Enduring Freedom

“Enduring Freedom” presents social and political commentary by John Rivard, previously published on the "Editorial" page of The Texas Polka News.  Comments are welcome.  

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Drill Here - Drill Now - Pay Less

The reality of $4 gasoline is here to stay, with prospects of $6-7 prices (or higher)  leading to a recession driven by rising energy prices.   Folks, isn’t it about time we really get energized about energy! 

I offered a comprehensive plan for our energy problem in the June issue editorial “Gas Pains.”  Its elements are:  (1) produce more of our own oil and gas; (2) develop and use our vast deposits of coal; (3) continue conservation efforts; and (4) increase our use of proven alternative energy sources (nuclear, wind, and ethanol produced from non-food sources).  I stand by that plan, but would like to concentrate in this column about #1, producing more of our own oil and gas.

Folks, we have lots of undeveloped oil and gas!  We have huge deposits off the east and west coasts, and in the Arctic Natural Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) on the north slope of Alaska.  We have huge new finds in North Dakota and Montana (the Bakkan Shale formation with billions of barrels of recoverable oil).  We have previously discovered vast deposits of shale oil in states like Wyoming. 

Folks, we could be drowning in our own oil and gas!  But we aren’t!  Instead, we are mired in a mix of environmental opposition and political grandstanding that has paralyzed the development of our own oil and gas.  Yet we are willing to pay over $140 per barrel to the other oil producing countries, and watch our nation’s wealth fund our political and religious enemies in the mid-east and elsewhere.

Folks, it’s not the oil companies!  The oil companies would love to produce our own oil and gas.  But they are not allowed to drill.  The potential oil leases off the east and west coasts have been off limits by Presidential Executive Order and Congressional prohibitions.  On July 14 President Bush removed the Executive ban.  But the leadership of the Democratically controlled Congress has steadfastly refused to consider removing the Legislative ban.  This while you are paying $4 per gallon to go dancing!

The Democrats say, “You can’t drill your way to energy independence.”  Folks, they are flat out wrong!  Combined with all the elements of the plan outlined above, producing our own oil and gas is the only way to energy independence.  Democrats also say, “Producing our own oil and gas offers no short term relief.”  Again, they’re wrong!  While it may take 4-10 years to develop our own new oil and gas, the determination to do so would kill the speculation that is driving oil prices higher.  Nothing would stifle speculation more than a determined program by the USA to develop our own oil and gas!  But Obama is having none of it.  And McCain is only a little better, having recently come out in favor of drilling off the east and west coasts. 

Folks, it’s time for grass roots America to take back our country, and demand that we produce our own oil and gas.  See the web site at www.americansolutions.com.  Sign the petition to Drill Here - Drill Now - Pay Less!  Then call your reps via 1-202-225-3121.  Call them weekly, because once is not enough.   Get energized about energy!

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Greenwashing America

To “whitewash” is to gloss over or cover up vices, crimes, or to exonerate by means of a perfunctory investigation or through biased presentation of data.  Greenwashing is the same, different color.  And we are living the Greenwashing of America!

Before proceeding, let me establish my credentials.  I was raised on a dairy farm, learning to conserve the soil.  I remember WWII ration books, saving tin cans and bacon grease, no shoes or sugar, and doing without.  I was raised by depression-era parents, learning that we “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.”  These conservative principles carried through into my adult life.  I didn’t buy a new car (only used) until well into my forties.  We lived below our means, saving every month, even through the hardest early years, and even now.  When I go fishing, I do “catch and release” (keeping only a few).  My point is that I am a conservative, and conservatives conserve!  That includes our planet!

As a conservative, I am alarmed that we are witnessing the “Greenwashing of America,” led by the terrible triumvirate of politics, education, and religion.  Here’s how.

Greenwashing politics is occurring at both the international and national level.  On the International level we are being pressured into signing the Kioto Treaty aimed at hamstringing the American economy by requiring that we significantly reduce our output of greenhouse gasses, while giving free passes to countries like China.  Domestically, the democratic controlled Congress is pressing for “Cap and Trade” legislation that would essentially do the same thing.  Protecting the environment will continue to be a political football in the 2008 elections, as all “Presidential” candidates oppose drilling for and producing our own oil and gas, or using our vast coal deposits. 

Greenwashing education is occurring every day in our schools (and on TV), as teachers brainwash our children to the supposed horrors of economic development and making a profit.  Here’s a question.  What is easier to teach?  English-Algebra-History-Civics, or “environmentalism?” Answer:  Environmentalism, because even the least competent teacher can teach it!   Global warming has become their issue and the battlefield, with our educators spreading the gospel that (1) global warming is a proven fact, and (2) that it is man made, from the emission of carbon dioxide from our sinful use of energy.  While the first may be true, it is almost certainly related to natural cycles.  There is no credible evidence that the second is true, only theories.  Theories promulgated by those who subscribe to…

Greenwashing religion.  Yes folks, for many in the secular world, worship of the environment has replaced worship of God.  It’s taken on all the trappings of a religion, with none of the Divine revelation (unless you happen to believe that God is speaking through Al Gore and An Inconvenient Truth). 

Greenwashing advertising on TV of Greenwashing products is another example.   We are living the Greenwashing of America.  Stand still for it, and you will be Greenwashed!

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Gas Pains

America has gas pains.  At $3.50 a gallon, a tankful of gas costs $50-$60.  At $4+ per gallon for diesel, truckers spend over $1000 to keep our economy moving another tankful.  But energy costs are much more than what we experience at the gas pump.  Energy is an essential ingredient of every product or service in our economy.  So the increased cost of energy is affecting us in everything that we do, every transaction we make.  It’s a universal and compounding tax!  It should help soften the blow that energy in America still costs less than half that it does in Europe.  It should help.  But it doesn’t!  We still have gas pains.

It’s easy to understand the problem.  World energy demand is exceeding world energy supply.  Demand is increasing because world population is increasing, and because heavily-populated countries like China and India are improving their economies, literally moving from bicycles to cars.  Since we rule out nuclear war, pestilence and genocide as solutions to the demand problem (smile here),  the only relief we can expect on the demand side is that the higher price of energy will automatically inhibit growth in demand.  This is good, because it is market forces at work.  But it won’t relieve our gas pains.  So we must look to the supply side for relief.  Common sense dictates that we would consider all the following options to increase our energy supply.

Produce more of our own oil and gas.  Allow oil companies to drill offshore on all three coasts, and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).  Do it with due protection of the environment, which oil companies have shown is achievable.  And yes, unfetter oil companies, rather than punishing them!

Develop and use our vast deposits of coal, in two basic ways.  First, move the coal by unit coal trains to electrical generation stations, where it can be converted to energy without polluting the environment.  Second, build coal gasification plants to turn the coal into natural gas, which can be easily moved around the nation in our system of pipelines.

Continue conservation efforts.  While it is absolutely true that we cannot conserve our way to energy independence, every reasonable conservation effort helps.  Continue to mandate increases in automobile gas mileage standards, thereby encouraging development of hybrid vehicles along with improvements in standard engine vehicles.  Mandate higher efficiency ratings for all new air conditioners, and major household appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers, etc.)

Increase our use of proven alternative energy sources.  This includes electricity generation from nuclear power and wind farms, and ethanol produced from non-food sources (but not from corn, see May column).

Now, what are the chances that we will take such a path to increasing our energy supply?  Not good!  The entire issue is very political, and the environmentalists will oppose everything except conservation.  But the first step is an educated public.  In the long run, that may be the only way to relieve our gas pains.

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The Great Ethanol Scam

Congress, following the lead of President Bush, mandated that oil companies increase the amount of ethanol mixed with gasoline as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.  This means that the fuel pumped at most gas stations contains up to 10% ethanol, subsidized at 51 cents per gallon at taxpayer cost.   In addition, the development of autos equipped to burn an E-85 mixture (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) is being fostered.  This was all hailed as a way of decreasing our dependence on oil by fostering the use of ethanol made from corn.  The environmentalists, the farmers & legislators from corn-producing states, and Archer Daniels Midland (the worlds largest producer of ethanol) all cheered!  In one fell-swoop we could punish big oil, decrease our oil imports, better protect the environment, and help our farmers.  Ethanol would save the day!

Well folks, we’re several years into the use of ethanol, and here’s some facts.

First, ethanol contains one-third less energy per gallon than gasoline.  This means that it takes 1.5 gallons of ethanol to deliver the same energy as a gallon of gasoline.  This directly translates to reduced mileage when using ethanol-enriched fuel.  This has been born out in numerous tests (by EPA and others) that show a reduction in miles per gallon of 26% when using E-85.  For example, a car that gets 30 mpg on gasoline gets about 22 mpg on E-85.  A similar proportional reduction in mileage is seen when using 10% ethanol blends.  This means that you are buying more gallons of gas to drive your same mileage!

Second, when including the energy input by farmers to grow the corn (fuel, fertilizers, transport) ethanol takes more energy to produce than it delivers.  In short, use of ethanol makes us more dependent on oil or other energy sources, not less! 

Third, corn-derived ethanol contains water, which makes it incompatible with movement in gasoline pipelines.  This means moving it by dedicated tanker, truck or pipeline, with additional costs.

Fourth, the price you pay at the pump for an ethanol blend does not reveal the 51 cent per gallon direct federal subsidy (which comes out of your taxpayer pocket, not your back pocket).  Nor does the pump price reflect subsidies paid to the farmers for growing the corn. 

Fifth, it is not at all clear that there is any environmental benefit with use of ethanol.  While nitrogen oxide emissions are lower, ethanol produces higher concentrations of other pollutants.  Further, water usage is high (1700 gallons per gallon of ethanol). 

Sixth, the rush to produce corn ethanol has tripled the price of corn, driving up the cost of all corn products (animal feed, meats, grains, eggs, etc).  This amounts to a hidden tax directly attributable to the mad rush to produce corn ethanol.  It has also resulted in the U.S. needing to import wheat (as acreage is diverted to corn). 

Is there a place for ethanol in our energy solution?  Probably yes, particularly if derived from other sources such as bio-mass.

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The Economy?

Polls indicate that the issue for most voters this election will be the economy.  Not for me.  My issues are (1) securing our borders, (2) supporting conservative ideals (and keeping socialism at bay) by voting for the most conservative candidates available, and (3) achieving a successful democratic government in Iraq that can withstand Al Quaeda, internal strife and Iran (when we withdraw).

But for most, the issue is the economy, or so we are told by the media and voter exit polls.  With employment at an all-time high, it’s a little puzzling why this is so.  Let’s see if we can figure out why. I must disclose that I am neither helped (nor burdened) by any schooling in economics.  So I can only try common sense. 

Common sense tells me that people are concerned about the economy because the price of food and gas has risen considerably, and it is hitting them directly in their pocket books!  Hence, the economy is “bad,” in spite of record employment, an unsurpassed standard of living, and low unemployment.  Understandable, so let’s examine why fuel and food prices are up.

Fuel prices are increasing because: (a) the world demand for energy (oil and natural gas) is increasing dramatically as nations of the world become industrialized, particularly China and India; and (b) because we have failed to devise a comprehensive national energy policy that makes any sense.  We can’t do anything about the economic development of the rest of the world (besides, it’s a good thing).  But we could do something about our national energy policy. 

Like what?  Well, the Democrats want to penalize oil companies, continue to prevent the production of oil and gas from the Artic National Wildlife Reserve (ANWR) or off the coast of anywhere, and forbid nuclear power generation plants.  They would try to solve the problem with conservation and clean energy sources (e.g.; wind, unless it’s off the coast of Massachusetts where Ted Kennedy objected).  This will not be enough!  But the Bush Administration has accomplished little, other than mandating the use of ethanol in our gas (more on that later), and increasing mileage standards for autos. 

What needs to be done?  Produce more energy from environmentally responsible development of oil and gas reserves, of our huge reserves of coal, and from nuclear and wind.  Couple this with logical conservation.  But higher fuel prices are a new fact of life regardless, and will continue.

But why are food prices rising?  Because the irrational rush to produce ethanol for fuel has almost trebled the price of corn!  So the cost of all food from corn (both human and animal) has risen dramatically, increasing the prices at the supermarket.  It has also resulted in the U.S. needing to import wheat, which would be incredulous if it weren’t true!

So the issue this election is the economy, and yet the most important root cause is the rising price of fuel.  Isn’t it about time we demand a comprehensive energy plan? But wait!  What about global warming?  Glad you asked.  Stay tuned…

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Vote Informed

Folks, this is an election year.  We have the right to vote.  We have the opportunity to vote in both our primary and general elections. More than that, we have an obligation to vote informed!  We must vote informed because we owe it to those who died to give us this right, and to our grandchildren and future generations. 

This is a Presidential election year, and voter interest (and turnout) is always high.  This is especially true among those voting Democrat this year.  The principal reasons for this are their dissatisfaction with George Bush (and eight years of a Republican Presidency); plus their desire to leave Iraq, enact universal health care, increase taxes on “the rich,” approve the Kioto Treaty (or similar measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions), penalize oil companies, increase social programs, and make straight a path for legalizing those here illegally.

The Democrats are energized, and it shows!  The Democrat turnouts in the primary elections to date have been as much as 50-100% greater than the Republicans!  The Democrat volunteers are in the field and working the phone banks, with campaign contributions flowing in.  The Democrats have two high profile Presidential candidates knotted in a tight race, and the enthusiasm is building to a fever pitch.  They will be energized no matter which candidate they select.  More power to them!  That’s the way the system is supposed to work!

But it’s not working like that for the Republicans this year.  Having been Bush-whacked at the border, and dispirited by failure of our party to control discretionary spending, the conservative base (including me) are unenthused.  Now we have essentially selected a Presidential candidate who is not a real conservative.  This scenario all points towards a Democrat Presidential victory next fall.  Enthusiasm, volunteer effort and voter turnout wins every time!  (I am not resigned to a Democrat victory.  After all, it’s a long time to November, and events in the world or on the campaign trail could change things.  But as it now stands, the Democrats are sitting pretty.)

So what’s a conservative to do? 

Vote, and vote informed!  Vote even if you are not enthused about the Presidential race.  Vote as if the control of the House, the Senate, and the legislature in every state depended upon your vote, because it does!  Vote in the primary elections (March 4 in Texas) to select the candidates that best reflect your views.  This applies equally whether you are voting Democrat or Republican.  If you are liberal, vote to select your candidates.  If you are conservative, vote for those who best reflect your views.

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Primary Borders

Regular readers of this column know that failure to secure our borders has been my primary subject this year, with four editorials devoted to it.  That’s because I believe that failure to secure our borders is the most serious issue facing the nation, even more fundamental than the terrorist war being waged against us.  The face and fabric of our nation is at stake, and we are losing the battle. 

That’s why I am addressing this primary issue again, in the context of the primary elections now underway across our nation. 

Of course there are many issues that we should consider when choosing whom to support in the primary elections at the local, state and federal issue.  They include crime, education, protecting the unborn, Jihad by Muslim extremists against the U.S., limiting the growth of government, health care, the economy, and many more.  All of these are important.  But securing the borders is primary!  Our votes in the local, state and federal elections should be driven by this primary issue. 

But how best to determine which candidates really are committed to securing the borders, which really want open borders, and which ones equivocate and obfuscate?  Here’s some help (for the Presidential race).  It’s based on the work of Roy Beck, of “Numbers USA” on the web site of Americans for Better Immigration (see www.betterimmigration.com). 

Beck has rated all the Presidential candidates on their overall record and stance on immigration in four categories:  Promises, Past Actions in Office, Specific Legal Immigration Stances, and Specific Illegal Immigrations Stances.  All total, the report card rates the candidates on 16 specifics among these four categories.  For each specific, Beck assigns a rating of excellent, good, fair, poor, bad, or abysmal.  The resulting matrix provides a comprehensive report on the position of every candidate, current as of Jan. 7 2008.  So comprehensive that it is difficult to comprehend.

So I have made it simple by assigning a point system to the ratings.  Excellent is 3, good 2, fair 1, poor minus 1, bad minus 2, abysmal minus 3.  This point system produces the following scores for each candidate (beginning with Tom Tancredo who scored a perfect 48!):

Tom Tancredo (48); Duncan Hunter (41); Fred Thompson (33); Mike Huckabee (23); Mitt Romney (16); Ron Paul (16); John McCain (minus 9); Rudy Giuliani (minus 10); Chris Dodd (minus 15); Hillary Clinton (minus 18); John Edwards (minus 18); Joe Biden (minus 18); Bill Richardson (minus 20); Barack Hussein Obama (minus 23); and Dennis Kucinich (minus 24). 

Some observations based on these scores.  I have personally supported (financially) the campaigns of Tancredo, Hunter and Thompson, because they lead the way on this primary issue.   

John McCain and Rudy Giuliani are the only Republicans with a minus score.  All the Democrat candidates have minus scores, all lower than the worst Republican.  Among the frontrunners, Barack Hussein Obama is the worst.

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A Primary Role

Have you ever wanted to be important?  Somebody who helped make things happen.  Someone with an important role?  Perhaps even a primary role?

Well, now’s your chance to have a primary role, by taking a role in your primary election!  The state-by-state primary elections will be occurring around the nation in the next several months, beginning in January.

What is a primary election, and why are they important?  Simply stated, primary elections select the people who will be on the general ballot in the fall election, including the Presidential candidates.  In many respects, primary elections are more important than the general election!  How so, you say?  Well, consider this. 

Regardless of whether you are liberal or conservative, the primary election allows you to influence the candidate that your party selects for the fall election.  If you want your party to be more liberal or more conservative; if you distrust the incumbent or have a favorite challenger; if you have a keystone issue such as immigration or abortion or the war on terror; the primary election is the one and only chance to make your voice heard!  Come fall, you will be locked into the person (and hence positions) selected by your party.  But in the primaries, you help select that person, and form the positions!

This is important at every level of government, whether local, state of federal.  At the local level, your primary choices help make positions on issues such as local taxes, sanctuary cities, and crime.  At the state level, you influence all these areas and much more, including the important election of judges, and the top officials of the state (e.g.; governors, etc.).  At the national level, you help influence the direction of the nation by identifying your party’s selection to run for President!

But how do you know whom to vote for in the primary election?  There are so many candidates!  No easy answer here!  It takes effort to learn the candidates, their positions, and sort through all the ads and misinformation to identify those that best reflect your beliefs. 

The internet is a great help.  First, you can go the website of the official in charge of elections (County Clerk, Secretary of State), or your political party to learn about the date of your primary, the candidates, and early voting.  You can look up the candidates and review their positions.  You can go to conservative or liberal web sites to get their viewpoints.  You can look up the League of Women Voters and get their take on the candidates and issues. 

With regard to selecting a Presidential candidate, check out the following neutral site:  www.wqad.com/Global/link.asp?L=259460.  This site helps you identify the Presidential candidate that best reflects your views on 11 important issues.  You select your positions, and the site identifies the candidates that best reflect your positions, based on the candidate’s own statements on each issue.  It works regardless of your political beliefs or party association. 

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Movies to Make and Miss

We’re not much on movies, because most can’t match up to a good dance.  But two new movies deserve support, because of their subject matter, and important message.  The first is “Bella” and the second is “Border.”  On the other hand. “The Golden Compass” deserves to be boycotted, because it is anti-God propaganda aimed directly at young people.  Let’s start with the good ones!

“Bella” is an exceptional movie!  It is intensely pro-life and pro-family, although the terms pro-life and abortion never appear.  Rather, it tells a story of real life problems, decent values, the importance of family, and two people who help each other overcome their own problems.  “Bella” stars Eduardo Verastegui and Tammy Blanchard.  Verastegui is hardly known in America but was a major star in Mexico soap operas until he began searching for something more in life.  Blanchard is a fresh young face.  Set in New York, Blanchard plays a waitress who is fired on the day she learns she is pregnant.  Verastegui, a chef at the same restaurant with a personal tragedy in his past, befriends her (and loses his job because of it).  The two of them spend the day together, and begin the healing process with the help of his family.  It is an uplifting film, which won the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival. “Bella” means beautiful, and this movie is!

While “Bella” will make you feel good, “Border” will upset you, and well it should!  California filmmaker Chris Burgard’s award-winning, feature-length documentary, “Border” takes a firsthand look at the dire and real human consequences of America’s failure to secure its borders.  “Border” unleashes a haunting, inside look at what has arguably become a war zone: rape trees, illegal immigration, drug smuggling, sex trafficking, Mexican military incursions and more - all taking place at the United States’ southern border.  From drug cartels and smuggler towns to besieged American ranchers, “Border” gives the viewer a front row seat.  “Border” focuses on the staggering number of people brutally victimized while illegally crossing from Mexico.  The film includes startling covert thermal imaging footage of drug smugglers, moving millions of dollars of drugs across the border into the United States.  If you care about our country, you should see “Border.”  If you can’t find it at a theater, you can buy the DVD at www.bordermovie.com.

But “The Golden Compass” is the one to miss.  Based on the book by British atheist and critic of religion Phillip Pullman, “The Golden Compass” is an anti-God message disguised as a movie made to appeal to young people.  Scheduled for release Dec. 5, it is being heavily promoted in advertising and previews.

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Thanks...for Nothing!

The citizens of the United States will be celebrating Thanksgiving again this year, and well we should!  We live in the most prosperous nation in the world.  We are healthier, wealthier, and more secure (safe) than any people in the history of mankind.  Our standard of living is unsurpassed.  Our health care the envy of the world (in spite of those who would destroy it by wrecking it in favor of socialized medicine).  We live longer – and better – than ever before.  Our supermarkets are a cornucopia of plenty, a modern marvel, a tribute to our productivity and to the free enterprise system.

Our Constitution and Bill of Rights have provided us a stable government for 218 years, surviving the Civil War, the great depression, two world wars, and the nuclear arms race (to date).  Our government and our Christian heritage have enabled the American people to develop a nation that is putting fascism, communism, and every other “ism” on the ash heap of history.

More than any of our forbearers, we (you and I) are the beneficiaries, the recipients, the lucky ones that are reaping the harvest.  So we have much for which to be thankful.  Perhaps too much!

Say what???  Well, let me ask you this?  How long has it been since you really “wanted” for something material? 

While you’re thinking about that, I hasten to explain that I am not talking about things like personal relationships, family health matters, or any of the other big ticket items that are part of living and dying.  Everyone has (or will have) unmet wants and needs in this category.

Rather, I am talking about the material things that make our life easier, more fun, more exciting or interesting.  When we were children, it might have been the B-B gun, the fishing rod, the special doll, or the beautiful birthday dress.  As we grew up, it may have been the driver’s license or the prom dress.  Whatever they were, we waited for them...longed for them...planned for them…worked for them…saved for them.  And precisely because we could not immediately get them, they took on greater value.  Greater value while we were waiting, and greater value once achieved. 

But as we have matured, and met the primary needs of our family, we find ourselves able to buy not only what we need, but also that which we only “want.”  Which gets us back to the question.  How long has it been since you really “wanted” for something material? 

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this year in our country of plenty, perhaps we should all “want” something, and learn to “enjoy” that want by doing without it.  Doing without may be the best way of being thankful for what we have.  I think I’ll give it a try.

Thanks … for nothing!

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Noah  2007

Reprinted by John Rivard  (author unknown)

In the year 2007, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in the United States, and said, "Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me.  Build another Ark and save two of every living thing along with a few good humans."

He gave Noah the blueprints, saying, "You have six months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights."

Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard - but no Ark.

"Noah!" He roared, "I'm about to start the rain!  Where is the Ark?"

"Forgive me, Lord," begged Noah, "but things have changed. I needed a building permit.  I've been arguing with the inspector about the need for a sprinkler system.  My neighbors claim that I've violated the zoning laws by building the Ark in my yard and exceeding the height limitations.  We had to go to the Board of Adjustment for a decision.

Getting the wood was another problem. There's a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the spotted owl.  I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls - but no go!

When I started gathering the animals, an animal rights group sued me.  They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodation was too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space.

Then the Department of Transportation demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the route for the Ark 's move to the sea.  I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they didn’t care.

Then the EPA ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood.

I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I'm supposed to hire for my building crew.

Now Immigration and Naturalization is checking the green-card status of most of the people who want to work.

The trades unions say I can't use my sons.  They insist I have to hire only union workers with Ark-building experience.

To make matters worse, the IRS seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species.

So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark."

 Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky.  Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "You mean you're not going to destroy the world?"

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Jihad 101

Most of us believe that we are involved in a “War on Terror,” but really don’t understand our enemy.  We lack the insight of a big picture.  The following short course on the “Third Great Jihad” can be helpful.

A Jihad is a holy war, waged on behalf of Islam as a holy duty.  The first great Jihad began after the Islam religion was established by Mohammad, and lasted about 700 years.  During this Jihad (which included the period we know as the Crusades), Islam grew to be one of the world’s great religions before finally being expelled from the continent of Europe in the battle of Granada (1492).

The second great Jihad came with the Ottoman Turks, who greatly expanded Muslim territories and vanquished Christian Constantinople.  The Ottoman Turk Jihad ultimately fragmented, spawning the development of many sects, including Wahhabiism in the Arabian peninsula about the time of WWI.  This Wahhabi version of Islam has infected the religion, especially the Shiites.

Wahhabiism calls for the complete and total rejection or destruction of anything not based on the original teachings of Mohammed.  It manifested in the actions of the Ayatollah Khoumeini in Iran and the Afghan Taliban.  Its leader is now Usama bin Laden, the leader of the Third Great Jihad, who is Wahhabi, as were his 9/11 attack teams, 18 of which were also Saudi.

The Third Great Jihad did not begin with 9/11.  Their first great victory was the overthrow of the Shah of Iran, who was attempting to “westernize” his Muslim country and establish ties with the U.S.  Aided by the ineptness of the Carter administration, the overthrow of Iran was successful and the radical Muslims gained a base of operations and the oil wealth of Iran.  Remember “Americans held hostage” in Iran?

The Third Great Jihad plans to replace secular governments in all Arab nations with Muslim majorities.  They successfully assassinated Sadat in Egypt, and have made multiple attempts on the lives of Hussein in Jordan, Mubarak of Egypt, and Musharraf in Pakistan.  Pakistan is a special target, because it has nuclear weapons.  Their ultimate goal is to eliminate Israel, and ultimately “the Great Satan” (that means us, folks!).

Jihad is fought in two main ways.  First, by the use of terror, often in the form of bombs, kidnappings, beheadings, and assassinations of local officials and leaders.  Second, by populating a nation with immigrant Muslims, legal and illegal, to undermine the existing rule of law.  The nations of old Europe are being overrun in this manner.

To face Jihad, we must accept (believe) that militant Muslims intend to destroy us!  We must accept that they will not go away.  We must accept that we must fight for our survival, spending both lives and treasure throughout the world, and in this nation. 

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Secure the Borders

The Europe of our ancestors is disappearing.  No folks, it’s not being flooded by rising sea waters from Al Gore’s global warming!  Rather, it’s being flooded with Muslim immigrants, many of them radical, intent on replacing the established governments and laws with Islam’s “Shariah Law.”  Old Europe is disappearing because its countries are faced with a declining birth rate due to abortion and lifestyle choices (reflecting the decline of the Christian religion) that result in birth rates below replacement value.  The economic need for population growth has resulted in open borders, through which the Muslims have flooded.  The Europe of our ancestors is disappearing.  Does any of this sound familiar as we look at our country?

Our nation made the right choice recently when the US Senate voted not to proceed with the “amnesty” immigration bill pushed by President Bush, Senator Kennedy, and the Democratic leadership.  The bill was seriously flawed because it did not do enough to secure the borders, first!

But now what?  Bill O’Reilly of Fox News offered the following plan in an on-air editorial.  It makes sense to me. 

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First, the southern border must be protected by at least 700 miles of barrier, backed up by a doubling of the Border Patrol. To assist those federal agents, ten thousand National Guardsmen would be stationed near the border.  That would effectively close the border to smugglers of humans and drugs. If you oppose that strategy, you do not want a secure border. Period.

Second, all illegal aliens currently in the USA must register with Homeland Security at their local post office. If they do not register, they would be subject to immediate deportation. After processing by the feds, the aliens would then receive a tamper-proof identification card, allowing them to temporarily work here.

Third, any business hiring aliens who do not have the government-issued ID would be criminally charged.

Fourth, all registered illegal aliens would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Those deemed by federal authorities to be self-sufficient, law-abiding people would receive the so called "Z-visas," giving them resident status, but not automatic citizenship. That would have to be earned over a number of years by complying with a set of obligations including paying fines, back taxes, learning English, and staying employed.

Any alien with a criminal record or who is unemployed would not be eligible for the Z-Visa.  That takes the blanket amnesty issue off the table and shifts responsibility to those who entered the USA illegally. They must prove they are responsible enough for citizenship.  Unfortunately, some on the left object to strenuous regulations for illegal aliens, but that point-of-view has no future. Most Americans, according the polls, will accept new compatriots provided the southern pipeline is shut down, and a fair penalty for illegal behavior is imposed

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Secure the Borders First

In early June, the long-ignored majority of Americans fed up with our government’s failure to secure the border loosened a barrage of phone calls, faxes, letters and visits on their respective Senators.  As a result, the Kennedy-Kyl-Bush comprehensive bill to grant essential amnesty to the millions (12, 20, 30 million?) of illegal aliens already here was stalled in the US Senate.  If you were part of the effort to stall this disastrous legislation, you should feel very very proud! 

With your help we won this round, but the war is not over.  Backed by Bush and a coalition of Democrats, some Republicans, and employers, a comprehensive bill will be brought back to the Senate, and we will have to fight it again!  And again.  And again!!!

We should expect such attempts from the Democrat leadership in Washington, who see an unstemmed flood of immigrants as the sure-fire way to gain political control of the nation for decades to come.  What infuriates us conservatives is the push for this legislation by Bush and some Republicans legislators (see April issue Editorial, “Bushwhacked at the Border”).

President Bush and these Republicans don’t understand four major points.  First, for most legal Americans (of all races and political affiliations) securing our borders is the most important issue that exists, far more important than anything else, including Iraq, Iran, North Korea, the rest of the War on Terror, and all other domestic issues.  Second, we are not opposed to dealing fairly with the millions already here, and accept that those who are not felons or otherwise disqualified should have a path to citizenship, if that is what they want.  Third, we understand that this nation needs both immigrants and temporary workers to continue to grow and prosper, and it is important to provide for both in a controlled and fair manner.  Fourth (and most importantly) because of our government’s proven track record of failing to secure the border, we insist that the border be secured first! 

Do we have reason to believe that the government, left on its own, will not secure the border?  Well, Yes!  The evidence is all around us in the millions of illegals who cut our lawns, build our houses, do the entry level jobs, and fill our schools, emergency rooms, and jails.  The evidence crosses the border in thousands every day.  We know that our government has not secured the border as promised in new legislation last year, nor in the wake of 911, nor after the Amnesty of 1986 (which was to have cured the problem).  Yes, we have plenty of reason to doubt the sincerity, will or intent of our government to secure the border!

And until they do, we don’t want any “comprehensive” solution that repeats the mistakes of the past, promising control, but delivering only amnesty!

We’re fed up, and that’s why we flooded our representatives with phones calls, letters, faxes, visits and even demonstrations!  That’s why we will continue to do so.  Until our elected representatives get the message.

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Memorial Day

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service.  It takes on special, new significance this year.

There are several stories about its actual beginnings.  It was first proclaimed in 1868 and observed on May 30^th that year when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.  Later it was known as “Decoration Day.”  It is now celebrated across the nation on the last Monday in May.

Many Texas Polka News readers may have childhood memories of Decoration Day.  These memories may involve services in parks, with uniformed veterans of WWI firing volleys from old Springfield rifles in tribute to their fallen companions.  It might include services in a gymnasium, with someone reciting Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address (exceptionally fitting on Memorial Day).  In the late 40s and 50s the emphasis would have been on veterans of WWII and the Korean Conflict.  In more modern times, the Viet Nam war moved into center stage.  Now we have Iraq and Afghanistan.

While the players and the conflicts have changed, several things seem to remain constant over the 135 years we have been marking Memorial Day.

First, sorrow, sacrifice and pride in the faces of those who served and those who lost loved ones.  Second, our nation’s flag, used to decorate or mark graves, and flown half-staff until noon (if proper flag etiquette is followed).  Third, a certain degree of detachment among younger people who have not the years, the experience nor the involvement to appreciate the significance of the event or the emotions of those that took part.  Fourth, a desire by many to sing a patriotic prayer.  Perhaps “God Bless America” or “America” or more recently “God Bless The USA.”

And the final constant is “TAPS” which was composed during the Civil War.  While we normally associate TAPS with the lonely and haunting bugle call, here are the words: 

“Fading light dims the sight, And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.  From afar drawing nigh – falls the night.”

“Day is done, gone the sun, From the lake, from the hills, from the sky.  All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.” 

“Then goodnight, peaceful night, Till the light of dawn shineth bright, God is near, do not fear – friend good night.”

 Good night to all who served, and gave us our lives with their sacrifice.

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Global Warming?  Or Hot Air?

We are bombarded daily with dire predictions of man-made catastrophe from “Global Warming.”  One of the leading public figure alarmists is Al Gore, who is spreading the word as an “Inconvenient Truth.”  Let’s explore the real truth about global warming. 

There are several questions that should be honestly addressed.  First, is the earth getting warmer?  Second, how serious is it?  Third, what is the role of man? 

Is the earth getting warmer?  Yes, the earth is in a long term “natural” warming trend that began about 18,000 years ago as we came out of the ice ages when glaciers covered much of the northern hemisphere.  By the end of the ice age the world temperature had risen about 18 degrees F, and sea levels had risen 300 feet.  But this long term warming has nothing to do with man (unless Al would have us believe that cavemen discovering fire is the cause!).  Rather, it is mostly the result of cycles in the sun’s activity; the tilt of the earth’s axis; and wobble in the earth’s orbit around the sun.

But within this warming there are warming and cooling cycles.  During the “medieval warm period” (~10^th-14^th centuries) Greenland was green and grapes grew in Britain.  But that was followed by the “little ice age” (~16^th-19^th centuries).  More recently, warming and cooling cycles in the US have occurred (looking at the chart, I can see why I shoveled a lot of snow 1947-51!).  And yes, the US warming trend since the mid-70s has increased temperatures (less than 1 degree F), reaching the same levels as during the 1930’s.  But it’s also important to note that using the most accurate measuring method available (satellite), the average global temperature in the last 18 years has actually decreased!

Bottom line?  Long term warming, but no reliable evidence of recent alarming increases!

How serious is it?  That seems to depend upon whether you are concerned about 10 years, 1000 years or 10,000 years.  Clearly, there is no near term reason for alarm.

What is the role of man?  Al Gore wants us to believe that man’s burning of fossil fuels is causing global warming by increasing the “greenhouse effect” of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere.  The fact is that 95% of the earth’s greenhouse effect comes from water vapor in the air?  Does Al think we are responsible for water vapor in the air?  It is true that increasing the CO₂ content of the atmosphere increases the greenhouse effect, but obviously only by “wagging the 5% tail” because water vapor controls! 

Bottom line?  There are many good reasons to conserve energy, recycle, and yes, reduce our carbon footprint!  But to blame man for global warming is either the pinnacle of human ego (thinking we have that much power over the nature of God’s universe), or a misdirected effort to gain notoriety, political advantage, and governmental power over our lives. 

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Bush-Whacked at the Border

Well, it turns out that the Dixie Chicks were right!  (Even if for all the wrong reasons!)  President Bush’s refusal to secure our borders makes me ashamed that he’s from Texas!  Not an easy thing for me to admit, but the time has come to tell it like it is.  We’ve been Bush-whacked at the border!

As Commander-in-Chief, the President of the United States is responsible for protecting this nation.  For me, this should begin with securing our borders.  As Commander-in-Chief, that should be job one! 

And Bush refuses to do it!  Oh sure, he has sent some National Guard troops to the border in a pretense designed to allay our fears, and he has increased spending for securing the borders.  But he is more committed to opening the borders for a guest worker program than to securing the borders for our protection.

Want proof?  His Justice Department has made an example of any border guard that dares to enforce the border by putting them in jail.  The cases in point are named Ignacio Ramos, Jose Compean, and Guillermo Hernandez, all citizens and former border control agents.  All three are now in jail for enforcing the border!  The Bush Administration clearly wanted to send the message to its border agents.  Enforce the border and you go to jail!

By his failure to secure the border, Bush is alienating the conservative base of the Republican Party.  We feel betrayed.  But worse is the irreparable harm to our nation as it is literally being conquered by illegal immigration. 

Of course we need immigration!  With our declining birth rate, we join all of Europe as nations that must have controlled, legal immigration to grow and thrive.  But the key is “legal” immigration!  “Legal” begins by securing the borders!  Bush, and the Republican controlled Congress did not get the job done!

Not that the Democrats would do better.  To the contrary, they are even more committed to open borders than Bush.  Their past record in promoting “motor voter” registration, and rushing through many thousands of people to citizenship for the Clinton re-election speaks volumes.  Louder yet is their silence on Bush’s failure to secure the borders.  If the Democrats wanted to control the borders they would be crucifying Bush on this issue!

So what is a frustrated conservative to do? 

First, urge your congressman to pressure Bush to pardon Ramos, Compean and Hernandez. 

Second, commit to supporting true conservative candidates in the Republican Primary election next year.  (We must send the message at the primary election level). 

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What is an American?

A Texas Polka News subscriber recently suggested that the Enduring Freedom editorial address the topic, “What is an American?”  The more I thought about it, the more difficult it became.  We all think we instinctively know what makes a good American.  But putting it in a few words is challenging.  The potential traps include (1) creating a model so perfect that no one among us can meet the standard, and (2) our own built-in biases and prejudices that make it difficult to be objective.  But it seems worth a try, so here we go.

First, an American is proud of this country, proud to be here, proud of our history and heritage, and proud of what this nation has accomplished in advancing the freedom of mankind (worldwide) with our representative republic, capitalism and the Judeo-Christian ethic.

Not that we can be proud of everything in our history.  We took this land from the Native American civilization.  Slavery was an abomination.  Our founding fathers, although “giants” in the advancement of human rights, had their own human foibles and weaknesses, as do our leaders today.  The list goes on.  But the key point to remember is that an American proudly believes that we have done far more good for the advancement of the human race than we have done harm. 

This is where some critics among us fail the test of being American!  Those who see and spout nothing but our failures and weaknesses are so blinded by their own prejudices that they are no longer proud to be American.

Second, an American wants to remain being an American, or fervently desires to become an American.  Aliens in our country who meet this test have the makings of an American.  Those who do not meet the test can never be good Americans, and should not have the status of citizen, or the privileges and benefits that come with that status. 

One good way to test if a person wants to be American is their willingness to learn and use the English language.  There is nothing wrong with maintaining a heritage language, as many Czechs, Germans, Poles, Cajuns, Vietnamese and Hispanics have done.  But it is the willingness and eagerness  to learn and use English that is the first and demonstrable test of wanting to be an American. 

Third, an American accepts the responsibility of participating in the governance of our nation by taking an informed role in our electoral process.  Many native born fail this test routinely. 

Fourth, an American will defend this country by serving in the armed forces when the need arises.  Any who refuse to serve fail the test.

Fifth, a person who comes to America to take advantage of our opportunity does not try to “kill the golden goose” by transforming our country into the nation they chose to leave.  Those that do try are not American.

Last, an American has no difficulty rendering to both Caesar and God.  A major concern is that many of the Muslim faith do not meet this test.

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Stem Cell Issues

Confused about the controversy surrounding the medical use of stem cells?  Uncertain about how to balance the great promise of stem cells against protection of human embryos?  Here’s a primer.

First, the potential use of stem cells to combat disease and repair damaged organs is a very exciting medical frontier, with much promise.  Second, the stem cell controversy is unnecessary, and all stems from the ideological debate over abortion.  Here’s why.

Stem cells are the building blocks of our bodies.  They are the “starter cells” that do become our skin, bones, organs, brain tissue, and every part of our bodies.  They hold considerable promise for repairing our bodies if they can be successfully harvested, harnessed, and delivered to diseased or damaged body parts.  There are currently four sources for stem cells:  Embryonic, umbilical cord blood, adult stem cells, and amniotic fluid (newly discovered this month in the fluid in which a baby is developing in the womb,).

But stem cells are not all equal.  Some have the potential to become “anything” in the human body, while others are restricted in what they can be.  The more primal the cell, the greater their potential.  Hence, embryonic stem cells (from the human embryo in its first days of development) have greatest potential utility.  Adult stem cells taken from an adult body are more limited in what they can become. 

Research is underway in the use of all four types of stem cells.  There is no ideological controversy about the use of stem cells from umbilical cord blood, amniotic fluid, or adult stem cells, because harvesting these cells does not involve the destruction of human life.  Further, most of the successful medical advances to date have come from the use of adult or umbilical stem cells. 

Use of embryonic stem cells is the source of ideological controversy, because it requires the destruction of the human embryo.  Pro-lifers see this as the destruction of human life, thus very objectionable on ethical and moral grounds.  Pro-lifers also point out that the use of embryonic stem cells has been clouded by development of tumors, a problem not being encountered with the other stem cell sources.

Advocates of embryonic stem cells believe that the potential benefits outweigh the necessary destruction of the human embryo.  They demand federal funding for this particular type of research, in addition to privately funded research now underway.  This demand for federal funding is the source of all the controversy.

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America's Enemies - Abortion

There have been about 45 million abortions in the 33 years since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion.  This number dwarfs the six million victims of Hitler’s “final solution.”  After peaking at about 1.4 million per year in 1990, the abortion numbers have declined to about 850,000 per year.  Lest you think that is great news, it still means that about 10 little lives will be terminated in the time it will take you to read (and think about) this column.  At the peak of abortion, about one of every three pregnancies ended in abortion.  In a nation where contraception is readily available to all, one of every five babies is still legally aborted.  This waste of human life is abhorrent.

Yet we as a nation condone it, either denying the obvious biological fact that abortion takes an innocent human life, or worse yet, knowing that it is life, and not caring!  That’s the really frightening part, especially for seniors watching new generations with no respect for life take control of our society.  We have taught them life does not matter.  These are the people who will govern us as we age.

Consider some of the ways in which abortion is wrong.

First, abortion terminates an innocent human life.  That an embryo or fetus is a human being cannot be denied.  Women don’t have puppies … they have baby humans!  And the physical act of regular birth does not change anything.  Clearly, if it is human being after birth, it is human being before birth.  (National Geographic has produced a TV program about life in the womb that documents the development of the human in the womb.  Anyone who has watched this program understands that abortion takes an innocent human life.)

Second, abortion corrodes and destroys the moral fiber of our nation.  By placing zero value on unborn human life, abortion degrades the value of all human life.  It coarsens our society, and destroys our respect for life. 

Third, abortion is demographic suicide.  The fertility rate of our nation, which was about three children per woman, has dropped to two children per women, below replacement rate.  Our nation is in decline.  Of the 45 million babies aborted, about 20 million would now be productive citizens if they had been allowed to live.  Instead, we need immigration (mostly illegal) to survive. 

Many Pro-life organizations exist to fight abortion and assist those who need help.  Texas Right to Life (TRL) is one of the best!  The TRL web site (www.texasrighttolife.com) is an excellent resource, and identifies over 200 programs in almost 100 Texas cities for those needing help.  Look them up on the web, or give them a call at 713-782-LIFE.  They’ll be glad to talk with you and tell you how you can help. 

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America's Enemies - The ACLU

“I am for socialism, disarmament and ultimately for abolishment of the state itself as in instrument of violence and compulsion.  I seek social ownership of property, the abolition of the propertied class, and sole control by those who produce wealth.  Communism is the goal.”

O.K. folks, who said it?  Lenin perhaps, or Stalin?  Castro?  Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez?  No folks, we have to look closer to home – within our own society.  It was Roger Nash Baldwin (1884-1981), the founder of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).  And the organization that he founded in the first half of the 20^th century continues to be a threat to our nation, under the guise of protecting our freedoms. 

Barely a week goes by that we don’t hear of some outrageous action by the ACLU.  Whether its attempting to force the Boy Scouts to authorize homosexual leaders, restricting prayer in public settings, fighting the death penalty, promoting gay and lesbian “normality” under the guise of “rights,” promoting open borders under the guise of “immigrant’s rights,” undermining penal institutions under the guise of “prisoner’s rights,” weakening national security under the guise of “individual rights,” and on and on.  Think I’m making this up?  Go to their web site, and read the cleverly packaged Issues summaries.  The attack on all our institutions is apparent, all under the guise of protecting our freedoms.

My answer?  Our Constitution has done a mighty fine job protecting my freedoms, and I don’t need the complete reworking of our institutions, thank you very much!

Is it possible for Government to infringe upon our freedoms?  Absolutely!  Do we have to be ever vigilant through our legislatures and courts against the abuse of power?  You bet!

But is the ACLU our true ally in this?  Not the way I see it!  Not when they defend child molestation advocates.  Not when they try to deny our Armed Forces from recruiting in High Schools. 

Back in the 1930s, Congress investigated the ACLU and found them to be closely associated with the Communist Party.  Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly writes that the ACLU “is still using the Baldwin’s strategy, wrapping itself in the flag and defending the rights of ‘folks.’  Unless of course the folks are Christians, Boy Scouts, parents who want to know if their underage daughters are having abortions, or concerned Americans who want sexual predators who hurt children held accountable.”

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America's Enemies - Hugo Chavez

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld recently said, “America is not what’s wrong with the world!”  Donald Rumsfeld is right!  But there are many in the world (and some in the U.S.) that don’t see it that way.  Among them is Hugo Chavez, the President of Venezuela. 

Venezuela Dictator Hugo Chavez has vowed to bring down the United States.  Chavez, President of Venezuela, told a TV audience: "Enough of imperialist aggression; we must tell the world: down with the U.S. empire.  We have to bury imperialism this century."

Chavez is pushing a socialist revolution and has a close alliance with Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.  Many believe he wants to replace Castro as the major anti-U.S. force in the western hemisphere.  One big difference between Castro and Chavez is that Chavez (Venezuela) has oil!

Chavez made a big splash recently with his appearance at the United Nations, where he called President Bush “the Devil” and pronounced the United States “worthless.”  His specific words were, “The government of the United States doesn’t want peace.  It wants to exploit its system of exploitation, of pillage, of hegemony through war.” 

Chavez received applause from many in the United Nations General Assembly.  He is pushing the UN to seat Venezuela on the UN Security Council.  (Venezuela and Guatemala are competing for an opening coming up on the Security Council.)  Chavez is also helping middle eastern terrorists enter our country illegally across the Mexican border, teaching them Spanish.  He is essentially at war with us!  Yes, we have enemies, and Chavez is near the top of the list.  And as a large exporting nation of crude oil, he has oil as a tool.

But so do we, at least as far as Chavez is concerned.  That’s because the Venezuelan government markets their oil in the United States as Citgo Oil Company, seen throughout the nation as Citgo service stations.  That’s right, folks.  Our self-proclaimed enemy markets the Venezuela oil to you and me at every Citgo station.  The profits go where?  Why to the Venezuelan government of course! 

So every time you buy gas at a Citgo service station, you are directly supporting the government of a man who has proclaimed us his enemy.  So why would anyone want to trade at a Citgo service station?

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Decisions 2006

We go to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 7 in a nationwide exercise of our representative Republic commonly called “mid-term elections.”  We will elect our local and state governments, and our representatives to the United States Senate and House of Representatives.  All of these races are important, especially those that help determine which party controls the Senate and the House.

Republicans have been in control of the Senate and House since the 1994 mid-term elections of Clinton’s first term, when dissatisfaction with his policies brought both legislative bodies under Republican control for the first time in almost 40 years. 

Now there is a possibility that the House and Senate may swing back to Democrat control, a result of steadfast opposition to Bush from the left, concern about the war in Iraq and its role in the war on