War & Peace in Modern Times

I am for peace, but they are for war. A look at the history of 9/11/2001 and what lessons we can learn from the past.

The BIG Picture

Two very stimulating articles worth reading from Gary L. Bauer that are worth passing on.

The Big Picture

Charles Krauthammer, insightful as always, has a must read column in today's Washington Post, pointing out the historic shift that took place in the Middle East last Saturday, January 16th -- "Implementation Day" for President Obama's nuclear deal. Consider this excerpt:

"In a stroke, Iran shed almost four decades of rogue-state status and was declared a citizen of good standing of the international community, open to trade, investment and diplomacy. . . On Saturday, the Iranian transport minister announced the purchase of 114 Airbuses from Europe. This inaugurates a rush of deals binding European companies to Iran, thoroughly undermining Obama's pipe dream of 'snapback sanctions' if Iran cheats.

"Cash-rich, reconnected with global banking and commerce, and facing an Arab world collapsed into a miasma of raging civil wars, Iran has instantly become the dominant power of the Middle East. . .

"In 1938, the morning after Munich, Europe woke up to Germany as the continent's dominant power. Last Sunday, the Middle East woke up to Iran as the regional hegemon, with a hand -- often predominant -- in the future of Syria, Yemen, Iraq, the Gulf Arab states and, in time, in the very survival of Israel."

Defending Life

Hundreds of thousands of Americans came to Washington, D.C., today for the annual March for Life. They came in spite of blizzard warnings. They came in defiance of the left's scorn. That speaks volumes of their dedication. This morning I met with pro-life activists, leaders and members of Congress. I am confident we will win this battle.

The march marks a tragic anniversary in America -- the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision legalizing most abortions nationally. Since that ruling 43 years ago, more than 57 million innocent lives have been sacrificed in the name of choice.

We fought a civil war to settle the question of whether some men could be considered property, possessing no rights we were bound to respect. In keeping with our founding principles, we rightly determined that every life has dignity and is worthy of respect.

Roe v. Wade is an injustice based on the same misguided philosophy as Dred Scott -- that some humans are not "people" for the purposes of our Constitution. But I have confidence that this good and decent land will someday once again live up to its image as a "shining city upon a hill," when every child is welcomed into the world and protected under the law.

A lot of people come to Washington every day, often to lobby for some kind of self-interest. What is striking about the March for Life is that the people coming to Washington today are here to lobby on behalf of others who can't even thank them. In return for their selfless efforts, they will be called "fascists" and "extremists" by those on the left. They will be accused of turning the clock back on women's rights.

But it is the left that wants to turn back the clock. Modern technology allows us to see into the womb, making it virtually impossible to deny the humanity of the unborn child. The science of conception is settled! Those who deny the reality of life are the true deniers of science. 

Is There Not a Cause?

Albert Einstein said it so insightfully:

"The world is a dangerous place not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing."

David, the shepherd boy who slew Goliath also understood the concept of inaction. Frozen by fear, the armies of Israel were being mocked by the Philistine soldier who was of giant proportion. David could see that something had to be done to save his people from utter destruction. He said, "Is there not a cause?" and then went into action.

Anyone in their right mind would get themselves outfitted for war before going into battle with a large, seasoned soldier, right? No, not at all. He used what he was familiar with, took his sling and few stones and faced the giant down. In fact, historical record states that he slew the giant with one stone, striking him in the forehead just under his armored helmet. Then he beheaded him with his own sword.

Dear one, don't ever see yourself as too small or insignificant to accomplish great things. You can make the world a safer place by refusing to "look on and do nothing."

"Is there not a cause?"