China Rising!

Like many of you for the past week or so, I have been watching the Olympic Games in Beijing, China. I do enjoy watching the athletes compete and even find myself cheering for sports that I don't usually watch (i.e. gymnastics, swimming, track and field, etc). However, there is one thing that I have also noticed that many are not talking about: the pride that China has in these games and their athletes. Now I understand that since the games are taking place in Beijing the Chinese people have a keen interest in how they perform throughout the competition, as well they should. But there is something else going on here that is a little unsettling. There have been several instances where the Chinese athletes did NOT perform up to gold medal standards and yet they received them anyway. There is also the controversy behind the Chinese women's gymnastics team being underage and ineligible to compete. Even though they have Chinese passports that "prove" they are of the eligible age the AP found a story from 8 months ago that claimed that at least 3 of the girls now competing were only 14 years old...2 years shy of the eligible age of 16. Interestingly enough when the AP went back to check that same website 24 hours later the page had been removed. In order for this to be resolved the IOC would have to basically accuse the Chinese of falsifying the passports and that would cause an international incident.

Unfortunately, this is only one example of how the Chinese have "blurred" the lines of eligibility in order to stack the deck in their favor. Now I'm not saying that they don't deserve ANY gold medals because some of their athletes are definitely performing to that standard but not all of them and that is the point. So why would China take the chance of getting caught and causing their country and these games to be overshadowed with controversy? Simple; they don't care what anyone else thinks and they know they will get away with it. Consider this: by the year 2032 China will have the largest economy in the world. They also have more people than any one single nation on Earth and one of the largest standing armies in the planet as well. China believes that the future belongs to them and they mean to exert their power and influence at every turn. The Chinese government has mandated that their children will be the most scientifically and mathematically advanced in the world and have designed a curriculum to make that a reality. In contrast, children in the United States have the worst math and science skills in the world. We need to realize that slowly but surely China is waging war with the United States but they are doing it through economics instead of weapons. Why do you think your gas prices are so high? China along with India is buying up more oil now than it ever has and expects the demand to triple in the next 20 years. That means that we will be paying much more for gasoline than we ever have. The Red Tide is coming folks and the wave is building in intensity with each passing year. China is one of the oldest civilizations in the world and they have learned many lessons over that time period. One of which is how to wage a war and win. We need to realize that we are at war with The Chinese right now and have been for years. They are NOT our friends although they would like us to think they are. As the famous CHINESE philosopher Sun Tzu once said: “For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.”

Behind The Mask

I have already gone on record as saying that I think John McCain will win in the November election and I have not changed my mind. I mean the fact is in most major polls Obama only has a 4-5 point lead. If you add in the margin for error that's a tie! If, as the media claims, things are SOOOOOO bad and the American people are so disgusted with the direction of the country, then why is this race so close. Obama speaks of change and heading in a new direction. If most people were truly buying that he would be running away with this thing...he is not. That leads me to believe that his support is not as strong as some might think and therefore he is vulnerable.
In light of this however, his demeanor has not changed since he was running for the nomination in the Primaries. Obama struts around like he has this thing in the bag and that John McCain is the underdog. Once the debates start he is going to get a taste of reality. Off script Obama is a terrible speaker. When he is reading a teleprompter he is quite eloquent though. The debates will show this weakness and the whole world will be watching. McCain on the other hand has been a U.S. Senator for decades and he is used to debating and giving speeches when it counts. I predict a big win for McCain in the debates. The problem is going to become when Obama is actually going to have to present to the people who he really is. As of now, nobody knows who this guy is or what he stands for. He has shown the remarkable ability to be on ALL sides of any issue at the same time! He said the Surge did not work, now he says id probably did. He said that he would take public financing for his campaign, he opted against it. He said he wants to pull out of Iraq immediately, now he says we may have to "keep some troops there for a while". In 2004, when John Kerry started to change his position he was called a flip-flopper and it cost him the election. Obama is flipping and flopping daily and the media won't cover it. They have their man and they plan to make him President.
At some point, very soon I think, the truth will be revealed and people will begin to see who Obama really is. That is the point that he will start to lose support. The media will do everything in it's power to minimize anything that will make him look bad while at the same time using their power to "crown him king". Just look at the coverage he is getting on his "magical mystery tour" of Europe and the Middle East. The People will ultimately choose who will lead this country in these times of crisis both here and abroad and I am confident that they will choose John McCain. But in politics as in life...anything can happen!

Free...but for how long?

I just returned from a wonderful boat ride where we anchored in a harbor to watch the Independence Day fireworks display. Just before the show began, for us and for the hundreds of others in boats and on land, the local radio station played one of my favorite songs in order to get everyone in the mood: "Proud to be an American" by Lee Greenwood. Not only is it a great song but it also holds a special meaning to me as it was THE song when I returned from the Gulf War in 1991. It's a great song and the lyrics truly speak to the pride that I feel as an American who has had the great privilege to fight for this nation and that freedom. As we used to say in the Marines: Freedom isn't free. As long as we are willing in this country to fight for and defend that freedom we will live under it's protection if we choose to lower our guard we will lose that freedom and never get it back. At least not without another bloody conflict that gave it to us in the first place in 1776.

I believe, however, that we are in trouble in this country because we no longer hold that freedom as dear as we used to. Instead we use it as an excuse or a catch-all that allows us to abuse each other and claim that we have the freedom to do so. How many times have we seen absolutely disgusting art or movies that we KNOW are just plain wrong but instead of doing the right thing and refusing to show these examples of filth we say "It's protected by the First Amendment." Somehow, after reading many of the writings of our Forefathers, I doubt very seriously that they would approve of how badly we've abused this "right." Their intent was solely to allow other people to be heard rather than just those in power. In their day if you spoke out against the king he had you beheaded. This obviously was meant as a deterrent so that the king could rule with an iron fist and nobody would question him. The great men who started this country knew that the only way you could truly be free is if you allowed other opinions to be heard even if you didn't agree with them. Somewhere down the line some lawyer took that to mean that anyone could say anything and it was all protected speech. I'm quite sure that our Forefathers knew that there was a limit as to how far one could take this and they never could have imagined what is going on today.

The other timely issue that I see as a dangerous sign of our impending doom is the takeover of the Supreme Court. There are supposed to be three "separate but equal" branches of government. The Executive Branch (The President and Vice President), The Legislative (The House of Representatives and The Senate) and The Supreme Court. This model was designed so that there would be "checks and balances" so that one branch would not rule the others and be corrupted by absolute power. However, we are at a dangerous point in America these days where The Supreme Court and other "activist judges" have begun to legislate from the bench. Basically they have decided to usurp the power of the "people's representatives" in Congress and make their own laws. When we have judges making AND interpreting The Law they they have tipped the balance of power in their direction and there are no more "checks and balances." Thankfully with the seating of Justice Alito and Chief Justice Roberts we have started to see some semblance of sanity coming back to the Court. However, the next President will have as much as 3 or 4 nominations for the Court and that could have wide reaching repercussions for generations to come. McCain will seat somewhat conservative judges and Obama will seat ultra-liberal ones. The Court will swing either way to the right or way to the left and the country will follow suit. This, for me, is the MOST important issue of the upcoming election and I will cast my vote for McCain for that very reason.

America is a wonderful experiment in freedom and we have fought hard to get to where we are now. However, there are many enemies of America that are now planning our destruction and we better be ready for the fight. Whether the threat comes from abroad through something like Islamic terrorism or a conventional war with another country of from within by extremists on the left and their socialist views. We MUST be ready, as Lee Greenwood's song says: I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today. America is free today but without her People to defend her and keep her free she will fall. For those of us who are blessed enough to live in America we need to be ever vigilant for those that would take this freedom from us. We must remember that "We the People" are America and we carry the responsibility to keep her that way. A charge given to us by thousands that have laid down their lives and spilt their own blood so that future generations may enjoy the freedom they did. Are we going to ignore their sacrifice and just let this country be taken away from us while we sit idly by and do nothing? As a Marine, an American and as a Citizen of these great United States I state here and now: Not on my watch...NOT on my watch. E Pluribus Unum and In God We Trust!!!

Ezekiel's Sword

In the next 6 months I predict that there will be a major strike on Iran with the clear intent of destroying it's nuclear program. I also believe that Israel will be the one that strikes them. They have said time and time again that they will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. With good reason by the way. Does anyone think that the idiot that's in charge of Iran right now would NOT use it if he had the chance? He has said many times that he plans to be a part of the "messianic arrival" of the Mahdi and plans for the nation of Iran to play a vital part. In Islam, this is the last ruler of the word that "unites" the world under Islam and destroys the "infidels". That's you and me by the way. Anyone who is NOT a Muslim is considered an infidel. So this maniac in Iran feels like he has been chosen to reveal the Mahdi. That means that he would be open to attacking Israel if it meant that the response would lead to the final world war and the coming of the Mahdi. To his warped way of thinking the end will justify the means.

However, I am very confident in the fact that Israel will not let them get to the point of actually possessing the "bomb" before they attack. If you don't believe me read up on their history. They attacked and destroyed a nuclear reactor in Iraq because they thought that Saddam Hussein was building a bomb. They attacked Syria about a year ago because they thought they were also building a bomb. Israel is a sheep amongst wolves in the Middle East and they can't wait to be attacked before they respond. They realize that the attack itself could destroy them. Recently Israel held "training exercises" of a very large nature in the Persian Gulf and made sure that all of the surrounding countries knew they were there. I believe this was a "dry run" for the attack to come and they were just training for the attack.

Israel knows that an attack will draw the ire of the rest of the world but that is a place that they are far too familiar with. Regardless of the fact that they are forced into giving up their land to appease the UN, the very existence of Israel is in jeopardy at this point and they will do what they need to do...and soon.

Enough is Enough!!!

Ok, this has gone on long enough. How high do gas prices need to go before we do something about it? Maybe the reason that the members of Congress seem to care so little about this is due to the fact that they DON'T DRIVE ANYMORE! When they are busy in D.C. destroying our government they are whisked around all over town by limousines. They don't care how much gas costs because as long as they are working in an official capacity the gas is paid for by the U.S. Government. In other words, WE pay for their gas. That's right. Not only do you have to worry about shelling out $80 or more weekly to keep your own cars on the road but you are also paying for them to gallivant all over the Metro D.C. area as well. I'm sick and tired of allowing these idiots to systematically destroy our country. I think that we should start a petition that REQUIRES them to pay for their own gas from now on regardless of the form of transportation they use. That is the only way they will begin to feel the same "pain at the pump" that we do.

The other thing that "We the People" need to DEMAND is that we begin to drill for oil NOW in ANWR. There is no reason why this can't be done and at the same time take care of the precious environment. As far as I'm concerned I could care less whether the caribou have a place to run in the open Alaskan countryside. I care about the environment just as much as anyone else but when it comes down to the comfort of the caribou or the comfort of my family...guess what? The caribou lose!! We purchased the Alaskan Territory in the first place with the idea that we could use it for it's natural resources. We have the capability to drill for and produce our own oil and Congress won't let us touch it because they are beholden to the environmental wackos out there. The same people that want to ban bonfires on the beach in Seattle because it "causes global warming". Are you kidding me? Are people really that stupid? How is it that Mars and Jupiter are heating up at precisely the same level of warmth that the Earth is if WE are the cause of global warming? Are there Martians burning fossil fuels up there also? Isn't it a more plausible explanation that it could be the current cycle of the Sun instead like MANY scientists believe it is? That would make more sense. However, nothing about this argument has anything to do with common sense. It's just plain fear mongering and liberalism that has gone out of control.

If we don't do something about this now we will all be living in a very different world 10 years from now. We will NOT be the most powerful country in the world but one of the weakest. We will not be the place where dreams can come true but the place where misery and regulation abound. We will be a third world nation that is in debt to other world powers and will be well on the way to becoming the property of one of them. We are at a crossroads in our history and we need to choose where we will be in the years ahead. One road leads back to American greatness and independence and one leads to enslavement and indebtedness. We must choose to break this trend downwards or momentum will swallow us in time. WE are the people that can do this. WE must do this for us and for our children and for the generations of Americans that will follow in our footsteps. Will we answer the alarm or will we hit the snooze button.? The choice is ours. Get involved!! Call your Senator's and your Congressional Representatives and tell then TO DRILL NOW!!! If we make this a big enough deal they will HAVE to listen because this is an election year and they hear better when that's the case. Don't think that someone else is going to do it because they won't. They will think just like you and think someone else will do it. The problem is we ALL think someone else will do it and the truth is that NOBODY is doing it. Do you care enough about this country to fight for it? If not you then who? If not now then when? Enough is enough people we need to take this country back...today!!!

Hell hath no fury....

So, the race for the Democratic Nomination is over. Barak Obama has received the majority of the pledged delegates. It would appear that Hillary's historic run for The Presidency is over. Or is it? As someone who has read and studied quite a bit about The Clinton's I'm not so sure this thing is settled. Sure, Barak has claimed the "presumptive" nomination and as of yesterday Hillary endorsed him, although half-heartedly, but I know these people and I'm not buying it. First, what good does it do for Hillary to endorse him and "work my hardest" to get him elected? Nothing! This party belongs to The Clinton's and they are not apt to just give it up so easily. They realize that if Barak Obama becomes President then the "Clinton Era" is over. They will be relegated to the dustbin of history forevermore and their power will be minute. If there is one thing that I have come to learn about The Clinton's it's this: they crave power. They NEED it like a junkie needs a "fix". These people don't do anything or say anything unless it has been tested somewhere and "focus grouped". Without Hillary as President they will be minimized within the Democratic Party and that is just something they can't live with. So, what then is the endgame here? I have been thinking about this for a while and I think I have come up with some plausible strategies.

The VP: Hillary is going to be a strong candidate for the VP slot after winning as many delegates as she did and the popular vote. If it's one thing the Dem's love to champion it's the popular vote. Don't get me wrong though; I don't think she WANTS the VP slot but she will lobby for it. She has put Barak Obama in a tough place here. If he picks her she will be a thorn in his side for the duration of his presidency. If she doesn't then she will be outraged as well as her supporters and that could cost him the election. This position also allows her to sabotage his campaign while all the while appearing to be fighting to get him elected. There are MANY skeletons in her closet and Bill's and they might be willing to open the closet to give us all a peek i the hopes that the scandal would torpedo Obama. Don't think they won't do it.

Senate Majority Leader: Hillary is now going to be very popular in the Senate. With Ted Kennedy fighting for his life she will recognize her opportunity to ascend to the throne of leadership in the Senate and will in effect have MORE power than The President himself. If Obama is elected then she will relish the fact that she can (and will) thwart any legislation that she does not approve of and also push through any legislation that SHE wants. She will also relish the fact that as the most powerful senator, Obama will have to reach out to her to get anything done. This could be once again cause for major agony in The White House.

Supreme Court Justice: This could very well be the one area that Hillary could do the MOST damage if given the chance. She would see this position as the culmination of a life spent "fighting for the little guy". Even though she probably doesn't know any personally. She could wreak havoc with such issues as gay marriage, abortion, first amendment issues just to name a few. This would satisfy her though since she would never again have to run for office due to the life term of the Justices. However, I'm not sure this would be public enough for her. Hillary likes the media and the attention and she feeds off of it. Her and bill like to play the "rockstar" in America and they love to be in the limelight. Although this position would allow her to accomplish many things that she could not do in the Senate, I just don't see her accepting this with much enthusiasm.

So there you have it. I don't really believe that there are any other posts within the government that Hillary would accept without much protest. She is NOT Secretary of State material and she would not want to be part of the Obama Cabinet. Make no mistake, this is NOT over yet. you can be sure that she has her minions scouring the trash bins and closets in every nook and cranny in America looking for some garbage that she can hang on Obama. so far though he seems impervious and the media could care less. They have their man. I would just caution the Obama's about one thing: those that lock horns with The Clinton's have a tendency to regret it. Actually, they have a tendency to have "accidents" and wind up dead. Remember Vince Foster and Ron Brown? Obama better keep one eye on what he is doing and the other on what The Clinton's are doing because they WILL find a way to stop this train. When and where remains to be seen but the signpost ahead reads: Danger Ahead! That's good advice Mr Obama, very good advice.

The Fall of The West

I believe that we are very close to the end of the West's domination in the world and if you pay attention you'll see that the balance of power is shifting back to Europe. In many ways The West has already lost influence on the world stage and I think in the next 10 years it will be relegated to Third World Status. Why do I say this? Let's look at some examples.

First, let's look at the monetary system in place and where the power lies. The Dollar is shrinking daily and it has almost become extinct. That little piece of paper with George's picture on it is actually worth about 50-60 cents at this moment in time. The Euro however is stronger than it has ever been and many countries in the world are now demanding Euros instead of Dollars for payment of goods. This is a harbinger of things to come and none of it is good.

Second, let's take a look at the economy. The American economy is by far the strongest in The West but it's not necessarily the strongest in the world anymore. Now that Europe has consolidated into the European Union they have the ability to produce more and sell more and so common sense says that they will have a very powerful economy. The US is still #1 in the world but the indicators show a slow, steady decline. The "Credit Crunch", the housing crisis, the increase in fuel and energy costs and the increase in goods imported and jobs outsourced all spell disaster for the near term and there will be some who will never recover.

Third, let's take a look at the immigration policies and border security. On one hand I can say that the immigration policies are stupid and on the other hand that border security does not exist. Unfortunately, this whole mess has become a political issue and as with most things that politicians touch, it has become a complete mess. There are people that are gaining citizenship in this country BEFORE those that have been here working for it for 10 years of more. That's just plain stupid. In addition to this there some idiots in Congress that think it would be a great idea to offer free education, health care and Social Security benefits to those that aren't even here legally. Are you kidding me? If you wanted to come up with a plan to bankrupt a country I can't think of a better way than that. Then there is the border security. There is none. It's a joke. There aren't enough Border Patrol Officers to patrol the border and the so-called "border security fence" that is supposed to be built is not even close to being half-way done. We aren't serious about border security in America but we like to talk about it. We won't become serious until there is a mushroom cloud above one of our cities. How many will need to perish before we take it seriously?

So taken in it's entirety these are the proper ingredients in a "Recipe for Disaster"! I believe that America has seen it's finest days and we are now on our way to the dustbin of history. Sadly, it won't come from outside of our borders but from within. We are legislating our way straight toward the gates of Hell and the slope is getting more and more slippery every year. Do we have 5 years, 10 years, 20 years left? No one really knows. One thing is for sure though...we are heading downhill now and we are picking up speed as we go.