Sanity102

I wrote this over a year ago because I believed it was very important to remember why the national elections are more important than it has ever been since the last time America had been attacked. 

If there had never been a Vietnam where millions of men came home to accusations of “baby killers”. If America had never traded the idea of peace for hard fought honor and keeping their word to 2 million Cambodians who died believing that we would not abandon them in their fight against the communists. If the world had never seen what a bunch of young reporters heady with their ability to manipulate public opinion could do to change wars, foreign policy, and world economics.  Then what happened on that September morning could be considered another Pearl Harbor or Alamo and which party wins the White House or controls Congress would not really matter for we would be one nation intent on winning the war perpetrated against us.
 
As both sides of the only other viable party that can win the White House, debate, I hope that everyone will take a moment to again remind themselves of that fateful day and how you felt when you learned that YOUR nation had been hit.  Please put your thoughts to a post and share.
 
For it is the one thing we CAN share…the one thing that for one shining moment in time, UNITED this nation.

I called it:

One Moment

This is the story of that fateful day in September of 2001. Now you may wonder why I am writing this some 6 months before the 6^th anniversary of 9/11. I do so because today and the day after, Congress is doing whatever it can to destroy the only man the people who want us dead, fears. They are being helped by hardliners intent on dividing the GOP and resurrecting among her carcass a party that is unelectable.

It is as if 9/11 never happened.

In 2001, I was a part of a group that hailed from 4 foreign countries: Canada, UK, Germany, and Australia.During our down time, most of these people would join the Americans in our group in a wonderful pastime of knocking our prospective governments, particularly the U.S.A. because she was the big guy (translation: bully) on the world stage. I paid little heed to this hobby for no reason than it simply failed to interest me. I didn’t care what some politician did or didn’t do nor did I care with whom he/she did it with. A female Secretary of State didn’t impress me one iota. And other than the cases that involved my pet issue, I really found it hard to get all worked up about anything the Supreme Court decided.

On that September morning, I was awaken by a colleague from the U.K.He advised me to turn on my t.v.  His voice was solemn and almost expectant; the kind of tone people used when they expect to deal with something they really rather not.

“Is this for real?” I asked when they replayed the two towers crumbling to the ground…it looked like some kind of movie stunt.

“Yes.” he replied, again that pause, that expectant tone that said, please don’t get too emotional.

I watched for a bit, listening to the reporter. Finally, I said, “I’ve got to get dress; I’ve got a client that is intent on making my life miserable.”

“You’re going to work?” he asked incredulously, the first crack in an otherwise deliberately controlled voice.

I frowned, “Why not?”

“Well, there might be…50 thousands deaths, maybe more. YOUR people.”

“Look,” I said, getting pretty angry. I disliked it when things began to unravel. I like knowing what’s happening and why. And failing that, the probability and the possibility of avoiding negative consequences. “Every year thousands of people die…in hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes. That’s life.”

Silence. I didn’t care. So, I can be pretty cold sometimes. Well, I wasn’t in some popularity contest. If you like what I do, you buy. If you don’t, you go elsewhere. Simple.

I live in the country and the drive to town is long and pretty hectic. Only today, the freeway is rather empty. Except at the openings to the various military bases. There, long lines of cars waited to get through what was now heavily secured gates.

By the time I parked my car in the multi garage complex, I was shaking and I didn’t know why. I made my way to the front and climbed the stairs to the building where I worked. Waikiki is one of the hottest tourist attractions in the world, yet on this day, all I saw were two soldiers, perhaps National guardsmen, walking down the street carrying rifles.

I was all alone in the elevator and the ride up seemed to take forever.

My phone was ringing by the time I let myself in. I’m not sure why but I was really surprised when it turned out to be my Canadian client from h*ll. “Did you hear?” I began, then stopped. I could hear the panic in my voice. I swallowed hard and tried again. “My country was attacked.”

And just like that, with zero warning, I realized that I actually loved America. I mean sappy, this is the greatest country in the world kind of loved America. Tears were falling down my cheeks and real grief for those who had been killed began to churn in the pit of my stomach.

I remember thinking of the war stories of my elderly relatives and wondering if we too would have to blacken our windows and ration our food.

In the days that followed, strange things happened. People went to church, children prayed in school, Congress stood on the steps of the Capital and sang God Bless America.

And the courts said “so what” and “too bad” to the ACLU and all those anti-Christian groups.

Cops, Firemen, and soldiers were heroes again.

And for one shiny moment, this nation came together.

For some of us, 9/11 changed everything.

For others, 9/11 only changed … one moment.

First let’s get this straight: Obama has about as much knowledge of racism and poverty as Mitt Romney.

I live in Hawaii and Obama’s little anecdote about his racist grandmother would play anywhere but where his grandmother raised him.  The 50th state is a place of mixed races.  Believe me when I tell you that his White mother/grandmother would be far more likely to experience some type of racial negativity than his Black father.  Hawaii’s people are mostly brown skinned and a Black person would fit in far easier than a White person.

And while it is true that Whites have a long history in Hawaii of being the more elitist race, I even question the idea that Whites experience any particular racial tension. The 2nd generation Japanese immigrants who fought and won tons of medals in American’s most decorated battalion sent their children to college to become doctors, lawyers, and teachers–and they spent the next two generation matching and exceeding Whites in wealth and power. 

As Obama himself had written in his autobiography, Hawaii is a land of racial tolerance–and I am betting that Wright did more than just turn Obama on to Christianity…I believe the Black bigot taught Obama to hate and blame Whites and America.

Another reason for Obama’s “black history” not quite playing right is that the prep school Obama went to is the best school in the state with a tuition that rivals colleges.  No one goes to Punahou (with the exception of a soon to be NFL football star) without the funds and the connection of the most elite and wealthiest families in the state; there is just too much competition to attend.

And ah no, there is no affirmative action in the top prep school.

Jeremiah Wright may have all kinds of reasons to be angry with America, but for the Black kid that went to an exclusive private school, attended an ivy league college, owns a million dollar house, has a well educated wife and beautiful children, such anger should be as foreign as his golden life is to the vast majority of White Americans who just makes it from pay check to pay check.

I’ve said it for near on 4 years: The GOP HAD to get rid of the Talk Show Mafia.

Since Harriet Miers was chosen instead of someone on their wish list, Ingraham, Hannity, Rush, the writers of National Review Online and Hewitt have had it out for G.W. Bush.  He had DARED to not do what they demanded of him.  That is when the term “real conservative” started being thrown around and worship of the fake Reagan began.

For two long years these elitists joined their Liberal counterparts in bashing Bush and all things GOP.  It wasn’t surprising when the rest of America took their word for it that the GOP congress was doing a lousy job.

And the ONLY party serious about winning the war on terror lost Congress; the body of power that funded the war.

But it was ok, really…because the GOP still held the White House–and any stupidity could be countered by the only man the terrorist fear.

Fast forward to 2007 and America (and the world) watches as Hilary finally makes her move.  She is all but crowned president presumptive–and nothing and no one seems to be able to stop her.

On the Right, many pro-lifers put aside their top issue for the only man they think can beat her: America’s mayor Rudy.  The TSM decides to put their money (and influence) on the only man that seems willing to allow them to control him. Everyone is looking for the second coming of Reagan–or at least the Reagan of ex-speech writers’ myth.  Some turn to an ex-preacher.  Others to someone so right, he offends just about everyone other than a Libertarian and a Constitutionist.  No one is looking toward an ex sailor who has so little capital that he’s running his own tables and holding his own signs.

The latter is the last guy on the TSM’s list.  The man who has done NOTHING they told him to do…except want spending cuts to go along with the tax cuts…who don’t take earmarks…who is a genuine hero…who has been right about this war and how to fight it.

They hate him with almost the same hatred the MSM hates Bush and perhaps for the exact same reason: they CAN NOT CONTROL him.

So they wage a war the likes the Right has seen only on the Left.  Their tactics reveal who they really are, elitists bullies intent on ruling via media manipulation.  Their temper tantrums and insistance on telling the public what to do show what little regard and respect they have for the public’s intelligence and understanding of issues.

And they lose.

And in so losing, so goes the hold on the “base” of the party of Republicans.  The GOP could not have survived another 4 years of the talk show mafia second guessing and bashing–and trying to control the White House.  Now thanks to someone that could have only won by divine intervention, REAL REPUBLICANS took back their party.

All of a sudden, the only party that is serious about the war on terror is back in the White House running.  The moderate, sane REPUBLICAN that just wasn’t conservative enough for the talk show mafia seemed pretty good enough for the other 80% of America that was NOT conservative.

But…surprising (and disturbingly) the woman we knew everything about is taken down by the only person who could have done so: a Black man with charisma.  A man so Left, he was one of the few to vote against the war. And there seems to be no fighting a man that seems a cross between JFK and Martin Luther King. Any negativity is met with charges of racism and any attempts to take a closer look is viewed as raining on the parade of hope.

Ironically, it is the Hispanic vote that keeps Hilary in the running.  Ironic because Ingraham, Hannity, Rush, Hewitt assured the base that Hispanics didn’t count…that those 12 to 30 million illegals had no family, no friends that could, with their vote, retaliate against all the south of the border hatred that called any attempt at a pathway to citizenship and legality as amnesty.  This group whose numbers rival and will exceed the Black vote held off Obama-mania until another “divine” card could be played.

Just when there seemed to be no way out of the box of political correctness, along comes Jeremiah Wright.  The spiritual advisor preacher to Obama turned out to be a Black racist in the tradition of the KKK–and America recoiled.

So now, the super delgates of the Democratic party may have to choose Hilary. 

But instead of presenting the annointed one, the first woman candidate for Commander in Chief will come across as second place, the substitution of a party that was left with very little option.

First there was the sure thing: “a Mormon in the White House”…with his money, his good looks, great family, and the backing of the entire talk show mafia.

Who took a huge hit from an ex preacher with no money.

Then a Black dream rock star that had woman fainting in the aisle not only put a wrench in the mighty Clinton machine, he brought her to a screeching halt.

And just might get taken down by another preacher.

Who says that God doesn’t take an active part in politics or try to save humanity from it’s own folly?

Hugh Hewitt comes on after Michael Medved and once in awhile, I catch a few minutes of his show.  Today, I allowed a little extra time because Karl Rove was his guest and I wanted to hear what this political genius had to say.

Somewhere in the interview about Obama and McCain, Rove said that in almost every speaking engagement, someone brings up the illegal immigration issue–and faults the lost of Congress on Bush’s adminstration’s failure to “secure the borders”.

Of course Hewitt was in total agreement, but Rove asked the same question he has asked everyone who has brought up the topic.  “How many illegals do you think this adminstration has deported since 2002 (after 9/11)?”  To be perfectly honest, I don’t know what Hewitt answered because he sort of did a “I’m a party guy” without being supportive (those who have heard Hewitt knows what I mean).  But Rove went on to say that most people answer, “around a hundred”.  One guy gave the answer “100,000″ to howls of laughter by the audience.

Karl Rove then gave the real answer: 1.3 million.  Yep that MILLION with a “M”.

He told Hugh about the triple budget increase for border control…quad increase in border guards and staff…and 12 times the amount of holding areas for illegals.

“I know,” he told Hugh, “what you and many of your radio talk show friends have been saying, but facts are facts.  THIS adminstration has done more in 7 years than the 30 plus years this nation has been dealing with illegals.”

I immediately called and asked a colleague the same question.  He had complained bitterly about this president and blamed the lost of Congress on Bush’s failure to secure the borders.  When I gave him the number he was silent.  Finally he said, “Wow, that’s a lot.”  He sounded young and a bit shaken.  He loved Hewitt, Ingraham, Rush, Hannity, Prager…the whole talk show mafia.

“Who gave you that number?”  When I told him Karl Rove, he asked what Hewitt had replied.  I told him the truth, that I don’t really know because I didn’t understand Hewitt’s answer.

“1.3 million,” he said again, “Wow.”

Some years ago I was in the lobby of a very posh professional building having a discussion with one of our directors.  We had both worked quite late and a simple remark had turned into a literal shouting match.  So much so that the night security guard had approached us with a polite inquiry if there was anything he could do for us.  We both turned to him with glaring looks that advised him in no uncertain terms to butt out. The poor man was quite flustered because most of the occupants of this building pride themselves on their discipline and calm even among their most arduous clients and having to deal with two screaming females was not something he was used to.

Both Margarette and I have Hawaiian Blood which means that our children can attend a private school for children of Hawaiian Ancestry.  Margarette was from the old school of victimization that never forgave America for “stealing” the kingdom from Queen Liliuokalani–and through her, the Hawaiian people.  She believed that America owed “us” reparations, rental for the use of the crown lands (which was ceded to Hawaii upon statehood), and a separate nation like those of the Indians.

I dislike racism period.  I don’t understand how lands won in battle can be “stolen”.  I wouldn’t mind reparations if the money was coming from Spain or England, but taking taxes from me to pay to me seems ridiculous.  And paying rental for use of lands that belonged to a kingdom that had ceased to exist a century ago makes about as much sense as paying Mexicans rental for use of the lands of California, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Nevada.

I also have a great issue with this private school because while it was founded by a Hawaiian princess for the people of Hawaii, it is a school that is exclusive to the best and the brightest which means some brothers and sisters of the SAME family may not be accepted to attend.  This has cause great bitterness among families–many of my relatives for example.  The school is run by one of the wealthiest estates and could have, should have eons ago, opened up more schools across the state, instead of pulling this “choose one but not all” deal.

I particularly cannot comprehend why it is totally understandable for the Supreme Court to disband an all boys, all White school fully funded by a Southern man’s trust on the grounds that the school breaks Federal laws against gender and racial discrimination, but a TAX DEDUCTED school that bases it’s entrance acceptance on race is allowed to continue it’s race based practice.

Margarette contended that for many years Haoles (Whites) had the best education and that this was our Princess’ way of helping raise the standard of our people. Why then, I countered, didn’t her estate pay the tuition for private schools at Punahou or Iolani instead of denying so many because of lack of room at Kamehameha?

Round and round we went, and finally I said this–and I print it here as I feel it applies to the race card that Obama is slyly using:

“I find it highly insulting to assert the idea that children of Hawaiian blood NEED extra privileges in order to compete.”

I believe that McCain should say the same to those who would entertain the idea that we need to PROVE our racial tolerance by voting for someone just because he is Black.  I think he should also say:

“There is talk about picking Condi Rice for a running mate.  I hope you know that if she would agree and I should ask her, it would be because she would make a fine V.P. and a great president someday.  And if she should ever take the oath of office, it would be because she was the best and brightest…not because she was a token female or Black person. It is what America deserves, nothing less.”

There’s a lot of people on the Right that is hoping that the old Clinton machine pulls off a win because they see Obama as almost impossible candidate to beat.

All Obama has to do is be what he is BLACK.  That alone insulates him from anything the media, both Right and Left throws at him.  He can say the most asinine thing and we all have to smile and be very careful how we object.

Well I for one am getting mighty fed up with all this backward racism–and I bet so are the majority of people INCLUDING Blacks who have made it and hate the belief that they made it only because of the color of their skin.

If I could advise McCain, this is what I’d tell him to say the next time the Obama race card is played:

“I don’t think America should choose a president to fulfill some kind of quota.  I don’t think we should spend the next 4 years afraid to criticize our leader because of the color of his skin.  I don’t want America to continue to have to apologize to the world for being powerful and wealthy. And I certainly  believe that the person that commands the greatest military the world has seen should at least understand the challenges and the sacrifices the men and women who serve make.”

“Is America ready for a Black president?  I say America is ready to pick a president because of his qualifications, his character, and his abilities, NOT because of the color of his skin.” 

In every group I have ever become involved in, there is almost always a period where a number of people will try to put down specific rules that end up alienating almost everyone.  This happened with radio talk show, discussion groups, and is now happening with ”grass roots” internet bloggers.

Before we get into the rant, let me first explain the why.

I am an observer; it is part of the tools I use to determine the target market of products being pushed.

In the case of the people on the Right and the “product” of conservatism, most have never been part of the inner circle in school, on the play ground, in any social environment.  This is primarily due to their lack of being “average” or should I say, their uniqueness.  People that lean Right in ideology tend to see the whole picture not just the flavor of the month.  They are frequently the first (and only) one to say, “but why?”  The socialist accept and as such are more likely to be accepted.

For many on the Right, talk show and forums like Townhall was their first real venture into the world of social fellowship.  It is literally as though they were in a foreign land and came across one and then dozens of people who spoke English!

At first, it’s a party and life is full of intellectual stimulation.  They end up spending hours blogging, chatting during what should be family time and then checking emails during reports and presentations.

Eventually, someone remembers the great Liberal accomplishments, tasks only possible through unification of the masses.  Imagine what could be done if we combined the intelligence and talent of OUR people…!

And they start to “suggest” and one rule is laid down…followed by another…until words like “real” and “true” start to creep into the body of emails and post.

They do not understand the market.

People on the Right and those who lean toward that ideology are by nature strong and independent.  In order to do what the Left does, you need one or two strong people…and a whole bunch of people willing to follow.

For far too long, the TSM (talk show mafia) has pulled a Liberal on their listeners.  I have said over and over that the GOP would be sent to the political wilderness unless these people are taken down.  It looks like this is finally happening.

Not a moment too soon is my heartfelt belief.

In it’s place seems to be growing an effort to unite and “do what Obama’s people do”.

First off, Obama’s people isn’t the grass root, pajama blogger trying to spread the word across the net.  Obama has Oprah for God’s sake.  And half of people who make Romney’s check book look silly.  We couldn’t “do” what Obama’s people do if we tried.

Second, the TSM has tried the guilt, the exclusion, and then the threat thing.  It DIDN’T work for Romney.  I am known as the person to see if something absolutely has to be done.  My “services” comes with a price tag…I don’t do “push” well.  Tell me what you want and IF I agree, leave me alone to do it.  Treat me like an adult that you trust to get the task accomplished or go see a kid that you can micro-manage.

Third, in the world of retail, the jewel, the “flawless diamond” is the consumer “word of mouth”.  A quarter of a century ago, a little film trailer ran before some movies in the theater; they did not run t.v. ads.  It was different…kinda fun…and some people who like that sort of thing, went to see it.  Five or Six sequels later, Star Wars continues to make zillions for George Lucas.  How did this phenomenon occur?

Word of mouth.

In this, the net is tailor made.

Fourth, it is HUGELY tempting to UNITE unknown little bloggers.  Look what they did to Dan Rather and the MSM.  The problem comes when uniters keep trying to be like their failed counter parts instead of customizing the product to fit their unique market.

Most blogs on the Right are a fiefdom unto their own.  They love being agreed with and quoted; some even enjoy great disagreements and discussions.  They will write reams and reams of post if encouraged and comment on tons of other blogs to continue the network.

But they will not be dictated to.  Not even for “uniformity” or “professionalism”.  Most are like the small time preacher, who would love a large white stone building to give their sermons but would be happy enough to preach on the street if they could avoid asking for donations.

Once upon a time, most of us had one overwhelming focus…9/11 and making sure that it never happens again.  We were one nation then and when half forgot or rather, put their influence before the good of the nation, the TSM was only too happy to keep hammering away the message.

But some where along the line, Rush, Hannity, Ingraham, Hewitt put ratings above the safety of this nation and joined the MSM in bashing the only man the terrorists feared.

In February of 2008, McCain and the REAL Republicans and practical Independents took back the GOP.

Let us not, in March of the same year tearing it apart.

Let us remember who and what we are.  Small time preachers happy to spread the word of McCain and his determination to win the War on Terror.  We can do this without asking for donations to the cause…if you leave us alone, we will GIVE you the most precious gift we have, the flawless diamond known as word of mouth.

that McCain is not running for President of the Conservatives??

Hewitt is in the Amazon and had a female guest host running his show.  Despite assurances that they (the Talk Show Mafia) speak for the “base”, they have been unable to produce victories for Santorium, Hayworth, Tancredo, Hunter, Romney.

Yet not a day goes by that they don’t continue to tell McCain what HE MUST do to gain their support.  Today’s guest host asked the females in the audience to express their requirements–aka demands–for the GOP standard bearer.

One by one, females came on to tell McCain that forgiveness was possible IF he admitted all his sins (especially McCain/Feingold and torture.) 

And of course, illegal immigration.

It NEVER occurred to these women that those issues–so vital to the fanatical Right, may have been the very thing that made all their beloved REAL conservatives LOSE.

Conservatives have got to grow up.  Honestly. 

McCain does not need YOUR permission to run for president…to win the nomination of the party of REAL Republicans.  He’s done it without you, DESPITE you, and has proven without a shadow of doubt that the majority of Americans DO NOT SHARE YOUR CONSERVATIVE beliefs.

So here’s the bottom line.

We live in a country of two viable political parties that have completely different ideology.  If your party cannot garner the majority of voters to support your agenda, the other party gets to push THEIRS.

Hewitt, Hannity, Ingraham, Noonan, Rush…they put it all on the table for Romney.

AND LOST.

In the world of cards, your two aces are worth 22 or 12 or 2.  Bust, not quite, or no way near enough.

Stop trying to act like the big roller.

Either give your aces to someone who can win or watch as Obama turns the nation into a “let’s make a deal” with the terrorists.

Mrs. Obama almost single handedly, may have given McCain what money cannot buy…a reminder of what it would be like to have a Lefty in the White House.

A whole generation has been raised on the concept of racial inequity–a kind of backward racism that benefits Blacks.  They have willing curtailed their right to free speech by never uttering the “n” word; and to be extremely careful in denying a Black person anything.

This woman, who has benefited from being both Black and a woman, little “slip”, told the people of America that they will NEVER be racial equality…that the debt of humanity’s sins (wrongs committed by the entire world and STILL practiced in 3rd world countries that no one seems to care about because they have no money to pay reparations) will NEVER be paid.

Ever.

That a holiday, decades of affirmative action, awards just for Blacks, and the highest offices of power will never be enough.

Mrs. Obama’s “I have never in my adult life been proud of America” just may get a lot of people asking, “if you don’t find anything to be proud of this country, why do you want to be our First Lady?”

And, “is this what the next 4 to 8 years is going to be about, race and apologizing to Blacks and the rest of the world?”

Kerry’s little derogatory slip to the military cost him his bid for the White House…Mrs. Obama’s slip may cost her husband the same.

How ironic.  Mrs. Obama may very well be a believer in her husband’s dream in changing the landscape of America but it may be she, herself that creates the change.

A NEW America that is so over the race thing and says ENOUGH, already.

I believe this election has shown that the market of politics have changed. What used to work no longer does.  Romney with all his millions could not win.  Voters are no longer listening to national talk show hosts or columnists, anchor folks, or entertainers.  They just may listen to dozens of bloggers, which is why I think the idea of a state by state blog is good. I also think appearing to be part of a big network will give comfort to those who may think they are alone in their support of McCain. 

But for MY blog, I don’t want the Ron Paul nuts…nor do I want to tap into Obama’s and Dean’s internet people. I want people who will think for themselves and who would bristle at the idea of required participation. 
 
I want the person who may be leaning toward a George Bush medium and who has neither the time or the energy to do a JFK/ MLK remake called Obama. Someone who has gone way pass the Black or Woman thing and just want someone that will keep them and theirs safe. He/She may have heard about McCain and decide to do what 75% of the people are doing to get their information…google.

<<Reasons to vote for McCain>> may bring up my blog. 

In other words, I want those 60% Independents and Moderates that Karl Rove and Dick Morris said makes or breaks an election.

For ME, on MY blog, I want them to go to sanity102@ipenglish and find answers to questions they might have about McCain and the TSM.  I want them to find ways to defend McCain.  I want them to find a place where they can challenge and maybe find a kindred spirit.  Someone passionate enough about foreign affairs to know that we cannot cut and run, but someone that hasn’t a clue who ran for what office, where, 30 years ago or what Reagan said to the GOP convention in the 1980s.

I do not want them to find just another place to make demands on their time, their money, their energies so I won’t have anything on MY blog that will ask anything from them other than to give McCain some thought and consideration.