Return of the Native Blogger

Return of the blogger. Sounds a little like Return of The Native. Where does the time go? Several friends have started blogs since my last offering. I have been meaning to contact and support them. My mind says post to tiggernpal, read friend's blogs, and then "other" things pop up.

Other priorities seem to always...always nudge the blogs aside. God - Family - Job; yes that is the proper relationship and the proper order. Oh, there has been time for all three, and I am thankful that the life is balanced. "Balancing The Christian Life" is a priority, not just an excellent book by Charles Caldwell Ryrie

There is always time for tigger n pal. Not the blog, the daily life. It is truly good to be back blogging. I am so looking forward to exercising the mind again. This little light of mine (the lighthouse is to the left), I'm gonna let it shine. Now for our next adventure.


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CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

Here is an old post from Saturday, December 04, 2004. It is worth repeating, at least I think so, hope you agree. Hope it brings back a great memory or two for you.

"It is more blessed to give..."

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening... Sights and sounds are all around; deep within, a child smiles.

The spirit of giving is awakened in him... "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

He was allowed to purchase one gift, with his own money. It had to be special.A perfect gift for a very special lady.The woman who raised him. Oh how he loved her.

It took two trips up town before a gift was bought. He spent a nickel, all he had. A fortune. Funny; how memories stay with you. He can't remember a single gift he received that year.

Stooped over by the Christmas tree, a twinkle in her eye, she slipped the wrinkled tissue from his gift to her. Her smile turned to laughter when she saw his doubt. Then the most wonderful thing happened. She hugged him so tight. She always smelled like fresh baked bread. A pink powder puff.

Merry Christmas; I love you Mamaw.
T-Bone

Good News is Found in God's Word

Good News is Found in God's Word
Good News is for everyone.

Who among us does not enjoy news that is good for us and others? Our primary source for eternal news is found in the Bible - http://www.biblegateway.com/.This blog is dedicated to good news. We may from time to time list bad news as a comparison.

We expect to begin this blog full time around 1 January 2008. Of course we receive news that is good from other sources also. Our family and friends call, send cards, email and/or blog us Merry Christmas and Happy New Year this time of year. It is always good to hear from them if we can not be with them.

For now, let me wish each of you a very Merry Christmas, and Lord willing, I'll be back here with you in the New Year.

Good News Is Hard To Find

Good News Is Hard To Find
Even a careful search will not bring good news from most media today. This week brought to this blogger a wonderful addition to this computer. It is a DVD entitled "Bible Explorer" limited edition. One small disk holds an enormous amount of information.No more lugging around several books. Now - that is Good News for anyone who travels. There are 17 Bible Translations and 83 - Yes, 83 Reference Works.

Return of the Native Blogger

After considerable rest and much thought.... I'm back. The previous blog was great fun and hopefully this one will continue to be also.

We are not following the network news as much these days, so our blogging will be more on a personal level... more Gnu News so to speak. New start-up, until then, keep looking up.

"April, April..."

April 2006 - Are countries becoming wise or are we stuck on April Fool's Day?

Whether France was wise to have permitted the mass immigration of people culturally very different from its own population to solve a temporary labor shortage and to assuage its own abstract liberal conscience is disputable: there are now an estimated 8 or 9 million people of North and West African origin in France, twice the number in 1975—and at least 5 million of them are Muslims. Demographic projections (though projections are not predictions) suggest that their descendants will number 35 million before this century is out, more than a third of the likely total population of France.

Was the United States wise to not enforce immigration laws over past decades to solve a labor shortage:" The Pew Hispanic Center used Census Bureau data to estimate that the United States had 11.1 million illegal immigrants in March 2005. The center used monthly population estimates to project a current total of 11.5 million to 12 million. " (AP writer) Stephen Ohlemacher.

"Most countries have laws requiring workers to have proper documentation, often intended to prevent the employment of illegal immigrants. However the penalties against employers are not always enforced consistently and fairly, which means that employers can easily use illegal labor. Agriculture, construction, domestic service, restaurants, resorts, and prostitution are the leading legal and illegal jobs that illegal workers are most likely to fill. For example, it is estimated that 80% of U.S. crop workers are without valid legal status. Illegal immigrants are especially popular with employers because they can violate minimum wage laws secure in the knowledge that illegal workers dare not report their employers to the police.
Some members of the public react negatively to the presence of immigrants, whether legal or illegal, and such sentiments are often exploited politically. However, allegations that the presence of illegal immigrants means increased rates of crime and unemployment are conversely attacked as "anti-immigrant" or "xenophobic" to exploit the opposite political mentality. When the authorities are overwhelmed in their efforts to stop immigration, they may issue periods of amnesties (often called regularization, earned legalization or guest worker programs). (Wikipedia)

Illegal immigration is a crime. Are countries wise to decriminalize illegal immigration? We see laughter and mockery of police by illegals as they demonstrate in France. In the United States they demand to be treated as equal to those who came into the country legally. Do children know better than adults what are best for them? What are the consequences for this policy? These are serious questions and they do have resonable answers.

"April, April - laugh thy girlish laughter: / Then the moment after, / Weep thy girlish tears!" --- William Watson

"Hated by fools...

"Hated by fools,and fools to hate,
Be that my motto and my fate." -Swift

A song I used to sing as a child said in part - "be kind to your web-footed friends in the swamp,
where the weather is cold and domp..."

Reminds me of the "fever swamps of Washington" as Wesley Pruden of the Washington Times calls our National Capitol today. Any one who has spent any amount of time in this political jungle can relate to the "fever" aspect that is 24/7 inside the beltway.

The 2006 election cycle is in full swing with the no holds barred 2008 contest looming large. The fever comes upon all politicians when they are overcome by that all important question - "What must I do to win?" Which brings us to our quote of the day.

Every elected official believes in their heart of hearts that only a "fool" could hate them. Why? Some of the greatest men in history were hated for doing good. Allow me yet another quote.

"For him who would teach the world
The world holds hate in fee-
For Socrates, the hemlock cup;
For Christ, Gethsemane." - Don Marquis, Wages

The second part of today's quote is "fools to hate." Does hate make one a fool? Most say it does; and not only that, it eats from the inside out. Many Communist and Muslims have shown hate toward President Bush today. "Down with Bush!" and "Death to Bush!" signs were displayed in India. India is the world's largest Democracy. Freedom of speech is guaranteed - except some cartoons. When did it become acceptable to KILL those who disagree with your religion?

Many of us in America that are against hating our fellow man are praying for our President as he travels through hate filled areas of this world. Care to join us? http://www.udata.com/users/byrd/pray.htm

Hang together or separately...

Next week is an important meeting of the RNC. There are two issues that MUST be considered together or separately; but they MUST be agreed upon, and put before the Congress.

Securing our borders is doable and MUST be done. Enforcing our immigration laws for those inside and outside our borders is doable and MUST be done. The President's "guest-worker" program is a separate issue. This program needs to be presented as a legal hiring of workers from outside our borders. They are "guests" , not illegal aliens. They are "workers" , not illegal aliens. The guests - workers must return to their individual countries after their work is completed or if they want to become citizens of America they MUST apply for citizenship.

"It's pretty clear where the American public is on this issue -- they want the border fixed. They want the government to do something about employers who hire illegal workers. I believe that's essentially where the Republican Party is," said Randy Pullen, the national committeeman from Arizona who is sponsoring the resolution, By Stephen DinanTHE WASHINGTON TIMES .

Issue one: Secure Borders. Issue two: Illegal Workers. Issue three: Guest - Worker Program. While we agree that these issues are interrelated and overlap, we do not believe that one all encompassing piece of legislation is needed or necessary. Separate issues call for separate treatment. Each must be strong in its own language and be compatible with the other related laws. The laws MUST then be enforced.

"Never give in..."

Say what you will, the truth will eventually surface, and then all will see who really want to see. Rally Round the (White) Flag, Boys!Democrats finally find an Iraq policy they can get behind by Edward Morrissey in The Daily Standard has some insight, and outright truth.

" AFTER THE MURTHA COMMENTS, the GOP challenged the Democrats to go on record with a Congressional vote for retreat. Almost the entire Democratic caucus cut and ran from their embrace of the cut-and-run strategy--the House voted against the non-binding resolution for immediate withdrawal 403 to 3. The height of Democratic pusillanimity came when GOP Rep. Sam Johnson, a former Vietnam POW, asked for three extra minutes to complete his remarks. Several Democrats voiced objection. The speaker demanded that the members objecting identify themselves--and none would even stand for their own objection."

Charles Krauthammer's real assessment of "The Truth about Torture" in the Dec. 5 issue of The weekly Standard is worth reading. He gives three kinds of war PRISONERS:

First, the ordinary soldier caught on the field of battle. "There is no question that he is entitled to humane treatment."

Second, there is the captured terrorist. He is an unlawful combatant. "Breaking the laws of war and abusing civilians are what, to understate the matter vastly, terrorists do for a living. THEY ARE ENTITLED, THEREFORE, TO NOTHING.

Third, there is the terrorist with information. "Here the issue of torture gets complicated..." Case in point - A terrorist. lets say, has planted a dirty bomb somewhere in New York City. It will go off in one hour. Our terrorist knows where the bomb is; but he is not talking.
Question: "If you have the slightest belief that ( water boarding or other torture) will get you the information to save a million lives, should you be permitted to do it?"

Krauthammer maintains that there are two exceptions to the so called McCain " No Torture" law. First is the "ticking time bomb" and the second is the "slow-fuse high-value terrorist."

Other writers in Newsweek and the National Journal make the same exception.
Dr. Dean's message to the terrorists is that he has thrown in the towel and raised the white flag of surrender. To the terrorist, I say and I will" Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy." Winston Churchill.

Now for the Gnu News...

There is good news about our economy. Economists had forecast GDP would advance at a 3.6% rate in the July-to-September quarter. The economy has now expanded faster than 3% for 10 straight quarters.3.8% growth in spite of hurricanes is excellent. Think what it might have been. The tax cuts have stimulated the economy.

President Bush's nomination of a highly qualified replacement for Alan Greenspan as Federal Reserve Chairman is expected to pass Senate confirmation easily. This is great news. Economist Ben Bernanke is expected to follow Greenspan's guidance. Mister Greenspan is seventy-nine years old. "He has won praise for his guidance of the world's largest economy." See the story by (Mario Ritter) for details.

"Withdrawal...

Charles Hurt covers the story of the Harriet Miers nomination withdrawal in the (Washington Times) today.

Is there still faith in the advise and consent? Does the President and his staff listen? These are questions that can be answered - Yes! We the people do still matter. We thank Harriet Miers for withdrawing her name and we thank President Bush for accepting her withdrawal. She may yet serve as an ambassador or other high government post. She is a well qualified person.

Many Conservatives including this blogger called for the withdrawal and we are pleased. We resoundingly disagree with Sen. Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat that the nominee MUST be in the mold of Sandra Day O'Connor to unite the country. He knows, as does the entire world, that President Bush said he would appoint a nominee in the mold of Scalia or Thomas.

We are asking the President to nominate a highly qualified person with a clear record of Conservative judicial thinking. The person does not have to meet a test as unifier, female, black, Hispanic or any other label to serve on the Supreme Court. The person does have to be a CONSERVATIVE in the mold of Scalia and Thomas. That and that alone will satisfy.

"So many questions...

Phyllis Schlafly of (Eagleforum) has some questions, and they are the same questions that many other Conservative supporters of President Bush have.

You said, "Trust me." But why should we trust you when experience proves we could not trust the judgment of President Reagan (who gave us Justices O'Connor and Kennedy) or President George H.W. Bush (who gave us Justice Souter)? Are you more trustworthy than Reagan or your father?" I guess this one is the hardest question for me.

Why would you ask me to trust you when your nominee is not known to be in the mold of Anthony Scalea and Clarence Thomas.? These have been accused of being far RIGHT. Two more far right judges would give the Court a chance to stop far LEFT legislation from the bench. This is the ONLY chance we have. From what we have seen Roberts and Meirs are not far RIGHT. Ruth Bader Ginsburg is far LEFT - an ACLU lawyer.

Would it be out of the question to nominate a person that was known to be as far RIGHT as Ginsburg is LEFT? It is not out of the question, it is expected. It was a big part of the 2004 campaign; you would be able to appoint two or more Conservative Supreme Court Judges.

Why would you ask me to trust you with an unknown when there are plenty of known Conservative Scaleas and Thomas' who are on record as Conservative? They have fought the good fight and kept the faith. You have a right to nominate anyone you want. But we have a right to question your judgment on this most important nomination and we do.

"The power of the President...

It might be a little early but the "next disaster", hurricane Wilma, may be in my state of Florida. I want to thank President Bush for reducing her from a class 5 to a 2 or 1 class by the time it reaches his brother. Governor Bush and the rest of us are ready. We've been through this several times so it's hard to blame the President for favoritism. Maybe there is some sibling rivalry. But he did keep the hurricane stronger when it hit some who chose to live below sea level, and were not related by blood.

FEMA came by my place after we had four hurricanes in six weeks. I had a large pine limb through my livingroom roof and water damage. I told them to help those who had lost everything. They sent be a copy of their report. "No SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE" - and no check came. I was pleased. My nearby neighbor had no damage but received a LARGE check. She also was well pleased.

" I Spy...

Work continues at "The Company" as those entrenched continue to resist change. Is there a need for change at the CIA after 9/11/01? The failed political policies of the Agency to undermine the 2004 election, ( Wilson & blame - WMD), and retain the job of those who failed with WMD briefs became more important than National Security.

Clearly there was internal confusion in the CIA on their Iraq-Niger intelligence. But the National Intelligence Estimates states that as early as 2001 "...Niger planned to send several tons(500) of 'pure uranium' (probably yellowcake) to Iraq... , this was cleared by the CIA for the Presidents speech. That is enough for ten bombs.

Now comes the TWIST and the MSM's cry "Where are the WMD"? Is this POLITICAL, you bet. Plant two estimates, later to be called CONFUSION, and condemn the President with either - "there is NO evidence or there IS evidence for Iraq having capability of WMD."

Today David Ignatius (Washingtonpost.com) discusses the "Danger Point In Spy Reform." Ignatius speaks of the " incomplete effort to restructure the intelligence community." It is human nature to resist change. It is more so if you are a D.C. bureaucrat.

He concludes with"The half-baked intelligence reorganization should go back in the oven. Negroponte, supported by President Bush, must finish the process -- and consolidate this overlayered bureaucracy. Getting intelligence right is a life-or-death matter for America, and, so far, it's only partly right."

I wholeheartly agree that the process started by President Bush MUST be finished. I disagree with the tone of the article that this "Spy Reform" is being botched by President Bush's Republican Porter Goss as director of the CIA. The ones sent to bring about REFORM, call the"Gosslings" at Langley by the LIBERALS is a sign of their hatred of this President. That's POLITICAL.

Bill Gertz in his book, "Breakdown" has it right. There is enough blame to go around in both Democrat and Republican Administrations. The intelligence failures that led to September 11, 2001 was a "life-or-death matter for America." That was and is bigger than "MY JOB" at the CIA or "HOW CAN I GET POLITICAL ADVANTAGE FROM THIS TRAGEDY."

"American conservatism...

Today in the WSJ Rush Limbaugh makes the conservative point. We conservatives know what we believe and we hold our elected officials accountable. Whether its President, Senator, or Congressman we will let them know that we do not support any who go against our stated beliefs. Contrary to Liberal Democrats and their MSM spokesmen who see this inside accountability as a split in the Conservative Party we see it as healthy.

Conservatism and Liberalism are at odds with each other. The last two election cycles have gone Conservative. That could change if the two change or if one begins to merge into the other. Conservative Republicans have worked long and hard to obtain a majority in the two houses and the White House.

The Supreme Court, unlike the elected officials, does not allow itself to be elected. The founding fathers saw this as a good thing. It allows the individual judge to make decisions based on the constitution without the pressure of special interest groups and their money. The Supreme Court has legislated from the bench and it is time for it to stop. Now is the time to make that clear. A Conservative President is expected to nominate and a majority of Conservative Senators are expected to confirm a Conservative Supreme Court nominee.

"ABC does it right...

BRAVO ABC - yes you heard it right. Today, ABC News is breaking a disturbing report, the result of a four-month investigation, regarding the safety of nuclear reactors on university campuses across the country. Many were not guarded or even protected. That is GOOD reporting.

Tonight on Primetime at 10:00 pm ET. ABC News shared its findings with officials before going public so that these security lapses could be addressed before they were widely known. Now that is responsible journalism. We could use a great deal more of that.

President on war...

The New York Times carries the President's( transcript). "I'm honored once again to be with the supporters of the National Endowment for Democracy.

Since the day President Ronald Reagan set out the vision for this endowment, the world has seen the swiftest advance of democratic institutions in history. And Americans are proud to have played our role in this great story."

Thus began the speech of WHY we are in a Global War, WHERE Iraq is the center, WHAT has happened, and is happening , and How our President believes that it will end. It is truly a great speech. It will be attacked by the MSM as - STILL NO DATE FOR WITHDRAWAL!!! ETC.

On another front,(BBC) Press Office, reports "President George W. Bush told Palestinian ministers that God had told him to invade Afghanistan and Iraq - and create a Palestinian State, a new BBC series reveals." In yesterday's post, we stated that no one doubted that President George W. Bush was a REAL born-again Christian. Real Christians know that God answers prayer, and directs His children through the Bible. He went on to say, ... by God's help he would do just that. We will wait and see what the unbelieving MSM will do with that.

White House denies Bush claimed divine inspiration. It makes for a good made for TV story draw though. The born-again Christian world view (Theism) will be on trial in the Senate confirmation hearings as well. Ms. Meirs is a committed active evangelical Christian.

The Real George W. Bush...

One thing that is being overlooked in the comments I see, is that the Republican Party knew that Governor Bush was not a Right-Wing Conservative when we nominated him for President in 2000. There were no ultra- conservatives that were electable way back then.

He had a record of working with Democrats in Texas. George W. Bush was the best candidate the Republican Party had that could be elected to the Presidency. No one questions that he is a Christian, that he is a Conservative, that he is REAL. There are Liberal Republicans, Moderate Republicans, and Conservative Republicans, and some in-between. For most of us Conservative, grassroots activists, our President is a Moderate. He has nominated two Moderate Republicans to the Supreme Court. He believes that they are the best people for the Supreme Court.

I was in the 60% group that was disappointed with the Harriet Meirs appointment. I predicted the President would nominate her, and I predicted that she would receive bipartisan support. I like so many that worked to get a Republican majority in our government wanted a creditable, with credentials Conservative nominee. Harriet Meirs is not that person.

I predict that there will be another round of posturing and protesting. The Republicans will join together to vote up or down this nominee. Its tough; because we don't know her. The President is REAL, only time will tell if Ms. Meirs is a REAL Conservative who stands for our values.

"Its morning in America..."

"It is morning in America" at least in the highest Court. Chief Justice John Rogers started his new job right on time. The Roberts Court, as it is now called is off and running with cases on labor and fuel taxes. We wish the Roberts Court well. The President nominated well, the Senate confirmed well, and we look forward to Chief Justice John Roberts serving well.

Harriet Miers was nominated to replace Sandra Day O'Connor for several reasons. The days following will bring out the research done by and for this nominee. Three reasons are evident from the git go:BALANCE - woman replacing a woman - voice for those who have not been a judge(bipartisan request) - Moderately Conservative. QUALIFIED - meets all the requirements to be Supreme Court Judge. Some of the best Supremes were not judges. FULFILLS CAMPAIGN PROMISE - President Bush promised to appoint Supreme Court nominees that shared the beliefs of the Conservative base.

There are those who will be against Harriet Miers from the Right, Left, and Against ANY Bush nominee. I predicted John Rogers and I predicted Harriet Miers. I predict there will also be bipartisan support in the Senate for Harriet Miers.

President Bush is not as Conservative as most of his base, and he is far to conservative for most of the Liberal Democrats in Congress. I am sure, in his mind, he is satisfied that he has nominated those who have fulfilled his campaign promises. More so, he believes that Rogers, and now Miers are the BEST people for the Supreme Court in America.

Showdowns in the news...

AOIFE WHITEAP, (AP )BRUSSELS, Belgium:

"The European Union insisted Friday that governments and the private sector must share the responsibility of overseeing the Internet, setting the stage for a showdown with the United States on the future of Internet governance." SHOWDOWN is the key word here.

Al Gore did not invent the Internet. The EU didn't invent the Internet, and the U N didn't either; yet all three have insisted that they have credit and some control of the Internet. Why is it that those who did not do the research, spend the money, or take the chances DEMAND their rights to take credit and have control. There has even been a call for the United(read un) Nations to TAKE OVER controll.

The UNITED STATES created the Internet! It started as a Pentagon project and its early development was paid for by taxpayers in the UNITED STATES of AMERICA. The U.S. Commerce Department retains veto power, and that is where it belongs.

There was no SHOWDOWN with the Senate confirmation of Chief Justice John Roberts. No "nuclear option" was needed, just an honest, dignified, up or down vote. Each Senator stood to cast their vote, which was a nice touch.

Judith Miller is OUTED. The big SHOWDOWN with the NYT journalist and the White House turns out to be a Big Show. "Is it in their interests to turn Miller into a martyr?" Dan Froomklin, Washington Post columnist asks us. My answer has always been YES. Big Show - No Go.

President Bush will have a SHOWDOWN this week in three areas, according to Steve Holland, Reuters(search) . He will focus on" hurricane recovery, Iraq and energy." We could add that another Supreme Court nominee may be announced.