Anyone who visits here regularly knows at least two things about me: I am Catholic, practicing in the Tridentine tradition (that's the old Latin, Pre-Vatican II version) and I am virulently anti abortion in all its forms. For any reason. No politically correct excuses of rape or incest. No exceptions.
When people accuse me of being against women, I calmly tell them no, I'm simply pro-child. I don't believe a woman, any woman, is entitled to kill her unborn child for any reason--when she begins a pregnancy, she is no longer a singular being but is in fact an incubator for a new life. If that makes me anti-woman, so be it.
Believe me, I've heard it all. And, when I point out no matter how loud I'm screeched at, or how hysterical the other person becomes, the other person generally gives up and goes directly to ad homs.
Again, so be it. I have walked my talk and am entitled to my views. If you don't like them, don't listen. But don't attempt to change my mind either, particularly in a hysterical manner.
Which brings us to politicians.
We have four very prominent politicians who proclaim to be Catholic, yet are rabidly pro-death (do NOT argue with me on this--you are either pro-life or pro-death; choice is a politically correct term chosen so you don't have to face the gruesome reality of your "choice"). Those politicians are Nancy Pelosi, Ted Kennedy, John Kerry and Joe Biden.
Surprise! They're all democrats.
Surprise! They think the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Bible and Church Doctrine are something you can pick and choose from, sort of like an ecclesiastical buffet.
The trouble is, it doesn't work like that. You either follow Church canon and are in line with your chosen faith or you don't and you aren't. When you are out of line with the Church because you don't understand something or don't know something, that's fine--as long as you are striving for understanding or the answer. To be PURPOSELY out of line with Doctrine is quite another matter. It shows you have CHOSEN to distance yourself, through your own arrogance, from the teachings.
Might I remind anyone here that God gave us free will--yes. Absolutely He gave us free will. Part of that free will is to choose whether we follow Him in our faith or distance ourselves from Him by rejecting His teachings. But you don't get to pick and choose for expediency.
In matters of life, the Church has always been firm--life begins at natural conception and ends at natural death. From the inception of the Church over 2,000 years ago, this has been the teaching.
On July 25, 1968--in the wake of the advent of "The Pill" and the subsequent sexual revolution--Pope Paul VI published the groundbreaking encyclical "Humanae Vitae".
From Section I: Problem and Competency of the Magisterium, Point 2:
2. The changes that have taken place are of considerable importance and varied in nature. In the first place there is the rapid increase in population which has made many fear that world population is going to grow faster than available resources, with the consequence that many families and developing countries would be faced with greater hardships. This can easily induce public authorities to be tempted to take even harsher measures to avert this danger. There is also the fact that not only working and housing conditions but the greater demands made both in the economic and educational field pose a living situation in which it is frequently difficult these days to provide properly for a large family.
Also noteworthy is a new understanding of the dignity of woman and her place in society, of the value of conjugal love in marriage and the relationship of conjugal acts to this love.
But the most remarkable development of all is to be seen in man's stupendous progress in the domination and rational organization of the forces of nature to the point that he is endeavoring to extend this control over every aspect of his own life—over his body, over his mind and emotions, over his social life, and even over the laws that regulate the transmission of life.
The next subsection is "New Questions" Point 3:
Moreover, if one were to apply here the so called principle of totality, could it not be accepted that the intention to have a less prolific but more rationally planned family might transform an action which renders natural processes infertile into a licit and provident control of birth? Could it not be admitted, in other words, that procreative finality applies to the totality of married life rather than to each single act? A further question is whether, because people are more conscious today of their responsibilities, the time has not come when the transmission of life should be regulated by their intelligence and will rather than through the specific rhythms of their own bodies.
And the last, "Interpreting the Moral Law" Point 4:
No member of the faithful could possibly deny that the Church is competent in her magisterium to interpret the natural moral law. It is in fact indisputable, as Our predecessors have many times declared, (l) that Jesus Christ, when He communicated His divine power to Peter and the other Apostles and sent them to teach all nations His commandments, (2) constituted them as the authentic guardians and interpreters of the whole moral law, not only, that is, of the law of the Gospel but also of the natural law. For the natural law, too, declares the will of God, and its faithful observance is necessary for men's eternal salvation. (3)
All of this is very basic. However, it does illustrate those politicians were called out by the Church. The Church in no way dismissed women, nor has it ever. It recognizes women have a separate but equal calling. That has been drowned out by the screeds of the femi-nazis. One of those is Nancy Pelosi.
Several times now, Nancy Pelosi has decided she can be all Catholic and totally pro-death, including partial birth abortion. Most recently on Meet the Press and her follow up interview. The YouTube video is below and relevant quotes are below it, from A Shepherd's Voice here:
The corruption of reason is one of the logical consequences of legalized abortion.
Here is the Speaker of the House this morning on "Meet the Press":
MR. BROKAW: Senator Obama saying the question of when life begins is above his pay grade, whether you're looking at it scientifically or theologically. If he were to come to you and say, "Help me out here, Madame Speaker. When does life begin?" what would you tell him?
REP. PELOSI: I would say that as an ardent, practicing Catholic, this is an issue that I have studied for a long time. And what I know is, over the centuries, the doctors of the church have not been able to make that definition. And Senator--St. Augustine said at three months. We don't know. The point is, is that it shouldn't have an impact on the woman's right to choose. Roe v. Wade talks about very clear definitions of when the child--first trimester, certain considerations; second trimester; not so third trimester. There's very clear distinctions. This isn't about abortion on demand, it's about a careful, careful consideration of all factors and--to--that a woman has to make with her doctor and her god. And so I don't think anybody can tell you when life begins, human life begins."
To answer the simple question "When does life begin?" Nancy Pelosi chooses to cite the authority of a bishop who lived 1500 years ago. Madame Speaker, we don't ask the Doctors of the Church to "make that definition." One does not read St. Augustine to find out when life begins. One reads modern textbooks on biology and embryology. And when one does that, one finds out that we do know when life begins:
Nancy: "And so I don't think anybody can tell you when life begins, human life begins."
Actual expert: “When scientists could examine embryos under the microscope, they recognized that the processes of development constituted a continuum from fertilization through delivery. There is no magic moment at which an embryo suddenly becomes something different.” -William L. Nyhan, M.D.; Ph.D; “The Heredity Factor, " p256. (Professor Nyhan is a graduate of Harvard, Columbia, and the University of Illinois, and one-time Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of California.)
The fact is that Nancy Pelosi deliberately chooses not to consult the experts as to when a human life begins. She must make this choice because she knows she can only maintain her support for legalized abortion by a deliberately cultivated ignorance.
But truth is one. To justify her support of legalized abortion, Nancy must not only ignore the teachings of scientists, who are the proper authorities on the question of when life begins. She must also ignore the teaching of the Church, who are the proper authorities on the morality of abortion:
"Therefore, by the authority which Christ conferred upon Peter and his Successors, in communion with the Bishops—who on various occasions have condemned abortion and who in the aforementioned consultation, albeit dispersed throughout the world, have shown unanimous agreement concerning this doctrine—I declare that direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, always constitutes a grave moral disorder, since it is the deliberate killing of an innocent human being. This doctrine is based upon the natural law and upon the written Word of God, is transmitted by the Church's Tradition and taught by the ordinary and universal Magisterium.
No circumstance, no purpose, no law whatsoever can ever make licit an act which is intrinsically illicit, since it is contrary to the Law of God which is written in every human heart, knowable by reason itself, and proclaimed by the Church." -Pope John Paul II; "Evangelium Vitae," paragraph 62, March 25, 1995.
Pelosi says "that as an ardent, practicing Catholic, this is an issue that I have studied for a long time." Both assertions in that statement are false. She has not seriously studied the issue at all--to do so would force her to change her position. And no "ardent, practicing Catholic" has ever been, or ever will be, "pro-choice" on abortion.
In a statement late on Tuesday, Bishop Michael Sheridan of Colorado Springs said: “Those Catholics who take a public stance in opposition to the most fundamental moral teaching of the Church place themselves outside full communion with the Church, and they should not present themselves for the reception of Holy Communion.”
"I hope she understands this is not an historical controversy recently settled but a long-standing, fundamental teaching of the Catholic Church that abortion is inherently immoral. And perhaps it will help open her heart," he continued.
"Children are the major richness and the most precious good of a family," he said.
"For this reason, it is necessary to help all people to be aware that the intrinsic evil of the crime of abortion, which attacks human life at its beginning, is also an aggression against society itself," the pope said.
Many, MANY others have weighed in on this. The fact is the Church is VERY clear on it's stands regarding life and death and always has been. It is unequivocal. You cannot be a practicing Catholic and be pro-death. It's a dichotomy which will never meet.
Pelosi has garnered special attention and is finally being called out publicly, to the point of being denied Holy Communion:
National Catholic Reporter Online: San Francisco Archbishop Invites Pelosi to Discuss Abortion
If a Catholic in his or her personal or professional life were knowingly and obstinately to reject the defined doctrines of the church, or knowingly and obstinately repudiate her definitive teachings on moral issues, however, he or she would seriously diminish his or her communion with the church. Reception of Holy Communion in such a situation would not accord with the nature of the eucharistic celebration, so that he or she should refrain.”
and:
In The Catechism of the Catholic Church we find this statement: “Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, willed either as an end or a means, is grossly contrary to the moral law.” (2270-71) The Catechism then quotes the Didache (also referred to as The Teachings of the Twelve Apostles), the oldest extant manual of church order, dating from the late first or early second century: “You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish.
Well. That seems pretty clear to me.
Since Vatican II, the Church has been pretty lax on a lot of her teachings. Many, particularly on the liberal side of the aisle, feel the Church isn't lax enough--they want birth control, women priests, Holy Communion without Penance, "freedom" to cohabitate without marriage, etc. They simply don't understand the Church will not change her stance on these items--ever. No matter the currently in vogue "revolution", the Church will not change for expediency. She can't change. These are doctrines laid down by Jesus Himself. They are forever. And the unchanging nature of the Church on these doctrines is what has made the Catholic Church the Universal church all these centuries.
Since Vatican II, churches are closing, seminaries and convents are closing, pews sit empty. Why? Because of the changes. The people DID NOT want the changes. Those changes didn't strengthen the Church, they weakened her.
Pope John Paul II started the road back to what she was; Benedict XVI is following in his footsteps. But understand this--artificial birth control, pro-death views, demanding women priests, demanding accomodations for homosexual behavior--the doctrines will not change. There was one good thing that came out of Vatican II. Instead of feeling condemned in confession, the trend has indeed been on hate the sin, love the sinner.
The Church has given her warning. If you are a politician and/or a public figure and claiming to be Catholic, and if as a Catholic politician and/or public figure you are espousing positions outside of Church doctrine, you will be denied Holy Communion. Both Pelosi, Biden and Kerry have been told not to approach. As it should be.
Is this a matter of separation of Church and State? No--because you have to make a choice at sometime. If you make a public choice to live outside your stated faith, that faith has the right to deny you the benefits of that faith as you are not a steward by example. It really is that simple.
Here, for those who think abortion is no big deal, are a few views of "women's choice" espoused by Biden, Pelosi, Kerry and Kennedy:
This is a saline abortion:
This is a partial birth abortion:
I dare anyone to tell me these children were simply blobs of tissue. This is what pro-death means. This is what is meant by those screaming for "women's rights".
People like me are very dangerous indeed. We are not perfect by any means. But we do the best we can to walk our talk. And for that, we are screamed at and called "religious" as if it were a dirty word. Perhaps it's because those who believe in this kind of "enlightenment" are truly dangerous--and yes, evil. This isn't about a woman's choice, her personal doctor and her body. This is about the wholesale slaughter of children, pure and simple.
Pelosi, Biden, Kerry and Kennedy--I truly hope you see the light. Otherwise, I hope you remove yourself from the Catholic family. We cherish our children whereas you cherish the killing of them.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a first for Miss Beth. I'm not known for allowing dissent to my views in general--after all, this is my blog and I'll rant as I like.
However, I have a very dear friend, well educated, articulate (heckuva computer whiz as well) who is absolutely true-blue American to the core. We do have occasional disagreements on some issues, but nothing explosive because we are comfortable in our disagreements and can conduct ourselves in an adult fashion, we can have a rousing good discussion and learn from each other. To that end, I am more than willing to give her "dissent time" and ask you to really read what she has to say--this isn't just talking points, and she's not a fringe lunatic. THIS is how different view points should be presented--and hopefully learned from. Hopefully, too, my friend will allow her dissent to be presented here regularly.
By the way, did I mention she lived in Alaska for awhile, so she has some actual "working knowledge" we (or at least I) don't have on the issue of Gov. Palin? She has a better working knowledge of the actualities; unlike most people who can claim to have lived in Alaska during that relevant time, I know she actually did. She has the credibility, whereas people in a comment thread lose that credibility simply from anonymity.
To that end, I present my friend, Sadie Adams.
September 2, 2008 - Tuesday Sarah Palin is the noose around McCain’s political neck: AKA Insult Me Some More ’08
I am smack dab in the middle of the demographic of middle-class, educated, independent-minded women that the Republicans (and Democrats) currently seek to court. And in response to their mistaken impression that the Hillary-loving masses have been slapped in the ass hard enough by the Obama-gods that these intelligent though oft-times vocally rabid voting women will about-face and turn their votes to the "dark side" in response to Hill's failure to win the nomination, the Republican "smarty-pants" have brought inexperienced, backwoods, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to the ticket to fight the conservative fight alongside our infamous Arizona political maverick, John McCain? I, for one, am insulted. A vice-presidential candidate has never been a "make it or break it" deal for me, but the spit in the eye of what seems to be the "spoonful of sugar" to help the stale old Republican political "medicine go down", is utterly disgusting to me.
Now don't get me wrong... I am not on the front lines of the Democratic Party's political battle. I am not one to be counted among the flock of Kool-aid drinkin' Obama lovin' sheep. Even as eloquently as he spoke during his recent nomination acceptance speech at the DNC convention in Denver, I will never vote for Barack Hussein Obama (AKA "God/Allah's Answer to All Our Prayers"). His communist/socialistic tendencies are all too reminiscent of the early rantings from our island neighbor/dictator to the south, Fidel Castro, for my taste. Couple this with Obama's rise from relative political and managerial Nowhere-land, I can't stomach the idea of this radically liberal "poster boy for change" leading the American people, like Moses from the Bible stories, out of wandering from the desert of despair which has come to exist on the social, moral, legal, and economic landscape of today's American society. But Sarah Palin as our country's wingman to the president, face of American women, ambassador to the world, leader of our legislative branch?! Are you freakin' kidding me?!
Sarah Palin is proclaimed to be a skilled moose hunter and avid ice-fisherwoman. She is the high-school sweetheart wife to a "superstar" Alaskan snow-mobiler and a loving mother of five children: ranging from an adult son serving honorably in our military to a 4 month old newborn afflicted with Down's Syndrome. I have to admit she isn't all that hard on the eyes and I'll be damned if she doesn't look like she just walked off the set having nabbed the role of some "Hot For Teacher" babe in an 80s rock music video. But does Sarah Palin's résumé really do well to balance out the Republican argument against Obama's obvious lack of solid and proven experience to qualify himself to lead our nation, which has always been McCain's ringer retort?
Even Obama was smart enough to go along with the DNC money-wielding politicos to pick a VP candidate with experience. Joe Biden got his start in Washington politics while Obama was probably still a pimple-popping, wave-surfing, binge-drinking, pot-smoking preteen back in Hawaii (even if it does scream "bullshit!" at his own "time for change" mantra). And so, the RNC's response is what?! Our 70-something year-old straight-talking and venerated war hero is paired up with the gun-toting beauty queen with heart of gold and a redneck brood of kids to go with it. I'll bet the National Enquirer is standing in the streets of the town of Wasilla (a small town, east of Anchorage - population approximately 8500 – where, as mayor, Palin "cut her teeth on the political polls" before becoming governor) just drooling at the chance to pay a measly $10,000 to the first toothless wonder in exchange for any viable yet juicy tidbit about the virtually unknown Sarah "Annie Oakley" Palin.
Sarah Palin, though seemingly a well-rounded and well-spoken "All American Girl" from what little us "Lower 48-ers" know and have heard from her, is NOT my idea of a viable and experienced running mate to ANY candidate for president, regardless of party affiliation, nor should she be slated to be considered the voice of the intelligent, middle-class American woman.
I, too, lived in the Last Frontier for a time myself. After driving over 4,000 miles of treacherous road from my home in Arizona, I lived in Alaska long enough: - to earn a decent wage, making nearly double in one year than I had in the previous year in Arizona doing the same job, and pay off some bills, even despite the increased cost of living; - to take out a fishing pole and troll for salmon with my two daughters in a small boat along the glacial silt-filled rivers and fjords, surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains; - to wonder at the moose trolling around among the residential neighborhoods and city streets in Alaska's larges city (which swelled to a "whopping" 250,000 or so people during mid-summer); - to be cautious enough when venturing out exploring into the vast forests and mountains to remember to bring along a shotgun and plenty of ammunition (aware of the presence of hungry bears); - to endure (as a desert rat accustomed to 60-70 degree Christmases) one of the harshest winters the city of Anchorage had seen in years; - to escape death just before Thanksgiving with only nine staples to my scalp and a cracked kneecap, injured when my vehicle slid backwards, downhill, about 100 yards, then rolled over and landed upside down in a ditch in the icy, snow-filled mountainside; - to learn first-hand, working for a reputable law firm, about the ins and outs of the oil industry (as much from the big oil perspective as from the environmentalist's perspective) and fishing industry; - and to get a literal "bird's eye's view" of the landscape and throngs of wolves, and caribou, and bears which outnumber humans so greatly in the vast and great last frontier;
But none of this translates to experience to stand toe-to-toe with political heads-of-state of foreign governments and to preside over our legislature or to possibly step in as Leader of the Free World and Commander-in-Chief of our military (should any ill fate happen upon our elderly statesman McCain, while possible serving as President), does it?
Picking Sarah Palin to try and bolster the conservative agenda is political suicide for the Republicans and for any chance that the so-called conservatives might have had to keep Obama from "preaching his way into the White House" with his socialist rhetoric, and letting the deep pockets of the MoveOn-type Libs get a final stranglehold over our nation.
The Dems are getting at what some people at first, undoubtedly, thought HAD to be a joke when "The Mav" made the announcement on Friday of "his" VP pick. The gossip train has been given all the fuel it needs to grind it's way right over McCain's pasty and war-scarred back, right on into the Metro station closest to Michelle Obama's freshly painted, pretty, new WhiteBlack House.
I sat at work today, surrounded by the jabbering of the liberal, elitist, cream-of-the-crop, well-educated and highly overpaid lawyers that I work with (actually for, since we "pee-ons" who actually do most of the work they take credit for are truly not, nor ever will be, equal to them). These same persons who sell their souls daily to represent big business all in the name of the mighty dollar that they earn as a result, while piously preaching and seething about their rich clients' injustices on the world and "everyday, little man" behind their backs, were giddy and excited today in their chatter about McCain and the RNC's choice of Sarah Palin for the Republican VP running mate. And who can blame them for their exuberance?
Palin has brought with her to the Republican stage: - a political scandal of allegations of abuse of power while having only been Governor of Alaska since 2006; - a very, very, very short list of political "accomplishments" before her current gubernatorial position, including beating out a Republican "political giant" who had faced some scandal of his own and being the mayor of a very small town; - and a baby sadly afflicted with Down's Syndrome, which might not be hers, but actually her grandchild, born from her 17-year-old daughter, now pregnant (again?) out of wedlock.
I am sure the Enquirer will find something more for the Dems to complete their "wet dream" with. Regardless of what truth any of the produced gossip might actually bear, I cannot argue with the "oh-My-GOSH" truth of the fact that Sarah Palin has got to be the most ridiculous choice that the Republicans could have pushed McCain to endorse. Mitt Romney with his painted face, plastered hair and strict Mormon conservative base would have at least helped to lock in the conservative vote, regardless of any of the differences between the former presidential hopeful and his previous rival, now nominated candidate/victor, John McCain. But a "Beauty and the Beast" ticket? What the hell is the RNC thinking?
As a woman, I am insulted. I cannot and will not stupidly chant the party's spin on this one. I am an independent, intelligent and VOTING woman. I vote in every election cycle, even when there isn't a presidential position at stake. I take my daughters to stand in line at the polls while I wait, sometimes hours, to make my mark and complete my civic duty. I try to teach them of the importance of having a vote and in taking a stance on issues important to our everyday lives and putting people into office to represent the common good. But in thinking that Sarah Palin is the answer to bring in the "minority" woman's vote they are attempting to court in the wake of Hillary's sunken hopes for the first woman to steer the American ship from the helms of the Oval Office (well, from behind, not below the desk, anyhow) – the Republicans have got their read on American women all wrong this time, baby! They should re-draw the Republican Party's mascot elephant's ass with a big ole' Democratic Donkey hoof-print on it now. Shit! I'd even give Monica Lewinsky credit for more experience than I would Sarah Palin. (But Ms. Altoids wears blue, and not red, so I guess she couldn't have made it to the Republican short list, could she?)
Sarah Palin should gracefully bow out now while the "gettin' is good", and none of us would fault her for it. Sad as it is to say it, the rigors of a campaign trail, as they choke on Obama's dust in the polls and as the Obama lovin' media rips her and her family's still somewhat good name to shreds, will prove to be too much for the Alaska girl and her December romance hero in the end. Mrs. Palin needs to go home and earn her stripes before this intelligent, All American girl will even think to stand in line and consider her worthy of the No. 2 spot in my nation's government. She should go home and take care of that sweet baby who is going to be challenged enough in his lifetime, without the added difficulty of missing some very crucial bonding time early on, and go encourage that 17-year-old daughter to put down the fishing pole, and press forward, baby in tow, to complete a college education so that she can adequately support herself and unborn child in the future, head held high. Mrs. Palin, go sit down in the Governor's mansion and listen to your state's workers and citizens to learn about the challenges of governing from all angles, from top to bottom.
A pretty face and some pretty rhetoric, even if touted and paraded by the likes of Hannity and Rush, will not stupify this independent woman into "plugging my nose and voting McCain". I'll not be placing my vote for President this year - Not if I have the choice of Old Man McCain and his lovely assistant, What's Her Name versus Barack Hussein Obama and his unproud, American wife and white-haired friend Joe, who has a sad case of verbal diarrhea from time to time. I'd rather eat glacial silt for breakfast. I’ll let the dogs just fight this one out without me this time.
Now… where's my TiVo remote? That 30-second fast forward button might be just enough to bypass those "I'm Dodo Bird, and I approve this message" ads and get to those really cool Geico gecko and caveman commercials and the next season’s episodes of Heroes to begin. That should keep the bile down and me entertained at least until it's time for the World Series, when I can start ranting again about overpaid, steroid-junkie athletes again.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it has been almost two months since I posted anything of my own. Those who know me know I'm currently in a round of studies which are, quite literally, kicking my behind. I will be in these studies until the culmination--a major exam September 27, 2008.
That being said, I may have been sitting on the sidelines but I haven't been ignoring what's going on in the ring.
Frankly, I am appalled at the behavior of the general population. I'm even more appalled at the behavior of the media, in all its forms. For several reasons.
First, why have we come to expect such obnoxious behavior as that of Michael Moore and his ilk as common place? Why do we just roll our eyes and go on our way when we hear any of the drivel coming out of their mouths? When did it become acceptable to let their filth stand unchallenged--and unprosecuted? Who says we have to listen to the filth spewing forth and why aren't people like him being run out of towns on a rail?
Why? Because the fringe groups have tapped into all that guilt about not allowing people their First Amendment rights. Well, guess what. Those rights go both ways. Sure they are entitled to show themselves to be the idiots they are. We are entitled to not have to listen to them if we do not wish to.
Michael Moore thought it would be funny to make a comment regarding Hurricane Gustav--and project how God must be on the DNC's side because the expected landfall date was the start of the RNC Convention. Never mind people's lives were in danger. Never mind Michael Moore doesn't believe in God. Never mind the absolute offensiveness of these words coming from the mouth of a man who never said no to anything remotely edible (and probably quite a bit not considered edible). He thought Gustav was a wonderful joke.
And apparently former DNC Chair Dan Fowler thought the same. Actually laughing about a disaster set to hit an area still recovering from Katrina and Rita. Isn't that a lovely joke? Of course, when caught by some astute person on the plane he was traveling on, he immediately backpedaled, blaming the VRWC for his actions. And his apology?
Here it is:
“If this offended anybody, I personally apologize,” Fowler told ABC News. “It was a mistake, and it was a satirical statement made in jest. And one that I clearly don’t believe.”
Fowler was secretly recorded by the person sitting behind him while flying from Denver, Colo., to Charlotte, N.C., following the Democratic National Convention. His conversation with Rep. John Spratt, D-S.C., was anonymously posted to YouTube and highlighted by RedState.com, a conservative blog.
“One doesn’t anticipate that one’s private conversation will be surreptitiously taped by some right-wing nutcase,” said Fowler. “But that’s the nature of what we’re dealing with.”
Followed by this:
“I believe in a benevolent God,” said Fowler. “I’m a religious person. It was a facetious statement, some might even say satirical, play off of what Falwell said.”
“If it offended anybody. I’m sorry for that,” said Fowler. “I don’t think anybody in America wishes for something bad to happen to New Orleans. I certainly don’t.”
That's an apology? I don't think so. It's the ramblings of a sick, twisted individual who, as an embodiment of what the DNC has become, can't take responsibility for his own words or actions.
Michael Moore has yet to apologize for his nonsense; in fact he's expanded on it.
Here is his original comment:
I was just thinking that, uh, this Gustav is proof that there is a God in Heaven — that it would actually be on its way to New Orleans on Day One of the Republican Convention in the Twin Cities at the top of the Mississippi River.
Sunday, August 31st, 2008 An Open Letter to God, from Michael Moore
Dear God,
The other night, James Dobson's organization asked all believers to pray for a storm on Thursday night so that the Obama acceptance speech outdoors in Denver would have to be canceled.
I see that You have answered Dr. Dobson's prayers -- except the storm You have sent to earth is not over Denver, but on its way to New Orleans! In fact, You have scheduled it to hit Louisiana at exactly the moment that George W. Bush is to deliver his speech at the Republican National Convention.
Now, heavenly Father, we all know You have a great sense of humor and impeccable timing. To send a hurricane on the third anniversary of the Katrina disaster AND right at the beginning of the Republican Convention was, at first blush, a stroke of divine irony. I don't blame You, I know You're angry that the Republicans tried to blame YOU for Katrina by calling it an "Act of God" -- when the truth was that the hurricane itself caused few casualties in New Orleans. Over a thousand people died because of the mistakes and neglect caused by humans, not You.
Some of us tried to help after Katrina hit, while Bush ate cake with McCain and twiddled his thumbs. I closed my office in New York and sent my entire staff down to New Orleans to help. I asked people on my website to contribute to the relief effort I organized -- and I ended up sending over two million dollars in donations, food, water, and supplies (collected from thousands of fans) to New Orleans while Bush's FEMA ice trucks were still driving around Maine three weeks later.
But this past Thursday night, the Washington Post reported that the Republicans had begun making plans to possibly postpone the convention. The AP had reported that there were no shelters set up in New Orleans for this storm, and that the levee repairs have not been adequate. In other words, as the great Ronald Reagan would say, "There you go again!"
So the last thing John McCain and the Republicans needed was to have a split-screen on TVs across America: one side with Bush and McCain partying in St. Paul, and on the other side of the screen, live footage of their Republican administration screwing up once again while New Orleans drowns.
So, yes, You have scared the Jesus, Mary and Joseph out of them, and more than a few million of your followers tip their hats to You.
But now it appears that You haven't been having just a little fun with Bush & Co. It appears that Hurricane Gustav is truly heading to New Orleans and the Gulf coast. We hear You, O Lord, loud and clear, just as we did when Rev. Falwell said You made 9/11 happen because of all those gays and abortions. We beseech You, O Merciful One, not to punish us again as Pat Robertson said You did by giving us Katrina because of America's "wholesale slaughter of unborn children." His sentiments were echoed by other Republicans in 2005.
So this is my plea to you: Don't do this to Louisiana again. The Republicans got your message. They are scrambling and doing the best they can to get planes, trains and buses to New Orleans so that everyone can get out. They haven't sent the entire Louisiana National Guard to Iraq this time -- they are already patrolling the city streets. And, in a nod to I don't know what, Bush's head of FEMA has named a man to help manage the federal government's response. His name is W. Michael Moore. I kid you not, heavenly Father. They have sent a man with both my name AND W's to help save the Gulf Coast.
So please God, let the storm die out at sea. It's done enough damage already. If you do this one favor for me, I promise not to invoke your name again. I'll leave that to the followers of Dr. Dobson and to those gathering this week in St. Paul.
P.S. To all of God's fellow children who are reading this, the city of New Orleans has not yet recovered from Katrina. Please click here for a list of things you can do to help our brothers and sisters on the Gulf Coast. And, if you do live along the Gulf Coast, please take all necessary safety precautions immediately.
These are sick people folks. But it gets better
Since the announcement of Governor Sarah Palin as the VP running mate with John McCain, the press, and indeed the entire country, has decided it's open season on her family, particularly her children.
It's been tradition children are untouched during campaigns. Apparently not if they are the children of the first female GOP VP pick. Then it's open season.
First, KOS started things off saying the Palins' youngest child was actually their grandchild. They had no proof of this, just seemed like something to say. The Palins shot back by exposing their oldest daughter Bristol is indeed 5 months pregnant and she and her boyfriend plan to 1) keep the child and 2) marry.
Let the howling begin.
Gov. Palin did the unthinkable and *GASP* allowed her baby to live, fully knowing he would be a Down's Syndrome child. This was her first mistake, according to the insane asylum refugees. She should have killed him in accordance with their views. To allow him to live is just wrong in their eyes. And oh, yeah--Trig had to be her daughter's child because Sarah never really "looked" that pregnant and didn't make all kinds of announcements. She actually did something most politicos find foreign--she did her job.
Then, horrors, it's come out she flew to Dallas, made a speech and flew back to Alaska one month prior to her due date. She developed an amniotic leak and by all accounts was in constant contact with her doctor. Her doctor--who was well apprised of the situation and more than likely had properly prepared delivery facilities to meet both Sarah's and her child's needs--before, during and after delivery. Sarah was not in labor. She was, understandably, in a hurry to get back to Alaska, and the doctors who were familiar with her case. BTW, Down's Syndrome occurs at conception--there is nothing after conception which "causes" Down's Syndrome. And, it occurs in older women ALMOST exclusively due to the age of the ova.
Alan Colmes of Hannity and Colmes fame decided he was going to take his shot and accused Sarah of causing Trig's Down Syndrome by her irresponsible plane trip after her "water broke" and "she went into labor" rather than staying in the hospital in Texas. Never mind she wasn't in labor, she was in constant contact with her personal physician and her water didn't BREAK, it was a leak.
THEN Sarah commits the horrible crime of returning to work 3 days after she gave birth. That's just the ultimate crime. Never mind this woman is responsible for running a state government. Never mind she is probably in better physical shape than about 90% of the general population. Never mind each individual woman is different in their recovery time. Never mind all that, she's committed the unpardonable sin of returning to work after 3 days. From all accounts, Trig goes with her to work. She doesn't rely on nannies to take care of her child.
Let's twist this a little more--some are even obliquely accusing Mr. Palin of being the father of Trig--with his daughter Bristol. Oh yeah, they went there.
The filth coming out today, greeting the news from the Palins that Bristol was indeed pregnant was absolutely unconscionable. Here are a few quotes from comment threads I've been helping monitor:
I think I will let the Christian Bible say it best:
1 Timothy, Chapter 2
I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument; also that the women should dress themselves modestly and decently in suitable clothing, not with their hair braided, or with gold, pearls, or expensive clothes, but with good works, as is proper for women who profess reverence for God. Let a woman learn in silence with full submission. I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing, provided they continue in faith and love and holiness, with modesty.
Deueronomy 22:20-21
If, however, the charge is true and no proof of the girl's virginity can be found, 21 she shall be brought to the door of her father's house and there the men of her town shall stone her to death. She has done a disgraceful thing in Israel by being promiscuous while still in her father's house. You must purge the evil from among you. Arlington | | Email | 09.01.08 - 7:11 pm | #
It was repeated at another site as well.
Then there was this one:
BettyBowers4Prez on September 1st, 2008 6:50 pm
Candidate for “Vice” President Sarah Palin has finally fessed up that her unmarried teenage daughter has been running around town having unprotected sex. Truly, the Lord Jesus is showing us two things by this sad example of teenage harlotry:
1. That a mother who also engages in sexual activity outside of a traditional, Christian marriage (if you doubt this, check out the birthday of Sarah’s first son — April 20, 1989 — and the date she and her handsome hubby eloped — August 29, 1988!) sets an appalling example for her own children. Indeed, studies from Focus on the Family have proven that harlot mothers wind up with harlot daughters 93.4% of the time. Similar studies by the godly gals at Concerned Women for America have concluded that these poor, impressionable girls learn to strut, show inappropriate décolletage and beguile like pushy prostitutes in their very own living rooms.
2. And a mother who values her career (to the point of abandoning a newborn to campaign 24-7 for a new job in another state) above raising her precious family should not be surprised when she FINALLY steps back inside her family home (if she remembers the address) to find that it has been filled with bastards in her shocking absence!
And, honestly, what is happening to our once-godly country when REPUBLICANS are getting all giddy over a unrepentant harlot? I expect Demoncrats to go for that nonsense, but not the party of God. Please join me in praying to the Lord Jesus that Mr. McCain kick this trash to the curb! http://bettybowers.com/betty4president/
Then there was this gem:
Jesse on September 1st, 2008 6:10 pm
Here is my problem with this… I don’t think it is refreshing that Sarah is dealing with a problem faced by other families. Her outspoken moral values should be reflected in her own family. Lead by example… don’t just talk the talk.
As a conservative, I want someone who actually practices what they preach, and whose message is truly effective, and since it was not effective in even her own family, I cannot say she is walking the walk.
My problem is we were all in agreement when Jamie Spears was found to be pregnant, out of wedlock, at 16 (Bristol was 16 I believe then during conception), that this was likely a result of not enough true guidance and parental involvement, along with instilling the proper values which led to her irresponsibility.
Now, because Sarah claims to be a conservative, it is OK and she should be applauded? I just don’t get it my fellow conservatives, this is not examples we want set for our country or children. The example she is teaching and you are all reinforcing is it OK to have sex before marriage and as a young teenager, because “these things happen”.
Wrong… when you follow a moral code and pass those down properly, and stay involved it doesn’t happen. Even liberals in my community, they don’t have the same moral compass as me, but they do know how to set example and keep their kids from making the kind of irresponsible choices like this.
I hold her higher because she claims to be conservative, but the fact she can’t keep her own kitchen clean so to speak tells me she has no authority to lead the rest of us on this issue.
McCain made a terrible mistake, and unfortunately this issue and a couple others are making it very hard to vote for him.
We need leaders who lead by example, not by telling us what we want to hear.
So frustrating
And this:
PS- Let’s stop turning this into an abortion issue. It has nothing to do with it. The bottom line is she has failed as a conservative parent to keep her daughter on the right path. There is no upside to this. We expect her to keep the baby, duh. The problem is under Sarah’s watch, her daughter: Was having sex, unmarried, at a young age, and if that wasn’t enough, she didn’t even have the sense to at least be safer about it to prevent bringing a child into the world under the wrong circumstances for her and the baby.
A baby should be born to a couple who is old enough to know they are truly in love and will spend the rest of their life together, because they are already married. Anything else is not only a sin, but totally selfish and irresponsible.
How do I explain to my children that Sarah is a model for America, but she can’t even keep her children on the right path of the lord, or even just the common sense for those who don’t lend as much credence his teachings?
and finally:
Hello,
What I don't understand is why did they send in the low level, of the Republican tier, to deal with this issue if the base is so excited?
Where are the big endorsements from prominent Republican members such as: Newt, Pat Buch, George Bush (41 especially, and, 43) Karl Rove, Rice, Cheney? And, the brigade of high ranking Republican military to solidify her "readiness"? Just to name a few players.
What happened to Morning Joe Scarborough this morning promoting her?
Basically, the "buzz" is the Republican Party has realized McCain blew it with this choice. Nobody, is buying this hard sell.
The internet is a-buzz because mainstream media is running scared of their bosses who want to keep the good spin going. There has been no oposing viewpoint on any media channel since the announcement. If we had been getting regular news and if Palin had been vetted properly, there would be no need for tens of thousands of people to be digging into her past, which, she put on the table when deciding to run for Vice President.
We Americans are loving this. It's pure power, just like MSM. We can go from site to site linking stories, sourcing out our own material and sharing it with other voters in our social groups. With this being a holiday weekend, and because of what I described above, we can circulate our own media bias just as CNN, MSNBC, ABC, FOX NEWS, etc., whatever, that may be. That is the real problem. We did not wait for mainstream media to shape our thinking about the Palin issue.
In my fact finding research mostly Alaskian Newspapers (I was reading for an entire day, it was that extensive); as an Independent, voter with conservative viewpoints, I found out:
Palin has ethics and judgment problems - 1.) Questions about the baby, high risk pregnancy travel, her behavior when faced with going into labor while out of town, etc. 2.) Using a special needs baby, for campaigning, is extremely poor judgment even with some conservatives.
What does her husband do? Every report is--has worked for, or seasonal. What does that mean...sits home, lives off his wife, pumps out babies and watches his wife work herself to death? She's either on her back or her feet working.
This picture sends the wrong message to our conservative sons and daughters. Maybe, you should give us clarity by doing a investigative story on him so voters can have all the facts.
NOW THE 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IS PREGNANT AND IT MAY NOT BE THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR. PUSHING FOR A DNA to before I would vote for McCain, Palin. People this is an election.
Whatever method we use to intelligently pick our candidate is applicable. I went from blog to blog yesterday, some for the first time. I didn't see any attacks. Define attacks. Questioning something is not attacking.
Guess you didn't read above where it says no anonymous posts, did you? Your research, so called, is tabloid style and is in keeping with trash. What do you want a DNA test for? What's this crap Bristol was pregnant before? Are you Palin's doctor and qualified to comment on her medical care? Your comment is being allowed to stay for one reason--to show the idiocy you, and others like you, are stooping to in your fear of a strong women who connects with Americans. Next time, you're gone.
This was just a mild sampling of the insanity going around today. There was also the person who said CPS needed to get involved and do a DNA test on the child as she had been "violated", again implying Mr. Palin had committed incest with his daughter.
Where was Stinky? Oh--he was busy campaigning while the RNC was organizing relief efforts for Gustav--he couldn't be bothered to help with any of that. Seems he felt his entourage is too big (what they couldn't man a phone bank?). He also waited two days to say anything--guess he was waiting to see which way the wind blew before he jumped in.
Funny thing about Stinky--while he came out against these attacks on a 17 year old minor today, he certainly has set down what's off limits in his campaign, including his hateful Mrs. Stinky, who as an adult put herself out there as fair game. He certainly didn't waste two days then, did he?
Here's the deal folks. The fringe is running terrified. What we have is an entirely capable woman tapped for the GOP VP. She lives her values. She is a refreshing representative of every person USA rather than an elitist moron from the beltway. She has a family. In less than a year, she has chosen to give life to a handicapped child and she is about to become a grandmother. Her daughter has also chosen life. They are an ordinary family facing ordinary trials and tribulations and sticking to their principles. This is complete anathema to the left. In their eyes, to be conservative you apparently must walk on water.
Only one person did that.
They condemn us for being rabidly religious and judgmental. Look at those comments again--who are the rabidly judgmental ones?
McCain in his genius has given us a VP pick we can rally behind. Smart, attractive, principled, family oriented, child loving, capable. Pro-Life, Pro-Troop and oh yeah, her son will be deploying to Iraq this month. Business woman, family woman, coach, mom, NRA member, athlete, entrepreneur. Someone who has rallied the base and solidified it. The left has seen this "sure thing" go down the tubes in one stroke. They're continued idiocy regarding attacking the Palins' children has not split the base--but has rallied people to it. Sane people know you do not go after a candidates child. They have broken the cardinal rule. They say Sarah isn't fit to command because she's a mother. Because she "can't control her own household" (neither could Hillary with Bill). Anything and everything they can think of--and it's not sticking. In fact, it's bouncing back onto them.
They have hit a new low. I just wonder when they'll hit bottom. What scares them the most is Sarah is QUITE capable of handling it and handing it back to them--in spades. No wonder they're terrified.
This story is starting to pick up some traction and we need to keep up the pressure on Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry [contact information below], the State Bar of Arizona and the ethics review boards of the Bar and Pima County Merit Rules and Personnel Policies [Pima County Human Resources].
I also reported this woman to the State Attorney and received this response via email:
If you believe a public official to have broken the criminal or ethical laws- then please put it all in writing along with links or print outs of your pictures, videos etc and send them to:
Fraud and Public Corruption Section Office of the Arizona Attorney General 1275 W Washington St Phoenix, AZ 85007-2926
We cannot take complaints on the internet or phone still. Only in writing.
I would strongly suggest taking this action as well and keep flooding them with reports.
It's interesting to note the media in Tucson [the notable exception, of course, being Jon Justice' morning show on 104.1 The Truth, from 6-9am Monday through Friday, who first broke the story] has yet to pick up this story but has, in fact, buried it, despite the outcry from the citizens of Tucson wanting investigation and exposure. Of course, Garcia is a democrat and figures she's protected.
RedDog said: Dang! Does that chick holding up the effigy in the lead still photo look like Linda Blair or what!? eeeeeeeeee!
right_on said: At what point does “free speech” and the right to peacefully assemble, become “hate speech” and the encouragement to commit violence against law enforcement?
The only difference I see here, between Islamo-terrorists, and Azlano-terrorists is the language.
Unfortunately, to our demise, the liberals not only tolerate this type of action, they openly encourage it.
What we need is a law enforcement, Rapid Deployment Force, that would descend on this type of illegal alien love-fest, round up all participants/lookers-on, identify them, and if here illegally, deport them.
What would you suppose would happen, if someone created an effigy of a Latino “Illegal Jose,” and began beating it with a bat (to the cheering and encouragement of a pro-American crowd, of, oh I don’t know, say white people?) You got it! It would not be tolerated…but this is?
vickisoup said: If our US citizens and [some] public officals don’t see anything wrong with proudly strutting around with an effigeal head of another public official (outrageous conduct previously reserved to the neanderthal Islamofascists), we are closer to a complete takeover than I’d feared.
Alphonse said: Wow, looks just like pictures you see of Mugabe’s thugs ravaging Zimbabwe. That’s what chamberpot immigration will do for you.
RaisedRight said: “We stand for the principles of peace and justice… except when you try to reinforce laws that we don’t like, then we tear your heads off.”
Blind_Mule said: Jeeez, this stuff just makes me want to go out and kick the Chihuahua.
These people and this women in paticular have absolutley no respect, morals or shame. Reminds me of some middle eastern street protest, what’s next burning the American Flag and Death to America signs.
abstractmind said: I’d love to see some resident trolls explain how this event represents their tolerance, but also how it demonstrates peace and justice.
I’m glad that they are putting pressure on this vile woman. She looks like a replacement for one of the zombies in a Romero film, btw. Scary stuff.
Bill Grant said: Caution, disturbing links. Does this photo remind anyone else of the Nick Berg beheading? Do these creeps realize that? I wonder.
One thing more and more people are seeing in Garcia's actions is how similar her actions are to the terrorists we are fighting and to the Mugabe regime. This is disturbing in the extreme. Commenter Bill Grant, above, has the photos exactly right--Garcia emulates Berg's murderers well.
Several commenters and people calling in to Jon's show have made the observation should anyone have committed this "act of free speech" upon an effigy of Garcia or an illegal, there would be an uproar for weeks based on the alleged hate crime implicit in such an action, yet Garcia gets away with this action with impunity. Such is the hypocrisy of the lunatic left and their fringe followers. The commenters and callers are, of course, correct. Here is the official, 2004 definition of "Hate Crime" from the FBI website here:
A hate crime, also known as a bias crime, is a criminal offense committed against a person, property, or society that is motivated, in whole or in part, by the offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity/national origin.
It's about time that definition applied to those covered and committing such acts themselves. Garcia committed a hate crime--and encouraged juveniles to commit a hate crime themselves--with her actions. Just because she is Mexican and follows the Reconquista/Aztlan/La Raza agenda does not mean she's immune from the laws applying to the United States.
She claims Jon Justice and Joe Arpaio are "haters"--yet who stands like a Nick Berg murderer holding an effigy severed head? Jon Justice is just as entitled to his opinion and Freedom of Speech as Garcia; Joe Arpaio is doing his job of enforcing laws on the books, as he was elected to do. Neither are inciting riots, contributing to the delinquency of minors or disrupting private business. They are not involved in conflicts of interest as Garcia is--encouraging illegal activities while on the county payroll; hiding behind hate crime legislation when it suits their purpose; committed to the overthrow of the US Government she's sworn to uphold and violating her oath as an attorney.
If people don't like what Jon has to say they won't tune him in. If they don't like Arpaio's actions, they'll vote him out of office. We don't have those choices with Garcia. She was appointed to her position and Huckleberry refuses to remove her, despite a growing demand from the legal taxpayers of Pima County.
Now, here's the "rich" part. Garcia responds on the Coalicion de Derechos Humanos website here. Her "rebuttal" is entitled, "Response to Sheriff Arpaio Protest" and is nothing more than a "whine fest"; not once does she address her own wrongdoing. She pulls the usual spin; below are some quotes (comments of mine inserted and emphasized):
...many of us in Tucson have made a promise that we will not allow him to come into our town without him hearing from those of us who stand in support of the thousands of workers and their families who have borne the brunt of his narrow-minded, ignorant policies. That he would come to Tucson to promote a book filled with lies, fear, and ignorant perspectives about immigrants, was especially appalling to us.
The leaflet states that we "continue to work for a community that is diverse, respectful, and appreciative of each other's differences." Others brought signs and megaphones, with someone bringing a large piñata with Arpaio's face glued on the head. I am sure you are aware that these types of symbolic images are not only common, but generally are used in context of referring to the policies of individuals in power.
I am now the target of a corporate-media-sponsored campaign to get me fired from my job as the Pima County Legal Defender (who is the corporate-media-sponsor?). The first thing that you should know is that this is not a community-based campaign by those that disagree with me, but a campaign that was instigated by Jon Justice (not his true name) who has a program in the new hate-radio in town, 104.1 FM. On Friday morning, he was on his program urging everyone to call Chuck Huckelberry to fire me because I dared exercise my 1st Amendment right to express my views. (And we are entitled to exercise our First Amendment rights to express OUR views in wanting you GONE-Jon didn't hold guns to our heads to call and write!) They cover it by saying that the breaking of a piñata is a violent act! ??? That is simply absurd. The piñata was a symbol of Arpaio's racist, violent and brutal policies. The youth did not hit Arpaio, they hit the piñata to break the policies that keep us fearful of each other, and that have caused so much pain to so many hardworking men, women and their children. (And this differs from the actions of islamists in the Middle East how?) He is the violent one. I have spoken directly to some of his victims/survivors of his power, and have cried just listening to their accounts.
I am proud to have been part of the community's response to his arrival in Tucson. We stand committed to stop hatred and xenophobia (it seems you and your cadre are the ones exhibiting the hatred and xenophobia by your actions and encouragement), and to work for a society that respects human rights for everyone regardless of their age, color, race, ethnic background, gender, gender-preference, religion. As an attorney I find it is not only my right, but my responsibility to stand up when the power of the state is used to crush people (it is not your right or responsibility to advocate the overthrow of a legal government or engage in inappropriate political activity nor to advocate illegal activity in minors). I will continue to do so.
Follow the link and read the entire drivel--make sure your stomach is empty beforehand as you will be heaving at the heaping of self serving, absolute delusional lunatic agenda.
Immigration rights protesters acted like "out-of-control, raving lunatics" when they destroyed a piñata bearing the likeness of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, "a bully with a badge" who was in Tucson last week to promote his book, says Citizen columnist Anne T. Denogean.
Garcia, whose Human Rights Coalition organized the protest, said breaking the piñata was "funny."
No, it was "classless," says Reyes F. and "treasonous," (Chris F.). Garcia should make a public apology, Adam L. says. Bruce S. terms the protest "disgusting" and wonders how Pima County officials would distinguish between Garcia's involvement in it and another employee's participation in a Ku Klux Klan rally.
And that last line is the very heart of the matter--had this been a white person engaging in this kind of behavior, a white Pima County Deputy Public Defender, paid by the legal taxpaying citizens, and this had been a klan rally, they would have been fired already.
But I don't think you persuade the public that the man is an out-of-control, raving lunatic by behaving like out-of-control, raving lunatics.
That's the kindest description I have for the immigration rights protesters who beat to a pulp a piñata meant to represent the sheriff during Arpaio's visit to Tucson last week.
What occurred about midway through the protest, however, was truly disturbing. Several young protesters outside the store brought out a piñata meant to represent Arpaio.
The piñata, with a picture of Arpaio's face taped or glued to the head, was clad in a sheriff's uniform and equipped with pink handcuffs. One woman held up the piñata, while teenage protesters took turns bashing it with sticks. The Tucson Citizen ran a picture the next day of a teenage boy carting away the remains of the beheaded piñata.
While the beating of Arpaio in effigy proceeded, Isabel Garcia, head of Humanos Derechos, a group that purports to stand for the dignity of all human beings, stood by and laughed.
Follow the link above to the rest of the article--it's extremely enlightening. The Citizen also ran a poll with that article asking, "Do you think Coalicion de Derechos went too far when it smashed an Arpaio pinata?". Overwhelmingly, the answer was "Yes, members act like the people they say they hate (91%) compared to just six percent saying "No, it was deserved" and two percent saying "Other" (total number of votes=759).
The bottom line is this: Isabel Garcia, Pima County Deputy Public Defender, paid by the legal taxpayers of Pima County, needs to be fired and disbarred. Please follow the links to the appropriate officials and agencies and keep up the pressure. The officials and agencies will do NOTHING about it without overwhelming public pressure, stating clearly and unequivocally we are tired of this nonsense and we want the cancer GONE. Do your part to remove the cancer that is Isabel Garcia.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio has a new book out. It's called "Joe's Law", and the good sheriff was in town Thursday, July 10, 2008, for a book signing and radio show. He has also been a guest on 104.1 The Truth with Jon Justice Monday, July 7, 2008, to discuss his book and his views of law enforcement.
Jon Justice has become a voice for Tucson, particularly in the areas of ILLEGAL immigration, city council corruption, corrupt school board issues (one school board member is backed by her US Congressman father in forcing things onto the taxpayer--said father is a former school board member as well) and things concerning the legal taxpayers of Tucson.
Isabel Garcia is a Deputy Pima County Public Defender. She is also co-chair of the Coalicion de Derechos Humanos, an alleged border rights group which is actually a group specializing in helping illegals cross the border, "Reconquista" and Aztlan and indulging in violence against those who disagree with them. While she is an attorney sworn to uphold the law, she deliberately breaks it and flaunts her conflicts of interest with impunity from Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckleberry (520/740-8661; Chuckelberry@co.pima.az.us; chh@pima.gov).
Tucson is a relatively laid back town. We pretty much let people be, and if they want to protest something, well, as long as it's peaceful, we let them protest. That doesn't mean there won't be a counter protest, but generally both sides are cool about having their voices heard and doing it within the confines of the law.
Unless Garcia is involved. Protests involving Garcia often involve escalating hate and walk very closely to the edge of breaking the law. She is responsible for encouraging high school students to leave their classrooms and protest police action on campus (when an illegal was discovered after being arrested for allegedly possessing drugs and his family was deported), responsible for encouraging violence against the police, influencing politicians through intimidation, encouraging the La Raza hate studies and the attendant protest when the State School Superintendant spoke against funding them with taxpayer dollars--in short, she is complete bad news.
She is the Mexican equivalent of Jackson, Sharpton and Farrakhan. Worse, while those three racist hate mongers are bad news, she also encourages the overthrow--violently--of the legitimate United States Government through Derechos.
Yet, Huckelberry refuses to discipline her. Why? Allegedly, she is engaging in these activities on her own time.
Chuck, we have news for you.
As an attorney, Isabel Garcia is on duty 24/7. As a County Attorney, she is a representative of the public 24/7. And her salary (as well as yours) is paid for by the LEGAL taxpayers of this county.
Now, how did Garcia cross the line?
She showed up with her gang of racist hate mongers to Sheriff Joe's book signing. Okay, they have a right to protest the fact he is doing his job and enforcing the law of the land.
They don't have a right to incite a riot, contribute to the delinquency of minors, and engage in blatant violence, encouraging said minors to engage in violence as well.
They brought along a pinata (effigy) of Sheriff Joe. While Garcia stood on the sidelines, she encouraged the minors to beat the pinata to a pulp, severing the head of it in the process. She then took the head and delightedly paraded around the parking lot, holding the head aloft. Against a lawfully elected law enforcement officer.
From left, Leilani Clark holds a piñata representing Sheriff Joe Arpaio as Dallely Hernandez, 17, and Crystal Terriquez, 16, take whacks at it. This picture was the front page of the Arizona Daily Star on July 11, 2008 (from the Arizona Daily Star July 11, 2008 article locatedhere).
Edgar Toledo, 14, of Tucson, holds a pinata of Joe Arpaio with the head cut off during a protest Thursday night. About 75 people gathered at the Barnes & Noble bookstore, 5130 E. Broadway, in Tucson to protest a visit by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. (this picture is from the July 11, 2008 Tucson Citizen article locatedhere).
There were several videos taken of this event as well: KGUN 9 News has video here; KMSB 11 has video here; KOLD 13 (which also has a news hotline 520-744-6397) here; KVOA 4 apparently didn't cover this incident, although they have covered many protests against Sheriff Joe in the past, the most recent being a disruption of the Pima county Republican Women's Club by (guess who) January 25, 2008 and linked here. Jon Justice also has video (as well as contact links for the news outlets and Huckelberry) at 104.1 The Truth here and on YouTube here, here and here.
The outrage over Garcia's action has been long in coming, but it's time she was put out of our misery. She has committed crimes against the county; she has committed crimes against fellow law enforcement officers; she has committed crimes against this country. It is time. She has to go--and she has to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law for her activities.
Below is the letter I wrote to Huckelberry; I encourage everyone to copy it and use it. It is because of people like Garcia we have the problems with illegals we have.
Dear Mr. Huckleberry:
I am part of the legal community in Tucson. I am sick to death of the antics of Isabel Garcia. Her actions the night of Thursday, July 10, 2008, at the Borders Book Store, crossed the line.
My taxes are paying her salary and as her employer, I want her fired. There is a fine line between the right of public protest--PEACEFUL PROTEST--and Incite to Riot. She has crossed that line, seemingly with impunity from you, many times.
You state nothing can be done because she does these things in her own time. I beg to differ. She is a public employee and is held to a higher standard of behavior than an ordinary citizen. She can be fired for the mere APPEARANCE of POSSIBLE wrongdoing as a public employee, even on her own time.
Further, according to Rule 8.4 of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct (Maintaining the Integrity of the Profession): It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to: (a) violate or attempt to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct, knowingly assist or induce another to do so, or do so through the acts of another; (b) commit a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects; (c) engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation; (d) engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice; (e) state or imply an ability to influence improperly a government agency or official or to achieve results by means that violate the Rules of Professional Conduct or other law; or (f) knowingly assist a judge or judicial officer in conduct that is a violation of applicable rules of judicial conduct or other law.
Miss Garcia blatantly violates Rule 8.4 (specifically sections a, b, d, e), and her incite to riot by her activities the night of Thursday, July 10 2008, in which she encouraged onlookers to violently assault an effigy of Sheriff Joe Arpaio, which was caught on video (including her holding the "severed head" of Arpaio aloft), is ample proof of that violation.
She is in violation of Rule 41, Ariz. R. Civ. P., which states:
She is in further violation of Federal Statute U.S. Code, Title 8, Section 1325, which states in relevant part: A person (including a group of persons, business, organization or local government) commits a federal felony when he: * assists an alien whom he should reasonably know is illegally in the U.S. or who lacks employment authorization, by transporting, sheltering, or assisting him to obtain employment, * encourages that alien to remain in the U.S., by referring him to an employer, by acting as employer or agent for an employer in any way, or * knowingly assists illegal aliens due to personal convictions. Penalties upon conviction include criminal fines, imprisonment, and forfeiture of vehicles and real property used to commit the crime. Further: (this part would authorize the the civilian arrest that is authorized by the State of Arizona) State and local law enforcement officials have the general power to investigate and arrest violators of federal immigration statutes without prior INS knowledge or approval, as long as they are authorized to do so by state law. There is “no extant federal limitation” on this authority. The 1996 immigration control legislation passed by Congress was intended to encourage states and local agencies to participate in the process of enforcing federal immigration laws.
This is not the first time Garcia has blatantly violated the law, apparently with your approval. As a member of the law enforcement community herself, she positions herself both as a US citizen (which of course she is) but also as someone who wishes to overthrow the legal boundaries of the United States with her ongoing and increasingly violent promotion of Aztlan.
Her activities ARE becoming increasingly violent; this is a significant warning sign, a "red flag" of an unstable mental acuity, a "red flag" used by prison psychologists to evaluate the stability, to project the escalation of violent offenders and a benchmark used to profile violent offenders (such as sex offenders and serial killers). Due to this public exhibition of her increasing instability, she needs to be removed from office. By her very actions of delighting in the beating and beheading of an effigy figure, she shows a distinct lack of professional judgment. Her sanity is questionable at this stage.
By allowing her to continue her post as a Deputy Pima County Defender, you are allowing her to violate state and federal laws. You are allowing her to violate the oaths she took in her chosen profession to uphold the laws. You are allowing her to escalate her personal agenda at the expense of taxpayers. You are allowing her to continue to flaunt her conflict of interest as an attorney of the United States while promoting the overthrow of the United States.
You state these activities take place during her personal time. I'm sorry, but the county works a standard 8-5, Monday through Friday schedule. She is often participating in riots and protests during those times. Whether or not she has this time as sick or vacation time, she is still paid for her time to incite riots, promote violence, promote illegal activity, etc. on county time at taxpayer expense.
This MUST end and it must end now. The legal citizens of this county are fed up with Isabel Garcia's nonsense and we are fed up with you shielding her. Get rid of her. This story is already going viral, and it will soon be nationwide news. Your political career is in the sling with hers and, as previously stated, the LEGAL, TAXPAYING citizens are fed up. We will not hesitate to vote you out of office and have her fired by your successor if you do not do it yourself. And, I am filing a formal complaint with the State Bar of Arizona, including a copy of this letter, regarding Garcia and her activities. What Garcia did amounted to committing a hate crime. Just because she is Mexican and Arpaio is White is no excuse--hate crime is hate crime. I demand she be prosecuted appropriately, under the federal hate crime laws.
Do the right thing by your employers–Pima County Taxpayers–and remove this person from the payroll. Immediately, if not sooner.
Sincerely, Kateri E. Jordan, PLS, PNPA
PS...Did I happen to mention I'm part of a coalition of bloggers? We plan to get this out and HELP it go "viral". We ARE fed up.
The quicker we get people like Garcia out of office, and those who cover for them, such as Huckelberry, the quicker we can see some progress on the illegal issue.
Had a white person done what Garcia did, the news would have been splashed across the headlines for days as a hate crime. As it is, it's being buried. Isabel Garcia committed a hate crime. Her sanity is questionable. Her judgment is questionable.
Remove her from office. Arrest her. Prosecute her. Now.
I was listening to a speech tonight; the text is below:
Are you tired of the Democratic party? Are you tired of the Republican party? Are you tired of a Congress that does nothing? Are you tired of having twice as many lobbyists as they’ve ever had before?
Then I...I have an idea. Don’t vote for the congressman or senators. You don’t have to vote. Know how we’re gonna pick ‘em? The same way we pick a jury. And you’ll get a more interesting cross section than the folks you got right now. I guarantee it.
Do you want a better healthcare system? You have an HMO that says, “We’ll give you Viagra, but we won’t pay for glasses.” So you can have a hard-on, but you can’t see where to put it. We’re gonna change it, aren’t we?
And we’re not just talking liberal or conservative-big-time change.
You know recently, a lot of the past administrations said it’s unpatriotic to question the government. If it was unpatriotic to question the government, we’d still be English! The Boston Tea Party...the Boston Tea Party wasn’t people going, “Oh hello.” It was a lot of guys in Boston going, “Here’s your tea, right here”.
I’m tired of the Democratic party I’m tired of the Republican party
Here’s what we’re talking about Freedom of Speech and it also comes down to the idea of freedom of religion, the idea of practicing any religion you want, anytime, anywhere. You could be anything. You could be Bewish - Jewish and Buddhist. You sit and you wait for things to go on sale. That’s okay. But that’s what we’re talking about. But occasionally religion crosses over-you have people saying intelligent design, “You must teach intelligent design”. Look at the human body. Is that intelligent? I find it more interesting you have a waste processing plant next to a recreation area.
They always attack environmentalists saying, “You’re a tree hugger”. I go, “No, I’ve done more than hug a tree.” If you find the right naughty pine, you’re gonna have a good night. Oh yeah. “Who’s your woodsman, who’s your woodsman?” I’m not just a tree hugger, I’m an air breather. I’m sorry. It’s bad enough with the squirrels going...”Please help me. I can’t breathe today.” If you put enough chemicals in the water, you’ll be fishing, going, “You know Bob, I love catching them two-headed bass. They’re good eatin’ once you get past the tumors. There’s some good eatin’ out there.”
I’m tired of the Democratic party Now I’m tired of the Republican party
Now that’s why we’re here–‘cause you want change! Yeah! You wanna shake it up! You have to be eyes wide open, ready to move on! Arm in arm, hand in hand, everybody together, moving forward, because the future is now!
This speech is eerily familiar to what we're hearing on the campaign trail, and indeed this speech was part of a recent campaign--from 2006, in fact. It was given by one Tom Dobbs.
Tom Dobbs, though, doesn't exist except as a character in a Barry Levinson film titled "Man of the Year", starring Robin Williams as the aforementioned Tom Dobbs.
We already know BHO plagiarizes speeches from friends and acquaintenances. We know he doesn't have an original thought in his head. We know he's a relatively eloquent speaker--unless he has no teleprompter. And his eloquence is nothing but a cover for fluff, smoke and mirrors and a complete lack of a platform, full of platitudes but short on solutions.
BHO is the perfect empty suited emperor, mimicking a movie character who, while charismatic and eloquent, was also full of smoke and mirrors while short on actual solutions. Both BHO and Dobbs can whip a crowd into a frenzy like rock stars, yet once the lights are turned off, the crowds have gone home and there's nothing left but the trash on the floor, what have either done to elicit thought? Engage the brain? Have you ruminating about what was said while brushing your teeth?
Sadly, when one tries to think about what was said during a BHO speech (or a Dobbs speech), one must rack their brain to remember anything other than a bunch of noise.
There are no solutions in the speeches. There is no substance. A lot of hype. A lot of feel good rhetoric. Lots of lights, smoke, mirrors, balloons, confetti...but not much else.
At the end of the movie, though, Dobbs is one thing BHO most decidedly ISN'T--honest. After realizing he didn't win the election after all, due to a computer glitch, he rescinds his office (despite advice to the contrary, given by his trusted advisors--who repeatedly tell him no one will know he's not the REAL president unless he blows it and reveals the truth). BHO and Dobbs do seem to have the same advisors.
Go read the Dobbs campaign trail speech again. See how much of BHO's plagiarism you can find. And remember--Dobbs, while fictional, had shady advisors--yet he overcame their bad advice and redeemed himself. BHO will never do so. He revels in being, at the least, a plagiarist--and at the most, a typical, crooked politician.
A real army wife's response to Obama Army wives. For a huge part of the American population, "Army Wives" is the name of a prime time show on television. Unless you are connected to the military, as a viewer you will have no idea how accurate the portrayal of Army life really is.
However, REAL army wives - oh, you know those who LIVE the military life, day in, day out - are very aware of the inaccuracies, of the absurdities of what is portrayed. And yes, most army wives are very politically aware.
Brenda Freeman is one such army wife, and she is one pissed off wife. Freeman, who has been an army wife for 35 years as her husband has fought for the US, has a dose of her own reality she is dishing out. Freeman sent me the following:
I watch a bit of television. Most all of it is History Channel, Science Channel, Discovery Channel, and so forth. Brain Food I call it. I do not like reality TV of ANY kind, or soap operas. Last time I checked, an Opera was comprised of musical talent and a stage, neither of which Soaps contain.
However, I do keep track of nonsensical programs that try to mimic military life or military drama. I mostly do this to pick it apart, and either blog it to death, and write nasty grams, or send posts on their web sites through the roof pointing out all of their flaws and oversights and errors. Hey, I get my kicks occasionally. (shrug)
So... the latest on my list is Army Wives. It is on Lifetime Channel. Yea yea yea so what. The point is, I watched it all season last year, and it was "ok" with a few things wrong here and there, I overlooked them.
This year is off to an odd start, and I have sent only ONE email complaining that an American Soldier would NOT blow himself up in defiance of a problem - regardless of PTSD, he would shoot a M**F**ker first, "one and done" type deal. HADJI's and terrorists are the chicken Shiites that blow themselves up! Get the SCRIPT RIGHT dumb asses! I hate writers sometimes - But last night I was pissed. No, pissed doesn't begin to describe my mood. It was beyond pissed. I can't even find a word for it still.
BETRAYED fits.
In the middle of the program there are commercials. One 30 second spot commercial was BHO, saying "Never forget the sacrifices the military spouses make. Then he went on to say that HE KNOWS its hard waiting for your loved one to come home on R&R, and the agony of never really knowing if they are ok or not, and so forth. It is tough being a military spouse. He knows. For more on military spouses, visit Lifetime TV.
WELL! What the hell!! First of all, it hasn't been called R&R since WWll. It is called LEAVE.
Second of all, what point of reference does he have for "knowing" anything about the trials and tribulations of a military spouse? NADA! ZILCH! NONE!
Third, what does he know about the military? (See previous comments.)
Fourth, excuse me, but aren't you the same Jr Senator who votes NO on military spending time and time again? Why yes... yes you are! So I repeat myself - WHAT THE HELL!
Fifth, isn't it interesting that most of the time, commercial ads have a little logo in the lower right sidebar that say who the ad was paid for by, and lo and behold, from the verbiage, and the LOGO, Lifetime took this cookie! Yes, I looked and pay attention!
So, I gathered the typical information such as who writes for the show, who directs the show, who financially supports the show, and so forth, and sent them all a nasty gram.
I AM OFFENDED. TOTALLY and COMPLETELY OFFENDED.
I also added a post to their blog. I sent emails, and so far today, over 6104 people have done the same from blog spot, my space, and several other places like yahoo, and MSN groups.
PATRIOTS ARE NOT HAPPY that we can not simply sit and watch a program without ***** (sorry! I did edit this somewhat... insert your own name for BHO. lol) being shoved in our faces. And to have him speak about knowing a damn thing about the military is blasphemy! That is actually similar to me saying I know a thing or two about flying to the moon because I saw it once on the NASA station and went to the Cape to see a shuttle launch. Yep, know all about it, sure do. NOT.
Ok, I am done ranting. For now. Sheesh.
Brenda.
My question has to be: Do you think if someone sent this to Obama, he would actually "get" ANYTHING that Freeman is saying? For him to get any sense of what Freeman says here, would demand a radical "change" in who he is. Not going to hold my breath "hoping" for him to get a clue.
Ros Prynn is a NewsBlaze investigative reporter and editor, who writes on a range of topics. Contact her by writing to NewsBlaze.
Today, in my stroll through my daily reads, I ran across not one, not two, , not three, but FOUR articles at Real Clear Politics regarding the utter arrogance of Obama and his latest idiocy.
Good grief, I feel dirty even thinking the man's name--ugh. He becomes more distasteful on a minute-by-minute basis and it's getting to the point whenever I hear his name, the very next thing to cross my mind is, "Oh God, NOW what!"
Whoever, except as authorized under regulations promulgated by the President and published in the Federal Register, knowingly manufactures, reproduces, sells, or purchases for resale, either separately or appended to any article manufactured or sold, any likeness of the seals of the President or Vice President, or any substantial part thereof, except for manufacture or sale of the article for the official use of the Government of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.
What picture? What was this little tidbit? I schlepped on over to see and found this picture:
and Pat Hickey had this to write about it on his site:
Like the character of Sinclair Lewis' novel [It Can't Happen Here], Buzz Windrip, Barack Obama sweeps throngs of people up in whirlwind of pagentry and windy rhetoric.
The entire article is WELL worth reading.
Moving right along at RCP, I came upon the NEXT article addressing this issue,
and a quick quote from THIS article (wow the NYT ALLOWED this dissension to be published? Sultz must be on vacation!:
Just above the eagle’s head are the words “Vero Possumus,” roughly translated “Yes we can.” Not exactly E Pluribus Unum (Out of Many, One), the motto on the presidential seal and the dollar bill. Then again, Mr. Obama is not the president.
It appears Obama has been in touch with Diebold and decided to let the cat out of the bag early. That’s right, voters, you can stay home. As the good half-people of Florida and Michigan learned, democracy doesn’t matter. His Highness Obama — with an assist from the wise, hardened, probing American media — has declared himself Holy American Emperor.
The unveiling of his seal is not the first time Obama has unwittingly admitted he’s already garnered enough votes to be President. In fact, he recently told a Chicago audience that’s he’s already won election and re-election:
The comments in that article are priceless.
It seems Barack Hussein Obama goes out of his way to show his arrogance, snobbery, elitism and disdain for "ordinary folk" as we cling to our guns and religion. It seems he has no concept of reality and is truly living in a fantasyland brought about by constant association with crooks, thieves, liars, terrorists domestic and foreign. He so desperately wants the Kennedy mantle, Michelle so desperately wants the Jackie O mantle--and yet, there is absolutely nothing, NOTHING there to back up the rhetoric. Nothing.
He has yet to address anything of substance, preferring to continue the ridiculous whining and crying over race and every single perceived--PERCEIVED--slight of anything anyone says. I'm sure he would prefer each of our mouths and brains were put into a lockable freezer and tossed in the deepest crevice in the Antarctic. Thought police, though control, censoring the First Amendment--while decrying it all as perceived slights. And simultaneously showing his incredible, insufferable, arrogant ego. He thinks we're still in the early 60's, politics wise. He was barely cognizant of life in the early 60's, let alone politics. And what he was cognizant of was learning islam in the madrassas, under the tutelage of his muslim father and stepfather. Of course, there was the socialism counterbalance of his mother when he got home as well.
He gleefully assumes we are all just hanging on his every word with baited breath.
He assumes we fall into lockstep with his "Messiah" image so much so he can now take liberties with the Presidential Seal.
Here's a clue, BHO--Get over yourself. Start addressing the issues as to how they relate in the 21st century. Real issues like foreign and domestic terrorism. Taxes (you really think we're stupid enough to allow you to give our hard earned money away in your pet projects? You're NUTS!), oil, not falling for political scams (globull warming anyone?). Start acting like someone presidential if you want to be president. This isn't a game, this is life, real life, and you better come to the table prepared to act like an adult instead of like a child just promoted from the baby table. Or, maybe you were promoted to the adult table too quickly and need to be returned to the baby table.
You are an atrocity, Barry. A pimple on the nose of this great country. Once the pus is drained, nothing is left but a big hole of nothing. You are that big hole of nothing.
Yesterday, those of us who have been following the Haditha Marines case were rewarded with the news Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani had all charges against him dismissed. And about time, too. That's seven out of eight, with one Marine left to be cleared.
Today, on the heels of the news Chessani was looking into the possibility of suing not only Rep. John Murtha (an ex-Marine himself who threw these Marines under the bus by smearing them publicly by stating they were "cold blooded killers" and thereby tainting any possible jury pool and thereby effectively denying the Marines due process under the Constitution), but also Time magazine reporter Tim McGuirk, it came to light the government has filed an appeal in the case.
Here is the WND article reporting this monstrous travesty (snarky comments and emphasis mine):
IN THE MILITARY Haditha Marine prepares to sue Murtha over smear Congressman had accused soldiers of killing 'in cold blood' Posted: June 18, 2008 6:14 pm Eastern
With most of the eight Marines charged in the Haditha, Iraq, incident now exonerated, the highest-ranking officer among the accused, with the government trying to salvage its allegations against him on appeal, is considering a lawsuit against Democratic Rep. John Murtha, who fueled the case by declaring the men cold-blooded killers.
In an interview with nationally syndicated radio talk host Michael Savage, the lead attorney for Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani said he and his client will look into suing Murtha and the Time magazine reporter Tim McGuirk, who first published the accusations by Iraqi insurgents.
But the attorney, Brian Rooney, said nothing will happen immediately because he wants Chessani, described as a devout Christian and the father of six homeschooled children, completely "out of the woods" legally before any action is taken. The government, through Lt. Col. S.M. Sullivan, today filed a notice that it would appeal the case to the next judicial level.
As WND reported, a military judge at Camp Pendleton in California yesterday dismissed charges that Chessani failed to properly investigate the Nov. 19, 2005 incident in which 24 Iraqi men, women and children were killed.
Rooney, an attorney for the Thomas More Law Center who served a tour of duty in Iraq himself, is urging citizens to tell their representatives in Congress and military officials that they want the case to come to an end.
"At some point you have to have somebody in the chain of command, whether it's civilian or military, saying enough is enough," said Rooney, who served with Chessani in the second battle of Fallujah.
Rooney told Savage the Haditha case is the largest investigation in the history of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, with 65 agents assigned by the government.
The filing of charges against Chessani was approved by Gen. James Mattis, then commander of the Marine Corps Forces Central Command and commander of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton. Mattis has been promoted to commander of NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Transformation and commander of U.S. Joint Forces.
"This is the most important case since Vietnam, if not before," Rooney said. "There's no doubt about it."
He noted the New York Times featured the case on the front page when it was being compared by war critics to the infamous My Lai massacre in Vietnam. But now, with evidence the Haditha accusations were a smear, the story has been relegated to the back pages.
The military judge, Col. Steve Folsom, dismissed Chessani's charges without prejudice, giving permission for the prosecutors to continue trying to build a case that began in December 2006.
Four Marines were charged with murder and another four with not properly investigating the incident.
Defense lawyers contend insurgents deliberately attacked the Marines from hiding places where they surrounded themselves with civilians to use as shields. The defense insisted Chessani promptly reported the events to his superiors and that nobody in the chain of command believed there was any wrongdoing on the part of the Marines.
Libel and defamation
Rooney acknowledged to Savage it's difficult to sue a sitting congressman, but he believes it can be done.
"If he leaves his realm of speaking from the congressman's point of view … then he can be sued for libel and defamation," Rooney said.
The Time magazine story, according to Rooney, was planted by an insurgent propaganda agent. Publishing of the story was soon followed by a May 17, 2006, news conference by Murtha. The congressman announced he had been told by the highest levels of the Marine Corps there was no firefight and Marines "killed innocent civilians in cold blood."
"All the information I get, it comes from the commanders, it comes from people who know what they're talking about," Murtha told reporters at the time.
Murtha's assertions, however, conflicted with results from the military's own investigations. An initial probe by Army Col. G.A. Watt found no indications coalition forces "intentionally targeted, engaged and killed noncombatants." Later, Army Maj. Gen. Aldon Bargewell found no cover-up.
Nevertheless, the Marine Corps eventually brought charges against Chessani and seven other Marines.
But now the cases against Lance Cpls. Stephen Tatum and Justin Sharratt, Capts. Randy Stone and Lucas McConnell and Sgt. Sanick P. Dela Cruz have been dropped. First Lt. Andrew Grayson has been acquitted, leaving only the case of Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich untested in court and Chessani prosecutors facing the hurdles of the appeal process.
WND previously reported a military jury of seven officers acquitted Grayson of all charges.
The ruling by Col. Folsom yesterday followed a previous decision in which he confirmed evidence of unlawful command influence.
The evidence indicated two generals who controlled Chessani's case were influenced by Marine lawyer Col. John Ewers, who was allowed to attend at least 25 closed-session meetings in which the case was discussed.
Throwing Marines under the bus
Rooney acknowledged the Haditha case taken a toll on the Marine Corps.
"There's no doubt it's affected recruiting," he told Savage. "How could you have your sons or daughters join the Marine Corps when you're not sure the government will protect them?"
Rooney was asked by Savage why he thought Murtha, a former Marine himself, accused the officers and enlisted men.
"In my opinion, it's clear it was done during the election cycle, it was done to bolster himself in the party," the attorney said. "He was vying for a leadership position, and if he had to throw some Marines under the bus to do so, that was the cost of power for him."
He hopes soon politicians will weigh in on the case in support of Chessani and the others.
"I would think all politicians, especially politicians that have military records, should say something about this case," he said.
"In a horrible and very complex environment, when you have an enemy that's using women and children as shields, you should always give the benefit of the doubt to the Marine or soldier," said Rooney. "You should never bring him back and put him in front of a court martial."
Just who do you think is behind this obscenity? I'll give you three guesses and the first two don't count. Note above I described Murtha as an EX-Marine. There are only two EX-Marines--Lee Harvey Oswald and John Murtha. All others are FORMER Marines. And the pork fat, earmark king would also be? Why, John Murtha! And is this the SAME John Murtha who deployed to an elevator and refused to answer questions when queried when he would be apologizing to these men? DING, DING, DING! Right again! Just a refresher, here's Murtha's famous deployment (
Maybe Murtha's not able to handle TWO lawsuits filed against him for his big fat mouth? Remember about 100 years ago in internet time, another of the slandered Marines, Sgt. Frank Wuterich (the last Marine waiting exoneration) has already filed suit--Hot Air has that report
If I properly recall, Murtha was not allowed to "talk" his way out of testifying in that case regarding his actions. Yes, I do recall properly and The Crypt at Politico has that story
Most of you know by now, I listen to Savage on the drive home. While the man is most definitely passionate in his beliefs, there is also a significant amount of truth in what he says.
I have been a Republican all my life. I would never consider being a democrat because a democrat is diametrically opposed to my core beliefs. I'm finding the Republican party is becoming as diametrically opposed as well. Savage promotes a foundation of border, culture and language--and I happen to agree. I also like his term--Independent Nationalist. I had thought about Independent Conservative (ICon) to describe myself, but IndNat'l seems to fit me better.
Remember--the biggest danger to the enemy within is a person who can think for themself.
The voices of those who call themselves conservative are propagandizing the airwaves. You can hear the Golfer defending high gas prices as a necessary part of the free market, that there shouldn't be an FDA to protect us from salmonella, that illegal aliens are just doing the jobs Americans won't do, and attacking the minimum wage as being anti-job. This is garbage. These people are globalist liberals masquerading as free marketers. They have taken the Golfer's Kool-Aid. And more importantly, while they may be Republicans, they are most definitely not conservatives. I've said time and time again on this program that I'm a conservative, not a Republican. There's a huge difference between the two.
Republicans are for AIDS money to Africa. Conservatives are for aid to working American citizens.
Republicans are for letting the free market decide that $5 a gallon gas is OK. Conservatives are for compelling foreign oil producers to increase production and reduce prices, by force if necessary.
Republicans are for bailing out billionaire money manipulators on Wall Street while you wait in line at the hospital behind an illegal alien. Conservatives are for letting Wall Street hucksters pay for their own mistakes and sending the illegal back to Mexico.
Republicans are for letting market forces decide if your food has fecal matter in it. Conservatives are for enforcing basic food safety standards so that Mexican farm workers can't crap in the fields and make you sick.
Republicans think bringing in illegal aliens is an amnesty. Conservatives think brining in illegal aliens is a travesty.
Republicans want a strong global economy. Conservatives want a country. Republicans think that child porn on the internet is freedom from government. Conservatives know that smut is a poison that must be snuffed out.
America thought Bush was a conservative. He turned out to be just a Republican. And while there are Republicans who are conservatives, too, don't let the "R" after the name fool you. Let the voter – and the listener – beware.
Well worth thinking about, ladies and gentlemen. Are you a party lemming/sheeple or are you an indpendent thinker, capable of observing, researching and making your own decisions and acting upon those decisions?
Candidate for “Vice” President Sarah Palin has finally fessed up that her unmarried teenage daughter has been running around town having unprotected sex. Truly, the Lord Jesus is showing us two things by this sad example of teenage harlotry:
1. That a mother who also engages in sexual activity outside of a traditional, Christian marriage (if you doubt this, check out the birthday of Sarah’s first son — April 20, 1989 — and the date she and her handsome hubby eloped — August 29, 1988!) sets an appalling example for her own children. Indeed, studies from Focus on the Family have proven that harlot mothers wind up with harlot daughters 93.4% of the time. Similar studies by the godly gals at Concerned Women for America have concluded that these poor, impressionable girls learn to strut, show inappropriate décolletage and beguile like pushy prostitutes in their very own living rooms.
2. And a mother who values her career (to the point of abandoning a newborn to campaign 24-7 for a new job in another state) above raising her precious family should not be surprised when she FINALLY steps back inside her family home (if she remembers the address) to find that it has been filled with bastards in her shocking absence!
And, honestly, what is happening to our once-godly country when REPUBLICANS are getting all giddy over a unrepentant harlot? I expect Demoncrats to go for that nonsense, but not the party of God. Please join me in praying to the Lord Jesus that Mr. McCain kick this trash to the curb!
http://bettybowers.com/betty4president/