Who Is It That Should Be Grateful?

Many people are sending packages to our service personnel fighting on our behalf in foreign lands. Imagine the surprise when a beneficiary sends back a gift and states that he is grateful for all that others are doing for him. Are things a little upside down? Well, not at all since gratitude is a condition that knows no bounds.

What should be surprising, but it is not, is that there is so many people who are not grateful for all that they have and for those who have sacrificed on their behalf. Unfortunately, gratefulness is not a quality that can be dictated. It is a condition of character. You either have it or you do not.

It makes no difference whether or not you agree with the wars in which we are engaged. Our people fighting those wars are doing so with the best of intentions. People of good character, regardless of their opinion on any particular war, understand that and treat our service personnel with respect. Gratitude and respect are qualities that were sorely lacking during the Vietnam War and to a certain extent today. They have character flaws of lesser quality people; ingrates.

American Indian Nudity Destroyed

American indigenous peoples, prior to contact with Europeans, principally went unclothed except during inclement weather. That assertion is well founded in the literature. Early drawings by the white man were often inaccurate as clothing was added to suit the artist.

In what is now the South Western U.S. and Mexico, early representatives of the Roman Catholic Church imposed their own requirements upon the indigenous peoples, which systematically altered and abolished their culture. From the web site of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians:

In 1798, Spanish Missionaries founded the Mission of San Luis Rey de Francia, forever altering Luiseño tribal life and pressing the Luiseño people into servitude, slavery or imprisonment. The Roman Catholic Church established ranchos that encompassed the native villages.

Referring to indigenous sweat lodges, from the scholarly work of Dr. Horacio Rojas Alba:

The Spaniards were appalled and outraged by this, to them, barbaric practice. Not only was it inextricably interwoven with pagan beliefs and ritual, as is all ancient traditional medicine, but, most shocking of all, the bathers entered into these small, dark chambers, all sexes and size together, naked as the day on which they were born.

The European settlers of North America destroyed the culture and lifestyles of the indigenous inhabitants. That includes the separation of nudity from sex.

While genitals and nipples have dual functions, they are both banned from current public view because of their sexual function. Proof of this assertion is the fact that infants and young children are permitted to be seen nude, but are required to cover-up at a time when adults start to become uncomfortable with the nudity. Male nipples do not have a sexual function and are permitted to be seen nude.

Pre-contact Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians were undoubtedly no different than other indigenous peoples when it came to clothing. But, post-contact Pechanga Band peoples had their culture destroyed, and it is obviously not acceptable for the Pechanga to historically depict their ancestors correctly. Outside the Pechanga Resort and Casino are the statues shown here. While the male child is depicted as nude, no genitals are exposed and the bare breasted adult woman beside him has her breasts covered by a woven reed item. A standing woman is also bare breasted, but her breasts are ill-defined without nipples and appear no different than if covered by clothing. In a hotel room is a painting of a bare breasted woman, but she has vegetation strategically placed to block the view of her nipples.

Many good things came from Europe, but that does include what is now the American obsession and vilification of the body concerning nudity and sex. That’s part of our Judeo-Christian heritage that is not healthy.

Previous Post: American Indians Did It in the Nude

Wine & Smoke

Wine tasting tour in S. California. Lots of pretty women. Lots of smoking. Ever see a lung that is supposed to be pink, but it is actually black from smoking? Not a pretty sight.

Big Foot In Drag

Don't judge a book by its cover.

Our Future Is Not Golden

In 1850, it was gold that attracted the adventurous, the bold, and the deceitful to California. This sign is displayed at the Empire Mine California State Park in Grass Valley.

These were men who toiled with pick and shovel to wrench the coveted metal from the ground. They were a hardy lot unafraid of hard work. Physically demanding activity creates a mental toughness, which is an important trait. That trait is increasingly lost to today’s soft generation of television, video game and junk food addicts. Certainly there is a segment of America that is still fit both mentally and physically. But, they are becoming a minority. I fear that the progressive degeneration in the hardiness of the American public is a harbinger to a great decline in our culture.

Why Do They Fight?

Why is it that military service personnel willingly choose a profession that is designed to put the person in harms way? Is it the need for a job? Or, the desire for an education? Is it patriotism? A desire to test yourself against the best that this country offers? The answer is yes to all of the above.

But, what is the motivation that drives these people forward to perform amazing feats in situations where a good majority of the non-military citizens would wet their pants with fear and freeze-up into a state of inaction?

Former Captain Nathaniel Fick, U.S. Marine Corps, fought in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Captain Fick talks about his experiences in his book, “One Bullet Away.” Captain Fick said,

I took 65 men to war and brought 65 men home.

Together we passed the test. Fear did not beat us.

We fought for each other.

Captain Fick’s last comment is not likely to be understood at the gut level by anyone who has not experienced the fear of combat with comrades-in-arms, whether in war or on the mean streets.

So, for all the Che Guevara aficionados and other leftist “intellectuals” solving the world’s problems in coffee houses secure within your self-righteous smugness, drink-up my friends. At least you impress yourselves, and no harm is likely to come to you. And, you are not likely to ever be in a situation where fear causes you to soil yourself. That’s because others are carrying the burden for you.

Live, Laugh, Love

Friends and relatives literally traveled to California from all over the country to join in the nuptial celebration for two special people. They came from N. Carolina, Texas, Illinois, Utah, Louisiana, and Nebraska. What other occasion will people routinely travel so far to join the celebration? Not a birthday, not a birth, not a graduation and not a funeral. But a marriage, yes! Says something about the esteem in which marriage is held.

Can You Spell “Evil?”

Here is a given; American leftists adamantly opposed the U.S. deposing of Saddam Hussein and the current U.S. fighting of Iraqi insurgents and Islamo-fascists. If you are one of these people, answer this. Are the people that we are fighting “evil?” Yes? No? Or, does it even matter?

My suspicious is that most leftists will not want to be tied down on this issue because the most likely answer will expose the leftist for what he really is, a person with a broken moral compass.

Leftists are supposed to be the progressive people. They are the people who yearn for the freeing of the masses from the bondage and subjugation of capitalism and religion. Western democracy is firmly rooted in capitalism and any advancement toward more countries embracing Western democracy, and thus capitalism, flies in the face of the progressive dream.

There is no description more apt for those people willing to indiscriminately kill to impose a Sharia based society than evil. Based upon their actions, it is evident that many leftists can not bring themselves to label Islamo-fascists as evil. I wonder if that is not partially because Communist regimes would have to be labeled as evil as well.

Darn those conservatives. They keep labeling people as evil. You know like, “the Evil Empire” and the “Axis of Evil.”

When Is Iraq A Failure?

Despite what the appeasement and jelly-spine crowd continue to bray, the deposing of Saddam Hussein and the attempt to establish a democratic form of government in Iraq was a good decision. Saying that does not mean that in the long-run that the goal of a democratic Iraq in the midst of Arabic autocracies and an Iranian theocracy will be a success.

Asserting all the supporting reasons for the Hussein ouster is not the purpose of this piece. Suffice it to say that Iraq is a major piece in the jigsaw puzzle of Muslim countries. It was a bold move to attempt to destabilize the status quo in today’s Muslim world.

Now that the U.S. has set the stage and planted the potential for a democratic country in the midst of despotism, what will be the root determinative factor as to whether or not the grand experiment will succeed or fail?

One line of reasoning goes like this. The experiment will ultimately succeed because all humans yearn to live in an environment of freedom, western style. And, thus given the chance all peoples will reach out and grasp the opportunity. Sounds good. After all, did not the American colonists do just that? There is a possibility of just a tiny problem with this theory. The people holding this view are most likely to be Westerners. Many Muslim peoples might not really want western style freedoms. They are probably much more comfortable with tribal and Sharia style freedoms.

Whatever form of government eventually prevails in Iraq will be dependent upon which side is the most willing to die for its principles. The U.S. and coalition forces can only battle the insurgent forces so long. Eventually the Iraqi government forces must do the heavy lifting. And, the new Iraqi government will only succeed if the Iraqi people are willing to fight and die for this novel democratic form of government. That’s the big unknown, is it not? We already know that the opposition is willing to die.

The Iraqi democratic experiment will be a failure if the Iraqi people fail to become infected with the desire for western style freedoms sufficiently enough to motivate them to fight to the death to maintain the freedoms.

Primary 21st Century Ideological Struggle

The following paragraph from Pres. George W. Bush’s speech on 9/11/06 accurately declares that the world is faced with an ideological struggle against Islamo-fascism.

Since the horror of Nine-Eleven, we have learned a great deal about the enemy. We have learned that they are evil and kill without mercy – but not without purpose. We have learned that they form a global network of extremists who are driven by a perverted vision of Islam – a totalitarian ideology that hates freedom, rejects tolerance, and despises all dissent. And we have learned that their goal is to build a radical Islamic empire where women are prisoners in their homes, men are beaten for missing prayer meetings, and terrorists have a safe haven to plan and launch attacks on America and other civilized nations. The war against this enemy is more than a military conflict. It is the decisive ideological struggle of the 21st century, and the calling of our generation.

The natural extension of this statement is the question of what percentage of the billion plus Muslims subscribe to this “perverted vision of Islam.” That’s a hard question to answer since we are often told that the majority of Muslims are moderate and that they do not subscribe to the radical agenda of the Islamic fundamentalists. Some experts allege that approximately 10% of Muslims are fundamental and only 1% are radical fundamentalists.

Perhaps the question should not be framed in terms of moderate or fundamental, but rather in terms of behavior. We know that Muslims are capable of conducting public demonstrations when a subject matter meets with their displeasure. Muslims are forever demonstrating all over the world on all sorts of matters. A great example was the numerous demonstrations, some of which devolved into violence and death, over the cartoons depicting a characterization of the Prophet Mohammed.

So, looking at the issue from a behavior perspective, I am beginning to suspect that most Muslims either directly agree or tacitly agree with the worldwide agenda of subjecting non-believers to the rule of Sharia through methods of violence. Why is that? It’s because there is virtually no public condemnation by “moderate Muslims” and certainly no demonstrations in opposition to acts of Islamo-fascist terror. If that is the case, there maybe over one billion Muslims who sit-by, smile, and not raise a finger or a voice in opposition as the non-believers are slaughtered. In fact, I suspect that many intone “Allah Akbar” at each atrocity.

Free Speech, Enemy of China and Democrats

The Chinese government is again clamping down on what foreign news agencies can distribute about what is happening in China.

China tightened its control over the distribution of news by foreign agencies Sunday, further restricting international access to the already tightly regulated Chinese media market.

The new measures took effect immediately upon being issued by the state Xinhua News Agency. The regulations give Xinhua broad authority over foreign news agencies, requiring them to distribute stories, photos and other services solely through Xinhua or entities authorized by Xinhua.

The new measures are nothing more than the continued suppression of the free flow of information.

President Hu Jintao's leadership has sought to rein in state-controlled media that have strayed from party dictates in search of profits and market share. Journalists and editors have been fired and arrested.

Switch to the just run ABC docudrama, The Path to 9/11, wherein the Clinton Administration was not depicted in the favorable light that Democrats wished to be depicted. Prior to the public showing of the drama, Democrats vigorously attacked and attempted, using a letter to ABC & Disney, to intimidate ABC and Disney into canceling the showing by threatening their FCC licenses to operate.

Alleging that the drama is inaccurate, the Democrats write:

Presenting such deeply flawed and factually inaccurate misinformation to the American public and to children would be a gross miscarriage of your corporate and civic responsibility to the law, to your shareholders, and to the nation.

The previous statement set the stage for the following, which is nothing less than a threat to rescind the FCC licenses of ABC and Disney should the film be broadcast.

The Communications Act of 1934 provides your network with a free broadcast license predicated on the fundamental understanding of your principle obligation to act as a trustee of the public airwaves in serving the public interest. Nowhere is this public interest obligation more apparent than in the duty of broadcasters to serve the civic needs of a democracy by promoting an open and accurate discussion of political ideas and events.

Here are the Democrats signing the letter:

Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid
Assistant Democratic Leader Dick Durbin
Senator Debbie Stabenow
Senator Charles Schumer
Senator Byron Dorgan

It is disconcerting to learn that the Democratic leadership has no problem arrogantly and publicly threatening the media when the media does not adhere to the Democratic version of the truth. Kind of resembles the mind-set of the Chinese authorities.

Wake Up America, Wake Up, Wake Up

Islamo-fascism is a huge physical threat to America, and the left is the philosophical threat to America. But, the root cause and Achilles Heel to a potential downfall of the greatest country the world has ever known is the American public’s apathy toward staying informed on world news and political developments.

The ABC docudrama, The Path to 9/11, was a good first step in the education of America. I am shocked that a mainstream media outlet had the moral courage to tell the story, the big picture, fairly accurately. Perhaps there is hope for us after all.

“Allah Akbar” Again & Again

The phrase is repeated constantly by those who practice the “religion of peace.” The phrase itself is benign in that it simply means “God is Great.” But, when it is applied to the world of terrorism, it is the moral underpinnings for committing any manner of violent act upon any perceived enemy of Islam. So, it is not surprising than it was uttered by the attackers of the U.S. Embassy in Syria today.

Previous Post: “Allah Akbar”-The Invocation of Butchers

Frances Ann Cilente Remembered

On 11/16/74, Fran entered the earthly world dependent upon her parents, John and Louise, for her every need. When she departed this earth on 9/11/2001, Fran was a self-sufficient woman full of hopes, dreams and expectations.

After graduating from Berkeley College with a degree in business, she strode confidently into the world of high finance. Fran worked on the 105th. floor of World Trade Center One as an executive administrator for Joseph Shea, Cantor Fitzgerald Executive Managing Director, and Jonathan Uman, head of corporate development at eSpeed, Inc., a subsidiary of Cantor Fitzgerald. Jonathan Uman was particularly fond of Fran, and she became close with both he and his wife.

Fran excelled in her profession, made possible by her people skills, enthusiasm and zeal for learning. Prior to her work at Cantor Fitzgerald, Fran was a medical assistant, but lost the job to lay-offs. Fran loved to help people, and that is why she was saving money to enroll in a nursing program.

Fran’s Aunt Judith worked across the street from the WTC. She and her godchild would take work breaks and meet in the Tall Ships Bar and Grille. The bartender would have Frannie’s Diet Coke waiting as “Sunshine” rushed into the establishment. Fran certainly lived up to the “Sunshine” appellation because she always had a smile upon her face.

Theresa described Fran as not only her sister, but her best friend. They spent many hours together shopping, going to Mass, or traveling to exotic beach locals such as the Cancun, the Bahamas or other Caribbean islands where Fran loved to sunbathe.

Generous to a fault; here’s a story told to me by Danielle, and it is representative of Fran’s character. Danielle stated that she was in need of some business attire during an unfortunate time of her life. Danielle and Fran rode the Staten Island Ferry together and did not really know each other all that well. Nevertheless, Fran didn’t hesitate to loan Danielle some business suits. What you have to understand is that Fran loved good, fashionable clothes and shoes. Fran was “born to shop,” and so you know that the loaned suits were fashionable items.

Fran utilized her skills with ceramics and other crafts to make holiday decorations for her and others. I’d be willing to bet that there are many other such stories about Fran and her generosity.

I’m told that Fran loved animals, especially her cat, “Kitty.” And, so trips to the zoo were fun. A couple of weeks prior to her passing, Fran took boyfriend Daniel McCurdy to the Bronx Zoo for a six hour tour.

Like many women her age, Fran was beginning to think about getting married and starting a family. While she and Daniel had not yet seriously discussed marriage, they frequently met for coffee at Starbucks. Though Fran and Daniel’s coffee liaisons were not generally known, it appears that their relationship was developing. Daniel said this:

"We spoke about marriage here and there but we never sat down and talked about it," Mr. McCurdy said. "I would have married her. That's where this was going to lead up to."

Laura rode the Staten Island Ferry to and from work with Danielle and Fran. During the trip they often snacked on Now and Later candy. Laura says that she can not now eat a Now and Later without thinking of Fran. Sometimes it is those little things that become treasured memory triggers.

Many people have written nice things about Fran. I found the words of a stranger intriguing. Here’s a little of what Paula Roderick, Lt Col, USAF (ret), had to say:

A year ago today, like the rest of the nation, I was watching the horrific aftermath of the events of 9-11-01 on television. The reporter was doing on piece on the tens of thousands of family members and friends who were desperately searching for their lost loved ones. I remember a young woman (your sister, Theresa?) was holding up a poster with your picture and a phone number. She was interviewed for just a moment before the camera went on to the next face. I'm still not sure exactly why, but your face touched my heart so deeply I felt compelled to write down your name and to contact your family. I wanted them to know that they were not alone. That people all over the country were aware you were missing and we were praying for you.

So Fran, while we never met, I'm so glad I saw your photo that day. Your life was full and meaningful; filled with a loving family, strong personal relationships, rich experiences, and big dreams. You are loved by so many who remain devoted to your memory. Your life and the way you lived it did make a difference. You will not be forgotten.

It is obvious that Fran touched the hearts of many, and they love her. Her passing left a void that is filled with pain and loving memories. The positive impact that Fran had on others is a testimony to a life well lived. That’s about the best that we can ask for in life, and it is not measured in the number of years spent on this earth.

Rest in peace Fran. You did well.


Update 1: This blog is just one of the tributes to the victims of 9/11 as part of the 2996 Project. Go here for a link to the project.

Update 2: The original 2996 Project exceeded its bandwidth and shut down. Here is a mirror site.

Why Not More Communities?

Cambria, CA, is proud of their sons and daughters who serve in the military. This sign is posted at the entrance of Cambria.

Regardless of whether or not you agree with the mission, our military personnel (that’s our sons and daughters, more distant relatives, friends, acquaintances, and neighbors) are making personal sacrifices for us. Can’t we be just a little more demonstrative of our appreciation? The national shame of the Vietnam era that was promulgated by the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) is long past. Now, I suspect, we are suffering from plain old apathy.

Not Likely To Be Seen In San Francisco

While there is military in San Francisco, I have never seen a car like this in the city by the bay. If it was in San Francisco, it would probably be vandalized. This one was in Nipomo, CA.

“The Path to 911” Upsets Clinton Crowd

The upcoming miniseries, The Path to 911, on the conclusions of the 9/11 Commission has the former Bill Clinton Administration with their panties in a twist.

Top officials of the Clinton administration have launched a preemptive strike against an ABC-TV "docudrama," slated to air Sunday and Monday, that they say includes made-up scenes depicting them as undermining attempts to kill Osama bin Laden.

Marc Platt, the film's executive producer, said that although it "does contain composite and conflated scenes and representative characters and dialogue, we've worked very hard to be fair. If individuals feel they're wrongly portrayed, that's obviously of concern. We've portrayed the essence of the truth of these events. Our intention was not in any way to be political or present a point of view."

The fierceness of the debate reflects a recognition that a $40 million miniseries -- whose cast includes Harvey Keitel, Patricia Heaton and Penny Johnson Jerald -- can damage Clinton's legacy in the anti-terrorism fight on the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Pres. Clinton’s legacy? What would that be? Certainly nothing substantive, other than lying to the American public over his embarrassment concerning the revelations of his infidelity and sexual activity in the White House. Oh, and he followed the Democratic Party’s current tradition of weakness on foreign policy.

The assault on "The Path to 9/11" assumed the trappings of a campaign yesterday. Four senior House Democrats -- John Conyers Jr., Jane Harman, John D. Dingell and Louise M. Slaughter -- have written Iger to demand that the inaccuracies be corrected. Spurred by the Center for American Progress, which is headed by Clinton chief of staff John D. Podesta, 25,000 people have sent letters of protest to ABC.

These are the same folks, the Democratic Party, who invited the dishonest filmmaker Michael Moore to be a VIP at the 2004 National Democratic Convention. Of course, they did seat him next to former Pres. Jimmy Carter, who did far more lasting damage to the U.S. than Bill Clinton ever did. A huge difference between Carter and Clinton is that Carter acted on and was led by his leftist convictions. Bill Clinton was led by his ego and need for self-aggrandizement.

Frances Ann Cilente Tribute Coming Soon

On 9-11-06, the fifth anniversary of that infamous day, SVS will post a tribute to Frances Ann Cilente, who lost her life in World Trade Center Tower Number One. The tribute is part of the 2996 Project. You can read about the project here and here.

Reveille

An 11 minute video with a heart warming message. Check it out.

Good Overview on Status of Islamic Terrorism

Today’s Los Angeles Times piece, The Enemies in Their Midst, is a good overview to what is happening in the European evolution of Islamic terrorism. Though not addressed, it is instructive as to what is percolating within the U.S. Additionally; there is a unique fertile ground in the U.S., the black prison population.

Five years from Ground Zero, the threats on this side of the Atlantic are fragmented and elusive. But they have moved uncomfortably close for Europeans and, as a result, for Americans as well.

European-born terrorists "are willing to attack their homeland," a U.S. law enforcement official said. "Something's happening in their melting pot. And the fear with these guys is that they are just an e-ticket away from getting to the U.S."

The evolution of terrorism in Europe in the five years since the Sept. 11 attacks can be told as a tale of two threats.

The first spread consternation worldwide when it was revealed in London last month. The alleged plot to blow up transatlantic airliners in midair raised again the specter of Britain's "home-grown" problem: militants with British passports and the accompanying resources and Western ways, as well as links to lethal networks in Pakistan.

The second threat unfolded more quietly in Paris. The suspects arrested beginning last year were largely French, but their inspiration came from a North African network that had allied itself with groups in Iraq to forge a strategy for jihad beyond the war zone. The new target: Europe.

While the U.S. does not have nearly the immigrant population threat of England and the European continental countries, it does nevertheless have large populations, such as in Detroit and Los Angeles.

But, beyond the threat that can be characterized as Islamic terrorism originating from peoples recently from the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan, the U.S, has its own additional Islamic threat growing within black communities, and specifically fueled by Islamic converts within the prison systems.

Here’s Lookin’ At Ya

My granddaughter named him Smokey. Go figure.

Fly The American Flag on September 11, 2006

Here is the content of an e-mail circulating on the Internet. The author is unknown, but the sentiments are well known.

On Monday, September 11th, 2006, an American flag should be displayed outside every home, apartment, office, and store in the United States. Every individual should make it their duty to display an American flag on this fifth anniversary of our country's worst tragedy. We do this in honor of those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms. In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, our country was bathed in American flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses and stood shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Sadly, those flags have all but disappeared. Our patriotism pulled us through some tough times and it shouldn't take another attack to galvanize us in solidarity. Our American flag is the fabric of our country and together we can prevail over terrorism of all kinds. Fly an American flag of any size on 9/11.

Honestly, Americans should fly the flag year-round, but if you don't, then at least make it a priority on this day.

Thank you for your participation. God Bless You and God Bless America.

Note to Parklife in Santa Cruz, CA: You can disregard this blog since you have adequately demonstrated that to you flying the American flag has nothing to do with patriotism.

Islamic Leader Has Chutzpah, To Use A Yiddish Term

Ingrid Mattson is the newly elected leader of the largest Muslim group in North America, the Islamic Society of North America. Mattson is complaining because the Bush Administration has finally gotten around to properly labeling the majority terrorist threat facing the world at this time. That would be Islamo-fascism. Mattson stated:

…that labeling terrorism as "Islamic" only adds to a misunderstanding of the religion. Mattson acknowledged that terrorist groups "do misuse and use Islamic concepts and terms to justify their violence."

"But I think that when we then bestow that term upon them we only make the situation worse and somehow give validity to their claims which we need to deny and reject,..."

Really now, just how does the term give them validity to their claims? And, what claim would that be? And, just when is Mattson going to start denying and rejecting those who “…misuse and use Islamic concepts and terms to justify their violence?”

Mattson further stated:

"I'm convinced that it is not only inaccurate, but unhelpful," she said. "If our major concern is security, security of this country, this is a term that has very bad resonance in the Muslim majority world and makes us feel uncomfortable here."

Yes indeed, that is exactly the problem. The majority Islamic world feels uncomfortable admitting the fact that a sect of Islam is determined to wage a holy war against all that is not Islamic. The sect won’t rest until Sharia rules the entire world and all non-Islamic believers have been converted, humiliatingly taxed or exterminated.

It gets even worse. Not only will the majority Islamic community not admit to the murderous intentions of their fellow religionists, but they have invited former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, one of the world’s major Islamic-fascists, to address 43rd annual convention of the Islamic Society of North America. I guess that this qualifies in Mattson’s mind as denying and rejecting the Islamo-fascist message.

Let’s look at the facts and see if we can divine what is actually happening. Of the three Abrahamic religions, Islam is the one that was born with the sword. And, the sword is a major component to the religious/political structure of Islam. There is no separation of church and state in the Islamic world.

Today, a significantly growing minority of Muslims are classified as fundamental, a key component to Islamo-fascism. When the majority Muslim community refuses to call a spade a spade and then invites a prominent figure from the minority community to their convention, the credibility of the majority community is called into question. There must be a solid reason why the majority community organizations refuse to condemn the fundamental Muslims. Could it be that they actually agree with the actions of the terrorists? So, perhaps for the most part there really is no such thing as a moderate Muslim. Maybe there are only those willing to terrorize and those who sit back and wait for Islam to take over. English Lord Cromer’s statement that “Islam reformed is Islam no more.” might be spot on.

We Only Catch The Stupid Ones

After 27 years in law enforcement, I’ve concluded that “we only catch the stupid ones” is a fairly accurate characterization. The really good crooks accomplish their deeds and avoid capture. Some only have to accomplish their evil deed once, which makes it extremely difficult to thwart the act. That is of particular importance when the evil deed is terrorism.

As pointed out in this article by the Washington Post entitled, FBI Role in Terror Probe Questioned, the would-be terrorists from Florida turn out to be a bunch of bumbling idiots. Now defense attorneys will try their best to destroy the government’s case by claiming that the government entrapped the hapless and toothless defendants.

In 1999, a few anit-government militia types decided that it would be a good idea to blow up a propane storage facility adjacent to Elk Grove, CA. That act could potentially have killed thousands and flattened a city. Good law enforcement work using informants not only thwarted the plans but netted the conspirators long prison sentences.

Law enforcement must proactively investigate every potential lead and prosecute when it comes to terrorism. To do otherwise could lead to catastrophic results. What greater reminder do we need with the fifth anniversary of the 9-11 attacks only days away? We’re not taking about a check kiting scheme here.

A defense attorney is an important tool in keeping government from running amuck. Nevertheless, the goal of the defense attorney should be to ensure truthfulness in the judicial procedure and not the release of the guilty. Not everyone will agree with that assessment. Take O.J. Simpson for instance.

Massage Legislation, The Enemy of My Enemy Is My Friend, Not

I, as well as others, have written a great amount in opposition to the proposed California legislation, SB 412, setting up a private board to govern the massage industry on a statewide basis. The great attraction of such a board is to relieve the massage industry from the onerous regulations and restrictions placed on the industry by many local jurisdictions. Frankly, many jurisdictions treat the legitimate massage community as if the massage practitioners are prostitutes. And, to tell the truth there is lots of prostitution masquerading as legitimate massage, chiefly, but not exclusively, by Asians. Unfortunately, the big massage organizations took advantage of the situation and carved out a self-serving niche by: creating a special category for their members: creating a lesser category for others; and leaving behind many other well qualified massage therapists to continue to be victimized by local jurisdictions. A system with one level of recognition with appropriate grandfathering would have solved the industry needs.

SB 412 failed in the California Assembly yesterday on the final day of the 2006 legislative session. The Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals Association, which pushed for the legislation, reported:

A number of individuals and organizations who opposed the bill will likely claim credit for its demise. As the old aphorism says, "Victory has many authors. Defeat is an orphan." Through the cold prism of efforts actually being mounted in the Legislature's final week, however, just one organization was centrally responsible. Very simply the California Chiropractic Association (CCA) fought the bill and called in their chits, bought with $400,000 a year political contributions to state legislators. I expect many of you who enjoy good working relationships with one or more chiropractors find the CCA stance mystifying. We don't know the internal political dynamics that led to CCA adopting their position, but sometimes professional healthcare associations are controlled by particularly zealous individuals and focus defensively on protecting their turf and perpetuating the organization itself rather than taking a broad view of what's beneficial for consumers.

While I am extremely pleased that the bill failed, I am distressed that the failure may well have been chiefly because of the CCA. It was not too long ago that the chiropractors were the brunt of the exact same treatment at the hands of the medical associations.

It is ironic that ABMP, of which I am a member, can’t see the log in its own eye when they wrote:

…sometimes professional healthcare associations are controlled by particularly zealous individuals and focus defensively on protecting their turf and perpetuating the organization itself rather than taking a broad view of what's beneficial for consumers.

The truth of the matter is that the big massage interests are as guilty of protecting their own turf as was CCA. Only, CCA prevailed.

The issue is not over. We’ll see it raise its head again. And, it must because many local jurisdictions are out-of-control.

My Previous Postings:
Massage Therapist, Masseuse, or Whore --Take Your Pick
An Open Letter on Massage to CA State Sen. Figueroa
When an Angel Whispers & You Hear the Devil
Angel Responds
Special Interest to Control CA Massage

Other Oppositional Postings:
Ramblemeuse
The Flammia Touch

Disreputable Allegations Reveal Democratic Party Core Values

If you hate President Bush and Vice President Cheney, it must be acceptable behavior to make wild accusations that the Administration outed then CIA employee Valerie Plame. As it turns out, Plame’s husband, Joe Wilson, is the biggest culprit in the affair. Facts be damned, just throw it against the wall and see what sticks. Who cares if the wrong person gets smeared just as long as he’s on the other team and the allegation has the potential to damage President Bush. You can read the eulogy on the whole sordid affair here.

People from the same political bent as those who incorrectly howled about the Bush Administration on Plame have repeated as mantra that Bush lied about WMD’s in Iraq and that the war in Iraq was about stealing the Iraqi oil. These same people think that President Bush is controlled by a fundamental Christian cabal. Of course, many of the sheep bleat what they hear without the least bit of critical thought. It makes one wonder if these sound-byte intellectuals ever went to school. Come to think of it, they must have done so to have come to such idiotic conclusions.

The leadership of the Democratic Party has access to a wide variety of information not available to their flock. The leaders know better and choose the course of dishonesty and hasty accusations as a rational choice to politicize everything for their personal and party gain. That’s what politics are all about, and it’s done by both sides to one degree or the other. But, when it comes at a time when our national security is seriously threatened, the deliberate attempts to weaken the President for political gain are tantamount to treason.

Now, don’t jump to unfounded conclusions. I did not say that a leftist, liberal, or antiwar agenda is treasonous. But, it is wrongheaded because the party of appeasement is repeating the European experience of the 1930’s, which will ultimately result in the deaths of a greater number of Americans.

The Democratic Party is moving further and further to the left. Other than the leadership lunacy on a whole host of issues, it is demonstrable by the recent dumping of Sen. Joe Liberman, who was the Democratic Party’s Vice Presidential choice in 2000, in favor of a decidedly leftist candidate. The wail of the Democratic Party leadership has the tone and quality of the leftist/Communist/anarchist diatribe emanating since the 1960’s from our institutions of “higher education.”

Dishonesty, self-interest and appeasement. That’s quite a legacy for the party that was once called home by Presidents Roosevelt and Kennedy. They must be spinning in their graves.

Update: NY Times article on the subject. Absent from the article is any mention of Mr.Wilson’s complicity in the scandal. What a shock.