Well, Super Tuesday has come and gone and, just as I expected, John McCain has emerged as the GOP front runner, winning more than half of the delegates needed to secure the Republican nomination. And also as I expected, conservatives are going crazy. I have tell my fellow right-wingers: Get a grip! I understand why so many of you are suspicious of McCain; he's not my first choice, either. But the fear and hatred of him is getting irrational. When Ann Coulter says she'll vote for Hillary--Hillary!--if McCain gets the nomination you know that conservatives are in danger of losing it--and I'm not talking about the election.
Yes, McCain's position on some key issues is big time wrong, but the American Conservative Union (ACU), the nation's oldest conservative lobbying organization, gives McCain an 82% lifetime conservative voting rating. I admit that 82% isn't 100%, but it IS a tad bit higher than the 9% rating for Hillary, no matter what dear Ann says. Look people, McCain has been more consistently pro-life than Romney. He supports gun rights. He believes gay marriage should be decided by the states. He has opposed the expansion of hate crime laws. And, most importantly, he's a hawk on the war on terror. Does that make McCain perfect? No, but it does make him better than Hillary, Obama, or anyone else the Left has to offer.
There's an old saying that conservatives should heed in this uncertain time: Don't let the perfect become the enemy of the good. If McCain is nominated he has a better chance of winning the presidency than Romney or Huckabee. And if Republicans keep the White House conservatives will have a greater chance of having their voices heard with sympathy than if the Dems take the White House. And that's good. We conservatives must not become our own worst enemies by demanding perfection or nothing. We just might end up with nothing.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Monday, February 04, 2008
Black History Month
I hate Black History Month. I know; that's an inflammatory thing for a Black person to say, but it's true. I hate it. Why? Because it's so damned artificial and encourages a culture of grievance among Blacks.
Black History Month (BHM) was started by Dr. Carter G. Woodson for the positive and innocuous reason of educating Americans about the contribution of Blacks to this nation. That's great. But as a child I noticed that all I ever learned about Black Americans during BHM was how oppressed they were. In school and on tv everything centered on the Black struggle to overcome. There was very little teaching about Blacks' actual accomplishments except for the obligatory mentioning of George Washington Carver and Harriet Tubman, the only Blacks who seemed to do something besides struggle to overcome.
And then, after weeks of being practically force fed stories of struggle and hardship--poof!--it was over. March first came and with it a return to "real" history which didn't include an obsession with Blacks. All during February I learned how evil segregation was but once February was over the school went right back to intellectual segregation. This is why I feel that Black History Month is artificial and encourages Blacks to have a perpetual chip on their shoulders.
If Blacks are full Americans and contributed to the development of this country the same as Whites, then their history should be taught the way it actually happened: as an integral part of American history. There should be no instructional apartheid, with a month for Blacks, another for women, yet another for Hispanics, and so forth. And what children learn about Blacks--and other minorities--should highlight their successes and accomplishments as much as their oppression. Children should be taught, for instance, that most Black families were intact, two parent households even at the height of segregation and racism. Therefore, Whites are not to blame for the current disintergration of the Black family.
Absolving Whites of responsibility for the individual and communal ills of Blacks won't be a popular move. Many Blacks like the sainthood that comes with being perpetual victims of Whites. And a lot of Whites take a masochist delight in doing never ending and totally unnecessary penance for the sins of their ancestors. So intergrating Black history into American history and scrapping Black History Month is sure to meet with strong resistance. But that's the only way to underscore both the progress Blacks have made in modern America and the achievements they made in spite of the racism of the past. The American Dream was and is reachable by Blacks who work for it. Understanding that is what learning Black history should really be about.
Black History Month (BHM) was started by Dr. Carter G. Woodson for the positive and innocuous reason of educating Americans about the contribution of Blacks to this nation. That's great. But as a child I noticed that all I ever learned about Black Americans during BHM was how oppressed they were. In school and on tv everything centered on the Black struggle to overcome. There was very little teaching about Blacks' actual accomplishments except for the obligatory mentioning of George Washington Carver and Harriet Tubman, the only Blacks who seemed to do something besides struggle to overcome.
And then, after weeks of being practically force fed stories of struggle and hardship--poof!--it was over. March first came and with it a return to "real" history which didn't include an obsession with Blacks. All during February I learned how evil segregation was but once February was over the school went right back to intellectual segregation. This is why I feel that Black History Month is artificial and encourages Blacks to have a perpetual chip on their shoulders.
If Blacks are full Americans and contributed to the development of this country the same as Whites, then their history should be taught the way it actually happened: as an integral part of American history. There should be no instructional apartheid, with a month for Blacks, another for women, yet another for Hispanics, and so forth. And what children learn about Blacks--and other minorities--should highlight their successes and accomplishments as much as their oppression. Children should be taught, for instance, that most Black families were intact, two parent households even at the height of segregation and racism. Therefore, Whites are not to blame for the current disintergration of the Black family.
Absolving Whites of responsibility for the individual and communal ills of Blacks won't be a popular move. Many Blacks like the sainthood that comes with being perpetual victims of Whites. And a lot of Whites take a masochist delight in doing never ending and totally unnecessary penance for the sins of their ancestors. So intergrating Black history into American history and scrapping Black History Month is sure to meet with strong resistance. But that's the only way to underscore both the progress Blacks have made in modern America and the achievements they made in spite of the racism of the past. The American Dream was and is reachable by Blacks who work for it. Understanding that is what learning Black history should really be about.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Showing Their True Face Again
Despite their claims to the contrary, Leftists in this country hate America, her leaders, and her military. The city council of Berkeley, CA, revealed said hatred when it voted 6-3 to tell the Marines, who have a recruiting office in the city, that they are "uninvited and unwelcomed intruders". The council also encouraged the "anti-war" group Code Pink to hinder the Marines' recruiting efforts by protesting in front of the recruiting office. This is outrageous. And at least one person is trying to do something about it.
Senator Jim DeMint, R-S.C., is drafting legislation to cut over $2,000,000 in federal funds from Berkeley. While acknowledging the Berkeley city council's (BCC) right to free speech the Senator rightly recognized that the council has no right to federal funding of its speech. Bravo Senator DeMint! But he shouldn't expect any of his liberal colleagues to support him. They're not about to chastise the people who's votes they're counting on to get and/or keep their power.
The Left hates America and hates our troops. They are NOT anti-war; they're anti-American and we'd better understand that. The BCC's ruling is just the latest in the Left's long parade of hate-the-troops shenanigans. In March of last year Portland, OR "anti-war" protestors burned a US soldier in effigy. In September of '07 the San Francisco Film Commission refused to allow the Marines to film a recruitment commercial in the city. In the fall of last year Hollywood released a slew of anti-troop movies including Brian de Palma's vile "Redacted" which portrayed American troops in Iraq as raping, murdering thugs. In January of this year the New York Times played on the psycho vet stereotype with a front page story claiming that veterans were committing murder across the land. And just a couple of days ago Code Pink protestors tried to disrupt the Marines' Berkeley recruiting office by chaining themselves to the front door and yelling that the Marines were training kids "to kill babies". It goes on and on.
Never let leftists tell you they're patriotic while committing acts like those mentioned above. Yes, Americans have the right, even the duty, to question and criticize government policy. But there's a huge difference between honest questioning and constructive criticism and rank hatred. There's a huge difference between questioning the way a war is being fought and spreading defeatism in order to aid the enemy. In short, dissent and sedition are two different things. Leftists know this and have chosen sedition, hoping we won't notice. But we do notice and now it's time they heard from us. Their treason must not stand. Sign the petition available at the link below and let the Berkeley city counci and all leftists know just how we patriots feel about their attack on our finest!
http://www.moveamericaforward.com/
Senator Jim DeMint, R-S.C., is drafting legislation to cut over $2,000,000 in federal funds from Berkeley. While acknowledging the Berkeley city council's (BCC) right to free speech the Senator rightly recognized that the council has no right to federal funding of its speech. Bravo Senator DeMint! But he shouldn't expect any of his liberal colleagues to support him. They're not about to chastise the people who's votes they're counting on to get and/or keep their power.
The Left hates America and hates our troops. They are NOT anti-war; they're anti-American and we'd better understand that. The BCC's ruling is just the latest in the Left's long parade of hate-the-troops shenanigans. In March of last year Portland, OR "anti-war" protestors burned a US soldier in effigy. In September of '07 the San Francisco Film Commission refused to allow the Marines to film a recruitment commercial in the city. In the fall of last year Hollywood released a slew of anti-troop movies including Brian de Palma's vile "Redacted" which portrayed American troops in Iraq as raping, murdering thugs. In January of this year the New York Times played on the psycho vet stereotype with a front page story claiming that veterans were committing murder across the land. And just a couple of days ago Code Pink protestors tried to disrupt the Marines' Berkeley recruiting office by chaining themselves to the front door and yelling that the Marines were training kids "to kill babies". It goes on and on.
Never let leftists tell you they're patriotic while committing acts like those mentioned above. Yes, Americans have the right, even the duty, to question and criticize government policy. But there's a huge difference between honest questioning and constructive criticism and rank hatred. There's a huge difference between questioning the way a war is being fought and spreading defeatism in order to aid the enemy. In short, dissent and sedition are two different things. Leftists know this and have chosen sedition, hoping we won't notice. But we do notice and now it's time they heard from us. Their treason must not stand. Sign the petition available at the link below and let the Berkeley city counci and all leftists know just how we patriots feel about their attack on our finest!
http://www.moveamericaforward.com/
Quotable Quotes: On Discrimination
"The difference between barbarism and civilization is discrimination. It is vital that we be able to distinguish good from evil." The late Dr. D. James Kennedy.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
McCain Wins Florida
Senator John McCain has won the Republican Florida primary and the endorsement of Rudy Giuliani who left the presidential race after coming in a distant third in the Sunshine state. I hope McCain's victory will bring unity and focus to Republicans who have been splintered this entire election cycle. As he emerges as the front runner those GOP voters who're sceptical of some of McCain's views should rally around him nonetheless for the good of the party and the country. Otherwise the Democrats will when the White House and impose their severly left-wing agenda on our society. Allowing that to happen in the name of ideological purity would be unforgivable. If McCain continues to lead the pack after Super Tuesday he should become the candidate for all Republicans. He needs us all to ensure a Republican presidency, which will be the best thing for America.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Why Just This Cause?
First, I want to say that I'm pro-life. I'm not critcizing the activists who marched for life in cities across America yesterday, the 35th anniversary of the tragic Roe v. Wade decision. But the protests on that historic date got me thinking about a question that's been in the back of my mind for a while. Why don't conservatives protest like that for our other beliefs?
Conservatives do care about a whole range of issues. We want a strong defense. We support school prayer. We oppose gay marriage. We're the backbone of the fight against illegal immigration. And, of course, we're pro-life. As individuals we can be passionate about all of these causes. But the only one that consistently gets conservatives into the streets en masse is the cause for life. Why?
Liberals take to the streets in support of all of their varied causes; we don't. In 2006, for instance, illegal aliens and their liberal enablers massed in the streets demanding "their" rights. Counterdemonstrations by conservatives were always embarrassingly small, when they occurred at all. Polls showed that most Americans opposed amnesty for illegals and wanted tough border security, but the streets were filled only with those who supported illegal immigration. I was dismayed, to say the least. And it's the same story with other hot button issues such as gay marriage, the Iraq War, and global warming. Liberals are in the streets; we are at home.
I have no clue why we conservatives are such stay-at-home "true believers" on every cause except saving babies from abortion. I do know that this has to change. While mass demonstrations don't always accomplish the changes they seek, they DO powerfully communicate resolute committment to those changes on the part of the demonstrators. And that's not something the powers that be are quick to forget. We conservatives, then, had better get over our shyness about demonstrating in support of all our causes, or else get used to our creeping irrelevance.
Conservatives do care about a whole range of issues. We want a strong defense. We support school prayer. We oppose gay marriage. We're the backbone of the fight against illegal immigration. And, of course, we're pro-life. As individuals we can be passionate about all of these causes. But the only one that consistently gets conservatives into the streets en masse is the cause for life. Why?
Liberals take to the streets in support of all of their varied causes; we don't. In 2006, for instance, illegal aliens and their liberal enablers massed in the streets demanding "their" rights. Counterdemonstrations by conservatives were always embarrassingly small, when they occurred at all. Polls showed that most Americans opposed amnesty for illegals and wanted tough border security, but the streets were filled only with those who supported illegal immigration. I was dismayed, to say the least. And it's the same story with other hot button issues such as gay marriage, the Iraq War, and global warming. Liberals are in the streets; we are at home.
I have no clue why we conservatives are such stay-at-home "true believers" on every cause except saving babies from abortion. I do know that this has to change. While mass demonstrations don't always accomplish the changes they seek, they DO powerfully communicate resolute committment to those changes on the part of the demonstrators. And that's not something the powers that be are quick to forget. We conservatives, then, had better get over our shyness about demonstrating in support of all our causes, or else get used to our creeping irrelevance.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
Let The God Of Wisdom Speak!
"The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left." Ecclesiastes 10:2. I knew God was a conservative. Hehe!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Introducing: Seane-Anna!
Hey blogging friends! Perhaps because it's a new year I've been feeling the change bug. I've already changed the template for my blog Hammer Folk Woman--and may change it again!--and want to change things on all the others, too. Until I do I have decided to change my display name, the name I "sign" my posts with. From now on, instead of PoorGrrl at the end of my posts you'll see Seane-Anna. Don't worry, it's still me. I just wanted something different.
Why Seane-Anna? Well, Seane (pronounced Shawn) is what my family calls me. It's my nickname, derived from my middle name. Of course, I don't actually spell my nickname Seane. I got the idea for that spelling from remembering that in French adding a silent "e" to the end of some male names feminizes them. Thus, Michel because Michele, Jean becomes Jeane, as in Jeane d'Arc, aka Joan of Arc. See, I was paying attention in French class! So I took the Irish male Sean and made the feminine Seane, sort of a Gaelic/Gaulic hybrid. Hehe!
And Anna? That's a corruption of my first name which has been mispronounced and misspelled all my life. Anna, with both A's pronounced like the "a" in father, was the prettiest such corruption, courtesy of some Bosnian refugees I used to work with. They couldn't say my name right but at least they gave it a melodic Slavic twist. And I now pay tribute to them.
So that's how I came up with Seane-Anna. From now on PoorGrrl will just be part of my blog's title. If you want to address me call me Seane-Anna. After all, that's who I really am.
Why Seane-Anna? Well, Seane (pronounced Shawn) is what my family calls me. It's my nickname, derived from my middle name. Of course, I don't actually spell my nickname Seane. I got the idea for that spelling from remembering that in French adding a silent "e" to the end of some male names feminizes them. Thus, Michel because Michele, Jean becomes Jeane, as in Jeane d'Arc, aka Joan of Arc. See, I was paying attention in French class! So I took the Irish male Sean and made the feminine Seane, sort of a Gaelic/Gaulic hybrid. Hehe!
And Anna? That's a corruption of my first name which has been mispronounced and misspelled all my life. Anna, with both A's pronounced like the "a" in father, was the prettiest such corruption, courtesy of some Bosnian refugees I used to work with. They couldn't say my name right but at least they gave it a melodic Slavic twist. And I now pay tribute to them.
So that's how I came up with Seane-Anna. From now on PoorGrrl will just be part of my blog's title. If you want to address me call me Seane-Anna. After all, that's who I really am.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
The Church Of Black Racism?
With Barack Obama's win in the Iowa caucus and his decent second place finish in New Hampshire he is poised to finally get the kind of scrutiny that's dogged the other presidential candidates from day one. One of the things that I hope more people will pay attention to is the teachings of Obama's church, Trinity United Church of Christ (TUCC).
I myself knew nothing of Obama's church until a few days ago while conversing with my friend Robert who blogs at Tired Of All The Liberal Rhetoric Out There. Robert has a link in one of his posts to TUCC's website where the church's philosophy is laid out. I was struck by how race conscious and liberal that philosophy is.
Straight away we're told that the TUCC congregation "is Unashamedly Black...an African people [who] remain 'true to our native land'". Further, we're informed in the church's 10 Point Vision that TUCC has "a non-negotiable committment to Africa" and to "the Historical Education of African People in Diaspora". TUCC also is committed to "Liberation" and to "working towards Economic Parity." Black liberation theology is the order of the day at TUCC, but not to worry. We're assured in the church's Talking Points that "African-centered thought, unlike Eurocentrism, does not assume superiority and look at everyone else as inferior." Oh. So racism is a problem of White people only. So much for Paul's teaching that ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
This is Barack Obama's church, people. Imagine if a White, conservative, Republican candidate for dog catcher, let alone president, belonged to a church that boasted it was unashamedly White, with a non-negotiable committment to Europe and to educating European people. A church that pushed a White Value System calling for, among other things, support for White businesses and the White family. The outcry would be deafening. As it stands, the silence of White and Black liberals on TUCC's questionable teachings is what's deafening.
Barack Obama has often proclaimed his Christianity in order to enhance his appeal to certain constituencies. He has said he's proud of his Christian faith. It's time we took a closer look at the kind of Christianity he practices. If it's the kind that says it's ok for Blacks, but not Whites, to be racialist; that rejects patriotism; that embraces socialism, then we don't need to elect Obama to the most powerful political office not only in America but in the world.
Ask yourself: do you really want a president whose first allegiance--after God, that is--is to Africa, not America? A president who revels in his membership in a racialist church? A president who believes in different standards for Whites and Blacks? A president who supports wealth distribution, i.e. socialism? How would these beliefs play out on the world scene?
How, for instance, would a president who believes that socialism is mandated by the Bible react to a UN proposal to tax rich nations? Can a president whose cultural, racial, and religious allegiance is NOT to this country be trusted to protect America's sovereignty? What about the war against radical Islam? Can it be fought vigorously by a president religiously predisposed to give non-Whites the benefit of the doubt? These are questions we must ask so long as Obama remains a member of Trinity United Church of Christ.
In America we rightfully don't have a religious test for those seeking public office, but that doesn't mean citizens can't question where a candidate's religious beliefs may take this nation. And if those beliefs run counter to the obligations of the office the candidate should NOT be put in that office. Based on its own website some of the key teachings of Barack Obama's church are at odds with the obligations of the office of president. Consequently we must be EXTREMELY wary of making Obama our chief executive. A Black racist is no better than a White racist, especially in the Oval Office.
I myself knew nothing of Obama's church until a few days ago while conversing with my friend Robert who blogs at Tired Of All The Liberal Rhetoric Out There. Robert has a link in one of his posts to TUCC's website where the church's philosophy is laid out. I was struck by how race conscious and liberal that philosophy is.
Straight away we're told that the TUCC congregation "is Unashamedly Black...an African people [who] remain 'true to our native land'". Further, we're informed in the church's 10 Point Vision that TUCC has "a non-negotiable committment to Africa" and to "the Historical Education of African People in Diaspora". TUCC also is committed to "Liberation" and to "working towards Economic Parity." Black liberation theology is the order of the day at TUCC, but not to worry. We're assured in the church's Talking Points that "African-centered thought, unlike Eurocentrism, does not assume superiority and look at everyone else as inferior." Oh. So racism is a problem of White people only. So much for Paul's teaching that ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
This is Barack Obama's church, people. Imagine if a White, conservative, Republican candidate for dog catcher, let alone president, belonged to a church that boasted it was unashamedly White, with a non-negotiable committment to Europe and to educating European people. A church that pushed a White Value System calling for, among other things, support for White businesses and the White family. The outcry would be deafening. As it stands, the silence of White and Black liberals on TUCC's questionable teachings is what's deafening.
Barack Obama has often proclaimed his Christianity in order to enhance his appeal to certain constituencies. He has said he's proud of his Christian faith. It's time we took a closer look at the kind of Christianity he practices. If it's the kind that says it's ok for Blacks, but not Whites, to be racialist; that rejects patriotism; that embraces socialism, then we don't need to elect Obama to the most powerful political office not only in America but in the world.
Ask yourself: do you really want a president whose first allegiance--after God, that is--is to Africa, not America? A president who revels in his membership in a racialist church? A president who believes in different standards for Whites and Blacks? A president who supports wealth distribution, i.e. socialism? How would these beliefs play out on the world scene?
How, for instance, would a president who believes that socialism is mandated by the Bible react to a UN proposal to tax rich nations? Can a president whose cultural, racial, and religious allegiance is NOT to this country be trusted to protect America's sovereignty? What about the war against radical Islam? Can it be fought vigorously by a president religiously predisposed to give non-Whites the benefit of the doubt? These are questions we must ask so long as Obama remains a member of Trinity United Church of Christ.
In America we rightfully don't have a religious test for those seeking public office, but that doesn't mean citizens can't question where a candidate's religious beliefs may take this nation. And if those beliefs run counter to the obligations of the office the candidate should NOT be put in that office. Based on its own website some of the key teachings of Barack Obama's church are at odds with the obligations of the office of president. Consequently we must be EXTREMELY wary of making Obama our chief executive. A Black racist is no better than a White racist, especially in the Oval Office.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Happy New Year!!!
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
Love,
PoorGrrl
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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