Rather than focus on one central topic as we usually do, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at three events happening around the world, and where better to start than Iran?
Iran and I Lost: Tehran Gone Wild
With the conclusion of the recent presidential elections in Iran on June 12, ultra conservative religious clerics have assured the Iranian people that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad soundly defeated moderate Mir Hossein Mousavi fairly and squarely. As proof of the convincing reelection results, the Supreme Council of ruling clerics has cut off all outside communication with the world as the military beats and murders its protesting population into submission through rubber bullets, teargas, and other forms of “aggressive crowd modification devices” while allowing only partial recount. However, those pesky protesters who insist only something as trivial as an honest election have been using cell and picture phones, twitter, laptops, and every technological means at their disposal to get the word out that not only did Ahmadinejad lose the election, but that they are sick and tired of the oppressive hard line religious rule.
The question now is what will happen to Iran? Will any of the other nations recognize this electoral farce? Will the current crackdown result in another revolution, hopefully for a more moderate and progressive Iran? Certainly Ahmadinejad and the ruling religious zealots won’t go voluntarily, even when the people peacefully rejected the current administration at the polls. If Ahmadinejad remains in power, he may realize that his time is short. That may force him into a corner and cause him to move forward with developing his nuclear capability. If that should happen, Israel may be forced to remove them since Ahmadinejad has repeatedly called for Israel’s utter annihilation (and America’s afterward). For people like this, international sanctions mean nothing, and I seriously doubt Obama has the backbone to act first.
Midget Amuck
Speaking of oppressive hardliners, the dinky despot of North Korea is at it again. This time, Kim Jong II is testing another long range missile, but this time it’s aimed at Hawaii. The last time, as some of you may remember, Kim launched a missile directed at Japan (The Japanese have had some bad experiences with things nuclear and tend to get a little edgy). So, what is this nutcase with the bad haircut trying to do? My guess is that Kim is using these missile launches and the threat of a nuclear strike as a bullying tool directed at the West. In the past, Kim Jong II has used threats of developing and deploying medium and long range missiles with nuclear capability in order to get the West to “buy him off”. It’s nothing more than the old extortion racket of the Mob except on a global scale.
If he agrees to, let’s say, shut down a reactor, the West gives so many billions of dollars in food and aid to prop up his financially bankrupt nation of another six months or so. Once that’s used up, he does something else to threaten the West with unless we bail him out again. The trouble is that the West has paid his extortion terms in the past, and so now the paranoid pipsqueak thinks the West is responsible for keeping his regime afloat. Instead of a North Korean GNP (Gross National Product), we now have North Korean GNE (Gross National Extortion). Never ever negotiate with or back down from bullies boys and girls. The West needs to find some North Koreans who’ve had enough of seeing their country flushed down the proverbial toilet and who would be willing back a coup against this nutcase before it’s too late. The people of both Koreas deserve better.
Justice? We Don’t Need Any Stinking Justice.
I recently read an article that said Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor is a member of La Raza (which translates to “The Race”), an organization devoted to creating an independent Hispanic country out of the American Southwest. La Raza believes that most of these states were “stolen” from Mexico, and its their duty is to either reclaim them for Mexico or to recreate a mythological nation called Aztlan under what is referred to as “reconquesta” or “reconquest” (for more information, I recommend visiting these two sites: http://www.limitstogrowth.org/WEB-text/aztlan.html and (http://www.mayorno.com/WhoIsMecha.html). To put this in better perspective, it would like a White person belonging to the KKK or a Black individual being a member of the Black Panthers and being nominated for Supreme Court Judge.
Additionally, Ms. Sotomayor was quoted as saying “a Latina, based on her experiences, would reach a better conclusion than a White male judge”. One could assume this would also include a Black or Asian as well. Somehow, I can’t see a White, Asian, or Black nominee getting away with saying the same thing can you? The Rule of Law does not care about race, age, physical disability, religion, gender or sexual orientation. It cares only about equality based upon fact of law. The person, regardless of any other outside factors like their race or gender that is best able to exhibit that ability should be considered for judge. Anything else is political grandstanding.
Book Review
Doug Stanton has written the gripping true story of American Special Forces fighting against and sometimes along side Afghan warlords in their hunt for the Taliban in what can only be described as the Wild West meets High Tech in his bestseller, “Horse Soldiers”. I remember when this story first broke a few years ago. I followed it closely on Fox News and CNN with both pride and fascination as I watched US Special Forces units, along with a host of colorful and often deadly array of individuals battling the Taliban from the air, ground, and on horseback as they transverse some of the most beautiful and inhospitable land on the planet.
Doug Stanton has done a wonderful job of relating their stories. Written from the perspectives of those who participated, “Horse Soldiers” provides outstanding examples of how to merge the high tech of today’s military with the needs of the mission, which in some cases, required US troops to take a backseat to the egos of Afghanistan’s ruling warlords who, without their assistance, we stood no chance of success. What I personally enjoyed the most as former military, was that in writing the book, Stanton doesn’t allow himself to get in the way of those telling the story, namely those who took on and fought the Taliban a some journalist do. Kudos to Stanton!
I can easily see this book becoming required reading at any of our nation’s military academies. As I commented to friend of mine recently, “Horse Soldiers” is like a Tom Clancy novel, only this is real! So, if you’re someone who is interested in the war on terrorism or simply enjoy high adventure, this book is for you.
Poll Results
Our last poll dealt with the issue of allowing multiple languages to be used in taking drivers exams. We had addressed how Kentucky Governor reversed his decision to required English only exams, and instead, to allow up to 22 languages to be used in taking the exam. An overwhelming 67% of you thought it was alright while a valiant 32% thought English only was the way to go. Personally, I believed this not only is it a waste of taxpayer money, which is desperately need for other services, it also says to those who don’t speak English that we will always make exceptions and the American Taxpayer must adapt to their needs at our costs. That to me is wrong on so many levels. It also creates a dangerous situation in that without understanding the language, how does one read the signs posted along the highway like “Left lane must merged in 10 miles” or “Congested area ahead. Reduce Speed”? Of course, I’m sure these with be posted in all 22 languages at taxpayer expense as well. As for speaking with other drivers or the police officer who just pulled them over, well we can only hope that a translator is on call somewhere.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
English Not Required For Kentucky Roads
Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear was set to do the right thing. Governor Beshear had approved making the Kentucky driving test in English. Not only would it encourage immigrants of all stripes to learn our nation’s language, but it would have saved desperately need taxpayer money for other projects. However, at the last moment, common sense deserted the governor. On May 28th, Governor Beshear reversed his earlier decision and instructed the Kentucky State Police, which administers the driving tests, to begin offer the tests in multiple languages.
How many languages you ask? According to Captain Tim Lucas, who administers the driver testing program, we’re talking 22 languages. Captain Lucas pointed out in a memo that there are only 70 examiners staffing Kentucky’s 120 counties. At present, there are no state laws requiring the administration of the test in any language but English. Captain Lucas correctly accessed the situation in pointing out “the current budget situation makes it impractical to continue this testing and translation practice” (Kentucky is facing a near 1 billion revenue shortfall). Care to guess who pays for the costs of the translations? Yelp, you and I do as taxpayers.
Not surprising, liberal groups like the ACLU applauded the governor’s decision. Mr. Michael Aldridge, the director of ACLU Kentucky was quoted as saying, “Our government has an obligation to provide adequate language services”. Oh really? Our government has the obligation to provide adequate access to the testing facilities. This does not mean catering to every individual who doesn’t want to learn the language of the road, and this nation. While the applicant may pass the test, will they understand the written road signs? Will they be able to understand the police officer should they be pulled over? I can foresee all sorts of bad outcomes here. If they’re involved in an accident, will they be able to exchange information with the other driver? Of course, this fallacy by the governor removes the incentive of the applicant to even make an attempt at learning English. The next logical step (if there is such a thing in Frankfort), will be install road signs in multiple languages at taxpayer expense. I can hardly wait.
Rev. Pat Delahanty, a member of the Catholic Conference of Kentucky, is quoted in the Courier Journal (May 28, 2009) as saying the change in policy by the governor was a good thing, otherwise it would have forced many immigrants to be driving illegally. As I’ve written on many occasions, we already have a problem with some religious groups believing that they are above the law and don’t need to be concerned with such trivial issues as illegal immigration. Immigrants (and I’m talking about those who are legally) should be required to have a minimum understanding of English to receive a temporary work permit. As for those here illegally, do we need to be giving them easy access to our roads by giving them an opportunity to get a Kentucky drivers license too?
Hopefully these individuals will be picked up by the Kentucky State Police as quickly as possible. I wonder if these individuals requesting that you and I pay for their translators to they can take a drivers test have to provide proof they are here legally. If not, wouldn’t this be a good opportunity for some enterprising Kentucky legislators to introduce legislation to that effect?
I’d like to end with this closing comment on the subject. In the May 30th edition of the Courier Journal, the Editorial Board ran one of their off the wall editorials praising Beshear’s decision. The editorial says that if Kentucky is to be a “welcoming place to immigrants”, it should allow “less-than-proficient” English speakers the opportunity to take a drivers test. Wrong way thinking C/J. We’re not talking about people who have a little trouble with the questions and might need some clarification. We’re talking about people who do not speak the language and now have little reason to learn it. While you may believe this lapse of common sense by Governor Beshear is a act of compassion, in the long run, it will cost Kentuckians not only more taxpayer money, but it could be endangering the lives of other drivers as well.
It’s been awhile since Moderate Man has written an article for us. Well, I have a treat for you! Moderate Man’s article concerns the future of Louisville (which, I might add, under our current mayoral regime, is looking increasingly bleak). I hope you enjoy this latest piece by M/M as much as I did.
What is Louisville’s Future?
By Moderate Man
As a long time resident of this community who has lived in many other large cities, I was wondering about the future of Louisville. I don’t see a bright picture. Our youth have left town after graduation to earn a living elsewhere due to low wages, then may or may not return at retirement if family lives here. Our population has increased about 2 % in 25 years. This creates a stagnant economy. A quarter of a century ago we had 3 Fortune 500 companies. We now have 2. Where are our elected official’s priorities? Bars on 4th St., Central City developers, River Bats Stadium, Waterfront Park, UPS, Bridges over the Ohio River, U of L Arena, etc.
In short, downtown development, along with a Ring of Parks in the county border without development or acquisition funds. Without well paying jobs nothing else is important in this town. No quality of life issues, amenities, wonderful parks, arts, low cost of housing, or a partial taxing district bus transportation and EMS. We have many short changed items compared to the large towns, such as a pro arena, library master plan, light rail, small cities annexation, paid city and county unified fire department, unified taxing district for both urban and non urban service district. Some of these items are the result of the State Legislature keeping its thumb via home rule on us in order to obtain tax money to grease its rural legislator’s budget machine.
How immoral is this? If they didn’t have our donor funds they might be able to find the spine to reduce about a third of the amount of counties in this state and consolidate the population, so state assistance could be better centralized. There should be a price paid for choosing to live in a rural area, such as government services located a far distance away. Yes we have provided some of our meager state and local tax money to large companies, such as Ford and GE, in our town to assist them during these hard times. It seems that these companies solution is to outsource jobs, raise productivity thru cross training or other means, or have technology replace workers. No wonder the unions are mad after giving into concessions at contract time only to find the company wants to layoff workers. And we have given city loans to local start up companies that don’t always survive. Think about E on Main Street. Years ago I heard that you could tell a cities health not with a thermometer, but by counting the number of cranes working at construction sites. How many can you count? Do you remember more years ago?
I see a future for Louisville with less working population, more homeless people, lack of new buildings, decline in the arts and a decaying west end with shifting existing populating moving outward and to the south parts of town. I see a class divide with the wealthier east end and the poorer parts of town in the west and south end. The 2010 census will reveal people moving out of Jefferson County to surrounding counties and Southern Indiana at a good clip. Of course the main tax money Louisville government uses for services, occupational tax and property taxes will decrease in total yearly revenue. Services will suffer by being cut, reduced or eliminated. Citizens won’t to tolerate an increase in taxes to fund services, after the recession of 2008/10 has passed. Watch the 20 year exodus take place.
Book Review
The Islamist by Ed Husain
We’ve all seen their pictures. Mostly blank and white. Usually they’re taken from surveillance cameras or driver’s licenses. They seem ordinary enough. Young to early middle age men. A few are smiling, but most are expressionless. How many of us have sat and stared at those photos and wondered what goes through the mind of mass murderer? What were they thinking when they set the timer of payload of death and then pulled the pin while screaming “Allah Akbar”? Did they look into the eyes of the unsuspecting victims? Did they see mothers with their children off to the grocery or school? Did they see ordinary people going about their lives in peace? Did they give any consideration to their families waiting for them at home before murdering them?
How do they justify the carnage they about to bring on innocent lives? Did God promise them some sort of “get-out-of-Hell-free” card in exchange for murdering a pregnant woman or maiming some school child? How does one turn a religion which historically has been one of the most peaceful and tolerate of religions into a one based on hatred and death? These are but a few of the questions I’ve often pondered, be about the SS Death Squads, Pol Pot, Charles Manson, or more recently, the terror attacks by Muslim extremists. Author Ed Husain was in a unique position to answer some of those questions, and more. He grew up in London’s East Side; the product of a strong, loving, Westernized Muslim family (surprisingly, not uncommon characteristics of many other mass murders).
Through short, sometimes quite innocent steps, he slowly found himself drawn into a web of radicalism which promoted a self-anointed “holier-than-thou” sense of religious superiority, even (and perhaps especially) fellow Muslims, including his family and friends. From there, the steps down the hole of free and rational thought to hatred and murder become shorter and ever more slippery with the blood of the innocent. Husain, however, was fortunate. He found his way back from the insanity of the radicalism before it was too late.
As we are forced to come to grips with the new reality of a post 9/11 world, stories like the one told by Mr. Husain in his book, “The Islamist” should become required reading of anyone trying to come to terms with the mindset of those who seek to murder in the name of God. The book is both well written, and at the same time, chilling in portrayal of an ordinary young man drawn little by little into this dark world.
Poll Results
In our last poll, I asked you to tell us what kind of job President Obama was doing. 38% of you gave him passing marks. Another 38% said he was doing either good or great, while the rest of you gave him failing marks. So, overall, it looks like Obama is doing pretty good. With some economists starting to predict an early end to the recession, it looks like many of his ideas are starting to pay off, albeit with substantial short and long term debt and partial government ownership of businesses.
End Note
A friend of mine sent this to me from You Tube. I urge every American to watch and take heed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeYscnFpEyA. There’s a lot of truth here folks.
How many languages you ask? According to Captain Tim Lucas, who administers the driver testing program, we’re talking 22 languages. Captain Lucas pointed out in a memo that there are only 70 examiners staffing Kentucky’s 120 counties. At present, there are no state laws requiring the administration of the test in any language but English. Captain Lucas correctly accessed the situation in pointing out “the current budget situation makes it impractical to continue this testing and translation practice” (Kentucky is facing a near 1 billion revenue shortfall). Care to guess who pays for the costs of the translations? Yelp, you and I do as taxpayers.
Not surprising, liberal groups like the ACLU applauded the governor’s decision. Mr. Michael Aldridge, the director of ACLU Kentucky was quoted as saying, “Our government has an obligation to provide adequate language services”. Oh really? Our government has the obligation to provide adequate access to the testing facilities. This does not mean catering to every individual who doesn’t want to learn the language of the road, and this nation. While the applicant may pass the test, will they understand the written road signs? Will they be able to understand the police officer should they be pulled over? I can foresee all sorts of bad outcomes here. If they’re involved in an accident, will they be able to exchange information with the other driver? Of course, this fallacy by the governor removes the incentive of the applicant to even make an attempt at learning English. The next logical step (if there is such a thing in Frankfort), will be install road signs in multiple languages at taxpayer expense. I can hardly wait.
Rev. Pat Delahanty, a member of the Catholic Conference of Kentucky, is quoted in the Courier Journal (May 28, 2009) as saying the change in policy by the governor was a good thing, otherwise it would have forced many immigrants to be driving illegally. As I’ve written on many occasions, we already have a problem with some religious groups believing that they are above the law and don’t need to be concerned with such trivial issues as illegal immigration. Immigrants (and I’m talking about those who are legally) should be required to have a minimum understanding of English to receive a temporary work permit. As for those here illegally, do we need to be giving them easy access to our roads by giving them an opportunity to get a Kentucky drivers license too?
Hopefully these individuals will be picked up by the Kentucky State Police as quickly as possible. I wonder if these individuals requesting that you and I pay for their translators to they can take a drivers test have to provide proof they are here legally. If not, wouldn’t this be a good opportunity for some enterprising Kentucky legislators to introduce legislation to that effect?
I’d like to end with this closing comment on the subject. In the May 30th edition of the Courier Journal, the Editorial Board ran one of their off the wall editorials praising Beshear’s decision. The editorial says that if Kentucky is to be a “welcoming place to immigrants”, it should allow “less-than-proficient” English speakers the opportunity to take a drivers test. Wrong way thinking C/J. We’re not talking about people who have a little trouble with the questions and might need some clarification. We’re talking about people who do not speak the language and now have little reason to learn it. While you may believe this lapse of common sense by Governor Beshear is a act of compassion, in the long run, it will cost Kentuckians not only more taxpayer money, but it could be endangering the lives of other drivers as well.
It’s been awhile since Moderate Man has written an article for us. Well, I have a treat for you! Moderate Man’s article concerns the future of Louisville (which, I might add, under our current mayoral regime, is looking increasingly bleak). I hope you enjoy this latest piece by M/M as much as I did.
What is Louisville’s Future?
By Moderate Man
As a long time resident of this community who has lived in many other large cities, I was wondering about the future of Louisville. I don’t see a bright picture. Our youth have left town after graduation to earn a living elsewhere due to low wages, then may or may not return at retirement if family lives here. Our population has increased about 2 % in 25 years. This creates a stagnant economy. A quarter of a century ago we had 3 Fortune 500 companies. We now have 2. Where are our elected official’s priorities? Bars on 4th St., Central City developers, River Bats Stadium, Waterfront Park, UPS, Bridges over the Ohio River, U of L Arena, etc.
In short, downtown development, along with a Ring of Parks in the county border without development or acquisition funds. Without well paying jobs nothing else is important in this town. No quality of life issues, amenities, wonderful parks, arts, low cost of housing, or a partial taxing district bus transportation and EMS. We have many short changed items compared to the large towns, such as a pro arena, library master plan, light rail, small cities annexation, paid city and county unified fire department, unified taxing district for both urban and non urban service district. Some of these items are the result of the State Legislature keeping its thumb via home rule on us in order to obtain tax money to grease its rural legislator’s budget machine.
How immoral is this? If they didn’t have our donor funds they might be able to find the spine to reduce about a third of the amount of counties in this state and consolidate the population, so state assistance could be better centralized. There should be a price paid for choosing to live in a rural area, such as government services located a far distance away. Yes we have provided some of our meager state and local tax money to large companies, such as Ford and GE, in our town to assist them during these hard times. It seems that these companies solution is to outsource jobs, raise productivity thru cross training or other means, or have technology replace workers. No wonder the unions are mad after giving into concessions at contract time only to find the company wants to layoff workers. And we have given city loans to local start up companies that don’t always survive. Think about E on Main Street. Years ago I heard that you could tell a cities health not with a thermometer, but by counting the number of cranes working at construction sites. How many can you count? Do you remember more years ago?
I see a future for Louisville with less working population, more homeless people, lack of new buildings, decline in the arts and a decaying west end with shifting existing populating moving outward and to the south parts of town. I see a class divide with the wealthier east end and the poorer parts of town in the west and south end. The 2010 census will reveal people moving out of Jefferson County to surrounding counties and Southern Indiana at a good clip. Of course the main tax money Louisville government uses for services, occupational tax and property taxes will decrease in total yearly revenue. Services will suffer by being cut, reduced or eliminated. Citizens won’t to tolerate an increase in taxes to fund services, after the recession of 2008/10 has passed. Watch the 20 year exodus take place.
Book Review
The Islamist by Ed Husain
We’ve all seen their pictures. Mostly blank and white. Usually they’re taken from surveillance cameras or driver’s licenses. They seem ordinary enough. Young to early middle age men. A few are smiling, but most are expressionless. How many of us have sat and stared at those photos and wondered what goes through the mind of mass murderer? What were they thinking when they set the timer of payload of death and then pulled the pin while screaming “Allah Akbar”? Did they look into the eyes of the unsuspecting victims? Did they see mothers with their children off to the grocery or school? Did they see ordinary people going about their lives in peace? Did they give any consideration to their families waiting for them at home before murdering them?
How do they justify the carnage they about to bring on innocent lives? Did God promise them some sort of “get-out-of-Hell-free” card in exchange for murdering a pregnant woman or maiming some school child? How does one turn a religion which historically has been one of the most peaceful and tolerate of religions into a one based on hatred and death? These are but a few of the questions I’ve often pondered, be about the SS Death Squads, Pol Pot, Charles Manson, or more recently, the terror attacks by Muslim extremists. Author Ed Husain was in a unique position to answer some of those questions, and more. He grew up in London’s East Side; the product of a strong, loving, Westernized Muslim family (surprisingly, not uncommon characteristics of many other mass murders).
Through short, sometimes quite innocent steps, he slowly found himself drawn into a web of radicalism which promoted a self-anointed “holier-than-thou” sense of religious superiority, even (and perhaps especially) fellow Muslims, including his family and friends. From there, the steps down the hole of free and rational thought to hatred and murder become shorter and ever more slippery with the blood of the innocent. Husain, however, was fortunate. He found his way back from the insanity of the radicalism before it was too late.
As we are forced to come to grips with the new reality of a post 9/11 world, stories like the one told by Mr. Husain in his book, “The Islamist” should become required reading of anyone trying to come to terms with the mindset of those who seek to murder in the name of God. The book is both well written, and at the same time, chilling in portrayal of an ordinary young man drawn little by little into this dark world.
Poll Results
In our last poll, I asked you to tell us what kind of job President Obama was doing. 38% of you gave him passing marks. Another 38% said he was doing either good or great, while the rest of you gave him failing marks. So, overall, it looks like Obama is doing pretty good. With some economists starting to predict an early end to the recession, it looks like many of his ideas are starting to pay off, albeit with substantial short and long term debt and partial government ownership of businesses.
End Note
A friend of mine sent this to me from You Tube. I urge every American to watch and take heed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeYscnFpEyA. There’s a lot of truth here folks.
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