Underground Logician

Eight Principles of Evangelization

2010-06-09T15:38:00.002-05:00

(This is a superb article that simplifies how evangelical we Catholics are supposed to be. Hattip to Catholic Spiritual Direction)

Fr. Phillip De Vous of the Diocese of Covington, borrowing from Fr. Jay Scott Newman, pens a manifesto to Evangelical Catholicism. Fr. De Vous was recently assigned to a new parish, and this document captures his thinking on how to lead his flock to dynamic orthodoxy. Pastors take note.

EVANGELICAL CATHOLICISM

During the nearly twenty-seven years of his pontificate, John Paul the Great called the Church to the urgent mission of fulfilling the Great Commission in our time, a project he called the New Evangelization. This evangelical summons of John Paul continued the same call given to the Church by Pope Paul VI in the years of and after the Second Vatican Council, and now the same commitment to announcing the timeless truths of the Gospel with new ardor, new methods, and new conviction is being asked of us by Pope Benedict XVI.
By our Baptism we are called to receive the Gospel as a complete, coherent, comprehensive Way of Life and to submit our entire lives in the obedience of faith to the Lord Jesus. Everything about us must be measured and guided by the Gospel: our thoughts, words, actions, bodies, relationships, spending habits, political convictions, leisure activities, lifestyle choices, and business decisions. But this total surrender to Christ and His Gospel is not a restriction of our freedom; in fact, it is the beginning of authentic discipleship and the only path to evangelical liberty. As the Lord Jesus teaches, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free" (John 8:31 -32).
Another way of expressing our commitment to the work of the New Evangelization is to say that we must become Evangelical Catholics. By our Baptism, we are called to be men and women of the Gospel who are Christian disciples by conviction rather than Church members by convention. Being Evangelical Catholics requires that we know the Gospel, believe the Gospel, live the Gospel, and share the Gospel with others. Becoming Evangelical Catholics is a lifelong adventure of letting go of cafeteria, casual, and cultural Catholicism by accepting the liberating truth of the Word of God and living by grace through faith in the Son of God.
All Catholics are called by their Baptism to be Evangelical Catholics, which means (in part) living according to these eight principles of Evangelical Catholicism:

The Lord Jesus Christ is the crucified and risen Savior of all mankind, and no human person can fully understand his life or find his dignity and destiny apart from a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. It is not enough to know who Jesus is; we must know Jesus.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is divine revelation, not human wisdom, and the Gospel is given to us in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition which together constitute a single divine deposit of faith transmitted authentically and authoritatively by the Bishops in full communion with the Bishop of Rome. We must surrender our private judgments in all matters of faith and morals to the sacred teaching authority of the Church’s Magisterium if we are to receive the whole Gospel.
The seven Sacraments of the New Covenant are divinely instituted instruments of grace given to the Church as the ordinary means of sanctification for believers. Receiving the Sacraments regularly and worthily is essential to the life of grace, and for this reason, faithful attendance at Sunday Mass every week (serious illness and necessary work aside) and regular Confession of sins are absolutely required for a life of authentic discipleship.
Through Word and Sacrament we are drawn by grace into a transforming union with the Lord Jesus, and having been justified by faith we are called to sanctification and equipped by the Holy Spirit for the good works of the new creation. We must, therefore, learn to live as faithful disciples and to reject whatever is contrary to the Gospel, which is the Good News of the Father’s mercy and love revealed in the life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The sacred liturgy, through which the seven Sacraments are celebrated and the Hours of praise are prayed, makes present to us the saving mysteries of the Lord Jesus. The liturgy must therefore be celebrated in such a way that the truth of the Gospel, the beauty of sacred music, the dignity of ritual form, the solemnity of divine worship, and the fellowship of the baptized assembled to pray are kept together in organic unity.
Receiving the Sacraments without receiving the Gospel leads to superstition rather than living faith, and the Church must therefore take great care to ensure that those who receive the Sacraments also receive the Gospel in its integrity and entirety. Consequently, before Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion, and Marriage are administered, there must be in those who request these Sacraments clear evidence of knowledge of the Gospel and a serious intention to live the Christian life.
Being a follower of Christ requires moving from being a Church member by convention to a Christian disciple by conviction. This transformation demands that we consciously accept the Gospel as the measure of our entire lives, rather than attempting to measure the Gospel by our experience. Personal knowledge of and devotion to Sacred Scripture is necessary for this transformation to occur through the obedience of faith, and there is no substitute for personal knowledge of the Bible. Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.
8. All the baptized are sent in the Great Commission to be witnesses of Christ to others and must be equipped by the Church to teach the Gospel in word and deed. An essential dimension of true discipleship is the willingness to invite others to follow the Lord Jesus and the readiness to explain His Gospel.

Skeptics: Sopisticated Lazy Thinkers

2009-02-13T16:54:00.002-06:00

Part II

Yesterday, we looked at the argument of Skeptics and found them to be based on the very certain belief that all knowledge is uncertain. We stated that since this is a certainty, the premise of Skepticism is self-refuting. Here's why.

In order to make the above claim, one must make one of two assumptions. First, that either reality as it is, in incapable of being known as qua reality, or two, our it is impossible for our minds to fully know its subject. In either case, we must have absolute knowledge, of reality and its knowable-ness, or our minds, and its ability to know. It is a fallacy of Borrowing where you take the premise you deny and borrow it to make your argument work. It's a type of circular reasoning which only makes people dizzy. If you like being dizzy, that is up to you.

As I said, a skeptic most likely will not care if he refutes himself or not, unless he or she is an honest skeptic. I have not YET run into an honest skeptic, though I am still looking. I have never had a skeptic tell me "Thank you, UL, you have shown me the error of my thinking. I am going to take some time in rethinking my entire orientation to reality, especially moral and theological reality." Never has happened.

In some cases, skeptics have become angry, for their false argument is exposed for what it is. This tells me they have NO intention of changing, or listening to more argument. At this point, I identify the prevailing problem they have in their thinking and stop the discussion. You cannot convince anyone of something they don't want to admit. They like their skepticism.

Other observations I make regarding skeptics is their approach to subjects of morality, on topics of "right and wrong." Invariably, they take this "not-knowing" approach when the challenge is directed to them, yet have sufficient means to debunk the thoughts of others. It's a gutless approach that seeks to avoid ANY criticism yet gives them perceived "safety" to attack others. It is a loser philosophy that makes sissies out its adherents.

If you are a skeptic and you are reading, please feel free to explain how it may be otherwise. Show me the courage you have in being a skeptic. You certainly don't have a logical basis for your belief; and since you deny our ability to know for certain what is morally right or wrong, how do you know you are courageous?

My advice to you all: Face it! The human being cannot avoid absolutes. Be virtuous enough to admit it! Be the courageous absolutist you REALLY are and let's engage in why you are the absolutist you are. Embrace the truth, no matter what. You'll find a freedom you never felt before and you'll rid yourself of the tiring sissified game of skepticism. Pax!

True Cost of Stimulus: $ 3.27 TRILLION

2009-02-13T16:49:00.002-06:00

The mother of all Crap Sandwiches, according to the non-partisan CBO, has a slightly higher cost to us, our children, our grandchildren, great grandchildren. See it here at the Heritage Foundations article.

Blows my mind! Thanks Nancy, Harry and Barry! This ought to stimulate an emergency socialist/globalist takeover.

Skeptics: Sophisticated Lazy Thinkers

2009-02-12T11:22:00.004-06:00

Part I

I need to take a break from the maniacal political environment to talk about more substantive issues pertaining to our culture, primarily our decaying, decadent Western culture. One of the contributing philosophical strands, broken strands that is, that have been woven into our culture is Skepticism. This is a philosophy in epistemology that states in general, that we cannot know the truth of things for certain. There are different forms, or perhaps ranges in skepticism that people subscribe to that prevent them from making any statement or doctrine that speaks of reality that is without any doubt.

What I am addressing is something different than the healthy skepticism that all of us should exercise when it comes to judging the integrity of people's character, advertisements, unproven but persuasive arguments; etc. What I am referring to is the thinking that says that any truth claims, especially in the arena of morals, ethics and religion cannot be made with any certainty since it is impossible for us to know truth with certainty. It is this belief that allows for the rampant relativism that many people use to justify actions which were at one time considered immoral.

What makes for a skeptic? Psychologically, I cannot say, although I can hazard a few guesses. First, if one is fearful of rejection of others, skepticism is a haven that allows for the differences in beliefs in others without engaging in arguments to prove who is right or wrong. The average modern or post-modern sees the arena of "right and wrong" the main cause of the world's ills, fighting, wars and racial battles. Remove the need to be "right or wrong", and you eliminate the fighting. It is a Utopian desire for peace that is primal in all of us. Perhaps the second reason is the need to be admired for embracing a very sophisticated philosophy, that seems to act like Teflon in any philosophical discussion. Skeptics have this way of wiggling out of any argument raised against them, unless one finds the basic of assumption of Skepticism. Then, the skeptic is in denial. Third, though the Skeptic is shown to be inconsistent in his skepticism, to him, it is immaterial. Why pursue this line of thinking when it doesn't matter if Skepticism is true or not? It is a useless endeavor to the skeptic, and he'll tell you so.

Steering clear of the psychology, I want to focus on the morality of a skeptic. Now mind you, I make generalizations, which means there can be exceptions, though I contend they may be few in number. The main moral reason the skeptic is what he is is pure laziness. It does not take much thinking energy to be a skeptic. You don't have to do the hard work of reasoning, determining what premises are true or not, which arguments are valid or invalid, if terms are clear definitions or ambiguous, or uni vocal or equivocal, if you are a skeptic. You simply economize your energy by stating it is unnecessary; why bother with finding the truth when it is difficult to know for certain?

It also allows for the ease of debunking classical arguments in morality in religion. You don't have to face the concrete logic that under girds classical morality. Your thinking allows you to do an end run and say these arguments are moot. You can subvert or debunk any moral claim and literally ignore it. You can leap frog over Metaphysics, and deny the existence of God, and therefore ANY accountability to God because it's impossible to know if he/she exists. And if this God does exist, he/she has no moral claim to be a just God and judge properly when it is impossible to know this god and his moral criteria. It seems to be philosophically impregnable, and therefore a very well used philosophy. In fact, it is a deep commitment to refuse to work at reason. This is not the result of thinking, but a lack in moral conditioning.

Skepticism then can become very favorable to anyone who is given to laziness, immorality, or fear--one who hates any accountability other than to oneself. This isn't to say that all skeptics are completely immoral or lazy. Skepticism is standard fare in education regarding morals or ethics, and because of this, it is considered the norm in thinking. To deviate from Skepticism is considered a slide into arrogance. Only those who are close-minded and arrogant think they know what is true. Thus, a hedge is built around this philosophy that leads to variant moral and ethical conclusions.

If you end up arguing with a skeptic, it is important to identify the main premise of Skepticism; all knowledge is uncertain. This does not necessarily apply to science, which is why often the skeptic leans on science as means to determine whether God exists or not. But, generally, all knowledge is uncertain is the active premise in Skepticism. And, if you notice, it is an absolute, which refutes the whole scheme of skepticiswm.

Now, don't be too optimistic that you can identify and counter-argue this point if your intent is to convince him or her. Remember, a skeptic is a skeptic because it is not based on anything logical. Plus, any refutation of Skepticism is immaterial, since the mind of the skeptic cannot bring himself to accept certainty in the first place. There are moral and psychological forces inside that prevent him from doing so. Therefore, he may agree with you that his argument is illogical. He can see that he refutes himself. It doesn't matter. In a twisted way, he considers this as proof of his philosophy. Thus, the credo of the Skeptic remains intact.

To appeal to a skeptic, one must have a two pronged approach that will address his lack of reasoning and also his morality. This will not be easy and we'll have to cover Part II tomorrow.

Is This Type of Health Care a Real Solution?

2009-02-09T09:01:00.002-06:00

I saw the WSJ article here about Canadian Health Care that is not health care but "queue management," which strikes fear in me as I face my future health care needs.

Give it a read and ask yourself, "Is this what we REALLY want?" or "Do we want the entity that bungled Katrina aid to manage our healthcare?" I say, "NO!!!"

Must See: Glenn Beck's "Comrade Update!"

2009-02-05T08:30:00.002-06:00

Catch this! Glenn Beck is awesome and to the point--clear thinking in our muddled "have you hugged your Communist today?" Amerikan kulture.

Governor Defiant Against Stimulus: RIGHT ON!!

2009-02-04T11:10:00.003-06:00

South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford has great things to say about the brave minority in the US House who rejected the so called "Rescue Plan" of 2009. May people all over take time to see the small print of what's REALLY in it . Read the article here.

China's Currency Policy Major Cause of Economic Fallout

2009-01-27T09:23:00.002-06:00

An interesting article in the Washington Post by Sebastian Mallaby that sheds light on another major factor that created our economic downturn. In fact, it's been brewing for over a decade. Check it out and let me know what you think.

From everyone here in the Cave, thank you for being patient with me concerning my blog-lessness these past few months. I've been busy finishing my Masters Degree, which is finally finished. Now I am super smart!!! Also, and probably the greater reason, I get into funks where it seems so futile to give Reason a place in our public discourse. And yet, Reason does get its "two cents" in, whether it is in actual discourse, or in reflection on the consequences of actions taken.

It will be interesting to see what kind of political climate takes shape with an Obama Presidency. Interesting meaning, what consequences we will see from the incredible promises made by the President, whether the euphoria will be sustained by Mr. Obama's performance, and whether the extreme disrespect given to Mr. Bush will be hurled on Mr. Obama. Time will tell...

Meanwhile, I am going to do what I can to make my life meaningful, fruitful and hopefully profitable, no matter what our Government does. Big Government from a "compassionate Conservative" or a "Messianic-community Organizer", as intrusive as both are, will not stop me from living out the purpose of my life. My hope is that you are likewise inspired. Pax!

Farrakhan: "When Obama the Messiah speaks..."

2008-10-10T10:11:00.005-05:00

Yup, Calypso Louie himself believes that B.O. is the Messiah. Here's a clip found on Youtube.com. You have to see it to believe it. And believe it:

We believe, my brothers and sisters!

She's One of a Kind!

2008-10-08T15:37:00.002-05:00

Yesterday from Sara Palin:

"I'm reading on my Starbucks mocha cup, okay, the quote of the day. You'll never believe what the quote was. It was Madeleine Albright, former secretary of state and UN ambassador, and Madeleine has as her quote of the day for Starbucks -- now, she said it; I didn't -- she said, 'There's a place in hell reserved for women who don't support other women.'"

I love this woman!!!!

In Case You Loved the First Crap Sandwich...

2008-10-08T15:05:00.006-05:00

You get to have another one!!! Oh, yummy! WE GET TO HAVE SECONDS!

Yes, fellow Cavedwellers, you get to eat yet another terd torpedo, an excrement hoagie! Read it and weep: Pelosi says $150 Billion Stimulus Still Needed Add it to the $850 Billion already swallowed by us, and you have a $1 Trillion case of indigestion, don't you think?

I wonder what she'll serve for dessert?

Eat up, Cavedwellers, and love it!

In Case You Want To See the Missing SNL Bailout Skit...

2008-10-07T13:39:00.006-05:00

Well, as of 1:30 pm cdt, I can't find the skit. NBC has had it pulled from the NBC website, Youtube.com and anyone who embedded the video on their blogsite. I'm working to find a site that actually downloaded the skit. If I find it, I will amend this post and put a link to it here. Apprarently Soros is MAD as a hornet!!!!!

For those who are interested in seeing the transcript of the Bailout Skit, called "Fannie/Freddie" click here.

I though Soros was especially funny!

EXTRA! FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO SEE THE "FORBIDDEN" SNL SKIT, YOU CAN FIND IT AT PAT DOLLARD'S SITE HERE!

OH, AN "FYI", BE PATIENT...PAT'S PROBABLY GETTING A HUGE RESPONSE. THE SITE RESPONDS RATHER SLOWLY, BUT IT DOES COME UP AND COME IN VERY WELL. HAVE PATIENCE AND ENJOY!

EXTRA! EXTRA! 5:13 PM CDT: Here it is in living color!

OOPS! NOW IT'S OFF AGAIN. WELL, BACK TO MR. DOLLARD'S SITE.

How Do You Want Your Crap Sandwich?

2008-10-03T17:36:00.003-05:00

Why are all these people smiling? Well, they're looking over the menu they have just chosen to serve the American taxpayer, even though you don't want it. It's called the "Crap Sandwich." And you can have it served in several ways. Do you want your buns toasted? Do you want pork with your crap? Do you want chips, or let them fall where they may? Served in a pickle, you can smell the excrement and know that you'll have the eating experience of your life

At the "House Diner", you can't just get up and walk away. The rules say you must eat everything. "Clean your plate!" as my Dad used to tell us kids. Well fellow Cave dwellers, dive in. And don't complain, when I was a kid, I ate Crap Sandwiches all the time, AND WE LOVED 'EM!

No. 1 Reason Why Obama Cannot be Elected President

2008-06-11T08:43:00.003-05:00

Ask Gianna Jessen where she would be should the Obama position of infanticide have been in place at the time of her birth? Read this article to learn of the circumstances. It was providential that an abortionist was not present. Obama has promised to sign into law the Freedom of Choice Act that would nullify every anti-abortion law in the land, including parental consent laws, and allow the killing of children born who survive an abortion procedure. This man is a monster... a devil with a suit and tie, who will make the womb the most dangerous place on earth.

Which leads me to ask, "Why has such a man gained such popularity?" I see two things. One, he is a skilled sophisticate. He could be the product of the school of Protagoras and have stepped into our time. He knows how to manipulate people with insubstantial statements. Second is an idiotic populace who cannot see the perils of such a man, which protects a moral relativism in order to pursue pleasure, and cares little of the hard thinking required of knowing metaphysical realities, like that posed in the question, "What is a fetus?"

Since the populace in general is too far gone to notice the problem of an Obama presidency, I now appeal to you evangelicals and Catholics who are supporting this man. You are the swing voters he is counting on. If there is any hope, you need to regain a Christian conscience. Please, stop currying favor from liberals just because you're tired of the fight. Get a spine...grow some brass ones...for the sake of Christ, stand up to this sub-human!

All This Came From a "Harmless" Little Pill?

2008-05-17T23:47:00.005-05:00

WARNING: This post is a parody, which means you can take it with several pounds of salt!!! It contains some graphic language, but it is reasonable to use it given the nature of the topic of the Gay Marriage Movement. I frankly despise all euphemisms typically used in this debate that make the issue more benign than it really is. So sit back, buckle your seat belt...and grab your salt!

At Frankly Saurkraut, Saur published a post that had some disturbing statistics regarding gay marriage and divorce. Regarding this topic, I have only this to say:

The root of the WHOLE debate over gay and straight marriage can be linked to a tiny, seemingly insignificant idea, which I will reveal at the end of this article. It is an idea that is the very first domino in a line of thousands of dominoes. It's concerns the question: what is the purpose of marrital sex in the first place? Follow me in this elaborate reductio ad absurdum.

If marriage is considered by many to be the place for legal and moral sex and sex is simply a matter of achieving an orgasm (always for guys), then it follows that marriage is the place for legitimately moral orgasms, right?

Why do our legal and tax codes remain so antiquated? Do you see a problem? I do!

We all know that a person's sexual equipment works quite fine with or without a legal contract...sometimes it's thought to work better without! I of course disagree, but many are trying out the sex thing to see if the marriage thing will work. So why the special treatment for married couples? What is it about heterosexual sexual orgasms that make for tax breaks?

This pervasive view of sex in marriage works perfectly in favor of the homosexual agenda...these people want to justify their orgasms! What better way to legitamize same-gender cunnilingus, falacio, and anal intercourse than to afford these acts the same legal status as hetero acts of cunnilingus, felacio and vaginal intercourse? What better way to achieve positive feelings about a chosen inordinate sexual orientation than to elevate it to the status of marriage, the place for state-sponsored legal orgasms. (Angel singing and hallelujah chorus begins now...)

Think of it...no more condemnation from parents! No more state sanctioned persecution! No more wearing stupid rainbow shirts/jackets/evening dress combinations and separates to make a social statement! No more jokes from Jay Leno! AND...they get the same perks as those arrogant heteroes do!

But, what I think fuels the Gay Marriage movement is this...homos are jealous of heteroes! Now granted it is only an opinion, but please stay with me. (Keep saying to yourself, this is only a parody, this is only a parody...)

If sex is nothing more than achieving an orgasm, and NOT for procreation (unless one goes out of their way to go off the pill, or throw away Mr. Wiggly's balloon), then why berate homos for doing the sex thing with absolutely NO CHANCE of procreation? Don't these people deserve the same breaks as contracepting heteroes?

The legal system in this country is not fair unless you live in the Promised Lands of California and Massachusetts who finally see the "light." If legal orgasms allow heteroes a tax break, homo-erotica orgasms deserve tax breaks too, damn it! IF HETEROES GET TAX BREAKS FOR POTENTIALLY PREGNANCY FREE SEX, HOMOS AND THEIR EROTICA GUARANTEE THEIR SEX TO BE PREGNANCY-FREE!

In light of this train of thought, these folks deserve a tax break. Better yet, let's give them get free health care for the rest of their lives! Why, you ask? Well, look at all the suffering, the social guilt, being called "queer" and the needless effort of having to endure hours of anxiety planning a secret simple gay liason...all that for what? A measly 15 second orgasm? PAH!!

And, then there's the threat of AIDS!!! which some who are really smart think the virus was engineered by white heterosexual Catholics and introduced into the Gay populace. No doubt this is a project for a new book and movie...a task for self-proclaimed scientist, historian, author and all around super smart guy Dan Brown to see if secret agents of Opus Dei are using the virus to wipe out the GLTC to protect the Catholic Church's non-profit status! GRRRRRR!!! Can you say "REPARATION?"

AND THEN! (I'm not finished!) to make matters worse, these stupid...no good...lazy...ungrateful hetero schlups wanna keep the tax breaks only for themselves? ARE THEIR ORGASMS BETTER? MORE MORAL? MORE LEGAL? Do they realize how easy they have it compared to the epic struggle each Gay person experiences, just to have a simple orgasm? A hetero couple has no clue. They drag there bodies to bed, with no brain power, with no intrigue, risk of exposure or persecution, and definitely no risk of disease...ask the other, "Soooooooo, doooo ya wanna?" and then they just...they just DO IT!!! WITHOUT GUILT!!! WITH TAX INCENTIVES! ARG!!! Not fair...NOT FAIR!!!

And really, does it REALLY matter if the divorce rate among homos are higher? Shouldn't this be an even better reason to have legal Gay Marriage. Currently, if a same-gender sexual partner gets a better orgasm with a better skilled gay lover, THERE IS NO RECOMPENSE FOR THE INJURED PARTNER! With legal Gay Marriage, you have a better scenario. If Mr. & Mr. Jones divorce each other cuz Mr. Jones the husband is a slut, then Mr. Jones the wife has the legal capacity to sue for spousal support and MAINTAINANCE. AND, if these gay couples can adopt kids, there's child support available as well.

Now, I'm not usually into conspiracy theories, since they're so hard to prove. But if you ask me, (whispering) I think there are some (shhhh) LAWYERS (shhh!)...who are looking to make a LOT...of...money...with this movement. Just a thought...

So, where did this idea of legal sex come from? How is it that sex can be reduced to the achieving of orgasm without procreation? Could it be that the pill and the prophylactic were the catalysts of the idea of recreational sex? Did anyone foresee such a cultural nightmare? Uh-huh. And did anyone warn us of these terrible consequences? Uh...yup; we heard it from the Catholic Church, Pope Paul VI and Humanae Vitae in 1968.

The pill promotes the idea that you can choose your sexual activity, your partner, the timing of your sexual activity, the state in life when you have your sexual activity, not listen to mummy or daddy, and reject accepted cultural norms...all without consequences! The foundational thought is...(drum roll please)...Orgasmic pleasure is the ultimate good. Long live the orgasm...

Let the discussion begin!

Modern Liberalism and The Cult of Indiscriminate-ness

2008-04-15T18:43:00.004-05:00

Hey, fellow cave dwellers! If you have about 45 minutes of free time, I have a treat for you. Evan Sayet, former joke writer for Bill Maher of Politically Incorrect and pundit describes for us at a Heritage Foundation lecture, one of the key traits of modern liberalism...the Cult of Indescriminateness. I'd be interested in what you think. The link is at Youtube, and the video is okay, but the insights are remarkable and clear.

He connects his thoughts to a favorite book of mine by Allan Bloom "The Closing of the American Mind." He highlights one of Blooms points of that of the false idea of the "open mind." I have been pondering this in my interactions with people. People are afraid to come to formal conclusions which are clearly stated. HOWEVER, they are willing, perhaps unwittingly, to hold to conclusions that are either implied or assumed in their open-minded "non-statements," such as, "No one can say for sure that truth exists;" or "I going to remain open-minded on Christianity, but not make any decisions..." , indifference that is masked as humble open-mindedness.

Your thoughts, anyone?

How the Clinton's Will Destroy John McCain...

2008-02-03T16:49:00.000-06:00

I'm a subcriber to Dr. Jack Wheeler whose website is Tothepointnews.com. On February 1st, Wheeler blows the lid on John McCain's war hero status in a newsbreaking article How the Clintons Will Destroy John McCain. Previously a member's only article, Wheeler has provided complete public access to it for all to see due to an overwhelming response by members to make it public. The people need to see this for themselves and look into it further.

For you conservatives, give it a read and let me know what you think! For you liberals, I have a pretty good guess as to what you already think. But, hey! Give it a read anyway!

I'm Baaaaaack!

2008-02-03T16:43:00.000-06:00

Hi all! I'm sorry I've gone so long. First, I got bored with the political situation and the mindless drivel that passes for political commentary. Second, I have been extraordinarily busy where I had little time or creativity to post anything. To try and run a logic blog that includes politics is too frustrating at times, especially when statements made are so full of half-truths and innuendo that it takes weeks to parse out all the fallacies. Third, I got bored with my own writing!!!

Well, after a needed rest, I'll be back at it. Maybe slow at first, but I'm sure I'll pick up some steam. Stay tuned for some blockbuster posts coming very soon!

The UL

They're Beginning to Love Us Again...(yawn)

2007-11-15T09:08:00.000-06:00

What changed has occurred that has made several countries in Europe go pro American? Is this the result of that evil George W. Bush's brainwashing techniques, of not only hapless individuals at Guatanimo, but of whole societies? Perhaps not. I wonder if it was political...

Hattip to Captain Ed at Captain's Quarters who has an excellent post on this topic from WSJ.

Enjoy the fanfare now while you can, citizens! All it will take is a few elections and the world will hate our guts again. Fickle...oh, so fickle is it not?

Did Ike Lie to Us too?

2007-09-19T09:12:00.000-05:00

Hattip to Dr. Jack Wheeler for this excellent object lesson. Sorry that it's blurred. I'm still learning how to post good images. If some of you want to see a clearer version, Dr. Wheeler has it. --UL

A Startling Statistic!

2007-08-29T13:31:00.001-05:00

Dr. Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, states that "one-quarter of the African American population is missing." Wow.

To read more, see Hillary White's article here.

Still, wow. 15 million of one race dead. Appalling! Will those who rail against Michael Vick's dog torture say anything to this?

More Bad News from Iraq for Democrats...

2007-08-29T08:17:00.000-05:00

When things looked bright for Democrats this spring for a major power shift in 2008, the Marines go ruin it all! Read from the New York Post how the Marines pulled Falujah Out of the Al Qaeda quagmire.

It looks like the surge is working, and the violence of Al Qaeda on the Iraqi citizenry is backfiring BIG TIME. I love it when America wins!

There's Something Strangely Absent...

2007-08-06T17:05:00.000-05:00

Bush Signs Warrentless Wiretaps Into Law

The NYTimes has given us some explanation on how this new law will look. The President signed it into law. The President supports this bill; the President got what he was looking for. What is absent? The Democratic support for this bill!!! The Democratic majoriy must have had SOME part to play to bring this to the President's desk in the first place!!! Am I right, or what?

I thought the 2006 election gave the Democratic party a mandate to clean up Bush's foibles. What caused them to slide this legislative baby through without all the rancor they heaped on the President's previous support for the NSA? I'm at a loss.

Please, let me know, is this somehow different than what the Dems had a miscarriage over a year or so ago? Or are the Dems finally seeing a new mandate? If so, I think there needs to be some mopping up from the previous brew-ha-ha that we had to endure last year.

By the way, I said I would drop this political stuff and give it a rest. I'm sorry, but I haven't done that. My bad!!

B. HUSSEIN OBAMA WOULD FIGHT TERROR IN PAKISTAN

2007-08-01T09:12:00.000-05:00

Obama would attack Pakistan

Interesting. B. Hussein Obama condemns the Bush administration's mishandling the war by diverting attention in the War on Terror by going into Iraq. HE will find terrorists in Pakistan. Gee, you mean, Mr. Hussein Obama, that there are NO TERRORISTS IN IRAQ?

I think Mrs. Bill Clinton is right about Mr. Hussein Obama, he is naive about foreign policy.

BAD NEWS FOR DEMOCRATS...

2007-07-31T16:23:00.002-05:00

Justice Roberts Leaves Hospital

Well, looks like the SCOTUS will continue to be imbalanced!

WHAT IS GOING ON?

2007-07-30T17:16:00.000-05:00

It seems that the main stream media cannot keep their fingers in the dike anymore. The pressure of the good news in Iraq is leaking all over the place. With the NYTimes op-ed with O'Hanlon and Pollack, and Chris Matthews and his panel on MSNBC admitting the necessity of being in Iraq? Are you kidding me? David Ignatius said that Iraq is one of many fronts that we need to fight the war on terror. Go to MSNBC and check it out for yourselves. I'm too buzy right now to search it out. You all can do that.

And then, today, Prime Minister Brown lauding the United States in our efforts against global terrorism, stating that the world owes us a debt of gratitude? I'm pinching myself.

Man, if the good news is leaking this much, there must be a HUGE BACKLOG OF GOOD NEWS!!!

Ah, this is good...this is really good! Now, let's watch the Democrats who have been investing in defeat in Iraq spin this out!

What? Good News AGAIN from Out of Iraq?

2007-07-30T10:09:00.001-05:00

Hattip to Captain Ed in this NYTIMES op-ed by the left of center Michael O'Hanlon and Kenneth Pollack of the Brookings Institute. Get this! It looks like we actually turned a corner in Iraq! Imagine that! The troops are effective in combatting terror, morale is way up, they LOVE General Petraeus; re-construction teams involving Iraqi citizens are creating high morale in local communities. Gee, I wonder if the NYTimes readers had a fit over that? I wonder if Harry Reid's gloom and doom report of the troop surge was a bit premature? Now the Democrats may have a real problem on their hands. How on earth can Hillary/Obama ever get elected with good news like this?

Read the article and go ahead...be happy!

A Major Player in Terrorism Has Change of Heart

2007-07-27T13:08:00.000-05:00

Hattip to Captain Ed where he cites this article from the Guardian, Violence Won't Work. The article describes the conversion of a former jihadist Sayid Imam al-Sharif, who was behind the assassination of Anwar Sadat. Is this conversion for real or is it your typical jailhouse conversion?

But Egyptian and western experts, government officials and former jihadis agree that Sharif's shift is both genuine and highly significant. "People will say things to stop being tortured, but this is the result of a long process of reflection and debate," insists Muntasir al-Zayyat, a lawyer jailed for Islamic Jihad membership in the 1980s. "When the book comes out there will be a furious reaction from Zawahiri and the global jihadi movement. It is clear that Sayid Imam will call a halt to killing operations in Egypt and abroad."

If it is true, then this is wonderful progress towards reform that is needed in Islam. May the jihadist movement continue to unravel!

Before We Pull Out of Iraq...

2007-07-27T08:27:00.000-05:00

Please consider the article by Victor David Hansen, Back to the Future in the Middle East.

He seems very even handed in passing blame on all government leadership for the last 30 years. We are in the Middle East morass because of both Republican cynicism and Democrat appeasement. With thirty years of errors, we need to consider future actions in Iraq that will overcome and correct these past errors. We must look beyond the political ramifications for either party who are eager to maintain or acquire political power.

On a different note, I'm tiring of politics. You may discover that I'll be moving off in an entirely different direction. Stay posted!

A Blood and Guts Speech by Our General Patton!

2007-07-25T12:14:00.000-05:00

Hattip to Foxnews.com for this delightful clip from YouTube: General Patton and the War on Terror

A Favorable "Troop Surge" Report

2007-07-25T10:21:00.000-05:00

Independent reporter, Michael Totten, has in his Middle East Journal, a July 24th article In The Wake of the Surge. It is worth your read, as he reports the favorable affects of the troop surge in the village of Taji, which was once a very dangerous neighborhood with clashes between Sunni and Shia sects.

I can't stress it enough; we need to get the full story about Iraq and support these men and women who have laid it all on the line to eliminate terrorism at its root. This is information you will not see in the MSM.

Oh, and if there is discussion, please refrain from "poisoning the well." I'm turning off the moderation option for now, but will turn it on again if comments get out of hand. Have a superb day!

Victory Caucus

2007-07-23T09:31:00.000-05:00

Hattip to Captain Ed at Captain's Quarters, who alerts us to a new website Victory Caucus, which sites official advances and victories of our military in the War in Iraq and Afghanistan. Be sure to check it out...unless of course you don't want to know.

The Limbaugh Compromise

2007-07-21T06:52:00.000-05:00

I frequent the Rush Limbaugh site. In it he provides a compromise that he would support. Take a look:

The Limbaugh Iraq Withdrawal Compromise

I LOVE IT When the Good Guys Win!!

2007-07-19T12:45:00.003-05:00

Ah, yes. Nothing better when good triumphs over evil!!

Top Al Qaeda Leader In Iraq Captured

Someone from Al Qaeda is captured...where? IN IRAQ!

Hmmm. I wonder if this Iraq thing is turning out to be a good thing? You think?

Now This Chills Me to the Core...

2007-07-09T21:40:00.000-05:00

Victor Davis Hansen

I will not comment much about this article; VDH says it best, agree with him or not. I've posted on this topic previously, and I'm doing it again now. What do we do with this type of evil? What do you do when we see the gross pathologies of Greek mythology played out before us in the twenty-first century?

It's easy to make a moral equivalence to the actions of obscure and weird "Born-againers," but nothing this repulsively evil has any ideological equivalent. Sure, there's Ed Gein, who made lampshades from human skin, or Geoffrey Dahmer who ate human flesh and stored cadavers in his freezer for future meals. But, were these men driven by an ideology as pervasive as Jihadist Islam? Were they using these grotesque means to recruit others to establish a theocracy? Try as you might, you cannot deny that evil is everywhere. The very best of us can look inside and see darkness. But is there any ideology that compares with a darkness on this scale?

I'm writing this because I don't think we in the West realize the extremely unusual thing that is rising from the East. I think people, in seeing such darkness, cannot deal with it without denying their own hedonism. Why else are we so enamored with...Paris Hilton?

The question is: ARE WE IN DENIAL? Let us talk...

This Is Why Islamic Fanatics Kill...

2007-07-03T12:34:00.000-05:00

A former fanatic Islamic Jihadist writes about his observations in "The Daily Mail" about how "Big Media" gets it wrong. Below are a few quotes:

When I was still a member of what is probably best termed the British Jihadi Network - a series of British Muslim terrorist groups linked by a single ideology - I remember how we used to laugh in celebration whenever people on TV proclaimed that the sole cause for Islamic acts of terror like 9/11, the Madrid bombings and 7/7 was Western foreign policy.

By blaming the Government for our actions, those who pushed this "Blair's bombs" line did our propaganda work for us. More important, they also helped to draw away any critical examination from the real engine of our violence: Islamic theology.

And though many British extremists are angered by the deaths of fellow Muslim across the world, what drove me and many others to plot acts of extreme terror within Britain and abroad was a sense that we were fighting for the creation of a revolutionary worldwide Islamic state that would dispense Islamic justice.

If we were interested in justice, you may ask, how did this continuing violence come to be the means of promoting such a (flawed) Utopian goal?

How do Islamic radicals justify such terror in the name of their religion?

There isn't enough room to outline everything here, but the foundation of extremist reasoning rests upon a model of the world in which you are either a believer or an infidel.

Formal Islamic theology, unlike Christian theology, does not allow for the separation of state and religion: they are considered to be one and the same.

Now as to why Islam has gained a foothold in Britain, and such favorable treatment in the press is this:

But the main reason why radicals have managed to increase their following is because most Muslim institutions in Britain just don't want to talk about theology. They refuse to broach the difficult and often complex truth that Islam can be interpreted as condoning violence against the unbeliever - and instead repeat the mantra that Islam is peace and hope that all of this debate will go away. --Hassan Butt

I don't see how it can be any more plain than this.

The Brutality of Al-Qaida

2007-07-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Laura Ingraham, we have a post of a report of the brutality that often goes unreported by our Big Media. Called Bless the beasts and Children, this reporter shows the stark reality our armed forces and the Iraqi military face each day.

I wonder if there are accurate numbers that show the number of civilians killed by Al-Qaida, Iranian and Syrian terrorists. I'm sure those that hate Bush wouldn't want THAT to be published. That would give impetus to continue the fight!

Gender Crisis due to Abortion and Infanticide

2007-06-14T09:27:00.000-05:00

Near-sighted pro-death pundits couldn't see this one coming, but this is a whopper of a problem. Thanks to the pro-death culture exported primarily from the United States, we have negative population growth that is unprecedented in all of history. See more here for details.

Okay, so here's the logic lesson for the day:

Pure Hypothetical Syllogism: This is the type of syllogism that poses "if...then" propositions. The more common type of HS is the "mixed hypothetical" where there is only one "if...then" proposition in the major position. A pure hypothetical syllogism has all three syllogisms as "if..then" propositions. Case in point:

1) If the number of unborn infants that are killed is greater than the number of people who die, then the number of people born to replace the dead decreases.

2) If the number of people born to replace the dead decreases, then there will be negative population growth.

Conclusion: Therefore, if the number of unborn infants that are killed is greater than the number of people who die, then there there will be negative population growth.

It would seem, by necessity, that proponents of the woman's right to kill have a problem on their hands besides innocent blood. If they see killing unborn infants as a basic human right, then, do we as humans, have a right to exterminate ourselves? If they do propose this, could it be safely said that they have a hatred for humankind? In operation they do. To counter this, they will have to, for the sake of the future existence of humankind, agree to federal provisions mandating the births of infants; perhaps even requiring family sizes to be five or more to try and catch up before our civilization dies.

My guess is that proponents of a woman's right to kill her unborn infant will not move logically to ward off this problem. They will most likely lament, act conflicted and do nothing. What's at stake is the view that we can have sex with anyone we choose without having to bear the children of sex. Which only accentuates the issue of abortion rights...it is the right to kill, never a right to choose.

Let the discussion begin...

A Dire Need for Clarity in the War Against Terror

2007-05-21T21:45:00.001-05:00

The Moral Basis for the War on Terror

This is a must read for those who are disenfranchised with the Bush Administration's leadership in the War on Terror. Dr. Alan Keyes speaks plainly and curtly not only about the Bush Administration's mismanagement of the War in Iraq, but failing to properly articulate the moral imperitives that must drive this effort. Bogged down in nation building and imposing our values on others may look like the proper approach to securing peace, but at what cost? WE, the United States, who hold to the values of human life and the equality of human dignity, no matter what race, color or creed, must act in wartime in accordance to these values and come against those who do not. Keyes calls on us to simplify our strategy and clarify our moral vision. I've included here most of what he said. Please read what he has to say and let it sink in:

Moral understanding of terrorism

We get arguments that implausibly assume that we can, in what amounts to an historical minute, establish democratic practices in countries like Iraq or Afghanistan that have no culture of democratic self-government — or other arguments that assume that we can wish away the threat to our way of life by establishing "exit strategies" and timetables for troop withdrawals from Iraq. (This latter despite the fact that the conflict began on the fateful day that revealed our foes' determination and capacity to come to America to kill us.)

Though bad leadership, bad politics, and the media's appetite for battle scenes give the impression that we are engaged in a "war in Iraq," the fight against terrorism is more broadly focused on the Middle East because that region has been dominated by regimes that reject the foundational premise of democratic self-government in America — i.e., that God created man for liberty, not fanatical subservience. Feeling the absence of moral vision, some of our leaders have tried to focus on Islamic extremism as the wickedness against which we can galvanize our moral will. But we do not fight terrorism because it is Islamic. We fight Islamic extremists because they routinely practice terrorism.

Our fight is not about religious differences. It is a conflict of conscience between people of goodwill who, whatever their religion, believe that each human life has an equal and intrinsic moral worth determined by the Creator God, and people of evil intent who believe that their grievance, cause, or faith justifies methodical and systematic murder on whatever scale they choose.

This difference of conscience translates into differences in other areas, beginning with the conduct of war. Decent folks accept the idea that, in war, rules must be observed to prevent wanton killing. The others practice wanton killing so that fear dictates the rules. People who believe in the equal and intrinsic worth of each human life also reject the routine practice of torture, whether in making war or in law enforcement. And once they think it through, they realize that the equal and intrinsic worth of each human life requires governmental and political practices that respect the integrity of each human person, so that no one has the claim to own or govern another without their consent. This understanding is what connects the war against terror with the long-term effort to encourage democratic self-government.

Pursuing peace

If our leaders had properly articulated this connection in principle, we would realize that the challenge in Iraq and elsewhere is not to establish the outward show of self-government in the short term, but to work with and encourage those who are committed in principle to the understanding of equal moral dignity that is the root of its long-term growth and development.

With this in mind, there's one thing we could be sure of: no one connected with terrorism or tyranny (e.g., Saddam Hussein's government) can be an ally in our cause, or in the cause of peace and liberty in the world at large. This would apply as much to the terrorists who ply their wickedness in the name of the Palestinian people as it does to the Al-Qaeda types who murder in the name of Allah.

The governments, movements, and groups that we can validly deal and work with would have to be "de-terrorized," much as the parties and groups we worked with in West Germany after WWII had to be "de-Nazified" in order to be acceptable. Moreover, instead of cooperating in diplomatic efforts that claim the goal of peace without respecting its main prerequisite, we would insist on respect for the principle of equal and intrinsic moral worth as the first basis for mutual respect among human beings, regardless of their differences, and therefore the first step toward establishing real peace among them.

This would lead to some simple and straightforward policy goals. Oppose terror. Oppose torture and tyranny. Oppose all forms of political as well as economic enslavement. Encourage respect for innocent life. Encourage legal protections against torture and abuse. Encourage the institutions of self-government that provide the only reliable safeguard against political and economic enslavement. These goals are purposely stated in terms of stances and attitudes that we can take, not outcomes that we can impose.

One of the challenges of encouraging liberty in the world is to respect the fact that we can't make it happen for other peoples, and shouldn't try. By keeping this in mind, we would avoid the kind of implausible rhetoric that has too often characterized the present Bush Administration's statements about our goals and purposes in Iraq.

Since we have drawn the sword, our primary purpose ought to be to strike hard at the enemy, which in the aftermath of 9/11 means those who practice or abet terrorism. It's debatable whether our blow against Saddam Hussein effectively aimed at them, but there is surely no dispute that this is the proper aim of military action. Those who help us to achieve it, in Iraq and elsewhere, in effect demonstrate their opposition to terrorism, and help us to promote the alternative of respect for human moral worth.

But the aim of war is first to damage and defeat the foe. If in the process we help the Iraqis to take some steps toward a permanent regime of liberty, that will be a good thing. But it should not be our measure for the success or failure of our efforts.

Keeping terrorists at bay

When dealing with terrorists, the first achievement is to force them to make war instead of practicing terror; to prevent them from using their hard violence against soft targets in our country. In Iraq and Afghanistan, we have achieved this. We have forced war upon them, compelling them to fight our armed forces in a theatre well away from the innocent unarmed American civilians they would prefer as targets. In this case, it's surely true that the best defense lies in staying on the offensive. (This is something most leaders among the Democrats prefer to ignore. I guess they would rather score political points at home than keep terrorists at bay abroad. Of course, these leaders will win no political support from careful American voters once they realize that when Democrats say they will bring the troops home, what they are really saying is that they will bring the war home. I can see why our enemies would prefer this, but not why any sensible American would agree with them. Better that our armed forces fight terrorists in Baghdad than that our civilians die at the hands of terrorists in Dallas or L.A.)

Amen, Dr. Keyes.

For Those of You Who are into "Perspectives..."

2007-05-15T16:41:00.000-05:00

Just thought I'd let you know that for those who live and die by the polls, Gallup has George W. Bush at a higher approval rating than Congress: 33% to 29%. More here:

I say, let's go with Bush and impeach Congress...

I Was Told They Weren't Connected...

2007-04-29T13:59:00.000-05:00

Hat tip to Hugh Hewitt for featuring John Hinderaker's "Trifecta" at Powerline.com.

Here's a portion of it:

The al-Qaeda leader who is thought to have devised the plan for the July 7 suicide bombings in London and an array of terrorist plots against Britain has been captured by the Americans.

Abd al-Hadi al-Iraqi, a former major in Saddam Hussein’s army, was apprehended as he tried to enter Iraq from Iran and was transferred this week to the “high-value detainee programme” at Guantanamo Bay.

Abd al-Hadi was taken into CIA custody last year, it emerged from US intelligence sources yesterday, in a move which suggests that he was interrogated for months in a “ghost prison” before being transferred to the internment camp in Cuba.

Even More Good News From Iraq--Bad News for DDT Democrats

2007-04-27T12:00:00.000-05:00

Hat tip to Captain Ed at Captain's Quarters, where he has this to say about the capture of a top Al Qaida operative. Now, just what would we do with Al Qaida if we weren't in Iraq?

Thank you, Archbishop Burke!

2007-04-27T11:50:00.000-05:00

Archbishop Burke, who acted in a manner rarely seen among leaders in general, resigned from a local charity upon their insistance of having Sheryl Crowe remain among those celebrities to perform for a benefit. This is the type of leadership we need in the Catholic Church. City of St. Louis, you should be proud. Bob Costas, you're nothing but a wuss.

They're Beginning to Step in "It"

2007-04-27T11:36:00.000-05:00

Durbin Silent on Pre-War Intelligence

In the politcal world of CYA, the Dems are starting to "step in it." Sen. Dick "Turban" Durban, in his desire to a little political damage control while inflicting more damage to the Bush Administration, has created no small stir with his claims from fellow Democrats. If there is a time to implode, this is NOT the time for "DDT" Democrats. Future developments should be interesting...

The DDT Party!

2007-04-27T11:20:00.001-05:00

Dr. Jack Wheeler has a short but sweet article giving the acronym "DDT" to the Democratic Party. I wonder if it will stick. I hope so.

The DDT Pary

The TRUE cause of the Violence in Iraq

2007-04-21T12:12:00.000-05:00

A must see post by Mohammed at Iraq the Model today. In it you'll see an Iraqi man completely frustrated with the media coverage of the war. He sees this conflict from a perspective you and I will never get. Can we let his words sink in?

Instead of telling us to stop fighting back, I'd like to see some people stand up and protest the crimes of the terrorists and tell them to stop the killing and destruction…turn the stop-the-war campaign against the terrorists, is that too much to ask for?Tell the criminals to stop killing us and stop attacking the people who are risking their lives fighting for liberty and equality.We're asking the media and the stop-the-war crowd to carry arms and shoot the terrorists; we just want them to stop shooting at us. -- Mohammed at Iraq the Model

There are many here, Mohammed, who are with you one hundred percent who far outnumber the cowards who are counting the body bags.

What Place is More Dangerous than the Anbar Province?

2007-04-21T09:01:00.000-05:00

The answer: a mother's womb.

The death toll of American soldiers KIA's in Iraq is around 3400 over the last fours years. Yesterday, in one day, at least 3500 innocent unborn children were massacred. If we include the entire nation of Iraq over four years, is 80,000 killed too conservative? Let's say that unfortunately 100,000, no 200,000 Iraqi civilians died due to the War in Iraq in the past four years. God rest their precious souls. In the past four years in America, in comparison, there were 5.6 million to 6 million precious human beings aborted from their mother's womb.

I give these stats to you to give you all some perspective as to the overwhelmingly heinous and evil practice of abortion that is still being protected in America under the black skirts of our justice system. The abortion mills in this country alone have created a human death toll unequaled in all of human history. I'm not mentioning all the women who were made sterile, who died, and the many who have been emotionally scarred. The untold suffering is mind-numbing of those babies who actually lived through botched abortions, only to die later in some cadaver filled trash receptical.

I want you all to look at this courageous young woman in this article who survived a botched abortion and lived to tell her story to Congress. Consider also, the tremendous gifts she brings to humanity that would have been lost had the abortionist succeeded.

I know that this week the SCOTUS upheld the partial-birth abortion ban, which is great news. But, let not this dull your vigilance, for evil is very clever. One could rename and alter the procedure and accomplish the same objective. Instead of popping the champaign and celebrating, let's weigh what still needs to be done. I say, let's get prayerful, get vocal, get active, and get going!

Sadly, in the fifteen minutes it took for me to research and put this article together, 36 babies have been slaughtered--which is more than the number of VT students that were killed from 7AM to 10:30AM on Monday, April 16, 2007. God have mercy on us all.

MORE Good News From Iraq!!!

2007-04-21T08:37:00.000-05:00

LATimes reporter Chris Kraul has this to say about political developments in the Anbar province (hat-tip to Captain Ed and Allahpundit).

Gee, what a little AMERICAN SUCCESS can do for the morale of the Iraqiis. Take that Harry!

"Give 'em Surrender Harry Strikes Again

2007-04-20T20:24:00.000-05:00

Well, gang, looks like Senator Harry Reid has a new role in the Senate--demoralize the troops. In an article at Breitbart.com, he says we've lost the war.

What a despicable and politically driven wimp. And the troop surge is not in full swing!

For more on this topic, go to "Give 'em surrender" Harry Finds His Tet Offensive at the American Thinker.

Thank God for Senator Joe Lieberman, who has this to say in response to Harry "Surrender" Reid.

Could a Withdrawal Be Immoral?

2007-04-20T20:13:00.000-05:00

Rocco Dipippo, a civilian contractor on the ground in Baghdad has this to say in a article at the American Thinker about creating a date for withdrawal. I say, let cool heads prevail, and stand-down the political posturing. It's easy to condemn Bush as starting an immoral war. It's another to compound the mess with an immoral withdrawal. Read it for yourself.

The Axis of Embarrassment

2007-04-20T19:51:00.000-05:00

"I Found Saddam's WMD Bunkers"

Hat tip to Captain Ed at Captain's Quarters for this article written by Melanie Phillips on her blog who writes for the Daily Mail. It's a story of Dave Gaubatz, who served for 12 years as an agent in the US Air Force’s Office of Special Investigations. Phillips interviews Gaubatz and has information that is compelling though circumstancial and makes sense when you look at the the last four years and scratch your heads. Phillips calls the revelations the Axis of Embarrassment, for it explains the apparent gutless response and deafening silence of Republicans and the continuous attack by Democrats on the Bush Administration's mishandling of intel. As it stands, the WMD's were lost to the Syrians, which points to gross mismanagement at the DoD, and the presence of WMDs as a slam to the Democrats who decry Bush as lying to the American people. Egg seamingly is on the faces of both parties. Now that seems to fit the scenario better and explain the stupendous amount of sophistry and inaction!

Read the article; you'll find it most interesting. I'd like your comments and those of you expert in the field.

In the Case of Withdrawal from Iraq, Let's Not Move to Hastily

2007-04-13T12:16:00.000-05:00

Iraq in the Balance by Fouad Ajami is an insightful piece that explains the religious complexities and tensions in Iraq, which he sees Iraq in a "fourth phase" where the unease of trusting what was once a highly credible Madi army of Sadr. The Shia, who have typically suffered the violence and atrocities of the past, are now in a position to act and shed the habits of an oppressed majority:

In recent days, in the southern city of Diwaniyya, American and Iraqi forces have together battled the forces of Moqtada al-Sadr. To the extent that the Shia now see Iraq as their own country, their tolerance for mayhem and chaos has receded. Sadr may damn the American occupiers, but ordinary Shia men and women know that the liberty that came their way had been a gift of the Americans.

Another great read!

The U.S. Troop Surge in Iraq is Still Working

2007-04-13T11:54:00.000-05:00

Surge Results are Visible

Yup, Charles Krauthammer has a great piece for your reading pleasure (displeasure)! One particular quote I find giving us hope:

The news from Anbar is the most promising. Only last fall, the Marines' leading intelligence officer there concluded that the U.S. had essentially lost the fight to al-Qaeda. Yet, just this week, the marine commandant, Gen. James Conway, returned from a four-day visit to the province and reported that we "have turned the corner.''

Why? Because, as Lt. Col. David Kilcullen, the Australian counterinsurgency adviser to Gen. David Petraeus, has written, 14 of the 18 tribal leaders in Anbar have turned against al-Qaeda. As a result, thousands of Sunni recruits are turning up at police stations where none could be seen before. For the first time, former insurgent strongholds such as Ramadi have a Sunni police force fighting essentially on our side.

Enjoy yet another promising editorial among many who want "Bush's War" on the McGovernesque scrap heap of defeat

The Alternative Media is in Iraq

2007-04-10T15:44:00.000-05:00

For those of you who want to hear the news from citizens in Baghdad, read"Iraq the Model's" on post on April 10th. You'll see quickly what's paraded in the "NYSlimes" about the HUGE demonstration is "slightly" exaggerated according to the blog master.

VP Cheney Hit's a Home Run

2007-04-10T15:08:00.000-05:00

Well folks, look like the Veep really stirred it up this time. In his interview with Rush Limbaugh, he points the canon towards the Dems from Pelosi's trip to Syria to the supposed lack of Al Qaida connection in Iraq. Read the interview here. For more inspired reading, catch the latest from the American Thinker here. Happy reading.

A question for all of you who hate Bush...do you want the U.S. to achieve its objectives in Iraq or not? If not, why not?

If You're Hungry For News in Iraq...

2007-04-06T23:26:00.000-05:00

Hat tip to Sadie Lou at Sadico Junction who had posted an excellent site in case you want to know what's happening in Iraq besides the typical gloom and doom that comes from "Big Treasonous Media." Nothing like hearing the news from the Iraqiis who live there who have no axe to grind against Bush and Blair.

You'll love it...or hate it! If you hate it, don't come whinin' to me...

The Trouble With Islam...

2007-04-03T12:47:00.000-05:00

Hat tip to Laura Ingraham, who linked to this Wall Street Journal editorial by one of Islam's reformers here in the west.

I wonder if the ultra-feminists realize what hideous practices they are relativizing?

More Evidence That Vindicates Pope Pius XII

2007-03-30T23:09:00.000-05:00

Pius XII Vindicated

Just thought I'd put this in my blog for posterity's sake. There has been an enormous amount of hatred against Pius XII that erupted after World War II, which fomented lies and slander against his papacy. Thanks to John Corwall's book "Hitler's Pope" the slander has come to the surface again. Of course, this is nothing new. Dave Hunt's "The Woman Who Rides the Beast" was a best seller that excoriates Pope Pius XII with the same vicious slander.

The article above refers to even more evidence that vindicates Pius XII. Thank you, Holy Father, for your faithfulness, even in suffering.

The UL

Good News on the Iraq Troop Surge!

2007-03-20T12:29:00.000-05:00

Who would think it? There's actually good news out there? Is it possible that the Bush administration is not a collection of collossal idiots? Read the WaPo article and see for yourself:

Why the Troop Surge is Working

Sean Hannity Finally Gets Spanked by Dad

2007-03-12T23:30:00.000-05:00

If you sniff around www.foxnews.com you'll find that Sean Hannity finally gets an on air whoopin' that is about time. Sean Hannity, who is an admitted Catholic, was making entertaining comments about meat 0n Friday and open remarks of his support of Birth Control.

Fr. Euteneuer, who was a guest on Hannity and Colmes, stayed with Sean as he began his "shoot-out" style of verbal attacks. Side-stepping Sean's "Red Herring" about his seminary education, and blaming priests like Fr. Euteneuer for the sex scandal, he kept to his guns. When Sean gave him a false dilemna of choosing between BC or Abortion, Fr. chose self control. Knowing his stats, Father reminded Sean that most women get abortions because their BC failed. Finally, at the end, when asked if Father would deny Sean communion, he emphatically said he would. Sean fell silent.

Sean needs this badly. Anybody who is in the public as much as Sean is who makes statements that undermine the faith of Catholics in a major social teaching needs to be taken to the woodshed. This goes the same for politicians. Thank you, Father Euteneuer! Sean may thank you someday, which I hope he does.

The World According To Jack Bauer...

2007-02-02T23:52:00.000-06:00

I am a "24" fanatic. I found a few of my favorite Jack Bauer jokes:

1. If everyone on "24" listened to Jack Bauer, it would be called "12."
2. Superman wears Jack Bauer pajamas.
3. If life gives Jack Bauer lemonade, he'd use them to kill terrorists. Jack Bauer hates lemonade.
4. When Jack Bauer was a child, he made his mother finish his vegetables.
5. Jack Bauer's favorite color is severe terror alert red. His second favorite color is violet, but just because it sounds like violent.
6. Jack Bauer can get McDonald's breakfast after 10:30.
7. When the boogie man goes to sleep, he checks his closet for Jack Bauer.
8. People with amnesia still remember Jack Bauer.
9. When Batman is in trouble, he turns on the Jack Bauer signal.
10. Killing Jack Bauer doesn't make him dead. It just makes him angry.
11. Some people see the glass as half-full. Others see it as half-empty. Jack Bauer sees the glass as a dangerous weapon.
12. Witholding information from Jack Bauer is now classified as a suicide attempt.
13. The 2007 budget for the US Military covers Jack Bauer, two pistols and four billion rounds of ammunition.
14. There have been no terrorist attacks in United States since Jack Bauer has appeared on television.
15. Jack Bauer could strangle you with a cordless phone.
16. In order to control illegal immigration in the United States, the president installed cardboard cutouts of Jack Bauer along the US/Mexico border.
17. "American Idol" is only popular because it has a commercial for '24.'
18. Jack Bauer has the heart of a terrorist. He keeps it in a jar on his desk.
19. Explosions do not kill Jack Bauer, they just get stuff out of his way.
20. If you're holding a gun to Jack Bauer's head, don't count to three before you shoot. Count to ten. That way, you get to live 7 seconds longer.
21. Due to Jack Bauer, no one looks forward to the weekend anymore, they look forward to the weekend being over, and watching 24 on Monday.
22. Jack Bauer could get off the Lost island in 24 hours.
23. Jack Bauer makes onions cry.
24. MacGyver uses everyday items to save people; Jack Bauer uses everyday items to kill them.

Ah...Good News from Iraq!

2007-01-30T17:07:00.000-06:00

I don't have a lot of time to blog, but here are a few stories that may not have hit the MSM radar screen. I think they're interesting pieces; certainly good for discussion!

U.S., Iraq forces kill hundreds of insurgents

In case you haven't heard this, we have had a successful battle in Najaf. I wonder how many more stories we have missed.

Al Sadr Looking for a deal

Could this be a result of the proposed troop surge, or have the previous unreported victories by our fine men in women in uniform frustrating the cleric?

History teaches insurgencies rarely win

You'd think from the gloom and doom reporting that the Iraq insurgency is a plan that is for certain going to defeat the United States military. I don't think so, however, the negativity is wearing out the information consumer. Think of it, what sacrifice are most of us offering in this war on terror? I know a minority of families mourn the precious lives lost in this campaign. But, what is making the average American tired. Negative imagery on the screen?

In Case You have been Bored...

2007-01-21T23:38:00.000-06:00

Hey all! Got some good things to ponder in this weird, wacky and sophisticated world we live in. Hat tip to Laura Ingraham for these little goodies...

Victor Davis Hansen: Compare the rhetoric of Islamists who hide their loved ones...where? Read Anti-Americanism: Rhetoric vs. Reality

Need Demonstrators? Rent them!

For "24" Fans: Read here about Muslims protesting how they are being portrayed on this television program.

Nothing like a little reality to spice up all the (yawn) bland rhetoric.

The Muses of History Smile Once Again...

2007-01-03T09:04:00.000-06:00

Rich Lowry from National Review sums up well, the events surrounding Gerald Ford's death and funeral.

The Light of History Shines on Ford

While we live submerged in a culture of media panic, the events surrounding President Ford's death and funeral stand as a gentle reminder that what is screamed from the coasts as so vital to our daily lives really pales in significance in the long run. Such is the case illustrated in the life and legacy of Gerald Ford, who in the 70's was repudiated for pardoning Richard M. Nixon, for being Nixon's lackie, and was mocked as a clumsy former "jock" who was dangerous to golf with. Thirty years later, his presidency is seen as instrumental for the healing of our nation. Nixon's pardon is now seen a courageous sacrificial act; a selfless political position that ultimately cost him the presidency in 1976.

The way in which he was lauded last week, by all who covered him, shows me how much the push for political power permiates everything we hear. Let's remember this, and dial down the hype our media projects onto us. Let cool and (might I say) reasonable thinking prevail.

Saddam's Death: More of the same

2006-12-31T11:35:00.000-06:00

Hat tip to Diogenes for Fr. Bernardo Cervellara's article in Asia Times regarding the crocodile tears shed by foes of capital punishment for Saddam Hussein.

I do not share the glee for Saddam's hanging as others around the world do. I am wary that capital punishment has any just application in our age of relativism. Not just in the United States, but anywhere in the world, political ideologies create political enemies where it is expedient to use capital punishment to gain the upper hand.

I'm not of the mindset that our world is a better place without Saddam. I think it remains unchanged; it's more of the same. Yet, to be truly prophetic with real credibility, one cannot retain relativism as a working philosophy. One must be a moral absolutist. Status quo relativism has nothing to say to regimes and cultures, and in comparison, the use of the authority in moral absolutes is completely consistent philosophically. It is the use of moral authority that drives our move to eliminate capital punishment. It is this same moral authority that the Church uses to move all of humanity to be more civil and charitable to each other.

On the other hand, wishy-washy relativism plays into an enormous self-contradiction: one must use of power and the threat of death to eliminate the use of the death penalty. Can anything be more illogical?

Oh, and in case you disagree with the last paragraph, you are safely NOT a relativist, at least not in action.

The Beginning of this Never-ending Mystery

2006-12-24T13:48:00.000-06:00

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them,

"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

(The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2: 1-19)

God bless you all and give you a Merry Christmas and a blessed year to come. And, if you lost the mystery, I hope you find it in Him.

--The UL--

Some Miracles for the Mystery of the Season

2006-12-22T09:08:00.000-06:00

I thought I'd deviate from the unending political silliness and give you some stories for you to read. There are reasons we celebrate Christmas, but have you lost the mystery of it all? Hope the following stories will help.

CNN: Blind Man Healed--Doctors are Baffled

Here's an interesting angel story:

Helping an Angel Unaware

Here's a heartwarming story when people show love to one another:

It's Truly a Christmas Miracle

If I find more stories, I will post them. Please understand, the meaning of Christmas is that God has sent his Son into the world to redeem it, to be the Lamb of God. Though it occurred over 2000 years ago, God is still in the business of reaching out to us. There lies the mystery...that God is "with us," Emmanuel.

I hope you keep the mystery of God's presence as you celebrate this wonderful Christian feast. I recall times in my latter childhood when Christmas was just a time for presents and family. Though nice, it seemed hollow to me. At this point in my life, I cannot picture any other way to celebrate the season than with complete gratitude to God for sending His Son. Christ brings meaning to this otherwise commercial event. God Bless you all, and Merry Christmas!!

Breaking News: TIME Magazine cuts 27 Persons of the Year!

2006-12-20T23:19:00.000-06:00

Time Inc Axes 27

See what happens when you become TIME's person of the year? You get fired. Plus, 400 more "persons of the year" will lose their job with TIME in the next few months.

Five Year Old Charged with Sexual Harrassment

A five year old "person of the year" was charged with sexual harrassment by "people of the year" school officials in a Maryland school district.

And finally,

Infant Placed in Airport X-Ray Machine

A Grandma "person of the year" mistakenly placed and infant "person of the year" into the X-Ray machine. A startled "person of the year" airport employee discovered the infant and pulled it out. They took the baby to a local hospital, where "persons of the year" hospital staff say the infant didn't receive any dangerous dose of radiation. Phew.

Good night, all you "persons of the year!"

Hey Everyone, I'm Time Magazine's "Person of the Year!"

2006-12-20T16:21:00.000-06:00

I knew it! I knew that I'd make it! I really tried hard, too!!! Putting in my patio with brick pavers this year for my wife is what did it. Just think, my wife's influence with Time put me in the same category with Kim Jong "Ill", Mahmoud-baby, OBL, George W. Bush, any or all the Democrats, George Clooney, Dr. Kevorkian, or Saddam Hussein. Man! I'm good!!!

Tom Cruse, eat your heart out!

What...what did you say? Cruse made it? Hussein, Kevorkian, Clooney, Hillary, Bushy, OBL, Mahmoud-baby, the Kimster... they all made it too?

Humphf. Big deal, Time. So you didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. Typical appeasers!

Santa's Annual Journey Extremely Dangerous

2006-12-19T01:09:00.000-06:00

I don't know who figured this out, but it shows the lengths Santa will go to make sure the children of the world are happy. The author shows himself to be skeptic. But not us! Below are the laws of physics Santa must endure for our kids. God bless him!

1) No known species of reindeer can fly. BUT there are 300,000 species of living organisms yet to be classified, and while most of these are insects and germs, this does not COMPLETELY rule out flying reindeer which only Santa has ever seen.

2) There are 2 billion children (persons under 18) in the world. BUT since Santa doesn’t (appear) to handle the Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and Buddhist children, that reduces the workload to 15% of the total - 378 million according to Population Reference Bureau. At an average (census) rate of 3.5 children per household, that’s 91.8 million homes. One presumes there’s at least one good child in each.

3) Santa has 31 hours of Christmas to work with, thanks to the different time zones and the rotation of the earth, assuming he travels east to west (which seems logical). This works out to 822.6 visits per second. This is to say that for each Christian household with good children, Santa has 1/1000th of a second to park, hop our of the sleigh, jump down the chimney, fill the stockings, distribute the remaining presents under the tree, eat whatever snacks have been left, get back up the chimney, get back into the sleigh an move on to the next house. Assuming that each of these 91.8 million stops are evenly distributed around the earth (which, of course, we know to be false but for the purpose of our calculations we will accept), we are now talking about .78 miles per household, a total trip of 75« million miles, not counting stops to do what most of us must do at least once every 31 hours, plus feeding, etc. This means that Santa’s sleigh is moving at 650 miles per second, 3,000 time the speed of sound. For purposes of comparison, the fastest man-made vehicle on earth, the Ulysses space probe, moves at a poky 27.4 miles per second - a conventional reindeer can run, tops, 15 miles per hour.

4) The payload on the sleigh adds another interesting element. Assuming that each child gets nothing more than a medium-sized lego set (2 pounds), the sleigh is carrying 321,300 tons, not counting Santa, who is invariably described as overweight. On land, the conventional reindeer can pull no more than 300 pounds. Even granting the “flying reindeer” (see point #1) could pull TEN TIMES the normal amount, we cannot do the job with eight, or even nine. We need 214,200 reindeer. This increases the payload -not even counting the weight of the sleigh - to 353,430 tons. Again, for comparison - this is four times the weight of the Queen Elizabeth.

5) 353,000 tons travelling at 650 miles per second creates enormous air resistance - this will heat the reindeer up in the same fashion as spacecraft re-entering the earth’s atmosphere. The lead pair of reindeer will absorb 14.3 QUINTILLION joules of energy. Per second. Each. In short, they will burst into flame almost instantaneously, exposing the reindeer behind them, and create deafening sonic booms in their wake. The entire reindeer team will be vaporized within 4.26 thousandths of a second. Santa, meanwhile, will be subjected to centrifugal forces 17,500.06 times greater than gravity. A 250-pound Santa (which seems ludicrously slim) would be pinned to the back of his sleigh by 4,315,015 pounds of force. In conclusion - If Santa ever DID deliver presents on Christmas Eve, he’s dead now.

Santa dead? No way! It's just like science to steal away the mystery!

Sorry, but I've Been Slammed...

2006-10-24T08:43:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone!

Just thought I'd let you know that I'm not going to be posting anything of significance for the next couple of weeks since my Marquette coursework has overwhelmed my time. However, if you want to, post a comment on a topic that you think represents an issue that is directly affected by either lack of logic, or a misapplication of it. For instance, I've been looking at the 2006 elections and have seen an enormous amount of sophistry and dirty politics. However, I am not compelled to spend my time researching or commenting on them, for there is "nothing new under the sun."

So, post something that is of interest to you. I assume the right, however, to guide the comments and topics, since I am the benevolent dictator here. I want to make sure the commentary is appropriate to this site. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must dive into Byzantine Theology...

--The Underground Logician

Take A Good Look in the Mirror, Islam

2006-09-16T09:22:00.000-05:00

If we are to have any dialogue with today's Islam, Islam must first take a hard look at the essence of itself, primarily through its history (not to mention a number of other things). In my previous post, we see the violent reaction by Muslims to the Pope's allusion to a 15th century quote by a Byzantine emperor about the new thing Islam brings to religion: violence. The Muslim reaction illustrates Benedict's point, which would be funny if the consequences weren't so sad.

The irrationality of Islam promotes this kind of reaction. Read again Pope Benedict's explanation (below) of how Islam's view of God, who is complete transcendance, allows Allah to make any command on his people. There is no need for a rationality in Islam since Al'ah is Lord; He can command whatever he like. If Al'ah's will is to promote pagan worship, he can do so since since he completely transcendant. He doesn't need to be rational; he is completely transcendant from reason and its confines.

I'm not saying that Christians never practiced violence. They did, even in the name of Christ. However, these were not the teachings of Christ and the Church. Secondly, popes, eager to stop the expansion of Islam and gain back! what was taken by Islam, roused the troops to war. It was NOT in order to force conversions; it was to take the Holy Sites in Palestine back. Reform eventually became necessary for the Church to bring itself back to the teachings of Christ and the Traditions.

The reform of Islam on the other hand would be completely different. In its scriptures, conversion to Islam is to accomplished either freely or by coercion; violence is taught. The main objective for Islam is to establish an Islamic order in the world. Thus, Islam, to reform itself, would it would have to dismantle itself; it would no longer be Islam.

A reform of Islam that brings Muslims back to the root of its teachings as in Church reform would look much like the radical Islamic movements promoting terror. Islam, by nature has never been a peaceful religion per se, though its adherents can be. As a religion, it spread mainly by tribal and territorial conquest, coercsion with the threat of taxation, and acts of violence and oppression. Violence is in the warp and woof of this religion. Any forced taxation or coercive proselytizing by Christians was and is an abheration, not the essence of Christianity. This is why the Byzantine emperor quoted by Benedict XVI said what he said.

Islam, however, to have true reform, will have to reject major portions of the Q'uran. I doubt this will happen unless Islam alters its view and embrace a God who is also immanent. If they're going to go to such great lengths, they can avoid re-inventing the wheel; they might as well freely convert to Christianity, whose God is both transcendant and immanent!

If you want to see the essence of Islam, view a timeline of its expansion here. You'll be surprised by how imperialistic and violent it is. Then you'll see why the Pope's careful treatment of the subject is so noteworthy and not a veiled attack.

Islam, you have brought nothing new to religion but violence and forced conversion. To all peaceful Muslims who renounce violence, thank you. However, I feel for you. To reject the violence of Islam is to change or do away with your infallible book.

Muslims Angry At Pope

2006-09-15T12:14:00.000-05:00

Muslims Angry at Pope

Whenever I see reports of what someone said, I like to go to what the person actually said. Case in point, the media reports Muslims are growing violent over the Popes's apparent slight against Islam for promoting violence, which is inconsistent with a just God. You may want to know that the Pope was using the quotes of a byzantine Emperor to set up his thesis: the use of reason is not just a Greek development as opposed to Islam's idea of God being transcendant. The idea of a completely transcendant God allows him complete freedom to be irrational, including using violence for conversion. Interestingly, Muslims grow violent over this issue, primarily over Benedict's quote which emphasizes the "new" thing Islam brings to religion is violence. Looks like Muslims are making the Pope's point.

To get a proper view of what the Pope said, read what he actually said and judge for yourself.

Lecture of the Holy Father

Can Sharia Law be the Law of the Land?

2006-09-14T11:36:00.000-05:00

For those who treat Islam as simply a religion, misunderstand it as well as any religion. A religion or "religio" binds the person's life to the deity worshipped, as in Islam, so in Christianity. An interesting article below strips Democracy to its essence. Please read and let's discuss the challenge facing the Dutch in Sharia could come via Democracy.

I have a couple of immediate reactions. If we reduce Democracy to majority rules, then any block of people who gain the majority get to have their way, within the confines of a republic based on its constitution (which also can be changed via the majority).

Now, I do get a bit tired of Christians who treat American Democracy as if it were a branch of Christianity. This "Americanism" which has been so prevalent in our country, is a doctrine that was decried by Pope Leo XIII. He saw it as a heresy and a challenge to authentic Christianity. In Christianity, the majority does NOT rule, Christ does. So, democratic principles where the body politik is the basis of authority does not fit Christ's kingdom. Sorry, but Democracy is not a Christian idea (I hope not to lose my Christian friends who think otherwise).

The idea of Democracy is not new but old as the hills. As a matter of fact, Plato discussed it in The Republic, but not in glowing terms. In fact, he recognizes the possibility that Democracies can implode, being a precursor to despotism. If a political majority becomes unjust and imprudent, it will enact laws and form a civilization that will eventually undermine itself. This is why, according to Plato, Democracy is second from the bottom of the list of governments. This is NOT something we "Americanists" typically want to hear. We want to have God on our side in the cause of Democracy. It is telling that Jesus in the Gospels doesn't advocate Democracy; as reiterated by Leo XIII.

This is why I treat the evangelization techniques of President Bush regarding Americanism with extreme skepticism. The "principles of freedom" that Democracy proposes never transform a people or race like religion transforms. It will give immediate relief to an oppressed people. However, this new found "freedom" eventually allows the unfettered action of political movements to establish a government that will ultimately REFLECT THE ATTITUDES, VALUES AND MORES OF THIS FREE PEOPLE. So, the only transformation Democracy brings is political.

What happens now if the majority's attitudes, values and mores are summed up in the principles of Sharia Law? What Democratic principles can stop this? Or say a new democracy, like Iraq, makes friends with a current American foe, like Iran? Can America, being true to democratic principles, have the right to alter what's happening in Iraq? I say no. This is democracy in action.

If anyone wants to bring social tranformation to a country must use religious means other than Democracy. However, then you get into proselytizing and coercion. If there is to be a true transformation of a nation of citizens, it must be done freely and uncoerced. This is why I think the Bush Doctrine is short-sighted: it equates the political structures of Democracy with the transformative structures of religion. Second, it forces this "religious structure" on a people who neither understand the consequences nor wish to give up their religious and social mores.

This is why all along I have seen the ill-named "War on Terror" as a clash, not only of civilizations, but a clash between religions. It fails to call a spade "a spade." It completely misunderstands the nature of the war, and the means that are required to fight it. Call me a medievalist (don't worry, I won't be insulted if you do!), but our fathers from the 7th Century forward saw it as such, and still found it an extremely difficult battle to wage. It requires all our resources: religious, economic, and military. It is no different now. The utopian zeal and flag-waving in favor of Democracy is NOT going to solve this problem.

I have another observation. I find it interesting that those, described in the article above, will run to "principles of Democracy" in the face of Sharia, not knowing that the very principles they call "Democratic" are really the Judeo-Christian/Natural Law principles of our Western Culture that much of Europe is allowing to slip. These are certainly religious in nature as well and affect an entire culture. This is why any call for the private practice of Religion is a stupid one.

Given the Dutch response, I think they see the seriousness of the situation but are failing to face the solution. The key is in what kind of battle this is: a simple and influential religious force is overwhelming a decaying and decadent Christendom. It is high time they repudiate the stupidity seeing religion as a private affair and engage in a personal and social reform based on Judeo-Christian and natural law principles. And, this is something we proud American better learn too, or we follow the course of the Dutch.

Let me sum up with a few key thoughts:

1. Democracy doesn't transform a society, it reflects it; it is not a religion.

2. Extreme forms of Islam are not simple religions whose adherents behave by practicing it privately; they want to either convert all mankind, or kill them. They have no preference.

3. Those who lean on "Democratic principles" are really leaning on the Judeo-Christian principles and natural law; the religious ones they often deny that form a basis of our culture.

4. The clash we are experiencing is not one between terrorists and non-terrorists, but a clash of religious ideologies. The predominent ideology in the West is "Decadent Christendom", which has lost its moral compass. This is the face the jihadists' see.

5. Currently, I doubt we Westerners have the collective guts to face such a ominous opponent.

6. If we are going to win this clash, we as a people MUST regroup, reform and return to the principles that formed the greatest culture in history. We must have a massive religious conversion and repudiate Decadent Christendom and Hedonistic Western Culture.

7. Lastly, our Islamic enemies are not afraid to die for what they believe and in order to stop them, we must be willing to die for what we believe. Which brings us to the greatest question of our time: my friends, what do you believe, and will it give you the courage to die for it?

This is not a problem that is simply solved by militaries and politics. Our jihadist enemy has correctly defined the nature and principles of this war which we decadent westerners must realize and accept: This is a holy war! I know this may anger some, but the history of this conflict shows it to be as such. Our enemy is fueled by a religious zeal to the death, to embark on a religious campaign no matter what the cost, with religious benefits that are out of this world, with a goal to set up an Islamic religious kingdom that requires either our participation or death; either will do. In the face of such a challenge, political and social mores are not only at stake; but our souls as well!

So we must reform and re-arm ourselves for the real battle. My fear is that our decadent and hedonistic ways will weaken our resolve in the name of false "Pluralism" to meet the challenge, causing us to wimp out and roll over like dogs. Some have been known to give up their immortal souls for the sake of the world. Do we give up our immortal souls for simply one more orgasm, one more cocaine high, one more pizza roll, one more beer, one more plasma TV, or one more private "Shall we gather at the river?

My friends, we face some stark choices. What will it be? Convert, be "converted"...or be killed?

Does Meathead Tip Hollywood's Hand?

2006-08-26T12:09:00.000-05:00

Actor Rob Reiner said that Mel Gibson's apology to the Jewish community wasn't enough. He has to acknowledge that "his work reflects anti-Semitism," particularly the 2004 hit movie "The Passion of the Christ," Reiner told Associated Press Radio.

For more, read Meathead: Mel Gibson Reflects Anti-Semitism

The passion of Christ is anti-semitic? Would Mr. Reiner say that the Gospel of Matthew is anti-semitic? Or how about Mark, Luke, or John? Or how about the Acts of the Apostles where St. Peter, when speaking of Christ, said to the people, that it was they "with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross," or when speaking to the Jewish Sanhedrin, said to them of Christ, "whom you killed by hanging him on a tree." St. Peter was anti-semitic, right Rob? Was St. Peter also anti-Italian? How about St. Paul, when he said about the Jews, "Because of their transgression (the rejection of Christ) salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious." Was St. Paul anti-semitic because he said God brought salvation to another people rather than Israel? Or, how about Jesus himself, when he said to the Pharisees that they were "a brood of snakes, whitewashed tombs filled with dead mens' bones, and hypocrites? In Revelation Jesus called the place where the Jews of Smyrna meet as the "synagogue of Satan!"

Did Mel say anything close to that?

If you are to be consistent, Rob, you'll have to focus your rage on the founder of Christianity, Christ HIMSELF. I'll wait to see if you do that.

My opinion, since I don't know Mr. Reiner that well, is this: the rant against Mel Gibson's deplorable and drunken behavior may be more a back lash at his success with "The Passion of the Christ." Had Gibson not produced and directed such a high impact movie with such success, but perhaps had continued with banal projects, such as "Lethal Weapon V, VI & VII" or Conspiracy Theory II, or "Bird on a Clothesline" or another post-apocalyptic "Mad Max" movie, Mel's idiotic and evil behavior would have gone unnoticed. Many politicians, those on the left side of the aisle, have said anti-semitic remarks, with little media attention in comparison.

Let's hear it Rob, from your own lips, Christ is anti-semitic.

Hole in the Ground?

2006-08-25T07:34:00.000-05:00

New Orleans Mayor Takes Swipe at NYC

Hmm. Mayor Nagin already paid for his "chocolate city" comment. Is he some sort of political self-masochist? I don't know. You read it and tell me.

"...when Pitts points to flood-damaged cars in the street and a house washed partially into the street, the mayor shoots back. "That’s alright. You guys in New York can’t get a hole in the ground fixed and it’s five years later. So let’s be fair."

From the "When You Have Too Much Time On Your Hands" Department

2006-08-25T06:58:00.000-05:00

This just in! I'm not making this up! Farmers believe cows moo with accents!

It's one thing when farmers think this the case. Here at the cave, we understand. They have lots of time on their hands, well, to take time to "notice" things. We accept that! It becomes serious news stuff when the "experts" get involved.

John Wells, Professor of Phonetics at University College London,...said that a similar phenomenon had been found in birds.
"You find distinct chirping accents in the same species around the country. This could also be true of cows," Wells said on the group's Web site (www.farmhousecheesemakers.com).

Funny Dr. Wells would say this, 'cuz just the other day, I noticed this too. I thought that I was crazy. Birds in Milwaukee are quite different than in Oshkosh. Milwaukee birds have this distinct nasal quality that almost matches what I hear from the Polish community and they burp like some of the best beer drinkers I've met. Up here in Oshkosh, birds flatten their vowels and hold their O's longer with the Norwegian "Yooper" effect, "don't cha knoooooow." This is especially noticable near Lambeau Field, where the Paaaackersss play. Flat A's, long O's, yup. That's how I hear it!

Enjoy your day and see if you too, notice animals communicating in dialects. I hear my black lab (short for Labrador, which is located in Canada), Cassie, barking, eh? She wants to come in now, eh? She chased all the squirrels away, eh? She's ready for her rawhide snackie, eh?

Have a great day...eh? Oh, and if you have a pet that has an accent, or notice this phenomenon happening in your locale, let us know. Here at the cave, we are a highly "scientific" blogsite, doncha know!

The Leveling Factor of Bill Cosby

2006-08-24T08:39:00.000-05:00

I have been watching Bill Cosby of late. "Dr. Huxtable" has been giving the black community some necessary anti-dotes that far outweigh and possibly outperform the placebos given by Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson: calls for personal responsibility. Here are a few links for your reading pleasure, one year after his "Pound Cake Speech" in light of the fiftieth anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education:

Bill Cosby is frustrated, but unafraid...

Pound Cake Speech

One particular part of the speech hit home:

"Five or six different children, same woman, eight, ten different husbands or whatever, pretty soon you’re going to have to have DNA cards so you can tell who you’re making love to. You don’t (know) who this is. It might be your grandmother. (laughter) I’m telling you, they’re young enough. Hey, you have a baby when you’re twelve. Your baby turns thirteen and has a baby, how old are you? Huh? Grandmother. By the time you’re twelve, you could have sex with your grandmother, you keep those numbers coming. I’m just predicting."

Strong medicine from a strong doctor? I think so. If you have other quotes from Dr. Cosby, feel free to bring them here. Love him or hate him, he is the one person that can level the playing field of entitlement. Kuddos to him!

From the "Scratch Your Head Department"

2006-08-22T08:50:00.000-05:00

Church Ousts Woman Teacher

It is actions of this fundamentalist pastor and his church that give Christianity a black eye. As a Catholic, I understand and support the all male priesthood. Christ instituted it, and the Church maintains it. However, the position of no woman teaching any man is way over the top.

This "literal" interpretation is a massive distortion of Scripture and what is I think intended by the saintly apostle. Paul is making clear the necessity of men being in spiritual authority in the Church, mainly priests and bishops. However, if this extreme interpretation by the pastor above is legitimate, St. Paul must have dropped the ball regarding the teaching activities of a certain woman and her husband, Priscilla and her husband Aquila. Both she and he taught a dynamo apostle named Apollos, who misunderstood and taught a distorted view of Christ's gospel. Did Priscilla overstep her teaching boundaries? Did St. Paul condemn her actions, or get after Aquila for not keeping his wife on a leash? Nope. How about this--when St. Paul came to Europe for the very first time, in Macedonia, his first convert was a woman named Lydia, a local busnesswoman who had led prayers with people in her household and in her local community. Does he emphatically tell her to quit leading the prayer group? Nope. There are women in scripture who worked side by side with St. Paul in his gospel preaching. Did they just speak to women? Uh, the bible is silent on this. The Old Testament has dynamic women who were instrumental in saving and preserving Israel from destruction who led men into battle? Should be throw out the Old Testament, you modern Marcionites?

My point is this is an example of fundamentalist textualism that dehumanizes the Christian person, in this case women, and distorts the image of God into something ogre-ish. It makes no sense. Distortions like this occur because people make their piddly interpretations and opinions as The Truth. That is why I am all for a God directed Magesterium that guides and keeps the Church on track with the tradition of Christ and the Apostles. Newfangled opinions and practices are a menace and need to be identified as such.

To those who see the above article cited as typical of what you experience as Christian, my apologies and condolences to you. You have seen the ugly underbelly of Christianity gone awry in the hands of the misguided and heretical. Plus, you and I need to talk.

Implants a Good Idea?

2006-08-22T00:10:00.000-05:00

Newsmax has a story about implanted chips in military troops.

I have always been wary of technology since it seems we moderns let it almost have a life of its own. The 'spirit' of technology is the new god of our age. It never sleeps, it's always improving things, always looking for faster, and more efficient means to doing things; it promises more time, less work, with greater results, and happiness, yes, always happiness. It seems benign with some things like television in the fifties, to color television in the sixties, to television with remotes, big screen T.V.s and now plasma T.V.'s. The same goes with computers. Technology has also allowed mankind to kill one another more quickly and efficiently as well. Atomic bombs graduated to hydrogen bombs, which gave way to neutron bombs where all life is extinguished but buildings and infrastructure remain intact, to now the famed EMP bombs (electromagnetic pulse). We can kill thousands of people while traveling at high altitudes with the flick of a switch. More speed, more accuracy, more efficiently, more deadly and less humane.

So now we have chips that store enormous amounts of information. And, by the way, receiving one is completely voluntary for our troops...until something bad happens. Then all soldiers will be required to have one. The risks of terrorism will require iinternational travelers to have them. Until finally, it will be acclaimed as so effective and life enhancing that everyone will be offered the chance to have one of these devices, all voluntarily of course! Until something terrible happens, where everyone then will be required to have one. Technology, touted as our liberator, becomes our master and we its slaves.

Oh no, technology, you are not the friend you claim to be.

More of why I am bummed...

2006-08-19T19:31:00.000-05:00

I don't want to bore you, but I want to make some blunt observations.

Cardinal rules of engaging in logical argument call for avoiding the temptation of trying to win battles at the expense of losing the war. If you notice a different tenor in this blogsite, good! I have identified that I have been violating this precept, and the Common Master is not pleased with me and has voiced his disapproval with some of my past tactics. Frustration and anger, exercised with snide comments and snipes at those who visit are hardly appropriate for me, fellow cave dwellers, and it is an indignity to those offended. It turns me into a sour UL. Mrs. UL concurs!

If you have visited here in the past and have been insulted by me, you have my deepest apology. I will try to conduct myself more as a gentleman.

If you think I'm too hard on myself, well, allow me this. I know what rolls around inside me and believe me, I know what's inside.

So my bummed-ness is seeing the battles waged and won (in my own mind), and the war acutally lost, with the seeming lack of influence I think has come because of it. I am committed to change, friends. Let's stick to presenting our arguments with candor, even passion, without insult or personal attack. I, for one, hope to be an example of this. If I forget, PLEASE, refer me to this post as reparations for my behavior. Peace to you all!

I am Bummed

2006-08-19T09:01:00.000-05:00

Yes, fellow cave-dwellers, the UL is bummed. Why? Well, I'm not quite sure. Allow me to include you in my flow of consciousness, a flow not out of a logical argument, but of observations...maybe we'll find out together.

It's not because of the idiotic NSA ruling--I knew somehow that it would be challenged; the ACLU needed the right judge, and lo! they found one. Big surprise. Not because the non-stop bleating of the "useful idiots" in the MSM sheep and the stench of their Marxist "scatologisms" that has poisoned the air and infected the thinking of the gullible public. No, I expect this to continue and the wafts of the marxist manure to increase over the landscape. It's not the apparent silence of the majority who are in favor of our efforts to fight "Islamic Fascism." It's not the hedonistic pursuits of our generation to success and accomplishment; every generation wants to make its mark.

The WWII generation, the oft labeled "Great Generation" is dying off. Great men and women who hunkered down, fought and defeated one of the greatest threats to mankind are dwindling due to attrition. Not that they accomplished this without mistakes; they accomplished this by pressing on through their mistakes. Now, they are silently fading away, leaving us without the ever present "silent strength" that we super-smart "Boomers" have assumed and have taken for granted. With civilization saved, the "Boomers" broke ground, experimented, pushed the envelope, built an ediface on the foundation the WWII'ers left us, and ushered in the ever lauded "post-modern" era. We valued the philosophical inventions of a Jacques Derrida's "Deconstructionism," advancing the idea (if you can make heads or tails of his philosophy...good luck) that language does not convey objective reality, but is a means of control by the very powerful. We question the objective nature and reality of reality itself now; we're so smart! And the last gasp warnings of our dying progenitors is lost because it doesn't sell or entertain; what does it have to do with "the information age?" Wisdom on the lips of the fading is nonetheless...wisdom.

As I see it, we "Boomers" are a lame generation that has been propped up by the WWII'ers; we have benefited from their blood and sacrifice--and we are silently losing our supports. With that in mind, I now question whether we have a similar "silent strenght" to give to our successors. Moreover, I also wonder what history will make of us after the gas of our inflated self-assessment deflates through time. Will our legacy be repudiated? Will we be as useful as a spent helium balloon? I'm afraid this may be the case. Like those who failed and are recorded in the Bible for our instruction, our legacy may be the means to illustrate for future generations "the guiding principles of how NOT to live."

Do we have the collective guts to rewrite our legacy with our actions? That too, will be known only in time.

A Question for All of Us to Consider...

2006-08-19T08:50:00.000-05:00

If the United States suffers another major terrorist attack, say a suitcase nuke, where likely will the blame be placed, and by whom?

Ah! When Responsible Muslims Speak Out...

2006-08-18T09:07:00.000-05:00

It is refreshing to see a Muslim address the Muslim community towards taking responsibility that is theirs to take. I refer you to a NYTimes editorial by Irshad Manji in her "Muslim Myopia." A professor at Yale, she articulates the fallacy that points to U.S. foreign policy as the cause of Islamic fundamentalism, ergo, Islamic terrorism:

"But violent jihadists have rarely needed foreign policy grievances to justify their hot heads. There was no equivalent to the Iraq debacle in 1993, when Islamists first tried to blow up the World Trade Center, or in 2000, when they attacked the American destroyer Cole. Indeed, that assault took place after United States-led military intervention saved thousands of Muslims in Bosnia and Kosovo. "

I'm not sure how her comments in this article will play in the MSM. However, I'm sure you will enjoy her fresh approach that needs to be the norm for moderate Muslims--people who I KNOW hate to see their religion being highjacked by terrorist thugs.

Three cheers for Irshad!

More Bad News For Anti-War Democrats

2006-08-11T10:20:00.000-05:00

Since the MSLM is so GREAT at giving us the bad news, I have more to throw onto the festering discusting heap by Al-Reuters (hat tip: Drudge): Army Reaches Recruiting Goals Again.

There you have it. Doesn't that make you MSLM types want to cut and run?

You know, you media wonks work so hard to re-engineer our society with the latest photo enhancing techniques, the most effective use of rhetoric, and the hours--the hours of non-stop teeth clenching repetition to alter the thought processes of a gullible public, and look how they respond to you! Ungrateful wretches! The only answer to this is federal control of radio and the internet.

No doubt this is evidence of the power of George W. Bush.

A Time for a Breather?

2006-08-10T10:14:00.000-05:00

The political situation has been volatile of late with ME tensions building and political points are fought for tooth and nail in preparation for the November mid-term elections. I want us all to take a breather and consider our next steps.

I've been cruising the internet and came across Asiantimes.org. and one of its main writers named "Spengler." For today, I want you to read his commentary When the devil dislikes the stink of brimstone. Please, let's read his thought provoking viewpoint regarding the direction we are taking as a country in light of the war on "terror" and the Middle East.

Then, when done, let's comment on topics his article addresses, such as:

1. The need for a mass invasion of the Baca Valley by Israel and end the Hezbollah threat.

2. An ultimatum to Tehran by the U.S. to dismantle nukes and if ignored, use strategic strikes to take out their nuclear installations.

3. Since regional destabilization works in favor of the terrorists, the U.S. should partition Iraq according to ethnic and religious lines and quit trying to stabilize a region already unstable. Go with what is natural to them regionally and historically.

4. Scrap the Bush doctrine of democratizing the Middle East which seriously crosses Just War principles.

5. Buckle up and create an oil embargo over Iran, enduring a 5% reduction in oil output but cutting off 100% of Iran's oil income.

Though Spengler's approach is pragmatic, I think he may give us "Western Goldfish" a chance to see things outside our fishbowl. Let's discuss it and learn what we can. No ranting or rhetorical bombs please. Though we have differences, we may learn that we all have some common objectives that we can build on.

As always, the "Common Master" prevails.

Beware of China

2006-08-09T02:12:00.000-05:00

Chinese Secret Deals Fueling Mideast War

An interesting Timesonline article indeed! Sitting back and in the shadows are our Chinese "friends" who sport Elvis hairstyles. While the dust flies with Israel, Lebanon, Hezbollah, Syria and Iran, our next great future superpower patiently waits...and plans.

Creepy.

Bad News for Al Gore and the Enviro-mental cases

2006-08-09T01:54:00.000-05:00

Get a grip, my friends. We are not going to have the record hurricane season as we did last year. Just read this ABC newsbrief, but try not to cry. It's hard...I'm devastated myself. Apparently, too many hybrids were purchased by rich Americans...

Thank God for Bloggers! (That's right, I said "God.")

2006-08-09T00:09:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Drinking from Home Blogsite. You need to Check this out...the unluckiest homeowner in Lebanon!

Seriously...If the Hezbollah-Lebanese press are going to stage the damage reports of Israeli attacks, at least rotate your actors and actresses. Put facial scars on different parts of the face and body. Have them wear different clothing. Remember, Hez-Leb press, the MSM aren't the ones you need to deceive--they are on your side. You need to work to get past the bloggers. We're a clever bunch, we are!

There's more!

Check out Michelle Malkin's site and look at her collection of false pics.

Is there a conspiracy going on here?

Just a Few Observations of the ME War...

2006-08-08T16:13:00.000-05:00

I'm glad that some of you carried on with my previous post while I was gone. I had to spend four days in a hospital for severe back pain. Though it was very difficult, I've had the pleasure of being a news junkie while being in agony in room 210.

Since I don't subscribe to cable, I had the pleasure of having non-stop coverage of the Mid-East turmoil, presented mainly by FOX and also MSNBC and CNN. Perhaps I am imagining things, but it seems that 24 hour news outlets lust for information, to the point that they try to determine ahead of time what will happen, and with that, the consequences of that which may happen...if it happens. I found this to be irritating.

Second, a question began rolling around in my mind as I watched the news coverage. Have you noticed that world opinion howls much louder and with greater vehemence at Israel (i.e. the actions of the Israeli's attack at Qana and the 40 (28?) children killed) when innocent people die in bombings than when Hezbollah kills innocents with their rocket launches? Do different rules apply? It seems that if you have a superior military, you must operate with a set of expectations that are next to impossible to fulfill; if you are an inferior force or an underdog, you are allowed to break some rules to make it even. So, Israel is stronger...therefore, they have no excuse for the deaths of innocents. Poor Hezbollah can only afford these stupid little rockets that they cannot aim...they can't help killing innocents when they send their rockets into Haifa to kill innocents.

My hope is that Israel completely dismantles Hezbollah, both militarily and diplomatically before the soft-skulled dupes of our media et al succumb to the propaganda of Hezbollah.

The Existence of WMD's and Media Silence...

2006-07-28T10:59:00.000-05:00

I continue to scratch my head at both the White House's and the Media's response to the discovery of WMD's in Iraq. If you care go to Proving Saddam's WMD's you'll find and interesting discussion about why the "too little, too late response."

Oh, and this is for the open minded. That would include many liberals, based on their own self-claims for open-mindedness.

A Vacation from Stupidity Does One Good!

2006-06-17T00:56:00.000-05:00

Sorry to have not blogged in a while; I have been busy! For the past eight days, I have not got on the internet at all. To my surprise, I have been feeling very peaceful. For eight days, idiocy was on parade and I didn't come to watch. Ann Coulter's book is the rage (true however you define "rage") and liberals are frothing at the mouth with overworked saliva. Congress has a vote to see who's on board with Iraq and the Democrats are planning to take over the Congress with a "loser" scenario. Al Gore will run for president again with his growing popularity and a Catholic parish near my home wants to enlighten us Catholics with Sufi wisdom on "The Aramaic Lord's Prayer." I have a theory: The stupidity never ends because the demand for it never ends. I hate to be so cynical, but I am convinced that there is a huge demand for mindless stupidity and deep emotion. We Americans want to FEEL. Feelings have become the "eighth sacrament."

Oh well, my respite from the ranting sophistication has certainly helped my I.Q., but my experience can be compared to Mark Wahlberg's character in "Return to the Planet of the Apes." It's like I came back to earth, but this isn't the "earth" I knew eight days ago. I see afresh the simean stupidity that is taking place. I guess it's time for me to take up my sword of logic that you "touchy-feely" liberals fear so much. I'm back and it's "en guard!" Come on you relativists! I dare you to make your relativistic stands and I'll show you to be the intolerant closet absolutists YOU REALLY ARE! MOOOOHOOOOOHAHAHAHAHA!

If the Senate Passes Treasonous CIRA S. 2611...

2006-05-21T06:33:00.000-05:00

then I will join the growing number of conservatives who agree with Dr. Jack Wheeler, of "tothepointnews.com." He not only condemns the current Senate, but Bush senior, and some of Bush junior. I think he's spot on when he declares that our current Senate is the worst Senate in modern times.

Let your Congressman know how you feel about border control, etc. The Senate is too far gone, unless you want to scream, complain and threaten.

"Gandalf" Happy Jesus Was Married

2006-05-18T10:55:00.000-05:00

Sir Ian McKellen, who played Gandalf in "Lord of the Rings" and English aristocrat Sir Leigh Teabing in "Da Vinci Code" read Brown's novel and called it "codswallop." However, the ever politically correct McKellen redirects in the following statement:

Sir Ian said: "When I read the book I believed it entirely. I thought Leigh Teabing had answered his case very convincingly indeed.
"When I put the book down I thought 'What a load of potential codswallop'."That's still going on in my mind. But I'm very happy to believe that Jesus was married.
"I know that the Catholic Church has problems with gay people and I thought that this was absolute truth that Jesus was not gay."

I KNEW there'd be some redeeming value in codswallop. We want people to "be happy" in what they believe--TOP PRIORITY! And we "homophobic Catholics" desperately need to have "proof" that Jesus wasn't gay. Oh, good, Jesus liked women. Phew! Thanks Mr. Brown!

For more ingesting of this swill, click here.

And you anti-Catholics think we're over-reacting to this "fiction?" If Gandalf the White can't resist Mr. Brown's cunning and deception, how can we mere mortals do so?

Amazing Animal Language Discovery!!

2006-05-18T10:37:00.000-05:00

PYOW, PYOW, PYOW.--HACK, HACK, HACK, HACK!!!

Recognize that sentence, kids? Yup, you guessed it! It's the "run like hell" command of the male Nigerian Putty-Nosed Monkey. More "scientists" have found important evolutionary clues from their infallible studies. Here's what they have to say:

The putty-nosed monkeys, Cercopithecus nictitans, of the Gashaka Gumti National Park, have two main alarm call sounds. A sound known onomatopoeically as the “pyow” warns other animals against a lurking leopard, and a cough-like sound that scientists call a “hack” is used when an eagle is hovering near by. --Timesonline, May 18, 2006

For more information of primate grammatical formations and other really important stuff, read:
PYOW HACK!! You People!!

It's one thing when a leopard comes lurking, don't we know. It's another when a leopard and an eagle come at the same time. I'd "Pyow-Hack" too, if I were a monkey!

Notice though, that "Puddy" only uses present tense verbs with the imperitive mood. Sexist simpletons! Don't they know that they may be OFFENDING the female "Puddies?" How undemocratic! You don't command people in this day and age; you inspire them, evoke a response that will encourage intrinsic motivation; you allow for input. Obviously, they need a little more evolution. It will mean something when they start using passive voice verbs to be more PC and avoid offensive commands. The female "Puddies" would appreciate it. Something like "YO! Pyow--HEY!-Hack Doan-cha-no!"--"A leopard was spotted along with an eagle. It is best if an evacuation plan were to be formulated and executed. A board meeting will be set to discuss the subject at 2pm. Your ideas will be appreciated."

Now that would be progress!!!

When Beastiality is a "Good" Thing...

2006-05-18T09:52:00.000-05:00

Ever since priests with flowing robs were replaced with scientists with flowing white lab coats, a unique religion has emerged over the last century. With natural selection and survival of the fittest, we have a "scientific" view of the origins of life. We are so smart now, we know things that were impossible to know while religion ruled the day. Check out the latest infallible "study" by "scientists" who have a "new idea" of how human life evolved:

You May Be A Monkey's Uncle

If you understand the moral issues behind this, you'll see that we humans are in essence a hybrid race caused by beastiality. The text tells of the biped humanlike "Toumai" mating with the quadriped not so human Chimpanzees. In this case, beastiality is a good thing! Where would we be as a race if our great, great, great, great (5,840 times removed) uncle Tom Toumai had controled his sordid and abherant sexual desires while a flirtatious mob of sexy female Chimps passed him by. If we are simply animals and evolution is still taking place, who's to say that beastiality will not benefit our progeny millions of years from now. Look at all the marvelous possibilities.

Humans cross breeding with horses could revolutionize track and field; cross-breeding with sheep could literally turn the garment industry upside down: people literally could grow their own clothing! Could you imagine Martha Stewart knitting a sweater with her very own wool? How about this--cross breeding with dogs would make us our own best friend; no more need for therapy! The sky is the limit as to the good beastiality brings!

One thing may be problematic though: hybrids are sterile and cannot reproduce. DOH!!

Ah, a minor technicality!!! Our priests in white lab coats will certainly figure that out. Until then, let the de-evolution continue!

How Would YOU "Prove the Negative?"

2006-05-15T12:15:00.000-05:00

Can you prove the "negative of something?"

Place yourself in the following scenario:

Someone who is a minority at your work accuses you of using racial slurrs towards her. No one besides this person heard you say it. She is the only one who heard it. You are dragged before your boss who believes the allegation and is visibly irritated with you. You plead with your boss stating that you made no such remark. With his glasses at the end of his nose, he looks up at you from his desk and says, "Prove it."

How do you prove the negative of something? You can appeal to your spotless record for the past fifteen years, your charitable giving to minority non-profit organizations. You can bring people in that know you explicitly to testify to your character and yet, you still wouldn't have proof. Who's to say that in a moment of irritation in a room by yourself, you would never resort to one racial slurr, the first one in your life? All human beings are weak and fall; even the best of them. Here's what's stacked up against you: 1) You are assumed guilty; 2) You are human and therefore a potential racist; 3) You have failed to account for every second while alone with this person; 4) therefore you are guilty (notice the circle?). As a result, your boss suspends you from work without pay and requires you to take sensitivity training at your expense, which will be deducted from your paycheck. Is this fair and just? I'd think not.

Proving the negative shifts the burden of proof from the person making the charge to the one receiving it. It also creates circular reasoning which is no proof. In other words, it is impossible to "prove the negative."

In the criminal justice system, this fallacy is to be roundly condemned since the assumption of guilt is almost impossible to disprove; any allegation could be brought against the accused with certain condemnation. Also, just punishment is the exception only to be assessed against a positive act committed beyhond the shadow of a doubt. Third, proof is a demonstration of the existence of something; you cannot demonstrate something with nothing. It's totally absurd. The absence of evidence of something is nothing more than the absence of that something.

Subsequently, this method will never protect the innocent where the evidence is the word of the accuser and the accused. Justice is best insured when an assumption of innocence is first granted to the accused. If the accuser can logically demonstrate enough positive evidence of the criminal act, then whatever punishment is just. Punishing those who cannot "prove the negative" almost guarantees injustice. How many death penalty cases have been decided by this method?

In the court of public opinion, this unjust rule applies. Why? Because slick rhetoricians and their lackies try to sway public opinion by placing on politicians and public figures an impossible task of "proving the negative." Each one of you are the judge and you haven't the capacity to see through their tactics. Take the following examples:

1. Ted Kennedy stated that Robert Borke's America will revert back to the days of back-alley abortions and deaths to pregnant women who cannot get proper prenatal healthcare. This was the assumption by Kennedy; Robert Borke couldn't defend it. How do you prove the negative of something that hasn't occurred yet? Kennedy won in public opinion and Borke suffered a travesty of justice.

2. Senator Joe Biden tried to push Clarence Thomas during Supreme Court hearings to try to prove that he didn't put a pubic hair on Anita Hill's can of Coke or invite her to see "Long Dong Silver." Thomas of course couldn't produce the proof because he'd be in a position to "prove the negative of something," which is impossible. This didn't stop Biden, who "saw" Thomas' refusal to "prove the negative" as an obstruction. The one who truly had the burden of proof was Anita Hill, who could only give her word, which is no proof. Another travesty of justice.

3. Currently, this is happening in the court of public opinion with President Bush. When we got into Iraq, we found no WMD stockpiles. What did leftists assert? Bush lied. It's obvious, right? If not, the burden of proof rested on Bush to prove that he was not lying, which is impossible. There was NO evidence that he DID lie. With this slick sophistry, the American people were lead by the nose to believe this impossible expectation and the assumption of guilt prevailed, even to this day.

This is why I defend Bush. Not because he's "my hero." It's because a huge injustice occurs every day in the media and blogworld who continuously use this fallacy. However, this is not just a liberal tactic. Both sides of the aisle commit the same injustice. Remember the movement to nail Clinton on "these mysterious murders" or the "Mena Connection?" Nothing was accomplished (thank God!) for it assumed the guilt of Clinton, whereby he was left to prove the negative. This is wrong, no matter what political brand you bear.

A Trip to the Woodshed for Repubs

2006-05-13T00:05:00.000-05:00

A great wake up call for Conservatives by Anne Coulter:

Conservatives Need 12-Step Program for Manhood

Liberals, don't read this at home. You won't be able to handle it. Conservatives sometimes need a kick in the slats. I don't know why they resort to this naive optimism that if they just be nice, everyone will like them and they'll be able to govern so much better. Repubs, WAKE UP!!
We got border problems, we got Chi-com problems, we got weak immigration policies, WE DON'T EVEN ENFORCE THE IMMIGRATION LAWS WE ALREADY HAVE!!

I'm not a happy camper with my party. The Repubs are getting stuck on stupid!!

In Case Someone Needs Your Phone Records

2006-05-12T23:57:00.000-05:00

Everyone who listens to the news these days thinks that their phone records are private. Think again. Your phone records are not your own property. You might think that you have a right to confidentiality, but you don't. What if someone needed your phone records? Do you think they could find them and pay for them? YES THEY CAN!!

Check out this Google ad!

This NSA 'scandal' is nothing but a trumped up brouhaha. Phooey!

Is this how the Dems are going to get their power back? If I were a liberal, I'd wear a paper bag over my head. What a joke.

What the Dems Don't Want You to Remember

2006-05-12T23:43:00.000-05:00

Please read this article and allow it to sink in.

Dialing and the Democrats

I've said this before, I'll say it again until I'm blue in the face, the root meaning of knowledge is NOT FORGETTING. A democratically controled House and Senate overwhelmingly passed the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act of 1994. It's not a bad law, given what the U.S. was facing then, you know, Osama binLadin, the Trade Center bombing, stuff like that.

Well now, since 9/11, you'd think the stakes are greater, right? Who's complaining about the phone survellance program now? Democrats. Gee, did they forget why they voted for the CALEA? A great majority of Americans didn't. They have knowledge.