President Bush's Weekly Radio Address

In his weekly radio address President Bush said, "In 2005, America grew in prosperity, advanced the cause of freedom and peace, and enhanced our security. Our duties continue in the new year, and I'm confident that our nation will meet the challenges that lie ahead."

Fw: Gay Rights Ordinance Passes-- What's next for the Gay Agenda?!

Gay Rights Ordinance Passes, only the beginning of the gay rights agenda in Indiana The Indiana Family Institute, along side many other conservative organizations, activists, pastors and citizens took a stand against the gay rights agenda and lost an important battle Monday night in the Indianapolis City-County Council. This gay rights measure (Prop. 622) had been soundly defeated in April, 18-11, but with some back room deals and arm twisting it passed Monday night by a vote of 15-14. It is widely rumored that Council President Steve Talley (D) and Scott Keller (R) cut a deal in order to get their pet policies, the gay rights measure (Keller) and the police consolidation (Talley) through, both of which failed earlier this year. Republicans Scott Keller and Lance Langsford had both previously voted against the police merger, but changed their votes this time around. In return, Democrat councilmen Abduallah, Gibson and Talley, along with Republican Langsford switched and voted for the gay rights ordinance. Click here to finish article For more on the vote, including a tally of how council members voted, go to this Indianapolis Star article. Indiana Family Institute 55 Monument Circle, Suite 322, Indianapolis, IN, 46204 Phone: (317) 423-9178 Toll Free: (800) 259-2959 Fax: (317) 423-9421 ifi@hoosierfamily.org www.hoosierfamily.org

Address postal inquiries to: Indiana Family Institute 55 Monument Circle Indianapolis, IN 46204

Merry Christmas!

Although man selected the date
that we choose to celebrate,
Jesus is the reason
for this very festive season.

The Birth of Jesus
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Luke 2:1-20 (NIV)

Merry Christmas to you and yours. May the blessings of God be with you during this time of celebration.

Joe

President Bush's Weekly Radio Address

20051224.a.mp3 (audio/mpeg Object)

In his weekly radio address President Bush said, "The times we live in have brought many challenges to our country. And at such times, the story of Christmas brings special comfort and confidence. Christmas reminds us that we can trust in God's promise of peace on Earth and goodwill toward men. On a night more than 2,000 years ago, an angel of the Lord brought good tidings of great joy: the God of Heaven had come to Earth, and He would be with us always."

Reader Comment on 33, 0, 2, 5, 10, 8, 0

Anonymous has left a new comment on post "33, 0, 2, 5, 10, 8, 0":

I totally agree with you about Kroger. I have sent them so many comment cards, and nothing has been done. The lines are horrendous, the service is lousy and I had the same issue with the carts. I told the Manager there were no carts so he sent someone out in the parking lot. Instead of bringing all of them in, they brought ONE!!!! I hate Kroger!!

Comments From Kroger

On December 12 I shared with you an experience at the local Kroger grocery store, and comments I sent to Kroger via their website about my dissatisfaction. I told you I would share with you any response I received from them. Two days later I received the following response:

Thank you for contacting The Kroger Co. We appreciate you taking the time to let us know of your concern regarding the lack of available shopping carts, employees smoking outside the
entrance, and the long wait at the customer service desk at our store located at 2650 Wabash Ave.

We are committed to providing you with the most enjoyable shopping experience possible and your comments provide us the opportunity to evaluate, address, and correct any inconvenience we may have caused. Your comments have been forwarded to our regional office for review and follow-up.

Thank you again for bringing this to our attention. Please let us know if we can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

Teresa Hanner
Consumer Affairs

If you read my comments from the twelfth, you can see that they clearly misinterpreted what my complaint was about. I didn't complain about no carts, smoking employees, and long lines. I complained that on a cold day there were no carts because the employees (including the Store Manager) were outside smoking instead of gathering carts and that I decided not to wait in line at the store to complain when I saw that one of the smoking employees was the Store Manager that I was hoping to complain to.

I've heard no other word from Kroger, which is a bit disappointing, because I feel that they did not do this customer the justice of even addressing my concern.

I just wanted to share that with you.

Merry Christmas!

Joe

Christmas Traditions

We're deep into the Christmas season with only two days to go, and Christmas traditions are in full swing. I've always loved the Christmas season, though several of the past few years have been quite hectic, being in Retail Management. This year, I've been lucky enough to be with a Retailer that has a very low-key Christmas selling season. We get busier, sure, but it's nothing like my years at the major elecronics, crafts, and office supply retailers I worked for. This year, except for my lengthy commute, I'm actually able to enjoy some time with my family and observe some of the traditions I enjoy.

Tonight, for example, we'll start the evening at about 7:00 pm driving through the park and some of the more spirited neighborhoods looking at Christmas lights. We'll then make some coffee and hot cocoa and watch A Muppet Christmas Carol (yes, I listened to the original on eBook this week, but it's just another one of those traditions).

Tomorrow, Christmas Eve, my wife and son will make cookies for Santa. We will then play some Christmas music and each one of us will open one gift.

Christmas Day is spent with my wife's family, opening gifts and having what is best described as a cold lunch. I personally prefer a more traditional turkey dinner, but I guess you can't have everything you want.

Most importantly, we will remember what this time of year and this season is all about. Christmas means only one thing. You might celebrate hannakuh, or kwanzaa, or ramadan, or some other such holiday, but if you celebrate Christmas, I encourage you to remember what the season means. It wouldn't all be possible if not for the birth of one special child some 2000 years ago.

Merry Christmas to you all. Wherever you are and whatever you believe: Merry Christmas!

Joe

fwd:Merry Christmas!

This time of year -- and especially this year -- it is very easy to get mixed up in the glitz and glamour that Christmas has become and forgot what the holiday actually means.

The following email from best-selling author Ted Dekker states in very clear language what I hope you will remember as you celebrate this weekend.

Merry Christmas!

Joe

-----Original Message-----
From: "Ted Dekker"
Sent: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 11:41:00 -0500
Subject: Merry Christmas!
[http://www.teddekker.com/go/?O_MTg0OA&TR=NTcyMTQ3LDE2MywyMjE2LDA=]

Dear Friends,

Once again we find ourselves confronted by Christmas, and if you're anything like me, you have mixed emotions about a season that brings hope to so many while at the same time being mocked by so many others.

In some parts of our nation the manger scene depicting our savior's birth is now ridiculed in favor of a Santa Clause statue. In other parts the mere mention of Christ in a Christmas parade causes sweeping offense. There are those who would undoubtedly seek to replace this very special holiday with paraphernalia unrelated to the birth of our Lord. Indeed, it seems that Christmas is being methodically stripped of Christ.

But for those of us who's lives have been transformed by the indescribable power wrapped up in those swaddling clothes some two thousand years ago, celebrating anything other than the birth of Jesus makes about as much sense as exchanging all that we have gained in Christ for a mouthful of cotton candy.

For us, Christmas means new birth. This season speaks of a living hope for a time when all of our pains and sorrows will be swept away by unrelenting waves of joy and bliss. During the coming weeks I urge you to fix your minds on the greatest gift ever conceived by man or God, the gift of life and power and laughter and pleasure and peace offered freely by a Savior born in Bethlehem.

Isn't that why we give others gifts? Don't we mean to say, "Accept this token of God's goodness to you from me, and remember that it’s only a dim reflection of the gift that Christ has given you in rebirth and just a foretaste of the incomparable gift that awaits you in heaven."

So be thoughtful as you navigate the many distractions and affronts to your faith this Christmas season. When you sing your songs, think of God's gift to you. When you decorate your home, think of the dazzling world that he's preparing for you. When you sit at your table surrounded by friends and family and enough food to feed the whole world, think of Jesus' passion for the lost and his inexhaustible favor for you.

And whatever else you do during this time of celebration, remember that when you give a gift it has rich, uncompromising meaning, because in it's own small way it represents a gift that, however misunderstood by the world, is life itself to those of us who believe.

May God bless you richly,
Ted Dekker
[http://www.teddekker.com/go/?O_MTg0OA&TR=NTcyMTQ3LDE2MywyMjE2LDA=]

This email was transmitted by echomusic on behalf of Ted Dekker:
1101 17th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212

A Christmas Carol

The Penguin Podcast

Need a little Christmas spirit? How about three? Penguin Books is offering the Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol free on Audio Book in five episodes, but it's only available until the new year.

Joe

Dean's World - More On Target & Christmas

Dean's World - More On Target & Christmas: "Target employees can say 'Merry Christmas' in response to a customer, but can be fired for saying it themselves."

My wife and I have not been to target for shopping this Christmas, and we won't be going.

Joe

President Bush's Weekly Radio Address

20051217.a.mp3 (audio/mpeg Object)In a radio address to the Nation, President Bush said, "As President, I took an oath to defend the Constitution, and I have no greater responsibility than to protect our people, our freedom, and our way of life. On September the 11th, 2001, our freedom and way of life came under attack by brutal enemies who killed nearly 3,000 innocent Americans. We're fighting these enemies across the world. Yet in this first war of the 21st century, one of the most critical battlefronts is the home front. And since September the 11th, we've been on the offensive against the terrorists plotting within our borders."

Fw: Stand with IFI and oppose Gay Rights Ordinance 622!

Gay Rights Ordinance 622 Passes Committee, final vote of full Council Monday, December 19th The radical left is attempting to equate a person's sexual behavior with one's race or religion through Proposition 622. Their goal is to convince the public, through government action, that homosexuality is a lifestyle that should be promoted. We must not allow such a radical proposal to become the law of the land in Marion County. On December 5th, the Rules and Public Policy Committee of the Indianapolis City-County Council met and discussed Proposal 622. This ordinance would add "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to the discrimination law in Marion County. IFI President Curt Smith was there to testify against the ordinance and no vote was taken. This same Committee met again last night and though IFI was once again there to oppose the ordinance, it passed by a vote of 5-3. Now the only barrier stopping Prop. 622 from becoming law in Marion County is the final vote within the City-County Council meeting coming up this Monday, December 19th. Between now and then we need your help to stop this unneeded and misguided policy! If you live in Marion County you need to let your Council member know that you oppose Prop. 622. The gay activists are letting their voices be heard. They have shown up in large numbers at the aforementioned hearings and they are contacting their Council members every day! However, there are more of us than there are of them. We can defeat this ordinance but you must do your civic duty! Please contact the City County Council right now and let them know that you oppose Proposition 622. The attached document contains the contact information for your Council Member or you can click on this link for an online version. "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." - Edmund Burke Click here to read the actual language of Proposition 622. For more information read the following IFI article: Does Marion County have a Homosexual Discrimination Problem? by Ryan McCann Does Marion County have a homosexual discrimination problem? According to gay activists and their friends in the Indianapolis City-County Council, the answer is yes. City-County Council member Jackie Nytes is one of these friends. Such a friend, in fact, that she is the presenting co-sponsor of Proposition 622 (additional co-sponsors are Councilman Keller, Boyd, Gray, Langsford, Mahern, Mansfield, Sanders, Bowes, Brown, Oliver and Conley), a measure intended to add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” along side immutable characteristics like “race” and “sex” into Marion county discrimination law. The supporters of Proposition 622 give emotional personal appeals of discrimination they have faced in Marion County, such as being fired from their jobs or denied housing because of their “sexual orientation,” or “gender identity.” However, these anecdotal appeals are not tested and lack the reliability that true scientifically generated statistics would bring. Can supporters point to unbiased, scientifically based statistics proving that systematic discrimination against homosexuals and cross-dressers takes place in Marion County? No. The anecdotal stories put forward by these homosexual activists are unscientific and hardly unbiased. Common sense would lead one to believe that had at least a few of the employers or landlords involved in these stories been questioned, the casual observer would arrive at a far different perspective than based on the allegations of the homosexual activists alone. However, many members of the Indianapolis City-County Council seem swayed by this biased, anecdotal evidence. Despite the fact that there is no pressing reason to pass Prop. 622 from a public policy perspective, they seem convinced on an emotional level. This is rather ironic when you realize that by giving into the emotional appeals of these homosexual activists, the Council will really be encouraging the very worldview that brings this group such pain and loneliness. These activists want public acceptance of their lifestyle just as much if not more than they want to change discrimination law. When “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” are placed within the law, they feel that it will move them a step forward towards societal acceptance of their lifestyle, even equivalent to the marital relationship of a husband and a wife. What’s sad is that the acceptance they crave cannot be given by government bodies. Many times sexual abuse, family problems and/or painful relationships have wounded these individuals, leaving them vulnerable to the deception of homosexuality. The wounds are only inflamed by government encouragement of their lifestyle. Picture a boy who is beaten by his father to the point of blinding him. This blind boy approaches two doors and a door keeper. The first door leads to healing. The second will lead him to continue his wandering. The door keeper pats the boy on the head and leads him through the second door, to continue his blind wandering. The door keeper is the Indianapolis City-County Council. The blind man represents those who are wounded and deceived by homosexuality. Homosexuals are often wounded at key times in their childhood, this combined with attributes and interests that often lead them to become loners from members of their own sex leave them vulnerable to homosexuality. The door keeper (government) endorses the homosexual lifestyle in law, leading the blind boy (individuals deceived by homosexuality) through the door of pain and loneliness rather than helping him to find the door that leads to healing. Healing only comes from confronting the wounds that have lead to the lifestyle, not from government pandering and misdirection. Government codification of sexual practices within the law will further entrench homosexuals into the lifestyle, because the ideas that ensnare people into the homosexual lifestyle are promoted specifically through arguments that are used to pass “gay rights.” “Homosexuals are born with their sexual orientation.” “Homosexuality is not changeable.” “Any opposition to the homosexual lifestyle if bigotry.” Whether we like it or not, citizens look to the government for basic guidance of right and wrong. Government promotion of homosexuality will harm more homosexuals than it will help. Even those citizens who are questioning their “sexual orientation” will be affected by this misguided public policy. It is a classic example of the blind leading the blind. Indiana Family Institute 55 Monument Circle, Suite 322, Indianapolis, IN, 46204 Phone: (317) 423-9178 Toll Free: (800) 259-2959 Fax: (317) 423-9421 ifi@hoosierfamily.org www.hoosierfamily.org

Attachment(s):
Indy Council Map.pdf

Address postal inquiries to: Indiana Family Institute 55 Monument Circle Indianapolis, IN 46204

Election Day In Iraq

From Reuters.com: "In the first election for a full four-year parliament since the fall of Saddam Hussein, 15 million Iraqis are eligible to vote and at least 10 million are expected to do so. Iraqis vote for a new government on Thursday in the hope it will end decades of suffering, boost living standards and pave the way for U.S.-led troops to leave, nearly three years after they invaded."

From MSNBC.com: "Election of the new parliament, which will serve a four-year term, marks the final step in the U.S. blueprint for democracy. The vote will cap a process that included the transfer of sovereignty last year, selection of an interim parliament Jan. 30 and ratification of the constitution in October. The new parliament will name a government, including a new prime minister."

As the people of Iraq visit the polls today to select the first government under the country's new Constitution, take a moment to say a prayer for peaceful, fair elections.

Joe

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Sent from my Palm Zire 72.

A Respite At Last

It seems that the flood gates have finally closed, and not a moment too soon. I don't think I could have taken another moment of being the care-tender for a sick family. I say that now, and I can only hope that it really is over for good.

Last night I sat up with my son until 9:50, because it came back and hit him again, and hard! My mistake, probably, as I should have known better than to give him milk with his dinner.

At one point, he came running into the living room carrying his beloved Winnie the Pooh, lurched, and threw up a small amount onto poor Pooh. Dreading the clean up again, I picked my son up in my arms, and the levee burst! Projectile vomit spewed from him, spraying all over the living room carpet, himself, and my pants. I don't know where it all came from, because his stomach can't possibly be large enough to hold what must have been the three gallons of -- well, you get the picture.

I'm back at work today, and Wife and Son are both spending the day with he mother. I did not want them to be alone today, in case hey were both still sick.

Luckily, I'm off tomorrow, and mommy-to-be has a Doctor appointment. If we get to hear the heartbeat again, I'll try to share it with you here.

Sorry about the crazy rants over the past couple of days. It was my one outlet to help me keep my sanity. If you actually read the blather, thanks for listening. If not, I don't blame you.

By the way, Episode 3 of my online writing experiment Stop The Car! will be available tomorrow at my Story blog. If you haven't read it yet, check it out!

Joe

When Will It Ever End?

When I returned home from the shopping trip in my last post, my wife was no longer feeling very well. She returned to the bedroom to lie down as I prepared some soup for dinner, and a sandwich for my son.

As I was cleaning up the dinner dishes, my son had a relapse and threw up again. Pardon the vulgar description, but it looked like his milk had curdled in his stomach.

I now have the fifth (?) load of laundry going to clean up from this mess. I have to return to work tomorrow, so I called my wife's mother and asked her to sit with them during the day. Hopefully they'll both be feeling better by then!

Joe

33, 0, 2, 5, 10, 8, 0

My wife started feeling a bit better about an hour ago, so I took the opportunity to make a much-needed run to the grocery store, taking my son with me so she wouldn't have to worry about him while I was gone. There are some interesting numbers from this little shopping trip to my local Kroger that I'd like to share with you.

THIRTY-THREE: The current temperature at the time I went to the store.

ZERO: The number of shopping carts available inside the store when I walked in.

TWO: The number of employees who had time to take a smoke break in front of the store while no one had time to gather carts from the parking lot.

FIVE: The number of minutes it took to find a cart in the cold parking lot and get back inside.

TEN: The number of minutes I waited in line to complain about having to take my sick son back out in the cold in search of a shopping cart (I finally gave up and decided to complain after I finished my shopping).

EIGHT: The number of customers in line at the Service Desk when I finished shopping.

ZERO: The percentage of likelihood that Kroger will be my first choice the next time I need groceries on a cold winter day.

In the end, I didn't complain at the store, because as I was heading for the Service Desk after I finished shopping, I noticed a picture on the wall of the Store Manager. The same Store Manager that had time to take a smoke break in front of the store while my son and I searched the parking lot for a shopping cart.

I sent this same complaint via Kroger.com. I'll let you know if I receive a response.

Joe

Why Fathers Are Ill-Equipped To Be Nursemaids

You didn't really think I can tell you why, did you? Because we're men, that's why. That part is obvious. What I'm going to tell you is why I know that fathers are ill-equipped to be nursemaids.

Last night was a very long night. I sat up with my sick son until 4:00 this morning, while my pregnant wife lie in bed sick. Every time my two-year-old little boy would throw up, it would break my heart. After the first couple of times he learned how to tell that it was coming on. He would then tell me he was going to throw up by opening his mouth and pointing in at his throat.

This is when a Daddy goes into action. I swiftly picked my son up off my lap and dropped to the floor with him, holding him over an old baby blanket to keep the mess off the carpet. If you think being sick yourself and throwing up is a bad thing, I think I would take that any day over seeing my wife and unsuspecting son throwing up all night long.

My son didn't like being held over the blanket. He squirmed and thrashed trying to get away, all the while throwing up. With so much kicking and squirming, I couldn't keep him from landing on the blanket in his own vomit.

He would then try to stand up, but he was so weak after throwing up that his poor little legs wouldn't hold him. He would finish in tears with his Daddy mopping up the mess around him. I'm not too proud to say that I was nearly in tears, too.

My son's plumbing finally stopped erupting around 4:00 am, and he fell asleep on my lap on the living room floor. So far today, he seems fine.

My wife, on the other hand, still lies in bed with stomach cramps and nausea, with our loyal Dalmatian laying at her side. My biggest concern now is that my wife and unborn child pull out of this soon, as well.

Fathers aren't generally equipped to handle the nurturing duties of a sick family.

Joe

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Sent from my Palm Zire 72.

A Long Late Night

I'm sitting on the floor in my living room as I write this at 1:40 am, with my two-year-old son sitting on my lap. We're watching "The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss" on video. My pregnant wife is lying in bed. What's so significant about all of this? I mean, aside from the fact that my two-year-old son is awake still at almost two o'clock in the morning.

We came home from a family Christmas party at 11:30. My wife had complained of cramps the entire trip home, and rushed ahead of me into the house. When I walked into the kitchen, she was vomiting into the sink. I quickly put my son to sleep, then offered to help. While my wife went to lie down in bed, I cleaned up the mess, just barely avoiding vomiting myself, as you can probably imagine.

As I prepared to turn in myself, my son started crying. Much to my surprise and displeasure when I went into his room to check on him, his bed and everything it -- including him -- was covered in his vomit.

At this point, I nearly lost control. I rushed into the bathroom and started water running into my son's tub. I yelled to my wife what was happening as I retrieved my son -- again barely holding down my own vomit. I stripped my son of his filthy clothes and asked my wife to sit by the tub with him while I remade his bed and started a load of laundry.

Since then, my son has thrown up three more times, plus a few dry heaves, and my wife has gone to bed complaining that she's feeling worse. My son is so sleepy he can barely hold his head up, but he won't go to sleep after waking up vomiting -- which is fine with me, because I wouldn't get a moment of sleep worrying about two sickies in the house.

Under normal conditions, I'd be waking up in 2-1/2 hours to get ready for work. Luckily, my Assistant Manager answered when I called at 12:30 and is able to go in for me.

I guess I'll be spending the next day caring for these two and cleaning up after them. Hopefully I'll get a little rest myself when it's all over.

Joe

President Bush's Weekly Radio Address

20051210.a.mp3 (audio/mpeg Object)In his weekly radio address President Bush said, "Over the past four years, the Patriot Act has been a strong weapon for going after the terrorists. America's law enforcement and intelligence personnel have put the Patriot Act to wise and effective use while protecting our civil liberties. ... The Patriot Act has accomplished exactly what it was designed to do -- it has protected American liberty and saved American lives."

CBS News | Where Do Repeat Sex Offenders Go?

CBS News | Where Do Repeat Sex Offenders Go? | December 7, 2005 07:03:20: "Seventeen states have laws that allow holding sex offenders who have completed their prison terms. Governors in other states also have tried to use mental health laws to keep sex offenders in psychiatric hospitals once their prison terms end. ... The American Psychiatric Association has opposed civil commitment programs, saying government officials seem more intent on punishing sex offenders than treating them."

What are your thoughts? Should repeat sex offenders be locked up for good? Should they be listed on a national registry? Or should they be allowed to roam free and continue to prey on the innocent?

If you've been around here long, you know my thoughts. If not, you can find out here:

On Sex Offenders
August Updates
More On Sex Offenders

Tell me what you think.

Joe

Federal Air Marshals

There's been a lot of fuss this week about the Federal Air Marshals who opened fire and killed a man who claimed to have a bomb. You've not doubt heard the news about it, and know most of the details. What you haven't heard is my opinion.

I used to do a decent amount of air travel for business, and still do on occassion. I've luckily never been in a situation where a Federal Air Marshal was needed. I've weighed both sides of the story, and I have to say this: kudos to those Marshals for acting swiftly and decisively.

Let's look at this a couple of ways. First, what if the man did have a bomb, as he claimed. With the action taken by these brave individuals, the man would have been quickly subdued and rendered harmless to the other innocent passengers. Mission accomplished. On the other hand, what if they had reacted as the critics suggest, and not taken such swift action? If the man had a bomb, as he claimed, we would not have been mourning the loss of one man who claimed to have a bomb on an airplane, but rather hundreds of innocent passengers who died at the hands of another terrorist. And what would the critics be screaming then? Most certainly, when it came out that there were Federal Air Marshals on the flight, they would have been criticizing them for their inaction. They would have been calling for changes in their training, but not the same changes they're calling for now. Instead, they would have demanded that Federal Air Marshals be better trained to detect danger and react appropriately.



All I have to say is this: when given the choice between the certain death of a self-proclaimed bomber and the potential death of hundreds of innocent people, I don't think there is a choice to be made at all. It's a no-brainer, and I thank God that we have men and women such as those Federal Air Marshals to protect our airlines from crazy would-be bombers (and crazies who only say they have a bomb).

Joe

GOP.com: National Strategy for Victory in Iraq

"Wednesday, November 30, 2005
National Strategy for Victory in Iraq

The following document articulates the broad strategy the President set forth in 2003 and provides an update on our progress as well as the challenges remaining.

'The United States has no intention of determining the precise form of Iraq's new government. That choice belongs to the Iraqi people. Yet, we will ensure that one brutal dictator is not replaced by another. All Iraqis must have a voice in the new government, and all citizens must have their rights protected.

Rebuilding Iraq will require a sustained commitment from many nations, including our own: we will remain in Iraq as long as necessary, and not a day more.'

-- President George W. Bush
February 26, 2003"

President Bush's Weekly Radio Address

20051203.a.mp3 (audio/mpeg Object)In his weekly radio address President Bush said, "In this new century we must continue to welcome legal immigrants and help them learn the customs and values that unite all Americans, including liberty and civic responsibility, equality under God, tolerance for others, and the English language. In the coming months, I look forward to working with Congress on comprehensive immigration reform that will enforce our laws, secure our border, and uphold our deepest values."

Reader Comments

Interesting Reader Comments

An anonymous reader has posted some very interesting comments to my recent update on Walgreens Christmas advertising. Excerpt: "So, who cares exactly how Walgreen's takes your money. It has nothing to do with your religion. And your religion has nothing to do with me and millions, even billions of other people. How bout that?!

Bet you don't publish this. But the Lady smiles on you anyway."

What I find most interesting about this reader's comments is that he felt so strongly about his (or her) position that he chose to post his comments anonymously. I find that to be a very courageous thing to do. NOT!!!

I invite you, anonymous reader, to email me directly, so that I might identify you to the rest of my readers.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Joe

Walgreens Says "Next Year Will Be Different"

Great News! Walgreens Says "Next Year Will Be Different" Send A Polite Letter To Kmart/Sears Asking Them To Do The Same Dear Joe, Because of your efforts, Walgreens has released the following response: "Next year, you can be assured our advertising will better incorporate 'Christmas,' and our holiday trees will be called Christmas trees. Unfortunately, all of this year’s December ads are already printed, so it's too late to make changes for this season." In addition, Lowe's has released a statement saying they now refer to all trees as "Christmas Trees" and have removed all signs that previously calling them "Holiday Trees." Your actions are bringing good results! We are hearing that many retailers are re-thinking their banning Christmas. Keep up the good work! Would you please send the enclosed polite letter to Kmart/Sears asking them to make Christmas an integral part of their promotions and advertising next year? We feel there is good reason to believe Kmart/Sears might honor your request. We will keep you informed as to their response. Additionally, and this is very important, please forward this to your family and friends. We need as much support as we can get in this effort. Click Here To Send Your Letter Now! Thanks for caring enough to get involved. Sincerely, Don Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and Chairman American Family Association P.S. Please forward this e-mail message to your family and friends!

If you are a Federal Civilian, Postal or Military Employee, please consider AFA (#2058) for your annual CFC participation.

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Lowe's Drops "Holiday Trees" Label

Lowe's Drops "Holiday Trees" Label:

"Lowe's informed AFA yesterday that it is removing banners referring to 'holiday trees' from its stores. All 49 varieties of live and artificial trees at Lowe's and on Lowes.com are labeled as Christmas trees.

Lowe's assures AFA that the language on the banner was a mistake, and was not in any way an attempt to remove Christmas from the season.

We applaud Lowe's for listening to its customers and responding to their concerns. Just as we alerted Lowe's to our concerns, now let's show them our support by sending thank you emails.


Lowe's statement:

Lowe's has proudly sold Christmas trees in our stores for decades, and we continue to do so this year in all of our stores nationwide. All 49 varieties of live and artificial trees at Lowe's and on our web site, Lowes.com, are labeled as Christmas trees.

The product signs inside Lowe's stores have always said "Christmas trees," though an outside banner did not. To ensure consistency of our message and to avoid confusion among our customers, we are now referring to the trees only as "Christmas Trees." We have also removed the banner that read "holiday trees" from the front of our stores.

Lowe's apologizes for any confusion the banner created. We appreciate our customers bringing the matter to our attention and giving us the opportunity to correct the error.

For many retailers, including Lowe's, the holiday season encompasses all the holidays between October and early January. Thus we adopted an overall "Home for the Holidays" theme five years ago. In addition to spanning the season, we believe this theme is respectful of all our customers, regardless of which holidays they may celebrate.