Liberty's Light is Burning in Lebanon

Fire of Liberty


It seems the opposition movement in Lebanon is growing. Much like the people in Eastern Europe at the end of the Cold War, the Citizens of Serbia, and the democrats of Ukraine who cast aside their "old masters", the people of Lebanon have had enough and are ready to remove the heavy hand of Syria from their throats. For the first time in quite a long time, the Maronite Christians under Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir has merged with a Druze Muslim Walid Jumblat in calling for Syria's complete and unilateral withdrawal from Lebanon. Such a call for Syria getting out of Lebanon seems to be gaining some steam in the streets of Beirut, where thousands of people have launched a protest campaign against the government and its master Syria. Throughout these streets, tens of thousands ,drabbed in red and white, marched carrying posters honoring the late PM Hariri as well as signs and banners calling for "Independence" and "Syria Out." This display of bright colors is reminiscent of the "Rose Revolution" of Georgia or the more recent "Orange Revolution" in Ukraine.


One can truly understand the desire for Liberty & Freedom in the hearts of the demonstrators in the streets. Take Youssef Mukhtar for instance, this 47 year old engineer put it best when he stated:

"Enough bloodshed and disasters. It is the 21st century, and people should be able to govern themselves. The situation has become unbearable and we have to regain our country."

Such actions seem to have gotten the attention of Junior Assad in Syria. According to the Amr Mussa, head of the Arab League, Assad promised to implement the Taef accord and begin a withdrawal from Lebanon. Unfortunately, Assad's words are mere tokens because they only want to remove the heat from their feet. Of all people, the Lebanese are well aware of Syria's false promises. With the signing of the Taeb accord in 1990, the Syrian government promised to withdrawal all of its troops by 1992 but still remain in Lebanon some 13 years later. The best bet is for the people of Lebanon to stand up against the Syrians and continue their protest. The World has their eye on Lebanon and we are behind your movement 100%. It's time to bring Lebanon in from the cold and restore it to its grandeur that Fouad Ajami noted in a February 17, 2005 Op/Ed in The Wall Street Journal:

Lebanon (my birthplace, I should add) may never have been as pretty as its tales. It may never have been the "Paris of the Mediterranean," and its modernism may have been skin-deep at times. But it was and remains a vibrant Arab country of open ways, a place for refugees and dissidents, a country where Arab modernity made a stand, and where Christians and Muslims built a culture of relative compromise.

Keep up the good fight, the Fire of Liberty is shining its light on you. To learn more on the happenings in Lebanon, check here, here, .

Happy President's Day

Fire of Liberty

Today we celebrate our past President's and their outright devotion to the "shining city on the hill" known as the United States. While we have had 42 Presidents (Grover Cleveland served two non-consecutive terms so George W. Bush is technically the 42nd President- darn semantics). Anyway I'd like to devote a bit of my post to several Presidents who have had a significant influence on the US and myself.

First of all, I have to give my most heartfelt adjulation to the head hancho George Washington. Aside from being the best general of this nation and the First President, Washington also brought a sense of strength and stability to a young and emerging nation. While lesser men might have opted to rule this nation as a king, Washington had the foresight and knowledge to refuse such an offer. Through his reading of history, political commentaries, and plays like Cato as well as his manning of the Revolutionary Army, Washington knew full well the dangers of one individual accumulating too much power thus he refused the honor. His love of the republic was so profound that he was cautious of his actions and continued the concept of limited government thus setting precedents for future leaders to follow. Well most of our leaders seem to have forget this concept, but I'll abstain from naming names because it's President's Day. Anyway, a big huzzah to the father of our nation.

The second president I'd like to give a cheer to is Abraham Lincoln. I know that Lincoln and Washington are general fare for President's day but the "rail-splitter of Illinois" deserves the same adjulation as Washington. Come to think of it, Lincoln could also be considered a father of this nation. Stay with me here, I'm about to deposit some of my "down South" reasoning to the mix. Think about Lincoln and the problems that he endured and eventually resolved during the Civil War. One could think of these warring factions as two brothers fighting with each other in a giant house known as the United States. While the brothers started off just picking on one another they continually progressed further and further down the path of action/re-action until they came to barbs with each other forcing dad, in this case Lincoln, to step in and end the fighting. Through the mobilization of the Union forces and the eventual hiring of competent commanders, (Grant & Sherman) Lincoln stepped up and nipped the family feud in the bud thus bringing this nation back together. Therefore, I'd have to say that Lincoln was a de-facto father of this nation. He showed his strength as a leader/statesmen when he took a stand to re-emerge this nation and push it towards greatness. Oh, and he freed a lot of people from bondage. While he would pay the ultimate sacrifice for his actions at the hand of John Wilkes Boothe, President Lincoln demonstrated how much he loved this great republic thus earning our overwhelming adjulation. So, Thank You Mr. Lincoln!!!

Thirdly, I would like to give a hand to President Calvin Coolidge. As a conservative, I find "Silent Cal" as the true embodiment of American Conservatism. Unlike other sons of Vermont, Coolidge actually believes in small government, tax cuts and a hand a great Protestant work ethic. Lets begin with his belief in small government. As with Washington and past presidents, Coolidge was well aware of the problems that a large and lumbering government would have on the nation and its people. Since he was a strong believer in the constitution that assigned limited powers to the federal government while reserving the rest for the states(read the constitution), Coolidge reasoned that the less intrusive the federal government was the better off the nation was. The man might have been named "Silent Cal" but when he spoke people listened. Take his ideas on using the intrusive federal government to solve the nations problem. Here's a few gems I've grown to love:

"If you see ten troubles coming down the road, you can be sure that nine will run into the ditch before they reach you."

or

"Four-fifths of all our troubles would disappear, if we would only sit down and keep still."

Awesome, if I'd said so myself. As for tax cuts, President Coolidge believed in the idea that people worked harder and acquire wealth when they are able to take more of their money home and give less to government. President Coolidge would captain this nation through extensive tax-cuts that reduced the top rate from 73% in 1921 to 25% in 1925. This enormous tax-cut would open up the US economy to a massive growth spurt and created an enormous boost to the federal treasury thus laying the groundwork of modern day supply-side economics promoted by Art Laffer. His tax policy could easily be described in his famous quote: "Collecting more taxes than is absolutely necessary is legalized robbery." Coolidge has become the true embodiment of what our leaders should aspire to become.

As for the Protestant work ethic, I'd suggest the late Robert Sobel's excellent book Coolidge due to my own time constraints. While Coolidge ranks low in most historian lists, I'd say he's a good President. So go silent Cal.

Lastly, my most favorite President is Ronald Wilson Reagan. Why do I like this man, lets me say several words. He defeated the USSR without firing a shot, restored America's confidence by improving our military and creating a situation that was suitable for the growth of our economy. He's so awesome that I'm just lost for words (He would probably call for me to keep him off such a great list). My best advice is for us to keep on keeping on for "the Gipper".

Anyway, raise a glass or two to the men who have served our nation to their utmost ability. Make mine an American brew.

Here's my honorable mention list: Madison, Jackson, Polk, Grant, Hayes, McKinley, TR, FDR (War leader not domestic), Truman, Kennedy and George W. Bush.

EU's Future Dim in 2015

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According to a CIA analysis, the EU faces an enormous problem in 2015. Based on the report, the EU will reach its nadir in 2015 if it doesn't clamp down on its excessive welfare state expenditures. While these states continue dole out money on welfare programs like national healthcare and continues its heavy government regulation, the economies of the EU nations will continue to lack growth thus falling further and further behind nations like China and India.

The EU also faces a growing demographic challenge because of low birthrates. With such low birth rates, the EU populations are becoming grayer and lack a sufficient amount of young workers to replace the aging and retiring workforce. This lack of a younger workforce thus places these nations' economies in a glide plane of decline. This in turn forces these nations to seek a substantial replacement workforce which turns out to be immigrants from Muslim countries like Morocco and Algeria. Based on predictions, the growth of the Muslim community in Europe will rise from the present day 13% to some 22%-37% by 2025. While this growth will be helpful, the CIA report predicts that this rise in the Muslim community could create serious disruptions. Due to a lack of assimilation to European society and culture, there have been various incidents that show an emerging situation in Europe. See here, here and here .

While this is only an futuristic strategic analysis of Europe, the situation seems to be more truth than prediction. I hope Europe can correct the situation but I'm scared they might have crossed the Rubicon. For an even better analysis, check out this piece by Mark Steyn.

Spain - EU Referendum

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The Spainish overwhelmingly approved the EU constitution by a vote 77% to 17%. While the numbers look outstanding, the reality of the situation is that only 42.3% of Spain's voters showed up to vote on the future of Spanish sovereignty. This just shows the complete apathy to a constitution they know nothing about. Hopefully, the "no" campaigns in France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Poland and Britain will receive a shot in the arm from the low turnout. Expect something from Poland and Britain, these are the two nations who have the greatest to lose in a Yes vote.

To understand the apathy of Spain's voters just check out Charles Moore's Op/Ed on the EU Constitution in The Daily Telegraph. Its a smasher.

Iraq's Marshlands Bloom

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Here's an awesome article on Iraq's marshlands. For anyone who doesn't know, Southern Iraq is the home of an enormous marshland that is possibly the site of the Garden of Eden. At its zenith, the marshland was some 20,000 sq. Km and contained a large array of fish, water fowl, as well as a large assortment of mammals. While Saddam would reduce the marshlands to 1400 sq. Km through various dikes and dams as an act of punishment against the Shia Marsh Arabs who participated in failed uprisings. Based on a report to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the marshland is re-emerging through the destruction of the dams along with help from USAID. While the marshland will never reach the 20,000 sq. Km, study leader, Professor Curtis Richardson of Duke University, says that some 30% of the wetlands could be restored. It makes you happy to know that the marshlands persevered in the end much like the people of Iraq have. I think Prof. Richardson put an exclamation point on the rebirth of Iraq when he noted:

"Immediately after [the overthrow of Saddam] we saw just a dozen birds in the marshes," Prof Richardson said. "A year later, there were hundreds and now they are talking about many thousands."

China

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While the War on Terror is continuing throughout the greater Middle East in nations like Afghanistan and Iraq, the White House & the Pentagon continue to focus on the larger strategic picture. The one area that has garnered a considerable amount of attention is China. According to The 2005 Quadrennial Defense Review, the Pentagon has offered a pessimistic as well a cautious outlook on China. Based on recent testimony by Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld, DCI chief Porter Goss, and DIA director Admiral Jacoby, the Chinese are a merging concern in the region. Based on their testimony, China is becoming an emerging challenge because of its buildup of missiles across the Taiwan Strait, accelerated defense spending along with its ever-growing quest to build a blue water navy.

The subject of China will be an important issue in the President's visit to Europe this week, especially when Europe is calling for the end of the arms embargo against China which the US wants to resume due to the Tianamen incident in 1989. Along with the human rights concerns, President Bush is also concerned that the lifting of the embargo would further exacerbate China's quest for military/territorial expansion. While China provides a growing and dynamic market, it still has a long way to go on human liberty.

Time has come for China to become a part of the democratic world and expand human liberty and freedom to its people. Therefore, the US should continue its focus on either containing or rolling back the Chinese Dragon. Asia cannot be thrown into chains like Eastern Europe was under the Soviets. Freedom shouldn't be constrained by China or any other forces.

US & Japan

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To show you how much of a factor that freedom is to the formulation of great society one only has to look at Japan. Just think, some 60 years ago the Japanese were in a quest for global domination but were destroyed by free nations. Unlike other victors, the US used its transformative powers to bring Japan back into this World to be a leading figure in the democratic movement. Anyway, the Japanese have reaffirmed their devotion to freedom and strengthened its relationship by signing a new security pact, click here and here.

Japan has furthered its relationship with the US once more by the redrafting of the 1996 declaration of bilateral security yesterday. The most important aspect about the new pact is that Japan has agreed to aid the US in the defense of Taiwan if China tries to force reunification. According to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Hatsuhisa Takashima, Japan would provide the much needed logistical support to the American forces. Such is a monumental development especially since Japan has remained neutral on Taiwan since 1949. The pact also focused on several other strategic objectives like destroying terrorism, the peaceful re-unification of the Koreas, and Russia.

Its great to see two great nations who were once foes some 60 years ago become even greater strategic partners. Freedom, it's a good thing.

Rafik Hariri Cont'd.

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The clouds of doom are gathering more and more over the House of Asad while Liberty's light emerges in Lebanon. Based on this article in The Daily Telegraph (London), Syria's fingerprints are showing up all over the place. According to Judge Richard Mezher, a lead investigator for the Lebanese military tribunal, the assassins were recruited by a terrorist group with Syrian connections. Based on the report, the likely assassin was Abu Adas a twenty-three year old Palestinian Lebanese who attended several mosques that are associated with a Syrian cleric named Sheikh Abderrazak (Has a history of helping fighters travel through Syria to Iraq) and are known recruiting stations for Ansar al-Islam. Based on Judge Mezher, Adas used a Saudi passport to travel into Iraq then onto Syria where he then moved onto Beirut where he drove a car laden with 600lbs of explosives in Hariri's convoy. While the investigation hasn't pointed a direct finger to Syria, the evidence seems to be piling up in their favor. One can imagine the pressure Syria will receive from the US and Europe if Syria is implicated.

Their seems to be a moving shift against the House of Asad in the Bush administration. I think the President has grown tired of Syria's active support of terrorism (Hezbollah) and their continued occupation of Lebanon. Another group to agree with the White House is Hariri's opposition party lead by Walid Jumblatt. Under Jumblatt, Hariri's dream of removing Syria from Lebanon could become reality. Jumblatt has also been pointing a finger towards Syria in their involvement with the assassination. According to Jimblatt, "Syria is responsible. Who else? We don't want to open war with Syria, but they must go out." If this movement is as strong as it looks, Syria's 20,000 soldiers could be taking their own road Damascus.

One thing that I've learned, is that when liberty and freedom is restrained by chains people will eventually have enough and break these chains. It happened in Eastern Europe and South America and it can occur once again in Lebanon. I bid the opposition good fortune and hope the cagey dictator doesn't revert to his usual ways, which is death and destruction. The people of Lebanon are well aware of this and The Daily Telegraph seems to as well, look what they said about the "good" Dr. Asad:

The Syrian president is a member of the Alawite religious sect, feared throughout medieval Europe as the Assassins. When its leader wanted an opponent killed, he handed a follower a dagger and his wishes were carried out. Many Lebanese believe that Mr Hariri's death was commissioned in similar fashion by Syria's Mukhabarat intelligence service.

We'll see how things go. I'm confident the US will stand behind the opposition and rally support in Europe for UN resolution 1559 this week. If not, then I suggest unilateral sanctions.

Iwo Jima - 60 years later.

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I want to give the brave vets who fought like hell and died on this Island a special thank you. Without your outstanding act, I would have never been able to enjoy the freedoms that have today. I ask all readers to seek a veteran of WWII and say thanks. If you can't find one, just read these articles and commentaries here, here.

EU vote in Spain

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Here's an interesting article on the upcoming EU Constitution vote and corresponding campaign for it in Spain. Get ready for an interesting vote this weekend, expect a low turnout. I expect this after reading this voter's opinion:

"I just don't care about it. I know I should, but I don't."

I'd vote no. Lord, I'm agreeing with socialists. Is the World coming to an end?

VOA gets a boost

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Finally, the Bush administration is beefing up the budget for Voice Of America, which is a radio/TV network similar to NPR but without the left-wing spirit. During the Cold War, VOA provided the US and the Western World with a voice of freedom and liberty to the people languishing behind the Iron curtain. To understand the power of this beacon of freedom, check out Natan Sharansky's The Case for Democracy.

Anyway, the White House is asking for an additional $7.3 million, which would push the operating budget of VOA up some 45% to $652 million. As Kenneth Y. Tomlinson, chairman of the Broadcasting Board Governors noted this is great news because:

"It's important to remember that in the decade following the end of the Cold War, U.S. spending for international broadcasting was slashed a very real 40 percent," he said. "Now, thanks to President Bush and key supporters in Congress, we are rebuilding from a depleted base and working to get back to where we should be."

It's about time we started putting our hard earned dollars into a government programs that actually achieve something besides wasting money. I guess it helps when the right people arrive at State and in the White House to get things done.

Also, check out this column by John Hughes in The Christian Science Monitor where he argues for bringing back the defunct United States Information Agency (USIA).

EU skeptic

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Here's another reason why I dislike the whole EU construct. Instead of the EU being a body in which sovereign states come together to form a common economic and security policy, the EU has become a body that has erased a nation's sovereignty and merged it into a massive Superstate run by a gaggle of bureaucrats in Brussels. What's even worse is the fact that this Superstate has some 1,700 advisory groups to debate over the various rules and regulations that will be passed onto to the various people throughout the EU empire because the government deemed it necessary.

It's my guess that the EU leadership really believes in the power of government. Have these people not learned from their own past and the Soviet era what an all powerful superstate can do to an economy and its overall well being. They need to read more John Stewart Mill, John Locke, Henry Hazlitt, F.A. Hayek, Ludwig von Mises, Milton Friedman and countless other luminaries of freedom and limited government. When you have a large and intrusive government the nation is stripped of its dynamistic spirit. It also begins to behave badly when the people lose control of their government. Yes, you can argue that the people elect MEP's to represent them in Brussels but these elected officials are far from their constituency by being in the EU capital. Even when you elect these people, the EU Commission still controls the show with their tribe of government yeomen. I think Jens-Peter Bronde, a eurosceptic MEP from Denmark, put it best when he said this about the bureaucrats in Brussels:

"We still do not know who they are, what they do, why the do it and how much each one costs."

Well put Mr. Bronde. And people really think this grouping will better the dynamic US, Get real.

EU Constitution

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I'm telling you, the EU Constitution will run into a roadblock in one of the many countries that will hold a referendum. As I noted earlier, the Spainish government launched a soda campaign to sure up a "yes" vote this weekend due to an expected low turnout. Now the French are changing their Constitution in order to hold the election for the EU Constitution earlier to ward off the "no" movement emerging in France. I'm generally inimical to supporting the Socialists or the far-Right but anything against Chirac is good for me. I'm for Turkey entering the EU but I'm just opposed to the whole bloody EU and its odious Superstate tendencies.

Fire of Liberty

Fire of Liberty


I thought this was pretty funny. Dean seems to have this effect on a lot of people

Ralph Reed running for Lt. Gov of GA

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It's official, Ralph Reed has thrown his hat in the ring as a GOP candidate for Lt. Governor of Georgia. Reed, who was the GOP chairman of GA in 2002 as well as the Chairman of the Southeast Region for Bush/Cheney 04, has made the natural progression through the party and is ready to assume the reigns of an elected public servant in Georgia.

If you're like me, you are ready for the state of Georgia to have a fellow conservative battling in the trenches of the General Assembly on behalf of our governor. Unlike Mark Taylor, Ralph Reed will fight to lower your taxes, reduce spending that spendthrifts in Atlanta have bundled into our state's budget, wrestle the control of our schools away from the state government and return the power back to the local school districts who know their school needs better than bureaucrats in Atlanta, as well as strengthening the institutions that have kept our families as well as this state and nation strong.

I've been anticipating this run for some time and it seems Reed is following through. It should be a good election in 2006 and I hope he does well. Check back regularly on Reed.

To learn more go to http://www.ralphreed.com. See more articles here and here on Reed as well. He's also a UGA grad. Hunker down you hairy Dawg.

Ahmad Chalabi

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Dean Godson has a good piece in The Times on the re-emergence of Ahmad Chalabi in Iraq. I'm convinced that Chalabi is a better judge of Iraq than the posers at State, CIA and MI-6 with their chosen strong men. Chalabi is indeed a good fighter for his nation and would never do anything to harm it. I guess Pericles put it best when he said:

"For there is justice in the claim that steadfastness in his country's battles should be as a cloak to cover a man's other imperfections; since the good action has blotted out the bad, and his merit as a citizen more than outweighed his demerits as an individual."

Freedom on the Rise

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It seems the thugs in Syria have sparked a fire that probably will not burn out anytime soon. Hopefully the people of Lebanon want to return to a sense of normalcy which includes the removal or Syria's military and its mavens of terror, namely Hezbollah. Take a look here.

Syria

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I think Amir Taheri has an interesting analysis about the recent assassination of Rafik Hariri in Lebanon. While the list of assassins consists of Hezbollah, Syro-Lebanese mafia, Iran and Syria, Taheri tends to lean on our "good friend" Syria. I'm in the same boat with Taheri in agreeing that Syria is the main culprit. Unlike all the other suspects, Syria is the 800 lb. in Lebanon that gets things done. With 20,000 troops in the nation, the Syrians have the men and the ability to rid themselves of a vocal opponent. What makes this more relevant is the fact that Syria has a history of erasing troubles. Take a look at what Taheri says about this :

Syria had a clear motive in killing Hariri. It also had the means, if only because its security services control Beirut. Certainly, no one could have smuggled hundreds of kilos of explosives into the heart of the city without the Syrian Mukhaberat learning about it.

Syria also had a long history of murdering its political foes in Lebanon: two of Lebanon's presidents, Bechir Gemayel and Rene Mouaouad; the Druze leader Kamal Jumblatt; the publisher Salim al-Lawzi — these are only the best-known victims of Syrian assassination policy.

Friends of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad claim that even if the Syrians murdered Hariri, young Bashar knew nothing about it. Rather, some rogue elements in the Syrian Mukhaberat did the dastardly deed. But this excuse is worse than the crime. Syria claims to be in Lebanon to protect it against rogue elements. If it can't do that, there is even less reason why it should continue to occupy Lebanon.

I'm guessing Syria might have erased the wrong guy. The people of Lebanon are tiring of their masters and want to be free of Junior Assad and his merchants of death. Check out this piece in The Times which notes a growing movement against Syria.

Rwanda

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Peter Worthington has a realistic assessment of the events in this embattled African nation that inspired the wonderful film Hotel Rwanda. Worthington notes that the massacre in Rwanda was not prevented by racism but by pure incompetence. It burns me when President Clinton tells a gathering of elites in Davos, Switzerland that such an tragedy occurred because the people being killed were black.

Reject LOST

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The Law of the Sea-Treaty is one thing that I'm adamantly oppossed to. I think the US would be better off outside of an international body that dilutes a nation's sovereignty. President Bush was right to pull use out of the ICC as well as Kyoto but will dissappoint a lot of his Conservative base. With the upcoming CPAC conference the President should be provided with a considerable amount of information how wrong this treaty is and how much his base is against it. Here's the story in The New York Sun

Syria & Iran

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Today, the media is carrying on about the new relationship between Iran and Syria, even though these groups have been working together in Lebanon for years. You don't have 20,000 Syrian soldiers in Lebanon who cohabitate with the Iranian sponsored Hezbollah terrorist group and not have some kind of a working relationship. The one common thread to this long relationship is the terrorist group Hezbollah. Such can be found in Gal Luft's article "Hizballahland", which appeared in the July-August 2003 issue of Commentary. Check here for article.

Let's look at Syria's relationship with Hezbollah. Since Syria runs the workings of the government in Lebanon through the quartering of 20,000 troops, they have the general run of the mill, which includes Hezbollah terrorists in Southern Lebanon. To keep these terrorists close to their vest, Syria has integrated these terrorists into the military in Lebanon along with the supply of Syrian weapons. The terrorists also provide illegal services like drug-traffiking, gun-running not to mention the fact that the group rallies the Shiite base in Lebanon ensuring Syria's grasp.

As for Iran, its the main cash cow for Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran provides an ample flow of weapons like the Fajr-5 rockets, plastic explosives, guns, TNT and countless impliments of terror and death. Second, Iran provides a $100 million a year stipend to Hezbollah to support its many "political causes" to garner support amongst the people of Lebanon. All of these actions ensure that Iran and Hezbollah have cemented a bond between them.

No matter what the press says, the Iran/Syria/Hezbollah connection runs wide and deep. This grouping is pushed by the hate of Israel, the US and the shining beacon of light known as liberty and freedom. To learn more on the relationship and a way to end it once and for all check out Michael Ledeen's great book The War Against the Terror Masters.

France

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I guess the French don't care about human rights. Instead of standing up for the tens of thousands intellectuals and democrats who struggle against the heavy hand of the Chinese government, the French have decieded to reward the Communist government. While the US stands besides these fellow democrats and has insisted on the continuation of the arms embargo, the French on the other hand have opted to dissolve the embargo. What makes the deal even worse is the reason behind France lifting the embargo. Take a look at what France's Defence Minister, Michele Alliot-Marie, had to say about the deal to The Financial Times:

"The lifting of the embargo could be a better protection for us than maintaining it," she said.

"China is rapidly developing its industry, and today our experts say that in five years China could make exactly the same arms that we have today. And they will do it if they cannot import. So maybe if we can sell them the arms, they will not make them. And in five years' time, they will not have the technology to make them."

O.K., let me get this straight, China doesn't have these weapons now but will develop them on their own in five years. So since they can't kill their enemies within China or on the island nation of Taiwan until five years, we'll go ahead and sell China these weapons so they can get started. I guess the French think China will quit producing their own weapons just to buy the new French rifle.

Could the French be anymore stupid than this. I guess they'll continue to promote their "European" ideas and forget to promote individuals who strive for Freedom and Liberty. Thank God for the US and to think, France gave us Lady Liberty. Oh well, at least we won't scrap her for weapons to go to China.

Book Review Cont.

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To learn more on Thomas E. Woods, Jr.'s book The Politically Incorrect Guide to American History and the professor check out the guys over @ Redstate. They have a good bit of info, you'll learn a lot. Click here.

WW II reaches 60

Fire of Liberty

Here's a good article on WW II 60th anniversary in The Washington Times.

Syria

Fire of Liberty

Things are heating up in Syria especially after the Rafik Hairi's assassination in Lebanon. It's about time we got serious with Junior Assad and his continued support of terror. Go President Bush.

The Times seems to be confusing Armitage with Al Haig. I don't think I'd call Richard Armitage "combatative", If I recall, he called Iran a "democracy". Maybe "combatative" is a euphamism for being fat.

Iraq Election

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Here's an article in The Times about the United Iraqi Alliance's possible choice for PM. The Times feels it will be Ibrahim al-Jaafari but I say don't rule out Chalabi, he might be a better mover and shaker than people think. The best thing is this is being done by talking than killing.

Iraq Election

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Amir Taheri has a good analysis/assessment of the Iraqi election in his New York Post column. Taheri shows how the election has generated a greater mix of Sunnis and Shi'as than the MSM seems to report. He also notes the parties are more secular and moderate. The election and the creation of a government reminds me of my favorite line from the TV show "The A-Team" which was "I love it when a plan comes together." Bravo to the people of Iraq. I knew you could do it.

Walter Reed

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John J. Miller has a great article on Walter Reed over at National Review Online. It's interesting that the young Dr. achieved his fame by finding the cause and cure of Yellow Fever. If you want to learn more about this problem and this great man, I suggest you check out the article.

Book Review

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Max Boot has an insightful review of Thomas E. Woods Jr's popular book Politically Incorrect Guide to American History. Boot pretty much destroyed the historian's arguments within this single review . Two arguments that caught my attention in the review was Boot's concentration on The Civil War and the discussion on our military interventions throughout our 200 plus year history.

Starting with The Civil War, Boot points out the absurdities to Woods arguments that the war was caused by Northern Aggression or the greed of wealthy Northerners. Any student of history who has read Lincoln knows full well that The Civil War was fought on the main argument of re-uniting the severed Union. The best argument I've found so far to support this is Dinesh D'Souza's article Lincoln: Tyrant, Hypocrite or Consumate Statesman which appeared in American History Magazine. Here's what D'Souza had to say about Lincoln and the issue of The Civil War:

Lincoln argued that the South had no right to secede -- that the Southern states had entered the Union as the result of a permanent compact with the Northern states. That Union was based on the principle of majority rule, with constitutional rights carefully delineated for the minority. Lincoln insisted that since he had been legitimately elected, and since the power to regulate slavery in the territories was nowhere proscribed in the Constitution, Southern secession amounted to nothing more than one group's decision to leave the country because it did not like the results of a presidential election, and no constitutional democracy could function under such an absurd rule. Of course the Southerners objected that they should not be forced to live under a regime that they considered tyrannical, but Lincoln countered that any decision to dissolve the original compact could only occur with the consent of all the parties involved. Once again, it makes no sense to have such agreements when any group can unilaterally withdraw from them and go its own way.

As for the argument that the US military was dispatched more times under President Bill Clinton than anytime in our nation's history, I suggest Professor Woods needs to read more hisory. If he just looked throughout the nation's history, he'd discover we've had troops dispatched here and there more times than one recalls. Does anyone remember Marquesas, China, Kore, Samoa,The Boxer Rebellion, The Philippines, Cuba, Panama, Nicaragua, or exev Mexico. Now these happened in the 19th Century and might not be known by the lay reader but a Ph.D. in History should know. By the way, he could've read Mr. Boot's book The Savage Wars of Peace to learn these details.

Check out the book. I think I'll stay away from Woods history.

2008

Fire of Liberty

Bruce Walker over at Enter Stage Right has a good piece on his choice for President and Vice-President in 2008. His choice is Ohio's Secretary of State Ken Blackwell and Florida's Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart. I'm inclined towards this ticket myself especially since my choice Phil Gramm is out of contention. But think of the importance of the election, we'd have a son of Ohio and a Cuban American with a favorite American/Republican name of Lincoln. It will be very interesting to see who runs in 2008 but look for a surprise. Who knows Gramm might opt to come out of retirement.

Fire of Liberty

Fire of Liberty

I can't believe former Rep. Martin Frost is on TV yammering about President Bush not visiting the troops enough in Iraq. He keeps saying that Don Rumsfeld visiting the soldiers doesn't count. We'll lets see, since the Secretary of Defense is a member of the cabinet he also becomes a de-facto representative of the US and its President. If the President goes into Iraq, can you imagine the logistical and security nightmare this would be. Istead of being on patrol and hunting down the murderers and terrorists that threaten the Iraqi people, our soldiers would have to secure the President. I'd also like to remind everyone that these terrorists would love to kill or harm the President. Could you just imagine such an act occurring. The best bet is for the prez to stay stateside.

Our troops know that the President has their best interests at heart and serves them best by getting them the money and support that they need. They also know that the President wouldn't do anything that would jeopardize their mission, he isn't going to snatch victory from our soldiers hands like Sen. Kennedy and John Kerry want to.

Martin Frost and his acolytes might think its a good strategy to attack the President on Iraq but I seem to remember an election that resulted in a re-election of President Bush. The Dems have got to get out of the 2004 election mode and stop dissing the war effort. They need to remember the lyrics of Merle Haggard's "Fighting Side of Me" where it says:

I hear people talkin' bad,
About the way we have to live here in this country,
Harpin' on the wars we fight,
An' gripin' 'bout the way things oughta be.
An' I don't mind 'em switchin' sides,
An' standin' up for things they believe in.
When they're runnin' down my country, man,
They're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.
Yeah, walkin' on the fightin' side of me.
Runnin' down the way of life,
Our fightin' men have fought and died to keep.
If you don't love it, leave it:
Let this song I'm singin' be a warnin'.
If you're runnin' down my country, man,
You're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.

Our fighting men deserve such respect from all of us. Dems need to heed this in 2006 and 2008. I doubt Dean will learn this.

Paul Johnson

Fire of Liberty

Paul Johnson, the don of history, has written a terrific article over at Forbes.com praising the actions of the US throughout the World. Look at what Johnson has to say about this nation:

Just as the appalling 20th century was the age of the totalitarian state, the Gulag and Auschwitz, so the 21st may come to be seen as the age of government "of the people, by the people, for the people." If so, the U.S., by its courage and persistence, will be able to take primary credit. It has certainly led from the front, and it has shown that it knows how to use its position as the world's sole superpower with judgment, honor and unselfishness.

Leave it to Paul Johnson to lay it out in a clear and coherent way.

Ukraine

Fire of Liberty

It seems that Ukraine might become the new home to the Russian liberal (the classical version) opposition movement. Based on this article, Ukraine under the leadership of the pro-west President Yushchenko offers succor to one of Putin's opponents by appointing Boris Nemtsov, leader of Russia's Union of Right Forces, an advisor to the government.

Captain David Rozelle

Fire of Liberty

National Review Online ran a Q&A with Capt. Rozelle about his experience and injuries he recieved serving his nation. Much like a lot of our soldiers in Iraq, Capt. Rozelle has seen his share of IED and land mines. Unfortunately, Capt. Rozelle discovered the reality of these land mines first hand when he stepped on one during a night patrol. While the explosion cost the Capt. his foot, he has persevered and learned to adapt to life with prosthetic foot. His adaptation has progressed so well that he's running marathons, skiing as well as finding time to be deemed fit for duty. Even with his injury, the Captain has re-upped for another tour in Iraq. Such a steely reserve shows how our soldiers are inspirations to us all rather than being a mere fighting man(though anyone who puts their life on the line is a hero to me). To check out more of the Captain's story check out his book Back in Action: The Inspiring True Story of the First Amputee to Return to Active Command in Iraq.

Also check out this piece by Douglas Kern @ Tech Central Station, it pretty much says it all.

Iraq Election results

Fire of Liberty

I've been reading about the Iraqi election and I'm pretty impressed about the results. While most of the coverage tends to fear a second coming of Iran, I'm rather skeptical. Anyway, check out the fine work that blogger Patrick Ruffini has done on the election results. I especially liked his electoral map. Check it out here.

Corporal John Quinones

Fire of Liberty

Ben Stein has a heartfelt dedication to one of our brave young men in Iraq in this article. Much like Tom Brokaw's The Greatest Generation, Corporal Quinones is one of our citizen soldiers who is highly underpaid but fights like hell to ensure our freedom and others and take a special pride in it.

Ward Churchill

Fire of Liberty

I've been remissed to discuss Ward Churchill in this blog because I think he's a unimportant speck in the news-cycle especially when we have more pressing problems like terrorism, Iraq, Iran and North Korea. Aside from the general news on Churchill, I could care less about him and his ideas until I read Peter Worthington's column Monday. He fills in the blanks about the man and I'd say he's done the best job so far at exposing the man as a fraud. See for yourself.

Hegemony- Lost in Translation

Fire of Liberty

Lee Harris over at Tech Central Station has an interesting article on the concept known as Hegemony. As Harris notes, there has been a blurring of definitions between the Classical Greek word Hegemony and the modern day bugaboo word Empire. Thanks to people like Noam Chomsky , readers and students of the late 20th and early 21st Century have been given the impression that Hegemony and Empire are interchangable even though they are miles apart. Harris does a better analysis than I do, so check it out.

Venezuela

Fire of Liberty

It seem Col. Chavez is expanding his ruthless regime's power in Venezuela and the general region. Based on this article in The Financial Times, Chavez has an enormous penchent for fighter aircraft and weapons. Aside from the fact that Chavez is in negotiations with Russia for the purchase of 50 Mig-29 SMT's, 40 helicopters and 100,000 Kalashnikov rifles he is also in talks with Brazil to purchase some dozen Super Tucano light attack jets. One could argue that this is for self-defense but one problem, Venezuela has no threats at hand. I'd be more concerned about Chavez because of his cozy relationship with Castro and his past comments not to mention his support for known terrorists. Another concern is the little known fact that some 30,000 Cuban "Doctors" are in the nation and within Caracas. We'll see.

Romney 06 or 08?

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It seems the 2008 Presidential season is already in the minds of the editors at The Boston Globe. They have a story on Mass. Governor Mitt Romney's PAC and the large amount of money he's amassed. The report says he's gearing up for 2008 but I'm tending to think the money is for 2006 and his re-election. He's been turning rightward lately or is it that he's taking a stand on principle. I could be wrong about 06 but we'll see. To see more on Romney's principles see here.

Social Security

Fire of Liberty

Jeff Jacoby has a good column in The Boston Globe on the pressing need to reform the Social Security system. It's probably one of the best arguments I've read so far. I especially liked this part:

Social Security wasn't always a sucker's game. As with all Ponzi schemes, players who got in early made out like bandits. For many years, Social Security deductions were minuscule. Until 1949, the combined employer/employee tax rate was only 2 percent, and it was imposed on just the first $3,000 of income, for a maximum payroll tax of just $60 a year. The first Social Security recipient was Ida May Fuller of Ludlow, Vt., who retired in 1940 after having paid a grand total of $44 in payroll taxes. By the time she died in 1975, she had collected $20,933.52 in benefits -- a return on her ''investment" of more than 47,000 percent.

It wasn't really an investment, of course. It was a forced transfer of wealth from younger people to an older one. And as the number of Ida May Fullers grew, and the value of their benefits increased, the amount of wealth that had to be transferred kept climbing. By the time I entered the workforce in 1975, the Social Security withholding rate was 9.9 percent, applied to wages of up to $14,100. Maximum tax bite: $1,395 a year -- more than 23 times the $60 of a generation earlier.

And a generation later? Today Social Security skims off 12.4 percent of the first $90,000 earned -- one-eighth of every paycheck. There are no exemptions, no deductions. It kicks in from the very first dollar of income. It is the biggest tax the average American household faces -- 80 percent of us pay more in Social Security taxes than we do in income tax.

Culture War

Fire of Liberty

The great Mark Steyn has an excellent column in The Chicago Sun-Times on the ongoing culture war. I know, you're wondering why is this guy talking about the culture war when we're battling terrorists. Well, the simple answer is that we have to ensure the continuation and strength of our culture to fight back these terrorists. When a nation lets its culture slip and slowly decline into a mushy gobbledygook, it tends to lose its moral fiber to take on a challenge. Though we're a long way from a complete fall like Athens, Rome, or Constantinople, we should steel ourself from the destructive nature that these cultures experienced. Therefore, we should forswear all of the craziness of political correctness and this squishy hug-athon mentality known as multi-culturalism. If we don't return to the melting-pot and the overall Western tradition, we could well be destroyed like Carthage.

To fully understand the culture problem that faces this nation, check out Lengthened Shadows: America and its Institution in the Twenty-First Century , which is edited by Roger Kimball and Hilton Kramer. For those who don't know, the two editors are also editors of The New Criterion - a magazine that champions the Western tradition and American culture (the good aspects not the rot). If you want to know about the culture war, check the book out. Here's the review of the book, here.

Iraq

Fire of Liberty

Here's something good from one of our brave soldiers in Iraq, click here.

Yemen

Fire of Liberty

The Christian Science Monitor has an interesting article on Yemen. It seems that Yemen has developed a unique way of dealing with terrorism. Based on the article, the Yemeni government has found a way to counter militant Islam through the usage of Islamic scholars. On individual in particular is Judge Hamoud al-Hitar, who uses the Koran to challenge recently jailed Islamic radicals. His basic arguments is:

"If you can convince us that your ideas are justified by the Koran, then we will join you in your struggle," Hitar told the militants. "But if we succeed in convincing you of our ideas, then you must agree to renounce violence."

It is true that we need things like this to confront Islamic fundamentalism, I still think certain individuals are well beyond help and only force wil stop them from doing their dirty work. Yet I foresee this idea of using the Koran to dissuade terrorism is definitely something that's needed, especially in places like Saudi Arabia. If the Saudis promoted a more moderate Islam instead of the Wahhabi strain that preaches hate and promotes the culture of death, the World would be a better place. Maybe this will catch on but don't expect it to happen anytime soon.

Calling Evil by its name.

Fire of Liberty

I was watching "After Hours with Cal Thomas" on FOX News and he had the Christian philosopher Os Guinness on. He was talking about his new book Unspeakable: Facing Up to Evil in an Age of Genocide and Terror. According to Guinness, people in this world has become too shy to call evil by its name. Most of all, Guinness notes that humans have developed an inability to fully understand evil. Throughout his book, Guinness tries to find ways for us to confront and deal with evil. Good book, read it.

Another good read on evil is Return to Good and Evil: Flannery O'Connor's Response to Nihilism by Henry T. Edmondson III, who is a Professor of Public Administration and Political Science at my Almer Mater Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Georgia. He's also a good professor at that. Anyway, Check out the book.

Yet another piece on evil is by Jonah Goldberg, who wrote about the various acts of evil that has been committed recently, read here.

Pope John Paul II

Fire of Liberty

I'm glad that His Holiness is out of the hospital. Its always great to get back to your own bed and away from the ever-present nurses that show up every hour prodding and poking. Maybe the Pope will have better days ahead but I doubt it. As Peggy Noonan points out in her column over at OpinionJournal, the Pope is hear to suffer or should I say he feels that his suffering is part of the job as Pope. I think she puts it best when she wrote:

His suffering is his witness. It has a purpose. It is telling us something. Yesterday, in thinking about this and remembering that audience, I called the great writer and thinker Michael Novak. He thought aloud for me. St. Therese of Lisieux, he reminded me, believed her suffering could help others. She would take her moments of pain or annoyance or sadness and offer them to God, believing that they became united with God's love, united that is with something infinitely powerful which works always for the betterment of man. She would ask God to take her suffering and use it to help the missionaries of the world. She knew, Mr. Novak said, what Dostoevsky knew: there's a kind of web around the world, an electric web in which we're all united in suffering and in love. When you give to it what you have, you add to the communion of love all around the world. Therese was a Carmelite. Mr. Novak spoke of George Weigel's observation that the pope has a Carmelite soul, a soul at home with the Carmelite tradition of everyday mysticism.

What should the pope's suffering tell us? Several things, said Mr. Novak. He is telling us it is important in an age like ours to honor the suffering of the old and the infirm. He wants us to know they have a place in life and a purpose. He not only says this; he lives it. He was an actor as a youth; he teaches by doing and showing, by being. His suffering is a drama he is living out quite deliberately. John Paul stands for life, for all of life. He wants to honor what the world does not honor.

But why, I said, does God allow this man he must so love to be dragged through the world in pain? He could have taken him years ago. Maybe, said Mr. Novak, God wants to show us how much he loves us, and he is doing it right now by letting the pope show us how much he loves us. Christ couldn't take it anymore during his passion, and yet he kept going.

Which reminded me of something the pope said to a friend when the subject of retirement came up a few years ago: "Christ didn't come down from the cross." Christ left when his work was done.

I tend to agree with Noonan on this because he's a representative of Christ's work. Just think about it, the Pope has bared a considerable amount of pain through his work with the Church. Throughout his early years in Poland, the young man who would become Pope, faced the the evils of Nazi Germany, Soviet domination and continued his struggle against this atheistic totalitarian system throughout his tenure in Rome. Some years after he took the reigns of The Vatican, he suffered the pain from a gunshot of a troubled young man. During all of these events, the Pope still seemed to endure. Yes, I'd love it if he didn't suffer the pain of his disease but its somewhat of a relief that he does suffer because it makes our belief in the power of the Lord stronger.

When the Pope does leave this Earth, he will have touched and inspired countless individuals in his devotion to the Lord and his teachings. I can assure you, that his time on this planet will definitely ensure his path towards sainthood.

I you want a more plain spoken low frills and realist look at the Pope's struggle, I'd refer you to William F. Buckley Jr's recent column on the Pope here.

European Union

Fire of Liberty

Next week, Spain will hold a referendum on the EU constitution. There's one problem though, it seems the people of Spain are less than enthusiastic about this vote. Based on numbers from Spain, the turnout for the vote is around 40%. So in order for the socialist government under PM Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero to improve the vote turnout they have initiated an add campaign using a soda. Read here.

Oh yeah, let me drink this new soda and contemplate the vote on the EU constitution. Um, that's so refreshing, I should vote for the constitution. Yeah, right!!!

Why the small turnout? Could it be that the people of Spain actually don't like this new fandangled constitution and crazy superstate known as the EU. I believe there is a silent majority yelling stop and don't care for giving up their soverigenty and national identity to bureacrats in Brussels. I'm with the people. Don't be surprised if one nation amongst France, Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland or Britian will vote no. We'll see, I'd vote no.

Social Security

Fire of Liberty

Bill Steigerwald of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has an interesting Q&A column with The Wall Street Journal's "Americas" columnist Mary Anastasia O'Grady on Chile's private pension system. According to the column, the nation of Chile has had this system in effect for some twenty years and some 60% of the nation's workforce is enrolled in the system, where the put 10% of their income into this personal account. Unlike the paltry 2% rate of return under the current US Social Security system, Chile's usage of personal accounts in its Social Security system nets a rate of return of 10%. I realize that people will argue that Chile is different than this nation in a lot of ways but they have discovered that the markets and the freedom of choice is far greater than government intrusion into their lives.

People in the US shouldn't be victims to our own declining demographics like we will, if people continue to refuse to see the forrest for the trees. Maybe it's the fact that I'm 28 but I don't imagine I'll receive Social Security benefits comprable to my grandparents. With the knowledge of how dynamic and powerful the free market has been for the 50% of the nation who either own stocks, 401(K), IRA's or Thrift Savings Accounts, why would anyone want to be in a low rate of return government enterprise like Social Security. FDR noted in his January 17, 1935 message to Congress that he expected the "old-aged pensions" should consist of "...voluntary contributory annuities by which individual initiative can increase the annual amounts received in old age. It is proposed that the Federal Government assume one-half of the cost of the old-age pension plan, which ought ultimately to be supplanted by self-supporting annuity plans." (See here). Even the father of the new deal realized that this proposed system had to evolve into a personal system, why can't others see it this way.

If Chile can do this and achieve such success on an $80 billion economy just think what the US and its $11 Trillion dollar powerhorse of an economy can do. To fully understand the power of Chile's social security and its reforms and its creator Jose Pinera check here, here, and here. If these politicians in Washington D.C. just read some demographic stats on our future our look at the paltry rates of return instead of playing it up to special interests, we would be on a better path. Aside from my fight for freedom and liberty against the forces of tyranny, I also fight against the slothy governmental systems in this nation.

European Integration

Fire of Liberty

In The Financial Times this article appeared that notes Secretary Rice has heaped praise on Europe's plan to forge the various military forces throughout the EU into a force with a common foreign policy.

While the thought of the Europeans working together is fine, I foresee some problems. First of all, If the EU becomes this superstate what does it mean for the various member states. Say for instance the United States takes on another foe like Iraq. If the British, who are generally by our side in a fight, are under this newly integrated group in the EU and their fellow member states refuse to offer help then the British will be prevented from acting. We all know what the French and Germans did before, who's to say they wouldn't do the same if we took on Syria, Iran or even North Korea.

Secondly, by being in this combined force, what does it do to NATO. Instead of the US and the NATO allies you would have NATO and then the EU force. Who would you go to for help, the EU or NATO? I understand if you did away with one but I don't see NATO going the way of the Dodo bird. Perhaps the EU can intergrate well with NATO but I doubt it. They seem to be spreading thin with their commitments.

Thirdly, how is the EU going to afford this force. Right now, excluding Great Britain and a few other nations, the EU states devote a paltry amount of their GDP towards the military. While the US and Brits have a heavy lift capacity and a fleet of Aircraft carriers while the French had to repair its Crown Jewel the Charles De'Gaulle shortly after its sea trials. If the EU can't spend enough to keep its forces barely afloat in NATO, how is it going to be able to afford its NATO and EU budgets together. Unless they step up their funding, the EU will never be able to defend itself and will need our help to fight any operation.

Yes, it's wise to promote this military formulation but the EU's got to get its house in order. There's no problem in Eastern Europe and Great Britain about these points but it's definately a problem in the capitol's of Spain, Germany, France and the other members of "old Europe". I'm not as diplomatic as Secretary Rice because I'm very Euro skeptic. They'll never be a United States of Europe or a military power near the strength of the US. I might be wrong but I'd bet you my Dollars over their Euro's that their experiment is destined for a nasty future. Pay attention to the various EU constitution votes in the next months in France, Spain and Great Britain. I expect some nation to vote no. Don't just take my word, click here. I'm very weary of such a superstate, I prefer individual nations with individual foreign policies who have their own sovereignty.

Condi

Fire of Liberty

Rich Lowry has a terrific column on Secretary of State Rice over @ National Review Online. He notes that since the President and the new Secretary are on the same page, she is more representative of this nation foreign policy. When she goes before cameras and to the various nations, she is giving the straight line and not pulling punches.

Based on this past week, it's generally accepted that the potentates and leaders of Europe are convinced that she carries such weight. As Rich notes, Secretary Rice seems to be more willing to spread her wings and venture into the foreign capitals to spread America's message of liberty and freedom. I can only imagine what miracles this lady will accomplish in the next four years.

Spot on!!!

Fire of Liberty

Charles Krauthammer has a brilliant column on the peace process between Israel and The Palestinians. He argues that by rejecting the land for peace agreement and accepting the peace for peace agreement, the participants could facilitate a workable peace. This means that instead of trading away land to create a peace,the Israelis demanded the complete stop in terror actvities on behalf of the Palestinian Authority. As Krauthammer noted, this cessation of terror was spurred on by a strong response to terror on behalf of Israel . Without a strong hand, the PA would have continued the intifada and the whole peace process would be null and void. We'll see if Abbas is a man of his word or just another Arafat. Stay tuned.

North Korea

Fire of Liberty

The US needs less of this. One on one Diplomacy gets us nowhere. We can sup with dictators like Kim Jong IL but time and time again, the regime of the north bites us back. Check here and here to see what these bi-lateral agreements got us. It's no time for carrots. We need more of this.

Never give in!!!

Fire of Liberty


“No compromise with the main purpose, no peace till victory, no pact with unrepentant wrong.”

I think this is the best advice I've seen for our fight against terror. Check out Cliff May's column for more info.

Afghanistan

Fire of Liberty

The United States and Europe have come to an agreement that NATO will assume complete command of operations in Afghanistan. See here for details.

Military gear

Fire of Liberty

It ssems that the mountain towns of North Carolina have become a lifeline to our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Based on this article in The Christian Science Monitor, the various special forces and mountain units have been flocking to these towns to buy the much needed tents, bags and clothing. Only in America can you find such a sense of dynamism.

Saudi Elections

Fire of Liberty

Here's a good column by Amir Taheri on the Saudi elections. Anyway, It seems that the Arab World is getting a taste of freedom with this municipal election in Saudi Arabia. Seems to me that the Fire of Liberty has an extensive reach in the World. Could anyone imagine free elections being held in Afghanistan, The Palestinian Territories and Iraq and semi-free elections in Saudi Arabia just four years ago.

This is the beginning of a long evolutionary process in a world that has had little experience with democracy but are bursting at the seems to exercise their God given freedoms. I hope the elections will open the doors for even greater reforms. This action is truly a verification an the old Arab proverb that says "When the head of the camel enters the tent, the rest of it is bound to follow." I think George W Bush is outside of the tent with a cattle prod urging the camel in.

Rumsfeld in Mosul, Iraq

Fire of Liberty

Fox News Pentagon correspondent Brett Bauer reported about 10:15 p.m. the secretary had touched down in Mosul, Iraq. Upon leaving a NATO conference in France, Secretary Rumsfeld in a surprise visit flew directly to the northern Iraqi town of Mosul. Secretary Rumsfeld is expected to meet several US soldiers and is expected to pin several purple hearts of injured soldiers. The Defense chief is also expected to visit several commanders as well as his Iraqi counterparts. This marks the first time since the January 30, 2005 Iraqi election that a member of the Executive has visited Iraq. I hope the soldiers enjoy meeting Secretary Rumsfeld. He seems to be one hell of a guy. I love how he handles the press.

Egypt

Fire of Liberty

Max Boot has a terrific column on Egypt in today's LA Times. In his column, Boot argues that the US should use it annual $2 billion stipend as leverage against Hosni Mubarak. If we pressured Egypt to reform and liberalize its system to allow the full emergence of a democratic movement. One can always get results when you start talking about "the green" especially cutting it off. I think Boot is on to something and hope President Bush and Secretary of State Rice will follow through. Here's hoping.

Peter Worthington: Canada's voice of Sanity

Fire of Liberty

Peter Worthington has a great column today on the gift that America has presented to the Middle East by freeing the Iraqi's. Worthington notes that the effort is far from over and will continue to be a long slog. Though we'll see plenty of hard times ahead it seems that the American people are inclined to stick it out in for the long haul. Such is evident in President Bush's rising poll numbers, which Worthington says will take the President to new heights.

UN Human Rights Commission

Fire of Liberty

Well it seems the UN Human Rights Commission has a new set of leaders. According to this column, Cuba and Zimbabwe have been granted seats on the commission. I thought the whole point of having a Human Rights Commission was to promote Human Rights.

If you call the "Workers Paradise" of Cuba a guarantor of human rights, then I have a bridge to sell you in Arizona. Countless years have gone by where Castro and his hench-men have imprisoned and executed countless individuals who spoke out against the regime or proposed the move towards democratic reforms. Currently, the Cuban regime has 75 individuals in prison because they either wrote articles critical of the regime, gathered with fellow intellectuals and had contact with individuals who Cuba deems an enemy(US and Europe). Based on reports, the average jail sentences imposed on each of these dissidents was 19 years. Such an enormous arrest and horrific jail terms prompted Jim Cason, mission chief at the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, to adorn his building with an enormous Christmas display with a large 75 in a show of solidarity to the freedom seeking people of Cuba. While Jimmy Carter and the Hollywood crowd might voice applets to the regime, the people of Cuba know what kind of hell that Castro has put them through. Check here, here, here and here.

Another member is Zimbabwe, which is under the care of Robert Mugabe. Under Mugabe, Zimbabwe has slowly but surely fallen into a deep state of failure. In an effort to increase his power, Mugabe enacted a crazy law that took all the farms from the white farmers and doled it out to his friends. Such an act removed the farms from the experienced farmers and gave it to people who didn't have a clue on how to raise crops. Thus the breadbasket of Africa has begun to dry up thus resulting in massive starvation. Even when food is shipped into Zimbabwe to releave the blight of the people, the government either confiscates or hordes it for the rulers. Mugabe and his ruling ZANU-PF party have also locked up so much power that he has imprisoned his political opponent or found ways to prevent the people from choosing their rightful leaders. Even worse, Mugabe and his felllow thugs have either killed, tortured or displaced some 70,000 citizens during his 25 year rule of this nation. While Mugabe takes down the nation, he's geting fat of the teet. When the nation battling starvation, Mugabe is spending millions on his 25 room house, see here. See below.

If the UN nations continue to appoint nations like these onto the Human Rights Commission, the whole idea of "human rights" will become pointless. If your nation commits overwhelming human rights violations at the extent that Cuba and Zimbabwe have, then how can you judge others on the actions. The UN needs some reform and a spine to condem these nations rather than award them. When will this World body live up to the principles it started with some 60 years ago?

Philippines

Fire of Liberty

It seems that the Muslim rebels of Abu Sayyaf and Moro Islammic Liberation Front have intesified their activities in the Southern Philippines. Based on this report, some 60 government soldiers and rebels have died after intensive peroids of fighting. In order to free the people of the Philippines, the military has got to intensify its counter-insurgency efforts. The rebels will continue to kill and maim innocent individuals if the government in Manila sit on their hands.

Iran

Fire of Liberty

While all the news is abuzz on Iran's nuclear weapons program few people noticed the legislation that was presented to Congress yesterday. According to this report, Senator Rick Santorum presented the Iran Freedom and Support Act of 2005 to Congress. Here's a look at the legislation:

The Santorum legislation, dubbed the Iran Freedom and Support Act of 2005, authorizes the president to "provide financial and political assistance (including the award of grants) to foreign and domestic individuals, organizations, and entities that support democracy and the promotion of democracy in Iran. Such assistance may include the award of grants to eligible independent pro-democracy radio and television broadcasting organizations that broadcast into Iran."

Immigration reform

Fire of Liberty

Here's a good and informative article on immigration reform. Check it out here.

The Power of Freedom

Fire of Liberty

Bill Kristol and Robert Kagan have an interesting article in The Weekly Standard on the transformative nature of freedom and democracy in the World. Whether it's The Middle East or in Europe, the people are starting to have their say in the future of their nations. Though the road to a liberal democracy might be filled with speed-bumps and potholes, Kristol and Kagan argue that it is worth it.

Winston Churchill Museum

Fire of Liberty

Here's a good piece on the newly opened Winston Churchill museum in London. Check it out. Also check out this piece on Churchill in World War II Magazine

UN @ 60

Fire of Liberty

Newt Gingrich and George Mitchell have an interesting Op/Ed in The Washington Times on the 60th birthday of the UN. This unlikely pair have penned this article to offer solutions to an institution which is reaching a moment irrelevence. Read it.

Ahmed Chalabi

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It seems that Ahmed Chalabi has given his enemies within the CIA and State (The bearucrats) a good one,two punch. While they tried to peg Chalabi as a crook, spy or a dope, he has generated a following in Iraq. He's more of a mover & shaker in Iraq than State and CIA thought. Chalabi also brought together the United Iraqi Alliance which finished first in the elections. From the looks of it, Chalabi is destined for greatness. Check out these two articles here and here.

North Korea

Fire of Liberty

It seems the Japanese are serious about imposing sanctions on North Korea, see here . The only way to stop the North Koreans is to hit the government of Pyongyang where it hurts and that's the pocketbook. As this story (Which I revealed in this earlier post) in The Times revealed, the regime of Kim Jong Il is teetering on a fall. The situation in North Korea is reaching critical mass and requires a firmer hand by the US, Japan or South Korea. Here's another piece by Claudia Rosett on the possibility of bringing democracy to the frozen Stalinist hellhole.

Saudi Arabia

Fire of Liberty

Saudi Arabia is holding a very limited election, only seven council seats. We'll see if this works, sounds promising. They still have to make drastic reforms. If you still have laws against political party gatherings, freedom of assembly and speech you are far from the reforms that President Bush has demanded.

Condi on Syria

Fire of Liberty

Here's what the Secretary has to say about Syria:

“I can’t say it strongly enough. You can’t say on one hand that you want a process of peace and on the other hand support the people who are determined to blow it up.”

Awesome!!!, keep it up. Lord, I love this steel spinned Secretary of State.

Oil pipeline

Fire of Liberty

The Financial Times has an article on the risks the US takes everyday there is a delay in the construction of the 3,500 mile pipeline. Take a look:

The top US energy regulator has warned that some of the world's largest energy producers would “cripple” the US if they failed to move ahead with plans for a $20bn (£11bn) pipeline to transport natural gas from Alaska.

Pat Wood, chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Ferc), said further delays to the 3,500-mile pipeline project which started almost 30 years ago could harm the US, which relies on natural gas for almost a quarter of its energy needs.

“We cannot have that gas be sat upon while we just rely on increasing supplies of liquefied natural gas,” Mr Wood told the Financial Times last week. “We need them both, and I think we can do them both.” Ferc on Wednesday published the initial terms governing the design and use of the proposed pipeline from Alaska's North Slope to the US Midwest. Alaska lawmakers are negotiating with prospective builders of the pipeline, although Ferc has ultimate authority over contract terms.

Denmark's PM re-elected

Fire of Liberty

Congrats to Anders Fogh Rasmussen on winning re-election. It seems Denmark's PM's decision to fight alongside the Brits, US, Australia, Poland in Iraq paid off.

Eta strikes again

Fire of Liberty

It seems the Basque terrorists Eta have launched an attack on a convention center in Madrid. Read here. Luckily, King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia and Mexico's President Fox avoided the blasts after the police recieved a bomb warning from Eta. While this explosion didn't kill anyone some 40 were treated for injuries. While people might argue that these terrorists at least warn their victims they still are terrorists and cannot be tolerated by a civil society. The Spanish government needs to get serious with Eta like the government of PM Jose Maria Aznar did from 1996-2003. You can't deal with these groups through negotiations but through diligent counter-terror work. The question is, can the Socialist government do this or will they cave to Eta like they did to the terrorists in Iraq.

Iranian Blogger

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Here's an Op/Ed in the LA Times by an Iranian blogger who was arrested for "crimes against the Islamic Republic" for running a blog.

Condi 08?

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Dick Morris has an interesting column in The Hill. He argues that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will be a viable GOP candidate to challange Hillary in 2008. We'll see.

Go Condi!!!

Fire of Liberty

I love it when a diplomat doesn't bite their tongue. Imagine what she can achieve with her verson of the "Straight Talk Express." Take a look what she said about Iran:

"They need to hear that the discussions that they are in with the Europeans are not going to be a kind of way station where they are allowed to continue their activities, that there's going to be an end to this and that they are going to end up in the Security Council,"

Hold on America, Condi is taking the office of the Secretary of State to new heights.

Mithal al-Alusi

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Mithal al-Alusi

For those who don't know Mithal al-Alusi, let me fill you in. Al-Alusi is the secretary of Iraq's Democratic Umma Party and a member of the De-Ba'athification Committee, which was established to purge the Iraqi government of Saddam's fellow Ba'athists. Since Al-Alusi plays a leading role in bringing Iraq out of Saddam's darkness of tyranny, he has become a target of the terrorists and Saddam hanger-ons. Yesterday, Al-Alusi received a deadly reminder of the power of these groups when assailants launched an assassination attempt, which failed to kill him but resulted in the death of 2 of his sons and a bodyguard. While an attack like this would lead most people to rethink their career, Al-Alusi has vowed to fight back.

Take a look at what this brave soul said about these attacks to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty:

Consequently, I [ask] my friends and colleagues in the political leadership inside or outside the [Iraqi] government...to take a clear, frank, and firm position to enforce the law over all, whoever it is -- be it a religious or non-religious party. There should be no debate or dialogue with a murderer who calls for killing. This cannot be the [right] way. The [right] way is the way of law, the way of dialogue, the way of building, and the way of leading the Sunni areas [in Iraq] out of confusion. I would like to focus on that very clearly: The Sunni areas groan under the hands of murderers and criminals who are neither Sunnis nor Iraqis. They are intruders in Iraq from among Al-Qaeda groupings and Ba'ath [Party] henchmen. They are the ghosts of death.

Bully to Al-Alusi, my he inspire the silent majority to take back Iraq from the merchants of death. Click here for the full interview on RFE/RL.

The defense of Mosul

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In his recent column, Ralph Peters notes that Mosul is the frontier town of the Sunni Triangle. It seems the terrorists and Saddam hanger-ons have decided that the northern city is where their stated goals will be achieved.

Peters' advise is that the US and Iraqi soldiers have to crush this inserrection before it gets way out of hand and turns into another Fallujah. Unless we stop this, these thugs could create a sectarian and ethnic fight between Sunni Arabs, Sunni Kurds or Kurds vs Arabs. The inserrection also threatens the transportation and trade routes between Iraq and Turkey. As Peters notes, If the literal "gold-mine" of the Sunni Triangle is taken out of the terrorist and Baathists hands then their enterprise is fruitless. To prevent this, the US military and the Iraqis are going to have to step up and drain the swamp of Mosul from these dregs of society.

Tony Blair

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Here's a piece from NRO that ponders Tony Blair's future as Prime Minister, especially when the election is being held May 5, 2005. Speculation is he'll probably win but might have a fight from Labour or retire leaving Gordon Brown the keys sometime after the election. If Brown emerges, President Bush might lose a good allie. I pray for Blair's success or a resurgent Tory party.

Iraqi Military

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Mark Bowden of Blackhawk Down fame has penned a concise examination of the training of the new Iraqi military. His main focus is on Maj. James Lechner and his efforts to train the Iraqi military, namely the 7th Battalion. What Bowden and Maj. Lechner have discovered is that the officers and their higher ups within the Iraqi military aren't worth a flip. The Major has observed that there is more potential with regular enlisted men and NCO's and they're their to fight rather than for power. These enlisted men fought with diligence and courage and are the future and hope of Iraq's military. As for the officers, I think Bowden put it perfectly when he wrote:

It has become generally accepted wisdom that it was a mistake for the Coalition Provisional Authority to disband Saddam's army after American forces took Baghdad two years ago. If Maj. Lechner's experience is typical, then retaining the old force would have just created a whole different set of problems, and might well have further set back efforts to create a flexible, effective Iraqi army. Solving the problem in the 7th Battalion ultimately required rooting out nearly all of those officers who had served under the old regime.

Such a revelation has also put a damper on the various Senators like Evan Bayh and Presidental aspirants like General Clark who complained that we should have never dismantled the Iraqi military in the first place. Oh well, you can't please everyone.

Book Review

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Thomas Sowell has a fascinating column on a new book. It's titled Bury the Chains and it deals with the creation of the anti-slavery campain within Great Britian in the 1700's. Seems to be pretty good, especially when Sowell reviews it. He just has a good way of putting things. See for yourself:

The review of "Bury the Chains" in the New York Times tried to suggest that the ban against the international slave trade somehow served British self-interest. But John Stuart Mill, who lived in those times, said that the British "for the last half-century have spent annual sums equal to the revenue of a small kingdom in blockading the Africa coast, for a cause in which we not only had no interest, but which was contrary to our pecuniary interest."

France

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The Wall Street Journal Europe has an editorial on France's 35hr. work week.

NGO's

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It seems the government of Afghanistan is having problems with NGO's. I can imagine Stephen Schwartz saying "I told you so." Click here.

Law of the Sea Treaty

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Being a devotee of President Reagan, I'm a strong opponent of certain actions that restrict the actions of this great nation. With this at hand the US faces a daunting decision on the passage of The Law of the Sea Treaty (LOST). Such an treaty was a major deal with President Reagan throughout his 1976 and 1980 campaign and throughout his tenure in the White House. Basically this treaty, if passed, would give the International Seabed Authority under the banner of the UN the control over 70% of the sea thus giving them the control over where nations can mine, fish or place their ships. Even worse the treaty would also give the UN the power to levy taxes as well as the regulation of of research and exploration.

One can only imagine what would happen to the US if this policy was ever initiated. Since the UN would have the control of such powerful levers like taxation and regulation of the seas, they could restrain or prevent our military from conducting our commerce and the projection of our strength within the World.

While I'm not a expert on this Treaty, here are a few people who do have a better insight into LOST.

First here's a column by Phyllis Schlafly, who is a lawyer, founder of Eagle Forum, and a Conservative mavin who wrote the 1964 classic A Choice Not An Echo.

Secondly, here's an column and another by Frank J. Gaffney Jr, who is the President of the Center for Security Policy and former Assistant Secretary of State of Defense for International Security Policy in the Reagan Administration.

Finally, here's an article by Doug Bandow who is a senior fellow of the Cato Institute.