Backing the Boost

I find it interesting that eight Arab states support the President’s troop increase more that politicians here at home . . .

USA Today: Troop increase gains support of 8 Arab states

*** Update *** (01.18.07)

Fellow Texan Silvestre Reyes (the new chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence) was quoted as saying that he was for an increase of 20,000 to 30,000 troops in Iraq in the December 5^th issue of Newsweek.

What a difference a month makes.

Soon after the President announced his proposed plan of a 21,500 increase, the Democrat from west Texas told the El Paso Times that a troop increase of that size was unthinkable.

Sounds like he was taking a page out of Kerry's play book, saying he was for it before he was against it.

Article: From The Washington Times

Civil Rights and the War on Terror

Immigration reform is a touchy subject. Ever since the topic came up before the midterm elections last year, I’ve wanted to voice an opinion I am very passionate about. Therefore, in honor of the Martin Luther King holiday and how entangled immigration reform has become with civil rights, I see no better time.

For those of you that live in Dallas, you’ll remember the half-million Mexican-Americans that marched on downtown in April of 2006 in the name of civil rights. It was an impressive demonstration, not only for its sheer size (the mass of humanity was unreal) but for the peaceful message it was trying to portray in a Cesar Chavez fashion – the right of the immigrant worker.

Most of you know that I’m a Republican through and through. Most of my beliefs connect with Republican ideals. On foreign policy I’m as hawkish as the next conservative Republican, but when it comes to a handful of domestic issues, I have found myself very much a moderate (a surprise to some of you, I’m sure). For example, I believe in a woman’s right to choose and I would like to see stem-cell research go forward.

Immigration reform is no exception.

Immigration was the topic one day last week on Sean Hannity’s radio show (which is what finally brought me to write about this subject almost a year after the civil rights marches of last year). The discussion was centered on illegal immigration through our southern boarder and how porous it can be. Hannity discussed the national security risk it posses, which is true, but the majority of these people are Latin American (11 million plus to put a number on it last I heard). He even went as far as to use the War on Terror as an excuse to expel our country of all illegal immigrants (which to use the war as cover for deportation made me extremely upset).

Now, let me be frank for a moment. The purpose of this blog is to point out that not all illegal immigrants are terrorists, especially in the southern boarder’s case. About 75% of all illegal immigrants in this country are Mexican or from Latin America, and to put all them under the umbrella of terrorism as Hannity did is beyond outrageous.

Let me be even more frank. When was the last time a Mexican immigrant flew a plane into an American building? When was the last time a hard working Latino farm or construction worker here in the United States murdered innocent women and children on a bus or train on the way to work in the name of Allah. I hate to say this (and not too sure who to quote, for I’ve heard it from many different pundits), not all Muslims are terrorists, but most terrorists are Muslims. It’s unfortunate, but painfully true. It’s the reality of terrorism.

President Bush’s view on immigration reform (which isn’t very popular with the extreme right of the Republican party) is a plan that can work and a plan that I personally agree with.

In this recent struggle of civil rights, I hope we don’t lose sight of the rights these aspiring American immigrants have. While we need to be self aware of terrorism in this country, we don’t need to have fear or place a label on an immigrant coming here, legal or not. Not every immigrant has an ulterior motive and to use terror as a catch-all for all immigrants is a farce and a slippery slop this country needs to stay away from.

I obviously use Mexican-American families as a point in this blog, but my point applies to all ethnic backgrounds. If we are going to deport any illegal immigrants that are already here, let’s not lump them together and classify them all as enemies of the state. To do so would play on a fear that true terrorist are trying to instill in us and at the same time would isolate us further from the world than what we already are.

Civil rights and liberties are something that we need to keep a constant vigil on to maintain. It’s the price we have to pay in our grand Republic we live in. Once we allow ourselves to use the War on Terror and fear to dictate our freedoms, the vigilance is lost to the present moment which can easily snowball out of control.

ER

Note: The subject of civil rights and the War on Terror obviously transcends and is not localized to the subject of immigration reform. Immigration is just the subject I have chosen.

Update (01-17-06): Interesting development in Terrorist Surveillance Program.

Re: Protestors

I feel that Haley had such a good blog posting that I just had to repost it here (with her permission of course). I couldn’t have said it better myself.

From Haley’s blog . . .

Protestors

Disclaimer: The purpose of this blog is not to talk about whether the war is right or wrong, if we should be in Iraq right now or not, or whether or not you or I think George W. Bush is doing a good job as the President. That being said, I don't want to hear anything about the previous things if you are going to comment on my blog.

I was watching the news last night, finally out of my little bubble I have been living in the past two months where I had no clue what was going on in the world. There was a 19 or 20 year old from Mansfield (I think) that was killed in Iraq on New Years Eve. This morning I was watching Good Day on Fox 4 and they mentioned a 21 year old medic (from Ennis, I believe) that was killed by a truck bomb whose funeral was today. Then they brought up the fact that there would probably be protesters at his funeral. I have a huge problem with that. I don't care if you protest the War, that's the beauty of living in America - freedom of speech. I do have a problem with people protesting the War at a Soldiers funeral. Soldiers risk their lives every day so Americans can have all the rights we have grown accustomed too, and possibly even take advantage of. I can only imagine what the Soldiers families are going through - losing a son, daughter, parent, cousin, etc. - and then there are strangers showing up at the funeral with signs and chants saying the Solider died for no reason at all. Excuse me?!? The Soldier died fighting for something he/she believed in. There isn't a draft going on right now, nor has there been one since the early 1970s. These "kids" that joined the Military have done so on their own accord. They most likely all have a different reason for joining, but their name was not picked out of a hat, nor was anyone forced to join. They joined because they wanted to, not because they had to. They are overseas fighting for something they believe in, not for nothing. Don't degrade the fallen Soldiers by protesting at their funeral. Show all of the military some respect and support, whether or not you believe what they are doing is right or wrong, they are fighting for you.

The New Year

It’s been almost two month since I last posted a blog - shame on me!

But to come to the point (a late point at that), let’s all have a drink to a great 2007.

More posts to come . . .

ER

A Look Ahead to ‘08

In my blog ‘Lieberman vs. Lamont – A Closer Look’, I discussed what I thought Republicans should do strategy wise in the coming ’06 election cycle.

Obviously by the outcome, Karl Rove decided not to take my advice.

The moderate center was alienated and as a result, the GOP lost both houses. I felt early on we would lose the House, but would retain the Senate. Imagine how sick I felt once I learned the next morning that a majority of Americans decided this time around, blue was a more appealing color. .

The only consolation I have presently is that most of the new Dems occupying the House are moderate and not hard liberals like Pelosi or Rangel.

Either way, that point of this particular post is to point out the wonderful article written today by the former Govenor of New Jersey and EPA administrator. Christine Todd Whitman echoes my thoughts from my blog mentioned above and what the GOP could gain politically in the future.

Let’s hope the GOP listens.

Christine Todd Whitman: GOP Must Return to its Centrist Roots

- ER

It’s the Economy, Stupid

The Labor Department today released the unemployment numbers for the month of October. It showed a drop of 4.6% to 4.4% adding 92,000 jobs to the economy last month.

I point this out because I find it amazing that you hear every other Democrat proclaim how bad this economy is despite the numbers to prove otherwise. Last I heard, 4.4% unemployment is pretty damn good.

In 2000, Presidential hopeful Al Gore boasted about the economy under President Clinton. He said that we “have the strongest economy in the history of the United States.” Top that off with the average unemployment at 5.2% under Clinton, I’d say the VP’s comment was pretty accurate.

Fast-forward to today. Nancy Pelosi and her entourage claim that this is the worst job record by a president since the Great Depression. I find that interesting since the average unemployment under Bush since he’s been in office is 5.3%.

Are you telling me that a 0.1% rise in average unemployment is depression worthy? I think not.

I do have to hand it to the Dems though. They seem to be twisting the economy in a way to make it look bad. They’ve taken away any credit the President deserves on this great economy we have today. We’ll see if any of this will have any bearing on how things will turn out next Tuesday.

Until then, the spin and political babble continue with an election year at it’s finest.

- ER

Kerry, the Babble-Head

John Kerry is sore loser and idiot. I’m sure his political advisor is thinking the same thing.

Yesterday, all hell broke loose for Kerry and the Dems when he made a speech at a campaign appearance Monday in California at Pasadena City College.

Kerry said, “You know, education - if you make the most of it, you study hard and you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq.”

Commenting on his statement the next day, Kerry said that he was referring to the president and that the Republican spin-machine was twisting his words. Later that same day, Kerry said it was a bad joke gone wrong.

I don’t know about you, but it seems clear to me that Kerry was referring to our young men and women in uniform (watch the video below and judge for yourself). Kerry has a history of bad mouthing members of our military ever since he came home from Vietnam. He is a veteran himself, but amazingly enough shows little regard for the members of a brotherhood he’s obviously turned his back on.

Mr. Senator, you take liberty in jabbing at the men and women that protect this country and become outraged when someone questions your military loyalty and background. I wonder why judging by the actions and words you continue to speak.

Your fellow Dems are calling for an apology and rightfully so. I’m waiting and the American people are waiting, but I won’t hold my breath.

ER

Kerry's Comments: Kerry Belittles US Troops
Bush Responds: Kerry Comments "Insulting and Shameful"

- - - Plus, America's finest in Iraq have sent their response to the Senator - - -

The North Korean Menace

Should we wearry be roarried about this man?

If his English is really that bad and he looks like the string puppet from Team America, than I say yes!

In all honesty, he’s more of a regional threat than a global threat at this point. If I were a South Korean or Japanese citizen, I’d be scared out of my mind on what Kim Jong Il is capable of. He’s an eccentric, unpredictable man who caters to the insane and keeps check on his population by installing fear as a tool of control. He’s a fly that needs to be corralled out of the room. Fortunately for us their closest ally is starting to see that.

China and the other surrounding countries don’t want a nuclear North any more than the rest of the sane world, so let’s hope the UN does the right thing and level sanctions against a defiant North Korea.

Deep Fried Bliss

The State Fair of Texas is something that I wait for every year. I love the atmosphere, the car show, the music and yes, the fried food.

This year, the surprises on the variety of different fried foods hit an interesting note. Deep fried Coke is the new fascination and number one promotion when you look at the menu of artery clogging chow. Now, it might sound interesting, but believe me, it’s over rated.

Probably my favorite new dish was the Donkey Tails. It’s a beef frank, slit down the middle, filled with cheese, wrapped in a flower tortilla and deep fried to perfection. It’s a very good addition to an already full menu.

Other items I tried was Cajun Shrimp on a Stick, Fernie’s Fried Chicken n’ Waffle, Fernie’s Fried Mac ‘n Cheese and Fried Avocadoes (this was interesting, but still ok). The one thing I wish I would have tried, but didn’t was the Fried Praline Perfection. I hear it’s awesome and would make a trip back to The Fair just to try it out.

Even with all the new additions, a trip to The State Fair wouldn’t be complete and is always worth going alone just to have an oldie but goodie – a Fletcher’s Corny Dog. It was the first thing I got when I walked in the gate.

Check out all the other new additions to The Fair menu here: NEW FOOD ITEMS FOR THE 2006 STATE FAIR OF TEXAS

Looking Death in the Face

There’s nothing harder than watching someone die before your eyes and knowing you can’t do a damn thing about it. That feeling of finality and helplessness is amplified when that person is someone you love. I went through it with my grandfather and will always remember the last 'I love you' in the surroundings of a hospital.

This past Wednesday evening, a very dear friend of mine (who’s practically my brother) had to witness and experience the finality of death. He’s a football coach and the life he watched vanish before his eyes wasn’t a family member or friend, but a student in the 7th grade.

After a light football practice, this student fell to the ground and became unresponsive. CPR was administered but it wouldn’t help.

I feel for my friend who places so much burden and responsibility on his shoulders when it comes to his players on the field. In a way I can imaging, but at the same time not begin to fathom the desperation of trying to save this young boys life. This feeling of responsibility is multiplied when these coaches are charged to be in the care of all on the field. Nothing he could have done different during practice or nothing he could have done better while giving CPR would have changed the outcome. He needs to know (and does know) that even with the responsibility of these kids on his shoulders, there’s only so much he could have done. It was this young boy’s time to be called Home.

Things will slowly get back to normal for the coaches and the team. Hits will be thrown and plays will be run. Ultimately, we go on. We learn to deal with the pain and anguish of death, but when it looks you in the face, a mental snapshot is taken that stays with you the reset of your life.

- ER

From a Journal to a Blog

Does anyone have a hard time like I do when it comes to keeping a journal?

Every time I get an itch to write something about life or a day’s events, I break out a notebook and decide to write a journal entry. Good intentions aside, I swear it never works out as I intend it to. It works great for a day or two, but then it’s back to being lazy and not really caring to write about the day at all, whether it be significant or not.

This laziness can also be compared to how often I post a blog entry.

Alas, I feel shame.

Either way, whatever and whenever I decide to write, I hope my thoughts are helpful (or in the least bit entertaining) in any subject I’m writing about. All this of course is assuming that someone would actually care to read what I write.

But wait a minute . . . what am I talking about?! Everyone should read what I write, especially extreme liberals or someone wanting advice on high cholesterol and heartburn. The former because you hardcore lefties just need to come to your senses on some issues and the latter because I have a bit of a problem in that department.

Which reminds me, it’s time for me to go grab a Pepcid Complete . . .

- ER

A Clear and Present Danger

Let's not kid ourselves - Iran is a threat. It's more of a threat on a global scale than North Korea, plus Iran has it's backers in the region such as Syria and of course Hezbollah.

In an article writen by Ann Leslie in the UK publication, Daily Mail, Leslie points out how much of a danger Iran really is.

Article: Why This Man Should Give Us All Nightmares

Standing up to the NYT

Sergeant Timothy Boggs (currently serving in Iraq) did something that not a lot of people have the guts to do. He took on the New York Times, a left leaning newspaper that seems to focus explicitly on the bad and not the good when it comes to the War on Terror.

A few months back, the NYT decided to publish top secret intelligence gathering information and the methods used on how the government tracks financial transactions of terrorists. In response to the Times' publication of this story, Sgt. Boggs wrote the Times in disgust on how this particular move hurts, not helps the War on Terror.

I for one congratulate Sgt. Boggs on putting the Times in their place! You can read his letter here and read his blog entries here.

I Think I'm Going to Have Fun With This

Anyone who knows me has an idea of where I stand on the issues in today’s political landscape. Through this medium, I’ll be able to write about any hot-button issue that I personally think needs to be elaborated on.

Now, the beauty of this is that you, the reader will be able to let me know if I’m wrong on my opinion, right (which I will always be . . . j/k), or just have a completely different view on whatever the situation or subject is.

So, here’s to my first post which obviously doesn’t have a topic of discussion, but there will be very soon.

Let the opinions fly!