Like we're really surprised!

Well, the campaign to get Hillary back into the White House officially kicked off last week with her web announcement and request to "let's talk, let's chat, let's begin a dialogue". As if Hillary really cares what the average American has to say.
And did you notice how green the trees were outside her living room window...isn't it January and winter in Upstate New York?

In honor of the Hillary express, i thought i would pass on this little happy from one of her biggest fans; Judicial Watch. Judicial Watch is a non-partisan group that tracts and reports on illegal activities of politicians on either side of the aisle. As would be expected, since 1992 the Clintonistas have keep JW VERY busy. Here is their latest update from JW President Tom Fitton concerning the Hillary campaign:

Clinton Corruption – Everything that goes around…

It’s official. This week, Hillary Clinton threw her hat into the ring of contenders for the Democratic nomination for president in 2008. Now, the American people will take a long, hard look at Hillary’s record as they weigh her candidacy. And any discussion of Hillary Clinton’s record begins and ends with her alleged crimes and ethical transgressions.

Judicial Watch, of course, has been pursuing both Hillary and Bill Clinton since its inception, launching numerous investigations and lawsuits. In fact, according to Time magazine’s Margaret Carlson, “Thanks in no small part to Judicial Watch, Hillary Clinton may be the most investigated person in the history of the Republic.” (I’ll take that as a compliment.) This effort continues today with our investigation of the records at the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Arkansas. But here is just a partial summary of Clinton scandals that are relevant to Hillary’s candidacy, as so many questions remain unanswered:

Bribery and Extortion: According to sworn testimony in federal court, Hillary Clinton devised a scheme to sell public, taxpayer-financed trade missions in exchange for campaign contributions to the Democratic Party and the 1996 Clinton reelection effort.

Filegate: In the early 1990’s, the Clinton White House violated the privacy rights of their perceived political enemies by “stealing” over 900 FBI files of the Reagan and first Bush administration staffers and using the information to destroy their credibility. Judicial Watch’s sued Hillary Clinton in federal court over this scheme, as she evidently was its mastermind.

Pardongate: In the last days of his presidency, former President Clinton granted 140 pardons and commuted 36 sentences. The pardons were for individuals who had paid large fees to Clinton associates. Hugh Rodham, brother of Hillary Rodham Clinton, accepted $400,000 after successfully lobbying his brother-in-law for clemency for two felons. Anthony Rodham, Hillary’s other brother, has also been accused of illicitly brokering another pardon deal.

Campaign Finance Scandal: Hillary Clinton’s campaign failed to properly disclose more than $2 million in contributions to her New York Senate 2000 campaign. Hillary’s National Finance Director, David Rosen, was indicted for his role in the scandal (though later acquitted after the Bush administration watered down his prosecution by keeping Hillary Clinton out his criminal trial). And in response to a complaint filed by Judicial Watch, the Federal Election Commission fined Senator Hillary Clinton’s fundraising operation $35,000 for failing to accurately report the contributions.

Clinton Sex Scandal and Character Assassination: Hillary Clinton personally orchestrated media campaigns to slander the women who had allegedly been sexually and otherwise abused by her husband. One such woman, Gennifer Flowers, was subjected to a vicious smear campaign orchestrated by Hillary Clinton and carried out by former Clinton administration aides James Carville and George Stephanopoulos.

I could go on and on. Cattle futures, perjury on the Travel Office firings, hiring private investigators, selling policy to communist Chinese generals and their agents, Whitewater, Vince Foster, and all the rest. Hillary has been angling for the presidency since her corrupt husband took the oath, and certainly before then. Their crimes have all been means to keep and obtain power. So we can expect more of the same in a Hillary candidacy.

Judicial Watch does not endorse nor oppose candidates for public office. Hillary is free to run for president. But Judicial Watch is also free to continue to pursue accountability for her many crimes and ethical transgressions, past and present. Hillary Clinton is the most powerful corrupt politician in the country and much attention should be paid to this corruption, whether or not she is running for office.

State of the Union

It is that time of the year where all network TV broadcasts come to a screeching halt and the President gives his annual State of the Union Address. It may very well be the most interesting of his 6 speeches up to this point due to the fact that this is the first time he has faced a congress controlled by the dems.

Of course we can expect the usual pomp and circumstance as the President enters followed by San Fran Nan Pelosi looking "holier than thou" from her perch. This will also be followed by the typical angry scowls upon the faces of those hoping to make a run for the White House in 2008 for the dems.

My hopes is to do a little play by play...just for the fun of it.

Right now President Bush is entering the House chamber, some what ironically it was Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), the guy who looks like a Keebler elf on crack getting the first hand shake. He is now greeting Sen. Elizabeth Dole, who is a woman who can and probably should be elected President of this great United States.
He is now greeting the Joint Chiefs of Staff...which i think was Bill Clinton's favorite group since they had the name "Joint".

And finally hands a copy of his speech to VP Dick Cheney and San Fran Nan as the ovation continues. And now San Fran Nan makes the official introduction.

And the W is off.
Begins by referencing the "Madame Speaker" and his honor for being the first President to say that, a classy move on his part. He also made reference to her father...very nice touch Mr. President.
He now mentions Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) and Rep. Charlie Norwood (R-GA) who are out due to illness.

He begins by calling for unity for the good of the people...something that the left really has no clue about since they believe that "bi-partisanship" means waffling to them.

First order of business, the growing economy and the need to not grow the government.
3 economic reforms he is calling for:
1. Balance federal budget (gets standing ovation), as well as cutting the deficit and it already being cut ahead of schedule (which Pelosi didn't care for)
Point to notice...so far, all of the clapping is coming from the Republican side of the aisle...go figure.
Interesting scene there...Hillary with her usual scowl with Osama Obama sitting next to the person who have him that name, Ted Kennedy (D-Margaritaville).

2. Exposing earmarks...or PORK! Special interests getting their take of MY TAX MONEY, over $18 Billion in 2005, 90% not making it to the floor of the Congress.
He made a comment about C-Span not seeing these added, i think that may have been a jab at San Fran Nan's decision to not always allow C-Span in.
His call is for a 50% cut in Pork, gets another standing O.

3. Entitlements...keeping Social Security, MediCare and MediCaid sound.
Looks like Ted Kennedy is hung over...go figure.
Did he mention using "good sense" to a democratic controlled congress?

Now on to public schools and No Child Left Behind...Ted Kennedy's baby that he no longer takes credit for.
Better performance in schools with minorities improving mentioned.
Giving local leaders more control and the right to choose for families of kids in failing schools...and I WHOLE HEARTEDLY AGREE!
* My kids are out of a failing school and in a private school.

Now on to healthcare, and San Fran Nan and the dems stand up. Wow, she really does have control over them!
2 new initiatives to help with private insurance:
1. Standard tax deduction for health insurance like that for dependents for up to $15,000 per family, $7500 for single adults.
* I pay for insurance privately for my family, and this will help me out considerably.

2. Help states that are using innovation to cover the uninsured. Using federal funds to insure the poor.
* I'm not so sure about this one.

Why don't the libs like health savings accounts? Oh yeah...because it means be independent from the government!
Helping small business, yet another topic the left hates.

Oh oh...medical liability reform...the trial lawyers on the left hate that. San Fran Nan is NOT allowing her bunch to stand for that one, and neither does Patrick Leahy (D-VT).
Oh great...there is Lurch, oops, i meant John Kerry.

Immigration control now...and a temporary worker's program. Seems to be mostly unanimous on that one.
Yes, it is a melting pot and there must be assimilation!
No amnesty for illegals? How can the democrats win elections if illegals aren't voting?
I'm sorry, i don't see any comprehensive immigration reform coming out of a congress controlled by the democrats.

Moving on to oil dependence and our need to get out from under it.
Diversifying energy supplies through technology.
How about drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and ANWAR?????
20/10---20% reduction of gas usage over the next 10 years. But how will the leftist elites get around if they can't fly on their private jets?
Yes...domestic oil production!
* I'm sorry, i'm from an oil producing state, and this helps our economy!

Ah yes, global climate change....where is Algore when you need him?

Oh oh, now we move on to the justice system and the need to put judges on the bench. He mentions that his job is to nominate them and the Senate's job is to give them a swift up and down vote on the Senate floor.
Dirty Harry Reid (D-NV) and his bunch do not like that one bit.

9/11 reminder, a much needed reminder i think...and we need to take the fight to the enemy in the war on terror.

Kudos Mr President, kudos!

ACHIEVEMENTS: Al Qaida plot foiled on West Coast, SE Asian terror cell in US broken up, Al Qaida cell developing anthrax discovered, British authorities helped stop possible airline attack on US.

The enemy is still out there: Sunni extremists in Al Qaida with an ideology of hate, and Shia extremists who want to dominate the Middle East under the leadership of Iran.

Their goal is to kill Americans and destroy democracy.

Terrorists fear human freedom...well said Mr. President.

In 2005 Syria was run out of Lebanon, Afghanistan elected a democratic legislation, and Iraq held 3 democratic elections...in spite of the threats of terrorists; who did strike back.

Yes, and we don't cut and run!

We can shape the outcome of the battle and win.

And only half of the democrats agree...that speaks volumes!

And here is the President's new plan for Iraq, which includes more Iraqi control and more US emphasis on security in Baghdad.

20000 additional soldiers and Marines being requested, and 4000 additional Marines being sent to the Anhbar province (Hoo Ha! Semper Fi!) to find terrorists and clear them out.

Yep. looks like the left side disagrees.

Wow, look at that sour look on San Fran Nan's face!

The President's plan is to win and not fail...which is what the terrorists as well as the American left want, failure in Iraq.

The terrorists want to destroy America, the democrats want to control it...and they have the same goal, failure in Iraq. Scary, huh?

Well, it looks like they are willing to "support" the troops...how ever the left defines that in their twisted minds.

Another plea for unity and bipartisanship that includes a special advisory council on the war on terror.

Of course, this working depends on who is actually on this committee.

A request is made for an increase of 92,000 in the US Army and Marine Corps over the next 5 years. Why this would be disagreed with, i have no idea.

Now he is suggesting a Volunteer Civilian Reserve Corps that would allow civilians with specific skills to serve abroad...interesting.

Did he just mentioned the UN? And again? Oh, the UN "stopping" Iran from developing nuclear weapons. WHATEVER!

And the nukes in North Korea.

Darfur gets some attention, and the US is still the only nation calling that a genocide while the UN does NOTHING!

Social issues on Africa, specifically AIDS.

Did he just ask for $1.2 billion to fight malaria in Africa?!?!?!

Can we really help nations "where corruption is in retreat" when we are being held hostage by a democrat Congress? Wouldn't that corruption have to retreat?

Now on to the gallery.

1st guest: Dikembe Mutombo, basketball star at Georgetown University and in the NBA. He is the guest of honor next to the 1st Lady, and he is a US citizen.

2nd guest: Julie Aigner-Clark, founder of the Baby Einstein Company, and now working with John Walsh to make child safety videos for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

3rd guest: Wesley Autrey, rescued a man who fell onto the tracks at a Harlem subway station; he says the men and woman fighting for our freedom overseas are the real heroes.

4th guest: Sgt. Tommy Reiman from Independence, KY; recipient of Silver Star after being shot while protecting his gunman during an attack in Iraq. He is sitting to the right of Mrs. Cheney.

Closing comments: This is a "decent and honorable country, and resilient too."

The state of our union is strong and our cause in the world is right.

Amen, Mr. President, amen.

***My evaluation: A simple speech from the President, but very much to the point. He hit the needed topics and gave some real ideas that can work; which is not anything we would ever hear from the left.

I honestly think this may be one of the better State of the Union speeches in terms of content that i have heard from President Bush.

He did stumble and stutter a few times over his words, but still made his point.

I think he put the dems backs against the wall and said, "If you don't like it, you do something about it."

A Dark Day

Today marks the 34th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that made abortion on demand a "woman's right" in the US. It is sometimes ironic to me that this "right" violates the opening statement of the US Declaration of Independence for the unborn child, which states, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."

Where are the rights of these 47,282,923 unborn children who had no chance to experience that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness we were all promised as Americans? Those rights were destroyed, along with their little bodies as a result of a bad law passed by judges who think they are the ones allowed to write laws.

Last night i had the opportunity to attend worship at First Baptist Church of Texarkana (TX) and heard the testimony and story of Gianna Jessen, a survivor of one of these horrendous acts called abortion. And rather than sharing her story, i thought i would let you read her testimony give before the Constitution Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee on April 22, 1996.

My name is Gianna Jessen. I am 19 years of age. I am originally from California, but now reside in Franklin, Tennessee. I am adopted. I have cerebral palsy. My biological mother was 17 years old and seven and one-half months pregnant when she made the decision to have a saline abortion. I am the person she aborted. I lived instead of died.

Fortunately for me the abortionist was not in the clinic when I arrived alive, instead of dead, at 6:00 a.m. on the morning of April 6, 1977. I was early, my death was not expected to be seen until about 9 a.m., when he would probably be arriving for his office hours. I am sure I would not be here today if the abortionist would have been in the clinic as his job is to take life, not sustain it. Some have said I am a "botched abortion", a result of a job not well done.

There were many witnesses to my entry into this world. My biological mother and other young girls in the clinic, who also awaited the death of their babies, were the first to greet me. I am told this was a hysterical moment. Next was a staff nurse who apparently called emergency medical services and had me transferred to a hospital.

I remained in the hospital for almost three months. There was not much hope for me in the beginning. I weighed only two pounds. Today, babies smaller than I was have survived.

A doctor once said I had a great will to live and that I fought for my life. I eventually was able to leave the hospital and be placed in foster care. I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a result of the abortion.

My foster mother was told that it was doubtful that I would ever crawl or walk. I could not sit up independently. Through the prayers and dedication of my foster mother, and later many other people, I eventually learned to sit up, crawl, then stand. I walked with leg braces and a walker shortly before I turned age four. I was legally adopted by my foster mother's daughter, Diana De Paul, a few months after I began to walk. The Department of Social Services would not release me any earlier for adoption.

I have continued in physical therapy for my disability, and after a total of four surgeries, I can now walk without assistance. It is not always easy. Sometimes I fall, but I have learned how to fall gracefully after falling 19 years.

I am happy to be alive. I almost died. Every day I thank God for life. I do not consider myself a by-product of conception, a clump of tissue, or any other of the titles given to a child in the womb. I do not consider any person conceived to be any of those things.

I have met other survivors of abortion. They are all thankful for life. Only a few months ago I met another saline abortion survivor. Her name is Sarah. She is two years old. Sarah also has cerebral palsy, but her diagnosis is not good. She is blind and has severe seizures. The abortionist, besides injecting the mother with saline, also injects the baby victims. Sarah was injected in the head. I saw the place on her head where this was done. When I speak, I speak not only for myself, but for the other survivors, like Sarah, and also for those who cannot yet speak ...

Today, a baby is a baby when convenient. It is tissue or otherwise when the time is not right. A baby is a baby when miscarriage takes place at two, three, four months. A baby is called a tissue or clumps of cells when an abortion takes place at two, three, four months. Why is that? I see no difference. What are you seeing? Many close there eyes...

The best thing I can show you to defend life is my life. It has been a great gift. Killing is not the answer to any question or situation. Show me how it is the answer.

There is a quote which is etched into the high ceilings of one of our state's capitol buildings. The quote says, "Whatever is morally wrong, is not politically correct." Abortion is morally wrong. Our country is shedding the blood of the innocent. America is killing its future.

All life is valuable. All life is a gift from our Creator. We must receive and cherish the gifts we are given. We must honor the right to life

The Gloves are Off!

I'm loving this! I get up this morning, turn on Fox and Friends (i only catch the 2nd half of the show) and the first thing i see is a report that Hillary's camp has found a juicy little morsel that may trip up the early surge of Obamania.

Barack Obama is the new darling of the leftist media and the democrats after giving his stirring address at the 2004 party convention in support of Kerry's failed attempt to hijack the White House. A former IL state senator, the guy has no real record of achievement other than being born to a Kenyan father and representing the "American Dream". For those of you at USC who only understand Susan Estrich, let me break this down for you...basically, the guy has no qualifications for being President of the United States other than his shirtless swimming picture released recently.

Well, it would appear that Mr. Obama, whose middle name is Hussein, like his father has more than just a 50% Muslim parental influence. Team Hillary is getting word out now that Barack failed to mention something in his 1995 bio Dreams from My Father and 2004 campaign precursor The Audacity of Hope, that he attended a Muslim seminary or Madrasah for 4 years while living in Indonesia with his mother. And yes, this is the same Indonesia that is known for having the largest percentage of Muslims in their population and various militant groups that have a record of blowing things up (many of them are the alumni of Indonesian Madrasahs).

The lefty media has been giving this guy a MAJOR pass up until now, and i've got to wonder how this will affect that love affair. This report is being posted in Insight Magazine, but is only available by way of subscription.

The fact that Obama was raised a Muslim is neither here nor there with me, but i do know that this will stir up some waters in a democrat party that has a history of racism (remember, it was the democrats who fought AGAINST civil rights...just ask Robert KKK Byrd of WV). I also know that the Clintonistas are the dirtiest fighters in the game, and this may be just the beginning of what they come up with. They will do whatever is necessary to destroy this guy, and somehow getting him in bed with the likes of Osama Bin Laden wouldn't hurt.

My advice Sen. Obama: get all of the skeletons out of the closet, and if things keep going well for you...don't let Hillary in on any of your travel plans. Those trips seem to have an early and rather destructive ending to them if you get on her wrong side.

This is great, i can't WAIT for 2008!

Let Bama have him...

OK, it's been almost a week since my beloved Bayou Bengals opened up a big old can of whoop tail on a (once again) over-rated Notre Dame team. The end result, LSU wins the Sugar Bowl 41-14.
At the same time, the big news coming out of Tuscaloosa was that former LSU head coach Nick Saban was leaving his NFL head coaching job with the Miami Dolphins to take the helm at the University of Alabama. Obviously, Tide fans are hoping that Saban can resurrect the once glorious winning tradition at Alabama...but i have my doubts.

Since i have had time to think about it, i decided to give my take on the situation.

First of all, even though Saban has apparently said he would like to retire in Tuscaloosa (although i can't find proof of that other than from a friend who is a Bama fan)...i wouldn't count on it. I give you what we shall call Evidence A: Saban's coaching tenure since becoming an active coach at Kent State, his alma mater.

2005-2006: Head Coach of Miami Dolphins (NFL)
2000-2004: Head Coach of LSU Tigers (NCAA)
1995-1999: Head Coach of Michigan State University (NCAA)
1991-1994: Def. Coordinator for Cleveland Browns (NFL)
1990: Head Coach for University of Toledo (NCAA)
1988-1989: Def. Secondary Coach for Houston Oilers (NFL)
1983-1987: Sec/Def. Coordinator for Michigan State University (NCAA)
1982: Def. Coordinator for US Naval Academy (NCAA)
1980-1981: Def. Assistant for Ohio State University(NCAA)
1978-1979: Def. Assistant for West Virginia University (NCAA)
1977: Def. Assistant for Syracuse University
1975-1976: Def. Assistant for Kent State University

OK, let's do the math on that...12 stops in 20 years, now going to number 13. That is an average tenure of 1.67 years, or a little over 18 months for you Bama ball players who can't count pass 5 because you run out of fingers on your right hand.
What makes you think that this will be the "Miracle" place where Nicky can actually earn some tenure? Not likely.
Also keep in mind he left LSU after repeatedly saying he wasn't looking to go, and for weeks before taking the Bama job he was spouting the same nonsense of "I'm not leaving..." Whatever!

My second point is this, you are going to have a MAJOR battle of control.
Saban is a very controlling coach. It is his way or the highway. He is the sole spokesman for the team, and that is final. When he was at LSU one of the issues the Baton Rouge and Louisiana media had with him was the fact that he never allowed his assistant coaches to have a say. In fact, i have no doubt that Jimbo Fisher, LSU's Offensive Coordinator, would probably be else where by now if people actually knew what his voice sounded like. Saban NEVER allowed him or anyone else under him to speak.
And that control issue will also cause problems with alumni and boosters who feel like they are Omnipotent when it comes to Bama athletics...especially football. We're talking about boosters and alumni that sometimes give more than the Tide athletic department brings in on an annual basis; and they think that their mighty dollar has a voice. And apparently it does seeing how they have run off so many coaches there.
Saban will not allow the "powers that want to be" to stick their nose in Tide football business and they are not going to be happy about that. There will be a clash, and someone is going to have to break...i just have no idea who it will be.

As an LSU fan and someone who really doesn't care for the Tide...i think it will be fun watching this implosion take place over the next couple of years. And seeing that Bama had a losing record this year, i don't expect them to have a recruiting windfall just because Nicky is at the helm.

In short, Bama can have him...

6 degrees of separation...how about 3?

The concept of "Six Degrees of Separation" suggests that anyone on earth is somehow connected someone else by only a mere 6 degrees of separation.

In considering the new democratic leadership under the self proclaimed "most powerful woman in America" Nancy Pelosi (and i bet Hillary really takes exception to that!), i thought i would give a little 6 degrees a try to see where we stand with her. Sad but true, i didn't need more than 3 degrees to get a glimpse of who she is and what she stands for.

First of all, let's consider this picture of San Fran Nan with the one person who has taken way more than her 15 minutes of fame, Cindy Sheehan.

Cindy Sheehan thinks she speaks for every parent who has sadly lost a child in the war on terror, most specifically in Iraq...when in truth she speaks only for the leftist Bush-haters that she has always been working with. Here we see Sheehan with Pelosi, the person that she claims she got into the position of Speaker of the House. Can't you just feel the love there?!?! Of course i mean in a non San Francisco Values sort of way...i think.

Let's now consider this next picture...Cindy Sheehan visiting with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

Of course we should all recall this idiot coming into our country and speaking to the UN and claiming that the "devil" spoke the day before...in reference to President George W. Bush. Chavez is every bit a communist and his lies manage to keep him in power. It is only fitting that a liar of the magnitude of Chavez would enjoy the company of someone like Sheehan who seems to enjoy spreading lies about our US military and President Bush.

This takes us to Chavez's visit with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

This is way creepier than those Kerry-Edwards love fest images from the 2004 election cycle.

Anyway, these two guys just love each other...and their hate of freedom, democracy and President George W Bush just bring them even closer. You know, that is also what brought Kerry and Edwards together, right?

Sorry, didn't mean to chase that rabbit, that is another blog for another day. My point is, you have a Speaker of the House who openly welcomes a far left activist into her circle like Cindy Sheehan...who has also been welcomed with open arms by Hugo Chavez. This same Hugo Chavez is apparently best buds with the President of Iran who wants to wipe the US and Israel off the face of the earth.

Interesting, huh? Probably not as interesting as the next 2 years will be.

Al Mohler, as some of you may know, is the president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY...the school I earned my M.Div. from. He recently had stomach surgery that has resulted in serious side effects; in this case blood clots in his lungs. Please pray for Dr. Mohler and his family. I had the honor of taking one of my systematic theology courses under him, and for that reason I do hold in him rather high regard.

Below is the write up from Baptist Press:

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)--Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President R. Albert Mohler Jr. was admitted to the intensive care unit Friday with blood clots in both lungs and his condition is "quite serious," according to a statement posted on his website Friday afternoon.

Mohler, president of the school since 1993, was admitted to the hospital Dec. 27 experiencing abdominal pain and subsequently underwent a three-hour surgery to remove scar tissue from a 1980s operation. A statement on Mohler's website Thursday around noon said Mohler was continuing "to recuperate" from the surgery, performed at Baptist East Hospital in Louisville, Ky.

But a statement posted on the seminary's website at 4:12 p.m. EST Friday said Mohler's health had "sustained a setback."

"Over the past 36 hours Dr. Mohler has suffered from unrelenting pain," the statement read. "This unusual degree of pain signaled concern for the attending physicians and prompted additional tests this afternoon. In the past hour these tests have revealed that Dr. Mohler is suffering from pulmonary emboli in both lungs. His condition is quite serious and he has been moved to the intensive care unit of Baptist East Hospital in Louisville, Ky. for immediate treatment.

"Please make this a matter of urgent prayer," the statement concluded. "Thank you once again for your concern and support during these days."

Russell D. Moore, dean of the school of theology at Southern Seminary, opened the Albert Mohler Radio Program Friday by detailing Mohler's condition and asking that the audience "pray for his safety and for his speedy recovery." The remainder of the broadcast was a "best-of" program hosted by Mohler.

For updates visit www.albertmohler.com.

Nothing to Hold On To by Chuck Colson

I wanted to pass on this Break Point commentary from Chuck Colson that i think hits the nail on the head as to why the Islamofascists hate us.

America Alone
After September 11, 2001, you may recall that many members of the press were going around asking plaintively, "Why do they hate us?" Some journalists seemed to imply that if we could just be a little nicer, a little more "tolerant," the jihadists would opt for a group hug instead of terrorism.

I'm pretty sure those pundits and reporters would not have expected-or liked-the answer that Mark Steyn gives in his excellent new book, America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It. As Steyn sees it, one major reason the Islamo-fascists hate us is not that our beliefs are inimical to theirs, but that more and more of us believe in nothing at all beyond self-indulgence. And they look down on us for this-but they are also learning how to use it to their advantage.

As Steyn points out, and as my colleague Roberto Rivera has written, an important factor in radical Islam's spread is simply a matter of demographics. Native Europeans, addicted to an affluent and self-centered lifestyle, are not having babies, and radical Muslims are. But there's more to it than that. Observing the rapid growth of radical Islam in Europe, Steyn writes, "If you're a teenager in most European cities these days, you've a choice between two competing identities-a robust confident Islamic identity or a tentative post-nationalist cringingly apologetic European identity."

Radical Islam is not luring Europeans away from a solid belief system; it's providing many of them with the first real belief system they have ever had. It's filling a void for people who have nothing else to believe in or hold on to.

Secularists in Europe-and in America as well-do not understand this. As Steyn writes, "One reason why the developed world has a difficult job grappling with the Islamist threat is that it doesn't take religion seriously. It condescends to it." That condescension makes secularists unable to see what's going on right under their noses.

It's similar to the situation that's been going on in our prisons for years now, which I've talked about several times on "BreakPoint." Prisoners all share one thing: a need for something to fill the emptiness in their lives. We have seen this in the thousands of prisons we work in. Radical Islamists know this, and they have made a point of targeting prisoners for conversion. Their brand of religion offers people that sense of belonging, of something worth living and dying for, that people need-the very thing that postmodern secular societies do not offer. And that's a big part of what makes radical Islam so dangerous. As Steyn put it in a recent interview for our "BreakPoint" website, " Islam is a weak enemy, and its strength is determined by what it's pushing against." The problem is that Europe and, increasingly, America are putting up very little resistance. If Christians won't stand up for our worldview, and secularists won't stand up for anything, one day we may have no one but ourselves to blame for the triumph of radical Islam. The greatest offense against aggressive Islam is a strong, vibrant Christian faith, which, of course, comes right down to you and me.

Bowl Predictions IV - The Final Chapter

Going into this final round of predictions for this Bowl Season…and the ones that really matter, the BCS; I stand with a record of 14 correct and 3 missed picks. Of course, this is based on my own scoring system that determines if a bowl game is worth watching or not.
Here is a review of round 3:

* Muffler Bowl: I picked the Midshipmen, but the terrible Turtles came from behind to win by 1…tough loss, 25-24
* Alamo Bowl: Texas played horribly through the first half, but pulled it out in the end, 26-24.
* Peach Bowl: Yes, I know not the real name…but I hate selling out to corporate sponsorship; UGA wins by a TD, 31-24.
* Blue Turf Bowl: Larry Coker wins his last game as Cane's head coach; he is too much of a class act to be with those thugs anyway. Final score 21-20, another miss.
* Outback Bowl: UT apparently just rolled over and died in the 2nd half giving JoPa the win down in Tampa, 20-10…dropped another one.
* Cotton Bowl Classic: Auburn squeaks out a 17-14 win…without using those idiot refs from the game against LSU.
* Gator Bowl: Huge comeback by the Mountaineers give them a 38-35 win.
* Citrus Bowl: The Badgers snuck past the Hawgs, even with a bad running game today, 17-14.
*** The International and GMAC Bowl are played later this week…so I'll include those in my final tally.

That is a 5-3 record for this round so far, and 19-6 for the Bowl season.
Now on to the BIG DOGS: The BCS Bowl games!

* The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Jan 1: Michigan (11-1) vs. USC (10-2)
The Trojan nation thinks that SC should be in Arizona even though they lost 2 games…which shows how brain dead they are, taking on the Blue and Maize who also thinks they should be in Arizona but have a better argument. Big Blue's only loss came in Columbus by 3 points, but they didn't win their conference and they are where they belong. Hence we have the traditional Big 10 – Pac 10 match up.
MY PICK: I think the Wolverines are too strong, Michigan by 10.

* Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Jan 1: Boise State (12-0) vs. Oklahoma (11-2)
BSU finally gets to crash the big dance after finishing the season undefeated and bring their high scoring air attack up against the Big 12 champs. OU has got a lot of holes in their defense, especially in the passing department and will find it hard to control the Broncos.
MY PICK: Boise State by 17, giving an argument for more reforms in the BCS.

* Orange Bowl in Miami, Jan 2: Louisville (11-1) vs. Wake Forest (11-2)
The Cards move to the Big East and finally get a shot at the BCS and probably got one of the better picks in the ACC Champ Demon Deacons. I think even Wake is shocked to be here, only their 2nd conference football championship ever…but will be more shocked by the high powered Cardinal offense.
MY PICK: Louisville will win easily and Bobby Petrino may be coaching his last game in red as greener pastures come calling (again!)…Louisville by 21.

* Sugar Bowl in N'Awlins, Jan 3. LSU (10-2) vs. Notre Dame (10-2)
My Bayou Bengals are back at home in the Dome against the lucky leprechauns who have 2 losses against other BCS teams. I don't think the Irish can say enough hail mary's to compensate for the speed of LSU, and Brady Quinn will be in for a LONG day. If JaMarcus Russell can prove to be the field leader that matches his talent, LSU will be unstoppable on the turf.
MY PICK: Notre Dame's bowl losing streak goes to 9 as LSU wins by 2 touch downs.

* BCS National Championship in Glendale, Jan 6: Ohio State (12-0) vs. Florida (12-1)
OSU is in with no doubts, some think that Michigan should be playing instead of the Gators…I think the Gators deserve it by winning their conference and winning their 13th game of the season for that conference title. OSU has a proven offense, but Florida has proven itself by defeating other high powered units (LSU and Arkansas for instance). My heart says go for the SEC in this game, but the Buckeyes are very strong on paper.
MY PICK: I'll take speed and strength over paper; I'm calling for the Gators in a close one by 3.
There you go…my final picks. We'll find out soon enough how right I am!