The American Spectator : Channeling the Young Patrick Henry

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Channeling the Young Patrick Henry

By Quin Hillyer on 3.13.09 @ 6:09AM

If this be treason, so be it.

If this be treason, make the most of it.

No, not treason against this wonderful nation. But this column may sound suspiciously like treason against the cult of Obama, and against his hagiographers in the establishment media, and against the very idea that this president actually loves this nation's liberal, republican, constitutional order. Consider this also to be treason against the myth that our president is a man of deep, or even average, integrity.

Barack Obama is a radical's radical and a man whose ego vastly outstrips his prior accomplishments. He is dangerous, and after just seven weeks he already is leading this country into disaster.

Let's start with his integrity, or lack thereof. It's not just conservatives who are starting to complain about Obama's dishonesty. Already the decidedly centrist Robert Samuelson has called Obama "a great pretender. He repeatedly says he is doing things that he isn't, trusting in his powerful rhetoric to obscure the difference." Or, as National Review's Jim Geraghty has turned into a repeated and accurate refrain, "All statements from Barack Obama come with an expiration date. All of them."

Obama told the nation he doesn't "believe in bigger government" while proposing the biggest government in American history. He says he wants bipartisan consultation but then asks for no substantive Republican/conservative proposals on either "stimulus" or health care -- or on anything else, for that matter. He repeatedly has claimed he would fight against earmarks but signs bills full of them after not lifting a finger to take them out. He pledged not to appoint lobbyists to his administration (a stupid pledge anyway) and then appointed lobbyists to his administration. He promised to allow the public five days to read all bills before he signs them, but already has broken that promise twice. He blasted President G.W. Bush for overusing "signing statements" and the very next day issued a signing statement. He promised transparency in all sorts of ways but then failed to provide it.

He claims to be committed to the security of Israel but surrounds himself with people far from friendly to that tiny country, including an intelligence council director (since departed) long openly hostile to and insulting of Israel. (The same man, Chas Freeman, sided with the Butchers of Beijing against the students in Tiananmen Square, which raises other issues to be addressed momentarily.) He said he supported an undivided Jerusalem and then that its status remains to be negotiated. He said Iran was one of the greatest threats to the United States and to world peace and then that it "doesn't pose a serious threat to us."

Obama pledged to abide by campaign spending limits and then abandoned them; he claimed to barely know William Ayers even though he knows him quite well; he ludicrously claimed to be ignorant of the hatred spewed by his own pastor of 20 years and said he "could no more abandon" that pastor than he could his "white grandmother," only to abandon him just a few months later. He claimed to have little to do with ACORN but actually taught yearly seminars for them. He promised to debate John McCain "anywhere, anytime," but ignored McCain's offers to do so. He claimed to want to seek common ground on abortion and life issues but has already as president taken three radically anti-life actions while surrounding himself with a host of some of the most pro-abort aides and appointees we've ever seen -- including one who likened pro-life laws to involuntary servitude.

This list could go on, but you get the picture.

Everywhere you look, Obama's actions (not words or tone, but actions) shows a disdain for tradition, for limits, for moderation, and for empirical information that doesn't fit his ideological predilections. Filibusters of judicial nominees -- even of the superbly qualified John Roberts? Of course. The gutting of welfare reform without even debating it? Yes. Promising all children they would have the same educational opportunities he and his children have had but then killing a scholarship program that lets underprivileged children be his daughters' schoolmates? Oh, well….

He does not one, not two, but three things in short order that come across as insults to the single closest ally, Great Britain, that this nation has had for an entire century. His secretary of state downplays human rights so repeatedly in just a few short weeks that even the Washington Post editorializes a warning. He travels abroad as a candidate and takes it upon himself to apologize for this nation's supposed sins. For two key positions -- head of his executive office of inter-governmental affairs and head of the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department -- he chooses people with ties not just to amnesty proponents, but to groups that believe parts of the Southwest should be ceded back to Mexico.

His entire Justice Department, for that matter, is made up of radicals. So is his White House counsel's office. His attorney general calls Americans "a nation of cowards" but the president waits days before correcting him, and then only when directly questioned about the remarks. He supports efforts to hobble those who would guard against vote fraud, and he tries to stack the electoral deck even more by politicizing the census.

His economic policies are utterly ruinous and ignore more than a quarter century of lessons about the advantages of sound money, low taxes, and restrained spending. He piles debt upon debt upon debt (after having spent his campaign last year promising "a net spending cut"). He proposes tax hikes on energy that would affect every single American, taxes on thousands of small businesses, and in effect on charitable donations and mortgage interest (in the midst of a depression, no less). He supports taking the secret ballot away from workers considering union formation. He supports the entire agenda of all his fellow liberals who whore for oodles of campaign cash and assistance from union bosses, gazillionaire plaintiffs' lawyers, and environmental extremists. And he now has killed the safest storage area for nuclear waste, the Yucca Mountain site, which will hobble extremely eco-friendly nuclear energy development.

Even worse are his defense policies. He offers to bargain away missile defense for eastern Europe. He campaigned on drastically cutting missile defense overall. He is considering putting off for five more years the procurement of the air-refueling tanker that every serious analyst says is justifiably the Pentagon's single most pressing equipment need, to replace a fleet of planes now half a century old. He reportedly is considering a long-term defense budget cut of up to 10 percent. Meanwhile, he already has begun letting terrorists go free.

And, as noted earlier, Obama actually appointed a defender of the Butchers of Beijing and a man prone to radically anti-Israeli (and sometimes downright anti-Semitic statements) as chairman of his national intelligence council. Even with Chas Freeman gone, what his original appointment says about the president is downright scary. His Secretary of State's pathetic suck-up to the Chinese foreign minister, combined with Mrs. Clinton's incredibly long record of suspicious or seemingly corrupt ties to Asian interests, leads an observer to fear a dangerous wool-headedness where China is concerned.

Finally, even on Afghanistan, the one defense/foreign policy area where Obama always seemed willing to be tough, he is letting matters drift in a worrisome fashion.

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topics:
Barack Obama, Already a Disaster

About the Author

Quin Hillyer is a senior editor of The American Spectator and a senior fellow at the Center for Individual Freedom.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (114) | Leave a comment

Anya| 3.13.09 @ 6:51AM

Great article, I could not agree with you more! HE MUST BE STOPPED!!! I say and write this statement frequently.
I also pray, "Lord, Deliver us from this EVIL!" O is the biggest deceiver and imposter I have ever observed. I HATE what he is doing to this country. I want HIM to fail, so that America can succeed. HE MUST BE STOPPED!

Deborah| 3.13.09 @ 6:51AM

Mr, Hillyer --

Thank you for this column. In this column, you're Patrick Henry and Paul Revere combined. May this message be spread throughout the land so that Americans can understand what type of anti-American is in the Oval Office and what types of politicians are ruining their country in less than two months.

I fear for my country, my children's futures and my future grandchildren's futures if we don't stand up now and say "enough already."

No distractions. Job one is to say it loud and clear.

I'm with Rush and Hillyer. I hope Obama fails so that the country can survive, and I will do everything in my power to save the United States of America from this tyranny.

We must all hang together or we most assuredly will hang separately.

Chuck| 3.13.09 @ 8:29AM

Well done and timely, Mr. Hillyer. I had been thinking myself about doing a litany of Obama's thus far near-perfect record of actions which contradict his campaign promises, belie his words, further polarize the parties, and are in almost every way inimical to the long-term interests of the country and the majority of the people in it.

As you point out, your essay is only a survey, not meant to be complete, for one can only do so much in a few thousand words. No doubt before long there will be ample opportunity to add to the catalog, perhaps including the real (as opposed to the now just proposed) rescision of the 'conscience exclusion' for medical workers who do not wish to participate in or attend at abortions and do other things which violate their principles.

Ran| 3.13.09 @ 8:45AM

Mr Hillyer,
Many thanks.

Peter Ferrara's TAS column What Conservatives Must Now Do outlines how we, as conservatives, must begin by taking individual action at the local level.

I'd recommend to fellow TAS online readers that we continue our subscriptions and support. These lines of communication are vital; We are not, as libertarians and conservatives, going to be represented or aided by MSM competition.

Cheers!

Mary| 3.13.09 @ 9:05AM

Many thanks from me too.

The thing is, his desire to vivisect the Country was apparent from the beginning to anyone who was paying attention.

Art| 3.13.09 @ 9:35AM

Mr. Hillyer,

Your clarity of thought continues to amaze me. Sadly, the American voter gave another liar two terms and near continuous positive polling numbers, despite his impeachment. Probably because journalists of your caliber are incredibly rare.

Anthony| 3.13.09 @ 9:40AM

This article should bring out the rabid left. Can't wait to read their vitriol, as soon as they awake. At least we're protected from their foaming mouths by our computer screens.

Chuck| 3.13.09 @ 9:48AM

An excellent article. All this and only 2 months in to this Presidency. I weep for my beloved country.

WRTolkas| 3.13.09 @ 9:50AM

"To the vanquished, the terms of surrender come in installments."

A. Hitler or B.O. Right now I can't remember.

Just an observation: I'm noticing that as time goes by, more people are wondering what B.O. thinks he is doing, more people are very concerned of what B.O. is doing, and more people are angry at what B.O. is doing.

The wonderful aspect of this is less than two years away. The next election will be B.O.'s report card.

Keep your powder dry,

WRTolkas

Mike| 3.13.09 @ 9:58AM

You gotta hand it to Obama. He really had us all guessing during the campaign. Is he an Ayers/Rev. Wright fusion style radical? Is he just corrupt Chicago pol? Both? Will he govern in line with his most liberal senatorial voting record or will he govern like his soothing, bi-partisan campaign retoric?

Hillyer makes the answer obvious.

ame| 3.13.09 @ 9:59AM

OBAMA MUST BE STOPPED NOW!
FINALLY, A REAL JOURNALIST who sees what was apparent right form the beginning - Obama is a dangerous ideologue who lusts for power and pomp and self-aggrandizement and has spent his entire adult life taking form the USA. Americans better wake up unless they want their children to be slaves to the state and servants to foreign powers. 2010 is our first chance to at least cripple Obama and Pelosi and Reid. THEY MUST GO! I am sick of heart for my country and astonished that so many Americans were duped by zerO! The family dog knew that Obama was a radical Marxist socialist who was bent on destroying our nation through the guise of "hope and change."

Larry C Roberts, MD, MA| 3.13.09 @ 10:10AM

The parallels with Adolf Hitler's rise to power are remarkable, from Obama's exploitation of economic "catastrophe" to his demonization of ideological opponents, from his redefinition of humanity (the life not worth living) to his appontment of sycophants and incompetents to high office. Even Obama's attempt to socialize medicine and overturn freedom of conscience statutes resembles Hitler's manipulation of the health care system and the medical profession for his own nefarious ends. Every day brings a new revelation, and this is not surprising, because Obama is cut from the same arrogant, self-righteous totalitarian mold. As Hitler despised the Weimar Republic, so Obama despises America. Will history repeat itself? We have no one to blame but ourselves if it does. Now is the time for action.

grampa guy| 3.13.09 @ 10:37AM

Brave stuff, Quin. When the IRS comes, I'll help with any legal fees. If they are successful in prosecution, I will assist in your escape.

amadeus| 3.13.09 @ 11:07AM

Locked and loaded, Quinn. Your assembly of the facts is flawless. Would that others see the disturbing trend. I fear greatly for the country in the approaching economic depression and socialization of this democratic republic should his policies continue.

bruce| 3.13.09 @ 11:20AM

Everything written is sadly true...the future looks bleak at best...yet with limited leaderless political opposition and mass media in his hip pocket there is no realistic way to stop OB's march to the far left.

MPark| 3.13.09 @ 11:31AM

I am old enough to have 4 children and 2 voting age grandchildren (among others). When I learned that 5 out of 6 of these offspring voted for Obama, I ceased worrying about protecting my progeny from this sweet man who everyone relates to even though he is destroying the country. The next generation is bringing it upon themselves. The evidence of his dishonesty and total lack of experience (including a senior lecturership masquerading as a professorship) has been there for everyone to see since he burst upon the national scene (and similar cliches).

There is danger in some of the language being used here, however. I hear something drifting mighty close to threats. Obama's supporters see their own personalities and and aspirations through him by way of his telepromptered performances. They will experience the pain of his failure in a very personal way--just as they view an attack on him as an attack on themselves. We are experiencing the beginnings of a global madness that is far more dangerous than anything we have seen in the last half century.

Texas Male| 3.13.09 @ 11:46AM

So the talk here is on par with the seriousness of the threat we face.....but talk is cheap. I doubt Americans have the fortitude and convictions to do much about the country being hijacked by totalitarian marxists anymore than the early 20th century Russians or Germans who watched as fascists rose to power. There was a time when we believed in something enough that we would have revolted, but not now. The marxists have a head start, they've been here and in control of educational institutions and media brainwashing with powerful propaganda for a LONG time.

When they decalre matial law and start rounding people up; who will come to our rescue? No one comes to mind as that has been the role of great Americans. Are there any great Americans left?

Bilwick| 3.13.09 @ 12:13PM

No doubt if Sir David Frum were back in that time, he'd be looking down through his lorgnette at Patrick Henry and saying to Squire David Brooks, "Oh, dear . . . we men of quality must assure King George we do not sympathize with such rabble!"

(Pause here while some "liberal," with real or feigned literal-mindedness, responds to my post: "Surely you do not think Rush Limbaugh is nother Patrick Henry. . . .")

Sean West Sculley| 3.13.09 @ 12:42PM

How glorious it is to hear the readers of HILLYER"S CLARION come forth to claim their Love of Our Country. Your decency and studious affection makes the vain Pretender's perfidy and calumny, and that of his henchmen, all the more stark and villainous.

As Mr. Hillyer demonstrates, the "troubled past", of which the hectoring Obama incessantly speaks, is his own, not ours; and it grows increasingly troubling by the day.

Thank you Mr. Hillyer. Your voice has given others theirs and I hope all will keep resounding to stop this noxious and sly satrap's dismantling and plundering of our Land.

Dawn| 3.13.09 @ 12:48PM

The poster who likened Mr. Hillyer to Paul Revere is right: "The Socialists are coming! The Socialists are coming!"

MPark: Have a little mercy on your offspring. They have, most likely, been brainwashed most of the days of their lives by their teachers from kindergarten through high school graduation, their professors through college, and the media -- not just the news media, but entertainment media as well. I know this because I teach at college and I see the effects of this brainwashing every day. And sadly, these students will bear the consequences of their inability to discern the difference between substance and style, hard truth and seductive evil. And so will we.

All of us can do something right now that will make a difference down the road. I'm doing this myself right now. Take your children out of public schools, and refuse to send your children to any state university. Do whatever you have to do to teach your children at home or place them in a private school. And don't think that any private school is better than public school. Check thoroughly into any private school before you send your children; some private schools are just as ideologically bent left as public schools. And if you have misgivings about homeschooling, let me tell you this: the best students I have in any given semester are those who have been homeschooled. They are bright, intellectually curious, mature beyond the level of their peers, and much better equipped to deal with the ups and downs of life than their peers.

I know that what I suggest won't do anything for the present moment. And I know that what I suggest is not easy. For most families, taking on personally the education of their children would require a tremendous sacrifice of time and money. But if we are unwilling to sacrifice to see to it that the next generation grows wiser and more grateful for the blessing of America, then we cannot be surprised that what we lament now will only grow worse.

Louis Jenkins| 3.13.09 @ 1:21PM

Early in Obama’s political life he, as most politicians do, adopted the policy of “tell or promise the masses what they wanted to hear.” It is an old tried and true principle for anyone running for an office. Tell a lie often enough, and large enough, and everyone will believe it. Now that’s he elected he can renege on any promise that he has made. “The situation has changed!” Obama was elected as a cult figure, much like the masses pressing forward when a rock star comes to town. He banks on that popularity and all credibility can be tossed out with the garbage. Obama has not been proven to be an eligible, homegrown, US president. He was elected, yes, but his methods and means have not been inherited from this nation’s norms. In fact, there is no proof that he is a legitimate US citizen. A goodly part of his nature is a product of foreign culture and lands, lands that are not friendly towards the “American Way of Life.” Add in his education, his cohorts, and his profession(s). For us to expect him carry out his duties in a similar manner as previous presidents or a verified American is an illusion.

Kelly Reece| 3.13.09 @ 2:18PM

Quin's editorial is nothing short of brilliant! Sadly, Obama's true personae SHOULD HAVE been evident prior to the election, but WAS NOT [which paints a pathetic picture of the American voter]. Obama's only "prior accompolishment" was as a community organizer [ie street hustler], and the amazing ability to pay for a private school education at two ivy league, expensive universities by means of a lowly income from same. Is he "leading" [or has he ALREADY LED] this country into disaster? Does his actions show not only a "disdain for tradition", but also for the TRUTH? This man can do enough damage in four years as president to effectively destroy this nation, especially for its children and grandchildren. This radicalism was first seen during the 1960's from the idolatry of JFK [fortionately, he was politically unable to institute his policies; but his successor, Lyndon Johnson, was able to do so]; and has now resurfaced from underground in Obama's reincarnation of things Camelot. I fear that Quin's suggestion that Obama must be stopped is useless, since [after 11/4/08], it is simply too late!!!!!

David Govett| 3.13.09 @ 2:30PM

In any national emergency, I think most Americans would be dismayed by the number of Tories among us.

Jeremiah| 3.13.09 @ 3:07PM

I guess I'm not surprised that people who have been so eager to label their political opponents "traitors" and "terrorists" are now just as comfortable advocating far worse subversions when tax policy hasn't gone their way.

Don't be looking for anyone to compliment you for your integrity anytime soon though.

"Finally," one of you brays, "a real journalist."

Indeed.

Sheila| 3.13.09 @ 3:10PM

M. Park pace Dawn - no, DON'T go easy on your children - or YOURSELF. I seem to remember some "fairy tale book" saying "raise up your children they way they should go ..." and you didn't. My two were kept out of the public schools more than we could afford and the older one, almost voting age, is a commited libertarian/conservative (I don't doubt a little maturity will dilute the libertarianism). How about a little personal reponsibility? If you're too busy to raise your children right and hold them accountable for their actions and opinions, you're no conservative. I'm sick of everyone's excuses for everyone else's blindness and I'm taking no quarter. I don't have the patience to mollycoddle squishes in a time of national crisis. Moderates be damned!!!!

Yes We Did| 3.13.09 @ 3:21PM

We had an election last November.

We won, you lost, and you racist hatemongers will never get another chance.

President Obama rules this country now. Your time has passed. Join us in moving into the light of a just and peaceful world or get out of our country.

Barako| 4.10.10 @ 8:07PM

Not so quick, Yes We Did! You have not done anything yet but cause irritation. November '10 is coming close and that my friend will tell you who amongst us need to get out of this wonderful country.

Louis Jenkins| 3.13.09 @ 3:34PM

PREMEDITATED MERGER
Obama reverses opposition to Mexican trucks
White House reacts to diplomatic pressure with vow to retain program
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: March 12, 2009
11:30 pm Eastern

By Jerome R. Corsi
© 2009 WorldNetDaily

One day after signing the $410 billion omnibus funding bill into law, along with provisions ending the Department of Transportation's Mexican truck demonstration project, the Obama administration has announced intentions to restart the program as soon as possible...
____________________
Another very recent Obama promise has been flushed. Moving to the light of a just and peaceful world? Repent of your sins for the next time you pass a semi on the highway your death may be at hand.

WBHEFF| 3.13.09 @ 3:35PM

The comments from "Yes we did," are unbelievably frightening, especially the statement," Obama rules this country now!"
Listen and learn "Yes." We do not have rulers in this country. We have, or are supposed to have, elected public officials, public SERVANTS, who are our employees, and that includes Obama. I am not surprised by you statement, join us, or get out, as it simply shows that not only is Obama a cheap thug, so are his worshippers.

Scott| 3.13.09 @ 3:36PM

Amen, brother!

Jeff| 3.13.09 @ 3:36PM

"Obama lied, Wall Street (among others) died."

Jeff| 3.13.09 @ 3:42PM

WBHEFF >>>as it simply shows that not only is Obama a cheap thug, so are his worshippers.

Jeff| 3.13.09 @ 3:45PM

WBHEFF "as it simply shows that not only is Obama a cheap thug, so are his worshippers."

Cheap? $787 billion + $410 billion! I wouldn't call that cheap! Thug?, yes, but certainly not cheap. And getting more expensive every day!

Bilwick| 3.13.09 @ 3:46PM

"Obama rules the country. . . ." Priceless.

Thank you, Comrade "Yes We Did" for giving us a look into the future.

J.C.Eaton| 3.13.09 @ 3:46PM

Je r, exactly what is it about Beloved Maximum Leader's first seven weeks that you're so enamored of?

EL HEFE| 3.13.09 @ 4:12PM

Mr Hillyer:
Thanks for stating the obvious, it needs to be done constantly in order to have any effect. To be really effective though we must find and identify all of the enablers and expose them as well. We know that the so called "main steam media" has a huge part to play but who is behind them.
We now have more exposure of this evil behavior then ever before but it's nowhere near enough. The evil entity has to be all the way out of the shell before it's cut off, other wise we just keep going down the same path of continual errosion of our beloved liberties and country.

John II| 3.13.09 @ 4:30PM

The "Yes We Did" comment above doesn't bother me as much as the "Jeremiah" remark. Passionate lunacy is much easier to deal with than icy smugness. And Obama has legions of the impenetrably smug on his side of the divide.

Bilwick| 3.13.09 @ 4:51PM

Agree, John II, And icy smugness wed to what Voltaire called "invincible ignorance" is even harder to deal with.

'PH' of HB| 3.13.09 @ 5:04PM

Tax Foe Who Ran for California Governor Admits Evasion, Gets 3-Year Term
By Garrett Therolf LATimes
July 25, 2006

When he was a Republican candidate for governor in 2002, George "Nick" Jesson brashly campaigned in red, white and blue attire on a platform that taxes were unconstitutional and easily skirted. On Monday, in a wheelchair and wearing an inmate's jumpsuit, Jesson pleaded guilty in a Santa Ana courtroom to state tax evasion charges.

The admission of guilt to three felony counts of filing false tax returns from 1997 through 1999 resulted in a sentence of three years in prison.

Because he had already pleaded guilty to federal charges of tax evasion in April, he will serve the new sentence concurrently with his 27-month federal prison term.

Jesson's attorney, Michael Ware, said the legal problems that dogged his client since the campaign statements caught the attention of tax authorities had left the businessman financially broken and possibly unable to pay restitution, expected by prosecutors to exceed $238,000.

"Obviously, he's devastated," Ware said.

His wife, Trina, is charged with four felony counts of filing false tax returns and faces seven years in state prison if convicted on all charges.

She will be back in court Aug. 11 to appear before Superior Court Judge Francisco P. Briseno, the same jurist who sentenced her husband.

During Jesson's campaign for governor, the 55-year-old from Fountain Valley took out an advertisement in USA Today to announce that he had stopped withholding taxes for the employees of his multimillion-dollar electronics businesses. The reason, he said, was that the government had no authority to demand the money.

Jesson received 1% of the vote in the Republican primary.

Since that time, his businesses have collapsed and his attorney said Jesson has developed debilitating back pain that requires him to use a wheelchair.

Still, Ware said, "he is a very resilient individual. He is also a very patriotic individual and believes very strongly in this country. His disagreement with taxing authorities is as American as apple pie." And he looks good in orange.

Mary Graham| 3.13.09 @ 5:34PM

Mary
I agree Obama is terrible and not keeping campaign promises. Also there is no leader in the Republican party. Part of this is because the Party said yes to the stimulus but no to everything else without coming up for a plan to rebuild the middle class. I don't want to support big business at the expense of the American worker and, if Republicans can't do both, I don't see much future for either party.

Mary| 3.13.09 @ 8:20PM

Mary,

Nice name! :)

I'm not going to lambaste PBO too much more here because he's become an embarrassment to himself and to the Country. What makes him dangerous is his narcissism. What other man, just a few weeks into his presidency would claim he's pretty good at the job?

These 5 or 6 weeks show record breaking incompetence. He's making President Bush look like a Summa.

But you're right about the Republican party. There's no leader there. Steele is just pathetic. But what's the point in replacing him? Who can bind the disparate factions? Who will have the guts to say, not exactly what you said, concerning big business, but of a piece with it?

By that, I mean to say that I don't see big business as an enemy. A greedy big businessman and a greedy middle class person suffer the same defect.

I've worked as a secretary for upper level managers in big business, I've worked on a farm picking fruit, I've worked for government transporting the aged, the indigent, the disabled, I've worked as a home health care aide wiping the backside of an elderly woman suffering from impaction and cancer. I used to put hot towels on her face in the morning and brush her hair. She was an elegant, aristocratic Irish woman who appreciated such small gestures. My point is that in all of this, my fellow workers and my employers wanted all they could get for the least amount drawn from them.

Without morality informing our lives, across the board, the wheel just goes 'round and 'round.

If it were up to me the house flippers, derivative gurus, predatory financial businessmen would be breaking rocks in the hot sun.

Laura Ingraham had a gentleman by the name of David Armstrong on her show a couple of weeks ago. He owns a company that's been in existence 109 years. His employees are generational employees. His turn-over rate is 1%. He hired a company Chaplain who even the atheists that work for him are glad to have on staff. He refused to let go of his receptionist and replace her with a com-system.

Where there is morality there is life. And I don't mean to imply that I'm some sort of example here, but at least I recognize the truth. And with that comes my inability to see the middle class as the virginal class and the business class as the raping class.

Big business, like Kodak and Xerox and Bausch & Lomb have provided for people who would have never been able to provide such a good living for themselves, because they hadn't either the brains or the strength of will to create such a business. That isn't a sin or even a defect, but I think the worker has to see that. And some of the old-timers did see that, and blessed these companies who allowed them to put bread on their table and send their kids to college.

The founders of Kodak and Xerox were remarkable men who were and are still worthy of enormous respect.

Ty Knoy| 3.13.09 @ 8:58PM

Chill out. People are starting to laugh at this guy, and anyway, the middle-of-the-roaders control Congress. What's to worry about?

Pingback| 3.13.09 @ 9:34PM

» Patrick Henry - A Patriot with a Spine… NoisyRoom.net: “Liberty cannot, and will n links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…sent to my private list Patrick Henry’s Speech ‘If This Be Treason.’ Today, Quin Hillyer at The American Spectator reads my mind and publishes a brilliant piece of work: Channeling the Young Patrick Henry. You’ll love it - I know I did. Here’s what I sent the list yesterday - from Sparrowhawk, Book IV: “If This Be Treason…”: Reluctantly, Peyton Randolph rose…

Mary| 3.13.09 @ 9:55PM

Milton Friedman and hisFree To Choose.

H/T: NRO

MT| 3.13.09 @ 10:23PM

Jeremiah is the worst kind of Obama knee-padder. He has brains, just no conscience.

Denise-Mary| 3.13.09 @ 11:01PM

If this 56-year-old, lifelong Democrat could happily vote McCain-Palin, not to mention actively campaign for them, then there is indeed hope in 2010 and 2012. For starters, even though the economy is abyssmal, I am donating what I can to Republican candidates at the local level. I live in WA state but I don't care in what state these Republican candidates are campaigning - they are getting my cash to WIN. If we wait until the next presidential election, we may find we have waited too long. My humble suggestion is to get involved now, again at the local level. Hillyer's fine editorial merely shored up my resolve to get conservatives back into office.

Angel| 3.13.09 @ 11:37PM

Bravo, Denise-Mary--Welcome home!

Ted| 3.13.09 @ 11:53PM

When George Stuffingenvelopes, on ABC News: This Week, corrected Obama during the campaign when Obama said, "... question my Muslim faith," I did not give it as much thought at the time as I do now. Could this president really be the enemy within?

MT| 3.13.09 @ 11:57PM

He's a Marxist; that's enough to scare the crud outta me. Enemy within for sure.

Cow Rie| 3.14.09 @ 12:14AM

Several of the Obama left are actually soft targets. And we need to go after them. For instance, a Bill Ayers, the hate spewing radical, is easily accesssible in Chicago or any of his events at conferences and universities. He is not "untouchable". Protests at the elast need to greet him where ever he goes. There are plenty of members of the Obama left radicals that must be targetted, confronted, humiliated, and neutralized. This alone might send a chill up their spine in the fact that they will not be allowed to roll us over. They can not take away our freedoms, liberties, heritage and security without a bone chilling fight.

MT| 3.14.09 @ 12:44AM

Best Defense is a good Offense. Great idea.

Carol Derbis| 3.14.09 @ 12:49AM

Well said!
I STRONGLY recommend that EVERYONE STAND UP AND FIGHT BACK!
Americans have been so complacent for so long that these Left WingNuts thought they'd get away with this before anyone noticed...I FEEL the momentum growing...Join Glenn Beck at the912project.com -
JOIN AND MARCH with Tea Party Tax REvolts near you...they are multiplying and growing larger every month! BE THERE! GROW A SPINE AND STAND UP AND FIGHT!

We must do it NOW - or it will be too late!
don't let htem get away with this...our founders gave us remedies for when the government runs astray just like this...they depended up TRUE AMERICANS to step up and STOP THE MADNESS! if you love your freedoms and want your children to be FREE then stand up now and fight!

Rick Josey| 3.14.09 @ 8:44AM

Well said, indeed. Many of us knew Obama's true colors from the start. His rhetoric and actions have NEVER matched up. Empty promises, with contrary actions. Americans have been duped, big time. The man wouldn't even pledge allegiance to the flag, or wear the flag pin. Until social pressure forced him to do so.

Michael Savage, who is NOT a radical, has it correct. "Impeach Obama now."

www.PatriotHangout.com

stmichrick| 3.14.09 @ 9:26AM

But will we have to go through the 'support the president or be unpatriotic' BS again.

This leftist administration has actual ties to people (with comfortable upper middle-class lifestyles, Bill Ayres) who say they can't stand this country.

Pingback| 3.14.09 @ 11:31AM

The News Factor: News, opinion, current events — a rewarding news experience » Blog A links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

The News Factor: News, opinion, current events — a rewarding news experience » Blog Archive » “Give us liberty, or give us …”: When does Presidential criticism become treasonous? document.write('.tabber{display:none;}

Oldefarte| 3.14.09 @ 11:37AM

As per my previous comments [Kelly Reece], I feel that IT IS TOO LATE. I applaud all of you and your intentions to fight this, but the time was 11/4/08 [enough was known about Obama], not now. As Quin said, it's actions that count, not words; and Americans did not let their actions speak for them [they allowed leftist radicals to take over this country]. If subsequent elections show conservative Republicans [ie NY's replacement of Hillary, and the NJ and Va governorships] winning, I'll join your bankwagon, but I'll remain pessimistic until such time!!!!!!!!!!

Buddha| 3.14.09 @ 11:58AM

This guy need to go. The republicans need to grow a spine and get after this guy with our outraged support. Flood the senators and congressmen with calls e-mails. Force looking into his birth records and call these people on everything.
Acorn needs to go. We can make this happen.
Go after college profs who espouse all the lies, Global warming, Radical Marxist views etc.
Refuse support to public Universities that preach this crap.

Take this country back!

Debra Connell| 3.14.09 @ 12:09PM

Thank you for the article. I couldn't have said it better. If for no other reason, how someone could vote for a man who would not offer medical treatment or at the very least comfort to a baby surviving an abortion is beyond me. God help us!

Pingback| 3.14.09 @ 12:10PM

News Article: channeling the young patric henry- a good read - TideFans.com links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…11:09 AM # 1 ( permalink) TDBama78 BamaNation All-SEC Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,353 Friends: 1 My Mood: channeling the young patric henry- a good read http://spectator.org/archives/2009/0...oung-patrick-h pvid.parsePost('post_message_1041996',1041996,39822919,1169); pvid.parseSig('post_signature_1041996',1041996,0,39822919,1169); Advertisers (This ad goes away if you log…

Pingback| 3.14.09 @ 12:25PM

The News Factor: News, opinion, current events — a rewarding news experience » Blog A links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

The News Factor: News, opinion, current events — a rewarding news experience » Blog Archive » “Give us liberty, or give us …”: When does Presidential criticism become treasonous? document.write('.tabber{display:none;}…

MT| 3.14.09 @ 12:34PM

Buck up, Oldefart; gotta pull it together for the youngsters. I ain't going down easy! Never give up and never give in.

Pingback| 3.14.09 @ 12:51PM

Channeling the Young Patrick Henry « Depravity links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…radical and a man whose ego vastly outstrips his prior accomplishments. He is dangerous, and after just seven weeks he already is leading this country into disaster. via The American Spectator : Channeling the Young Patrick Henry. This entry was posted on March 14, 2009 at 4:46 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a…

Oldefarte| 3.14.09 @ 1:18PM

Below is a letter to the editor of my hometown newspaper that I wrote PRIOR TO [11/4/08] the presidential election, and which I'd like to share with all those commenting on Quin's great editorial. Take care and may God help us all:

"I am writing this letter out of frustration with the upcoming presidential election. The American citizens are, according to the polls, STUPID and INSANE! On the one hand, you have a elderly, historic war hero and prisoner of war that sacrificed his life for the well being of America and its citizens [the Republican]; and, on the other hand, you have a MYSTERIOUS/unknown person that is dangerously close to assuming the presidency [the Democrat]. It has been documented that the Democrat received early, childhood instructions in Muslim religious institutions, the likes of which have produced the terrorists/bombers of September 11th, 2001 and their resultant carnage; that he has received an extremely expensive education at Columbia and Harvard Universities by means of tuition LOANS and that he was somehow able to pay back said loans by working as a lowly-paid, Chicago community organizer/social worker; that known wealthy/political individuals have acknowledged their lobbying efforts at getting him accepted into these prestigious universities; that he used his legal skills to further the agenda of voter registration organizations that are known for their fraudulent and illegal activities; that several major[semi private/public] housing financial corporations [now bankrupt] have provided vast sums of financing money to his campaigns; that he has sat idly by listening to the maniacal raving of lunatic preachers for 20 years; that he has associated himself in Chicago with the likes of a former domestic terrorist and a financially crooked businessman; and that he is one of the most liberal senator in this country’s history, is financially/politically supported by another, now dying liberal senator and he constantly lies about his desire to give 95% of income earners a tax refund, if elected.

The stupid and insane part of all of this is that the American people/voters are apparently so brainwashed by the totally biased media into believing their [media’s] political spin and masquerade of the above, that they [voters] are now evenly split on whether to vote for the Republican or the Democrat candidate for PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES! "

Mary| 3.14.09 @ 1:45PM

Twain was right; the only native criminal class in America is Congress. And it's getting to the point where defending Republicans -with the exception of a few- becomes an act of self-abuse. And even the Buddhists lament
the "sin" of it all.

I'll let the Fearsome Comrade explain what's wrong with the party:

"I don't see the Party changing. I think that Republicans are by nature weak and doubtful of the strength of conservative ideas. They are extremely prone to thinking that liberalism is what people want, even when a liberal wins an election by pretending to be a conservative. They look at Democrats as the cool kids on the playground that everyone likes, and see themselves as the dorks that can only win friends by giving away all their Fruit Roll-Ups and doing the cool kids' homework. Even when the populace is screaming for someone to do the right thing, the Republicans won't do it because as a party, they believe that what people really want is Euro-style socialism.

And that's why they are totally useles."

Now for the future and some hope, the wonderful Charles Murray.

The Happiness of the People!

MT| 3.14.09 @ 5:58PM

We just need some decent Conservative leadership; the rank and file will do the rest.

bobmontgomery| 3.14.09 @ 11:42PM

They also infiltrated the churches. The "interfaith movement" is alive and well in Littleville, Illinois and eating at the entrails of traditional religion. There is no refuge; there are no allies. Soon you will be required to post little crosses on your shops so they will know which windows to break. And the patches on your clothing so you can be identified.Eric Holder is coming for your guns. Don't let him have them. "There are just a few gun-related changes we would like to make."

a.m.g.| 3.15.09 @ 9:23AM

great posts by all. I'm with MT--if conservatives could ever find the right language for their ideas (as discussed recently by Henniker WSJ) we'd be OK. A leader with the language would rally the troops in a flash. We have to hurry tho, w/amnesty headed our way we may cross the tipping point. Also Denise-Mary--I am with you-support every conservative Pubbie possible from local on up. If the Dems could do it in 2 yrs after they had suffered loss of congress we can too. I also have always thought there is a need and a way to use Alinsky tactics against the left - we need a strategist who can put it together. But I'm not giving up til I die.

Texican| 3.15.09 @ 11:47AM

A precise article, Quin. Thank you

With all the care with which I have read and listened to conservatives, a couple of points just never have come into daylight.
1. A conservative candidate for anything must have an unblemished...perfect past life...or be crucified. QED We don't get very strong candidates. Democrats and weak Republicans have an out: Lie and hide, or in extremis, bow to blackmail.
2. What percentage of elgible voters in America just stayed home too lazy to vote? Anyone have an estimate? (the worthless peasants ought to be "ruled"!)
3. We all sit in our own little economic lifeboats hoping for "someone" to bring us together and lead us. Instead, I like Orson Scott Card's idea. Let's all go on strike...for a day...then perhaps for a week if necessary....all of us the same day or week. (Sort of a momentary "Atlas Shrug") I think that might give the communists pause.

Pingback| 3.15.09 @ 11:47AM

“Channeling the young Patrick Henry” « Cmblake6’s Weblog links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…Family Stuff, Freedom, Guns, Immigration, Patriotism, Politics, Religion, Truth, War and Peace — cmblake6 @ 08:45 I’ll freely admit to borrowing this from a link at Cold Fury. This needs to go viral as well. Mikes comment on the clip he took was too good to try and copy, so I’ll simply say go there and read. You tell me what’s in your heart afterwards. Possibly related posts:…

WAKE UP| 3.15.09 @ 1:19PM

I'm sick of hearing from Obama about America's "troubled past" - America has a glorious past. What it's heading into is a troubled future.

rolenrock| 3.15.09 @ 6:58PM

Can he be impeached? His lack of presenting any qualification credentials like birth certificate, any records about his education or medical records is suspicious to many. What does impeachment proceedings need to be started? Can only Congress begin proceedings or can private citizens?

Basil Plumley| 3.16.09 @ 12:23AM

Dare I say it; Quin, you have described Hillary in a suit. This is exactly as I would have expected Hillary to act as POTUS.

Dare we ever look behind the curtain at the Wizard of O?

ruth| 3.16.09 @ 4:10PM

I agree. Obama is just continuing what the Clintons started. Hillary is a Saul Alinsky acolyte and the queen of dirty-tricksters; she is from Illinois, after all.

Liberty or Death| 3.16.09 @ 4:58PM

Bravo Quin Hillyer. Your piece could not have put a more succinct punctuation mark on the "Evil" we have elected as our nation's leader.

None of this information was a surprise. The character of the man, likewise, not a surprise. We knew who he was. We know who he is now. Unfortunately... as the man after my own heart (Oldfarte) put it, the under stupidity of the American public is ultimately responsible for this disgrace. I felt frustrated same as you. I remember asking myself more than once, "What is happening to this country?"

People voted out of their hatred for the previous president, or were too enamored with Obama's blackness, and the "historic" nature of his candidacy. Well... WE'RE SURELY MAKING HISTORY NOW!!!

I have a little news flash for all of the slobbering, Obama buffoons. America will always be free, because there are millions of us who are willing to fight for this nation. I would rather die for my country, than sit by and allow communist, liberals to horse-trade our country into oblivion. I'd rather defend the freedom of the United States against her domestic enemies, than sit by while you spit on everything our brave veterans have fought and died for. I'd rather wrest control back from a tyrant, than see our most hallowed document, the Constitution of the United States, "REMADE." Here's a little secret: I'm not the only one.

The truth is going to destroy your god. It has already started. The Obama persona is a glass house-- a BIG LIE. His administration is a flop. His policies are a failure. And his foreign policy is looking mighty appetizing to our enemies, who dream of killing every last one of us.

He isn't The One... he isn't even in the same zip code as the Almighty! Wake up!

The tea parties are only the beginning. The American public will not stand for the rape of this nation. This must stop.

And let them try and take our guns!

CH| 3.16.09 @ 6:06PM

I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees!

Oldefarte| 3.17.09 @ 2:43PM

In consideration of Quin's editorial and the understandable frustrations of the bloggers here, I will offer my [maybe insane, maybe not] idea/suggestion for a protest. What if every income earner refused to pay their income taxes? How you say, since workers are forced to have their earnings withheld [pre tax]? Simply if wage earners would file [with the personnel departments of their employers] federal w-4 exemption forms indicating a grossly outrageous number of exemptions [ie 1000], resulting in NO TAXES BEING WITHHELD from their paychecks; and on 4/15, ALL income earners would refuse to file their income tax returns [1040, 1040A,etc]; then this would signal a huge/effective protest to Obama/Democrats that their policies are not favored. The difficult part would be in getting enough income earners' compliance in order to make it effective. Think about it!!!!

Catherine| 3.17.09 @ 4:31PM

I second Oldefarte's motion!

I refuse to use my tax dollars to pay for abortions and bail out irresponsible people.

With the Treasury Dept. in chaos (and the IRS is part of that Dept.), this is a good time to raise hell.

Rush Speaks Of This Daily| 3.19.09 @ 10:42AM

This is ALL old news! Limbaugh listeners have been hearing about these things since before the election, and STILL, the idiot voters of America let BO in, the 'left', simply because of blind ignorance, and the 'right' for not standing up to be counted. We're all pretty much guilty for this decline, because even those of us that voted 'right', have done nothing to further our cause. "ALLRIGHT AMERICA! YOU wanted the worst, YOU got the worst! The most dangerous man in the land, OBAMA!" God help us!

Mike| 3.19.09 @ 11:52PM

the author of this article seems to forget that this is a recession- not as termed a depression- there is a notable difference. apparently, the need for regulatory standards is 'big government', and the author does not like President Obama's methodology of attempting to nip in the bud the absorbent energy prices by actually intiating an attempt to create more viable energy sources and methods. the author seems to forget that private school belongs to those who can aford it, and that the real solutions are found in public education reform, which the author blantly ignores. the author calls attempts to develop life saving research as anti life policies, and attempts to discredit the president by pointing to those he in any way no matter how superflourus was associated with and there own 'radical' policies discounting the members of his staff that hold less imflamatory idealologies. the author attempts to find responses to crisis as agenda, and attempts to distinguish any reform to Obama's administration as unsatisfactory because they were apointed anyway. the author tries to claim that the closing of an unregulated prison and the need to redirect funds for the time being our putting the United States at risk, ignoring the facr that the main issues revolve around a war that is now incredibly mishandled by the prior administration, and that now more than ever America must remember the ideals it was focused on, when enimies woul tempt us otherwise. the author has used every political nusance, every mishap that was less than the primary importance of preservng this country to develop a specious case against the President, elected by the people overwhelmingly. the list goes on and on but i think you get the idea.

Reaganite Republican | 3.21.09 @ 9:42AM

Excellent piece, Quin-

I might add Obama's underhanded Alinsky-style attacks on this paranoid narcissists "enemies" like Limbaugh, Cramer, political threats like Palin and Jindal... and even the legacy of Ronald Reagan. The DNC knows that his numbers will be in the toilet in 2012... so the pre-emptive attacks started even before he was elected the first time. Can you imagine if George Bush was caught arranging party-funded ads against a talk show host?
-
And Obama appears to suffer from OCD and other serious mental problems... what kind of monster mocks the disabled on TV?
-
I guess whe shouldn't be too surprised by this gauche comment- narcissists are often callous- and even ruthless. They tend to lack empathy and/or a conscience. This is evident in Obama's lack of interest in his own half-brother who lives in poverty in Kenya, or his aunt found living in public housing in Boston.
-
Obama's almost certainly a pathological narcissist... most dangerous charismatic leaders are, comes from an insecure childhood (like Barack's).
-
Indicators include control freakery, grandiose self-importance, feeling "above the law", interpersonally exploitive, inability to handle criticism, lack of empathy, arrogant behavior, surrounds himself with sycophants... sound familiar? -How else to explain his writing a self-absorbed autobiography when he was still a nobody? Same as fellow narcissists Hitler and Stalin- no surprise there.
-
Obama is a mess- and his insecurities, bad childhood, and irresponsible, far-left-wierdo mother are all our problem now, too.
-http://reaganiterepublicanresistance.blogspot.com/

carenthusiast| 11.3.09 @ 10:40AM

I find much in this article that is poorly researched and based on half-truths. It's certainly not an objective evaluation of Obama's performance or what this administration inherited. I also find it typical of what is written by either side about their opponents for the last 50 years. 2010 chevy malibu

gfdgd| 11.26.09 @ 9:40PM

Mac TOD Converter,
TOD Converter for Windows

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thanks. It's pretty legit

Trackback| 2.14.10 @ 4:24PM

Asian Women, on Asian Women, links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

The Dems are far from perfect, but they’ re also a far more inclusive party than the Republicans are right now. Methinks Rush was dreaming of an ideal future for conservatism when he went on about how the movement was so warm and welcoming to women, minorities, and people of any religion— because conservatism today is demonstrably unwelcoming towards and lacking women, minorities, or non- Christians.

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I’ll have a Poptropica full written walkthrough very soon, but in the meantime, here are some answers to some of the frequently asked questions about Mythology Island. Having trouble? Post a question in the comments and I’ll try to answer it!
Getting Hercules to Help You

Hercules won’t help you until you have all five items from Zeus’ quest. Once you have the five items, bring them to Athena. Zeus will appear and steal them. The big jerk! Once this happens, talk to Athena and she will tell you that Hercules will help you. You’ll need to have the magic mirror from Aphrodite because Hercules doesn’t want to have to walk. He’s so lazy!
Getting the Hydra Scale

huisa| 4.22.10 @ 9:42PM

Friends Episodes Online| 7.19.10 @ 12:03AM

Looks to be pretty well researched.

sikis| 8.26.10 @ 4:33PM

I don't think I'm a gun fanatic. I own a couple of small-caliber weapons, but seldom take them off the wall. I gave up deer hunting fifteen years ago, when the hunters began to outnumber the deer. I am a member of the National Rifle Association, but certainly no John Bircher. I'm a liberal--and proud of it. Nevertheless, I am opposed, absolutely, to every move the state makes to restrict my right to buy, own, possess, and carry a firearm. Whether shotgun, rifle, or handgun.