Condoleezza Rice on "Uncommon Knowledge"

The video was uploaded by Pajamasmedia with the following introductory remarks:

Is war in Iran imminent? Find out as former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice talks to Peter Robinson about Iraq, Iran, Israel, Afghanistan and Aretha Franklin. Secretary Rice focuses on the lessons of 9/11, and also discusses the surprising remarks of Vladimir Putin on that day. In a moment of candor, Secretary Rice talks about the misunderstandings during the war in Iraq, and why the US chose not to go to war with Iran during the Bush Administration. Hear more about Middle East policy in this very candid "Uncommon Knowledge" interview.

This is from the "Uncommon Knowledge" website concerning the interview with former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice:

Condoleezza Rice, senior fellow on public policy at the Hoover Institution and a professor of political science at Stanford University, discusses the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, her days as George Bush's national security adviser and secretary of state, and the current state of the world, including Israel, Iran, and China. (1:09:44) 

Ernie Els Talks about Autism

Ernie Els, known on the PGA Tour as "The Big Easy," has won three major championships, was ranked the World Number One Golfer, won the World Match Play Championship a record seven times, and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in May, 2011.  Still he feels that he would rather be remembered more as a man who did something about Autism, by raising public awareness, than as a golfer.

He was, and is, as any follower of the game can attest, one of the top golfers of all time, and, as his fellow golfers will attest, one of the nicest guys on the Tour.

El Rushbo on Afghanistan: "The Hell with the Place"

This was posted earlier this evening by Troy Senik at Ricochet.Com.

Michelle Needs Us All to Work Harder

From The News Herald, Panama City, Florida 02/05/2012

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H/T: jpa1948

Sundays are for Beauty: Theme from "Arthur"

That's Christopher Cross performing the theme from the 1981 movie, "Arthur."  Cross collaborated with Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager in the writing of the song,  which reached #1 in the USA and Norway.

Have a Beautiful Sunday.

Obama's Apology: There He Goes Again

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Fr. Barron: The Practices of Lent

Neil Cavuto's Greatest "Rant"

The inestimable Neil Cavuto, whose show airs on Fox News Channel weekdays at 4:00 PM ET, often closes his show with what some call a rant but what is actually a brief statement clothed beautifully in common sense and wisdom.  This is one of his best.

Iditarod 2012 Starts March 3rd: Stay Tuned

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The 40th running of The Iditarod: The Last Great Race on Earth starts in Anchorage, Alaska next Saturday.

The official (ceremonial) start, as usual, will take place in downtown Anchorage.  Then the dogs and sleds will be trucked to Willow Lake where the real race begins on March 4th; it's called the re-start.

Last year's winner, John Baker, is back to defend his title.  Since this is an even numbered year, the racers will travel the northern route:

The trail is composed of two routes: a northern route, which is run on even-numbered years, and a southern route, which is run on odd-numbered years. Both follow the same trail for 444 miles (715 km), from Anchorage to Ophir, where they diverge and then rejoin at Kaltag, 441 miles (710 km) from Nome. The race used the northern route until 1977, when the southern route was added to distribute the impact of the event on the small villages in the area, none of which have more than a few hundred inhabitants. Passing through the historic town of Iditarod was a secondary benefit.

Here's a map of the northern route:

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For more information on the Iditarod and its history, click HERE.

Religious Liberty: Obamacare's First Casualty

Video courtesy of The Heritage Foundation.

Nancy Pelosi is Delusional or a Bad Liar - or Both

The Cato Institute published this press release of Nancy Pelosi, in which she explains the reason for the rise in gasoline prices, on its Blog today.  Here's a clip:

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on the rising gas prices across the country:

“Independent reports confirm that speculators are driving up the cost of oil, hurting consumers and potentially damaging the economic recovery. Wall Street profiteering, not oil shortages, is the cause of the price spike. In fact, U.S. oil production is at its highest level since 2003, and millions of acres have been cleared for additional development.

“We need to take strong action to protect consumers from this speculation. Unfortunately, Republicans have chosen to protect the interests of Wall Street speculators and oil companies instead of the interests of working Americans by obstructing the agencies with the responsibility of enforcing consumer protection laws. They have also repeatedly opposed our efforts to end billions of dollars in outdated taxpayer subsidies for oil companies enjoying record profits.

“We support efforts by the Obama Administration to expand domestic energy resources, including natural gas and renewable sources like wind and solar that create jobs in America and will end our dangerous dependence on foreign energy supplies. This can be achieved because today, the United States currently has more oil and gas rigs at work than the rest of the world combined, and imports of foreign oil have decreased.

“We call on the Republican leadership to act on behalf of American consumers and join our efforts to crack down on speculators who care more about their profits than the price at the pump even if these spikes harm the American consumer and our economy.”

Apparently this woman is unfamiliar with the Keystone Pipeline and the person stopping it.

Trifecta: "Obama's Big Lie" (on the Economy)

It doesn't get any scarier than this.  According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the U.S. Economy will shut down in 2027, and this administration is doing nothing to stop it.

Paul Ryan for President!

http://www.pjtv.com/?cmd=mpg&mpid=105&load=6648

"The Way" - Lessons for Life

When we have movies such as "The Way" being produced, it is fair to think that cultural decay just might be on the wane.

This is from the website for the movie:

THE WAY is a powerful and inspirational story about family, friends and the challenges we face while navigating this ever-changing and complicated world. Martin Sheen plays Tom, an irascible American doctor who comes to France to deal with the tragic loss of his son (played by Emilio Estevez). Rather than return home, Tom decides to embark on the historical pilgrimage "The Way of St. James" to honor his son's desire to finish the journey. What Tom doesn't plan on is the profound impact this trip will have on him. Through unexpected and oftentimes amusing experiences along "The Way," Tom discovers the difference between "the life we live and the life we choose.”

Inexperienced as a trekker, Tom soon discovers that he will not be alone on this journey. On "The Way," Tom meets other pilgrims from around the world, each with their own issues and looking for greater meaning in their lives: a Dutchman (Yorick van Wageningen), a Canadian (Deborah Kara Unger) and an Irish writer (James Nesbitt), who is suffering from a bout of writer's block.

From the unexpected and, oftentimes, amusing experiences along "The Way," this unlikely quartet of misfits creates an everlasting bond and Tom begins to learn what it means to be a citizen of the world again. Through Tom's unresolved relationship with his son, he discovers the difference between "the life we live and the life we choose."

THE WAY, written and directed by Emilio Estevez, was filmed entirely in Spain and France along the actual Camino de Santiago.

Fr. Barron: "The Grey" - The Wrong Metaphor

This one will not go into my list of family movies.  The producers blew a chance at a wonderful religious metaphor (think of the suffering Job), and chose instead an existential metaphor based loosely on the teachings and philosophy of Schopenhauer.

Fracking for Energy Independence is a Good Thing

John Sexton posted this video on his website, Verum Serum, last night and, after viewing it, I decided to join John and contribute $20 to the cause of TRUTH.

Today, the Heritage Foundation posted this podcast on the same topic on The Foundry Blog.

If you're at all interested in Energy Independence for the USA, please spend a little time listening to Ann McElhinney on the above video and to her partner, Phelim McAleer, on the podcast.  You'll be delighted to learn that our state department is backing the other side.

Ramirez: Obama's Gas Prices

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TED Talk: Guns are Instruments of Peace

General Peter van Uhm is the Chief of the Netherlands Defence Staff.  The day after he was promoted to his current position, his son, 1st Lt Dennis van Uhm, was killed in a roadside bombing in Uruzgan, Afghanistan.

General van Uhm obviously has great faith in the power of the gun as an instrument of peace, and just as obviously is a disciple of the Ronald Reagan philosophy of "peace through strength."

Black History Month: The Forgotten Truth

One of the two major political parties in the United States has always been more concerned with the plight, and done more for the rights, of black people - and not for political gain.  Florida Congressman Allen West reminds us very clearly that the GOP is that party.

Sundays are for Beauty: Mozart's Last Symphony - "Jupiter"

That's Jeffrey Tate conducting the English Chamber Orchestra performing Mozart's Symphony No.41 (Molto Allegro).  Although there are varying opinions on how many symphonies Mozart actually wrote, it's generally accepted that he wrote 41, so this would be his last.  Woody Allen is said to have remarked that this masterpiece proves the existence of God.

Where have you gone, Mr. President - our Nation turns its lonely eyes to you...

Here's hoping for an open convention.  We just might find the next Ronald Reagan.

Col. McSally's Opponent in Arizona: Frank Antenoni

Retired Special Forces SFC Frank Antenoni is another terrific offering of the GOP in the race to replace retired Representative Gabrielle Giffords in the U.S. Congress.  

Kevin O'Brien wrote about Antenoni recently at PJ Media (that piece is linked below):

Frank is a Special Forces veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq. In Afghanistan he was a member of Task Force Dagger, the 200 guys from 5th SF Group who (with their CIA counterparts) won the war before mission creep set in. In Iraq, he was at the Battle of Debecka Pass, where one SF ODA and a few straphangers held off a tank attack. He’s the real deal.

http://pjmedia.com/instapundit/137088/

H/T: bmck1

Vortex: Obama and Evil IV

Michael Voris will not run from the war against the Catholic Church and her doctrines being waged by the Obama administration.  This is the fourth such Vortex exposing the evil agenda of Obama and his administration.  To revisit the previous posts on this topic, please click HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Lourdes 154 Years Later

They're still coming - 154 years later.  Must be something to it, right?

Trifecta: The Cult of Obama - American Narcissist

The gang at Trifecta are, once again, exercised over the most narcissistic president to ever "occupy" the White House.  Stay alert here for one of those easy-to-miss nuanced phrases that reveal the true agenda of this supreme egotist: Shared Prosperity, indeed!

http://www.pjtv.com/?cmd=mpg&mpid=105&load=6629

Ramirez on Obama's FY 2013 "Budget"

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Paul Ryan for President

The House Budget Committee held hearings today on the fraudulent budget submitted by President Obama for FY 2013, which the New York Times has called “more a platform for the president’s re-election campaign than a legislative proposal,” and the Associated Press has characterized as "(taking) a pass on reining in government growth.”  When the shills at the Times and the AP talk like that about Obama's budget, you know it's more than fraudulent.

Chairman Paul Ryan, in his opening statement today, could make one wish for an open GOP convention in Tampa so someone such as he could emerge as the Party's nominee for president.

You can read Chairman Ryan's brief statement by clicking on the link below:

http://budget.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=280460

Rick Santelli: Voice of The Tea Party

How Rick Santelli keeps his job at CNBC is anybody's guess, but as the de-facto founder of The Tea Party he is a force to be reckoned with by the Left - especially the Occupiers.

Mark Levin: Sebelius Should be Impeached

This was posted today at The Daily Caller.Com.

In case you haven't been paying attention to the deterioration of our Constitution at the hands of the current administration, and the reason for Mark Levin's frustration with the secretary of HHS, please click HERE, and Here, and read the previous post.

FR. Barron: HHS Mandate is Secularist Totalitarianism

This video is a follow-up to the piece Fr. Barron wrote for The Corner at National Review last week concerning the HHS Mandate.

Obama Administration and Abortion and Perversion in Africa

The Left will defend this administration by telling you that the USA has, since the days of LBJ (and, they will tell you with glee, Nixon), has publicly advocated population control in foreign (especially third world) countries.  What they won't tell you is that never before this administration did the USA dare to export abortion and sexual deviancy.

No Murtha Ship: Reminder

A few weeks ago we posted information about a new San Antonio Class LPD Navy Ship that, according to an announcement by the secretary of the Navy, will be named in honor of Jack Murtha, even though this class of ship has traditionally been named in honor of U. S. cities.  Jack Murtha, now deceased, was one of the most corrupt members of Congress ever. Below is a link to that previous post:

http://wwwpopblogger.blogspot.com/2012/01/no-murtha-ship-please.html

If you agree that this action by the secretary of the Navy would be an outrage, and actually dishonor a U. S. Navy ship, please sign the petition against it.  You can access the petition through the above link or by clicking on the icon on the top right side of this Blog.

Sundays are for Beauty: "Sailing"

Christopher Cross is a singer and song writer from San Antonio, Texas.  "Sailing" is one of his biggest hits; it was released in 1980 and earned him three Grammy Awards in 1981.

Have a Beautiful Sunday.

The Faustian Bargain's Payoff

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Fr. Barron: More on the Contraception Mandate - on NRO

That's Fr. Robert Barron, our modern day St. Paul, and founder of Word on Fire, who has been featured many times on this Blog.  His previous commentary on the Contraception Mandate can be viewed HERE.

Yesterday, in a wonderful turn of events for Christian Conservatives, Fr. Barron was invited to write on The Corner on National Review Online.


As is always the case, Fr. Barron wrote with clarity, conviction, and courage.  His piece was entitled: "HHS Mandate: Anti-Catholic and Un-American."  It's a short and insightful piece that can be read by clicking on the link below:

http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/290600/hhs-mandate-anti-catholic-and-un-american-rev-robert-barron

 Note: The above photo shows Fr. Barron entering the Cathedral of San Chapelle in Paris, where he was filming his ten episode series, "Catholicism," which will be shown on Sunday nights during March on EWTN.

Col. Martha McSally: An Iron Lady for Arizona

This was Martha McSally back in 2002 on 60 Minutes.  At that time she was challenging the DoD rule that said she had to wear the Muslim Abaya when leaving her base in Saudi Arabia.  The lady had guts, but by then she was already the first American woman to fly in combat since the 1991 lifting of the prohibition of women in combat, and the first woman to command a USAF fighter squadron.

She retired from the Air Force in May, 2010, and today, announced her intention to run in the special election to replace Representative Gabrielle Giffords in her Arizona district.  The full story is in today's Tucson Sentinel Online.

It could probably go without saying that she is running as a Republican.

Is Mitt the Second Coming (of the Gipper)?

William Tucker, writing at The American Spectator Blog, thinks "Romney Can Be the Next Reagan."  Tucker bases his opinion on Romney's temperament, which, he says, is very similar to the Gipper's.  Herewith some clips from the article:

Think back to Reagan's famous rejoinder to Jimmy Carter in their first and only debate, "There you go again!" What was the significance of that? Carter had just finish a long, beady-eyed recitation about national health insurance, which, he said, promised "not inpatient care but outpatient care" with "an emphasis on hospital cost containment," and how Candidate Reagan, of course, was opposed to all this because he had opposed Medicare in 1964. Reagan stood shaking his head and laughing the whole time and when it finally came his turn, he sighed , "There you go again."

The audience laughed and why not? Carter's expressionless, robot-like recitation typified his whole presidency. He was obsessed with details. Reagan's genial response was that when he opposed Medicare in 1964 it was because he favored another piece of congressional legislation that relied less on government. But in a single moment, Reagan had also revealed Carter as a narrow-minded pedant while he was an affable, good-natured leader capable of keeping things in perspective. Voters liked what they saw and that ended Carter's Presidency.

Mitt Romney has a very similar temperament. In fact he had a "There-you-go-again" moment in the last debate when Rick Santorum launched into his inevitable fulmination about how Romney will never be able to debate President Obama on Obamacare because of Romneycare. Romney gave his usual rejoinder but then added, "It's nothing to get angry about." That's the kind of perspective a President needs.

As Jimmy Carter would ultimately discover, this election will not be decided by who can memorize the longest list of talking points. It's going to be won by the candidate who voters feel most comfortable having in their living rooms. Obama passed the test in 2008. He was young and fresh and seemed to have a level head while McCain appeared old and tired. It was a fairly easy choice. But the President won't have those advantages this time around. After four years of mismanaging the economy, he won't be able to talk hope and change. His only option will be to go negative, portraying Romney as a rich boy who doesn't care about anyone who doesn't have money. That may work for a while but at some point people are going to want to hear something positive. At that point they will start listening to Romney. If he sounds like Reagan, they will find him an attractive and plausible alternative.

Tucker ends his piece by quoting a hit piece by Lee Siegel in the New York Times, who called Romney "the whitest white man to run for president in years." 

He is nearly always in immaculate white shirt sleeves. He is implacably polite, tossing off phrases like "oh gosh" with Stepford bonhomie. He has mastered Benjamin Franklin's honesty as the "best policy"… He speaks of the founding fathers and the Declaration of Independence as phases of national creativity that we are destined to live through again. He frequently accompanies his recitative with verses from "America the Beautiful."

Now, if a hit piece like that hurts Romney, we're in a lot more trouble than we thought.