The Blogging Councilor

This morning on my way to work I met with a dear friend. We spoke about today’s remembrance events scheduled across the country to remember those who died on this day eight years ago. We spoke of where we were when we learned of the attack on our country and watched these things unfold. 

We spoke of how this is a special day in history that requires somber reflection on the events of the past and not a day to “volunteer” as this administration would like us to do. Remember it is this administration that let us know that the attack on this day was not an act of war by the Radical Muslims, but merely a “Man Caused Disaster” that cause some people to die.    REALLY?!?!?!

In case you aren’t sure what you should do to “volunteer” a web site has been set up to help identify an organization that you can volunteer for, such as helping to sort “dropped-off” materials at a recycling center.

My friend gave me a copy of a letter he has written to the editors of several local newspapers and said that they refused to publish this letter. I think it is important to read so we can understand what the individuals responsible for the “Man Caused Disaster”, excuse me DECLARATION OF WAR! were thinking. 

To: The Editor

From: Bill Tobin, Sanbornton, NH

Lest We Forget: Attending a supper last weekend I was reminded by lapel pin (Never Forget 9/11) of a recent remark by Obama saying we are not at war with the Muslim world. This is true. We did not attack them. They declared war on all who do not profess their religion. It matters not whether you are a Christian, Jew, Buddhist or any other belief. It matters not whether you are good, loving and caring. They will do everything possible to exterminate you who do not praise Allah. You are the dirt under their feet. They are blowing up their children to get at you. Read the history books and remember these words:

I was ordered to fight all men until they say “There is no god but Allah”.

Prophet Muhammad’s farewell address, March 632

I shall cross the sea to their islands to pursue them until there remains no one on the face of the Earth that does not acknowledge Allah.

Saladin 1189

We eill export our revolution throughout the world… until the calls “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah are echoed all over the world”

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeni 1979

“I was ordered to fight the people until they say there is no god but Allah, and his prophet Muhammad”

Osama Bin Laden, November 2001

“That it is founded on the Laws of their Prophet, that it is written in their Koran, that all nations who should not have acknowledged their authority were sinners, that is their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found, and make slaves of all they could take prisoners, and that every Mussel man who should be slain in battle are sure to go to Paradise”

Thomas Jefferson to the Continental Congress 1786

Lest we forget

What would happen if Representative Joe Wilson (R, SC) should have instructed President Obama more like this…

Do you also find it interesting that Representative Wilson’s re-election war chest grew by over $7,000 yesterday? I wonder if it is because he said what so many others were thinking.

There was a story on the MSNBC show, Morning Meeting that covered the individual that carried a loaded AR-15 rifle on his shoulder and a pistol on his hip to the demonstrator’s area outside President Obama’s speech to the VFW in Phoenix, AZ. Let me state that I fully support our 2^nd Amendment Right to own and possess firearms. That being said I think there are better ways to make this point than bringing a loaded weapon to an event like this, even though it is completely legal and outside the Secret Service’s Secure Area but I would not deny another person the ability to exercise this right. 

Watch the video below, paying close attention to what they are saying about these protestors at Obama’s events.

President-Elect Barrack Obama does seem to understand how the various issues concern us. He has made some questionable appointments to his upcoming cabinet but he has also made some decent choices there too. He understands that the economy is a high priority issue that needs attention but misses the mark on the Free Market. He does understand that we can’t just walk away from the war on terrorism and has actually softened his stance on troops in Iraq, but hasn’t said what he will do to prosecute the war better.

Mr. Obama seems to understand that we do need allies in the war and it sounds like his plan is to talk to them and convince them to help out. I’m not sure he fully understands the whole “foreign policy” role of the President but Barrack Obama did say in a CNN interview on October 31, 2008 “The biggest threat to Pakistan right now is not India. It’s actually militants within their own borders.” This statement actually coincides with the position The Heritage Commission has taken, as shown in the video below. 

The problem is what is the plan of action to help our ally with their domestic problems? Do we talk to the militants in Pakistan and hope they lay down their arms against their country. Does he understand that these are the same people that are helping the Taliban and Al-Quida? I’m not sure and only time will tell. What worries me is that it is OUR lives in danger if he makes the wrong choices.

I do hope Barrack Obama understands that ACTIONS do speak LOUDER than WORDS.

Welcome from the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, known as New England’s playground because of the beautiful surroundings of lakes, mountains and trees. It is said “this is what people move here for” but I have to tell you it’s more than that.

I am originally from the Phoenix, Mesa area of Arizona and I remember the conservative values of the state while growing up. Arizonans were a strong-willed people that weren’t afraid to jump into the middle of a problem and fix it. They are a very independent type that didn’t have a tremendous amount of friends, usually they were acquaintances. I always thought that the tough environment of Arizona’s desserts, mountains and plateaus built character but I was wrong. If you want to see a character building environment come to New Hampshire, especially in the winter months.

The people of New Hampshire are equally strong-willed and independent but they also have a strong sense of community. I have been to many different states throughout my life but I have yet to see politics in the most pure form than in New Hampshire. If you have attended any Town Meetings you will know what I am talking about. All of the members of the community come together in March to discuss the town budget, capital improvements, school budget, town and school staffing issues, etc… and nothing is done until a majority of the town residents in attendance vote for it. This is one of the main reasons people like me move here, you can actually have a voice in your government. Since the Civil War New Hampshire has seen a Republican majority in both houses of the Legislative Branch, Executive Council and Governors office more often than not. In fact the elections of 2006 gave the Democrats control over all the 4 main sections of the government, 2 Executive Branches and 2 Legislative Branches for the first time since 1874.

In a few days, an African American man will move from his private residence into a much larger and infinitely more expensive one owned not by him but by the taxpayers. A vast lawn, a fence and many security specialists will insulate him from the rest of us but the fact that this man will be residing in this house should make us all stop and count our blessings - it proves that we live in a nation where anything is possible.

Many believed this day would never come. Most hoped and prayed that it would, few of us believed we would live to see it. Racism is an ugly thing in all its forms, there is little doubt that if this man had moved into this house fifteen years ago, there would have been a great outcry - possibly even rioting in the streets. Today, we can be grateful and proud that no such mayhem will take place when this man takes up residency in this house.

This man, moving into this house at this time in our nation's history is much more than a simple change of addresses for him - it is proof of a change in our attitude as a nation. It is an amends of sorts the righting of a great wrong. It is a symbol of our growth, and of our willingness to "judge a man, not by the color of his skin but by the content of his character".

There is little doubt that the majority of us believe that this man has earned both his place in history and his new address. His time in this house will not be easy - it will be fraught with danger and he will face many challenges.  There will be many times when he asks himself how he ended up here and like all who have gone before him, the experience will age him greatly.

But I will not waste an ounce of worry for his sake - because in every way a man can, he deserves this. His whole life for the past fifteen years appears to have been inexorably leading this man toward this house. It is probable that in the past, despite all his actions, racism would have kept this man out of this house.   Today, I give thanks that I am an American and live in a nation where wrongs are righted, where justice matters and where truly anything is possible.

Who is this man?