Constitutional Freedoms and Fifth Columnists

One might add to this blog's title, "and political correctness", for it fits in well with my concerns about our national plight.

Cal Thomas, the conservative news columnist, wrote in today's newspaper of the infiltration of fifth columnists by Islamic fundamentals through "front" organizations, such as Islamic schools and Islamic-related Foundations. A court case in Florida was the object of his article, and that case did not conclude favorably for the safety of Americans.

Here is a quote from the article: "Anyone in doubt about the game plan for infiltrating, undermining and attacking America from within our borders had better sober up. Our enemies know our ways and they are using them to gain a strategic advantage over us."

For quite some time I have pondered this question about our First Amendment's provision for "freedom of religion": When a religion's doctrine is such that it requires its followers to murder anyone who will not submit to its precepts, its god, how is the constitution to be followed?

Will the courts decide--in their present liberal bias--that this confronting religion wins out, and that it may proceed in its "freedom" stance, or will the protective provisions of citizens' rights under the Constitution--pursuit of happiness, etc.--prevail? When this issue comes to that First Amendment provision, how could it be turned about and used against us in that manner?

It seems we--the national mentality--are on a roll of "tolerance" and "political correctness" that wants to give away whatever we have that makes America special. And I am concerned that the blatant stupidity of liberal, anti-Christian metality in the courts and in the media would bend further in that direction.

We are at a crossroads, for sure. And which potential national leader will stand in the gap that is widening between the traditional American freedoms we have known and enjoyed for our lifetimes and these new ideas of "tolerance" and "political correctness" that liberals have "lathered" over our bread of life? Who was it that made the statement somewhat like, "The price of freedom is eternal vigilence"?

Gene Lawley
fiddlefax@yahoo.com

Political Issues and Candidates

I just did a short exam or poll of 11 questions to learn how I fit in with the positions of the various candidates. A friend emailed it to me.

My best match was 64% and it was with Tomcrado. Most of the Republican candidates came in the 54% area. Hillary and her opponent, Obama, were both at 7%. We agreed on the death penalty question.

So, am I going to wait for a candidate to come up to the 100% level before I will go to the polls? Or, am I going to chase off after a third party offering?

The worst thing conservatives can do--be they evangelicals or just ordinary mid-America Honest Abes who claim no church affiliation--is to pull off to a third party. In my opinion, 64% or even 54% is a lot better than 7%, and it is a fair bet that a third party entry would turn the whole electorate into the hands of the liberals, namely Hillary Clinton.

Don't forget the inpact of Ross Perot in the 1990s. Bill Clinton did not--I repeat, DID NOT receive anywhere near 50% of the popular vote. Yet, we endured eight years of "its their turn" philosophy. Fortunately, for the first time in some-40 years, we had a Republican Congressional majority.

So, conservatives, give this some thought, and let's be flexible to a point.

Gene Lawley

A Look at the Political Scene

Years ago, in the 1960 presidential race between John Kennedy and Richard Nixon, I began to see the difference between the "left" and the "right"--how their thinking differs, their basic philosopical foundations, even their moral fabric, somewhat. Yet, in today's political world, the Harry Trumans and the John Kennedys of old would fit in pretty much okay with conservative circles.

Does that mean that the border in the other direction--left--has pushed farther out? From the way it sounds in the media--those liberal-dominated, left-leaning "news" purveyers, one would sincerely believe so. The leftness of The New York Times, Washington Post, et.al. is hard to believe happening in America. How the Bushwhackers have railed on him! And, without being backward about it, either.

As the reader has recognized already, I am conservative in the direction of my thinking. I make no claims on any particular label or niche as my own. Whatever comes out is what I am, and it may turn this way or that from time to time. But the reader will learn there are certain key basics that are always there in my foundational philosophy.

Is it God, the Flag, and Apple Pie? Well, who can dump on that and still hold themselves out as patriotic and America first? Those who can, know whether we are on the same side of the fence.

As we go forward in the blogger world, it will be worth finding out whether the roots are bedded in good soil, or they are just marking time, won't it?

Gene Lawley
Twin Falls, Idaho
fiddlefax@yahoo.com