SECURITY CAMERAS CAPTURE CHILEAN QUAKE

Wall Street Journal: The 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck off coastal Chile in the early hours of the morning is one of the biggest temblors anywhere in more than a century. 




Data from the U.S. Geological Survey suggests that this morning's Chile quake tied in fifth place with an 8.8 quake that hit Ecaduor and Bolivia in 1906. Only four quakes have been bigger since 1900. The largest was a 9.5 magnitude event that struck Chile in 1960, causing 1,655 fatalities, leaving 2 million homeless, and triggering a tsunami that killed people in Hawaii, Japan and the Philippines.


Source: Breitbart.tv

President Barack O Nose Picker

Source: Breitbart.tv

Today's Health Care Summit Wrap-Up

Today's 7 ½ -hour Health Care Summit at Blair House in Washington DC, 

called by the President and attended 

by Republican and Democrat members of the Senate,

 can actually be summed up in Ø words:

What's in a Logo?

Looks like "Change" has made an appearance in another area of our Federal Government in the US Department of Defense's Missile Defense Agency.  Check it out:

As pointed out over on my Random WTF Blog, this logo resembles a slightly morphed version of another logo that became synonymous for "Change" during the 2008 Campaign season, and remains a center piece for propaganda for President O's hundreds of "Hope"-based Federal programs.

Some criticism points out that the "O" or planet or whatever the blue part of the logo is resembles an Islamic Crescent:

Personally, I don't see that it does. I wonder in our mega-paranoid state about everything Obama isn't just making us see things that aren't really there.  For example, my current Cable Company logo makes me a little weird if I look at it long enough!

But then, look at this logo.  I see more similarities here:*

And here:

I am going to lean in the direction of logic for now in that the new MDA Logo resembles the latter of these two listed logos here.

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*This is the logo for The Boeing Company:

Thinking Beyond Group Think

I don't like labels. At least not presently. Unless I am being sarcastic; which is, I suppose a label.

would this be considered labeling?

Labels usually don't speak truths, only generics.  Labels invite "Group Think," which I abhor. 


However, the label I suppose I would put on myself for the time being is that by nature I am a questioner.  My mother will even attest that I came out crying not "WAH!!" but "WHY!?!"  I love learning and will never stop learning until my brain or my heart or both stop working.


My question regarding the 9/11 "issue" has always been this: Why does asking about 9/11 bring about such a caustic and vitriolic response from people? 


Methinks thou doth protest too much?


I've never understood why asking about something raised such ire in people.  We can't question a government regarding 9/11? The same government that is trying to shove health care down our throats? That deny global warming is a hoax? That never properly vetted a candidate who is a Socialist and now sits in the White House? That is simultaneously printing currency while raising the Debt Ceiling? Hello?

An interesting answer to this question was given to me today - something I didn't know at all.  Evidently the 9/11 "issue" is seen by the media, and others I suppose, as falling down on Left or Right sides.

Ok, so now I  have more questions:  Liberals only question 9/11? Really? and not Conservatives? Only Democrats question 9/11? that's odd.  No Republicans do? What about Libertarians? Socialists? Anybody? It's like the "eligibility issue." Does that fall down on the Left/Right paradigm too?

We have in a candidate here the grass-roots Conservative Constitutionalist we've been looking for. And on a dime, based on a misleading and baited interview by a psuedo-libertarian Mormon Conservative on Cable Television (hey, I listened to the guy for five years, so my jaw dropped in that interview too), we're back to looking at candidates who will bring us the Trans-Texas Corridor (mark my words, it'll happen - the Interstate 69 signs are already up), a continually porous border,   ever-increasing property taxes, and a bunch of high-school drop outs who aren't going to be allowed to drive (don't believe me on that one? look it up!) 

If Debra doesn't pull this one out, I may have to take a look at Bill White! I was a democrat before, I can do it again. Hey, he's liberal. I wonder if he ponders the 9/11 "issue."

Sadly, I have concluded that a lot of people who are afraid to truly leave the status quo have now conveniently found their fodder for following the flock. (Like my alliteration there? I do!) Those who were actually leaning toward Rick or Kay can now go ahead and topple over.

 All we like sheep.

"The Truth is I'm an Everyday Ordinary Person"

I have been a listener of the Glenn Beck Program on the radio for over 5 years.  I watched Beck's very first television debut over 3 years ago on CNN's Headline News, and watched his debut on FOX News as well.  I have witnessed Beck's growth into what I believe is a citizen concerned about the direction of the country.  I have watched and listened as the ratings for both his radio show and television show have soared, making him very successful. 

I've also watched Beck's ego grow proportionately with his success.  

Take note, if you're not a Beck listener: The current running theme and words that appear in the intro of the television show are: Question Boldly. Speak without Fear. Hold Fast to the Truth. And his radio show uses the line from a song (lyrics by Beck?) wherein the lyrics go "search for answers everywhere/we will be the key/just remember who we are/we will be the key." What's more, Beck espouses constantly that America needs to realize that the Republicans and Democrats are just one two-headed monster, a view Ms. Medina shares calling them "the two sides of the same coin."

On February 11, 2010, Mr. Beck imploded and lost at least one "Insider" subscriber and everyday viewer/listener. That would be me of course.  

On that day's "Glenn Beck Show", gubernatorial candidate for Governor for the state of Texas was invited on as a guest.  Beck, the day before, said he had never heard of her and seemed to not be able to remember her name.  His sidekick Pat reminded him: Debra Medina.

Ms. Medina is a grass-roots conservative candidate who is running on the Republican ticket.  Her campaign has thousands of volunteers who are all enthusiastic about her platform to return Texas to a smaller-government, free from the Federal Government, oriented state. The campaign has caught great momentum since Medina has nearly caught one opponent according to one poll.

Here's one personal caveat: The Conservative Mom approves of the Medina Platform and thinks Debra Medina would be a refreshing change for Texas Leadership.

My second caveat: I don't for the life of me know why people go mentally ballistic when ccertain questions are asked.  It's just a question for goodness' sake.

Back to the interview (complete transcript is here): Beck steers the direction of the interview into implying (not asking) that Ms. Medina was a 9/11 truther:

GLENN: I have when I said that I was going to have you on, you can't imagine the mail pro and con that I received. There was a theme that ran against you and that is you are a 9/11 Truther. 

MEDINA: Well, there's lots of mud that people would like to throw at Debra Medina and make stick. The truth is I'm an everyday ordinary person. (emphases mine) I am fighting for the things that our founders fought for, those very basic principles of a constitutional republic, and I'm going to champion people that hold their government accountable, hold me accountable but that's the first time I've heard that accusation. So that's an interesting one. 

 Moments later: 

GLENN: Would you, if you found out that there were, would you disavow them like the president should have but I mean, he escorted them out in the middle of the night. Van Jones was a 9/11 Truther. If you found out that people around you are advising you were 9/11 Truthers, would you disavow them or allow them to continue to advise you?  

MEDINA: Well, you know, that's a federal issue. We're very focused on issues in Texas, on Texas state government. I'm certainly not into mind control or thought policing people. 

Is asking the 9/11 question going to become a new litmus test for candidates? Or was it just for this candidate?

Speaking of litmus tests - remember this one,  if not in experience then in history?

Are you  or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party? 

This was known as McCarthyism during an era knon as The Second Red Scare that showcased the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC).  As with many ideas that spring into programs run by the government, it starts out with good intentions and then goes awry, being easily explained by the adage "power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely."  Communism was  a huge societal concern after World War II; but the Federal entity HUAC ended up persecuting people who had likley nothing to do with Communism.

(CM ADD Moment: We actually have Communists in the White House in 2010.)

Granted Beck is just a radio talk show host and self-proclaimed rodeo clown, but he has as many as 10 million listeners and the advantage of a use of public airwaves that most of us don't have. But read the rest of the transcript and decide for yourself if the airwaves may have been abused while having Ms. Medina on the show.

The interview continues: 

GLENN: Right. Here's then let me be more frank and ask you the question: Do you believe the government was any way involved with the bringing down of the World Trade Centers on 9/11? 

MEDINA: I don't, I don't have all of the evidence there, Glenn. So I don't I'm not in a place, I have not been out publicly questioning that. I think some very good questions have been raised in that regard. There are some very good arguments, and I think the American people have not seen all of the evidence there. So I've not taken a position on that. 

GLENN: I think the people of America might think that might be a yes. 

MEDINA: Well 

GLENN: Do you have advisors that advise you or people that are around you that are 9/11 Truthers?

MEDINA: I'm not going to take a position. 

GLENN: That's fine. 

MEDINA: These questions have been raised and they are not answered. 

Did Ms. Medina answer honestly? I believe she did.  Whether I agree with what she said or not, it is an honest answer.  Isn't this country, isn't the state of Texas, trying to get away from   lying politicians?

Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party? 

GLENN: Do 

MEDINA: Not to my knowledge. 

GLENN: Would you, if you found out that there were, would you disavow them like the president should have but I mean, he escorted them out in the middle of the night. Van Jones was a 9/11 Truther. If you found out that people around you are advising you were 9/11 Truthers, would you disavow them or allow them to continue to advise you? 

MEDINA: Well, you know, that's a federal issue. We're very focused on issues in Texas, on Texas state government. I'm certainly not into mind control or thought policing people. 

GLENN: No, that's a pretty big one. 

MEDINA: We've got a very diverse team in this state and that's because Texans are standing shoulder to shoulder to support and defend the Constitution. I frankly don't have time, you know, to go through and do psychological testing on people and know every thought or detail that they have. 

GLENN: No, I don't think it's psychological at all. 

MEDINA: I don't see us having a team of radical individuals, if you will. I think that there are certainly some that are looking, trying to use scare tactics. I you know, are there people? 

GLENN: No, I don't think they're scare tactics. Debra, you've answered the question. 

MEDINA: Yeah, are there people that have tried to come and be a part of our team 

GLENN: Right. 

MEDINA: that have not gotten on the team? Absolutely there are. But I can't 

GLENN: Yeah, I understand. Debra, you've answered the question. 

MEDINA: You know, I don't know. That's so out of context, it's difficult for me to answer. 

GLENN: There's 

MEDINA: I think it would depend on, you know, how vocal they were about that and how much I thought it colored whatever other talent they brought to the table. 

GLENN: Yeah. Okay, Debra, thank you very much. I appreciate it and best of luck to you. 

MEDINA: Thank you, Glenn. 

GLENN: You bet. Bye bye. I think  

 Are you now or have you ever been a 9-11 Truther? 

When the interview is over and the phone call has ended, the conversation on air continued like this:

PAT: Problematic? 

GLENN: While I don't endorse anyone 

PAT: Problematic? 

GLENN: I think I can write her off the list. Let me take another look at Kay Bailey Hutchison if I have to. Rick, I think you and I could French kiss right now. 

PAT: Let me tell you something. He's a damn handsome man. 

GLENN: He's a damn handsome man. 

PAT: Looks good in a pair of jeans. 

GLENN: Wow. 

PAT: He's a handsome man. 

GLENN: Wow. The fastest way back to 4%. 

STU: (Laughing). 

GLENN: Holy cow. 

PAT: I mean, and we're going to I'm going to hear from people in Texas. How can you take her we just asked the question! 

GLENN: Asked the question. 

PAT: Because we got all the rumors, I expected her to say oh, absolutely not. 

STU: Even if you are a Truther, there's an easy answer to that 

PAT: That is not what she said. 

STU: which is of course not; what are you talking 

PAT: Absolutely not, I am not a 9/11 Truther. 

GLENN: I mean, but at least give her credit. 

STU: Give her credit, she told the truth. 

GLENN: Give her credit for telling the truth. 

PAT: She didn't lie. Yeah, she didn't lie. 

GLENN: But you know what? If you believe the United States government blew up the World Trade Center, there should be no other higher priority, no other higher priority. 

PAT: And I don't want to hear from you if you are a 9/11 Truther on her side. 

GLENN: Yeah.

 Do the other candidates running for the Governorship have people on their campaign who are 9-11 Truthers? Do we care?

Is it the wrong question to ask? Is it so bad to wonder if a government that continues to insist that global warming is real despite all the evidence to the contrary might be hedging the truth regarding anything that has anything to do with what happened on September 11th, 2001? This is the same government that had taken eight years to begin rebuilding at Ground Zero.  


The same government that wrote health care legislation in the dark of night and behind closed doors, that hired Van Jones a known Communist, that put a Christmas ornament on the White House tree with the image of Mao Tse-Tung on it, that is trying terrorists in American courtrooms, the same government that brought us the Patriot Act, which is still in effect and which some call the worst piece of legislation in the history of the country, that only recently (and formerly secretly) raised the country's debt ceiling to an insane 14.3 trillion dollars.


In doing my research for this post, I came across this excellent blog post from RightPundits.com, making a thought-provoking point about the Truther Movement and the Conservative Movement:

"Glenn Beck 'outed' Republican gubernatorial candidate for Texas, Debra Medina, this morning on his 'third most listened to show on talk radio'. No, I’m not talking about homosexuality. Glenn Beck has leveled the accusation that Debra Medina is a '9-11 Truther'. When Medina didn’t give Beck the answer he was looking for, he then said, 'I think the people of America might think that might be a yes.'   And so it begins.  At this point it is moot if Medina is or is not a Truther.   The 9-11 Truther mindset is now out there for everyone to see, and Beck can say he was the first to talk about it. " (9-11 Truthers and Obama Birthers By Donald Borsch Jr.)

There is no doubt that what happened in the interview reflected Ms. Medina being caught off guard with the question, thereby responding with an unscripted and unrehearsed answer.  The whole incident has hurt Debra Medina in the polls a bit, too (but those numbers are climbing back up).  But was this question and her answer really relevant to the issues facing Texas? Or to the ability to govern the state? Why is the question such a big deal? Has questioning 9/11 become some kind of new DSM diagnosis? With the caustic response it solicits, you'd think so.


Beck is an entertainer, a highly paid one at that. He's done some good in raising awareness in this country to what's been happening. But I think this interview will prove to be a downward pivot point in his career, because it's certainly not the first time he has put  Alinsky-style pressure on someone he decides he doesn't like.  What happened in the questioning of this interview was unfair and uncalled for, and incredibly hypocritical in light of the "Question Boldly" theme.

FCINO Alerts!!

What a clever ad coming out of the Senate Primary race in California:

New terminology: "FCINO" Fiscal Conservative In Name Only.  Check out the webpage for reporting Finkos. The Conservative Mom approves.

"Never Rooted in a Particular Land..."

A pretty significant event is happening in this country.  No, I'm not talking about the political landscape and it's potential shift in the upcoming Congressional and Senatorial elections; nor am I talking about the pending economic irreconcilable situtaion  based on main-stream tv and POTUS telling us the economy is great while experts warn of a pending catastrophe.  

I am speaking of the opening of America's first Muslim University.  It is inviting it's freshman class to enroll now.

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"America’s first Muslim college
is seeking students for its first freshman class.

Will you be one of them?"

ZAYTUNA COLLEGE

"God willing, a Zaytuna College education will prepare students for a meaningful life as compassionate, productive, and educated citizens of the global community who understand Islam as a living, viable, and relevant faith, and who represent that faith with dignity, wisdom, and honor."

"The four years that an undergraduate student typically spends at Zaytuna College will be, God willing, an enriching and rewarding experience inside—and outside—the classroom."  

Why Zaytuna College?

Islam has never become rooted in a particular land until that land began producing its own religious scholars. There are several million Muslims in the United States and rapidly growing Muslim populations in Canada, Great Britain, and Western Europe. Yet, there are no accredited academic institutions capable of training students in the varied sciences of Islam, while also instilling in them a sophisticated understanding of the intellectual history and culture of the West. Clearly, there is an essential need for Muslim institutions that can wed Islam’s classical texts with the contemporary context.
This reality has led to two lamentable situations. First, there are very few Muslim scholars who can meet the religious and pastoral needs of a rapidly expanding Muslim community in the West. Second, much of our younger generation has become alienated from the mosque and from religious culture.

“[Zaytuna] is far and away the single most influential institution that's shaping American Muslim thought. On the one hand they speak so much about being American. On the other hand, they have also plugged these American Muslim students into the global Muslim curriculum, that has all the rigor of traditional Islamic scholarship.”

Dr. Omid Safi
Professor, University of North Carolina

College Life

Zaytuna College is located in historic Berkeley, California, a center for American intellectual and spiritual life. Students admitted to Zaytuna College can not only take advantage of the many benefits of living in Berkeley and the greater San Francisco Bay Area—such as the long tradition of political and social justice activism, the abundant cultural attractions of Berkeley and nearby San Francisco, and the proximity to Northern California’s breathtaking coastline and lush state parks—but they will also become members of one of the most dynamic Muslim communities in America.

Groups such as the SF Muslims, a collection of Muslim professionals and activists organized by an online list-serve, are committed to being part of a forward-thinking Muslim community that participates in American civic and cultural life. The Muslim Student Associations at the many Bay Area universities are among the most active in America. Students at Zaytuna College will have ample opportunity to take part in the valuable work of the Bay Area’s many civic-minded Muslim organizations.


Zaytuna in the San Francisco Bay Area

 

Zaytuna itself has built a national reputation as a focal point of Muslim intellectual activity through its public events and conferences. Zaytuna is known for organizing stimulating public events that engage the Muslim community with serious Western intellectuals and activists outside of Islam who are having an impact. These events carry forward the organization’s vision of exposing people of other faiths and beliefs to Islam’s progressive intellectual tradition and to share with Muslims the important and relevant work others are doing. Zaytuna also organizes major events in the community during religious occasions, such as Eid, and other significant dates. Its scholars, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf and Imam Zaid Shakir, can often be found in various mosques and community centers in the region delivering Friday khutbas and giving talks about Islam. 

The four years that an undergraduate student typically spends at Zaytuna College will be, God willing, an enriching and rewarding experience inside—and outside—the classroom.

 "Where Tradition Comes Alive"

Islam is a religion based on a revelation from God. Despite its appropriateness for various times and places, it is a religion imbued with a deeply conservative spirit. This spirit helps to safeguard the integrity of the revelation. Muslims believe that the beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ conveyed the last message of God to humanity. Preserving the purity of that message poses one of the greatest challenges for the community of the faithful. Perhaps the best way to preserve that message is to implement it in one’s life. Hence, one of the central precepts of the Qur’an urges the believers to adhere closely to prophetic guidance. God mentions in that regard, Follow him [the Messenger of God] in order that you may be guided (7:158).

He also reveals, Say [O, Muhammad!], “If indeed you love God, then follow me. God will in turn love you and forgive you your sins. Surely God is most forgiving, most merciful” (3:31).
These injunctions to dutifully follow the Messenger of God ﷺ  are coupled with strong exhortations against innovation in religious matters. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ warned in that regard:

Those of you who live after me will surely witness much dissension. It is incumbent on you to adhere to my tradition and the way of my rightly-guided successors; cling tenaciously to them. And especially beware of innovated religious practices, for every innovation [in religious affairs] constitutes straying (Sunan Abi Dawud, 607; Sunan Ibn Majah, 6).

He also stated, “Whoever introduces an unfounded novel practice into our religion will have it rejected” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 469).

Preserving the Prophetic Guidance
This duality, of encouraging adherence to guidance while discouraging innovation, is buttressed by the authentic chains of transmission, which have served as the principal means of conveying religious knowledge. These chains of transmission have safeguarded both the foundational texts of Islam and scholarly writings from the earliest centuries of the religion, facilitating an intellectual stability that has prevailed in the Islamic realm. They have also helped to establish a tradition of qualified scholarship that is essential for the preservation and perpetuation of the prophetic guidance.