11/30 Morning Report

I’m still trying to get back into the swing of things. First it was the holidays. Now, I’m starting back into school to finish a degree. And, I work weekend nights. Makes it tough to keep up. So…

I actually found this right before I went off for Thanksgiving—and lost the link. The standard argument is that religion has been the cause of much of the world’s war and death. Right? Well, while religion has been involved in many conflicts, consider this:

In the name of creating their version of a religion-free utopia, Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and Mao Zedong produced the kind of mass slaughter that no Inquisitor could possibly match. Collectively these atheist tyrants murdered more than 100 million people.

(…amazing the stuff we get handed in school…in the name of separation of church and state…)

Then there was yesterday’s activity over at Snoop’s place. This first note springs off a post by LaShawn. But, the real meat is the link and quote from the NY Times. In another post, on where the Democrats will take the economy, Snoop really let’s you see some truth. Be sure to follow out the links on this one.
(…imagine the NY Times letting such a secret out…)

Meanwhile, over at the Captain’s Comments there is a great series going on Islamic culture, and the situation in the Middle East. If there are things you haven’t been able to understand, this should help.
(…H/T to Sabot Loaded…)

By the way, another good supplement to your Middle East news is The Lone Voice.
(…H/T to Savannah Daydreamin’…)


I’m still wondering why Democrats say the Bush policies have failed…economically that is. This Reuters report says income has been rising, and spending is up.

Overall consumer prices rose 1.5 percent on a year-over-year basis, the smallest rise since a 1.4 percent gain in August 2002.

There have also been reports lately on the shrinking federal budget deficit. The Republicans may use scare tactics to get people to support the war. But, Democrats absolutely use economic scare scare tactics to convince people they are worse off and things are not improving. Admittedly, they are not doing so for everyone. But, legalized re-distribution of wealth?
(…before you accuse me of condemning those on welfare, I’ve been there, and did what it takes to get out, too…my wife and children are Native American, too…)

Speaking of minorities, the media is still playing the racial lines for all it’s worth. This report talks about people in a mostly minority neighborhood being singled out by police when trouble occurs. The police and the people admit it’s because the gangs are there—nd the majority of the culprits are young and black. That is not racially oriented police behavior. That would be real crime fighting—you know, going after what causes the problem. Sure mistakes will be made. The big news case of late? Over fifty bullets fired at the guy on his wedding night. Is fifty excessive? Probably. But, so is running over a cop and crashing—twice—into a police van.
(…I feel for the guy and his family…but other than maybe too many bullets, I don’t think the cops did anything wrong…)

Lastly, from Texas Cable News comes some sad news. An Austin, TX, native, Marine Sergeant Michael Craig Ledsome, died Saturday while on a combat mission in the Al Anbar province. Sgt. Ledsome was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune. He leaves behind a wife and young son.

So, once again, at our house, we remember the cry of the warriors:

"Tell them of us and say,
For their tomorrow, we gave our today."
--The Kohima Epitaph--

Sergeant Ledsome, we remember what you have given. And we say thank you for the tomorrows you gave others. May God give back to your family more than they have sacrificed and lost.

And, now, we dance In Memoriam.