Mr. President, who's side are you on?

When President Obama sides with Hugo Chavez, Daniel Ortega and the Castro brothers, he gives rise to the possibility that he prefers a Marxist Socialist political model.

Here is what Reuters is reporting this morning:

U.S. President Barack Obama said on Monday the coup that ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya was illegal and would set a "terrible precedent" of transition by military force unless it was reversed.

"We believe that the coup was not legal and that President Zelaya remains the president of Honduras, the democratically elected president there," Obama told reporters after an Oval Office meeting with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe.

Zelaya, in office since 2006, was overthrown in a dawn coup on Sunday after he angered the judiciary, Congress and the army by seeking constitutional changes that would allow presidents to seek re-election beyond a four-year term.

Yes, Manuel Zelaya is an elected president, but he was acting extra-constitutionally to grab power and institute a Chavez-like dictatorship in the Honduras.

Listen to what Charles Krauthammer has to say about this:



Here is another opinion about President Obama's decision about the Honduras coup:

So if Obama's foreign policy has already failed or is in the process of failing throughout the world, why is he refusing to reassess it? Why, with blood running through the streets of Iran, is he still interested in appeasing the mullahs? Why, with Venezuela threatening to invade Honduras for Zelaya, is he siding with Zelaya against Honduran democrats? Why, with the Palestinians refusing to accept the Jewish people's right to self-determination, is he seeking to expel some 500,000 Jews from their homes in the interest of appeasing the Palestinians? Why, with North Korea threatening to attack the US with ballistic missiles, is he refusing to order the USS John McCain to interdict the suspected North Korean missile ship it has been trailing for the past two weeks? Why, when the Sudanese government continues to sponsor the murder of Darfuris, is the administration claiming that the genocide in Darfur has ended?

The only reasonable answer to all of these questions is that far from being nonideological, Obama's foreign policy is the most ideologically driven since Carter's tenure in office. If when Obama came into office there was a question about whether he was a foreign policy pragmatist or an ideologue, his behavior in his first six months in office has dispelled all doubt. Obama is moved by a radical, anti-American ideology that motivates him to dismiss the importance of democracy and side with anti-American dictators against US allies.

One more source of information from the incomparable Neal Boortz. His article spells out the Honduran situation with great clarity.


President Obama, whose side are you on?

Are you seeing this, too?

Our President appears to be doing everything he can to weaken our economy and make us less able to defend ourselves. Like Jimmy Carter, Obama looks like he is doing everything he can to weaken our military and financial sectors, making us a little less competitive and a little more vulnerable to attack every day. Not only that, he and the Democratic controlled Congress are eroding the liberties granted us by our founding fathers by massive over spending of the federal budget, forcing a crackpot science global warming based energy agenda upon this nation what will lead to the greatest energy tax increases of all time, forcing a universal health care system on our nation, which is a system of health rationing, cutting back defense at a time when we are at war with an enemy that would like to send the head of your son or daughter home in a hat box, and by limiting freedom of speech through encouraging the passage of the "Fairness Doctrine" and promoting "hate crimes" legislation.

On domestic policy, it seems that everything being done is forcing workers to pay for the wants, needs and benefits for non workers. The wealthiest among us are being taxed to the point of leaving the country, and those less wealthy who are business men and woman, those who create jobs in this country, are threatened with higher taxes if they make more than $250,000/year. That kind of policy does not encourage production and enterprise.

Is Obama's chief goal to drive the unemployment rate to over 20% in the next six months to a year? He's well on his way by his approval of the 'tax and spend' policies of the liberally controlled Congress. Is he seeking to create a nation of those who are dependent on the government for their every need? There are those voters who will always vote for more benefits, no matter how much it hurts the economy.

At the current rate of "CHANGE" our government policies will be unsustainable and financially we will collapse, much like Germany before the rise of the National Socialist Party, when inflation became rampant because of the unsustainability of the government policies. Our standard of living will drop and American citizens will become poor and poorer. Those least able to care for themselves would bear the brunt of the Obama economic policies. Those still employed would be stiffly taxed in a futile attempt to fill the rapidly draining coffers of the bloated government.

Are you seeing this? Are you talking about it? Are you going to just let it happen?

Yesterdays in Montross

We just had a delightful breakfast on the porch of a gem of a restaurant called Yesterdays. Set in rural Montross, Virginia, which is on Hwy 3 on the Northern Neck of Virginia, Yesterdays has a beautiful and traditional breakfast selection. They have been serving lunch and dinner in their elegantly appointed restaurant since 1986, but have recently expanded their menu to include breakfast. My husband ordered the “Lee Breakfast” which included two eggs, toast, hash browns or grits, and good Virginia country ham. I ordered the biscuits with sausage gravy, which was very meaty and flavored with a hint of sage and Old Bay Seasoning. Both meals were garnished with perfect lettuce and a bright red watermelon slice – refreshing and so appropriate for the season. Part of their breakfast menu were delightful breakfast cocktails – the Mimosa and the Bloody Mary - half champagne and half juice. Prices at Yesterdays were more than reasonable. Their service was exceptional and the servers were friendly and attentive. We heartily recommend Yesterdays for well priced elegant dining, a classy setting and delicious food.

Fifth Century Prayers

For Your Peace

Make Your tranquility, O Lord, to dwell amongst us, and Your peace to abide in our hearts. May our voices proclaim your truth, and may Your Cross be the guardian of our souls. Account us worthy, O Lord, with boldness which is of You, to offer unto You of Your grace a pure and holy prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

- Liturgy of the Nestorians

Intercession

Almighty God, we beseech You to hear our prayers for all who sin against You, or neglect to serve You, all who forget You, all who leave You out of their lives. O Lord, have mercy upon them; bestow upon us all true repentance and an earnest longing for Yourself. Promise, we ask You, O Lord, to strengthen and confirm all Your faithful people, and to lift up the light of Your Face upon them, giving them continually heavenly desires; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN

- An Ancient Collect

An Evening Thanksgiving

Accept, we beseech You, our evening thanksgiving, O You Fountain of all good, who has led us in safety through the length of the day; Who daily blesses us with so many temporal mercies and has given us the hope of resurrection to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN

- An Ancient Collect

For Blessing

Bless all who worship You, from the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same. Of Your goodness, give us; with Your love, inspire us, by Your spirit guide us; by Your power, protect us; in Your mercy receive us now and always. AMEN

- An Ancient Collect

For Communicants

Hear us, O merciful Father, we most humbly beseech You, and grant to all communicants of your Church this day, true repentance and living faith. And we pray that all those who shall from time to time receive Your creatures of bread and wine, according to Your Son our Savior Jesus Christ’s Holy institution, in remembrance of His Death and Passion, may be partakers of His most blessed Body and Blood; to Whom with You and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, world without end. AMEN

- An Ancient Liturgy

For Right Living

Grant to us, Lord, We ask You, the spirit to think and do always such things as be rightful; that we, who cannot do anything that is good without You, may by You be enabled to live according to Your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN

- Leonine Sacramentary

For Heavenly-Mindedness

Grant us, O Lord, not to mind earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away , to cleave to those that shall abide; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

- Leonine Sacramentary

Magnificent!

Stories to Tell

This girl has stories to tell about the protest marches in Iran!

Quote of the Day

"The budget should be balanced, the treasury should be refilled, and the public debt should be reduced. The arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed, lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance." - Cicero, 55 BC

Ain't that the truth! Are you listening, Congress and Obama??

The Crisis of Credit

Watch and be enlightened!


The Crisis of Credit Visualized from Jonathan Jarvis on Vimeo.

Las Cruces Tax Day Tea Party

Here are the details for the Las Cruces Tax Day Tea Party:

April 13 at 7:00 pm
Sign making party at Grace Covenant Church
Bring your own materials.
We will also hash out any last minute details.

April 15 TAX DAY
March begins at 4:30 pm at the Loretto Towne Centre

The March will proceed down Church Street to Johnson Park by Brannigan Library.

Rally starts at 6:00 pm at Johnson Park followed by a Taxpayer's "Bawl" with music, dancing and food.


March Rules

Stay on the sidewalks
Obey all laws
Pick up your trash, if any.
Do not react to hostile counter-protesters.

Tickets for the "po' folks" meal will be sold for $5 each.

Projected Deficit - Thanks Obama

Here is a graphic display of the projected deficit from the Washington Times. See how much debt we are taking on and how it only gets worse as time goes on!

Have you decided to participate in the Tax Day Tea Party yet? Seeing the facts so clearly makes it easy to decide!

Hat tip to Charles Johnson of Little Green Footballs!

How do you Boycott a President?

President Obama has been in office a mere 50 days now. In that time he opened the door to spending on abortion and contraception in other countries, more than doubled our national debt by signing an obscene "Stimulus Package" and agreeing to a pork laden budget, and is planning to normalize relations with Cuba. He is also planning to sign into law a bill that will force pro-life doctors, pharmacists and nurses to be involved with abortions.

Our President cannot even fill secondary level Cabinet positions, let alone the top positions until recently, and Timothy Geithner works alone and inefficiently without any deputies in this time of severe financial crisis.

Thug Boy Hugo Chavez is encouraging Obama to come down the path to Socialism, but that was Obama's political background and upbringing anyways. It seems that Obama and the Congress are rapidly dismantling our nation from a Republic to a Democratic Socialist nation.

Where does it end? I know Obama was rightfully elected in this country, and I pray for him and would rather that he do well for our country, but I am viscerally opposed to his policies and philosophies. Despite what some on the left may say, this is not a race issue - it is an issue of my core values and beliefs about my country and government. I don't believe in punishing the wealthiest among us for their thrift, hard work or even good luck. I don't believe in rewarding those who persist in living in a cycle of dependency on the Government. I don't believe in wealth redistribution. I don't believe universal health care is a good idea, having lived in Europe where health care is rationed. I don't believe a nanny Socialist government is healthy for a free people.

I have written to my senator and congressman, but their namby-pamby lockstep responses are the real conspiracy theory rather than some kook ideas. I've e-mailed the President, but will he really consider my concerns? I doubt it. The only thing that will shake those droolers up ( yes Harry Teague of New Mexico, I think you are a drooler!) is to have their precious House and Senate seats threatened. That will be up to local people like you and me and we had better get on the ball.

Another thing we can do to take action is nationwide peaceful protests. I recommend looking into one of the Tea Party groups. Here is a link for the Nationwide Tax Day Tea Party. Citizens of the nation need to join together and not sit idly by! In Chile, when protesting the oppressive regime of Pinochet, the people would cry out "A people united can never be divided." Let Americans unite against the dismantling of our Nation and Government to something the Founding Fathers never intended.

Why should I pay?

Obama has proposed a huge mortgage bailout that begs the question:

Should hardworking, faithful mortgage paying Americans pay for the bailout of mortgages of those who unwisely chose a home more expensive than they could afford?

I say "Let them lose their homes and fall on their butts financially until they get it! Bad choices have bad consequences! Time to learn personal responsibility!"

Bad choices have bad consequences? Hmmmmm......Stimulus package? Bailout of banks and the car industry? Mortgage Bailout? Delayed market correction?

America, watch out! Your leaders (Congress and the President) are making bad choices!

Another one bites the dust?

I just read that Rep. Hilda Solis' husband finally paid 16 years of outstanding taxes! Wow! And he didn't get nabbed by the IRS! Rep. Solis is nominated to be Secretary of Labor but that confirmation hearing is on hold now.

Couldn't President Obama find any decent Democrats who have paid their taxes to fill Cabinet slots? Didn't he vet his choices? What about his 'people' and his high ethical standard? Are his 'people' setting him up to fail by giving him faulty choices?

Liberals railed about the 'corrupt' Bush Administration. I'm hearing crickets from that corner of the room.

Let me end by giving a plug for the Fair Tax. IF we had implemented a Fair Tax system, President Obama could breathe easy now and have his so called hand picked cabinet just the way he wanted it!

Best Pro Life Ad EVER

I was floored when I saw this. Some will be amazed. Some will be offended. All will face the truth!

This Jerk is Still in Business?

Abu Hamza is spouting off again! This time using his broad brush to paint all Australians as hooked on Booze, Gambling and Prostitution. And this is the same guy who has the gall to say in a web sermon that it's ok for men to hit their wives and demand sex. ( I think that's called rape)

Get the LOSER stamp ready!

CHANGE is a joke on the Democratic Party

Obama campaigned on a CHANGE ticket, but we got the first inkling that he was not really dedicated to CHANGE when he chose Washington insider, Joe Biden (aka 'Loose Change'), as his vice presidential candidate.

Now that he is our President-Elect, Obama is assembling a Cabinet that is a duplicate of the Clinton Administration. Heck, he's even embraced Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State! That is going to be an interesting juxtaposition as she is mightily power hungry. Obama is not giving any concessions to those who campaigned so hard for CHANGE.

The names he has chosen for his cabinet so far are surprisingly stale, as these people have failed in various moral and legal ways in the recent past.

Hillary Clinton has her own very visible skeletons and heavy baggage with Whitewater and a litany of dodgy choices.

Tom Daschle's represents humiliating defeat in his own state because of his failure to connect with his own party and people while Senate Majority Leader.

The possible choice of Bill Richardson, who leads the worst education system in the nation - better than only Puerto Rico in most areas of government service - speaks for itself.

Eric Holder, who oversaw the egregious Clinton pardons (Need I say more?) begs the question of his values.

Rahm Emmanuel, Chief of Staff and Democratic hatchet man who sends dead fish to people who disagree with him, does not represent positive change. He's a bully.

YEAH, THAT'S THE CHANGE WE NEED!!!!

Can we destroy the Democratic Party Dream by making the same mistakes over and over? "YES, WE CAN!!"

Don't take me wrong! We have dear friends in the Democratic Party. We want to have compassion on the poor, and we believe in stewardship of the environment and alternative energy sources. We believe in 'green' jobs. We believe that working people should not have to pay $500 - 1000 per month for medical insurance - of which probably half of that is lawyer fees. We don't understand why India can sell fuel cell vehicles for $5000 (here is more information of the REVA )when the Chevy Volt base price is going to be $40,000. We don't believe that American Car companies can do much right, and they should be run by the government until responsible leadership can take over - not by those inflated childish fat cats in their Lear Jets coming to Washington to beg for money so they can produce more cars we don't need and can't afford, like the Hummer, the Escalade, the ugly Ford Flex, and the hideous crossovers as well as other SUV types.

But will Obama's 'Back to the Future" cabinet bring about CHANGE? I doubt it and the joke is on the Democrats who elected him.

Explain something to me, please!

Barack Obama, our President-Elect, campaigned on a "CHANGE" ticket.

Why in heaven's name is Obama choosing second tier Clinton personnel for his cabinet?
Why did he choose Hillary, herself, for Secretary of State? (Kind of a direct opposite of Condi Rice)

Democrats, I don't call this change. I call it more of the same old stuff.

Was this your plan?

Really?

?

Second Century Prayers

Intercession

May God the Father, and the Eternal High Priest Jesus Christ, build us up in faith and truth and love, and grant to us our portion among the saints with all those who believe on our Lord Jesus Christ. We pray for all saints, for kings and rulers, for the enemies of the Cross of Christ, and for ourselves we pray that our fruit may abound and we may be made perfect in Christ Jesus our Lord. AMEN.

-Polycarp

A Dying Prayer of Polycarp, the Martyr

O Father of Your well-beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, through whom we have known You; O God of the angels and powers and of every living creature, and of all sorts of just men which live in Your presence, I thank You that You have graciously granted this day and this hour to allot me a portion among the numbers of martyrs, among the people of Christ unto the resurrection of the everlasting life, both of body and soul, in the incorruption of the Holy Spirit; among whom I shall be received in Your sight this day, as a fruitful and acceptable sacrifice, as You have heretofore prepared, often revealed and now fulfilled, most faithful God who can not lie. Wherefore for all things, I praise You, I bless You, I glorify You, through the everlasting High Priest, Jesus Christ, Your well-beloved Son, to whom with You and the Holy Spirit, be all glory, world without end. AMEN.

-The Martyrdom of Polycarp

A Prayer for the Privilege of Martyrdom

Ask for me this only in your prayers, that strength may be given me of the Lord that I may not be called but proved to be a Christian. Then shall I be seen to be faithful when the world no longer sees me. for nothing that appears is eternal. For the things which are perceived are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. I write to the Churches and garge you all that willingly I die for Christ, if you prevent me not. I ask of you that your love for me be not untimely; allow me to be devoured of wild beasts, through whom I may attain unto God. I am the grain of God ground between the teeth of wild beasts, that I may be found to be the pure bread of Christ. Then indeed shall I be the true disciple of Christ when the world shall no longer behold my body. Beseech Christ on my behalf that through these means I may be found a perfect sacrifice. Not as Peter and Paul do I command you. They were apostles, I am the least of them: they were free, but I am a slave even unto this day, but, if you wish, I shall be the freedman of Jesus Christ, and in Him I shall rise again and be free. AMEN

-Ignatius

I am Joe

I am everyman.

I wonder what the future will hold.

I wonder if I'll be penalized for being successful.

I wonder if I should start that business that employs 10 - 100 people.

I wonder if an Obama administration will cause me to lose my profitablity.

I wonder if I will have to pay by taxes to provide for those who choose to not work.

I wonder if our great nation is going to turn Socialist.

I wonder if Obama will compromise our national defense.

I wonder about a Democratic supermajority including a Congress that has the lowest national approval rating in history.

I am Joe.

Explaining Taxes with Beer

I received this as an e-mail from a good friend of mine. It was written by David R. Kamerschen, Ph.D.Professor of Economics University of Georgia.

This is from a Professor at UGA. So naturally, it compares drinking to what we pay in taxes. It’s a good lesson on our tax system though.
===================================================================================

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for a beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100.


If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something
like this:

The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.

The fifth would pay $1.

The sixth would pay $3.

The seventh would pay $7.

The eighth would pay $12.

The ninth would pay $18.

The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.



So, that's what they decided to do. The ten men drank in the bar every day
and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them
a curve. 'Since you are all such good customers,' he said, 'I'm
going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20. 'Drinks for the ten now
cost just $80.The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes
so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But
what about the other six men – the paying customers?


How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair
share?' They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they
subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man
would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that
it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and
he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.



And so the fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).

The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).

The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).

The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).

The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).

The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).


Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.


'I only got a dollar out of the $20,' declared the sixth man.

He pointed to the tenth man,' but he got $10! ''Yeah, that's right,' exclaimed the fifth man.


'I only saved a dollar, too.. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I!


''That's true!!' shouted the seventh man.


'Why should he get $10 back when I got only two?


The wealthy get all the breaks!


''Wait a minute,' yelled the first four men in unison.
'We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!


'The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up. The next night the
tenth man (the richest) didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and
had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered
something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for
even half of the bill!

And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is how our tax
system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a
tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just
may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the
atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.



For those who understand, no explanation is needed.

For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.


David R. Kamerschen, Ph.D.Professor of Economics University of Georgia