ISRAEL, LEBANON, IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN AND WHY WE FIGHT - THE SUNDAY COMMENTARY

They have attacked Haifa, Israel. They have attacked Madrid, Spain. They have attacked London, England. They have attacked Mumbia, India. They have attacked Fallujah, Iraq. They have attacked New York City and Washington DC just to mention a few. Who are they ? Some have the gaul to call them freedom fighters, while still others calmly refer to them as religious zealots who fight for their beliefs. Who are they ? They are the enemy of the free world. Islamic fanatics who have taken a religion and imposed a fascist belief that threatens anyone who does not believe exactly as they do. This includes Muslims who believe in freedom and are peaceful. Their goal is to destroy anyone and any country that does not follow their twisted belief and to kill those who they cannot convert. Those who are of the Muslim belief they offer the chance of conversion and if rejected they are killed. Those who they see as the infidel, which includes all civilized, westernized and democratized people are among those who they seek to eliminate from the face of the earth as they kill to express their murderous fanatical ideas. Israel and The United States are at the top of their list then the rest of the world follows. Death to these fanatical Islamic fascists is not only a goal but a reward for service to Allah. Life is only a means in which to inflict as much pain and death to the infidel to achieve the goal of martyrdom and rewards in the here after. They understand only death and they seek the same. There is no negotiation, no diplomacy, no amount of talk that will deter them from their goal or their fanatical idea of murder and destruction. Yet despite these undeniable facts most of the world has yet to understand or accept the truth that these Islamic fascist have declared war on the world and nothing short of their death will stop them. Much of the world still has the belief that civilized discussion will end their murderous fanatical killing spree and bring a lasting peace to the world, and especially the Middle East which is the center of this fanatical terrorism. Many still believe that imposing economic sanctions will stop their movement. Never understanding that though they use money to finance their operations and despite measures taken to eliminate financial sources which slows operations nothing material matters to them since their goal in life is to die in martyrdom while killing as many non-believers as a bomb, explosive laden vehicle or airliner will take out with them. Death is their goal and the only thing they accept. This applies to organized groups like Al Qaeda and Hezbollah as well as states like Iran. Yet still most of the world does not understand the danger nor the threat.

In the years and months that preceded WWII much of the world refused to see or accept the threat that Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy or Imperial Japan posed to the world. Though this Axis did not seek martyrdom in the same respect as an Islamic fascist they did seek world domination and used diplomatic approaches by other countries as a means to delay and deceive in order to continue their goal of domination. The world turned a blind eye to much of their conquest in the vain hope that they might talk these fascist countries into peaceful ends to their fighting. It took one catastrophic event after another before the world realized that the only diplomacy that each of these nations would understand is the diplomacy of war. The world united in the destruction and elimination of the fanatical regimes that brought the entire world to war. Without this unified approach to the destruction of the Axis and their fanatical governments each of these countries would have continued to impose their fanaticism on neighboring countries until their goal of world domination was achieved. It took a collective and massive effort by allied nations to bring about the defeat of the fanatacism of the Axis of Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan and Fascist Italy.

It will take the same unified fight against Islamic terrorism that it took against the Axis of WWII to end this global threat of today. To date The United States, Great Britain, Israel, Australia and a sparten few other countries understand this. The majority of the world as in the years prior to WWII does not accept nor understand the worldwide threat that Islamic fascists fanatacism imposes. They vainly believe that talk and sanctions will control these terror groups and terror states that seek world domination through the destruction of democratic nations and freedom loving people. The battle fields are real. Israel, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Iraq and Gaza. Yet this enemy does not only fight on a battlefield as wars of the past have been fought. They fight in the streets and avenues which surround our homes. Hiding behind innocent civilians using them as shields as they fire their rockets. Highjacking planes and flying them into buildings. Strapping bombs around their chest and boarding commuter trains then detonating and killing. Driving bomb laden vehicles into buildings or parking them at busy markets. This is why we fight and why the world must unite as in WWII to seek out and destroy this enemy of all civilization. The only lasting peace that will hold is with the elimination of terror groups and the states that sponsor and supply them. Since death is their goal then the world in a united fight should help each of them achieve their goal before they achieve their goal by the destruction of western civilization. Take the fight to the terrorist or they will continue to bring the fight to us.

Ken Taylor

BLOG OF THE WEEK - CONSERVATIVE BLOG THERAPY

The Blog of the Week spotlight falls this week on, "Conservative Blog Therapy." A well researched blog that offers commentary from several sources with a conservative view. Also the blog offers links to new and archival information from some of the great commentators of our time. Worth your time and adding as a link.

ISRAEL, HEZBOLLAH AT WAR AND NOW SYRIA WANTING TO TALK

As the conflict continues to rage between Israel, Hezbollah and Hamas Syria has indicated that they are willing to talk in order to end the conflict. Syrian Ambassador Imad Moustapha has stated in an interview that several U.S. President's have visited Damascus with one on one talks and that the Bush administration is not willing to do so. He further indicated that if the administration were to show that willingness then Syria would engage in talks. SO WHAT ! The fact the the President nor any member of his administration are not willing to talk with Syria is by all means proper and good policy. It is well known that the current conflict is under the direct supervision of both Syria and Iran and both terrorist states have made no overtures to prove otherwise. In fact since the late 70's both Iran and Syria under Assad and son in Syria and the fanatical Islamic theocracy in Iran have financed, armed and provided personal and troops for a constant terror strategy against Israel and the west and now this strategy has once again brought war to the region. Though Hezbollah and Hamas are the entities fighting Israel, Iran and Syria are calling the shots. Talking diplomaticly with either Iran or Syria will accomplish nothing except appeasing both countries further and giving them a sense of accomplishment as they have forced, "the great satan, " into talks by their actions in Lebanon and Gaza.

The news Media has jumped on this indication by Syria as a means of gaining a peaceful solution to the conflict. Following are a few media quotes concerning Syria's, "offer."

JOHN MCLAUGHLIN: Syria is ready, willing, and has a history of dealing with the United States, but they don't want to be lectured to.

AMY ROBACH: Does the US have plans to speak directly to Syria?

JOE KLEIN: A Syrian official told me that they wanted to talk to us but we weren't interested in talking to them. We should be interested in talking to them.

TIM RUSSERT: Will the United States talk directly with Syria?

E.D. HILL: Syria sounds like they want to talk.

WOLF BLITZER: Is it wise right now to start engaging Syria and Iran directly?

Additionally Senator Christopher Dodd (D) chimed in on the Bush administrations unwillingness to engage in talks with the two terror states, " This sort of juvenile attitude that we're not going to talk to people we disagree with I think has contributed to the problems we're facing today."

Again what would talking to either country accomplish ? The United States, Israel and several European countries have talked with both Iran and Syria in the past with no results other than allowing both countries the time to develop their terror networks and the arms and means necessary to keep the Middle East in a constant upheaval and now war. When will those crying for talk realize that one cannot talk with a terrorist nor with any fanatical Islamic government or group ? They neither recognize agreements nor honor diplomatic results. Talking is only a means in which to deceive and hide their true intent and to gain the time necessary to accomplish what they are seeking. Whether that is the killing of Israelis and Americans, kidnapping the same or acquiring weapons or arming those who will carry out the fight. Iran and Syria have used this type of diplomatic tactic for decades and why would they do any different now ? They see talk as weakness and negotiation as victory which emboldens them further. The only way to deal with a terrorist or terrorist state is to eliminate their fighting capability whether that is personal, arms and equipment or transportation and communication means etc. Israel again understands this and is succeeding where diplomacy has and always will fail.

Ken Taylor

ISRAEL, HEZBOLLAH, HAMAS - NO CEASE FIRE ! - THE SUNDAY COMMENTARY

Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice is visiting Israel to discuss the conflict that is raging between Israel, Hezbollah, Hamas and for all intents and purposes Iran and Syrian since they have instigated this war by their control over Lebanon and the terrorist groups as well as their financing and weapons provision. Her mission as stated very plainly is NOT to demand or even discuss a cease fire though the United Nations and much of the world is crying for a secession of hostilities. Secretary Rice referred to a cease fire as a , "broken promise, " and a "return to the status quo." She of course represents the official policy of The United States. Thank God that someone understands that a cease fire is an effort in total futility and does nothing except embolden the terrorists and give them time to re-group and re-arm. Negotiation and attempting to reason with the terrorist mind which does not follow any logical reasoning only a fanatical mind set that views everything through one perspective is doomed to failure because they have only one objective. Kill anyone and anything that disagrees with their Islamic fascism and especially if directed toward Israel and The United States. Cease fire after cease fire in this region between Israel and its neighbors that harbor terrorist organizations has failed and never resulted in succeeding in accomplishing anything except causing Israel to constantly give in order to appease those who have come to broker peace on behalf of those involved in the fighting. In nearly every instance where Israel and the Palestinians or other factions in the region have sat at the negotiating table at the secession of hostilities, Israel has bent over backwards to attempt a peaceful solution only to be stabbed in the back and watch terror attacks kill innocent Israelis. Then when Israel responds to the death of Israeli citizens condemnation pours on Israel and pity for those who killed Israelis. The time to face absolute facts is now. Diplomacy never has nor ever will succeed with terrorist states such as Iran and Syria nor will it succeed with terrorist groups which includes Hezbollah, Hamas and Al Qaeda. Many try to argue that since Hezbollah and Hamas are elected entities in recognized governments it now changes the situation since they are now a political party representing a government. Elections do not change the stripes of a terrorist. Being elected to a parliament only adds a legalized platform from which to continue illegal and immoral acts of terrorism but does not change the premise or the fact that terrorists do not honor any negotiated , "peace, " or cease fire. In their one view mind negotiation and a secession of fighting are only signs of weakness by their enemy and victory for their cause which further emboldens them to fight.

Many on the left in this country have used this war against Israel and the Untied States stand against a cease fire as an opportunity to lash out against Israel and against the Bush administration accusing the President of causing this war by his Middle East policy and of course the conflict in Iraq. The fact that this situation with Israel and its terror sponsoring neighbors has been an on going problem for fifty years seems to matter little to those who take every opportunity to accuse the President and condemn Israel. One Democrat Senator actually stated on one of the talking head shows that the, "age of diplomacy, " from 1967 to the election of George W. Bush which this Senator claimed was the end of the, "golden age" was a time to return to. Well let's look at just a few of the diplomatic failures that have taken place during this so called, "golden age of diplomacy, " with terrorism. During this time Al Qaeda was formed and developed into an organization with the capability to organize and carry out 9/11. The Iranian hostage crises during the Carter administration took place during this, "golden age." The attack on the U.S. embassy in Beirut took place. Israel has been attacked thousands of times before, during and after numerous acts of diplomacy even when leaders of terrorist groups were greeted in The United States as great world figures, ( I refer to Yassar Arafat), and sat down and signed diplomatic negotiated peace agreements only to immediately violate them upon return home. The USS Cole was bombed. The World Trade Center was attacked in 1993. Iran time and again while talking through diplomatic channels of peace developed and sponsored groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. Syria invaded and controlled Lebanon until sent packing last year yet still with Iran influences their government and leaders. Yes this sounds very much like a , "golden age of diplomacy." Diplomacy that failed even as the diplomatic overtures were being performed. I have only touched on a few of the hundreds of events that occurred during this diplomatic age. This problem has been constant long before Bush and Israel has been the recipient of much of the fighting.

The bottom line is that one cannot negotiate, cannot create a cease fire, cannot appease in any way a terrorist. Whether a terrorist state or a terrorist organization. Israel realizes this and that is why they have stated that this war will continue until Hezbollah is destroyed. A cease fire is doomed to failure before it can begin. Evidence this by the cease fire that was proclaimed on the second front that Israel is facing in the Gaza Strip against Hamas. On Saturday, (7 /21/06) Palestinian leaders assured Israel and the world that Hamas was agreeing to a cease fire. Israel stopped firing at targets in Gaza City that were taking out Hamas strong holds and headquarters. This , "cease fire, " lasted four hours as Hamas began firing missiles from civilian areas into Israel. These terrorists hide behind civilians so the world will condemn Israel for civilian casualties. They target civilians thus killing innocent Israelis to further their plans to destroy Israel. The answer to ending terrorism is the answer that Israel is showing the world. Kill the terrorist before they can kill you. Destroy their capabilities before they can use them to kill. Destroy their means of communication with each other and spreading their fascist propaganda. Destroy their means of transportation and reception of material. Then finally seek out and destroy those who are fighting wherever they may hide. May Israel succeed where diplomacy has failed and may we follow Israel's example in the defeat of terrorism.

Ken Taylor

BLOG OF THE WEEK - RIGHT FROM THE RIGHT

This week the Blog of the Week spotlight falls on, "Right From The Right." Excellent thoughtful commentary with a conservative view. Additionally you will find postings that contain a good amount of research on todays issues within the post. Great site worth you time and worth adding as a link as I have.

ISRAEL, LEBANON AND THE FUTILITY OF THE UNITED NATIONS.

The United Nations Security Council has been meeting to decide how to respond to the conflict that is raging between Israel and Hezbollah. Surprisingly Secretary General Kofi Annan actually came out in a speech before the Council condemning Hezbollah and stating that the organization is holding Lebanon hostage. He then went on to state in the usual Israeli condemnation manner that Israel in having the right to defend itself, ( this was also surprising coming from old Kofi), is using excessive force in doing so. I suppose that those including the U.N. who are condemning Israel for its legitimate and appropriate military response to being attacked by hundreds of missiles designed and used for no other reason than to kill as many Israelis as possible expect the right to defend to mean take far more than you give. Israel is in the process of destroying Hezbollah's current capability to continue attacking and its future capability of receiving aid in the form of weapons from Iran and Syria. The U.N. is continually seeking a way to broker a cease fire and to enforce the same. How can anyone even those within the U.N. who are currently debating this actually expect this corrupt and useless organization who has failed since 1978 in Lebanon to find any solution and then enforce it ? The United States U.N. Ambassador John Bolton has stated several times that he has yet to hear anyone suggest a way of getting a terrorist organization to accept a cease fire and expect them to honor an agreement. The reason that this has not found a suggestion is simply because Hezbollah or any other terrorist group do not recognize nor honor any agreements or negotiations or cease fire as anything but weakness and victory which only emboldens them to continue with their terror tactics. The only way to deal with any terrorist entity is to kill or totally dismantle their ability to fight which is exactly what Israel is doing and will continue to do. Additionally as I have mentioned before the United States and other Israeli allies should take this opportunity to do exactly the same in Iran and Syria to destroy their continued sponsor and supply of terrorism.

To further emphasize the utter uselessness of the United Nations the Human Rights Commission announced yesterday that they were considering investigating Israel for, "war crimes, " because of the, "excessive force, " being used in Lebanon and the civilians being killed. Not once in this absurd statement was Hezbollah mentioned and their intentional targeting of civilian population areas to inflict as many civilian casualties as possible. Then what can be expected from U.N. delegates who believe as Hezbollah.

Iran has also stepped up their rhetoric as the Iranian wing of Hezbollah challenged and threatened The United States with World War III. Yet the U.N thinks that one can actually negotiate and reason with these Islamic fascists whose only goal is to destroy Israel and the United States first then the rest of western culture, die as a martyr and spend eternity with 72 virgins. Maybe if many U.N. delegates were offered 72 virgins they might accomplish.....naw nothing could make the U.N. relevant!

Ken Taylor

ISRAEL AT WAR WITH MORE THAN JUST HEZBOLLAH

As the fighting continues to escalate evidence is surfacing more each day of an Iran and Syria connection in the hostilities that are raging in Israel and Lebanon. The longer that this continues the more even Arab states are calling for the disarming of Hezbollah. Israel is still standing firm that this conflict will continue until their soldiers are released, ( with the prospect that they are in Iran this is unlikely), Hezbollah disarmed and the Lebanese Army stationed on the southern border to ward of further attacks by Hezbollah. The United Nations has sent emissaries to Lebanon and Israel to attempt to broker a cease fire and Kofi Annon is calling for increasing U.N. peace keeping troops. Any attempt by the United Nations to end this in my opinion is doomed and a farce from the onset. Why would additional peace keeping troops aid in this situation in any manner when 2000 have been in Lebanon since 1978 with a U.N. mandate to disarm Hezbollah and prevent attacks against Israel which they have failed to do ? U.N. peace keepers have and always will fail because they are just as corrupt as the U.N. itself. So this proposal by Annon is not only not worth considering but not worth the time it took to explain it during a press conference. Concerning the brokering of a cease fire, Israel attempted to follow a peaceful process six years ago when it pulled out of the buffer zone it controlled in southern Lebanon, a buffer zone that was controlled to prevent the type of attacks that Hezbollah is currently achieving. The agreement set forth at that time was for Israel to move out of the buffer zone and Hezbollah would cease all attacks against Israel. Additional the Lebanese army was to assist in the disarming and keep a watchful eye on Hezbollah. Not only did Hezbollah continue to occasionally attack Israel but used the time to further arm themselves with the assistance of Iran and Syria. Why then would a cease fire work today since it has never worked in the past ? Also a cease fire implies negotiation and peace talks. One cannot talk to a terrorist because they do not listen and negotiation always fails because they do not honor agreements.

There are several options that I think should be considered concerning this war. First Israel should stand firm in their commitment to not stop until Hezbollah is disarmed. Israel has a reputation of backing up with force their statements and I am sure this will not be an exception. The restraint that Israel has exercised in warning the civilian population and attacking infrastructure targets to prevent movement of Hezbollah forces and supplies as well as disrupting the flow of arms coming from Syria and attacking Hezbollah command and attack sights is a good strategy and commendable for the concern for civilians. Hezbollah has been allowed to arm and have a free hand in the region far to long and the time to end their terrorism is now.

Following a similar strategy countries that are allied with Israel such as the United States and Great Britain who are also partners in the War on Terror should follow Israel's example and conduct a campaign against the terrorism that is taking place with Hezbollah and Hamas and the states that sponsor both. Today in Iran the leaders of both Hezbollah and Hamas both groups founded by Iran and financed and armed by Iran and used by Iran to instigate the current conflict met to end their differences and competition with one another to form a united front against Israel and further escalate the war thus giving full indication that Iran and the two groups that they sponsor are not going to back down. The next phase of this battle field in the global war on terror should consist of the U.S. and U.K using massive air power attacks on the infrastructure and military facilities of both Iran and Syria. Warn the civilian population in advance as Israel is doing then destroy both countries capability to instigate terror activity and arm terrorist groups again. Not only would this deal a great blow to both countries who arrogantly believe that we do not have the resolve to confront them which emboldens them to terrorize the region but it will also give them pause in any nuclear ambitions that Iran has and will force Assad in Syria to reconsider his terrorist strategy toward Israel. Additionally the destruction of the capability to wage a terror war by both Iran and Syria, who let's face facts are behind the current conflict in every way, will give courage to the freedom loving people in both countries to step up and over throw their governments. Until Iran and Syria are dealt with in a decisive manner there will never be peace in the region. Until their capability to wage terrorism and fund and arm terror organizations and networks is stopped and these two rogue states are brought under control Israel will always be threatened and war will continue to rage in the Middles East. The time to act is now! The time to fight with our ally Israel is upon us!

Ken Taylor

ISRAEL, LEBANON WAR WITH AN IRANIAN CONNECTION ? - THE SUNDAY COMMENTARY

As the world has watched during the past several days Israel is again at war. Hezbollah and Hamas who now are not only terrorist organizations dedicated to the destruction of Israel but are also elected bodies within the Lebanese and Palestinian parliaments have launched war against Israel and Israel with full moral and legal justification has taken the offensive in an attempt to flush out these terrorists while holding restraint in their attacks so as to not punish the civilian population. If you do not believe that Israel has exercised restraint then imagine what Lebanon would be like at this moment had Israel released, again with justification, its full military capability. Israel has long been known to have the most powerful military in the region and has to the most part been attacking infrastructure targets preceded with leaflets dropped to warn the civilian population. Hezbollah especially has not exercised restraint as their missile attacks have all been aimed at civilian population areas. Israel in answer to cease fire requests by the U.N. stated that until their soldiers are returned and Hezbollah disarmed they will continue attacking. Good for Israel. These two groups who are now political entities have been allowed a free hand in the region for far to long and the time has come for their elimination. When a political entity who represents any nation, even if that entity is a terrorist organization, is committing an act of war they in turn suffer the consequences. As recognized government entities attacking Israel is an act of war. Syria at least for the moment is staying out of the fighting but a curious statement by Syria on Friday added to my suspicion that Iran is behind this war. On Thursday Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stated that if the conflict were to escalate into Syria that Israel would be at war with the entire Islamic world. Prior to that statement Syria had a completely hands off attitude as would be expected because if you remember Lebanon virtually kicked Syria out of the country after reports that Syria had the duly elected Lebanese Prime Minister assassinated. Since then Syria and Lebanon have been at odds. Yet after Ahmadinejad's Thursday statement Syria followed with a tougher stance on Friday with a more threatening tone toward Israel sounding as if they were preparing to join the fighting. If Syria became involved the war would escalate as both Syria and Iran would join in the fighting. It is my believe and the belief of many analysts that Iran is behind this war and is not only providing weapons but financing and personnel in order to expand the conflict to bring about the destruction of Israel.

Hezbollah and Hamas and the Iranian connection - Iran founded in most respects both of these organizations for the expressed purpose of harassing and ultimately destroying Israel by killing as many Israelis through acts of terror that have been taking place in Israel for many years. It is known that Hezbollah transferred the two kidnapped soldiers to Iran which means that it is highly unlikely that they will ever return alive. Iran has also supplied the missiles that have been launched by the hundreds into Israel and it is thought that Iranian troops are actually firing the longer range missiles that have been attacking Haifa. Adding to the already mounting evidence concerning the Iranian connection is the meeting scheduled Tuesday in Teheran between the leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas to end the disagreements and competition between the two groups to present a united front and attack against Israel with an obvious Iranian backing. Though Ahmadinejad is to a great extent a puppet president in Iran the ruling Mullahs have not refuted any of his threats against Israel and have made similar threats though not as publicized or as dogmatic but threats just the same.

Iran by instigating this war has accomplished several objectives. First they have isolated Israel bringing unjustified condemnation from many countries who if in the same situation would respond in a similar manner. Second they have joined the Arab world into a united front against Israel with the exception of Iraq, Jordan and Egypt. Thirdly, with the war raging in the region Iran has succeeded in taking world and U.N. attention off of their nuclear ambitions and their defiance. Additionally the war in Iraq whose country Iran has had its sights on well before the fall of Saddam Hussein has been far more successful than they had anticipated this despite their active involvement in sponsoring and supplying the insurgency. By focusing on the destruction of Israel, Iran hopes to draw the United States into the conflict and away from Iraq in order to allow Iran an open door to set up an Iranian type theocracy and another center for Islamic terrorism. Just how far this will go remains to be seen. The escalation to this point has been continual but relatively confined to Israel and Lebanon and the border region of both countries with certain attacks further into Beirut and Haifa. If Iran is allowed to control this situation as it would seem to a very real extent they have this has the capability of erupting into a total all out war with the destruction of Israel and the total expansion of Islamic fascism as the final goal. The United States has and always will support Israel. This may be a time when the use of our military may be necessary in that support. Sending two or more Task Forces with their full compliment of air power to assist Israel and finally end the Syrian and Iranian threat may become necessary and in the long run a permanent solution to the problems in the Middle East.

Ken Taylor

BLOG OF THE WEEK - RIGHT WING GUY

This week the Blog of the Week spotlight shines on , "Right Wing Guy." Excellent commentary from a conservative perspective. Add to that continual updating of today's current issue and you will find a blog worth your time and adding as a link.

ISRAEL HAS THE RIGHT TO DEFEND

It is always amazing to me that when Israel is attacked as has happened in the past several days and Israel justifiably defends the nation how quickly the world and the U.N. step forward to condemn Israel. Yet when Israel is continually attacked, her people killed and her country invaded by Hezbollah and Hamas the condemnation is quiet. The Security council has been arguing for weeks just to draft a resolution in response to Iran's nuclear crises and North Korea's missile launches yet yesterday a resolution against Israel took only a few hours and thankfully The United States vetoed it. Let me be blunt and frank. Israel has a moral and legal right to defend herself which is exactly what the nation surrounded by enemies is doing. Any nation in a similar situation would respond exactly as Israel is yet the majority of the world condemns Israel. If any country had fellow countrymen kidnapped by a neighboring country and those same countries were firing hundreds of missiles into civilian population areas there is no question that a stiff and decisive military response would be undertaken and warranted. Additionally Hezbollah and Hamas are elected government parties, (though recognized terrorist organizations), in Lebanon and The Palestinian parliament respectfully. Therefore as government representatives their action in attacking Israel are an act of war and no longer, "just, " terrorist attacks. They are recognized elected entities in recognized governments and therefore an attack by either group against a sovereign nation is legally and morally an act of war and deserves the appropriate response in defense of the attacked nation which is exactly what Israel is doing. Putting this into perspective if one of our border cities was attacked by a governing party in Canada would we as American citizens not expect our President to respond accordingly with a military response to a military attack on our soil ? Why then is Israel held to a different standard ?

News also came out yesterday of the Iranian involvement in the war. Hezbollah who is supported by Iran through arms shipments delivered to Lebanon was reported to have transferred the kidnapped soldiers to Iran. Another report by Israeli intelligence stated that the unexpected missile attack in the port city of Haifa was launched by Iranian troops in Lebanon. Thus it would seem that Iran is backing this attack against Israel though to what extent and for what purpose is not fully known.

It is obvious that this situation will continue as Israel is continuing to be attacked and justifiably attacking to defend herself. If Israel has the opportunity to destroy the capability of both Hamas and Hezbollah to wage war against Israel than as a sovereign nation defending her people and her land then Israel should do so. Both groups even though elected as government representatives are terrorist factions which should be eliminated which would in turn greatly relieve the threat that Israel is continually under from neighboring countries. In defending herself Israel has the right to destroy her enemies to protect her people from those enemies. Every nation on this planet has that right and Israel is no exception.

Ken Taylor

ISRAEL, LEBANON, SYRIA, PALESTINIANS AND IRAN?

As the world looks on at the escalating conflict that is continuing between Israel, Lebanon and the Palestinians with the leaders of each stating that they are now at war with the other, a perplexing question arises in my mind. Could this be the beginning of an offensive against Israel promised by Iranian President Ahmadinejad ? This Iranian madman has been threatening and promising action against Israel since the confrontation over Iran's nuclear development began and with each passing month the threat to Israel has become more pronounced in his rhetoric. Could the invasion by Lebanon kidnapping Israeli soldiers and the missile strikes on Israeli settlements be the beginning of Iran's threat by using one of the border nations around Israel as the catalyst for the promised destruction of Israel ? It is well known that Syria and Lebanon are two countries that harbor and support Hezbollah and the Palestinians now have Hamas as the ruling party in their government both of which, again well known, are supported by Iran. Additionally the governments of Lebanon and Syria receive support from Iran. This could be an indication that Iran is attempting to take this confrontation to a new level by instituting acts of war against Israel. Additionally Israel announced today that their intelligence has learned that the two kidnapped soldiers are being transfered to Iran which indicates direct involvment by Iran. Granted the conflict between Israel, Lebanon, Syria and the Palestinians has been ongoing. The difference in this particular incident is that each now considers themselves in an active war and not just threatening war if the terror strikes that have always been aimed at Israel did not stop. The invasion of one nation into another, which Lebanon undertook in order to kidnap the Israeli soldiers has always been considered an act of war and as such warranted military action against the invading nation. My gut instinct because of the rhetoric from Iran and the relationship between Iran and those nations that border Israel is that Iran is in some way behind this escalation in order to isolate Israel and attempt to rally Arab nations into war against Israel thus attempting to bring about her destruction as has been threatened by Ahmadinejad. Israel by far has the strongest military in the region and has the means to protect herself, but if this escalates to an Israeli, Arab regional conflict it could become the beginnings of a war involving more than just the nations in the region including the United States. Israel has both in 1969 and again in 1973 proven that she has the means without the assistance of other nations in direct military involvement to protect and defend herself, but the question arises that if this escalates into a regional conflict which involves Iran will it necessitate the involvement of other nations in defense of Israel ? Whether this escalation continues remains to be seen and the next several days or weeks will reveal whether international involvement other than stepping in to create a cease fire will take place. The possibility is very apparent and the truth as to whether Iran is behind this or not will come to light soon because Ahmadinejad will not be able to resist taking the credit for Iran's involvement especially if his goal is to rally Arab nations against Israel. Time will tell but unfortunatly as quickly as this is escalating time may not be a luxury that is available !

Ken Taylor

THE JOY OF BEING AN AMERICAN

The title of this post may sound a bit strange at first until one reads the full content of the writing. Yesterday I celebrated the big 50 and having the day off as well as other activities that were planned for me by family and friends, ( no wild parties as I am not a drinker), I could not focus on a particular subject that I attempted yesterday and posted the reason and that I was taking a day away from my blog because of my birthday. When I returned today and read the comments, (of which I did not expect), I was reminded about one of the joys tht we have as Americans. Three comments were left wishing me a happy birthday, one from MD Conservative, one from Rob and the third from Vern all three regulars. The interesting aspect about this that makes me proud as an American is that MD and I usually agree politically and Rob, Vern and I seldom agree. Yet all three took the opportunity to wish me happy birthday and left very nice comments that are very appreciated. My point is this, while we as Americans may disagree politically and have passionate feelings for or against issues that face the nation that we love because of the wonderful freedoms that we have in the nation, particularly the freedom of speech in this case, we can be political adversaries yet friends at the same time. Though I have never met these three fellow Americans we have had many rather heated discourses over the web yet I still consider them a friend and fellow patriot who share the same love of country and though our passions run different directions have equal concern for the future of this nation. I am reminded of stories that I have heard and read about President Reagan and then Speaker of the House, "Tip, " O'Neill. If ever there were to political adversaries President Reagan and Speaker O'Neill would stand out as two of the most prominent in out history. Yet despite there differences these two Americans regularly met privately as friends because they genuinely liked each other. Though I do not personally know MD, Rob or Vern from what I know about them and the conversations we have had in the comments window I know that I can call each friend. This is one of the aspects that has always made our country great and unfortunately to a great extent is an aspect that seems to have been lost in Washington. The partisan politics have taken on such a personal aspect that it is highly unlikely that many political adversaries are more than acquaintances outside of the Capitol or the White House. This could very well be one of the reasons that so much is not accomplished by either party through the elected officials. The relationship that MD, Rob, Vern and myself have established on the web proves that America still works and though there are differences it is that diversity which in many ways makes this country work. This never means giving up or neglecting our principles or core beliefs in order to compromise or accommodate but it does mean that we must always remember that we are Americans first and political adversaries second and the good of the nation should always be our goal. Not political gain or advantage at the expense of the country or those with whom we disagree regardless of our beliefs or party affiliation. Thanks again to MD, Rob and Vern for their sincere birthday wishes and thank God for America and may we ever be true to our freedoms and liberties never taking them for granted and always remembering the price that was paid to insure that this nation, "shall not perish."

Ken Taylor

CELEBRATING THE BIG 5O

I was thinking of prospective subjects that I would post about today and came to the realization that I was taking today off in order to celebrate my 50th birthday and that my mind was really not into what I was attempting to write. So posting will continue tomorrow as I take in reaching the big 50 ! Thanks for understanding and for visiting my blog.

Ken

PRESIDENT BUSH NOW CONDEMNED FOR NON - ACTION WITH N. KOREA

No matter what he does, how he says it, why he directs it, or who he assigns the issue to, the left and the liberal media find some way to condemn, ridicule and accuse the President of being wrong. The latest involves the missile launches by North Korea. The President has taken an attitude of working with other nations to find a diplomatic response and solution to Kim Jong IL's latest whining. He as well as many realize that Kim Jong is using his military and especially the launch of the missiles to blackmail the world into doing what they have done in the past, giving into this whining dictator who fully realizes that if he chose to actually follow his threats with military action it would end in the destruction of his country by The United States and those, (who are in the majority by the way), who side with the U.S. in condemnation against North Korea. So how do some on the left and the liberal media respond to Bush's diplomatic reaction ? Story after story and interview after interview now attempt to portray him as a weak leader who not longer follows, "cowboy diplomacy." This Cowboy idea stems from a statement that the President made soon after the 9/11 attacks when asked about finding those responsible for the attacks and his response was, "wanted dead or alive, " which appears in numerous cowboy movies. Since that statement in every action that the President has taken in the War on Terror he has been shown by the press as a cowboy politician as an attempt by the press to insult Bush and make him look as if he shoots first and asks questions later. Of course this has not been the diplomatic style of the administration but now that Bush is following a more diplomatic route with North Korea the same press and opposition who condemned him for taking forceful action after 9/11 and for invading Iraq now condemn him for NOT being militarily forceful with North Korea. Personally as I have stated though the military option should remain on the table if Kim Jong takes this situation to the next level right now using diplomacy is the right course. I do not think that The United Nations is the answer nor do I believe that anything will come out of the U.N. to remotly help with North Korea. The United States and those who side against Kim Jong will have to take action outside of the U.N. whether it is financial or military isolation etc. But for the liberal media and critics on the left to now accuse Bush of being weak because he is not attacking North Korea is ridiculous. These very same people would out right condemn Bush as a warmonger and murderer if he were to take full military action against North Korea and will if military action becomes necessary. The hypocricy is disgusting. No matter what he does he is wrong. No matter how he does it he is wrong. When he is proven right as he has been time and again he never recieves the credit just further condemnation. There is no satisfying the press and many on the left and that is one of many reasons that Bush has and always will follow his principles and not the polls.

Ken Taylor

WHAT PRICE APPEASEMENT - THE SUNDAY COMMENTARY

The specter of appeasement once again shows its face as the world contemplates how to respond and what to do with the minor menace of North Korea and its whining insane leader Kim Jung IL. There are many in their irritation over this lunatic who say just, "just give him what he wants and he will go away." Fat chance. There are some who think that just ignoring him will make him go away. Fat chance again. There are some who believe that taking out one or two missile launch pads will end his saber rattling. Not likely. So because of the fact that Jung is not going away and that he cannot just be ignored, giving him what he wants seems to be the way many are leaning. What is it that he wants this time ? Ever since Jung has rattled the nuclear saber there have been six party talks with North Korea which have resulted in absolutely nothing. Why because Jung wants to have one on one talks with The United States. His reason is simply for the recognition that he would receive as a player with the , "big boys, " thus in his mind a prominent world power. The United States has refused and rightfully so. What then has lead this minor world player into thinking that he has the right and the influence to be considered a major player in world politics ? Appeasement. Whenever Jung has in the past rattled the saber using militaristic bribery the world has bent over backwards to give this lunatic what he demands thinking that finally he will be satisfied and go away. South Korea has appeased him so much with money, food and technology because they fear his saber rattling that they are virtually a prisoner to his whims as they have given in time and again. The problem now is that every time this child has been appeased and given what he wants he has become more of a threat and uses his militaristic bribery tactics in a more provocative way each time. In other words he has not gone away which is always the case with appeasement. In the current confrontation the recognition that he has received because of his actions on the Fourth of July has given him a false sense of power as he has dominated world opinion for the last week and looks to be the major subject in the coming week because he still has missiles on the launch pad. Yet still there are many who would give into his demands to shut him up.

Appeasement is dangerous as was proven prior to WWII with the famous agreement that was reached by then British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and Adolph Hitler. Rather than risk the possibility of armed confrontation as Hitler began expanding his Reich into the Sudentenland, Chamberlain met with Hitler as a result of this invasion and signed a supposed peace accord with Germany appeasing Hitler by granting him the invaded areas in exchange for his promise that further expansion and military conflict would not take place. Of course Hitler signed the accord and Chamberlain returned home, "triumphant, " declaring, "My good friends, for the second time in our history, a British Prime Minister has returned from Germany bringing peace with honor. I believe it is peace for our time." Hitler as we all know never had any intention of honoring the peace accord and used this appeasement to gain the necessary time to build his military into the juggernaut that conquered Europe and plunged the world into WWII.

First let me state that Kim Jung IL is by no means Hitler but rather a spoiled brat who thinks that he is a powerful world leader, when in fact he is truly just a minor player. The problem that arises is this, the more he is appeased, the more that the world gives into his demands especially South Korea the more dangerous he truly becomes. Russia and China because of the large trade that they have with North Korea only complicate the situation since they veto any attempt in the spineless United Nations to solve the problem. The United Nations never solved anything and to think that this weak and corrupt organization can control Kim Jung IL is asking for trouble. By no means though am I suggesting that the way to handle Kim Jung is with military strikes or and invasion or other such means not because I believe that it should not be an option because it should be. This lunatic Kim Jung and his saber rattling does not warrant a military response unless he takes this to the next level and actually threatens his neighbors or the United States with his militaristic ways. I don't see him doing this because he knows the consequences for him and his country if he does. It does not take a genius to realize that he is surrounded by the military might of the United States and any move against his neighbors will be dealt with in a swift and decisive manner. So what then is the answer. First, as President Bush is doing, treat Kim Jung for what he is a whining baby trying to get his way and not over react to him. Second, stop the policy of appeasement as has been the case in the past and never again give into his demands. Thirdly, gather every country willing in a response that does not go through the United Nations and isolate and if necessary starve this lunatic into compliance. Blockade all of his ports not allowing anything to enter North Korea by sea. Use the might of Naval aircraft to turn back planes that attempt to land in his country including stopping all domestic flights of any type thus further isolating him. Freeze all of the countries financial resources that are outside of his borders. Finally leave him alone and watch him wither on the vine. If the world responds as such even the Russians and Chinese will eventually feel the pressure and join the total isolation of North Korea and this small child who has whined his way into the world stage will become a problem of the past as his country collapses.

Ken Taylor

BLOG OF THE WEEK - FREEDOM ISN'T FREE

The Blog of the Week spotlight falls on, "Freedom Isn't free." A great blog that was begun for a great purpose. This blog was started as a venue for supporting the troops, which also expresses the reason for the blog title. The author is a fellow contributor to, "Right Wing Thinking." Well worth reading and adding as a link to your site.

NORTH KOREA - THE BABY CONTINUES TO WHINE

How many of you are parents ? I am and am sure that many of you are or if not have listened to discussions of friends or family members who are parents. Every parent have many things in common concerning their children. One of those, "things, " is the common complaint of a child being somewhat of a brat and throwing temper tantrums and/or whining because or until that child gets their own way. Let us now take a look at Kim Jung, "Mentally, "IL. This rogue dictator is a brat, granted as the leader of a communist regime a brat with a certain amount of power, but a brat none the less. He was raised as a brat by a father who was also a brat. His father while in power flexed his bratty muscles and caused world events like the Korean War then proceeded to blame The United States for being the aggressor and why ? Because he whined and did not get his way thus taking the region to war. Kim Jung is not his father he is a brat who has still not progressed past the stage of a baby in diapers. He is also a brat who is somewhat isolated as a result of protections that were put into place by our military because of the Korean War. When he whines unfortunately the world in the past has listened and given this brat his way. Two prime examples are the whining this brat did in 1994 by threatening nuclear weapons development and the Clinton administration sent the emissary Jimmy Carter to change the babies diaper and appeased this brat by giving him nuclear technology on Kim Jung's promise that he would use it for energy development. Well the brat broke his promise, (surprise, surprise), eight years later and kicked out inspectors and proceeded to use this technology to develop weapons grade uranium. Again in 1998 the brat whined and launched a three stage missile planned to carry a satellite into orbit and with poor North Korean technology the missile could not acquire escape velocity and fell into the Japan Sea. Enter the Clinton administration again and their supply of Kim Jung Pampers and appeasement once again offered this brat United States assistance in placing his satellites into orbit. At least this time he was not given the technology just the use of our equipment and our launch facilities. The brat has once again been whining for several months because he wants to have one on one talks with the United States. The Bush administration recognizes that this baby is whining again and refuses to appease him with a one on one. Two days ago the brat saber rattled with his missiles and today has, according to satellite pictures, five more on the launch pad. The Bush administration though concerned sees this ploy for what it is and again refuses to change the brats diapers. The United Nations is meeting to consider sanctions against Kim Jung as the world has rallied in condemnation for his actions. Even his defenders, Russia and China have condemned him but when asked to ante up in the U.N. both have refused to do so thus nullifying any U.N. resolution and keeping the U.N. the weak and useless entity that it has been. The problem for the U.S. now is that with the rejection of the Russians and the Chinese in the U.N. it becomes obvious that it is also an attempt to make the U.S. appear weak with a non-response. Many have suggested that the U.S. take out one of the launch pads as a show of force to reign in the brat and humble this lunatic. While on the surface this seems like a good idea, the problem is that right now the world focus is on Kim Jung and his insanity and not the U.S. who would be condemned as an, "aggressor nation," if the pad were taken out. Additionally taking out one or two launch pads would be similar to the lobbing of cruise missiles at Saddam Hussein in the 90's whenever he whined and disobeyed the U.N., (and when Clinton wanted to get the attention off of Monica), which succeeded in nothing. There will come a point when this lunatic will have to be dealt with on a much stronger basis. right now while the world is focused on his insanity diplomacy is still the best option. As the Russians and the Chinese continue to take their typical words but no action stance in the U.N. the U.S. , Japan, South Korea and others who are behind us will have to take a stand with possible sanctions and further isolation. If Kim Jung takes this whining to the next level then the baby will have to be spanked and it will be up to us and our allies to do so. He is surrounded with the military might of the United States and the President has further isolated him from a military stand point by placing U.S. destroyers with missile capability in the Japan Sea off the Korean coast. Kim Jung will saber rattle and whine like the brat that he is. When and if the time comes though this time the brat will not face an appeaser who will change his diaper but an angry adult who will spank the baby and teach him a much needed lesson that he will not forget.

Ken Taylor

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. PRESIDENT

Today marks the 60th birthday for President George W. Bush. Happy Birthday Mr. President and best wishes to you and Mrs. Bush.

NORTH KOREA SABER RATTLING

North Korea launched five short range and one long range missile with yet one more launch taking place during the early morning hours Eastern Time today. Each of the missiles landed in the Japan Sea with the long range Taepodong 2 failing 40 seconds after launch. While there is need for concern about these launches unless Kim Jung, "Mentally, " IL has varied from previous action this will in the final analysis be another attempt by the rogue dictator at saber rattling in order to blackmail the United States and other countries into giving him what he wants. The Taepodong 2 missile has proposed the most concern because if successful it has the capability of reaching the U.S. Yet just as in 1998 this missile had an unsuccessful attempt. The last time that North Korea attempted a long range missile launch was August 1, 1998 and though the Taepodong 1, (predecessor to yesterdays version), missile left the launch pad and actually separated in stages the launch was considered a failure because the mission of this particular launch was to place a satellite in orbit and the missile could not reach escape velocity before destruction. Yesterdays test and failure after 40 seconds proves that North Korea has not advanced in their missile technology. There will be some who think that this post is taking a rather matter of fact stance on the events of yesterday which to a certain extent is true. Keep in mind though that Kim Jung has throughout his reign as dictator continually used his , "military, " as a threat to gain favor and financial assistance from the world. During the Clinton administration this worked in the sense that to appease this lunatic nuclear technology was given to Kim Jung, on his promise that it would be used for energy purposes which of course everyone knows is not the case, but his saber rattling succeeded in getting him what he wanted. This time though it looks as if this attempt at saber rattling has somewhat backfired on Kim Jung since it has actually turned even his defenders, Russia and China against him for both came out in condemnation of the missile tests. This is not to say that this lunatic should not be taken seriously because as with any rogue state and any dictatorial regime with a madman at the helm there is always the possibility of sable rattling becoming actualities rather than threats. But judging from his past and the fact that Kim Jung knows that if he were to seriously attack a neighbor or the U.S. his days would be over and his country would be decimated by military action on an unprecedented scale. He also realizes that the U.S. in support of our South Korea ally has a sizable presence just across the DMZ with whatever back up necessary only hours away in Okinawa and the Philippines. Not to mention the task force that is stationed out of Japan. Taking all of this in mind is why I believe that this is yet another attempt by Kim Jung to use his military capability to blackmail, only this time he may wish that he had not because of the polarizing effect it is having. Time will tell and his continuance with the tests and the world response will determine to what extent and significance this will have. But the bottom line is this, if he takes this to the next level and does more that rattle the saber and seriously threatens or begins an attack he will feel the full force of the United States and the rest of the world upon him.

Ken Taylor

CELEBRATING OUR FREEDOM WITH THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

As we celebrate the 230 birthday of The United States of America and our independence as a free nation, there cannot be a more fitting post for Independence Day than that which was written that declared our independence. Fellow bloggers, "The Declaration of Independence. "
July 4, 1776

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only. He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures. He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent: For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offencesFor abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands. He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

FREEDOM AND LIBERTY WORTH THE COST - THE SUNDAY COMMENTARY

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

With these words Thomas Jefferson embodied the heart of freedom and liberty. As the signers of the Declaration of Independence placed their very life behind the principles of freedom to gain independence on that summers day in 1776 they gave birth to a new idea. An idea that had never before found its equal or better in a government by man. An idea that encompassed the most basic of human rights but had never before been allowed to flourish in any country. An idea which allowed all people regardless of where they came from, who their parents were, what their financial status was or how they worshipped the unalienable right to think do and live as they pleased. To prosper in accordance with their will and willingness to achieve. To worship in accordance to their personal beliefs. To raise their family on their own land without being subservient to another. To live without the fear of oppression or threat of a tyrant, monarch or government that imposed their will upon the individual. To some all of these freedoms were not evident from the beginning but the ground work was laid to make those freedoms possible for any and everyone. To this cause and the birth of this new nation in which these freedoms could find root in the heart and life of every person who set foot upon her shores, the signers of The Declaration dedicated their, "support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor. "

It would be another six years before full independence was gained and yet another seven before the government which embodied theses principles of freedom was established. In those long hard fought years many would sacrifice their, lives , fortunes and sacred honor, to gain the freedom that was promised in The Declaration. Most who made this sacrifice never signed the document of birth. Most who sacrificed never made the pledge of the signers publicly but all who sacrificed realized that with freedom comes a price and each were willing to pay that price regardless of the cost for in their hearts they knew that their sacrifice would not be in vain. For with that sacrifice would come a new nation forged in blood and dedicated to the premise that all people should and can be free. Those who made this sacrifice were not making an idle stand nor one that just followed the crowd but willingly stood for what they believed and sought within their very heart, the chance to be free. The chance to wake every morning to know that they held within their own hands the ability to lead the life of their choosing. This is why they fought. This is why many died and this is why throughout our history we have continued to fight and sacrifice to pay the price of freedom.

As we celebrate this 230 birthday of our freedom as a nation let us not forget the sacrifice that has been made in all of those years to continually insure that each generation of American's can enjoy the same freedoms as the generations who have gone before. Let us not forget the reason that we as a nation exist, "that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, " may always be our national creed and our national calling. That we never take for granted those freedoms and realize that each freedom that we possess as individuals and as a nation has come with great sacrifice from the very inception of our nation and that sacrifice still continues today to insure that those freedoms and this nation continue to live. We have a heritage of freedom and it is a heritage that we own to continue at any cost to insure that future generations of American's can celebrate and live in the same freedom. God bless America and may he continue to bless our freedom and each of us who live in this land of the free.

Ken Taylor

BLOG OF THE WEEK - BLUE STAR CHRONICLES

The Blog of the Week spotlight shines on , "Blue Star Chronicles." Good writing covering the gambit of today's issues with a conservative point of view. Be sure to scan the right sidebar for a tremendous list of blogrolls that includes hundreds of like minded blogs. Well worth your reading and adding as a link.