Is America at war, or not?

Is America at war, or not?
by Pat Buchanan
Posted: November 16, 20096:50 pm Eastern© 2009

Are we at war – or not? For if we are at war, why is Khalid Sheikh Mohammed headed for trial in federal court in the Southern District of New York? Why is he entitled to a presumption of innocence and all of the constitutional protections of a U.S. citizen? Is it possible we have done an injustice to this man by keeping him locked up all these years without trial? For that is what this trial implies – that he may not be guilty. And if we must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that KSM was complicit in mass murder, by what right do we send Predators and Special Forces to kill his al-Qaida comrades wherever we find them? For none of them has been granted a fair trial.

When the Justice Department sets up a task force to wage war on a crime organization like the Mafia or MS-13, no U.S. official has a right to shoot Mafia or gang members on sight. No one has a right to bomb their homes. No one has a right to regard the possible death of their wives and children in an attack as acceptable collateral damage.

Minoru Genda, who planned the attack on Pearl Harbor, a naval base on U.S. soil, when America was at peace, and killed nearly as many Americans as the Sept. 11 hijackers, was not brought here for trial. He was an enemy combatant under the Geneva Conventions and treated as such.
When Maj. Andre, the British spy and collaborator of Benedict Arnold, was captured, he got a military tribunal, after which he was hanged. When Gen. Andrew Jackson captured two British subjects in Spanish Florida aiding renegade Indians, Jackson had both tried and hanged on the spot.

Enemy soldiers who commit atrocities are not sent to the United States for trial. Under the Geneva Conventions, soldiers who commit atrocities are shot when caught.

When and where did Khalid Sheikh Mohammed acquire his right to a trial by a jury of his peers in a U.S. court? When John Wilkes Booth shot Abraham Lincoln, alleged collaborators like Mary Surratt were tried before a military tribunal and hanged at Fort McNair. When eight German saboteurs were caught in 1942 after being put ashore by U-boat, they were tried in secret before a military commission and executed, with the approval of the Supreme Court. What makes KSM special?

Is the Obama administration aware of what it is risking by not turning KSM over to a military tribunal in Guantanamo? How does Justice handle a defense demand for a change of venue, far from lower Manhattan, where the jury pool was most deeply traumatized by Sept. 11? Would not KSM and his co-defendants, if a change of venue is denied, have a powerful argument for overturning any conviction on appeal?

Were not KSM's Miranda rights impinged when he was not only not told he could have a lawyer on capture, but told that his family would be killed and he would be waterboarded if he refused to talk?

And if all the evidence against the five defendants comes from other than their own testimony under duress, do not their lawyers have a right to know when, where, how and from whom Justice got the evidence to prosecute them? Does KSM have the right to confront all witnesses against him, even if they are al-Qaida turncoats or U.S. spies still transmitting information to U.S. intelligence?

There have been reports that in the trials of those convicted in the first World Trade Center bombing, sources and methods were compromised, weakening our security for the second attack on Sept. 11.

If the trial is held in lower Manhattan, how much security will be needed to protect against a car bomber who wants the world to see a mighty blow struck against the Great Satan? And if, as some suggest, the trial should be held on Governors Island, would that not make the United States look like a nation under siege?

What do we do if the case against KSM is thrown out because the government refuses to reveal sources or methods, or if he gets a hung jury, or is acquitted, or has his conviction overturned? In America, trials often become games, where the prosecution, though it has truth on its side, loses because it inadvertently breaks one of the rules.

The Obamaites had best pray that does not happen, for they may be betting his presidency on the outcome of the game about to begin.

Pat Buchanan was twice a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination and the Reform Party's candidate in 2000. He is also a founder and editor of The American Conservative. Now a political analyst for MSNBC and a syndicated columnist, he served three presidents in the White House, was a founding panelist of three national TV shows, and is the author of seven books.

"Make Mine Freedom," circa 1948

The link below is to a cartoon produced by Harding college in 1948 entitled, "Make Mine Freedom." It's about a labor man, a farmer, a congressman, and a corporate executive all vying for what they want to make their lives better. And then walks up Dr. Utopia offering them a solution to each and all of their problems... a bottle of "Ism."

Through this simple animation, I hope you'll begin to appreciate the basic fundamental values and principles to preserving the freedom and rights of all Americans upon which this country was founded. It's a shame that we're watching our elected officials promise "better" lives and better "things" for us, while at the same time slipping our freedoms out from beneath us...ever so carefully.

Click on 1948 Cartoon below - this cartoon is timeless and is just as true today as it was in 1948!

1948 Cartoon

Prophecy on "America"

In a book published in 1974, President Harold B. Lee, the 11th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had this to say about the destiny of the United States of America:

"Men may fail in this country, earthquakes may come, seas may heave beyond their bounds, there may be great drought, disaster, and hardship, but this nation, founded on principles laid down by men whom God raised up, will never fail. This is the cradle of humanity, where life on this earth began in the Garden of Eden. This is the place of the new Jerusalem. This is the place that the Lord said is favored above all other nations in all the world. This is the place where the Savior will come to His temple. This is the favored land in all the world. Yes, I repeat, men may fail, but this nation won't fail . I have faith in America ; you and I must have faith in America , if we understand the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are living in a day when we must pay heed to these challenges. I plead with you not to preach pessimism. Preach that this is the greatest country in all the world. This is the favored land. This is the land of our forefathers. It is the nation that will stand despite whatever trials or crises it may yet have to pass through."

Harold B. Lee, Ye Are the Light of the World, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974], 350-51.

March on Washington on September 12, 2009

Thomas Jefferson quotes on Liberty

The following are quotes from President Thomas Jefferson, 3rd president of the United States of America.

"When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe." Thomas Jefferson

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." Thomas Jefferson

"It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world." Thomas Jefferson

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." Thomas Jefferson

"My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government." Thomas Jefferson

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." Thomas Jefferson

"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." Thomas Jefferson

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson

"To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical." Thomas Jefferson

"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered..." Thomas Jefferson

Change We Can Believe In

Seen on US Hwy 15-501 at Lamm’s Grove intersection.
(near Durham , NC )

‘‘America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009’’

I have just spent the last hour and a half quickly perusing over the 1,000 + page document that is the Healthcare Reform bill submitted before the House of Representatives this past 14 July 2009.



All I can say is...what a bureaucratic migraine it is going to cause many, many people! It appears as if this bill has been in the works for years, or if not, than lawmakers divided up the hundreds of sections and subsections among various committees, agencies, and organizations to write up their portions and then compile it all into one massive research project to be "turned in."



After working as a special education teacher in the public school system and having worked through the massive revisions and changes mandated to the school systems nationwide as charged by the NCLB Act by congress back in the early 2000s, I must say that NCLB is a cakewalk when compared to what doctors and nurses and all medical practitioners are going to be facing in the next decade after this health care reform bill (HR 3200) or AAHC Act is passed.

United States Dollar Bill History Lesson

Here is another gem of trivia that has come from a friend who sent the info. to me:

"An Important History Lesson. Who was Hayim Solomon?

"On the rear of the One Dollar bill, you will see two circles. Together, they comprise the Great Seal of the United States .

"The First Continental Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal. It took them four years to accomplish this task and another two years to get it approved.

"If you look at the left-hand circle, you will see a Pyramid.
"Notice the face is lighted, and the western side is dark. This country was just beginning. We had not begun to explore the west or decided what we could do for Western Civilization. The Pyramid is uncapped, again signifying that we were not even close to being finished. Inside the capstone you have the all-seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity. It was Franklin 's belief that one man couldn't do it alone, but a group of men, with the help of God, could do anything.

" 'IN GOD WE TRUST' is on this currency.
"The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT COEPTIS, means, 'God has favored our undertaking.' The Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM, means, 'a new order has begun.' At the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numeral for 1776. (MDCCLXXVI)

"If you look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully, you will learn that it is on every National Cemetery in the United States It is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Florida National Cemetery, and is the centerpiece of most hero's monuments. Slightly modified, it is the seal of the President of the United States , and it is always visible whenever he speaks, yet very few people know what the symbols mean.

"The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons: First, he is not afraid of a storm; he is strong, and he is smart enough to soar above it. Secondly, he wears no material crown We had just broken from the King of England Also, notice the shield is unsupported. This country can now stand on its own. At the top of that shield you have a white bar signifying congress, a unifying factor. We were coming together as one nation. In the Eagle's beak you will read, ' E PLURIBUS UNUM' meaning,'one from many.'

"Above the Eagle, you have the thirteen stars, representing the thirteen original colonies, and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away. Again, we were coming together as one.

"Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds an olive branch and arrows. This country wants peace, but we will never be afraid to fight to preserve peace. The Eagle always wants to face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns toward the arrows.

"They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number. This is almost a worldwide belief. You will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor. But think about this:

"13 original colonies,
13 stripes on our flag,
13 steps on the Pyramid,
13 letters in, 'Annuit Coeptis,'
13 letters in 'E Pluribus Unum,'
13 stars above the Eagle,
13 bars on that shield,
13 leaves on the olive branch,
13 fruits, and if you look closely,
13 arrows.

"And finally, if you notice the arrangement of the 13 stars in the right-hand circle you will see that they are arranged as a Star of David. This was ordered by George Washington who, when he asked Hayim Solomon, a wealthy Philadelphia Jew, what he would like as a personal reward for his services to the Continental Army, Solomon said he wanted nothing for himself but that he would like something for his people. The Star of David was the result. Few people know that it was Solomon who saved the Army through his financial contributions but died a pauper. "

Political Ideology 101 using Cows

My dad used this quick illustration on how to differentiate between the different political ideologies that have been followed throughout the course of the 20th Century.

Socialism is where you own two cows. The government takes one of your cows and gives it to your neighbor (who didn't have any cows at all.)

Communism is where you own two cows. The government takes both cows from you and gives you the milk.

Fascism is where you own two cows. The government takes both and sells you the milk.

Nazism is where you own two cows. The government takes both and shoots you.

LBJ's Great Society is where you own two cows. The government takes both, milks one, shoots the other cow, and throws away the milk.

Capitalism is where you own two cows. You sell one cow and buy a bull.

If I Were The Devil

From Paul Harvey, ABC Radio, March 8, 1993:

"If I were the Prince of Darkness, I'd want to engulf the whole world in darkness. And I'd have a third of its real estate and 4/5ths of its population. But I wouldn't be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree--thee. So I'd set about however necessary to take over the United States.

"I'd subvert the churches first. I'd begin with the campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: 'Do as you please.' To the young I would whisper that the Bible is a myth. I would convince them that man created God, instead of the other way around. I would confide that what's bad is good and what's good is 'square.' And the old I would teach to pray, after me, 'Our Father, which art in Washington...'

"And then I'd get organized. I'd educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting, so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting. I'd threaten T.V. with dirtier movies and vice-versa.

"I'd peddle narcotics to whom I could. I'd sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. I'd tranquilize the rest with pills.

"If I were the Devil, I'd soon have families at war with themselves, churches at war with themselves, and nations at war with themselves, until each in its turn was consumed. And with the promises of higher ratings, I'd have mesmerizing media fanning the flames.

"If I were the Devil, I would encourage schools to refine young intellects, but neglect to discipline emotions--just let those run wild. Until before you knew it, you'd have to have drug-sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door.

"Within a decade, I'd have prisons overflowing; I'd have judges promoting pornography. Soon I could evict God from the Courthouse, then from the schoolhouse, and then from the houses of Congress. And in His own churches, I would substitute psychology for religion and deify science. I would lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls and church money.

"If I were the Devil, I'd make the symbol of Easter the egg and the symbol of Christmas a bottle.
"If I were the Devil, I'd take from those who have and give it to those who want it until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious. And what'll you bet--I couldn't get whole states to promote gambling as the way to get rich.

"I would caution against extremes in hard work, in patriotism, in moral conduct. I would convince the young that marriage is old fashioned, that swinging is more fun. That what you see on T.V. is the way to be. And thus I could undress you in public, and I could lure you into bed with diseases for which there is no cure.

"In other words, if I were the Devil, I'd just keep right on doing what he's doing."

1st Car Made in Detroit after the Government Takeover

The U.S. Government is stepping in to help the auto industry which is in deep trouble. There are many problems with this. Probably the biggest is that in the end, the problems won't be solved and millions more will have paid in vain!

Here is a funny clip someone sent me recently. It's really sad that this might actually come true--hopefully not to this extreme!

1st 100 days= Tip of the iceberg

Today marks 100 days since U.S. President Barack Obama took the oath of office. Some are celebrating his accomplishments while others are not. I am one who is not excited about all he has accomplished because I don't agree with most of his policies.

I don't trust President Obama. Probably the biggest reason why I don't trust him is because I feel that he doesn't completely tell the truth. I don't think he truly has America's best interest at heart. He is very good at talking and presenting his policies and viewpoints, but sometimes, the facts aren't completely accurate. And to those of us who actually know the real facts, it's really disconcerting to see that a person whom so many in this country trust, could actually be wrong.

At first I posted the entire body of this article, but then, I decided it was way too lengthy. So, here is the link to an article from the New York Post, today, entitled: "100 Days, 100 Mistakes." by JOE SCARBOROUGH, GLENN BECK AND OTHERS ON OBAMA'S SHORT, ERROR-PRONE TIME IN OFFICE.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/04252009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/100_days__100_mistakes_166177.htm?page=0

All I have left to say is that these first 100 days are just the tip of the iceberg.

"The Earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof" (Psalms 24:1).

I appreciate and love the Earth. I respect it. I try to do my part in taking care of it. I believe it was created by a Higher Power and is not a result of spontaneous evolution over trillions of years. Nothing so beautiful or as elaborate and complex as this planet could have happened just by chance.


"...All things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator" (Alma 30: 44, The Book of Mormon).

By taking care of the Earth, we show the Lord that we are grateful to Him for this beautiful place to live. When we choose on our own accord to conserve energy, reduce the waste we produce, reuse items that can be used more than once, and recycle materials that can be used again for many purposes, we are taking care of our planet.

I think "Earth Day" and efforts to increase awareness among nations on how to take care of this planet are important. Laws which prohibit excess of harmful substances which pollute the environment that have been passed over the past several decades have protected peoples' lives and preserved the uses of our lands and waters for many different purposes.

Now, I really disagree with the environmentalists and politicians who seek to impose their agendas on the climate and the environment. I think that they are taking what has been a good thing with what has been done to set up basic protective guidelines and procedures and are now, seeking to push it too far.

What is too far? The claim that there is a climate change crisis, ie. "Global Warming," and that we humans are solely responsible for it. I feel they are going too far to an extreme when they seek to pass laws that would force responsible hard working citizens to carry a huge burden with taxes to pay for less effective energy production methods and increasing energy costs. I am not against using renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and water, etc. However, when timelines are imposed on the energy producing companies and penalties are enforced for not doing enough quickly to move towards "cleaner" energy sources by these particular politicians and environmentalists, I feel that this is yet another way in which the government is moving to take away certain liberties and freedoms from its citizens that it has no right to control.

"Going Green" is kind of like the "Organic" craze that is sweeping our nation's food markets. Organic food is probably more healthy for us, but it is also costs so much more. Every American is not able to afford to buy only "organic" food. Thankfully, they don't have to. Thank goodness there remain "non-organic" forms of food still available on the market so that average American families can still afford to put food on their tables.

The same thing applies to energy--every American can not afford the "organic" or "green" forms of energy. If there are people and companies who independently choose to produce energy from renewable cleaner sources, than let them! And let me make the choice to buy their products or not. I can't help but ask rhetorically whether the U.S. government will start subsidizing food stamps and energy stamps for those of us poorer Americans who can not afford to eat organically and "go green"?

What does $1 trillion look like?

About a month ago, a friend forwarded to me an e-mail with the following text and images. It really helped give me some visual perspective on how massive $1 trillion is! I do not take credit for the creation of the images or the content of the text--but I do think it's worth passing on!

"This is a pretty impressive visual…it really makes you think about it.
What does one TRILLION dollars look like?
All this talk about "stimulus packages" and "bailouts"...
A billion dollars...
A hundred billion dollars...
Eight hundred billion dollars...
One TRILLION dollars...
What does that look like? I mean, these various numbers are tossed around like so many doggie treats, so I thought I'd take Google Sketchup out for a test drive and try to get a sense of what exactly a trillion dollars looks like.
We'll start with a $100 dollar bill. Currently the largest U.S. denomination in general circulation. Most everyone has seen them, slighty fewer have owned them. Guaranteed to make friends wherever they go."

"A packet of one hundred $100 bills is less than 1/2" thick and contains $10,000. Fits in your pocket easily and is more than enough for week or two of shamefully decadent fun."

"Believe it or not, this next little pile is $1 million dollars (100 packets of $10,000). You could stuff that into a grocery bag and walk around with it. "

"While a measly $1 million looked a little unimpressive, $100 million is a little more respectable. It fits neatly on a standard pallet... "

"And $1 BILLION dollars... now we're really getting somewhere... "

"Next we'll look at ONE TRILLION dollars. This is that number we've been hearing so much about. What is a trillion dollars? Well, it's a million million. It's a thousand billion. It's a one followed by 12 zeros.
You ready for this?
It's pretty surprising.
Go ahead...
Scroll down...
Ladies and gentlemen... I give you $1 trillion dollars..."

"(And notice those pallets are double stacked.) "

"So the next time you hear someone toss around the phrase "trillion dollars"... that's what they're talking about."

Tea Parties--TAX DAY

I am an American. I claim no special writing or speaking ability. All I have is my single voice to raise with the thousands of others out there who recognize that Congress and President Obama are not acting in the best interest of the United States of America. While they claim that their bills, plans, and budget are going to make America better, I don't understand how they can justify spending so much tax dollars for programs and initiatives that will not stimulate the economy in the long run. Those program will grow the government and in time, we Americans will have to pay and pay BIG! I am in protest of the future taxes that will come upon our backs!