From politics (moderates who lean to the right) to Pogo (drools during poker stare) to rants (Whatcha expect from savvy, sassy sexagenarians?) to raves (Have you had your kudo today?) -- we never take ourselves too seriously.
We do, however, reserve the right to slaughter an occasional sacred cow. And in case we fail to mention it -- we will never forget....
Many, many thanks to Beth at MissBethsVictoryDance for the "tap" for the "Thinking Blogger Award." The image is posted in the side bar .... Again -- Thanks to Beth for the recognition!
Now, I get to nominate five (5) blogs that "make me think" ..... This is going to be difficult -- I read in excess of 30 primary blogs a day -- and most of their links .... Each makes me think ..... I'll need to give this a bit of thought -- after all, it IS about bloggers who make you think!
As political as I may sometimes be, my blog reading is rather eclectic. The five blogs I nominate reflect my daily interests, inspirations and (in many respects) aspirations .... Once you visit them, you will know why ... And check out THEIR links to learn how thinking is, after all, a rather contagious activity!
1. (Sometimes) Photoblog Steven and I met a few years ago via the AOL Community Leader program. Though we've lost personal contact, I continue to visit his blog regularly to relax, reflect and to appreciate the world he captures.
2. The Gray Dog I happened upon this blog when I started visiting a Vietnam Vets forum ... And then I saw his Gathering of Eagles video. I don't know why it hasn't received more publicity -- it's one of -- if not -- the most moving promotions I've seen. NOTE: GD seems to have reorganized his blog, and the video is difficult to locate .... Sorry --
3. Our Beloved Angels Jo is another associate from AOL's CL program. Although the program was disbanded some time ago, Jo has continued to publish newsletters, host discussion groups and a write a blog for bereaved pet owners ....
4. Gay Patriot An award-winning conservative blog that should be on every reading list. I don't always agree with his perspective, but hey -- that's what makes the conservative umbrella so inclusive!
5. Black and Right The link is to Bob's powerful video message in support of our troops .... Check out his entire blog -- he's right, by the way.
To nominees: Should you choose to participate, please make sure you pass this list of rules to the blogs you are tagging. The participation rules are simple: 1). If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think; 2). Link to this post so that people can easily find the origin of the meme; 3). Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you write.
Mitt Romney spoke at the George Bush Presidential Library in Texas on Tuesday. Here are excerpts from his speech:
Romney: "We need leadership. We are fortunate today to have a President who loves America, who acts solely out of a desire to protect her and to promote liberty around the world. But I think most Americans look at Washington and are appalled at the divisiveness, the bitterness, the smallness, the disunity. Senator Arthur Vandenberg once famously opined that 'politics stops at the water's edge.' But last week, a committee chair said we have two foreign policies, one for each party. And then the Speaker of the House helped dignify a state sponsor of terror. At this time of war, her action stands as one of the most partisan, divisive, and ill-considered of any national leader in this decade."
Romney: "Unity also means supporting our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The challenges there are immense. But President Bush and General Petraeus are implementing a new strategy for Iraq and it deserves a chance to succeed. Running away from Iraq now would embolden our enemies, giving them the sanctuary they need to plan more devastating attacks against our country. In this difficult time, some in Congress are trying to deny our troops the resources they need. This is a grave error. We need to rally behind the effort, and support our men and women in uniform in this time of war."
Romney: "I think many of us still fail to comprehend the extent of the threat posed by radical Islam, by Jihad. Understandably, we focus on Afghanistan and Iraq. Our men and women are dying there. We think in terms of countries, because we faced countries in last century's conflicts. But the Jihad is much broader than any one nation or nations. For radical Islam, there is one conflict and one goal replacing all modern Islamic states with a caliphate, destroying America, and conquering the world."
Governor Romney's Four Changes Needed To Meet A New Generation Of Global Challenges:
First, We Need A Stronger Military. Our military suffered a dangerous decline under the Clinton Administration and has faced serious strains as we confront Jihadist threats following 9/11. To support our troops, we need to ensure we have the personnel and resources needed to maintain a strong America and safe world:
- We Must Increase The Size Of Our Military By 100,000 Troops.
- We Need To Dedicate At LeastFour Percent Of Our Gross Domestic ProductTo Defense, Making Up For Critical Gaps In Our Military Modernization, Equipment, Personnel And Health Care Efforts.
- Investing In Our Military, We Need To Ensure Funds Are Used To Address Critical Needs And Support The Men And Women Of Our Armed Forces, Rather Than Political Or Contractor Interests.
Second, America Must Become Energy Independent. Our economic and military strength require that we end our strategic vulnerability to an oil shut-off by nations like Iran, Russia, and Venezuela, and that we address environmental concerns. To do this, Governor Romney has called for a bold and far-reaching research initiative - an Energy Revolution - to be our generation's equivalent of the Manhattan Project or the Moon mission. This will be a mission to create new, economic sources of clean energy.
Third, We Must Transform And Strengthen Our Civilian International Efforts To Meet A New Generation Of Challenges. Many of our civilian national security and foreign policy structures were created decades ago to confront Cold War threats. Building on the Goldwater-Nichols military reforms of the 1980s, we need to ensure that our civilian instruments of national power have the ability to build joint efforts among our civilian agencies and empower Regional Deputies with clear lines of authority, budgets and responsibility to develop and execute regional plans and strategies. We must also constantly challenge bureaucratic "group think" and revitalize our national security structures so we have the capabilities needed to meet 21st century challenges.
Fourth, We Need To Strengthen Old Partnerships And Alliances, And Inaugurate A New One, To Address The Threat Of Jihadism. The failures of efforts such as the United Nations Human Rights Council have given multilateralism a bad name. But America's strength is amplified when it is combined with the strength of other nations. We need to look to expand alliances such as NATO to face the new threat of radical Jihad and increase our homeland security.
- In The Struggle Against Jihadism, One Of The Greatest Challenges Is The Looming Demographic Crisis In The Broader Middle East Combined With Rising Unemployment. As President, Governor Romney will call together our Middle East allies and the major nations of the developed world to address these issues by establishing a Partnership for Hope and Prosperity. This Partnership would assemble the resources of all developed nations to assure that threatened Islamic states have public schools, micro credit and banking, the rule of law, human rights, basic health care, and competitive economic policies. Resources would be drawn from public and private institutions, and from volunteers and NGOs. Its policies would favor expansion of free trade and investment.
While justifying her spring break junket to Iran this week (between out-takes for why she will not meet with President Bush to discuss the troop funding bill), Pelosi and her newest side-kick (Holocaust surviver) Rep. Lantos suggested that a trip to Iranmight just be in order.
I agree. But for different reasons and seasons.
As Pelosi primes her travel docket to boost her resume for the Nobel Peace prize, the business of managing the House of Reps will continue helter-skelter. I suggest another Congressional recess. Hell, take Kennedy, Biden, Reid, Hoyer, Murtha and the whole crew. The President can then make more "recess" appointments and maybe the Blue Dogs and Pubbies can pass a war funding bill without the hard-core lefties slowing the process even more.
On first read, Lantos' promotion of an international nuclear "fuel bank" for peaceful use (under international oversight ... errrr ... almost anyone BUT those oil-for-food guys over at the UN, pleeeeze) might have stronger legs as a resolution rather than as a bill ....
Lantos noted that "with the speaker's support,'' he has co-sponsored legislation in the House that calls for making available to all countries -- including Iran -- nuclear fuel for peaceful purposes under international oversight by establishing a "nuclear fuel bank."
"So if the Iranian president says that he is developing (nuclear material) for peaceful purposes, we are assisting him in that process,'' said Lantos, who anticipated the legislation could pass as early as May.
What's the weather in Iran in May-July? Maybe Pelosi et al will be primed for a Middle East summer vacation!!
WTF = Where's the fire? That's a Technorati section where members can write "hot topic" blurbs.
You'll find a GOE "blurb" at the link above. If you are a member, hop over and vote for the Gathering of Eagles blurb to push it to the top of the topics list!
More publicity for GOE II and Rolling Thunder, of course!
The blurb:
If a Gathering of Eagles on March 17 -- with 30,000 individuals clustered at military memorials throughout Washington, DC was historic -- wait until May 26-27.
Thousands of individuals, families, veterans' groups and affiliated organizations will join 500,000 Rolling Thunder members (celebrating their 20th anniversary) in Washington, DC on May 26-27.
Participants will hoist thousands of American flags to express their support for our military -- past, present and future -- and especially in the current Global War On Terrorism.
While the vast majority of participants also endorse unrestricted funding of our troops in Iraq, Americans from across political lines will stand shoulder-to-shoulder in a display of support for our troops.
For more information, schedules, events and affiliated groups (including their related veteran-support projects), visit:
Thanks to some astute (and self-less) Blog Drive patrons at the Help Forum, I've reduced the load-time for my blog .....
Makes me vury vury happy. (Heck, I might even stay beyond my contract!)
Now, maybe (just maybe) more folks won't give up and go away, impatient because the page grindsandgrindsandgrindsandgrinds for 10-15 seconds before opening!!!
I eliminated one data-based script and moved another to a page on my web site (http://www.perishthethought.com/never.html) .... When and if I get around to re-directing my blog to the web site server, I'll have more "space" for other goodies as well!
Just wanted to say a sincere "thanks" to the Forum folks --- I beeez a happier camper, now!
And --- thanks to the powers-that-be at Blog Drive for again featuring this blog .... Welcome new readers!
Moqtada al-Sadr wasn't in Najaf to count noses this week (he went into hiding several months ago), but those who were there seriously discount his proclamation for "hundreds of thousands" of Iraqis to protest the presence of coalition forces.
Maybe only 5-7,000 got the message. Maybe that's all his insurgents could muster. At any rate -- both the liberal press and Moqtada al-Sadr certainly created a spectacle.
Today is Easter Sunday in the Christian Church, the holiday that celebrates Jesus' resurrection from the dead. Easter is one of the few floating holidays in the calendar year, because it's based on the cycles of the moon. Jesus was said to have risen from the dead on the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring. For that reason, Easter can fall as early as March 22nd and as late as April 25th.
The word "Easter" comes from an ancient pagan goddess worshipped by Anglo Saxons named Eostre. According to legend, Eostre once saved a bird whose wings had frozen during the winter by turning it into a rabbit. Because the rabbit had once been a bird, it could still lay eggs, and that rabbit became our Easter Bunny. Eggs were a symbol of fertility in part because they used to be so scarce during the winter. There are records of people giving each other decorated eggs at Easter as far back as the 11th century. -- GK
Ten Cadillacs and other hollywoodish lyrics are unrealistic (hey -- it's only a song), but a flag on every lawn and a chicken in every pot will do the trick. Plus moving the RNC platform more to the middle.
That's how Democrats won in November 2006. Check out the Blue Dog Democrats who won, giving Democrats majorities in both the House and Senate.
While this New York Times op ed has some debatable points and may be more relevant to the Northeast, this basic premise is on-target:
During the 12 years that Republicans controlled the House, moderate Republicans were the stepchildren of their party, expected to vote with their conservative leadership on crucial issues, even if it meant taking positions that could anger centrist voters back home.
In fact, the Democrats made some of their deepest inroads last year in the Northeast. A total of 10 Republican incumbents in the House were defeated in four states New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania where the challengers aggressively tried to tie the incumbents to President Bush and his conservative allies on the Hill.
I don't imply that conservative values are on the down-swing. Core values will not change in our lifetime -- to the contrary. But trends do change ...
I simply point out that if Republicans are to make in-roads toward regaining both the House and Senate AND especially in retaining the White House -- the party must move to the middle to attract and represent the interests and aptitudes of Americans.
The handwriting is on the wall and no amount of posturing will erase it. Core values will always be relevant to conservatives; interests and aptitudes change.
Candidates and party lines must reflect the interests of Americans. That's how Democrats won in 2006. They'll win again in 2008 unless Republicans gravitate toward more moderate national trends and opinions.
One critical trend for Republicans to grasp is that America does not identify with the far left. Blue Dog Democrats know this and face their own battles to break the binds of established hard-line liberals.
"Smack Dab in the Middle" may be a tad extreme for most conservatives, but if maintaining control of the direction of this nation (and I add -- for the sake of this nation) is important, then conservatives best accept the reality that America IS becoming increasingly politically moderate.
And on a purely personal note -- did I mention that Mitt Romney is the only proven Republican candidate to bring conservatives and (democrat) moderates together?
