Last week, after President Obama laid a wreath in honor of the 9/11 victims at Ground Zero, he met with several family members of those who died on that dark day. One of those family members confronted the president and asked him whether he would now change his stance on enhanced interrogation of suspected terrorists. It was clear at that point that the information we gleaned from Khalid Sheikh Mohammed during waterboarding helped lead us to bin Laden's courier, which in turn led us to bin Laden himself. Specifically, she wanted to know if the president would ask Eric Holder to stop investigating CIA agents who had carried out enhanced interrogation in compliance with the orders that were given to them. Obama responded with a curt "I won't" before turning his back on her and walking away.
Clearly, the president was not at all interested in having this discussion. And one could hardly blame him, since his position has now been shown to be indefensible. Moreover, he appears more hypocritical now than at any other time during his presidency. Considering how he has changed positions on everything from Gitmo to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to trying suspected terrorists in military tribunals, that is saying an awful lot.
Here is why he's hypocritical. He sent our most elite special forces unit into a sovereign country and gave the order that if any of them got a clear shot at bin Laden, they were to take it. There was no consideration of bin Laden's rights to due process, or whether he was unable to defend himself during the raid. Just do what you have to do to take him out, our president clearly stated.
On this, he was right. I applaud the president for finally showing some guts in battling radical Muslim terrorists. I actually gave him the benefit of the doubt and figured that he was finally coming to his senses. I thought he would set aside once and for all the insane views of the liberal moral elitists. You know, the ones who actually believe that this scum of the earth was entitled to due process. The ones who still insist that we as Americans are above carrying out these sorts of operations. The Michael Moores and Rosie O'Donnell's of the world. Those people.
But of course, I was wrong. For despite the fact that we have now seen firsthand what enhanced interrogation can do for us in the war on terror, Obama has made it clear that he will not change his stance on the issue. On this, he's decided to fall right back in line with the liberal moral elitists who say that it was wrong to place Khalid Sheikh Mohammed on a board and pour water over his face. This is a horrible practice that tramples on the rights of the terrorists and makes us look like barbarians, so they say.
Instead, they'd rather we sit down with bad guys like KSM and try to have a nice, civil conversation. Maybe we should serve cake and sing "kumbaya" while we're at it. Perhaps we can bribe them. Sure, why not give the terrorists millions of taxpayer dollars in this time of economic crisis so they can re-use that money to support terrorist acts against us. That makes sense. Or we can even follow Joy Behar's suggestion and offer them a book deal. Are you kidding me? If this isn't insanity, then I don't know what is.
The fact is that enhanced interrogation works. In this case it led us right to bin Laden, despite how the liberal politicians and pundits want to spin it. It is not the same as torture, though again that is what the liberals want us all to believe. I applaud Bill O'Reilly for calling out his own colleague, Juan Williams, on this issue. Williams continually made references to things like pulling out fingernails and poking eyes out when discussing enhanced interrogation. O'Reilly was quick to distinguish between these extreme tactics and the practice of waterboarding, and promptly put Williams in his place.
The CIA agents who Holder is currently investigating were merely carrying out their orders. President Bush, in collaboration with his security advisers, made the decision to waterboard the terrorists. The men who carried it out were only guilty of one thing: doing their jobs. If that's a crime, then there is something seriously wrong with our justice system.
I don't get myself too worked up over the ongoing investigation because I am quite certain that nothing will come of it. It will be nothing short of political suicide if Obama gives the go-ahead to prosecute these men. Skilled politician that he is, the president will never make that mistake. But what I do get worked up over is the fact that we are not currently using enhanced interrogation tactics, because it is putting the lives of Americans at risk.
I will never understand how anyone could place the welfare of suspected terrorists ahead of the safety of innocent Americans. But I suppose it's easy to do that when you didn't lose a loved one on 9/11. It's easy to think this way if one of your family members was not killed or maimed in Iraq or Afghanistan. It's all well and good as long as someone close to you isn't being held as a prisoner by Al Qaeda or the Taliban.
Well, it's time for all of these people, especially our president, to wake up. There is no way that President Obama can look anyone in the eye and say that he wouldn't order enhanced interrogation on a suspect who had information on where one of his family members was being held. God forbid this should happen, but if the terrorists ever succeeded in kidnapping one of his daughters, he would order waterboarding in a heartbeat on a prisoner who we believed might have key information. But sad as it is, this may be the only way that he'll ever change his mind on enhanced interrogation. Until then, we'll have to live with whatever comes and dream of what could have been if we had only used waterboarding on the bad guys.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Release the Photos, Mr. President!
Yesterday, President Obama was interviewed for a segment on the death of Osama bin Laden that will appear on 60 Minutes this Sunday. Portions of that interview have already been released, and one thing has been made clear: the president has no intention of releasing the photos of bin Laden's corpse to the American public. To that I only have one thing to say: wrong decision, Mr. President.
I'm sure that Obama will outline the reasons for his decision when the entire interview is aired Sunday evening. But in the meantime, allow me to outline my reasons why the photos should be released.
First of all, America needs to make a statement to the rest of the world that you can't attack us on our soil, claim thousands of innocent lives, and get away with it. The fact that we've been unable to get bin Laden all these years has always been perceived by our enemies as a sign of weakness. Behind our backs, if not to our faces, they've laughed at us for failing in our attempts to bring him to justice.
Now that we've managed to accomplish the task, it's imperative that we let the world know that you can't outrun us, you can't hide from us, and you can't escape justice for the transgressions you carry out against our people. Sooner or later, we're going to get you. Our enemies need to be reminded of that, and what better way to remind them than with a picture of our most wanted terrorist lying in a pool of his own blood with a bullethole in his head.
It is well-known that in the Muslim world, conspiracy theories run amok. Most Muslims will refuse to believe that bin Laden is dead until they see the proof. Yesterday on Hannity, Anne Coulter made an excellent point on how Obama's strategy for dealing with the Muslim problem is completely backwards. Muslims don't respond to hyper-sensitivity; they respond to strength. If we want to win their respect, then we need to show them that we got our man, not hide the photos for fear that we might offend them.
Aside from sending a clear message to the rest of the world, there are other reasons, rooted in both logic and emotion, for publicizing the pictures. First, the whole rationale of sending in the Navy SEALS to carry out the mission was rooted in proof of death. We could have bombed the compound where bin Laden was hiding. We could have sent a drone to finish the job. But Obama chose to go with the SEALS. Why? Very simply, because he wanted to know for sure that we got him.
For the record, I agree with that. I think the president made the right decision here, and I would have done exactly the same thing. But here's where things begin to become incomprehensible. We sent in our elite forces, they got the job done, and they obtained proof of bin Laden's death. And now, we're not showing it to the public? Can someone please explain this to me? If you're not going to use the proof you so badly wanted in the first place, then why put the lives of those forty Navy SEALS at risk? It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
Finally, the photos should be released because we as Americans are ENTITLED to see them. It's not very often that I use the word "entitled," but in this case it is both appropriate and necessary. As taxpayers, we have been funding the war on terror for a decade. We paid for our government to carry out this operation. If our money was spent to carry out this task, how then can anyone justify not showing us the results?
If that is not enough, then know that we have paid an even heftier price in the war on terror. The events of 9/11/01 and the way they have forever changed our way of life have taken an emotional and psychological toll on us that can never be adequately measured. We didn't just pay the price financially. We paid the price in many other ways that were far more expensive. For that, we are more than justified in demanding that we get to see the final product.
I hope the president changes his mind, but I'm certainly not going to hold my breath. I've come to accept that the only way we're going to have the opportunity to see the photos is if he is defeated in the 2012 election. As far as I'm concerned, that just gives me another reason to vote Republican.
I'm sure that Obama will outline the reasons for his decision when the entire interview is aired Sunday evening. But in the meantime, allow me to outline my reasons why the photos should be released.
First of all, America needs to make a statement to the rest of the world that you can't attack us on our soil, claim thousands of innocent lives, and get away with it. The fact that we've been unable to get bin Laden all these years has always been perceived by our enemies as a sign of weakness. Behind our backs, if not to our faces, they've laughed at us for failing in our attempts to bring him to justice.
Now that we've managed to accomplish the task, it's imperative that we let the world know that you can't outrun us, you can't hide from us, and you can't escape justice for the transgressions you carry out against our people. Sooner or later, we're going to get you. Our enemies need to be reminded of that, and what better way to remind them than with a picture of our most wanted terrorist lying in a pool of his own blood with a bullethole in his head.
It is well-known that in the Muslim world, conspiracy theories run amok. Most Muslims will refuse to believe that bin Laden is dead until they see the proof. Yesterday on Hannity, Anne Coulter made an excellent point on how Obama's strategy for dealing with the Muslim problem is completely backwards. Muslims don't respond to hyper-sensitivity; they respond to strength. If we want to win their respect, then we need to show them that we got our man, not hide the photos for fear that we might offend them.
Aside from sending a clear message to the rest of the world, there are other reasons, rooted in both logic and emotion, for publicizing the pictures. First, the whole rationale of sending in the Navy SEALS to carry out the mission was rooted in proof of death. We could have bombed the compound where bin Laden was hiding. We could have sent a drone to finish the job. But Obama chose to go with the SEALS. Why? Very simply, because he wanted to know for sure that we got him.
For the record, I agree with that. I think the president made the right decision here, and I would have done exactly the same thing. But here's where things begin to become incomprehensible. We sent in our elite forces, they got the job done, and they obtained proof of bin Laden's death. And now, we're not showing it to the public? Can someone please explain this to me? If you're not going to use the proof you so badly wanted in the first place, then why put the lives of those forty Navy SEALS at risk? It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
Finally, the photos should be released because we as Americans are ENTITLED to see them. It's not very often that I use the word "entitled," but in this case it is both appropriate and necessary. As taxpayers, we have been funding the war on terror for a decade. We paid for our government to carry out this operation. If our money was spent to carry out this task, how then can anyone justify not showing us the results?
If that is not enough, then know that we have paid an even heftier price in the war on terror. The events of 9/11/01 and the way they have forever changed our way of life have taken an emotional and psychological toll on us that can never be adequately measured. We didn't just pay the price financially. We paid the price in many other ways that were far more expensive. For that, we are more than justified in demanding that we get to see the final product.
I hope the president changes his mind, but I'm certainly not going to hold my breath. I've come to accept that the only way we're going to have the opportunity to see the photos is if he is defeated in the 2012 election. As far as I'm concerned, that just gives me another reason to vote Republican.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Time for America to Stop Playing the Fool
The killing of Osama bin Laden has brought new information to light, and I'm not talking about the many files we confiscated from the compound where he was hiding. I'm talking about our relationship with Pakistan and how it coincides with everything else that has been happening to our great country as of late.
If there is one thing we have learned from this historic incident, it is that we can no longer afford to trust Pakistan. In short, it's time for America to stop playing the fool.
In my opinion, this is the issue that has helped Donald Trump garner unprecedented media attention over the last month and rise to the top of the polls for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination. Trump is capitalizing on the anger so many Americans are feeling toward the rest of the world at the moment. China manipulates their currency and takes our jobs, while millions of Americans are out of work. OPEC raises oil prices and makes a fortune, while Americans continue to get crushed by exorbitant fuel prices. And now, it's crystal clear that Pakistan has been accepting billions of dollars in aid from the United States to fight the war on terror, only to be hiding bin Laden in a compound near one of their military bases for the last several years.
If you believe they didn't know he was there, then I've got a bridge to sell you. If you believe Hilary Clinton when she says that Pakistan helped us in locating him, then you're a sad fool. The Pakistani government is full of liars from top to bottom, and their intelligence service (the ISI) is laced with corruption. We cannot trust them going forward, and it's time we sever our ties and fight our own battles with the terrorists on their terrain. It may be an affront to their sovereignty, but the safety of our citizens is far more important.
I can't wait to hear what Trump has to say when the dust settles. My guess is that he'll let the world know that if he were president, he'd demand that Pakistan pay back the billions of dollars in aid we gave to them, plus interest. He'll say that he'd call them out on what they did, refuse to have any future dealings with their government, and give India the green light to do whatever they need to do in their perpetual conflict with their archenemy. And you know what? He'd be right.
Our country holds all the cards as the world's dominant superpower. Yes, we're deep in debt and still suffering the effects of the worst economic crisis since The Great Depression. Yes, our military is maybe a bit overstretched as the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya continue. But we are still number one, and we need to capitalize on our status for the sake of the well-being of our nation.
There is absolutely no question that President Obama will get a big bump in the polls as a result of bringing bin Laden to justice. The same thing happened to President George H.W. Bush in 1991, after the United States made quick work of Saddam Hussein's elite forces in the first Gulf War. But we all remember what happened in 1992. The economy went south, and soon people forgot about Bush's victory in Iraq. Winning the Gulf War was not enough to carry him, as Bill Clinton claimed victory in the presidential election.
The same could happen to Obama next year. I really don't think that getting bin Laden will be enough to put him over the top in 2012. The polls show that Americans are increasingly disapproving of his economic policies, so unless the economy turns around, he will remain a vulnerable target.
It will be interesting to see if he implements any changes in our relations with Pakistan. Do you think Americans will be angry that Pakistan has been taking billions of dollars from us and laughing at us behind our backs? You know, the same Americans who are out of work, paying four dollars a gallon for gas, and struggling just to get by? Hmm...maybe just a little.
I will admit that the unity our country is experiencing during this joyous time is a welcome change from the bitter bipartisanship that has ruled Washington over the past several months. But let's face it: the love we're all feeling for each other will be short-lived. It's only a matter of time before our government gets back to work on the debt ceiling debate and the 2012 budget battle.
And that, my friends, is where we need to start getting serious and stop playing the fool. Enough is enough. We can't continue going down the road to financial ruin and allow the rest of the world to get rich off of us. There's little doubt that this will be the key to the 2012 presidential election. In the end, the winner will be the one who convinces the American people that he will no longer allow other countries to take advantage of us. He'll be the one who the people believe will take care of our own. He'll be the one who they believe will lead us back to prosperity, and once again make us the envy of all nations. I don't know who that person will be. But I am quite certain of one thing: he will not be Barack Hussein Obama.
If there is one thing we have learned from this historic incident, it is that we can no longer afford to trust Pakistan. In short, it's time for America to stop playing the fool.
In my opinion, this is the issue that has helped Donald Trump garner unprecedented media attention over the last month and rise to the top of the polls for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination. Trump is capitalizing on the anger so many Americans are feeling toward the rest of the world at the moment. China manipulates their currency and takes our jobs, while millions of Americans are out of work. OPEC raises oil prices and makes a fortune, while Americans continue to get crushed by exorbitant fuel prices. And now, it's crystal clear that Pakistan has been accepting billions of dollars in aid from the United States to fight the war on terror, only to be hiding bin Laden in a compound near one of their military bases for the last several years.
If you believe they didn't know he was there, then I've got a bridge to sell you. If you believe Hilary Clinton when she says that Pakistan helped us in locating him, then you're a sad fool. The Pakistani government is full of liars from top to bottom, and their intelligence service (the ISI) is laced with corruption. We cannot trust them going forward, and it's time we sever our ties and fight our own battles with the terrorists on their terrain. It may be an affront to their sovereignty, but the safety of our citizens is far more important.
I can't wait to hear what Trump has to say when the dust settles. My guess is that he'll let the world know that if he were president, he'd demand that Pakistan pay back the billions of dollars in aid we gave to them, plus interest. He'll say that he'd call them out on what they did, refuse to have any future dealings with their government, and give India the green light to do whatever they need to do in their perpetual conflict with their archenemy. And you know what? He'd be right.
Our country holds all the cards as the world's dominant superpower. Yes, we're deep in debt and still suffering the effects of the worst economic crisis since The Great Depression. Yes, our military is maybe a bit overstretched as the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya continue. But we are still number one, and we need to capitalize on our status for the sake of the well-being of our nation.
There is absolutely no question that President Obama will get a big bump in the polls as a result of bringing bin Laden to justice. The same thing happened to President George H.W. Bush in 1991, after the United States made quick work of Saddam Hussein's elite forces in the first Gulf War. But we all remember what happened in 1992. The economy went south, and soon people forgot about Bush's victory in Iraq. Winning the Gulf War was not enough to carry him, as Bill Clinton claimed victory in the presidential election.
The same could happen to Obama next year. I really don't think that getting bin Laden will be enough to put him over the top in 2012. The polls show that Americans are increasingly disapproving of his economic policies, so unless the economy turns around, he will remain a vulnerable target.
It will be interesting to see if he implements any changes in our relations with Pakistan. Do you think Americans will be angry that Pakistan has been taking billions of dollars from us and laughing at us behind our backs? You know, the same Americans who are out of work, paying four dollars a gallon for gas, and struggling just to get by? Hmm...maybe just a little.
I will admit that the unity our country is experiencing during this joyous time is a welcome change from the bitter bipartisanship that has ruled Washington over the past several months. But let's face it: the love we're all feeling for each other will be short-lived. It's only a matter of time before our government gets back to work on the debt ceiling debate and the 2012 budget battle.
And that, my friends, is where we need to start getting serious and stop playing the fool. Enough is enough. We can't continue going down the road to financial ruin and allow the rest of the world to get rich off of us. There's little doubt that this will be the key to the 2012 presidential election. In the end, the winner will be the one who convinces the American people that he will no longer allow other countries to take advantage of us. He'll be the one who the people believe will take care of our own. He'll be the one who they believe will lead us back to prosperity, and once again make us the envy of all nations. I don't know who that person will be. But I am quite certain of one thing: he will not be Barack Hussein Obama.
Monday, May 2, 2011
And Justice For All
I take one week off from my blog to prepare for some intense job interviews and all hell breaks loose! There's a royal wedding, more theatrics from The Donald, a strike on Gadhafi's compound that kills his son and grandchildren, all followed by two once-in-a-lifetime events that occurred on the same day. Mr. Trump will have to wait, for there are far more important things to talk about now.
Yesterday in Rome, over one million Catholics gathered to celebrate the beatification of Pope John Paul II. Blessed Pope John Paul II is now but one step away from sainthood. If the Vatican is able to confirm one more miracle attributed to him, then he will be canonized. Several claims have already been made, and I would wager that at least one will be confirmed. It's only a matter of time, most likely five or six years, before we start referring to our great pontiff as Pope Saint John Paul II.
I had the incredible honor of meeting him at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Newark during his visit to America in October of 1995. It was without question the most memorable day of my life, as I can still recall being screened by Secret Service agents as I walked into the cathedral at noon for a 5:30 evening prayer service. Several celebrities were there, including Bob Hope and Joe Piscopo, and eventually President Bill Clinton and the first lady arrived as well.
I can't even begin to describe the aura of the cathedral as the pope made his entrance. You knew something special was happening. You felt it in the air. One simply can't put it into words; it has to be experienced firsthand. I can tell you this much. That same feeling did not surface when the president strolled into his pew. It was as if the most powerful man on the planet was any other citizen on that day. His presence paled in comparison to that of the Holy Father, and by a wide margin at that.
I will always remember meeting the man to face to face, shaking his hand, and looking into his eyes. Those eyes were full of life, and they served to divert attention away from his failing health, which was already becoming somewhat apparent. He gave me a rosary which he blessed, and thankfully a photographer from the Vatican was there to snap a picture of my encounter with him. To this day, it remains the greatest moment of my life. Perhaps one day I can say that I held the hand of a saint.
But just as one thought this momentous occasion would dominate the news coverage throughout the day and well into the next, the unthinkable happened. President Obama announced late last night that U.S. special forces killed Osama bin Laden in a raid on his compound. Celebrations broke out throughout the country, from Washington to New York to the Mets-Phillies game in Philadelphia. All of a sudden, one of the rarest and most monumental of events in history was forced to take a backseat to the story of how America finally brought justice to the most reviled terrorist in the world.
Today, I can't stop thinking about how the most evil of men was killed on the same day that the most holy of men was elevated. Is it a coincidence? Note that when I pose this question, I do not mean to infer that Blessed Pope John Paul II had anything to do with the killing of bin Laden. What I am saying is that maybe there is a message hidden in there somewhere.
Perhaps it's God's way of telling us that in the end, there will be justice for all. How many times has it been said in the Scriptures that the wicked shall perish, while the just will prosper? When I first realized the magnitude of what occurred yesterday, it sent a shiver down my spine. I firmly do believe that God meant to send us all a message, and we'd be wise to heed it.
Today, we thank God for the gift of the legacy of Blessed Pope John Paul II, and for the justice administered to Osama bin Laden. Both are reasons to be grateful, and both are lessons we can learn from. For those of us who lived it, we'll never forget the date of May 1, 2011. Hopefully we'll always remember the message behind it as well.
Yesterday in Rome, over one million Catholics gathered to celebrate the beatification of Pope John Paul II. Blessed Pope John Paul II is now but one step away from sainthood. If the Vatican is able to confirm one more miracle attributed to him, then he will be canonized. Several claims have already been made, and I would wager that at least one will be confirmed. It's only a matter of time, most likely five or six years, before we start referring to our great pontiff as Pope Saint John Paul II.
I had the incredible honor of meeting him at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Newark during his visit to America in October of 1995. It was without question the most memorable day of my life, as I can still recall being screened by Secret Service agents as I walked into the cathedral at noon for a 5:30 evening prayer service. Several celebrities were there, including Bob Hope and Joe Piscopo, and eventually President Bill Clinton and the first lady arrived as well.
I can't even begin to describe the aura of the cathedral as the pope made his entrance. You knew something special was happening. You felt it in the air. One simply can't put it into words; it has to be experienced firsthand. I can tell you this much. That same feeling did not surface when the president strolled into his pew. It was as if the most powerful man on the planet was any other citizen on that day. His presence paled in comparison to that of the Holy Father, and by a wide margin at that.
I will always remember meeting the man to face to face, shaking his hand, and looking into his eyes. Those eyes were full of life, and they served to divert attention away from his failing health, which was already becoming somewhat apparent. He gave me a rosary which he blessed, and thankfully a photographer from the Vatican was there to snap a picture of my encounter with him. To this day, it remains the greatest moment of my life. Perhaps one day I can say that I held the hand of a saint.
But just as one thought this momentous occasion would dominate the news coverage throughout the day and well into the next, the unthinkable happened. President Obama announced late last night that U.S. special forces killed Osama bin Laden in a raid on his compound. Celebrations broke out throughout the country, from Washington to New York to the Mets-Phillies game in Philadelphia. All of a sudden, one of the rarest and most monumental of events in history was forced to take a backseat to the story of how America finally brought justice to the most reviled terrorist in the world.
Today, I can't stop thinking about how the most evil of men was killed on the same day that the most holy of men was elevated. Is it a coincidence? Note that when I pose this question, I do not mean to infer that Blessed Pope John Paul II had anything to do with the killing of bin Laden. What I am saying is that maybe there is a message hidden in there somewhere.
Perhaps it's God's way of telling us that in the end, there will be justice for all. How many times has it been said in the Scriptures that the wicked shall perish, while the just will prosper? When I first realized the magnitude of what occurred yesterday, it sent a shiver down my spine. I firmly do believe that God meant to send us all a message, and we'd be wise to heed it.
Today, we thank God for the gift of the legacy of Blessed Pope John Paul II, and for the justice administered to Osama bin Laden. Both are reasons to be grateful, and both are lessons we can learn from. For those of us who lived it, we'll never forget the date of May 1, 2011. Hopefully we'll always remember the message behind it as well.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Oddsmakers' Jobs Are Safe From Krauthammer
Last week, Pulitzer award-winning journalist and conservative columnist, Dr. Charles Krauthammer, laid out his early lines for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. As you can tell from the title of this post, I did not agree with them at all.
Where do I even begin? For starters, he lists Tea Party darling Michele Bachmann at 20-1. Granted, I am a big fan of hers and her views are completely in line with everything I hold dear. But the fact is that Ms. Bachmann, much like President Obama, has absolutely no executive experience on her resume. To borrow the phrase from U.S. Congressman Colonel Allen West (R-Florida), she has never even run a lemonade stand.
She served as a state senator for six years and has been a member of the U.S. House of Representives for four years. How can anyone argue that she is ready for the presidency? Given the way Republicans have bashed Obama for his lack of executive experience and leadership skills, they'd be foolish to even consider nominating her in 2012. She may be raising a lot of money and will certainly get a lot of support from the Tea Party, but I'm putting her odds of winning the nomination at 100-1 at best. Yes, that's just a tad longer than those laid out by Krauthammer.
Dr. Krauthammer lists two former U.S. governors, Mitt Romney and Tim Pawlenty, as his favorites at 5-1. He rightly points out that Romney has tons of public and private sector executive experience, and uses a brilliant analogy to describe the major liability of Romneycare. Krauthammer calls Romney "Secretariat at Belmont, but ridden by Minnesota Fats."
As for Pawlenty, he is described as the "mouse that roars" who "could be the last man standing." But it is my view that neither Romney nor Pawlenty have the charisma necessary to win the nomination. Whether you like Obama or not, disagree with his views or not, you have to admit that he is a charismatic politician. The GOP can't afford to nominate someone who pales in comparison in this category, and that is why I see Romney and Pawlenty as having much longer odds, say 20-1.
What really shocked me though about Krauthammer's column is the way in which he lambasted Donald Trump. He said that he was more of a spectacle than a serious candidate. He even went so far as to call him "a provocateur and a clown, the Republicans’ Al Sharpton." Krauthammer finished his thought by saying that the Lions have a better chance of winning the Super Bowl than Trump does of winning the GOP nomination.
I really don't get the comparison to Al Sharpton. First of all, Sharpton, to use the phrase yet again, never even ran a lemonade stand. His executive experience is infinitesimal compared to that of Trump, making the Donald a far superior candidate for the presidency. Moreover, when did Sharpton ever finish atop the polls when he ran for president? Never. Meanwhile, Trump's views and candid comments are resonating with voters, enabling him to finish tied in the top spot with Mike Huckabee in a recent poll. Krauthammer doesn't even give a line on Trump, but I'll list him as one of the favorites at 10-1.
The rest of the field was handicapped as such: Mitch Daniels at 6-1, Haley Barbour at 7-1, and Newt Gingrich at 12-1. Krauthammer does not believe that either Sarah Palin or Mike Huckabee will run, so he did not list odds for either one. Although I agree with Gingrich at 12-1, I think Daniels and Barbour should be listed down there with Romney and Pawlenty at 20-1. If Huckabee decides to run, I'd have him as the overall favorite in this race at 5-1, and I'd list Governor Palin at 15-1.
Only time will tell which one of us is more accurate, and come August of next year, I'll be sure to take a look back and see whose odds were more on target. In the meantime, anyone care to place a bet?
Where do I even begin? For starters, he lists Tea Party darling Michele Bachmann at 20-1. Granted, I am a big fan of hers and her views are completely in line with everything I hold dear. But the fact is that Ms. Bachmann, much like President Obama, has absolutely no executive experience on her resume. To borrow the phrase from U.S. Congressman Colonel Allen West (R-Florida), she has never even run a lemonade stand.
She served as a state senator for six years and has been a member of the U.S. House of Representives for four years. How can anyone argue that she is ready for the presidency? Given the way Republicans have bashed Obama for his lack of executive experience and leadership skills, they'd be foolish to even consider nominating her in 2012. She may be raising a lot of money and will certainly get a lot of support from the Tea Party, but I'm putting her odds of winning the nomination at 100-1 at best. Yes, that's just a tad longer than those laid out by Krauthammer.
Dr. Krauthammer lists two former U.S. governors, Mitt Romney and Tim Pawlenty, as his favorites at 5-1. He rightly points out that Romney has tons of public and private sector executive experience, and uses a brilliant analogy to describe the major liability of Romneycare. Krauthammer calls Romney "Secretariat at Belmont, but ridden by Minnesota Fats."
As for Pawlenty, he is described as the "mouse that roars" who "could be the last man standing." But it is my view that neither Romney nor Pawlenty have the charisma necessary to win the nomination. Whether you like Obama or not, disagree with his views or not, you have to admit that he is a charismatic politician. The GOP can't afford to nominate someone who pales in comparison in this category, and that is why I see Romney and Pawlenty as having much longer odds, say 20-1.
What really shocked me though about Krauthammer's column is the way in which he lambasted Donald Trump. He said that he was more of a spectacle than a serious candidate. He even went so far as to call him "a provocateur and a clown, the Republicans’ Al Sharpton." Krauthammer finished his thought by saying that the Lions have a better chance of winning the Super Bowl than Trump does of winning the GOP nomination.
I really don't get the comparison to Al Sharpton. First of all, Sharpton, to use the phrase yet again, never even ran a lemonade stand. His executive experience is infinitesimal compared to that of Trump, making the Donald a far superior candidate for the presidency. Moreover, when did Sharpton ever finish atop the polls when he ran for president? Never. Meanwhile, Trump's views and candid comments are resonating with voters, enabling him to finish tied in the top spot with Mike Huckabee in a recent poll. Krauthammer doesn't even give a line on Trump, but I'll list him as one of the favorites at 10-1.
The rest of the field was handicapped as such: Mitch Daniels at 6-1, Haley Barbour at 7-1, and Newt Gingrich at 12-1. Krauthammer does not believe that either Sarah Palin or Mike Huckabee will run, so he did not list odds for either one. Although I agree with Gingrich at 12-1, I think Daniels and Barbour should be listed down there with Romney and Pawlenty at 20-1. If Huckabee decides to run, I'd have him as the overall favorite in this race at 5-1, and I'd list Governor Palin at 15-1.
Only time will tell which one of us is more accurate, and come August of next year, I'll be sure to take a look back and see whose odds were more on target. In the meantime, anyone care to place a bet?
Friday, April 22, 2011
Christ Continues to Be Crucified
Today is Good Friday, a day when we as Christians recall the crucifixion and death of our Savior and honor the sacrifice he made for our sins. And though it occurred over 2,000 years ago, the fact remains that Christ continues to be crucified to this very day.
He is crucified by the liberal media, who are quick to jump all over stories that have an anti-Christian aura to them. They take advantage of every opportunity they have to demonize the Catholic Church, and they're only too happy to devote press coverage to individuals or institutions that say things or do things to offend Christians. While Islam remains a sacred cow that the media goes out of its way to protect, Christians, especially Catholics, are viewed as targets with massive bullseyes on their backs.
He is crucified by the entertainment industry, in movies, on television, and in music. Sometimes these entities glorify views that are antithetical to Christian beliefs. Sometimes they'll cleverly disguise their agenda with veiled references. Sometimes they'll even unleash direct, overt attacks on Christianity. What I find most disturbing about it is that the entertainment industry exerts a great deal of influence on our youth, and thus on the future of our society. This can only serve to prolong the vicious cycle of secular assaults on Christian values.
He is crucified by our government, who do everything they can to push Him further and further away. Whether it's a judge who rules that nativity scenes or displays of crosses are unconstitutional, a legislator who votes in favor of a woman's right to murder her unborn child, or a public school that confiscates bibles and rosaries, it is quite evident what direction our leaders have been moving in over the past several decades.
He is crucified throughout the world by Muslims who are intolerant of other religious views. Of course, you'll never see the liberal media devote significant coverage to the many Christians who have been harassed, assaulted, tortured, and even murdered in countries like Indonesia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Egypt, and Nigeria. And to think that our armed forces have come to the rescue in an effort to liberate some of these countries, that so many of our brave men and women have given their lives to these missions...and for what? So that Muslims can persecute Christians?
Finally, Christ continues to be crucified by each and every one of us through our sins. And so, on this Good Friday, I urge all of my Christian friends to reflect on their lives and the ways in which they have crucified Christ through their own actions. By being truly sorry and making reparations for our sinful acts, we can alleviate His suffering. While we may not be able to change the situations I described above, we can help counter the evil all throughout the world by confessing our sins, doing our penance, and putting forth our best effort to emulate Christ in every way possible. Remember to bow your heads and take a moment of silence at noon today, and never forget that every crucifixion is followed by a resurrection.
He is crucified by the liberal media, who are quick to jump all over stories that have an anti-Christian aura to them. They take advantage of every opportunity they have to demonize the Catholic Church, and they're only too happy to devote press coverage to individuals or institutions that say things or do things to offend Christians. While Islam remains a sacred cow that the media goes out of its way to protect, Christians, especially Catholics, are viewed as targets with massive bullseyes on their backs.
He is crucified by the entertainment industry, in movies, on television, and in music. Sometimes these entities glorify views that are antithetical to Christian beliefs. Sometimes they'll cleverly disguise their agenda with veiled references. Sometimes they'll even unleash direct, overt attacks on Christianity. What I find most disturbing about it is that the entertainment industry exerts a great deal of influence on our youth, and thus on the future of our society. This can only serve to prolong the vicious cycle of secular assaults on Christian values.
He is crucified by our government, who do everything they can to push Him further and further away. Whether it's a judge who rules that nativity scenes or displays of crosses are unconstitutional, a legislator who votes in favor of a woman's right to murder her unborn child, or a public school that confiscates bibles and rosaries, it is quite evident what direction our leaders have been moving in over the past several decades.
He is crucified throughout the world by Muslims who are intolerant of other religious views. Of course, you'll never see the liberal media devote significant coverage to the many Christians who have been harassed, assaulted, tortured, and even murdered in countries like Indonesia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Egypt, and Nigeria. And to think that our armed forces have come to the rescue in an effort to liberate some of these countries, that so many of our brave men and women have given their lives to these missions...and for what? So that Muslims can persecute Christians?
Finally, Christ continues to be crucified by each and every one of us through our sins. And so, on this Good Friday, I urge all of my Christian friends to reflect on their lives and the ways in which they have crucified Christ through their own actions. By being truly sorry and making reparations for our sinful acts, we can alleviate His suffering. While we may not be able to change the situations I described above, we can help counter the evil all throughout the world by confessing our sins, doing our penance, and putting forth our best effort to emulate Christ in every way possible. Remember to bow your heads and take a moment of silence at noon today, and never forget that every crucifixion is followed by a resurrection.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Reflection on Holy Week
For Catholics, and perhaps for all Christians, this coming week is the most solemn time of the year. We'll be celebrating the Easter Triduum beginning this Thursday, which is Holy Thursday. On that evening we will commemorate the Last Supper, and participate in a procession with the Blessed Sacrament following Mass. The following day, of course, is Good Friday, to be followed by Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday.
This is a time of year for all of us to reflect on our lives, especially the disappointments, troubles, and sorrows we've endured over the past year. It provides us with a unique opportunity to view our pain and suffering in the context of Christ's own passion and death.
All of us, no matter how hard we try to live a good life, endure pain and suffering. It's part of the human condition, and something none of us can avoid. I know I've had my fair share over the past year, losing my job, having three surgeries, mourning the loss of my grandmother, and watching helplessly as my 6 year-old nephew was diagnosed with a horrible disease. I think all of us have a year like that at some point during our lives.
But no matter how difficult the struggle may be, we can take comfort in the fact that we are not alone. God Himself knows our suffering. He put Himself in our position by taking the form of a man, and then accepting and even embracing a tragic, brutal death. The agony in the garden, the scourging at the pillar, the crowning with thorns, the carrying of the cross, and the crucifixion form the five sorrowful mysteries of the Holy Rosary, and they paint for us the picture of the extreme affliction Christ suffered during his last hours.
For me, it is a comfort to know that God understands our pain. He has been there before, and He knows exactly what we are going through. In fact, He knows a lot more about it than us, because His fate was far more painful and cruel than anything we will ever endure throughout the course of our lives.
But the greatest part about it all has to do with what followed this historic atrocity. Though a righteous man who lived his life for others was unjustly accused, convicted, tortured, and executed, the final result was greater than anyone could have ever imagined. For it is the Resurrection of Christ that gives us hope and strengthens our faith in times of trial.
As human beings, we experience suffering and death in many forms. Whether the loss of a loved one or a friend, the end of a marriage or long-term relationship, the loss of employment, or the loss of our homes and other possessions we hold dear, death manifests itself in many ways. But no matter what shape it takes, death can and will ultimately be succeeded by a resurrection.
I can sense that my resurrection is coming. Signs are popping up that this difficult, arduous time in my life is coming to an end, and that a transition to a new stage is already in process. I anticipate that this will be accompanied by a renewed sense of joy, one which will be greatly welcome! How amazing it is that this is all happening during this time of year, when Easter is fast approaching and the Resurrection of Christ will be celebrated around the world.
I hope that all of you who have suffered over the past year can also take solace in this, and that you too realize that no matter how great the pain, a resurrection will come. It may already be on its way. Hang in there, and to all of my Christian friends, Happy Holy Week!
This is a time of year for all of us to reflect on our lives, especially the disappointments, troubles, and sorrows we've endured over the past year. It provides us with a unique opportunity to view our pain and suffering in the context of Christ's own passion and death.
All of us, no matter how hard we try to live a good life, endure pain and suffering. It's part of the human condition, and something none of us can avoid. I know I've had my fair share over the past year, losing my job, having three surgeries, mourning the loss of my grandmother, and watching helplessly as my 6 year-old nephew was diagnosed with a horrible disease. I think all of us have a year like that at some point during our lives.
But no matter how difficult the struggle may be, we can take comfort in the fact that we are not alone. God Himself knows our suffering. He put Himself in our position by taking the form of a man, and then accepting and even embracing a tragic, brutal death. The agony in the garden, the scourging at the pillar, the crowning with thorns, the carrying of the cross, and the crucifixion form the five sorrowful mysteries of the Holy Rosary, and they paint for us the picture of the extreme affliction Christ suffered during his last hours.
For me, it is a comfort to know that God understands our pain. He has been there before, and He knows exactly what we are going through. In fact, He knows a lot more about it than us, because His fate was far more painful and cruel than anything we will ever endure throughout the course of our lives.
But the greatest part about it all has to do with what followed this historic atrocity. Though a righteous man who lived his life for others was unjustly accused, convicted, tortured, and executed, the final result was greater than anyone could have ever imagined. For it is the Resurrection of Christ that gives us hope and strengthens our faith in times of trial.
As human beings, we experience suffering and death in many forms. Whether the loss of a loved one or a friend, the end of a marriage or long-term relationship, the loss of employment, or the loss of our homes and other possessions we hold dear, death manifests itself in many ways. But no matter what shape it takes, death can and will ultimately be succeeded by a resurrection.
I can sense that my resurrection is coming. Signs are popping up that this difficult, arduous time in my life is coming to an end, and that a transition to a new stage is already in process. I anticipate that this will be accompanied by a renewed sense of joy, one which will be greatly welcome! How amazing it is that this is all happening during this time of year, when Easter is fast approaching and the Resurrection of Christ will be celebrated around the world.
I hope that all of you who have suffered over the past year can also take solace in this, and that you too realize that no matter how great the pain, a resurrection will come. It may already be on its way. Hang in there, and to all of my Christian friends, Happy Holy Week!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)