27 January 2016

Fox News, The Presidential Race, And The Trumpeteers

Yesterday, I made this comment on several Facebook pages discussing Donald Trump backing out of the last Republican debate before the Iowa caucuses that will be aired on Fox News Channel:

If Trump can't handle tough questions from some measly little reporters, how can he handle world leaders who don't agree with him?

I never had a problem with Megyn Kelly's line of questions, mostly because, if nothing else, the last 7-plus years have 
proved that not vetting a candidate's past is devastating for this nation.

Trump is nothing more than the "rich kid bully." He's as far from presidential material as the old wrestler Mick Foley. Let's not mention that his past (right up until he decided to run as a Republican) is decidedly and squarely on the left - somewhere between Hitlery Clintoon and Bernie Sanders.

On the flip side, it'll be nice watching a debate without that bloviating blowhard.


I can't even begin to explain how much hate I've received from Trumpeteers (my pet name for Trump supporters who blindly worship the man, despite his overwhelmingly liberal record). They've even resorted to calling me a "liberal."

Over the course of many "discussions" - which usually involved me attempting to discuss things with people telling me I'm stupid, an idiot, a liberal, a moron, I don't "get it," etc. - I've tried to explain to people that Trump isn't "anti-establishment," he's not presidential material, and here's the most important thing - Trump is NOT a conservative.


Despite the fact the I clearly don't work for Fox News (or any other news organization), I've been told that I need to "wake up to the bias" of Megyn Kelly and Fox News and that I shouldn't fall for them trying to pick our candidate. No kidding geniuses! Thanks for that tidbit.

Let's get something straight here: I don't care who the press wants. The best part of this process is that We the People choose the candidate, not the press. Do they try to influence it? Probably. Do we have to blindly follow them? Nope.

What bothers me is that the people who are blindly following Trump because he says what they want to hear completely disregard everything he's said in the past, especially when they're diametrically opposite to what he espouses now.

If you want to vote for a Democrat, go ahead. That's your choice. But you could at least be honest about who he is and his lifelong beliefs. You owe at least that much to yourself and your kids and grandkids.

Trump is not, nor he he ever been, a conservative. If he wins, don't complain about what he does, and don't say you weren't warned.

I won't say "I told you so." But I did tell you so. ~ Hunter



23 January 2016

The Old Man's Tears

I was walking through the park the other day when I came across an older gentleman sitting on a bench. Every time I walked by him, I noticed there were tears streaming silently down his stubbled cheeks.

On my third lap around the park, I decided to sit down and try to console the man. Perhaps he was mourning his wife or a child and the least I could do was sit with him for a spell.

"Sir," I said, sitting on the bench next to him. "Are you OK?"

He turned and looked at me, as if surprised that I even noticed him.

"Young man, I'm in mourning.

"My wife is healthy, and all my children and grandchildren are living happy and healthy lives, but still I mourn."

"A good friend?" I asked, thinking back to how I felt when a few of my friends had passed over the years.

"Oh, I wish it was that simple," he said, laughing bitterly.

"What else is there to mourn this much for?" I thought to myself.

"Son, let me tell you a short story.

"I fought in a war that freed a continent from evil and stopped the wholesale oppression and slaughter of a people only to see much the same thing here a home.

"I watched as a great man marched peacefully in far too many cities to bring equality and freedom to people long held as 'inferior.' In fact, I marched with him when I could, and was there in spirit when I couldn't.

"I worked hard to bring financial security for my family so that they would never know the deprivation we now know as the 'Great Depression.' For us, it was just 'hard times.'

"I've watched as people have come and gone, making unfulfilled promises along the way.

"I've wondered at the technological marvels and medical miracles our society has produced for all mankind - jet fighters and passenger jets, helicopters, prosthetic limbs, diseases cured. All of that brought about by free-thinking, freedom-loving people with a will to break from tradition and convention.

"I watched with fascination as mankind slipped free the bonds of Earth and traveled to the moon and focused their eyes on the stars.

"I watched with amusement as science chases God with intent to destroy Him, and laughed as He wriggled free of their grasp and created more of His wonders for them to study.

"I've seen evil come along on gilded wings, yet be rejected, defeated, when good people took a stand.

"I've seen more good than bad in my days here.

"And yet...." he trailed off, staring off into the distance.

As he had spoken, the tears had dried. Now, they returned full force.

"What?" I asked, spellbound. This man knew how to tell a story. "Why do you cry?"

"I don't weep for myself. I've had a long and mostly happy life.

"I don't cry for my friends, who are more like me than not.

"I don't cry even for you. You're old enough to have fought for the right things. Whether you did or not is immaterial - you should have.

"I weep because that which we have fought so long for, that which we have gained, we are losing! Worse, we are giving them away!

"What has happened to the only nation where the freedom to speak your mind is guaranteed? When did we devolve into a nation of sissies, afraid to hear a viewpoint opposite of our own?

"When did we decide that giving up our own rights was the 'safe' thing to do?

"I weep for the United States of America I used to know out of the fear that my grandchildren will never know what it means to be truly FREE." ~ Hunter


18 January 2016

Abbott And Costello: Who's Unemployed?

A friend posted this on Facebook this morning and I thought it was worth sharing. Hope you enjoy. ~ Hunter

COSTELLO:  I want to talk about the unemployment rate in America.

ABBOTT: Good Subject.  Terrible Times.  It's 5.6%.

COSTELLO:  That many people are out of work?

ABBOTT: No, that's 23%.

COSTELLO: You just said 5.6%.

ABBOTT:  5.6% Unemployed.

COSTELLO:  Right 5.6% out of work.

ABBOTT: No, that's 23%.

COSTELLO: Okay, so it's  23% unemployed.

ABBOTT: No, that's 5.6%.

COSTELLO:  WAIT A MINUTE. Is it 5.6% or 23%?

ABBOTT: 5.6% are unemployed.  23% are out of work.

COSTELLO: If you are out of work you are unemployed.

ABBOTT:  No, Obama said you can't count the "Out of Work" as the unemployed.  You have to look for work to be unemployed.

COSTELLO: BUT THEY ARE OUT OF WORK!!!

ABBOTT: No, you miss his point.

COSTELLO:  What point?

ABBOTT:  Someone who doesn't look for work can't be counted with those who look for work. It wouldn't be fair.

COSTELLO: To whom?

ABBOTT: The unemployed.

COSTELLO: But ALL of them are out of work.

ABBOTT: No, the unemployed are actively looking for work. Those who are out of work gave up looking and if you give up, you are no longer in the ranks of the unemployed.

COSTELLO: So if you're off the unemployment roles that would count as less unemployment?

ABBOTT: Unemployment would go down. Absolutely!

COSTELLO: The unemployment just goes down because you don't look for work?

ABBOTT: Absolutely it goes  down. That's how it gets to 5.6%. Otherwise it would be 23%.

COSTELLO: Wait, I got a question for you. That means there are two ways to bring down the unemployment number?

ABBOTT: Two ways is correct.

COSTELLO: Unemployment can go down if someone gets a job?

ABBOTT: Correct.

COSTELLO: And unemployment can also go down if you stop looking for a job?

ABBOTT: Bingo.

COSTELLO: So there are two ways to bring unemployment down, and the easier of the two is to have people stop looking for work.

ABBOTT: Now you're thinking like a Democrat.

COSTELLO:  I don't even know what the hell I just said!

ABBOTT: Now you're thinking like Hillary..

15 January 2016

Busting The Top 5 Abortion Myths

Pro-lifers like me are constantly being challenged by pro-murder “people” whenever we post about our support for pre-born humans.  They pose many all-too-speculative, and reliably ridiculous, questions, but they also perpetuate far too many myths while belittling those who believe in the sanctity of life.  Unfortunately, far too much of the truth about abortion just isn't known to the general public.  I hope this post will aid you when some cranky, ill-informed (or flat-out lying) LiberTroll tries to pick a fight with you about your stance. 

The myth: Abortion is only legal through the first trimester.

The reality:  The frightening scope of Roe v. Wade, and Doe v. Bolton effectively established that abortion on demand was constitutional throughout the full term of pregnancy with virtually no restrictions, and for any reason; personal finances, social concerns, individual lifestyle.  No matter what reason a woman chose, there is no significant legal barriers to prevent an abortion during any stage of a pregnancy.

The myth:  Health issues, whether mother or baby, occur often enough to warrant abortion on demand for everyone.

The reality:  Less than 6% of abortions per year are performed for health reasons, rape, and incest COMBINED.  With a statistic like that, there's no arguing that the overwhelming majority (94%) of abortions are performed as a means of birth control.

The myth:  Nobody truly knows when human life begins.

The reality:  It is a scientific and medical fact that human life begins at conception.  That is inarguable.  The being that results from conception is human, complete, growing, sexed – and here's the most important part – alive.  Again, this is inescapable fact.  The point of contention arises from whether this pre-born human being is actually a “person” and worthy of the rights and protections of an already born human.

The myth:  Abortion doesn't happen often, but it is an unfortunate necessity.

The reality:  At least 1.2 million abortions take place each year in the United States.  According to a 1999 study by the Alan Guttmacher Institute, nearly one in four pregnancies ends in abortion.  1,200,000 sounds an awful lot like often to me.

The myth:  Abortion is used mainly as a last resort, mostly for pregnancies that result from rape or incest.

The reality:  In an Alan Guttmacher Institute study entitled “Why Women Have Abortions,” specific answers were requested from respondents when asked why they aborted.

The top three answers were:

1.)  Unready for responsibility.  2.)  Can't afford baby now.  3.) Concern about how having a baby would change her life.

The bottom three answers, all tied for last place at 1% each were:

1.)  Was a victim of rape or incest.  2.)  Husband or partner wanted the abortion.  3.)  Didn't want others to know she has had sex or is pregnant.

The “abortion is a last resort” argument is specious at best, completely fallacious at worst.

These are the first 5 abortion myths I'm busting.  More may follow in the weeks to come. ~ Hunter

Sources:

National Center for Health Statistics. Health, United States, 1994. Hyattsville, Maryland: Public Health Service, 1995. Abortion Surveillance 1985, Center for Disease Control, Table #18. Induced Abortion: World Review 1983, by Christopher Tietze, The Population Council, p 103. Maternal Mortality Surveillance 1979-1986, Centers for Disease Control, M&M Weekly report July 1991, Vol. 40, No. SS-1.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Center of Child Abuse and Neglect; National Analysis of Official Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting.
P. Ney, M.D. "Relationship between Abortion and Child Abuse." Canada Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 24, pp. 610-620.
Linda Bird Francke, The Ambivalence of Abortion. New York: Random House, 1978, 47-48.
George Skelton, "Many in Survey Who Had Abortion Cite Guilt Feelings," Los Angeles Times, March 19, 1989, p. 28.
"Report on the Committee on the Operation of the Abortion Law," p. 321. Ottawa, 1977.
Vincent M. Rue, "The Psychological Realities of Induced Abortion," Post-Abortion aftermath: A Comprehensive Consideration, Michael T. Mannion, Editor, Sheed & Ward, 1994, p. 543.

14 January 2016

I Will NEVER Vote For Trump

Let's get a couple things straight - I will never, under any circumstances, vote for Donald Trump - ever.

I'm absolutely, 100% sick and tired of having to compromise my principles in a fruitless attempt to get the "win."

The only way to fix what ails this nation is with conservatism. Period.

Every single conservative has made the above statement time and time again for over eight years, which makes it beyond mind-bogglingly puzzling to me why so many conservatives have thrown their support behind Trump.

The man is not conservative. Not in any way, shape, manner, or form. He's in favor of big-government solutions for things like healthcare, he wants to tax the so-called "rich" more than they already are, has admitted to essentially buying off politicians - on both sides of the aisle - to get them to do what he wants, the "right" to choose to murder a reborn human being, gun control, and a whole host of other non-conservative thoughts and beliefs.

Republicans chose a big-government progressive with McCain and they lost to a guy nobody with half a brain thought could win. Then they chose another progressive with Romney and they lost despite King DingleBarry's abysmal record.

Despite those two humiliating defeats, Republicans retook control of Congress with historic landslide midterm wins. How? By running on conservatism. Yes, one can make the case that the Republicans haven't lived up to their promises, and I wouldn't argue the point - not even a little bit.

Stop and think about that for a second - the very idea of conservatism won us the House in 2010 and the Senate in 2014. Do you really think those were just coincidences? I don't. People are screaming out for change - a real change, not the crap King DingleBarry peddled in '08.

If we don't get off our collective conservative butts and support real conservatives, and soon, this nation is done for the foreseeable future - and it will be OUR FAULT.

I've thought about this at great length and I truly believe that Trump isn't the answer. With his views and beliefs, all he'll do is manage the decline instead of hastening it, as Hitlery will. If I'm going to bear witness to the death of that which I hold most dear, I'd rather she die quickly, proudly, than watching her waste away in an ignominious fade out.

Make no mistake - I do not want America to die and I will fight to my last breath to prevent it, but if die she must, let it be quickly.

The sooner she dies, the sooner she can be reborn the way the Founders envisioned her.

I'm voting for Ted Cruz because he's the only true conservative in the field and I believe his platform is what's right for this nation.

09 December 2015

Some Thoughts About The Republican Frontrunner

Donald Trump has shown himself to be a living, breathing, walking representation of every stereotype the Left has about Republicans.

If Trump wins the nomination, he won't just lose the general election, he'll lose it big. He's damaging the Republican brand, and while I'm a conservative before I'm a Republican, the G.O.P. is the only real place for conservatives to hang their hats. As sad as it is to say, conservatives need the Republican party in order to compete on a national level.

Mark my words, Republican voters will rue the day Trump threw his hat in the ring under the G.O.P. banner, let alone if he wins the nomination. He's not a conservative (as he has shown with his political stances in the past). In fact, from the outside looking in, I'd hesitate to say he's sane.

What amazes me most is that many of the people who decried Romney and McCain as the Republican nominees, claiming they weren't "conservative enough" are the same ones who now tout Donald Trump as a viable candidate. The dichotomy could not be stronger.

I'm perfectly aware of what he's tapped into, and I agree with the anger and frustration that's behind his support. However, I've also looked into his past politics - who he's supported, what positions he's taken on things such as abortion, taxes, healthcare, etc. - and realized that Trump is not who he's purporting himself to be. He's not a conservative - not even close. He's a DIRC: DemoKKKrat In Republican Clothes. Period.

Trump is a one trick pony with his illegal immigration stance, and while I agree that we need to secure the border, and do everything we can to deport all criminal aliens, I will not vote for someone without looking at the entire body politic of that candidate.

We, as conservatives, all agreed that McCain and Romney were somewhat left of conservatism - definitely progressives, but even they were to the right of Trump, so what does that tell you?

I get it. I really do. Trump is saying some of the things we want to hear from those who run for office, but if what he's saying is diametrically opposite of what he's said in the past, it's incumbent upon us, as conservative voters, to question the sudden about-face in position. Trump was, is, and forever will be a big government supporter, and given we have one in office now - and we all scream about it - do we really want to put another in his place simply because he has an (R) after his name?

I won't go so far as to say he's a demoKKKrat plant, as some others have. I do, however, think he's worse than any RINO who's ever run for, or held, any office. At least one can tell where a RINO stands on most issues. I really can't with Trump, mostly because he's a mass of contradictions, and I've followed politics for most of my life like most people follow sports. ~ Hunter

07 December 2015

"A Date Which Will Live In Infamy"

74 years ago today - 7 DEC 41 - Japan attacked the U.S. The next day, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt gave this address to Congress.

We will always remember. ~ Hunter

******

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives:

Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.

And this morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph -- so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.