The Heart of the Matter

"There is no separating our national security and our economic prosperity — they are interdependent."

~ Andrew C. McCarthy

Almost forgotten in the angst over such political hot potatoes as unemployment, the deficit, illegal immigration, and the healthcare debacle is the root cause of danger to the survival of the United States. What Andrew C. McCarthy calls "civilizational jihad" has been waged against us for 31 years, beginning with the Iranian hostage crisis in 1979.

In his NRO article, "It's About Sharia," McCarthy shines some much-needed light back onto this powerful danger. Just because it's not on the front page of the newspapers anymore doesn't mean the threat has gone away. In fact, it is perhaps a more perilous time now for our country, distracted as we are by the many controversies swirling within our government. Now is not the time to forget we are at war nor to discount the single-minded focus of the enemy.

Andrew C. McCarthy successfully prosecuted the terrorists responsible for the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. He has rarely changed the subject since. McCarthy understands that, despite all of our current national problems, nothing is more crucial than turning back the Islamists.

Wise Words

"It is tempting to protect yourself from the personal or professional costs of
loss by limiting how much you commit, how much of belief and trust in people,
and how deeply you care. Caution and cynicism are safe, but soldiers don't want
to follow cautious cynics. They follow leaders who believe enough to risk
failure or disappointment for a worthy cause.

If I had it to do over again, I'd do some things in my career differently but not many. I believed in people, and I still believe in them. I trusted and I still trust. I cared and I still care. I wouldn't have had it any other way.

Winston Churchill said we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. To the young leaders of today and tomorrow, it's a great life."

~ Gen. Stanley McChrystal

Farewell to the troops

July 2010

An Oscar Well Earned

I used to think that Jeff Bridges was underestimated as an actor, so I was pleased when he won the Academy Award for "Crazy Heart." Now that I've seen the movie, I'm even happier about his well-earned Oscar.

Bridges makes the tragic figure of Bad Blake his own as he journeys through the wreckage of past mistakes and their bitter consequences. Blake is a miserable, washed-up alcoholic singer-songwriter, remarkably talented but so enslaved by his addiction that he's trapped himself in a destructive downward spiral. Once a superstar of country music, he's been reduced to playing gigs at bowling alleys and bars in remote locations.

While country music is not my favorite form, I could listen to the "Crazy Heart" soundtrack every day. In fact, a couple of the movie's songs have found a home in my i-Pod.

Bad Blake's painful struggle to reach the hopefulness and promise of the final scenes is the soul of "Crazy Heart," and Jeff Bridges brings it to vivid life at all stages. Robert Duvall, who liked the book so much he was one of the film's producers, plays a memorable supporting role with his customary star power. Scott Cooper, who wrote the screenplay from Thomas Cobb's novel, directs with heart and grit.

After seeing "Crazy Heart," no one will ever underestimate Jeff Bridges. I love happy endings!

Enough to Ruin Summer

Six Months to Go Until
The Largest Tax Hikes in History

Read more: http://atr.org/six-months-untilbr-largest-tax-hikes-a5171##ixzz0tcwgCddr

846 days to the 2012 election!

Countdown

"Think About It!" - Victor Davis Hanson lists ten good reasons why we're in deep trouble in our executive branch of government.

Hanson continues to elaborate on our growing problems in "Words Matter, Even a Few," linked here.

We can only keep throwing ourselves upon the mercy of Providence--it's protected us so far, thank you, Lord. It might be somewhat encouraging to begin counting down to the next presidential election. I think I'll start logging the time, right now...

851 days.

Happy Birthday, U.S.A.