"To be, or not to be...

To federalize, or not to federalize is the question. Governor Jeb Bush, "I am proud of the way Florida has responded to hurricanes during the past year. Before Congress considers a larger, direct federal role, it needs to hold communities and states accountable for properly preparing for the inevitable storms to come."

He goes on to say in the Washington Post today, "As the governor of a state that has been hit by seven hurricanes and two tropical storms in the past 13 months, I can say with certainty that federalizing emergency response to catastrophic events would be a disaster as bad as Hurricane Katrina."As a Florida resident who experienced these hurricanes and storms, I can testify to the need for first responders, and the work that they do after the federal people leave. These disasters have not divided us, they have drawn us closer together. We pitched in and helped each other. If Donna Brazile, from Al Gore days, can say,"Mr. President, I am ready for duty... then the rest of the Democrat party can, and should also.

The up or down vote, and the confirmation of Chief Justice John Roberts, was as it should be. We are pleased. That was the way the people's business was done in the not too distant past. A Liberal President nominated a Liberal person, and the Senate confirmed that person; because the voters had elected a Liberal President.

The voters elected a Christian Conservative as President, and then the voters re-elected President Bush. He is expected to nominate Conservative people to open judgeships. If President Bush nominates the most conservative person in America, and the Senate confirms that person, the Court will still tilt Left.

There would be three Conservatives, one Moderate, and FIVE Liberals. Sen. Arlen Specter has called upon President Bush to nominate a person to keep the Court "evenly divided." He means by that a MODERATE like himself. Conservatives are calling for a CONSERVATIVE to keep the Court close to balanced. Liberals are DEMANDING that a CONSERVATIVE President nominate a LIBERAL. To their way of thinking a Six to Two, and one Moderate would be "evenly divided." Will the Court be even, or uneven? That is the question. "To be, or not to be...

"They lied...

Who knew? Did the MoveOn.org group know that Fenton Communications was advertising twisted quotes? FactChecker.org says THEY KNEW!

Those who are attacked in this advertisement said what they had been told by the CIA. The CIA got it wrong; but that does not make those who reported their findings liars. All of the White House staff and members of Congress were briefed by the CIA, and ALL received the SAME wrong information.

The White House and the Congress did not know that the information was wrong. They did not "LIE" when they acted on the FALSE information. They did not knowingly pass on falsehoods; but the MoveOn.org and associated groups DID - They have LIED.

The anti-war groups are the same old group with the same old false accusations we saw in the Vietnam war. The leaders used the attack American and defend the Communists then also. For those who seek the truth, read the full quotes and you will find "they look a bit different when read in full context."

Thursday should give us a Chief Justice for the U S Supreme Court. The President is said to be ready to announce his nominee to replace Judge O'Connor. We look forward to President Bush's nominee. He said he would name future justices in the mold of Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas. President Bush is a man of his word.

Harriet Miers has been searching for the person that meets those qualifications. Harriet Miers could be that person according to this AP article. As the Court now stands, whoever fills this spot will have the "swing" vote on upcoming crucial Court rulings. Our prayers are with the President as he makes this choice.

"Drastic times call for...

Surely, surely we can pull together this time. Rita and Katrina have done their work, now lets join together and do our work. Everyone needs to give.

The public outpouring has been simply amazing. Business has made huge donations. The President has asked for and the Congress has approved billions for relief and recovery. The economy is growing at 4% in spite of our war and weather. Now, how to pay for them?

Billions of tax dollars are flowing into Washington due to President Bush's TAX cut. That needs to stay; but more "pork" has to be cut. We must go back and cut bills. There are a lot of nice things that aren't necessary. These are well known to the President, and to Congress, and to me, John Q. Citizen. "Drastic times call for drastic measures."

"And now for my next nominee...

Flight or Fight, that is the question. Could the White House and the Congress enjoy a majority without the conservatives? How many liberals worked for them?Is there any moderate nominee that Sen. Kerry would vote for?

If the President were to nominate a conservative that would fight the liberal Senators for conservative issues, would that set a terrible precedent?These are some questions that are circulating around the conservative base. Just how hard are the liberals working to bring this nation together? President Bush's favorite Judges are Scalia and Thomas; nominate a Janice Rogers Brown. Mr. President, look her square in the eye, and say, "GO GET EM Judge Brown."

In these times one must stand up for what is right, and not what is politically correct. We are fighting a GLOBAL war against terrorism, we are fighting an ENERGY war against democracies, we are fighting a POLITICAL war against those who would turn Natural disasters into political gain. Mr. President I know some are advising you to nominate a person that will keep the Court "evenly divided." When Chief Justice Rehnquist was the "lone ranger", the ONLY conservative, then EVEN didn't matter. Eight to one was not even, and FIVE to FOUR is not EVEN. FIGHT!

"This is the stuff...

"As the waters clear"by The Washington Times reporter, Michael Barone takes a look at New Orleans after the hurricane, and after the BLAME GAME.

Will the press learn anything from their biased reports? Probably not. IF they were going to clean up their act, they would have done it by now. Will we the readers and watchers learn to take their reporting with a grain of salt? I believe that is what a lot of us have done.

"Lower taxes and less bureaucracy," these are TWO keys to a CONSERVATIVE recovery response that calls on the business community to get involved. This is the HAND UP rather than the RAISE TAXES and give HAND OUTS approach of left wing Democrats.

An( OP/ED) piece in the Los Angeles Times calls for OVERWHELMING Senate confirmation of Judge John Roberts. It will indeed be "a damning indictment of petty partisanship if" , and that is the big word - IF there is not an "overwhelming" majority Senate confirmation of the moderate Judge John Roberts. IF the Democrats have nightmares about voting for a MODERATE to replace a CONSERVATIVE, then it is easy to see the drift LEFT in liberal dreams.

"I for one have woken up in the middle of the night thinking about it, being unsure how to vote," said Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.). The terror of self-serving politics can bring nightmares according to the senior Sen. from N.Y. The real fight, IF there is one, will be the nominee that is to replace the moderate O'Connor. "This is the stuff dreams are made of...".

"Man is a political...

I believe the confirmation of Roberts will show the hand of those who have more politics on their mind than justice. "Man is a political animal."---Aristotle.

Robert Novak's , (Chuck Schumer's Defeat) "Schumer was good; Roberts was better" - we could say Schumer is a POLITICAL lawyer, while Roberts is a LEGAL lawyer. Schumer brought his politics to the hearing, while Roberts brought the CONSTITUTION to the hearing.

Robert Novak makes two very good points.FIRST: Because the President chose a nominee that is near perfect for the Chief Justice position; and in light of the committee Dems. voice against Judge Roberts, the President is free to choose anyone, because the Dems. are going to vote against ANY nominee. Second: The Court may be back on its way to judging each case based on merit, and how it stacks up against the Constitution.

"La propriete, c'est le vol...

"Property is theft"---- P.J.Proudhon.

Eminent Domain: the Kelo decision by the Supreme Court, which expanded the power of local governments to seize private property for economic development under the guise of "eminent domain" has started with the New London Development Corporation. The Corp. has started eviction procedures against homeowners. (search).

Governor Jodi Rell(Rep.) and state House Minority Leader Robert Ward(Rep.) are calling for a special session of the legislature to pass a moratorium to stop property seizure. To protect the rights of individuals, Congress should exercise their power to challenge Supreme Court rulings.

Judge John Roberts said as much this week. "Congress should challenge the Supreme Court."

Some property is returning to normal in New Orleans. The Mayor has accepted his responsibility as did President Bush.

"I'm going to be a man about this. Whatever I did, whatever I could have done better, I'm going to stand up and history will judge me accordingly," Nagin said. (The Manganos: Nursing Home Owners Charged in Louisiana, well.... that's another story.)

About his evacuated residents, the Mayors sense of humor has returned:

"I know New Orleanians. Once the beignets start cooking up again and the gumbo is in the pots and red beans and rice are served on Monday - in New Orleans, and not where they are - they're going to be back," Nagin said. Hey! This guy can't be all bad.

Mayor C. Ray Nagin said," dry areas of the hurricane-ravaged city -- including the French Quarter, Uptown and the Central Business District -- could be officially opened from dawn to dusk as soon as Monday...".( Adam Nossiter), The Washington Times, New Orleans' port, airport now reopened.

The French Quarter has always been a little to dangerous for me; but I must admit there is a woman there that cooks the best "feely gumbo" and "dirty Rice" you ever tasted.

"Few of the BEST...

A few of the best statements concerning the qualifications of Judge John Roberts have been made. It will be difficult to keep the focus on the Supreme Court and its need of a Chief Justice.

By one count, Senator Chuck Schumer(Dem. NY) referred to I, Me, Myself, thirty Seven(37) times in his allotted ten minute opening remarks. The two senior Democrats on the committee, Senator Patrick Leahy(Dem. Vermont) and Senator Ted Kennedy(Dem. MA) have tied the questioning to hurricane Katrina. The BEST statement was by Sen. John Warner (Rep.Va).He said."... Roberts has the strongest qualifications of any of the more than 2,000 judicial nominees he has seen in 27 years in the Senate."

According to( Reuters), BUSH: "I take responsibility." Fifty-four percent of Americans disapprove of Bush's handling of the response, but 57 percent say state and local officials should bear responsibility for the problems, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC poll."

The old adage of President Harry Truman,"The Buck Stops Here" is still in force. The President is responsible for all that occurs on his watch. "Are we capable of dealing with a severe attack or another severe storm?", the President said that we will find out what went on , and how we can "better respond" to these events.

President Bush is being asked to appoint a person to oversee the relief and recovery work. Retired Gen. Tommy Franks and former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani are being considered.

President George Bush, Judge John Roberts, Gen. Tommy Franks, and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani are among "a few of the BEST men in our country.

"Fact Finding or Fault finding...

The reports are in, and the MSM has some explaining to do. The Democrat Party has some explaining to do as well. First Lady Laura Bush said the film showed over and over and over did not show the situation as she saw it on the ground.

There "may" have been some exaggeration on the 10, 000 dead estimate. There "may" have been a premature judgment on the "slow" response of President Bush. The headlines and videos of the last two weeks are there for ALL to see.

Let's give credit, where credit is warranted, and hold blame until the facts are established. There will plenty of time to find and correct what could have been done better. We are still in a relief and recovery mode.

President Bush has called for a FACT finding committee, the Democrat Party, lead by Senator Hillary Clinton (Dem. NY) has called for a FAULT finding committee. Was there a rush to judgment before the facts were available? The answer is a resounding - YES!

Today begins the hearing for confirmation of Judge John Roberts for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of America. The American people need to have a recommendation after a thorough hearing.

Today The New York Times says that the Senators will be judged in the way they judge Judge Roberts. If the Senators stick with FACT finding, and abstain from FAULT finding the hearing will go well. America's attention is on the relief and recovery from the Natural disaster caused by hurricane Katrina. There is little support for political posturing. Will the Senate committee take four days, and will they restrain themselves? Answer... TBA.

"The (dates) that will live in infamy...

On the anniversary of SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 - Like the surprise attack of an enemy on Pearl Harbor, DECEMBER 7, 1941, we will remember the dates as times that will live in infamy.

The war begun in 1941 has ended, and Japan has become friends with America. The war begun on SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 has just begun, and al Qaeda will NEVER be friends with America.

The "American" al Qaeda has sent a message that threatens Los Angeles and Melbourne. Al Qaeda DEMANDS complete surrender to their terrorism type of government. (ABC - Brian Ross, Sept. 11, 2005). This is Sunday, September 11, 2005 - America has not forgotten the innocent that were slaughtered - America has not forgotten the men and women who are fighting for our freedom here and around the WORLD.

"If you're in trouble...

John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath, "If you're ever in trouble,... go to the poor people." The people in the devestation of hurricane Katrina are in trouble. We have supervision there, and we are grateful, but the poor( humble - everyday people) like good neighbors are there. There in the surrounding states; families are being taken in, Churches are open, and the good side of humanity is evident. These are people helping people. They are not looking for fame.

Interesting how some who see a house on fire rush to help, others wring their hands and look for fault, while yet others pitch wood on the fire. The two approaches to recovery and relief stand out in the character of the these two people. One would postpone judgment until relief of the suffering has been completed, Rudy Giuliani (R) N.Y. is helping. One would hinder the relief by demanding the decision makers stop to pay attention to them. Move on.org comes to mind, and the REAL Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D) N.Y. has surfaced.

Dan Blatz,( Washington Post ), writes that Sen. Clinton has joined "the raging debate over what happened after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and the Gulf Coast." It has provided Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) an opportunity to emerge as a national spokeswoman for the Democratic Party, stirring Republican criticism that she and other Democrats are seeking political gain at a moment of national crisis." She did a similar thing after 9/11 and, and like Kayne West got booed.

She had distanced herself from the extreme liberal left of chairman Dean, and Nancy Pelosie (Dem. CA), House minority leader. She has joined them and made herself a target. Is she in trouble, probably not; but she has undone a lot of hard work pretending to move right.

"To confirm, or not to confirm...things & more things

Things just keep happening to the Democrat strategy. And its not their fault, it's just ... things.

George Soros spent $27 million to buy himself a U. S. President. That's a lot of things. John Kerry said,"I can't believe... I'm losing to that idiot." George Soros said, I can't believe I'm losing $27 million. Then after Kerry lost by more votes than anyone in recorded history, Sen. Reid (Dem. NV) Minority leader said, the big winner was a "loser". It get funnier.

John Kerry was depending on Catholic votes. He voted for everything Catholics are against; but near the end he said,"I was an alter boy." Thing is... Catholics didn't buy it.

Then along comes this big expose' that Carl Rove has outed a covert CIA agent. Democrats called for his immediate firing. The thing is... Rove didn't do it. Another one of those things, like the bogus CBS documents. Thing is... Bush didn't do it.

One of the big things that motivated the Democrats in 2004 was to STOP Bush from being elected, because the next President would appoint one or more Supreme Court judges. There are NINE judges. Four are LIBERAL Democrats, Two are Moderates, Three are Republican conservatives when President Bush is elected in 2004.

Judge O'Connor who votes conservative sometimes and liberal other times decides to retire.
The Democrats DEMAND that President Bush replace her with a MODERATE. The Senate has NEVER done that before,... The President appoints and the Senate confirms or denies. It's in the U.S.Constitution..., just another one of those sticky things.

Notice TWO things about the NEW BALANCE on the COURT that is DEMANDED. First thing is President Bush picks an outstanding MODERATE to replace the MODERATE O'Connor.
Second thing, CONSERATIVE judge William Rehnquist dies and President Bush appoints a MODERATE judge John Roberts to replace him.

This should please the Democrats. A MODERATE replaces a CONSERVATIVE. But this is the comments from two leading Democrats, after NARAL and other big money libs raved, John Roberts would... impede the progress of an equal nation.

"I'm not gonna stand by and just let this happen," fired Sen. Kennedy. "Subjugating women to a roll in the kitchen, being barefoot and pregnant that is, is a crime upon nature. With Roberts being a Catholic, that's exactly what will happen."

Now Wait a NY minute, I thought John Kerry and Ted Kennedy were CATHOLIC. Oh well... just another one of those things that destroy the Democrat credibility. Speaking of NY...


"It's all for the sake of balance on the court,"Said Sen. Hillary Clinton, (D-NY). "If the court goes too far to the right, I might as well move to Canada, because I won't recognize America anymore." The Court was more balanced with ONE conserative (Rehnquist) in 70's.

Have you done the math here dear reader? If the Senate confirms a MODERATE to replace a CONSERVATIVE in the top job... the court has tilted LEFT. If President Bush appoints a CONSERVATIVE to replace the MODERATE - we're back to where we were before.

The thing is... equal, balanced, etc. has NEVER been big with DEMOCRATS. They want it all.

"Not Much Traction...

There is a lot of wasted BLAME ink in the Main Stream Media these days. The ANGER, HATE, and BLAME gang have had their say. Hurricane Katrina; they hope will elect more BLAME America first people to office, and bring BIG GOVERNMENT back. It's easy to spot those who are out to make political hay from this Natural disaster. BLAME BUSH elect DEMOCRATS!

If we could just let TV and Movie stars control the vote, that might happen. But the voters are on the ground. They see who is helping and who is whining.( Westley Prudens), The Washington Times, covers the new hope well."The first polls, no surprise, show the libels are not working. A Washington Post-ABC survey found that the president is not seen as the villain the nutcake left is trying to make him out to be. Americans, skeptical as ever, are believing their own eyes." Read the article: "Not Much Traction With The Abuse"

With any natural disaster there is enough BLAME to go around. Every reasonable person will reflect on how they could have done a better job. When you live BELOW sea level on the shore, there is ample reason to fear a hurricane. The first order given was EVACUATE. Many chose , and even now, refuse to EVACUATE the life threatening city of New Orleans.

Those who were responsible for providing transportation for those who called for help will be held accountable. That is a local responsibility. If the City of New Orleans did not have enough transportation it is to call on the County and State. Emergency Management Teams practice this at least once a year in most large cities.

To libel the President for hurricane damage is not gaining much traction. The same thing was tried after 9/11 and the American people saw through that, and they see through this. After every disaster, FEMA is praised by some and criticized by others. This will continue as long as there are people. Some are traumatized, some critics, and others pitch in and help.

Recovering from KatrinaHow you can help: Donate Now.

The following organizations are among the many groups collecting valuable funds to help in the recovery effort:Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund: http://www.bushclintonkatrinafund.org
:American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/
:Salvation Army: http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/

"Monday Morning Quarterbacks..."

Monday Morning Quarterbacks: The recovery phase after hurricane Katrina is beginning to take shape. It takes time.

We experienced four hurricanes in a six week period last year here in Florida. There were some who refused to evacuate. Some who had their first and last HURRICANE PARTY. Like some in NO, you can't arrest them all, even for their own good.

We had Monday morning quarterbacks, hind sight is 20/20 as they say. I am reminded of those who ask,"how much did the dealer give you for your trade-in?"After you tell them, they exclaim,"I would have given you a $1000 more, if you had told me you were going to sell!" Fortunately there are more people who pitch in to help their neighbor, than those who try to tear down those that are helping.

There are miracles, as this (article) shows, along with the terrible acts of evil people. Emily Smithy and Nick Parker are in New Orleans, and file this report: "Miracle in the Misery", Online Sun.

Recovering from KatrinaHow you can help: Donate NowThe following organizations are among the many groups collecting valuable funds to help in the recovery effort:Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund: http://www.bushclintonkatrinafund.orgAmerican Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/Salvation Army: http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/

" I will choose in a timely manner a highly qualified...

President Bush said YESTERDAY,"There are now two vacancies on the Supreme Court, and it will serve the best interests of the nation to fill those vacancies promptly. I will choose in a timely manner a highly qualified nominee to succeed Chief Justice Rehnquist.

President Bush said TODAY,"I'm confident that the Senate can complete hearings and confirm him as chief justice within a month. As a result of my decision to nominate Judge Roberts to be chief justice, I also have the responsibility to submit a new nominee to follow Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. I will do so in a timely manner."

There is another urgent reason to have a Chief Justice when the Supreme Court reconvenes. The SENIOR judge is a LIBERAL, John Paul Stevens, who would assign cases in the absence of the Chief justice. The advantage to the Court would be a quick turn over without the interruption from a Conservative(Rehnquist) to a Liberal (Stevens) to a conservative later. The Democrats advantage would be to delay so as to allow the Liberal to make key decisions. Smooth transition is in the best interest of the Court, and the country. Judge Roberts is young and brilliant. Now is the time for cooler heads to prevail. Open the hearing. Send Roberts to the Senate for the vote.

Chief Rehnquist & delay...

The confirmation hearing of John Roberts just got tougher. The confirmation hearing (trial) of John Roberts will no doubt be delayed by the death of his mentor Chief Justice William Rehnquist.

"The death leaves Bush with his second court opening within four months and sets up what's expected to be an even more bruising Senate confirmation battle than that of John Roberts", writes( AP) writer Gina Holland.

The chances of the hearings being "Dignified" has dropped to about nil. Chief Justice Rehnquist was a CONSERVATIVE. The Court was made up of four liberal Democrats, two moderates, and three CONSERVATIVES. The thought of four Conservatives and four liberals is not fair and balanced as liberals count.

A "bruising" confirmation "battle" for two Justices - Oh yeah. One moderate(Judge John Roberts) , and one conservative(to be announced) to replace a moderate O'Conner and a conservative Rehnquist is not acceptable.

Sens. Kennedy and Schumer are calling for delay. They would like to delay until a LIBERAL Democrat President appoints two LIBERAL nominees.

Setting aside differences...

Many countries have answered the call from hurricane Katrina victims. Humanitarian aid cuts across political boundaries. A Washington Times article lists the countries as of Sept. 2 :

"By yesterday, offers had been received from Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Belgium, Britain, Canada, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jamaica, Jordan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, the Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela."

It is good to see Cuba and Venezuela in this list. Even China, who according to another story by Bill Gertz Sept 1, is planning a nuclear war with the U. S. Over Taiwan is helping. Natural disasters do bring countries together to aid human suffering.

Then the same countries go to war and create more human suffering. The countries that are not there really stand out. Not because they have different political aims; but because they do not have compassion on human suffering. Some of course are to poor to send aid; but all can do something. A phone call would be nice.

What will America do if one of the missing countries suffer a national crisis? Will we turn our backs on them? No, we will be in the forefront with aid as Australia states in the first article. And that is one of the things that makes our great country great.

"The LEGACY...

Herman Melville was billed as "The Man Who Lived Among Cannibals." Chief Justice William Rehnquist could bear the title, "The Justice Who Lived Among Liberals." He rose through the seniority ranks to become Chief Justice. He was respected by all; but did not agree with many on the liberal drift of the Supreme Court.

He was a man acquainted with the minority. In fact, there were only three conservatives on the Court when he passed last Saturday. Now there are two out of nine. He argued for STATES RIGHTS and limited power in the FEDERAL government. Most high school or college graduates for that matter, do not know that the BILL of RIGHTS was passed to protect STATES from the power of the FEDERAL government. They are not taught that anymore.

December 15, 1791 Virginia ratifies the Bill of Rights, and the amendments become part of the U. S. Constitution. Amendment 10 - "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution(not Congress - not Supreme Court), nor prohibited by it to the states, are RESERVED to the STATES respectively, or to the people."(Emphasis mine). This man, Chief Justice William Rehnquist, worked all his career to this end. A man among men, and respected by his peers. Many, including me, believe that his student, Judge John Roberts, can grow Chief William Renquist's LEGACY.