Question Of The Week, 7/31/05

Will President Bush go around Congress during the recess and appoint John Bolton to serve as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations? After you answer this weeks question I hope you will go back to my July 27,2005 post and let us know what you are paying for gasoline in you area.

I will post my answer to this weeks question in the comment section Monday morning. You can already see what I paid for gas at the July 27 post.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

In Memory Of Spc. Edward Myers

Spc. Edward Myers lost his life while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom on July 27, 2005. He was the first from Saint Joseph, Missouri to lose his life while serving in Iraq, I pray that he will be the last. For some reason I keep coming back to this St. Joseph News-Press article, http://www.stjoenews-press.com/main.asp?SectionID=81&SubSectionID=272&ArticleID=67809&TM=48044.77 This is not like all of the other articles I've read about soldiers that have lost their lives. It seems different when you read about someone from home. I hope you will take the time to say a prayer for Spc. Myers and the others that have lost their lives while serving their country.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Let Them Know

I think we should let our United States Represenatives know how we feel about the House vote on CAFTA. (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll443.xml) Check and see if your Represenatives name is in the "NOES" list. If it is contact (http://www.house.gov/writerep/) him or her and thank them for their efforts. If their name is in the "AYES" list contact them and let them know you will remember how they voted the next time you go to vote.

I hope you will take the time to check out the two messages I posted yesterday if you haven't seen them.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

A Friend In Need

Jay at Stop The ACLU is trying to help a Mother find her missing Daughter. Please stop by http://www.stoptheaclu.com/ and read Jay's July 27, 2005 post A Friend In Need.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Gas Price In Your Area?

We had some things to do this afternoon, so we got gas while we were out. Mid. grade gasoline was $2.14 per gallon (where we stopped) in Saint Joseph, Missouri today. Please leave a comment to let us know what gasoline prices are in your area.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Good News For Supporters Of The Second Amendment

According to this (http://www.humaneventsonline.com/article.php?id=8279) online Human Events article S.397, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act should have enough support to pass when it comes up for a vote. I just hope that a few anti-gunners don't ruin a good piece of legislation by attaching anti-gun ownership amendments to it. That's what got the bill defeated last time. So once again I want to ask you to contact your United States Senators (http://www.senate.gov/) and urge them to support S.397 as it was written, amendment free.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Smokers Alert! (unbelievable)

If you live in New Jersey and smoke you might want to give some thought to moving. I just read a July 25, 2005 Associated Press article (http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-smoking-drivers,0,5142219.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines) By Jeff Linkous that says New Jersey law makers have introduced a measure that would make it illegal for you to smoke in your car. If this is passed you could be fined $250.00 for having a cigarette on your way to work. Think about this. Here in little old Saint Joseph, Missouri we have cameras at just about every intersection you come to now so it would be a safe bet to say that they have them all over New Jersey too. That means that an officer wouldn't have to see you, they got pictures of you breaking the law. They will be able to check the tape and send you a summons in the mail. This should be a real money maker during tourist season, no one from out of state will believe that New Jersey law makers had enough free time on their hands to think of something like this. OK, maybe smoking isn't good for you, junk food isn't good for you either. If they get this passed maybe they can look into a measure that would make it illegal for anyone that was two pounds over weight to have a bag of potato chips. I don't think we need laws like this to protect us from ourselves. I'm not so sure that they are really concerned about our health and safety anyway. It's all about money, and how to separate ours from us.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic

Question Of The Week, 7/24/05

Good Morning. When he made his July 23, 2005 radio address to the nation (http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/07-23-2005/0004073269&EDATE) President Bush said, "Judge Roberts has a stellar record of achievement. He is a man of sound judgment and the highest integrity. He has the qualities Americans expect in a judge -- experience, wisdom, fairness and civility. He has profound respect for the rule of law and for the liberties guaranteed to every citizen. He will strictly apply the Constitution and laws, not legislate from the bench." I hope you have been reading up on Judge John Roberts because for right now you are one of your states two Senators and this weeks Question Of The Week asks how you are going to vote when the time comes. Would you vote to confirm Judge John Roberts to the United States Supreme Court?

I'll be casting my vote in the comment section Monday morning.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic

FYI

At this time the United States National Debt is, $7,864,728,283,822.41 . The estimated population of the United States is, 296,590,738. So if each of us would send in a check for $26,517.11 we'd have it paid off, for now.

I hope you will scroll down to the, "Support Our Scouts Act of 2005" and sign the petition to help the Boy Scouts.

I post a Question Of The Week every Sunday Morning. I hope you will stop back to answers this weeks question.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic

Senate Action To Be Taken Before August Recess!

On July 21, 2005 I posted a message (When Do You Kill A Poisonous Snake) about the Gun Makers' Protection Act. Since that time I have read a press release (http://frist.senate.gov/?Fuseaction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=2006) that I feel shows how important the passage of S.397 could be to American tax payers. The Beretta Corporation has a long term contract to provide our Armed Forces with sidearms. If Beretta were to go bankrupt because this bill failed to pass our Armed Forces might have to start looking for a different pistol. Who pays for their firearms? This could cost all of us. Once again I want to urge you to contact Senator Bill Frist (http://frist.senate.gov/) and ask him to do everything he can do to prevent any efforts to attach anti-gun amendments to S.397 (See When Do You Kill A Poisonous Snake). Please contact your United States Senators (http://www.senate.gov/ and urge them to support S.397 as it was written, anti-gun amendment free.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Support Our Scouts Act of 2005

I stopped by Stop The ACLU to check out Jay's post and sign a petition, http://ctserver.ath.cx/sldf/petition.html , to help defend Scouting. I hope you will sign it too. After you do that I hope you'll stop by http://www.stoptheaclu.com/ to visit Jay's site.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic

When Do You Kill A Poisonous Snake

I'm sure you all know the answer to the question ask in the title, at the first chance you get. That would also be the best time to stop Senator Feinstein from attaching anti-gun (anti-Second Amendment) amendments to S.397. This piece of legislation is intended to protect firearms and ammunition manufacturers from frivolous lawsuits which could bankrupt the industry and put even more United States citizens out of work. Please read the following message from Gun Owners Of America, (GOA) (www.gunowners.org) http://www.gunowners.org/a072105.htm . Within it GOA has provided links you can use to contact Senator Bill Frist and urge him to do every thing in his power to keep anti-gun amendments off of The Gun Makers Protection Act. Then contact your United States Senators, (http://www.senate.gov/gereral/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm and ask them to support S.397 as it was written, with no anti-gun amendments.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Does Anyone Know?

I'll be contacting my United States Senators about this, http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=50618 . I would hope that they would not support a nominee without knowing his position on the Second Amendment.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic

Hillary, Then And Now

This (http://www.nbpc.net/news/gen/dec04/bless.htm) December 15, 2004 Washington Times column by Tony Blankley says, "In the last few weeks the ever cold-blooded Miss Hillary has started to stake out a position to the right of the Republican Party. Just listen to her Pat Buchannanesque defiance: "(I do) not think that we have protected our borders or our ports... we can do more and we can do better. I am, you know, adamantly against illegal immigrants... Clearly we have to make some tough decisions as a country, and one of them ought to be coming up with a much better entry-and-exit system so that if we are going to let people in for... work... let's have a system that keeps track of them... People have to stop employing illegal immigrants." When Hillary said that I think she came about as close to getting my vote as she will ever get. It sounds like she is really serious about doing something to fix our wide open border/illegal alien problem. You might remember my 6/26/05 Question Of The Week, "What will be the top three (most important) issues in the next Presidential Campaign?" Secure our borders was number three on my list but I added that it should have been at the top of the list. When I got home from work tonight I found this, (http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-hispanic-convention,0,5051402.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines) July 18,2005 Newsday.com article that says,"Linda L. Silva, a Democratic organizer and advocate for latinos in Delaware County, Pa, stood with hundreds of others to applaud Clinton, particularly when the senator called for policy changes that would allow undocumented immigrant students to receive college aid. Silva said she hopes to see Clinton enter the race for president in 2008. "There's no one else in America who has more integrity today." she said."

As far as I'm concerned illegal immigrants and undocumented immigrants are just politically correct terms for illegal aliens. After reading these two articles I can't figure out if Hillary wants to fix our illegal alien problem or reward the illegal aliens. I'm thinking that Hillary just blew any chance that she might have had of getting my vote.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Question Of The Week, 7/17/05

Good morning. When I was trying to think of a question I went to the news wires. One of the first things I saw just kind of jumped out at me. It was the, "Text of President Bush's Radio Address to the Nation for July 16." Which starts out by saying, "THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Under the Constitution, I have the responsibility to nominate a successor to Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. This past week I met with Democratic and Republican leaders in the United States Senate and sought their views on the process, and their thoughts on the qualities to look for in a potential nominee. Also, my staff has talked with more than 60 members of the United States Senate. Members of the Senate are receiving a full opportunity to provide their opinions and recommendations, and I appreciate their advice.

I will be guided by clear principles as I make my decision. My nominee will be a fair-minded individual who represents the mainstream of American law and American values. The nominee will meet the highest standards of intellect, character, and ability, and will pledge to faithfully interpret the Constitution and laws of our country. Our nation deserves, and I will select, a Supreme Court justice that Americans can be proud of."

Yes there was a reason for me posting that before I ask this weeks question. A couple of times since Sandra Day O'Connor announced her plans I have heard that President Bush might nominate Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales to take her place. This weeks Question Of The Week has two parts. Do you think President Bush will nominate Gonzales, and does Gonzales fit the description that Bush gives of his nominee?

I will post my answer in the comment section Monday.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

China, A Military Threat?

I read two articles today that mention the possibility of a war between the United States and China. The first one, http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewForeignBureaus.asp?Page=/ForeignBureaus/archive/200507/FOR20050715d.html says, " China is prepared to use nuclear weapons against the United States in the event of a conflict over Taiwan, Western newspapers quoted a senior Chinese military officer as saying Thursday." The second article, http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200506/15/eng20050615_190420.html says, "The wave of "China military threat theory" whipped up by the US military is a dangerous practice, involving its attempt to obstinately place China in a "rival" position. The "China military threat theory" not only injures China's security, it all the more involves the price paid for the peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as the price paid for US misled security."

In this translation http://classics.mit.edu/Tzu/artwar.html of his book The Art Of War Sun Tzu says, "All warfare is based on deception." (You can find several translations of The Art Of War online, I'd suggest you read more than one of them) Many times I've heard and read that China still uses the teachings of Sun Tzu. Every time I read something about the policies of China and the United States when dealing with each other I become a little more convinced that both countries are using his book.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Your Church And Eminemt Domain

Well here's something to think about while the Supreme Court's Kelo v. New London ruling is still fresh in your mind, http://www.cnsnews.com//ViewNation.asp?Page=/Nation/archive/200507/NAT20050715a.html . Just suppose a wealthy land developer in your area was thinking about putting in a new strip mall that would house about 20 shops where you could get just about anything you could possibly need. The only thing standing in his way is the fact that the tax exempt church which you attend regularly is setting on the property the developer would like to build on. I wonder if the developer would be allowed to bulldoze the tax exempt church to build his mall and bring in the much needed tax revenue. Don't forget this mall is going create a lot of jobs for people that can't afford the things they will be able to get at the mall. I don't know about you, but I feel there is something I can get at that church that is much more important than any of the Chinese made products I could get at the mall.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

United Nations Gun Control Alert

Gun Owners Of America (GOA) (www.gunowners.org) is asking for your help in defending the Second Amendment from the United Nations. I'd like to see the United States get out of the United Nations but it doesn't look like that's going to happen so I feel taking action like this is the next best thing. Please check out, http://www.gunowners.org/a071405.htm .

God Bless America, God Save The Republic

Train Security

It's been a long time since I have traveled by train. I think it was before I was in my teens, I'll be 55 next month. I've talked to a few people that do travel by rail from time to time. From what they tell me security is pretty lax. I think that is a little frightening when you think about last weeks terrorist attacks in London. Yesterday I found out that there has been some legislation introduced (since the London attacks) that might beef up our rail traffic security. You can check it out by going to http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.html and typing in S.1379. I'm not going to say this legislation will solve the problem, but it could be a step in the right direction. I'd hate to see the Department Of Homeland Security go overboard with this which I feel they did with Air Port Security but the possibility of a terrorist attack ( a lot of us feel there will be another one, see my Question Of The Week, 7/10/05) involving rail traffic should not be ignored.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

CAFTA Alert

The United States House of Representatives will be voting on the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) very soon. I have heard that this is going to be so close that it could be decided by just one vote. It has already pass the Senate. If it is passed by the House it will cause a lot of problems. One of them is, it will make your nutritional supplements subject to international law. Some of them may no longer be available in the United States or you will need a doctors prescription to get them. Some of them might decline in potency, and we can be sure they will all go up in price. You can use this Downsize DC.org (www.downsizedc.org) action alert link http://action.downsizedc.org/wyc.php?cid=32 to contact your Representative and ask him or her to protect your right to use nutritional supplements by saying No! to CAFTA.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic

And The Next United States Supreme Court Nominee Will Be?

If you've ever been here before I'm sure you know that I would never support a candidate for any office if I knew the candidate had ever supported legislation that violated the Second Amendment (or any other part) of the United States Constitution. So it would be safe to bet that I would never support the idea of nominating someone to a position on the Supreme Court if I thought that person might be a threat to any part of the Constitution. I was opposed to the idea of Alberto Gonzales becoming our Attorney General so I sure don't want to see him appointed to the Supreme Court. Attorney Generals are only with us for a short time, Supreme Court Justices last a life time. I hope you will check out this Gun Owners Of America (GOA) (www.gunowners.org) article/action alert http://www.gunowners.org/a071105.htm which ask the question, "Will the Next Supreme Court Justice Support the Second Amendment?" and urges you to, "Ask President Bush NOT to nominate the anti-gun Alberto Gonzales" to the Supreme Court. Please use the link GOA has provided to send a message to the President. I think firearms owners and those that oppose firearms ownership will be able to agree on this one, Gonzales is not the right choice.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

S.397 & H.R. 800

I just checked out an NRA-ILA link (http://www.nraila.org/stoprecklesslawsuits.aspx) and found out that both of Missouri's United States Senators, Kit Bond (R) and Jim Talent (R) have co-sponsored S. 397 and my United States Representative, Sam Graves (R-MO) has co-sponsored H.R. 800. This legislation will protect the firearms industry from stupid law suits. S. 397 and H.R. 800 are not just about protecting the Second Amendment which I feel is very important. This legislation also protects the jobs of some United States citizens, law suits could bankrupt firearms and ammunition manufacturers putting even more Americans out of work. You can find out more about S. 397 and H.R. 800 by clicking on the link I provided. I'd like to ask you to contact your elected officials and urge them to support S. 397 and H.R. 800. I will be contacting mine to thank them for their efforts.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic

Question Of The Week, 7/10/05

I hope you will continue to pray for the victims of the terrorist attack that took place in London this past Thursday. This weeks question is, Do you think there will be another terrorist attack in United States in the near future? I will post my answer in the comment section Monday morning.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

An Honor

I wanted to draw your attention to a new site, the 50 U.S. Blogs Project (http://50usblogs.blogspot.com) . I will be representing the state of Missouri. I haven't got around to posting a blog about my state as of yet. I think this is an interesting site and project, I hope you'll check it out. I feel honored to have been chosen to represent my state, I think the project will be fun and interesting.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic

Prevent Another Attack

By now I'm sure all of you have read a countless number of articles about today's terrorist attack, http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewForeignBureaus.asp?Page=ForeignBureaus/archive/200507/FOR20050707f.html . To be honest I had been thinking we were about due for another one for quite some time now, but I thought it would be here in the United States. The reason I have felt this would happen is while we are involved in a war against terrorism we have left our borders wide open to anyone that wants to enter the country illegally. We all know that a countless number of illegal aliens enter our country daily. Some of them could be members of terrorist organizations planning another attack in the United States. There is a citizens group that seems to be doing more to secure our borders than our border patrol is, http://www.minutemanhq.com/project/ . I'd like to urge you to contact The Minuteman Project to see how you can help. I hope you will also contact your elected officials, http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/ ask them to help fight terrorism by securing or borders and fixing our broken immigration policies. Once again I want to ask you to say a prayer for the victims of today's terrorist attacks in London. Don't forget to pray for their family members friends and loved ones, they are victims too and they need Gods help to get them through this.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Please Pray For London

I got off work at 7:AM, came home did a little yard work, came in the house & got cleaned up. I wanted to check my site and E-mail before I went to bed. Two of the comments to my last post came from Joseph at http://thenewoklahomademocrat.blogspot.com and Jay at http://stoptheaclu.blogspot.com . They both ask me to pray for the victims of the London terrorist attacks . This was the first I had heard about the latest cowardly terrorist attack, so I started searching http://www.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,12780,1523169,oo.html . Yes I'll be praying. I'll be praying for the victims and their families. I'll also be praying that all of the cowards that committed this senseless act are captured before they can strike again.

Please take a few minutes to say a prayer for the victims of the attack and all of their loved ones.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic

In Memory Of Retired Vice Adm. James B. Stockdale

I feel we lost a great American yesterday when Retired Navy Vice Adm. James B. Stockdale passed away. During the seven and a half years he spent as a Prisoner Of War in Vietnam he gave fellow POW's the strength and hope they needed to survive their ordeal. I hope you will take the time to go to this Department of Defense News Release to read about Retired Vice Adm. Stockdale, http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/2005/nr20050705-3886.html You will find a link to his bio there. I'd also like to ask you to say a prayer for him and his family.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic

Support The Troops

I've told you before that I subscribe to my United States Representative, Sam Graves (R-MO) E-mail Newsletter, Straight Talk With Sam, I've shared some of them with you. This week Sam talks about us showing our support for our troops that are serving over seas. I've said before that I don't think it should matter if we support or oppose the war. We should show our support for the men and women that have chosen to support their country by serving in the Armed Forces. The Defense Department has made it possible for you to show your support.To tell you more about this I would like to share the latest issue of Straight Talk With Sam with you.

STRAIGHT TALK WITH SAM

Support the Troops

The Fourth of July is celebrated to mark our independence from tyranny in 1776. That day did not mark the end of our struggle for liberty; it would be another seven years before the war for independence would conclude. Even after the Declaration of Independence was signed battles like the siege of Boston, the famous crossing of the Delaware River and the battle for Lexington raged.

Today we have loved ones who are fighting both for our freedom from terrorist and to help a young nation thirsting for freedom rise to its feet in both Iraq and Afganistan. While our soldiers believe in the work they are doing, it is never easy being away from home.

When I visited Iraq, one of the things the soldiers told me was how much they like hearing from people at home. The Defense Department has set up a new website where you can show your support for our troops.

www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil allows you to communicate your support for our Armed Forces overseas. You can share stories and hear back from troops from your own home state. I hope that you will visit this website and show the troops how much you care.

This is a program that all Americans can support. While we celebrate the freedom of America we cannot forget those who fight overseas to protect those precious freedoms. As our troops serve their country overseas, all of us here at home can make a difference by simply letting our troops know that we support them.

Sincerely,

Sam Graves,
Member of Congress
http://www.house.gov/graves/

Like Sam I hope you will use this site to send a message to our troops, let them know you support them.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Happy Independence Day

I would like to wish each of you a Safe and Happy Independence Day by posting, http://www.holidays.net/independence/story.htm

God Bless America, God Save The Republic

Question Of The Week, 7/3/05

I hope all of you are enjoying a long week end with your families. Mine won't start until 11:PM. Since we are celebrating the birth of our country this weeks question is, Do parents talk to their children about what we are celebrating or will today's children grow up thinking Independence Day is just a day set aside for having picnics and setting off Chinese made fireworks? I'll post my answer in the comment section Monday morning. I hope all of you will have a Safe and Happy Independence Day.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.