Giant Spiders and Apparitions Lend a Helping Hand

I believe this man has spent way too much time in the sun.

An Iraqi sheik claims Allah sent giant spiders to the town of Fallujah to help its residents fend off attacks by U.S. military forces.

"The first miracle that occurred in Fallujah took the form of spiders that appeared in the city – each spider larger than this chair, or about the size of this chair. The American soldiers left, holding the legs of this spider, and I too, in one of the Friday sermons, held up a spider, with all its magnitude, in front of the satellite channels and in front of the world. This spider also had thin black hair. If this hair touches the human body, within a short period of time the body becomes black or blue, and then there is an explosion in the blood cells in the human body - and the person dies."

Some Arab Internet sites have repeated claims of Iraqis about the spiders, and there also are stories circulating of phantom white-robed knights on white horses sent by Allah that killed U.S. Marines in battle.

Shades of the Angels of the Mons, anyone?

Good grief, these folks are nuttier than a Snickers bar.

With all these giant spiders running loose, I wonder if Japan'll loan us Godzilla?

Self-Loathing from a Distance

Stockholm - Former US secretary of state Madeleine Albright harshly criticised President George W Bush and especially his Iraq policy during a visit to Stockholm on a book tour, Swedish media reported on Thursday.

Is it just me, or has it become chic for celebrities and leftist politicians to trot around the globe and make disparaging remarks about America and/or the Bush Administration? Notice how they find some place safely offshore to air their brilliant remarks. This comes dangerously close to treason, in my view. I'm not an ardent Bush supporter--not by a country mile--but this really gets under my skin.

Describing the US presence in Iraq as "a hopeless mess", Albright insisted in the interview that former vice president Al Gore and Democratic presidential nominee in 2000 would not have invaded the country had he been president today.

"There would have been no difference in American actions against the Taliban in Afghanistan in the hunt for Osama bin Laden after the terrorist attacks (on New York and Washington) three years ago ... but in Iraq things would have been different," she said.

No doubt she's correct, since AlGorhythm probably would be too wrapped up in hugging trees, frolicking through fields of daisies, and having his servos oiled.

Judge Rules Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Unconstitutional

This man's skull contains a vacuum.

A federal judge ruled today (Aug. 26) the federal partial-birth abortion ban is unconstitutional, striking a blow to those determined to outlaw the grisly procedure.

In his ruling, Casey called partial-birth abortion a "gruesome procedure" but claimed the ban conflicts with a 5-4 Supreme Court ruling in 2000 upholding the practice. That decision in the Steinberg v. Carhart case said a "health of the mother" exception must be a part of any abortion ban.

"Health of the mother?" Please. This is the universal cop-out all abortion-mongers use in justifying their twisted, sick agenda. Of course, little mention is made that her "health" is defined in an all-encompassing way, which includes anything from her mental status, to a hangnail.

"While Congress and lower courts may disagree with the Supreme Court's constitutional decision, that does not free them from their constitutional duty to obey the Supreme Court's rulings," Casey said.

I submit that Congress only has a duty to obey the Supreme Court when its decisions agree with the Constitution's intentions. When this "august" body reads into our founding documents rights that do not, in fact, exist, we should all belly-laugh in its collective faces. This "elitists-know-best" attitude sickens me.

Casey admitted in his ruling: "The Court finds that the testimony at trial and before Congress establishes that D&X [partial-birth abortion] is a gruesome, brutal, barbaric, and uncivilized medical procedure."

This is one of the most illogical, patently stupid remarks I've ever read. Is this what our Founders intended? The protection of an act dubbed "gruesome, brutal, barbaric, and uncivilized?"

Abortion is murder. Our Founders believed that all men are created equal--by God. And they recognized a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

They have spoken. And so has God, Himself. Just look up the Ten Commandments, among other scriptures.

Man Takes Fire in Wal-Mart Bathroom

Gosh, I genuinely feel sorry for this poor guy.

I mean. . .if only he had evacuated in time.

Illegals: Costing Us a Pretty Penny. . .and More

Read this article. Pretty please?

Ok, now you understand--if you didn't already--why I'm always harping about illegal immigration.

They're costing us over $10 billion in services, annually.

The research, conducted by the Center for Immigration Studies, used Census Bureau data from 2002 to find the fiscal impact of illegal aliens. The $10 billion figure was determined by subtracting taxes paid by illegals from the value of services they enjoy.

CIS noted the study did not include the impact of illegals on state and local governments.

The think tank estimates that if illegal aliens were extended amnesty, as President Bush has proposed, the impact to the federal budget would grow to nearly $29 billion.

Of course, this doesn't even address the ease of terrorists sneaking into a nation with unguarded borders:

". . .Give me your scum, your trash,
Your huddled zealots yearning to kill me,
The wretched flotsam of your putrid shores.
Send these, the fascists, tempest-tost to me,
I stand--fully armed--beside the golden door!"

With deepest apologies to Emma Lazarus.

Let the Ads Run

Fortunately, this guy has a little bit of sense. It seems he believes the average citizens actually (gasp) deserve a say-so in who gets elected, and have a right to voice their opinions (faint).

Though Chairman Bradley Smith is a Republican, he was appointed to the FEC by President Bill Clinton, a Democrat.

"I think it's great we live in a country where 260 average guys can go out and put their point of view out there before the public and influence a major presidential race,'' Smith said in an interview with Bloomberg television. "I am not one who agrees it is illegitimate for citizens to take a stand on these kind of issues and only the politicians should be able to say what they want about the issues they want to talk about.''

Why should Kerry--or any politician, for that matter--be given a free ride on a manure truck of lies, all the way to the White House? You may now compliment me on my poetic prowess.

The Butterfly Effect

I'm not sure what I think of Chaos Theory (or should we call it the Law of Unintended Consequences, I dunno). This flick is based on that idea--that everything we do has an effect on everyone around us--and not always the effect we expected or desired. To this extent, I agree, for the most part. But the belief that killing a butterfly, or some other small insect, might create a cataclysm of epic proportions--well, let's just say I'm dubious on that one. I suppose this is a rambling way of saying that I'm not entirely eye-to-eye with the movie's philosophy. That said, it was well-acted and thought-provoking. Ashton Kutcher, who normally comports himself like a complete ding-a-ling in most of his movies, did a fairly competent job in this one. The primary flaw in the story was that it didn't explain, to my satisfaction, the origin of the events transpiring. I was left pondering the implications, though, in the end. And if a movie can make ya think, it can't be all that bad.

THREE STARS

Livin' the Life. . .

. . .in Iran.

And we Americans get all hot and bothered about corporal punishment.

Better keep your tongue in check, in Persia.

With a judicial system like that, I'd take anarchy, any day.

Only a beautiful religion produces such people.

Don't Rock "The System"

What a joke this is.

The Bush Administration has now come out in condemnation of "outside groups" attacking both himself and Kerry.

President Bush denounced TV ads by outside groups attacking both John Kerry and himself on Monday and called for a halt to all such political efforts. "I think they're bad for the system," he said.

What "system" would that be, Mr. President? The system of truth? The system of making sure that voters actually are well-informed about the candidates they may give support at the ballot box? What are you talking about? And what do you mean by "outside?" Remember the First Amendment? If a citizen wants to make known his opinion on a political candidate, he should be allowed to do so, unimpeded. This reeks of elitist arrogance.

If the SWIFTboat ad is truthful, I see it as imperative to let it run, in the interests of full-disclosure of Kerry's strange lies. He lied about Vietnam in the past, and he's lying, now. Is this not relevant to the current campaign?

Personally, I think Bush has his own interests at heart. Perhaps he thinks that if he condemns such ads, then Kerry will have a change of heart and tell all his yes-men to stop airing their smear-ads on Bush. The problem with this assessment is that Kerry first would need character, honesty, and decency--and he is a stranger to those virtues.

Oasis

This is one of my favorite songs from Petra, a great group. Here are the lyrics. Enjoy.


Oasis


You give me water
In a dry and thirsty land.
You satisfy my hunger;
You feed me from your hand.

I was a wanderer in the wilderness,
Until I stumbled on your oasis.

(Chorus 1:)

And I will stay here with you--
Here in the shade, here in the cool.
You keep me safe through the night
In your oasis.


You give your Spirit
To a dry and thirsty heart.
You satisfy my longing.
I hear the voice of God.

I was a wanderer in my emptiness,
Until you brought me near your oasis

(Chorus 1)
(Chorus 2:)

And I will drink from your well.
I found my peace here in your shelter.
And I will stay here with you
In your oasis.

Searching for Noah's Ark

This is an interesting story, with accompanying pictures.

I've not formulated an opinion on this, yet. I do believe in the Bible and the Flood story, but I don't know if the ark has been found. But I remain open-minded and intrigued. I leave it to my readers to decide for themselves.

No Man is An Island?

Ever notice how some folks seem oblivious to the presence of others, as if they live, breathe, and blur through the days of their lives all alone? Some examples:

At Wal-Mart yesterday, I was pushing my buggy along, minding my own business, when a woman pushed her cart directly in front of me, blocking my path. Then she just stood there, looking around. I had to stop and detour around her. Often, I see people move down high-traffic aisles, and stand in the center, blocking all access. And they look around, seemingly unaware that other people also are shopping and needing to pass through. I see this sort of thing all the time.

About a year ago, I went walking down my street, enjoying the exercise and weather. I passed a neighbor's house, and received an earful. The lady of the house had just pulled up and gotten out of her car, and her husband came out to meet her. When she discovered that he'd lain around and had done no housework all day--while she worked--she became angry. An argument ensued. My focus is not on the argument or its worthiness. The point is, these folks had a rather loud spat in their front yard, in front of the whole neighborhood, in plain sight. They saw me walking, I know, so I thought it was bizarre that they didn't take the issue indoors. Instead, they acted as if I didn't exist, hashing it out right there on the lawn. I'm positive they knew I both saw and heard them. Admittedly, this doesn't happen often, but it's not the first time I've seen a spectacle like this.

On many occasions, I've seen people enter restaurants and converse in very loud tones. Once, my wife and I stopped for a bite to eat. We were sitting at our table, when in walked three people, talking at a high volume. Two of them stopped at the door, while the third made her way across the restaurant, still carrying on her conversation with the others. Everyone in the building clearly saw and heard them. In fact, I couldn't help but follow their whole conversation. The point is, these folks acted as if no one else was there. Just them. I've seen this many times.

I could give other examples, but I think you get the gist of what I'm saying. Many live their lives seemingly in a daze, as if they live in their own little world. What causes such behavior? Have Americans become more narcissistic? Or has society's nature--with its long distances separating people--created a disconnect and a dissolution of the spirit of community? I think both are true.

It's a fascinating trend that I've noticed, and it seems to be growing worse.

People have become islands unto themselves.

Abortion's Unintended Consequences

When I clicked on this link and scrolled down the page, I thought I'd be sick. For a few moments, I was so angry, I wanted to smash someone's face in. I warn you, the picture isn't pretty, and I daresay it will disturb you greatly. I found it horrifying.

"We just broke down and cried at what we were seeing. We couldn't believe it," Chambers sobbed to the paper.

Why? Why are you upset, you stupid woman? You were just exercising your right to choose, weren't you? After all, unborn babies aren't really babies. They're just pieces of filth and inconvenient trash that must be scraped out of your saintly bosom.

"I started thinking about it. Here I am very ill, already with three children, and I was very depressed because of the medication I was on."

What a brilliant rationale. This doesn't hold water, folks. It's what most people call a cop-out. With vast numbers of couples, wringing their hands in anticipation and waiting in line for their own child, there is no justifiable excuse for having an abortion. And to make matters worse, just reread the last part of her final sentence. She was depressed because of the medication she was on? Abortion must be a small thing, indeed, since a woman now doesn't even have to be in her right frame of mind to decide in its favor.

I shudder to think what it will be like, some day, when such people have to stand before God and explain away these evil acts. I would not want to be in their shoes. And don't think for a minute that you self-righteous cretins will walk on this issue. The Lord sees you, and some day, you won't feel so smug, when you bow before him.

Founding Quotes of Note V

"The truth is that the want of common education with us is not from our poverty, but from the want of an orderly system. More money is now paid for the education of a part than would be paid for that of the whole if systematically arranged." --Thomas Jefferson

Interesting that, even in our nation's infancy, some people recognized this problem.

"The right of the citizens to keep and bear arms has justly been considered as the palladium of the liberties of a republic; since it offers a strong moral check against the usurpation and arbitrary power of rulers; and will generally, even if these are successful in the first instance, enable the people to resist and triumph over them." --Justice Joseph Story, appointed to the Supreme Court by James Madison, author of our Constitution

Oh, so bearing arms was not just for the state militia? Since this is only one of literally dozens of accessible quotes from our Founders, I wonder how the gun grabbers explain this?

Brilliant Quotes of World History

"The human tendancy toward evil is exceeded only by its penchant for the absurd."

Wes

Who'd ya think said it, Aristotle?

Gay and Fancy-Free

While reading this story, I thought I'd choke to death on my own tongue with the violence of my guffaws.

It seems a homosexual lawyer finds the designation "homosexual" offensive. He insists on being called a "gay" man.

Attorney John Rawls insisted he was not a homosexual, but, rather, a "gay" man.

In a hearing Friday before Louisiana District Judge Mike Caldwell, Rawls, according to published reports, lost his temper, his face turned red, and he lunged at the attorney defending traditional heterosexual marriage.

"No one calls me the H-word," Rawls said in defense of his outburst.

Besides the obvious chuckle-value of such moronics, this event demonstrates the continued devaluation of language, and the way the secular humanist world continues to negate or twist the meaning of words, while inventing catch-phrases and absurd misnomers in describing themselves and their lifestyles.

Why does he wanna be called "Gay?" His chipper personality? His sunny disposition?

Founding Quotes of Note IV

"How could a readiness for war in time of peace be safely prohibited, unless we could prohibit, in like manner, the preparations and establishments of every hostile nation?" --JamesMadison


"I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth -- that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the Ground without his Notice, is it probable that an Empire can rise without his Aid?" --Benjamin Franklin

Around the World in Eighty Days

I saw this one, too--and on the same day, believe it or not.

It's hard criticizing such a fine movie--what with all its many high points--but darn it, I just can't resist!!

First the good:

This movie was filled with hilarious antics, witty dialogue, good special effects, and a fun, exciting storyline. It reminded me of the old-time adventure tales told back in the '40s and '50s, and revived somewhat in the '80s. Jackie Chan's a funny guy, and the man who played Phileas Fogg did a great job, as well. Arnold Schwarzenegger has a humorous turn as a Turkish prince--one of the film's several highlights. I'd recommend this one for anyone who likes a good comedy or a good adventure movie--since it's both, rolled into one.

It had some annoying flaws, though.

Fogg's nemesis--and the man who challenges him to the task of traveling around the globe in eighty days--is a lowlife of the worst sort. And yet he is based (I believe) on the real scientist, Lord Kelvin. He even has the same name. Now, in the movie, this man is portrayed as a smug, superstitious, narrow-minded little man--a fool, in other words. The problem is, in reality, Kelvin was a great scientist, who made many innovations in his field of study. What's more, he was a devout Christian. So the trashing of this important historical figure bothered me, because it seemed senseless and mean-spirited.

Just as disappointing was the absurd scene in which Kelvin tells Fogg that, next thing we know, you'll have us all believing in things like evolution. Remember, the man is shown to be a jackass, and wrong about everything. The film's implication is that, if you disbelieve in evolution, you are a small-minded bigot, and not a true man of science.

Finally, there is a scene near the end that serves no other purpose than as a paean to Buddhism. Chan finally has rescued the Buddha statue stolen from his village, The elders return it to its place of worship, as it were, and everyone spends several moments bowing their heads to the earth outside, surrounding the shrine. I admit that, in the late 1890s, most Chinese were practicing Buddhists, so this was historically accurate. So why did it bother me? Let me explain: Have you ever noticed that--in Hollywood, today--every religion is deserving of respect and honor? Except for Christianity, of course, which apparently deserves (and receives) almost universal contempt. That's what bothered me: the fact that such a scene would never be inserted in a film with Christianity in Buddhism's role of honor. It's disgraceful. As I watched the movie, I thought to myself: "You know, most of the people watching this film don't even practice Buddhism, since America's a predominantly Christian country. And yet, the filmmakers went out of their way to honor a religion that their fellow countrymen largely don't understand. Whereas when Christianity is mentioned at all, it's with a libelous sneer.

All in all, this was a good film. But with the excision of the flaws mentioned earlier, it could've been a great film.

THREE STARS

Chronicles of Riddick

I have to admit, I enjoyed this movie. It offered a little something for everyone: great effects, nonstop action, scathing remarks, and a devil-may-care attitude on the main character's part. I'd call it imaginative, big, dumb fun. Very entertaining.

It had its flaws, though. For one, Riddick's enemies--the Necromongers--were not fully explained. Their leader kept mentioning an "underverse," of which he never gave more than a fleeting description. And at one point, Riddick finds himself in a prison, where the guards occasionally release monsters into the cell-blocks to feed on the inmates. In a bizarre turn, no explanation of this is given. Other smaller mysteries plagued the film, so if you're hoping to walk away with every question answered neatly, sorry; it ain't gonna happen. That said, it's fun watching a man wreak havoc on evil people, all the while caring little if he lives or dies. Kind of liberating, in a way.

THREE STARS.

SWIFT Boater's Testimony

This website lists direct quotes from numerous veterans who served with John Kerry. For example:

"In my specific, personal experience in both coastal and river patrols over a 12-month period, I never once saw or heard anything remotely resembling the atrocities described by Senator Kerry. If I had, it would have been my obligation to report them in writing to a higher authority, and I would certainly have done that. If Senator Kerry actually witnessed or participated in these atrocities or, as he described them, 'war crimes,' he was obligated to report them. That he did not until later when it suited his political purposes strikes me as opportunism of the worst kind. That he would malign my service and that of his fellow sailors with no regard for the truth makes him totally unqualified to serve as Commander-in-Chief."
-- Jeffrey Wainscott

Pretty damning stuff. The list goes on and on. In addition, 19 of the 23 officers who served with him say he is unfit for the presidency.

He's such a charlatan. After all, the man loathed the military, hated our presence in Vietnam, and disparaged our fine, brave men, immediately upon returning to the U.S. But now, he wears his "service" in Vietnam like a badge of honor. In his twisted mind, the men who bled and suffered in that hellish country are all scum--except for him. He's a hero for it.

If I knew nothing else about Kerry, I'd shun his name in the ballot box, for this alone.

Hurricane Charley's Deadly effects

At least fifteen people are reported dead in the wake of Hurricane Charley.

This is a sad time for our country, particularly for those who had loved ones killed. My mother and stepfather were in Florida, recently, and only just arrived back home. I'm glad they're safe. Those who now must rebuild in the aftermath, you have my prayers. God bless.

If--

I've always admired this poem. Read on.

IF

by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!

Statue Uncovered in Egypt

An amazing archaeological find has been unearthed in Egypt.

Excavators found a seated statue of Rameses II, weighing over 700 tons and standing perhaps forty feet tall.

Many biblical scholars and historians believe this pharaoh ruled Egypt at the time of the Exodus.

Band of Brothers Against Kerry

Ann Coulter's most recent article discusses John Kerry's lies and distortions, in relation to his time spent in Vietnam.

Two hundred fifty-four Swift Boat Veterans have signed a letter saying John Kerry is not fit to be commander in chief, a point developed in some detail in the blockbuster new book by John O'Neill, aptly titled "Unfit for Command." At the 2003 reunion of Swift Boat Veterans, about 300 men showed up: 85 percent of them think Kerry is unfit to be president. (On the bright side, Kerry was voted, in absentia, "Most Likely to Run for President on His Phony War Record.") Fewer than 10 percent of all Swift Boat Veterans contacted refused to sign the letter.

Of course, Kerry sycophants have come out of the woodwork, with accusations of political motivations, lies, greed and envy hurled at the swiftboat veterans.

For me, motivations have no relevance. The only factor that interests me is: Are they telling the truth? Is Kerry lying? The sheer weight of testimony against him seems to indicate that the answer to both questions is "Yes."

Aliens Saved the Russkies

This is a weird story.

In 1908, a huge explosion rocked the Tunguska region of Siberia, flattening trees and knocking people off their feet 400 miles away. Members of a scientific research team have now found a metallic object in the debris, which they believe is an alien artifact, used to destroy an incoming meteorite.

One scientist said based on his calculations, the mass of the space object headed for Earth in 1908 was nearly 1 billion tons. He believes the meteorite was blasted by the spaceship at an altitude of 10 kilometers to prevent the destruction of all humanity on the planet.

Like I said, weird. Maybe ET loves us, since we're soooo benevolent.

Founding Quotes of Note III

"Contemplate the mangled bodies of your countrymen, and then say: 'What should be the reward of such sacrifices?'. . .If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animating contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsel or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen!"

--Samuel Adams

New Jersey Governor Resigns in Shame

New Jersey Governor James McGreevey just admitted to an extramarital affair with another man on his staff.

What makes this story worthy of note is that the governor admits his wrongdoing, intending to resign in November.

McGreevey asked for forgiveness for the "foolish, inexcusable" mistake of having an affair, saying he hoped the state's residents would extend grace to him. He said he would leave office in November 15.

Obviously, his actions were immoral. But at least he's acting like a real man, acknowledging the wrongness of his deeds and asking for forgiveness. That's more than may be expected from most politicians.

How I Strayed from the Bush Camp

In 2000, I voted for George W. Bush.

There, I said it. A weight has been lifted. I know, I know--I should be embarrassed. Believe me, I am; but I'm also honest. Even four years ago, I didn't think Bush was the best man for the job. I really admired Alan Keyes. He was such an eloquent, passionate speaker. And most of his words resonated with me. I saw him as a man of principle; a man who represented the values I held--and still hold--dear.

So what happened, you ask?

I've never been great at mathematics, but I recognized that he had no earthly chance of winning. It simply wasn't doable. So I took a gander at Bush.

In him, I saw a man who seemed like an ok guy, one who professed belief in conservative ideas. Though I liked him less than Keyes--and less than Gary Bauer and Dan Quayle, as well--I realized that he had a genuine opportunity to stop the insane human vegetable, Algore. I loathed the Democrat Party's candidate, to the core of my being. I saw him as a Clinton clone (and still do), who was even worse than Clinton, because he actually believed the noxious mutterings fuming out of his mouth.

So what I'm saying is this: I saw Bush as the lesser of two evils. I felt like he wasn't such a bad feller; whereas Gore was made for a strait-jacket.

Thus, I voted for Bush. And I've regretted it almost continuously, ever since.

My first misgivings with Bush came in his decision on the embryonic stem cell issue. Clearly, his was not a principled pro-life stand, but rather a turn down centrist avenue--a stance designed to compromise and appeal to the majority. But darn it, that's not what I want in a president! I want someone who will do the right thing, and his reelection, his party, and his ego be damned. I saw that Bush was not that type of man.

Then he began a consistent policy of spending proposals, of signing every increase in spending that came down the pike. As of this writing, the trend continues.

Other issues bothered me, too. But the straw that broke the camel's back was his de facto amnesty of illegal aliens. When I heard this, my disenchantment with Bush became contempt.
My eyes opened to the fact that Bush has no interest in protecting our nation and our way of life. I don't know what motivates him; but a desire to follow our Constitution and carry out the Constitutionally well-defined obligations of the federal government is nowhere to be found in his actions.

In addition, I've reached the conclusion that the Republican Party is corrupt, just like the Democrat Party. Oh, I'm aware of the differences in degrees of corruption, but both are rotten to their cores. I see that neither party has the best interests of America's citizens in mind.

I never had faith in the Democrats. But, once upon a time, I thought the Republicans cared about what's right. My journey took over four years.

From now on, I vote on principle; and if that means never seeing my candidate step foot in the Oval Office, then so be it. At least I'll go to bed at night with a clear conscience.

I didn't leave the Republican Party. It left me. Long ago.

Illegal Immigration's Effects

I'm a firm believer in legal immigration. I wanted that said from the outset, because I don't want to come across as a xenophobe. And, like others of similar mindset in the blogosphere, I believe that anyone who so wishes should be able to leave the U.S., no questions asked. That said, a nation has a right to control its own borders. The government's raison d'etre is to protect its citizens from foreign invasion. In my view, this is impossible, without a firm control of the border situation. Illegal immigrations should not be tolerated. Not for a second. Any government refusing to address such a problem has no interest in protecting its citizens. Period. And all the rhetoric to the contrary won't change this fact.

Let's look at some of the consequences of illegal immigration:

1. Open borders allow terrorists--al Quaida and other groups--free reign in the commission of atrocities.

2. U.S. citizens living near the Mexican border face home invasions and robberies regularly, perpetrated by illegal aliens.

3. U.S. law enforcement officers on or near the Mexican border sustain frequent attacks by illegal criminals and Mexican drug-lord bounty hunters.

4. Mexican military, paramilitary groups, and police have made armed incursions into our country, often engaging American authorities.

5. The Mexican government encourages its poor, its crime, and its drugs to move North of the border. A passing of the buck, if you will. Why should the Mexican government have to reform, when they can toss the hot potato to someone else?

6. Health care and insurance costs for U.S. citizens have skyrocketed because of uninsured illegals who cannot legally be denied medical care in our country.

7. Illegal aliens with fraudulent work permits are taking jobs from U.S. citizens.

8. Our uniquely American culture is experiencing degredation, due to an influx of people who have no interest in assimilating or becoming loyal to our founding principles. All too often, immigrants come here to milk the system.

The list goes on. If you want to come here and become an American, and give your loyalty to our principles of liberty and rugged individualism, then I welcome you. God bless you. But if you're here to get on welfare, or otherwise sponge off our taxpayers, or to receive that operation, or to make a buck to send back to your senorita--and that's all--then git! I don't want you here, and we don't need you here. We're not obligated to roll bellyup for the rest of the world. Your governments have a responsibility to you, to allow you a chance to make a life for yourselves. I suggest you make them see the light. If this sounds mean, then so be it. I'm not interested in seeing the country of my birth, the land that I love, annihilated for your benefit.

Yet Another Translation of the Holy Bible

New: The Urban Youth translation of the Bible.

Why don't we just do a hiphop version, and get it over with?

Example from Exodus (Hiphop Trans.) :

Once upon a time dey wuz a man name a' Moses.
Man, did he stuttah, he stuttah.
So he got somebody ta watch his back,
Aaron, his bruddah, his bruddah.

He went to da king, an' wha' did he say?
He said, "Let my homies go, 'for I blow ya away!
But da Fayroe laff an' give his knee a slap,
Den he pulled out his nine, an' busted a cap.

Coming soon, to a bookstore near you.

Officials Demand: Remove Pro-Life Sign from Porch!

Here's a sick story. Apparently, this couple can't have a pro-life sign on their own porch. It's a violation of some idiotic "borough ordinance." The ordinance allows posted signs only in places such as charitable institutions, churches, etc. Conveniently, other folks in the community have hung signs that violate the ordinance, but the city chose these particular people to come down on like a ton of bricks.

Paxtang Mayor William J. Parker said he opposes abortion but wants the sign removed because "if everyone with a self-serving interest puts a sign up, we'd have signs all over Paxtang.

"That's a visual impairment," he said. "Where does it end?"

Hey, Mayor Moron, who cares what you want? This is a free-speech issue. No one said you have to like it. Everyone should have the right to hang any kind of sign they like on their property. If you don't approve, that's tough. The First Amendment was drafted with fascists like you in mind, bub.

Interestingly, the ACLU even took a role in this little farce:

Paula Knudsen of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania said the action "cuts to the heart of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights."

"It doesn't matter whether it's affixed to your house, in your yard or to a banner flying from your balcony," she said. "Political and religious messages are protected by the First Amendment."

Hm. Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

Hug a Fed

The liberal/leftist views of the federal government and corporations fascinate me. Here's a brief summary of this outlook:

Private Corporations: corrupt, evil, untrustworthy, greedy, always will make a buck at someone else's expense, far more harmful to society than beneficial.

Federal Government: benevolent, good, honest, selfless, always willing to help the unfortunate, a boon to mankind.

I realize most liberals won't come out and overtly state this, but it's true. Government is the cure-all, the entity that makes all things right.

What rubbish.

Here's how I see it: Private corporations inherently are neither good nor bad. Some fit the liberal description to a tee; others don't even come close. Some businessmen are honorable, some are swine. I do agree that when great amounts of money become involved, the tendency toward corruption heightens.

But the federal government inherently is evil. Why? Because of the concentration of vast amounts of money and power, the likes of which even the mightiest corporation can only dream. So we're not just talking cash, here. The feds don't just control your job. They have the power of life and death. The centralization of such power only makes the likelihood of corruption worse. As the old adage goes: "Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely." I don't remember who said it, but it's true. Are there exceptions? Sure. Are there many exceptions. Nope.

Our Founders understood this concept well, and they believed it. They considered government an evil--a necessary evil, to be sure--but an evil, nevertheless. Yet they also knew that the alternative (no governing body at all) was worse. This brings anarchy. Anarchy means destruction. So they created a federal government, with limited Constitutionally-defined powers. All powers not specifically laid out in the document were to be left to the domain of individual states. The decentralization of power makes corruption less likely, and diminishes its effects, limiting it to a smaller geographical area.

But when men receive power of this magnitude, the tendency is to attempt to control the lives of their fellows.

The federal government is not your friend. It never has been, and it never will be. The sooner folks start contemplating this, the better. Remember that, the next time a lefty starts railing against private companies, and calling for big government intervention.

Bye-Bye, Birdie

This new article suggests that archaeopteryx--long thought a transitional form linking dinosaurs and birds--could fly:

The magpie-sized animal had a skeleton that bore a strong resemblance to dinosaurs such as the velociraptors in the movie "Jurassic Park." But it also had stubby wings and feathers like those of living birds.

The new findings "really fill in a very important piece that was missing in regards to the transition from dinosaurs to birds," said Dr. Lawrence M. Witmer, an anatomy professor at Ohio University in Athens.

The scientists in the aforementioned article believe flight capability strengthens their notion of dinosaurs evolving into birds. But it seems to me that this makes sense only if one already believes in the macroevolutionary process. They never even address the obvious: If the creature could fly, then doesn't that seem evidentiary of its true-bird nature, and that's all? I find it amazing that the most likely answer is the one they ignore.

I have some questions for these researchers; doubtless they have no intention of answering them. For example:

1. Why is this the only known fossil supposedly linking dinosaurs and birds? If one assumes the truth of this evolutionary process, why aren't there hundreds--if not thousands--of intermediate forms, readily available for study in the fossil record?

2. Why do many paleontologists believe that archaeopteryx was a true bird? (In other words, if
the evidence points to evolution, why the dissent?)

3. Why are archaeopteryx' feather types found in genuine birds, yet not in reptiles?

4. Concerning breathing methods: Birds and reptiles have very different lung structures. Reptiles have lungs consisting of tiny air sacs in the millions. Birds' lungs have tubes. The idea of an intermediate form between the two, exhibiting characteristics of both, is absurd. No evidence of such a form exists in the fossil record, or in extant creatures. How do they explain such a descrepancy?

5. How do scientists explain finding the fossils of modern birds in the same rock layers as archaeopteryx?

I'm not trying to draw an air-tight case, here. The point is, there are serious questions revolving the issue; questions that deserve an honest answer. In the more than 140 years since archaeopteryx' discovery, these questions have elicited stony silence--or worse, ridicule--from evolutionists.

As I've asked before, if the case for evolution is so undebatable, why does this trend weave its way throughout the scientific community? As with the other questions, don't hold your breath waiting for the answer.

Founding Quotes of Note II

"Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall, when the wise are banished from the public councils, because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded, because they flatter the people, in order to betray them." --Joseph Story


Very very insightful. Spoken like a cautionary tale describing our nation. Or an epitaph.

Founding Quotes of Note

From time to time, I'll post quotations from our Founding Fathers, just to give some insight into how they looked at the world. For now, here are two for starters

"The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse." --James Madison

"[T]he opinion which gives to the judges the right to decide what laws are constitutional and what not, not only for themselves in their own sphere of action, but for the Legislature and Executive also in their spheres, would make the Judiciary a despotic branch." --Thomas Jefferson

Sound just like big-government leftists, don't they?

Egyptian Newspaper: Holocaust Didn't Happen

Egypt's leading newspaper just published a story denying that the Holocaust ever happened.

Just two quick points:

1. When is the United States going to stop sending ridiculous sums of money to this haven of terrorism and insanity? When a war between Israel and Egypt occurs in the near future, rest assured that the Egyptians will be using weapons purchased with American taxpayer dollars against Israel.

2. For those who believe there was no Holocaust, I have some simple questions for you: How do you explain the fate of millions of people who disappeared from this planet? Where are all the grandparents and parents, children and siblings, cousins and aunts and uncles? Do you really believe that all the vast numbers of people who lost loved ones in this attempt at genocide are complicit in this lie?

Sharon Stone's Fabled Intellect

In a WND story, Sharon Stone had a few choice words about the producers' decision not to include a scene with her kissing Halle Berry in the new movie, Catwoman.

Stone, 46, wanted to enjoy a lesbian moment with her co-star, but the current conservative climate in the country just wouldn't allow it, she concluded, according to Ireland Online.

"Halle's so beautiful and I wanted to kiss her. I said, 'How can you have us in the movie and not have us kiss? That's such a waste,'" said Stone.

"That's what you get for having George Bush as president."

Putting aside any desire to see these women smooch, isn't it fascinating that a person of Sharon Stone's age and status could be so irredeemably stupid and out of touch with reality? Where does she get this notion? Her comparison between America and a Puritanical society is so off the mark, it's right off the page. Gimme a break! Just go watch MTV or regular primetime tv, or go to your local movie theater, and then get back to me on the "conservative climate."

Is mind-numbing idiocy and leftism a requirement for success in Hollywood?

Bush: Mixed Messages on the IRS

Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert has a new book out, in which he calls for the abolition of the IRS. Now, I'm all for this, and I salute Mr. Hastert for his view. But in his book, he assures his readers that he has had conversations with Mr. Bush, and that the President agrees with him, yet he probably won't address the issue in his campaign.

"I think he's on board on the litigation issue and the regulation issue," he said. As for the tax proposals, however, Hastert said, "I think that's a piece they don't want to bite off in the campaign. They have other things they want to talk about."

I have one simple question: If Mr. Bush also wants to be rid of the IRS, and he intends to address this in a second term, then why would he not mention this in his campaign?

His behavior only makes sense if he has absolutely no intention of addressing the issue--in his campaign, or in a second term.

Missouri Approves Ban of Same-Sex Marriage

According to this story, Missouri voters showed their support of a ban on same-sex marriage. 71% of those who voted favored such a ban.

It seems that the good citizens of Missouri have made their desires crystal clear. Let's see if the judiciary backs the will of the people, shall we?

Alan Keyes For U.S. Senate

After Jack Ryan--Republican primary winner--dropped out of the race in late June, due to a sex-scandal, Alan Keyes became a possible contestant for the open Republican U.S. Senate seat for Illinois.

Keyes ran unsuccessfully for President in 1996 and 2000. And it was a shame, too. I think he was the best man for the job, both times. His entry into the current Senate race is not certain, but I think it would be great to see him in office. I've admired him and his unapologetic brand of true conservatism for many years.

The Village

I'll just say first off that this is a difficult movie to review--at least without giving away integral parts of the storyline. That said, here's a list of the pros and cons.

Pros:

The acting was very good, particularly on the part of newcomer Bryce Dallas Howard, who plays a blind woman. Suspense piled up effectively throughout the first 70% of the movie. I enjoyed the atmospheric look of the cinematography. Shyamalan always does a great job with this, creating a mood and an eerie feel to the setting. In addition, I enjoyed the soundtrack, though it was not quite as good as that of Signs. Laslty, regardless of your hate or love for this film, it was, indeed, thought-provoking.

Cons:

As I said, the suspense built steadily through most of the movie, but the pay-off toward the end did not live up to the earlier portions. Worse, the end was actually anticlimactic. And the way people spoke--as if they'd just stepped out of The Scarlet Letter--is never explained properly. Once you see it, you'll realize what I mean. Though M. Night Shyamalan has made three previous excellent films (excellent, that is, in my opinion), this one does not rise to the level of his earlier efforts. And yet it is a tribute to what a fine filmmaker he is, for it is still worth your time.

TWO-AND-A-HALF STARS

Public Library: Christians Not Wanted

A public library in Antioch, CA barred Christians from using a free meeting room on the premises, due to the library's rule against using such rooms for "religious purposes."

Can you believe the audacity?! Whatever happened to equal access? This was a public facility paid for with taxpayer monies! I'm assuming that part of such funding came directly from the pockets of the people who reserved the room. So if you're a Christian, it's ok to fund the building of a facility, pay its workers, and continue to fund additions and other needs over the years. It's just not ok to use the facility, even after reserving a room and following the rules.

Clearly, such a policy is unconstitutional and immoral.

The government may not be feeding Christians to the lions or burning them at the stake, but don't be fooled. Persecution is alive and well in America. It now remains to be seen how far it will go.

Iraqi Christian Charity

As I've said before, it seems that a certain monstrous segment of Iraq's population has declared war on Christians--simply for being Christian. Car bombs went off at five different churches, in a presumed coordinated attack.

From WND:

In the worst attack, a suicide car bomber drove into the car park at a Chaldean church in southern Baghdad before detonating his vehicle, killing at least 12 people as worshippers left the building, witnesses said.

And:

An explosion at the Armenian church in Baghdad shattered stained glass windows and hurled chunks of hot metal.

Another bomb exploded about 15 minutes later outside the nearby Assyrian church, where medics dragged a man from a car, his arm almost torn off.

I could go on, but you get the idea. The "people" responsible for these actions deliberately and premeditatedly targeted innocent, defenseless Christians who wanted only to worship in peace. Such loathsome cowardice and evil deserves swift retribution.

Isn't it wonderful to know that we now have another beacon of liberty such as this in the Middle East? The next time I hear Mr. Bush bragging about the exercise in liberation that is Iraq, I think I'll be sick.

Embryonic Stem-Cell Research

On July 27, Ron Reagan, Jr. spoke at the Democrats' National Convention, favoring federal (i.e., taxpayer) funding of embryonic stem-cell research. This process utilizes the removal of stem-cells from human embryos, resulting in the destruction of these embryos.

Mr. Reagan's father (President Reagan), probably would not have approved, since his strong pro-life stance is well known. But putting that aside for a moment, does Mr. Reagan have a point? Will such research cure diseases? Let's look at what we know:

1. The ethics of such a decision must be addressed. As I already said, this process requires the destruction of these otherwise viable embryos.

2. Scientists have experimented successfully with adult stem-cells in the treatment of certain diseases. The use of such cells does not require the termination of their host.

3. The effectiveness of using embryonic stem-cells in treating diseases is a long way from proven.

Given these three factors, if we are to err, shouldn't that be on the side of caution?

From Jerry Falwell's July 31 column on WorldNetDaily:

On CNN's "Crossfire" on Wednesday, Democrat gadfly James Carville five times accused me of leading a "right-wing" assault on federally-funded embryonic stem cell research. Nothing could be further from the truth. Mr. Carville also suggested that opposing federal funding for this type of research is"loony" and "nutty." He's always so charming, you know.

Regardless of your opinion of Jerry Falwell, doesn't this typify the lefties' tactics? Ignore factual information; provide no refutation of what your opponent has said; label them a kook, thus positioning them to spend the rest of their allotted speaking time defending themselves against the label.

Calling someone a name is easy and intellectually lazy. Dishonest, as well. Proving them wrong requires efforts the leftists have no intention of making.

What a Party!

From The Federalist E-Digest:

As John Kerry ended his speech last night, here is what America -- and the world -- heard on CNN as DNC Convention Director Don Mischer orchestrated the final fainfare: "Go balloons, go balloons! Go balloons! I don't see anything happening. Go balloons! Go balloons! Go balloons! Standby confetti. Keep coming, balloons. More balloons. Bring it- balloons, balloons, balloons! We want balloons, tons of them. Bring them down. Let them all come. No confetti. No confetti yet. No confetti. All right, go balloons, go balloons. We need more balloons. All balloons! All balloons! Keep going! Come on, guys, lets move it. J*sus! We need more balloons. I want all balloons to go, g*dd*mmit. Go confetti. Go confetti. More confetti. I want more balloons. What's happening to the balloons? We need more balloons. We need all of them coming down. Go balloons- balloons? What's happening balloons? There's not enough coming down! All balloons, what the hell! There's nothing falling! What the f*** are you guys doing up there? We want more balloons coming down, more balloons. More balloons. More balloons."

I can't wait to have professionals like this running our country!

The Joys of Public School

In Billings, Montana, a 10-year old girl was forced to participate in a sexually explicit study at her school. The survey asked questions about genital growth and development.

The school district assured the girl's mother that an opt-out form had been sent home. But she claimed not to have received one. The mother spoke with the principal, making it clear that her daughter would not participate in any more surveys of this nature, but two days later, the child was forced to undergo another such survey.

Folks, if this offends you and makes you angry--GOOD! That's exactly what it should do. I can't imagine why anyone would want their child in public schools. Those who do should expect more of the same filth in the future.

Unholy Doings in the Holy Land

Whoever said speech is free?

An Open-Door Policy that Leads to a Closed Casket

An independent border-watch group, American Border Patrol, demonstrated our government's preparedness for killers sneaking into our country, by having two of its members spirit a briefcase across the border,from Mexico to the U.S. The briefcase was a fake WMD.

Their entry went undetected.

At this time, I'd just like to publicly thank the Department of "Homeland Security" for its competence, and its decision to take illegal immigration and terrorism seriously.

Cartoons: Then and Now

When I was a kid (no dinosaurs did not still walk the earth), cartoons actually had meaning. Don't get me wrong. I realize some were stupid and silly. But these seemed in the minority. Most had strong morals underlying the fun. Heroism, honor, integrity, courage in the face of evil, kindness, mercy--these were just a few of the traits exhibited. Even the Looney Tunes cartoons had witty, sarcastic dialiogue, designed not just for the amusement of children, but also adults.

I have two neices and three nephews, and I spend a lot of time in their presence. So cartoons often drone in the background. Occasionally, I pay attention to what I'm watching. Most of today's animated tv shows are frivolous and stupid, with no values or morals at all. Few elevate the finer virtues of humanity. All too often, they degrade and appeal only to the lowest common denominator of society. They revel in potty humor and vulgarity, or in the sheer joy of being a complete fool. They use inappropriate language and wallow in the grotesque. A few examples: Ed, Edd, and Eddy; Fairly Odd Parents; Courage the Cowardly Dog; Johnny Bravo; Grim and Evil--I could go on and on.

A few good cartoons still play, but most are reruns from years ago. The garbage has spilled out of the landfill and taken over kids' tv shows. All the more reason to turn the tv OFF.

Secession and the Constitution

Was secession constitutional? This is a sticky question, tackled by many folks over the years. I have no simple answers, but here's my take on the subject:

Since Lincoln admitted his paramount concern was keeping the Union together, determining the legality of secession is extremely important. Answering this question will shed light on the rightness or wrongness of launching the Civil War.

Shortly after Lincoln's inauguration, some senators and representatives made separate proposals to amend the Constitution in a way that would outlaw secession. As Walter Williams asks in his article from December, 2003, why was this necessary, unless secession was legal at the time?

In addition, Williams states:

But there's more evidence. The ratification documents of Virginia, New York and Rhode Island explicitly said that they held the right to resume powers delegated should the federal government become abusive of those powers.

There's more evidence. At the 1787 constitutional convention, a proposal was made to allow the federal government to suppress a seceding state. James Madison, the father of our Constitution, rejected it, saying: "A Union of the States containing such an ingredient seemed to provide for its own destruction. The use of force against a State would look more like a declaration of war than an infliction of punishment and would probably be considered by the party attacked as a dissolution of all previous compacts by which it might be bound."

Professor Thomas DiLorenzo, in his revised "The Real Lincoln," provides abundant evidence in the forms of quotations from our Founders and numerous newspaper accounts that prove that Americans always took the right of secession for granted. Plus, secession was not an idea that had its origins in the South. Infuriated by Thomas Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the first secessionist movement started in New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut and other New England states.
 
Interesting points, no?

Admittedly, the Constitution allows for putting down insurrections and rebellions, and prohibits states from entering into confederations--but all of these criteria refer to states which still are part of the Union. The Confederate States of America considered themselves no such thing. They left the Union and became a separate country. This distinction must be understood. Rebelling within the framework of the United States of America, or making treaties and entering leagues with other nations while part of that Union, and breaking off from the Union altogether, are separate and very different things.

So an assumption that secession was legal existed up to-- and even after-- Lincoln's inauguration. Proposed amendments prohibiting its legality failed, never making it into the Constitution. From the beginning, the Union of the states, and the entering of those states into the whole, had been voluntary.

Was Lincoln right to wage war against the South and keep the Union together at all costs? Was the Confederacy wrong in seceding? I don't know the answers to these questions. Both are debatable, since we have no alternate timelines to visit for comparisons and contrasts.

But from a strictly Constitutional and legal perspective, I believe Lincoln was wrong in using the federal government's power to preserve the Union forcibly. Put another way, regardless of your view regarding the South's reasons for seceding, its parting with the U.S.A. was lawful and Constitutionally protected.

Demo-Ditty

Democrats just can't let the 2000 election go. They're still complaining about supposed uncounted votes. What a surprise!

Recount! Recount!
That's our cry!
'Cuz in '04
 it's do or die!
Tally the votes
and rake 'em in!
Vote three, four times--
just win, win, win!
Can't let Dubya
sit on our throne.
Won't throw the Right
another bone.
So swarm the jails,
crack-houses, too,
shelters and bars,
even the zoo!
 
Illegal aliens, sign right here.
Kerry will kiss your arse next year!

Art Defined

"All great art is the expression of man's delight in God's work, not his own."
 
--John Ruskin, Victorian art critic and social commentator

I just thought this was an excellent and succint definition of that which makes art transcend the merely mundane, becoming an amazing spectacle to behold.

Compare this description to what is currently considered "art." Quite a contrast, huh?

I'm a Lowly Insect!

According to its statistical report, I''ve moved up in the world, from an Insignificant Microbe, to a Lowly Insect, on The Truth Laid Bare.  Viva la evolution!

I'm overcome with emotion. Sniffle.

HALOSCAN!

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Isn't That Nifty?

Planned Parenthood, our country's exemplar of moral fortitude, now has its own clothing line. The inaugural item for sale: a t-shirt that says, simply:

I HAD AN ABORTION

Saying women should have the right to abort unborn children is one thing. Openly showing pride in such an act is another.

I believe the word "demonic" best describes PP's new idea.

 

American Pride

Isn't John Kerry a truly great American?

Always willing to help his fellow man. And you thought he wasn't a patriot!

What is Truth?

That's a question for the ages, a question most people have pondered at one time or another. Philosophers have devoted untold weighty tomes to the subject, and Pontius Pilate made this inquiry of Jesus.

My definition is simple: Truth is that which is known to all humans, undebatable in its surety; the seed of certainty that God has planted in each of our hearts; the spindle upon which the whole world turns, and our anchor in times of puzzlement. We can rely on it, just as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Just as sure as God loves us, and involves himself in the affairs of humankind. That is truth. I hope my feeble definition sheds a little light.

That said, I've often heard the secular argument that truth is simply what "society" has decided to live by. But one finds no satisfaction in this belief, since it brings unsolved problems to the table, and dredges up more questions than it answers.

For example, why did society choose certain mores, and reject others? If society runs more smoothly utilizing these beliefs, what is the explanation for this? And if, indeed, time and practice proves these rules good and useful, are they not at least tethered in truth?

To dig a little deeper, and to choose a different angle of attack against this rationale, let me make one important point very clear. There is no such thing as "Society."  This is a simplistic misnomer. Humanity is not cobbled together in one grand community. Humanity finds itself fractured into numerous societies (plural), separated by geography, religion, culture, language, and other factors. These individual societies differ drastically, yet all find certain beliefs collectively true.

Just to use one illustration, no human subgroup anywhere believes in the general virtue of murder. A universal denunciation of this sin exists amongst all racial, national, and regional groups.  Should we believe--as the secularists do--that this is a colossal coincidence, or should we accept that mankind has the ability to know and comprehend truth, that this is a perfect example of that understanding?

"Walk Like a Man. . ."

har har har! So the Theory of Evolution is true, after all! Hyuk!

What's next, kicking back in a smoking jacket with a nice cigar?

John Edwards, the Brilliant

From WorldNetDaily: Presumptive Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards says foreign leaders are "frustrated" with President Bush and want to see a new face in the White House – though he says they won't say so directly.

"I was, just a few weeks ago … in Brussels at a NATO meeting with a whole group of NATO ambassadors and hearing their perspective on this," he told CNN's Larry King on his program last night. "I just believe that these countries around the world, whose cooperation and alliances we need, believe that in order for them to have a fresh start with America, we're going to need a new president to do that. Now, they're not going to want to say this very vocally, of course, but the reality is that in order for us to re-establish old relations and to establish new relationships, I believe we need a new president."
 
Continued Edwards: "They didn't say that directly. What they said was they're very frustrated with the way this administration has dealt with them.
 
Can you believe this clown? Hey, John, you ambulance chaser, I just have one tiny comment:

WHO CARES!!!

Last time I checked, we don't elect our leaders on the basis of what some leftist twit in France or some other snob-world country says. We are a sovereign nation, and we will not have our leadership dictated to us by those who envy or hate us. Don't like it? Then get the heck outta here! I'll help ya pack with a smile on my face.

By the way, John, I'm sure that's not a whiff of bias I smell, right? Couldn't be, since you're running for vice president on the Democrank Party ticket. Nah, didn't think so.

Sad But True

Let me share a true story with ya.

My mother works as an RN at a local hospital. She has told me many stories of her tough experiences, but this one may shed some light on the issue of what happens to our tax money (i.e., income stolen by the gov't.)

A couple of days ago, she spoke of a boy who came here from Mexico, illegally, and got a job doing construction work. He has no family in the states, and speaks not one word of English. After being in the U.S. for over two years, he suffered a head injury on the job. Emergency transports brought him to the hospital. The government got involved, and decided to send him back home--but only after paying every penny of his medical expenses, including his treatment at an expensive rehabilitation facility, which specializes in head trauma victims.

Now for a second story.

The hospital received another patient with a head injury. This time, it was a little girl from Virginia, and her accident caused brain damage. The doctors who cared for her assured her insurance provider (medicaid) that the services of a rehabilitation center were needed direly. But her provider refused funding of such therapy, so she now has to forgo this needed, beneficial care.

Just to sum up: The first case involves an illegal immigrant, who received complete taxpayer-funded care for his injuries. The second involves a girl born in the U.S., who cannot receive the same quality of care. Is something wrong with this picture?

Don't get me wrong. I'm against our government confiscating money from taxpayers and then using it to pay for anyone's medical expenses--American citizen or not. This is what I like to call legalized theft. But regardless of your take on that issue, I believe we can all agree that taking care of someone who shouldn't even be here--while refusing to care properly for our own--is reprehensible. Thus you have your wonderful, just government at work, folks. Isn't that grand?

Potty Rage

First Road Rage, now Potty Rage. What'll they think of, next?

Express Lane Rage, of course. When you go to Wal-Mart, better go packin', bub.

A Time to Sing?

Arab women stand by and joyfully sing their hearts out as black women are raped by militia members.

This is happening in Sudan, right now. Can you believe this?:
 
During an attack on the village of Disa in June last year, Arab women accompanied the attackers and sang songs praising the government and scorning the black villagers.

According to an African chief quoted in the report, the singers said: "The blood of the blacks runs like water, we take their goods and we chase them from our area and our cattle will be in their land. The power of [Sudanese president Omer Hassan] al-Bashir belongs to the Arabs and we will kill you until the end, you blacks, we have killed your God."

The chief said that the Arab women also racially insulted women from the village: "You are gorillas, you are black, and you are badly dressed."

The Janjaweed  (a government milita group) have abducted women for use as sex slaves, in some cases breaking their limbs to prevent them escaping, as well as carrying out rapes in their home villages, the report said.

Pickled Russian Airline

This story cracked me up. Apparently, some drunken male flight attendants roughed up a passenger, for complaining about lousy service.

Does this little tale validate or decry the stereotype that Russian=sot?

John Kerry and Aborted Principles

Recently, Kerry made these remarks:
 
"I oppose abortion, personally. I don't like abortion. I believe life does begin at conception. But I can't take my Catholic belief, my article of faith, and legislate it on a Protestant or a Jew or an atheist...who doesn't share it. We have separation of church and state in the United States of America." 
 
Folks, this is called moral relativism. What's right and true and pure and good for me, may not be for others. His statement offers no hint of a universal truth, no mention of what abortion entails. Why is abortion wrong? Because a human child's life is being terminated? If you believe that, the question is: How could you not vote against it? With his own words, Kerry has proven that he is not a man of principle. He admits his intention of continuing to vote in favor of a practice he finds repugnant.  To make matters worse, he blanketly indicts his fellow Protestants and Jews as groups which are pro-abortion.
 
This has nothing to do with separation of church and state. It has everything to do with what is morally right and wrong. If science can prove conclusively that the termination of a pregnancy is the killing of an unborn child (and this has been done), then it's not a matter of opinion or religious conviction. It's a matter of fact. Putting political expediency above truth does not a virtuous leader make. Quite the opposite.

Mystery Animal Sighted in Maryland

Here's an interesting little mystery. Looks like a young hyena to me. Or maybe some sort of wild pig. Can't be sure.  Check out the picture and decide for yourself.

Rape and Sudan

Militias are using rape as a tactic in the genocidal conflict in Sudan. Such tactics are designed to create the maximum degradation of the populace imaginable. Murder runs rampant through villages and streets. But does anyone care? Not at all. Both American political parties are too mired in skullduggery to worry about it. The lefties froth and rave about reparations for slavery--an institution dead in this country for almost 140 years--yet they remain mute and nonchalant to the plight of the innocent, to the flaming racism, to the enslavement of thousands, occurring as you read this in that pitiful African nation. What a monstrosity.

Planned Parenthood XXX

Ahhhhh, what a wonderful, helpful organization. They're only concerned with the health and well-being of families, right? Nah, they don't have an agenda. Uh-uh.

Forced Abortion in China

According to this article, Bush has decided to withhold $34 million from the U.N.'s Population Fund, over forced abortions in China.  Known as gendercide, this policy has resulted in the deaths of 50 million girls, since females are the primary targets of abortion.
 
I'm glad that even Bush has his limits. Of course, this isn't nearly enough. We should shun any country whose government favors such evil, despicable actions. Mr. President, how 'bout revoking their "most favored nation" trade status, if you're serious about what's right?

Presbyterians Side With "Palestinians"

Isn't this beautiful? The Presbyterian Church, a large Protestant denomination, has decided upon siding with the "Palestinian" Arabs. After all, becoming comrades with those who blow up pizzerias and discotheques with nail-bombs, and gun down women and children intentionally, just makes sense, doesn't it? To my knowledge, this is the first Christian denomination to band together in favor of a terrorist organization's demands.

 
UPDATE: I was informed that this story refers to the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., only one of many sub-denominations within the Presbyterian Church, and the most liberal one, at that.  Of course, all Presbyterians do not agree with the above decision.

Dinosaurs and the Bible: Part 2

Recently, I read a book, entitled The Great Dinosaur Mystery Solved!, by Ken Ham. This easy-to-read volume speculates on the disappearance of dinosaurs from a young-earth Christian perspective. And no, I didn't get my beliefs from this book. Rather, it validates and defends what I've believed for years.
 
I considered the following facts highly interesting:
 

1. Explorers recently found two live elephants in Nepal that have the characteristics of mammoths. These features were: unusually sloping backs, reptilian appearance of the tails, swept-up foreheads, and a large, dome-shaped hump on the top of their foreheads. The existence of these beasts had circulated for years in rumors. Evolutionists generally consider mammoths to have been extinct for at least 10,000 years, if not as long as 30,000 years.  Source: Weiland, Carl, "'Lost World' Animals Found!" Creation ex Nihilo, Vol. 19 (1), 1996.
2. Scienctists in Australia found living trees that they thought became extinct at the time of the dinosaurs. The tree, nicknamed the Wollemi Pine, is known from fossils classed as Jurassic Period relics (150 million years ago).  Source:  "Sensational Australia Tree. . .Like 'Finding a Living Dinosaur'" Creation ex Nihilo, Vol. 17 (2), 1995.
3. There have been present-day sightings of what appear to be dinosaurs. For example,  over 40 people have claimed sighting plesiosaurs off the Victorian coast of Australia in recent years.  Source: Melbourne Sun, Feb. 6, 1980.
4. A strange animal, eerily resemblant of an Apatasaurus, has been sighted many times in the Republic of the Congo, and has been dubbed Mokele-Mbembe. This has been widely reported, and discussed in Cryptozoology Magazine and Science Digest, among others.
5. Even Indian cave paintings in Arizona depict humans and dinosaurs.

 

I could go on, but you get the picture. These evidences do not prove conclusively a young-earth. But they do contradict standard evolutionist propaganda, and leave the doors wide open for further scientific inquiry. What fascinates me is the utter refusal to even address such concerns by most in the science community. How much of the above has been commonly reported? The secular scientists' attitude is: That which does not legitimize or correlate with my worldview is to be ignored and marginalized. Isn't this the antithesis of the true definition of science?

Laughter: The Best Medicine

A few corny ones for all you nuts:


Five out of four people have trouble with fractions.

The thing about retired gardeners is they just don't get around mulch anymore.

Grapes don't say anything when stepped on--they just let out a little whine.

The trouble with most political jokes is--they usually get elected.

Clones are people, two.


Thank goodness I'm not on stage. It's hard to get tomato stains out of clothes.

Spider-Man 2

Yep, folks, your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is back in action. And this time, he fights the evil Dr. Octopus.
 
Now that we've covered the plot, let's move on.
 
I enjoyed this movie, for the most part--lots of action, humor, and good special effects sequences. No complaints, there. And Tobey Maguire pulls off the character very well.  Doc Ock made an interesting villain, too, being more complex than the Green Goblin. And his metal tentacles looked great. Best of all was the theme of sacrifice and putting the good of others above one's desires. I know the first movie explored this some, but the second film digs much deeper into this conflict of the soul. Throughout the movie, Spidey wars with himself: should he forget about being Spider-Man and live his own life, or should he put aside his wants and dreams for the greater good of humanity. We need more movies that explore such topics, so I loved this.
 
Unfortunately, this movie suffered from some lousy script-writing, near the end. I have no idea what the director was thinking, but Mary Jane (Spidey's supposed girlfriend) is one of the most annoying, ditzy, pea-brained women on celluloid. Remember what an idiot she was in the first film? The second continues this trend, only worse. About two-thirds of the way through the movie, she and Peter Parker have a nice little conversation in a diner, a back-and-forth of moronic proportions. And again at the film's end we see her perform an act of utter meanness with a blissful smile on her face harbored only by the truly self-absorbed. The most fascinating thing about this flick is: Why in the heck does Pete love this ding-dong, anyway? Other than her looks, she has absolutely nothing going for her. Her intellect would make a gnat blush in embarrassment on her behalf. Back in the old days, movie heroines were strong-willed, intelligent, no-nonsense people, self-reliant and respectable. Apparently, in this new era of film-making, women only make good characters if they are narcissists. Yep, women's lib has carried us far, eh? Right into the era of absurdity.
 
Though entertaining and worth watching, this movie did not hold up to its predecessor. In his review of the film, Roger Ebert said this was the best super- hero film since the original Superman, with Christopher Reeve.
 
All I can say is: Rog, put the bong down, and back away. No, run! 
  

TWO-AND-A-HALF STARS 

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

At my wifey's request, I've decided to review this movie. I watch movies fairly often, but I don't spend as much money as you might think. I rarely go to the theater, but I do rent. Sometimes, I even check 'em out of the library (free). We took this one in at the local drive-in. It was a two-for-one deal (Spider-man 2 was the other flick), at $5 per person.
 
I've liked the Harry Potter series of films, since the beginning, but I've never read the books. So I can't comment on whether the movies are true to the novels.
 
Part three has all the earmarks of the first two: spellbinding special effects, mythical or magical creatures, and nonstop action. The audience experiences the killer tree from the earlier films, a werewolf, time travel, a hippogriff (a beast resembling the cross-breeding of an eagle and a horse), and creatures called dementors. These last look like the grim reaper, or maybe the black riders from Lord of the Rings.
 
The time travel sequence in particular engages the audience, being my favorite scene in the whole series, to date.
 
There are a few differences between this flick and its predecessors. It's a darker, more melancholic movie, for one. Also, the focus lies more on Harry and his closest friends, rather than secondary--but important--characters, such as Hagrid and Dumbledore.
 
For all its high points, the film does have flaws. In the beginning, Harry wreaks a cruel but well-earned vengeance on an evil relative, which has no resolution whatsoever. We never see what becomes of the object of his wrath. Rather, the film briskly moves along to the next act.
 
Additionally, this film leaves lots of loose ends and unanswered questions, making it obvious that a sequel waits in the wings. Whereas the first two installments come to conclusions of a sort, this one simply finds a place to stop, until the next time. Perhaps with all the zillions of dollars the franchise has raked in, the producers felt more comfortable leaving the end open.
 
All in all, an enjoyable visual feast, with an interesting story. None of these films reach the lofty heights of brilliant film-making that most of their fans proclaim (and I'm including film critics), but all are well worth the time, providing plenty of fun. In the TV trailer, one film critic gushed that this was the greatest fantasy film ever made. This statement is patent nonsense, as the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Wizard of Oz, and a handful of others are superior. But you will have a good time going to see this one.
 
THREE STARS

Dinosaurs and the Bible

This is a tricky subject, but I'd like to explain my view. Many people find necessary an acceptance of evolutionary thinking, which in turn influences their view of the Bible and its teachings. One reason for this is the saturation of evolutionist thought in our society.

However, my personal take is a biblical one. I do not subscribe to the Theory of Evolution (that's right folks--it's a theory, not a proven fact), theistic evolution, or the Gap Theory of biblical teaching. These latter two incorporate evolutionary explanations into their worldviews.

But what, you may ask, does this have to do with dinosaurs? Well, I've digressed enough. I've harbored the belief for years that dinosaurs, like any other animal, were created by God during the sixth day of creation--with all other land animals, and Mankind. After Adam and Eve's expulsion from the Garden of Eden, the world began running down and falling apart. Later, Man's iniquities grieved God so much that He pondered their destruction, and carried it out in the Great Deluge.

Prior to the expulsion from Eden, dinosaurs lived in harmony with humans. Afterward, this coexistence ended. At the Flood, all the dinosaurs not represented in the ark's occupants perished. That's right! I believe dinosaurs made it onto the ark! And why not? Nothing in scripture leads me to believe otherwise.

The Post-Flood era becomes more tricky. What became of dinosaurs? No one knows for sure, though many plausible theories abound. Perhaps climatological changes did them in (i.e., the Ice Age). Perhaps they simply died out over a long period of time, as many species do. We have concrete evidence that many animals become extinct, for a variety of reasons. And we do live in a fallen world, after all. So I believe dinosaurs shared the planet with Man, at one time.

Why am I convinced? Because Genesis teaches that death came into the world in a curse from God, as a direct result of Man's sin and rebellion. Man came first, then sin, then death. But evolutionists teach that dinosaurs lived, breathed, and died tens of millions of years before the first human appeared on earth via evolutionary processes--that death always has been a part of nature. This is in stark contradiction to the Bible.

So, you may accept Genesis and reject evolution; or you may accept evolution and reject Genesis. But the two conflict, so you cannot accept both. Our Lord didn't leave us that option.

(More to come on this topic, later)

Mystic River: A Review

I hesitated in renting this movie. After all, the cast is peopled with leftist loonies, such as Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, and Kevin Bacon. Had the actors and rave reviews been its only claims to fame, I would've left it to its fawning fans. But CLINT EASTWOOD directed this one! This simple fact overcame my misgivings, and away went my cash.

Unfortunately, I found disappointment in this flick.

The Pros:

Eastwood is, without a doubt, a very good director. He did a great job in bringing all its elements together and making an interesting movie. The story was emotionally engaging, and the acting propelled the film along beautifully.

The Cons:

The above successes notwithstanding, this is perhaps one of the most depressing movies I've ever seen, filled with bitterness and rage and sorrow. I came away feeling drained and unsatisfied, hollow in the tragedy it portrays. But this in itself was acceptable, if morose. The final nail in the coffin was the characters' unrealistic and inhuman reactions to death and murder near the movie's end. I found myself shaking my head, unable to believe the behaviors of certain people, sure that real human beings would never act in such a fashion. (At least, I hope not). Also, some of the people did things for inexplicable reasons. This may be true to life, but it's annoying on film.

In short, if you like movies that are gut-wrenching and interesting, go see it. If you like movies with a little sunshine after the rain, shun this one like the plague. And bring an umbrella.

TWO-AND-A-HALF STARS

I Have Returned!

I'm back, and I had a great time. I realize that I neglected the blog a little longer than planned, but here I am, fingers limber for typing and ready for action.

Myrtle Beach was great. The beaches were lovely, the nights cool and breezy, and the humidity was much less fierce than days in my native Tennessee. Trust me. Here, you can cut the air with a knife, it's so thick and muggy. Kinda like breathing in a wet paper bag. Ugh.

Anyway, there's nothing quite like the feel of sand between your toes, the cawing of seagulls, the lapping of water at your feet, and the endless vista afforded by the vast ocean. If you've never been to the beach, I recommend it as a must. But don't go in early July, if at all possible. . .it's too dadgum crowded!

Gone to the Beach

I'm leaving at the crack of dawn, tomorrow. My destination? Myrtle Beach, South Carolina! Time for a little vacation, with my family. Please hold all my calls, until my return. In the mean time, may all of you have a great week. I'll return to posting and ruminating, next Sunday.

Independence Day

I hope everyone had a great Fourth of July! If you're planning to shoot off fireworks, tonight, please, a few helpful tips:

1.) Don't light them and put them in your mouth. Big no-no.

2.) Don't tie bottle rockets to cats' tails. Very mean.

3.) Do not put roman candles on birthday cakes--unless ya just don' like cake.


These handy tips might help you enjoy your evening. You might even end it with all ten fingers intact.

God bless.

Super Patriot

Representative Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) claims Bush has Bin Laden in custody, just waiting for the right moment, politically speaking, to thrill the public with his capture.

Now, I don't trust or like Bush, but this sounds absurd, considering its originator's character. McDermott is the same fellow who traveled to Baghdad in 2002 and had an interview beamed live to the States. In his attack on Bush from the safe confines of Iraq, he insisted that Saddam deserved the benefit of the doubt; and in the next breath, he said Bush was not to be trusted. I'm paraphrasing, but you get the gist of it, I believe. This is treasonous, regardless of your opinion of Bush.

True to form, his current news-making comments were also made outside the U.S., in India.

Mother Mary, Give Us Abortion On-Demand

I'm not a Catholic, and I don't pray to Mary. But many Catholics are wonderful people, and I admire their dedication and respectfulness to our Lord. That said, this is a mockery and a grotesque distortion of the Catholic branch of Christianity.

Feminists praying to Mary for blessings in their pursuit of unrestricted abortions. Just reading this story made me feel dirty. Pardon me while I go take a shower.

Country Boys (God Bless 'Em)

Nearly half of all the lives extinguished in combat come from rural areas, according to this story.

I don't find this hard to believe, since I think patriotism tends to burn stronger in rural areas, or the South. Living away from cities, in less confined area, gives one time for reflection upon what it means to be an American citizen, and how we won all the freedoms we possess. Ours is a flawed country, but we'll not find improvement, elsewhere.

I'm sure liberals read this story in horror, stunned that so many poor, country folks are going off to war. We must bring back the draft!, they say. We must have equality in the ranks. Whatta loada hooey! I'll just quietly remind them that our military is all-volunteer. Naturally, those volunteering will come from areas culturally in-step with the defense of our great nation. We don' neeed no steeenkeeen draft!

U.N. to the Rescue

It seems a Texas Congressman has requested that the U.N. send "election observers" to ensure that a fiasco along the lines of the 2000 election doesn't occur.


Tom Kilgannon, president of Freedom Alliance, a group dedicated to protecting American sovereignty, admonished Johnson and her colleagues.

"Your appeal to the secretary general is alarming and embarrassing," he said. "As a Member of Congress sworn to uphold the Constitution and represent the people of the United States, it is disturbing, to say the least, that you would entrust the most sacred act of American democracy - our presidential election - to an international institution, which is unaccountable to the American people and mired by scandal and corruption."


Tom, you took the words right outta my mouth. What a joke. Since when is the U.N. competent in any endeavor it undertakes?

Marlon Brando, R.I.P.

Marlon Brando, 80, passed away last night of undisclosed causes. Regardless of your views of his personal life, he was a great film actor. Don't believe me? Check out "The Godfather," and "Apocalypse Now." I'm not crazy about the latter film, but his acting skill in this one cannot be denied. He played in films only sporadically in his later years, but movies were always better for his presence in them. He will be missed.

Dynasty of Evil

Ah, China, our beloved trading partner, who modestly accepted our Most Favored Nation Trade Status. Well, it seems they enjoy arresting people and carting them off to labor camps without trials, torturing prisoners, and trafficking in their organs after executing them.

On the Fourth of July, when you buy an American flag that has MADE IN CHINA stamped on its miniature pole, please remember this story.

WMDs Found

Polish troops discovered sixteen or seventeen undeclared warheads, filled with mustard or sarin gas, in the past few days, according to Donald Rumsfeld.

As I have suspected all along, time, effort, and patience vindicates us. The interesting question is: How many WMDs will we have to uncover and excavate before the liberals in our society admit their wrongheadedness?

Horatio Hornblower: My Review

Recently, I reviewed Master and Commander. I was informed summarily that this movie is not the equal of the Hornblower movies. Eager to test this hypothesis, I rented and watched the first three films. My conclusion? My advisors were correct.

If you love historical dramas or swashbuckling action flicks, these are for you. If you like witty dialogue and rapier-keen repartee, these are for you. If you like intricate plots and good acting, these are for you. If you like movies that accurately portray life at sea, these are for you. If you like Errol Flynn's filmography, these are for you.

Amazingly, these made-for-cable-television films have much more complex storylines than Russell Crowe's movie. The characterizations are better, as well, and much more detailed. The acting equals that of Master and Commander. In fact, Crowe's film trumps the Hornblower saga in only two ways: its musical score, and the special effects. And even these are well-done for the purposes of Hornblower's exploits.

All in all, a wonderful series that I intend to delve into further. Click here to learn more.What're you waiting for?! Don't take my word for it! Go see for yourself!

Horatio Hornblower: The Movies

Taking the suggestion of my friend, Res Ipsa, I rented these from my local library. Made by A&E Network, starting with the first installment in 1999, these movies are well worth your time.


A brief synopsis:

The first movie, entitled The Duel, begins in 1793,with the Napoleonic Wars in full-swing, and Hornblower first joins the crew of H.M.S. Indefatigable ,as a 17- year-old midshipman. He quickly earns the admiration and respect of most of the crew and the ship's captain in engagements with the French and their Spanish allies. Unfortunately, he also earns the enmity of a fellow crewmember, who seethes with jealousy over Hornblower's rapid rise. This hatred returns to haunt him, throughout the picture.

The second, The Fire Ships, deals with life aboardship, unrest amongst the crew, threats of starvation from scarce rations, an outbreak of plague in which Hornblower proves his mettle, and ruthless attacks on the British by the French.

The Duchess and the Devil, the third film, involves Hornblower's attempts to outwit the Spanish, which ultimately fail. He and his crew fall into their hands and are imprisoned. I don't want to give away any more, but suffice it to say that the movie wraps up with great action sequences and a rescue during a storm.


One brief note of interest: These films are based on the 11 novels about Horatio Hornblower, written by C.S. Forrester, the first being published in 1937. To date, A&E has made 8 films, I believe, with more to follow.