A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....01-08-04....Terror Alert Goes Orange: Is America Any Safer?

JohnHuang2; Aquamarine; Billie | JohnHuang2

[Aquamarine]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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Terror Alert Goes Orange: Is America Any Safer?

by JohnHuang2

One of the most disturbing things about this past Holiday Season were reports from Homeland Security of substantial increase in chatter (intercepted communications among enemies of America). I'm sure you all heard about it. It prompted raising the national alert to its second-highest level (from Yellow to Orange, meaning high). Critics charged this stuff about increasing chatter was bogus -- just a ploy by John Ashcroft to keep people scared and impose even more tyranny over poor Al Gore. Well, I'm here to say the critics are full of it. Trust me. I hope I'm not revealing any sensitive info here, but I've seen and heard the evidence of this increase in chatter first-hand. Yesterday, as a matter of fact. I saw the *chatterers*, all 7 of them, on a stage in Iowa at this thing called 'The Democratic Debate', thanks to this special apparatus that converts electromagnetic waves into images on a screen (but shhh! Let's keep this a secret, okay?)

From this intercept, one thing you come away with is that these *chatterers* don't appear to be great fans of George W. Bush, with wave after wave of angry attacks on the White House, shattering hopes Saddam's capture would slow down such attacks. (Clearly these guys have been eating too much beef from Washington and Oregon).

One piece of good news for the White House: The pro-Saddam militants I saw on that stage appear to be 'Downer' candidates (Democrats unable to walk to the slaughterhouse next November), their 'red meat' not fit for dog food, much less human consumption.

Sen. John F. Kerry, who served in Vietnam, accused the Bush administration of running an "ineffective war on terror." (Bush's war on terror has been so ineffective, there has been no terror on U.S. soil since 9/11).

Kerry charged that the war on terror, which he says is "less of a military operation" and more like "intelligence-gathering and law enforcement," had been diverted to Iraq. Which is why Kerry voted for military operations in Iraq. (Democrats say it's preposterous to think Saddam had links to al-Qaeda. He would never do that. That would be unethical).

With the Iowa caucuses looming, conventional wisdom says the '04 Dems will focus on 2 key early states -- Iowa and New Hampshire -- though I don't buy it. It conflicts with official reports they've spread to 8 states -- Mad Cow meat, that is.

Regarding his penchant for gaffes, Howard Dean, who's recently complained of being manhandled by rivals (and has the bruises on his arms to prove it!), answered criticism from Kerry, noting that "A 'gaffe' in Washington is when you tell the truth and the Washington establishment thinks you shouldn't have." Dean stands firmly behind all his gaffes. Not only that, Dean stands firmly behind all later retractions of his gaffes. (Most of these gaffes occur during unsupervised visits with reporters, away from his handlers, who should know better. At least John Hinckley Jr. got a court ruling for his).

For example, Dean told a newspaper recently that he's "resisted pronouncing a sentence before (Osama's) guilt is found." (Dean's answers to reporters' questions resemble Improvised Explosive Devices). Dean says we shouldn't automatically assume Osama's guilt for 9/11, what, with all those 'interesting theories out there' that Bush got advance warning from the Saudis. We should withhold judgment and let a jury decide guilt or innocence here. (9/11 -- a classic Whodunit). Dean, to his credit, still stands firmly behind that statement. Dean, again to his credit, also stands firmly behind a later clarification of that statement, stressing he never said we should withhold judgment on guilt or innocence here, given Osama all but "admitted he is responsible for killing 3,000 Americans." (Now I know why Dean became a doctor. He'd never afford the growing medical bills from self-inflicted wounds).

To be fair, Dean's never really ruled-out the Death penalty for Osama. It all really depends on whether -- or how -- Osama is captured. If he had his druthers, Dean says he'd shoot Osama (it would be the first time Dean shoots something other than his foot). Showing a flash of genius, Dean calmly explained the Dean Rule on whether Osama lives or dies: "If we capture him alive, we have to stand for the rule of law," presume his innocence, and give him a fair trial. (Osama may be a very bad man, but he'd never give no-bid contracts to Halliburton). If he's captured dead, we presume he's dead, and skip the fair trial. (Bumper-sticker: Vote for Dean! Despite nagging doubts, Dean vows at least to bring Osama in for
questioning).

Sen. Joe Lieberman challenged Dean to open up his gubernatorial record in Vermont (yeah, yeah, pile on, pile on, why don'tcha, Senator? With a record as governor like Dean's, you'd seal it up, too; nobody would run on that record.)

Dean's record in Vermont is so well hidden, even Hans Blix wouldn't find it. (Not even with both Hans!)

Dean, of humble upbringing on Park Avenue and in the Hamptons, says he's "tired of coming to the South and fighting elections on God, guns and gays." So he's coming to the South, fighting this election on God, guns and gays instead. Dean is a man of deep religious conviction in the South, signaling he plans to invoke Jesus in speeches throughout the Bible-Belt. (With a guy like Dean as president, all America would be deep in prayer). So deep and abiding is Dean's religious faith, it easily outlasts a Britney Spear marriage. (Wouldn't surprise me if it holds out through the Michigan primary).

Rep. Dennis Kucinich accused Bush of deliberate deception, of lying his way into war (BUSH LIED! SADDAM ALMOST DIED!) And of ignoring Osama.

Regarding Iraq, Democrats say Weapons of Mass Destruction didn't exist because we haven't found them. Regarding Afghanistan, Democrats say Osama still exists even if we haven't found him.

To insure national security, and reassure Americans he's serious about it, Kucinich vowed to slash defense by 15 percent. As ranking member on a key committee, "I know the kind of waste that goes on there," noted Kucinich. (Speaking of waste, why the Rover mission in search of life on Mars when Kucinich is proof of alien life in Iowa?)

Sheesh, must be Mad Cow. (By the way, did you see the cries of joy and jubilation in the Mission Control room, celebrating the safe landing of the "Mars Rover Spirit," a six-wheeled robot? Very moving. Not since the Dean endorsement had Al Gore gotten so much applause).

Speaking of Mad Cow, the White House dismissed talk of further quarantines; despite suspicions of carrying the dreaded disease, there are no plans to detain the 9 '04 Democrats. Good call? You bet. America is no safer since the capture of that Holstein in Washington. There's still raunchy food out there (See Wendy's). Though I'd bet the Bush administration had this Mad Cow hidden away somewhere just to bring it out before Christmas!

Tired former Army Gen. Wesley Clark, appearing on CNN's Late Edition Sunday, blasted Bush's policy on Iraq. Clark, who took action when the U.S. faced an imminent threat from weapons of mass graves in Kosovo 4 years ago, said Baghdad is sinking into total chaos; it's a veritable shooting gallery, a bloodbath. Clark says the first thing he'll do as president is jet on over to this bloodbath and have a long, quiet chat with Generals in Baghdad. To date, no weapons of mass graves have been found in Kosovo, the main justification for war, despite U.S.-led search crews scouring the province for years. Clintonistas insist WMGs will eventually be found, dismissing claims of KLA links to terrorism. (You're either with us or with the anti-terrorists!) Clark, who pulled out of Iowa recently, declined to attend the debate, hosted by the Des Moines Register.

So, have all those horrible things Democrats have been saying about Bush taken a toll on Bush?

The Democrat attacks are taking a devastating toll. On Democrats.

"President Bush begins the election year with the national mood improving, his support on key issues building and his Democratic opponents struggling to gain an edge," USA Today reports, citing the latest Gallup poll, which pegs Bush's job approval rate at 60 percent. The poll, conducted January 2-5, also shows him getting high marks on handling of the economy, education, world affairs and Iraq. Showing America evenly divided, Bush evenly divides Howard Dean, the fiery antiwar Gaffe-A-Thon front-runner by 22 percentage points, 59%-37%.
America is oh, oh, so evenly divided!

Brilliant observers say the poll doesn't mean squat -- it's just a temporary bounce from the capture of Saddam Hussein. Ah, that 'splains it. But what's weird is that a CNN/TIME poll released just days ago had Howard Dean trailing Bush a scant 5 percentage points, 51%-46%. Which means Bush must have captured Saddam Hussein again! Sneaky guy, this Bush, eh? Imagine that? If Bush keeps capturing Saddam, from here till November, what's a Democrat to do?

;-) Anyway, that's...

My two cents...

"JohnHuang2"

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 01-05-04...Military Monday 01-06-04...And the Good News Is... 01-07-04...Our Whitehouse Pets... the exclusive interview...

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[Aquamarine]

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[Aquamarine]

Welcome to the Finest!

He's back!! After being on leave for a few weeks JohnHuang2 returns with an insightful and hilarious essay!

[Aquamarine]

Looks like we're the only ones still up.
Have had a slow connection all day and night so I might as well go too.

Good luck with the fundraising!

[Diver Dave]

Dean's record in Vermont is so well hidden, even Hans Blix wouldn't find it. (Not even with both Hans!)

LOL. That one's a keeper for sure.

Great layout, Aqua. You're gettin' really good at this. It'll certainly carry a lot of weight going into salary negotiations with Billie.

Welcome back, JH2. I've been in a funk - now I know why. No "two cents" for two weeks.

[JohnHuang2]

Absolutely, ASTOUNDINGLY EXCELLENT LAYOUT JOB, Aqua! Bravo! Bravo! Week after week, you keep out-doing yourself ;-)

[JohnHuang2]

Thanks, good buddy -- and Happy New Year! :-)

[Libertina]

Thanks you two!
Have a wonderful day FR's Finest! :)

[Jumper]

Bump!

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Thursday !

[The Mayor]

By faith [Abraham] dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country. —Hebrews 11:9

The more you look forward to heaven, the less you'll desire of earth.

[GailA]

Great piece John

[The Mayor]

January 8, 2004

Our Home Is Ahead

Read: Hebrews 11:8-10

By faith [Abraham] dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country. —Hebrews 11:9

Bible In One Year: Genesis 20-22; Matthew 6:19-34

---

Now that I'm getting closer to the end of life's journey, I'm thinking more like a transient. I suppose it's natural. Abraham first described himself as "a foreigner and a visitor" when he was buying a burial plot for Sarah (Genesis 23:4). Time and death make you think about such things.

Most elderly believers say the same thing: There's no home for us this side of heaven. Like Pilgrim in Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, once we've caught sight of the Celestial City we can never be content with anything less. Like Abraham, we look for a city whose builder is God (Hebrews 11:10).

In Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings, as Frodo and the other hobbits set out on their great adventure, they sing, "Home is behind, the world ahead." But for Christians, it's the other way around: The world is behind; our home is ahead.

There are no valleys of weeping there, for "God will wipe away every tear from [our] eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:4). That promise makes the present journey easier to endure.

Put another way, it's the hope of going home that keeps me going. I can hardly wait to get there! —David Roper

I have a home in heaven above,
From sin and sorrow free,
A mansion which eternal love
Designed and formed for me. —Bennett

The more you look forward to heaven, the less you'll desire of earth.

[MEG33]

You teamed up for a home run!Those Dems do provide material.Great layout,Aqua.Thank you,John,I've missed your 2 cents!

[MEG33]

Good Morning to the Finest!Have a great day.

[nicmarlo]

.......good morning all the bodies!

[The Mayor]

The Democrat attacks are taking a devastating toll. On Democrats.

That is true everywhere but WNY, Dean is leading here, sad, how very sad....

Excellent job to you both!!!!

[OESY]

The next time you hear a politician use the words "billion" casually, think about whether you want that politician spending your tax money. A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into perspective in one of its releases:

* A billion seconds ago, it was 1959.
* A billion minutes ago, Jesus was alive.
* A billion hours ago, our ancestors were living in the Stone Age.
* A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes, at the rate Washington spends it.

The Democrats are complaining on how long the war is taking but consider this:

* It took less time to take Iraq than it took Janet Reno to take the Branch Davidian compound. That was a 51-day operation.

* It took less time to find Saddam's sons in Iraq than it took Hillary Clinton to find the Rose Law Firm billing records.

* It took less time for the 3rd Infantry Division and the Marines to destroy the Medina Republican Guard than it took Teddy Kennedy to call the police after his Oldsmobile sunk at Chappaquiddick.

* It took less time to take Iraq than it took to count the votes in Florida.

Our military is GREAT!

[FreeTheHostages]

[MeekOneGOP]

(Most of these gaffes occur during unsupervised visits with reporters, away from his handlers, who should know better. At least John Hinckley Jr. got a court ruling for his).

LOL !