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Today Michael Zak is celebrating the birthday of the GOP!   

 

Has anyone realized this whole thing with kids hiking and going astray could be solved by putting some sort of a GPS transponder on these kids.  It should be made the law.

 

THE GREAT CAT SOAP OPERA

It’s official, Redford is gay!  He just had surgery, and is still groggy.  Dr. Franklin did not want to declaw him.  He will stay in recovery and will be coming home Thursday morning.  The other part of the story is the vet thinks Redford is gay!  Mommy Cat is going all over the place looking for him.  I thought the late great Calico was the bestest mommy cat ever, but Mommy Cat may just displace her.  Piggy is still sneezing.  She slept all day.  I let the felines into my closet last night.  I’ve been worried that Redford might try spraying (we caught him before that nasty practice started) so I’ve kept it closed.  They took advantage of the situation.  I found a number of items on the floor, nice and squashed where someone had been sleeping. 

 

Try following this.  Environmentalists are crying because the polar bears are dying because of global warming.  There’s this adorable little guy in Berlin, an orphan, being raised by zookeepers.    Animal rights activists want it executed because it is degrading to be raised by humans.      Memorandum  

Captain’s Quarters 

Malkin

 

Over on Dienekes (absolutely fascinating) Anthropology blog there is an absolutely fascinating post debunking a recent National Geographic study that takes the PC way out and has Lebanese Christians and Muslims closely related genetically.  Unfortunately, they did bow to Political Correctness.  According to Dienekes  the actual genetics confirm what I’ve always suspected, that the Christian population is descended from the ancient Phoenicians and is therefore much older than the current Islamic population.  Don’t you just love revisionist science? 

 

And a really cool dinosaur story.

 

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Evidently the Prez is a little pissy over all the stupid goings-on over Gonzales.  I think we are getting closer to one of those “make my day” moments. 

 

I am so glad Tancredo wants Gonzales to go.  Now I know the poor man needs to stay.  Of course because his name is Gonzales is enough for Tancredo to want to get rid of him.  Yes, I know it is a cheap shot, but I need a break today.

 

From today’s Opinion Journal’s Political Diary:

“…"The trouble with this [U.S. Attorneys] scandal, as a scandal, has been that -- if you're going to be honest -- there is not only nothing illegal about the president firing a US attorney. There is nothing even really wrong with it. Even if it's just to make room for a crony of Karl Rove. And I'm sorry, but I just can't see how firing eight can be heinous but firing 93 [U.S. Attorneys under Bill Clinton] is perfectly OK. Nor can I see -- if the issue is neutral justice -- how firing someone from your own party is worse than firing someone from the other party. Much of the commentary on this story has seemed disingenuous about this: breathless revelations that the White House was involved in the decision, that it may have been (gasp!) political, and so on" -- Michael Kinsley, former editor of Slate.com and The New Republic, writing at Time magazine's Web site….”

 

More Unconstitutional moves by the Dems?  Do they even realize such a thing as a Constitution exists when they are in power?    But, on further examination, they are rescinding a portion of the Patriot Act.  Interesting.  “The Patriot Act reauthorization last year allowed the attorney general to bypass the Senate confirmation process for U.S. attorneys by filling vacancies for an indefinite time.” 

 

Hillary’s ad against Gonzales.

 

Powerline has info on why David Iglesias was fired.   It was for what he didn’t do.  This is the best explanation I’ve heard, yet.  It also confirms some of my suspicions.  We all know New Mexico is ripe with voter fraud. 

 

Flopping Aces on Bush and the Dems. 

Strata’s take on it 

Malkin

Hot Air

 

IMMIGRATION

MY RANT OF THE DAY

CAN A PERSON LIVE THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT AND BE AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION?

 

The compassion of Barbara Coe

 

CounterTerror Blog has a posting about border reform and why we need to be vigilant because of terror.    The problem with this view of the world is two-fold.  Yes, we must be vigilant, but let’s be honest here.  Hispanic immigrants who are looking for a better life are the ones who are suffering from this mass-right-wing hysteria compounded by white supremacists whipping the flames of 9/11.  Illegals who are looking for work and a way to care for their children by giving them a better life ARE NOT the problem.  The problem is political correctness and complete ignoring of the fact that ISLAMICS are the terrorists.  The rational people of the world know and comprehend this.  Unfortunately, so do conservatives who are using it as a way to get around their bigotry against Hispanics.  So much of this could be solved by doing serious checks on Islamic student visas, etc.  These are the people who are going to wreck havoc on the country.  I would pay more attention to the crocodile tears of terror if anti-immigration advocates if they were demanding the same treatment along the vast, unchecked Canadian border that they are the Mexican. 

 

P. S.  For those of you who say people from misc. Islamic locals look like Mexicans, how many Mexicans do you actually know and speak to on a day by day basis?  I hate to tell  you this, but there is a big difference.  Trust me, I live in New Mexico.  I know.  Sorry- your racism is showing.

 

THE RANT

It is Lent, so I’m going to indulge myself a little.  By now my regular readers must know I am very much against the current posturing and abject refusal of the anti-immigration crowd to listen to any sort of reason.  They’ve closed their minds, their hearts, and their souls.  I think what truly bothers me is the fact that the most heart hearted anti-immigration advocates are often our most influential and adamant advocates of  “Born Again Christian” theology, and like Ann Coulter, often go around saying as much.  Frankly, I’ve always been told if you must tell everyone you are “Born Again” then well, maybe you are not reflecting the teachings of Christ in your life. 

 

Thing is, I truly don’t understand how someone can be hard-line, ship ‘em all back anti-immigration and truly practice the teachings of Christ.  The idea of pulling innocent children from their parents’ arms – just because the parents are here illegally – and the kids are US citizens just doesn’t work with my version of Christianity – you know – the what ever you do unto the least you do unto me – kind. 

 

We are pelted with the WWJD – What Would Jesus Do.  Well, what would Jesus do? 

 

Somehow I just don’t think He would be advocating the ‘rounding up’ of millions of innocent people who are just trying to give their families a better life, and shipping them back to poverty and an uncertain future.  I don’t  understand how a “Christian” could kick children out of a rental property just because their parents are illegal, sending them into an uncertain future of foster care.  Sorry, any excuse for them ‘breaking the law’ doesn’t work.  According to Christ, we have all sinned. 

 

If you have never broken the law, go ahead and throw the first stone.  If not, start acting like a follower of Christ, then maybe you won’t need to constantly be forced to tell everyone you are “Born Again”. 

 

Matthew 5.1-11

5When Jesus* saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

3 ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

8 ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely* on my account.

 

 

Matthew 25.35-45

35for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” 37Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” 40And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family,* you did it to me.” 41Then he will say to those at his left hand, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” 44Then they also will answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?” 45Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.”

 

Luke 6: 27-31

27 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If anyone hits you on one cheek, let him hit the other one too; if someone takes your coat, let him have your shirt as well. 30 Give to everyone who asks you for something, and when someone takes what is yours, do not ask for it back. 31 Do for others just what you want them to do for you.

 

Matthew 5:38-48

You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." (1) But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. (2) But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. (3) Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, " You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." (4) But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward to you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? (5) And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles (6) do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (7)

 

 

The immigration raid in New Bedford, MA has almost split the community. 

 

“…But the split in the community is palpable, says Bethany Toure of Community Connections Coalition and coordinator of the community-based humanitarian relief. When news leaked out about who had been arrested in the raid, one landlord locked out families whose parents had been arrested. Another landlord allowed two families to move in together and said they wouldn't have to pay rent for March, says Toure. "Illegal versus legal is a question better left for another day. On the ground, these families and children are devastated."… "We go all over the world to protect families," says Scott Lang, mayor of New Bedford. This raid only "wreaks havoc in New Bedford" and doesn't do anything to move the debate forward, he adds. "Those kids are U.S. citizens. Taking parents away from them makes no sense to prove a point."”

 

On Sunday, in New Bedford a lone heckler was escorted from a rally in support of the immigrants who were rounded up like cattle and placed into detention.  What happened next completely illustrates my point about the hijacking of the whole anti-immigration movement. 

 

“…After a few minutes, New Bedford police forcibly escorted Ms. Blaha from the auditorium.Some people attending the rally were gathering around her and the emotional situation could have gotten out of hand, police spokesman Capt. Richard Spirlet said. "It's our duty to protect her, as well as the other people there," said Capt. Spirlet, who was part of the police presence at the rally. In an interview outside the building, Ms. Blaha described herself as a disabled Navy veteran who stands up for what she believes. "I'm just angry that an American citizen has to follow the laws but those who illegally came into this country are given ... rights," she said. Ms. Blaha criticized The Standard-Times for drumming up sympathy for the children of illegal immigrants by publishing their pictures. "These people need to be deported," she said. She charged the illegal immigrants with driving down American wages and working conditions by taking jobs that Americans won't.

 

"The labor system is being subverted by these people," she said. Jeff Taylor of New Bedford, a supporter of Northeast White Pride (a white supremacist group that picketed Gov. Deval Patrick's appearance in New Bedford on Martin Luther King Day) backed Ms. Blaha. Like her, he contended that the American job market is being adversely affected by foreign workers. "I've lost jobs (in the carpentry and garden industries) because of illegal immigrants," he said. Illegal immigrants have no one to blame but themselves for their predicament, he said. "I don't feel sorry for people who don't deserve your sympathy," he said. "They know they broke the law by coming across the border." He isn't moved by illegal immigrant mothers separated from their children, Mr. Taylor continued. (The pro-immigrant rally speaker's podium bore a poster that said "Free my mom.") "If a pregnant woman kills somebody, should you feel sorry for her because she's pregnant?' he asked. Immigrants and others are asking for special treatment because of this circumstance or that circumstance, he said.”

 

 

The SPLC reports that up to $700,000 is missing from minutemen, et. al accounts and that is the reason Gilchrist was given the old heave-ho.  The hearing manana (Spanish used to harass any Hispanophobes who may be reading this.  Earlier reports make the amount around $400,000. 

 

Well, I told you so.  An undercover cop has documentation on neo-Nazis and white supremacists working with the various border vigilante groups.   

 

“…Detective Matt Browning of the Mesa Police Department said he spent 12 years working undercover with three border militia groups and six White-supremacist organizations in Arizona, who he said are some of the "most violent, racist skinheads in the nation..”

REPUBLICANS

National Journal Conservative Senate Rankings.

House Rankings

 

LYING DEMOCRATS

According to Mark Margolis, the Dems now want to come up with a way to stop all future tax cuts. 

  

PRIMARIES 2008

The hypocrite that is algore.

Code Pink is unhappy with Hillary. 

 More on a Fred Thompson candidacy.  

 Ruffini says Edwards is going no where. 

And more evidence Obama is an empty suit. 

Edwards is struggling to hold on to his 2004 supporters in his home state. 

The FBI is probing an Edwards fundraiser.

Are conservatives warming to Giuliani?    

I am so glad I’m not the only one who is concerned about Edwards’ hair spray bill.  So is Malkin. 

Obama (the messiah) is the most liberal person running.  

Romney has basically antagonized the entire Cuban population of Florida.     

Captain Ed’s interesting take on Romney.

Is McCain flip-flopping on Immigration?

 Malkin on comrade Romney.

 Maybe Obama (the messiah) is an empty shirt after all. 

The front-running of Giuliani. 

Then there’s Romney’s snarky remark about General Pace.

 In the I’m loving it category, Ron Paul is a fake conservative! 

 The ‘swiftboating’ of Rudy Giuliani has begun.  Considering a few of Romney’s more recent hires, I think we all know who is responsible for it.

 

The disgusting hypocrisy of Duncan Hunter – from today’s Opinion Journal’s Political Diary from Brendan Miniter

 “Two years ago the House exploded in fury when Republicans called anti-war Democrats' bluff by bringing up for a vote Rep. John Murtha's resolution demanding an immediate withdrawal from Iraq. The resolution failed 403 to 3. The architect of that symbolic show of support for the war was Rep. Duncan Hunter, a California Republican who at the time was chairman of the Armed Services Committee.

 

Last week, with no fanfare, Mr. Hunter unveiled his own plan that his office says will "set the stage for withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq." In a letter to President Bush, Mr. Hunter calls for rotating Iraqi troops into combat assignments and, once they prove adept at the new role, American forces can leave the country. Mr. Hunter offered his plan after returning from a fact-finding mission to Baghdad, Ramadi and Fallujah. He doesn't give a specific date for withdrawal, but his plan is certainly a sign of waning support among Republicans for the war.

 

Mr. Hunter, first elected on Ronald Reagan's coattails in 1980, is now running an unlikely campaign for president. His issues are immigration, protectionist trade policies and a strong national defense. He favors building a fence along the border with Mexico, was a vocal opponent of a Dubai company operating a handful of American ports, and knows the ins and outs of the Pentagon's massive bureaucracy. As his Iraq plan shows, symbolic attempts at micromanagement are becoming the mandatory way even for ambitious GOPers to distance themselves from the war without seeming to be in favor of defeat.”