The mainstream media is reporting that the the US death toll in July was the lowest level since we invaded Iraq in 2003.
Read the article
Thursday, July 31, 2008
The Surge is Working
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
New Blog
I am pleased to announce that I have launched a new blog. This blog will continue on in the same vein. The new blog The Iron Rod Will focus on LDS principles and will follow the Gospel Doctrine lessons.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Good News for Mesa, AZ! (or is it?)
I just read another article in the Arizona Republic. It is titled "Latino neighborhood slowly disappearing in central Mesa"
The article states that due to new employers laws and crack downs on illegal immigration that the neighborhood I live in is have a lot of vacancies in homes and apartments and that businesses near the neighborhood that cater to Latinos are experience a significant drop in business. Well this looks like all good news to me. This looks like the sanctions laws and Sheriff Arpiao's round ups are working.
But for the poor poor people at the Arizona Republic this is extremely bad news. Everything that I would take as great news was doom and gloom for them.
For example:
"The Reed Park area, already known for its high crime rate, now must contend with a growing number of abandoned residences, which often leads to more crime."
Did it occur to them that the high crime rate might possibly, partially be caused by some of the illegals? After all they got here by breaking our laws?
Sorry that people who cater to the illegals are now facing hard knocks. That to me is like feeling sorry for the johns because all the prostitutes have been removed from the streets.
Your thoughts? Even if you don't live in Arizona do you think illegal immigration affects you?
Pelosi and the Dem Horde are WUSSES
I was going to post this yesterday but that would have made 2 posts in one day. I don't want to look like an overachiever.
So we have this little oil problem - it costs way to much. And a solution that I think is reasonable would be to suck that black gold out of the ground or water here in the good ole US of A. Let us forget all the arguments for or against drilling. Let us instead focus on the fact that the Dems are too chicken to even let the matter come to a vote. It is such a problem for them that they are afraid to introduce a spending bill for fear someone will amend it with drilling for oil.
I can't seem to find the words to describe how spineless and childish Pelosi is acting.
The Wahington Post even questions, "If drilling opponents really have the better of this argument, why are they so worried about letting it come to a vote? "
Read the entire Washington Post article.
Any Dems out there want to stand up for your party and explain why they are too yellow to vote on the matter?
Monday, July 28, 2008
Drug addiction in Mexico is America's fault
Just thought you should know that drug addiction in Mexico has quadrupled in recent years and it is OUR fault. At least that is what Mainstream Media wants you to believe.
"Mexico confronts a growing problem with drug addiction, a phenomenon that some experts blame on the Mexican government's crackdown on drug cartels and stepped-up U.S. border enforcement."
Read the entire article here
Not sure how you feel, but I think the Mainstream Media is all about blaming the problems of any less fortunate country, group, or person on the shoulders of the US Government. Why shouldn't they? They are liberal and think that the government should control our lives anyway so it must be the government's fault when someone's life is gone down the garbage chute.
I must state the obvious (obvious to any free thinking person that has common sense): We are responsible for our own lives and in this case our own drug addictions. The US government and the Mexican government are not at fault. There I said it. Anyone care to argue that? The ridiculous article makes it sound like we should stop securing the borders and take pressure off the Mexican government to curb the drug cartel. Well that sounds like an excellent idea.
Please feel free to counter my remarks. Go ahead and play the devil's advocate. Or if a lost liberal found their way to my blog then please try and explain to me why this is our fault.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Do you like yours Supreme?
Not talking pizza here people.
Lets get back to the basics shall we?
Let us remember what is Supreme in this great land.
Article VI of the Constitution of the United States:This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
Basic points:
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution;
Example of an oath used currently:I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. [So help me God.]
Do they truly support the Constitution? There are many who do not from the Federal governemnt on down. There are many many who do not. Why is this important? Because this Constitution we speak of is the power behind protecting our freedom. Even in this great land there are men and women whose only goal is to seek after power. Do the names of Hitler or Lenin ring a bell? These were men who had no power or influence in their youth. They were impoverished and yet they desired to conquer and rule the world. The fastest most effective way to gain power in this world is through government. If Hitler and Lenin can kill millions of human beings and enslave millions more coming from a background of no money and no education then is it not possible that today in our time there are men and women with money and with education seeking after power?
History is full of examples of men using government to subject their will to the people. Augustus Caesar is a well known example. Is it impossible for us to think that in America their are men and women that command millions or even billions of dollars and the finest education man has to offer that would use that money and education to subject others to their whims and ambitions? All the while claiming to be looking out for the 'little people'? Do not these kinds of people lie, cheat, and steal and are masters at covering up the truth? These kinds of people operate in secret.
We must educate ourselves and be alert and informed.
Ezra Taft Benson stated in the Logan Tabernacle in 1963 prior to leaving to preside over the European Mission,
"There is safety in an informed public. There is real danger in a complacent, uninformed citizenry. This is our real danger today. Yes the truth must be told even at the risk of destroying, in large measure, the influence of men who are widely repected and loved by the American people. The stakes are high. Freedom and survival is the issue.
We are at war."
I will reiterate that we must return to the basics. We must uphold laws that are Constitutional and try to remove laws that are not.
President George Albert Smith in General Conference April 1948 said that, "The Constitution of the United States of America is just as much from my Heavenly Father as the Ten Commandments."
Make your local, state, and federal governments support the Supreme Law of this land. They took an oath to do so - put their feet to the fire!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Why the Lies Mr Obama?
There is very compelling evidence that the Mainstream Media is avoiding like the plague that Mr Obama's Certificate of Live Birth (COLB) is in fact a forgery.
This COLB appeared on a far left blog, Daily Kos, see it here. Obama's campaign came out and confirmed that it was his legitamate COLB.
Now it appears it is all a fabrication. If Obama was not born in the USA he cannot be El Presidente. If he was born here then why lie about the COLB? We need answers Mr Obama.
To see the compelling evidence in full forensic science detail then visit Atlas Shrugs.
Monday, July 21, 2008
The Internal Threat Today - Dec 19,1963
I enjoy quoting Elder Ezra Taft Benson. Each Apostle in our Church has had strengths in various areas of science, arts, politics, philosophy, etc. Benson excelled in shouting out for the Constitution of the United States.
Below are a few quotes that give me pause. The title of my post is the title of a speech given in 1963 by Elder Benson. This was shortly after the JFK assassination.
"It was communism that sowed the seeds of treason in the mind of President Kennedy's accused assassin. This is something that must not be forgotten.
In fact, this harsh historical fact should have served as a shock therapy to that segment of our population who like to call themselves 'liberals.' America is big enough to make room for many different kinds of thinking, but many liberals have claimed to see virtues in socialism and communism which I, for one, have not been able to find. To promote their ideas, American liberals have become a highly organized, hardcore establishment in the United States and they have been excusing their appeasement and coddling of communism on the ground that they were being 'tolerant,' 'broadminded,' and 'working for peace.'"
This is the thinking of the left. I know there are liberals that aren't this far left. I also know there are RINOs on the Right. This doesn't change the fact that the left wing establishment is rife with socialists and ideology that permeates with tolerance. They want us to abide by UN charters and international law. One CANNOT wholly abide by these and the Constitution of the United States.
Liberals are communists and hippies that want to force the world to all get along and play by their rules. They are conspirators at the highest level with the intent to rob you and I of our GOD GIVEN rights so that they may gain more power. They take God out of the schools and the courthouses. They claim tolerance when what they tolerate is only that which is for them and gives them more power. Free Thinking people who rely on their Creator are something that they cannot tolerate. They need more people to rely on them for sustenance so that their voter base cannot do anything but continue to vote for them. They hide behind this tolerance and create such monsters such at 'political correctness'. This is an attempt to limit free speech.
For the hardcore liberal socialism in any form is the preferred society. They want us to be tolerant of criminals, terrorists, mothers that choose to abort their babies, and drug addicts.
To quote Elder Benson in the same speech:
"The liberals hope you'll believe them when they tell you how anti-communist they are. But they become alarmed if you really inform yourself on the subject of socialistic-communism. For after you inform yourself you might begin to study the liberal voting record. And this study would show you how much the liberals are giving aid and comfort to the enemy and how much the liberals are actually leading America towards socialism itself.
For communism is just another form of socialism, as is fascism. So now you can see the picture. These liberals want you to know how much they are doing for you - with your tax money of course. But they don't want you to realize that the path they are pursuing is socialistic and socialism is the same as communism in its ultimate effect on our liberties. When you point this out, they want to shut you up - they accuse you of maligning them, of casting aspersions, of being political. No matter whether they label their bottle as liberalism, progressivism, or social reform - I know then contents of the bottle is poison to this Republic, and I'm going to call it poison."
The USSR is no more but socialism in all its forms is very much rampant in this world today. Call it what you want. Even the terrorists want socialism - they want us all to be like them, to live like them, to pray like them - or die.
If liberals are socialists and terrorists support socialism as well then you would think that terrorists and states that sponsor terrorism would have an active interest in the liberal agenda of the left right? Well of course - take a look at this little gem from yesterday in the World Net Daily:
"Members of the most active West Bank terror organization are set to serve in security forces being deployed to protect Sen. Barack Obama during his trip to the West Bank tomorrow, WND has learned.
Obama is due to visit Israeli officials in Jerusalem and leaders of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank city of Ramallah as part of a wider Middle Eastern and European tour that includes Jordan, France and Germany.
According to security officials coordinating deployments of forces with the PA for Obama's Ramallah visit, members of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Fatah's declared military wing, have been called upon by the PA to participate in the protection of Obama, particularly in securing the perimeter during a scheduled meeting with PA President Mahmoud Abbas.
The Brigades is listed as a terror organization by the U.S. State Department. The group took credit along with the Islamic Jihad terror organization for every suicide bombing in Israel between 2005 and 2006 and is responsible for thousands of shootings and rocket firings. Statistically, the Al Aqsa Brigades perpetuated more terrorism from the West Bank than Hamas, according to the Israeli Defense Forces."
All I can say is WHAT THE HELL! I could go on and on about how the terrorists closely watch our politics - you can bet they want a liberal Congress and a liberal President. You can bet they want 'tolerance' from us. They want us to rollover and die - they want us to leave our borders unprotected. They want us to have better gun control too.
Is this all just right-wing whacked out conspiracy theory? What are your thoughts?
Thursday, July 17, 2008
I Hate Nancy Pelosi and Her Tool, Harry Reid
The International Herald Tribune reports on Pelosi's asinine decision to fight the call to allow for more offshore drilling. This woman is a real piece of work. "The president of the United States, with gas at $4 a gallon because of his failed energy policies, is now trying to say that is because I couldn't drill offshore," Pelosi said in an interview. "That is not the cause, and I am not going to let him get away with it." Knowing these facts tells us that we are in a precarious position in regards to oil. In 2007 almost half of all oil imports came from OPEC (1 billion barrels from Saudi Arabia and Venezuela combined). Other imports came from countries that have tense ties with the US including Russia, Mexico (half a billion barrels), China, and other Middle and Far Eastern States. It tells me that we need to hold on to our diminishing reserves. We need to drill now. It is a crock of crap to say that it will take 10 to 30 years to see the benefit of drilling now. Economically it will make OPEC rethink their prices which will give an immediate benefit. It didn't take 10 years to get a significant amount of oil out of the ground during the oil boom at the turn of the 20th century. Surely our technology for extracting oil is faster and cleaner now. We should also pursue renewable sources of energy. If we can reduce dependence on oil without government intervention I am all for it. If the government hadn't intervened in drilling and exploration we wouldn't be in this predicament.
Does she really think that we are going to blame President Bush for the price of oil? Some of us aren't stupid. We understand that oil is part of a GLOBAL market. Other countries also demand oil from our suppliers. Since OPEC is a cartel run by despots, dictators, and terrorists the best solution is to lower our dependence on foreign oil. We also know that a liberal Congress has been blocking Bush and the conservatives on many issues for over 3 yrs.
Her voice carries considerable weight since, as speaker, Pelosi is in a position to prevent a vote on expanded drilling from reaching the floor
And she and Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the majority leader, appear intent on holding the line against calls to approve drilling in areas now off limits.
What about alternative fuels? I have nothing against them - in fact more power to you if you find a viable, marketable alternative fuel that can compete with gasoline and diesel fuels. (Just don't force anyone to use it or subsidize it with my tax dollars!)
Lets look at some facts about petroleum - I gathered these myself so if you find any errors please let me know. (based on information from the Energy Information Administration of the US Department of Energy)
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
One can dream can't they?
It is often said by voters that they had to chose the lesser of 2 evils. I think we really underestimate how good we have it when it comes to politics and the right to vote in this great land. It would be rare indeed that we would find ourselves voting for a candidate in any office at any level that shared all of another ones ideals, moral convictions, or political views.
McCain is not the greatest conservative in America.
I wouldn't go as far as calling him evil either. I don't agree with the man on a lot of issues. I do agree with him wholly or in part on quite a few issues. Mr Obama is batting .000 with me. So I will support the Big Mac all the way.
Here is where the dream begins: My Dream Ticket for 2008 would be McCain/Romney. I used to think this was far fetched. But this idea maybe gaining some momentum. I have no idea what McCain personally thinks about this but we could put a bug in his ear - you think he reads this blog? Ha Ha - there I go dreaming again.
According to CBS News and their top 10 list for VP candidates Romney is listed in the #1 spot right now. Regarding Romney the webpage states:
"The former Massachusetts governor has emerged as the heavy favorite to be McCain's running mate. While there are some concerns the former rivals wouldn't get along, that may not matter and Romney brings some bona fide advantages to the ticket, especially in raising money and ability to compete in Michigan. Added to that is that Romney has been an effective surrogate for McCain at fundraisers and on cable TV."
According to another article Romney is actively campaigning for McCain and the 2 are now friends. The article also states:
"Since dropping out of the Republican race in February, he has gone from being John McCain's fiercest rival to one of the Arizona senator's most visible surrogates. What was inconceivable during the height of their primary battles, the prospect of a McCain/Romney ticket, is now a real possibility.
The most obvious assets that Romney would bring to the Republican ticket include his economic expertise, fundraising prowess and potential to give McCain a boost in more than one battleground state. But a less talked about plus side to a Romney vice presidential candidacy is that despite his perpetually sunny demeanor, the former Massachusetts governor is not afraid to unleash razor-sharp political attacks against the opposition.
'This is not the time for an amateur," Romney said of presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama. "This is the time for a tested, proven professional to lead our country.'"
One can dream can't they? What are your thoughts on a McCain/Romney ticket? Would you like to see this happen? Care to speculate that it will?
Friday, July 11, 2008
Americans are destroying America
I did borrow that title - I read a most interesting speech by Ezra Taft Benson. It was given at the April 1968 General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You can read it yourself if you have an old copy or a subscription to Deseret Book's website Gospelink.com. I read that it was also entered into the Congressional Record April 28, 1968 - I need to follow up on this to verify (You can only search the CR back to 1994 online).
Anyway the talk given by Elder Benson starts off by saying 'Americans are destroying America'.
I would like to quote part of this speech and at times comment on what was said. What is most incredible is how dire and grave the situation was in America 40 yrs ago when these words were broadcast. It is also interesting that Benson would talk to the members of the Church in America specifically when the Church is a worldwide organization (granted it was still predominately American at the time).
Elder Benson - after quoting parts of Doctrine & Covenants 134:1-3,5 - states, "The function of government is to protect life, liberty, and property, and anything more or less than this is usurpation and oppression. " PERIOD - this is such a cut and dry statement. In todays entanglement of laws it is easy to see that we are at times usurped and oppressed.
He then goes on to talk about the breakdown of law enforcement and the demoralization of the police force by a politically minded Supreme Court. He soon moves on to what the greatest threat to America is:
"I do not believe the greatest threat to our future is from bombs or guided missiles. I do not think our civilization will die that way. I think it will die when we no longer care, when the spiritual forces that make us wish to be right and noble die in the hearts of men, when we disregard the importance of law and order.
If American freedom is lost, if America is destroyed, if our blood-bought freedom is surrendered, it will be because of Americans. What's more, it will probably not be only the work of subversive and criminal Americans. The Benedict Arnolds will not be the only ones to forfeit our freedom.
"At what point, then, is the approach of danger to be expected?" asked Abraham Lincoln, and he answered, "If it ever reaches us, it must spring up among us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher; as a nation of freemen, we must live through all time or die by suicide." (Springfield, Illinois, January 27, 1837.)
If America is destroyed, it may be by Americans who salute the flag, sing the national anthem, march in patriotic parades, cheer Fourth of July speakers—normally good Americans, but Americans who fail to comprehend what is required to keep our country strong and free—Americans who have been lulled away into a false security. "
Have we stopped caring? Too many have I am afraid. Do we disregard law and order? All to often yes - even at the highest levels of this government we do as the Constitution of the United States is the Supreme Law of this great country. Politicians flaunt their ideals with total uncaring if it is constitutional or not. We enjoy our peace and our easy way of life too much to care. Even in this time of war a vast many Americans feel falsly secure.
Next he goes on to talk about the erosion of national morality. How far we have strayed. He is going to list a number of statics from the 1950s and 1960s and just try and compare that today. If it was alarming then it is oh so much more dire and reprehensible now:
"In this blessed land we have exalted security, comfort, and ease above freedom. If we dwelled at length on the many things that are disturbing in the life of America today, we might well become discouraged. I mention only a few of the reported startling evidences of our national illness, our moral erosion.
—There is a decline of U.S. morals and moral fiber, a turning to pleasure and away from hard work and high standards of the past.
—There is a growing worry in our universities over cheating in examinations.
—Nationwide juvenile delinquencies show an eight-fold increase since 1950.
—There is a 500-million dollar smut industry in this country causing youngsters to wrestle with standards of value.
—America is the biggest market for narcotics.
—Although we consider ourselves a people who believe in law and order, we have seen much evidence of the passion of the mob.
—Riots have occurred in 137 different cities and towns in 33 months, resulting in 120 deaths, including 12 police officers slain; 3,623 other persons injured; 28,932 arrested; and hundreds of millions of dollars property damage.
—Crime in the United States is up 88 percent in seven years, rising nearly nine times faster than population, up 16 percent per year, according to the FBI. Crime costs some $20 billion a year, and less than 21 percent of reported crimes result in arrests and less than one-third of those in convictions.
—In the midst of a cold war and preparation for a possible shooting war of survival, we have faced 651 strikes at missile bases in six years.
—The United States government has racked up a shameful record of 31 treasury deficits in the past 35 years.
—The sky-rocketing cost of the welfare state increased in 8 years from 6.9 billion to 20.3 billion dollars in 1961 and stood at 87 billion 578 million in 1966.
—There are over 7,700,000 people on relief in federal, state, and local programs.
—During the past 33 years our budget has increased 20 times over, and our national debt has increased from $16 billion to an admitted $324 billion; adding accrued liabilities payable in the future, our real indebtedness exceeds $1 trillion, or an average indebtedness of $5,200 for every man, woman, and child in the United States.
—Our present federal debt is equal to a first mortgage of $10,000 on all owned homes in the country and is reported to exceed the combined debt of all countries of the world. Annual interest on the soaring national debt is over $15 billion—only defense and welfare are higher.
—American currencies are weaker than those of Germany and Japan, who were defeated in World War II.
—Inflation has struck a serious blow to the value of the American dollar.
—We continue to move in the direction of more federal intervention, more concentration of power, more spending, more taxing, more paternalism, more state-ism."
How do I even begin to comment on these statements and facts? Wow if only we could go back to 1968! The short answer is we need morality to come back in America. It has to start with us. We have to be brave and stand up. We must teach our children morality. We must do it all on our own - everything. We rely too heavily on government programs to do it for us - we rely on them to teach sex education, to teach kids to say no to drugs, to teach kids about our heritage and politics, to pay for our mortgages, to give us jobs, to take care of our friends and neighbors in need. In the end the programs become greater than their creators and while some programs were made with good intentions while others were not. Regardless it becomes in the 'Government we Trust" and not in 'God we Trust".
Ezra Taft Benson goes on to quote James Madison, "Since the general civilization of mankind, I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power, than by violent and sudden usurpations."
Benson declares boldly, "If America is to withstand these influences and trends, there must be a renewal of the spirit of our forefathers, an appreciation of the American way of life, a strengthening of muscle and sinew and the character of the nation. America needs guts as well as guns. National character is the core of national defense. "
That statement is so powerful to me! We need to renew the spirit of our forefathers and appreciate the American way of life. In other words get up and do something! Be actively engaged in being productive. Be strong in your convictions!
I will conclude by quoting some of Benson's last statements:
"Our priceless heritage is threatened today as never before in our lifetime: from without by the forces of Godless Communism, and at home by our complacency and by the insidious forces of the Socialist-Communist conspiracy, with the help of those who would abandon the ancient landmarks set by our fathers and take us down the road to destruction. It was Alexander Hamilton who warned that "nothing is more common than for a free people, in times of heat and violence, to gratify momentary passions, by letting into the government, principles and precedents which afterwards prove fatal to themselves." (Alexander Hamilton and the Founding of the Nation, p. 462.)
Serious and concerned citizens everywhere are asking, "Can we cope with these threatening realities?" Yes, we can; if we would allow the local police to do their job, they could handle the rioting and looting. Yes, we can, if we have the courage and wisdom to return to basic concepts, to recall the spirit of the founding fathers and accept wholeheartedly these words of Thomas Paine, whose writings helped so much to stir people to action during the days of the American Revolution when he said:
"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; `tis dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed, if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated."(The Political Words of Thomas Paine, p. 55.)
As American citizens who love freedom, we must return to a respect for national morality—respect for law and order. There is no other way of safety for us and our posterity. The hour is late; the time is short. We must begin now, in earnest, and invite God's blessings on our efforts.
The United States should be a bastion of real freedom. We should not support the world's greatest evil, the Godless, Socialist-Communist conspiracy that seeks to destroy all we hold dear as a great Christian nation and to promote insidiously the breakdown of law and order and the erosion of our morality.
With God's help we must return to those basic concepts, those eternal verities, the rule of law and order upon which this nation was established. With an aroused citizenry and the help of Almighty God it can be accomplished. God grant it may be so, I humbly pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
What are your thoughts, has America strayed from its roots? Do we need to make a shift in our morals? What do you think of the state of America today?
Thursday, July 10, 2008
La Mara Salvatrucha - Just one argument for better border security
We are at war.
Did you forget that?
Since the inception of this great nation there have been groups of people that have loved and despised us. Currently we are at war. This is a war that has our security and our freedom at the heart and also the security and freedom of the people we are defending.
We are at war in Iraq. We are at war in Afghanistan. We are at war with dozens of terrorist groups. Including Al Qaeda and the Taliban. Why then do we allow people to enter our country illegally? Forget the issue of what to do with the millions of illegals already here. That is for another day. Let us first SHUT DOWN THE POROUS BORDERS! We need to build a fence - not a virtual fence a real one. Heck make the fence really tall with barb wire and razor wire then electrify it and then build another one behind it. Then place an ARMED Border Patrol along that fence with Rules of Engagement to shoot on site anyone that crosses and doesn't give themselves up ie shoot the ones that are armed. I want MY TAX DOLLARS to pay for that. Not special interest groups thank you very much.
It is a fact that Mexican soldiers are crossing into Arizona by a few miles and protecting drug and human traffickers and there have been documented reports of them firing at Border Patrol agents. Just over 2 weeks ago in Phoenix there was a home that was a hit by the Mexican Drug Cartel. The home owner was killed and the house riddled with bullets from automatic weapons. At least one of the hitmen hired was an ACTIVE Mexican Soldier.
See: Mexican soldiers recruited to be drug cartel's hit men
And: 6 Mexicans dressed as cops kill Phoenix man
So we also have violent crime, drugs, human trafficking, slavery (yes we have slaves in the US), and the possibility of jihadists in the US because we can't protect our borders.
But I digress... the point of this post was to give a SINGLE reason for closing the borders and improving how we handle violent illegals.
Meet La Mara Salvatrucha.
They are considered by the FBI to be Organized Crime now. They are the product of bad border policy, bad deportation policy and a civil war in El Salvador. Local Law Enforcement also know them as MS-13. They are organized and violent and growing in the US and other countries. Below are 2 links that describe them. The first is a National Geographic blog that has some history of the gang followed by emails sent as Lisa Lang see first hand Mara Salvatrucha in El Salvador. The second link is Washington Post article describing a possible link between MS-13 and Al Qaeda.
World’s Most Dangerous Gang by Lisa Lang of National Geographic
Al Qaeda seeks tie to local gangs published Sep 28, 2004
What are your beliefs on border policy? Do we need to close the borders? What are your thoughts on the border now - is there a serious problem or not?
Please watch this video it has a nice object lesson on immigration as a tool for compassion.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Communism, Socialism, Terrorism, & Liberalism vs Life, Liberty, & the Pursuit of Happiness
This is a topic that will probably frequent this blog. So I will create a foundation here for later discussions.
In the last post The Role of Government I discussed that the 3 major roles should be the protection of freedom and liberties, the protection of life, and the protection of property. I didn't mention, and this is probably because it seems so obvious to me at times, that in order for the government to perform these tasks it must first and foremost protect its sovereignty at all costs. In other words a few fundamental roles of any government should be:
- National Defense (protects sovereignty, life, property, and freedoms)
- Law and Order (Supreme Law in the US is the Constitution which guides and provides the principles needed for a foundation, protects life, property, and freedoms)
Welfare is not the responsibility of the government. By God's law we the people are held accountable for that as individuals. We must not delegate welfare to the State. King Mosiah in his address taught plainly that even persons in positions of power must serve one another. In Mosiah 2:14:
And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes, and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne—and of all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day.
If only our own politicians had these standards today.
In contrast to liberty we have terrorism. Radical groups of people for various reasons that call America and its citizens evil for its founding ideals. They threaten our country, our families, and our freedoms. These are fanatical groups and individuals that cannot be reasoned with, they believe that they are in the right. Should we sit idly by as some in Washington feel we should cower like so much of Europe has already? Should we disarm and disband? Should we fall back from the front and retreat? What would the message be to the terrorists and the rest of the world if we did? George Washington stated:
"There is a rank due the United States among the nations that will be totally lost by the reputation of weakness. If we would avoid insult we must be able to repel it, if we would secure the peace it must be known that we are at all times ready for war."
David O McKay in Gospel Ideals wrote:
"Force rules in the world today, consequently, our government must keep armies abroad, build navies and air squadrons, create atom bombs to protect itself from the threatened aggression of a nation which seems to listen to no other appeal than compulsion."
The forces of good and evil on this earth have been at war since the Council in Heaven. We need to keep up the good fight.
Another enemy that we find rampant in the world is communism and other forms of socialism. This is the welfare state. This is the government that controls the people. This is the kind of government that is promoted by liberalism. Liberals want to tell you how to live your life and force you to live their lifestyle. They want to tell you that the terrorists are simply misunderstood and not evil, rather that it was our fault. Liberals think they are smarter than you and I, that if we give them more money in the form of taxes they can spend it better. They can help the needy better. This is just socialism - welfare, state run health care, environmental watchdogs, etc. It doesn't matter how right the cause is, or how badly people need the help, it is evil to remove freedoms. It is Satan's counterfeit plan. And it is destroying liberties at a rapid pace. In the 1920s through the 1970s the leaders of the LDS Church such as David O McKay, Ezra Taft Benson, and Bruce R McConkie spoke out against communism and socialism. They stated that they were secret combinations and that no LDS person should have any part in them.
What are your views on socialism? Do you agree that liberalism is just another form of socialism?
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