Check Out the Republican Candidates' Positions

The Family Research Council posted a voter guide on the current crop of GOP wannabees for the Iowa caucuses. Check it out here. Even though the Iowa caucuses are over, the data in this guide is helpful for analyzing the candidates who remain in the running. Since Bachmann and Perry have dropped out, we are left with four: Romney, Santorum, Paul, and Gingrich (in order of their vote tallies.) An eight vote lead isn't exactly a landslide so Romney had a pretty shaky win. And as far as I'm concerned, McCain's endorsement of Romney is one more black mark on his scorecard. So, what do you think, readers? There's some talk of a Santorum/Gingrich coalition against Romney. What do you see as the best bet to beat Obama?

Resolve to Evangelize the Authentic Catholic Faith

And realize that many who need evangelization are INSIDE THE CHURCH.

Pat Buchanan: Always Pithy and Generally Right

Is America Losing Control?

Our policies in Iraq reveal the danger of unintended consequences. As Buchanan points out:

Our one-man, one-vote democratists who would remake the world in our image and whose ideology has guided foreign policy for the Bush-Obama decade failed to understand what our Founding Fathers taught:

A democracy, which they detested, empowers majorities to tyrannize minorities. “In questions of power,” Jefferson admonished, “let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the constitution.”

Democratize the Middle East along one-man, one-vote majority-rule principles, without guarantees of minority rights, and majority tribes and sects will use their democratically won power to crush those minorities.
Is that not what is happening there today to the Christians of the Middle East?

2012 better be a year of prayer and penance because we are balanced precariously on the brink.

Voter ID Protects the Integrity of the Vote

Unless you favor dead people and Mickey Mouse voting in elections, you should be support voter ID. Anybody with a passport or driver's license has an ID and anyone can get a non-driver's photo ID at the DMV. There's even a website where you can click on a map for the information in your state. So why do the Democrats resist voter ID so aggressively? Because...they favor dead people and Mickey Mouse and friends voting perhaps? Obama's Justice Department is after states to halt voter ID because, let's face it, they need all those dead voters to stuff the ballot box. And consider that every illegally cast vote knocks out a legal vote. How would you feel if that vote were yours?

KNIGHT: Voter ID terrifies Democrats
Justice Department seeks to undermine our elections

Thought for the Day from Walker Percy: On Parents and Children

A friend sent me a segment of an interview with Walker Percy about his Catholic faith which sent me searching for other interviews with this wonderful Catholic writer (who, by the way, did not consider himself a very good Catholic even though he was a believer). Here is how he answered the question, "How much do children owe their parents, and vice versa?"

WP: Don't know, beyond a certain decent respect. Love's fine, but so is toleration. Thus, parents should recognize that most children, especially the most talented, have to rebel to become themselves. Young people should recognize that their parents are not necessarily the cretins they appear to be. Each should try to put up with the other, difficult as that may be.

So...all you parents having trouble with their children, keep this in mind and keep loving them as best you can while gritting your teeth. And...all you children with "cretins" for parents, grit your teeth and love them as best you can too. Maybe the old man and old woman will learn a few things during 2012 and beyond and even come to be friends.

Toleration (i.e., "putting up with each other") is a great watchword for the new year...never silent tolerance of evil which must be opposed (although if you've already made the point with someone you love, don't beat it into the ground), but tolerance of conscience. Prayer and penance will go much further to change hearts than browbeating.

NB: I'm obviously not talking about tolerance in the politically correct, homosexual activism context. Some things must be opposed always and everywhere in terms of policy and law. On the other hand, relationships with individuals require unconditional and patient love that calls forth the best in the other. The true, the good, and the beautiful appeal to the human heart and image the goodness of God. Advance these everywhere and you will be doing much to bring about the Kingdom of God on earth.

Have You Considered Your New Year's Resolution?

It's that time of year again. Will you make a resolution today and mess up tomorrow? If you really want to make progress in the spiritual life, follow the philosophy of St. Ignatius. Pick something very specific and keep a notebook where you record twice a day how you're doing -- at midday and bedtime. Then keep at it. If you have a problem with speaking uncharitably about a specific person, make eliminating that your goal. And when you've eliminated that sin or fault, move on to another. Picking broad goals like, "I'm going to be more charitable in 2012," will immediately be forgotten. Deciding to say nothing mean about your mother-in-law may be more challenging. As for me, I've decided I'm not buying any new clothes in 2012. I have enough to last me the rest of my life already and it will give us more disposable income to spend on replacing the roof and charity. Now...what will I do in my spiritual life? That's a little harder and requires more thought and prayer.

Newt the Crybaby for President

No more Mr. Nice Guy for Newt Gingrich. He has his limits. For example, he could NEVER vote for Ron Paul. Principled Newt, however, had no problemo endorsing a radical pro-abort Republican, Dede Scozzafava in New York. Remember her? She was running against a pro-lifer who won the nomination and Dede threw her support to the Democrat. That made sense, actually, since she is a liberal Democrat in philosophy and voted like one. But that didn't keep Newt from going to bat for her and act like the party hack he is -- support the Republican no matter how morally bankrupt or unprinicpled. No wonder columnist Joe Sobran always called Republicans the "stupid party." Not ony that, many, like Newt, seem incapable of learning.

But, as I said, Newt does have his limits and he absolutely would not vote for Ron Paul. Paul is just too...too... whatever...for him. (Personally, I don't agree with Ron Paul on a number of issues, but it would be refreshing to have a decent man in the White House for a change. Just think of it, somebody one who has been married to the same woman for over fifty years without a hint of scandal, delivered thousands of babies, believes in limited government, doesn't support the U.S. war machine, and refuses his government pension.)

Who has more integrity? Newt or Ron? Hmmm....is that a trick question or a no-brainer?

Mr. Newt sounds to me like a cry baby who has a tantrum when he doesn't get his way. How dare the Virginia Republican Party keep him off the state ballot? Why should his campaign be organized enough to meet the qualifications by getting 10,000 signatures on a petition? (I got a robo-call at the last minute with locations to sign the ballot petition.)

Look...everybody should just recognize that Newt is THE candidate and let him get on with the business of beating Obama. He realized it while he was on that cruise around the Greek islands. And how dare his home state expect him to meet their unreasonable requirements to make the ballot. Don't they know who he is?

All I can say is, "Get over it, Newt!" (And you too, Perry.) Do you really think whining is an attractive qualification for president?

The Obama Dinner Lottery

It never ceases to amaze me how low presidents or presidential candidates can stoop to make a buck. It shows that they have absolutely no class. Bob Dole illustrated it with his disgusting ads for...well, you know. Then there were Bill and Hillary selling nights in the Lincoln bedrooom (seances included?) for high roller donors. And now the Obamas, who plan to spend a cool billion on Barack's reelection campaign, offer lottery tickets for a "casual meal" with them. Don't believe it? I'm on his mailing list and see what I got below (second or third invite to enter actually).  I removed the weblink because I have no intention of advertising for them. And if you believe all that nonsense about accepting no money from lobbyists and PACs, I have a nice covered bridge for sale in Shenandoah County. Check out this link for data on the union PAC money, over $7 million of it that Obama sucked in during his 2008 campaign. Anyway, here's the email complete with the info that no contribution is needed to enter. As for me, in view of the Obamas enthusiasm for killing little babies, I think eating with them would give me a severe case of indigestion.

Friend --
It's not all that often that Michelle and I get to host a casual meal with friends. That's one of the reasons we're both excited about the upcoming dinner with three supporters and your guests. It's the first one we've ever done like this together, and we'd love to have you and whoever you choose to join us. Chip in $3 or whatever you can today -- and you'll automatically be entered to be one of our dinner guests. I enjoy these dinners not just because they're a way to connect with supporters across the country.

They also say a lot about what kind of campaign we're running.

We don't take a dime from D.C. lobbyists or special-interest PACs -- never have and never will. Instead, we believe in the kind of politics that gives everyone a seat at the table -- so we're literally offering these seats at dinner to folks who are willing to step forward and be a part of it. There are just a few days left to add your name for a chance to be one of our guests at the next dinner, and help build this campaign before 2012 finally arrives.
Make a donation of $3 or whatever you can today -- and automatically enter to be there:

Thanks,

Barack

No purchase, payment, or contribution necessary to enter or win. Contributing will not improve chances of winning. Void where prohibited. Entries must be received by midnight on December 31st, 2011. You may enter by contributing to Sponsor here or click here to enter without contributing. Three winners will each receive the following prize package: up to $1200 towards round-trip tickets for winner and a guest from within the fifty U.S. States, DC, or Puerto Rico to a destination to be determined by the Sponsor; hotel accommodations; and dinner with President Obama on a date to be determined by the Sponsor (approximate retail value of all prizes $4,800). Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Promotion open only to U.S. citizens, or lawful permanent U.S. residents who are legal residents of 50 United States, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and 18 or older (or of majority under applicable law). Promotion subject to Official Rules and additional restrictions on eligibility. Sponsor: Obama for America, 130 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601.

Made in the USA

Check out the story here! 

Responding to the Grinch Squad: Virginia Congressman Scott Rigell Says "Merry Christmas!"

Virginia is really the birthplace of liberty despite all the attention given to those Boston yankees. It was two Virginians, George Mason and Thomas Jefferson, who were primarily responsible for our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. Jefferson borrowed a lot from Mason's Virginia Declaration of Rights in drafting the documents. And among those rights enumerated in the Bill of Rights of the Constitution are freedom of religion and freedom of speech. What gives a politically correct Congressional committee the chutzpah to think they can ban Congressmen from wishin their constituents Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah? Here's my opinion -- they're the Grinch Squad, the descendencts of Scrooge before his conversion.

As for Congressman Rigell, I don't think you will be surprised to learn that he is a completely pro-life conservative who recognizes that the family is the basic building block of society and who wants to strengthn marriage by offering tax credits to parents who stay together. He also opposes tax funding of abortion and wants to cut off funding to the killers at Planned Parenthood.

Let's hear it one more time for the great state of Virginia and all the good leaders raised up here. (This is where I give a plug for state delegate Bob Marshall, state senator Dick Black, and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. Go, guys! Now if we could just get rid of those pro-death, politically correct drones like Jim Moran in northern Virginia.)