Category: Guest Authors

Blame Lazy Catholicism for School Closings

Blame Lazy Catholicism for School Closings

By Chris Freind

The message from headquarters was sent to field agents worldwide:
“This is your mission, if you choose to accept it. Take one of the most
powerful institutions in the history of mankind and change it so
radically—in all the wrong ways—that in the span of 50 years, it will be
a shell of its former self, relegated to a backwater shaped only by the
sad ghosts of the past.”


Was this a Mission Impossible communiqué sent at the height
of the Cold War to implode the Soviet Union? Or a message pertaining to
another mammoth entity: the Roman Catholic Church? There is one
critical difference. The Soviets fell due to outside forces. The
Church, while admittedly having its fair share of outside “attackers,”
is falling from within, and most of its decline is entirely of its own
making.


The above message could well have come from St. Peter’s Basilica in
1965. The “field agents?” Cardinals, bishops and priests. The objective:
Implement Vatican II.


The result? Disaster.


In the tumultuous 1960s, the world was on fire as secularism and
moral relativism were in vogue. Rather than standing its ground and
fighting those undesirable concepts, the Church went in the opposite
direction. In effect, Vatican II allowed Catholics to be “Catholic” in
pretty much any way they wanted, playing right into the hands of the
Woodstock culture. That carte-blanche decree served as a launching point
for the now-dominant “do whatever you want to do and whatever makes you
feel good without remorse” mentality.


In an instant, the things that made Roman Catholicism the world’s
dominant force vanished. To many, the “rock” upon which St. Peter built
the Church no longer seemed solid, but more “flexible.”


Some Church officials, to be sure, disagreed with the new direction,
but they were powerless to stop it. Not only were they forced to follow
orders, but in a much more practical sense, they were no longer able to
hold their flock accountable when the Church abandoned many of the
tenets that made it so attractive in the first place.


When a political party strives to become a very large “tent,” trying
to be all things to all people rather than affirming its platform—what it stands for—it
eventually becomes impotent. It’s one thing for a position to evolve as
circumstances change, so long as the basic belief structure isn’t
irreparably compromised as to make the original tenets unrecognizable.
When that occurs—and both U.S. political parties are guilty of it—no one is pleased, and people abandon the organization.


Has a football team ever won a championship when the coach told his
players to practice in “whatever way made them feel good”? Has a team
ever been successful after making mandatory team meetings optional? And
how long will a team remain a cohesive unit if players simply ignore the
coach’s play-calling and do their own thing?


Morale and pride mean everything in building a successful team or
institution, but they can only exist when sacrifice and dedication is demanded of the individuals who make up that entity. The only part of JFK’s inaugural address that people remember was when he demanded greatness of Americans by asking “what you can do for your country.”


The Church lost those things when it stopped demanding greatness from
its rank and file, instead letting folks off the hook by making things
“easier.” Holy Day of Obligation falls on a Saturday or Monday? You
don’t have to go to church that day; we’ll just make Sunday mass count
for both. Want to wear cut-off shorts, sports jerseys and flip-flops to church?
No problem. Fasting from meat on Fridays get in the way of ordering
sausage on your pizza? The hell with it. Just do it. We’ll eliminate
that rule, too.


The list goes on and on, and the more the Church gave in, the more
people stopped going to mass, and yes, the more parents stopped sending
their children to Catholic schools. Since the Church took away the
essence of Catholic identity—the very point of being a proud Roman
Catholic—what was the point of doing either?


And now, several generations later, the carnage is everywhere.


Mosques are full, as are many evangelical churches, and the Catholic churches are empty.


And in those evangelical churches, a significant percentage of the
congregation is former Catholics who left the Church not because it was
too “hard,” but because it stopped demanding.


Vocations are nonexistent; elderly out-of-touch priests have no
replacements; schools are being shuttered at a staggering rate that goes
way beyond this latest round of closings; and scandal and corruption
are rampant with no end in sight; more billion-dollar settlements loom.


And worst of all, the cover-ups continue, serving for many as the
final nail in the coffin. Why go to church to listen to a long-winded
uninsprational sermon about “morality” when your Church leaders actively stonewall investigations and protect society’s absolute worst—child predators?


So what does the Church do?


Despite all that baggage, the Church has fast-tracked Pope John Paul II to sainthood—faster
than anyone else in history. This was a man who either was asleep at
the switch during the height of the sex-abuse sandal, or chose to look
the other way. He could have aggressively rooted out the perpetrators
with a take-no-prisoners attitude, sending an unmistakable message that
the Church won’t tolerate pedophiles filling its ranks, regardless of
the dearth of priests. But he didn’t.


And recently, the Church rolled out language changes in the liturgy
that are ridiculous and inexplicable. Was it just another example of
how out-of-touch the Church has become, or a deliberate distraction, as
some theorize?


Either way, it doesn’t matter.


Until the Church implements real reforms that will start the road to recovery, the numbers will continue to dwindle.


What are they?


• For starters, demand more of its followers. Don’t
cower behind the “if I demand that people dress better for Church, they
won’t come at all” mentality. Make them look presentable and act
appropriately when entering the House of God—or tell them they aren’t
welcome.


• Motivate the flock by relating to them, not talking in platitudes with rhetoric that puts the congregation to sleep.


• Make it tougher to be a Catholic. Be the religious
equivalent of the Marines. Sure, a kid taking the forbidden cookie
wants it, but deep down, he is really looking for discipline. And sure,
we complain when we have to sacrifice, but we feel good about it.


• Market the wonderful aspects of the Church (including the fact that it’s the largest provider of social services in the entire world).


• Stop being a paper tiger politically. What’s the
point of having so much muscle if you’re too scared to use it? A
different approach could have prevented school closings. (See my post
for more on this tomorrow.)


• Most important, eliminate the correct perception that the Church is close-minded and sexist.
Allow priests to marry. And yes, allow women to become priests. Not
only would these common-sense changes enable all priest to better relate
to their flocks, but they would also attract non-pedophile priests to
fill the ranks.


Neither change would violate Church dogma, since priests married for
at least four centuries and quite possibly much longer. The practice was
stopped not for religious reasons, but because of disputes over
property rights.


In 1911, there were 68,000 Catholic school students in the
Archdiocese of Philadelphia. That number peaked in the 1960s at 250,000.
Vatican II took hold, and the number plummeted— back to 68,000 in 2011,
despite a U.S. population explosion.


Now, 49 more schools just went on the chopping block.
The biggest irony is that the closings are not a solution, but the
symptom of a much greater illness. To save the remaining schools—and
that’s by no means a sure thing—the Church needs to solve the problem.
Check back tomorrow for my post addressing how to save Catholic
education in America.

 

Blame Lazy Catholicism for School Closings

Staying on Track

The Roar

Staying on Track

How is it that we start off our Republican primary season with contests that are essentially “open to the public?”  And how about Romney’s dominance?  Let’s not kid ourselves, this is another media product.  All of a sudden, Paul becomes a factor and that plastic face slicked down hair styled Huntsman now acts as a contender.  All with media applause.

Along the way, talking heads are announcing that the Tea Party is a wash, no more.  WOW!  What are we expected to do in January, ten months before the election?  Do not buy into their propaganda.  We are waiting and growing.  And the bottom line is that for the vast majority of those with the three pointed hats, whoever is nominated, the Tea Party will support.

Sure, we have our preferences but the one overall point of agreement is that Obama will be the loser come November.  And by the way, judging from his recent abuses, he senses this and is doing all the mischief he can.  So be it since he is only growing our Tea ranks.

Not only has the Tea Party, in 2010,  brought many into representation, we have also uncovered what previously went unknown.  There is as republican presence, often consisting of the most respected and relied upon individuals, which are now known with the RINO label after their names.  This is one fantastic accomplishment coming out of those mid-terms.  The playing field has been greatly altered by this outing of weasels.

Also, punditry weasels have been identified.  The former hallowed belief in that “fair and balanced” network also has undergone a public questioning.  Leading the RINO charge is the incessant double speak from Karl Rove.  I mean, does he really believe that the average voter hangs onto every bit of opinion emanating from this arrogant bore?  And Krauthammer is no better.

So with the final result of this recent contest in New Hampshire, with all the independent impact, is there any wonder as to the ascendency of Paul and Huntsman?  I noticed one amazing thing to come out of Iowa.  Huntsman didn’t even enter that contest but somehow garnered much of the questions in that initial New Hampshire debate.  Why was that?  Care to venture a guess?

Time and space do not allow for my take but this subject will come up in my next posting.  Suffice to say that similar to that RINO presence, while maybe suspected, it never-the-less continued unabated and deeply hidden until the Tea Party’s impact. So will other influences surface, and in this case, will be connected with Huntsman in particular.
Stay tuned.

Jim Bowman, Author of,
This Roar of Ours

A Needed Respite

The Roar

A Needed Respite

I must ask, what has and is happening to us as a free people?  I ask this, with regards to this current political assault season against the Presidential challenging party.  What has happened to our American decorum?

Questions flit through my “windmills” and often I am at a loss to answer.  Just where did this debating season originate?  I seem to remember debates of a chosen candidate from one party against the opposition’s chosen candidate.  But when did this endless prime time primary debating sessions begin?  I am at a loss.  Is it just a profitable moment for the networks?  Is the  damage inflicted upon one’s character and reputation the going price?  Or are Presidential contests nothing more than a Sunday/Monday night political contest of survival?  Is the quest for TV ratings now into our leadership selections?

As I watch what is happening to those who for some reason put their personal lives on hold in order to serve our Country, I recall when such devotion precluded all of this intricate inspection.  Not only precluded but such individuals were treated with respect.

Questions remain from the recent accusations which have already reshaped our primary leadership ledger.  Were those accusers in it just to take Cain out of contention?  More importantly, where is the journalist’s integrity to finish a story which is only half written?   It seems that after Cain dropped out, so did the media’s quest for truth and closure.  But, what about those poor victims?

This obvious ruse against Cain is a sad asterisk to our free elections.  Whether one supported his candidacy or not, this sort of character assassination is third world.  If this behavior is not addressed properly, it will become a political weapon and will eventually discourage the qualified to run.

To say that corruption has entered our election process would be an understatement.  The signs are everywhere.  So is the public’s quiet apathy.  In response to this apparent primary sham, we need to become jealously protective of our American system, regardless of our party affiliations.  We also need to understand what has led us to this election subterfuge.  We must to take an active part in all that makes America strong and we can start by acting like that rare breed that we are.  Americans!  Free and forever freedom loving.

Jim Bowman, Author of,
This Roar of Ours

Another Provocateur of Thought

The Roar

Another Provocateur of Thought

Behold, there appears to be another lamplighter on the horizon.  His forthcoming brilliance will be uniformly measured by a fed up public viewership/readership brought about by other media luminaries.  In the short span of twenty-four hours, this local provocateur has produced a lengthy anti-Santorum discourse which he no doubt has been waiting to vent.

Chris Freind authored an essay which left little doubt as to his political sentiments.   Labeling  his treatise as anti-Santorum just doesn’t quite do it or him justice.  Within one day of Santorum’s rise in Iowa, Freind spouts forth a diatribe from an inconsequential funeral appearance which he then determines is an example of Santorum’s “arrogance,” as he briskly by passed the line of mourners waiting to pay their respects.   Astounding, as to his recall of what obviously occurred so long ago.  This writing was deemed so pertinent and accurate that it was immediately published by a local paper.  Such attention is indicative against any and all who may present a challenge to Obama,  and in itself, has drawn the public’s attention and mounting ridicule.

Freind is not alone with his venomous journalistic attack.  He is arm in arm with many well known thought provocateurs.  For too long, these semi/self anointed opinion “experts” have ruled the day.  Not any longer since the 2010 midterms seemed to impart a second giant step for man and womenkind.  The army of thought soldiers, whether from a televised format or the written dailies, began to lose their public following as one by one they showed their hidden designs.  This desertion continues as alternate sources, such as this venue, now attract the frustrated and curious.

This election year will no doubt  continue with the character assassinations of Republican candidates.  Since the press is a liberal industry, this one sided assault is now understood and expected.  However, with this recognition, a hardened insulation begins to form.  As a result,  the yesterdays of effectiveness from these provocateurs lessen.

Emerging from the mid terms, certain insiders of thought became identified as many challengers presented threats to their established order.  This necessity, from an emerging Tea Party influx, not only uncovered what is now termed a RINO presence, it laid bare for all to see just how manipulative the speak masters had become.

To quote Freind, “true leaders actually lead because they are following a vision.”  While I have problems with the word “vision,” in the context with leadership which I’ve witnessed, I also understand that good and bad “visions” exist.  Maybe this literary wannabe should devote as much effort with evaluating Obama’s personal “vision,” which is sadly on display.

In the final Republican primary cut, I am sure that the selection will not be without faults, which the opposition will gleefully detail.  However, where were these primary investigations and spinning provocateurs during the 2008 Presidential race?  I guess Obama never caught their inquisitive nature by jumping in front of a funeral line.

Jim Bowman, Author of
This Roar of Ours

Santorum Arrogance Will Be His Downfall – Again

Santorum Arrogance Will Be His Downfall – Again

By Chris Freind

The deceased had been incredibly beloved:
successful businessman, political activist, philanthropist and the
ultimate family man. Friends and colleagues from far and wide came to
pay their respects to one who had touched their lives.

Predictably,
the line at the viewing was long that night — more than two hours.
But hundreds dutifully stood, passing the time as best they could under
the circumstances. Millionaire CEO’s conversed with blue collar workers,
reunited grade school friends embraced, and many reminisced of good
memories with their mutual friend.

Standing for hours while
barely moving is tough for anyone, but especially the elderly, as many
were. And yet all persevered, because that is what’s required when
paying final respects to a good friend.

Well, almost everyone.

Turns
out one person didn’t feel like waiting in line like everyone else. A
person who thought of himself as above the “masses,” someone in a class
by himself. Someone to whom the rules didn’t apply.

That person? Rick Santorum.

Instead
of honoring his friend by waiting in line, he glad-handed some
“politically connected” people in the vestibule while ignoring others
who, for some reason, were enthralled to see an ex-senator. After
wrapping up his political agenda at that “event,” Santorum proceeded to
walk right down the center aisle to greet the widow and her family —
completely bypassing the line snaking all the way around the Church.

Incredibly,
to the astonishment of those watching, he then turned around and strode
away, winking and waving to those poor souls stuck in line. Total time
in and out: less than 15 minutes.

Good thing too, for he had to
fly back to Washington to vote on the all-important appropriations bill
and defense budget and… oh wait. That couldn’t have been it, since he
had lost his senate re-election by a whopping 18 points several years
prior.

Santorum’s behavior offered more insight into his true
character than any vote could provide. His selfish actions disrespected
every person in that Church, but most of all the deceased, who, despite
being a big Santorum supporter, apparently wasn’t worth two hours of
Rick’s time.



So why would Santorum deliberately
thumb his nose at the hundreds in line, many of whom had been his
biggest financial and grassroots supporters? The same people, by the
way, that he would later court for his presidential run.

Arrogance.
Plain and simple. (That’s the second unofficial definition of
“Santorum,” and given the vulgarity of the first, we’ll leave it at
that.)

In large part, Santorum’s arrogance led to his shellacking in 2006, yet, as we will see, it was a lesson lost.

It
was arrogance that led him to publish his book before that election,
despite advisors begging him to wait until later, since many parts, they
warned, would be taken out of context by his opponent (which they
were).

It was arrogance that led him to become a big-spending,
big-government Republican while labeling himself a fiscal
“conservative.”

It was arrogance to claim he was a “Pennsylvania”
senator while effectively living year-round — with his family — in
Virginia.

And most damaging, it was arrogance which led Santorum
to endorse liberal Republican Arlen Specter over conservative icon Pat
Toomey late in the 2004 primary election— which many Pennsylvania
Republicans credit as the final push that delivered Specter his razor
thin victory.

For those who claim Santorum had to make that
glowing endorsement because of his Leadership position, think again.
True leaders actually lead because they are following a vision; simply
doing the bidding of others makes one a Leader in name only.

More
significantly, it was Santorum’s portrayal of himself — contrasted
with his subsequent actions — that eventually became a sticking point
for so many of his supporters. He asked people to believe in him,
selling them on the idea that he was not a typical politician, but
instead a man of integrity, for whom principle always came before Party.

Since
political backbone is extremely rare, it’s no surprise that most
politicians do exactly what their Party tells them to do. But Santorum
represented himself as something different. As a result, his repeated
failures as a leader — coming up small when he was needed most — run
deep, and can be attributed more than anything to an arrogance that
playing both sides is a winning strategy.



Nothing has changed.

Fast
forward to 2012. Lost in the media spotlight of the Iowa Caucuses is
the fact that Santorum sold his soul right out of the gate, playing both
sides on one of the most important issues to Iowans — ethanol
mandates.

Santorum voted against the subsidies his entire
legislative career, which included four years as a congressman. Yet
because he felt that he needed the Iowa “corn vote” to be viable, he
changed his tune and pathetically pandered to the ethanol crowd in the
Hawkeye State.

Forget the fact that corn-based ethanol as a fuel
is an unmitigated disaster that has led to higher fuel costs,
skyrocketing food prices, inflation, and hunger, since a staggering 40
percent of America’s corn crop is used for ethanol production. And
disregard the fact that, primarily because of ethanol mandates, the
price of corn hit an all-time high just a few months ago. And ignore
the painfully obvious fact that natural gas — from the virtually
limitless Marcellus Shale under Santorum’s now-adopted home state of
Pennsylvania — is the single biggest key to solving America’s foreign
energy dependence problem.

The biggest red flag for candidate
Santorum is not a policy issue but a question of character. No one held a
gun to Santorum’s head to run for President, nor to compete in Iowa. So
when he made the decision to run, and campaigned as a man of principle,
the very least voters should have expected was a campaign of conviction
— not a politically-calculated flip-flop right from the get-go on the
single-most important issue of our time.

Rather than speaking
the truth and advocating a principled stand — which, ironically, are
what voters are thirsting for more than anything — Santorum chose the
easy way out by becoming that which he claims to abhor. And once one
opens the door of political expediency, rationalizing that it’s the only
way to achieve the next level, the door never shuts, and the slope
becomes too slippery to ever regain one’s footing.

Rick Santorum
worked as hard as any of the GOP candidates in Iowa, but much of his
“success” in that state’s archaic caucuses was based on a false premise
— that he has the character necessary to be a President of true
leadership.

Santorum’s sound bite line after the Iowa results was
“game on.” But as America learns about the real Rick, it will soon be
“Game Over.”

And that’s no corn.

 

 

Santorum Arrogance Will Be His Downfall – Again

Biggest Winner Of 2011 Is Illegal Immigrants

Biggest Winners Of 2011 Is Illegal Immigrants

By Chris Freind

 

 

It’s that time of year when Freindly Fire heaps praise upon those most deserving.

So in the spirit of consistency, the Biggest Winner of 2011, just like every year, is illegal immigrants. They
are granted driver’s licenses, free education — in some cases all the
way to college — and free first-rate health care. Not only do they pose a
national security threat, but a personal one, as many are criminals
released back onto the streets because the government refuses to deport
them. Their presence has forced the closure of hospitals, ripped jobs
away from American workers, depressed wages and caused taxes to increase
sharply.

And let’s not forget that many illegals are voting in our elections.
How’s that for irony: foreigners deciding American elections. Maybe
that’s why both parties pander to illegals, including leading GOP
candidates Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney and Rick Perry.

And every time the illegals win, the American people lose.

Iran
For a country so incompetent that it took a quarter-century just to
build a simple subway in its capital, and equally as long to construct
the Tehran airport, Iran sure knows how to gain international attention.
Year after year, Iran successfully extorts the West, and the U.S.
continues to play the Iranians’ game. Now, Iran is threatening to cut
off the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which one-sixth
of the world’s oil supply passes.

And what does America do? Prepare for yet another armed conflict —
with yet another Muslim country. That would make Iran the eighth — yes,
eighth! — Muslim nation the U.S. has attacked since the Clinton
Administration, truly a bipartisan debacle. Despite the insanity of this
possibility, in which oil could spike to $200 per barrel and decimate
whatever is left of the world economy, some talking heads continue
advocating such military intervention. Going to war with random Middle
Eastern oil nations isn’t sound foreign policy. It’s lunacy.

Here’s an idea. Maybe if we got off our duff and stopped kowtowing to
radical environmentalists who offer no solutions, we could pursue
energy independence with the virtually unlimited resources literally at
our feet. And guess what happens when we start producing $2 gasoline
and diesel? We wouldn’t give a damn about Iran. Or Iraq. Or Libya.
Or….

Rick Perry
Who’d have thought another Texas governor could be so entertaining?
From taking 12 hours to come up with a response to Mitt Romney’s $10,000
bet, to shrinking the size of the government (apparently, we have only
eight Supreme Court Justices and no Department of Energy), Perry has
been in a class by himself. Of course, not knowing the date of the
election nor the correct voting age, while priceless, won’t help Perry
stay in the race. But his significant campaign cash just might, which
would undoubtedly provide more “Oops, I Did It Again” moments. So hats
off to the only politician who could make George W. Bush look like
Daniel Webster.

Barack Obama
See “Rick Perry” above. This election is the GOP’s to lose — and they are well on their way to doing so.

Occupy Movement
Give credit where it’s due. The Occupy Movement was able to dupe the
media (admittedly, not a very hard thing to do) into providing nonstop
coverage of…pictures of tents and filth. How newsworthy.

It was bad enough that Occupy had no organization, no spokesman, and
absolutely no message. But for the media to cover, night after night,
lazy hippies who thought it cool to camp out, not work and get free
things from idiots who thought it politically correct to patronize hobos
was nauseating.

So incompetent was the Orgy — I mean Occupy — Movement that it took
the media to inject its own rationale for why the “protests” were
occurring — income inequity. Well, here’s a newsflash: there is, and
should be, income inequality. As in, the person waking up every day at 6
a.m. to work a 12 hour day should makes more money than a sloth looking
for a handout.

In the immortal words of The Big Lebowski: “Your revolution
is over… Condolences. The bums lost. My advice is to do what your
parents did — get a job, sir! The bums will always lose!”

Andy Reid
Despite commanding an uber-hyped team whose spectacular failure was
surpassed only by the Phillies, the best three-quarter coach in football
— and the one who game after game commits bush league mistakes that an
eighth-grade coach would never make — will absolutely,
put-it-in-the-bank-guaranteed be back leading the Philadelphia Eagles
next season. Where he leads them is equally predictable: not to a Super
Bowl Championship. Reid has simply been in Philadelphia too long and
has settled into a comfort level where winning The Big One, while nice,
isn’t an imperative. He seems content with the moniker of being the
winningest coach in franchise history along with all the other
superlatives that don’t mean a bloody thing in a town that bleeds Eagle
Green.

Reid has proven his value at turning around a franchise, but that is
where his usefulness ends. The Eagles should, but won’t, bring in a
closer to seal the deal and get the job done — like Jon Gruden did with
Tampa Bay.

So Reid will win another season where his mediocrity will be on full
display, and, this being Philly, will undoubtedly be making this list
again next year for all the wrong reasons.

Archbishop Wood Football
Their season was full of confidence and hope, a fourth straight Catholic
League title and a state championship in their sights. Yet Archbishop
Wood stumbled in their opener, losing that crucial first game. Many
teams would have folded, finding excuses as to why the season was
slipping away (read: 2011 Philadelphia Eagles). But Wood rebounded, and
dedicated their efforts to the memory of former legendary coach Skip
Duffy, who lost his battle with cancer in September.

And the rest is history. Wood rolled out 14 straight wins, racking up
average margins of 38 points in the regular season and 41 points in the
playoffs, culminating in the total evisceration of perennial powerhouse
Bishop McDevitt, 52-0, to win the state championship. In doing so,
Wood has earned a place as arguably the best Class AAA football team
ever.

Perhaps Andy Reid and Company should be taking notes from Wood — not
plays and calls, but the intangibles that always, always win
championships. Dick Vermeil’s character in the Vince Papale movie Invincible
said it best. ”The team with character will find a way to beat a team
with talent…great teams weren’t just playing for themselves. They played
for a city. The people of Philadelphia have suffered…You are what gives
them hope.”

And in times like these, hope is needed more than ever. Congrats,
Archbishop Wood, for demonstrating what so many professionals have long
ago forgotten — that character still means something.

 

Extremes of Diversity

The Roar

The Extremes of Diversity

How many of us remember the “melting pot” identity of America?  Well, this is just another generational asterisk since that concept has quietly been removed for reasons which are becoming more apparent day by day.  Many traditions and common day assumptions of American living have contributed with the demise of America’s “melting pot.”  This spiraling parade is part and parcel of a gradual remaking that seems either too inconsequential at the time or it is labeled as a normality in “changing times.”

In the realm of sports, who remembers when Mike Schmidt signed his last contract for two to three million per year?  Phillie fans went bonkers!  The general sentiment was, and I’m paraphrasing, “no athlete is worth that kind of money to play a boy’s game.”  Remember?   Need we look at the salaries today?  Bench warmers are near the million per season mark.

This then verses now comparison parallels the degree of change that we as free people have adjusted to in all facets of our society, personal standards, governmental practices and growing authority.  Comparisons are useful in that much of what transpires goes unnoticed, much like the hands on a clock.  However, when comparing then verses now, the differences may well become alarming.

My sport analogy of salary increases brings forth changes outside of the stadiums; all of which we have adapted to in a gradual manner.  How about the demise of daytime baseball or the favorite, the Sunday double header?  Salaries bring a need to increase overall revenue.  Prime time viewing has become a must, and two for one Sunday offerings have become prohibitive.  Again, I mention these rippling effects simply because we all can see, have experienced and understand these associated but necessary short cuts and sacrifices.

Now transfer this sports “progress” into our society, with particular scrutiny on our religious freedoms and subsequent changes or adaptions.  While the First Amendment remains visual, it has undergone “progressive” changes of a gradual nature.

Such changes, similar to that rippling effect with sports, spreads through our communities and daily routines.  Gone are the Catholic  services performed in Latin.  The old traditional hymnals have over the years been refined to the point that actual services have modernized.

On the freedom front, a parent’s complaint about prayer in school has revolutionized our freedom to worship in public.  Over time, it has been strictly enforced that prayerful worship in, on or around public school grounds is now considered to be unConstitutional.

I think we all have experienced shock at the brazen affront from an ongoing transformation from a “Merry Christmas” to a “happy holiday” presentation.  Easter vacations are now termed “spring breaks” without any parental condemnation.  Those of us who were raised in a Christian environment, who still hold true to Christian beliefs and who silently go along, while mumbling inside, must agree that there is a determined effort to rid any Christian belief and/or influence from our society today.  This cannot continue.

Lastly, there appeared in my local paper, exactly a week before the Birth of Christ, a front page article entitled, “A Diverse God.”  Briefly, it detailed the diverse traditions of immigrants in today’s America.  Quotations such as “It brought tears to my eyes,” and “It’s nice to have a place where I belong” were said about a church service in one’s native Hungarian tongue.

Then there was The Simbang Gabi, the Mass of the Rooster, for those of Filipino heritage.  Comments such as “It is a wonderful opportunity for us to gather as a Filipino community”  confound and besmirch our American experiment.

There was a time in which America promoted an assimilation , not this current diversity.  How does one become American with diverse loyalties?  Am I asking too much?

Extracting our “melting pot” purpose, identity and traditional values has produced another rippling effect which in the end,will cost more than any monetary increase to sporting events.

Jim Bowman, Author of,
This Roar of Ours

My Biggest Losers of 2011

Although I have never been known for sarcasm and
negativity, it feels compelled as a civic duty to point out this year’s
biggest losers.

So with very little pleasure (okay, maybe a little), here are some of 2011’s notable wankers:

Philadelphia Phillies
A colossal failure. Period. End of story.

But this being Philadelphia, further explanation is, of course,
warranted. Yes, they won the (ridiculously weak) National League East
division for the fifth time in a row. Yes, they set a franchise record
for regular season wins. Yes, there was one World Series championship
three years ago. And yes, they will probably win the division again in
2012. So what? All meaningless.

And for anyone who actually believes any of those achievements mean squat, well, you’re delirious from being an Eagles fan.

The team — the only one in the nation’s top four markets which does
not share its city with another franchise — was billed as having the
best rotation in baseball history and a powerhouse lineup of
battle-tested veterans. But when you enter Yankee territory, as they
claimed they did, anything short of a championship must be viewed a
total failure, as there are no points for second place.

The blame should be laid at the feet of the players, several of whom
refused to hustle and play fundamental baseball, and more importantly,
the coaches who didn’t address those problems.

So while the Phils are still a dangerous team, their window of
opportunity is closing fast. Time to lose the ‘tude and play ball the
way Little Leaguers and consistent World Series Champs do. Otherwise,
Charlie Manual will become the city’s next Andy Reid. (All right, that’s
a stretch. Andy’s in a class by himself.)

NBA
Speaking of sports, shame on the NBA for ending the lockout. If
they really cared about fan appreciation, they would have continued the
impasse for the next decade. It was leaps and bounds more exciting than
anything the 12 people watching a typical NBA game will see.

Jerry Sandusky, His Wife Dottie, Penn State, Tom Corbett, Joe Paterno, and Mike McQueary
At the very least, all failed the test of moral leadership, permitting
small, defenseless children to live a nightmare from which they may
never awaken — because no one would help. How could Happy Valley seem
more like Yemen, where child sex trafficking and molestation is an
accepted fact of life? Even if Penn State turns into the State Pen for
those who may have done wrong, it will be little solace to the victims.

And all the folks on this list, whether directly or indirectly, have blood on their hands. For shame.

Mitt Romney
Is Romney the most intelligent candidate running for President?
Probably. Is he a successful businessman? Undoubtedly. But what does it
tell you when, after campaigning for five years and spending hundreds of
millions, Romney still can’t even muster 30 percent of the GOP base? In
other words, seven of ten Republicans simply don’t like him.

And it’s not rooted in his issue positions (though his Romneycare law
in Massachusetts doesn’t help), but that he has no core convictions
on…anything. The man is the very embodiment of an articulate politician
without a soul, one who will say whatever it takes to get elected. So
prevalent is his flip-flopping that he couldn’t even decide whether to
campaign in Iowa. Contrast that to Congressman Ron Paul, whose support
is surging for the opposite reason — because he has been steadfastly
consistent throughout his entire political career.

It’s a lesson totally lost on Mitt. He’s so out of touch that he
doesn’t understand the people’s yearning for a leader who stands for
something and sticks to his guns. Instead, Romney’s “be all things to
all people” approach has him foundering and will make him an inviting
target for Obama should he win the GOP nomination.

Romney is the best Christmas present the GOP could give the Democrats.

Hollywood Movie Studios
Fewer Americans went to the movies this year than at any point in the
last 16 years. Sure, the economy is in the toilet, tickets are
expensive, and you need to take out a second mortgage to buy Raisenets,
but they are all symptoms of a much greater illness: Hollywood’s product
continues to decline.

Most flicks are flat-out horrible, but Hollywood execs don’t care.
Their formula of hiring a star and throwing in some special effects is
enough to dupe Americans into opening their wallets. And despite the
dismal box office numbers, don’t look for that to change anytime soon.
As long as they can make enough money to get near break even in North
America, they’ll still be laughing all the way to the bank because the
foreign box office is providing the big haul. In fact, it was a record
year for overseas profits. Which means that folks in Indonesia who are
still starstruck will ensure more of Hollywood’s mediocrity for the
foreseeable future.

Or here’s an idea: maybe Hollywood could stop looking for the easy
way out of making remakes of remakes and using the same musical score ad
nauseum –just listen to Pirates of the Carribean (2003), Gladiator (2000), and The Rock (1996)
— and reinvent itself. Sure, it takes effort to be creative, but
that’s what made Hollywood the most powerful force in the world.

Most people couldn’t name one U.S. senator, nor do they care. But
when Hollywood produces a creative, classic movie, it touches the soul,
inspires, motivates, and enlightens (Remember the Titans meets
all that criteria and then some). It makes people think in a way they
normally wouldn’t, and more often than not, produces a smile. When was
the last time Congress did that?

The slogan of the G4 network is playing “Movies That Don’t Suck.”
Since that list is growing thin, let’s hope Hollywood regains its
footing and returns to its glory days by putting blood, sweat and tears
ahead of the easy buck.

Jim Matthews, Joe Hoeffel, and Montco Residents
Even in its most creative mode, Hollywood couldn’t have scripted this
soap opera. Four years ago, the GOP won control of the county
commissioners, but Jim Matthews forsaked loyalty for power and sided
with Democrat Joe Hoeffel, giving the chairmanship to himself and power,
effectively, to the Democrats. Top vote getter Bruce Castor was left
out in the cold.

So (in)effective was the dynamic duo of Matthews-Hoeffel that both
got the boot from their respective parties and were forced into
retirement. And for the first time ever, the Democrats took control of
Montgomery County. So once again, Castor will be the only voice of
reason as the Dems will most certainly raise taxes and get cozy with the
unions.

But in a most fascinating twist, Matthews was recently arrested on
perjury and false swearing charges for allegedly lying to a grand jury
about his relationships with county vendors. The grand jury found that
“Matthews lied with such ease and frequency, that he acted as though, as
chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, he is above
the law.”

When your arrogance knows no bounds, what goes around comes around.
And for Jim Matthews, the red and green colors of the season may well
turn to jumpsuit orange. So in the spirit of giving, Freindly Fire will
send Jim a belated Christmas present, just to be safe: Soap-On-A-Rope.

Pennsylvanians
Maintaining the status quo simply isn’t good enough when the state has
an effective unemployment rate above 10 percent. So to solve that
problem, what did Republican Governor Tom Corbett and the GOP-controlled
legislature achieve? Pretty much zilch.

Sure, the budget wasn’t increased, but that wasn’t due to political
courage but the fact that the Federal stimulus funds had evaporated. And
yet, despite many good programs going on the chopping block, the
“fiscally conservative” Republicans still spent money on a lavish union
deal, the Yankees’ AAA stadium, a bailout of the Philadelphia Shipyard
to build ships with no buyers, and –while not ultimately spent — a grant
to Jerry Sandusky’s Second Mile Foundation.

And what of the signature issues that will be ignored in the upcoming
election year? School choice? Dead as Marley’s Ghost. Liquor
privatization? Forget it. Reducing the second highest corporate tax in
the nation — a certified job killer? Not going to happen.

And because the demand for natural gas remains so low, the industry
will cap their wells and move out of state, so we won’t have them to use
as a convenient punching bag anymore.

So Pennsylvanians will suffer as more opportunites to bring the state
into the 21st century are squandered. The politicians change, but the
lies stay the same.

Happy New Year, and for a list of winners check back in a few hours.

 

Biggest Losers of 2011

Regarding The 2011 Pa. GOP Senate Primary

Regarding The 2011 Pa. GOP Senate Primary

By Bob Guzzardi
(Bob is a Tea Party activist from Montgomery County)


The Republican/Democrat Establishment Insiders, apparently, have concluded Pennsylvania’s incumbent U.S. Senator Bob “98%” Casey cannot be defeated because he is so likeable and guileless; they ignore the ObamaCasey fiscally-reckless policy agenda.  Therefore, below are presented policy issues that move Voters; in PART-II, the major Republican Candidates for US Senate 2012 are introduced, for your consideration. Remember, Sen. Bob Casey almost always votes with President Barack Obama.

Judging from public debates held during December, the Pennsylvania Republican Senatorial Primary race will be “positive.”  Competition for the Republican Establishment Endorsement [with no Big Government Establishment “favorite” having yet emerged] and the Primary Race [which some competitors are planning, regardless of whether they are endorsed] will be fiercely contested on issues but not personalities, since no candidate has any major “negative.”

In clear contrast to an anticipated effort of CaseyObama, they all eschew Big Government Command-and-Control Socialism, Centralized and Concentrated in the Federal Government; this will contrast with the self-interested and self-centered Corporatist/Lobbyist Political Network in Washington, D.C.  The focus of all Republican  Senatorial candidates will, likely, be to  contrast their Free Market Constitutional Limited Government positions with that of ObamaCasey on JOBS, ENERGY, GOVERNMENT SPENDING, DEBT AND DEFICIT, and FOREIGN POLICY.

Recommended Reading for these candidates are two key resources on policy issues:   Rick Perry’s “Fed Up!” articulates an intellectually rigorous federalism platform, and Pat Toomey’s “Road to Prosperity” invokes a set of Free Market CATO Institute economic principles.

For independent, intellectually honest and scholarly commentary on Middle East Issues and Israel, Daniel Pipes, President of the Middle East Forum, www.danielpipes.org and www.meforum.org is reliable and comprehensive. For a broader, academic view and topical commentary based on his background in American History and Middle East Studies, see Barry Rubin’s GLORIA CENTER at the Interdisciplinary College in Herzliya and Barry Rubin in PJMedia; he incisively critiques the Obama Administration’s dangerous policies.

Vote-Moving Issues of US Senate 2012 Election
To win an election, a candidate needs to support ideas and policies that move voters to vote for him/her. This is condensed to “the message.”  The core issues in 2012 are, in my opinion:
1)    JOBS, THE ECONOMY and ENERGY, that is, energy exploration and development in the USA and in Pennsylvania.  Energy, Marcellus Shale, and coal create productive, family-sustaining jobs, grow the economy, and raise the standard-of-living for all by providing affordable energy. Energy policy is inextricably linked to jobs, our standard of living, and national security.

2)    ENTITLEMENT REFORM, DEBT AND DEFICIT, GOVERNMENT SPENDING are essential to prevent further devaluation and debasement of the currency that impoverishes all but Government Apparatchiks and self-serving bureaucrats and corporatists feeding off taxpayer financed subsidies . Until the central government, and even state governments, cease siphoning off the productivity of the productive Tax Makers. Restraining the Leviathan’s inexorable growth is tied to creating meaningful and productive jobs which raise the standard of living for all of us. Included in this is the perniciousness of Unions in Pennsylvania and, particularly, PSEA and other public sector unions who are drivers of Alinsky Class Warfare of Have Nots v. Haves. Free Market Republicans represent the Tax Makers and the Union Financed Collectivist Democrats represent the Tax Takers who want money without working or producing;

3)    ISLAMIST THREAT AND NUCLEAR IRAN ARE EXISTENTIAL THREATS.  Islamism is a radical interpretation of Islam. Islamism is a totalitarian, violent, expansionist and fanatical ideology that is implacably, and unappeasably, opposed to American Liberty and Constitutional Limited Government.  Iran is Islamism with Nuclear Weapons. And it is an existential threat to the USA like Soviet Russia, Imperial Japan and NAZI Germany. Islamism, probably, most resembles, in its fanaticism, Imperial Japan;

4) Specifically regarding the funding of abortions and of organizations that advocate and perform abortions, compare the Pro Life viewpoint and Bob Casey’s record on Abortion, elaborated upon here and here.  Most citizens—even those not considered to be Pro-Life by the standards of the Pro-Life movement—are repelled when made aware that the Forgotten Taxpayer is forced to fund a BILLION dollar “nonprofit”; note the PPA’s Annual Reports  through June 30, 2009  which show corporate profits accrued from performing abortions and that salaries for individuals are generous, including that of Cecile Richards [$400K]

Embraceable You
Here is You-Know-Whom with Cecile Richards and Sen. Bob “98%” Casey, Jr.

The Values Vote and Abortion:  Abortion on Demand is unlikely to be an overtly pivotal issue because it is highly unlikely that Roe v. Wade will be overturned for another generation, if then. The Abortion issue, itself, is simply overwhelmed by the Economy, Jobs and Fiscal Instability of the Federal government and Nuclear Iran.

Like every election this is  a Values Election,  a choice between two competing world views:  Secular Humanist European Welfare Socialist State vs. an American Constitutionally Limited State built on American Exceptionalism and the principle that every life has a value endowed by Our Creator and that every life is a life worth living. The choice is between alternative value systems:  the Biblical (Torah) Worldview vs. the bloody and soulless Secular Humanism, Scientific Materialism, and Historical Determinism with the stultifying uniformity of the Leviathan Socialist State.

Fiscally, it amazes me that we, the Forgotten Taxpayer, are forced to fund a BILLION dollar “nonprofit” and PPA’s Annual Reports  through June 30, 2009)  from which some profit rather well and here(2010 CNS) Cecile Richards $400k   Note salaries paid.
(FYI:  I would not be considered to be Pro-Life by the standards of the Pro-Life movement.)

Second-Tier Issues
Restraining the Government Leviathan I would like to see Departments of Education, Energy and Commerce and the Export Import bank eliminated and their legitimate fact finding functions consolidated with, or merged into, other departments. These Departments and the Export–Import  Bank, in addition, to their functions of compiling statistics, are conduits  for massive amounts of taxpayer financed subsidies to the biggest American Corporations, corporatists all, corrupting both economic and political decisions for the benefit  of a few. Ethanol and Farm Subsidies come to mind; Boeing is prime beneficiary of Export-Import Bank guarantees, the centralization of education by the Carter Created Department of Education into a regulatory octopus that has not reduced cost or improved student learning.

TAX CODE and REGULATORY REFORM. Related to job creation and a growing, productive economy is restraining the kudzu growth of endless and incomprehensibly complicated Tax Code and business regulation.  Billions of hours of energy and work to comply with a nonproductive code would be re
leased to build and grow real, productive jobs and grow our standard of living.

BELLING THE CAT
BELLING THE CAT is mandatory.  Message and policies are not enough, for political campaigns (like businesses) are won by competently-executed plans employing quality personnel. The campaigns necessarily need  to create a statewide organization and to raise money (along with personal funds).  The challenges of money and fundraising are unrealistically ignored by TEA [Taxed Enough Already] Party Movement activists, who sometimes become fixated on policy rather than the reification of those policies.
The US Senate campaign for 2012 will likely require the Republican candidate to raise $20,000,000. Sen. Bob “98%” Casey, Jr. will have the support of every Pennsylvania and National Union who justifiably look upon him as one of their own.

From what I know, only Steve Welch and Tom Smith, and maybe Tim Burns (although Ray Zabourney is a huge drag) have the financial resources to create a state wide organization and raise the money to be competitive with Sen. Bob “99%” Casey’s financial tsunami.
Steve Welch’s campaign team, in addition to the competent Peter Towey, includes the very Establishment and very expensive BrabenderCox, which produced SEPARATED AT BIRTH video, the best I have seen, and Rick Santorum’s former fundraiser and well oiled insider Rob Bickart

Sam Rohrer has many loyal supporters but those supporters do not write checks and do not seem to coalesce into a coherent organization to deliver the message and to get out the vote. The Primary is 24 April and we will know a lot more by then.

Sam Rohrer has wide appeal and an organization but, as was shown in 2010 gubernatorial race, cannot raise the money to run a competitive race nor recruit an effective organization. Sam Rohrer’s messaging skills are exemplary and compelling.

Tim Burns is dragged down by the feckless but connected Ray Zabourney, a spawn of Self-Serving Senate Team of Jubelirer-Brightbill-Long-Nyquist-Crompton
It does not appear that Dave Christian, Laureen Cummings, John Kensinger have the financial or organizational resources or organization to run a primary.

The Candidates

It seems only Tom Smith, Steve Welch and [perhaps] Tim Burns have the financial resources to create a statewide organization and to raise the money to be competitive with the financial tsunami which will be mustered by  Casey.  Sam Rohrer must prove he can match these two criteria.

Opinion

Tom Smith is My Guy. “Independent of Leadership”; “No Squish” on policies and principles and has the resources to run a Primary.

Steve Welch is working hard and his “Separated At Birth” is a gem, maybe the best political ad I have seen.

Tim Burns is highly accomplished and solid.

Sam Rohrer brings very positive name-recognition with an ability to center the discussion on the Constitution and Limited Government and the underlying values of self-government.

John Vernon personified the excellence of our military, but has dropped-out.

Laureen Cummings has been at candidate debate forums and has been well received from media reports.

I have not gotten anything from Dave Christian or John Kensinger and don’t know them nor do I know anyone who does.

I have met with Steve Welch and am very impressed. Steve is building a solid campaign organization with Peter Towey, formerly of the Toomey campaign, and advised by Wayne Woodman, the talented and independent chair of Lehigh County Republicans. Steve is meeting with all the committee people around the state in a well organized effort to obtain the Republican State Committee endorsement and, in my opinion, is the candidate most likely to get the Republican Endorsement.

Tom Smith is unlikely to get the endorsement and has committed to running a primary against the endorsed candidate. Tom Smith as the resources and is building a state wide organization to do that. Steve Welch, also, has the resources and organization and will have to run a primary even with the Republican State Committee Endorsement.

I don’t know if Tim Burns intends to run a primary if he doesn’t get the endorsement. By hiring Harrisburg Republican Insiders, Ray Zabourney and Jan Holman, he is positioning himself to try for the endorsement. I haven’t met Tim Burns, personally, but my sense is his bio mirrors Steve Welch’s as an entrepreneurial, productive job creator.

The Candidates, Alphabetically

Tim Burns is highly-accomplished and solid, an entrepreneurial, productive job creator.  I haven’t met Tim Burns, but my sense is that his bio mirrors that of Steve Welch. By hiring Harrisburg Republican Insiders [Ray Zabourney (and fund raiser Jan Holman)], he is positioning himself to seek the endorsement.  Yet, some feel that he is dragged down by the feckless-but-connected Ray Zabourney, a spawn of the Self-Serving Senate Team of Jubelirer-Brightbill-Long-Nyquist-Crompton.  I don’t know if he intends to run a primary if he doesn’t get the endorsement. Tim Burns has high and positive name recognition in the Southwest and good relations with Rob Gleason, the chair of the State Republican Party.

Dave Christian is from Bucks County, but I have never met him. He has served our country well and is to be honored for that service, defending American security and freedom.
Skip Salveson at Lehigh Ramblings: Christian, a veteran’s advocate and Philadelphia businessman, has worked with various federal agencies including the U.S. Department of Labor, under four U.S. Presidential Administrations in Washington D.C.  He is especially proud of his work in developing jobs, outreach programs and assisting returning war veterans in transitioning back to civilian life. Christian has consistently demonstrated his commitment to veterans. He was responsible for drafting some of the first Agent Orange legislation and for founding assistance programs which established Pennsylvania as the first and only state in compliance with federal regulations with respect to serving employment needs combat veterans.
From Dave Christian’s web site:  In his civilian life, he has owned and operated a number of business ventures. He established DAC Consulting Firm which focuses on developing relationships between American and foreign companies for investment opportunities. He is the president of a defense manufacturing company located in Northeast Philadelphia which builds ground support equipment for US Navy Aircraft Carriers.
Tom Fitzgerald, The Inquirer, Big Tent, writes on 11 July 2011:  He said his exploration “is going to be short and sweet,” and that whether he can raise enough money would be the most important consideration. Christian said he would put some of his own money into a campaign as well as raise contributions from others.

Laureen Cummings—  I have never met her; I’m told she is exceptionally articulate and knowledgeable. She is “TEA [Taxed Enough Already”] Party”-oriented and, thus, committed to Constitutional Limited Government, Economic Freedom and Personal Responsibility.  Competition and choice are keys to quality and, thus, she merits a serious hearing.  Her Communications Director [@ 570-291-5658] notes that she had 20-plus years of business administration experience before starting her own business adding that, during the three years after she had started and grown her business, she was
•    awarded Businesswoman of the Year by the NRCC Business Advisory Council
•    nominated and served 2 years as Secretary on the Board of the Greater NE Chamber of Commerce
•    nominated to Who’s Who among Woman.
She is a tea party activist and the Founder of the Scranton Tea Party but she is much more.
She is currently serving as Republican Committeewoman, Old Forge Ward 3-0. Laureen recently testified in Harrisburg at the Right to Work hearing giving voice to the many wives of Union men that feel enslaved by the very system that provides their financial security.

She is a small business owner in the field of health care. As a nurse and a business owner in the healthcare field, she has personally seen the effect of the government on her business and the lives of her patients. She knows better than any of the other candidates how important it is to repeal “ObamaCare.”

She has worked with multiple campaigns and helped with her precinct, tea parties, at rallies and marches all the way to D.C., and has a history of fighting for the rights of the people as well as educating the people of their rights.

John Kensinger — I know nothing at all about this Bedford County pharmacist. The website suggests his campaign is thinly-funded.

Robert Allen Mansfield –I have met Robert several times and he is engaging, transparently decent and patriotic with a compelling biography and message; all good but not enough. Money and Organization are fatally missing.

Sam Rohrer —   is well-known as a conserver of Constitutional principles.  He brings very positive name-recognition with ability to center discussion on the Constitution and Limited Government and the underlying values of self-government; his messaging skills are exemplary and compelling.   He has many loyal supporters who, alas, do not write checks, as was shown in 2010 gubernatorial race; he must show that he can raise the money to recruit a coherent organization that will effectively deliver his message and get out his vote in a competitive race.

Marc Scaringi —  I have met him and he is polished without being slick. Like Laureen Cummings, he does not seem to have executive experience. He is an energetic and committed candidate, but his financial resources are limited; he seems to lack an organization that would enable him to run a statewide primary.

Tom Smith —  is My Guy. I want biases to be candid. He has extensive financial resources to run a very competitive primary against the Establishment’s Endorsed Candidate. Not only has he built a multi-million-dollar energy business [evidencing strong entrepreneurial and executive ability], he is solidly committed to Tea Party principles. In my opinion, energy, particularly, Marcellus Shale is the key to productive jobs that raise our standard of living; Tom Smith has real world experience in creating energy jobs.  Tom Smith on Energy: There is no quicker path to American jobs than American energy. Tom knows we need an energy policy that brings all options to the table to reduce costs and reduce our dependence on foreign sources. The Marcellus Shale, American oil, and clean coal are tremendous opportunities to bring the cost of energy down and create jobs.

Steve Welch — is working hard; I have met with him and I am very impressed.  He is building a solid campaign organization, led by Peter Towey [formerly of the Toomey campaign] and advised by Wayne Woodman [the talented and independent chair of Lehigh County Republicans]; it includes Rob Bickart [Rick Santorum’s former fundraiser and well-oiled insider]. Also assisting is the very Establishment and very expensive BrabenderCox, which produced the “Separated At Birth” video that is a gem, perhaps one of the best political ads ever created.   He is meeting with state Committee-People throughout the Commonwealth, promoting a well-organized effort to obtain the Republican State Committee endorsement.  Thus, he may be the candidate most likely to receive the Republican Endorsement.  If he does not receive it, he still has sufficient resources and organization to run a primary.

John Vernon – announced he was dropping  out  on Dec. 13.

Our Diversified Eagle

The Roar

Our Diversified Eagle

While our blessed Christmas season heightens the antics of the anti-Christians and their wannabes, it never-the-less brings home the message that nothing is insignificant.  It has become painfully clear that our Country and our traditions are in the cross hairs of diversity.

This word introduces a belief that is antithetical to our “united” American way of life.  The definition of “diverse” is, “different from one another.”  That is as simple as it gets.  How is it that after two hundred plus years of unity, we accept “diversity” as a required societal function?  Being so diametrically opposed to our American assimilation, what would cause its adoption?

This “Merry Christmas” issue presents the degree to which this alien concept has been introduced to our youth, and more importantly, accepted.  The openness of such a greeting, the warmth, the friendliness and the well wishes represents a basic cohesive value.  This image of youthful defiance silhouettes the common influence from a public education.

Results from this instruction are becoming  as varied in society as they are numerous.  In effect, our Department of Education has apparently adopted a policy in direct confrontation to our most basic American purpose.  Our bewilderment, to a most ordinary and accepted religious based practice, and which is in concurrence to our Christian heritage, offers an indisputable testament to this present day anti-American curriculum.

Consider the turn around America has undergone as far as what was and what is now.  This inclusive sense of a global partnership effectively erased our Nation’s enemies.  Almost overnight, those who caused major loss of American life were transformed into peaceful and legitimate trading entities.  In short, the “buck” has erased the communist threat!  Or did it?   The most infamous characteristic of the communist doctrine is its “Godless” belief system.  Does this sounds familiar with what is now taking place on Main St America.

The comfort zones of modern America have incurred a sort of a lazy softness throughout much of our countryside.  Hard choices are to be avoided as are perceived threats.  There is an  assumption is that all will be fine tomorrow.  With these attitudes, our vulnerability invites mischief.  And, that is exactly what is taking place today.

This “Merry Christmas” greeting is one example of our victimization.  Another is this incessant and counterproductive support to that element that finds assimilation too difficult.  Our Federal “Justice” Dept. “rejected South Carolina’s law requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls.”  Why?  Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez stated that thousands of minorities might not be able to vote because they don’t possess the correct ID.

The insinuation of this article pits the Republicans, who enacted this voter law, against the Democrats who care more about the vote numbers than about election integrity.  This decision highlights the influence gained from this hoovering cloud of “diversity.”  Not only has this all inclusive state of mind shredded our societal traditions, it now attacks our common sense legal requirements which should be non-political.

This ongoing transformation to our American landscape is intentional.  It has to be if merely based upon its consistency.  We are under attack from all quarters.  Amid this do or die period in American history, I am more and more reminded of a great Statesman who warned of this peaceful communist threat long ago.  In response, the average American was informed that this was not the actions of a patriot but of a drunken lout and a bully of the defenseless.  Could it be that the McCarthy experience provided clues as to how important our communist trading partners would become?  Seems that way.

Jim Bowman, Author of
This Roar of Ours