How to change the perception of America’s leadership? It begins with our President. Say you were a film producer looking for someone to play the role, and if it were possible to provide all the potential candidates for President in a lineup standing next to one another the only one that would clearly appear the most “presidential” would be Fred Thompson. If such a lineup were possible to any group that had never seen any of the potential candidates Fred would be the choice of appearing the most presidential. For those of you able to do so try this on your computer and you will quickly see the importance of such “perception,” keeping in mind the whole world is able to do so. And in politics there is much truth to the adage “Perception is everything.”

Fred gives the perception not only of physical size and strength, a large strong man, but looking into his eyes, looking at his face he portrays real strength of character, and you know it goes far deeper than mere perception. Then, once you have taken note of the strength of his physical presence begin looking at his biography, at his experience and numerous achievements and you cannot but conclude here is a man that would be the best choice for President of America. And in my opinion, Fred just received one of the most ringing endorsements possible from James Dobson of “Focus on the Family.” Dobson taking the initiative by making an unsolicited call to U.S. News & World Report senior editor Dan Gilgoff on Tuesday accused Fred of not being a Christian. And for me, that constitutes a ringing endorsement of Fred.

I’ve known James Dobson since his salad days of “circuit riding” before he hit the big time. And I have been a strong supporter of him and his advocacy on behalf of families and children, his various ministries directed to encouraging morality in America. But he should not have interfered with attempts to draft Fred.

Though he was baptized into the Church of Christ, Fred Thompson does not fit Dobson’s definition of a Christian. But Dobson’s choice Newt Gingrich does. Ah, ha! So, out of the lineup I choose Fred and Newt to stand together side by side, and you can guess which impresses me as the most presidential, and even more importantly I would choose Fred as the most trustworthy. One reason being that when it comes to Christian beliefs Newt claims to “know,” but Fred honestly joins those like me that make a distinction between “knowing” and “believing.” And it is a distinction of the gravest importance to America.

No one understands better than I the great debt Western Civilization owes to the Bible and Christianity. Once Christianity became a civilized religion it gave rise to the greatest advances in art and science, the greatest of freedom and liberty for individuals the world has ever known. However, the failure to distinguish between beliefs and knowledge continues to bedevil the whole world when it comes to religion. Islam is a worst case example of this failure, but here in America we have every right to doubt those that would attempt to pass off as knowledge what are only beliefs. And it is on this basis I find Dobson’s accusation a ringing endorsement of Fred Thompson.

The voice of Reason shouts “You cannot know what you cannot know!” And this applies equally to atheist or religious. And while we seem to be born with a disposition to believe, though I want to believe and find believing easier than not believing, it remains you cannot know what you cannot know. I will trust those honest enough to share their doubts rather than any that claim to know what they cannot know. I trust Fred Thompson because among other things he makes no claim of knowing what he cannot know.

So, I am encouraged not only by Dobson’s “endorsement,” but by Tennessee Representative Zach Wamp who has been leading an effort to rally support in Congress for a Thompson bid. GOPUSA: Wamp says “When people are looking for a president, they are looking for ‘strength and trust’ — two things he says Thompson has personified all of his life. ‘I know his record,’ says the Tennessee lawmaker. ‘I am looking for a strong conservative to support — and I think he can win. I think he can compete and win.’ Wamp is not alone in his support for the former senator. ‘You’ve got very strong conservative members of Congress like Gresham Barrett in South Carolina, Lynn Westmoreland in Georgia, Jeff Miller in Florida, John Carter in Texas [who] have already said ‘I’m on board,’ he shares. Regardless of whom you end up supporting in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, a Fred Thompson candidacy is good for the Republican Party, and you should encourage him to run.”

The Democrat Party, the Democrat controlled universities, the blatantly left-wing bias of the MSM, all would be gunning for Fred should he choose to run for President. And like Lou Dobbs, perhaps Fred is too smart to run. Both can be forgiven the attitude “Who needs the grief?” But if Fred is persuaded America needs him, as so many of us believe, I hold hope he will be willing to make the sacrifice. And at least in Fred’s case there can be no doubt it would be exactly that: A sacrifice. But whether he does or not, of this much we can be certain: With each passing day the world is becoming increasingly dangerous.

Patrick J. Buchanan: “Interventions without end? ‘Whatever happens in Iraq, retreat from the world is not an option,’ wrote Financial Times columnist Philip Stephens last weekend. Why not? Because a world map highlighting those regions where the West’s vital resources are located would exactly overlap a map highlighting those regions where state power is crumbling, disease and poverty are pandemic and violence rules.”

Pat is correct, but suppose he should use a similar map on America. Let’s use such a map to identify the future of America, our children as the single most vital “natural resource” we have. Let’s map those areas at enmity to the innocence and well-being of children, the areas of ghettos and barrios where “disease and poverty are pandemic and violence rules,” the cities where gangs and violence hold sway, where ignorance and poverty are an entrenched pandemic, and it would quickly be seen we need a leadership that will put America ahead of corporate greed including the kind of greed that refuses to secure our borders for the sake of slave labor even at the risk of nuclear and biological terrorism.

In sum, let those that would put intervention for the sake of America and Americans first declare so openly and prove it before asking for our vote. And if you want Fred to run go to: Grassrootsvoter.com and GOPUSA.com and sign the petitions.

While watching the news last night and the Jim Webb/Phillip Thompson issue was being discussed, I was surprised to hear an attractive young woman, an advocate of right to carry and owns guns herself say “I won’t be with a man that can’t kill another man.” I was so astounded by her frank and open statement, more than just a breath of fresh air but a near gale that it made me wish more women would be allowed to speak so openly. However, that is wishful thinking since the MSM doesn’t get into the stories I read each month in the NRA’s publication “American Rifleman” unless it is to the advantage of those that want to disarm all law-abiding citizens of America.

The young woman’s statement is so astoundingly and refreshingly honest it should give every American pause to think about the increasing violence especially directed at attractive young women in America. They know they are the prey and men are the predators. I know the need women have for men to come to their defense, especially the right to carry for women, a point often made by Sandra S. Froman, President of the NRA. But when an attractive young woman goes out with a man, knowing she is the target of sexual predators, she deserves to know the man she is with can protect her, that if need be he can kill in her defense. And if she finds herself alone, she needs to be prepared to kill in her defense; how many a young woman would be alive today had they been able to do so when attacked by sexual predators.

In the face of escalating violence in America, I’ve also written about the need for the elderly to be armed. Just today a friend called and told me one of his elderly friends, a woman, had called him telling of her concern now that her husband is disabled, that for the first time in her life she was considering buying a gun. He asked me about this and I told him she should be able to get professional advice from any reputable gun store owner.

I’ve dealt with firearms all my life; I’m a certified gunsmith and was handloading since I was twelve years old beginning with a Lyman tong tool. I know the many risks associated with guns and explosives, so much so that I know those unfamiliar with guns need expert training in the use of them. The NRA along with reputable gun stores offers such training.

But “The Armed Citizen” is the bane of most politicians as our Founding Fathers realized, and the Second Amendment was specifically designed for the purpose of the last line of defense against the tyranny of government. More than that, the Second Amendment should be not only the right but the recourse of every law-abiding American citizen in self-defense.

As with judges and politicians that defend child molesters, pedophiles, and rapists it is easy to surmise they must be perverts themselves; and the same thing applies to those that would disarm Americans. The perversion of those that would deny us our Second Amendment right to own guns, that attack “right to carry” suffer the perversion of wanting all power to be held in the hands of a favored few, generally the wealthy, politicians, and judges.

I was delighted at some of the responses I received by email and other to my article “Just a wink and all hell breaks loose!” I expressed my opinion that without Val Kilmer the film would have been nothing but another high budget Hollywood Western. Kilmer in the role of Doc Holliday really made the movie, and I think should have received an Oscar for his performance. It was one of those rare portrayals of raw human honesty, especially where he declares his “hypocrisy” only went so far. I believe we could excuse some politicians if they were so remarkably honest.

Granted “Death Hunt” was a better film, and few would fault Lee Marvin or Charles Bronson. The film was cinematically beautiful, and the performances overall better than “Tombstone” excepting that of Val Kilmer. But most films of this genre find us applauding justice finally triumphing over evil. And that is what We the People hunger and thirst for: Justice triumphing over evil.

Some of you may recall when the 1974 film “Death Wish” opened in theaters some audiences were reported to have stood up and applauded at the scene where Bronson blows away the subway punks. “The film was a huge commercial success and inspired four sequels. Widely denounced by critics for advocating unsanctioned violence against criminals, Death Wish became a metaphor for a rising public tide of anger against unchecked violent crime.”

I well recall those critics at the time, but what these bleeding hearts refused to acknowledge was the fact most Americans want the punks “blown away.” What is this utter nonsense of “unsanctioned violence against criminals” but just another politically correct way of saying law-abiding citizens must continue to be at the mercy of criminals without recourse to justice?

Yes, we are acutely aware of the rule of law being “How much justice can you afford?” But when the President and his U. S. Attorney General among so many others act as though they alone stand for “justice” We the People have every right to begin questioning whether we can any longer afford their interpretation of “justice.” In the meantime I will keep my Beretta handy and my powder dry, I will continue to advocate for “The Armed Citizen,” and encourage women to follow the advice of that young woman “I won’t be with a man that can’t kill another man.”

Folks, our politicians, judges, and gangs don’t own America, and faced with the kind of brutality law-abiding citizens are subjected to every day I advise all of you to have a gun, get proper training in its use, and be prepared to use it. “Death Wish became a metaphor for a rising public tide of anger against unchecked violent crime.” Things have only worsened since 1974, and with no end in sight for gangs terrorizing at will, unchecked violent crime increasingly unchecked, armed citizens would seem to be the only way Americans can protect themselves. We certainly cannot depend on our “leadership” to do it, a leadership that won’t even secure our borders let alone our homes or persons.

The recent flap over an aide to Senator Jim Webb carrying a gun only emphasizes the fact every law-abiding, adult American citizen not mentally or otherwise incapacitated should have the right to carry. “Capitol Police said the arrest was made after an X-ray machine in the Russell Senate Office Building revealed that Phillip Thompson entered the building about 10:50 a.m. with a loaded pistol and two additional fully loaded magazines. He was charged with carrying a pistol without a license and charges related to an unregistered firearm and unregistered ammunition. Thompson was to appear in D.C. Superior Court today...”

Now really, did this aide have cause to believe it was necessary to carry a loaded gun and two extra clips of ammo into the Senate building? If so, what does he know that We the People don’t? I find that a very disquieting question. Whatever the answer to the question that some feel they have a “special” right to carry is most often associated with those in power that feel they have the right to protect themselves, but that right does not extend to ordinary American citizens. Try telling this to gang members.

Every law-abiding, adult American citizen with the common sense exceptions should have the right to carry. This should not be the sole right of VIPs and gang members. Of course, the argument against right to carry for ordinary citizens is the fear it will turn cities into O. K. Corrals. And while I don’t accept it there is some justification for the argument. It was a gripping scene in the film “Tombstone” where Val Kilmer in the role of Doc Holliday winks at one of the bad guys causing the shooting and killing to start at the O.K. Corral. For those who may have naively missed it the homosexual “suggestion” is all it took for all hell to break loose. “That is so gay” may be a current manner of speech in some circles, but it is usually denounced and not given the imprimatur of free speech.

The barbarians in the gangs across America demand “respect” ever as much as perverts, but what exactly is the basis for such “respect?” In the case of gang members any number of things will occasion shootings and stabbings because one of these barbarians is being “disrespected” and the resulting cowardly drive-by shootings even claim the lives of children as a result. I have no respect for perverts and I have no respect for gang members. But I’m not going to go out of my way to “wink” at any in order to provoke the shooting. However, have Blair and Bush contrived to “wink” at the Iranians?

Were it not for the fact those in government have lied to We the People for so long and in so many ways we could easily dismiss the Machiavellian possibility Blair and Bush conspired to provoke that incident of Iranians kidnapping those British sailors in order to elicit sympathy from us common folks and inflame our passions toward Iran. And one of the Brits being a female and knowing how Muslims consider them not even human on the level of men, considering females in uniform an abomination to Allah certainly lends a high degree of tension to the whole affair.

As farfetched as the idea is I am troubled by the fact the Brits have too much experience with such things to put those sailors in harm’s way. It may in fact be more farfetched to ask us to believe those in command did not anticipate the danger of such a thing happening and being prepared for it, this failure thereby leaving the door open to speculation about dark Machiavellian motives.

We are living with the fiasco of the Warren and 9/11 Commissions, not knowing the truth but knowing we have been lied to with no one in government being held accountable giving credence to conspiracy theories, books, and films. Those in the Justice Department are pleading the Fifth lest the top law enforcement officer in America be proved a liar whose sympathies are more in line with Mexico and slave labor than with America, and those under him be dragged down with him once he is exposed. Talk of impeaching Bush is gaining some momentum; unlikely as it is the very fact of such a thing being spoken an indicator of dangerous times for an America lacking any trustworthy leaders or even a national identity, our nation being torn apart by the growing number of those demanding they be “respected” much as gang members. That many of these gang members profess to be “liberal” is not surprising since they have little else but the label to commend them, but don’t you dare “wink” at any of them or the deep pockets of the bullying ACLU will ruin you with litigation.

Tragically for humankind the wisdom of elders is disrespected by those younger, oftentimes in the speech of young people, even children accusing those older of “not understanding.” Those my age understood the inherent dangers posed by the lowering of standards throughout America, standards of civilized good manners, speech, and dress, the dumbing down of the schools, accommodating perversion in the media and Hollywood and so much more. The universities were cranking out “professionals” telling all of America they knew better than my generation what was good for children and parents, what was good for America, but the reality of what the universities have accomplished is that America has been weakened as a nation on virtually all fronts as a consequence; and we now live in an America hated and despised by much of the world, and certainly not trusted by much of the world.

In “Death Hunt” Lee Marvin plays a crusty old Canadian Mounty. At one point the RAF pilot accuses Marvin of resisting the better ways of the future. Marvin replies if the pilot represents the future he wants no part of it. Of course, the stories glorifying the rugged individualist resisting the “better ways” of modern civilization are legion. The mythic of America is steeped in such stories of heroic figures taming the West, of those who resist becoming supernumeraries of the “establishment.”

I’m often accused of being an anachronistic dinosaur that should have gone quietly into extinction long ago. But like the crusty old Mounty too many people purporting to represent the future, to represent the “better ways” of modern civilization have failed to impress me and have not improved on my generation that came together to win WWII. But unlike Marvin in the film, there are no younger Mounties for me to pass on the authority with the admonition “Now, it’s up to you if the killing stops here.”

Two friends in England I have known for years who lived through the Blitz have expressed their concern to me that this recent kidnapping of British sailors and marines by the Iranians not inflame passions. As they shared with me, you must have lived those years of WWII with the bombs dropping on your own nation and losing friends and loved ones to such a barbaric nightmare to really understand what is at stake when things get out of control and leaders take sensible people into harm’s way where they would not choose to go. But my friends are also acutely aware that encroaching Islamization of Europe and England is heading for a dramatic confrontation, and they are acutely aware of how easily things like this recent kidnapping of British sailors and marines can quickly escalate out of control and ignite the growing tinderbox of passions largely brought about by the American military presence in the Middle East.

Since my writing is sent to a personal list of friends, including some VIPs in government and the media, that has grown over the years a few expressed the thought my last column (deleted in the Bakersfield Californian) used a pejorative term for the Muslim kidnappers of those British sailors and marines to see what kind of responses it would elicit? One, an anchor for a cable TV news channel, even asked “Did the Devil make you do it?” While I made no such admission he knows I have a devious mind, and I did mention the need to get the “mule’s” attention and referred him to the following: Time to get real about Islam. By Diana West, Friday, March 23, 2007: Here’s a conundrum: The craziest thing about America’s role in the world is its reliance on logic. As in: Such certitude animates the more naive notions masquerading as grand strategy,... Clearly, the American logic of a “hearts and minds” strategy relies on wishful thinking...

Diana goes on in her column to point out the wishful thinking on the part of those naïve to the threat of Islam to Western Civilization is based on how they see the world as it should be, not the reality of the world as it is; and the real world is dangerous, harsh, and brutal in the extreme. While politicians, the MSM and their dupes preach an insane gospel of appeasement to Muslims, the fact Americans are dieing in Iraq and Afghanistan for the sake of keeping the politicians in power, corporations in business and the oil flowing Cindy Sheehan has a shrill voice, but “Actor Charlie Sheen has joined a growing army of other highly credible public figures in questioning the official story of 9/11 and calling for a new independent investigation of the attack and the circumstances surrounding it.”

If you haven’t done so, read Sheen’s take on 9/11 and you can’t help wondering whether Bush’s secret rush to get Saudi’s safely out of the way may be just as sinister as some suppose. But whatever the truth may be there remain some people sensible of the fact you cannot make nice to Muslims all the while they refer to you as “Infidel!” and will never raise their voices in concert to confront the barbarism of some of their fellow followers of a bloodthirsty Allah and his perverted “prophet.” Even those given to beheadings and using children as human bombs get a free pass in Muslim nations, much as those here in America in the universities and MSM calling themselves “liberal.”

Conspiracy theories originate from the secret dealings of governments. And the tired theme of “national security” no longer works, especially in light of the fact our own politicians refuse to secure our borders despite the obvious harm this is doing to America, despite the obvious fact those wanting us dead find easy access for accomplishing their purpose. Wishful thinking didn’t make Hitler or Tojo go away. And vain attempts at appeasement on the part of the wishful thinkers with their peculiar doctrine of “See how reasonable we are? That’ll fix you,” and “Hearts and minds” are doomed at the very least to disappointment, but it will undoubtedly be a lot worse than that.

Let those not used to using plain language or facing facts consider what is happening in the civilized world. Cosmology, string theory (The Elegant Universe) and mysteries of the universe are getting a lot of deserved attention here of late. But let’s hear of Muslim nations (or those like Mexico) making a contribution to such science. Rather than committing to killing each other and all “infidels,” rather than threatening to wipe Israel off the map how about Muslims bending their efforts to healing their own vast suffering of the countless millions their leaders hold in superstitious ignorance and poverty.

Conventions change; human nature does not. And as Thoreau pointed out the civilized man is only a more knowledgeable savage. It is for this reason I fear all we have accomplished is the feat of being able to exterminate human beings in the millions instead of the hundreds. It remains to be seen which millions, if any, survive the coming conflict of nations. Just to watch what is going on in our own government right now assures the coming conflict.

It was made clear to me that demonizing Jesus is permissible here as “free speech,” but unlike the “Japs” and “Krauts” of WWII no demonizing of Muslims is permissible. I do wonder what name is acceptable for those Muslims using children for human bombs to those that think free speech is only the purview of those attacking Jesus and Christians.

It wouldn’t be heaven without a trout stream. So I wrote at one time and my mind hasn’t changed about this over the years. Heaven on earth is a crystal pure native trout stream in a pristine forest environment, and beginning as a young boy I became quite expert in tying my own flies and trying them out here at Bull Run Creek, a beautiful stream with some lunker trout; my largest being over five pounds. That is a very large fish from a native stream. Of course, the largest I ever hooked got away. It hit at one of the largest pools nearly twenty-feet deep, its run causing the line sawing through the water to make a rooster tail nearly three-feet high across the wide pool before losing the hook. If you have ever experienced such a thing, you know the sinking feeling of your line abruptly going limp on such an occasion while you wonder, just how big was the one that just got away? Even worse, you know it will only be another fish story when you tell anyone about “the one that got away.”

For the truly devout there is nothing like the electric thrill of a good-sized trout striking your lure. I’m not putting down other devout anglers of bass and other types of fish, but the forest environment of wilderness native trout streams is as I said my idea of heaven on earth.

One night while camping alone by the stream and looking up at a canopy of countless brilliant stars overhead shining brightly in the velvet darkness the thought came to me Thoreau had mentioned casting his line upward to the heavens and I wondered if perhaps there may be “celestial fishes” I might catch in some manner provided I had the right bait? What is prayer if not a “fishing expedition?” And perhaps there are gods and goddesses, celestial fishes, to be caught provided one is a skillful enough fisherman. I haven’t thought about this for a very long time, but in sharing with a friend last night the idea of celestial fishes came to me once again and he thought it a great thing for the imagination; and he was right.

Of course, when people pray they never think of prayer being a fishing expedition though in fact much of prayer would fall into this category. And it is unfortunate politicians have resorted to using the phrase as Bush has done while stonewalling attempts to get at the truth of his abuse of office; as though there would ever be an honest attempt on the part of an equally corrupt Congress to really get at the truth of anything involving politicians not excepting Bush.

“The form of government which prevails, is the expression of what cultivation exists in the population which permits it.” Emerson was correct, and looking about America today one can only wonder what this says of the lack of cultivation in our population expressed in our present government, and if not a lack of cultivation just what, exactly, is being cultivated; the manners of Mexico, the manners of ghettos and barrios in America? As gangs terrorize, as our borders remain criminally, even treasonously open to the invasion by Mexico that Bush treasonously refers to as “migration” one can only wonder. That America has become a mongrelized nation forsaking our heritage, culture, language and borders must inevitably lead to increasing violence seems to go unnoticed by politicians and the MSM.

But most politicians and those involved with the MSM were never devout anglers; most have never experienced being alone in a wilderness setting fishing a native trout stream. And lacking this vital experience their manners have become corrupted to that of the masses that are equally ignorant of such a thing.

Along with a few others “Animal Planet” sometimes provides welcome relief from much of what is on TV, and a diversion from so much bad news of ominous proportions threatening on every hand. It takes more than a university education to appreciate how delicate a balance of life there is on our planet; and while I applaud Al Gore for bringing this to the attention of people I deplore his abuse of the facts to his own agenda, which can hardly be said to apply to nations like China that see Gore as a useful fool to their own agendas.

Admittedly only the very elite of humankind, the elect, are permitted into the Holy of Holies, the wild native trout streams where the gods and goddesses find their natural place of communion with mortals. It is here where celestial fishes might be caught provided one brings the necessary credentials and qualifications of devotion, the necessary tackle and lures sanctified by the deities. If politicians and others holding positions of power and authority were required to apprentice first on wild, native trout streams I have no doubt they would find a cultivation of their own manners unequalled in any other setting.

A communion with Nature is a vital experience as Emerson and Thoreau made clear. What those like Al Gore are preaching has little to do with such a communion. Such a thing is not found by going “green,” it is impossible in the cities and becomes increasingly impossible for most to experience as the teeming millions of people worldwide demand food and housing for the drones while workers diminish in numbers. There is no legitimate preaching of any green “gospel” without a corresponding limiting of numbers making demands upon our planet’s diminishing natural resources, the cathedrals of forests and other wild environments.

The point is made in “Soylent Green” and stories like “No Blade of Grass,” that our planet is suffering from the uncontrolled breeding of unproductive mouths, something entirely ignored by those in power for the sake of gaining more power. Leaving off the breeding of animals for slaughter would certainly help, but it isn’t going to happen short of catastrophic events. Nor is it likely humans least likely to contribute to the planet’s well-being are going to leave off the breeding of more unproductive mouths short of catastrophic events.

In the meantime, our own part of the planet, America, is suffering mightily from a lack of attention to what is being done by the greed and avarice of politicians and their corporate masters in despoiling our own environment, the destruction of our educational system, our national forests and parks and so much more. But I don’t hear Al Gore crying out for securing our borders or preaching birth control among those least likely to contribute to any cultivation of quality lives and manners. We the People continue to wait in vain for leadership that will put America and Americans first. What we get are those that hypocritically express their “concern” for world conditions without proving their concern for America.

It’s a whimsical thought, this casting of my line in hope of catching celestial fishes; but I think my chances better than the vain prayers of those who believe the gods are going to intervene for America without our first cultivating a better class of citizens and leaders. Speaking of which, along with politicians those like Bill Gates, Oprah, and other celebrities might turn their attention first to the America that made them wealthy and make our nation their priority.

As the Scripture has it “Faith without works is dead, being alone.” Unlike the causes of global warming, events in America and worldwide seem to be leading to nuclear Armageddon whether by accident or design is beyond dispute. The lack of virtuous leadership throughout the world is self-evident and would seem to guarantee such a thing. But one of the reasons I like Al Sharpton, as I have mentioned in the past, is with Sharpton what you see is what you get. He is an outright and unabashed opportunistic scoundrel of the first water. But he is so open about it, flaunting it, he provides comic relief from the gloom and doom of the pretenders of virtue and sincerity and I can depend on him for a good laugh. Al is the in-your-face pickpocket that tells you he is going to pick your pocket and makes no apologies for doing so.

Al Gore is a totally different kind of person than Al Sharpton. In Gore’s case he is going to pick your pocket without advance warning. I find Al Sharpton a really likable and funny fellow, and I find Al Gore a likable romantic. But Gore does not believe he is a pickpocket, and because of his stature in society as Emerson warned people like Al Gore though they be pickpockets are acceptable due to the very hypocrisy that enables people of good manners to escape coming to blows with one another. Unlike Sharpton, when Gore leaves the room people do not count their spoons. Not because there is no less need of counting your spoons, but because of his position in polite society. And despite rumors it is not true Al Gore told me he opposed my idea for “Muslim Repellant” in spray cans because it would contribute to global warming.

Now it would be exciting should it come to Al Gore and Fred Thompson facing each other in a campaign for the Presidency. While the odds now would be greatly against such a thing, I would not be surprised at it happening. Given so many unfavorable candidates on both sides is a factor, and beyond that here is how I believe such a thing could come about, especially if either can offer a guarantee of secure borders, bringing the troops home, and convince us they will put the interests of America and Americans above that of other nations.

Given the dirtiest, most corrupt and inept administration in America’s history just how likely is it an equally dirty and corrupt Congress is going to follow through forcing the truth out of Bush and his cronies knowing they dare only go so far and no further lest their own evil be exposed. Anyone checking the Vegas odds on this? The Warren and 9/11 Commissions, so many committees and hearings with no one of high authority ever being held accountable for lies and ineptitude, there isn’t anything We the People can put our trust in when it comes to our Triune Federal Dictatorship. What we can depend on is politicians will lie to protect themselves and each other, all will do what they consider to be in their best interest not that of America or We the People.

Admittedly I place no hope in politicians, let alone faith. But I do admit to having hope in a hereafter where I will rejoin my loved ones and friends. However, during all my years of theological studies, the years I spent in the ministry, once I started to allow the legitimate questions of life and death, the two greatest mysteries of all admittance to my thinking it all came down to a simple “I don’t know.” And while I may think it is easier to believe than not to believe, to observe so much suffering and misery of so many millions today and throughout human history does not commend anything like benevolent deities in charge, but quite the contrary. Despite all the “prophets” and writings, all the monuments of stone I don’t know if there is any meaning to life, I don’t know if there is any hereafter, but I do know we all die. And it is this more than even geography which accounted for the longevity of the ancient Egyptian culture; the preparation for one’s certain death and planning for an afterlife. And while world religions continue to work on the same principle, religion continues to be a source of conflict and even barbarous cruelty due to the various cultures that lack the ancient Egyptian cohesiveness. No one doubts, for example, the barbarians of Islam will ever leave off the killing of each other let alone those of other religious beliefs.

What sensible people do know is anyone claiming to speak for God has to be suspect at best. And anyone following such people has to be equally suspect. Those with my background in theology and the churches invariably face the fact of so much hypocrisy abounding in order to make religious institutions work. It can honestly be said that without countenancing some degree of hypocrisy no church could possibly survive. And what is true of Christianity is no less true of the other religions of the world. And what is true of religion is equally true of politics.

I have written at length about the benefits of Christianity once it became a civilized religion as opposed to that of Islam. No civilized person born in America with our Christian heritage and culture would trade places with someone born in Iraq or Iran, any more than an educated person would trade places with an illiterate one. But problems arise when either religion or politics become so hypocritically corrupt and powerful as to threaten the existence of a nation. Every social structure, every personal relationship must engage in some degree of hypocrisy else, as Thoreau pointed out, we would all come to blows. It is when such civilized hypocrisy, often in the form of polite manners, becomes outright barbarism institutions and relationships are set on a course of calamity; it is here where America faces the threat of some kind of Nuremberg Tribunal for our nation as did Germany and Japan should Congress find itself emasculated by the depth of its own corruption from being able to hold a corrupt White House accountable.

Our planet still holds many mysteries, and I delight in meditating on and speculating about our solar system, a never-ending source of intriguing mystery. That our earth and solar system continues to be such places of mystery our galaxy is beyond my capacity to either know or even imagine. I look at our Milky Way in rapt awe, but without comprehension. The unimaginable vastness of our universe with its unimaginable mysteries is far beyond my comprehension.

While we humans seem hardwired with an instinct to believe as evidenced by the universality of prayer, especially in extremis, and the various religions throughout history I give no credence to those that speak of God or a hereafter as though they had certain knowledge of these, least of all those that speak of such things as though they enjoyed a monopoly on the subjects. I hope to rejoin loved ones and friends in a hereafter, but it remains a hope rather than certain knowledge. I delight in stories of the supernatural and UFOs, in studying the various mythologies and legends, I enjoy the wonder of the pyramids and Sphinx, stories of Atlantis and so much more.

But when religion and politics become the systematic organization of hatreds they have left off the mere civilized hypocrisies and superstitions that enable us to socialize and cope with life. And while I hope to rejoin loved ones and friends in a hereafter where there will be no evil, is it any more than just hope that America is going to survive the liars and hypocrites whose only interests are to continue making religion and politics systematic organizations of hatreds?

Sam Clemens had good reason for declaring death to be the only pure and unalloyed gift of God. There is good reason for believing love to be a curse since it is inevitably betrayed by death or infidelity. But we humans are not just physical beings, we are spiritual beings as well; and in the end we live by hope which some misconstrue as “faith.” Because of this “fire of life” we carry about in our mortal bodies I live in hope of many things but I have faith in none, least of all in poor mortals like myself. However, being human I will continue to love and hope, but not being a fool I will also continue to advocate for our Second Amendment and keep my powder dry.

If you haven’t signed a “Draft Fred” petition yet you are definitely out of the loop. From The Chattanoogan: “Rep. Zach Wamp said Monday that former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson is very likely to run for president. The Third District congressman told the Chattanooga Pachyderm Club, ‘I had a follow-up conversation with Fred Thompson, and there is a real, real strong possibility that he will run.’ He said Thompson ‘has to meet some obligations’ with the ‘Law and Order’ TV show and with broadcaster Paul Harvey.”

The prospect that Fred Thompson may in fact become a candidate for President is sending a sub-zero chill through the Democrat camp, and isn’t exactly making Republican contenders warm and cozy. And while I very early endorsed Fred, it would be a mistake to characterize him as the Republican hope of another Reagan. Not only is this not true, but I would say “God forbid!” America does not need another Reagan, our nation needs a leader that as I have said knows both Hollywood and politics and can tell the difference. Fred Thompson is that man. I am convinced he not only knows how to act presidential with consummate and inspiring confidence, but would in fact be a genuine person and strong leader of real and trustworthy values as the President in fact and I will do all in my power to support him.

Even those most opposed to a Fred Thompson candidacy are having great difficulty finding any real fault with him. Most of such attempts have already proven one thing; those opposed are downright afraid of him! Imagine a President of the United States that would use that bully pulpit to confront the enemies of America both without and within! Even his enemies know he is not a man to trifle with; he has the strength of honest convictions We the People need and his enemies are well aware of this.

America suffers mightily from an image problem because of the Clintons followed by Bush. As I wrote some time ago we need a strong man as a leader and projects the image of real strength, not someone like Bush who is not strong but projects the image of a fool believing himself to be strong because of intransigence, a fool that by his own admission needs no advisors because he “speaks to God and God speaks to him.” Fred Thompson not only makes no such claim, but will select the best and the brightest who will automatically be attracted to him as an honest man who will encourage these to speak their minds and will listen to them. If you haven’t signed a “Draft Fred” petition, please do so now. There are several circulating but if you have difficulty one can be found at GOPUSA.com

It’s undoubtedly only my imagination, but I could swear the figure of Sam Clemens on my desk, the gift of my friend Byron, is winking at me as I write about this today. Among the responses to my article suggesting using pig grease as a weapon against Muslim terrorism some knew about the historical use of pork and pig grease against Muslims in this manner. A very few even confirmed its present use in Afghanistan and Iraq as I already knew, though it is not publicized. And given the sensitivity of such a thing quite understandably if you ask any of our troops about “oinkers” you will get a puzzled look. However, when you hear of “progress” being made by our troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan perhaps those pig grease coated bullets just might have something to do with this as word gets around to the enemy. What you will not hear about, though it is a passing thought, is whether any progress with Iran may depend on threats of pig grease laden bombs being used against that rogue Muslim nation.

Bad enough politicians and judges, jails and prisons, even some businesses are going to insane extremes to accommodate Muslims in America, but for my part I applaud such a method as pork and pig grease used against the terrorists, and what if the prisoners at Abu Ghraib and Gitmo had been made to play football with the ‘ol pigskin? Hey, whatever works; whatever terrorizes the terrorists and saves our troops, though undoubtedly the ACLU will sue if they can for such a thing being used against terrorists; you know, “cruel and unusual.” To which I have only one word in reply: Oink!

Perhaps it may be possible to correct sexual orientation in the womb, but why isn’t science bending its efforts to find a Moslem gene so it can be corrected in the womb? I just know anyone born to believe in such a fairytale as Islam has to have a genetic disorder; how else account for those with a predisposition of approving the murder of anyone not sharing their religious beliefs?

Those despicable anti-American Imams that purposely made themselves targets of suspicion on US Airways are salivating at the prospects of the lawsuits; their intention being not just money, but more importantly using the courts to enable terrorists. These execrable creatures are also threatening to sue passengers that reported their suspicious activities with the obvious intention of making all of us fearful to report anyone acting suspiciously. I have a suggestion for the airlines: I once owned a vehicle, an East German manufactured Wartburg with pigskin covered seats. While this would be far too expensive for the airlines, perhaps just a small patch of pigskin added for décor in the seats of all airliners including the seats of the pilots. Do you suppose if this had been done in airliners before 9/11; well, it’s a thought. Another thought: How about making pigskin a part of all the cells in jails and prisons throughout America, even offering pigskin covered copies of the Koran to the “faithful?”

One of my high school students of many years ago was a gifted artist; his cartoons were especially well done. But being a Christian fundamentalist he did one illustrating people using “Mormon and Jehovah’s Witness Repellant Spray” to rid such people from knocking on your door. While he outgrew such “humor” and went on to become a very successful illustrator, the idea did come to me how about those in danger of Muslim kidnappers instead of cans of pepper spray or Mace they equip themselves with cans of pig grease spray? What if Jessica Lynch and others had been so equipped with “Muslim Repellant?” And what if airline passengers begin to carry such repellant, how many would-be terrorists would risk being sprayed? Listen up folks, when the terrorists begin eyeballing school buses as a way to attack America using one of the most distinguishable symbols of children for the purpose (though our government “assures” us this isn’t true) I say “Whatever it takes!”

If only there was such an effective thing as pigskin or pig grease we could use against the ACLU, judges, and politicians. Unfortunately, as a species politicians are addicted to pork and have become immune to the efficacious remedy of such a thing as pig grease being applied to them. However, being vampires sucking the blood of We the People they are not immune to the bright light of the sun if that could only be made to shine upon them fully exposing their dark deeds.

While he is usually correct, columnist Erik Rush got it wrong about the most dangerous organizations in America. The first is our federal government, second is the ACLU, and the third may be the one Erik names second, the Washington-based “Progressive Majority.” Alas, if politicians, the fanatics of Islam, and the fanatical ACLU have their way together with the invasion of America by Mexico it will come down to the old fashioned “Kill ‘em all and let God sort out the dead.”

It’s undoubtedly only a rumor those in charge at the Pentagon are planning to issue bullets coated with pig grease to all our troops (some of whom are already using such bullets). It is further rumored this will be announced with great fanfare through world media so the Muslim enemies of civilization will know what’s coming their way. Another rumor has it attack planes equipped with crop-dusting apparatus will be loaded with a mixture containing pig grease to be used on sites including mosques where suspected terrorists are hiding. Grenades, anti-personnel mines, bombs and artillery shells are also being devised to include pig grease with the explosives. Further, the makers of plastic explosives for the military will be required to include pig grease with the other ingredients. That this will undoubtedly create difficulties with Muslims serving in our armed forces was debated since “Don’t ask, don’t tell” would not apply, but according to the rumors circulating such personnel will be assigned duties where they will not be exposed to pig grease.

Knowing my high regard for Sam Clemens, yesterday my old friend Byron brought me a beautifully crafted porcelain figurine of America’s greatest humorist and one of its greatest philosophers. It has Sam dressed in his favorite white suit sitting in a rocking chair with a few books at his feet. For me, Sam Clemens and George Washington represent America in the very best sense, and I heartily resent iconoclastic attempts to denigrate either one of them. Both were rare human beings of great talents and genius; and both are men of whom Americans are justifiably proud. And I believe it is the lack of such genuine Americans of such talents and genius that is hurting our nation the most. When actually looking for such people today America appears a virtually barren landscape. Suicide is oftentimes a “silent killer;” but Americans have no excuse for not recognizing and speaking out against this barren landscape and its resulting course of national suicide politicians are taking us on.

For example, despite Time Magazine’s use of Reagan on the cover I don’t believe he cried over Iran/Contra or giving amnesty to millions of illegal aliens thereby opening the floodgates for the invasion of America by Mexico of millions more of its unwanted citizens to serve as slave labor benefiting only the wealthy of both nations. “How the right went wrong” could start with that story rather than any portrayal of Reagan as a paragon of conservatism, or even as a man morally capable of making the right choices and decisions for America. When it comes right down to it, Reagan was a politician and his choices and decisions were made on what he considered politically expedient with only an occasional sop to conservatism to retain his credentials. Far from being the “great communicator,” what he communicated was his betrayal of America and that is his real “legacy!”

Of this we can be certain; lacking proper leadership, appearing a nation of fools led of fools, America is facing threats that cannot possibly be met and overcome. And one of these threats is common to all nuclear nations, not just ours.

“Fail-Safe” continues to be by far the greatest of nuclear threats. My eldest son Daniel served in the nuclear military, and while he cannot discuss some of the particulars he is knowledgeable of the potential of a Fail-Safe scenario and has shared his concern about this with me; enough so we both believe it is not a matter of if, but of when. It is highly unlikely we will ever be told the truth about this “nuclear accident,” for such it is in fact:

Navy submarine goes missing overnight: Tuesday, March 13. “The concern was so high that Defense Secretary Robert Gates was notified of the situation overnight, as was White House national security adviser Stephen Hadley, who was preparing to brief President Bush with the news when communications were re-established with the missing submarine.” WAVY-TV: The Navy launched an investigation after losing, then finding, a nuclear submarine overnight Tuesday. For several hours the Navy did not know where the U.S.S. San Juan was. But the crew, Navy officials believe, did not know they were missing. According to Lieutenant Mark Jones, a Navy public affairs officer for Submarine Group Two, “They were not aware at all of what was going on? From my understanding they were not, no.”... Commander Michael Martin runs the sub and now he and his crew will be answering questions as to why the San Juan did not check in when it was supposed to. “We’re looking into what happened in that process, whether it was human error, whether it was technical error, whether there was no error at all,” Jones said. (End)

As I was discussing this with Daniel, we both know there are certain “absolutes” when it comes to the nuclear military. And because of these absolutes the situation surrounding the San Juan cannot happen. But as with Kubrick’s film, it did! And if something so fundamentally absolute fails, the door is wide open to speculation as to what other “absolutes” may be at risk of failing as well, things that may well lead to a military nuclear accident by any nuclear nation in the world. It won’t require a mad man with his finger on the button, it will only require the failure of lower echelon personnel or some glitch built into the system of design and manufacture as happened with our space shuttle disasters. It’s the old story of no chain being stronger than its weakest link, and in this case it is a nuclear chain.

“Must we not suppose somewhere in the universe a slight treachery and derision? Are we not engaged to a serious resentment of this use that is made of us?” While Emerson expresses the thought of all who seriously speculate about so much suffering and misery caused by the wars of men, of so much cruelty throughout human history, of nature red in tooth and claw, we can easily be excused for thinking the very thing Emerson phrased so well.

But my most immediate resentment of this use that is made of us is for those in power here in America, that our own leadership is the cause for so much misery caused by politicians that have earned not only the scorn of We the People but that of the entire world! In the meantime, since our own leadership thrives on pork why not pig grease as a weapon against Muslim terrorism?

It is doubtful Caesar Bush has the intellectual capacity to recognize his tyrannical abuse of office is setting a course for national suicide. But history is replete with such examples of the madness of rulers. And while many, both conservatives and liberals decry any comparison between Bush and Hitler legitimate comparisons remain for objective analysis.

Erwin Rommel was permitted an honorable suicide with the promise his family would not suffer harm. Others besides Hitler have eliminated those with prestige in opposition by this method. This has happened not only in imperial Rome but in various other societies throughout history. Politicians and the media have corrupted many historical phrases one of which is “falling on their sword.” The historical fact has been sanitized to the point of irrelevancy since no politician in American history has ever done so literally, and it is doubtful any have the courage to do so. It would be quite laughable to think of anyone literally doing so out of loyalty to Caesar Bush.

In respect to a path of national suicide no one doubts, for example, Caesar Bush’s use of the word “migration” while in Mexico was calculated, as many like Lou Dobbs and Glenn Beck have made clear, to legitimize the invasion of America by Mexico in an undeclared war on American citizens who as with Caesar’s other wars are expected to keep paying the bills for this one to further enrich the wealthy on both sides of the border. But will Caesar be able to pull this “migration” stunt off while ignoring the dangers posed by a suicidal refusal to secure our open borders including the continued mongrelizing of America betraying any claim to a national identity, something suicidal to our nation in so many ways.

But “Doublespeak” is alive and well in both the White House and Congress. The Democrats are threatening to “clean out the refrigerator” while making noise over the obvious toadying of Alberto Gonzales whose “pedigree” fit Caesar’s continued mad dreams of empire while Caesar is oblivious to the fact historians will undoubtedly refer to his administration as the dirtiest and most corrupt in our nation’s history, something several besides me began to point out over two years ago.

Recently a friend was asking me since corruption is so obviously rampant throughout government why nothing has been done about it? The brief answer is all politicians leave a trail of slime leading to being elected and staying elected, the result being none dare bring any of the others to justice. And it was while discussing this issue I asked my friend if he had ever thought of the risk to their families should any of those in Congress, for example, attempt to be thoroughly honest?

Think about it, everyone of prominence in politics and the judiciary not only has their own skeletons to worry about but has family of some kind. And while it receives no notoriety any attempt to expose and bring scoundrels in politics and the judiciary to justice also brings risk to the families of those exposing the scoundrels and pursuing justice. The questions surrounding JFK, of the Clintons, Vincent Foster and Ron Brown, the obvious whitewash of the Warren and 9/11 Commissions and so much more are a telling indictment against our government ever exposing the guilty and pursuing a course of justice. One might poke fun at the government covering up UFOs, but there is nothing funny about the course of a government that has so much to hide from We the People for the sake of “national security;” as though an uninformed electorate could ever make for a secure America.

We certainly do not expect people like Karl Rove, Dick Cheney, or Alberto Gonzales to literally give their lives for our contemporary Caesar; but they don’t mind being complicit in Caesar’s mad dreams of empire while leading America on a path to national suicide for the sake of personal power and wealth. There are many examples from Hitler’s administration and that of Bush’s of those like Rove, Cheney, and Gonzales. But most have a far better intellectual grasp of Bush’s mad plan of an empire including Mexico and Canada as well as his ambitious plans for the Middle East. Of this we can be certain, using that word “migration” did not originate in Bush’s addled brain any more than did his mad “No Child Left Behind.” But who dares confront Caesar in his madness? After all, he sits on the throne and wields the power of the sword. It is one thing to be complicit in Caesar’s madness sending Americans to die for Oil and mad dreams of empire but quite another for Caesar’s cronies to put their own lives in jeopardy. But the leaders of other nations like Russia and China are not feeble-minded, are not blind to what is happening here in America, a seeming nation of fools led of fools.

Those who take their own lives do not always give any hints of such a thing; in fact, some are spur of the moment decisions seemingly without motive. About a year ago a friend called to tell me his closest friend, a man he had served with in Vietnam had just shot himself. My friend was beside himself with grief. All the time this other man had been his closest friend and there hadn’t been the slightest hint he was planning to do such a thing. I’ve known some personally who have done such a thing without any hints they were even thinking of taking their lives.

But some of those who take their lives do provide clues to their dark thoughts. Before he committed suicide my friend Nelson had left the signs of desperation in his life everywhere. He had no family, he was an alcoholic and his life had been ruined by his addiction. The signs he was giving up on life were everywhere; trash and garbage building up in his house, no attempt at personal hygiene or eating properly. The pills and booze were all he had, and he chose these as his “final friends.”

When I look at the “leadership” of America, when I look about America today I’m reminded of the final stages of Nelson’s life. The trash and garbage is piling up everywhere, the “hygiene” of foreign nations gets more consideration than does that of America, and when politicians make noise over things like Valerie Plame and Alberto Gonzales, when politicians claim they are going to “bring the guilty to justice” the only thing We the People have reason to expect is simply more trash and garbage accumulating, a tell-tale sign anticipating suicide.

What I really resent about the whole business of Deborah Jeane Palfrey and her list of some 15,000 “clients” is that I’m not on that list. I resent being denied the perks of the typical politician in many ways, and this is just one of them. I can only hope Fred Thompson isn’t on that list, though I personally wouldn’t hold it against him. I would simply envy him.

But Ms. Palfrey’s list aside, I favor Fred Thompson running for President not just because he stands out in a field of less than inspiring candidates and would offer a real choice, but America is in desperate need of someone who can at the very least act presidential. In that Thompson obviously fills the bill even if he was not qualified otherwise.

America suffers a tremendous image problem because Bush and his administration come off as something less than heroic of mythic proportions. As an undergraduate I attended a Greek play being put on by the college theater arts department. At one point a beautiful girl peering stage right says, “Who is approaching; he cannot be a mortal man; he appears to be a god.” As the audience anxiously awaited the appearance of this god, what should come onstage but some scrawny beanpole! The entire audience broke out laughing, and what was supposed to have been a serious production was ruined with most of us walking out of the auditorium. We weren’t buying the scrawny beanpole playing the role of someone of heroic and mythic stature.

Audie Murphy was heroic as a soldier, but he was painfully out of place as a “Hollywood hero” despite being credible in “The Red Badge of Courage.” But when attempting roles in which his small stature was matched against big guys, the old maxim of boxing “A good big guy will always beat a good small guy” was painfully obvious, and audiences weren’t buying Audie Murphy beating big guys with his fists.

Nothing dooms a play or film more quickly than having someone playing a part who is painfully miscast in an important role; and when such a thing happens the audience is aware someone exerted influence in order to procure the part for the actor; which explains some of the sawed-off runts being cast in romantic and heroic roles. But whatever the source of such influence, and we even see this in TV advertising, when the person is badly miscast no amount of expertise or talent on the part of the other players can save the situation. This pretty well describes our federal government; a painful example being AG Alberto Gonzales and his boss, both of whom favor and go to extraordinary efforts to encourage slave labor from Mexico over America’s sovereignty and secure borders.

There is that line from “The American President” of which politicians seem oblivious that when it comes to politics “perception is everything.” And when it comes to perception when I see Gonzales I see a Mexican, not an American; and to read his bio is to understand this. When I see Bush I see a fool not the “leader” of the free world. Both would like to “move on” after admitting “mistakes.” Sorry, but there is no way of getting past perception no matter how many admissions of “mistakes.” These two are horribly miscast in the roles they are “playing.” Unfortunately for We the People, we can’t simply leave the auditorium.

And speaking of mistakes “No Child Left Behind” was the act of a fool. But Bush had his favorite education toady Rod Paige of Texas schools infamy and played such a prominent role in Bush’s political success to rely on for this fiasco. Trading on Affirmative Action rather than genuine academic qualifications Rod Paige could cook the education books with the best, his one claim to “qualification” for the office Bush appointed him to. And the schools of America are suffering accordingly. I wrote about this during that period of time when all this was transpiring, pointing out the obvious reasons such a plan for the schools was the act of those that knew nothing of the realities in the schools, that knew nothing of real education in the real world. Both Bush and Paige personified a large part of the reason the schools of America are failing; but no one in authority dared face Bush with the realities in education anymore than they dared face him with the lies and subterfuges leading to the present quagmire in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Facing those like Bush with the truth is risky business. But what if General Pace had used the “F” word as did Ann Coulter; would he be facing a court martial? Well, he didn’t and he didn’t even use “Girlie-men.” Give him credit for that; though Arnold certainly made his point by using it. Sometimes you simply need to watch your phraseology, and sometimes you simply need to tell the truth without any caveats or blandishment. I give the general due credit for speaking the truth about the harm of sexual perversion in our military. But it is pretty late in the game for politicians admitting of “mistakes” all the while nothing changes for the better in either the White House or Congress and the perception of America is a nation of fools led of fools.

“This business will get out of control… it’ll get out of control and we’ll be lucky to live through it!” If Fred Thompson decides to run for President I would advise him to use that unforgettable line he delivered in “The Hunt for Red October.” It pretty well describes the situation facing America and the rest of the world today. With all of the posturing by politicians concerning dealing with gangs, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, nuclear proliferation, Iran, China, Russia, our own porous borders, problems that are obviously getting out of control because politicians don’t dare address them in reality it cannot but remind me of that line from the film. But would Fred have the courage to deliver that line in a campaign?

Fred Thompson is a likeable fellow and I just answered a survey about possible presidential candidates indicating as much. Like many others I know him better as an actor than a politician though I’m quite familiar with his voting record; but given the “acting” on the part of all politicians who of us knows where the reality is for those in the White House and Congress anyway? Since they are all only playing a part, I’m for a man I believe knows the difference between Hollywood and politics. And Fred inspired my confidence from the role he played in The Hunt for Red October, especially his succinct grasp of the dangers threatening. Now, if Fred is able to bring that message from the film to real life and articulate it in a campaign for President he just might strike a responsive chord with the electorate. By now I’m certain most of us realize this “business” is getting out of control and most of us have an uneasy feeling we will be lucky to live through it.

A substantial part of this business getting out of control is our porous borders. It is destructive of any confidence that apart from being the political lapdog of Bush under color of authority AG Alberto Gonzales favors Mexico and illegal aliens; his name and background declares it and Bush wanted someone he could depend on to “carry the water from Mexico” along with supporting Bush’s version of “transparency” in the White House. The Bush Dynasty has profited mightily by slave labor from Mexico as have many of those in power, and our borders remain criminally, even treasonously unsecured because of this addiction to slave labor.

Here in California there is nothing to be expected from our state legislature about the problems of crime and prisons, there is far too much truth in the book “Mexifornia.” If the legislature isn’t being run by the Mexican Mafia out of Los Angeles there is always San Francisco saying everything would be just fine with our legislature the way it is if only the governor and other Republicans would stop trying to interfere.

Lately the problem of gangs here in Kern County has been getting a lot of attention, but whether here or elsewhere in America you cannot miss a substantial part of the problem being in evidence. When interviews are conducted by TV reporters, most people being interviewed in the various communities harboring gangs can’t speak proper English, and some only speak Spanish. You cannot help getting the impression most of the people in such neighborhoods are on welfare, are largely ignorant if not in fact illiterate. And the politicians posturing for interviews have the usual solution to the problem: More taxpayer money. But you will not hear politicians offering real solutions for the problem; they don’t dare. There is the ACLU ready to pounce and sue howling “Racism!” And when you cannot address the real issues with the truth of the matter money is not going to solve the problem, as countless vain attempts have proven.

It isn’t that the solution to the problem of gangs in America is not self-evident: Strong families with both a mother and a father in the home, a good education for children emphasizing reading, writing, and arithmetic, and good job prospects for them when they graduate from high school. Now, all our leadership has to do is make sure these are made possible; but fearful of being tarred with the racist brush they don’t dare speak openly of why these things are not made possible due to refusing to secure our borders and expel illegal aliens, refusing to deal with the rampant corruption in our own government, selling out and betraying America on every hand that tells even the most illiterate and ignorant our own leadership does not have to obey the very laws they insist others obey. There is an obvious double standard between the privileged and the Great Unwashed, and this double standard prevents all attempts to make the “concern” of politicians believable.

I would urge Fred Thompson to run for President and use that line from the film. “This business will get out of control… it’ll get out of control and we’ll be lucky to live through it!” If he preaches that sermon he will hear many voices of Americans coming from the “Amen corner.”

However, suppose neither Fred or any others offer real solutions to the real problems threatening America? There is another memorable part of the film at the end where Sean Connery says, “A little revolution, now and then, is a healthy thing don’t you think?”

Very few people find Emerson worth reading in today. Yet I would call your attention to his following remarks:

My friends (in England) asked whether there were any Americans? - any with an American idea, - any theory of the right future of that country?

Thus challenged, I bethought myself neither of caucuses nor congress, neither of presidents nor of cabinet-ministers, nor of such as would make America another Europe. I thought only of the simplest and purest minds; I said, Certainly yes; - but those who hold it are fanatics of a dream which I would hardly care to relate to your English ears, to which it might be only ridiculous, - and yet it is the only true. So I opened the dogma of no-government and non-resistance, and anticipated the objections and the fun, and procured a kind of hearing for it.

I said, it is true that I have never seen in any country a man of sufficient valor to stand for this truth, and yet it is plain to me that no less valor than this can command my respect. I can easily see the bankruptcy of the vulgar musket-worship, - though great men be musket-worshipers; - and ‘tis certain, as God liveth, the gun that does not need another gun, the law of love and justice alone, can effect a clean revolution.

Emerson repeats, understandably given his divinity training and time spent in the pulpit, the statement of Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul that love is the fulfillment of the Law of God. The law of love and justice alone can effect a clean revolution. Even Napoleon, the preeminent musket-worshiper, dreamed of a clean revolution, one that did not require the spilling of blood. The League of Nations, our present United Nations and those many Utopian experiments of the past have been rooted in the hope of clean revolution.

However, there are none in politics that dare speak the truth about the issues threatening children, threatening America. It isn’t that the solutions for things like gangs terrorizing neighborhoods and our failing schools are not easily understood. What is lacking is virtuous leadership willing to tell the truth and work toward those solutions. You only need ask yourself why should America be forced to accept the importation of crime and violence from foreign nations like Mexico and others, extorting We the People through taxation without representation to support these other nations without holding them to account for their own citizens? But wait; maybe Halliburton will move America to Dubai?

That revolution is needed is not disputed. The world has always been in need of revolution as Sean Connery pointed out in the film. But our Founding Fathers knew this and it was even echoed by men of peace like Henry Thoreau. Ban violence. Good. But we must start with our children. We must start with a guarantee of their being raised in all innocence without fear of sexual abuse, encouraging their natural modesty and innocence, encouraging their sense of self-worth, self-esteem, encouraging their sense of individual value, persons in their own right to carry into adulthood intact and entire! However, unless we have a leadership that is willing to put the interests of America and our own children, our own citizens first there is no hope of preventing the “business” getting out of control.

Charles Schulz had it right with his marvelous sense of humor. The Great Pumpkin and the Easter Beagle were to my liking; not the fanaticism on either side of Christmas and Easter between defenders and detractors.

Any time now I expect scientists to declare they have found a “stupid” gene. It will account for things otherwise normal people do making them not only contenders for the Darwin awards, but trying to rename the Easter Bunny. Some people really believe this will fly? Certainly the schools can get away with “Winter” and “Spring” breaks, but what to do with Easter eggs, Peeps, and the multi-billion dollar industry built around the Easter Bunny? People aren’t going to go for something called “Spring Eggs.” Take away the word Easter and you have nothing to qualify that time of year as anything significant to set it apart from any other time of year. Shoot the Easter Bunny and a multi-billion dollar industry dies with him. Defenders of the Easter Bunny can take more comfort in his being protected by the symbol of a dollar than anything symbolic of religion.

The same rule applies to Christmas. There is nothing to make this time of year significant apart from celebrating the birth of Jesus. Take Jesus out of the equation and you have no Christmas. Calling it a “Holiday Season” isn’t going to support the multi-billion dollar industry built around celebrating Jesus’ birthday, and without him Santa would go the way of the Easter Bunny; neither Santa or the Bunny have any relevance apart from Jesus. And while an argument can be made for the Bunny not being a religious symbol, calling him anything but the Easter Bunny just won’t work anymore than trying to rename Santa; no Jesus, no saints, no Santa.

Certainly some Jews would like to equate the Menorah with a Christmas tree, but no one is fooled by such a thing. Each celebrates something totally distinct to the symbol; and worldwide the Christmas tree is symbolic of the birth of Jesus and Christians while the Menorah, as with the Star of David, remains a Jewish symbol; period! But if Easter and Christmas weren’t promoted for economic reasons and real money-makers, just how would America as a whole be celebrating the seasons? One thing is certain; two hundred million people in America don’t go out and buy Menorah trees or Menorah presents.

The ACLU and its supporters don’t really want “equality” for any religious symbols in America; they don’t really want a Menorah equated with a Christmas tree, they would rather abolish every symbol of religion like the Decalogue, a cross, crèche, Christmas tree, Easter and Christmas, but what would America be without such Christian symbols? Muslim nations have no such enemies of their “sacred” symbols; and such symbols are a continuing unifying force among Muslims against “infidels” no matter the amount of internecine blood-letting.

But speaking of those undoubtedly possessed of a stupid gene and wanting to rename the Easter Bunny, what can we say of Bush for his claiming to have looked into the soul of Putin and pronouncing that old KGB stalwart “a good man.” By now we should all be aware Putin read Bush far better, and that old KGB stalwart saw someone not to be trusted, if not in fact a fool, and perhaps a dangerous one at that, and is acting accordingly. The result being Russians have a leader acting in the best interests of Russia, but America is without such a leader as our porous borders if nothing else proves. If Putin wants to cut our throat he is counting on the White House and Congress providing him the knife.

The prodigality of life throughout the earth is evidenced by the many examples from nature in the wild of planting thousands of seeds the great majority having no chance of surviving, but the profligate casting of thousands of seeds insures that a small number will survive, and among this small number an even smaller number will grow to maturity and have offspring. That the greater part will die is of no concern to nature, and this same prodigality of life is seen to be the case in the animal world as well. Unfortunately for humans, while nature will dispose of plants and animals possessed of a stupid gene the same cannot be said for us humans.

For example, PETA has a legitimate complaint against Al Gore. Animals raised for slaughter do produce the very gases in enormous abundance those like Al would eliminate by having humans cooperating in limiting the pollution caused by us humans. But how likely is it people worldwide are going to become vegetarians; about as likely as China stopping building coal-fired electric generating plants. And there is no EPA oversight in China. However, maybe that stupid gene among humans will sort all this out; how else account for politicians and those wanting to rename the Easter Bunny? No wonder so many are hoping