I can't believe it. In just a few hours it'll be a brand new year. I wish all my blogging buddies a blessed and prosperous 2008. May the upcoming year also bring blessings, prosperity, and the peace of victory to this nation we all love. Happy New Year friends!
Love,
PoorGrrl
Monday, December 31, 2007
Operation Candlelight
As we approach the changing of the year I've been thinking about the future of conservative thought in America. Although I want to be optimistic I feel conservatives--all those who believe in traditional values, really--are coming in for some hard times in the new year. My gut is telling me that the Left is poised for a comeback in '08. The mainstream media has convinced the majority of Americans that Iraq is a hopeless mess and I suspect they'll vote accordingly, i.e. Democrat, in the upcoming presidential election.
And Americans seem to be leaning leftward on issues besides Iraq. A majority approve of universal health care, support for capital punishment is waning, and though voters rejected gay marriage in various state referendums in 2004, opposition to it is declining. All and all I fear the next several years, not just 2008, bode ill for right-wingers. But facing that bleak scenario has made me start thinking again about something that's been in the back of my mind for a while. How do we spread conservatism in America?
I think conservatives, religious and secular, have put too much emphasis on politics. Winning elections is important but it doesn't guarantee that people will adopt our values. We must convince people of the truth of conservatism rather than assuming that election victories will make converts out of them. We are in a culture war and our side is losing. I once heard someone say that this war won't be won by those who tell the truth but by those who tell the best stories. And therein lies our opportunity.
No, I'm not saying that we should tell a bunch of entertaining lies to sell our worldview. I AM saying that we must use the transmitters of culture to fight a culture war. What are the transmitters of culture? They are everything a people uses to teach their way of life to the next generation. Language, the family, churches, schools, entertainment, newspapers, even blogs are all transmitters of culture. And outside of the family the most powerful transmitter of culture is entertainment. Liberals have understood this for at least a generation and have brilliantly used entertainment to advance their cause. Conservatives, unfortunately, have been asleep at the wheel.
Weaving an idea, belief, or point of view into a compelling story is one of the best ways to "evangelize" it to the public. Conservatives do know this and have been calling liberals on this practice for years. I can remember conservative groups bemoaning the content of television way back in the '70's. We have been excellent in cursing the darkness. What we've failed miserably at is lighting candles.
It's time to stop wringing our hands over anti-Christian and anti-American movies, violent video games, and sexed up tv shows and start producing better entertainment. We need to criticize by creating, as Chuck Colson put it. Conservatives need to take the entertainment industry by storm and start creating the best books, movies, tv shows, music, and video games on the market. I call this "revolution" Operation Candelight or OC. But how would this revolution actually work? Let's use tv as an example.
There are lots of cops shows on tv. What if, on one of those shows, the detectives had to solve the murder of a pastor who was the victim of a hate crime perpetrated by a militant gay activist? Or how about a drama with a morally traditional character who's a good guy? Why not have a prolife teenager, portrayed sympathetically, show up on one of the night time teen soaps? I know, today's tv writers would never write such episodes. But that's where the talented, conservative OC revolutionaries would come in. They would write those tv episodes, and lots more.
They would write, produce, and direct movies that show conservatives and moral traditionalists in a positive light. They'd write novels that sympathetically depict another side to issues that have, for far too long, been seen only from the left-wing perspective. And they'd do the same for plays, music and even video games.
Imagine a film about a family being persecuted for homeschooling. Imagine a young adult novel about teens fighting communism in Hungary's 1956 uprising. Imagine a video game where the hero fights for freedom against the global caliphate. Imagine a hard rock song glorifying our troops' skill and bravery in the Battle of Fallujah. Imagine. Imagine. But none of these things will be delivered to us by those now dominating the entertainment industry. It will take talented and committed conservative artists to get our worldview into the public imagination. It will take Operation Candlelight.
To our shame and our culture's detriment we conservatives have left the arts and entertainment to the liberals for too long. We are as creative, artistic, and talented as the leftists now controlling the media. It's time we regained our confidence and showed it. We must take back what once belonged to us. Are you ready for the revolution?
And Americans seem to be leaning leftward on issues besides Iraq. A majority approve of universal health care, support for capital punishment is waning, and though voters rejected gay marriage in various state referendums in 2004, opposition to it is declining. All and all I fear the next several years, not just 2008, bode ill for right-wingers. But facing that bleak scenario has made me start thinking again about something that's been in the back of my mind for a while. How do we spread conservatism in America?
I think conservatives, religious and secular, have put too much emphasis on politics. Winning elections is important but it doesn't guarantee that people will adopt our values. We must convince people of the truth of conservatism rather than assuming that election victories will make converts out of them. We are in a culture war and our side is losing. I once heard someone say that this war won't be won by those who tell the truth but by those who tell the best stories. And therein lies our opportunity.
No, I'm not saying that we should tell a bunch of entertaining lies to sell our worldview. I AM saying that we must use the transmitters of culture to fight a culture war. What are the transmitters of culture? They are everything a people uses to teach their way of life to the next generation. Language, the family, churches, schools, entertainment, newspapers, even blogs are all transmitters of culture. And outside of the family the most powerful transmitter of culture is entertainment. Liberals have understood this for at least a generation and have brilliantly used entertainment to advance their cause. Conservatives, unfortunately, have been asleep at the wheel.
Weaving an idea, belief, or point of view into a compelling story is one of the best ways to "evangelize" it to the public. Conservatives do know this and have been calling liberals on this practice for years. I can remember conservative groups bemoaning the content of television way back in the '70's. We have been excellent in cursing the darkness. What we've failed miserably at is lighting candles.
It's time to stop wringing our hands over anti-Christian and anti-American movies, violent video games, and sexed up tv shows and start producing better entertainment. We need to criticize by creating, as Chuck Colson put it. Conservatives need to take the entertainment industry by storm and start creating the best books, movies, tv shows, music, and video games on the market. I call this "revolution" Operation Candelight or OC. But how would this revolution actually work? Let's use tv as an example.
There are lots of cops shows on tv. What if, on one of those shows, the detectives had to solve the murder of a pastor who was the victim of a hate crime perpetrated by a militant gay activist? Or how about a drama with a morally traditional character who's a good guy? Why not have a prolife teenager, portrayed sympathetically, show up on one of the night time teen soaps? I know, today's tv writers would never write such episodes. But that's where the talented, conservative OC revolutionaries would come in. They would write those tv episodes, and lots more.
They would write, produce, and direct movies that show conservatives and moral traditionalists in a positive light. They'd write novels that sympathetically depict another side to issues that have, for far too long, been seen only from the left-wing perspective. And they'd do the same for plays, music and even video games.
Imagine a film about a family being persecuted for homeschooling. Imagine a young adult novel about teens fighting communism in Hungary's 1956 uprising. Imagine a video game where the hero fights for freedom against the global caliphate. Imagine a hard rock song glorifying our troops' skill and bravery in the Battle of Fallujah. Imagine. Imagine. But none of these things will be delivered to us by those now dominating the entertainment industry. It will take talented and committed conservative artists to get our worldview into the public imagination. It will take Operation Candlelight.
To our shame and our culture's detriment we conservatives have left the arts and entertainment to the liberals for too long. We are as creative, artistic, and talented as the leftists now controlling the media. It's time we regained our confidence and showed it. We must take back what once belonged to us. Are you ready for the revolution?
Monday, December 24, 2007
Merry Christmas From Me And Robert!
Hello blogger friends! On behalf of myself and Robert* I'm wishing all of you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year! And while I have your attention I'd like to share with you a little Christmas humor from my hometown newspaper. The paper ran a contest called Cracked Carols where folks had to write their own version of popular Christmas carols. Most of the winners wrote about purely local issues but one Cracked Carol has mass appeal. Everyone can relate to it. It's titled, "Dangerous Toys" and it's sung to "My Favorite Things" you know, that song from "The Sound of Music". I know, it's not technically a Christmas carol but, as my paper said, deal with it!
Dangerous Toys
Magnets in Batman
that lodge in tots' tummies.
Drug-covered dots
that the kids think are yummy.
Thomas the Train
with lead paint that destroys.
These are a few
of the dangerous toys.
Curious George
with that smile so beguiling.
Once in kid's mouths
quick for help you'll be dialing.
Easy Bake Ovens that burn and annoy.
These are a few
of the dangerous toys.
When the beads pop,
when the paint peels;
batteries go bad.
We hear of the recall
of dangerous toys
and realize that we've been had.
Chinese toy makers
keep cutting their corners.
For US exports
they ship past our borders.
Into the hands
of our own girls and boys.
Who can't tell the safe
from the dangerous toys.
Parents are tense
as the holidays beckon.
Will government watchdogs
help out, do you reckon?
Or will they fail
to detect and destroy
incoming shipments
of dangerous toys?
When the beads pop,
when the paint peels;
batteries go bad.
We hear of the recall
of dangerous toys
and realize we've been had.
Isn't that funny? I laughed out loud when I first read it. I mean, it's so true. Every parent and every child has had to deal, in one way or another, with toys that disappoint, don't work or are downright dangerous. To put that universal experience to such a classic song was brilliant, in my book. I hope all of you enjoyed this little ditty as much as I did. Again, Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year everybody!!
*Robert is my friend over at the blog Tired Of All The Liberal Rhetoric Out There; he is elwoodin in my link field. He's a guest columnist on my blog and I'm a guest columnist on his. My latest guest post is on Robert's blog now, if you want to have a look see.
Dangerous Toys
Magnets in Batman
that lodge in tots' tummies.
Drug-covered dots
that the kids think are yummy.
Thomas the Train
with lead paint that destroys.
These are a few
of the dangerous toys.
Curious George
with that smile so beguiling.
Once in kid's mouths
quick for help you'll be dialing.
Easy Bake Ovens that burn and annoy.
These are a few
of the dangerous toys.
When the beads pop,
when the paint peels;
batteries go bad.
We hear of the recall
of dangerous toys
and realize that we've been had.
Chinese toy makers
keep cutting their corners.
For US exports
they ship past our borders.
Into the hands
of our own girls and boys.
Who can't tell the safe
from the dangerous toys.
Parents are tense
as the holidays beckon.
Will government watchdogs
help out, do you reckon?
Or will they fail
to detect and destroy
incoming shipments
of dangerous toys?
When the beads pop,
when the paint peels;
batteries go bad.
We hear of the recall
of dangerous toys
and realize we've been had.
Isn't that funny? I laughed out loud when I first read it. I mean, it's so true. Every parent and every child has had to deal, in one way or another, with toys that disappoint, don't work or are downright dangerous. To put that universal experience to such a classic song was brilliant, in my book. I hope all of you enjoyed this little ditty as much as I did. Again, Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year everybody!!
*Robert is my friend over at the blog Tired Of All The Liberal Rhetoric Out There; he is elwoodin in my link field. He's a guest columnist on my blog and I'm a guest columnist on his. My latest guest post is on Robert's blog now, if you want to have a look see.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Bowie and Bing Sing!
I can't believe I found this!!
When I was a child I saw David Bowie and Bing Crosby sing a touching duet of "The Little Drummer Boy" on a Christmas show. I instantly fell in love with it. When I became an adult I'd hear the song on the radio during Christmas but I thought I'd never see the actual skit/duet again. Enter YouTube.
On a whim I decided to look up Bing and Bowie's number on the we've-got-everything video website and was thrilled when I found it. Watching it again almost made me cry. I'd forgotten how poignant Bowie's part in the duet is. And I'd forgotten what a good singer he really was. He fit perfectly with Crosby.
In fact, the contrast between these two singers who couldn't be more different is what gives this video its quiet power. Bing Crosby, the epitome of crooning traditionalism and David Bowie, a gender bending glam rocker, came together in mutual respect and created something that people still want to see over twenty years later. It's sort of parable of the goodwill Christmas is supposed to be about, don't you think?
Anyway, here's Bing Crosby and David Bowie singing "The Little Drummer Boy". I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
A Message To The Troops
Some of you may already know about this, but here's a link where you can send a message to our troops this Christmas: http://www4.army.mil/ocpa/tooursoldiers/post.php. The Post Office won't deliver mail addressed to "any soldier" because of fears of mail related terrorism and of soldiers getting derogatory messges from anti-war activists. So if you want to tell our troops how much you appreciate them click on the above link and pour your heart out. I did.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
A Soldier's Silent Night
What can I say?
If you've never heard the poem, "A Soldier's Silent Night", read by Father Ted Berndt with Mannheim Steamroller's poignant, instrumental version of Silent Night playing in the background, well here it is. And if this moving homage to America's fighting men doesn't bring tears to your eyes you've got a heart of pure stone.
Merry Christmas coast guarders, sailors, soldiers, airmen, and marines! You're loved and appreciated by more people, here and abroad, than you'll ever know. God Bless you, and thank you for fighting the good fight.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Qotable Quotes: On Peace
"If I had to chose between righteous and peace, I chose righteousness." Theodore Roosevelt
Remember Pearl Harbor. December 7, 1941
Remember Pearl Harbor. December 7, 1941
Thursday, December 06, 2007
The Sgt Freedom Campaign. Episode 6: Immigration
I found out last night on The O'Reilly Factor that the two burglars shot and killed by American hero Joe Horne were illegal aliens. I was going to write a post about this but then I discovered that my favorite YouTube guy, Sgt. Freedom, had a video about illegal immigration.
I chose to use Sgt. Freedom's video because he tackles this problem with passion and bubba humor. And I don't know about you, but I could use some humor on an issue that makes me boiling mad. So here's Sgt. Freedom offering his unique insights on and solution to the illegal alien problem. Enjoy.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Joe Horne: Hero
By now most people know who Joe Horne is. In case you don't he's the Houston guy who shot and killed two burglars breaking into his neighbor's home. Mr. Horne is now waiting to see if any charges will be filed against him. And race has become a factor. Mr. Horne is White and the thugs he killed were Black and that doesn't sit well with the new Black Panthers and others who rallied outside Horne's home today.
I wish Blacks would get as upset about Blacks committing crime as they do about Whites shooting Blacks committing crime. As a Black person I'm fed up with the acceptance by many in my community of criminal behaviour by our males. I reject the prevalent belief that Black crime is the fault of White people and/or White society. The men who broke into Joe Horne's neighbor's home chose to do it. Whitey didn't make them. And now they've paid for their choice with their lives. Perhaps if there was less mourning for criminals by Blacks, and more disgust instead, fewer of our young men would choose lives of crime.
But even without the race angle many bleeding hearts would be outraged at Joe Horne's act. They already hate guns and no doubt view Mr. Horne as a gun-wielding vigilante. He had no right to make himself judge, jury, and executioner. While I agree that people can't be allowed to take the law into their own hands, I fiercely oppose the notion that crime should be a risk-free venture. Policemen, soldiers, and firemen all face risks inherent to their jobs, but criminals don't have to? Puh-leeze!!!
Criminals should realize that their "career" carries the very real risk of death. Thugs should know that they have no right to expect non-resistance from the normal folks they terrorize. The two creatures gunned down by Mr. Horne would still be alive if they'd chosen work over burglary. So the ultimate responsibility for their deaths lies with them, even if they were Black. And that's why I say Joe Horne is a hero.
I wish Blacks would get as upset about Blacks committing crime as they do about Whites shooting Blacks committing crime. As a Black person I'm fed up with the acceptance by many in my community of criminal behaviour by our males. I reject the prevalent belief that Black crime is the fault of White people and/or White society. The men who broke into Joe Horne's neighbor's home chose to do it. Whitey didn't make them. And now they've paid for their choice with their lives. Perhaps if there was less mourning for criminals by Blacks, and more disgust instead, fewer of our young men would choose lives of crime.
But even without the race angle many bleeding hearts would be outraged at Joe Horne's act. They already hate guns and no doubt view Mr. Horne as a gun-wielding vigilante. He had no right to make himself judge, jury, and executioner. While I agree that people can't be allowed to take the law into their own hands, I fiercely oppose the notion that crime should be a risk-free venture. Policemen, soldiers, and firemen all face risks inherent to their jobs, but criminals don't have to? Puh-leeze!!!
Criminals should realize that their "career" carries the very real risk of death. Thugs should know that they have no right to expect non-resistance from the normal folks they terrorize. The two creatures gunned down by Mr. Horne would still be alive if they'd chosen work over burglary. So the ultimate responsibility for their deaths lies with them, even if they were Black. And that's why I say Joe Horne is a hero.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
It Makes One Wonder Just Where Are We Going
Hey friends! I'd like to introduce you to a new guest writer for PoorGrrl Zone. His name is Robert and below is his first post for PGZ. I recently posted as a guest writer on his blog Tired Of All The Liberal Rhetoric Out There. Robert writes in blue on his blog. I was going to put his post in blue on PGZ but I can't figure out how to do it. So, for now, Robert's post(s) will be in italics to distinguish them from mine. I try to read Robert's blog everyday. I like what he says and I like the way he says it. I hope you will, too.
It Makes One Wonder Just Where Are We Going
by Robert
I have been listening to the news lately and this post has nothing really to do with politics, or Democrats, or Republicans. I just want to ask everyone: just where is this country heading?
On the news here in Indiana, over the past few days, has been a story of a couple who beat their infant girl to death with a belt. And in the weeks preceeding her death they tortured her. Now here comes my question again. Just where are we going? What is wrong with our country when we have parents torturing their little children and then killing them with a belt?
The story went to trial today, with the parents going to court over this. It seems that Child Protective Services are the ones that really screwed up here. Months ago these two parents were hauled in for abuse on the little girl and the government took her away from them, only to give her back later. NOW SHE IS DEAD!!! I hope the parents get the most the law will give, with no chance of parole. Period! Killing that little girl was totally uncalled for.
What in the heck is the problem with this country?!
Growing up, I don't remember anything aobut parents killing their kids. Now I'm sure that it happened, but I doubt it happened with the intensity it is now. And the problem here people is that this horrible story of an infant's death isn't the only one. There was a story like it out of Georgia, too. I don't know the details on that one but I DO know that we have to get back to the moral and just America of the past and away from the PC crowd that is destroying this country.
We've got to stop believing the drive-by media and start listening to our common sense and our intelligence. We need to listen to our hearts 'cause if we don't this violence that we are seeing will only be the beginning. Our future will be a hell of violence. Mark my words on this, people. If you don't believe me look back over the past few decades and notice the increase of violence to the youngest and most vulnerable in our society. We have to stop it. We must turn to God, or our higher power. Everyone has one. We must look to our conscience and stop the bad we're doing to one another. And always remember, we need God's blessings now more than ever.
God Bless America!
God Bless our Troops with their mission
God Bless my Readers and Listeners
Hey friends. I hope you like Robert's post. It's a tragic subject but one we have to face and ask the question Robert asked. After all, the only people who will save our children and our country is us.
It Makes One Wonder Just Where Are We Going
by Robert
I have been listening to the news lately and this post has nothing really to do with politics, or Democrats, or Republicans. I just want to ask everyone: just where is this country heading?
On the news here in Indiana, over the past few days, has been a story of a couple who beat their infant girl to death with a belt. And in the weeks preceeding her death they tortured her. Now here comes my question again. Just where are we going? What is wrong with our country when we have parents torturing their little children and then killing them with a belt?
The story went to trial today, with the parents going to court over this. It seems that Child Protective Services are the ones that really screwed up here. Months ago these two parents were hauled in for abuse on the little girl and the government took her away from them, only to give her back later. NOW SHE IS DEAD!!! I hope the parents get the most the law will give, with no chance of parole. Period! Killing that little girl was totally uncalled for.
What in the heck is the problem with this country?!
Growing up, I don't remember anything aobut parents killing their kids. Now I'm sure that it happened, but I doubt it happened with the intensity it is now. And the problem here people is that this horrible story of an infant's death isn't the only one. There was a story like it out of Georgia, too. I don't know the details on that one but I DO know that we have to get back to the moral and just America of the past and away from the PC crowd that is destroying this country.
We've got to stop believing the drive-by media and start listening to our common sense and our intelligence. We need to listen to our hearts 'cause if we don't this violence that we are seeing will only be the beginning. Our future will be a hell of violence. Mark my words on this, people. If you don't believe me look back over the past few decades and notice the increase of violence to the youngest and most vulnerable in our society. We have to stop it. We must turn to God, or our higher power. Everyone has one. We must look to our conscience and stop the bad we're doing to one another. And always remember, we need God's blessings now more than ever.
God Bless America!
God Bless our Troops with their mission
God Bless my Readers and Listeners
Hey friends. I hope you like Robert's post. It's a tragic subject but one we have to face and ask the question Robert asked. After all, the only people who will save our children and our country is us.
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