Friday, September 23, 2005
Dear Dems, Demagogue Disasters
As State Braces for Rita, Liberal Theologian Shows Democrats how to get to the Electoral Promised Land
While the rest of the state was diligently preparing for Hurricane Rita, Democrats in Austin were busy learning how to exploit such disasters for political gain. Rev. Jim Wallis, author of "God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It", expanded on the fashionable meme of politicizing the tragedy in New Orleans to score political points and harm President Bush.
According to the Statesman story on the event, Rev. Wallis claimed "The waves of Katrina washed away cities and people, but they may also wash away our public denial of how many people in the country are poor."
Oh really? Had the Statesman bothered to cover a speech by civil rights activist Starr Parker a few weeks ago, they would have learned that the true revelation of Katrina is not that lots of poor people exist, but the reason they are still poor after all these years of "The Great Society". Says Ms. Parker, an African American woman and former welfare mom,
It is also remarkable that the Statesman now seems surprisingly blase about mixing politics and religion. In the past, the Statesman has hosted incendiary diatribes against the religious right for supposedly conflating Christian doctrine and conservative politics. Said Rev. Wallis, "We are preaching, training and organizing. We are linking people together and building a network that impacts politics and the culture." However, the story by Emma Graves Fitzsimmons lets this statement pass with nary a mention of "separation of church and state". It seems the Statesman has issued a new dispensation; they will countenance religion in politics if its a religion they like.
Yet, this "religion" is the same old liberal themes dressed up in righteous language. Says Rev. Wallis,
In one way, I hope the Democrats do not heed Rev. Wallis' advice, but in another way I do.
It is disconcerting to see near-immediate politicizing of a disaster. In this environment, the local, state, and federal officials charged with response would be tempted to spend more time spin doctoring instead of rescuing victims, keeping the peace, aiding the injured and helping evacuees.
On the other hand, this mindset further reveals the Democrats' dearth of ideas, crass opportunism, and inability to face a tough job. They've been beaten in two straight national election cycles and are a non-factor statewide in Texas because they are seen as spineless, simpering sissy boys. Continued whining would lead to prolonged wandering in the electoral wilderness, not the marching into a land of political milk and honey.
While the rest of the state was diligently preparing for Hurricane Rita, Democrats in Austin were busy learning how to exploit such disasters for political gain. Rev. Jim Wallis, author of "God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It", expanded on the fashionable meme of politicizing the tragedy in New Orleans to score political points and harm President Bush.
According to the Statesman story on the event, Rev. Wallis claimed "The waves of Katrina washed away cities and people, but they may also wash away our public denial of how many people in the country are poor."
Oh really? Had the Statesman bothered to cover a speech by civil rights activist Starr Parker a few weeks ago, they would have learned that the true revelation of Katrina is not that lots of poor people exist, but the reason they are still poor after all these years of "The Great Society". Says Ms. Parker, an African American woman and former welfare mom,
"To the extent that issues of race and poverty are discussed at this time, the relevant question to ask is, 'Why, after these many years, does our African American population remain disproportionately poor?' Those who assert that rescue efforts were impeded because of racism also assert that black poverty persists because of racism. It is this attitude, the welfare state mentality, that has contributed in no small part to the tragedy we have witnessed."In other words, the soul-destroying idea that poor minorities need rich, well-educated elites to take care of them is the bigger cause of the post-Katrina horrors.
It is also remarkable that the Statesman now seems surprisingly blase about mixing politics and religion. In the past, the Statesman has hosted incendiary diatribes against the religious right for supposedly conflating Christian doctrine and conservative politics. Said Rev. Wallis, "We are preaching, training and organizing. We are linking people together and building a network that impacts politics and the culture." However, the story by Emma Graves Fitzsimmons lets this statement pass with nary a mention of "separation of church and state". It seems the Statesman has issued a new dispensation; they will countenance religion in politics if its a religion they like.
Yet, this "religion" is the same old liberal themes dressed up in righteous language. Says Rev. Wallis,
"Some Democrats have said to me since Katrina, 'We may finally get our voice back,' and I hope they do. They have an opportunity to provide leadership. If the Democrats don't start talking about poverty now, the party will die, and it will deserve to. This is a moment of transformation.""Get our voice back"? All Democrats have talked about for the last 40 years is "helping" the poor with failed, big government solutions. Rev. Wallace only recommends putting old statist wine in new Katrina wineskins.
In one way, I hope the Democrats do not heed Rev. Wallis' advice, but in another way I do.
It is disconcerting to see near-immediate politicizing of a disaster. In this environment, the local, state, and federal officials charged with response would be tempted to spend more time spin doctoring instead of rescuing victims, keeping the peace, aiding the injured and helping evacuees.
On the other hand, this mindset further reveals the Democrats' dearth of ideas, crass opportunism, and inability to face a tough job. They've been beaten in two straight national election cycles and are a non-factor statewide in Texas because they are seen as spineless, simpering sissy boys. Continued whining would lead to prolonged wandering in the electoral wilderness, not the marching into a land of political milk and honey.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Think Happy Thoughts?
Otherwise Good Statesman Article on Disaster Preparedness Curiously Silent on One Key Question
Jane Grieg had a very useful article in yesterday's Statesman about how to properly prepare for a disaster. It includes important details on food, water, supplies (who knew you would need a whistle in a disaster?) finances, family contacts, and first aid.
Yet, this thorough story did not address one obvious contingency: how to prepare and respond to looting, lawlessness and the varigated thuggery we so tragically saw in New Orleans over the last few weeks. So, I sent Ms. Grieg the following email:
However, I think I may have a hunch on how to protect myself and my home against a breakdown in law and order. I currently own a Kimber Custom II .45 caliber 1911A pistol and a Winchester 1200 pump action shotgun, with 100 rounds each. Should home invaders pay a visit to my house or otherwise threaten me or those I love, I think I would know how to put these tools to good use.
BTW: Check out what the Bible has to say on armed self-defense:
Nehemiah 4:13-18
Luke 22:36-38
Jane Grieg had a very useful article in yesterday's Statesman about how to properly prepare for a disaster. It includes important details on food, water, supplies (who knew you would need a whistle in a disaster?) finances, family contacts, and first aid.
Yet, this thorough story did not address one obvious contingency: how to prepare and respond to looting, lawlessness and the varigated thuggery we so tragically saw in New Orleans over the last few weeks. So, I sent Ms. Grieg the following email:
So far, I've heard nothing from Ms. Grieg on this key question.Ms. Greig,
Thanks for your disaster preparedness article in the
Statesman this morning. I noticed a few items on the
list you presented that I have not yet procured, but
am working to get now.
However, I did not see any mention of how people
should prepare to safeguard their families, lives, and
property against the threat of looting, lawlessness,
and violence. Unfortunately, as we saw in the
aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the criminal element
of society took advantage of the situation to
victimize law-abiding citizens.
Can you recommend any ways for your readers to protect
themselves from this side effect of disasters?
However, I think I may have a hunch on how to protect myself and my home against a breakdown in law and order. I currently own a Kimber Custom II .45 caliber 1911A pistol and a Winchester 1200 pump action shotgun, with 100 rounds each. Should home invaders pay a visit to my house or otherwise threaten me or those I love, I think I would know how to put these tools to good use.
BTW: Check out what the Bible has to say on armed self-defense:
Nehemiah 4:13-18
Luke 22:36-38
