The American Spectator : Helpless

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Helpless

By Ben Stein on 7.7.10 @ 6:09AM

Once we knew whose side we were on.

A few weeks ago, I bought a book of front pages of newspapers from World War II. I have been reading it avidly ever since. The news is terrifying and uplifting, of course. But it is the sense of Western resolve against the Axis powers that is so powerful. There is a purpose in the stories of the whole nations of the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Soviet Union joined to fight the Nazi and Japanese war machines. Fighting, producing, rationing, restraining, cheering, mourning, all done with a will to win.

And, you had no doubt whose side the newspapers were on.

Now, it is all different. The major newspapers sometimes seem to try for impartiality between us and the terrorists. The headlines are at least as hard on our armed forces as on the terrorists. As my wife said, "I have no doubt whose side the big papers are on. The enemy's."

But the sadness of reading those old newspaper stories as compared with today's news has more to do with a sense of purpose and determination. From Pearl Harbor on, the U.S. was determined to win. Not to just keep slogging, but to win. From September 1, 1939 on, the British were determined to win, and thus to "...brace ourselves to our duty so that if the British Empire and Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, this was their finest hour." (I get chills just reading it.)

Now, we are helplessly bogged down in Afghanistan, begrudging the military every fighting man and humiliating the commanding general for his staff's trivial improprieties. Now, we are leaving Iraq, with that situation (let's be honest here), a complete violent mess, helpless to stop it.

At home, we are helpless to stop the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico despite offers to help from abroad. Helpless to lift ourselves out of a long lasting and cruel recession. Helpless to get housing started again. Helpless to put people back to work.

Just helpless. We have slid a long, long way. What's the problem? We still are a great people. We have great men and women fighting for us, great workers in the labor force. The problem is the uncertain sound of the trumpet, and it has been uncertain now for a very long time.

The country deserves better. Can we even remotely say that this is our finest hour? Even remotely? It is sad times.

About the Author

Ben Stein is a writer, actor, economist, and lawyer living in Beverly Hills and Malibu. He writes "Ben Stein's Diary" for every issue of The American Spectator.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (78) | Leave a comment

donald hutchin| 7.7.10 @ 6:22AM

We no longer fight patriotic wars, sometimes it seems were are fighting idiotic wars, Vietnam, to save the French colons estates, Iraq why?
Afganistan, who cares?

fsilber| 7.8.10 @ 1:28PM

What colonial estates? The French were out of there. And we would never have been there if North Vietnam had not been communist. (Yes, Ho Chi Minh had to become communist to get Russian support, but he _could_ have double-crossed them and become pro-American after the French left.)

It is only in retrospect that we realize that communism was doomed by its own internal contradictions, and therefore could be left alone as long as it didn't threaten any place that we specifically cared about. (And we had no way have knowing back then that Europe, which we _did_ care specifically about, was doomed to become Eurabia anyway.)

As for Iraq and Afghanistan, it's to prevent international terrorists from having a base of support. (Yes, Saddam Hussein did support terrorists, even if they weren't Al Kaeda. And yes, the Soviet Union was a supporter of terrorist movements back in the days when it occupied Afghanistan.)

Ret. Marine| 7.7.10 @ 7:39AM

Ben there are more of us out here than even the braindeadmedia will ever admit to, we know who we are, they don't. I disagree with the premise of this article.
In the past two and a half years we have endured a great deal but the fight is just now beginning. Those of us who reconized trouble, as in the regime and it's associates, reconized the need to store provisions, ammo, weapons, and all sort of necessary items to get us through this pre-planned economic turmoils we are witnessing today "get it." Oh yeah of little faith. I must say you sure garner no sympothy from me and my type. We are strong, we are armed, and in some cases dangerous, we are prepared and are not going to go down without a fight. Be it spiritually of physically. When the course of events becomes that of a tryant in the making, We the People will do what is necessary to throw those chains of oppression off our backs and kick thoses asses who are responsible for those chains, first all attempts will be made to do it in a peaceful manner but, having failed that purpose, well who knows? It is not going to be perdy for those who would tempt our patience. Resolve is the solution, steady boys our time is not yet here. and Ben get a grip man.

Nancy in NC| 7.7.10 @ 4:05PM

There is nothing wrong with our military and its willingness to do its job. The problem, IMHO, is that none of the conflicts since WWII have been declared wars, and are basically unconstitutional. Most people were unsure, and still are, about why we were inVietnam. Iraq was basically the same story, and Afghanistan is vague as well. Fighting a war against terror is difficult to define, and more difficult to determine how to win, certainly above my pay grade. It's especially difficult when you have an administration more interested in suing Arizona and BP.

It seems to me that the chains of oppression are coming from our own government, and the apathy of our own citizens.

Jakealope| 7.7.10 @ 6:02PM

Very True, none of them are declared. That is why there is no critical mass behind them cause people on both ends have an easy out. But most important, there are no real goals set, like VICTORY? What does victory in Afghanistan entail, no one seems to know anymore?

Christopher Holland| 7.7.10 @ 11:12PM

In WW2 the policy was simple - unconditional surrender. Either the other guy quits or we kill you. That ended in victory and there was no debate who won. In the cold war Ronald Reagan had a simple policy again - 'we win, they lose'. Nobody argues about that either. America simply has not been able to say the same thing about Vietnam, Iraq, terrorism or Afghanistan - just what the hell are you trying to do, do you want to hug them or kill them? Americans can do anything once they make their minds up, but they simply have not been able to do that yet. Maybe it will happen, but waiting 8 years is not a good sign, and having leaders like Obama is even worse. Maybe America can do what the British used to do, and lose every battle except the last one (now the lose every battle, period). One thing is a certainty - America won't win while the likes of Obama are around, and while it relies on useless allies like Nato to help out. America will have to do everything alone, so forget these idiots screaming about being multilateral - that is just a fancy way of say you are settling for defeat. So it is going to be a long long haul. If the tea party scores big and the likes of Alan West gets elected, there is hope.

Jack| 7.8.10 @ 1:31PM

I agree wholeheartedly! If we can get more representatives of the people that can see and think clearly like Allen West then we have a chance. The politicians think this is a big game and it needs to stop!

Primitiveone| 7.8.10 @ 2:44PM

I agree, Jack. Allen West is one of my heroes. God he will be one of the great leaders this country needs.

JA| 7.8.10 @ 5:27PM

Actually when Reagan said "we win, they lose" in regards to the cold war, certain groups did in fact argue against that statement and that goal. Of course, it was the main stream media (the propaganda arm of the demonkrats and of the CPUSA) and the demonkrats who preferred to "get along" and "cooperate" with the Bolsheviks. Recall Ted Kennedy's letter to the Soviets basically offering his assistance to them to defeat any foreign policy measures that would hurt the Soviet cause - a treasonous act for which he should have executed.

As for WWII, the press was on the "right" side only because Stalin dictated to the CPUSA and their fellow travelers in the press that defeating the Nazis was to be supported. Note that Stalin SUPPORTED Hitler when he, Stalin, signed a non-aggression pact with Hitler in about August 1939.
Very soon thereafter there were demonstrations in Manhattan urging that the USA NOT support the UK and to stay out of the war. Betty Friedan - of womens lib fame, and a long time communist - was an active participant in these demonstrations.
Only when Hitler turned on Stalin did he, Stalin, order the CPUSA to urge US entry into the war.
The post-WWII conflicts in which the USA was engaged all dealt with defeating communism, which of course the Soviet Union could not abide. So, they instructed the CPUSA and their fellow travelers in the MSM to literally agitate against US victory in these conflicts.

The CPUSA, the Socialist Workers Party and the demonkratic party are all with us today, but now working without orders from Russia, but they have the same goals; the complete and total subjugation of the citizenry by an elitist, typically millionaire, intellectual ruling class.

Rodney T Walton| 7.8.10 @ 11:33PM

Just wait until November Nancy. Most of the Independents that drank the Kool-Aide are starting to wake up. It's just so sad they voted for a guy like Obama in the first place.

Geo| 7.9.10 @ 3:20AM

Well said! Recognize that "our " representatives allow severe economic warfare to be conducted against us. Evict the Russian controlled UN. Detain economic traitors.

Fyrmedic| 7.9.10 @ 11:57AM

Ret Marine, you are correct. There is a strong movement within this government that wants to bring the U.S. into a "global society". Obama and the Democratic party is striving to take over this country. With the Financial Reform bill, they will now control over 60% of the economy. I was raised in the United States, not the Socialist States of America. I will stand afoe when the time comes. Lets hope we can awaken the ignorant in this country and vote those that support one world government before we once again have to take up arms.

martin j smith| 7.7.10 @ 8:06AM

Change is hard, but necessary. The "traditional " Republican response to the Democrat party's curruption and antagonism has been passivity That must change. I have a sense that there are many in the Republican establishment who do not get it. The Conservative base is getting there its there yet. Activism means, investigative reporting, it means getting responses out quickly and not let the Democrat Party dominate the airwaves. It means not being willing to be " Bi-Partisan " when that means only the Democrat Party way. It also means when a supreme court justice is up for questioning or approval --withhold support whe necessary. You know the expression do unto others.... etc. That is all well and good but it doesn't for the Democrat Party. Instead " Do to them as they have done to you.. " is the way to go. That evens things out.

Louis Jenkins| 7.7.10 @ 8:38AM

Ben Stein, at least now you have written a spot worth of the thinking man.

"Helpless?" We're only as helpless as we let ourselves be. There are a few of us who are armed, have food put back for the coming times, and who have the will to fight the "battle" on what ever front the administration decides to take. We are also prepared to return this country to a rule of common sense, a change to what it should be for the people, not Hope and Change given in non-descript terms. You had better get ready, for the times are a changing, and not for the better if it should come to that.

NavyBrat| 7.7.10 @ 9:21AM

I agree with Mr. Jenkins that this country is far from helpless. The momentum of citizen inspired "change" that are the Tea Parties has not & WILL NOT dissipate. The reckoning's coming in November. And we'd better buckle down. Its gonna be a tough road to un-screw everything that has been screwed up in the past & what will be wrought in the dangerous lame duck session. Look for that "lame duck" session to be the liberals political version of a Kamikaze mission. They know that they'll have nothing to loose, so they'll go full speed ahead on their America killing agenda.

Big Tony| 7.7.10 @ 11:14AM

There are probably 40 votes in the senate to stop the slid into socialism after the election. Not counting the many Rinos there should be a few Democrats that are more interested in getting re-elected than falling their sword for Obama's socialist agenda only to have whatever foolishness later repealed or starved for lack of funding.

Believer| 7.7.10 @ 1:33PM

NavyBrat- Even if your wildest dreams came true and every one of the Liberals were voted out nothing would change. You just dont get it, instead of having a National Debt that will leave us bankrupt in a couple years the Republicans will spend us into bankruptsy in a couple years beyond that. America is hopelessly out of control and I would advise you to make preporation for the coming storm.

Nancy in NC| 7.7.10 @ 4:12PM

Unfortunately, I think you are right, Believer.

There are too many Americans that are completely clueless and could care less as long as American Idol is on and they have their beer.

Sure, many of us are engaged, but we are singing to the choir here. How many of you regular posters are involved in your local politics and elections? After all, that's where you can really make changes. How many attend the meetings of your local commissioners or town council? How many write your congressman? How many voted for the incumbent in the last election? How many write letters to the editor in your local newspaper?

If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.

FoxyLoxy| 7.8.10 @ 8:37PM

You're so right, NavyBrat! That "lame duck" session is going to be h*ll! Congress (especially those who lost) are gonna try to ram down our throats every piece of cr*p legislation they can come up with! Brace yourselves, fellow conservatives...it's gonna be one h*lluva bumpy ride!

Ned| 7.7.10 @ 9:28AM

"What's the problem?" Leadership and we will begin to fix that in November.
Oh and to quote Oddball from the movie "Kelly's Heros", "Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?"
Only thing is Ben you usually do say the righteous and hopeful things and you do dig how beautiful it is out here. Take a drink of Wild Turkey and go hang out at Sams Club when you get in one of these moods. Doctor's orders, from a non sawbones.

Pete| 7.7.10 @ 12:42PM

Great movie, hilarious quote. Not sure I get the entire message of your post though.

"...always with the negative waves, Moriarity..."

Ned| 7.7.10 @ 4:39PM

Ben is usually upbeat and positive about the country and the folks who occupy it. I like reading his stuff because he is thankful for our many blessings and isn't afraid to say so.
This column makes me think he is down in the dumps and in a negative mood, hence the quote.
A shot of good booze might invigorate him and looking at all the cool stuff and good people in Sam's Club would remind him that the media with its negativity and helpless attitude is not representative of America.
Right now we have some very poor and destructive leadership, but this to will change if people vote in November. That should be the battle cry for the Republican and Tea Parties, one word, "November."

Pete| 7.7.10 @ 5:18PM

Got it. Fair point, and I agree.

Bill| 7.7.10 @ 9:34AM

Welcome to the consequences of living in Girly World.

Matt Morehouse| 7.7.10 @ 10:18AM

Damn right. Read Tucker's piece above.

grant1863| 7.7.10 @ 12:36PM

Agree, thought the same thing, one has a lot to do with the other.

Paevo| 7.7.10 @ 10:09AM

The problem is one of ideology, Ben. In WWII we didn't simply defeat the German, Italian and Japanese military forces: we defeated Nazism, Fascism and Japanese militaristic ideology. The result was three new democracies, two of which became economic powerhouses thanks to our long-term investment both financially and militarily. The situation in Iraq and Afghanistan is different because the underlying ideologies are more complex, primarily owing to the Islamic, religious dimension (Fascism and Nazism were profoundly anti-Christian and, as recently invented secular religions, were fairly easy to eradicate--Islam is a far different animal). The bottom line is that if we can leave something close to Morroco in Iraq, we will have succeeded in the Middle East...

Gr0w1er| 7.7.10 @ 10:11AM

Look at the current 'leadership' in the White House and Congress. 'Nuff said.

Adam| 7.7.10 @ 10:21AM

What's the problem? People imagine they can fix things by intention alone. Got an burst bubble? Don't find out exactly failed and fix it--just pass a bundle of new regulations. Got a broken oil well? Don't find out exactly what failed and fix it--just pass a bundle of new bans and regulations.

The last memory of someone fixing a public problem was with the Challenger investigation. A brilliant commission member, Richard Feynman, actually used his intelligence and determination to find out what went wrong--a simple O-ring and a cold weather launch. Solution: Change the O-ring procedures and be more careful about cold weather launches. Problem fixed without new regulation.

In a regulated world, no one cares about actually fixing problems. It's all rent about posturing politicians, crony capitalism, and CYA. A lot of problems would be fixed by individuals and firms if we'd return to a society of Law, liability, profit, and loss.

Ken (Old Texican)| 7.7.10 @ 10:25AM

Helpless, my left patootie!

Just as surely as December 7th, 1941 was a catalyst, we shall see a catalyst in these wars on two fronts.

I have only clues as to what the catalyst/s will be at this point, but I have read some US history.

In my mind we are coming to a consensus that our most fearsome enemy is within our gates, and yes, within our own elected government and bloated bureaucracies. (More on that later)

Our second most important enemy is Islam. Not radical Islam, not jihadi Islam.....just Islam.

Why "just" Islam? Because the word translates into English as "submission" and I am tranliterating the concept..."slavery to Allah".

It also teaches that our women are merely donkeys...beasts of burden. It teaches.....and enforces unto death...Sharia Law.

I'm honestly not as concerned with Islamic terrorists, as I am with the silent jihad going on all around us...unrecognized.
Many folks think it is just a whacky religion. It is not. It is the ultimate political tyranny.

It makes the Communist true believers look like naughty boys in a sandbox by comparison. The communists at least pulled up short of mass suicide by using their nukes.

If I remember the German term correctly, "kulturekampfh", it means literally "culture-conflict to the point of genocide".
Get over it folks. Accept the sad truth.

As President, my very first step would be to politely excuse every single non-citizen moslem from our shores. I would make it clear to every citizen that is moslem, that not one single tenant of Sharia law is legal in the United States of America.

We outlawed slavery in these United States a long time ago. We outlawed pedophilia in these United States a long time ago. Sharia is totally wrapped up in both....among a lot of other unacceptable behaviors. (see wife-beating)

We as individuals can begin the exit process by reporting child abuse and "child-bride pedophilia" to human services in our communities, and writing our congress critters.
We can have our local authorities examine the curriculum in the "Sharia schools" popping up everywhere, just like the authorities do with Catholic schools and Baptist schools.

Here the catalyst is simple. Recognize the slavery and begin speaking out about it...NOT hatefully, but with sadness and pity, and prayer and hope for a nation-wide jubilee for these poor people.

OK,
I thought I had to interject the above before getting back to our other war-front. (elected communists and their bureacrats.)

You know, in just about any "business model" one of the largest expense item segments...are hours of human beings' lifespan. Those hours must include the hours of lifespan of education and/or in training...for spending yet further hours of lifespan, laboring at the task.

Bureacracies, by definition, are desperately wasteful of both human potential...and human lifespan hours. Doubling down on the wasted lifespans within a bureacracy, it prevents the bureacrat from finding and enjoying a fullfilling life in a productive pursuit. (ie: making or growing things...or taking care of customers/patients/clients.)

Bureacracies are by definition ...malignant...cancerous...and naturally metastasizing entities....if not contained ruthlessly.

In the private sector, bureacracies are constrained, ruthlessly, by virtue of the ole' bottom line. In government, they can only be contained by surgery AND radiation, AND strong chemicals.

My really true hope for America is the fifty million plus voters that didn't get off their butts and vote in 2008.
.....and if we are at the stage of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genises 18th chapter), were there are not enough righteous men and women to vote the rascals out, then like Lott, we will have no choice but to remove ourselves, and our loved ones if they will follow.
(I'm thinking of removing ourselves from the "economy" until the firestorm is past.)

God bless America

JOAN | 7.7.10 @ 10:33AM

November is so important -- and hopefully Obama's "American Idol" style of campaigning will have lost its punch, especially in a mid-term election. Hopefully, "helpless" will become frustrated and angry to the point of pro-acive belief in what our country is and how we can preserve it. My dad was part of those headlines, you read, Ben, and won the Silver Star. I salute him...and everyone who is trying to preserve "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" in EVERY form.
(Pursuit, not guarantee , Mr. Obama.)

Daniel| 7.7.10 @ 10:55AM

Yes it is Sad Times. We got Crap for our Representatives in Washington and we got Crap for the leaders in our military. That's Right...CRAP! There is no need for me to go into details as to what we have in DC, most of us fully know what we have but perhaps, I should go into an explanation as what we have in the military leadership. What we got in our military leadership is a bunch of political incompetents who couldn't lead a boy scout troop. Yes, political incompetents for our military leadership. Generals/Officers who move into their positions through their political skills rather than, their military skills.

Proof: We have the most trained and equipped personnel with the most technological advance weapon systems and yet, we can't defeat a bunch of throw together rabble. We have spent many years in the attempt and still we can't get the job done. Doesn't this glaring Fact make any of you just, a little suspicious? Naah...You don't get to be a 4 star general without being more politician than a military man. Nuff said.

Beer For My Horses| 7.7.10 @ 12:33PM

No Ben, this is not our finest hour. Still, this kind of despondency in not warranted. There are many hopeful sign all arround us, some of which are visable right here in these pages.

Better times are coming, sooner than you think, just you wait and see.

Me| 7.7.10 @ 12:45PM

Note to self - run the spell checker next time you comment.

Believer| 7.7.10 @ 1:50PM

Beer For My Horses- Your commentary makes me think of a verse in the Bible, " Having eyes they see not and having ears they hear not. The only hope for America is repentence to God, if not" better times" is a pipe dream.

Beer For My Horses| 7.7.10 @ 3:05PM

Mark 8:18?

Claypoole| 7.8.10 @ 9:30AM

Read Psalm 85 as part of your prayers.

FakeEagle| 7.7.10 @ 12:33PM

I think Ben puts the emphasis where it belongs. It is not with the people or the military or the workforce. It is with the leadership and its "uncertain sound of the trumpet." We are like a powerful engine revving madly with the transmission in neutral. We need to get all that power to the ground, somehow. Unfortunately, our driver is a madman, and his pit crew is drunk.

Hondo Menudo| 7.7.10 @ 12:39PM

All the above prove, once again, that Democracy is NOT a spectator sport.

Get involved, people. The fate of The Republic is in our hands. Stop yakking, and start doing.

Keep your powder dry, too. And practice your skills at least weekly. I pray it doesn't come to that but, "If ya don't hit 'em, ya don't hurt 'em." - Chesty Puller.

Semper Fi!

Nancy in NC| 7.7.10 @ 4:20PM

Spot on!

Too many whiners and complainers...let's do something. Get involved. Send money. Make phone calls. Write letters. Work for your candidates. Put up signs. Don't be afraid to speak up for your beliefs. It's too late in the game to worry about being offensive.

Ohh-rah and Semper Fi to you as well.

Ken (Old Texican)| 7.7.10 @ 1:06PM

I am a better writer, but regarding my post above, please check out the American Thinker today.

http://www.americanthinker.com.....n_and.html

R Martin| 7.7.10 @ 1:30PM

Hopelessness is for wimps.

Ed| 7.7.10 @ 1:48PM

Lefties have a reverse Midas touch: everything they touch turns to crap.

Jim O'Brien| 7.7.10 @ 2:19PM

A key problem is having a president who is waging war against the United States.
1) He's at war against the people of Arizona, and against all the citizens of the United States, who seek to protect themselves from illegal immigrants, Mexican drug gangs, and terrorists infiltrating the U.S. via the Mexican border
2) He's at war against the people of New York, and of all the United States, who do not want non-citizen enemy combatants (the terrorists) to enjoy the rights of U.S. citizens in our courts
3) He's at war against all the people of the United States, who demand freedom to make their own medical care and health insurance decisions
4) He's at war against the people of the Gulf coast, who he has not only failed to help, but has actually hindered in their attempts to stop oil from washing up on their shores
5) He's at war against all the people of the United States, who know that radical Islamists are the murderers of thousands of American civilians and soldiers, and the murderers of thousands of Israelis, Europeans, Asians, Iraqis, and Africans, including other Muslims
6) He's at war against all the people of the United States, who know that America is an exceptional country which has defended freedom around the globe for the last 100 years
7) He's at war against all the people of the United States, who want far less government spending and substantially reduced taxes
8) He's at war against all the people of the United States, who know that the Constitution should not be violated by Congress or subjected to arbitrary changes by biased, inexperienced and incompetent judges on the Supreme Court
9) He's at war against all the people of the United States, who know that our Founders included the Bill of Rights for sound reasons, including our right to keep and bear arms, our right to our private property, and our right to free speech
10) He's at war against all the people of the United States, who know that making unilateral nuclear defense concessions to Russia and the rest of the world is a foolish and dangerous path
11) He's at war against all the people of the United States, who know that "global warming" (aka "climate change") is a hoax designed to grab political power and increase taxes
12) He's at war against all the States by seeking to burden them with Medicaid expenses in violation of their sovereign status
13) He's at war against all the people of the United States who prosper by free enterprise and personal freedom, not by union thugs, government bureaucrats, excessive controls, and violations of the Constitution
14) He's at war against all the people of the United States who know we are all created equal, but also know that in a free society we have unequal outcomes
15) He's at war against the United States and the Constitution, and therefore is a treacherous impostor

Obama lied when he swore to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution..." Obama is unfit to serve.

jstwndring| 7.8.10 @ 12:09AM

"Obama lied when he swore to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution..." Obama is unfit to serve."
-------------------------------------------------------
And should therefore be impeached.

George True| 7.7.10 @ 5:38PM

It is our current so-called leaders who are helpless, not the people. Just within the last week, I heard the pantywaist BHO say two of the most preposterous thing I have ever heard. First, on Independence Day, when he lectured us about how we all needed to just bend over and take it from Mexico and the 20 million illegal aliens, he said that it was simply "impossible" to police a 1980 mile Southern border. Whaaaaat?!?! The nation that crushed the Axis powers in two theatres simultaneously during WWII can't build and patrol a freaking fence??? The nation that said in 1960 we will put a man on the moon within 10 years and then DID IT, and then did it six more times just because we could, somehow cannot now build 1980 miles of the best triple layer fence the world has ever seen?????

Of course we can. We could do it within 12-24 months if we wanted to. It's just that our Marxist masters in the gummint really, really, really DON'T want to.

The other preposterous thing was a statement contained in the new Muslim outreach directive given to NASA. The NASA director said the US would never go to Mars, or the moon, or even achieve low-earth orbit again without help from other countries. Whaaaaaaat?!?!?!? We could do any of those things, any time we wanted to, within a relatively short amount of time, without any help whatsoever from anybody, if only our Dear Leader and his minions wanted us to. No other nation on earth has ANY technology or technical expertise in getting into space that we do not already have, and which we probably originally developed. And as far as patting Muslim countries on the back for their alleged scientific achievements, neither they nor anyone else has ANY technology that we need to go back into space any time we decide to do so.

Obama is a moron.

Jim O'Brien| 7.7.10 @ 8:45PM

Perhaps now voters will believe it when they hear that Obama despises the United States. Not only does he think we an unexceptional country, he wants to destroy capitalism, take away the Bill of Rights, and make the United States a mediocre country. He has already done significant damage. When he took the oath of office and swore to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution, he lied. Obama is an incompetent, treacherous, impostor.

Northern rebel| 7.7.10 @ 6:07PM

Old Tex:

You may have surpassed yourself!

I believe this to be your best post I have ever read! Nobody is willing to open their eyes and accept the fact that Islam is the true gutter religion, (Apolgies to the Anti-Semetic Jesse Jackson, for stealing his line)

The people that promote this so-called religion, (not the gullible ignorant people who follow it, with no alternatives) are subhuman scum, and need to be exterminated, like the vermin the are.

Muhammed, my ass! If Muhammed was the person they purport him to be, he would be chastising these worms himself.

Any relation between Jesus Christ, and Muhammed, is pure accident of birth!

Jesus is love, Muhammed represents, maybe with no fault of his own, unadultrated EVIL!

Let the killing begin.

RCV| 7.7.10 @ 8:48PM

What????????????

RCV| 7.7.10 @ 8:50PM

"Jesus is love...Let the killing begin"?????????

jstwndring| 7.8.10 @ 12:48AM

LMAO!!! Taken straight out of the Book of Armaments. Bring out the Holy Hand-grenade!

One! Two! Five! (Three, sir.) Three! (pulls pin)

I still cannot stop laughing!

Sorry Northern rebel, I know what you're trying to say. Still, it's funny. :)

Northern rebel| 7.7.10 @ 6:09PM

If you don't like what I said, come get me, muslim scum! Bring your own body bags, cockroaches!

Pat| 7.7.10 @ 7:41PM

Interesting take on WWII but mostly propaganda. The War Dept. imposed censorship on the media early in the war, it was 18 months after the start of WWII before the first pictures of dead American soldiers were allowed to be published in major newspapers. And American voters weren’t gung-ho to fight the Germans. During 1941, Congress came within a few votes of repealing the legislation which drafted young men into the Armed Forces, the draft was only supposed to last for 1 year and Congress had serious qualms about extending it. Given our experience in WWI, many Americans were loathe to enter another European conflict, to fight for England and her colonies around the world and celebrities such as Charles Lindbergh strongly opposed a second world war.

The amazing fact is how the average American responded to the war. We weren’t prepared for war, our army was weak and for the first 6 to 9 months we got our clocks cleaned. German submarines ravaged our east coast, we didn’t impose blackouts and the submarines used the city lights to backlight freighters and tankers plying the east coast as targets for their torpedos and deck guns. Sinking so many American ships, particularly tankers, required gas rationing to be imposed within eastern cities, bodies of the crewmen washed up on resort beaches and tourists were horrified while watching German submarines sink American ships just offshore. In the Pacific, the Japanese ravaged our war ships, conquered the Philipines, General MacArthur was forced to flee by PT boat (for which he received the Medal of Honor) and, at home, FDR had many critics within the media. FDR even lied about the number of ships sunk during the Pearl Harbor attack, he decided that sunken warships which could later be raised and refurbished shouldn’t count as lost.

But still American men volunteered in droves to fight, American women readily took jobs in heavy industry, lifting weighty tools intended for men and working long hours in factories around the nation. Being human beings, the solidarity this author describes is mostly an illusion, which is further testimony to American courage and resolve, because despite our internal differences we fought wars on 3 different fronts (mainland China was considered a front) and won.

Robert| 7.8.10 @ 6:23AM

4 fronts. North Africa was another front.

ACynic| 7.9.10 @ 12:39PM

Charles Lindbergh was a rabid anti-semite and a pro-Nazi sympathizer. Upon visiting Hitler's Germany, he returned to the USA singing it's praises to anyone who would listen.
The other famous anti-war American was Joe Kennedy senior (father of JFK and of the drunken slimeball Ted Kennedy). Joe Kennedy was also a Nazi sympathizer and was removed from his post as US ambassador to the UK by FDR because Kennedy was in contact with the Nazis attempting to strike a peace deal with them.
FDR then appointed him as SEC chairman because, as FDR stated " we need a crook in charge to be better able to catch other crooks."

Jeff Perren| 7.7.10 @ 11:08PM

"THESE are the times that try men's souls.
...
Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.

What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.
...
Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."

Thomas Paine

jstwndring| 7.7.10 @ 11:52PM

Obama has done us a big favor by unashamedly showing off Marxism and disturbing many Americans from their slumber. But, the reason we are in the shape we're in is because we let the enemy take over all of our major institutions without a fight. They now have the most influence over the clueless masses. It's our own fault. The enemy to freedom and liberty never sleeps. What makes us think we should? Our Constitution only protects us when we're awake--and sober.

Northern Rebel| 7.8.10 @ 12:27AM

RCV:

I admit, when I saw your posts, even I was taken aback, after my burst of laughter.

I believe God has granted us the Earthly power to dispatch, and dispose of EVIL, and he doesn't hold the means with which it's done against us when we kneel before him.

So I feel quite comfortable, when discussing subhuman Arabs:

Jesus is love

Let the killing begin.

RCV| 7.8.10 @ 11:33PM

NR, you're sounding too much like the Jihadists' Muhammed to me. I'll stick with the Jesus I know.

Northern Rebel| 7.8.10 @ 1:01AM

As we speak from safety, a women who has already received 99 lashes, has been sentenced to death by stoning, in Iran.

Her son is making a national appeal to attempt to prevent it.

Jesus IS love!

Let the killing begin.

charles794| 7.8.10 @ 1:12AM

The foreigners in Afghanistan are not fighting against any enemy - they are fighting against the Afghani way of life, & it can NOT be defeated!

FeralCat| 7.8.10 @ 1:47AM

If you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.
- Nietzsche

Richard L. Kent, Esq.| 7.8.10 @ 11:49AM

The American people made a collective decision in November 2006 that they would rather dial back to September 10, 2001 and risk the utter destruction of a major city and a million casualties, because they really DON'T believe we're in a war for our collective survival.

Fifty years from now, if our cities are utterly lacking in nuclear bomb craters, they will have been right.

Tick. tock.

Richard L. Kent, Esq.| 7.8.10 @ 12:05PM

"The people that promote this so-called religion, (not the gullible ignorant people who follow it, with no alternatives) are subhuman scum, and need to be exterminated, like the vermin the are. "

It really is convenient when your enemies are subhuman. It's a lot tougher when they're not Orcs but rather are humans with whom you must deal on a rational basis.

Jack Kinch(1uncle)| 7.8.10 @ 3:12PM

I remember ww2. There were less than half as many people in the country. We were united and determined. Big mistakes were using our taxes to breed people on welfare just to create demos and allowing people from everywhere to come here making us more divided. It has created a lot more crime and division. Schools dumbed down. People used to graduate high school functionally literate. Now, teachers are required to have a degree and one in education to teach. It would be better if they were required to work outside of schools to gain common sense for 4 or 5 years before teaching. Better if professors were not allowed to mention politics in class and were fired if they do. NO tenure. Muslims should never been allowed into the country. There is no mention of separation of church and state, We wee formed as 13 Christian nations who together formed a federal government to protect our new country which they have failed to do for 50 years. Confirm the 10th amendment or make this 2 countries.

Believer| 7.8.10 @ 10:02PM

Jack Kinch- Your comment about not allowing Muslims into our Country is a great Idea, however we both know that it wont happen. I too remember long lost days when our Nation was great, the biggest problem in our schools was tardiness and no one was offended by prayer. I think the downfall started with LBJ's great socieity, Billions and Billions into a welfare state that has resulted in over 70% of Blacks born out of wedlock with Hispanics and whites not far behind. Here in California we cant balance the budget because we have to finance the Illegal women and baby's as well as the welfare ones. My advise has allways been to get your kids out of public schools , God Bless all.

The Big Boo| 7.8.10 @ 3:37PM

Ben Stein is one of my personal intellectual "gods"....he is fishing here for an explanation, though he knows well enough the answer.

In another place, in a similar vein, a reader posed the question (in response to the dreadful times) what is "the Plan"?

I humbly offer my response:

There is no plan and you have misidentified the source of the problem....American has changed, not because of liberals but because of its citizens....I am sure you can list the trends of 20 years - support of slackers and a government controlled and managed economy, out of wedlock births, the culture of victimization, support of crime, massive immigration (which really is the story of America) but in this case without assimilation...These trends have occured in Republican and Democrat years, under liberals and conservatives.

But the forecasted trends are really remarkable...you’ve seen the videos on the growth of Islam in Europe, yes? You understand the power of China? You realize who holds our debt?

What is NOT “American” (in the traditional strict Constitutional sense) will be supported and grow...what is American will be hemmed in, and slowly strangled. That is because of who we have become. The cultural memory is fading. We are changing.

You can be angry that a successfull coup has taken place, than an usuper is President. But he is supported by all sitting Republicans and Democrats. An election or two will not change their orientation or the base of their electorate.

So rather than ask what is the plan? you might ask “what can I plan for?”. Such things as a lower living standard, higher taxes, more, not less, immigration, foreign ownership, more international control of American interests, capital market failures, and retirement delays and broken pension (especially anything tied to government funding) promises.

The most tangible advice is to invest in commodities, try to inhabit a secure, defensible space, make sure you own and are proficient in firearms, and remove youself as much as possible for relying on commercial goods. Become self-sufficient and reliant in as many ways as possible.

For myself I have an open field of fire of over 300 yards, landlocked by a river and high cliffs. I grow my own and am stocking up on amo. Is that a great plan? No. Am I happy about what will be happening? No. But I am astute enough to know that if what America has become (especially on the coasts and in the majority control urbranized and suburbanized areas) has no calling for me, than I can live where it can’t call on me.

As for my grandchildren, I can only offer that they visit often, enjoy learning self-sufficieny, and practice with the guns I provide them.

The Big Boo

Louise in MO| 7.8.10 @ 9:52PM

To: The Big Boo......

A great post! Many of us are preparing just as you are. I encourage all to do the same. It is not now and will not be for the foreseeable future the same America!

Believer| 7.8.10 @ 10:08PM

The Big Boo- If you ever decide to run for office, any office you have my vote.

HayulpHeyulp| 7.8.10 @ 11:29PM

Hey Northern Rebel, Your are one righteous dude!

K962| 7.10.10 @ 12:15PM

The current generations, the most part have no idea of our own history. They have been indoctrinated with all the "fairness" tripe and social justice crap that the progressive left has been allowed to get away with for years. If any of you have ever watched Jay Leno ask questions about US History on the street, the answers are so dumb they are pathetic. I have been out of school 50 years and I could answer them. WE have a nation of stupid drones.

ALFRED| 7.10.10 @ 4:55PM

The US can handle itself with total professionalism and dedication on the battlefield. No. Question. Right? However on the home front the battle for values and tradition is not being waged successfully, if at all. Conservative outlook is not a part of any of the major media, entertainment industry, pulpits, academia, seminaries, etcetc. The convemtional - and consequently unquestioned - wisdom is Left/liberal. The illegal alien "debate" underlines the GOP's flacid inability to speak in principled philosophical opposition. fear of being disliked by people who hate you seems to inhibit anything approaching leadership. American Exceptionalism is defined by the Left in the argumentation by default. Can we expect to win, let alone hold the line, by only playing defense?

Hugh G. Rection| 7.11.10 @ 11:52AM

WWII is the ultimate liberal argument: government intervention, wisely done, is good for the nation, creates jobs, creates national unity, and just… works.