Joe Biden's Big Adventure: The G20 Climate Summit and Meeting with Pope Francis

It seems we've entered a new stage of insanity as we go deeper and deeper into this dystopian rabbit hole. Take for example climate change.  We've been berated by Democrats and those on the Left for at least a decade about the dangers of global warming (rebranded under the name of "climate change").

 So, why is it that Biden goes to Scotland for an all important convocation of world leaders to discuss about climate change, and what do we see? Biden snoozing for all the world to see! True, he made a speech on climate change at the COP26 meeting which was far from inspiring as well as the usual glad handing and picture posing.

 Much of what he said has been said before, and as usual, ignored afterwards. We all know that nothing, and I mean nothing, will happen, at least in the United States, without the support of the corporate giants who just so happen to own the government. Besides, unless the world's worse polluter, China, isn't a 100% onboard and willing to put its yen where its mouth is, nothing anyone else does will amount to a hill of beans. 75% of all its lakes and waterways are unfit for human usage and wearing masks is common in the cities because of pollution which is six times world health standards.

China has the economic clout to completely derail any realistic chance to curtail climate change unless the West and other industrialized nations acquiesce to what it wants when it wants it. Key to its potential list of demands for any actual compliance to "clean up its act" would be cutting support of Taiwan and quite possibly "looking away" should Beijing decide to "incorporate" the island nation back into the fold.  Imagine how that would affect America's already damaged prestige abroad.

China, while not quite a global superpower on par with the U.S. is still too powerful economically and militarily to be bullied or intimidated by anyone, including the U.S.. At the same time, attempts by U.S. "chicken hawks" to rekindle the Cold War with Russia through sanitations, and propaganda, is only driving Russia closer to the China. Given Europe's dependence on Russian oil and gas, is that really a good idea? Besides, Russia is potentially the better friend where our dealings with China is concerned. 

Along with abandoning Taiwan, accepting the South China Sea as de facto Chinese territorial waters would be another demand.  I wouldn't be surprised if China also demanded concessions from the other power in the region. Both nations has engaged in posturing and the occasional gunplay along their common border for several years.

China has also become closer pals with India's archenemy to the west, Pakistan.  This present an obvious potential double edge sword given Pakistan's deep Islamic roots and connections to terrorist groups and China's troubles with its Uyghur Muslim population in the Xinjiang Province and "rumors" of some Uyghurs being imprisoned in concentration camps. The same can be said of China's and Iran's strategic arrangement, which may be based more on the idea of common enemy, the U.S., than anything substantial.

China's fishing fleet (with naval support) has also been inserting itself in India's traditional sovereign waters. It's also affected other nations dependant on sea harvests to feed their people and bolster their economies. The worst part of the Chinese intrusion is that they typically use huge shipping vessels which can scoop up more in a single catch than local fisherman catch in a year.  

The result is a depleted environment with fewer profitable catches, smaller fish, lobsters, and so forth. If this is allowed to continue, you'll see the economies of nations like Japan, India, both Koreas, the Philippines, and Indonesia deeply affected thanks to higher prices for less available fish---the staple of their diets, and the grim possible of rising poverty and even starvation if not curtailed. 

As an aside, China has also been busy buying up options on natural mineral resources throughout the world, most notably Africa and Latin America along with the rights to fresh water sources (not unlike a few American corporations). It's worth noting that they pay little concern to the environmental damage they cause. With what all that is at stake, you'd think Biden would want to take his naps elsewhere or have someone more "awake" sitting in on these discussions.

Another (we'll call it "interesting") episode took place just before the climate conference, and that was Biden's meeting with Pope Francis in Vatican City, ahead of the G20 Summit and his meeting with France's Macron. Biden, as most people know, is a devout Catholic which makes his stand, as a Democrat, on abortion rather precarious. Some conservative bishops have been calling for Biden's exclusion from communion because of it.

The meeting, Biden's fourth with Pope Francis, but first as President, started off with his usual tired old quip ("Hi, I'm Jill's husband"). Biden presented the Pope with a gold coin depicting the Seal of the United States on one side and outline of Delaware on the other and "the 261st unit" his son had served with (the 261st is a tactical signal brigade which provides command and control to other units).

Officially, the meeting had been scheduled to discuss  a variety of issues ranging from climate change, poverty, the COVID pandemic, and global economics. However rumors persisted that Biden's real agenda concerned whether or not he would receive communion. The Vatican has declined to comment.

It's should be pointed out that the 75 minute meeting (unusually long by Vatican standards) was to be televised live but for some reason, was shut down about halfway in without any comment beyond the Pope and Biden wanting to discuss issues "informally"...but that's not all that allegedly happened.

According to a tweet from Amy Tarkanian, the former Nevada Republican State Chairwoman and wife of Republican Attorney Danny Tarkanian, the meeting with the Pope ran usually long because...how to say this politely...President Biden had a "bathroom incident" which had to be dealt with first.  Ms. Tarkanian even managed to post a picture to backup her tweet. Almost instantaneously, the tweet and the picture went viral. Not unexpectedly, comments (and snarky remarks) poured in.

Here's the problem as I see it. While I'm not a big fan of "Slow Joe" by a long shot, we need to remember that Biden is an "well worn" 78 year old with a lot of health issues (he'll be 79 on November 20th). Never mind the rumors and allegations of dementia or other cognitive illnesses, Biden has suffered two brain aneurysms (one actually ruptured) and developed deep vein thrombosis along with pulmonary embolism.  Brain aneurysms can lead to strokes and be possibly fatal if left untreated. 

In watching Biden's speeches from the "get-go" of his presidential campaign, it appears obvious to just about everyone (even anti-Trumpsters) that something is wrong with Ole Joe. It appeared he was being coached and fed answers practically every step of the way in his speeches (especially during debates where wires from an ear piece could be seen under his jacket and Biden doesn't wear a hearing aid).

When Biden speaks without a teleprompter, his remarks are often muddled and occasionally incoherent, but then again, Obama's speeches weren't worth a damn without a teleprompter either.  It's been reported that he requires questions be submitted in advanced when being interviewed, and he's always got someone there off camera coaching him. Often he doesn't even take unscripted questions from reporters; he just makes his comments and walks off stage. Clearly there's something very wrong.

This leads to another observation. Without Ms. Tarkanian's tweet and picture I would have chalked this is up just another partisan low, albeit an especially cruel one. But there was a picture, which if real, just makes me feel sorry for Biden (the picture I saw looks like it was taken on a golf course and you can't see the man's face, which seems phony to me). It's also a sad commentary on society in just how fast everyone was to make fun of an obviously sick old man...President or not. Democrat or not.

It's obvious, or should be, to everyone that Joe Biden should never ever had been made president. Yes, he was qualified (more so than Obama or Trump). However, he also had a questionable past which included admissions of plagiarism, wanting to cut Social Security (which he called an "entitlement"), support for the Hyde Amendment (which prohibited using Medicaid dollars for abortions under any circumstances), support of NAFTA and claims of being a "fair trader" (anti-union), and so on.

Face it, if anybody, and I mean anybody but Trump was the Republican nominee, Joe Biden wouldn't be president right now, such was the visceral hatred for the man. Given the pandemic, the vaccination revolt and resulting labor shortage plus China's growing clout and aggressiveness, signs of inflation,rising prices, the Afghanistan debacle, and America's deep (and largely manufactured) divisions, Biden is the wrong man at the wrong time in American and world history.

Nevertheless, Trump was the GOP nominee just when America is more divided than at any time since just before the Civil War. China is on the move, as are many of the terrorist organizations who perceive a weak America. Several intelligent agencies now predict a major terrorist event in the U.S. within the next five to ten years. Biden also just recently made another gaff when he "apologized" to world leaders for the Trump Presidency and its policies.

Folks, in case you didn't know, there are several things the former and sitting presidents have informally agreed to do and not to do. One of those "rules" is to never openly criticized another president or their policies, but he did. In doing so, Biden in affect disavowed the Trump Presidency. If you want to bring the country together, that's not how you do it. All Biden succeeded in doing was throwing gasoline on a raging bonfire.

It's worth noting that there was no hue and cry from the Republican Establishment or the corporate controlled media since all sides see the Trump Presidency as nothing more than an aberration; a folly created by the unwashed and uncouth masses who didn't know any better than not to play the game---vote for a pre-vetted cardboard cutout on the Right, ignored the pre-vetted rich "socialist" insider on the Left, and finally allow Hillary her long overdue coronation (and stay tuned for one "Benghazi" of a presidency!). But that's not how it happened.

What happened was that the Establishment was challenged, albeit a bit haphazardly, by a non-politician. This was more than the usual campaign rhetoric and meaningless promises we've all come to expect. This was real. Despite every underhanded and dirty trick they could conjure, "The Donald" remained. But as the reelection loomed, Nancy Pelosi herself said that Trump "won't be allowed to be president again". Allowed? Isn't that our decision? As it turned out, apparently not.

Joe Biden was elected (or "selected" if you prefer) as a his reward for years of dedicated service to the party and the ruling Oligarchy. However, more and more it appears that he's little more than a placeholder. If you agree with that premise, you by default would agree that the American President has become hollow; a figurehead or puppet.

However, that doesn't mean the presidency itself has become equally hollow. It remains the "Imperial Presidency" except it's those behind the scenes, by whatever name you care to give it--- the "secret cabal", "deep state", the "shadow government", the "Corporate State", or simply the Oligarchy who remain firmly in charge of all the apparatuses of real power in and out of government. 

It's up to us regardless of party, race, gender, orientation, religion, or any other artificial divisions to restore the government of our Founders. But, rest assured, time is quickly running out and our enemies aren't waiting around to see what we decide. So, I ask you, what will you do? 

 

How China's Expanding Fishing Fleet Is Depleting the World's Oceans

China and Iran: Economic, Political, and Military Relations

Why 'Poopy Pants Biden' Memes Trended After POTUS Meeting with Pope Francis

A Closer Look At Joe Biden's Health

 

 

 

The COVID-19 Pandemic: The Chinese Connection

I don't know about you, but I have a lot of questions about this pandemic. There are some things which just don't add up. Perhaps you feel the same way. It seems that we're not being told the whole truth about what's going on. Maybe I'm just being a little paranoid; the result of being "grounded" by the government for too long. However, in doing some research on the virus, I came across some interesting information which I wanted to share with you.

China claims that the virus was a creation of the CIA (the perennial villain of conspiracy buffs everywhere). Somehow it was planted in Wuhan City or the Hubei province either by an agent or unwitting tourist or business person. The reason was to discredit China in response to the increasing tensions between China and the U.S. over trade issues and China's increased military presence in the China Sea and Indian Ocean.

China maintains they are merely protecting their maritime sovereignty as well as exercising their rights under international maritime laws to operate in international waters. Besides, they were just as surprised by the pandemic as anyone else but better prepared to deal with such an outbreak.

The U.S. and China have been butting heads over trade. Specifically, over opening up markets in China and maintaining price parody (China underwrites some of its industries, thus enabling them to undercut prices and create an unfair price advantage while restricting their markets to imports) as well as over issues such as safety and quality control (there has long been instances of tainted dog and baby food, toxic paint, poor quality, etc). Important issues to be sure but hardly worth risking a biological war.

China has of recent been flexing its naval muscle in the region. They have enlarged their naval fleet and feel confident enough to even threaten the U.S. Navy to stay out of the China Sea, which it is now claiming as its own. However, these waters have traditionally been considered international and open, although parts of the China Sea have historically been claimed by Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, and even the Philippines. Additionally, incursions by Chinese fishing vessels in the Indian Ocean has ramped up tensions with India, who claim that these vessels are in their territorial waters.

There are also two side issues which bear mentioning as well. The first was the large and growing protests against China's perceived increasing suppression of freedoms in Hong Kong. The protesters claim that Beijing is trying to completely snuff out any democracy and bring the former British colony fully under its control. Beijing, on the other hand, insists they are only trying to bring Hong Kong in line with the rest of China and remove any "radical agents". Besides, it's an internal security matter and none of anyone's business.

The second issue is, of course, Taiwan, which Beijing claims as a rouge province. As such, they've repeated stated that they "reserve the right" to bring the island nation under the direct control of Beijing at their discretion. Taiwan has been a independent nation since 1949 when the Chinese Nationalists led by General Chiang Kai-shek fled to the island following their defeat by the Communists under Mao Zedong. Let's take this issue first.

The Communist government in Beijing has long insisted that the Taiwanese government is "illegitimate" and vowed that reunification will take place willingly or not. Efforts to isolate the country politically and economically has been part of this policy. As a result, Taiwan has maintained a strong and well trained military while trying to maintain close relationships with other nations in the region and globally. Some analysts believe that China's recent increase in its naval as well as commercial fleet has been an extension of their policy to further isolate the island nation. This, naturally, would include keeping the U.S. Navy at arm's length from the region.

Over the years there has been numerous attempts to hack America's electronic grid, including government and key commercial sites, acquire strategic technology, and finding ways to cripple our ability to react quickly to a crisis. It's thought by some that this is being done as a precursor to an invasion of Taiwan since many of these hacks are thought to have originated from a Chinese military cyber-warfare unit, PLA 61398.

The Chinese military are known to be perfecting their ability to conduct electromagnetic pulses (EMP) attacks which would severely disrupt any electronic devise from microwaves, computers, and cell phones to military hardware, aircraft, radars, telecommunications, power stations, or low orbit satellites, thus rendering a nation deaf, dumb, and blind anywhere from a few hours to weeks or more.

The protests in Hong Kong started in June of 2019. They revolved around a bill introduced in April that would allow residents to be extradited to the mainland for trial and other legal matters, Since 1997, when the British returned the colony to China, Hong Kong has been allowed a large measure of autonomy from Beijing, especially in judicial matters and a measure of democracy which includes freedom of speech and expression. However, the police and security forces follow Beijing.

Although the bill was withdrawn in September, the damage was done. Whatever trust existed between "HongKongers" as they're called and Beijing appears broken. The protests, which started small, has grown exponentially as the police became increasingly aggressive. In addition, the demands of the protestors have gone demanding the bill be scraped and no prosecution of protesters to demanding that Hong Kong be guaranteed independence and democracy.

Not surprisingly, Beijing's response was an unequivocal "no" (the exact answer from Chinese President Xi Jinping was that "bodies would be smashed and bones ground to power"). China is also experiencing increased violence in some of its western provinces, particularly in Xinjiang among the Uyghur and Hui Muslim populations. The greatest fear is the possibility of their adoption of radical Wahhabism and subsequent Jihads which have infected the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Southeast Asia.

China is under mounting pressure internally. In additions to these issues, China is facing economic problems stemming from growing the economy too quickly. The result has been a slowly declining GDP, over-development, high debt coupled with high savings and low spending and even lower industrial productive, not to mention shoddy quality. It has become less innovative and overly export dependent. It is also experiencing its own income gap, not only within the cities where many young professionals are unable to afford to live, but between the cities and interior of the country which remains rural. These new professionals are wanting more personal and economic freedom, which translates to political freedom. The result is that China, the world's most populous country, is in trouble.

It's worth noting that the Chinese military allegedly maintains a bio-lab facility in Wuhan where the virus first appeared (denied by the way) along with a civilian lab, the Wuhan Institute of Virology, had been conducting research with bats having a 96% similarly to the COVID-19 virus.

It's been speculated by the White House's Coronavirus Task Force that the virus may have managed to escape from a lab and possibly infected some animal which, in turn, infected humans. It's just as possible that the virus infected humans direct. Given China's history of poor quality control (as mentioned earlier), this wouldn't be surprising. As an interesting aside, outside of Wuhan and the Hubei province, the presence of the COVID-19 virus is virtually non-existent. As for the labs, China has been trying to increase its presence in the $1.2 trillion dollar global pharmaceutical market as well.

It's likely that the Chinese government was well aware of the virus long before it became public. After all, they had been quieting buying up N-95 masks and personal protection equipment for months prior to the announcement. Nevertheless, had Beijing been more forthcoming instead of trying to redirect attention elsewhere, it's possible---even likely---the world could have prepared more quickly than it did. The result would have been fewer people infected and a lot of lives saved. In this "brave new world" of globalism, playing this kind of antiquated politics is both inhumane and tantamount to an act of war. Perhaps that's part of the "missing piece" to the puzzle of what's going on.

It's also worth noting that since the outbreak of this pandemic we've heard nothing further from the Hong Kong protesters. It's almost like they never existed like the 1989 Tiananmen Square protesters isn't it? There's no doubt that with the world's attention focused on coping with the virus and nightly body counts reminiscent of the Vietnam War, China and other countries such as Iran, Chile, France, Indonesia, who were facing mounting calls for greater democracy and reform, will use the occasion to snuff out any dissent. As British Prime Minister Winston Churchill once said, "never waste a good crisis".

The issues with China are only a small part of this current global crisis. There are others; many others. The world that will come out on the other side of this pandemic will be much like it was in most ways, but very different in other ways. People will still do all the things they've always done, but we will find that are freedoms are not quite as "free" as they once were.

We will have to accept more regulation of our daily lives. Gatherings will be tightly regulated. The government will exercise its "right" to monitor or restrict our movements. Healthcare will become more controlled, perhaps it will include who gets treated and to what extent. Maybe even vaccinations will become mandatory. No proof of vaccination? No entry. No sale. Our electronic communications are already monitored and we seem to be alright with that for some reason. Will we after our smart phones go from being conveniences to our own personal jailer? Shortages will be more commonplace even though there's more than enough food and other items available.

There's no question that it will be a very different world. The question is whether it will be one constructed by the Oligarchs who want nothing less than to total control or will it be one that we make? Will we accept a world where we exist within strictly defined electronic cages? A world where there is only the ruled and the rulers, with freedom being "allowed" instead of a natural right; to be given or taken at the whelms of some technocrat?

So while we sit around in quarantine like children in timeout, give some serious thought to what kind of world do you want after you're "permitted" to go back out and earn a living (assuming you still even have a job). Which one of your Constitutional or natural rights are you willing to surrender for the government's "greater good"? How far will you allow Big Brother or bigger Big Business to control your life? It's worth thinking about, if not for you, then for your children and their children.



Estimating the true number of China's COVID-19 cases

Wuhan Institute of Virology
The Hong Kong protests explained in 100 and 500 words

The Common Element Uniting Worldwide Protests
We've check 100 years of protests in 150 countries...

Like Ancient Nimrud--Are We Consigned for Rubble Too?

As just about everyone knows, I love history, especially ancient history. In fact, I consider myself a amateur historian. Ancient history tells us so much about ourselves; our origins; what motivated us; how we adapted and survived. It reminds us of our greatness and our weakness. In history too we see great leaps of knowledge, from reading and writing, to the use of the wheel and development of chariots, ways to harness nature such as improved ways to farm or animal husbandry. When reading about an ancient culture, I occasionally wonder who was the first person to come up with some unique idea? Was he a leader or perhaps a warrior? Perhaps some outcast or misfit? Maybe it was a woman who came up with the idea. Certainly they had more "free time" while the guys were out hunting or warring. What provoked the idea? Was it a survival need which had to be met or was it while relaxing and laying around daydreaming? Was it some group brainstorming? Maybe it was something like today. The guy get home after a week to two on the road pillaging and plundering, and the wife says "hey we have to find a way to do this or fix that, here's what I came up with" and the man goes off to tinker with it. He gets some of his pals over for a few beers and between them, they come up with a solution. Maybe it's true that nothing really ever changes.

I think that if I had it to do all over again, I would have been an archeologist, focusing on my two favorite historical epochs,

Mycenaean Greece (think Trojan War and the legendary epics of the "Heroes" like Jason, Achilles, Odysseus and Hercules) and the corresponding early Biblical period (think Moses and the Exodus up to the split between Judah and Israel). Most historians will tell you these people or events were real, at least partially real. Every myth contains at least a kernel of truth to it. But history, especially ancient history tells us something else. It tells us who we are. It is a reflection of our collective souls. That's why it really bothered me when I recently read about ISIS destroying some ancient sites and museum pieces recently. I couldn't help but think about what all those places and things had witnessed down through the centuries; what they had endured; the people and events which passed by them, only to be erased from history by a bunch of religious psychopaths.

One of the places destroyed was the ancient city of Nimrud, named after the mythical hunter and king, Nimrod and located about 20 miles outside of modern Mosul. According to legend, Nimrod built the foundations of the city. The city was enlarged by the historical king Shalaneeser 1 (1274 BCE - 1245 BCE) during the Middle Assyrian Empire. It was to remain the capital and royal residence of the Assyrian Empire until around 700 BCE when the Assyrian capital was moved to Nineveh. Nevertheless, it remained a principal city for several more centuries. The ancient Israelites, Greeks, Romans, and many others wrote about Nimrud. The site contained some of the best known statutes and other Near Eastern artifacts, with many ending up (thankfully) in the most exclusive museums in the world. Today, it's a thriving city and the region is, or rather, was the home of many of Iraq's Christians.

On March 5th, the terrorist group ISIS blew several locations at Nimrud, and then bulldozed the rest. Among the sites also destroyed was the Mosque and burial site of Jonah (as in the whale), Mosque of the Prophet Seth, and the Mosque of the Prophet Jirjis, located in Mosul along with thousands of ancient manuscripts and rare one-of-a-kind books. Earlier, in February, ISIS attacked a museum in Mosul, and using sledgehammers, destroyed even more ancient artifacts belonging to the Akkadian Kingdom, the first known kingdom in the world along with other ancient Assyrian, Babylonian, and Hellenists artifacts. ISIS also announced that it would destroy the famed gates of Nineveh. Meanwhile ISIS went on to destroy the ancient Parthian city of Hatra.

Hatra is located about 180 miles northwest of Baghdad and about 68 miles southwest of Mosul. Most people would recognize some of the monuments of Hatra from the opening scenes from the 1973 movie "The Exorcist", however, its ancient structures can be seen in just about any decent book about the Near East. The city itself was founded around the latter half of the second century BCE by one of Alexander the Great's generals, Seleucis 1 Nicator, founder of the Seleucid Dynasty. It was later capture by the Parthians around the 1st Century ACE, where it became one of the great cities of antiquity, known as an important religious and trading center. The city withstood countless assaults down through the ages, including those by the Roman generals Trajan and Septimius Severus. In time, Hatra became known as the "Alexandra of the East" for its peaceful infusion of regional cultures and religions.

I wonder if it was this reputation, as ancient as it might be, for tolerance that lay at the core for ISIS destroying it. Nimrud

too became a city known for its infusion of cultures and religions. Perhaps there's something to that after all since tolerance is not a word to be found in their lexicon. However, I think it's best to hear what ISIS itself said about the destruction of all these site. They claim that their Prophet Mohammed order the destruction of all "idols", and that includes all places where they are to be found they say. One has to wonder if they gave any consideration to the fact that other Moslem figures, and those much closer in both time and relationship to Mohammed, visited many of these very same places and did nothing. In 2001, members of the Taliban destroyed two of the oldest and tallest statutes of Buddha. Not reported by the corporate media was the destruction of Hindu and Buddhists statutes and sites in the Maldives in 2012 by Moslem extremists. In October of the same year, 19 Buddhist temples were vandalized by Moslem mobs in Bangladesh not to the mention terror attack on Mumbai in 2008.

In June 2014, a Moslem Saudi student, visiting Japan vandalized a Buddhist Temple and destroyed many of its statutes. Dozens of Hindu temples and shops have been attacked and burned in recent years as well. From 2007 until recently, dozens of Christian religious sites have been looted, burned, and destroyed, with the promise that "all non-Moslem sites and idols will be destroyed". None of this includes the thousands of Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Zoroastrians, and others who have been murdered, robbed, raped, and kidnapped and forced to convert and then sold into slavery---yes slavery. Some girls, as young as nine, have been reportedly kidnapped and forced into so-called "marriages" with men as old as 60. Most end up dead or worse.

Let's not forget the promise of ISIS to do the same to the Vatican and eventually all churches and temples, or for that matter, even the White House. You may think they are just mouthing off, but recent history has shown that not to be true. They mean what they say. This brings me to another interesting point---where is the outcry from liberals in the US or anywhere else? After all, these extremists do not tolerate 'free thinkers", no "free speech", or smoking---of anything, nor do they accept booze, drugs, no going out alone...especially with guys, and no way will there be sex before marriage. Gay? Bi? Transgendered? How do you feel about being roasted alive on a stake or crucified? That's the punishment for not being strictly hetero. And women, you will be covered head to toe. No shorts, crop tops, no going topless and certainly, no bikinis! Think of how your movies, TV shows, sports, video games, and basically, your entire life will be fundamentally changed. Hell, no sausage, pork chops, hotdogs or bacon! If anyone should be at the forefront it is the liberals. If they think they're going to somehow be exempt, they may just get their heads handed to them...literally. And while I'm at it, where are voices and actions of those Moslems who condemn this perversion of their religion in private; in hush whispers? Are they afraid to act? If so, then who will save them because sooner or later, they will come for them too.

So, here's the rub everyone. ISIS has demonstrated its intent to deny the people of Syria, Iraq, and we might as well say the entire Near East, Africa, and Asia and eventually the West, their past as well as their future. By destroying their history, which in a way is also our history, it is attempting to cast civilization adrift; to alienate humanity from itself. They have promised us the same destruction they have imposed on others. All we have to do is nothing. Set back. Be silent. Practice a little "political correctness". Argue about whether they "really mean it" while they load their rifles, build their bombs, and prepare their suicide vests. I'm not saying Islam is evil. True Islam is not. It's a very peaceful religion, but what we're seeing is not Islam as it was intended to be. We're seeing a perverted version of it being allowed to run amuck. It destroys to gain attention and inspire fear for fear engenders obedience. It is purposefully threatening the World and each one of us individually. It is demanding Armageddon-- Ragnarok--because it loves death more than life. Tolerance is what it fears. Freedom in all its forms is what it hates. Strength of Will is to it what light is to cockroaches. So, what's it going to be folks? Forget about Washington. It's is hopelessly broken. What can we do as a united People--as Americans?



ISIS Has 'Bulldozed' Ancient Nimrud Archeological Site
http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-terror/iraq-says-isis-bulldozed-ancient-site-near-mosul-n318266

ISIS Militants Destroy Iraq's Ancient Hatra City
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/07/isis-destroy-hatra_n_6822106.html

ISIS militants destroy ancient statutes, relics in Iraq
http://rt.com/news/235859-isis-video-destroy-statues/

35 Invaluable Hindu and Buddhists Statutes Destroyed in Maldives
http://www.chakranews.com/invaluable-hindu-amd-buddhist-statues-destroyed-in-maldives-by-extremist-islamic-group/2224

Japan: Muslim Saudi university student vandalizes, destroys ancient Buddhist statutes
http://www.jihadwatch.org/2014/06/japan-muslim-saudi-university-student-vandalizes-destroys-ancient-buddhist-statues

A Pale Horse

I loathe to write this. Somehow the act of doing so seems to bring this specter a reality that I so desire to deny it. I am reminded of tales of which I've read about the Black Death which took place in 14th Century Europe whereby individuals infected with the virus would sew themselves into their death shrouds and simply wait. The plague killed almost a 1/3 of the entire population. Modern DNA studies indicate that the plague originated in Central Asia and was introduced into Europe by merchant ships traveling from the Middle East who unknowingly brought with them infected rats. In some ways, that same introduction remains the same. Ebola, the specter I am referring to, has been introduced into the world by air commerce from West Africa, where it had been previously contained. Up until a few months ago, the US was fairly insulated from this modern plague by restricted air travel, however, Obama permitted its introduction. As of this writing, there is no central command structure in place to oversee the containment or the treatment of this killer.

These individuals were faith based volunteers who knowingly assumed the risk by entering the infected region to treat other individuals when they themselves became infected. Rather than treat them there by transferring the necessary medicines and equipment (which could have also treated those living in the infected areas), Obama agreed to bring those aid workers here, and in doing so, has now indirectly caused the possible infections (and certainly the quarantines) of dozens of others against prevailing medical wisdom and national security considerations. Bearing in mind that the fatality rate is approximated 50%, potentially no one is safe. Any infections or deaths in the US as a result can be laid squarely at the feet of President Obama. As present, treatment is in the hands of each state, with the Atlanta Center for Disease Control in Georgia acting as sort of the standard bearer (while Texas, at this point, is being held up nationally as the "bad example" of what not to do). Meanwhile, the National Center for Disease Control (CDC) merely acts in an advisory role; providing specialist on a "as needed" and if requested basis. This is potentially a global crisis; certainly a potential national one. There needs to be a central command with centralized procedures established. Perhaps Obama's heart was in the right place, his head wasn't and it's from there that a president, or any leader of a country must ultimately govern.

Obama will certainly will go down in history as a standout president, and by standout I mean one of the one dimensional cardboard standouts you see in malls and movie theaters. He has been a failure in everything he's done. His only success, if you want to call it that, has been pretending to what he is not. He received a Nobel Peace Prize for accomplishing absolutely nothing, but pretending to offer absolutely everything. I don't know if this more indicative of the phoniness of the criteria or to fact that he should have received the Golden Globe Award instead for best portrayal of the American President (which, by the way, Michael Douglas should have won in the movie by the same name).

Perhaps he isn't to be blamed. He is surrounded by countless sycophants like actress Gwyneth Paltrow, who recently gushed all over him at a political fundraiser like some witless weak kneed fool , and doubtlessly made many regret attending (and for those struggling with the term "sycophant", think of it as cross between a groupie and a kiss-up). He is proof that just because one is able to do something, that one needn't but thanks to the power of advertising and its ability to manipulate people, in this case voters, into thinking, amid the glitz and stage management, that weaknesses is strength and empty rhetoric and catch phrases can pass for knowledge or experience, we drank the Kool-Aide. But, let us move from the blame to the cause and see where this errant of Death has travelled thus far.

History/Origins

The origins of the Ebola Virus appears to be from the common fruit bat. Somehow the fruit bat has been able to act as the carrier or

"reservoir" of the virus without itself becoming infected. Animals and ultimately people became infected through direct and possibly indirect contact with the fruit bat. The first known cases of the infection was in Nzara in the South Sudan (incidentally , dead fruit bats with the virus were found nearby at a burnout cotton factory where they lived). 284 people became infected with the virus, of which 151 died. Since then, the virus has spread to the Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire), near the Ebola River from whence the deadly virus takes its name (as an aside, it was in the same region that HIV--Aids--began to make its presence felt starting in the late 1970's/early 1980's). Since 2000, there has been approximately 3 or 4 major outbreaks in Uganda and the Congo Republic, resulting in the infection of around 1000 people, of which most have died. Since then, the virus has rapidly spread from Central Africa to the West African nations of Guinea, Sierre Leone, and most notably, Liberia. To date, there has been in the neighborhood of 8376 reported cases, or which just under half, or 4024, have died including 214 healthcare workers.

The virus is listed as a Biosafety Level 4 pathogen, the highest and most dangerous level as ranked by the CDC, and is spread by and through bodily fluids of all types including salvia, blood, semen, feces, sweating, or even sneezing. Contamination takes place when some of the fluids enter a potential host through cuts, scraps, the eyes, nose, mouth, sexual contact, and so forth. Symptoms are reported to be initially similar to influenza, and include a sudden high fever, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting. Later, as the virus spreads, the symptoms become much worse bleeding can begin from essentially every opening, along with a systematic failure of the body's organs. Once infected, depending on available care, age, or overall health before infection, patients typically live only a few weeks. Until recently, not much more than quarantining the victims and making them as comfortable as possible was all that could be done. Healthcare workers have had to wear biohazard suits and limit contact as much as possible (and then afterwards, the biohazard suits are destroyed, usually by burning).

Near Term

Despite the near 50% mortality rate, there are some experimental drugs which may limit or reverse the virus have been developed and show promise. Only a few humans have been successful treated so far, but we're a long way yet from mass production in case of a massive outbreak. In the interim, common sense sanitation procedures such as washing hands with soap and hot water, proper cooking of all foods, especially meats, covering your face when you cough or sneeze, using sanitizers, etc should become a matter of routine. There are also indications that heat (30 to 60 minutes at 140F/60C) can help kill the virus as well as the use of bleach based cleaning supplies typically used in most hospitals (the virus has known to remain active when left on counter tops for up to three days). Where Texas has failed was in its containment through quarantine of the suspected individual(s), proper removal of bodily fluids, and disposal of items such as towels, wash cloths, and bed sheets. Now, it is in a state of catch-up and hoping its mishandling doesn't results in further spread of the virus or in any additional deaths.

Airport personnel, including air crews and airport security, are also screening passengers, especially those who may be showing possible symptoms or maybe from infected regions. Hopefully, this will be expanded to include bus terminals and bus drivers. And once again, this is yet another argument for securing our southern border. Still, this may not be enough, but it's a start. Until additional steps can be takes, we all need to be more vigilant.

Long Term

"When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come and see!” I looked and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine, and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth". (Revelation 6:7-8 KJV), and so the Pale Horse rode forth to join his demonic companions according to John of Patmos---the White Horseman proclaiming peace while it conquers; the Red Horseman which spreads wars; and the great equalizer, the Black Horseman of Death. Where will the hooves of the Pale Horse fall next?

While Ebola continues to wreak havoc on West Africa, so far no reports of outbreaks have been reported by the world's most populous nation, China. Given the rural nature of China, such an outbreak could have devastating consequences. To help reel it in before it spreads east, China has donated US $38 million dollars along with medical teams totaling 59 workers to the infected nations (the US contribution has, so far, been $138 million). In addition, China has donated $2 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) and another $2 million to the African Union.

India, the world's second most populated country is on guard against possible entry of infected individuals following a recent scare. 17 employees of an Indian company arrived from in Mumbai from West Africa. While all 17 were quarantined, 16 were ultimately released while one was held due to an high fever. However, to date, no widespread cases have been reported. Like China, India is densely populated in its cities while remaining largely rural, relatively poor with substandard sanitation conditions. An outbreak would likely spread rapidly and proved deadly on a massive scale. However, while India has been more forthcoming as to its efforts to restrict travel to and from West Africa, China has typically remained silent on its efforts. Meanwhile, the WTO has warned Southern Asian nations of the possibility of an Ebola outbreaks given its travel and trade hubs, and large numbers of migrant workers from West Africa.

Perhaps the greatest risk for a potential outbreak is Europe, which has essentially an open door policy regarding immigrations, which tends to be largely from Africa and Turkey; the Czech Republic just reported a possible case. Most recently, Spain reported a healthcare worker---a nurse---became infected with the deadly virus (as an aside, she had also just recently take a healthcare test alongside some 20,000 people at the time she began running a low grade fever and was possibly contagious) and two other healthcare workers are being watched. Spanish authorities report that a total of approximately 50 individuals are now under surveillance.

Russia, which hasn't reported any infections thus far, not only appears to be prepared with all the necessary precautions, but according to Russian Health Minister, Veronika Skvortsova, they anticipate three possible vaccines to be ready within the next six months. One of vaccines was developed from an inactive strain of the deadly virus and another one is ready to move forward with clinical trials. Canada's Public Health Agency (PHAC) has stated that Ebola's threat remains "very low", while it too has stepped up precautions along with providing international assistance to the affected countries.

While European nations are moving to take precautions, such as ensuring there are ample medical supplies and secure quarantine areas, as well as monitoring of airports, train stations, their actions have been uneven and slow, and like the US, nothing is being done regarding their immigration issue; Europe, in part, relies on low skilled workers from Africa and Turkey for many of its low paying menial jobs. because many of these individuals do not speak the language of the host country or has much interaction outside their localized enclaves, thus reporting and ultimately treatment may prove to be difficult. Accordingly, the WTO has warned European leaders to expect possible new cases.

Latin America has thus far fared better. Only one case has been reported, that in Brazil, which has proven to be negative. The individual had recently arrived from Guinea and was immediately quarantined. After no symptoms appeared, the individual was released. While most Latin America governments consider the threat of Ebola low, most have taken steps to deal with any potential cases, with Argentina taking the lead. One case of Ebola was reported in Mexico, however, the story later proved to be false. The biggest threat nevertheless, appears to be to those living in the extreme poor Caribbean nations, such as the West Indies, Haiti or Granada primarily because of their poor economic conditions and lack of adequate sanitation standards, including food handling and drinking water as well as close West African connections. Cuba, however, because of it positive history regarding healthcare may be better situated to deal with any possible outbreaks.

In addition, there's the concern of possible carriers crossing the US-Mexican border. Recently, as many of you will recall, approximately 60,000 children were illegally abandoned on the US border; some of these children were also sick. While most of these were your run-of-the-mill illnesses, a few were infected with illnesses we haven't seen in generations in the country and several had illnesses which could not be identified. Thanks to the Obama Regime, most of the illegals have vanished into the Heartland of America, while a few of the sick children were literally whisked away in the night by US agents to parts unknown according to State authorities.

Conclusion

According to African myth, the Abiku were human devouring demons. Among their powers was the power of disease and plagues. While Western Christianity has the Pale Horseman, both represent the unseen enemy of Man--- pestilence, famine, and disease in whatever form it appears. We have the technology and ability to fight back whereas our ancestors did not. It's power lay largely in the fear of the unknown. They had little or no knowledge about germs, bacteria, sanitation, proper food preparation (though the concepts of Halal and Kosher preparation, as well as the use of salt and spices learned from East were a start). Ebola, for all the terror and misery it holds, may offer Mankind an opportunity to work together to stop a non-discriminating killer. Like HIV/Aids, it may show they we have more in common that not; certainly when it comes to what kills us we do.

The world has shrunk. There are no places where we are safe any longer. Nevertheless, we must take active precautions now. We must practice common sanitation sense like washing our hands with soap; proper waste disposal; adequate clean drinking water. We must develop and provide sufficient healthcare. Old superstitions regarding vaccinations or treatments must be consigned to the past, as must misguided religious dogma regarding birth control. Meanwhile, governments must exert strong border security to contain possible carriers. Common sense regarding the transportation of potential carriers outside of infected countries must be balanced against the dangers of accidental spreading of diseases to whole populations. Clearly in the US cases, the Obama Regime failed in that regard, as has the State of Texas. To borrow from Aldous Huxley's aptly titled 1931 book, this is indeed a "brave new world" and though it takes place in 2040, but we may be closer to another book, Michael Crichton's 1969 bestseller "The Andromeda Strain" if we don't act as one. So dear reader, what will it be?


WTO says East Asia at risk of Ebola
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2014/10/who-says-east-asia-at-risk-ebola-20141010123924783609.htm

China Seeks Influence in Africa, Pledges Extra $32 Million to Ebola Fight
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2014/09/19/China-Seeking-Influence-in-Africa-Pledges-an-Extra-32-Million-to-Ebola-Fight

Ebola scare raises its head in Mumbai-Delhi
http://indianexpress.com/photos/picture-gallery-others/ebola-scare-raises-its-head-in-mumbai-delhi/3/

More Cases of Ebola in Europe Unavoidable: WTO
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/07/ebola-europe_n_5945146.html

Latin America Prepares Hospitals , Airport Screenings to Fight Ebola Threat
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2014/08/18/Latin-America-Prepares-Hospitals-Airport-Screenings-to-Fight-Potential-Ebola-Threat

Here's Where Ebola Could Spread next
http://www.wnd.com/2014/10/heres-where-ebola-could-spread-next/

Ebola outbreak fuels Concerns over health risk along US-Mexican border
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/08/05/ebola-outbreak-fuels-concerns-over-health-risks-along-us-mexico-border/

US Prepared for Ebola...10 Patients At A Time
http://www.wnd.com/2014/10/u-s-prepared-for-ebola-10-patients-at-a-time/

The Quiet War

Our government, and indeed, most Americans just don't get it. I don't know if it's political correctness. Blind ignorance. Short attention span. Perhaps it's just plain laziness. It was announced today that there was another attack resulting in the death of six Americans, including another US diplomat, 25 year old Anne Smedinghoff, described as being "idealistic". Ms Smedinghoff was serving as an aide to Secretary of State, John "Fast Boat" Kerry. The murder, carried out by the Taliban, took place in Afghanistan where Ms. Smedinghoff was overseeing a program for the distribution of books for children. Apparently the Taliban are deeply afraid of not just women, especially in leadership positions, but also of books. Perhaps instead of bombing them, we should have just drop books.

Sadly, Ms. Smedinghoff's murder follows Libyan Ambassador Chris Stevens who was murdered by Muslim terrorists in Benghazi on September 11, 2012. The Obama Administration nixed the rescue of Stevens and three other Americans. The subsequent investigation showed a clear cover-up by the State Department, then headed by Hillary Clinton, and the Obama Administration.

Regardless, there has been marked increase in deaths of US soldiers and civilians by the hands of Iraqi and Afghan troops; the very people we've trained and who are supposed to be our allies. Already, US personnel are cautioned against speaking ill of Islam or the Taliban or Al Qaida or any of their leaders,or any perceived desecration of the Koran. US personnel are not to make comments, facial expressions or anything to offend the locals even when it comes to women or child abuse (that includes rape and pedophilia). Religious expression, such as openly reading a bible or displaying a cross or Star of David, are taboo. Women have to be especially careful with respect to their appearance and in their dealings with the local leaders, who are always men. There's been a low key approach when it comes to education, especially of women or girls (some of whom have been beaten, raped, had acid thrown on them, or shot while their families either do nothing or actively participate).

Conflict between Islam and the other two great regional religions, Hinduism and Buddhism, have been going on for centuries, including the destruction of ancient Buddhist monuments, but the level of violence has again been on the increase, not just in the region around India, but also in parts of Nepal, Tibet, China, and Indonesia. In India, there two terrorist attacks in the city of Hyderabad, one in 2008 and the other just recently on February 21, resulting in the deaths of 40 people while in New Delhi there was a bomb blast in September 2011 killing 13. China saw a terrorist attack in the Xinjiang Province killing 13 and wounding 13 just days before the 2008 Beijing Olympics started. More recent attacks occurred in 2010 and 2011.

In Egypt, since the election of extremist Muslim Brotherhood, Coptic Christians, who had, for centuries, lived in relative peace, have now come under violent assault with Copt Christian Churches being burned; destruction of Coptic Bible, brutal beatings, rapes, and murders. More recently, young daughters of Coptic Christians are being kidnapped and forcefully converted to Islam and then shipped off to arranged marriages in various parts of the Islamic world, never to be heard from again (and please recall, these marriages can to be to all male regardless of age. In fact, many older men, prefer young "virgin" girls). This kidnapping and statutory rape, of course, isn't limited just to Christian girls, some as young as 9 years old.

This trend, however, is not limited to just the Iraq, Afghanistan, or even the Middle East. It has spread to Europe, which has tripled in the last 30 years to 44.1 million (as of 2010) and shows no signs of either slowing or assimilating. Since the cowardly attack on America on 9/11, the Moslem population in the US has increased 67% with 2.1 million. So, what's going on here? Why is this happening?
Simply put, there is a war going on here. It's not entirely a war of land or resources, although that's part it. It's a war of ideology; of religion. It's a conquest if you will by numbers. It's overrunning the economic system of the host country until it's weaken to the point where it can no longer support the population; where the military is weakened to the point where it's exhausted and bleed dry. It's increasing the population to the point where it can, at first, stop "asking" and start "demanding"; where it goes influencing policy to making policy. Not only does Washington fail to grasp this simple concept, but it would seem neither does the heads of the European Union or other nations like India, which happens to be the world's largest democracy; something radical Islam violently opposes. So, what does this bode for America, and indeed, the West, as well as well as other nations like India and China?

Let's start with the latter two first. Both nations contain the majority of the world's population and either could withstand any onslaught, be it military, economic, or ideological. Granted, both China's and India's populations have dropped somewhat, the decline is relative. China still has 1.34 billion people while India has 1.2 billion. However, any pseuo-economic/religious/political/military conflict could, and probably will, result a very long and bloody struggle with hundreds of millions dead. The West, and that includes the United States, could face a very different fate. Neither have substantial populations in light to the increasing birthrates of immigrant Muslims and the declining birthrates of their host nations. Europe will likely succumb to Islam in the not too distant future. Russia, given its vastness, may survive a bit longer, but to faces a declining birthrates while the surrounding former client states, which are dominantly Muslim, continues to increase. In Israel, Palestinian birthrates far exceed Israeli, 2.6 to 1.7. Therefore, even if Israel maintains its current policy of expanding settlements, in the long run, it will fail unless it allows for the creation of a separate Palestinian state in order to maintain a Jewish majority.

As for America (and that includes Canada), the domestic birthrates also continue to decline while immigrant, including Moslem, increases. In the US, which has seen a massive influx of illegal immigrants (as much as 12 million), mostly from Latin America, which also has a high birthrate, may...just may...offset. When you consider that most of these are Catholic, America may be the last Citadel of Christianly left, albeit not the one we currently know.



American Diplomat Killed in Attack

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/07/anne-smedinghoff-amercian-diplomat-killed-afghanistan_n_3033074.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D294795

The future of the global Muslim Population in regional Europe

http://www.pewforum.org/future-of-the-global-muslim-population-regional-europe.aspx

Muslim Europe: The demographic time bomb transforming our continent

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/5994047/Muslim-Europe-the-demographic-time-bomb-transforming-our-continent.html

Why demographics are still a concern for some Israeli Jews

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/01/01/why-demographics-are-still-a-concern-for-some-israeli-jews/

Assault on Mumbai

The terror assault on Mumbai appears to be over. For over 60 hours, Muslim terrorists went on rampage in this financial center of India, formerly known as Bombay. In their wake some 195 innocent men, women, and children were murdered, including a rabbi and his family, and close to 300 others were wounded. 20 of the dead were Indian soldiers. These killers attacked approximately 10 civilian targets in various locations, but mainly in areas frequented by Western tourists. Of the hostages taken, these cowards focused primarily on unarmed Americans, English, and Jews. According to the Maharashtra government spokesman, Bhushan Gagraini, 11 of these murders were killed by Indian soldiers and commandos, and one was taken alive (hopefully that situation will be corrected quickly after his intense interrogation).

While the world will morn for the innocent lives lost and curse those souls of those who committed these brutal acts of cowardice, this represents just one more black mark against Islam, a religion of peace, which appears to have been hijacked by madmen. Over the past 25 or so years (beginning with the bombing of the US Embassy in Beirut in 1983), extremists have all but silenced the voices of reason and compassion in the region in favor of a distorted interpretation of the Koran. Presumably theirs is out of fear of losing whatever authority they feel they may. As an example, the Islamic extremists believe that women should not be educated. So, instead of confining their beliefs to their own family or communities, they attempt to intimidate and bully others, including throwing acid in the faces of young girls on their way to school. But what they don’t realize is that every girl’s scares serve a public testament of their fears. But it doesn’t stop there. Women are forbidden to show their faces, legs, arms, or anything else. Why? I suppose it's because the men fear women. So rather than deal with their own insecurities, they impose their fear on others. And equal rights? Forget it. As a woman, you have none whatsoever. No job; no money; no education outside the home; no driving; no going anywhere without a male escort; and owning nothing. A son can have near complete power to control his mother’s life in the absence of the husband.

So what do these people want? Well, the answer is rather simple really, though completely unrealistic. They want to either convert or murder all Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists, Pagans, and followers of Confucius, the Native American religions, not to mention atheists and agnostics. They want to substitute common law with strict religious Sharia Law. They want to return to a world of Caliphs and the so-called “Golden Age of Islam”. Seriously. There is no serious negotiating or compromising with these individuals, and why should they?

What Americans, and indeed, the world, doesn’t understand is that this is a war not about land or resources, though that’s apart of it, but a war of religion. When you have G-d on your side, and they completely believe they do, there is no need to negotiate or compromise with anyone (besides, from their perspective, negotiation and compromise are emblematic of weakness). What the West (and the Asian East for that matter) has failed to learn is that this war is never-ending so long as “infidels” remain. No sacrifice or horror is too terrible. No loss of life, theirs or ours, is too great. They don’t want to live with you. They want to destroy you, albeit be by mass murder or using our existing laws to force accommodate for them under the guise of religious and political freedom, and later, to outlaw ourselves. If Nazism was the politics of hate, then radical Islam is the religion of hate (I should add that extremism by any group is just as dangerous). What these zealots have failed to understand is that the Golden Age of Islam represented extreme religious tolerance, not hatred. Islam represented the cultural and scientific apex of civilization of the time.

However, what we saw in Mumbai isn’t representative of that Islam. There are those who are moderates. They accept the rights of women and tolerance of other cultures and religions. However, they have remained largely silent. Radical Islam must be defeated by Rational Islam. Neither the West nor Asian East can do it by military or economic force. They can, however stand as bulwark against the spread of the extremism. This means taking a hard line against terrorist. In hostage situations, it means cutting off all supplies and especially media coverage to the terrorists (which is, after all, what they’re after). It means providing them with an opportunity to allow the hostages to go free---but not them. It means killing one of theirs (either a terrorist or prisoner) every time they kill or harm a hostage. And most importantly, it means denying the terrorists a Moslem burial. This takes the religious equation out of the picture. It makes their deaths meaningless, and with that, fewer recruits willing to die for an empty cause.

It also means aggressively promoting human rights globally, including complete religious tolerance and the right to practice the religion of your choice as well as equality for women and the right of all citizens regardless of gender to attend school. It means too helping Islamic moderates develop modern governing systems, which includes creating a solid middle class (I say “systems” because not all countries want or need democracies). Too many of these extremists come from countries where there is only the very rich ruling class and the poor masses. Workers should be free to form unions of, by, and for the betterment of the working class which should be free from government interference. Moderate or rational Islam must be nurtured and allowed to blossom and both the West and Asian East must aggressively encourage and support it.

This war will not be won in matter of a few years, or with the changing of an American president. It will not be won based on the brave acts of the Indian military or the courage of lone Buddhist monks. It will not be won by on the strength of Israel. It will be won by people of the world over standing up and say “no” to fear and intimidation; By people determine to go on with their lives; By people not standing by when someone canes a woman, girl, or man for refusing to go along with their hateful dogma; By people who refuse to give up or give in; By people willing to shine the light of truth into the eyes of those who see only intolerance and shout “freedom” at those preach hatred.. When we do this, we’ll see these madmen run back into the shadows like the cockroaches they are.


Poll Results

Our two poll results were amazing, and the results were somewhat surprising. The first question asked where you considered yourselves on the political spectrum. 16 of you said you were either conservative or very conservative, and 8 said they were center Right. 8 (four each) were either moderate or center Left, and 18 of you were Liberal or Far Left!

As for which political party best represented you, 20 of you said Democrat while 11 said Republican. 4 of you lean Libertarian, while 6 of you considered yourselves non-Republican conservatives, and interestingly, no one listed themselves non-Democratic Left leaning.

So what does this say about AO? Well, here at AO, we try to remain an independent free thinking editorial site (how dangerous is that?), and it looks we’ve nailed it! Our readers seem to cover the full political spectrum from Left to Right, and just about everyone in between. Thank you as always dear readers!