Obama's Keystone XL Pipeline Dilemma

So what is the Keystone XL Pipeline?

Well basically, the Keystone Pipeline System is a pipeline system setup to transport synthetic crude oil and diluted bitumen from the Athabasca Oil Sands in Northeastern Alberta, Canada to multiple destinations in the United States.

Destinations include American refineries in Illinois, Cushing oil distribution hub in Oklahoma, and proposed connections to refineries along the Gulf Coast of Texas.

In July of 2011, the House passed H.R. 1938, the North American-Made Energy Security Act, by 279-147.

The bill requires President Obama to issue a final order granting or denying a permit to construct Keystone XL by no later than November 1, 2011.  But that didn't happen!

Moderates and Conservatives have been attempting to put pressure on the Obama White House to take American energy independence seriously and to expand U.S. access to oil from our friendly, democratic, and politically stable neighbor to the north, as well as drill here now.

In November, 2011, President Obama bowed to pressure from Foreign Oil and Liberal Environmentalist Groups and decided to postpone making a decision on the Keystone XL Pipeline until 2013 - well after the 2012 Presidential Election.

Let's face it, President Obama is no fool.

He probably knows that he needs the Liberal Left Environmentalist and big dollar contributions from Foreign Oil to keep the White House this November. 
 
Well, to his surprise on November 30th, after Obama's attempt to postpone his highly political decision, Senate Republicans introduced legislation forcing President Obama to either shit or get off the pot.   

They passed legislation legally requiring Obama to either approve or disapprove the Keystone XL Pipeline within 60 days of last November - unless of course, President Obama declares the Keystone XL project not in the National interest of the United States.

Now it's time to make a decision because the 60 days are up, and that's Obama's Keystone XL Pipeline dilemma! Now what does he do, either way he loses.

If he gives in to the interest of the nation, he angers his base and may cost himself re-election and millions upon millions of dollars in campaign donations.  If he scraps it, then he angers the people and throws the dice to see what will happen - or if they will even remember - on election day.

A dilemma is a problem offering two possibilities, neither of which is practically acceptable. This decission should not be considered a dilemma because there is one very practical acceptable option - do what is right for the nation and the American people - and allow it!

You see, the Keystone XL Pipeline is vital to the National interest of the United States - and there are many reasons.

First off, besides our energy security, the Keystone XL Pipeline is good for America and our National Security. Fact is, it is estimated that the Keystone XL Pipeline will deliver up to 850,000 barrels of crude from our wonderful Canadian neighbors to the North.

Imagine the concept her! Oil from a friendly, stable, democratic neighbor!

Depending on ourselves is what America did best for almost all of our history. It's only been since the 1970s that Americans have become almost totally dependant on Foreign Oil.  The Keystone XL Pipeline will help us to reach the point agian of no longer living with the threat of supplies being cut off. This is a big deal!

And friends, I agree with one writer who said, every barrel of oil that we import from Canada is a barrel that Americans don’t have to import from Saudi Royalty, Foreign Oil Dictatorships and Despots, and unstable regimes who do not have our best interest in mind.

Another factor to consider is that the Keystone XL Pipeline is totally market-driven. This means that $7 Billion in a real shovel-ready project will be funded entirely by private investments from private companies - and not the American Taxpayer.

The Keystone XL Pipeline will help us at the pump. Why? Well, friends, it's simply because we will no be held hostage by Foreign Oil reducing our oil supply or create a horseshit shortage just to raise prices.

Americans are sick and tired of paying high prices because of Foreign Oil jacking around the prices at their whim!

Of course, I really believe that most Americans are also sick and tired of our Federal Government, in the form of the EPA or one of their other regulatory agencies, slapping us with more fees and taxes at the pump.

So yes, the Keystone XL Pipeline will help stabilize gasoline prices. Can you imagine returning to the days when you knew what gas would cost without having to ask, "How much did it go up overnight?" 

Fact is that unlike an oil tanker that may be traded and bought several different times by different companies and countries, and yes each time being marked up by oil speculators, the price of oil from the Keystone XL Pipeline will be almost entirely fixed at the start of its journey in Canada to the refineries here in the U.S..

Lastly, studies show that the Keystone XL Pipeline will stimulate our economy because it is estimated that the Keystone XL Pipeline will be the catalyse to $20.9 Billion in new business expenditures. That adds another $9 Billion to the U.S. GDP (Gross Domestic Product), which means an increase personal incomes by $6.5 Billion by generating $2.3 Billion in equipment and retail sales, and create 500,000 jobs over the next 10 years.

With more than a half million American jobs at stake, and the energy independence of America attainable, all President Obama has to do is green light the 1,700-mile XL line "as soon as possible."

On January 11th, 2012, over 100 organizations representing Millions of job creators across America got together and sent a letter to President Obama in support of the Keystone XL pipeline.

The letter notes that the Keystone XL pipeline would have a minimal impact on the environment, and it would create thousands of jobs while strengthening the energy security of the United States.

The letter also notes that by fully utilizing Canada's oil sands, which already benefit 2,400 U.S. businesses, America could generate more than 500,000 new U.S. jobs and $775 billion in GDP by 2035.

The letter:

January 11, 2012

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

The undersigned organizations urge you to approve the Keystone XL pipeline as soon as possible. With your approval, this shovel-ready project will provide 20,000 jobs in construction and manufacturing in the next two years, and add tens of thousands of additional jobs throughout the economy in other sectors including service, retail and distribution. With our nation’s stubbornly high unemployment, it would be irresponsible to let such good-paying jobs slip away.

The Keystone XL pipeline has been under review for more than three years. The August 26, 2011 final EIS found that the project will have “limited adverse environmental impacts” during construction and operation. Additionally, the document concluded that the pipeline “would have a degree of safety greater than any typically constructed domestic oil pipeline system under current regulations.”

The State Department should be commended for its thorough and comprehensive environmental assessment, and for conducting more than 100 public meetings on the project, including nine hearings along the proposed pipeline route and in Washington, DC last summer.

The State Department’s announcement that it was delaying a decision on Keystone XL cited a need to study an alternative route in Nebraska around the Sandhills region. The federal payroll tax legislation recently passed with strong bipartisan support and signed into law allows the State Department and Nebraska as much time as necessary to identify and review a new route, while allowing construction to begin elsewhere along the pipeline route.

The Keystone XL pipeline will also greatly enhance America’s energy security. With the current situation in the Middle East, and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz continuing to rise, approving this pipeline is the right energy and national security policy for America.

Canada is already our largest supplier of imported oil – almost 2.4 million barrels per day, or one fourth of our imports. With this proposed pipeline, our crude imports from Canada could reach 4 million barrels a day by 2020, twice what we currently import from the Persian Gulf. Enhancing our energy partnership with Canada will strengthen America’s energy future.

In addition, studies show that fully utilizing Canada’s oil sands crude, including the necessary pipeline infrastructure, can generate more than 500,000 new U.S. jobs and $775 billion in GDP by 2035.

Today there are already at least 2,400 American companies in 49 states supporting the development of oil sands by either providing supplies and services in Canada or for pipeline and refinery projects here in the U.S. In addition, it’s important to note that for every dollar we spend on Canadian products, including oil, Canadians return up to 90 cents through purchases of U.S. goods and services.

Mr. President, the significant job creation, economic growth, energy security and national security
benefits of this project make clear it is in the national interest. We strongly urge you to act swiftly to
approve the Keystone XL pipeline.

Respectfully,

Alaska Oil and Gas Association
American Chemistry Council
American Concrete Pressure Pipe Association
American Council of Engineering Companies of Iowa
American Exploration & Production Council
American Foundry Society
American Highway Users Alliance
American Petroleum Institute
American Rental Association
Americans for Tax Reform
Arkansas Environmental Federation
Arkansas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association
Arkansas Oil Marketers Association
Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas
Associated Equipment Distributors
Associated Food and Petroleum Dealers of Michigan
Associated General Contractors of Minnesota
Associated General Contractors of Missouri
Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin
Associated Industries of Florida
Associated Industries of Missouri
Association of Oil Pipelines
Business Roundtable
Chemical Industry Council of Illinois
Consumer Energy Alliance
Foundry Association of Michigan
Hispanic Alliance for Prosperity
Hispanic Leadership Fund
Illinois Association of Aggregate Producers
Illinois Association of Convenience Stores
Illinois Chamber of Commerce
Illinois Manufactures Association
Illinois Petroleum Marketers Association
Illinois Trucking Association
Independent Petroleum Association of America
Indiana Cast Metals Association
Industrial Supply Association
International Foodservice Distributors Association
International Warehouse Logistics Association
Iowa Engineering Society
Iowa Good Roads Association
Iowa Motor Truck Association
Kansas Chamber of Commerce
Louisiana Mid-Continent Association
Mechanical Contractors Association of Chicago
Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce
Michigan Association of Convenience Stores
Michigan Manufacturers Association
Michigan Petroleum Association
Michigan Railroads Association
Michigan Trucking Association
Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association of Oklahoma
Mid-West Truckers Association
Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
Montana Petroleum Association
NAHAD – The Association for Hose & Accessories Distribution
National Association of Convenience Stores
National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors
National Association of Manufacturers
National Electrical Contractors Association
National Federation of Independent Business
National Federation of Independent Business/Illinois
National Petrochemical & Refiners Association
National Roofing Contractors Association
National Taxpayers Union
Natural Gas Supply Association
New England Fuel Institute
New Mexico Oil & Gas Association
North American Equipment Dealers Association
North Carolina Chamber of Commerce
North Carolina Petroleum and Convenience Marketers
North Dakota Petroleum Council
Ohio Association of Convenience Stores
Ohio Cast Metals Association
Ohio Chamber of Commerce
Ohio Chemistry Technology Council
Ohio Council of Retail Merchants
Ohio Oil and Gas Association
Ohio Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association
Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce
Pennsylvania Foundry Association
Petroleum Association of Wyoming
Petroleum Equipment Suppliers Association
Petroleum Marketers Association of America
Portland Cement Association
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
SouthWestern Equipment Dealers Association
Southwestern Illinois Employers Association
Texas Cast Metals Association
Texas Oil & Gas Association
The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
The FPDA Motion & Control Network
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
U.S. Oil & Gas Association
U.S. Oil & Gas Association AL/MS Division
West Virginia Chamber of Commerce
West Virginia Manufacturers Association
West Virginia Oil Marketers & Grocers Association
Western States Petroleum Association
Will County (IL) Center for Economic Development
Wisconsin Association of General Contractors
Wisconsin Cast Metals Association
Wisconsin Engine Manufacturers & Distributors Alliance
Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce
Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association

-- end of signers.

For me, I can only pray that President Obama puts politics aside and approves the Keystone XL Pipeline.

I can only hope that he understands that what he may lose in political points with Foreign Oil and the Liberal Left Environmentalist, he'll make up with a sense of pride and satisfaction knowing that he helped America achieve a stronger more secure future as an energy independent nation.

With energy independence, no American representative will again feel the need to bow to oil rich Saudi Kings!

That's just how I see it.

Story by Tom Correa

Random Shots - San Francisco Sheriff Arrested!

Opening Shot!

Yes, the new San Francisco Sheriff was indeed arrested!

Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi was taken into custody and faces one count each of domestic violence battery, child endangerment, and dissuading a witness, San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon said Friday.

Mirkarimi was booked at San Francisco County Jail, said San Francisco police Sgt. Michael Andraychak. He was released on $35,000 bail. A police mugshot showed Mirkarimi with his eyes closed.

District Attorney Gascon said the basis for the child endangerment charge was that the couple's son saw the alleged incident occur. Gascon declined to explain the allegation that Mirkarimi influenced a witness.

"While I do not relish having to bring charges against a San Francisco elected official, I have taken an oath to uphold the laws of the state of California," Gascon said. "Whether this was the elected sheriff or any other San Francisco resident, this type of behavior is inexcusable, criminal and will be prosecuted."

Gascon said prosecutors have also requested an emergency protective order prohibiting Mirkarimi from having contact with his wife and son. He is also ordered to stay away from his home while police investigate other possible domestic violence incidents involving Mirkarimi and Lopez, Gascon said.

A neighbor reported that Mirkarimi grabbed and bruised Eliana Lopez's arm during a heated argument at their home, according to a police affidavit.

The injury was shown on a video recorded by the neighbor, and a text message conversation between Lopez and the neighbor included details of the incident, according to the affidavit requesting a search warrant to obtain the video camera and phone. Lopez is a former Venezuelan Telenovela star.

According to reports, this arrest is typical San Francisco as controversy swirled around the investigation from the start.

Why? Well, just days after the arrest, Mirkarimi was sworn in as San Francisco sheriff, but a judge had declined to perform the ceremony to avoid a potential conflict if Mirkarimi were charged.

Mirkarimi appeared at the ceremony with his wife and son. Asked about the incident, he called it a "private matter, a family matter."

Well it's good to see that the new SF Sheriff knows a little about the law - fact is that all domestic violence cases are considered a family matter. But the days of it being private are long gone!

The case has prompted newspaper commentary and typical San Francisco style protests by anti-Domestic Violence groups. A coalition of them on Thursday urged Mirkarimi to take a leave from his post until the case is resolved.

San Francisco's sheriff does not have broad law enforcement powers as sheriffs do in other jurisdictions. The position mostly entails overseeing an organization of more than 800 sworn officers and a civilian staff of about 100.

Mirkarimi was elected sheriff in November after serving seven years as one of the San Francisco's City Supervisors with a reputation of being an Ultra-Liberal.

If convicted of the domestic violence charges, Sheriff Mirkarimi would have to give up his department-issued firearm and possibly be subjected to searches as conditions of probation.

So imagine that, San Francisco will have a Sheriff without a gun and on probation! Only in San Francisco!

Luckily for Sheriff Mirkarimi, under California State law, he can only be automatically removed from office if he's convicted of a felony.  But as San Francisco wacky politics run its course, California State laws and even Federal laws have been known to take a backseat to the wishes of the most Liberal City in the nation.

According to the S.F. Ethics Commission, Mayor Ed Lee does have the authority to charge Sheriff Mirkarimi with official misconduct and suspend him from his office.

And yes, the San Francisco Mayor has already taken his first shot. In a statement issued on Friday, Mayor Lee termed the charges "extremely serious and troubling," but did not indicate what actions, if any, he would take.

And as for the other end of San Francisco politics, well the S.F. Ethics Commission could make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors about whether to permanently remove Sheriff Mirkarimi from office.

So all in all, a man who was once the city's most ultra-liberal was arrested, booked, and charged for domestic violence, and now swears that he is innocent!

There's a shock!

Next Shot - High and to the Left!

It's apparent that Che Guevara is alive and well in Hollywood. But at Mercedes as well?

Yes, though Mercedes has issued an apology for using a picture of the Communist Marxist. To me their apology that they did not realize that a picture of Che Guevara to promote luxury cars would offend people really doesn't hold water.

Daimler AG, the German company that manufactures Mercedes-Benz luxury cars, called its promotional use of an image of the Marxist revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara a "thoughtless" and "stupid" decision that was not intended to offend people.

Their apology has done very little to appease Cuban-Americans, including two U.S. lawmakers, who describe Che Guevara as a "sadistic serial killer who murdered thousands of men, women and children."

Fact is that many of the Liberal Left in Colleges and Universities, television and in Hollywood, all seem to love to wear t-shirts with his picture on them. It is considered the in thing to wear among Occupy protesters and their supporters.

Its has always amazed me that Carlos Santana would wear a an image of Che Guevara on his shirt that he wore to the Oscars one year.

The image of Che Guevara, the image of the Argentine Marxist revolutionary who helped Fidel Castro gain power by slaughtering thousands many by his own hand, appeared briefly on Tuesday during a promotional presentation for Mercedes-Benz at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

The murderer Guevara played a critical role in the 1959 overthrow of Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista who was backed by the United States at the time. It was the culmination of a more than two-year guerilla war in which Che Guevara ordered the beatings, the torture, and the execution of men, women, and even children as young as 10 and 12 years old - all in the name of Communism.

"It's a pathetic apology," Florida Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, a Republican, said in an interview with Fox News. "He [Che Guevara] was a cold-blooded killing machine" who "talked about using an atomic bomb to kill all Capitalists."

In a statement sent to Fox News, Daimler said it "was not condoning the life or actions of this historical figure or the political philosophy he espoused."

"In his keynote speech at CES, Dr. Zetsche addressed the revolution in automobility enabled by new technologies, in particular those associated with connectivity. To illustrate this point, the company briefly used a photo of revolutionary Che Guevara (it was one of many images and videos in the presentation) …We sincerely apologize to those who took offense," the statement said.

According to the News, when Daimler was further pressed on the matter, Daimler spokesman Han Tjan said the image appeared for "only a few seconds" during the 45-minute "Power Point" presentation.

"It was very thoughtless not to realize that by doing that, it would offend a large number of people," Tjan said.

Diaz-Balart is not the only U.S. lawmaker to denounce the image. Florida Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said the company "should be ashamed of themselves for using the image of a cold blooded murderer in one of their publicity campaigns."

"Obviously the creators of this ad have the wrong image of Che Guevara," Ros-Lehtinen said in an email to Fox News. "El Che was a corrupt, bloodthirsty coward who killed countless innocent Cubans at the beginning of the Castro regime. Reports from people who knew him recount tales of an especially brutal person who would not think twice about killing a father in front of his son or ignoring the pleas of a mother to not send her son before the firing squad."

"That was the true Che Guevara, the odious gangster unleashed against the Cuban people by the just as odious Castro brothers," she said. "I am glad that they [Daimler] have done the right thing and apologized for it."

Others, like Cuban American columnist Miguel Perez, likened Che Guevara to infamous figures like Adolf Hitler and Usama bin Laden.

"In Latin America, the people who love Che Guevara are usually the same people who hate the United States," Perez said. "But in this county, most of the people wearing his image on their shirts don’t even know who he was. Young people think it's a fashion statement, when in fact it's extremely offensive."

"To us, it's the equivalent to how Jewish Americans would feel if they saw someone wearing the image of Hitler," he said. "He had hundreds of people killed by Castro’s firing squad. And he would force people to watch executions."

For a moment there, I thought he was talking about Hollywood and the young Liberal Leftist coming out of our Colleges and Universities.

To my way of thinking, I believe that whoever was in charge of the Daimler promotional ad campaign was probably not very smart.  Most likely he or she has a degree in Liberal Arts and is completely uneducated as to who Che Guevara really was.

I really hope that this is the case.

Heck, I hope that the Liberals in Hollywood, like say Johnny Depp who wears a necklace with the image of Che Guevara proudly displayed on it, understands that Guevara was indeed a blood thirsty murderer on a large scale.

I hope everyone on the Left knows who they are idolizing. I really hope they wear Che Guevara t-shirts because it's an "In" thing to do on the Left.  I really hope that that is the case, it would be a real shame to find out that Liberals are so stupid as to actually admire a man who was in reality a Marxist political mass murderer.

It's a pity if it's true!

Last Shot!

Tom Brokaw is compares the GOP Primary to a Jihad.

The GOP primary battle to find our nominee was called a "Jihad" by former newscaster Tom Brokaw.

"You’ve got what appears to be the Republican equivalent of the Jihad underway down in South Carolina with Gov. Perry and Speaker Gingrich going hard after Mitt Romney,” explained the former anchor of NBC's Nightly News, on MSNBC.

It appears that Tom Brokaw is upset because the candidates are fighting over who has the more experience and a better plan to fix what Obama has screwed up and beat him in November.

Of course everyone has there opinion on things, and Brokaw has his - though wrong and demeaning as it is.

It just makes me wonder how the Liberal Media would have felt if a Conservative veteran news anchor, say during the 2008 Democrat primary, had said that Clinton's questioning of Obama's experience and plans were a "Jihad".

I'm pretty sure that the Media outcry would have been loud. And yes, they would have demanded an apology immediately. But, so goes the double-standard that is America today.

Just look at the way things have been for a while now, those who questioned and attacked a Black Conservative like Herman Caine - the Left called Patriots.  But question or disapprove of what Barack Obama is doing, and automatically you are called a Racist and a Bigot - as if his color and political party puts him above being questioned and examined.

In America, no elected official should be above scrutiny because of their color or political affiliation. But as we all know, the double-standard goes on - and it's gotten old.

Story by Tom Correa

A Prayer On Trial In Rhode Island

OK, so again we have proof that some of our Federal Judges are either extremely biased or simply haven't read the Constitution of the United States. Could it be possible that we have Federal Judges who have never read the Constitution before or after being appointed to the Federal bench?

Yes, another Federal Judge, who has taken it upon himself to rule on the meaning of the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, has just ruled that a Rhode Island High School must take down a "prayer banner."

The "prayer banner," in reality a sign that has a prayer on it, encourages students to be kind and helpful, to study hard and be respectful. Imagine the horror of that!

And why do they have to take it down, well because it offended an Atheist student - which of course the Federal Judge said was a violation of the U.S. Constitution.  That's right, a single Atheist student! One, that's all it took to have a piece of the school removed.

It isn't a Nazi Swastika, or a picture of a Black Panther with clubs intimidating voters at polling places, or an ad to join Muslim suicide bombers in attacking Americans. It is a simple prayer!

It's not the start of a religious takeover. It's not some sort of Catholic conspiracy starring Tom Hanks where the Catholics have decided to turn all the boys into Priests and the girls into Nuns! No, it's just a simple prayer!

Friends, I'm willing to bet that almost everyone has at one time or another in their lives said a prayer. It's not that hard to do!

Folks, simply put so that even Liberals and Atheist can understand, a prayer is a plea, a petition, a request. A prayer is solemn and sincere. It asks for help, or can be used as an expression of thanks. It can also be a confession of things that weight down a persons soul. Usually a prayer is addressed to God.

Of course God is not always Christ to many of the world's population. And that's the rub, when it comes to liberal Federal Courts demanding that prayer and religion be removed from schools or government buildings, they act as though it's all stopping Christianity's influence. Liberal see Christianity as the enemy of the State.

But friends, fact is that prayer in itself pre-dates Christianity.

Someone should have advised that poor Atheist student that prayer is something that mankind has been doing since the dawn of time. Contrary to what the Liberal Left believes, no, prayer did not start with the Holy Bible or Jesus Christ.

That's right. Prayer is not strictly a Christian notion. Some out there believe that the Latin word precatio, where the word prayer comes from, is also associated with the word praecatio which is where the word precaution from.

Precaution: A measure taken in advance to prevent something dangerous, unpleasant, or inconvenient from happening.

Boy does that sound like prayer to me! I know for a fact that when I was a student, I pleaded for help before math and biology exams. It was usually in the form of "God help me!" - after I took my first look at the exam questions.

I know that Jews pray, Muslims pray, just as the Sikhism, the Shinto, Jainism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Bahá'í, Taoism, all pray in some way, shape, or form. The ancient Greeks prayed, and friends, even the Norse who practiced Germanic Paganism prayed. 

Believe it or not, even Christian Science teaches that prayer is a spiritualization of thought or an understanding of God and of the nature of the underlying spiritual creation.

I remember reading about the fight that Negro slaves had to endure just to gain the right to fulfill their desire to pray.  I remember reading about the prayer that Franklin D. Roosevelt gave our nation and our troops as D-Day was unfolding. It was meant to stiffen our resolve and give up inspirational strength.

I remember the day that my brothers and I were at Kaimuki Theater watching a movie. In the middle of the movie, the house lights came on and the theater manager walked in to inform us that former Prime Minister of Great Britain Sir Winston Churchill had died. We bowed our heads in prayer and a moment of silence, then he left and the movie started back up again.

I've known men who have said, "Thank God" after a baby was born healthy. I've known men who have wept in prayer after being shot at. I've known other Vets who like myself have awoke in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, and prayed for forgiveness.  I've prayed for family and friends who have been ill or in crisis.

Yes, granted it's usually when our bacon is pulled out of the fire, or when we want something, that we pray. But frankly, I've always believed that that is more times than not the reason most folks pray. Whether they knew it or not, in my book, saying "Thank God" is indeed a prayer. 

I believe that Liberal Leftist, the Socialist, the Atheist, that they too pray.  I've seen it for myself.  They talk in a manner that one can only consider a prayer. But in their case, I believe that they're praying for Communism and its anti-Religious doctrine to rise from the dead and take hold around the world.

What angers me is the way they try to nibble away at our religious freedoms! So why doesn't the Liberal Left quit taking small bites at prayer and religion in America?  Why not show themselves to be the devious cowards that they really are? Why don't they try to pass a legistlative bill in Washington to ban all forms of religion in America?

That's what they really want.

It fits the Communist Doctrine. And besides, they've already started by trying to stop Christians from celebrating Christmas. Why not show their real Socialist agenda and go after the Buddhist and Jew, the Sikh and the Muslim? Why not go after all forms of prayer? Why only attack Christians?

A voter approved Sharia Law ban was lifted in Oklahoma by a Federal Judge recently. Why not go after that "real" assault on our form of government and laws?  Why attack a small "prayer banner" that has hung on a school wall for decades?

I'll tell you why they only go after Christians. First, it's because in today's political correct environment, Christians are the easy targets for Liberal Hate mongers in print, the movies, on television, in the political world.

Liberals hate to see a great role model like Denver Broncos' Tim Tebow having a positive effect on people. His Christian faith is inspiring and people are drawn to that sort of resolve. And yes, Liberals hate it!

The second reason that liberals only attack Christians is because they can.  They have the Liberal Judges in their pockets. Yes, it's just that simple.

How can I say that? Well, it's because no where in the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States does it say that Americans cannot pray in schools or wherever else they'd like to!  No where in the First Amendment does it say that we the people can't hold a religious event in a school or at city hall or in a court house.

In fact, the First Amendment says the opposite!

Granted it says in clear and concise language that Congress cannot make a law establishing a national religion - but friends, it also states very clearly that Congress cannot prohibit our free exercise of our religious beliefs.

The First Amendment states:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

It's fairly short and to the point. So after reading it, where exactly in the First Amendment of U.S. Constitution does it say that a school cannot have a prayer banner? No where!

That, my friends, is why Liberals, and Atheist, and the ACLU, and their ilk, all depend on Federal Judges who are also Liberal. These liberal judges make their rulings knowing real well that most of us don't have the power or the money to fight their skewed decisions.

That's why U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Lagueux is able to rule that the prayer banner at Cranston High School West must be removed immediately. It is because "He" believes that that banner promotes religion. And yes, he has the power!

That's right! It's not because the First Amendment says they have to take it down. There is nothing in the First Amendment to violate by it being there. It is simply that "He," judge Ronald Lagueux, doesn't want it there - and he sides with those who want it taken down.

Because an Atheist student by the name of Jessica Ahlquist didn't like it, she decided to get her parents to sue the City of Cranston and Cranston High School West after they initially refused to remove the banner.

The prayer, which has been posted at the school for decades, begins with the words "Our Heavenly Father" and ends with "Amen." Remove the words "Our Heavenly Father" and "Amen," and you have a creed. But some will say that it is a prayer, no matter how its changed.

One of the problems that I have with this story is that the banner encourages students to be kind, helpful, honest, to do their best, to value friendship - and the Liberal Left has a problem with it! 

I really believe that they don't hate the fact that it is a prayer half as much as the great message it gives to students. Yes, the Liberals hate it!

Doesn't it make you wonder why?  I does me. And friends, I believe the reason that they hate morality and religion is that it goes against their basic philosophy of how people should conduct themselves.

Why else would such a creed, a prayer, a wish, such resolve, bother anyone. I really believe that it simply goes against the Liberal way of thinking.

Cranston City officials defended the mural and called it as an Historical Artifact – noting that it served no specific religious purpose. Right now, it is really unclear when or if the school will remove the banner.

David Bradley, the man who authored the prayer when he was a 7th grade student there, told WPRO that he is furious about the Judge's ruling.

"I am upset, disappointed and not to say, outraged," he told WPRO. "It's a shame that some judge with an appointment out of a Cracker Jack box can make a ruling like that." He went on to say that he believed that the Atheist student who filed the lawsuit is just being used as a pawn by the American Civil Liberties Union.

I couldn't have said it better.

Story by Tom Correa

Random Shots - I like Jack Daniel's!

OK, so my shots are hitting their intended targets. I'm glad you like my new column.

First Shot!

Yes, I like Jack Daniel's! When I do have a drink now and then, I prefer a good sour mash whiskey. And yes, Jack Daniel's is a great sour mash whiskey!

"Old No. 7" has been around for a long time. One story says that "No. 7" came from the railroad shipping number on a barrel way back when.

When I was a kid, I remember being told that the "No.7" was put there because 7 is considered lucky.  Then later I was told that it was that the 7th recipe, or 7th trial batch, that he may have tried before striking gold.

About 15 years ago, I was in Tennessee and found that not even the great folks who work for Jack Daniel's Distillery know exactly how it became known as "Old No. 7" - as they said, Mr. Jack took that secret to his grave. 

By the way, here's a bit of trivia for you, the Jack Daniel Distillery was licensed in 1866. That my friends makes it the oldest registered distillery in the United States - and it is a registered National Historic Site.

So about now you're saying, this guy really likes Jack Daniel's!

But there are other reasons, and among those reasons is the fact that Jack Daniel's paid for some of the travel expenses for our Troops last Christmas.

That's right, an AP News article from Nashville, Tennessee, back on November 23rd, reported that Jack Daniel's donated more than $100,000 to pay for plane tickets and travel funds for our soldiers at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to spend Christmas with their families -  all over the country.

The command at Fort Campbell is said to have worked with Unit Leaders to identify the neediest soldiers who would have been eligible for plane ticket vouchers up to $300 for each family member. But wait, that included Debit Cards of up to $100 for each family member for gas and lodging.

Jack Daniel's started the fund with a donation of $101,000 in honor of the Fort Campbell based 101st Airborne Division, which had recently returned from a year long deployment in Afghanistan. As most already know, the soldiers stationed there come from all over the country. Subsequently travel expenses can be a huge burden on single soldiers or a young family with children.

Ms Jennifer Powell, who is the Senior Brand Manager for Jack Daniel's, said that they hope their donation will build awareness of the needs of these soldiers. Country musician Craig Morgan, also a veteran from the 101st Airborne, helped promote the campaign in a video on Jack Daniel's website.

While the 2011 Christmas season was the first that Jack Daniel's has made this donation, Ms Powell said that she hopes the support from the public will allow them to expand it and make it an annual campaign.

"Every little bit does help. Where the power is going to come is getting the American public to see there is a need and that we can facilitate a way for them to help support our soldiers," Powell said.

Jack Daniel's has asked the public to help them by making contributions to this great cause. In this case, obviously the fund will build so that cash-strapped soldiers can be helped next Christmas. 

I remember how it was to be stuck on base on duty at Christmas. It is a cold and lonely feeling. Maybe that's why Christmas has become even more important to me over the years. I hate to see others in that situation.

For reference, donations can be made to the Operation Ride Home campaign online at http://www.jdoperationridehome.com/

I'm always amazed at the breath and length of kindness that we Americans have for each other. But especially for those who serve us in our military.

Yes, I really like Jack Daniel's!  Now even more!

Second Shot!

OK, in an e-mail, I was asked an interesting question that I needed help answering. 

Imagine that! Could it be possible that I don't know everything? You can bet the ranch on that! And when I don't know what I'm asked, yes, I look it up.

This time it's about Combat Zones.

In the e-mail, I was asked, "What are the areas of the world that are considered Combat Zones for American troops these days?"

Well, I thought about it, then I made a list of where American Troops are stationed. After that, I tried to figure out where we were in the world that we were actually in action. I know that we're in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban.

And yes, I know that in November that Obama sent combat troops to Uganda to support Uganda's Muslim government who is fighting Ugandan-Christian rebels in Uganda's Civil War.

I then talked to friends who I thought would know, but they didn't. Then I tried looking it up. Well, guess what, I have the definitive word as to "What geographic areas are considered Combat Zones?"

The information that I found does not come from the United States Marine Corps, or the Army, Navy, or Air Force. It doesn't come from the Pentagon or the White House. It doesn't even come Neil Steen who usually knows this sort of thing.

This information comes directly from the Internal Revenue Service. Yes, the IRS!

Fact is that the IRS knows precisely what areas are designated "Combat Zones" because the troops there in those areas on specific operations get their salary "Tax Free".

This is reprinted here from the IRS website:

Combat Zones

Q-1: What geographic areas are considered combat zones?

A-1: Combat zones are designated by an Executive Order from the President as areas in which the U.S. Armed Forces are engaging or have engaged in combat. There are currently three such combat zones (including the airspace above each):

• Arabian Peninsula Areas, beginning Jan. 17, 1991 -- the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, the part of the Arabian Sea north of 10° North latitude and west of 68° East longitude, the Gulf of Aden, and the countries of Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
• Kosovo area, beginning Mar. 24, 1999 -- Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), Albania, the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea north of the 39th Parallel.
• Afghanistan, beginning Sept. 19, 2001.

Public Law 104-117 designates three parts of the former Yugoslavia as a Qualified Hazardous Duty Area, to be treated as if it were a combat zone, beginning Nov. 21, 1995 -- Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Macedonia.

In addition, the Department of Defense has certified these locations for combat zone tax benefits due to their direct support of military operations, beginning on the listed dates:

In support of Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan combat zone):

• Pakistan, Tajikistan and Jordan - Sept. 19, 2001
• Incirlik Air Base, Turkey - Sept. 21, 2001 through Dec. 31, 2005
• Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan - Oct. 1, 2001
• Philippines (only troops with orders referencing Operation Enduring Freedom) - Jan. 9, 2002
• Yemen - Apr. 10, 2002
• Djibouti - July 1, 2002
• Israel - Jan. 1 through July 31, 2003
• Somalia - Jan. 1, 2004

In support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (Arabian Peninsula Areas combat zone):

• Turkey - Jan. 1, 2003 through Dec. 31, 2005
• the Mediterranean Sea east of 30° East longitude - Mar. 19 through July 31, 2003
• Jordan - Mar. 19, 2003
• Egypt - Mar. 19 through Apr. 20, 2003

If any one knows, I believe the IRS knows for certain.

Next Shot!

A 1793 penny fetched $1.38 Million at a Florida auction. The copper coin is from the first year that the United States started making its own coins. That's right, a penny from 1793.  

It is believes that there remains a few hundred 1793 coins in different condition, but the penny auctioned off Wednesday night is rare because it wasn’t in circulation. Auction officials said that it shows no wear on its lettering, its Lady Liberty face, or the chain of linking rings on its back.

The news release said that the coin is known as a “Chain Cent” because its chain of linking rings was supposed to represent the solidarity of the states. The design was changed to a wreath after some critics claimed it was symbolic of slavery.  Imagine that!

I guess Political Correctness is nothing new after all. The design of a chain linked together in a circle was supposed to show the strength and unity of our new nation. It had nothing to do with slavery.

In 1793, George Washington starts his second term as as something called the President of the United States. It was the year that Washington (D.C.) replaced Philadelphia as our nation's capital.  It was when George Washington laid the corner-stone to the U.S. Capital. And yes, it was also the year that the 1st U.S. Fugitive Slave Law passed which required that return of escaped slaves.

Great Britain saw 1793 as the year that it again went to war with France and the Bank of England handed out the first £5 note. That year, Canada saw one of its explorers, Alexander Mackenzie, become the first man to complete a transcontinental crossing of Canada and reach the Pacific Ocean.

I read where almost 600 coin and currency dealers were at the auction that also featured buffalo nickels, dozens of silver one-ounce pieces and coins from antiquity, and yes, even misprinted cash and Confederate notes.

Only God knows why someone would buy that penny? I don't get the attraction. And friends, I'm not going to apologize for not understanding why people, yes, those with more money than they know what to do with, would need to buy such a useless item.

I know that someone out there is going to write me to say that "useless" is all in the eyes of the beholder, and maybe in some ways they'd be right. For me, useless is something inexpensive that I'll hope to find a use for later. A useless item, to me, wouldn't cost an arm and a leg.  And yes, I'd know that I'd use it somehow.

Friends, rare or not, I can think of a lot of other things to do with $1.38 Million Dollars - and none of it has anything to do with rare coins and Confederate paper money.

For me, if I had $1.38 Million Dollars burning a hole in my pocket, well I'd first make sure my wife and mother have financial stability. Second, I think I'd buy land, maybe start a vineyard, or maybe open a Therapeutic Riding Facility for handicapped children, or maybe a Horse Sanctuary. Maybe I'd have the smarts enough to start a business where I can employ others and allow them to live a better life in an area where jobs are far and few between.

Another Shot!

Is it another Terrorist Attack? Make no mistake about it, yes it is! 

This time the terrorist attack took place at around 4 a.m. on Sunday.  Luckily no people or animals were reported hurt during the blaze which erupted just before dawn at the Harris Ranch feedlot.

Located in Coalinga, California, the Harris Ranch feedlot is ranked by many as the largest on the West Coast. And yes, there is really no doubt who is to blame for torching their equipment. 

Fact is that the terrorists used fire to destroy 14 big-rig tractors and several trailers at California's Harris Farms cattle operation. The total dollar amount of the equipment lost in the attack is unknown at this time, but could run well over a Million Dollars to replace the torched equipment.

And yes, an Animal Rights Group has claimed credit for the arson attack. That's right, in an email released by the North American Animal Liberation Press Office, Animal Rights "activists" claim full responsibility for the arson fire at this state's largest cattle feedlot, beef processor and beef marketer. 

Though the North American Animal Liberation Press Office email includes a detailed description of how the fire was lit, Fresno County Sheriff's Investigators are only looking into the claim among several other leads.

Yes, that's right, according to Reuters, the North American Animal Liberation Press Office, which says it conveys messages on behalf of anonymous animal rights activists, distributed a statement saying the 14 trucks were set ablaze deliberately to protest "the horrors and injustices of factory farming."

The statement said containers of accelerant and kerosene-soaked rope were placed beneath the trucks and ignited by remote control using digital timers.

"We weren't sure how well this was going to work, so we waited until there was news reports before writing this," the statement said. "We were extremely pleased to see that all 14 trucks were a total loss with some being completely melted to the ground."

A spokeswoman for the Animal Liberation Press Office said the trucks are used to haul cattle to slaughter from the feedlot.

Mr Mike Casey, a spokesman for Harris Farms, says the company has not received any recent threats from animal rights activists.

Mr Casey went on to say that Harris Ranch has received the support of the farming, beef and feeding community. "These business should be outraged by what happened, and we are grateful for the support."

"I think it’s crazy. I don’t really know what they think they are accomplishing. They say they want better rights for animals but what did burning 14 trucks do for them?" said Cynthia Herrin, a resident in Fresno County.

Mr Casey told Fox News that some of the trucks that were destroyed from the fire had sleeper units where truck drivers can sleep during off time, but none was occupied at the time of the fire.  His point was well made in that it is "Not something that happens often, but it could [have] easily killed or seriously injured somebody."

Harris Farms' feedlot is the 14th largest in the United States with a capacity to handle 100,000 head of cattle.  The Harris Ranch Beef Company ranks itself as California's largest fed-cattle processor, producing nearly 200 million pounds of beef a year.

The North American Animal Liberation Press Office was also the jerks who distributed a statement for the terrorists who claimed responsibility for a fire in September that caused $100,000 in damage to a retailer of fur coats and fireworks plant in Boise, Idaho.

I prefer to call these so-called "activists" what they really are, "terrorists". 

An "activist" is a person who is a vigorous advocate of a cause, be it social or political. A "terrorist" is a person, usually a member of a group, who uses or advocates terrorism, violence, to terrorize or frighten others into accepting their demands and beliefs.

Terrorism is the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce. It is the state of fear and submission produced by terrorism.

So why not an arrest? I don't know. Where's Homeland Security on this? They are responsible for protecting Americans from International and Domestic Terrorism. Why is it that they appear unconcerned with Animal Rights terrorist acts?  Could it be because these are Leftist and not their usual target  - Christians?

Will the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI even bother looking into these sorts of acts, or will they wait until they kill innocent Americans? 

Last Shot!

Talking about Liberal Terrorists!

Back in November, near Salem, Oregon, Police stopped three men leaving the Occupy Portland protest. They were pulled over for speeding on I-5.  During the traffic stop, the police searched the vehicle and found, marijuana, firecrackers, two gas masks, goggles, a safety helmet, and two big mortar shells.

Yes, two mortar shells!

All three ended up being arrested because the Police found explosives devices in their car. The three admitted they were are part of the Occupy Portland movement and brought explosives to the demonstration last night.

Why did the so-called "peaceful" Occupy Protesters need explosives? Well, the three admitted that they planned to use the explosives against the Police - if the protest escalated into a violent confrontation between the protesters and the police.

Yes, all three were arrested and booked at the Marion County Jail.

So much for the Occupy protesters being a peaceful group. One of the most interesting aspects of the Occupy protests is that President Obama said he would stand with them and that he believes "the Occupiers are just like the Tea Party."

If this is a test of his intelligence, it shows how much he knows! Maybe that's why he won't release his College transcripts? Maybe he doesn't want us to see failing grades in courses that required common sense and a belief in America - like say Political Science.

I went to the Tea Party rallies, and after going to the rallies in Sacramento at the California State Capital, I can say without hesitation that the Tea Party is nothing like the Occupy protesters.

I was there and saw how energized everyone was.  Hope and Change were in the air.  Yes, we all hoped and prayed that we would be able to fight the horrible changes that have been coming out of the Obama White House.

No where did I see violent depictions on posters, nor did I see any sort of suggestion of violence anywhere, posters or otherwise. There were no hate or racial propaganda. There were no confrontations. It was Patriotic and the speeches were inspiring.

If Obama would compare that to the filthy mayhem of the Occupy protests, well friends, I really believe that President Obama would try to pee on my boot, look me right in the eye, and tell me it's raining!

And yes, that's how I see it! 

Now, go out and buy a gun, have a steak, pour yourself a Jack Daniel's, throw your calorie counter out the window, and piss of the liberals who are trying to control our lives!

Story by Tom Correa