Obama's 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Modern Liberalism's 'Moral Laziness' Exposed


The lodge and cabins at Lewis Mountain were designed by Marcellus Wright, who also designed the Big Meadows Lodge. Lewis Mountain was created as a separate lodging area for African-American guests in the 1940's. A decade later segragation would be abolished in the National Park although it would continue in the state of Virginia well into the 1960's.

SWAC Girl sent out the news that we had been challenged. A left-leaning blogger down in Richmond wanted to know if a certain beer made in Nelson County [which had just won a major taste competition] was any good. Not wanting to drive the two hours from Richmond to see for himself, he laid down the challenge for Conservative bloggers close to the brewery to go and "tell him if it was worth his while to go there himself."

We all politely declined. I opined that since 'Politics is Genetic' [click to read], his taste buds and mine were likely quite different. We were all inclined to put the matter to rest.

But a bigger question seemed to gnaw at the back of my consciousness... why does modern liberalism seem so adverse to the hard work of good old-fashioned research? I thought that was what 'higher education' was supposed to instill in you. Yet more often than not, serious scholarly works appear that simply pull out a tired old template and fill in the blanks. The Latest Obama Biography from David Remnick [click to read] does just that. Placing the 'Anointed One' squarely at the other side of Pettus Bridge as the fulfillment of the Civil Rights Movement.

The problem is this. The writer only wants to wade in deep enough to make Obama the tragic hero of America's racial drama. A drama that in modern liberal legend only has two chapters: Roots and the KennedyAdministration. It is left to Rush Limbaugh [who didn't go to college] and Glenn Beck to point out the great thought that took place at the time of our nation's beginnings: The wording of the Declaration of Independence changes the wording of earlier such declarations from 'property' to 'pursuit of happiness' precisely for the purpose of excluding slaveholding from the list of Divinely endowed rights. Also ignored are the civil-rights initiatives of the pre-Kennedy era. While Robert Byrd was wearing white robes and going to Klan rallys it was largely Republicans who were dismantling American Apartheid.

America's racial history is far from simple, but to those who would pull out the template, consider a few facts from modern history. The Left still bases much of its 'call to action' on the template that America is a 'racist' nation. That racism exists today is true, but you don't see it at tea parties. The American Right holds as its heroes men like Alan Keyes and packs out venues to hear him speak for Pregnancy Help Centers. Walter Williams, Thomas Sowell and Larry Elder are lauded for their intellectual contributions to the movement.

It is the Right, largely, that supports initiatives like the DC 'Opportunity Scholarships' [1.] that give disadvantaged children access to school choice. The Left is deeply committed to the 'one size fits all' public school that unfortunately limit educational opportunities for too many minority children.

It is the Right that sees opportunity for all in the American experiment. The Left seems bound to the notion that America creates a permenant underclass based on minority status. Thus we must create ever expanding government programs to redistribute the wealth.

It is the Right that sees innovation and freedom as the engine that produces new streams of prosperity. The Left sees a finite pool of resources and feels compelled to assert itself as the distributor of them. The Right senses that the best of human innovation is yet to be seen.

It is the Right that sees humanity for what it is and deals with sin. It is in free societies that history is allowed to point out the errors and outright atrocities. Massive Resistance, Lynchings, Jim Crow Laws and other dark chapters of our history are rightly remembered. The Left sees mankind as basically good but the institutions have not been perfected yet. To study the history of the movement though, the deaths of millions unter Stalin and other leaders is the price that must be paid. With no notion of sin, the carnage may actually be greater. Denial of one's Own Depravity [click to read] is a dangerous thing indeed.

History suggests that there is a better way. Our own history tells us of Ruby Beck [click to read] who, with her sister Lizzie, built a dream. During the height of segregation and Massive Resistance Ms. Beck convinced Alexandria bankers Burke and Herbert to loan her money to build a restaurant in Culpeper. She did it and was later honored as Virginia's 'Businesswoman of the Year.' Every school child in Virginia needs to know her story.


The Boxwood House in Culpeper, Virginia.

A Point of Contrast: George W. Bush's New Book

George W. Bush's Decision Points [click to read] should be interesting. Andrew Breitbart reports that is not your typical memoir but 'an account of key decisions' in his life. ht/SWAC Girl

The Real Party of Change

Republicans Should Be It

Straight Talk from Larry Elder [click to read] in jewish World Review.

"Republicans can regain the White House by standing on principles — and explaining their purpose and utility. The party needs candidates unafraid to convince the American people that the Founding Fathers designed the Constitution as a contract that restricts the federal government to a handful of important services, not least of which is national security. Republicans need to show how Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid — to say nothing of the various entitlement programs advocated by the current administration — will bankrupt the country. Republicans must make the case, however difficult and unpopular, for private savings accounts, a free-market-based approach to health care, and private charity for the needy."

Blue Dogs, unfortunately are also an endangered species in today's political ecosystem.

Straight Talk from Michelle Malkin [click to Read]. What is needed is not another 'Rock Star' but the articulation of Rock Solid Principles!

A Better 'Stimulus Plan'

What if Government Tightened its Belt and Citizens Kept the Difference

It worked during the Reagan years. Tax rates went down and government revenues went up. Here Larry Elder Makes the Common Sense Argument [click to read] that the Austrians are right and the Keynsian way was already given a go in the 1930's. Some would say government spending actually prolonged the depression.

His argument really boils down to this: Most of the stuff in the 'stimulus package' really doesn't help the average Joe but somewhere in the murkey future someone will have to pay the bill. If government tightens its belt now and actually focuses on its Constitutionally mandated functions, it can give meaningful tax relief to citizens. Small business really creates most of the jobs in the Country, so recognize that fact and give some tax relief. You might cut the rate but the increased productivity of an enthused enterprenual sector will pay a lot of bills in the future.

Likewise tax cuts for individuals and families will bolster confidence and lead to more productivity that does not need to be stimulated. You can take a stand for this better plan at http://www.nostimulus.com/.


The creek across the road from Buckhorn Inn

Two Irreconcilable Americas

Once Again, Dennis Prager Nails It!


"Right and the left do not want the same America."

Politicians of all persuasions express a desire to bring Americans together bound by a common vision for the common good. Dennis Prager Points Out the Fallicy of this Reasoning today in Jewish World Review. Really, it's time to admit that there are two different ideologies out there and they are in fierce competition for the heart and soul of the Nation. Without this basic understanding of the conflict it is impossible to understand why it must be debated. Indeed the political manifestation of this conflict is merely the tip of a cultural rift caused by very different world views.

Our founders looked to the order of Judeo-Christian principles as they framed a government based on a balance of tensions that would reign in human tendencies in order to create an orderly society. Individual liberties and individual responsibilities played a large part and government was purposely limited to avoid tyranny. Certain Truths were held to be self-evident. Man was seen as a special creation who bore the mark of his Creator, yet was fallen in nature--often acting along the lines of these baser inclinations. Thus government sought at once to reign the base and give liberty and expression to the higher aspirations of mankind.

The secular humanism that has come to replace a sense of Divine order has given rise to a new paradigm where government, individual liberties and individual responsibilities are re-prioritized. Thus we no longer see the Divine stamp, Imagio Deo, on humanity. On one hand we have created arguments that if man is all there is [no G-d], then man's self-actualization is the main thing. A sense of greater purpose such as that that drove the American Revolution is impossible but we can grab for the highest experiences to justify ourselves. On the other hand, if man is the end of things, then what's so special. The extinction of some rare snail can be elevated above the plight of starving children in Africa. Indeed some radical environmental groups are making that exact argument.

The American left is actually a coalition of many of these often contradictory conclusions and yet they are strongly united in the desire to cast off the "old" constricting beliefs of our forefathers. That is why you will see those who promote the value of free speech in most areas suddenly veer into an irrational supression of religious speech in the public square. The state is now asked to take an even greater role in promoting the well-being of its citizens. The answer must for them be secular, not spiritual. If there is no higher authority it is left to us to pragmatically define and enforce 'virtue.' How else can you explain the fact that after Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac failed from reasons stemming from corruption in government oversight, the answer can only be more government oversight.

Update: One Nation--Invisible,
With Liberty and Justice for All!


The press prematurely calls elections at their own peril.

Monica Crowley Has This Wisdom as we approach the election. The talking heads have already proclaimed a winner--well, they are pretty close to calling it. Ms. Crowley reminds us that they are forgetting someone.

"But there is another group of Americans out there who are quieter, more reserved, but no less proud of THEIR candidate. They are the great SILENT majority. They are Joe the Plumber. They are us." We don't hear from them until November 4th!

Update:
Governor Palin Speaks with Dr. Dobson

Update: Train of Thought II

Opposition Means You are Making Progress


Another Cheap Shot at Governor Pain
(thanks to SarahforAmerica.com)

Here is more evidence that Governor Palin is actually very effective in bringing home a message that some people find distasteful. Nehemiah was distained by his enemies Sanballat, Tobias and Geshem as well.

But in the end, had there been no Nehemiah, there would have been no rebuilt Jerusalem. In fact, Larry Elder, who marches out of step with the popular mindset gives this bit of wisdom:

You have no enemies, you say?
Alas, my friend, the boast is poor;
He who has mingled in the fray
Of duty, that the brave endure,
Must have made foes! If you have none,
Small is the work that you have done.
You've hit no traitor on the hip,
You've dashed no cup from perjured lip,
You've never turned the wrong to right,
You've been a coward in the fight.

— Charles MacKay (1814-1889)

Here are two thought provoking articles by Mr. Elder:

Part 1, Part 2 that everyone should read before the election. Look at a person's record to see if they have what it takes to rebuild anything, or if they are allies with those who seek to tear down!

Editing Out of Context

Charlie Gibson Has a 'Dan Rather' Moment

Do you remember the 'typed memo' from George Bush's commander? Yes, it was later shown to have been produced on a word processor that was not even invented at the time. We watched the ABC interview with the Vice Presidential nominee and my wife remarked: "They're sure cutting up her answers, aren't they." Score one for the observant woman watching at home.

Turns out it was worse than she thought. This Piece by Samuel Silver in Jewish World Review catches ABC in the willful fabrication of untruth. The twisting of Governor Palin praying for the troops into her saying that this is some sort of 'divine crusade.' Of course the whole segment totally misrepresented Governor Palin's actual words and sentiments.

Is it too much to ask that all candidates be given a fair forum, especially in the introductory interview?

Update:

Here Larry Elder Sheds the Light on the 'Bush Doctrine' Portion of the Interview. One more reason I read Jewish World Review! In fact, 'mainstream media' guys, take note: I'm far more interested in how the theology of James Cone might affect the presidency and the ideology of Bill Ayers. I think these are more clearly stated than this 'Bush Doctrine' thing.

Sean Hannity has more Associations We Should Be Concerened About.

Carl Tate

A New Kind of Young Leader

This Story in our Local Paper caught my attention. Carl Tate is one young person who thinks for himself and is willing to take some flack for doing so. Like Larry Elder, he goes against the conventional wisdom in political thought. In fact it is such thinking that seems to be reinvigorating our political dialogue.

Bill Cosby has also taken on conventional wisdom. When our ancestors arrived in this land they siezed opportunity and taught their children to as well. The torch of opportunity has been grasped by Cosby, Elder and Carl Tate. May they run well and pass it firmly to generations to come!