She'll be flying Southwest from now on because "Bags fly free" [ even "old"ones ]
Today we dump the Kool Aid. We begin to rid our blood of the toxin known as progressivism – an addiction to other people’s money, an infection that doesn’t discriminate by party name and its side effects are corruption, class warfare, political correctness, judicial activism and revisionist history. Today we start rehab. Today the TEA IS SERVED! For those elected to the table don’t you dare forget who fills your cup. - Badger Benson
'Twas the night before elections
Bring thousands of people together in a rally, and it gets ignored because it wasn't millions. But bring together 50 people to send a symbolic message by ceremoniously (or unceremoniously, as the case may be) burning the Quran (Koran, pick a spelling), and the administration and media hone in on it with laser-like focus.
This September 11th, the Dove World Outreach Center -- consisting of Pastor Terry Jones and a congregation of 49 others -- has announced their plan to protest radical Islam by burning the Koran (Quran. Whatever.) And even before the first match has been lit, the reaction has been incendiary. General David Petraeus has warned that the action could endanger our troops. David Axelrod is concerned about the security threat it could provoke. Eric Holder has called the plan "idiotic and dangerous." Hillary Clinton has called it "disrespectful" and "disgraceful." Even Angelina Jolie has weighed in with her regrets, so you know this has to be major news!
Let me be perfectly clear where I stand on this: I think burning books -- any book (or record, or film) -- is just plain stupid and creepy. It doesn't accomplish anything positive, and generally spreads the message contained in the book wider than before. If anything, radical muslims might want to consider thanking the Dove church a few years down the road for helping spread the message of Islam through their actions.
On the other hand, it is just a book. It is pages, pulped from trees, with ink splashed on it. And yes, that goes for the Holy Bible as well. They're published texts. They can (and will) make more. And as I must assume that the congregation of the Dove church went out and bought these Korans (as opposed to going door to door, taking them by force, and clearing the local library shelves in a mob frenzy), I'm sure the publisher's thank them for their contributions, and would gladly sell them twice as many should they wish their next Koran burning to be a larger event next time.
But could I burn a Koran? Sure, it's the sacrosanct text of some idiots who crash planes, set off bombs, and ambush our soldiers. But it's also the holy book of my friend Saidul, and Ramesch, and Saritha. It's the holy book of muslim soldiers serving in the American military. How could I burn a Koran with the caveat, "But it's just meant against those people, not you." That would be like organizing a Bible burning to protest the terrorist activities of the Westboro Baptist Church.
So it's stupid -- but it's also small and inconsequential. At least, it was, until this Gainesville gathering began to be addressed by our own government. Then it became notorious, dangerous, and a threat to national security. Not that I recall any organized Koran burnings prior to the collapse of the World Trade Center, or the crash outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania, or the assault on the Pentagon. I don't think a Koran even got charred before the attack on the USS Cole.
And I'm not sure I've heard any of the aforementioned administration officials (and celebrity) speak out anytime in the past when someone's burned the US flag (except to remind everyone that it's an expression of free speech).
When the government puts all their attention -- or, rather, all our attention -- on something so undeserving of attention at all, I have to wonder: what should we be focused on? What are we being distracted from? Follow the agendas, keep your eyes on the real problems, and don't buy into the hype generated by a roomful of malcontents who, were it not for the government and the media, would have gone largely unnoticed.
Bring thousands of people together in a rally, and it gets ignored because it wasn't millions. But bring together 50 people to send a symbolic message by ceremoniously (or unceremoniously, as the case may be) burning the Quran (Koran, pick a spelling), and the administration and media hone in on it with laser-like focus.
This September 11th, the Dove World Outreach Center -- consisting of Pastor Terry Jones and a congregation of 49 others -- has announced their plan to protest radical Islam by burning the Koran (Quran. Whatever.) And even before the first match has been lit, the reaction has been incendiary. General David Petraeus has warned that the action could endanger our troops. David Axelrod is concerned about the security threat it could provoke. Eric Holder has called the plan "idiotic and dangerous." Hillary Clinton has called it "disrespectful" and "disgraceful." Even Angelina Jolie has weighed in with her regrets, so you know this has to be major news!
Let me be perfectly clear where I stand on this: I think burning books -- any book (or record, or film) -- is just plain stupid and creepy. It doesn't accomplish anything positive, and generally spreads the message contained in the book wider than before. If anything, radical muslims might want to consider thanking the Dove church a few years down the road for helping spread the message of Islam through their actions.
On the other hand, it is just a book. It is pages, pulped from trees, with ink splashed on it. And yes, that goes for the Holy Bible as well. They're published texts. They can (and will) make more. And as I must assume that the congregation of the Dove church went out and bought these Korans (as opposed to going door to door, taking them by force, and clearing the local library shelves in a mob frenzy), I'm sure the publisher's thank them for their contributions, and would gladly sell them twice as many should they wish their next Koran burning to be a larger event next time.
But could I burn a Koran? Sure, it's the sacrosanct text of some idiots who crash planes, set off bombs, and ambush our soldiers. But it's also the holy book of my friend Saidul, and Ramesch, and Saritha. It's the holy book of muslim soldiers serving in the American military. How could I burn a Koran with the caveat, "But it's just meant against those people, not you." That would be like organizing a Bible burning to protest the terrorist activities of the Westboro Baptist Church.
So it's stupid -- but it's also small and inconsequential. At least, it was, until this Gainesville gathering began to be addressed by our own government. Then it became notorious, dangerous, and a threat to national security. Not that I recall any organized Koran burnings prior to the collapse of the World Trade Center, or the crash outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania, or the assault on the Pentagon. I don't think a Koran even got charred before the attack on the USS Cole.
And I'm not sure I've heard any of the aforementioned administration officials (and celebrity) speak out anytime in the past when someone's burned the US flag (except to remind everyone that it's an expression of free speech).
When the government puts all their attention -- or, rather, all our attention -- on something so undeserving of attention at all, I have to wonder: what should we be focused on? What are we being distracted from? Follow the agendas, keep your eyes on the real problems, and don't buy into the hype generated by a roomful of malcontents who, were it not for the government and the media, would have gone largely unnoticed.
Below is a letter written by Dennis Gutherie to Nancy Pelosi. Mr. Gutherie's credentials precede his letter: Born St. Louis , Missouri , August 21, 1944 Bar Admissions: North Carolina , 1969 U.S. District Court, Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of North Carolina , 1969 U.S. Tax Court Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals Education: Woodford College , 1966 A.B. Mercer University , 1969 J.D. Phi Alpha Delta Vice-Justice, District XIV, 1968 - 1969 Professional Associations and Memberships: North Carolina and American Bar Associations (Member, Sections on: Administrative Law; General Practice; Litigation) 26th Judicial District and North Carolina State Bar Mecklenburg County Bar Association American Association of Justice North Carolina Trial Lawyers Association Captain, U.S. Army, 1969-1971, Vietnam National Defense Medal, 1969 Republic of Viet Nam Service Medal, 1970 Bronze Star Medals (2), 1971 Assistant District Attorney, Mecklenburg County , 1971 - 1974 Charlotte Chamber of Commerce Chairman, Board of Trustees Providence United Methodist Church Board of Directors, Alexander Children's Home Board of Directors, Charlotte Culinary Institute Wofford Alumni Executive Council Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America Board of Directors, Boy Scouts of America of Mecklenburg County Board of Directors, Girl Scout Council Life Member, National Eagle Scout Association Life Member, Girl Scouts of America Dear Ms. Pelosi: I write to you out of utter disdain! You are as despicable and un-American as the traitor Jane Fonda. I am a soon to be 65 year-old who has voted in every state and local election since 1966. I have voted for both Republicans and Democrats alike. I have worked on campaigns for both Republicans and Democrats, white and black. I served the country that I love in Vietnam, as my son did in the Middle East. I was awarded two bronze stars. I have been involved in politics since age 6 when my father was campaign manager for a truly great American Congressman, Charles Raper Jonas, who worked for his constituents and his country, and was to be admired, unlike you. You obviously haven’t read the Constitution recently, if ever, the Federalist Papers, or even David McCullough’s book on John Adams. You ought to take the time while riding around in your government provided luxury executive jet to do just that. You represent Socialistic and even Marxist principals that our founding fathers tried to avoid when setting out the capitalistic republican form of government represented by our Constitution. I find it interesting that you and your husband are multi-millionaires with much of your fortune being made as a result of your “public service”. You have controlled legislation that has enhanced your husband’s investments both on and off shore. At the same time you redistributed the wealth of others. Our system of a free market economy is being destroyed by the likes of you, Harry Reid, and now our President. You ride around in a Gulfstream airplane at the tax payer’s expense while criticizing the presidents of companies who produced something for the economy. You add nothing to the economy of the United States; you only subtract therefrom. I would like to suggest that you return to the city of fruitcakes and nuts and eat your husband’s canned tuna and pineapple produced by illegal immigrants and by workers who have been excluded from the protection that 90% of the legal workers in the United States have. I await your defeat in the next election with glee. Don’t ever use the term “un-American” again for protesters who love this country and are exercising their rights upon which this country was founded. By the way, while I served in the Army, I was spit on by the same type of lunatics who support you and who you probably supported in the 60’s and 70’s. You are an embarrassment to all of us who served so that you would have the protected right of free speech to call us un-American. But at the same time, I have the right to write you to notify you that I consider you to be un-American, as do the majority of the people of this formerly great country. You are a true disgrace to most of the people who served this country by offering themselves for public service in the United States Congress. I feel certain your aides will not share this letter with you, but I intend to share it with many. Sincerely,Dennis L. Guthrie Verified By Snopes - http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/guthrie.asp |