark some sort of Military action. Although, I do not believe it will be of the scale and scope of the War in Iraq.
Ed Morrissey, of whom I respect, says this:
If true, would that not be an act of war? We're presently using drones in Pakistan and Yemen against al-Qaeda terrorist networks for plotting similar attacks, thanks to the AUMF from October 2001, even though we're nominally allied with both nations. If the government of Iran plotted attacks on American targets, that should require a response from the US, should it not — or do we send a signal that even attacks from actual nation-states fall under the rubric of law enforcement?
If we're charging an official of the Iranian government with complicity or worse in this plot, then it ceases to be a law enforcement issue and becomes a military and political issue instead. This isn't a case of espionage but of sabotage or worse, which would be an act of war by anyone's definition. If we're not willing to respond in kind, we then send a signal to hostile nation-states around the world that attacks on the US are low-risk, high-reward affairs — and we'd better get ready for an avalanche of them.
There are some who would say, "Oh, he is just being a Neoconservative!" That might be so, but he is being a Neoconservative, who happens to be right. Ron Paul and ilk are just dead wrong. when it comes to Iran, Islam and the war on terror. They might have a point on Nation Building; but on this sort of thing, Ron Paul and his mindless followers are simply wrong.
I really had no intention of writing about this silly story; but, because it is to the point that it is starting to sound ridiculous, I felt some commentary was warranted.
Firstly, my positions:
- I am not a Rick Perry fan boy
- I think this whole "NiggerHead" story is borderline tabloid news nonsense
- I do not honestly believe that Rick Perry is a racist — like the Democrats in Texas.
Look, I think this sort of "Guilt by association" thing is nuts — to a point. What I mean is this — it is one thing to be a part of a Church, who's Pastor says things, such as "God Damn America" and you, your wife and kids go there and interact with those people. It is another entirely to try to tie someone to, of all things — a rock, that was painted over long before you even rented the property.
Furthermore, I think Conservatives who are attacking Herman Cain need to shut up. Herman Cain is a black man and I do believe that entitles the man to make any comment about race or racism that he sees fit make, if he so feels fit to do so. Besides all of that, Herman Cain said he was not playing the race card and I do tend to believe him. Herman Cain is not Al Sharpton my friends, nor is he Louis Farrakhan; and I believe Conservatives should not be reacting to Herman Cain's comments as if he is Louis Farrakhan or Al Sharpton either.
My biggest issue with Rick Perry is from Texas and that he possesses a bit of that Texas swagger. The United States of America, nor the Republican Party, nor the Conservative movement need another Texas swagger leader again. We had that for eight years in this Country and it did nothing for this Country, at all. We found this out with Iraq, the bailouts, no child left behind and all of the rest of the former President's blunders. Granted, this current President makes the former look like a Rhodes Scholar. However, I do not wear partisan blinders and I know full of the blunders of the last President. My question to all of you is; do we want that….again?
Thus is the conflict of conservative politics — purity versus electability. If conservative politics were drugs, Ron Paul is Persian white heroin. The problem is this; Ron Paul addicts, as it were, just love him. The rest of us, are scared to death of him and his foreign policy! Therefore, to be clear here, I am, by no means, a Bill Kristol or a John Podhoretz type, when it comes to foreign policy — but a little common sense is needed when dealing with the Middle East. I will not belabor the point; I think you all know what I mean here. (I hope!)
Simply put, purity over electability will be the death knell of the Republican Party. Just ask anyone who was around in 1964 in the Republican Party.
Michele Bachmann's campaign sputters
It is a sad thing, but I knew it was coming:
Reporting from Des Moines—
Michele Bachmann's appearance on a talk radio show here should have been a breeze. Ronald Reagan was a sportscaster at the station in his early days, and his memorabilia is sprinkled around the office. The host was a friendly conservative.
But Bachmann repeatedly was asked the central question for her campaign: Does she have to win Iowa's caucuses to keep her presidential campaign alive? She danced around an answer, saying she planned to win, until finally relenting when asked a third time whether failure would doom her effort.
"No, no, no, no," Bachmann said, her voice growing uncertain. "Not necessarily; we might go on."
It was a rare moment of audible frustration for the Minnesota congresswoman, and the break in her perennially cheery demeanor demonstrated just how much her bid does rest on Iowa.
After she formally announced her candidacy at her birthplace of Waterloo, about 100 miles northeast of here, Bachmann surged, capping the summer with a win at the straw poll in Ames. Since then, her candidacy has sputtered.
via Michele Bachmann's campaign is sputtering in Iowa – latimes.com.
To be quite honest with you, I never really thought that Bachmann would get anywhere. That because the woman just had no substance at all. Not to mention her record is a bit light. She was, essentially, Sarah Palin with time served. Which is quite cruel to say; but it is the truth.
Now for my Conservative Christian viewpoint:
As most of you know, I am a Fundamentalist Baptist, King James Bible and all that. Anyhow, the reason why are not more Conservative Christian women running for office? Because most of them are not feminists and are busy staying at home and raising their children. Instead of throwing their principles into the wind and doing what obviously should be a man's job.
I know it sounds horrible; but hey, there was a time, when it was not considered to be Conservative for a woman to run for office. I happen to be of that "Old School" mindset, that happens to believe that it still should be that way. 😀
Fascism in Australia: Writer Andrew Bolt sued in court for column
(H/T Ace)
Could this be coming to America? The real kicker, the people this man wrote about….were white.
Via the Australian News and Herald:
THE assumed right of unfettered freedom of speech was trumped by laws protecting against racial vilification this morning after the Federal Court delivered its decision on the controversial "white Aborigines" case of Pat Eatock v Herald Sun columnist Andrew Bolt.
Justice Mordy Bromberg found Bolt and the Herald and Weekly Times contravened the Racial Discrimination Act by publishing two articles on racial identity which contained "errors in fact, distortions of the truth and inflammatory and provocative language".
Speaking outside court, Bolt said it was "a terrible day for free speech in this country".
"It is particularly a restriction on the freedom of all Australians to discusss multiculturalism and how people identify themselves," Bolt said.
"I argued then and I argue now that we should not insist on the differences between us but focus instead on what unites us as human beings," Bolt said.
The columnist said he would read and consider the full judgment before commenting further.
Justice Bromberg said it was important to note his judgment did not forbid debate or articles on racial identity issues if done "reasonably and in good faith in the making or publishing of a fair comment".
"Nothing in the orders I make should suggest that it is unlawful for a publication to deal with racial identification, including by challenging the genuineness of the identification of a group of people," Justice Bromberg said.
Ms Eatock and a group of eight other Aboriginals took Bolt and the Herald and Weekly Times to court claiming racial vilifiication over two articles in which he criticised fair-skinned Aborigines for what he argued was a choice they made, as people of mixed racial background, to emphasise their indigenous heritage over their white heritage.
Ms Eatock welcomed the judgment, saying it was a statement against discrimination.
She said the court's decision meant racial identity could be debated, but with respect.
Respect my ass; this is nothing more than Nazi fascism or, if you wish, communist oppression of Freedom of Speech. My question is this; is this coming to America? Is this what the World is coming to? That someone cannot express an opinion, without fear of being dragged into a court of law to explain what was said? That is fascism and it is something that I, personally, know too well about as I happen to know that so-called Conservatives like to play that same game, when it comes to their protected minorities. To accused of hatred of a group of people, because you happen to disagree with a foreign policy stance is nothing more than fascism in its purist form.
Either way, this is very wrong and if we had a goddamned President that was worth two flips; he would be at the podium and condemning such as action at the top of his lungs! However, we have this idiot broke back piece of dung, who will not say anything, that does not promote his own self image to his own damned party. This my friends is the disgrace of America.
Your out of control Government at work again….
This time it is the EPA that is out of control.
WorldNetDaily has the story:
Just imagine. You want to build a home, so you buy a $23,000 piece of land in a residential subdivision in your hometown and get started. The government then tells you to stop, threatens you with $40 million in fines and is not kidding.
That's the case now before the U.S. Supreme Court, with briefs being filed today by the Pacific Legal Foundation on behalf of a Priest Lake, Idaho, family, Chantell and Mike Sackett.
Attorney Damien Schiff, who will be arguing before the high court in the case, said it's simply a case of a government run amok, and it poses a potential threat to perhaps not every landowner across the nation, but untold millions.
The Sacketts, Schiff said, "bought property, and the government in effect has ordered them to treat the property like a public park."
"The EPA has not paid them a dime for that privilege," he said. "The regime we have operating now allows the EPA to take property without having to pay for it, or giving the owners the right to their day in court.
Here is the video of the couple explaining their plight:
Allow me to simply say this, to add to this story; this, my friends, is what happens when you elect Democrats. They expand the size of Government and Government begins to overreach. Some would say that Neoconservatives, like Bush do the same thing and it is true. As Michelle Bachmann said here recently; we should not settle for second best, when it comes to a truly constitutionally Conservative candidate. We need someone as the Republican candidate for President that would SHRINK, NOT GROW the size of Government. Why, you ask? Because of ignorant stupidity like this right here.
Because the truth is this; big, overreaching Government not only hurts the small business owner and also the bigger business owners — but it also hurts the average American too. Not only in taxes; but in cases like this one here. Since when does the Government just come in and tell you that you cannot build your own house? Since Americans started electing big Government socialists. Which is the whole crux of the problem; when Americans elect Democratic Party socialists, like the current one in the White House — it is not the poor and disadvantaged that suffer or more accurately the lazy people who do not want to work and want a free check from the Government. The people who suffer are the hard working people of this Country, who simply want to enjoy the American dream without fear of oppression of the Government. This is why the Republican Party had better choose wisely this time; because I simply do not know, if America can stand another four years of this sort of Governmental overreach. Republicans have done played the Big Government game too, That I do know. However, I also know that we cannot take another four years of Big Government — from either Party.
Rick Perry explains himself
…and does a decent job at it too. Basically, he now says the same thing as Romney. Most likely, he is trying not to sound like Ron Paul or worse.
The first step to fixing a problem is honestly admitting there is a problem. America's goal must be to fix Social Security by making it more financially sound and sustainable for the long term. But Americans deserve a frank and honest discussion of the dire financial challenges facing the nearly 80-year-old program.
By Alice Keeney,, AP
As I said at the Reagan Library recently, Social Security benefits for current recipients and those nearing retirement must be protected. For younger workers, we must consider reforms to make Social Security financially viable.
These are the hard facts: Social Security's unfunded liability is calculated in the trillions of dollars. Last year, annual Social Security outlays exceeded annual revenues for the first time since 1983. The Congressional Budget Office projects that outlays will be roughly 5% greater than revenues over the next five years, worsening as more and more Baby Boomers retire
via Rick Perry: I am going to be honest with the American people – USATODAY.com.
So, head on over and read the rest of that, it makes for some good reading.
Others: CNN, National Review, Washington Monthly, The Caucus, Firedoglake, Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Ballot Box, Business Insider, The Maddow Blog, Weasel Zippers, Politics, FrumForum, Swampland, Cato @ Liberty, Hot Air, ThinkProgress, Outside the Beltway, JustOneMinute, Daily Kos, ourfuture.org/blogs_chrono/*, Campaign 2012, The Crawdad Hole, The Page, GOP 12, The Hill, Hugh Hewitt's TownHall Blog, Pundit & Pundette, The Daily Dish and The Lonely Conservative — and more via Memeorandum
T-Paw Endorses Mitt Romney
Ed Morrissey says he did not see this one coming. But, I did. I mean, why not? One moderate squishy Republican endorses another.
Here's the official news via The Politico:
Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty endorsed Mitt Romney for president Monday, praising his onetime rival for his "leadership ability" and the "depth and scope of [his] private-sector experience."
"I believe he's going to be our party's nominee," Pawlenty said on "Fox and Friends," predicting Romney would be a "transformational and great president."
Less than a month after ending his own White House bid, Pawlenty was in sync with the Romney campaign's message on everything from jobs to health care, to Social Security and Rick Perry.
Asked how he could endorse a candidate who he once mocked as the author of "Obamneycare," Pawlenty said he'd spoken about health care with Romney and concluded: "Mitt Romney is 100 percent dedicated and committed to repealing Obamacare."
Here is the underlying reason, I think and no, it is not a V.P. spot either:
"Gov. Romney wants to fix Social Security. He doesn't want to abolish it or end it," Pawlenty said. "Gov. Perry has said in the past that he thought it was 'failed.'"
Pawlenty, who is joining the Romney campaign as a national co-chairman, said he wasn't angling for any other job in giving Romney an early endorsement.
"I'm not going to consider being VP. I was down that path once before with John McCain," he said. "That won't be part of the future for me."
Which is all great and wonderful; except for one little thing —- Romney is a habitual liar. So much so, that former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm had to call him on it once already. That is my rub with man; plus he is Mormon and I trust those people about as far as I can throw them. If you will read that link to my blog posting regarding Jennifer Granholm, you will see why I wrote what I did. The man just cannot and will not tell the truth about what he believes. He tells what he wants the people to hear. He also changes his positions with the winds of politics. You know, like a Conservative John Kerry?
Anyhow, here is Paw's official
suck up endorsement via NRO:
Great crises often produce great leaders. Unfortunately, sometimes the timing isn't right, and neither is the leader.
Barack Obama came into office in the midst of a great economic crisis. Although hopes were high, he did not rise to the occasion. Now that the clouds of enthusiasm and excitement have parted, we see he was obviously unsuited for the task at hand.
President Obama has failed to meet America's economic challenges.
His three years of spending, regulating, and taxing have not restarted the economy. Unemployment remains at a shocking 9.1 percent. Economic growth is hovering on the edge of a renewed recession.
Abroad, the standing of the United States appears uncertain and adrift under the failed leadership of a president who prefers chastising allies to condemning foes.
Fortunately, America may get a second chance: Mitt Romney is running for president, and I am proud to endorse him.
So, what does this do? Well, for starters; this essentially pushes John Huntsman and possibly Michelle Bachmann out of the picture. Romney now has an endorsement behind him. This also mounts a rather large moderate challenge to Rick Parry, who did say that Social Security was a "Ponzi Scheme," which does drive off some of the older folk within the Republican Party.
As for Michelle bachmann; I do not see her as even electable. Her lack of real legislation record, her husband and her wearing her Christianity on her sleeve — all make her undesirable to people, who just want jobs and want this Country to stop spending itself into a hole. Tea Party or no Tea Party, Bachmann is just not my…well, cup of…tea.
The American people just want to get back to work and leave the soul saving to the Church — thank you very much.
Either way, this race should be very, very interesting in the next coming weeks.
Others: Hot Air, Taylor Marsh, The Lonely Conservative, Moe Lane, Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion, Political Insider, Slate, Outside the Beltway, New York Magazine, Mediaite, The Crawdad Hole and Hugh Hewitt's TownHall Blog
Interesting Reading: The Phony Right-Wing
This is a series of articles by Author Kelleigh Nelson; who was a classmate of Hillary Clinton and a Goldwater Girl back in the day.
I found the last one to be terribly interesting and I thought you all would enjoy reading these.
- The Phony Rightwing, Part 1, 6-3-11
- The Phony Rightwing, Part 2, 6-3-11
- The Phony Rightwing, Part 3, 6-15-11
- The Phony Rightwing, Part 4, 6-21-11
- The Phony Rightwing, Part 5, 7-13-11
- The Phony Rightwing, Part 6, 7-23-11
- The Phony Rightwing: Michelle Bachmann, Part 7, 9-12-11
- The Phony Rightwing: Michelle Bachmann, Part 8, 9-12-11
Is Israel on the brink of an all-out war with neighboring countries?
It sure looks that way. (H/T Drudge)
Recent revolutions in the Arab world and the deteriorating ties with Turkey are raising the likelihood of a regional war in the Middle East, IDF Home Front Command Chief, Major General Eyal Eisenberg warned Monday.
"It looks like the Arab Spring, but it can also be a radical Islamic winter," he said in a speech at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv.
"This leads us to the conclusion that through a long-term process, the likelihood of an all-out war is increasingly growing," the IDF general said.
"Iran has not abandoned its nuclear program. The opposite it true; it continues full steam ahead," he said. "In Egypt, the army is collapsing under the burden of regular security operations, and this is reflected in the loss of control in the Sinai and the turning of the border with Israel into a terror border, with the possibility that Sinai will fall under the control of an Islamic entity."
"In Lebanon, Hezbollah is growing stronger within government arms, but it has not lost its desire to harm Israel, and the ties with Turkey aren't at their best," Major General Eisenberg added.
Referring to what he characterized as the possibility of a "radical Islamic winter," Major-General Eisenberg said: "This raises the likelihood of an all-out, total war, with the possibility of weapons of mass destruction being used."
During his address, the senior IDF official revealed that new, more lethal arms surfaced in the hands of Gaza terror groups during the latest round of fighting in the area. As result of the disturbing development, Israeli civilians were instructed to adopt greater precautions, he said.
via IDF general: Likelihood of regional war growing – Israel News, Ynetnews.
Needless to say, I believe the Republicans will make this a wedge issue during the campaign. They are now, to a limited extent. But, I expect to see more of that, after the primaries. Because to many, who are Jewish; and those of us who are supporters of Israel. Obama's attitude is basically, "I don't give a shit" when it comes to Israel and the Jews. For the most part, the Republicans own this issue; the notable exception being Ron Paul. Which is all you need to know about the man.
UPDATED – Will Wilkinson: Drug-Addled leftist?
First of all, I have nothing personal against Donald Douglas. However, I feel this to be a bit nasty:
I saw this Will Wilkinson piece earlier and read it all: "A Libertarian's Lament: Why Ron Paul Is an Embarrassment to the Creed." I didn't bother commenting on it because Wilkinson's not worth it. He's a drug-addled leftist, IMHO, and a pretty much typical libertarian. So, what do you know, but American Glob has picked up the slack, "In Which I Respectfully Disagree With Will Wilkinson" (via Glenn Reynolds):
Firstly, let me say this; I have not always agreed with Will Wilkinson either. Wilkinson is an uncompromising libertarian and I respect the man for that. However, I feel that Donald Douglas is being a bit nasty here. With this logic, I could be considered a "Drug-Addled" leftist as well. I did smoke my share of weed back in the 1990's when I was living a bit crazier than I do now. Not only that, I also voted Democrat for most of my young life, that is until 2008, when I decided that the "Herd Mentality" was not going to cut it anymore.
What I am saying here is simply this; as someone who has flung my share of manure at the left in the past and at the right a few years back — having an opinion is cool and I do not dare try to stifle that at all. However, using this sort of over-simplified logic is not only silly, it cheapens the debate and it discredits the right-wing Blogosphere. Not only that, but Douglas is also venturing into libel territory. I mean, it is one thing to say that Wilkinson is wrong and here is why; but it is another entirely to insinuate that the man has a drug problem and because of that, he cannot think clearly. One is expressing your opinion; the other is making a wild accusation that could get you sued.
Again, I am not picking on Douglas, and I hope he does not get angry. I just wish that our side, whatever stripe that they might happen to be; would use a little bit more thought into their blog postings. I did bust Don's chops a bit in his comment section. I could yowl on about Douglas being a "big government" Conservative, as most Neo-Cons are, but that is not the point. The point is, that slams like this, do nothing more our side at all. If we are going to sling poo, sling it at the other side — not at a sublet within our own ranks.
Update: It seems that Donald Douglas is taking this personally and made it about me. He responded in the comments of his blog, linking to post defaming me. So, this discussion is over. There two columns of Conservatives; ones that I like and ones who do not like me and I do not like and do not link to. Douglas is now in that second column now. As a parting shot, no damned wonder there are people trying to get him fired from his job.
Some Right-Wing Blogs are going soft on the fight against radical Islam
This is unreal.
This will put you up to speed:
- Perry Mafia Punked, "Beclowned" Indeed
- So…. Yeah… The New Smear Is That Rick Perry Is a Dhimmi, Huh?
- The Perry/Aga Khan curriculum: Ace folds, presents as the curriculum material that isn't the curriculum at all
- Your Memory Fails You, Ms. Geller
- What I Got Wrong On The Aga Khan Matter
I believe that it is about time that we that truly believe that the fight for America is a real one; need to take stock of who is truly in this battle and who was in it, just when it was fashionable. Because to me, it truly seems that some of the bloggers, who were truly in this battle; like say back in 2003, were in it for purely political reasons and now that the spotlight of truth is being turned on one of the GOP's own, some people are beginning to let their true colors show.
The sad thing is this; it seems to me that the battle that is going on is boiling down to the Jewish faction of the GOP versus the non-Jewish faction of the GOP. It seems that the non-Jewish faction of the GOP seems to believe that radical Islam is no longer a threat to America, as it once was and the Jewish faction of the GOP does see radical Islam as a real threat to this great Republic of ours and the freedoms that we, as Americans, enjoy.
It also saddens me that Ace has seemed to take a stance against Religion in general. Just look at the comments in the posts that I linked to on his blog. Some of the comments over there are borderline Anti-Semite and furthermore, most of them are anti-Christian. As a libertarian-minded Conservative, I believe in a man's right to freedom of speech and I believe in a man's right to a freedom from a Religion if he so chooses. However, as a Christian; I find the using of a blog, like Ace's, to mock, degrade and deride Religion, especially Judaism and the Christian Faith to be most offensive. Yes, I know that Ace is not making the comments himself; but he is allowing the nasty stuff to be said. Therefore, he must support it.
As for Pamela Geller; yes, I do support her fully. I defended her against Charles Johnson's fascist nonsense. When he tried to tell her that she could not edit her own blog and I will now defend her against the Anti-Semitic fascists; who seem to have softened their stance on the threat of Islamofascism to America.
Therefore, to you Mr. Ace — I bid you adieu. You sir, have joined the ranks of the fascists who now have turned their backs on the Jewish community, the Christian Community, and against freedom. There is no compromise sir. Either you are for or against we who stand for liberty — and it appears that you have taking the side of the Chuckles Johnson or the "Anything that looks even remotely anti-Muslim is evil" side.
Special Comment: In Defense of Michelle Malkin
I know she would not want to hear it from me. As I have criticized her, when I thought she was wrong. But I have also praised her and even defended her, when I thought it was the right thing to do.
But the fact is, that Michelle Malkin is absolutely right for bringing to light Rick Parry's record in Texas as Governor. Further more, she is absolutely right for shining the light on Orin Hatch's record as a Conservative.
The truth is folks, after the big government Conservatism of the George W. Bush-era, which I utterly despised; it is refreshing to see that the Republican Party has, with the help of the Tea Party movement — became a party of fiscal, defensive and social restraint again. One of my biggest complaints is that the Republican Party, during the Bush-era was all too eager to embrace the horrid doctrine of Wilsonian foreign policy. Which anyone with any kind of a brain, knows is a disastrous doctrine to adhere; when it comes to Wilsonian Foreign policy, I am not the only one who feels this way; it now seems that other bloggers are now speaking against it as well.
There is also this new wave of anti-establishment vitriol and criticism among the grassroots and Conservative Blogosphere. I too, find this is a very refreshing change of pace. There is a simple reasoning behind all of this: the Tea Party, the Anti-Establishment mentality and so forth. The reason it exists is that for far too long, Republicans acted, spent, and porked — just like the Democrats. Because of this, people in the Republican Party grassroots became fed up with it all. This was, in a way, the beginnings of the Tea Party movement. True, it was Glenn Beck's idea, true; Rick Santelli was the one who sounded the call. However, it was the American people who said, "NO MORE BUSINESS AS USUAL!" and began to organize the movement.
As for Michelle Malkin, I believe that her efforts to expose the people who wish to cash in on this Tea Party movement are critical to the reformation of the Government in Washington D.C. Some of these politicians think that the common people are idiots; this is why we need people like Michelle Malkin to expose the underhanded attempts to deceive the Conservative voters into believing that they are on board with the reformers in the Conservative movement. Further, there are some, in the Conservative grassroots, who have dreadfully short memories; this is why Michelle Malkin's work is so very much important to the movement as a whole.
For the record and for what it is really worth; Michelle Malkin went after Bush's Administration and cabinet as well as Obama's and the current crop running for the G.O.P. — That is why I respect the woman. Because she has always said, you cannot criticize the other side, if you are not willing to drain the swamp in your party — which is so true.
Remember folks, we are at an imperative time in our Nation's history. We, as Conservative Americans and as those who vote Republican must be keenly aware of what we are doing here in the next couple of months. For too long, the American Government has been at the mercy of those who did not give two thoughts to pissing our Children's futures away — in the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. We have to select a Candidate this time, which will not only beat Obama; but will uphold the fiscal values that is supposed to make up the Republican Party. Because the core word of the Republican Party is "Conservative" which comes from the word "Conserve" which means to restrain. That is what the Republican Party and this Nation needs to return —- the restraint of our fiscal, defense and social matters.
Because of this: we cannot afford to choose someone, who has some sort of Texas swagger, nor can we afford to choose some simple-minded old fool, who is lost in the world of extreme isolationism. We must be a fully informed electorate. This is why I defend Michelle Malkin and her quest to out those, who might not be a good choice for President of the United States in the Republican Party.
So, to Michelle: Keep up the good work. I will be reading, and I will keep in mind everything that I read on your site and at your former site, HotAir.com; when I vote in the upcoming primary here in Michigan and in general election in 2012.
-Charles Patrick Adkins
Here I go, agreeing with Lew Rockwell, Again!
Ya know, this is starting to be a bit of a thing. People are going to start talking about me. 😯
(Yeah, like they don't already…I know…I know…thank you very much…)
Some weirdo named Christopher Manion over at Lew Rockwell's joint says the following:
The neoconservative dialectic, a.k.a. DoubleThink, trudges on. Obama is the same old anti-American Leftist he always was, says Norman Podhoretz. No, not at all, he's a "born-again neocon," says Kid Kristol.
Shocker: In this case, as Leo Strauss would say, the Dialectical Duo have revealed one dirty little secret too many—that is, Podhoretz and Kristol might both be right: a neocon just might be an anti-American leftist. After all, they were all Trotskyites once. So, like Obama, maybe they are the same old anti-American leftists they always were.
Damn that Aristotle and his logic!
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzziiiing! 😆
I have to admit, the man is right. Before any of you meat-heads get any ideas about me being a hatemonger or something silly like that; Neo-Conservative does not really mean Jew, okay? * So, please, don't play that little game, because that little dog won't hunt around me. Ludwig Von Mises was Jewish as they come and he HATED Neo-Cons with a passion! (not to mention liberals….)
Count me as one of the many who say that Neo-Conservatives and the Domination of the World, by Military might that they advocate — is Anti-American and Anti-Conservative. I have ALWAYS felt that way and ALWAYS will!
Others: Neptunus Lex
* = Admittedly, some people use it to mean that; and yes, I am aware of the connotations behind it. When I see it, I point it out. But, you won't hear me doing it. As I have written on this site a ton of times; it simply means those who advocate Wilsonian foreign policy — at least with me. What other people write and say, I cannot control at all.
GUEST VOICE: Chuck Baldwin Says, "We Don't Need Another George W. Bush "
Last Saturday, Texas Governor Rick Perry unofficially launched his 2012 Presidential candidacy in Houston (in my opinion). Speculation is he will officially announce his intentions this weekend in South Carolina. If he does declare his candidacy, many election-watchers say Perry will become the GOP frontrunner, due to an extremely weak field of declared candidates. If Perry does declare his candidacy, everyone will know that the Houston event was staged for the purpose of launching his Presidential bid, rhetoric to the contrary notwithstanding.
If Perry declares his candidacy (and I'm confident he will), people should also realize that the Houston event was a precursor to the type of campaign that Perry will use throughout the Republican primary season. As a fellow Texan, it was not lost on Rick Perry how George W. Bush obtained the Republican nomination–and eventually the White House. In short, Rick Perry is going to use the G.W. Bush model to win a Presidential election.
No, I did not watch that stupid Republican debate
No, I did not watch the debate; mainly because I was in the bed at 9:00opm. I have been doing that as of late; in bed by 9 and will sleep soundly till about midnight or so, then get up, take a leak and back to bed till 4 in the morning. It is indeed an old man's schedule and I am pushing 40 now, so I might as well play the part. In fact, it is 4:29a.m. now as I file this blog posting. I will set this one to go live at 8:00a.m.
From what I can understand and have been able to read; the debate was quite lively. HotAir has good coverage, as does The Other McCain, with a blow by blow of the Debate itself. Oh yeah, Romney the Mormon Moron ™ screamed at some liberal heckler — that must make him a real Republican now!
If it seems that I am being overly sarcastic and dismissive of the entire debate and straw poll, it is because that I am dismissive and sarcastic regarding the entire affair. This is because these primary polls and debates are nothing more than partisan fashion shows, to see who is more "Republican-y." I am an independent "right of center," as a Blogger and as a person. I find this entire partisan fashion show to be most sickening.
The truth is my friends that half of those people were lying and the other half were reciting talking points, given to them by some idiot, who never served a damned day in office ever. In other words, those idiots were telling those people and in the people watching that debate, exactly what they wanted to hear. I would say the same thing about a Democratic Party Debate too. I mean, just look at Obama and all the promises he broke while campaigning.
Further, let me say this; Conservatives and Republicans alike made a mistake as they are about to make again, I think. In 1980, a former Democratic Party politician came out of California, with Midwestern roots. This man was able to woo all factions of the Republican Party and of the Conservative movement into one big tent. He made overtures and nuanced promises to the Conservative Christian World, the libertarian section and defense hawks. He ended up fulfilling the defense promises and did attempt to rein in spending as well. However, this same man, who made huge overtures to the Conservative Christian World, proceeded to make it to the White House, said, "Thanks for your support, now go away," and proceeded to fulfill his own personal political agenda. That man was President Ronald Reagan. We still have abortion, we still do not have Prayer in schools, and the morality in this Country is worse now, than it was when Ronald Reagan was President.
One would think that the Conservative movement, especially the Conservative Christians would have learned by now that the Republican Party is not a party to be trusted. Especially seeing that we are better informed and better educated people, due to the rise of the internet and online information. It is as the old saying goes, "Those who do not learn from their mistakes —- are doomed to repeat them."
I just do truly hope and pray; that the Republican Party picks a true Conservative and no some imperialist. God knows, we have had eight good years of big spending and imperialism in this Country, which is why we are, where we are at now in this Country. I hope that the Republican Party has learned its lesson, that wars cost money; and when a nation is barrowing more than its own GDP, something is terribly wrong. Please, Lord; do not allow this Republican Party to make that same tragic and fatal mistake again. Please, No more Republicans who are drunk on spending and wars. We simply cannot afford that again — not this time — not ever again.
Nasty Antisemitism on the right
I figure if I am going to point out the bigotry on the left; I may as well point out the bigotry on the right as well.
Spotted over at the The American Conservative's blog @TAC: (no direct link for these bozo's either)
Americans who really like Israel and everything that pertains to it are certainly free to express their views, but there is something unseemly and even grotesque about the continuous promotion of foreign and ethnic group interests ahead of those of the United States and other American citizens. AIPAC is a lobby dedicated to maintaining uncritical US government support for a foreign country and it can be argued that Washington entered into at least one foreign war because of it. The congressmen who accept the junkets should be asking themselves whose interests they are really serving. At a time when both Democrats and Republicans are openly discussing cutting medical benefits for ordinary Americans, it is also difficult to understand what twisted thinking supports allocating additional taxpayer provided special medical benefits to some medicare recipients based on events that took place thousands of miles away from the US more than sixty-six years ago.
The only people that would write something like that would be Neo-Nazi antisemitic twits; and that is what the American Conservative is, an Antisemitic Paleo-Conservative Magazine.
Plus, check out this little article here, which slams "Neo-Cons."
For those who do not know this, during the Bush era; the word "Neo-Con" is a word that got bandied around by the Anti-War crowd, many well-meaning Conservatives who supported Bush and Bush himself was branded a "Neo-Con." If I have ever used it here on this Blog; it was meant to convey the term "Wilsonian" which refers to those who support Wilsonian Foreign Policy. What happened was, is that the Anti-War Left and the Anti-War right used it as well. The Anti-War Left used it to describe Bush and Co and anyone that supported them. The Anti-War Right; meaning the libertarians and Paleo-Conservatives —– meant it as a code word for Jews and those who supported Israel. Now to be fair, there are some on the Anti-War right, who I know for a fact simply mean it as a moniker for those who support Wilsonian Foreign Policy. However, there are those who do use it as a Antisemitic code word..
They like to refer to themselves as "Radical Traditionalists." I like to refer to what they believe in as "Educated or very highbrow Racism and Antisemitism." A perfect example of them, can be found here. Only difference between this group and your average robe and hood wearing Klansman — is the IQ of the people involved.
Fortunately, These groups are on the fringe of the Conservative movement, they not and should be considered to be what I believe to be mainstream Conservatism. However, it does alarm me that some of the editors from the American Conservative, have been seen recently appearing on Fox News Channel programs as of late. I believe that Jews and Conservatives should be complaining to Fox News about this and get those vile antisemitic and racist bastards off of Fox News.
There are some things that you can do:
You can call Fox News At 1-888-369-4762. Tell them that you object to Fox News using people from The American Conservative on their shows.
You can contact and e-mail News Corp:
Brian Lewis, Executive Vice President
Corporate Communications
Phone: 212-301-3331
Fax: 212-819-0816
E-Mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Irena Briganti, Senior Vice President
Media Relations
Phone: 212-301-3608
Fax: 212-819-0816
E-Mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
E-mail addresses for programs:
General Mailbox: email@example.com,
Shows Email
America Live w/ Megyn Kelly firstname.lastname@example.com
America's Newsroom w/ Bill and Martha firstname.lastname@example.com
Bulls and Bears email@example.com
Cashin' In email@example.com
Cavuto on Business firstname.lastname@example.com
Forbes on FOX email@example.com
FOX & Friends firstname.lastname@example.com
FOX News Specials email@example.com
FOX News Sunday email@example.com
FOX News Watch email@example.com
FOX Report w/ Shepard Smith email@example.com
FOX Report Weekend email@example.com
Geraldo at Large firstname.lastname@example.com
Hannity firstname.lastname@example.com
Happening Now w/ Jon Scott & Jenna Lee email@example.com
Huckabee email@example.com
The Journal Editorial Report firstname.lastname@example.com
On the Record w/ Greta Van Susteren email@example.com
Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld email@example.com
Special Report w/ Bret Baier email@example.com
Studio B w/ Shepard Smith email@example.com
The O'Reilly Factor firstname.lastname@example.com
War Stories w/ Oliver North email@example.com
Your World w/ Neil Cavuto email@example.com
If you call or e-mail; please, be polite and tell them that you are a Fox viewer and that you object to the soft endorsement of antisemitism, by allowing these people on your show. Mention this blog posting and let your voice be heard. I am only a small part of this Conservative Blogosphere, but I do have readers. Also, please, pass this posting around to your friends, and mention it on forums. We can put pressure on Fox News to stop this nonsense.
Memo to Jim Hoft: Find someone else to pick on!
I really hate having to write stuff like this, but I fear if I do not, this could start to become commonplace on the right. As everyone who reads here knows — I have developed a zero tolerance policy against hate speech towards Israel and her people. Well, if I am going to be that militant about the Israeli people and their land, I should be as militant about those who support her.
It appears that Jim Hoft, the owner of the Conservative Blog called "Gateway Pundit" is taken to mocking Christians on his blog. This posting here is what I am referring. My point is simply this:
Jim Hoft would not mock or deride Jews like this, He would not mock Roman Catholics like this, nor would he mock or deride Peaceful Muslims like this — so, why a group of Black Baptists who had a small group of people get out of hand? Could it be because Jim Hoft has an inbred hatred of Christians — even Baptists — or is it that he might possibly has an inbred hatred of blacks? Those are important questions to ask, I feel and I would like to see his answer.
The reason why I am making a fuss about this is here; after the end of the Bush Administration and the end of the tenure of the Neo-Conservative majority and influence in the Republican Party there was this shift back to traditional Conservatism. Which when it comes to foreign policy matters is a great thing. However, it also seems that there is a rise in a sarcastic and in some instances a hostile attitude towards Christians in the Conservative and Libertarian Blogosphere.
There also has been a dramatic rise in hostility towards people of the Jewish Faith and linage on the right as well. There has been, since September 11, 2001 there has been a great deal of hostility towards peaceful Muslims as well. There is a line, between a genuine concern for our Country against Muslim extremists and a general hatred of Arabs and Muslims. That line has blurred greatly in the last few years. To be blunt about it: Norway was a wakeup call to everyone in the Anti-Jihad movement. Hatred and Bigotry will not stop those in the Islamic Extremists movement; it will simply give them more ammunition against us. The Anti-Jihad movement needs to figure who the haters are, round them up, and publicly cast them out of the movement and shun them.
Further, let me also say this; I will be the very to admit that I have some serious issues with the social Conservative movement. I know feel well about the stupidity within those ranks. Furthermore, I also have a great disdain for the fascist mentality of those, who want to install a Christian version of Sharia law in this Country, toss out our Constitution, and dictate our laws directly from the Bible. Those people, who are a small minority in the Conservative Christian circles, are as dangerous, as the radical Muslims and the radical progressives whom wish to destroy our Country. Because I am a libertarian-minded Conservative, I will fight against those people on this blog, until my dying breath. I believe in personal freedom and that means freedom from a Religion, if you so desire.
I find this idiotic mocking of those who happen to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God in Heaven and that the Holy Bible, or in my case; the King James Bible — is the Word of the Living God and contains the path to Eternal Life — to be highly offensive and very much repugnant. Furthermore, I question the Conservative credentials of those who partake in this abject practice.
In closing let me say this; this blog was never intended to be a "Christian Blog", nor was it ever intended to be a "Christian defense" blog. However, when one's religion is being mocked, oppressed and attacked, one most decide, "Do I stand, or do I remain silent?" I choose to speak out.
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33 KJV)
Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. (Luke 12:8-10 KJV)


text:
A coalition of grassroots groups will deliver letters Thursday to the Wilmington office of U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons that call on them to make the right choices for Delaware's families, including job creation, an increase in the federal minimum wage, and protection of Medicare and Medicaid.
If the federal government instead allows scheduled across-the-board cuts under the so-called fiscal cliff, Delaware's already struggling economy will get even worse. Delaware will lose jobs: 40 Head Start workers stand to lose their jobs due to cuts in Head Start funding; 28 education jobs will be lost as a result of cuts to Title I Grants, and 350 Special Education jobs will no longer be supported by federal funding.
Some proposals to avoid the fiscal cliff would slash core programs like Medicaid and Medicare, which would cause job losses in Delaware, harm the state economy and threaten vital services to vulnerable populations. If federal Medicaid funding to states was cut by 5%, Delaware would lose an estimated $87,455,000 in potential business activity. These cuts would result in 630 job losses in Delaware alone.
Location, ST | website.com

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Courtesy: Bruce Mann (Moscow, Idaho)
|Cowan Spectrum
Home to the men's basketball team since 2000-01 and the women's basketball team since 2001-2002; the Cowan Spectrum turns the Kibbie Dome into an exciting basketball arena with a more intimate feeling.
With a seating capacity of 6,000, the Spectrum puts Vandal fans in the game like never before. The court has a lighting grid that gives it a "spotlight" effect, modeled after the Staples Center setup for the Los Angeles Lakers. This atmosphere puts the focus on hoops in a building originally designed for football.
When the Cowan Spectrum debuted on February 17th, 2001, it marked the first major revision to the Kibbie Dome's basketball amenities since the landmark structure opened in 1975. Patterned after the Alamo Dome and the Carrier Dome (Syracuse), the Cowan Spectrum is an arena-within-an-arena in a facility once dubbed by Sports Illustrated as one of the 20 most difficult places to
play basketball.
Facility Facts:
-575 linear feet of curtains, which contain 2,878 yards of fabric covering more than 27,000 square feet
-1,500 feet of steel truss held up by approximately 14,000 feet of cable and chain
-Truss and lights held together by more than 1,200 nuts and bolts
-48 1,000-watt fixtures for a total of 48,000 watts of lighting
-25 motors with a lifting capacity of 50,000 pounds
-Truss, curtains and lights totaling a combined weight of 25,000 pounds


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UH Calendar
A six-day workshop that aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of health disparities, of means to enhance health equity, and of the bio-psychosocial approach in addressing health disparities in a minority and the medically underserved populations.
For more information and registration, visit: http://tinyurl.com/d8kpxlw
For his debut at Blaffer Art Museum, the artist's first solo museum exhibition, Coolquitt will recombine 60 discrete sculptures and tableaux made between 2006 and 2011 into a site-specific installation which, in its singularity and temporariness, reflects on the condition of the gallery space as a codified place of encounter for people and works of art. The exhibition will also include pieces that occupy a hybrid position between autonomous artworks by Coolquitt and what the artist calls somebody-mades and in-betweens. Somebody-mades are assemblages of objects that are presented just as the artist found them in the streets, while in-betweens combine such found assemblages with interventions of his own. Presented alongside and interspersed with his own work, these elements serve to further complicate the relationship between the contexts of creation and reception, artist and audience, and blur the boundaries between art and life.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a fully-illustrated monograph co-published by Blaffer Art Museum and University of Texas Press with contributions by Rachel Hooper, Dan Fox, Matthew Higgs, and Jan Tumlir.
A season of Dynamic Duos and mixed chamber music featuring the faculty artists of the Texas Music Festival performing music of Schubert, Poulenc, Mozart, with a world premiere by Peter Lieuwen (Texas A&M University).
Franz Schubert: Fantasy in F Minor for Piano Four Hands
Peter Lieuwen: Rhapsody for Violin and Piano (world premiere)
Francis Poulenc: Trio for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Quartet for Piano and Strings in E-Flat Major
Performers include:
Andrzej Grabiec, Lucie Robert, violin
Wayne Brooks, viola
Lachezar Kostov, cello
Robert Atherholt, oboe
Elise Wagner, bassoon
Jeffrey Cohen, Timothy Hester, Tali Morgulis, piano


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Rated 5 out of 5 by 7 reviewers.
Rated 5 out of 5 by Marcy Love them! They are gorgeous! And they are so elegant and unique! December 30, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by sandys Loved these plates Nicer than the picture!! Loved these plates. Plan to purchase large plates and soup bowls and platter. Paired with the green plates displayed. December 30, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by leslie the china collector So cheerful, makes me smile! I am a fanatic about dishes, and purchased some salad plates and bowls to add variety to some other collections. They look beautiful accenting blue/white bistro, also with green or yellow. They are made in Portugal, so they coordinate great with like pottery, and can hold their own with casual china as an accent plate because they are a very good quality. October 11, 2011
Rated 5 out of 5 by Kathy Great accent plates! I have the Nantucket Dinnerware (which I also love) and I wanted to have some colorful salad plates to dress up my table. The Passaro salad plates look stunning with my all white dinnerware. I think this was a great purchase! September 26, 2011
Rated 5 out of 5 by Susan So Pretty!! I bought 4 of the salad plates and 4 of the bowls of this set just to have something different for lunch or soup. I love this pattern. It is so colorful and the food looks so good on it. I may break down and buy the 4 dinner plates as well and start using them every day!! May 10, 2011
Rated 5 out of 5 by Tennis girl Beautiful! I love everything about this pattern and color. I use it everyday and get wonderful compliments from my guests. The colors make it easy to combine with other beautiful pottery pieces. I looked for a very long time at every possible brand of dinnerware out there and I am thrilled I finally found this!! February 11, 2011
Rated 5 out of 5 by Pallavi Exquisite design I love the design and the colors. They colors are just right, not too bright but just the right shades green blues and yellow. Teamed with white dinner plates they just add that special touch to the dining. November 17, 2010
1-7 of 7


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Mere birthright alone doth not a Utahn create. What makes a true local? We say it is not the number of years you've lived within Zion's borders, but rather the zeal with which you explore all our state has to offer. If you're new, or if you're questioning your right to citizenship, we're here to help, with this refresher course. Every other week, we'll bring you a quintessential Utah-to-do experience. Check back for another to check off your list.
Tour the Beehive House, Brigham Young's family home. After the home was completed in 1855, Young moved in as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Utah Territory's governor. The home is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Once you're done exploring the home, hop over to the Lion House Pantry for lunch. Don't forget the signature fresh rolls.
The Beehive House, 67 E. South Temple, SLC, 801-240-2671
Missed our other posts in the How to be a Utahn series? Here they are:
Visit a Salt Lake Film Society theater


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Results tagged ' Garrett Atkins '
The Golden Boy
Yes, this is a bit of a late update (deer hunting opening weekend can do that to Twins fans!), but last Thursday it was announced that Twins catcher Joe Mauer received his first-ever AL Gold Glove award for his excellence at the catcher position. Anyone who has watched Mauer catch for the Twins in recent years knows that this award is very deserving, and actually long overdue. However, Gold Glove awards seem to run in bunches (Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez" had a lock on the award in recent seasons), so Mauer could very easily be beginning a long streak of taking home that specific gold hardware.
Next year, besides Mauer, I think Denard Span (if he sees everyday playing time) could very much be a Gold Glove candidate. Wouldn't it be something to see Torii Hunter and his protege (Span) win the award in the same season?!
Twins Notes:
-A few rumors have been going around that Twins RF Michael Cuddyer has been mentioned in trade talks with the Colorado Rockies for their 3B Garrett Atkins. Don't believe a word of it! With the kind of contract we gave Cuddyer prior to this season, he will be a Twin for a LONG time. Barring injury, he is a great right fielder with a cannon arm and good power…he'll be sticking around.
-Also, the Twins have expressed interest in Dodgers 3B Casey Blake. However, Blake will ultimately have much too high of a price tag for the Twins' budget. Plus, the platoon of Brian Buscher and Brendan Harris wasn't all that bad last year, and Buscher has the potential to be an everyday player. My guess is that this rumor started up when Twins GM Bill Smith made one simple phone call to the Dodgers inquiring about Blake (likely at a bargain-basement price) like most other teams in the MLB right now that could use a third baseman. We had our shot at Blake earlier, but we went with Corey Koskie instead.


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ZF-3306: A Method is not implement in a good way in Zend_Db_Table_Row_Abstract
This method:
* Sets all data in the row from an array.
* @param array $data
* @return Zend_Db_Table_Row_Abstract Provides a fluent interface
public function setFromArray(array $data)
foreach ($data as $columnName => $value) {
$this->$columnName = $value;
return $this;
This method enable you to set several columns in a single row at once, specified in an associative array that maps the column names to values. You may find this method convenient for setting values both for new rows and for rows you need to update.But it isn't impement in a good way. Let's look at this line: {color:red} $this->$columnName = $value;{color} What it want to do is to use the magic method __set() to set values for the property var $_data.But,in some cases,the argument array may contains a key named the same as some of the property.For example:I have a table filed that it's name is '_data' or others like '_table' , '_connected'. Then this method won't work as we expect it to, and we can hardly notice this unless we read the source code.Why we don't use the magic method __set directly. Like this: {color:red} $this->__set( $columnName , $value){color} It's a better way for this method..
At first glance, that seems right to me.
?How to say?
Outside the class,only public property are consider exist. But,inside the class,all properties include private and protected are consider exist. So, magic method outside the class do not work the same as inside the class.
Please evaluate and categorize as necessary.
Fixed at r10267


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ZF-9967: Can't disable locale in IBAN validator
You can't disable the locale detection in Zend_Validate_Iban when using a Zend_Config (xml).
In xml you need to specify false with a zero.
but because the validator checks also the type, you can't disable it.
if ($locale !== false) {
/* some code */
It works for me by changing the controle to (without type checking)
if ($locale != false) {
/* some code */
and why don't you use "auto"?
Fixed with r22401 Proposed change is problematic. Fixed it differently
Hello Thomas Could you explain how I can configure the validator with xml? From what I see, everything what I can think of just reads the locale out of the registry. So if I use the config from my original post, I fall in the check
if (empty($locale)) {
require_once 'Zend/Registry.php';
if (Zend_Registry::isRegistered('Zend_Locale')) {
$locale = Zend_Registry::get('Zend_Locale');
and because that key is defined in my registry, it use that but that is just what I want to avoid.


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Office of Legal Services
Caroline Sweeney, Deputy Director
Staff: Address/Phone/Fax
Environmental Law
General Law
Related Information
Office Organization Chart
Career Opportunities in the Office of Legal Services
Environmental Law
Robert Martinez, Director
Staff: Address/Phone/Fax
The Environmental Law Division primarily supports the offices of Permitting and Registration, Water, and the chief engineer. This division provides legal counsel to the agency in all areas of permitting and rulemaking, and represents the executive director in contested permitting matters in accordance with state law and agency rules regarding participation in hearings. The division's functions also include legal support related to federal program delegation, interpretation of environmental statutes and rules, and support for the Office of the Attorney General in state and federal court litigation.
General Law
David Timberger, Director
Staff: Address/Phone/Fax
The General Law Division serves as legal counsel to the agency on issues related to contracts, grants, procurement, employment law and public-service ethics; processing and distribution of information for the public; and records retention. The division director serves as the agency ethics adviser. The division also prepares the administrative records for appeals under the Administrative Procedures Act and supports the Office of Legal Services with administrative personnel (paralegals and legal secretaries).
The division is integral to the agency's administration, coordinating statewide public hearings; managing its rulemaking, including publishing its rules in the Texas Register; reviewing, tracking and posting information and public notices at its website; and preparing matters for the commissioners' agenda.
Kathleen Decker, Director
Staff: Address/Phone/Fax
The Litigation Division provides legal representation and support to the Enforcement, Field Operations and Remediation divisions of the Office of Compliance and Enforcement. The division negotiates agreed enforcement orders, litigates enforcement actions, advises the agency concerning cleanup standards and recovery of cleanup costs, and coordinates the programs for Supplemental Environmental Projects and Environmental Audits. Through the Environmental Crimes Section, it investigates and gathers evidence on environmental crimes for prosecution in state and federal courts.
See also:
Texas Environmental Enforcement Task Force Report Help with PDF.
Related Information
- Criminal Enforcement Review Adopted Rules Help with PDF.
- Office of General Counsel - agenda matters
- Office of Public Interest Counsel - information on contested matters and how to participate in contested case matters
- Office of the Attorney General, State of Texas
- State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH)
- Texas Ethics Commission
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Open Records Operating Policy and Procedure
- TCEQ Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) General Information and Application Guidelines
- Enforcement Report to the Commission


text:
Joined IHG® Rewards Club at a Hotel?
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Contact your local IHG® Rewards Club Customer Care to source your PIN and to update your profile with your email address. When you receive your PIN you can also update your email address via www.ihg.com/updateemail.
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Once you complete your Reward Night reservation you will be given the option to duplicate this reservation.
* Requires affiliation in the respective organization.
** Best Available Rate Search does not include affiliation rates.
To book more than 9 rooms for one stay or request a quote, please use our Easy Meetings tool, call 1-800-MEETING (in United States, Mexico and Canada) or contact a Global Sales Office.
Just off I-10, the Holiday Inn Express® hotel in Quincy provides a central location in northern Florida with easy access to historic Old Town Quincy and Tallahassee. Besides an ideal location, our accommodations provide guests with excellent amenities and a friendly hotel staff.
In Quincy, we are a short drive from local companies, including Georgia Pacific, Progress Energy, Englehard and Budweiser Bottling Plant. Our hotel
View More
In Quincy, we are a short drive from local companies, including Georgia Pacific, Progress Energy, Englehard and Budweiser Bottling Plant. Our hotel is near both the University of Florida and the Florida A&M University Research Center. Corporate guests can take advantage of our Business Center with a state-of-the-art computer, color printer and office supplies.
Activities in Quincy range from recreational opportunities to the arts. Beautiful Lake Talquin and the State Forest offer great fishing, bird watching and hiking. Gadsden County is home to the Gadsden Art Center and the Leaf Theatre, located in the historic downtown district. We are minutes away from Florida State University and Florida A&M University, both located in the state's capitol of Tallahassee.
Other hotels can't match our quality services like the free high-speed Internet access available throughout the hotel and our complimentary Express Start Breakfast Bar. Join us every evening in the lobby for fresh-baked cookies. Enjoy year-round swimming in an outdoor pool and maintain your exercise regimen in the Fitness Center. Book your room today.


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Some hot dog carts in New York are getting seriously hot—like steamy, sexy, X-rated hot. Hold on to your buns; these babies are brimming with vibrators.
The New York Times reports Trojan Vibrations is hitting the streets of Manhattan today and Thursday, doling out 10,000 vibrators—for free!—from carts covered in slogans including "Relish the Moment."
Those outside the Big Apple can find the sex toys at stores such as Rite Aid, Walgreens, CVS and Walmart, where they sell for $30 to $60, according to the newspaper.
"Do you want pickles with that?" just took on a whole new meaning.
Click here to read the full story.
Click here to read another fascinating news story.
Don't miss out on MORE great articles like this one. Click here to sign up for our weekly newsletter!


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Four-Sided Pentacle Series Book 1
Grayson of Concordia, known on countless worlds as the Duke of Ombra, is a mercenary, a sorcerer of shadows whose soul is consumed by darkness. For Gray, the savagery in his heart is manifest in an entity he calls Shad. He has long resisted Shad's enticements, but when he's hired to kidnap a grieving fire witch, he seizes the chance to restore his soul—no matter the cost.
Devastated by a shattering loss, Cenda's fiery heart has turned to ash. Doggedly, she has worked to master her powers and go on living, knowing she can never be whole again. When she encounters Gray, though, her will is no match for the dark fascination he exerts. But Cenda's newfound love and passion may not survive the terrible discovery of his betrayal...
Genre: Erotic/Fantasy Romance
Cover Thoughts: I'm in love with this cover. Every detail is spot on with the heroine, even down to the salamander in her hair and around her wrists. It also sets the overall feel and tone of the novel to perfection. The cover artist is James Griffin whose work is shown beautifully on the Happily Forever After blog. You can also view a stunning collection of his cover art at Veronica Bennet's Page.
Single Title/Series: THE FLAME AND THE SHADOW is book one of Denise Rossetti's Four-Sided Pentacle Series, but can also be read as a stand alone novel.
Why I read it: I was offered a soft copy by the author to review.
My Review:
Grayson of Concordia, the Duke of Ombra, is a man driven by pain and self-hatred. A sorcerer of shadows, Gray was condemned by his once loving family as an abomination. He escaped their cruel betrayal only to have his innocence torn brutally from him soon after. Now years later, Gray has developed into a man of pure distrust of all others, even of himself. Despising what he must do, Gray has stooped to the promise of delivering an innocent to her doom in order to gain the chance to rid himself of the evil within his soul. But anything is better than the life he's living. To have peace within his mind and his heart is a dream that's a bare inch from reality. All he must do is procure and deliver a fire witch and his shadow, the evil abomination that haunts his every step, will be eradicated.
Cenda, having lost her heart with the death of her young daughter, has ceased to truly live. Locking herself away with her desolation and grief, Cenda finds eventual solace with the never-ending burn of the fire in her hut. Thinking herself mad when tiny salamanders come crawling tentatively from the glowing embers to scramble up her body to curl about her wrists and perch in her hair, Cenda discovers a new gift. Somehow the burning fever that had raged through her and ultimately killed her baby, gifted Cenda with the element of fire. The writhing flames don't burn her and her new found fiery friends offer her much needed comfort and strength. Now, where she'd once been clumsy and the controller of minute Magick, Cenda has the potential to exert immeasurable power. If she can learn to control it.
Traveling with the Unearthly Opera from Concordia, Grayson arrives at Sybaris the Pleasure Planet, nick-named after its gaming hells and brothels, with every intention of seducing the fire witch and taking her forcefully, if necessary, back to Concordia and to his promise of salvation. But from the first glance, he's in an agonizing war over his decision and his all consuming need to finally be free.
Cenda isn't necessarily beautiful. Her tall body is gaunt, flesh stretched tight over bones, hollowed cheeks with dark smudges beneath her golden brown eyes but her graceful movements and waist-length ebony hair are hypnotizing. Soon the seducer is seduced when shy kisses turn to raging lust. Cenda's obvious innocence entrances Gray's soul while her pain filled eyes cry out to the primitive part of him that recognizes the need to protect and cherish making his eventual betrayal all the more agonizing.
Cenda was enthralled the moment she spotted the Duke of Ombra hidden within the shadows of the stage at The Treasure. His haunting talent with the harp and heartbreaking tenor awakens her soul, stripping free her self imposed incarceration and filling her with life and hunger. When he comes to her after his performance, she has much to be suspicious of for she's not beautiful and the gorgeous man before her can obviously have his pick but his skilled kisses has lust surging to the surface and all she can think about is easing the painful ache of need and desire that has culminated alarmingly within her. Wary of the Duke's attention, but in desperate need of what his body promises, Cenda rationalizes that he'll be leaving soon with his troupe and dives head first into a night of unrestrained passion. Gray's insistence that she see him again is met in the affirmative but what Cenda is hoping is merely a fling, turns into uncontrolled love and a race to stay alive.
To Gray's horror, he's not the only one looking to capture the fire witch. The Technomage, a group of scientists that selfishly horde their knowledge from the peoples of Magick, have dispatched, in addition to Gray, a man of indescribable evil to capture Cenda. Apparently the Technomage Primus believed a back up plan was in order. Gray can only cringe at the thought of the horrible experiments that will undoubtedly be inflicted upon her and the man that he has made delivery arrangements with will surely lead Cenda down the same path, but Gray is much more merciful than the horror that tracks her now. Convincing himself that he's the lesser of two evils, Gray continues on with his plan of seduction and extraction.
When events and circumstances force Cenda to use her fire Magick, the once clumsy witch learns great control over the infinite power within her grasp. But with that power comes a price, one that Cenda despairs having paid for. With each new use discovered, Cenda begins to understand the desire of the factions scrambling to capture her for she can easily be molded into a weapon of untold destruction.
To Gray's eternal amazement, once Cenda discovers that his shadow is separate from him, but also intrinsically a part of him, she's not scared but rather entranced. Before his stunned eyes, she embraces that terrible side of him, holds him close and gives herself up at the same time. No one has ever embraced Gray so fully, so wondrously and without reservations or judgement. While his mind is still jealous and abhorred by the abomination of his shadow, he's slowly coming to accept that maybe he can be complete with Cenda and his shadow. But before he can make a decision on what do with his fire witch and his delivery promise they are suddenly betrayed and Cenda and Gray are captured by the Technomages.
The sterility of the labs and the twisted fascination of the scientists is nauseating. They want to learn about Cenda's power, how its triggered and if its reproducible. But worst of all, Gray's plan of betrayal is unveiled. Helpless and knowing that mere words won't make right his once plan to betray Cenda, Gray decides that the least he can do is bust them both from their sterile prison and take his fire witch, the woman he has come to love, some where safe even if it costs him his life.
THE FLAME AND THE SHADOW is an intense and epic journey of two people learning about themselves and bridging the canyons of despair that have been dug ruthlessly over time. Whether those canyons were created by self-loathing or the agonizing pain of loss, Gray and Cenda both come to terms with who they are and how to once again be free to love. Its a story filled with betrayal, flaring passion, corroding deceit with the end of the day being saved by the truest form of love.
Cenda, although a woman of forty-one years, really undergoes a coming of age journey in THE FLAME AND THE SHADOW. She's lived a life of carefree innocence. Even the loss of her child couldn't shake her naivete. She's the perfect inhabitant for the gift of fire for no amount of evil stains her soul, nor will it ever. Cenda also embodies the unfailing ability of acceptance and this is especially significant in Gray's case. He's a man that has been rejected so horribly by the ones he loved that his self worth is less than zero. To have Cenda accept all the crevices of his soul allowed him to open his heart for the first time since childhood.
Gray encompasses nearly all my favorite hero attributes. He's dark and dangerous. Skillful and passionate and when the right woman finally comes along, he'll risk his very life to see her happy. Sigh... His story is more than tragic and my heart wept when his past is fully uncovered. They way Rossetti wrote the unveiling of his dark past was incredible. She instilled excruciating build up and dropped the axe quickly with an echoing finality that leaves you breathless. I even had to walk away from the story for the evening after that.
The worldbuilding isn't anywhere near overwhelming. Instead of a monologue of the world and its inhabitants (which is so common and tedious), the elements of Rossetti's Four-Sided Pentacle universe are conveyed mostly via language. Within the opening chapter, Cenda's thoughts and expressions whisk you immediately to another world without question. Then slowly, as circumstances permit, you become immersed in an incredibly beautiful and fascinating land. In my mind's eye, I saw a colorful world of rainbow lakes offset by stark sterility that is then breached by raging volcanoes and feather forests. Rossetti also shed light on the fact that no environment is safe from the presence of mankind whether they be founded in Magick or science.
Despite all my love for THE FLAME AND THE SHADOW, there was one scene that made me sneer a bit at the heroine. Although her anger over Gray's revealed betrayal was justified, I thought she stooped a bit low with one cutting remark that I can't forget. I would have been fine with her anger, but I couldn't forget what she said to Gray and I thought he deserved a better apology given what she knew of him and his self-loathing. I never thought her cruel until that moment and it made me hesitate, enough so that I couldn't give the book an A grade. It might sound silly, but that was just my feeling. But otherwise it was an exhilarating and passionate read, one that I most definitely recommend especially if you like your romance on the steamy side.
Hussy Approved Reading Material!


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Ease of Study
This course is laid out in a step-by-step manner, with a sequence of reading assignments, essays and practical exercises.
Before you begin, you create your own personal account on the Volunteer Ministers website. Once logged in, the online program will guide you through each step of the course to full completion, with all course materials provided from within the Volunteer Ministers website.
Length of Course
8 to 10 hours. You may, however, do the course at your own pace. In other words, it is not timed. The course is our service to you, free of charge.
Booklet: Ethics and the Conditions
or The Scientology Handbook
Your course materials are also integrated within the online course. In other words, once logged on, you may read the materials from within the online course program as you do each step. We do, however, recommend that you download for free or purchase the booklet, to review and refer to when you are not logged into the course program.
Through the length of your course, you will receive supervision from your personal online course supervisor, who will help to ensure you understand and achieve the maximum benefit from the course materials. The end result is that you are fully able to apply the data contained therein. If you have any further questions, contact us here.
Each assignment you turn in will be graded by your course supervisor. In the event that any of your assignments need correction, your supervisor will send them back to you, with direction on what to review and correct.
Course Completion
Upon completion of The Ethics and the Conditions Course, you will receive a hardcopy certificate by mail.
The services of our online courses are always available to you. If at any time you need assistance with your course assignments, do not hesitate to contact your online course supervisor, whom you can reach using the 'Need help?' button in your online course program.