The latest outrage is the false and biased coverage of an incident - which should never have been considered an incident in the first place - in Halifax County, NC. Gary Khera who is a Sikh went to the Union Mission - a Christian church and charity - this week to donate cash or food. Mr. Khera was refused entrance into the Mission’s consecrated grounds because he refused to abide by their restrictions and remove his turban before doing so.

The media - in their knee jerk reaction against anything Christian and most things representing Americana - jumped on this non-incident and gave it biased national coverage. The entire tenor of the MSM’s coverage - and the resulting commentary on news services’ websites, news aggregates such as Digg and the blogosphere - has been that the Union Mission was not only the wrong, but actively evil and un-American.

According to AP (via CBS News):

The mission has a rule - explained in large lettering on the mission’s door - asking all males to removed headcoverings inside the facility, and mission directors asked him to remove the turban. Khera refused to do so because he wears it all day as part of his religion.

So essentially Mr. Khera went to another faith’s religious site and refused to abide their rules on their sanctified property. When he was refused entrance he was outraged and went to the media to vent his spleen. That biased media was more than happy to give him the chance to do so and to give him a national spotlight while doing so.

One has to wonder what would happen if the tables had been reversed and a Christian - had gone to a Sikh temple - called a Gurdwara - to make a donation and refused to abide by the Sikhs’ restrictions. Everyone is required to take off their shoes before entering the Gurdwara and keep their heads covered at all times whilst in the Gurdwara.

I’m fairly sure that the media would have described it as bigoted insensitivity on the part of the Christians if they refused to follow the edicts of the Sikhs in their holy place.

As far as the media is concerned their is no equal protections for Christians when it comes to any clash or conflict of cultures or ideology. This is why I - a Pagan with little love for the Churches of the Christians - side with those persecuted Christians.

The media and the masses they control through disinformation have come for the Christians. If I and other Theists do not stand by those Christians now, who will be left to stand by me and mine when they come for us?

Cartoon courtesy of Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal

I do not mean for this post to be offensive, nor do I want anyone to belittle either the impact of HIV / AIDS on the world in general and Africa in specific. For those who believe this comic is in vastly poor taste and think that AIDS is no laughing matter, I refer you to these words:

Everything human is pathetic. The secret source of Humor itself is not joy but sorrow. There is no humor in heaven.

– Mark Twain
Following the Equator

We absolutely must laugh at what causes us fear or sorrow; the only alternatives are rage or despair. Besides - knowing men, a Playstation or Xbox would be an effective means of reducing the spread of infections through sex.

See more Democrat pictures at Pundit Kitchen

First the Bail-Out of the financial markets, then a probable bail-out of the “Big 3″ automobile manufacturers - which is really a bail-out of the United Auto Workers union - Paulson’s and the Democrats’ soup kitchen never closes.

As the White House counsel, Craig will be one of the most influential members of Obama’s cabal. He will serve as the president’s lawyer, giving him legal advice and administering pardons and conflict-of-interest issues. Craig would also be the one to handle any legal defense President Obama might need while in he’s in office.

This is not a surprising choice on the part of President-Elect Obama in the wake of a bitterly contested Democratic Primary race. Gregory Craig is known as the “Lawyer of the Left” and is yet another Clinton re-tread being included in Obama’s cabal.

Craig’s Qualifications

The 63 year old Craig is a very well-schooled and experienced lawyer. He is the protege of the the legendary Beltway power brokering attorney, Edward Bennett Williams and is is a partner at the boutique litigation firm Williams founded, Williams & Connolly LLP. One does have to hope though that Craig’s extensive qualifications are not uniquely suited to Obama’s upcoming administration.

Craig represented the would-be assassin, John Hinckley, Jr., who attempted to murder Republican President Reagan in 1981. Craig was reportedly the architect of Hinckley’s successful defense in which he was found not guilty by reason of insanity even though reports by the federal prosecution found Hinckley legally sane.

In 1998 President Clinton appointed Mr. Craig to be Assistant to the President and Special Counsel in the White House where Mr. Craig served as the head of the President’s team that was assembled to defend against his impeachment by Congress. Mr. Craig was also a member of the President’s trial team in the United States Senate and presented the President’s defense with respect to Count One during that trial.

Craig also represented Former Bolivian Defense Minister Carlos Sánchez-Berzaín in a federal lawsuit of crimes against humanity due to his alleged role in the suppression of labor union riots in 2003 that resulted in the deaths of 67 people. Sánchez-Berzaín stood accused of turning the army lose to butcher protesters in what was described as a brutal massacre of unarmed men, women and children, some of whom were reportedly shot at point-blank range.

Craig was counsel to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan during the Oil-For-Food scandal in which - alongside other grievous examples of corruption  - Annan was alleged to have arranged for his son Kojo to receive payments from the Swiss company Cotecna Inspection SA, which won a lucrative contract under the UN Oil-for-Food Program.

Craig currently represents Pedro Miguel González, president of the Panamanian legislator who is wanted in the United States on the charges of Murder and Attempted Murder. The FBI has creditable evidence proving that Gonzalez, a vocal enemy of America, murdered one U.S. Army soldier and attempted to murder another. These serious accusations and González’s Panamanian government position are a primary reason the U.S. has halted a U.S.-Panama free trade accord.

Yes, Gregory B. Craig - The Lawyer of the Left - has a long and storied history of accomplishments in defending assassins, mass murderers, murderers of US servicemen, and corrupt politicians. Craig also - based on his partnership in Williams & Connolly LLP - has a great deal of experience with punitive and/or opportunistic litigation.

These are all useful qualifications for the personal lawyer of a Head of State.  I’ve been told though that Obama wants to usher in a new brand of American politics, so I must hope that Craig’s qualifications are not suited for his new position. If that’s the case though, then the only remaining remaining reason I can find for Obama selecting Craig as the White House Counsel is that Craig is a yet another Clinton White House veteran for Obama’s roster.

Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.

California State Constitution
SECTION 2. Article I. Sect ion 7.5

Thus Proposition 8 overruled the May 15, 2008 decision by the California Supreme Court that ruled that the previous Proposition 22 - which passed with 61.4% of the vote - violated the equal protection clause of the California Constitution. As a result Gay Marriage was once again forbidden in California.

As anyone with a brain would expect, the LGBT community and its supporters are very much up in arms over this development. There are holding protests across the whole nation and proceeding to move forward with litigation to have the constitutional amendment overruled. The LGBT community is outraged that the voters of California took their rights away twice!

One has to ask though what rights did the homosexual lose? The answer is not a single one under California law.  California recognizes both hetero- and homosexual Domestic Partnerships, which as of 2007 grant all of the same rights and responsibilities as marriages under CA state law (see California Family Code §297.5)

Registered domestic partners shall have the same rights, protections, and benefits, and shall be subject to the same responsibilities, obligations, and duties under law, whether they derive from statutes, administrative regulations, court rules, government policies, common law, or any other provisions or sources of law, as are granted to and imposed upon spouses.

California Family Code
SECTION 297(a)

The first thought that came to mind was that these Domestic Partnerships wouldn’t make the participants eligible for the same federal programs and protections granted to married couples. This is actually true, but is sadly irrelevant. The federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which President Bill Clinton signed into law on September 21, 1996 expressly states that the Federal Government may not treat same-sex relationships as marriages for any purpose, even if concluded or recognized by one of the states. Whether married or partnered, same-sex couples are denied federal recognition.

So it comes down to language and the weight that people place on the word “Marriage.” Homosexuals weren’t interested in their rights, which weren’t in jeopardy. The outrage caused by Prop 8 is seemingly based on the gay community’s need to have the California government say that they have the “right” to say that they’re married.

Essentially the LGBT community tried to legislate and litigate acceptance and got “slapped in the face” by homophobia. They also - I hope but do not conclude unwittingly - ran afoul of Christian churches who are experiencing an increased fear of government interference.

Someday people will hopefully learn that you cannot legislate or litigate aceeptance, only enforced tolerance and equality of measurable and substansive rights under the law of the land.  It won’t be today though or next week - or next year.

Let me politely say that some of her words on the topic of Obama’s presidency were unfortunate.

YouTube excerpt from Valerie Jarrett’s interview on Meet the Press on November 9, 2008:

I must say that I’m not particularly pleased with the attitude displayed by Jarrett in regards to how Obama should proceed with his administration. I’m not alone either. Various Conservatives and Constitutionalists are already jumping on Jarrett’s gaffe as being a harbinger of the dictatorial excesses to come from President Obama. Much like Rahm Emanuel’s appointment as Chief of Staff, Valerie Jarrett’s gaffe - already being called a Freudian slip by some - does not bode well.

However, given the daunting challenges that we face, it’s important that president elect Obama is prepared to really take power and begin to rule day one.

– Valerie Jarrett
November 9th Meet The Press Interview

In the United States our leaders “take office;” they do not “take power.” In the United States our leaders “govern” or “serve;” they do not “rule.” To rule is the province of kings, and America is staunchly opposed to such beings - at least within the US.

To be fair, there is no evidence so far that President-Elect Barack Obama harbors any delusions of being either able or allowed to rule as opposed to govern, serve, and administrate. Jarrett’s words and possible views should not be granted more weight than they deserve.

I believe that what should be of primary concern is that such views as “take power and rule” intimate show a certain type and level of expectations that are being placed upon Obama by his advisers, backers, and supporters. Many people crave “Change” as was proved by the recent elections. Obama may have trouble meeting their expectations while operating within the constitutionally bound powers of the Presidency.

Some secondary concern should be given to the idea of Obama at least maintaining a semblance of humility and bipartisanship in the wake of such a bitterly contested election. Neither Emanuel’s appointment or Jarrett’s comments show any such semblance and serve only to entrench the Right and further fuel the Left’s expectations of “payback.”

“The People Have Spoken”

Apparently in the minds of the Democrats and other Obama supporters since an approximately 7% majority of the American electorate chose Obama, Conservatives - and quasi-Conservatives like myself - are supposed to just be quiet and join in to support President-Elect Obama’s agenda.

OK, I can understand that sentiment. Here’s a thought though. Also on November 4th the state of California passed Proposition 8 and added an Amendment to the California State Constitution that outlawed same-sex marriages. This referendum was passed by an approximately 5% margin of the California electorate despite the opposition having spent significantly more than the proponents.

Homosexuals and supporters of their rights are currently engaged in large scale protests across the state of California. They also intend to continue to fight against this constitutional amendment though the courts system - presumably all the way to the US Supreme Court if necessary.

If any of Obama’s supporters are so sure of the rightness and wisdom of the American electorate why don’t they tell the opponents of California’s Proposition 8 to be quiet and accept the outcome of the democratic process? After all -

“The People Have Spoken”

If they’re not willing to trust the wisdom of the American electorate, why should Conservatives do so? I’m fairly sure a large number of President-Elect Obama’s supporters do not approve of Proposition 8 and view its passing into law as an abject failure of the democratic process. I view both Obama’s election and Proposition 8 as failures of the democratic process.

If you’re not willing to tell the homosexuals in California to shut up and accept the outcome of the vote, show the same restraint towards those who supported Sen. McCain for President.

Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House — a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, “We are not enemies, but friends …though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.” And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn — I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.

This was a wonderful passage from a well written and well delivered speech. The promised - or at least inferred - bipartisanship of the passage was a much needed balm after a campaign filled with bitterness and acrimony.

That was Tuesday. On Wednesday, November 5th, 2008, President-Elect Barack Obama asked the Democratic Party’s “party attack dog,” Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) Chief of Staff for the Obama White House.

Rahm Emanuel aka “Rahmbo” is just about as partisan as it is possible to find, being the campaign “hitman” for the Democrats.  Emanuel is as a politician trained in dirty in-fighting by the Chicago politic machine under Daley and vetted under the Clintons.  He is hyper-partisan, vicious believes that “wining isn’t every. It’s the only thing.”

Rahmbo is the Democratic operative who once sent a dead fish - mafiesque style - to a pollster who displeased him. Rahmbo is the Democratic operative who gathered with Clinton supporter after the 1992 campaign to plot revenge upon various Politicians And Members Of The Press.

Suddenly Emanuel grabbed his steak knife and, as those who were there remeber [sic] it, shouted out the name of another enemy, lifted the knife, then brought it down with full force into the table. ‘Dead!’ he screamed. The group immediately joined in the cathartic release: ‘Nat Landow! Dead! Cliff Jackson! Dead! Bill Schaefer! Dead!

– Elisabeth Bumiller
The Brothers Emanuel, The New York Times, 6/15/97

President-Elect Obama’s choice of Rahm “rahmbo” Emanuel doesn’t bode well for Republicans and Conservatives. Choosing a hyper-partisan political assassin as his Chief of Staff has the appearance of putting the lie to Obama’s overtures of bipartisanship and outreach to Americans who didn’t support his bid for the Presidency.

I would suggest that every American keep this firmly in mind. When Pres. Obama or his supporters reach a hand across the aisle check it for a knife.

Remember always that We are Bowed, but Unbroken

The day is somewhat less grim than it might have been though. Republicans managed to hold enough seats in the Senate to ensure that Obama and Reid can be blocked by filibuster. This means we are bowed but unbroken.

Sinking into despair is both easy and seductive. Do not do it! We must continue to fight for America and American values. Whether with hope in our hearts or without it, we must hold the line and make the Left pay a high and painful price for each yard they take. Remember that the US lost the Battle of Bunker Hill, but we inflicted such casualties upon the enemy that they could not capitalize on their victory.

What We Need To Do:

Below are five (5) things that American Conservatives must do in the coming months and years in order to have a reasonable chance of saving America from the fate that is in store for it.

1 - Oppose Pres. Obama
We must fight against this lurch to the Left and its concomitant socialist policies. We must also respond strongly, relentlessly, and vocally when Obama fails to act correctly to defend America, its interests, and its allies.

What we must not do is to behave like the Left did under Pres. Bush. We must attack Pres. Obama’s and Congress’ failings without devolving into screaming and/or whining hordes who rant the same vitriolic rhetoric as America’s enemies. We must fight without mercy but we must hold ourselves above madness and above attacks that do more harm to America than to our enemies. We must be better than that, though I know it will be difficult to do.

2 - Don’t Blame People
This is going to be very, very hard to do, especially when one looks at what has been done to our country, but try not to behave as the Democrats did in 2004 with their vile ranting against Conservatives. It quite true that Pres. Obama got a lot of votes for truly stupid and/ or heinous reasons such as the racism implicit in voting for him because he identifies as Black. It’s also quite true that Pres. Obama lost a lot of votes for equally stupid and/or heinous reasons. No group has cornered the markets on ignorance, stupidity or prejudice.

3 - Toughen Up
We must all be ready to shrug off the vile attacks we will inevitably suffer as we defend this land. Always remember Joe “The Plumber” Wurtzelbacher and the vile and illegal smears, attacks, and invasions of privacy he suffered for standing up to then Sen. Obama. Such attacks can and will happen to at least some of us as well during the fight. Be ready for them.

We will be called racists for our opposition of Pres. Obama. Ignore the slur. We will be marginalized and discounted by the media and by the Left. Keep arguing and keep arguing reasonably. The Left will treat us horribly; they will be as vile in victory as they were during 8 years of defeat. Accept that and hold to the high ground.

4 - Communicate

We must learn from the Left. We must shrug off some of our reserve and come together as a movement, a resistance. What worked for the Left we must make work against them. This is critical.

Expect to be either ignored by the Left-controlled MSM or vilified by them. Under no circumstances trust them. We must communicate through Social Media and Blogging as well as through more traditional mediums. We absolutely must uncover the mistakes of Pres. Obama’s administration and communicate them to each other and to the general population - especially if the MSM refuses to do so.

5 - Seek Vengeance
Spend as much time and effort as you need to focus your anger into something cold and controlled. Blind, unreasoning rage is something to be avoided at any and all costs; it finds the ugliest and most counterproductive outlets far too often.

There’s a lot of work to do to prepare the ground for the Restoration. That work must be the vehicle of our vengeance, not thuggery or vileness. The Democratic Political Engine will provide us with a target-rich environment. We must coldly analyze those targets and attack them based on a sequence of priorities. We do not have enough time to squander our efforts on low-value targets or useless vitriol.

Remember that we must be ready in 2010, not 2012. We must enter into 2010 with our short list of Presidential candidates ready to roll. We must be ready to support any of them, so they’d best be chosen and groomed early so that we can feel comfortable doing so. We must make the Republican Primary as much of a de facto race as possible so that we can immediately begin the battle for General Election.

America woke to a grim day and we - bowed but unbroken - stare at the oncoming night that will be filled with terrors, with twilight’s last gleaming growing dim behind us. We must struggle bravely, coldly and stoically through the siege of that long dark night. We must give proof to that night that we are still there defending the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Someone please lower the flag to half mast and turn out the lights in mourning.