Abortion (Again)

Yes, yes, I know. This is the third post on abortion. However, given the renewed interest in the issue (courtesy of Ms. Palin and her fairly extreme views) and Elder Russell M. Nelson's article, Abortion: an Assault on the Defenseless, in the October 2008 Ensign, I thought it would be an appropriate time for a review.

First, Sarah Palin's position is even more conservative than the church's position. Here is the church's official statement on abortion:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints believes in the sanctity of human life. Therefore, the church opposes elective abortion for personal or social convenience, and counsels its members not to submit to, perform, encourage, pay for, or arrange for such abortions.

The Church allows for possible exceptions for its members when:
  • Pregnancy results from rape or incest, or
  • A competent physician determines that the life or health of the mother is in serious jeapardy, or
  • A competent physician determines that the fetus has severe defects that will not allow the baby to survive beyond birth.
The Church teaches its members that even these rare circumstances do not justify abortion automatically. Abortion is a most serious matter and should be considered only after the persons involved have consulted with their local church leaders and feel through personal prayer that their decision is correct.

The Church has not favored or opposed legislative proposals or public demonstrations concerning abortion.
Here is Palin's position:
Palin is opposed to abortion, but believes an exception should be made if the health of the mother is in danger. That's the only exception Palin would make, though . . . She doesn't make exception for rape and incest, only for the health of the mother.

So, as a member of the church, who agrees with and supports the church's position, and who is also fairly conservative, where does that leave me with regard to Palin's position? Should I support current laws? Given Elder Nelson's article, I don't think so. He seems to have some scathing statements for current abortion law.

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Why It's Critical That We Vote Third Party

I've been very intrigued by the articles posted recently by Stephanie and Rick. In a Sunday School class last week, I had many similar observations regarding the state of our Union. It's interesting that people from opposite sides of the political spectrum agree so well on what the problems are that confront us. Stephanie's explanation of moral hazard in the financial industry is spot on. Rick's list of current national problems reads almost exactly like something I would have put together.

The fact that political opposites agree on the malaise indicates to me that it is neither a republican- nor Democrat-caused problem. It is an establishment-caused problem. Neither of the major parties, together with their knights and fair ladies in shining armor, has any idea how (or at least intent) to fix it. That's why it's critical that we vote for someone in a third party for president this year.

Please watch Ron Paul's 10-minute presentation below, and let me know what problems you see with his logic...

10 Wherefore, [somewhat] honest men and [partially] wise men should be sought for diligently, and [the lesser of two evils] ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil.
Fortunately, it doesn't say that at all.

When it comes to solving Stephanie's and Rick's list of current problems--putting a stop to unprovoked military action, stanching economic moral hazard, encouraging alternative energy, getting the media to talk about issues instead of "he said she said", breaking the fascist monopoly among government and the financial, pharmaceutical, and energy sectors, healing apathy, and fixing the education system in America-- McCain and Obama have been nibbling around the edges, and that's all they'll ever do. History has shown us that.

The two major-party candidates do not have any solutions to any of these critical problems that Stephanie and Rick have clearly and correctly identified.

Ron Paul does. Unfortunately, when he was running for President not enough people listened. But it's still not too late.

The only way we can get off of high-center vis-a-vis the same tired, worn-out slate of never-solved problems is to put people in public office whose best interest is NOT in NOT solving them.

This "NOT NOT" test disqualifies both Obama and McCain.

Break the stranglehold.

Vote third party this election.

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"Pride Cometh Before the Fall"

I've been trying to figure out how to write what I want to say for a long time. Stephanie's last blog about the Book of Mormon and gaddianton politics got me thinking. I just about put all of this in a response to Stephanie's post, but then I remembered, Hey, I'm a contributor to this blog, so If I have something to say, I might as well just do my own post. In talking with friends and co-workers, and on this site, I've come across a lot of alarming feelings about the USA. I'd like to take a second and take stock of what's going on. I say "we" speaking for the USA.

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Politics in the Book of Mormon

In Sunday School a few weeks ago, we reviewed the first few chapters of Helaman. As I was doing my personal scripture study to prepare, it all seemed to be about politics to me. Perhaps it is just that politics is on my mind right now, but given that the study guide tells us to "Look for parallels to our day", I thought (from a non-partisan point of view), I would note key scriptures and some of the insight I gained from them. Perhaps others would like to add insight. (And I apologize if this is "old news" to some. We aren't all fluent in church doctrine. [wink])

Helaman 1:3 Now these are their names who did contend for the judgement-seat, who did also cause the people to contend: Pahoran, Paanchi, and Pacumeni.

This is clearly a Presidential election (or "Chief Judge" as they call it in the Book of Mormon). Three candidates with the population split into parties according to the candidate they support.


Helaman 1:7 [after Pahoran was elected by the voice of the people] But behold, Paanchi, and that part of the people that were desirous that he should be their governor, was exceedingly wroth; therefore, he was about to flatter away those people to rise up in rebellion against their brethren.

Seeing as how divided we are as a nation, and how deep the differences seem to go, is it feasible that instead of accepting the outcome of the election, the "losing" side will rise up in rebellion? I'd like to think that it wouldn't happen in America, but I do believe that the culture war is real and that there are fundamentally different trains of thought. Do we respect our nation enough to accept the outcome of the election, or will we rebel?


Helaman 1:11 And he went unto those that sent him, and they all entered into a covenant, yea, swearing by their everlasting Maker, that they would tell no man that Kishkumen had murdered Pahoran.

In all of my readings of the BofM, I had never caught on that the Gadianton robbers had been formed because of politics - because someone from the losing side killed the "President" and they all combined to protect him. Do we have secret combinations at work in our government?


Helaman 1:18 And it came to pass that because of so much contention and so much difficulty in the government, that they had not kept sufficient guards in the land of Zarahemla; for they had supposed that the Lamanites durst not come into the heart of their lands to attack that great city Zarahemla.

Hmm. Are we too caught up in our political campaigns and disagreements to keep watch on our nation? Are we at risk? Is this what happened with 9-11, or is it waiting to happen?


Helaman 2:5 Therefore he did flatter them, and also Kishkumen, that if they would place him in the judgement-seat he would grant unto those who belonged to his band that they should be placed in power and authority among the people; therefore Kishkumen sought to destroy Helaman.

Isn't that what it always comes down to? Power? Political favors? How many people out there campaigning for one side or the other actually have the best interests of the American people at heart, and how many are just seeking for power? How many politicians are willing to sell us out just for a little power and authority over us?


Helaman 2:13 And behold, in the end of this book ye shall see that this Gadianton did prove the overthrow, yea the entire destruction of the people of Nephi.

Isn't this the crux of it? The secret combinations are what ultimately destroyed the Nephites, and they got started because of politics. Doesn't that kind of put politics into a whole new perspective? What are our politics doing to us?


Helaman 4:4 But it came to pass in the fifty and sixth year of the reign of the judges, there were dissenters who went up from the Nephites unto the Lamanites; and they succeeded with those others in stirring them up to anger against the Nephites; and they were all that year preparing for war.

In the Book of Mormon, it is always the dissenters who stir up the enemy to anger. Do we have dissenters among us? Who is our enemy? Are our dissenters stirring the enemy up? It seems to me that American leaders who travel to other countries and badmouth our citizens, President, leaders are stirring something up.


Helaman 4:11 tells us that the slaughter among the Nephites was because of "their wickedness and their abominations", even among those who "professed to belong to the church of God". So what were their sins? See if you recognize any of these sins in America today: (Helaman 4:12)
  • And it was because of the pride of their hearts, because of their
    exceeding riches
  • Yea, it was because of their oppression to the poor, withholding their food from the hungry, withholding their clothing from the naked, and smiting their humble brethren upon the cheek
  • Making a mock of that which was sacred
  • Denying the spirit of prophecy and of revelation
  • Murdering
  • Plundering, lying, stealing
  • Committing adultery
  • Rising up in great contentions
  • And deserting away into the land of Nephi, among the Lamanites

Honestly, I can see a lot of sin going on in both parties.

Helaman 4:22 And that they had altered and trampled under their feet the laws of Mosiah, or that which the Lord commanded him to give unto the people; and they saw that their laws had become corrupted . . .

Are our laws being corrupted?

Helaman 6:8 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did also go whithersoever they would, whether it were among the Lamanites or among the Nephites; and thus they did have free intercourse one with another, to buy and to sell, and to get gain, according to their desire.

I wonder what this means for free trade and open borders?

Helaman 6: 9 And it came to pass that they became exceedingly rich, both the Lamanites and the Nephites; and they did have an exceedingly plenty of gold, and of silver, and of all manner of precious metals, both in the land south and in the land north.

6:11 And behold, there was all manner of gold in both these lands, and of silver, and of precious ore of every kind; and there were also curious workmen, who did work all kinds of ore and did refine it; and thus they did become rich.

Could this be a parallel to the United States and Mexico? Or to North America and South America?

Helaman 6:17 For behold, the Lord had blessed them so long with the riches of the world that they had not been stirred up to anger, to ward, nor to bloodshed; therefore they began to set their hearts upon their riches; yea, they began to seek to get gain that they might be lifted up one above another; therefore they began to commit secret murders, and to rob and to plunder, that they might get gain.

Doesn't this describe the state of the U.S. to a "T"? (or at least before the past few years?)

Helaman 6: 21 But behold, Satan did stir up the hearts of the more part of the Nephites, insomuch that they did unite with those bands of robbers, and did enter into their covenants and their oaths, that they would protect and preserve one another in whatsoever difficult circumstances they should be placed, that they should not suffer for their murders, and their plunderings, and their stealings.

I think this may be one of the verses that scares me the most. So, the secret combination was formed by a political party that lost, and the leader was supported by people who wanted to gain power and authority. Now, we know that most of the Nephites united with the robbers to support each other in murder and stealing. Verses 21-22 say that

they had become exceedingly wicked; yea, the more part of them had turned out of the way of righteousness, and did trample under their feet the commandments of God, and did turn unto their own ways, and did build up unto themselves idols of their gold and their silver. And it came to pass that all these iniquities did come unto them in the space of not many years . . .

Which brings us to the final verse I will cite today:

Helaman 6:39 And thus they did obtain the sole management of the government, insomuch that they did trample under their feet and smite and rend and turn their backs upon the poor and the meek, and the humble followers of God.

So, is this coming? Or has it happened? What are your thoughts?

Part of the reason I love a site where we can combine politics and Mormonism is that the Book of Mormon is relevant to the discussion! As the cornerstone of our religion, it brings us together. What can we learn that will help us as we elect our leaders and vote for propositions? What other parallels do you draw between the Book of Mormon and our day with regard to politics?

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The Perfect Storm

Grab your pocketbooks. We are in for it. First the bail out of Bear Stearns earlier this year, then the assumed conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac last week, and finally the government is saying "no more" to a bail out of Lehman Brothers. Of course I agree with this decision. Taxpayer dollars should not be used to bail out individuals and companies who make bad decisions. Bush is doing his best to try and maintain confidence in our economy and financial sector, but the cracks are long past beginning to show. So, why isn't the government bailing out Lehman Brothers? I think they realize this is just the beginning.

Let's stop for a brief history lesson. During the roaring 20s, capital was easy to come by. American consumers relied on cheap credit to finance consumer goods, and businesses relied on cheap capital to expand. This fueled strong short-term growth but led to deep debt. Eventually, both individuals and companies had to cut back on spending to cover debt payments. This lowered demand for new goods, which caused companies to cut back or fail, leading to massive layoffs. The unemployment rate shot to 25%. As debtors began to default, some banks began to fail. As banks began to fail, depositors got scared and began to withdraw, causing a "run on the banks". To cover the deposits, banks called loans they couldn't collect. More banks failed. Others stopped lending. This caused the economy to contract and was known as The Great Depression.

Some blame it on the government because the government didn't do "enough" about it after it happened (Greenspan appears to fall into this group). I blame it on the government for not doing enough about it before it happened. Roosevelt felt the same way (yes, I am in agreement with a Democrat, but wait - it gets even better). Part of his New Deal was the Glass-Steagall Act that included reforms designed to protect depositors, control speculation (by separating investment and commercial banking), and, in general, prevent the conditions that would lead to another Great Depression. It worked for about 50 years.

In the 1980's, (under Reagan) congress passed a series of acts to begin deregulating the banking industry. Guess what happened? Well, because Savings & Loans (S&Ls) could now compete on the rates they offered depositors, they made risky investments, including speculative real estate deals they didn't know much about, through brokers. The net result was the Savings & Loan Crisis. A lot of S&Ls started to go under. The government bailed them out. The Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation, which insured S&Ls like the FDIC insures bank accounts, paid all depositors whose money was lost. And who paid the FSLIC? You got it! Taxpayers. (Many other banks failed as well - bailed out by the FDIC).

How did this differ from the Great Depression? Both were caused by an unregulated financial market, but only the Saving & Loan crisis was mitigated by government involvement. Sure, the government involvement may have mitigated the crisis to individuals, but it also set up a "moral hazard".

Moral hazard is the prospect that a party insulated from risk may behave differently from the way it would behave if it were fully exposed to the risk. Moral hazard arises because an individual or institution does not bear the full consequences of its actions, and therefore has a tendency to act less carefully than it otherwise would, leaving another party to bear some responsibility for the consequences of those actions . . . Financial bail-outs of lending institutions by governments, central banks or other institutions can encourage risky lending in the future, if those that take the risks come to believe that they will not have to carry the full burden of losses.

So, what did the government do after that? Well, they deregulated again, of course! In 1999, President Clinton signed the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act that effectively removed all of the regulations left over from the Glass-Steagall Act. What else was going on at this time? The dot com bubble was still growing, growing, growing, sending the stock market soaring until it burst in 2001 (same time that the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act became effective). Venture capitalists, day traders, speculators had all poured money into dot coms and now either lost it or needed to put it elsewhere. Conveniently, most lending regulations had been removed, so bankers could start making risky loans again.

Here is the housing bubble in a nutshell (see if it sounds familiar): mortgage brokers act as salesmen to "sell" the loan (developers/builders frequently act as brokers). They are supposed to gather all the information, make sure it is accurate, and give it to the underwriter. They have incentive to fudge the numbers or overlook risks or overextend the borrower because they only make money on the sale - they are not responsible if the loans default.

The underwriter is the actual lender. They assess the information and determine if they want to lend money to the borrower. The information they have is only as good as the information they get from the broker. Although they theoretically assume the risk, most lenders then bundle the mortgages and sell them to investors.

The investor could be an investment firm either here or abroad, or it could be Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (who hold about half of all mortgages in the U.S.). Fannie and Freddie operate on the secondary mortgage market to buy mortgages from banks, savings and loans, mortgage companies, etc. and either hold or repackage them into mortgage-backed securities to sell. This provides liquidity in the mortgage industry. Although there was no actual government guarantee on Fannie and Freddie securities, it was widely assumed that they had an implicit guarantee. In an attempt to give confidence to the world markets, the government has taken conservatorship of Fannie and Freddie to turn an implied guarantee into an actual guarantee. The result is that the federal government is taking on their debt and adding it to the national deficit. Guess who gets to pay for that? Yup, the taxpayers AGAIN.

Not surprisingly, this was all very predictable. In 1999, as deregulation was ending and the dot com bubble was growing, the World Socialist Website (see? I told you it would get better. How is that for shocking?) published an article that said:

Legislation first adopted to save American capitalism from the consequences of the 1929 Wall Street Crash is being abolished just at the point where the conditions are emerging for an even greater speculative financial collapse. The enormous volatility in the stock exchange in recent months has been accompanied by repeated warnings that stocks are grossly overvalued, with some computer and Internet stocks selling at prices 100 times earnings or even greater.

And there is much more recent experience than 1929 to serve as a cautionary tale. A financial deregulation bill was passed in the early 1980s under the Reagan Administration, lifting many restrictions on the activities of savings and loan associations, which had previously been limited primarily to the home-loan market. The result was an orgy of speculation, profiteering, and outright plundering of assets, culminating in collapse and the biggest financial bailout in U.S. history, costing the federal government more than $500 billion. The repetition of such events in the much larger banking and securities market would be beyond the scope of any federal bailout.

Scared yet? When the speculators left the housing market, where did they go? Ding, ding, ding if you guessed oil! Lax regulation over speculation in the oil futures market allowed for manipulation of the market, and it has affected nearly every other industry: airline, shipping, food, etc. The average American is suffering because of this manipulation. After oil, where did speculators move to next? My guess is commodities. Wonder why gold is so high right now?

Look, I have nothing against lending, investing, providing capital for small businesses to grow or mortgages so people can purchase homes. I have nothing against capitalism in general (in fact, I am a big proponent!). Our capitalistic system fosters economic growth and prosperity. In its purest form, speculation allows risk-takers to use their own capital to bet on movements in the market. They stand to lose a lot, or they stand to gain a lot, but if they are playing with their own money, it doesn't bother me. However, it's when they have the ability to manipulate the markets that I have a problem with. Speculation can (and does) cause economic crisis. Is it fair to subject the entire population (world even) to the risk of economic collapse? In my opinion, NO.

The government didn't necessarily "create" this crisis. Average people are in too much debt and took out bigger mortgages then they could afford. Banks made risky investment decisions. Speculators have been moving the markets. However, it has been government's complete laissez-faire approach to the financial sector, along with setting up moral hazard in the 80s, that has allowed this crisis to happen. So what should they do now?

For one, the federal government should NOT bail out banks or individuals. Taxpayers should not be responsible for paying for the irresponsibility of others. We are already going to hurt enough through the crisis as we deal with the economy contracting (far too big of a problem for government to effectively deal with). Please don't tax us anymore.

For two, please, for the love of Pete, REGULATE!!! We are deep into our third cycle. The pattern is the same every time: lax regulation and easy credit lead to overextended borrowers and speculators who drive up prices. When the cracks start to show, lenders pull out, leaving borrowers with assets worth less than they owe. The market contracts, and we are left with economic crisis.

I am pleased that both Obama and McCain agree to no more bailouts. However, I think Obama is misguided in his attacks on McCain over the issue.

"This country cannot afford four more years of this failed philosophy", Obama . . . told a cheering outdoor rally in western Colorado . . . Obama chided McCain for a new commercial that promises "change we need". "Sound familiar?" said Obama, who has made change the central theme of his campaign. "Let me tell you. Instead of borrowing my lines, he needs to borrow some of my ideas. Change isn't about slogans. It's about substance . . . I certainly don't fault Sen. McCain for these problems . . . but I do fault the economic philosophy he subscribes to. It's the same philosophy we've had for the past eight years, one that said we should give more and more to those with the most and hope that prosperity trickles down to everyone else. It's a philosophy that says even common regulations are unnecessary, unwise".

Let's see. Deregulation is what got us into this mess, and Bill Clinton is the one who signed the final bill that went into effect while Bush was in office. What ideas has Obama put forth that McCain should "borrow" that would address this crisis? What failed "philosophy" is Obama referring to? Capitalism? It is true that in theory capitalism rejects "even common regulations", but the U.S. currently operates under a mixed economy. What change of "philosophy" is Obama promising? Socialism? Yeah, we need change, but not that kind of change.

McCain also spoke today. In a statement issued this morning, he said

"I am glad to see that the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department have said no to using taxpayer money to bailout Lehman Brothers . . . major reform must be made in Washington and on Wall Street. We cannot tolerate a system that handicaps our markets and our banks and places at-risk the savings of hard-working Americans and investors. The McCain-Palin Administration will replace the outdated and ineffective patchwork quilt of regulatory oversight in Washington and bring transparency and accountability to Wall Street".

At a speech given this morning, McCain promised to "never put America in this position again . . . We believe the time has come and gone where the taxpayers should be viewed as the solution to the problems that are not of their making. We will reform the regulatory bodies of government".

Yeah, that sounds about right to me. So, what's the bottom line? The bottom line is that it is going to get ugly - very, very ugly. The blame goes individuals, corporations, banks, investors, etc. who made stupid decisions AND to politicians on both sides of the aisle who removed necessary regulation from the financial industry. The economy will contract, and there is nothing the government can do to stop it. It is going to hurt. We're going to have to suffer through it this time and put regulations in place to prevent it from happening a fourth time. Sure, Obama wants that (in addition to much more government oversight and interference and taxation that looks an awful lot like socialism), but McCain wants that in the context of maintaining a mixed economy closer to capitalism. And THAT is change I can believe in.

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Willard Mitt Romney, will you please go now?

I feel the need to preface this post by pointing out that I'm generally a pretty moderate guy. I primarily like politics from an observational standpoint. I believe the two-party system keeps extremism in check. I expect (and enjoy) scathing rhetoric from both sides.

What I don't care for is rank hypocrisy.

This brings me to Mitt Romney's RNC speech.

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George Bush Already Knew the Answer to the Question: 'Why Do They Hate us?'

On September 11, 2001, George Bush asked the question, "Why do they hate us?" Some people claim that Bush is an imbecile. I don't think he is, in part because I think he already knew the answer to his question. The way he answered the question, though, besides being obviously wrong, was a blatant attempt to keep most Americans from thinking about the real reason for the hatred.

No act of America explains terrorist violence, and no concession of America could appease it. The terrorists who attacked our country on September the 11th, 2001 were not protesting our policies. They were protesting our existence.
Our foreign policy is entirely the reason that we were attacked. Hundreds of pundits and policy analysts had pointed this out, yet Bush could not be bothered by the warnings. He had his plans to remake the world in his image already drawn up.

It has become de rigeur to brand as a traitor anyone, not who sympathizes with bin Laden, but who simply asks America to look at the valid reasons that Osama bin Laden cataloged as impetus for the 9/11 attacks. In his recent book, Nemesis: The Last Days of the American Republic, author Chalmers Johnson is not afraid to point out those reasons, as well as to explain why it is paramount that we as Americans listen. Bin Laden protested:
  • Sanctions against Iraq, which had nearly all of their effects (including mass disease and death) on the poor and downtrodden of the country.
  • America's one-sided support of Israel in Palestine.
  • American military occupation of "the land of Muhammad" (Saudi Arabia)
Osama bin Laden is not the only one who is outraged at American imperialist actions. Nor do the ranks of the aggrieved include only radical Muslims (or only Muslims for that matter). Millions of people of all races from several countries, including America, protested the United States' transparently flimsy 'logic' for attacking Iraq--a country that not only had no air force and virtually no massively destructive weapons to speak of, but which also had been decimated by over a decade of sanctions against delivery of such things as medicines, foodstuffs, and parts to rebuild their electric and culinary water systems that had been intentionally destroyed during Operation Desert Storm.

For a few fleeting moments after 9/11, the world was on our side. Most people around the world subscribed to the feeling that "We are All Americans". However, instead of reacting to 9/11 in a way that would retain the world's sympathy, we have reacted in myriad ways that should outrage the moral sense (and do outrage those who have not capitulated to the faux morality of American military might).

Admittedly, it's not all George Bush's fault. Hatred of American imperialism, usually because of our attempts to 'enlighten the little brown people,' has been brewing for about the past 100 years. Our imperialistic squashing of local initiative in such far-flung places as the Philippines, Vietnam, Guatemala, Iran, and Cambodia have earned us the ire of those who wonder: if freedom is good enough for Americans, why is it not good enough for them?

If we don't listen to the rest of the world and start playing by the rules (such as the Geneva Conventions, a treaty, which, by having been ratified by the US Senate, is Constitutionally binding) our chickens will come home to roost.

In Nemesis (page 18), Johnson quotes James Madison
Of all the enemies of true liberty, war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded.
In no instance where the US has intervened since 1947 on behalf of democracy has democracy been the actual result. However, a plethora of current and former dictators can thank American foreign policy for their continuance in dominance over their peoples.

Madison went on to say
...war comprises and develops the germ of every other [enemy of liberty]. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes; and armies, and debts, and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few. The same malignant aspect...may be traced to the inequality of fortunes, and opportunities for fraud, ...and in the degeneracy of manner and of morals... No nation can preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.
Such loss of liberty has been the result in nearly every country in which we have intervened, and the same result is occurring here in America. So does George Bush know why they hate us? I think he does. At any rate, if he does, he's a liar and a megalomaniac. If he doesn't, he's a dunce.

Either way, George Bush is not fit to be president of the United States. I'm glad I never voted for him!


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Headlines

I'm still reeling mentally from setting my DVR to record "The O'Reilly Factor" tonight, but I'll try and collect my thoughts long enough to post something coherent.

First of all, let me give myself props. I preferred Sarah Palin for McCain in the middle of July. Say what you will about Palin, she has brought the life back into both campaigns. It's interesting to watch again, and hopefully it will remain so until the election.

Here are two important political issues that come immediately to my mind where Obama trumps McCain. I'd like to see some of these discussed in the news IN PLACE of Palin's pregnant teenage daughter, Biden's deceased wife and bedside swearing-in, McCain was a prisoner of war, and Obama doesn't put his hand over his heart:

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evolution of the experiment

Click "Read More..." to see some politicaLDS updates; scroll down to read lots of interesting posts about politics.

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