2017 February to March Miscellaneous
Another much-defamed but great president, the Vietnam War Memorial in Westminster, the neglected US military, the biased media, "deep state" leaks, Trump conspiracy theories, the need for American leadership, politicization of the Oscars, Trump's first address to Congress (a great speech), Presidents' Day & portraits, Trump impeachment & mental illness, the Left-Right civil war, the Flynn resignation, the 9th Circuit ruling on the immigration ban, and a North Vietnamese general's testimonial of how the biased media lost the war for the US at home -- a lesson for today.
March
21
Question: Which American president is described here?:
"To his detractors, ___ remained a backwoods bumpkin, 'the
'original gorilla,' whose installation as president represented a cruel trick
of fate, reflecting the ignorance and folly of the American people or, very
possibly, the workings of a malevolent conspiracy."
Answer: No, not Donald Trump, but rather Abraham Lincoln. The
passage is from "The American Miracle," by Michael Medved.
March
19
Yesterday I visited the Vietnam War Memorial in Westminster,
which is the heart of Little Saigon in Orange County (over 120,000 Vietnamese
in Westminster, Garden Grove, Santa Ana & Anaheim – the largest
concentration outside Vietnam). About 2 million total Vietnamese in the US.
Dedicated in 2003, it commemorates the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, 42 years
ago.
The statue by a Vietnamese sculptor depicts US & South Vietnamese
soldiers who fought side-by-side against naked Communist aggression of North
Vietnam – just as in Korea. The inscription reads: “Duty. Honor. Sacrifice. It
is sometimes said that heros are hard to find. People who understand the
meaning of duty, honor and country need to look no further than those who fight
for freedom and democracy.”
The memorial was featured at the end of a movie I saw a couple
years ago in Westminster along with a theater-full of Vietnamese, “Ride the
Thunder.” Also a book by the same name.
My generation remembers the war well. Some of my classmates were
drafted, and some died. My draft number was 361 (out of 365), and I had student
and ministerial deferments at the time. As I posted Feb. 4, a North Vietnamese
general later acknowledged that we had basically won the war militarily, but
lost it at home in the press – “fake news.”
A colleague of mine at work when age 12 rode possibly the last
transport plane out of Saigon under fire. Some quarter million “boat people”
refugees were not so lucky, dying on the high seas. And roughly an equal number
were executed or died in re-education camps in Vietnam. Is it any wonder
that California assemblywoman Nguyen spoke out recently as I mentioned in my
post of March 1?
A good article on the neglected
US military, and why Trump is right to ask for an increase in the defense budget:
“The Continuing Decline of America's
Military”
Yes, both parties have issues, but I think the GOP has much
better (at least substantiated) reasons to distrust the very biased media than
the Dems have to distrust the Trump administration or think they're controlling
the press (as if that would/could really happen). The Dems & media
are really into this Russia conspiracy theory (that Trump's admin was
involved). They only became really concerned about Russia when the Dems
got hacked -- not so much after Ukraine, Syria, etc.
Don't know if you've heard Mark Levin's documentation of the NYT
reporting on the Obama "administration" (or agencies) spying on the
Trump team after the election -- not exactly a conservative source. And a
couple weeks before he left office granting multiple agencies besides the NSA
access to raw communication intel. Which of course (along with the
preponderance of Democrat bureaucrats in the agencies) made it much more likely
that someone would leak the info (a felony), as happened. No real evidence of Trump team
wrongdoing, though the Dems & media will keep the conspiracy theory going
as long as they can, which will in the end be all they need to keep it alive
indefinitely in their minds -- just like "hands up, don't shoot."
Interesting after all the Left's outrage over McCarthyism, that now THEY seem to be the ones who think they're finding Russians under every bed.
Feb. 28
In this 5 minute video, a former Danish Prime
Minister & NATO Secretary General explains very well "Why America Must
Lead" (not from behind). Further rationale for the increased defense
spending to shore up our neglected military -- "peace through strength"
-- as President Trump is calling for.
I think it dovetails nicely with Medved’s book
“The American Miracle,” that cites too many amazing “coincidences” in the rise
of the republic to be anything but miraculous.
Which begs the question of what the purpose(s) may be – e.g., an
influence for good in the world – to counter evil politically, militarily &
religiously. “For unto whomsoever
much is given, of him shall be much required…” Luke 12:48
The world is
on fire. Syria has fallen apart. Russia has seized Ukrainian land. And China is
flexing its muscles. Who can put these fires out? As Anders Fogh Rasmussen,
Denmark's former Prime Minister and NATO's former Secretary…
PRAGERU.COM
Feb. 28
Trump’s Address to
Congress
This was a truly great address, as attested even by some you would least expect it from on the Left. E.g., Van Jones: "He became President of the United States in that moment, period." Chris Wallace: "Tonight he became the President of the United States." Dana Perino: "The best speech he's ever given." Charles Krauthammer agreed. One might expect this to turn around some stereotypes, and show that he can rise to the occasion, having had no political experience. Some key excerpts (from my notes, so maybe not verbatim, to watch it, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH_231dBLGI):
Work remains in the civil rights area. We are united in condemning hate and evil in all forms.
In 9 years is our 250th anniversary as a nation -- we should honor that by becoming great again.
He's put a deregulation task force in every agency. Keystone pipeling, coal production, task force on reducing violent crime & target cartels, radical Islamic terrorism. Improved vetting & border control. We will extinguish the vile enemy (ISIS) from the planet.
We must restart the engine of the American economy. As Eisenhauer's national highway construction, time for another infrastructure program. 2 core principles -- buy American & hire American.
Repeal & replace Obamacare. School choice. We must unify -- police are members of our community -- we must support them.
Budget: eliminating the defense sequester & will increase the defense budget.
A very emotional honoring of the Navy Seal, Ryan Owens, who was recently killed getting key intelligence on ISIS, and his widow present. Quoted scripture -- "no greater love hath any man than to lay down his life for another." Long applause. No finer example of us. Our legacy -- defeating enemies in 2 world wars.
Mutual respect among nations. My job to represent USA. Create conditions for displaced people to return home & rebuild.
We are all made by the same God. Time for small thinking and trivial fights to be over, and to become great again for our 250th anniversary -- renew the American spirit.
[I have noted earlier that I thought it would be a great goal for the country to pay off, or way down, its national debt by that 250th anniversary. Pretty ambitious, now -- that would mean about $2 trillion per year.]
Feb. 27
The Oscars apparently had their usual political
posturing. But an Iranian winner
lecturing us about hate, dividing people, etc.??? Iran constantly holding rallies chanting “Death
to America,” threatening to wipe Israel off the map, being the foremost state
sponsor of terrorism, killing homosexuals, etc.?
Oh, and a Mexican speaking about the evils of walls,
etc.??? With what they do on their
southern border with Guatemala? And
their drug cartels and corruption?
Feb. 20
For
Presidents' Day, some of my favorite portraits of Washington that
I have reproductions of at home & at work. 1 hanging in the Huntington
Library (center, after Battle of Princeton, Jan. 3, 1777), the other the
"Prayer at Valley Forge" (winter of 1777-78) by Arnold Friberg. And
one of Lincoln 2 weeks before the Gettysburg Address -- these being the two
presidents whose birthdays we used to celebrate specifically on Feb. 12 &
22, but now merged to Presidents' Day. The men who fought to create and preserve this nation. Lincoln now considered the greatest president, and Washington 2nd. As mentioned
earlier, the only president wealthier than George Washington is Donald Trump
(yes, our president, contrary to what some may think).
The “Washington Wall” in the Virginia Steele Scott Galleries of
American Art [Huntington Library]
Left to right: George Washington, 1790–93, by Charles Peale Polk (1767–1822), oil on canvas, The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. George Washington, after 1779, after Charles Willson Peale (1741 – 1827), oil on canvas, The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, Henry E. Huntington Bequest. George Washington, 1797, by Gilbert Stuart (1755–1828), oil on canvas, The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, Gift of Mrs. Alexander Baring.
Left to right: George Washington, 1790–93, by Charles Peale Polk (1767–1822), oil on canvas, The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. George Washington, after 1779, after Charles Willson Peale (1741 – 1827), oil on canvas, The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, Henry E. Huntington Bequest. George Washington, 1797, by Gilbert Stuart (1755–1828), oil on canvas, The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, Gift of Mrs. Alexander Baring.
Feb 17
Mental Illness &
Impeachment?
Some on the Left are calling Trump mentally ill, and
therefore impeachable. Interesting --
that was one of the tactics of the Nazis & Commies (Soviet Union) to
eliminate their political opposition – they had them declared mentally ill, and
committed to prison asylums. And maybe
some of them actually even believe that anyone who can’t see things as clearly
as they do, or who isn’t as articulate, must be mentally deficient.
They certainly think they have the monopoly on morality – and
so despite their secular nature, they have their own little versions of the
Inquisition, gloating over their moral superiority in not being bigoted,
xenophobic, misogynistic, homophobic, racist, etc., etc. Let’s just face it, they’re superior in every
way – more sane, more moral. We need to
just bow down and follow their benevolent, omniscient lead. Or so they would have the masses
believe. Fortunately based on their
record, they have not yet achieved omnipotence, or they might acknowledge
themselves as God and have to renounce their secularism.
Well, even if they achieved a highly unlikely impeachment,
what would that accomplish? Is Mike
Pence any less conservative? No – more
conservative. And I actually like Pence
more. So they can have at it. I could care less. They can waste their time and energy on a
fool’s errand.
Feb. 15
Now not only have the IRS, DOJ & courts been corrupted
& misused for political purposes, but the FBI/NSA/CIA with the Flynn
wiretap leaks. But no doubt despite breaking
the law, the leakers feel they’re doing good, just as Snowden. Doubtful any of them will be brought to
justice, and thereby encouraging more of the same.
Feb. 14
"Can't we all just
get along?" Apparently not – Left & Right/Moderates appear irreconcilable.
A very insightful article. David
Horowitz, a former Leftist, also appeared on Prager’s show and pointed out that
the Right never fights like the Left does.
Until Trump.
It is time
for our society to acknowledge a sad truth: America is currently fighting its
second Civil War. In fact, with the obvious and enormous exception of attitudes
toward slavery, Americans are more divided morally, ideologically and
politically…
DENNISPRAGER.COM
Tammy Bruce (formerly of NOW)
pointed out the feminist hypocrisy savaging Ivanka Trump & Kelly Anne
Conway.
The Flynn resignation. Concern also over several leaks & unmaskings of wiretaps of a private citizen -- apparent political retribution from "deep state" politically biased bureaucrats in the intel agencies/FBI. The Left is suddenly concerned over coziness with the Russians after Hillary's "reset," Obama telling Medvedev to tell Putin he'd have more flexibility after the election, no real action on Russia's invasion of Ukraine or intervention in Syria. Only when the DNC was hacked by Russia do they suddenly get religion, and scream bloody murder about foreign influence in our election, after the Obama administration's clear interference in the Israeli election. They're anxious to pursue a Flynn investigation for possible corruption, but sweep under the rug the undoubtedly much greater and much clearer corruption of Hillary -- see earlier posts regarding the book & documentary, "Clinton Cash."
Feb.
10
Immigration Ban. Interesting that the report of the political panel of judges staying the temporary targeted immigration ban never refers to the actual law that applies, but rather seems to make up rules it would like. Here it is, in words plain enough even for a non-legal expert to understand (well, I did take an honors intro to law class), with a few of my comments inserted in brackets:
Federal immigration law Section
1182(f) states: “Whenever the President finds [not some judge finds] that the
entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens [regardless of country or
religion or status] into the United States would be detrimental to the
interests of the United States, he may by proclamation, and for such period as
he shall deem necessary [yes, including 90 days], suspend the entry of all
aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants [could even
include legal residents or green card holders, although the administration has
excluded them from the ban], or impose on the entry of aliens [i.e., non-US
citizens] any restrictions [e.g., "extreme vetting"] he may deem to
be appropriate.”
Is it any wonder that over 80% of
the notoriously liberal 9th circuit cases that go to the Supreme Court are
overturned? Why is it that these guys think they can bestow on several billion
non-US citizens all the rights of US citizenship? And what a flimsy argument that
these universities are materially harmed by the temporary ban. They are
apparently much more concerned about some inconvenience of a few aliens than
the safety and sovereignty of over 300 million US citizens. There's nothing at
all unconstitutional about this ban. Whether it
goes to the Supreme Court, or is re-written so that even these dummy lower
judges can understand it, it will prevail. See also:
and it's now
a Muslim ban
TOWNHALL.COM|BY MATT VESPA
Feb. 7
Now not only are judges legislating from the bench, but also now encroaching on very clearly delineated constitutional executive powers -- the temporary targeted immigration ban to buy time to implement more careful vetting. Which, by the way, is not a "Muslim ban" -- 88% of Muslims in the rest of the world can travel here.
The
anti-Trump forces clearly carefully shopped for sympathetic lower judges in the
9th Circuit. But, just as with the ludicrous and futile Congressional holdups
of Trump cabinet appointees, saner, more constitutional heads will before long
prevail. But such frivolous lawsuits (along with the organized protests &
the media) will no doubt continue to fight Trump every step. There was no
honeymoon for this president. Nor will they stop what the people elected him to
do, try as they may. TDS -- Trump Derangement Syndrome. It's really kind of
entertaining.
See
also:
The federal judiciary is one of the core elements of the Deep
State, and Federal Judge James’ Robart’s anti-constitutiona...
A Lesson from the Vietnam War
From a
forwarded email -- a little historical perspective from abroad. Certainly
relevant to the current media-fanned, anti-Trump hysteria:
General VoNguyen Giap was a
brilliant, highly respected leader of the North Vietnam military. The following
quote is from his memoirs currently found in the Vietnam war memorial in Hanoi:
'What we still don't understand
is why you Americans stopped the bombing of Hanoi. You had us on the ropes. If
you had pressed us a little harder, just for another day or two, we were ready
to surrender! It was the same at the battle of TET. You defeated us!
We knew it, and we thought you knew it.
We knew it, and we thought you knew it.
But we were
elated to notice your media was helping us. They were causing more disruption
in America than we could in the battlefields. We were ready to surrender. You
had won!'
General Giap has published his
memoirs and confirmed what most Americans knew.The Vietnam war was not lost in
Vietnam — it was lost at home. The same slippery slope, sponsored by the U.S.
media, is currently underway. It exposes the enormous power of a Biased Media
to cut out the heart and will of the American public.
A truism worthy of note: . . . Do
not fear the enemy, for they can take only your life.
Fear the media, for they will distort your grasp of reality and destroy your honor.
Fear the media, for they will distort your grasp of reality and destroy your honor.
This is why the veterans voted
for TRUMP.
The MEDIA is what destroys common sense in the world, and what destroys countries with its liberal socialism.
The MEDIA is what destroys common sense in the world, and what destroys countries with its liberal socialism.
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