Accountability and Competition Needed at the U.N.

Washington Post reported that Ambassador Bolton said "Americans are a very practical people, and they don't view the U.N. through theological lenses," Bolton told reporters outside the General Assembly hall. "They look at it as a competitor in the marketplace for global problem-solving, and if it's successful at solving problems, they'll be inclined to use it. If it's not successful at solving problems, they'll say, 'Are there other institutions?' . . . that's why making the U.N. stronger and more effective is a reform priority for us: Because if it's a more agile, effective organization, it is more likely to be a successful competitor as a global problem-solver."

NewsMax.com also reported on the story giving it a better twist.

Ambassador Bolton is right on; the U.N. bureaucrats have become increasingly arrogant and do not deliver the right results. America has a right to see that the monies it contributes invested in causes it supports. Especially since the United States contributes about 22% of the U.N. budget. In the business world the company that delivers the best product for the best price generally gains greater sales than their competitor. The U.N. should be held accountable to the same rules of the game; if it wants our money it must satisfy our criteria.

Ambassador Bolton in his testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee outlined reforms needed and the general direction the United States wishes to accomplish through the U.N. It can be viewed here.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pilgrims vs. Puritans

We remember the Pilgrims on Thanksgiving for coming over on the Mayflower in 1620. Often we think of them as dressed in drab black and white clothing, being sort of fanatical religious extremists.

In the book Mayflower: The Voyage that Changed the World the author clearly depicts who the Pilgrims actually were and how the colony they started at Plymouth was the precursor to our free government and liberties. The Pilgrims or Separatists wanted to worship God according to their own conscience not the dictates of the state church. In essence they were willing to sacrifice for their First Amendment rights and endure persecution to worship God as individuals.

The Puritans on the other hand wanted to purify the state church so as to make their religious beliefs the standard belief.

Contrary to Puritans, the Pilgrims, the author points out, “…wore colorful clothes, were cheerful of spirit and had no anxiety about eating, drinking and making merry when they thought the time was right. They wanted a Church were priest and congregation were equal. They argued that this was what Jesus had fought for and they were prepared to do the same thing. They wanted “elders”- men of wisdom who guided the community and taught love, rather than rule by bishops through authority or fear. They were a joyous, close-knit brotherhood that loved to discuss the Bible openly” (Ballam, Mayflower, pg. 14-15).

This Thanksgiving we can be grateful to the Pilgrims for the religious freedoms which they sacrificed all to obtain so we can enjoy them in our country today.

The Double Standard of the Press

Accuracy in the Media reported there is a double standard being used by the press. They tend to publish the errors of their political opponents (both real and imaginary) in an scrutinizing fashion and make it top news while they cover over the gross violations of their political party members; the standard they seem to use is if the person who did the wrongdoing is on our side of the political debate, for example a Democrat Hillary Clinton, then we will minimize and try to cover the scandal. However, if the person in question is our political enemy, for example a Republican Tom Delay, we will give it high coverage and bring out rumors and even falsehoods to tear them down.

Instead of presenting fair coverage, the press presents a biased view to the public which tends to advance their political agenda. The public have noticed this troubling behavior and are more and more distrusting the credibility of the press establishment.

The entire article written by Accuracy in the Media is well worth reading. It can be viewed here.

Dems Play it Risky

The Sun Times article by John O’Sullivan clearly depicted how the Democrats are playing it risky when they criticize the Administration policy in Iraq. Their statements that the President “lied” about the threat of Saddam’s WMD program make them equally guilty of the “lie” because prior to the current administration and the war they were the ones expressing concern about Iraq’s WMD program. The following are some noteworthy points in the article:

“Most of the recent media commentary on the Iraq war in Washington has concentrated on actions of the president and the administration. Questions such as "Did Bush lie about Saddam's weapons of mass destruction?" dominate the news coverage of the establishment media such as the New York Times, Time magazine and CBS.

But the position of the Democrats is at least as interesting as that of the administration. After all, the Democrats voted overwhelmingly for the war three years ago. Indeed, they did so again last week in the House of Representatives -- in a vote forced on them by the Republican leadership. But they also denounce President Bush for getting us into an "unnecessary" war. They claim (with varying degrees of vehemence) that he "lied" to maneuver the nation and themselves into an unwinnable quagmire.

What do they think they are doing? One thing they are not doing for sure is telling the truth. Norman Podhoretz last week published an article in Commentary magazine -- "Who Is Lying About Iraq?" -- that listed the strong pro-war statements from leading Democrats with brutal accuracy even as they were weaving and wobbling further into a quagmire of inconsistency.

Their calls for action against Saddam Hussein began before Bush was elected. Almost every leading and responsible Democrat joined this chorus. In the waning days of the Clinton administration, for instance, a group of Democratic senators including John Kerry, Carl Levin and Tom Daschle urged the president "to take necessary actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq's refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs."

They continued to issue warnings in the early days of the Bush administration and after 9/11. Sen. Hillary Clinton, for instance, said in October 2002, "In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile-delivery capability and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort and sanctuary to terrorists, including al-Qaida members."

And Sen. Jay Rockefeller, who as vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee had and has direct oversight of intelligence, said: "There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working aggressively to develop nuclear weapons, and will likely have nuclear weapons within the next five years" (i.e., a mere two years from today).

Ever since the Iraq venture turned difficult, however, the Democrats have been inching delicately away from these bold positions. Today, they hum along with the mantra "Bush Lied." They insinuate that the president somehow manipulated the intelligence to deceive them and the country into war -- an allegation that two bipartisan official inquiries have shown to be false and a process which none of the Democrats has ever been able to describe, let alone prove. They lend credence to the fantastical theories that there was an administration conspiracy to conceal its own duplicity over intelligence and to destroy insider "truth-tellers" such as Ambassador Joseph Wilson (who is himself a liar and whose self-destruction has rendered any administration conspiracy needless). And, having sought to depict the Iraq war as a needless quagmire, they now hint at withdrawal.”

A Strong Stand for Freedom

While our elected representatives in Congress have spent the week in spineless retreat, from protecting national defense, our Commander in Chief has spent the week in its defense. As the 2006 elections loom closer Congress is trying to make friends by concessions. Some examples are granting the rights of U.S citizens to terrorists and foreign enemies and attempting to pull our troops out of Iraq. Both of these actions are because Congress now believes that America gave cause for the Muslim extremists to target our nation. Perhaps they have forgotten September 11th, and that this enemy chose to attack us without any cause other than we believe in freedom and individual responsibility to God. We will not allow state controlled religion or the mandates of those who use religion to oppress and dictate the lives of others.

In contrast to the actions of Congress, President Bush gave another inspiring speech to our troops in South Korea. The following are some highlights of his speech:

“Recently, the world learned of a letter written by al Qaeda number two leader, a man named Zawahiri. He wrote this letter to his chief deputy in Iraq, the terrorist Zarqawi. In it, Zawahiri points to the Vietnam War as a model for al Qaeda. He writes, "The aftermath of the collapse of American power in Vietnam and how they ran and left their agents is noteworthy." The terrorists witnessed our response after the attacks of American -- on American troops in Beirut in 1983, and Mogadishu in 1993. They concluded that America can be made to run again, only this time on a larger scale, with greater consequences. The terrorists are mistaken; America will never run. We will stand and fight, and we will win the war on terror. (Applause.)

The terrorists state their plans. They want to use the vacuum that would be created by an American retreat to gain control of a country, to build a base from which to launch attacks on America and to conduct their war against non-radical Muslim governments.

Over the past few decades, radicals have specifically targeted Egypt and Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and Jordan for potential takeovers. And for a time, they achieved their goal in Afghanistan, until they came face to face with the men and women of the United States military. (Applause.)

In Afghanistan, we put the terrorists on the run, and now they've set their sights on another country -- they're trying to turn Iraq into what Afghanistan was under the Taliban, a terrorist sanctuary from which they can plan and launch attacks against our people. The terrorists regard Iraq as the central front in their war against humanity. And we must recognize Iraq as the central front in our war against the terrorists.

These militants believe that controlling one country will rally the Muslim masses, enabling them to overthrow moderate governments in the region and establish a radical Islamic empire that reaches from Spain to Indonesia. If they're not stopped, the terrorists will be able to advance their agenda to develop weapons of mass destruction, to destroy Israel, to intimidate Europe, and to break our will and blackmail our government into isolation. I'm going to make you this commitment: This is not going to happen on my watch. (Applause.)

Some might be tempted to dismiss the terrorist goals as fanatical or extreme. They are fanatical and extreme, but we cannot afford to dismiss them. Evil men obsessed with ambition and unburdened by conscience must be taken very seriously. Against such an enemy, there's only one effective response: We will never back down, and we will never give in, and we'll never accept anything less than complete victory. (Applause.)”

Part of the Strategy for victory…

“History has proven that free nations are peaceful nations and that democracies do not fight their neighbors. By advancing the hope of freedom and democracy for others, we'll make our own freedom more secure.

Our men and women in uniform who are serving on the Korean Peninsula have seen freedom succeed in Asia. By promoting freedom in Japan, we helped transform an enemy into a democracy that is one of the world's most prosperous nations, and one of America's most trusted allies. By standing firm against a determined enemy, we helped provide the people of South Korea with the peace and stability they needed to transform their economy and claim their own freedom. And by helping the people of Asia build successful and thriving democracies, we have helped set a hopeful example for the world. In the 21st century, we go forward with confidence because we know that freedom is the destiny of every man, woman, and child on this Earth. (Applause.)

Our work for peace and freedom involves great sacrifice by our troops. We see this sacrifice in Iraq, where our troops are hunting down the terrorists, and we're helping the Iraqi people build a working democracy. In Washington, there are some who say that the sacrifice is too great, and they urge us to set a date for withdrawal before we have completed our mission. Those who are in the fight know better. One of our top commanders in Iraq, Major General William Webster, says that setting a deadline for our withdrawal from Iraq would be, "a recipe for disaster." General Webster is right. So long as I'm the Commander-in-Chief, our strategy in Iraq will be driven by the sober judgment of our military commanders on the ground. We will fight the terrorists in Iraq. We will stay in the fight until we have achieved the brave -- the victory that our brave troops have fought for. (Applause.)

In this time of war and sacrifice, the greatest burden falls on our military families. We've lost some of our nation's finest men and women in the war on terror. Each of these men and women left grieving families and loved ones back home. Each loss of life is heartbreaking. And the best way to honor the sacrifices of our fallen troops is to complete their mission and lay the foundation of peace for our children and our grandchildren. (Applause.)

With the rise of a deadly enemy, and the unfolding of a global ideological struggle, our time in history will be remembered for new challenges and unprecedented dangers. And yet this fight we have joined is also the current expression of an ancient struggle between those who put their faith in dictators and those who put their faith in the people. Throughout history, tyrants and would-be tyrants have always claimed that murder is justified to serve their grand vision, and they end up alienating decent people across the globe. Tyrants and would-be tyrants have always claimed that regimented societies are strong and pure, until those societies collapse in corruption and decay. Tyrants and would-be tyrants have always claimed that free men and women are weak and decadent, until the day that free men and women defeat them.

We don't know the course our own struggle will take, or the sacrifices that might lie ahead. We do know, however, that the defense of freedom is worth our sacrifice. We know that the love of freedom is the mightiest force in history. And we do know the cause of freedom will once again prevail.”

The entire speech can be viewed here.

Follow-up on “Reducing Gas Prices by Domestic Supply”

Yesterday the House passed H.R.4241 by a vote of 217 to 215. The energy portion of the bill to use the resources of oil in Alaska (ANWR) was retained. The bill contains many needed cuts to the Federal budget to eliminate wasteful spending. The bill is not “through the woods,” yet, as the Senate needs to approve the House changes. However it is a great first step toward fiscal discipline and sound economic principles. Fox News reports how the bill cuts certain welfare and subsidy programs. It may seem as though this bill hurts the poor, but it actually helps them. Since inflation, run by Federal debt, is worst curse on the poor. As Milton Friedman said, “Inflation is the one form of taxation that can be imposed without legislation.” We can thank our representatives for opening up new domestic resources for oil and eliminating government waste both of which strengthen our economy.

An “ideological struggle”

King Abdullah II of Jordan in an interview with CNN clearly articulated the nature of the conflict with the terrorists. It is a struggle with those using the Muslim religion as an excuse to spread oppression and terror to those who disagree with them. Religious fanaticism has in one way or another played a part in the history of all religions. It is important that those, who support freedom under law which God ordained, see the nature of the conflict. We are all brothers and equals, under one God the Creator of the world. Thus it is important that we do not allow the factions of extremism to force their beliefs on those who disagree with them.
Our First Amendment was put in place not to erase religion from public life, but to ensure that one religious sect did not gain supremacy over all others. Those who murder those who disagree with them in faith or creed are trying to force their beliefs on others through terror. For example; the Indonesian beheadings of innocent schoolgirls because they were of another faith and the Hotel bombings in Jordan killing innocent men, women, and children at a wedding ceremony because their creed was not as “dedicated” to the faith.

The Washington Post and CNN reported how coldly the woman whose suicide bomb failed spoke of her mission of death; she really believed she was doing what her religion required.
The al Queda network under Zarqawi and Osama bin Laden are trying to create a strict Muslim state and waging war on the “infidels” to accomplish their goal.

These attacks prove that America cannot allow the freedom of Iraqis to be sacrificed for political convenience.

Are there Cowards in the Senate?

Today the Washington Post reported that “heightened public anxiety over the Iraq War” caused the Senate to make their strongest stand against the administration’s policy to date. It seems that the senators are more concerned about their own political objectives than promoting the best interest of their country and honoring our troops sacrifice with total victory in Iraq. After all it is their political wrangling over the war that has strengthened the resolve of the enemies of freedom and disheartened our troops.

Congress ought to be ashamed of its behavior for the following reasons:

• Congress recognized the threat of Saddam’s WMD program and his defiance of the International community. The threat was clear and was well documented for 11 years.
• Congress in light of the strong evidence sanctioned the use of force to remove Saddam from power. For Congress to back out for political reasons would cause us to recognize that they do not value the lives of our military men and women whom they send in harms way.
• Congress has full access to all the facts of the war and the amazing progress toward freedom and democracy in Iraq. They have deliberately ignored the facts and chose to follow the anti-American crowd by blaming the President for a decision which they also made because they also saw the same threat even prior to the Bush administration.
  

The current conflict in Iraq will determine whether terrorists and dictators can oppress a people in defiance of international law or whether the principles of freedom can triumph against all odds. The Bush administration has made a stand for freedom that we should all be proud of, and not try to undermine. Accuracy in the Media wrote an article proving what our elected representatives ignore –the great progress going on in Iraq and how the strategy of the Bush administration is winning against a ruthless enemy.

Here are some links to blogs from those who are in Iraq and see what is really going on. A well informed American citizen will look at both sides of the story, I urge you to read them and be inspired.

This is a link to an Iraqi doctor's blog (this blog also has links to other blogs of note).

This is a link to an U.S Army Medic in Iraq

This site the Iraq foundation has many documents and news as to what is going on in Iraq including their new constitution.
I will post more later.

Who is lying about Iraq?

The Front Page Magazine ran a well written article, yesterday, on the Iraq War.

It debunked many false accusations about Iraq War, including the reasoning for the recent Libby case and proved that Saddam’s weapons of mass destruction program was a worldwide self-evident fact.

Mr. Podhoretz documented his case with previous public statements and information. It is a compelling argument, I urge you to read the article for yourself.

President Bush Commemorates Veterans Day

Today President Bush gave a meaningful commemoration to our veterans and a clear picture of what America is up against in the fight against terror.

Below are the comments he made which I found especially meaningful because they highlight what kind of an enemy we are up against and why it is essential that we keep up the fight.

"Like the ideology of communism, our new enemy is dismissive of free peoples -- claiming that men and women who live in liberty are weak and decadent. Zarqawi has said that Americans are, "the most cowardly of God's creatures." But let us be clear: It is cowardice that seeks to kill children and the elderly with car bombs, and cuts the throat of a bound captive, and targets worshipers leaving a mosque.

It is courage that liberated more than 50 million people from tyranny. It is courage that keeps an untiring vigil against the enemies of rising democracies. And it is courage in the cause of freedom that will once again destroy the enemies of freedom. (Applause.)

And Islamic radicalism, like the ideology of communism, contains inherent contradictions that doom it to failure. By fearing freedom -- by distrusting human creativity and punishing change and limiting the contributions of half a population -- this ideology undermines the very qualities that make human progress possible, and human societies successful. The only thing modern about the militants' vision is the weapons they want to use against us. The rest of their grim vision is defined by a warped image of the past -- a declaration of war on the idea of progress itself. And whatever lies ahead in the war against this ideology, the outcome is not in doubt. Those who despise freedom and progress have condemned themselves to isolation and decline and collapse. Because free peoples believe in the future, free peoples will own the future. (Applause.)

We didn't ask for this global struggle, but we're answering history's call with confidence, and with a comprehensive strategy. Defeating a broad and adaptive network requires patience, constant pressure, and strong partners in Europe and in the Middle East and North Africa and Asia and beyond. Working with these partners, we're disrupting militant conspiracies, we're destroying their ability to make war, and we're working to give millions in a troubled region a hopeful alternative to resentment and violence.

First, we're determined to prevent attacks of the terrorist networks before they occur. We are reorganizing our government to give this nation a broad and coordinated homeland defense. We're reforming our intelligence agencies for the incredibly difficult task of tracking enemy activity -- based on information that often comes in small fragments from widely scattered sources, both here and abroad. And we're acting, along with governments from other countries, to destroy the terrorist networks and incapacitate their leadership.

Together with our partners, we've disrupted a number of serious al Qaeda terrorist plots since September the 11th -- including several plots to attack inside the United States. Our coalition against terror has killed or captured nearly all those directly responsible for the September the 11th attacks. We've captured or killed several of bin Laden's most serious deputies, al Qaeda managers and operatives in more than 24 countries; the mastermind of the USS Cole bombing, who was chief of al Qaeda's operations in the Persian Gulf; the mastermind of the bombings in Jakarta and Bali; a senior Zarqawi terrorist planner, who was planning attacks in Turkey; and many of their senior leaders in Saudi Arabia.

Because of this steady progress, the enemy is wounded -- but the enemy is still capable of global operations. Our commitment is clear: We will not relent until the organized international terror networks are exposed and broken, and their leaders are held to account for their murder. (Applause.)

Second, we're determined to deny weapons of mass destruction to outlaw regimes, and to their terrorist allies who would use them without hesitation. (Applause.) The United States, working with Great Britain and Pakistan and other nations, has exposed and disrupted a major black-market operation in nuclear technology led by A.Q. Khan. Libya has abandoned its chemical and nuclear weapons programs, as well as its long-range ballistic missiles.

And in the past year, America and our partners in the Proliferation Security Initiative have stopped more than a dozen shipments of suspect weapons technology, including equipment for Iran's ballistic missile program. This progress has reduced the danger to free nations, but it has not removed it. Evil men who want to use horrendous weapons against us are working in deadly earnest to gain them. And we're working urgently to keep the weapons of mass murder out of the hands of the fanatics.

Third, we're determined to deny radical groups the support and sanctuary of outlaw regimes. State sponsors like Syria and Iran have a long history of collaboration with terrorists, and they deserve no patience from the victims of terror. The United States makes no distinction between those who commit acts of terror and those who support and harbor them, because they're equally guilty of murder. (Applause.)

Fourth, we're determined to deny the militants control of any nation, which they would use as a home base and a launching pad for terror. This mission has brought new and urgent responsibilities to our armed forces. American troops are fighting beside Afghan partners and against remnants of the Taliban and their al Qaeda allies. We're working with President Musharraf to oppose and isolate the militants in Pakistan. We're fighting the regime remnants and terrorists in Iraq. The terrorist goal is to overthrow a rising democracy, claim a strategic country as a haven for terror, destabilize the Middle East, and strike America and other free nations with increasing violence. Our goal is to defeat the terrorists and their allies at the heart of their power, so we will defeat the enemy in Iraq. (Applause.)

Our coalition, along with our Iraqi allies, is moving forward with a comprehensive plan. Our strategy is to clear, hold, and build. We're working to clear areas from terrorist control, to hold those areas securely, and to build lasting, democratic Iraqi institutions through an increasingly inclusive political process. In recent weeks, American and Iraqi troops have conducted several major assaults to clear out enemy fighters in Baghdad, and parts of Iraq.

Two weeks ago, in Operation Clean Sweep, Iraq and coalition forces raided 350 houses south of Baghdad, capturing more than 40 of the terrorist killers. Acting on tips from local citizens, our forces have recently launched air strikes against terrorist safe houses in and around the towns of Ubaydi and Husaybah. We brought to justice two key senior al Qaeda terrorist leaders. And in Mosul, coalition forces killed an al Qaeda cell leader named Muslet, who was personally involved in at least three videotaped beheadings. We're on the hunt. We're keeping pressure on the enemy. (Applause.)

And thousands of Iraqi forces have been participating in these operations, and even more Iraqis are joining the fight. Last month, nearly 3,000 Iraqi police officers graduated from 10 weeks of basic training. They'll now take their places along other brave Iraqis who are taking the fight to the terrorists across their own country. Iraqi police and security forces are helping to clear terrorists from their strongholds, helping to hold onto areas that we've cleared; they're working to prevent the enemy from returning. Iraqi forces are using their local expertise to maintain security, and to build political and economic institutions that will help improve the lives of their fellow citizens.

At the same time, Iraqis are making inspiring progress toward building a democracy. Last month, millions of Iraqis turned out to vote, and they approved a new constitution that guarantees fundamental freedoms and lays the foundation for lasting democracy. Many more Sunnis participated in this vote than in January's historic elections, and the level of violence was lower.

Now, Iraqis are gearing up for December 15th elections, when they will go to the polls to choose a government under the new constitution. The new government will serve a four-year term, and it will represent all Iraqis. Even those who voted against the constitution are now organizing and preparing for the December elections. Multiple Sunni Arab parties have submitted a list of candidates, and several prominent Sunni politicians are running on other slates. With two successful elections completed, and a third coming up next month, the Iraqi people are proving their determination to build a democracy united against extremism and violence. (Applause.)

The work ahead involves great risk for Iraqis and for American and coalition forces. We've lost some of our nation's finest men and women in this war on terror. Each of these men and women left grieving families and left loved ones at home. Each of these patriots left a legacy that will allow generations of fellow Americans to enjoy the blessings of liberty. Each loss of life is heartbreaking. And the best way to honor the sacrifice of our fallen troops is to complete the mission and to lay the foundation of peace for generations to come. (Applause.)

The terrorists are as brutal an enemy as we've ever faced, unconstrained by any notion of our common humanity or by the rules of warfare. No one should underestimate the difficulties ahead, nor should they overlook the advantages we bring to this fight.

Some observers look at the job ahead and adopt a self-defeating pessimism. It is not justified. With every random bombing, with every funeral of a child, it becomes more clear that the extremists are not patriots or resistance fighters -- they're murderers at war with the Iraqi people themselves.

In contrast, the elected leaders of Iraq are proving to be strong and steadfast. By any standard or precedent of history, Iraq has made incredible political progress -- from tyranny, to liberation, to national elections, to the ratification of a constitution -- in the space of two-and-a-half years. (Applause.)

I have said, as Iraqis stand up, Americans will stand down. And with our help, the Iraqi military is gaining new capabilities and new confidence with each passing month. At the time of our Fallujah operations a year ago, there were only a few Iraqi army battalions in combat. Today, there are nearly 90 Iraqi army battalions fighting the terrorists alongside our forces. (Applause.) General David Petraeus says, "Iraqis are in the fight. They're fighting and dying for their country, and they're fighting increasingly well." This progress is not easy, but it is steady. And no fair-minded person should ignore, deny, or dismiss the achievements of the Iraqi people. (Applause.)

And our debate at home must also be fair-minded. One of the hallmarks of a free society and what makes our country strong is that our political leaders can discuss their differences openly, even in times of war. When I made the decision to remove Saddam Hussein from power, Congress approved it with strong bipartisan support. I also recognize that some of our fellow citizens and elected officials didn't support the liberation of Iraq. And that is their right, and I respect it. As President and Commander-in-Chief, I accept the responsibilities, and the criticisms, and the consequences that come with such a solemn decision.

While it's perfectly legitimate to criticize my decision or the conduct of the war, it is deeply irresponsible to rewrite the history of how that war began. (Applause.) Some Democrats and anti-war critics are now claiming we manipulated the intelligence and misled the American people about why we went to war. These critics are fully aware that a bipartisan Senate investigation found no evidence of political pressure to change the intelligence community's judgments related to Iraq's weapons programs.

They also know that intelligence agencies from around the world agreed with our assessment of Saddam Hussein. They know the United Nations passed more than a dozen resolutions citing his development and possession of weapons of mass destruction. And many of these critics supported my opponent during the last election, who explained his position to support the resolution in the Congress this way: "When I vote to give the President of the United States the authority to use force, if necessary, to disarm Saddam Hussein, it is because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a threat, and a grave threat, to our security." That's why more than a hundred Democrats in the House and the Senate -- who had access to the same intelligence -- voted to support removing Saddam Hussein from power. (Applause.)

The stakes in the global war on terror are too high, and the national interest is too important, for politicians to throw out false charges. (Applause.) These baseless attacks send the wrong signal to our troops and to an enemy that is questioning America's will. As our troops fight a ruthless enemy determined to destroy our way of life, they deserve to know that their elected leaders who voted to send them to war continue to stand behind them. (Applause.) Our troops deserve to know that this support will remain firm when the going gets tough. (Applause.) And our troops deserve to know that whatever our differences in Washington, our will is strong, our nation is united, and we will settle for nothing less than victory. (Applause.)

The fifth element of our strategy in the war on terror is to deny the militants future recruits by replacing hatred and resentment with democracy and hope across the broader Middle East. This is difficult, and it's a long-term project, yet there is no alternative to it. Our future and the future of the region are linked. If the broader Middle East is left to grow in bitterness, if countries remain in misery while radicals stir the resentment of millions, then that part of the world will be a source of endless conflict and mounting danger, in our generation and for the next.

If the peoples of that region are permitted to choose their own destiny, and advance by their own energy and participation of free men and women, then the extremists will be marginalized, and the flow of violent radicalism to the rest of the world will slow and eventually end. By standing for hope and freedom of others, we make our own freedom more secure.

America is making this stand in practical ways. We're encouraging our friends in the Middle East, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia, to take the path of reform, to strengthen their own societies in the fight against terror by respecting the rights and choices of their own people. We're standing with dissidents and exiles against oppressive regimes, because we know that the dissidents of today will be the democratic leaders of tomorrow. We're making our case through public diplomacy -- stating clearly and confidently our belief in self-determination, and the rule of law, and religious freedom, and equal rights for women -- beliefs that are right and true in every land and in every culture. (Applause.)

As we do our part to confront radicalism and to protect the United States, we know that a lot of vital work will be done within the Islamic world itself. And the work is beginning. Many Muslim scholars have already publicly condemned terrorism, often citing Chapter 5, Verse 32 of the Koran, which states that killing an innocent human being is like killing all of humanity, and saving the life of one person is like saving all humanity. (Applause.) After the attacks July -- on July 7th in London, an imam in the United Arab Emirates declared, "Whoever does such a thing is not a Muslim, nor a religious person." The time has come for responsible Islamic leaders to join in denouncing an ideology that exploits Islam for political ends, and defiles a noble faith. (Applause.)

Many people of the Muslim faith are proving their commitment at great personal risk. Everywhere we've engaged the fight against extremism, Muslim allies have stood up and joined the fight, becoming partners in this vital cause. Afghan troops are in combat against Taliban remnants. Iraqi soldiers are sacrificing to defeat al Qaeda in their country. These brave citizens know the stakes -- the survival of their own liberty, the future of their own region, the justice and humanity of their own tradition -- and the United States of America is proud to stand beside them. (Applause.)

With the rise of a deadly enemy and the unfolding of a global ideological struggle, our time in history will be remembered for new challenges and unprecedented dangers. And yet this fight we have joined is also the current expression of an ancient struggle -- between those who put their faith in dictators, and those who put their faith in the people. Throughout history, tyrants and would-be tyrants have always claimed that murder is justified to serve their grand vision -- and they end up alienating decent people across the globe. Tyrants and would-be tyrants have always claimed that regimented societies are strong and pure -- until those societies collapse in corruption and decay. Tyrants and would-be tyrants have always claimed that free men and women are weak and decadent -- until the day that free men and women defeat them.

We don't know the course of our own struggle will take, or the sacrifices that might lie ahead. We do know, however, that the defense of freedom is worth our sacrifice, we do know the love of freedom is the mightiest force of history, and we do know the cause of freedom will once again prevail. (Applause.)

Thank you for coming. May God bless our veterans, may God bless our troops in harm's way, and may God continue to bless the United States of America. "

The entire speech can be viewed here.

Remembering the sacrifices of our Veterans for the freedoms we enjoy.

Today we commemorate the heroes of freedom. Those who sacrificed and served their country so that future generations might live in liberty. Our veterans deserve our respect and honor for they were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our God given liberties.

On September 11^th, 2001, America was attacked by terrorists who claimed the lives of many Americans. In the true spirit of America, we were not cowed down in fear by the terrorists but, under the leadership of President Bush, took the battle to the enemy. As a result two nations which were previously enslaved by dictators now enjoy freedom.

The road to freedom and democracy in Iraq has been a struggle against the entrenched forces of tyranny. But as Thomas Paine said, “Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated” (Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776).

Now the light of freedom grows in Iraq. The tyrants can only resist with cowardly acts of violence which only cause the flame to grow stronger and increase the value of freedom.

America will always enjoy the light of freedom as long as we are vigilant to protect it. As General Dwight David Eisenhower said, “Freedom from fear and injustice and oppression will be ours only in the measure that men who value such freedom are ready to sustain its possession—to defend it against every thrust from within and without.”

America is proud of the brave heroes which continue to guard her freedoms.

Reducing Gas Prices by Domestic Supply

Americans have been trying to open up a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in the section where it is merely icy tundra for drilling oil. If this land is opened up it would serve to decrease our dependence on foreign oil, drive gas prices down, and increase the supply of oil especially when oil wells along the Gulf are damaged by Hurricanes such as Katrina.

The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 would not only drive gas prices down but also contains many necessary provisions to reduce the growing federal deficit.

Now, as Fox-news reports, this important necessary act is being forestalled by a few Republicans in Congress. It is important we let our elected representatives know we do not approve of their unwarranted tactics.

A house divided

The Virginia election results are not yet “official” but the results so far indicate that Kilgore lost the Governorship to Kaine. Yet, the Lieutenant Governor race has an opposite result, Bolling defeated Byrne. It will certainly be an interesting duo as the election determined the governor's office will be split between men from opposite parties. The difference in election results could be that H R Potts Jr. could have siphoned off votes from Kilgore, just as Ross Perot did in the 1992 elections. Since the Lieutenant Governor race did not have an independent candidate.

Purpose for this blog

The purpose of this blog is to share my perspective on current events with the object of promoting the ideals of liberty found in the American Declaration of Independence.
I hope you find this site informative and stimulating.
I welcome your comments.