A Review of John Adams

I have owned the hard copy of David McCullough's book, John Adams for quite a few years but just hadn't gotten around to reading it. So recently, I have been listening to it on Cd. As always, McCullough does an excellent job.

I enjoyed learning about Adams and the key role he played in the founding of our nation. I was also fascinated by his relationship with his wife, his children, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Rush. I didn't realize that Adams and Jefferson started out as close friends, then became fierce, political rivals and then became friends again towards the end of their lives. I did remember that they both died on the same day, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Benjamin Rush's name came up quite a bit and he was the one responsible for re-kindling Adams and Jefferson's friendship. I have a book on Rush that I've been wanting to read and hearing about him in this book, makes me even more motivated to read it.

Adams ended up being separated from Abigail so often that they wrote endless letters to each other. Abigail loved and adored her husband and found the separations difficult, but was willing to sacrifice for her country. I have studied the presidents' wives, but not extensively. Yet, so far, if I had to pick a favorite I always come back to Abigail Adams. She was a strong woman and her husband so admired her that he went to her for advice.

Adams was also a good father who cared for his children. He took son, John Quincy with him on many of his trips which ended up making John Quincy more than qualified to be in public service later on in his life. John Quincy Adams didn't become president later on in life just because he was John Adams' son but because he had come by his experience and wisdom in his own right.

I highly recommend this book and any other history book written by David McCullough.

Book rating--8 out of 10 stars


Previous Book Reviews:
1776
My Grandfather's Son
Stephen Mansfield's Books
Stori Telling

Conservatism with Heart!!

LIVE TODAY at 9:00-10:00 am CST!! To listen, go here!!

Today's show is dedicated to the legacy of Tony Snow. The theme will be optimism, hope and humor!!

Some of the articles and topics I will be discussing:

--Maintaining Optimism in Judgment of History
--How Obama could lose and McCain could win
--My Friend's Optimism Brightened This World
--A David in Pennsylvania is Challenging Goliath
--She'd be an adventurous, compassionate first lady
--Legacy of Life Lessons
--As Jefferson hoped, Declaration still sacred
--Where To Send Wishes to the Snow Family
--And more.....

To be a part of the show, call in, toll-free 1-877-864-4869!!

To listen to podcasts of my previous shows, go here!

Your Grace is Enough!

Your Grace is Enough
sung by Chris Tomlin

Great is Your faithfulness oh God
You wrestle with the sinner's heart
You lead us by still waters and to mercy
And nothing can keep us apart

So remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise
Oh God

Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me

For the rest of the lyrics, go here!

Friday Smorgasbord

1) I've been teaching the 2nd Graders in Vacation Bible School this week at our Church. This is why I've been light on the blogging. I went straight from getting back into town to teaching VBS and so I'm a little on the sleep deprived side. After today, my goal is to get caught up on sleep and get my act together before I commit to anything else.

2) I can't imagine why I've never been a David Letterman fan!! This latest stunt of his is just beyond the pale.

3) On August 1st, Rush will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of his radio show!

4) Obama is having a tough time reconciling the fact that he predicted the surge wouldn't work with the blatant truth that it is working, and has been for some time. Even the Drive By Media is reluctantly being forced to admit it.

John McCain's Latest Ad on Gas Prices!

During a previous post some of us had a discussion about John McCain and the issue of gas prices. We said that if he didn't run on drilling here in the U.S. as a campaign issue he would have no one to blame but himself for losing. Why? The majority of Americans say they want to drill here.

So I was very pleased when I came across this ad by McCain on Mike's blog. I will give McCain some praise today while he deserves it. The buzz right now is that McCain is getting ready to announce his choice for VP. I hope to be pleasantly surprised but I expect him to pick someone that I will be less than thrilled with. I would love to have J.C. Watts or Governor Sarah Palin. There are some others that would be good, another set that would be tolerable and then there would be those like Huckabee and Lieberman that would send me out to orbit.

Right now, the rumor is that Pawlenty and Romney are at the top of the list. I have no way of knowing if those two are even on McCain's short list but I'm not ecstatic about moderate Pawlenty at all. As for Romney, he would be better than a lot of others but I fear that he carries too much baggage. We shall see!

Special Edition of Conservatism With Heart: In Memory of Tony Snow!

LIVE TODAY at 9:00-10:00 am CST!! To listen, go here!!

Tony Snow was a man who was larger than life and whose contribution to the world and the Conservative movement cannot be measured. He enriched, touched and changed countless lives.

Today, I will look at just a small portion of his life and the contributions he made. Feel free to call in with your favorite memory of Tony and/or a way in which he inspired or made a difference in your life:

--A Man Who Walked the Walk
--Cancer's Unexpected Blessings
--Tony Snow: A Tribute
--Tony Snow: Writer, father, friend
--Tony Snow: A real man
--Tony Snow, Former White House Press Secretary and FOX News Anchor, Dies at 53
--Flopping Aces--Tony Snow Links
--My Tony Snow Links
--And more.....

To be a part of the show, call in, toll-free 1-877-864-4869!!

To listen to podcasts of my previous shows, go here!

My Book List So Far...Part 5

I am so glad my friend encouraged me to join her book group this year. Their goal is to read 50 books a year. For me, that was a huge long shot since my reading had majorly slowed down since starting the blog and other activities. I also used to listen to a lot of books on tape but had gotten out of that habit as well.

All of that to say, I've been able to get back into both the habit of reading and listening to books on Cd in a bigger way than before. One of the biggest things is to allow myself to read lighter books as well as my serious history and political ones too. Before, I would get bogged down in a history or political book and just not read at all.

During my trip, I had some time to read since I had very little computer access. I read Janet Evanovich's latest Stephanie Plum book. I finally finished my Lincoln book, which I would highly recommend. I also read a book on the Elizabeth Smart case and a book about missionaries on the Amazon River whose plane was shot down because they were accidentally thought to be a drug plane.

Right now, I am reading Elizabeth Gaskell's novel, North and South. I talked about watching the movie awhile back and have since re-watched it numerous times. It is a wonderful story, very much along the lines of Jane Austen. Gaskell like Austen is a little hard to dive into at first but I am now into it and enjoying it.

Now, I just have to find the time to do all the book reviews ;-)!!

Below, I have updated my list. The titles in blue are the ones that I've read since the last post.

Here are the books that I have read and/or listened to on Cd so far:

1) The Faith of the American Soldier--Stephen Mansfield
2) My Grandfather's Son--Clarence Thomas
3) A Patriot's Handbook (CD)--Caroline Kennedy
4) 1776 (CD)--David McCullough
5) One for the Money--Janet Evanovich
6) Two for the Dough--Janet Evanovich
7) Three to get Deadly--Janet Evanovich
8) Four to Score--Janet Evanovich
9) High Five--Janet Evanovich
10) Hot Six--Janet Evanovich
11) Seven Up--Janet Evanovich
12) Hard Eight--Janet Evanovich
13) To the Nines--Janet Evanovich
14) Ten Big Ones--Janet Evanovich
15) Eleven On Top--Janet Evanovich
16) Visions of Sugar Plums--Janet Evanovich
17) Bonhoeffer: The Cost of Freedom (CD)
18) Twelve Sharp--Janet Evanovich
19) Lean Mean Thirteen--Janet Evanovich
20) Plum Lovin'--Janet Evanovich
21) Facing Terror--Carrie McDonnall (CD)
22) The Spiritual Heritage of the U.S. Capitol--David Barton (CD)
23) The Faith of George W. Bush--Stephen Mansfield (CD)
24) Danger in the Shadows--Dee Henderson (CD)
25) T is for Trespass--Sue Grafton
26) Plum Lucky--Janet Evanovich
27) Then Sings My Soul--Robert J. Morgan
28) The Negotiator--Dee Henderson (CD)
29) Wings of Silver--Jo Petty
30) Moments From America's History--David Barton (CD)
31) The Spirit of the American Revolution--David Barton (CD)
32) Stori Telling--Tori Spelling
33) First World War--Ruth Brocklehurst & Henry Brook
34) Mistaken Identity--VanRyn, Cerak & Mark Tabb
35) Mornings on Horseback--David McCullough (Cd)
36) Fearless Fourteen--Janet Evanovich
37) If God Should Choose--Kristen Stagg
38) Come Thirsty--Max Lucado
39) Lincoln, A Photobiography--Russell Freedman
40) Bringing Elizabeth Home--Ed & Lois Smart w/Laura Morton

Previously:
Book List 1
Book List 2
Book List 3
Book List 4

Links:
50 Book List

Back From Canada!

Before commenting on my trip, I just have to say that I am still reeling over the death of Tony Snow. We were traveling back from Canada to Michigan on Saturday and I hadn't heard any news so I didn't find out until Saturday night. I had heard during the McClellan debacle that Tony Snow wasn't doing well but it was still a big blow that I wasn't prepared for.

My parents had DVRed all the Memorial shows done on Fox about him on Saturday and tears just streamed down my face as we watched them. Snow was larger than life and he just exuded optimism and humor and its just so hard to comprehend that he's gone. I haven't felt such a loss over someone in the public eye since Reagan, yet Reagan got to live 40 more years than Snow. My heart just aches for Snow's wife and kids to lose him when they are so young.

Tony Snow's faith, optimism, humor and political wit and wisdom will be greatly missed. Our loss is heaven's gain, yet his death will leave an incredible void here. In the above video you see how he touched so many people's lives by just caring like he did for Brett Baier's son. That was the kind of man he was and there aren't many like him. As Roger Ailes said, when you look character up in the dictionary you will find Tony Snow.

I am so glad Mike was able to do some good posts on him in my absence. I will do a comprehensive post on him too and I will dedicate a big part of my radio show to remembering him this coming Monday!!
-----------------------------------------
Well, its been a crazy 3 weeks but I'm glad to be back. I've been to Michigan and Canada and back to KC! I went to Montreal, Quebec on a Missions Trip. Before and after I spent some time with my parents in Michigan since they live on the way and they watched 2 of my kids while we were in Quebec.

I was exposed to a lot of French since most people who live in Montreal are bi-lingual and speak both French and English. I did a lot of driving and managed to avoid getting lost, and/or get pulled over for any driving infractions ;-). Anyone that knows me knows that this is a big deal. I am "directionally challenged" so I was a little concerned about driving in another country, but having a GPS is a marvelous thing. I love Garmin :-)!!

I was a "support person" on this trip which was a new role for me. I enjoyed seeing God work in others lives and being a part of His ministry from a different perspective.

Many thanks to Mike, Steve and Rebecca for blog sitting for me while I was gone.

Tony Snow's Funeral

Pallbearers, including Tony's son Robbie, carry former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow's remains out of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception followed by his wife, Jill (in blue), and their two daughters after his funeral July 17, 2008 in Washington, DC. U.S. President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush attended the funeral for Snow, who died July 12 after a long battle with colon cancer. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Remarks of President Bush at Snow Funeral
White House transcript
July 17, 2008

THE PRESIDENT: Archbishop Wuerl, Father O'Connell, Mr. Vice President, members of the Cabinet and my administration, members of Congress, distinguished guests; most importantly, the Snow family, Jill, Robbie, Kendall, Kristi and Jim, and other family members; former colleagues of Tony. Laura and I are privileged to join you today to pay our final respects to a cherished friend.

Tony Snow was a man of uncommon decency and compassion. He was a devoted husband, a proud and loving father, an adoring son, a beloved colleague, and a wonderful role model and friend.

In a life that was far too brief, he amassed a rare record of accomplishment. He applied his gifted mind to many fields: as a columnist, newspaper editor, TV anchor, radio host, and musician. He had the sometimes challenging distinction of working for two Presidents named Bush. As a speechwriter in my Dad's administration, Tony tried to translate the President's policies into English. (Laughter.) As a spokesman in my administration, Tony tried to translate my English into English. (Laughter.)

Tony always gave me good and candid advice. He was a man of profound substance who loved ideas, held strong beliefs, and reveled in defending them. He took very seriously his duty to inform the public about what its government was doing during historic times for our nation.

In the White House briefing room, Tony worked to build a relationship of candor and trust with the press corps. On his first day at the podium, he told the gathered reporters this: "One of the reasons I took this job is not only because I believe in the President, but because, believe it or not, I want to work with you." Tony was the first working journalist to serve as the White House Press Secretary for nearly 30 years. He knew the job of a reporter was rigorous. He admired the profession -- and always treated it with respect. And the presence of so many members of the Fourth Estate here today attests to the admiration and respect that he earned.

Of course, Tony's adjustment from commentator to spokesman was not seamless. Ann Compton of ABC recently recalled that when you asked Tony a question, he would sometimes get going, and she would have to stop him and say: "Tony, wait, I asked what the President thought." (Laughter.)

Tony brought a fierce and challenging intellect to his duties. And he displayed an engaging wit. When a reporter asked a rather labored question about Congress, Tony did not answer it. The persistent reporter pressed him: "Are you going to just evade that question?" With a smile, Tony quipped: "No, I'm going to laugh at it." (Laughter.)

I believe the reason Tony was so good at his job is that he looked at the world in a joyful way. He was a proud patriot who believed in America's goodness, and an optimist who knew America's possibilities. He believed strongly in the wisdom of the American people. And throughout his career, he took a special pride in being a vigorous and unapologetic defender of our men and women in uniform. He supported their missions, saw honor in their achievements, and found every possible opportunity to highlight their character and courage.

Tony Snow, the professional, is a hard act to follow. Tony Snow, the man, is simply irreplaceable. Everyone who worked with him quickly grew to love him. We will always remember his wry sense of humor and abundant goodness. We'll also remember he was just a lot of fun. After all, he played six different musical instruments and was a proud member of a band called Beats Working. He may be one of the few people in history to have jammed on the South Lawn of the White House and with Jethro Tull. (Laughter.)

We remember Tony's thoughtfulness. No matter how busy he was, this was a man who put others first. He would go out of his way to ask about people's families. He would check in with friends whenever he heard they were ill. He'd reach out to others, sometimes strangers, who were struggling with cancer. Even when he was going through difficult chemotherapy sessions, he sent inspirational e-mails to a friend whose son was suffering from a serious illness.

We remember Tony's resilient spirit. When he received a second diagnosis of cancer, he did not turn to despair. He saw it as another challenge to tackle. He found comfort in the prayers he received from millions of Americans. As he told the graduates here at Catholic University last year, "Never underestimate the power of other people's love and prayer. They have incredible power. It's as if I've been carried on the shoulders of an entire army. And they made me weightless."

Most of all, we remember Tony's love of his family. There was no doubt for Tony Snow that his family was first. When Jill reached a milestone birthday, Tony had a huge celebration. He later said that he and Jill danced that night as if they were teenagers. He said he was the most fortunate man in the world to have shared love like that. So, today, Jill, our hearts are with you, and we thank you for giving Tony such a special life.

For Robbie, Kendall, and Kristi, you are in our thoughts and prayers, as well. We thank you for sharing your dad with us. He talked about you all the time. He wanted nothing more than your happiness and success. You know, I used to call Tony on the weekends to get his advice. And invariably, I found him with you on the soccer field, or at a swim meet, or helping with your homework. He loved you a lot. Today I hope you know that we loved him a lot, too.

I know it's hard to make sense of today. It is impossible to fully comprehend why such a good and vital man was taken from us so soon. But these are the great mysteries of life -- and Tony knew as well as anyone that they're not ours to unveil.

The day Tony was born was also the day that many of his fellow Catholics pay tribute to Saint Justin. Justin was also a gifted thinker and writer, and a powerful witness for the Christian faith. Because of his beliefs, he suffered many times of trial, and in the year 165 A.D. he was arrested. Before he received a sentence of death, he was asked: "If you are killed, do you suppose you will go to heaven?" Justin replied: "I do not suppose it, but I know and am fully persuaded of it."

Tony Snow knew that, as well. That brought him great peace. When talking about the struggle he waged so admirably, he said that no matter how bad times may sometimes seem, "God doesn't promise tomorrow, he does promise eternity."

And so today we send this man of faith and character and joy on his final journey. Tony Snow has left the City of Washington for the City of God. May he find eternal rest in the arms of his Savior. And may the Author of all creation watch over his family and all those who loved him, admired him, and will always cherish his memory.

An urn carrying the ashes of former White House spokesman Tony Snow is ushered from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, July 17, 2008 after his funeral. AFP PHOTO/Jim WATSON

Israel Swaps Terrorist Monster for Dead Soldiers

Israel's willingness to trade live terrorists for dead soldiers means they will have more dead soldiers and dead civilians!

On Wednesday, Israel released five terrorists held prisoner for the bodies of two dead soldiers, Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser. The two soldiers were kidnapped in a cross border raid into Israel by Hezbollah that sparked the war in July 2006 that also included Hezbollah rockets raining down on civilians in Israel. The bodies of the two soldiers were held hostage for the release of Samir Kuntar, held in Israeli prison since 1979 after being convicted for murdering three Israeli citizens, including a young girl.

Israel releases child killing monster

Samir Kuntar illegally crossed into Israel from Lebanon by boat with a group of three other Palestinanin Liberation Front fighters on April 22, 1979. Once onshore in the coastal town of Nahariya, they murdered a policeman, then broke into the apartment of the Haran family where they took father Danny Haran and 4 year old daughter Einat hostage. The mother Smadar Haran, was able to hide in a crawl space above the bedroom with her two year-old daughter Yael, and a neighbor. Yael was accidentally smothered to death by her mother who held her hand over her mouth to keep her from crying out.

Danny and Einat were taken to the beach where eyewitnesses reported he was shot in front of 4 year old Einat and drowned in the sea by Kuntar who then took Einat and bashed her head upon the rocks until she was dead.

Kuntar's murderous rampage made him an instant celebrity among the terrorists of Lebanon. The PLO mastermind Abu Abas, who U.S. forces found in Iraq in 2003, set up the attack on the cruise ship Achille Lauro, where U.S. citizen Leon Klinghoffer was pushed overboard in his wheel chair. One demand from the hijackers of the Achille Lauro was the release of Kuntar and other Lebanese prisoners held by Israel.

Hezbollah used other murderous methods to gain release of Kuntar leading up to the war they unleashed on Israel in 2006. Countless scores of people, including many Lebanese civilians have died to serve the cause of this monster.

Hezbollah Celebrates "Victory"

Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah cam out of hiding today to hail the release of Kuntar in a public celebration.

But aside from the long overdue funerals for Israeli soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev there will be no celebrations in Israel.

And neither will be no birthdays or weddings to celebrate for 4 year old Einat. No justice for her at all.

One thing is certain: Hezbollah has learned they can continue to perpetrate these crimes with impunity and that Israel will eventually buckle and return even the most psychotic killer so he may plot again.

There will be more stories like that of 4 year old Einat as a result of this travesty!

Find More Use Less

President Bush and Republican leaders speaking with one voice on energy!

Continuing a campaign to focus national attention on America's needs to develop new energy supplies President Bush stood at the White House podium on Tuesday to repeat his message to Congress that needs to act now to increase the supply of domestic oil by permitting offshore drilling, exploration of ANWR in Alaska and oil shale development.

Today's press conference was a follow-on to his announcement on Monday that he was lifting the executive ban on increased offshore drilling and he called on Congress to do the same.

President Bush has been demanding attention to the energy issue since the first days of his Administration (photo chronicle of his efforts to highlight alternative fuels is here). And yet, every year, the only action from Democrats in Congress has been to use the issue as a political football or to use it to raise taxes, not increase energy supplies.

Are Democrats Listening to The American People?

In June we learned from Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole (R) what aggressive measures House Republicans were taking to address the issue and how that effort has been obstructed by Democrats. There was hope that after House Democrats got an earful on high gas prices from their constituents they would be willing to be more flexible on the issue after returning from their break. Unfortunately, House Speaker Pelosi announced that rather than even permit a discussion on more oil drilling, no energy bill would be brought to a vote.

Up to now, Democrat attention to the energy issue can be summed up by this quote of a Democrat congressional aide:"Right now, our strategy on gas prices is ‘Drive small cars and wait for the wind.’"

Meanwhile, Senate Republicans are not sitting still. U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell introduced the Gas Price Reduction Act of 2008 on June 26, 2008 with 43 GOP Senators as co-sponsors. The legislation is a compromise designed to attract Democrat votes as it omits drilling in Alaska's ANWR.

Key points of the legislation:

• Remove the ban on offshore drilling 50 miles beyond the shore except on the Florida Gulf coast where drilling is still banned.
• Remove the moratorium on development of oil shales in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming.
• Foster development of "plug in" electric cars and trucks.
• Tighten regulation of commodities markets.

10 Democrat Senators have recently been quoted suggesting that drilling for new oil may be necessary. And it's not hard to understand why they would change on this issue. Polls show an overwhelming majority of Americans favor drilling for new domestic oil supplies. And the following Democrat Senators are up for re-election this year:

Mark Pryor of Arkansas
Joe Biden of Delaware
Dick Durbin of Illinois
Tom Harkin of Iowa
Mary Landrieu of Louisiana
John Kerry of Massachusetts
Carl Levin of Michigan
Max Baucus of Montana
Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey
Jack Reed of Rhode Island
Tim Johnson of South Dakota
Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia

Voters in those states should waste no time contacting BOTH their senators and demanding they support the legislation.

Is Senate Leader Reid Listening?

Response from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has been typical. Once again he trotted out the flawed talking point that oil companies already have permission to drill in areas where no oil is likely to be found. But, he also reiterated that Democrats were not opposed to finding new domestic supplies of oil, so it seems he should endorse allowing oil companies to drill where they feel oil is more likely to be found.

Reid also repeated a desire for more wind power. While Democrats criticize drilling as an immediate solution (ignoring the psychology of the market to do so) Reid and friends seem oblivious to the fact that energy solutions from alternatives like wind power will take years and years longer than drilling.

If only we could harness the wind power coming from Democrats on this issue all our energy problems would be solved!

Oil falls below $139..

Rivka flash: "Oil Sinks Below $139.00"!!

But of course we mustn't forget what plays a huge part in driving the price up: Worry and fear over what Iran may or may not do. So watch for Iran to do something like set up another phony missile launch or some other dumb thing to cause us to freak and the price of oil to go back up.

Nevertheless it is good news especially if commodity investors sell their oil contracts to cut their losses and once it drops to a certain level it could be an uncontrollable thing and could drop dramatically. I could be wrong because I am not knowledgeable regarding every aspect of how this works, but if it happens and it goes down, it could drop faster than it ever has historically due to the commodity market stop loss. But hey, then again who knows what will happen.

Why Tony Snow Fought So Hard to Beat Cancer

Curt at Flopping Aces put together a set of links to video of his favorite Tony Snow moments. It got me thinking of some other great Tony Snow clips and in the process of looking for those, I stumbled on this interview Tony did with NBC's David Gregory on how he was battling his cancer. Put aside your disgust with David Gregory for a moment. Tony Snow clearly did, but that was the kind of man he was. Half way through the interview (2min-10sec)Tony describes why he fought the disease so long and so hard:

Tony wasn't able to keep that promise he made to his son. But as he said "It's great to love people this much."

It is great to have such love. But today it is bittersweet and reminds me of the old German hymn In Dir Ist Freude: "In thee is gladness, among the sadness."

Good Bye Tony Snow

A sad day...

Tony Snow (June 1, 1955 – July 12, 2008)

President and Mrs. Bush Saddened by Death of Tony Snow

Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of our dear friend, Tony Snow. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Jill, and their children, Kendall, Robbie, and Kristi. The Snow family has lost a beloved husband and father. And America has lost a devoted public servant and a man of character.

Tony was one of our Nation's finest writers and commentators. He earned a loyal following with incisive radio and television broadcasts. He was a gifted speechwriter who served in my father's Administration. And I was thrilled when he agreed to return to the White House to serve as my Press Secretary. It was a joy to watch Tony at the podium each day. He brought wit, grace, and a great love of country to his work. His colleagues will cherish memories of his energetic personality and relentless good humor.

All of us here at the White House will miss Tony, as will the millions of Americans he inspired with his brave struggle against cancer. One of the things that sustained Tony Snow was his faith - and Laura and I join people across our country in praying that this good man has now found comfort in the arms of his Creator.

Remembering Tony

It is a sad day. Made all the more so that the man we mourn was so filled with good cheer and humor. Looking back at photos of his life in the White House and before I was reminded that Tony smiled so easily and communicated such great and genuine personal warmth to all of us.

Whether it was his first press briefing on May 16, 2006 above, or his last briefing on September 12, 2007 below, Tony never lost that smile or his sense of humor.

He dealt with the press in a way that was so natural and genuine, even they couldn't help but like the guy.

20 months ago: White House press secretary Tony Snow fields questions during a briefing in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2006. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

And it was clear he enjoyed working in the White House

25 months ago: White House Press Secretary Tony Snow reacts while walking outside the Oval Office prior to a Rose Garden announcement where Goldman Sachs CEO Henry Paulson was nominated to be the next U.S. Treasury Secretary May 30, 2006. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

It's also clear that President Bush had great admiration for Tony:

14 months ago: US President George W. Bush (R) pats White House Spokesman Tony Snow on the back as he is welcomed to the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner 22 April 2007 in Washington, DC. Snow who was recovering from surgery, has been absent from the White House since being diagnosed with cancer

10 months ago: U.S. President George W. Bush (L) puts his arm around White House Press Secretary Tony Snow as they return from an event at the Quantico Marine Base on the south lawn of the White House in Washington, September 14, 2007. Friday was Snow's last day on the job at the White House before returning to private life.

Karl Rove is often seen laughing at one of Tony's quips. It's clear that the two became good friends:

25 months ago: WASHINGTON - JUNE 14: White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove (L) and Press Secretary Tony Snow pat each other on the back after a press conference with US President George W. Bush in the Rose Garden at the White House June 14, 2006 in Washington, DC.

12 months ago: White House Press Secretary Tony Snow plays the flute as he performs with his band "Beats Work" during the Congressional Picnic 19 June 2007 on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC

Tony was only 53. He leaves behind his wife Jill and three children.

Goodbye Tony. We'll Miss You!

Tony Snow~ Dead at 53

Our condolences and prayers go out to the Snow family and all those at the Fox News Network.

Tony Snow, the former White House press secretary and conservative pundit who bedeviled the press corps and charmed millions as a FOX News television and radio host, died Saturday after a long bout with cancer. He was 53. (link)

Tony Snow was a great man with a sensitive and generous spirit. He excelled at everything he did and I enjoyed listening to him on the radio and was thrilled when he was hired as the White House Press Secretary.

I was hoping his life would last longer but his appointed time came sooner than we thought. We love and will certainly miss Tony Snow.

What is Iran Doing?

Could it be that Iran's missile test last week was nothing but a huge fraud? In Dee's comment section, one of you asked "why"? Why would they fake two of the four missile launches. Just to make them look scarier? Perhaps so, but could that be the only reason they did it?

I guessed the whole thing could be a fraud and perhaps none of it is real. Looks like I could have been right. It seems they may have only launched one missile that was older and out of production, but the great question comes into play again, WHY?

Soon after Iran faked their big scary missile launch, there were reports that Israel was practicing war drills at U.S. bases in Iraq for a possible attack against Iran. Now they are saying those reports may have come from Iran. Seems fishy to me.

What happened after Iran tested their old missile? OIL PRICES WENT UP! This begs the question as to what Iran is doing. Are they playing games with us to prove to other countries or to others within their own country that we won't go after them because oil prices will skyrocket? Are they simply dumb to think Israel and America will just jump into war with them based on news reports? I think they know we check things out first. I think it is because they want the world to think that we are a lame duck because of the oil crisis and that they are in a good position right now. They are also having a great time observing how much power over oil prices they have.

I think Iran and all of our enemies are privy to the fact that the liberals have put us in a hole regarding oil and war.

Due to the many years of this incessant, ignorant desire to save the caribou and ban drilling on our own territory we have arrived in the year 2008 unprepared to take on the oil crisis. On top of that the liberals and the drive by's have made America look weak by telling our enemies that Bush is a war mongering idiot for going into Iraq and that we are more concerned with what other countries think about us than our own survival. The liberals have done the enemies work of making us, the superpower, look weak.

Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, Syria and other enemy countries are watching very closely and are planning as they see the liberal-socialist movement growing within our country. They have observed how it has weakened us and are waiting to see if it will bring us to the point where they can make their move.

Dee Still on Vacation

I know you are all homesick for Dee, so here is a Calvin and Hobbes cartoon to cheer you up:



She'll be back soon!

"Black Hole", "Angel Food Cake" and "Devil's Food Cake" are Racist Terms!

Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price

Here you go folks, yes this is real. This person is not only walking around on the streets, but he is a Texas county official and he is out of his mind:

"Texas County Official Sees Race in Term 'Black Hole'"- as in the black holes in space but it doesn't end there! Apparently the term "Angel Food Cake" and "Devil's Food Cake" are racist as well. Why? Because an Angel food cake is white and a Devil's food cake is black. (Full story here)

Eventually the word "black" will be wrong to say so we will have to change the name of the color "black" to something else and anything that is the color black that has a negative connotation attached to it will have to be changed as well.

Recent Iran Missile Photo Faked!

In the four-missile version of the image released Wednesday by Sepah News, the media arm of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, two major sections (encircled in red) appear to closely replicate other sections (encircled in orange). (Illustration by The New York Times; photo via Agence France-Presse)

Updated, 9:33 a.m., Agence France-Presse has retracted the image as
“apparently digitally altered.”

As news spread across the world of Iran’s provocative missile tests, so did an image of four missiles heading skyward in unison. Unfortunately, it appeared to contain one too many missiles, a point that had not emerged before the photo appeared on the front pages of The Los Angeles Times, The Financial Times, The Chicago Tribune and several other newspapers as well as on BBC News, MSNBC, Yahoo! News, NYTimes.com and many other major news Web sites. (source)

This cracks me up and makes me wonder how tough Iran really is. Don't get me wrong, I think they are a force to be reckoned with and need to be dealt with soon but it is pretty idiotic of them to think we wouldn't catch this.

NFL Player Saves Life

Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez of the Kansas City Chiefs saved a man from choking to death at a restaurant in Huntington Beach, California last Thursday night.

Apparently the man's girlfriend was screaming that he was choking and the patrons in the restaurant were gawking and did nothing as the man began to turn blue. Tony Gonzales got up and did the Heimlich on him and the piece of meat that was stuck in the man's throat came out.

It is uplifting to hear something good about a professional athlete for a change. Especially an athlete playing on my home town team!

Democrats Run Out of Gas for Energy Bill

So much for doing the people's business!

Energy bill out of gas
By Jared Allen and Mike Soraghan
The Hill
07/07/08

House Democrats are in a bind on the focal point of their energy plan.

Worried that a floor vote on any energy-related measure would trigger a Republican-forced vote on domestic drilling, the leadership has scrubbed the floor schedule of the energy legislation that it vowed to tackle after the Fourth of July recess.
...
Republicans pounced, saying Democrats were backtracking after realizing they would be unable to defeat a Republican vote on increased domestic oil drilling in new areas.

“It’s panic time for Democrats,” said a senior Republican aide. “They are on the wrong side of three-quarters of the American people who support increased production of American-made energy.”
...
“If we could send deepwater drilling over, it would pass the Senate,” said a Republican leadership aide, highlighting just how much an energy vote could backfire on Democrats.

A senior Democratic leadership aide acknowledged this week that there are plenty of members of the majority caucus “who want to drill and want to drill where Republicans want to drill.”
...
Further complicating matters for Democrats is the growing number of pro-drilling Democrats who are becoming increasingly worried that voters might throw them in with their anti-drilling leadership.

One pro-drilling Democrat predicted that the backlash against Congress for gas prices could rival the outrage voters felt about the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal.

Another, Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-La.), is frustrated at not being listened to.

“My concern with my leadership is that they’re not letting all the people in the room to present the facts,” said Melancon, a proponent of more offshore drilling. “Where are all the pro-oil legislators? I’m not in the room. I don’t know who is. My feeling is we are not being all-inclusive to pass legislation that can get through the Senate and avoid a veto.”

For now, though, there will be no legislation to pass, as the only energy-related action this week will occur at the committee level.

If there was any doubt that Democrats would do ANYTHING to stop further oil drilling, this lastest action by Pelosi puts it to rest. Democrats have stood in the way of increasing oil supplies for decades.

Reader assignment: Write a short script (less than one minute) for the video you would like to produce using this as a campaign advertisement. Feel free to include links to any graphics that would be part of your ad.

Oil Down In Past Two Days

Oil has gone down more than $8.00 in 2 days!

Of course they are saying it is only a temporary correction but then again no one knows the future.

It is a curious thing to see that this isn't under the big red light at Drudge and I still haven't heard anything about it on the news.

Regardless of whether this means it is coming down for the long haul or the short term I still say they could ease the burden by either eliminating or toning down the gas tax for starts.

Iraq - A Huge Success After All

"Where's the wmd's!!", "Iraq is a complete failure"!

Remember when the Lefties said this: "Trying To Contain The Iraq Disaster"- New York Times

No matter what President Bush says, the question is not whether America can win in Iraq. The only question is whether the United States can extricate itself without leaving behind an unending civil war that will spread more chaos and suffering throughout the Middle East, while spawning terrorism across the globe.

You have to read the whole article linked above. It is laughable but that was what most of the lefties were saying until now.

Here we are only 2 years after the nay sayer's spew their pessimism and Iraq is on it's way to permanently rooting out the terrorists and is becoming a strong force for democracy in the middle east. Bush's plan did work and it was the right thing to do: (Iraqis lead final purge of Al-Qaeda)

American and Iraqi forces are driving Al-Qaeda in Iraq out of its last redoubt in the north of the country in the culmination of one of the most spectacular victories of the war on terror.

But what about WMD's?! After all "Bush lied thousands died!" Besides the well known fact that Sadaam was pulling his WMD's out of Iraq and moving them elsewhere during the time that led up to the attack, yesterday the AP did a piece exposing the big military secret operation removing 550 metric tons of yellowcake out of Tuwaitha Iraq. "But Sadam just had it to sell or make into nuclear energy, not to turn into weapons and he would never try to buy it from Niger because that is wrong and Sadaam was a man with integrity". Yeah right. We all know what kind of man Sadaam and his sons were. I don't think they cared much about doing the right thing but Bush does and it is evident by the fact that Sadaam and his sons are gone and as a result the Iraqi people are free and no longer fear for their lives, and we are no longer in danger of Sadaam using his WMD's and/or selling them to Al-Qaeda to use against us.

Thank God Bush was our president on 9/11. Thank God we had a man with integrity at the helm who wanted to do the right thing regardless of the cost to himself. Going into Iraq was a huge undertaking and a risky adventure yet we are coming out on top.

It only took 7 years to go into Iraq, free an oppressed people then help build the country back up so that they can stand on their own and they are almost there.

Shame on those who have been pessimistic undermining our every move over there.

Despite all of the accusations from the left that our military men and women were failing they never gave up and neither did our commander in chief.

Bush certainly will go down in history as a great leader in a time of war, and the libs in Congress? I hate to say it but their contribution to the "War on Terror" was mostly an effort to undermine Bush and our military so my guess is that their legacy will probably be pretty tainted to say the least.

Update: Yesterday, Randal Hoven wrote a great piece regarding Sadaam's WMD's on American Thinker. It is worth the read.

Happy Birthday Mr. President

President Bush celebrates 62nd Birthday enroute to Japan.

While flying to Japan to attend the G-8 Summit of Industrial Nations, President Bush was surprised aboard Air Force One with a coconut cake with a single candle. Quite a change from his 60th birthday which was celebrated in the White House with the most amazing chocolate cake, or his 55th birthday in July, 2001 which he celebrated on July 4th at a Block Party in Philadelphia.

Even though the celebration was quiet, President Bush did get a nice welcome to Japan:

President George W. Bush and Laura Bush are welcomed on their arrival Sunday, July 6, 2008 to the New Chitose International Airport, to attend the Group of Eight Summit in Toyako, Japan. White House photo by Eric Draper

The President had an opportunity for cake a few days earlier on July 1 when he unexpectedly showed up at a 7 year old girl's party in Little Rock, Arkansas:

President George W. Bush unexpectedly drops by Mabry Meadors 7th birthday party Tuesday, July 1, 2008 in Little Rock Arkansas. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian

From the Arkansas Democrat Gazette:

As Bush barreled down University Avenue to head to Air Force One, it seemed there would be little public mingling.

But someone was having a birthday.

And to the clear discomfort of a suddenly swamped Secret Service detail, the motorcade stopped at University and South Country Club Boulevard.

A crowd swarmed and stretched out its hands. Reporters and photographers scrambled. And Mabry Meadors and her friends shrieked. They’d been celebrating her birthday with a water slide a few houses away.

Bush joined them, but just for a picture.

Meadors’ father, Mark, said in a telephone interview that the revelers had waved to the motorcade on its way in. The stop on the way out was a nice surprise.

“It was a pretty neat deal that a 7-year-old, on her birthday, gets to meet a sitting president,” the 40-year-old insurance agent said. “She was somewhat speechless.” Said Mabry, “He said hello.” Information for this article was contributed by Andy Boyle and Sean Sposito of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Happy Birthday Mr. President!
and Thank You!

Do Peace Protesters Value Their U.S. Citizenship?

Would they be willing to take the same oath as new citizens whose ceremony they disrupted?

This is a follow-on to the piece earlier where we described how "peace" protesters disrupted the swearing in ceremony for naturalized citizens led by President Bush at Thomas Jefferson's home Monticello on July 4th.

On that day, new citizens raised their right hand and repeated the following oath administered by the President of the United States:

Oath of Allegiance

"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."

One wonders whether the "peace" protesters who disrupted this solemn ceremony, a high point in the lives of our new citizens, would join them in taking the same oath?

Something tells me these loons do quite a bit of swearing. But I doubt it's the kind you would raise your right hand for.

Global Scare of Titanic Proportions

Here's a real weeper for you. Filled with the most absurd hyperbolic scaremongering and flat out LIES! And why you ask? Simple... it's all for MONEY!

Lies piled on lies!

Here are a few quotes from the script of this weeper with some counterpoint:

"A tragedy is unfolding"
The tragedy is you wasted thousands to put out this crap while real problems like human poverty, disease and illiteracy go unanswered.

"Polar bears struggling to survive"
Like they have for millenia.

"The ice is melting all around them"
Yeah, it's called SUMMER. Northern sea ice is actually rebounding from a natural low.

"Climate change, it's happening right now"
As it has since the planet was formed.

"Cubs dying without enough to eat"
So why did environmental extremists want to kill Knut?

"Polar bears ARE on their way to extinction."
Saying it in a dramatic voice doesn't make it so. The opposite is true.

"If we don't act now most will die in our children's lifetime"
Again, no factual basis for the claim and what a way to pull on the little kiddies heartstrings.

With this kind of blatant environmental scaremongering going on using millions of dollars for this and similar ad campaigns is it any wonder that it is so difficult to get the FACTS of what is really happening to the public?

What's really at stake here is a vicious and unprincipled competition for the nearly seven BILLION dollars Americans give annually to environmental groups.

Follow the money!

"Hippies For Peace" Attack Forest Service Officials

The Rainbow family, a peace and love hippie Cult, attacked some Forest Officials after they arrested one of their members for doing something wrong during their week long gathering in Wyoming. (link for full story)

Of course, the real story here is the fact that the boy scouts had a week long public service project scheduled at the same time in the same general location. They scheduled it in 2004 and the Forest Service canceled it after the Rainbow family announced it would schedule it's gathering in the same location. I am sure they are regretting that decision.

The Forest Service says they were "intimidated" by the Rainbow group.

The Rainbow Family of Living Light, sometimes known as the "Rainbow
Tribe", is an international loose affiliation of individuals who have a common goal of trying to achieve peace and love on Earth....

So much for peace and love.

Another Global Warming Lie Bites the Dust

Greenland not melting after all!

So Much For Flooded Cities: Greenland Ice Loss Not Increasing
Michael Asher
July 4, 2008

Longest-term study yet of the continent says nothing to fear.

For global warming activists, Greenland is the most potent weapon of fear in their arsenal. With Antarctica cooling, and the floating ice at the North Pole incapable of affecting sea levels, Greenland alone can contribute the vast amounts of melted ice capable of flooding cities. Greenland -- which began gradually melting at the end of the last ice age some 20,000 years ago -- continues to slowly shed ice today.
The only problem? It's melting far too slowly. At its current rate, Greenland will take thousands of years to significantly affect sea level.
...
a new study has concluded that Greenland's rate of melting is not accelerating, and in fact may actually be decreasing when viewed over a longer timescale. The study, which used 17 years of satellite measurements [as compared to phony science using flawed computer models] to reach its conclusions, determined the overall yearly movement of ice to the sea is not increasing, and is actually decreasing in some places.

The researchers noted the speedup observed by past studies was strictly a short-term transient phenomena, occurring primarily in the summer months.

The study, which is appearing in the Friday edition of the journal Science, was led by Dutch Researcher Roderik S.W. van de Wal, of the Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research of the University of Utrecht.

Claiming losses in coastal property values, a group of Spanish homeowners and investors last month threatened Greenpeace with legal action over exaggerated claims of sea level rise.

The great global warming swindle (video here) may turn out to be the most massive fraud of all times. And if we had trial lawyers on our side, we could all join the lawsuit to recover damages for being forced to buy lightbulbs, cars, clotheswashers, houses, etc. to address a problem which DOES NOT EXIST!

"Peace" Fascists Heckle Bush at July 4th Naturalization Ceremony

Their voices have been heard through the electoral process and yet somehow they think their right to free speech trumps the rights of newly sworn citizens to listen to the elected President?

President George W. Bush delivers remark at Monticello's 46th Annual Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony Friday, July 4. 2008, in Charlottesville, VA. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian

It was a moment many had worked for, waited for and prayed for for years. The high honor of becoming a U.S. Citizen. And the added honor of being sworn in by the President of the United States.

It was a solemn and emotional ceremony for those who left allegiance to the land of their birth behind and became Americans.

At least it was a solemn ceremony until the "peace" fascists decided their voice was more important than the right of new citizens to hear the President of the United States and have the joy of this day left unsullied by the left's fascist tactics.

"Peace fascists" shouting "He has brought fascism to our shores" must have sounded odd to the new citizens, many of whom escaped from REAL fascism and much worse. And as the "peace" fascists continued to shout "Impeach" and "war criminal" many in the crowd must have recalled that if these left wing loons had tried to do that in the countries these new citizens left behind, they WOULD have been locked up.

Still, it was a day of celebration for our new citizens. People of every race, color and creed became Americans on the 4th of July!

Petitioners take the Oath of Citizenship at Monticello's 46th Annual Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony Friday, July 4. 2008, in Charlottesville, VA. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian

That such a day was spoiled by people who spit on their own freedom is disgusting:

Why don't these loons take up their protest with Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid? After all, they promised to end the war didn't they? Bush promised to WIN it!

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July!

photo by Mike's America

I'm so thankful I was born here!

You know how some people celebrate Christmas in July. I like to celebrate Thanksgiving on the 4th of July.

It's a day to be truly thankful to be an American. It's such an amazing country that millions around the world will stake everything they have to get here and enjoy the same freedom that those of us who were born here enjoy every day. Some new arrivals may think we take our freedom for granted (read the story of one first generation American who thanks his mother for coming here). Well, that may be true for some Americans (and we know who we are talking about don't we?) but it's not true for me.

Today is a celebration of Thanksgiving for being so fortunate to live in one of the greatest nations that ever blessed the surface of the earth.

It's a day to be proud of our accomplisments, our history and the hard won freedom that made it all possible.

Celebrate with music

Two favorites here: Lee Greenwoods "Proud to be an American" and the US Air Force Band's jazz version of "Battle Hymn of the Republic." If you are done with loud sounds for the day and ready to mellow out, how about the USAF Band's instrumental version of "America the Beautiful?"




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More links to patriotic music downloads at the bottom of this post.

Samuel Adams: Signer of the Declaration and American Patriot

"We hold these truths to be self evident"
Declaration of Independence

From the Library of Congress: George Washington's personal copy of the Declaration. General Washington had this Declaration read to his assembled troops on July 9 in New York, where they awaited the combined British fleet and army.

Mata Harley posted an interesting link to the U.S. Archives site which invites readers to "sign" their own copy of the Declaration of Independence and print it out.

That reminded me of the wisdom of one of my favorite original signers: Samuel Adams of Massachusetts (bio from Library of Congress).

Here assembled are several quotes of Mr. Adams' wisdom. What strikes me most is how these words still ring with truth today. They are also "self evident" and can fit a variety of discussions of today's political issues.

As a tribute to the Declaration , I would like to reflect on the words of one of the signers: Samuel Adams of Massachusetts:

The said constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.

A general dissolution of the principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy.... While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but once they lose their virtue, they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.... If virtue and knowledge are diffused among the people, they will never be enslaved. This will be their great security.

How strangely will the Tools of a Tyrant pervert the plain Meaning of Words!

The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil Constitution, are worth defending at all hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors: they purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood, and transmitted them to us with care and diligence. It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle, or to be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men.

Among the natural rights of the colonists are these: first, a right to life; secondly, to liberty; thirdly to property; together with the right to support and defend them in the best manner they can.

It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds.

If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.

The right to freedom being the gift of Almighty God, it is not in the power of man to alienate this gift and voluntarily become a slave.

It is a very great mistake to imagine that the object of loyalty is the authority and interest of one individual man, however dignified by the applause or enriched by the success of popular actions.

If ever a time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin.

--Samuel Adams

Reader Question:

Which is your favorite Samuel Adams quote and how do you see it in relation to today's political discussions?

Independence Day Videos

4th of July Reagan Humor Encore

A great American Patriot. And FUNNY too!

My second favorite Reagan photo. Taken by me November 16, 1988 on the occasion of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's last State Visit to the White House. She worked hand in hand with President Reagan to defeat communism and make the world a safer place with real peace and real justice to those trapped for decades behind the Iron Curtain.

Everyone alive at the time knows that Ronald Reagan was a strong anti-communist. He used to make some real funny jokes about communism and it drove the lefties in this country mad. Not only did do the lefties have an affinity for the state control over every aspect of life that communism represents (global warming anyone?) but they thought that Reagan's Cold Warrior personna, even in humor, was dangerous and could upset the Reds.

We'll Reagan did upset the Reds. And Reagan also caused the Soviets to see that he wouldn't back down and that it was in their best interests to end the Cold War.

And Reagan was right.

Here now are three jokes from the Newsmax collection: "Reagan's Greatest Laughs."



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Happy 4th of July!

Rush Limbaugh Profiled in NY Times Magazine

“For 20 years he has been the leader of his own parade.”
--Karl Rove

Fans of Rush Limbaugh will want to read Zev Chefet's article "Late Period Limbaugh" available online here. At over 7,700 words it's loooonnnggg, but you'll love it for all the personal stuff Rush doesn't talk about on his show.

Did you know he has a fleet of cars at his Palm Beach estate including many like the Maybach 57S he drives, which runs around $450,000 fully loaded? And that on his estate there are five homes (4 for guests) not to mention Rush's luxurious 24,000 square foot main house with a guest suite modeled on the Presidential Suite at the George V Hotel in Paris?

And you might have heard that Rush just signed another 8 year contract that topped $400 million including a nine figure singing bonus. That's selling a lot of Rinnai tankless water heaters. And Rush will spend it on his new Gulfstream G550 jet.

I won't spoil the fun read for Limbaugh fans, so only the shortest excerpt:

Roger Ailes, a frequent guest and the chairman of Fox News, put the Limbaugh lifestyle in perspective. “He lives the way Jackie Gleason would have lived if Gleason had the money. Some people are irritated by it.”
...
Recently, I sent Limbaugh an e-mail message, his preferred means of long-distance communication, asking what his own presidential agenda would look like. His answer reflects his actual concerns. A Limbaugh administration would seek to:

1. Open the continental shelf to drilling. Ditto the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

2. Establish a 17 percent flat tax.

3. Privatize Social Security.

4. Give parents school vouchers to break the monopoly of public education.

5. Revoke Jimmy Carter’s passport while he is out of the country.

6. Abandon all government policies based on the hoax of man-made global warming.

No. 5 was a joke. I think.
...
He has no writers or script, just notes and a producer on the line from New York with occasional bits of information. That day, and every day, he produced 10,000 words of fluent, often clever political talk.
...
But if you think it is easy turning ancient Greenland, the influence of the teachers’ unions or changes in E.U. foreign policy into polemical comedy that will hold an audience for three hours — try it for 15 minutes at your next cocktail party.
...
At dinner the night before, Bill O’Reilly’s name came up, and Limbaugh expressed his opinion of the Fox cable king. He hadn’t been sure at the time that he wanted it on the record. But on second thought, “somebody’s got to say it,” he told me. “The man is Ted Baxter.”
...
As for politics, Rush has already picked his candidate for the Conservative Restoration: Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, a 37-year-old prodigy whom Limbaugh considers to be a genuine movement conservative in the Ronald Reagan mold — “fresh, energetic and optimistic in his view of America.”
...
Presidents rise and presidents fall, but “The Rush Limbaugh Show” will go on, weekdays at 12:06, Eastern Standard Time.

The article also has an attached slide show of Rush photos, including el Rushbo at 14 and a photo of Rush with his new girlfriend, the blond bombshell Kathryn Rogers.

Love him or hate him, it's impossible not to know that Rush is "having more fun than a human being should be allowed to have,”

Muslims in Scottish Town Reject Cute Puppy in Police Ad

How soon before sensitivity to Sharia Law will become the norm in the West?

"Rebel" poses for police ad

Police in the Scottish town of Tayside apologized to Muslims earlier this week after some complained that a postcard featuring the force's new Police Dog "Rebel" was offensive to Muslims.

Postcards were distributed in the town with Rebel's picture to publicize a new telephone number for non-emergency calls. Some Muslim shopkeepers refused to display the card, insisting that dogs were unclean and that even a photo of a cute puppy would be offensive.

The Tayside Police are very proud of their new pup as evidenced by his own page on their web site. Despite the views of Osama Saeed, chief executive of the Scottish-Islamic Foundation (SIF), who said "There isn't any Islamic basis for taking issue with a simple picture of a little puppy," the Police felt they had no choice but to withdraw the card and apologize.

This is just another case of where radical Muslims are able to intimidate local authorities into observing an extreme version of Sharia, or Muslim law, by default. We've seen the same thing in the United States where women who joined a gym later demanded it ban men at certain hours, or other Muslims demand footwashing stations in airports, or the case of taxi drivers in Minnesota refusing to pick up passengers with liquor or dogs.

Sensitivity is one thing. But appeasement to extremist views of Islam only invites further calls for more appeasement.