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Name:Roxanna M.
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Quotable Quotes

 
"Whether or not commanding a Navy squadron or rallying brutalized American POWs in the Hanoi Hilton is qualification for the presidency, surely this was a missed opportunity to ask whether voting 'present' in the Illinois Legislature nearly 130 times is a superior qualification."
 
                                                                                              Jonah Goldberg 
 
The opportunity is also ripe for asking:  Is running for the presidency the majority of time you have been a United States senator a superior qualification to that of a man who has actually served as a United States senator for nearly two decades?
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Happy Fourth of July!

 
I watched the flag pass by one day,
it fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
and then he stood at ease.
 
I looked at him in uniform
so young, so tall, so proud.
With haircut square and eyes alert,
a standout in the crowd.
 
I thought how many men like him
had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil.
How many mother's tears.
 
How many pilots' planes shot down.
How many died at sea.
How many foxholes soldiers' graves.
No, freedom isn't free.
 
I heard the sound of Taps one night,
when everything was still.
I listened to the bugler play
and felt a sudden chill.
 
I wondered just how many times
that Taps had meant "Amen".
When a flag had draped a coffin
of a brother or a friend.
 
I thought of all the children,
of the mothers and the wives,
of father, sons, and husbands
with interrupted lives.
 
I thought about a graveyard
at the bottom of the sea.
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.
 
------------------------------
 
I have no idea who wrote this wonderful poem.  If I did, I would surely give them credit.  I received it by e-mail from one of my friends.  It is more than worthy to be re-printed here on this day.
 
 
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What's Happened to America?

 
As we approach our 232nd birthday, what has happened to America?  Where's the America that threw off its English shackles?  Where's the America what won WWI?  That won WWII?  Where's the America that went from newcomer to superpower in, historically speaking, the blink of an eye? 
 
The Left loves to claim that the war in Iraq has diminished our standing in the world.  That Bush's "cowboy diplomacy" has diminished our standing in the world.  Really?  Then why have more pro-US leaders been elected than non-pro-US leaders?  Every civilized nation of the world knows that we are all that stands between them and destruction.  And, every uncivilized, blood-thirsty nation knows that we are all that stands between them and their hope of world domination.  Still think we're so diminished?
 
If there is any loss of prestige, it's because of the policies of the Left.  First and foremost among these is the refusal to allow America to harvest its own resources.  It's rather incongruous to say, out of one side of their mouth, that America has lost prestige, while at the same time, out of the other side of their mouth, demand that the President of the United States, Leader of the Free World, go out with hat in hand begging for more oil.  Have we no pride? 
 
What about the Supreme Court giving constitutional rights to our enemies all because of the Left's misguided belief that if we're nice to them, they'll be nice to us.  What about the Left complaining about waterboarding and rendition?  What about the Left demanding that we close down Gitmo?  What about the Leftist New York Times leaking classified information?  What about the Leftist Senators and Representatives who called our troops "cold-blooded murderers" and compared them to Hitler and Stalin?  What about the Leftists who want to weaken the Patriot Act, or do away with it all together?  What about the Leftists who are complaining about wireless surveillance?  Trust me, this is what reduces our standing.  If the Left had a clue, it would know this.
 
During the 8-year summer camp of the Clinton administration, our enemies grew stronger and more bold.  Why?  Because they knew that America - under a democrat - would not act.  The attacks on 9/11 were a direct result of the Clinton administration's abject failure in matters of national security.  For nearly 7 years now, President Bush and his policies have kept us safe.  The terrorists aren't just waiting for this resolute leader to leave, they're hoping that the winner in November is the naive, adolescent who thinks that the sheer force of his personality is all that is necessary to make everything all better.   
 
As I said in my previous posting, the simps and wimps in DC are making our Founding Fathers turn over in their graves.  Where is a George Washington or John Adams who will tell the fat, ugly King Abdullah, "Methinks you're getting too big for your britches.  Methinks we'll keep our money here instead of giving it to you."?  Where is a Thomas Jefferson or James Madison who will arouse the sleeping giant to action before it's too late?
 
Congress has failed and is languishing in its stupor.  The Supreme Court has failed and is revelling in its stupidity.  And, America appears poised to send a boy to do a man's job. 
 
It's up to We the People to do the heavy lifting.  It's up to us to hold our leaders accountable.  It's up to us - every single day - to ask our elected representatives what they're doing to get us out of the mess they helped us get into.  It's up to us - every single day - to remind them that we put them in office and we can take them out of office. 
 
On this 232nd birthday of our country, it's time to take back our country from those who seem content to deliver it to our enemies.
 
 
 
 
 
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What Is So Hard About This?

 
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia said that "Consumer countries have to adapt to the prices and the mechanisms of the market.  We have nothing to do with current sharp increase in crude prices.  These countries must reduce their taxes on fuel . . . if they want to contribute to easing the burden on ordinary consumers."  

In other words, get used to it. 

That should be all the impetus the slackers in DC, who are supposed to be looking out for our best interests, need to begin harvesting our own resources.  What is so wrong with the Left's collective brain that it thinks it's okay to keep us - ourselves, our economy, our national security - dependent on hostile sources?  What is so wrong with the Left's collective brain that it doesn't see the wisdom in using our own resources for our own benefit?  What is so wrong with the Left's collective brain that it thinks it's a good idea to send hundreds of billions of dollars every year overseas instead of keeping it here? 

With the Left's pathological need to spend, spend, spend, you would think that just once it would have noticed that there's truckloads of money slipping through its slimy fingers. 

I have the great misfortune to have two of the Senate's most intellectually-challenged members for my representatives - Feinstein and Boxer.  When I e-mailed them recently about what they're doing to solve this crisis, I got the usual drivel, i.e., windfall profits tax and alternative energy.  I again e-mailed Boxer and asked which of these measures was going to give relief at the pump now.  Of course, I got no answer.  That's because the Left has no answers.  It's been caught with its pants down and can't do anything but look around in anger and embarrassment. 

What's happened to America?  Our supposed leadership has given up, saying that nothing can be done.  Unless, of course, you count holding hearings and blaming everyone but themselves as actually doing something.  "Even if we started drilling now, nothing would come on-line for at least 5 years".  Then, start drilling now so we're not in worse shape in 5 years. 

The people who founded this great country, the ones who were willing to risk everything, are turning over in their graves at the sight of the sorry spectacles in DC who can't do anything except wring their hands and lie to themselves and everyone else. 

For Pete's sake, you're leaders.  Start leading, and if you can't lead, get the blazes out of the way and let some competent people have a go at it.
 
What is so hard about this?
 
 
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Quotable Quotes

 
"Coal makes us sick, oil makes us sick, it's global warming, it's ruining our country, it's ruining our world.  We've got to stop using fossil fuel . . .".
 
     Harry Reid
 
"Harry Reid makes us sick.  He's ruining our country.  He's ruining our world.  We've got to stop Harry Reid."
 
     Mariposa Rocks
 
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Loser of the Week

 
I know it's only Tuesday, but how is anyone going to beat Wesley Clark? 
 
Clark is of the opinion that being President is all about having good judgment and the ability to communicate.  He himself subscribes to the theory that the greatest power of the presidency is the power to persuade.  He thinks that Obama's "meteoric" rise in politics, credible communication skills, and proven judgment qualify him to be President of the United States. 
 
He feels that Obama "deals well with people" . . . that's why he called a female reporter "sweetie" and referred to others as "bitter"
 
"understands issues" . . . the price of gas is too high?
 
"brings people together" . . . that's why he spent 20 years in a church whose pastor spewed racial hatred
 
shows "good judgment in moving forward" . . . to where?
 
Clark says that McCain was "untested and untried".  He said that "in the matters of national security policymaking, it's a matter of understanding risk; it's a matter of gauging your opponents; and it's a matter of being held accountable."  "He (McCain) hasn't held executive responsibility.  That large squadron in the Navy that he commanded wasn't a war time squadron.  (What was it then?)  He hasn't been there and ordered the bombs to fall.  He hasn't seen what it's like when diplomats come in and say I don't know if we can get this point through or not . . . he hasn't made those calls."
 
When Bob Schieffer said that Obama hadn't either, Clark replied that Obama is "running on his strengths of character, on his strengths of his communication skills, on his strengths of his judgment, and those are qualities we seek in our national leadership."
 
In other words, Obama doesn't have any of the skills that Clark thinks a President needs but that's okay, he has other qualities.  So, if the qualities Clark enumerated are so unimportant, what's the point of saying McCain doesn't have them?
 
Clark says that being President of the United States is not a learning experience.  Well, in point of fact, it is.  Nobody is fully prepared for all of the contingencies that life can throw at you, even the Leader of the Free World.  Contrary to what Clark thinks or says, Barack Obama is one of the least qualified people to be running for President at this point in history.
 
He has little legislative experience and no executive experience.  Show me an example of his good judgment.  Show me an example of his good character.  (Voting present instead of taking a stand)  He doesn't understand risk.  (He intends to make major cuts in defense spending, intends to slow or suspend the development of future combat systems, wants to abolish "Star Wars", and wants to slash investment in our ballistic missile defense program.)  He doesn't know how to gauge opponents (Iran and Venezuela are little countries)  Judging by the growing number of people he has jettisoned, he certainly doesn't know the meaning of being held accountable.  He has amply demonstrated that he knows nothing about the economy (won't higher taxes fix everything?), doesn't understand people in "flyover country", has no concept that high gas prices are affecting more than people's driving habits, doesn't understand that Iraq is Ground Zero in the war on terror, doesn't understand that you just can't pull our troops out in one fell swoop without consequences, doesn't understand that you have to take action now to avoid a worse problem in the future, and the list goes on. 
 
But that's okay.  He's had a "meteoric" rise in politics and has great communication skills. 
 
 
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Such A World

 
A bratty 12-year old in Canada, whose father had told her that she couldn't go on a school trip, decided that she didn't like being disciplined.  What did she do?  She got a lawyer, took him to court . . . and won!  Some black-robed meddler (we're not the only country who has them) by the name of Madam Justice Suzanne Tessier decided that the father was out of line for disciplining his daughter in such a manner.

This would have to rise several levels before it would qualify for disgraceful. 

The girl's attorney, Lucie Fortin, took the case because it involved the school trip:  "For me that was really important."  By her own admission, she would have never intervened if it was just a question of going to the movies or going on-line, but blocking the brat from going on a camping trip, well that was just simply too much.  And the court agreed. 

What the attorney should have done is told the girl to go home and behave herself.  The judge should have thrown the matter out.  But, no.  These women took it upon themselves to wrongly interfere in a private matter and forever alter a father-daughter relationship, and not for the good.  How is this father ever going to discipline his daughter again?  The girl has been given judicial sanction to disrespect him and ignore him when he says or does something she doesn't like.  After all, she went to court once, she can do it again.

Children are arrogant creatures.  They've been told all their lives that mommy and daddy are going to love them no matter what.  Is it any wonder that many choose to test this hypothesis at every turn.  

The father should take away the child's cell phone and her computer.  If she wants these items, she can pay for them herself or go ask her lawyer, or the judge, for these perks.  When she's ready to drive, maybe the lawyer, or the judge, will buy her a car and pay for the insurance.  When she's bounced out of the house at 18, or whatever adult age is in Canada, maybe her lawyer, or the judge, can take her in, support her, pay for her college. 

If this lawyer and this judge think they could do a better job, I say give them the opportunity.
 
 
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Loser of the Week

 
JAMES HANSEN, director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), wants oil executives put on trial for giving out "misinformation" about global warming/climate change/climate crisis  because it's a "crime" for them to disagree with him.  And not just an ordinary crime, mind you.  It's a high crime against humanity. 

Let that sink in for a moment. 

Forget for a moment that according to GISS' own data, the Earth's temperature has been flat since 1998 and, in fact, has been trending downward. 

Forget for a moment that thousands upon thousands of scientists have recently come forward to denounce this hoax of the ages. 

Forget for a moment that Hansen is reaping personal financial benefits from his perpetuation of this hoax.  In 2001 he got $250,000 from the Heinz Foundation.  In 2007 he split $1 million from the Dan David prize category of "Future Quest for Energy".  Investors Business Daily has reported that he may have received as much as $720,000 from George Soros' Open Society Institute, although he denies this. 

Let's just concentrate on the fact that he thinks that people who disagree with him should be put on trial for the high crime of disagreeing with him.  Here is a man who greedily feeds at the public trough, probably slurping loudly, rakes in bucks on the side, all the while blithely denouncing one of the most cherished institutions of this country, i.e., freedom of speech.  Arrogant totalitarian doesn't even begin to describe this man. 

And you thought that dissent was the highest form of patriotism.



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Dear America,

 
Thank you so much for your policies.  Thank you so much for your endless regulations and laws.  Thank you so much for your shortsighted incompetence.  And most of all, thank you so much for your arrogance.

You have more missiles, bombs, and technology than we do, but we have more of what you really need:  oil! 

Instead of listening to our friends the environmentalists, instead of saying to yourself that we would always supply you with the oil you need at a reasonable price, you should have been developing your own resources.  Instead of creating thousands of jobs in America, expanding your engineering capabilities, and keeping your wealth to yourself, you send us some $700 billion a year.  Just imagine what you could do with that money.  Just imagine how strong you would be, and how weak we would be, if you had kept that money to yourself.

As a result of these failures, we now own shares in your banks, your real estate, and your publicly-held companies.  We also finance a good portion of your debt and can now manipulate your markets, currency, and economies for our benefit.  In short, we own you now, and you never even saw it coming. 

And you call yourself the greatest nation on earth. 

Sincerely yours, 

OPEC
 
 
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The Second Amendment

 
In yet another bare bones majority, the Supreme Court ruled that the Second Amendment means just what it says.  Like all rights enumerated in the Bill of Rights, the right to keep and bear arms is not absolute and subject to some limits, which is as it should be. 
 
Reaction from certain quarters was predictable:
 
"I am profoundly disappointed in Justice Roberts and Justice Alito, both of whom assured us of their respect for precedent.  With this decision, 70 years of precedent has gone out the window.  And I believe the people of this great country will be less safe because of it."
 
          Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
 
Firstly, Sen. Feinstein packs heat.  The Constitution doesn't apply to us little people, too?
 
Secondly, I don't recall her screaming when just a short while ago, the Supreme Court threw out all precedent and all law and all sanity in order to give constitutional rights to foreigners who are bent on destroying us.
 
If the Supreme Court always followed precedent, "separate but equal" and "Dred Scot" would still be the law of the land.  Does Di-Fi admire those precedents?
 
 
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Pretender to the Throne

 
"We can't drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times . . . and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK."
 
          Barack Obama
 
"You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.  You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.  You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.  You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.  You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.  You cannot build character and courage by taking away men's initiative and independence.  You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves."
 
          Abraham Lincoln
 
Not even close.
 
 
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I Rest My Case

 
After it became clear that Republican legislators may have had the votes to lift the ban on offshore drilling, House democrats took the matter off the table and put it off until later this summer. 

Apparently, democrats like the high price of gas, regardless of what it is doing to the American people and the American economy.  

Remember that come election time.
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New Mantra

 
Well, the democrats have a new mantra.  The old one, "we can't drill our way out of this" wasn't working out for them, so they have a new one.  It goes something like this, "the oil companies already have leases for millions of acres of land.  Why don't they drill there."  At first blush, that sounds plausible enough, and democrats are hoping we don't look beyond those words.  But, as usual, democrats are wrong.  Are they ever right?  Quick, somebody tell me the last time a democrat was right. 

Back to the mantra.  What's the flaw in their argument?  We don't know if there's any oil on the land that they have leases on.  Duh!  If you want oil, you go to where you know it is.  We know it's in ANWR and we know it's off the coast.  It makes no sense whatsoever to tell oil companies to spend their time and resources looking for oil in places it might not be rather than in places we know it is.  But then again, not making sense is the one thing, the only thing, that democrats are really good at. 

The undercurrent in all this is not just the fact that the democrats were wrong to prevent us from harvesting our own resources.  Their wrongness is plain for the whole world to see.  The problem now is that they won't admit it.  Rather than manning up and saying "We were wrong, and now we're going to fix it", democrats would rather continue to cover their butts and point the finger of blame at everyone but themselves.   

So the question now becomes, how much of the American economy are they willing to destroy?  How bad is it going to have to get before action is taken?
 
 
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Quotable Quotes

 
"California's coastline is an international treasure."
 
          Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
 
 
"California's governor is an international boob."
 
          Mariposa Rocks
 
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Plan B

 
Guess what?  There is no Plan B. 

Democrats thought that we would always be able to get all the oil we ever needed or wanted from the usual sources.  Therefore, there was no reason to harvest our own resources.  They could continue being criminally irresponsible and get praise from the environmental groups at the same time.  For them, it was win-win. 

Now that that has been shown to be disastrous, democrats are running around in circles like chickens with their heads cut off.  The daily mantra of  "We can't drill our way out of this" no longer registers  We've heard it for so long now that it's just white noise.  Why they keep saying it is beyond me.  Maybe they're trying to convince themselves or maybe it's just their security bankie.  But, wouldn't you just love to hear someone say in response, "How would you know?  We haven't tried." 

Barack Obama, the Moses the democrats expect to lead them back into the White House, goes one better by saying that there's no point in drilling because it won't solve the problem now.  Hey BO, have you heard of the bigger picture?  He's absolutely right when he says it won't help now, but it will help in the future.  The U.S. Energy Information Administration predicted last year that if the ban on offshore drilling was lifted, it would take until 2012 to start leasing the areas and until 2017 before the oil began to flow.  Well, we didn't do anything last year so that time frame is now 2013/2018.  If we don't do something this year, the time frame will be 2014/2019.   

If Bill Clinton had not blocked ANWR, we would be realizing its benefits now.  If we start drilling right now, we won't be in a worse spot down the road.  This isn't rocket science.  It's Common Sense 101, and completely beyond the ability of the democrats to grasp.

In an effort to make it sound like they have a clue, however, democrats are stressing the need for more fuel-efficient cars and alternative energy.  Really.  How close are we to those?  Are they going to happen by the end of summer?  Of course they're not, but democrats want to pursue them anyway.  Kinda hypocritical, wouldn't you say?

So, in summary, what is the democrats' answer to the current crisis?  Other than a windfall profits tax, they have none.  They have no idea of how to handle this matter.  They have no Plan B. 

If this is their idea of how to handle a crisis, we're in big trouble the next time terrorists decide to attack.

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