The minister afraid to tell the Emperor the truth, thought, “I know I’m not stupid,” … “so it must be that I’m unworthy of my good office. That’s strange. I mustn’t let anyone find it out, though.”

So he praised the material he did not see. He declared he was delighted with the beautiful colors and the exquisite pattern. “Oh, it’s beautiful -it’s enchanting.” “Such a pattern, what colors!” I’ll be sure to tell the Emperor how delighted I am with it.” said the minister.

Wanting to be reassured, the Emperor sent another minister to inspect the clothes. He gave the same glowing report the previous minister did.

Finally the Emperor went to see the clothes for himself. Attended by the two ministers and a band of chosen men he visited the weavers at their work. Despite seeing nothing, all in attendance exclaimed how pretty the clothes where. The Emperor had not choice but to agree or be thought a fool and unfit.

The Emperor paraded down the streets of his kingdom wearing his non-existent clothes. Everyone in the streets and the windows said, “Oh, how fine are the Emperor’s new clothes! Don’t they fit him to perfection? And see his long train!”

Nobody dared say they couldn’t see anything, lest they be declared unfit for his position, or a fool.

A little child cried out, “He hasn’t got anything on.” As the statement by the child became heard by more and more bystanders, the whole crowd cried out, “But he hasn’t got anything on!”

The Emperor hearing the outcry, was thoroughly embarrassed but insisted that the procession must go on.

I can not help but see the similarity of this tale to the President, his administration, the media and those who are in continued denial of the reality staring them in the face.

The blatant self-importance, arrogance, hypocrisy, collective denial, and brazen disregard for the truth is appalling.

What do you feel when your President, his minions and the press misrepresent the facts to you on a daily basis? How do you feel when a President tells you that your Health premiums will go down, yet they increase by 50-100%? What do you feel when a US border agent is killed with a gun sold to drug cartels in Mexico by your own government? How do you feel when Americans on a diplomatic mission in Libya are left to die with no aid forthcoming? I could go on and on!

Obama is making use of the old adage, “keep your friends close and your enemies even closer”. His meeting with the Republican leadership is merely a ploy to set them up for a fall. Most likely the Republicans will succumb to the strategy as they have in the past. Republicans are very good at shooting themselves in both feet. They do it by commission and omission.

It all began when Obama was running in the democratic primary. He dispensed with Hilary Clinton who was left bewildered and with her head spinning. I can hear her saying, What just happened?

McCain and Romney both were bamboozled by Obama and to this day have no real understanding why they lost their respective election. I have no evidence to the contrary. Obama is a pro, McCain and Romney were not in the same league.

The Republicans think that by being nice, inclusive and compromising of their historical values they can beat the Democrats at their own game. In my opinion, unlikely. When you participate in a gun fight, you need to bring a gun. They are in desperate need of a reawakening. Perhaps we can find an exorcist to perform the rights.

Romney lost the election because he came to the gun fight with a book. Obama shot him full of holes. After the first debate, Romney’s tactic was to coast to victory. He fell for Obama’s ploy hook line and sinker! Is Romney to blame or Romney’s advisors?

Obama did the same to McCain earlier. The Republicans learned nothing from McCain’s defeat. They merely repeated the same mistakes.

The Democrats are the party of emotion. They win elections not by winning the debate on the facts but by winning the hearts and minds of the electorate by appealing to the base emotions of the human race. A promise of a chicken in every pot and free health care buys more votes than a balanced budget argument. Demonizing your opponent is more effective than stating, “he is a good man but I disagree with his position”. You do not win wars by being nice. War is hell! It appears that politics is hell, also. Do you want to win?

Republicans are in error when they think they can win enough independents and conservative democrats by merely using facts. They need to wake up and fight for their country, tooth and nail if necessary. In four more years there may not be a country left to save.

However, there is hope. Obama and the democrats are in the process of making life for the ordinary citizen so awful they will demand change. The Republicans will win, by default, but only after a lot of unnecessary pain and suffering. Perhaps then, Republicans will finally realize that facts without an emotional connection is a losing proposition.

Second amendment to the Constitution: A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

Four things come to mind, one being, absolute power corrupts absolutely and secondly; if you turn up the heat on a pot of water; the frog will not notice or complain until it is to late and thirdly; history repeats itself, and fourthly; those who give up liberty for safety deserve neither.

Comments such as: “But I think we have finally arrived at a point where we must place some limits on the ownership and availability of certain types of firearms.” I offer this.

What part of the second amendment do they not understand. Does “shall not be infringed” mean what it says? Is the language plain enough for them? Should we defend these rights? How many rights will you give up, before you resist? Will you agree in the end to a single shot air powered weapon of .17 caliber?

When does gun control stop? Does it stop now or after another regulation is passed? Does it stop after another school shooting? Does it stop after the third, forth……tenth school shooting? When is enough, enough? If they have it their way the Second Amendment will die a slow death by a thousand knives!

The Second Amendment was created to give the people a means to defend themselves from a tyrannical government (hunting and target shooting are by products). The entire bill of rights was created out of the fear that a federal government could and more than likely would attempt to impose itself on the people. Our forefathers learned this all to well while they were under the thumb and boot of the British.

Perhaps this will help the discussion:

James Madison proposed as the first clause of the amendment on June 8, 1789 “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed”.

Madison also included this freedom of religion related protection in his Bill of Rights proposals to Congress: “nor shall the full and equal rights of conscience be in any manner, or on any pretext, infringed.”

Assuming that Madison’s intention in preventing religious liberty from being “infringed” was to allow for considerable “reasonable” regulation by the federal government is illogical. In fact, it is clear that the intent of such language was to prevent any interference whatsoever by the government in such matters. The later change to “Congress shall make no laws” language buttresses this period understanding of “infringe” based protection.

Samuel Adams’ attempted to protect freedom of the press and religion with this proposal: “that the said Constitution be never construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the press, or the rights of conscience”. just as in Madison’s case with his infringe based restrictive proposals to Congress regarding freedom of religion and the right of the people to keep and bear arms.

Once again, it does not appear that such period usage indicated the Committee members understood that religious beliefs could be subjected to extensive reasonable regulations, or that they used “shall not be infringed” with the intention that it would condone extensive and reasonable regulation of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right of peaceable assembly, the right to apply for redress of grievances, or the right to keep and bear arms.

First Amendment rights – freedom of speech – freedom of the press – the right of peaceable assembly – the right to apply for redress of grievances. All of these, including Madison’s “inviolable” freedom of the press and his right of the people to speak, of which they “shall not be deprived or abridged” , were re-stated by the Committee as rights that “shall not be infringed”.

Interpreting this restrictive “infringe” based language in the manner that some advocates of gun control do for Second Amendment usage removes all meaning of the terminology and completely destroys any protective intent of the provision. Such interpretations leave the intended protected rights to be regulated exactly like any other subject placed under the government’s power. Such views of the language completely ignore the developmental history of the Bill of Rights, a history that is remarkably well documented because the need for a U.S. Bill of Rights was publicly and privately discussed for more than two full years prior to Congress’ proposal of the U.S. Bill of Rights amendments.

Why do we find ourselves having to defend our constitutional rights from an assault by our fellow Americans? Why do they want to take them away or render them meaningless?

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former. Albert Einstein US (German-born) physicist (1879 – 1955)

Stupidity has no social, educational or economic boundaries. It does not matter if you graduated from an elite college such as Harvard, Princeton, or Yale. It does not matter if you only have a certificate from a local community college. It does not matter if you are a billionaire or on food stamps. It does not matter if you hold a PHD or a GED. It does not matter if you are a lawyer, a judge or a clerk at Walmart. It does not matter if you are a Republican or a Democrat. Stupidity is a equal access, equal opportunity, non discriminatory state of mind.

It appears that a great many people lack the ability to internalize new knowledge. They proudly brandish their arrogance. I have found that without exception we all have had our “stupid” moments. Unfortunately, some a great many more than others.

Our government (politicians and bureaucrats) as a whole seems to be having a “stupid” episode. When a government spends more than it takes in, raises taxes to create jobs, fights wars it can not win, promises benefits it can not pay for, has open borders, punishes success, over regulates, assists in overthrowing governments that are friendly to us, disregards the constitution and the bill of rights, seeks to divide the country economically, culturally and socially (class warfare) what conclusion can you come to?

In contrast, commonsense and wisdom is found more among ordinary folks. Unfortunately, it seems to be lacking among those who have educated themselves to the point of where they know more than anyone else. I have found that common sense is prevalent among those who have worked mostly with their hands and have struggled with life on a daily basis. A professor teaching a business course who has never ran a business or had to make a payroll is the last person you should be learning business from. Book knowledge can never replace real life experience. It follows that you do not want someone who never ran a business telling you how to run your business and that you are making to much money and you should give it to someone else.

I would vote for commonsense over stupidity any day.

The United States under the leadership of Obama and Hillary have opened the flood gates for extremists and the Muslim Brotherhood to take over whole countries. Now, they what to replace a “no clue” Hillary Clinton with another “no clue” Susan Rice.

I opined on Nov. 3, 2011, I opined that, “What I see is this: The Islamists are using NATO and the United States to do their job for them. We are being played for fools! We are assisting them in removing the obstacles that prevented them from controlling Egypt, Tunisia and Libya.”

On Nov. 30, 2011 I opined that, “Here we go again! No Clue Administration! It is reported that the White House on Nov. 22 called for an end to the “deplorable” violence in Egypt and said elections there must go forward. As I alluded to in a previous letter to the editor, Egypt is headed for Islamist rule.

Will the Obama administration call for an end to the “deplorable” violence now being played out in Egypt? Must Morsy go?

A recent and on going Egyptian poll asked the question: “Do you support President Mohamed Morsy’s new constitutional decree?” 81% voted against Morsy’s attempt to elevate himself to Pharaoh. 47% of those stated they will join protests against him. Only 10% voted to protest in favor of his power grab. If Morsy and the Brotherhood do not change course, civil unrest will increase and it will get ugly quick. Civil war is not out of the realm of possibility.

From reading Egyptian newspapers one can conclude that Egyptians understand far more than most Americans and our elected officials what freedom and democracy actually is. Here in the United States, Obama is well on his way to his own power grab. A sad commentary indeed!

BREAKING NEWS!

The war against Germany and Japan which began in 1941 has dragged out for another 4 years as the Allies make every effort to avoid civilian casualties. After 8 years the death toll and destruction continues to mount with no end in sight.

This just in, the Allies have lost the War with Germany and Japan. The loss is attributed to the failure of our military to target military installations and enemy troops that were close to or embedded near civilian populations. The Axis forces made every effort to hide troops and equipment within the civilian population centers. Their strategy has work brilliantly .

On a positive note, peace in our time has finally come.

This bodes ill for the country and the world as he is intent on “fundamentally” changing America into his vision of what it should be.

His disdain for American traditions and historic values was evident from his youth and early adulthood. His wife harbors the same disdain.

His “revenge” statement (Freudian slip) put into words what he has been hiding from the public at large. He views his ascendancy to the Office of President as almost a divine calling that will enable him to right all the wrongs America has inflicted on the peoples of the world.

He is intent on dictating change through any means necessary. The constitution, congress and the laws are to be changed and/or ignored when it suits his purpose. Executive orders and agency rules will be the method of choice.

During the next four years you can expect high unemployment to continue, taxes to increase, welfare roles to grow, business’s to fail and civil unrest. America’s enemies will attempt to take advantage of our weakness and the world will be a far more dangerous place. The possibility of military conflict will increase.

Obama has lowered the office of the President to a level below that of an unscrupulous used car salesman. What a pity that so many fell for his empty words.

Evil exist in this world; contrary to what Obama and Clinton seem to believe. The Taliban, Muslim Brotherhood and al-Qaeda all believe themselves to be good while burning books and churches, chopping heads, arms, fingers, noses and ears off, killing Christians and Jews, and forcing women to a subservient role. All the time professing to be for peace and justice.

History tells us clearly that appeasing dictatorial countries, religious fanatics or totalitarian regimes leads to disaster. These individuals and countries emboldened by what they perceive as weakness increase their demands to a point that leads to surrender or makes armed conflict at some point a certainty.

The so called “Arab Spring” is in reality the opportunity for these forces to acquire the means to force their ideology on the rest of us. That is their plan. It has always been their plan. Now they may have the means, or so they think. If Iran or similar actors acquire a nuclear weapon the world as we know it is over.

It would be an unmitigated disaster, if we fail to heed the lesson of history and follow the same course as Chamberlain and his kind whose appeasement of the Nazis threw us into World War II due to his misguided understanding of the nature of evil. I am afraid that Obama and Clinton have the same lack of understanding Chamberlain had. World War II’s cost in lives was in the 10′s of millions, the cost in material was in the trillions (today’s dollars). World War II could have been avoided had those of that age dealt with reality rather than have their heads in the clouds.

If we stay on this present course, we are doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past and risk throwing us and the rest of freedom loving countries of the world at the mercy of those who seek our destruction.

Just as Chamberlain had ‘no clue’, neither does Obama or Clinton. Chamberlain’s “peace in our time” statement is no different than Obama and Clinton’s statement of “democracy” in our time.

That is why this election is critical to the survival of the free world. Obama and Hillary need to go!

Egypt is on the edge on a civil war. In a previous letter to the editor I opined that the removal of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will eventually throw Egypt into a civil war. The prediction is near actuality.

What does this have to do with the Presidential election? Let me explain.

It is reported that Egypt’s al-Gama’a al-Islamiyya – or Islamic Group – is warning it could use violence as a means to ensure Sharia law is adopted in the latest draft of the country’s constitution and is calling on Egyptians to wage “jihad and fight in support of Sharia.” Al-Gama’a al-Islamiyya’s spiritual leader was the blind Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman who is imprisoned in the U.S. for his role in blowing up the World Trade Center.

Mohamed Salah, the leader of the group which the U.S. designates as a terrorist organization, noted that the next step would be mobilizing millions for jihad with their lives and money in the battle to support Sharia.

President Obama and his administration is clueless when it comes to Islam and terrorist organizations. The tragedy in Libya is the result of a failed foreign policy that fails to deal with the reality on the ground. The so called “Arab Spring” that Obama and Hillary Clinton so publicly toted as a wonderful event is actually a betrayal of our friends and an opportunity for our enemies to stick it to us. It is symptomatic of the naive liberal view that if we just be nice to our sworn enemies we will get them to cease attempting to kill us. They use the word “democracy” as if it guarantees that once the people vote all will be well. The opposite is true. Virtually every Islamic country that has or will undergo a move to “democracy” will be controlled by religious extremists and sharia law which will dominate secular and political life. They will not be friendly to western interests or to Israel. In fact, Israel may will be surrounded by these so called democracies putting it’s very survival in question. War is in the offing.

 This is the reality. President Obama has a record. That record is as plain as the nose on your face. Obama has upset the balance of power in the Middle East to the side that is determined to destroy Israel and the West. The abject failure of the Obama administration’s Middle East policy resulted in the deaths of an Ambassador and three other Americans in Libya. Iran is much closer to building a nuclear bomb and putting it on a missile. He has raised the national debt to over 16 trillion dollars ($16,000,000,000,000). He has kept the unemployment rate above 8% for almost his entire presidency. Gas prices have more than doubled. 46 million on food stamps. He has not passed a budget in four years. His stimulus program, TARP, is a failure. His justice department policies (Fast & Furious) contributed to the death of Brain Terry and the death of many Mexicans. His administration has been the most secretive and least transparent in recent history. Obama has raised or will raise more that twenty taxes on the the middle class; the most obvious is the healthcare tax penalty (the non-tax, tax). One in six hospitals and elder care facilities are projected to close under Obama Care. He believes that your income should be seized and given to those whom he considers to be less fortunate. He believes that the Constitution and the Congress can be bypassed by executive order.

The only conclusion one can rightly draw from three and a half years of Obama is that he can not be trusted. A vote for Obama is a vote for dependency, restrictions on your constitutional rights, continued high unemployment and the systematic destruction of America as we know it.

I found this website interesting to say the least- http://www.obamadoublespeak.com.

Full Speed Ahead!

President Obama, his administration, the Democratic party and the media are rapidly accelerating on their trip to the bottom of the political gutter. They were already in the gutter, but now they want to reach the bottom as fast as possible.

Gutter politics is nothing new. It is almost exclusively deployed when a candidate has no other options but to go after his/her opponent personally.

It is clear that the Democratic party is desperate. They believe that an honest open debate is not in their best interest. They have been vilifying Romney from the start. Now that Romney has basically rendered their efforts more or less mute they are scurrying around like rats in an effort to find any dirt they can. If they can not find any they will make it up themselves.

If the voting public allows our politicians to campaign in such a manner, we have nothing to complain about when this country self destructs, as it surely will.