While this ad is quite excellent, I sure hope the Republicans follow it up with a strong platform of what they are going to do differently from the Democrats. It is not enough to just vote against the progressives. (Although that is a great start!) Conservativism needs a well-articulated platform for which the electorate can and will enthusiastically vote.
True conservative ideas are based on history, free-market economic principles, and the constitution. Those three things trump EVERYTHING the progressives have to offer and if well stated, it is the reason why conservatives will take over the House of Representatives and perhaps even the Senate in just two more months.
This will only be the first step though; It is absolutely incumbent upon We The People, after we kick out the progressives from office, to ensure that those we elect in their stead stay true to their promises and oath of office in the herculean effort that is going to be required to restore our country to honor and greatness. It can be done, if we are diligent.
If we aren't, it is likely that things will improve somewhat at first and then degrade again into the rino Republicanism that was the hallmark of the more recent congresses during the early Bush administration. You know... the corrupt and progressive Republican congress that became the catalyst for the progressive Democrats to take over and decimate our nation. This can not be allowed to happen again.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
My Postings at Blonde Sagacity
I have been greatly honored this week by Ala over at her blog Blonde Sagacity with her deeming a few of my articles worthy of posting on her wonderful and decidedly MUCH-wider-read-than-mine blog this week while she is on vacation. (I notice that she still has found time to pen a few short postings herself though, as evidently vacation means to her what it means to me. Still doing work, but less of it.)
Anyway, my thanks to Ala and my strong encouragement to all to add Blonde Sagacity to your blog reading list!
Anyway, my thanks to Ala and my strong encouragement to all to add Blonde Sagacity to your blog reading list!
Movie Review: Taking Chance
Over a year ago, Father Jim, who at the time was one of our parish priests, gave one of his typically brilliant homilies. In the course of doing so he made reference to a made-for-cable-movie (HBO) entitled Taking Chance. Although I don't remember all of the specifics of the homily anymore, nor how Father Jim artfully connected this movie to the scriptures we had heard in the liturgy that Sunday, I do remember him recounting with tears in his eyes the sacrifice, honor, and respect portrayed in this movie.
I was curious what it was about this movie that had left such a powerful impression on my priest, to the point where I still recall his emotional recounting of this movie a year and a half later.
I made it a point to watch Taking Chance.... and then I understood.
In this rare and exceptional movie, Kevin Bacon plays Marine Lt. Col. Michael Strobl, a career military man who volunteers to accompany the body of a dead Marine, 19-year-old Lance Corporal Chance Phelps, as he is returned from Iraq to his family for burial.
It is a solemn duty that Colonel Strobl does not take lightly. The journey, as told in the movie, shows how those in the military and in our country pay the deepest respect to one of our fallen heroes. The portrayals are not over the top but simply convey the profound respect and sadness that most of us feel when confronted with this reality.
The screenplay for Taking Chance was coauthored by the real Colonel Strobl, now retired from the Marine Corps, and is based on the journal that Strobl wrote during the journey. The depth of emotion and respect comes through on screen with great sincerity and truthfulness accordingly.
Kevin Bacon as Lieutenant Colonel Strobl does a masterful job with the part. He does not overplay the emotion in a falsely sentimental way but rather remains stoic and yet somehow deeply affected by his journey just the same as he is taking Lance Corporal Chance Phelp's body home to his final resting place. It is undoubtedly Bacon's finest performance I have ever seen.
The movie is very understated in so many ways. There is no violence, cursing, explosions or even excessive or complicated dialogue in Taking Chance. The effect of sadness and respect are even more powerful because of this.
Towards the end of the film when Strobl briefly expresses regret that his role of "escort" feels hollow because of his own personal self-disappointment, a Korean War vet reprimands him. "Without a witness," he tells Strobl, Phelps would just "disappear."
Regardless of what your views are about war, I would most highly recommend viewing Taking Chance. It is one of those rare movies that proves the axiom that "less is more" and more importantly it leaves a deep and lasting impression on a person as to what honor and respect truly are. Having purchased and seen the movie several times, I understand now why Father Jim was affected the way he was. I was too.
I was curious what it was about this movie that had left such a powerful impression on my priest, to the point where I still recall his emotional recounting of this movie a year and a half later.
I made it a point to watch Taking Chance.... and then I understood.
In this rare and exceptional movie, Kevin Bacon plays Marine Lt. Col. Michael Strobl, a career military man who volunteers to accompany the body of a dead Marine, 19-year-old Lance Corporal Chance Phelps, as he is returned from Iraq to his family for burial.
It is a solemn duty that Colonel Strobl does not take lightly. The journey, as told in the movie, shows how those in the military and in our country pay the deepest respect to one of our fallen heroes. The portrayals are not over the top but simply convey the profound respect and sadness that most of us feel when confronted with this reality.
The screenplay for Taking Chance was coauthored by the real Colonel Strobl, now retired from the Marine Corps, and is based on the journal that Strobl wrote during the journey. The depth of emotion and respect comes through on screen with great sincerity and truthfulness accordingly.
Kevin Bacon as Lieutenant Colonel Strobl does a masterful job with the part. He does not overplay the emotion in a falsely sentimental way but rather remains stoic and yet somehow deeply affected by his journey just the same as he is taking Lance Corporal Chance Phelp's body home to his final resting place. It is undoubtedly Bacon's finest performance I have ever seen.
The movie is very understated in so many ways. There is no violence, cursing, explosions or even excessive or complicated dialogue in Taking Chance. The effect of sadness and respect are even more powerful because of this.
Towards the end of the film when Strobl briefly expresses regret that his role of "escort" feels hollow because of his own personal self-disappointment, a Korean War vet reprimands him. "Without a witness," he tells Strobl, Phelps would just "disappear."
Regardless of what your views are about war, I would most highly recommend viewing Taking Chance. It is one of those rare movies that proves the axiom that "less is more" and more importantly it leaves a deep and lasting impression on a person as to what honor and respect truly are. Having purchased and seen the movie several times, I understand now why Father Jim was affected the way he was. I was too.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Governor Brewer's Letter to Secretary Clinton Regarding Arizona's "Human Rights Violations" Reported to the United Nations
A friend who lives in the great state of Arizona forwarded this latest letter written by Arizona Governor Janice Brewer to the Honorable Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. It would appear that our U.S. State Department feels that America's in general, and Arizona's in particular, human rights violations are so grotesque as to be warranted mentioning to the corrupt and incompetent United Nations and its "High Commissioner on Human Rights".
In light of the fact that some of the most egregious and pernicious nation violators of human rights and dignity have sat on that commission in the past, and indeed do so currently, I can absolutely understand Governor Brewer's anger accordingly. Needless to say, her letter leaves no doubt as to what her positions are in protecting Arizona, her constituents, and the United States of America. Take note, Secretary Clinton; this is how a real leader should govern!
(Hat tip again to Carrie!)
The Obama Paradox
This quotation was forwarded to me that was supposedly attributed to the brilliant Ben Stein. I have been unable thus far to corroborate that he is the source of the statement, however. Nevertheless, the point is most excellently made:
"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens."
"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens."
Billionaire Steve Wynn's Take on the Economy
Below is a short interview with Steve Wynn. He is a multi-billionaire, hotelier and real estate investor in Las Vegas, Asia, and Macau . He's been a guest from time to time on all the network financial news programs. Back on May 28th of this year, he gave this interview on CNBC which absolutely encapsulates our economic problems for America in a nutshell. (This guy must be brilliant because he said almost word for word what I have been saying all along regarding Obamacare and how it will RAISE costs rather than lower them.) :) Anyway, I can only assume that Mr. Wynn's truthfulness in describing our economic situation will result in his name being removed from the White House guest list.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)