I Agree Mostly, But...

I agree with Geert Wilders on many of the things he talks about in his interview with the Wall Street Journal. I do think that Western culture, which includes Democracy, capitalism, the rule of law and respect for others, is superior to a religiously based government that gives preferential treatment to individuals who are of a particular sect or faith. This is one of the reasons we have so many Europeans in the Americas in the first place.

The evidence for the assertions that Western culture is superior can be seen in where people go when they immigrate from their home countries. If dictatorships, socialism or Islamic rule was so much better, people in the US would be fleeing South of the border, jumping on ships to travel to Russia or China, or hi-jacking planes and demanding to be taken to Tehran, Cairo or Baghdad. However, the opposite of this is true.

However, the sticking point in all of this is how to get people to assimilate to OUR culture. This is hard because one of the main reasons our culture is so successful is we assimilate a lot from other cultures. Our governmental organization is Greek, our Courts are English, our language uses a smattering of many other tongues, including Spanish and French, our scientists are German, Jewish, Indian, Chinese and many other nationalities. All of this has been worked together over 200 years to develop the nation we have now.

I think there is one common thing that all of these contributions to our culture have in common. They all WORK. Every single one of these contributions supports the others.

Now, how would all of this work if we start kow-towing to one particular point of view? The answer is simple; it will break. Geerts tells people, "You have to give up that book." I don't think we should go that far, but I do think you shouldn't push your book in my face in my country. If you don't like it, go home.

What's Wrong With This Picture?

Jim Hopkins has a blog. Nothing new in this. Jim wants to make money on his blog by charging for subscriptions and through ad revenues. Nothing wrong there. However, I think Jim's blog is struggling (according to reports) because of the industry, and more importantly the audience, he's trying to address.

Jim is using the internet to talk to people who seem to hold the internet, and blogging in particular, in ill regard (4th paragraph down). I am speaking of members of the main stream media, specifically print media. There is good reason for the troubles between print and blogs. Where as one is receding, the other is just coming into it's own. This gap will continue to widen.

So, Jim is trying to convince a hold out group of print writers that they should a) read his online blog and b) pay for it. Sounds like a tough sell.

If he rally wants to make money on his blog, he should look more at expanding his reach and doing a bit more marketing... like, say, giving an interview with a link back to his site.

Today I Give Thanks...

that I have a wonderful family, a good job and enough where-with-all to pay my bills and buy fun stuff.

I also know where my blessings come from. I believe in a Creator and know that he wants to bless us. Everything we have if from Him.

Please give thanks for your blessings today, even the breath in our lungs and the health of our bodies are blessings.

We Need More Good News Like This

Lest we forget Afghanistan because of our Iraqi involvement, things are still pretty hot in the erst-while land of the Taliban. This article points to our troops still fighting the good fight. Pretty freakin' awesome that 30 of our guys are worth at least 250 of theirs.

A couple of things to remember.

1) We're in Afghanistan because this is where AQ decided to camp out and train. We didn't want to be there. Our hand was forced by a government that supported those who made war on America and attacked us, unprovoked.

2) The Marines consistently demonstrate the importance of a highly trained, highly MOTIVATED force and what can be accomplished by such people. This is what America needs more of, motivated individuals who want to make the world safer for those who would attack innocent people in their homes and offices.

Never Forget, September 11th happened because Osama bin Laden thought America was a "paper tiger" that would never fight back. Now, with victory in Iraq, we can go back and finish the job in Afghanistan (if this President doesn't make the same mistake that led bin Laden to think America was a push over in the first place).

Protect My Rights... ALL OF THEM!!

Holy cow! Can you believe the audacity of the president elect's administration, including this question in their job application packet? As was correctly pointed out on another website, this is discriminating against people who chose to exercise one of their rights.

Now remember, this is the same gentleman who wouldn't change gun laws (bottom of the page) to ensure people defending themselves in their homes were not charged with a crime. He is supported by a Vice President who helped write the Assault Weapons Ban, some of the most illogical rules about gun restrictions based on the appearance of the weapon.

I hope the NRA keeps up their pressure on Obama, because if they don't we may see our legal, individual right to own a gun taken away from us.

Real, Sound Business Statements

Wow!



Romney hits the nail on the head. Bankruptcy is not the end of the world. Instead, it is a chance for businesses to restructure and be "competitive long term" against foreign auto makers. Without the chance to restructure, we're simply putting off the time when the automakers will HAVE to go bankrupt and restructure.

The alternative to bankruptcy is for these private companies to be given public funds. Now, we can see how well they are stewards of their own money. They feel it's appropriate in these hard times to continue using their money for transportation costs that, frankly, are not necessary. This is not fiscal responsibility.

I say make the big three be responsible for their decisions. Let it be now.

Hat tip to Hot Air for the video.

Accelerated College Entry? Not a Good Idea.

Okay, so according to Time Magazine, kids should be ready to go to college by 16 years old (thanks to the Last Psychiatrist for the link). My answer is, "Are you crazy or just not in touch with reality?"

Let me get this straight, a state that has special requirements on allowing teens under 18 to drive is considering putting them in charge of their lives at an earlier age? This doesn't make sense from a logic stand point. I mean, if you can't trust them on the road to make good decisions, how can you expect them to decide THE REST OF THEIR LIVES at age 16? And make no mistake, choosing to go to a college at age 16 will affect the rest of their life.

In the article, they keep talking about trying to emulate European and Asian countries. This would be fine, except for the fact that many Europeans and Asians want to come to our universities because we have the best universities in the world. Why weaken our universities with an unprepared populace, when instead we should be talking about how to address the concerns that cause students to "slide through high school."

We should be working to make high school challenging for everyone.