R & B

"For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection, should demean themselves as good citizens."
George Washington

Remarks by Bill and Hillary Clinton, belittling Barack Obame based on his race, are of little surprise to the right and a challenge to the democrat party to revive a forgotten practice. That would be to think things through. The self-proclaimed advocates for racial equality have shown again that their tactics are nothing but a ploy to manipulate the masses. None the less shocking, or not, is the refusal of pundits both black and white to acknowledge that racism is dying in America. Barack Obama’s percentage of the white vote clearly increases as age decreases. His age and his message are a factor, but that message should be inspiring democrats of all ages. Could you imagine the melee if, as great numbers of republicans hoped, Condoleezza Rice were running for the republican nomination?

Yes racism is an evil still in our society, but clearly recognized and literally withering on the vine. The greater threats are the evils we refuse to recognize. One such evil is religious bigotry. Is it a surprise that what has been called the evangelical conservative counties in Florida went to the (secular) media darling John McCain? Some evangelicals have endorsed Mitt Romney while others oppose him on supposed religious grounds (WWJD). And those seniors that thought Bob Dole (73) in 1996 was too old to be President seemed to think otherwise for the 71 year old John McCain. However most of those seniors didn’t vote this time around.

Racism and Bigotry are the real issues. Vices some find convenient tools to achieve their goals. Florida has shown that ‘Super Tuesday’ is far more about the soul of this nation than the issues. Christians, at times eager to cry foul when they are targeted, may consider my view that religious bigotry on the part of Christians as a powerful force in this nation nonsense, baseless conjecture. A hundred years ago, most, including Christians, likely considered not having segregated drinking fountains nonsense and looked on with disbelief at those that may have questioned the practice.

If real change is to occur in this nation, who better to bring that change, to understand the issue, than those who have suffered the oppression and persevered with goodwill towards their enemies? Those who never lost hope or love for their nation and built success, aspiring towards the greatest position of political power in the world.

God Bless America

$3,000,000,000,000,000

Hurricane Katrina victims are suing our federal government for $3 quadrillion dollars, a sum hundreds of times greater than the gross domestic product of the United States. Some wonder whether our government will put a price on the Katrina destruction.

I say for those asking such an outrageous sum from the government, or all of us tax payers, their citizenship should be revoked. Time to end individual self exaltation and promote ones responsibility to the larger culture. Our government has gone above and beyond in its responsibility and to seek further compensation is akin to suggesting the government is responsible for the weather.

Image is Everything

Or so they say. I only saw part of the Republican debate and though substantive on issues I'd like to give my personal impression on how each candidate appeared to me.

Senator John McCain, with his puffy jaw, always looked and sounded to me like he just came from a visit to the dentist. No one likes to visit the dentist. I often wondered whether it was related to his distinguished military service.

Senator Fred Thompson looked like the old man on the mountain. He just had to posture himself to speak and his opponents appeared humbled in expectation of his forthcoming wisdom.

Congressman Ron Paul impressed me as every ones favorite grandfather. Kind, caring and knowing what he believes. There were moments when he made me wonder if it wasn't time to hide his car keys.

Former Governor Mitt Romney had presence. He was just plain Presidential in manner and tone.

Former Governor Mike Huckabee; I feel his sincerity in seeing us all as God's children. And that is what he looked like. A child with his hand caught in the cookie jar.

Former Mayor of New York Rudy Giuliani for me is someone straight out of the movies. You know those old war movies. The ones with the guy who can do it all, who can get anything you can imagine and even some things you can't.

Huckotry

The old adage has been proven correct. No one will stand up for you if you don’t stand up for yourself. And Mitt Romney’s most excellent speech, extensive and complete, proof of his understanding of what this nation represents. Lauded by most on the right as near genius and an awakening of the founding spirit, it is difficult to refute his passion for our nation. Some on the right criticizing his lack of recognition of atheists and agnostics and on the left the idea that “freedom requires religion” fail to recognize the faith and age from which our nation was born. An age where reason, the self proclaimed foundations for atheists and social engineers, was dominant. An era that gave birth to the scientific process.

Mitt Romney’s speech illustrates what makes the United States a truly Christian nation, unique in the world. A nation exalting “piety and good character", or love of God and neighbor. A nation intellectually grounded in sound reason, in the real world, and not a world where a correct doctrine determined ones value. A world honoring strength of will and acknowledging the temptations all good men, regardless of their particular faith, conquer to do what’s right. Where raising good strong families meant something. Not today’s secular world, the La-la Land of relativism, where self-justification trumps ones responsibility to his fellow man or the larger society.

Yet are any immune to the passions of intolerance? Mitt Romney perfectly placed his speech between Mike Huckabee’s miraculous surge and the backlash against his liberal policies. Christians blind to his record frequent radio talk shows proclaiming ‘Tax Hike Mike’ a true conservative. All likely cut from the same clothe as the 28% who claim they would never vote for a Mormon for President because they believe the Latter Day Saints to be a cult. Unfortunately few completely grasp what has made the United States a truly Christian nation.

There are convincing claims against the Sam Brownback campaign for a whisper campaign against Mitt Romney in Iowa. The whisper campaign against Sam Brownback by Huckabee supporters much more shadowy. In the fervor of political ones-upmanship Huckabee dropped an unsolicited misrepresentation of Mormon beliefs saying; “don’t Mormons believe Jesus and the devil are brothers?” Mike Huckabee apologized for his comments to Mitt Romney and claimed no responsibility for comments demeaning the Brownback campaign. Will he apologize to another perceived enemy, Rush Limbaugh, for remarks attributed to his campaign? If he is elected President, perhaps Huckabee need schedule a monthly press conference to apologize for offensive statements to world political or religious leaders.

When I first heard of the Huckabee campaign I was intrigued and hopeful. Soon disillusioned by his ethical shortcomings and lack of conservative positions. The Bible clearly spells out that a busybody and gossip is unqualified for Christian ministry, which may be why Huckabee went into politics. While many are eager to credit Romney for his understanding of our founding fathers, few are willing to point out bigotry, covert or otherwise. Perhaps we need a more palatable word to describe the dynamic.

And I just want to say Merry Christmas.

"I Am Legend"

Will Smith's blockbuster new film broke box office records for a December release. No help will be coming from the largest market in the World in its quest for Cinema fame. China has banned the film. In fact it will not be approving any U.S. movies for release for at least several months in a supposed trade dispute. Or as the Chinese would like to frame it; to protect its local film industry.

I am sure Tom Cruise's new film "Valkyrie" will also be a threat to its 'local film industry', being released shortly before the 2008 Olympic games.