Chinese Dragon is a Fascist

Bill Gertz, Washington Times, reports here, here and here, in a multi part series that China is building itself economically and militarily to rival any world power.

China is building its military forces faster than U.S. intelligence and military analysts expected, prompting fears that Beijing will attack Taiwan in the next two years, according to Pentagon officials.

U.S. defense and intelligence officials say all the signs point in one troubling direction: Beijing then will be forced to go to war with the United States, which has vowed to defend Taiwan against a Chinese attack.

Despite the tremendous amount of economic exchange between the U. S. and China, China is not our friend. Gertz quotes a senior defense official, “We may be seeing in China the first true fascist society on the model of Nazi Germany, where you have this incredible resource base in a commercial economy with strong nationalism, which the military was able to reach into and ramp up incredible production,"…

Driving China’s potential expansionist designs is the need for energy. Gertz writes, “Beijing also is facing a major energy shortage that, according to one Pentagon study, could lead it to use military force to seize territory with oil and gas resources.”

To acquire the expertise to modernize its military might, China is effectively using espionage. Gertz writes, “China is stepping up its overt and covert efforts to gather intelligence and technology in the United States, and the activities have boosted Beijing's plans to rapidly produce advanced-weapons systems.”

Espionage is a big business in Southern California. Think not? Just take a look at all the defense and related contractors that are in the southland.

The Truth About Hillary

I’ve written previously about measuring the character of a politician by observing how he/she treats the common man. By that criterion, and if we are to believe what Secret Service agents think of her, Hillary is a disaster. But this is not new material. Gary Aldridge, a former FBI agent, described his tenure in the White House in his book, Unlimited Access. Read here how the new Hillary expose, The Truth About Hillary, is déjà vu for Aldridge.

I Feel Like I Know You & I was Worried

Welcome back Al Martinez; I’m glad to see you published in today’s LA Times, here. You may think it odd that a stranger was worrying about you. But, it’s true. Who knew what had become of you since you last wrote in your column in early June? I searched for your columns to no avail. My first thought, of course, was that you were on vacation. But then a scintilla of worry crept in that maybe you or family had become sick, or worse died. I kept an eye out in case your photo appeared in the obit section of the paper. That’s the sort of thinking that becomes more prevalent as your face begins sporting more lines and when we males begin sprouting hair in hitherto barren spots. Not that you are old, mind you. It’s just that you are a member of that Korean War age group, wedged between me and my Vietnam group and my father’s WWII group. And, my father is now gone.

I almost feel as if we are friends. Of course, we are not. We’ve never met. Though we have exchanged a couple of e-mails, not that you should remember. You and I have a slightly different perspective on some things, and I so enjoy your writing. There have been times when you have moved me to tears. And, other times when I just did not agree with you. I am sure that you must receive more comment on your positions than you care to hear. So, let me just say this: You are obviously a man of principle, honesty and goodwill with a big heart.

I’m glad that you are back and may you continue to share yourself with the world in one way or the other for many years to come. I’d toast you with a martini, except I don’t drink them. Would a Negra Modelo do?

Muslim Woman Challenges the Norm

A Muslim woman challenges a Los Angeles Muslim congregation and sits in the area designated for men only. In what country other than the U. S, is that likely to occur? Read it here.

Mark Felt vs FBI Integrity

It bothered me when Mark Felt recently confessed to being the “Deep Throat” source on the Watergate Scandal. Felt was the number two guy in the FBI at the time, and I wondered why it was necessary for him to go to the press instead of proceeding with an FBI investigation. I don’t recall any particular allegations that the FBI was involved in stonewalling of the investigation to the benefit of Pres. Nixon or anyone else. So the conclusion would be that Felt did what he did because the FBI was incompetent and/or compromised or that Felt did so for personal reasons. When I learned that Nixon had passed over Felt for the position of Director of the FBI at the death of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, I became suspicious about the personal animus angle. Now it seems that the man appointed instead of Felt, FBI Director L. Patrick Gray, thinks Felt did it because Felt was passed over. Read it here.

I hope that Felt really did do it for personal reasons; Lord knows the FBI has had a number of black eyes recently and they don’t need another one dating from the Watergate era. This country requires that the lead law enforcement agency to be professional, honest, and competent to lead us forward to face the challenges of the 21st. Century. The FBI must overcome its entrenched bureaucracy and evolve into a first rate intelligence organization. It’s time for the FBI to give up some of its traditional criminal prosecution interests and tell local law enforcement that they must step-up to the bat on criminal issues and not depend upon Federal assistance. To become a first rate intelligence agency, the FBI is going to have to learn to share information with other Federal intelligence agencies and local law enforcement agencies as well. That is not something the FBI currently does well.

Spirit of Justice Returned to Her Natural State

ashcroft-spirit-of-justice
Originally uploaded by simi valley sophist.

When John Ashcroft became the U. S. Attorney General, he instructed that the Spirit of Justice be draped with cloth to conceal her bare breast. She stood in the Great Hall of the Department of Justice since the 1930’s without any problem. Undoubtedly Ashcroft’s views are held by more than a few of his countrymen. There is even a group that goes around clothing statues that reveal too much skin. These acts are not modesty in action, they are a sign of an unhealthy psyche. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has returned the Spirit of Justice to her natural form. Read it here.

Under and Alone

William Queen
Originally uploaded by simi valley sophist.

Have you ever driven along a highway in Southern California when suddenly with a thunderous roar a pack of scrounge Harley-Davidson riders pass you by? You notice on their backs a red and white design and a winged skull or the black and white design of a fierce looking individual on a motorcycle. What you witnessed is the Hells’ Angels or Mongols outlaw motorcycle gangs respectively. You just witnessed a gang of criminal sociopaths who would just as soon beat you down or kill you if you displease one of them. As it turns out, one of the things each gang likes more than stomping you into the ground is the killing of each other.

In Laughlin, Nevada, at the Laughlin River Run in April 2002, about 85 Hells’ Angels attacked approximately 40 Mongols in the Harrah’s Casino. After the shooting and stabbing ended, two Hells’ Angels and one Mongols were dead and many wounded on both sides. Later that night a third Hells’ Angel was shot off his motorcycle in the desert not far from Laughlin. You will notice that the Mongols were attacked and outnumbered 2 to 1 and yet 3 Hells’ Angels died and only 1 Mongols died. That might well be an indication about the ferocity of the Mongols, who are thought to be the most dangerous of outlaw motorcycle gangs.

Now retired ATF agent William Queen describes in Under and Alone his life for 28 months as Billy St. John, an undercover agent and a member of the San Fernando chapter of the Mongols. Queen describes with precision the criminal goings-on by the constantly crazed Mongols fueled by both alcohol and methamphetamine. He describes the stomping and knifing of patrons in bars. He tells of motorcycle thefts, drug transactions and the many firearms possessed by the gang .Queen details the many conversations wherein Mongols declared that they would kill any law enforcement officer who tried to infiltrate the gang.

A harrowing incident occurred in a campground in Simi Valley where Mongols from many chapters congregated for the 1998 Memorial Day weekend. Many of the Mongols were high on drugs and alcohol when a Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputy drove into the campground. A mad dash ensued to stash firearms and dope from view. Queen was horrified to overhear two Mongols plotting to kill the deputy if he stepped out of his car. Fortunately the deputy remained in his car and departed from the campground.

Queen’s submergence into the depraved subculture took a toll on him personally as the stress built up from both the Mongols and surprisingly from his ATF supervisors and management. At one point it was clear that a close bond developed between Queen and some of the Mongols. That camaraderie conflicted with his true nature and the mission of the investigation.

We, the normal citizens, don’t fathom the level of depravity living among us and we don’t really know about the people putting their lives on the line for us. We owe a great debt and our heartfelt thanks to Bill Queen and his team of ATF agents and Los Angeles County Deputies who spent countless long hours supporting the investigation.

Under and Alone, Random House, is an easy read. What you learn will cause you to never again feel comfortable in the presence of outlaw motorcycle gang members. And, that is as it should be.

Michael Savage Is Not My Messenger

Michael Savage, a nationally syndicated radio talk show host, can easily be described as a member of the far right. Yesterday as Savage’s Los Angeles show began, Savage played an audio clip of someone, who I have no idea because I was not paying attention. Savage immediately yelled loudly, which caught my attention, calling the man a “t…” (a derogatory synonym for excrement) and “fat” while ordering his staff to get the man off the radio program.

I haven’t a clue about the message Savage wished to deliver because I immediately changed the radio station. I would have done that anyway because I no longer listen to Savage. His constant demeaning characterizations don’t convince me that Savage is the messenger to whom I wish to listen. Too bad, he might have a good analysis once in a while.

PETA Advocates Euthanizing Homeless?

Have you been giving money and support to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)? You know the group that is always promoting its opposition to the use of animals for food, clothing, medical research and such. Well, for PETA it is apparently OK to euthanize an animal and dump its carcass in a trash can if you can’t adopt it out. Read it here and here. Since PETA members, like many animal rights advocates, elevate animals to the same level as humans, one must wonder what is their philosophy toward humans, like the homeless, who can’t be “adopted out.”

Sen Kennedy Calls for Defeat in Iraq

In the Armed Services Committee today, Sen. Kennedy stated: that the Bush Administration has no plan for the Iraq war; accused Sec. of Defense Rumsfeld of incompetence; and called for his resignation. Kennedy followed up in the Senate reiterating all he said in the Armed Services Committee and then called for an “honorable” conclusion to the Iraq situation.

In essence, Kennedy’s “honorable” ending of the U.S. involvement is a call for defeat. Why, because there is no such thing as an “honorable” settlement that can be made with Islamo-fascism. Islamo-fascists are not going to negotiate a cessation of hostilities. In truth, they will never be completely defeated until the Muslim populations no longer can stomach the fundamentalist agenda. Our job is to stay in Iraq until Iraqi forces can stand on their own feet.

Sen. Kennedy, a senior leftist Democratic Party leader, issued a call for defeat. As usual, Sen. Kennedy sounds like a loser, not a leader. We are in a war of which we did not strike the first blow. That war is against Islamo-fascism, and Iraq is but one factor in the war. It is shameful to hear the words of Sen. Kennedy in the Senate, especially in a time of war. Let it be known that Sen. Kennedy does not speak for the men & women in our military nor many of our fellow countrymen. In this day and time, if you are not for victory, you are for defeat.

Closing US-Mexican Border

“American citizenship was a coveted thing once; now they give it away for people whose first act upon coming here is committing a crime," says Border Agent here.

Danzas Indigenas--S CA Racial Strife

Danzas Indigenas
Originally uploaded by simi valley sophist.

The tensions are rising in S. California over the issue of illegal immigration. Witness the Minuteman Project and other like operations that are springing up. But it is not all one-sided. There is a battle going on in Baldwin Park over a monument entitled Danzas Indigenas by artist Gloria Anzaldua. The monument is situated on City of Baldwin Park property and some people claim that the words on the monument are racist: “This land was Mexican once, was Indian always and is, and will be again.”

Save Our State, the group in opposition to the monument, posted a video of a demonstration May 14, 2005 that got a little heated. The Baldwin Police are in riot gear and someone on the proponent side stomped on an American flag. Another video on the site shows a Hispanic woman telling people to go back to Europe.

It’s liable to get nasty as the summer heats up.

Sen Durbin-So Sorry!

The Dallas Morning News says it right about Sen. Durbin.

Darwinism Debate Rages

Now it seems there is a battle going on concerning IMAX theaters not showing works referring to the theory of evolution. And, the Smithsonian is showing a film documenting a theory of a cosmos-crafting higher intelligence. Read it here.

In the words of that deep thinker Rodney King, “Can’t we just all get along?” Seriously, to those of you who believe in Creationism or the intelligent design theory, get a life. The theory of evolution is just that; a man-made theory subject to evolving in its own right. Let’s not forget that man once had a theory that the earth was flat. They did unmentionable things to those who dissented. For the religious have a little tolerance for the unbelieving, because if you’ve got it right the rest will eventually learn it as well in the here-after, one place or the other.

And to you Darwinian evolutionists, get real and leave the religious people alone. They are no threat to you, and no George W. Bush is not facilitating the take over of the US by the religious. You can get worried if government bodies start legislating the type of films that will be allowed to be shown. If that happens be my guest and to the barricades.

As to whether or not the IMAX theaters decided to not show the evolution related film because of pressure from the religious, I doubt it. It is far more likely that the theaters assessed the potential clientele in their area and made an economic decision.

Venezuelan Bush Devil

Venezuelan Bush Devil
Originally uploaded by simi valley sophist.

George W. Bush depicted in Caracas Venezuelan march against terrorism May 2005. The symbolism is all here: Pres Bush and the USA as devil and Nazi all rolled into one.

Hitler References

It looks as if I did not understand the bigger picture when I bloged here about the lack of civility by protestors demonstrating at a Karl Rove function using a swastika in conjunction with the pictures of George W. Bush and Karl Rove. Silly me, I thought that invoking the symbolism of one of the worst regimes of the 20th century was over-the-top. Take a look at this video describing Hitler references.

Power of Evil-Crucify the Nun

Father Daniel
Originally uploaded by simi valley sophist.

Reports out of Romania are strong evidence to the intensity of religious beliefs that hold sway over large numbers of people. In this case, a Romanian Orthodox Priest crucified a nun because she was evil. In his mind, and the minds of others, he did her a favor by releasing her from the evil and sending her to be with her God. The priest is quoted, "God has performed a miracle for her, finally Irina is delivered from evil."

This event reminds us that fundamental Islamic violence in the name of Allah is not the only place where God's name is invoked to do Unholy work. The rub is that the workers think that they are doing Holy work.

Read it here, here and here.

Sciatic Pain

True sciatica is the result of impingement of the various nerves comprising the sciatic nerve as they exit the lower vertebra. Sciatica may also be caused by sciatic nerve entrapment as it passes through the buttocks. Most often this pain is caused by the piriformis muscle. Go here for a stretch that can assist with eliminating the pain in the buttocks and leg. If you fail to completely correct the condition, consult with a physician to determine if you have true sciatica. If that's not it, consult a massage therapist who specializes in the Piriformis Syndrome.

House Passes Bill to Slash Funds to U.N.

Hallelujah!

Why Abraham’s Sons Suppress Women

The current cultural norm in Saudi Arabia is one of keeping women from partaking in most of the advantages enjoyed by men. A source article on women driving is here, or I bloged it under: Saudis Outraged Over Women-Drive Proposal. Things are changing in the Kingdom, but it is a painful process. Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a nephew of King Fahad, is a billionaire and somewhat of a reformer. Prince Talal financed a Saudi woman’s study in Jordan where she completed her training as a pilot. Not only that, but a company owned by the Prince hired her as a pilot. As you can imagine, this is stirring the fundamental Islamic pot. Saudi conservatives believe that women should remain in the home and not mix with men. If they must work, it should be in jobs such as teaching at a school for girls. See the aviation article here.

The fundamental branches of all three of the great religions of Abraham: Judaism; Christianity; and Islam; emphasize ascetic appearance and eschewing the hedonism of the flesh for the promise of a spiritual future.

Current expression of Orthodox Judaism places an emphasis on shrouding both the male and female body from view. I am amused by a story recounted about a prominent Jewish figure in the Los Angeles area. He has his wife cut-out all of the brassiere advertisements in the Los Angeles Times before he reads the newspaper. One certainly has to admire the tenacity of the gentleman for adhering to his tenets. Though, I can’t imagine that there can be much left of the paper once the surgery is completed. Also, I wonder how this man makes it through a day in Los Angeles without being subjected to the endless display of female flesh. Does he walk around with his eyes closed?

Similar dress and attitudes about viewing the human body arrived on the shores of America with the first settlers escaping the religious tyranny of Europe. To a certain extent, the attitudes and ascetic style of dress continues in this country in a variety of Christian religious communities.

Fundamental Islam is ascetic for both males and females, but it has its greatest problem with women being seen in society literally and functionally.

The antipathy of hedonism is our heritage, and it is contrary to our nature. This is neither a great surprise nor a new revelation by any means. It is an acknowledgement of man’s inherent sensuousness and sexuality. What a conundrum we have created for ourselves. In order to create a more ordered society, we have constructed a precept in opposition to our nature.

Culturally suppressing females is not exclusive to the children of Abraham. It is found in all sorts of non-Abraham based cultures.

In a study recently published, researchers found that young female chimpanzees studied and learned while young males goofed off. The paper stated, “…each is doing something important, since the males' play is practice for later dominance behavior.” It further stated: “The behavior of both sexes may seem familiar to many parents…”; and "The sex differences we found in the chimps mimic some of the findings from the human child development literature." Read it here.

What are we to conclude from this? First, it is perhaps the true nature of males to dominate. And if you have to dominate, what better subject is there than the female? Males attempting to dominate other males tend to cause wars. When was the last time that males dominating females led to war? Secondly, the male children of Abraham found a convenient justification for the repression of females.

Just for the record, let it be clear that this author does not advance any theory that males should succumb to, nor justify, his basic nature of domination and suppression.

English Child Sacrifice?

In mid-May, reports out of London stated that 300 African children were missing. One male body with out limbs had been found. Terms of “ritual killing” and “child sacrifice” were used. Read about it here, here, and here.

A report dated 6/16/05 states, “Boys from Africa are being murdered as human sacrifices in London churches,” and “…offered up in rituals by fundamentalist Christian sects, according to a shocking report by Scotland Yard.” And finally, “African children being tortured and killed after being identified as "witches" by church pastors.” Read it here.

These reports do not seem to be from sensationalist tabloids of fiction. Will this become a more grisly version of the 1983 McMartin ritual child molestation case in Manhatten Beach?

Racist to Teach Sensitivity

Louis Farrakhan, head of the Nation of Islam, is well known for his racist views. Now comes a member of the Nation of Islam who is going to be paid by New Orleans Police Department to conduct sensitivity training for the officers. Maybe a racist is the best person to teach about racism. Who would know it better? Read about it here in the BayouBuzz.com.

Col. East & Pres. Reagan’s Missed Opportunity

Originally uploaded by simi valley sophist.

Ronald Reagan is beloved for many reasons. Not the least of which was his humility and his habit of treating everyone as an equal no matter his rank in life. In that respect alone, Pres. Ronald Reagan was truly a President of the people. The same can not be said for the recent Democratic White House occupant, nor would it have been said for the recent Democratic presidential candidate, had he won the election.

President Reagan, like many celebrities, was besieged with people wanting to talk to him or get his autograph. I’ve watched Pres. Reagan being hustled about by security people intent on getting him somewhere safely, and the President reaching out to the adoring public and giving them pre-signed business cards when he was not able to stop and sign autographs. I’ve talked to Secret Service agents and local police officers who have been close to the President, and they all speak adoringly of him as pertaining to the way he treated them. They have the same feelings toward President George W. Bush and Vice President Cheney. When I inquire as to their feelings about the Clintons and Kerrys, I get a professional no comment. That speaks volumes to me. I have a theory about judging the worthiness of a political person based upon how he treats the common man. But, I digress from my main theme Of Lt. Col. East and President Ronald Reagan.

Lt. Col. Clyde B. East is one of the most decorated military veterans that this country has ever had the privilege of calling him their own. He flew in WWII, Korea, SE Asia and the Cuban missile crisis. Read about him here and here.

I had the privilege of shaking Col. East's hand and speaking to him for a few moments at the first anniversary memorial for the death of Pres. Reagan last week. See my blog on the Memorial here. Knowing his history before I had the chance to meet him, I knew that he is one of our country’s greatest warriors. I found him to be gracious and humble as well.

Col. East now volunteers his time at the Ronald Reagan Library as a docent. He has done so for over 10 years. While the President lived, the Library had a policy of allowing docents who have volunteered 1,000 hours to meet the President. Col. East was 18 months short of making the 1,000 hours when the President’s health deteriorated such that the program was cancelled. That is a disappointment for Col. East. See an article on it here.

Had Pres. Reagan known of the presence of this great warrior at the Library, it is my guess that the President would have insisted upon meeting Col. East 1,000 hours or no 1,000 hours. I’m sure that Pres. Reagan would have considered it a great honor to have been able to shake Col. East’s hand. That’s just the type of guy the President was. And as for Col. East, there he is still serving the people of this country.

I’m not the kind of person who is awed by celebrity. I would not walk across the street to see or shake the hand of most of what passes for celebrity in this country whether it is a politician, a sports star or an entertainment person. But, I am absolutely honored to have seen Pres. Reagan at the Library and to have met and shook the hand of Col. East: Two great gentlemen who served their country, each in his own way.

Iranian Women are Prostesting

Iranian women are protesting and photos show an entirely different look than women in other Islamic countries. See it here.

Sullivan on Jackson

Andrew Sullivan has an interesting take on Michael Jackson.

HIV in American Women

African-American women have an HIV rate of 25 times that of white American women and 4 times that of Hispanic women. Read it here.

Invectives Don't Count for Civil Discourse

Karl_Rove_Devil
Originally uploaded by simi valley sophist.

Yesterday morning, Saturday, began much as many other Saturdays until I happened upon a demonstration at the Ronald Reagan Library. Karl Rove, Chief of Staff for Pres. George W. Bush, was the featured speaker at the Library, and anyone who wanted to hear what he had to say could fork over $150 for the privilege.

Gathered at the Library’s entrance monument was a collection of about 35 people holding signs of various persuasion. Chief among the signs were protests about Rove’s presence. There were, however, a couple of signs about bringing the troops home and one about ending the occupation of Palestine. This was certainly no big thing as demonstrations go. There were no battles with counter-demonstrators and no battles with law enforcement. In fact, there wasn’t much of a police presence that I could see. That brought to mind a far different demonstration on a similar quiet Saturday morning in Pasadena sometime in the latter 1970's.

In those days, there was a porn shop named a Little Bit of Heaven sitting on Colorado Blvd., smack dab in the middle of downtown Pasadena. Marching peaceably in front of the shop were about a dozen men dressed in the all too familiar brown uniform, with swastikas, of the Nazi regime. It seems that the American Nazi Party took exception to the presence of the shop, and they demonstrated their discontent by exercising their First Amendment Rights.

I joined a growing crowd of people watching the spectacle and struck up a conversation with a gentleman who appeared to be the age of my father. It turned out this man was a World War II veteran, just like my father. The veteran stated that he had fought in the Great War and opined that this sort of activity should not be allowed. I pointed out that these misguided individuals were exercising precisely the rights of a free country for which he and his generation had made such a tremendous sacrifice. He nodded his head in agreement, and the two of us stood there watching as a contingent of the crowd began heckling and taunting the Nazis. Suddenly the hecklers attacked the Nazis and the fight was on. The police ended the skirmish by carting off the attackers and escorting the Nazis from the scene. Newspaper reports identified the attackers as members of a leftist group, the name of which escapes me after all these years.

So, the Simi Valley demonstration certainly feel short of the high drama of Pasadena. But, what caught my eye, and undoubtedly triggered my Pasadena recollection, was a sign with a swastika prominently displayed below the pictures of both Pres. George W. Bush and Karl Rove. Another sign stated “Evil Behind the Idiot.” These two signs were clues to the political persuasion of the sign holders.

A search on the internet revealed that the Ventura County Progressives posted on their web site a call to demonstrate against Karl Rove. The site had a picture of Rove that morphed into a Rove with horns when the cursor passed over it. Spending a little time on the site, and other like minded sites, revealed the deep seated leftist animus against Bush, Rove and all things conservative. I can only imagine the bile that these folks must feel rising in their throats. The spewing of invectives reveals an inability to engage in persuasive civil discourse and diminishes the credibility of the message.

Free Writer from Iraq

Michael Yon posted a letter from an Iraqi writer, Free Writer, at the writer's request. This is not something the MSM is likely to report.

Agenda, Low Grades & Snobbery...

I recently cancelled my subscription to the LA Times because I got fed up with the paper’s agenda being expressed in the news and not curtailed to the editorial/opinion pages. The customer service representative was very nice and tried to induce me into remaining a LA Times customer by offering the paper at a reduced rate. When I declined the offer, he asked why I was canceling the paper. I stated the agenda thing noted above, and he asked if I thought the paper was to “conservative.” Now that’s a hoot! I explained that it was not a matter of too liberal or too conservative and what I expected in a paper was balanced news reporting. He told me he was sorry that I was canceling and that was that.

My cancellation was really just a “making a statement” sort of thing since I was reading the LA Times on-line and continue to do so. Just because the paper is a liberal, or should I say leftist, outlet does not mean that I should quit reading it. I just make sure that I take any article with a heaping handful of salt. You’ve got to pay attention to the enemy to know what he is saying. Here’s an example of what I’m talking about when I say the paper’s news reflect an agenda.

Today’s LA Times has an article entitled, “Kerry Makes His Military, Medical File Available.” The article is based upon the military files finally released to the Boston Globe. Mind you, the Globe got the files not the LA Times, and therefore only the Globe really knows what is in them. It is alleged that there is no damaging information about Kerry’s wartime experience. So, the question is why did Kerry refuse to release the files during the presidential campaign? The Globe answers the question in its article, here, wherein we learn that Kerry is no great scholar while at Yale and that he had a slightly lower grade score than Pres. Bush. See my previous posting on Kerry's grades here.

Despite the following LA Times statement, “But Kerry's reluctance to provide easy access to records that buttressed his war resume remains one of the more puzzling aspects of his campaign strategy.” The paper’s article had nothing in it referencing the grades. They will undoubtedly argue that the real story is that nothing untoward was learned about Kerry’s military stint. I searched the entire edition for any mention of the Kerry Yale grades. Are you surprised that none were found? I wasn’t. The Times does not want you to know that Kerry is no intellectual giant. The news of Kerry’s Yale grades is a blow to the intellectual snobbery of the leftist portion of the Democratic party. Despite all their campaign rhetoric, it turns out that their champion is not a great scholar. But, he is a loser in the hopeful presidential arena. And, that’s a good thing.

Sailor Circles the Globe a Second Time

Kenichi Horie circumnavigated the globe a second time. See his web-site here.

Michael Yon…

If you have not found and read Michael Yon’s work from Iraq, you should. He is an author embedded with the military. See him here. Go here for his background.

Yale grades portray Kerry as a lackluster student

After all the bashing of George W. Bush by liberals during the last election, it turns out that the “intellectual” darling of the left had about the same grades as Bush, but just a little lower. Well, just a little more dishonesty by the left. See the Globe report here.

So they had about the same grades, so what. It was not important anyway. What is of importance is that one has traditional American Judeo-Christian values and the other leftist secular European values. The good guys won this time around. Standby for 2008 and the leftist Hillary machine masquerading as moderate and guided by none other than the values lacking, but very effective politician, Bill Clinton.

Saudis Outraged Over Women-Drive Proposal

The Western world takes many things for granted and fails to appreciate that they too evolved into their current social levels. Or sometimes societies devolve. For the Saudi male it’s the battle to keep women suppressed. But, she is pushing to be able to drive an automobile.

Tianamen Square June 4, 1989

China still does not memorialize the masses slaughtered in Tianamen Square. See here for an archive photo of the day.

The Sun Continues to Shine on Pres Ronald Reagan

The Sun Continues to Shine on Pres Ronald Reagan
Originally uploaded by simi valley sophist.

It was an overcast day one year ago today; The day that Pres. Ronald Reagan was buried in Simi Valley, CA. It was noted and remarked upon that just as the proceedings were about to begin, the sun came out and shone brightly. At the end of the burial ceremony the clouds returned and again blotted out the sun.

Today was again overcast, and it is the first year anniversary of the death of Pres. Reagan. A service was held for approximately two hundred Ronald Reagan Library visitors. We assembled adjacent to the tomb and waited for the various dignitaries to arrive and be seated. A cool ocean wind blew from the West, and we were a little chilled. When all had arrived, we were advised that we must wait another five minutes so and that the ceremony would take place at the exact time of Pres. Reagan’s death. Within those five minutes, the wind stopped and I could feel the warmth of the sun beating down upon my head and back. The overcast was gone and the sun shone brightly throughout the ceremony. A memorial wreath took its place next to an oak tree, newly planted in honor of the President. At the conclusion of the ceremony we placed small American flags along the walkways lining the area. We, as others were touched by the solemnity of the moment. One man, a visitor from Florida, wept openly. Walking from the Library, I noted that the clouds had returned and the overcast once again blotted out the sun.

Rights Group Defends Chastising of U.S.

"An official of Amnesty International said Friday that the term gulag in its annual report to describe the United States prison camp at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, was chosen deliberately,..."

Whenever an individual or organization begins to loosely throw around emotionally charged words, two things happen: the individual or organization is held in lower repute by thinking individuals; and the impact of the word is lessened. Such is the case of the application of the word gulag by Amnesty International in reference to the U. S. and Guantánamo Bay and Abu Ghraib.

Perhaps Amnesty International is depending upon the lack of knowledge of the unthinking world to accept its leftist demonization of the U. S. That says about all a person needs to know about Amnesty International.

Prostate patients fare better when...

"Partnered men reported better psychosocial and spiritual wellbeing, suffered fewer adverse effects... had less fear and anxiety.. than did their single counterparts..." Read it in the Acorn.

Big Brother?

"LA police use cameras to catch pirated DVD sellers. " See article here.

Supreme Court Backs Satanism…

Sean Hannity
Originally uploaded by simi valley sophist.

To the consternation of nationally syndicated conservative radio talk show host Sean Hannity (depicted on the right) , “The Supreme Court sided with a witch, a Satanist and a racial separatist Tuesday, upholding a federal law requiring state prisons to accommodate the religious affiliations of inmates.” The case is reported in an AP article here. Hannity's web site is here.

Hannity’s chief argument was that the Court should rightly protect religion, but not Satanism which Hannity characterized as “evil.” Hannity espoused that the Court should exercise “common sense.” I contend that the Court acted properly by recognizing that the government does not have the right to decide in this case what is and what is not a correct religion.

The assertion that Satanism is inherently “evil” is a matter of definition. The practice of Satanism cuts a wide swath and there are adherents who either do or do not incorporate acts of violence in the name of their religion. I suspect that every religion has some practitioners who harm others. The Christian religion, to which Hannity is an adherent, is no exception. Examples include the white racist Christian church, the Church of the Creator, and the Army of God, etc.

Satanism, as practiced in the U. S. and recognized by the U. S. military as a legitimate religion, reportedly does not engage in acts of violence. Rather, it is an outgrowth of the church founded by the famous Satanist Anton LaVey, who was the High Priest of the Church of Our Lord Satan headquartered in San Francisco. That is not to say that non-affiliated self-styled groups do not commit violence in the name of Satanism. They do, as evidenced by Charles Manson and his ilk and others.

The standard that should be employed when judging whether or not a religion, or some variant of a particular religion, is legally acceptable is the axiom of the WICCAN religion paraphrased here as, “Do what you will, but do harm to none.”