"We the People are coming..."

An amazing letter (written by Arizona resident Janet Contreras) that Glenn Beck read on his program today.  I know it's long, but please read it and if you can identify with any of the feelings, thoughts or frustrations that this woman so beautifully articulated, please share it with someone else.

I'm a home grown American citizen, 53, registered Democrat all my life. Before the last presidential election I registered as a Republican because I no longer felt the Democratic Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. Now I no longer feel the Republican Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. The fact is I no longer feel any political party or representative in Washington represents my views or works to pursue the issues important to me. There must be someone. Please tell me who you are. Please stand up and tell me that you are there and that you're willing to fight for our Constitution as it was written. Please stand up now. You might ask yourself what my views and issues are that I would horribly feel so disenfranchised by both major political parties. What kind of nut job am I? Will you please tell me?

Well, these are briefly my views and issues for which I seek representation:

One, illegal immigration. I want you to stop coddling illegal immigrants and secure our borders. Close the underground tunnels. Stop the violence and the trafficking in drugs and people. No amnesty, not again. Been there, done that, no resolution. P.S., I'm not a racist. This isn't to be confused with legal immigration.

Two, the TARP bill, I want it repealed and I want no further funding supplied to it. We told you no, but you did it anyway. I want the remaining unfunded 95% repealed. Freeze, repeal.

Three: Czars, I want the circumvention of our checks and balances stopped immediately. Fire the czars. No more czars. Government officials answer to the process, not to the president. Stop trampling on our Constitution and honor it.

Four, cap and trade. The debate on global warming is not over. There is more to say.

Five, universal healthcare. I will not be rushed into another expensive decision. Don't you dare try to pass this in the middle of the night and then go on break. Slow down!

Six, growing government control. I want states rights and sovereignty fully restored. I want less government in my life, not more. Shrink it down. Mind your own business. You have enough to take care of with your real obligations. Why don't you start there.

Seven, ACORN. I do not want ACORN and its affiliates in charge of our 2010 census. I want them investigated. I also do not want mandatory escrow fees contributed to them every time on every real estate deal that closes. Stop the funding to ACORN and its affiliates pending impartial audits and investigations. I do not trust them with taking the census over with our taxpayer money. I don't trust them with our taxpayer money. Face up to the allegations against them and get it resolved before taxpayers get any more involved with them. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, hello. Stop protecting your political buddies. You work for us, the people. Investigate.

Eight, redistribution of wealth. No, no, no. I work for my money. It is mine. I have always worked for people with more money than I have because they gave me jobs. That is the only redistribution of wealth that I will support. I never got a job from a poor person. Why do you want me to hate my employers? Why ‑‑ what do you have against shareholders making a profit?

Nine, charitable contributions. Although I never got a job from a poor person, I have helped many in need. Charity belongs in our local communities, where we know our needs best and can use our local talent and our local resources. Butt out, please. We want to do it ourselves.

Ten, corporate bailouts. Knock it off. Sink or swim like the rest of us. If there are hard times ahead, we'll be better off just getting into it and letting the strong survive. Quick and painful. Have you ever ripped off a Band‑Aid? We will pull together. Great things happen in America under great hardship. Give us the chance to innovate. We cannot disappoint you more than you have disappointed us.

Eleven, transparency and accountability. How about it? No, really, how about it? Let's have it. Let's say we give the buzzwords a rest and have some straight honest talk. Please try ‑‑ please stop manipulating and trying to appease me with clever wording. I am not the idiot you obviously take me for. Stop sneaking around and meeting in back rooms making deals with your friends. It will only be a prelude to your criminal investigation. Stop hiding things from me.

Twelve, unprecedented quick spending. Stop it now.

Take a breath. Listen to the people. Let's just slow down and get some input from some nonpoliticians on the subject. Stop making everything an emergency. Stop speed reading our bills into law. I am not an activist. I am not a community organizer. Nor am I a terrorist, a militant or a violent person. I am a parent and a grandparent. I work. I'm busy. I'm busy. I am busy, and I am tired. I thought we elected competent people to take care of the business of government so that we could work, raise our families, pay our bills, have a little recreation, complain about taxes, endure our hardships, pursue our personal goals, cut our lawn, wash our cars on the weekends and be responsible contributing members of society and teach our children to be the same all while living in the home of the free and land of the brave.

I entrusted you with upholding the Constitution. I believed in the checks and balances to keep from getting far off course. What happened? You are very far off course. Do you really think I find humor in the hiring of a speed reader to unintelligently ramble all through a bill that you signed into law without knowing what it contained? I do not. It is a mockery of the responsibility I have entrusted to you. It is a slap in the face. I am not laughing at your arrogance. Why is it that I feel as if you would not trust me to make a single decision about my own life and how I would live it but you should expect that I should trust you with the debt that you have laid on all of us and our children. We did not want the TARP bill. We said no. We would repeal it if we could. I am sure that we still cannot. There is such urgency and recklessness in all of the recent spending.

From my perspective, it seems that all of you have gone insane. I also know that I am far from alone in these feelings. Do you honestly feel that your current pursuits have merit to patriotic Americans? We want it to stop. We want to put the brakes on everything that is being rushed by us and forced upon us. We want our voice back. You have forced us to put our lives on hold to straighten out the mess that you are making. We will have to give up our vacations, our time spent with our children, any relaxation time we may have had and money we cannot afford to spend on you to bring our concerns to Washington. Our president often knows all the right buzzword is unsustainable. Well, no kidding. How many tens of thousands of dollars did the focus group cost to come up with that word? We don't want your overpriced words. Stop treating us like we're morons.

We want all of you to stop focusing on your reelection and do the job we want done, not the job you want done or the job your party wants done. You work for us and at this rate I guarantee you not for long because we are coming. We will be heard and we will be represented. You think we're so busy with our lives that we will never come for you? We are the formerly silent majority, all of us who quietly work , pay taxes, obey the law, vote, save money, keep our noses to the grindstone and we are now looking up at you. You have awakened us, the patriotic spirit so strong and so powerful that it had been sleeping too long. You have pushed us too far. Our numbers are great. They may surprise you. For every one of us who will be there, there will be hundreds more that could not come. Unlike you, we have their trust. We will represent them honestly, rest assured. They will be at the polls on voting day to usher you out of office. We have cancelled vacations. We will use our last few dollars saved. We will find the representation among us and a grassroots campaign will flourish. We didn't ask for this fight. But the gloves are coming off. We do not come in violence, but we are angry. You will represent us or you will be replaced with someone who will. There are candidates among us when hewill rise like a Phoenix from the ashes that you have made of our constitution.

Democrat, Republican, independent, libertarian. Understand this. We don't care. Political parties are meaningless to us. Patriotic Americans are willing to do right by us and our Constitution and that is all that matters to us now. We are going to fire all of you who abuse power and seek more. It is not your power. It is ours and we want it back. We entrusted you with it and you abused it. You are dishonorable. You are dishonest. As Americans we are ashamed of you. You have brought shame to us. If you are not representing the wants and needs of your constituency loudly and consistently, in spite of the objections of your party, you will be fired. Did you hear? We no longer care about your political parties. You need to be loyal to us, not to them. Because we will get you fired and they will not save you. If you do or can represent me, my issues, my views, please stand up. Make your identity known. You need to make some noise about it. Speak up. I need to know who you are. If you do not speak up, you will be herded out with the rest of the sheep and we will replace the whole damn congress if need be one by one. We are coming. Are we coming for you? Who do you represent? What do you represent? Listen. Because we are coming. We the people are coming.

The American Inheritance...

Rush Limbaugh had an amazing monologue on his show yesterday about Obama's real inheritance as President of the United States.  It's a little lengthy, but truly worth reading and thinking about in relation to what the current administration is doing to our country.

"...the Soviet Union was destroyed by freedom; it was destroyed by capitalism; it was destroyed by American exceptionalism.  Socialism as an opponent to capitalism is what died with the Soviet Union.  Communism as an opponent to capitalism is what died.  And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what Barack Obama inherited.  Barack Obama continually, childishly, immaturely blames predecessors for all of the mess that he and he alone has compounded.  If he wants to talk about what he inherited, I'd like to put it down on the record what he inherited.  The problem is he inherited it temporarily.  He's in the process of destroying it.  

Barack Obama inherited greatness in a nation.  He inherited the birthplace of the individual.  He inherited the defender of liberty at home and abroad, the United States of America.  He inherited the opportunity to lead a nation of sheer exceptionalism, a nation of equal opportunity, a nation which featured its citizens the right to fail and to try and try and try again.  He inherited the financial center and capital of the world.  Barack Obama inherited the country that has successfully championed capitalism and widespread prosperity.  He inherited a nation which liberated billions of people who lived in oppression.  He also inherited great responsibility.  He inherited the responsibility to lead this great nation, the world's lone superpower, a nation oriented toward the good of humanity.  He inherited the responsibility to preserve and strengthen the free markets and economies that made this the greatest nation in the history of human civilization.  He inherited the responsibility to continue the philosophy and the tradition of a country founded on Judeo-Christian morals, ethics, and principles.  

He inherited the Constitution of the United States.  He did not claim the right to remake it, to rewrite it, to change it.  He swore to uphold it.  And he's in the process of wreaking as much damage to the Constitution as he can get away with, with nominations like Sonia Sotomayor, as he is wreaking damage to the US economy.  Barack Obama did not inherit a mess.  He leads a mess.  He inherited the United States of America, where anything is possible.  And greatness has been delivered to the world time after time in the form of private sector inventions, innovations, advancements in products that improve people's lives for over 200 years.  He inherited a country of individuals energized by their liberty and strengthened by their character.  Barack Obama inherited the leadership of the greatest collection of human beings in the history of human existence.  

And what has he done with this inheritance?  He has run around the world and apologized at every stop he makes for what he considers the sins, the immorality, and the unjust unfairness of the way he perceives the United States of America.  He inherited a country that liberates the oppressed, as I said.  He inherited the greatest economy in history.  He inherited that, nothing more, nothing less, plus the Constitution.  There is nothing to apologize for.  It is childish, it's babyish, it is immature, it is unbecoming anyone who holds the office of president of the United States to run around crying like a baby while lying about the mess he inherited, because he didn't inherit a mess.  He inherited years and decades of stewardship from the Oval Office of the greatest nation in history.  In his mind, he inherited a flawed social experiment.  He has now made the mess that is the United States economy.  He is making a mess of United States foreign policy.  

There is a lot to be proud of this country, but you don't hear much about that from the Oval Office or wherever Obama's teleprompter happens to be planted.  We don't hear people in his administration talk about how proud they are of this country and how proud they are of the people who make this country work.  There is a lot of work to be done, but not the way Obama is proceeding.  He is creating more work for future generations to reclaim their birthright that is the greatness of this country.  Barack Obama is destroying what others before him preserved and expanded upon.  He's now saying, we can no longer postpone health care, just like we couldn't postpone stimulus, we couldn't postpone TARP, now can't postpone health care.  If he gets what he and the Democrats want, single payer national health care, your kids and grandkids can forget the American dream as you and your grandparents knew it."

Real Sacrifice...

From yesterday's White House press briefing, prior to GM filing for Chapter 11:

"I will not pretend the hard times are over.  Difficult days lie ahead.  More jobs will be lost.  More plants will close.  More dealerships will shut their doors, and so will many parts suppliers.  But I want you to know that what you're doing is making a sacrifice for the next generation, a sacrifice you may not have chosen to make but a sacrifice you were nevertheless called to make so that your children and all of our children can grow up in an America that still makes things, that still builds cars, that still strives for a better future."

These are words coming from the President of The United States and they make me ill.

No one, especially the government, can force another person to make a sacrifice.  We make sacrifices because we choose to make sacrifices, not simply because another person is "asking" us to do so.  And let's be honest, people, Obama is not asking anybody - he's forcing people to sacrifice their jobs, their income, their livelihoods.  With all of his talk about creating or saving 4 million jobs, there are thousands of jobs that are being lost as a direct result of his and his party's actions.  

I listened to other snippets of his announcement yesterday and it made me sick to my stomach.  In one sentence he says that he has no interest in running GM (now that the government owns 70% of the failing auto company), and in the same breath he contradicts himself - he's laid out the guidelines and standards for how the company will function.  The man has never managed anything before in his life that had as its goal to make a profit, and yet here he is, basically de facto CEO of the American auto industry (or what's left of it).  

A few more thoughts on sacrifice - I had the opportunity to be in Washington, DC over the Memorial Day weekend.  We went to all of the major memorials and monuments and had a grand time.  Because of the holiday, there were also several thousands of veterans visiting the memorials and monuments.  Have you ever been to Arlington National Cemetery?  It is amazing and extremely sobering.  To look out over the sea of white grave markers, some dating back to the Civil War, it reminds you of the real sacrifice that has been made.  The Tomb of the Unknown is probably one of my favorite spots on earth.  To watch the soldiers who guard it, to feel the respect and reverence of those who visit it - it is amazing.  As we walked past the Vietnam Wall, we were surrounded by hundreds of Vietnam vets, some of whom showed the physical sacrifices they made during that war.  As I watched these men as they walked along the wall, I witnessed many shaking hands and embracing other veterans, other men who I'm sure they had never met before, but all the same they were friends and brothers.  We talked with one woman whose husband's name was already engraved on the wall.  She comes to DC every Memorial Day weekend to volunteer at the Vietnam Wall.  On Sunday, we went to the Bethesda Ward.  A brother who works at the Pentagon and has served for more than 20 years in the Army spoke about his experiences, saying that his military service has been the most spiritual experience of his life.

That is real sacrifice.  The men and women who have died to protect our freedoms and liberties are the real heroes.  No one forced them to do it.  They chose to do it.  They chose to make the sacrifice, and because it was their choice, I believe they will be eternally rewarded for it.

I've enjoyed learning more about politics and the government in the past few months, and while I admit I'm still far from an expert, I do know that what our so-called leaders are doing is not good for our country or our future.  They are changing the fundamental structure of our government and our way of life.  They are dictating in matters where they have no right to dictate.  They are destroying the America that the Founders fought and died for

If our elected leaders in Washington could come down from their high and mighty hill every once and awhile, and take a moment to visit these sacred memorials, maybe they would remember what America really is.  Maybe they would remember the price that has been to paid to build this country to what it is instead of trying to tear it down.  Maybe they would remember the real sacrifices that have been made.

Tomb of the Unknown: "Here Rests In Honored Glory An American Soldier Known But To God"

"Only two forces have ever 

Died for you...

Jesus Christ

& the American G.I.

One, for your Soul &

One, for your Freedom" 

"A Timid Advocate of Freedom"

Excellent article from former Massachusettes governor and 2008 Republican presidential nominee (and distant relative!) Mitt Romney. Written for National Review Online on April 21, 2009. Very articulate and to-the-point, his thoughts express my own personal view of our president's recent behavior in regards to foreign policy. (Thanks, Ivy, for mentioning it on your blog.)


A Timid Advocate of Freedom
President Obama has failed his early foreign-policy tests.
By Mitt Romney

At last week’s Summit of the Americas, President Obama acquiesced to a 50-minute attack on America as terroristic, expansionist, and interventionist from Nicaraguan president Daniel Ortega. His response to Ortega’s denunciation of our effort to free Cuba from Castro’s dictatorship was that he shouldn’t be blamed “for things that happened when I was three months old.” Blamed? Hundreds of men, including Americans, bravely fought and died for Cuba’s freedom, heeding the call from newly elected president John F. Kennedy. But last week, even as American soldiers sacrificed blood in Afghanistan and Iraq to defend liberty, President Obama shrank from defending liberty here in the Americas.

In his first press interview as president, he confessed to Arabic television that America had “dictated” to other nations. No, Mr. President, America has fought to free other nations from dictators. And in Strasbourg, the president further claimed that America has “showed arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive.” London’s Daily Telegraph observed that President Obama “went further than any United States president in history in criticizing his own country’s action while standing on foreign soil.” Of course, it was not just the Daily Telegraph that was listening: People around the world who yearn for freedom, who count on America’s resolve and support, heard him as well. He was heard in China, in Tibet, in Sudan, in Burma, and, yes, in Cuba.

The words spoken by the leader of the free world can expand the frontiers of freedom or shrink them. When Ronald Reagan called on Gorbachev to “tear down this wall,” a surge of confidence rose that would ultimately breach the bounds of the evil empire. It was the same confidence that had been ignited decades earlier when John F. Kennedy declared to a people surrounded by Communism that they were not alone. “We are all Berliners,” he said, because “freedom is indivisible, and when one man is enslaved, all are not free.” Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s confident commitment, spoken as he led us into the war that would free millions in Europe, inspired not only Americans but freedom fighters around the globe: “The American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.” Such words of solidarity, of confidence, and of unwavering conviction that America is indeed “the last best hope on earth” are what freedom’s friends would have expected to hear from our president when our nation was slandered. Instead he offered silence, smiles, and a handshake.

Even more troubling than what he has or has not said is what he has not done. Kim Jong Il launched a long-range missile on the very day President Obama addressed the world about the peril of nuclear proliferation. As one of the world’s most oppressive and tyrannical regimes is on the brink of securing the “game changing” capability to reach American shores with a nuclear weapon, the president shrinks from action: no seizure of North Korean funds, no severance of banking access, no blockade.

Not to be outdone by Kim Jong Il, President Ahmadinejad announced that his nation has successfully mastered every step necessary to enrich uranium, violating the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty it has signed. So, like North Korea, Iran will have changed the world’s equation for peace and security: It will be capable of devastating Europe and America, and of annihilating Israel. And as with North Korea, the Obama administration chooses inaction — no new severe sanctions, no hint of military options. Ahmadinejad can act with confidence that the forceful options once on our proverbial table have been shelved.

Vice President Biden was right that the new president would be tested early in his administration. What the world learned was not good news for freedom and democracy. The leader of the free world has been a timid advocate of freedom at best. And bold action to blunt the advances of tyrants has been wholly lacking. We are still very early in the Obama years — the president will have ample opportunity to defend America and freedom, and to deter nuclear brinkmanship. I am hoping for change.


Your thoughts? Reactions? Opinions?

You call yourself a reporter?!

Liberal media bias at its finest:

The 9/12 Project...

A couple of weeks ago, Glenn Beck introduced a new special interest group on his show: The 9/12 Project. From the Web site:

"The 9/12 Project is designed to bring us all back to the place we were on September 12, 2001. The day after America was attacked we were not obsessed with Red States, Blue States or political parties. We were united as Americans, standing together to protect the values and principles of the greatest nation ever created."

This movement focuses not on partisan politics, but on 9 values and 12 principles that all Americans share in common. I think it's an amazing effort to unite people under a common cause and I encourage you all to explore the site for yourself.

Here is a very moving video that was posted on the site that illustrates what The 9/12 Project is all about. Enjoy and God bless America!

Way to be, Texas...

Intelligent Design - 1

Evolution - 0

Read this.

The FOX Nation...

So, have I mentioned how much I love watching FOX News? Who knew political news and commentary could be so fascinating.....

Well, FOX News launched a new Web site today that is really quite amazing. Check it out and let me know what you think!

The FOX Nation Statement of Purpose:

The Fox Nation was created for people who believe in the United States of America and its ideals, as expressed in the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Emancipation Proclamation.

It is a community that believes in the American Dream: Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. One that believes being an American is an honor, as well as a great responsibility—and a wonderful adventure.

This is a place for people who believe we live in a great country, a welcoming refuge for legal immigrants who want to contribute their talent and abilities to make our way of life even greater. We believe we should enjoy the company and support of each other, delighting in the creativity, ingenuity, and work ethic of one and all, while observing the basic rules of civility and mutual respect and, most importantly, strengthening our diverse society by striving for unity.

The Fox Nation is for those committed to the core principles of tolerance, open debate, civil discourse--and fair and balanced coverage of the news. It is for those opposed to intolerance, excessive government control of our lives, and attempts to monopolize opinion or suppress freedom of thought, expression, and worship.

We invite all Americans who share these values to join us here at Fox Nation.

Power of the Press...

Really good article from Glenn Beck.

Also, I love the title (and accompanying photo) of this profile article on Beck from today's New York Times:

"Fox News’s Mad, Apocalyptic, Tearful Rising Star"

The real reason I love watching Beck? He keeps a jar of Peanut M&Ms on his desk and calls them his "medication." Love it.

"You cannot spend your way out of recession..."

"...or borrow your way out of debt."

"Like everyone else, I've long accepted that you are pathologically incapable of accepting responsibility for these things."

"You know, and we know, and you know that we know, that it is nonsense!"

This guy is amazing and I love this speech.

Daniel Hannan, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) representing South East England. His speech to the European Parliament (and in particular to British PM Gordon Brown) on March 24, 2009.

The Economic *WHAT?* Plan...

Really insightful commentary from former Massachusetts governor and former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (yes, we are related).

(Thanks, Ivy, for posting it on your blog the other day.)

Seriously, people, this is getting a little ridiculous. My current political news/commentary kick that I am on has been extremely educational this week. While I don't understand everything about politics/government/economics, I do know that nothing can justify spending 900 or even 800 BILLION dollars. Where is all of this money coming from?! And where is it going? Politicians are deluding themselves if they think government spending at that rate is going to fix the problem. Reagan said it best: "In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem."

My favorite comment from this past week was President Obama saying that the American people "overwhelmingly voted for change," so therefore the bill that he and the Democrats are pushing is the right one for the people - that the American people want this because they voted for him. Umm, excuse me, but according to my calculations, Mr. President, you won 53% of the vote, compared to McCain's 46%. While this is a clear victory, it is not necessarily a landslide. There are still some 46% of the American people out there that do not agree with your political views and those of your liberal congress.

It's all rather frustrating.

My other favorite comment from this past week: Sean Hannity asked his Great American Panel members what they thought about former Vice President Cheney's comments about possible terrorist attacks in the near future. The liberal lady on the panel shakes her head in disgust and says, "Cheney just needs to go away!" Umm, excuse me, but has Bill Clinton gone away?! Has Al Gore gone away?!?! Yeah. That's what I thought.

The Daily Line-up...

So I know I said I wouldn't be posting anything political on this blog....but I just might have to take that back. There is just so much going on in the world, and especially in our nation, that I have to be able to voice my thoughts (and frustrations) in some type of forum or else I just might go crazy.

Today, though, I want to share with everyone my new love: FOX NEWS. That's right, I am a conservative and I watch FOX News. For the past two weeks I have fallen into the most wonderful routine of coming home from class and basking in the wonder that is political news and commentary. Fascinating stuff. My daily line-up:

Glenn Beck

Special Report w/ Bret Baier

I'm also a fan of FOX Report w/ Shepard Smith and Hannity. I usually don't get up early enough to watch FOX & Friends in the morning, but they are also really enjoyable. But right now my daily shows are Beck and Baier. And for the record: I think Bret Baier is the greatest anchorman ever. For some reason he is just really fun to watch. And he's kind of cute...

The Next Four Years...

This will be my one and only political post - I have my own viewpoints and beliefs and I respect the viewpoints and beliefs of others, but I don't necessarily feel the need to comment about them on this blog. However, my best friend forwarded this article to me (thanks, J!) and I thought it was very interesting.

(There is some speculation as to the source - a column in The Toronto Sun from November 2008 or an editorial from The Daily Mail (UK) from January 2009 - but whoever wrote it, it sums up my personal opinion perfectly.)

Obama's Victory - Victory for Who?

A victory for the hysterical Oprah Winfrey, the mad racist preacher Jeremiah Wright, the US mainstream media who abandoned any sense of objectivity long ago, Europeans who despise America largely because they depend on her, comics who claim to be dangerous and fearless but would not dare attack genuinely powerful special interest groups. A victory for Obama-worshippers everywhere.

A victory for the cult of the cult. A man who has done little with his life but has written about his achievements as if he had found the cure for cancer in between winning a marathon and building a nuclear reactor with his teeth. Victory for style over substance, hyperbole over history, rabble-raising over reality.

A victory for Hollywood , the most dysfunctional community in the world. Victory for Streisand, Spielberg, Soros, Moore, and Sarandon.

Victory for those who prefer welfare to will and interference to independence. For those who settle for group think and herd mentality rather than those who fight for individual initiative and the right to be out of step with meager political fashion.

Victory for a man who is no friend of freedom. He and his people have already stated that media has to be controlled so as to be balanced, without realizing the extraordinary irony within that statement. Like most liberal zealots, the Obama worshippers constantly speak of Fox and Limbaugh, when the vast bulk of television stations and newspapers are drastically liberal and anti-conservative.

Senior Democrat Chuck Schumer said that just as pornography should be censored, so should talk radio. In other words, one of the few free and open means of popular expression may well be cornered and beaten by bullies who even in triumph cannot tolerate any criticism and opposition.

A victory for those who believe the state is better qualified to raise children than the family, for those who prefer teachers' unions to teaching and for those who are naively convinced that if the West is sufficiently weak towards its enemies, war and terror will dissolve as quickly as the tears on the face of a leftist celebrity.

A victory for social democracy even after most of Europe has come to the painful conclusion that social democracy leads to mediocrity, failure, unemployment, inflation, higher taxes and economic stagnation. A victory for intrusive lawyers, banal sentimentalists, social extremists and urban snobs.