Just Waterboard Me

-By Lee Culpepper

Yes, it is natural to panic now. America is in trouble when both presidential candidates consider thirty-five to ninety seconds of coerced gagging and panic to be torture. Haven’t liberal politicians and judicial activists been ramming painful ideology down our throats for years?

Maybe it is just a coincidence, but liberals and their news media seem to bring up the word “morality” only if it helps to undermine America’s ability to defend itself against Islamic butchers. Perhaps the relentless pistol-whipping of political correctness has knocked the sense out of most liberals. How else could they assert that President Bush authorizing interrogators to seriously frighten three high-ranking terrorists — in an effort to save American lives — is comparable to Allah (or whoever) commanding terrorists to mutilate, gang rape, and brutally execute innocent victims?

Call me intolerant, but a culture that contains a fantasy where suicide bombers inherit 50 black-eyed virgins in a “heaven” that indulges every debauchery it forbids on earth is not a moral culture. But a culture that values innocent human life is moral.

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I Dream of Obama

-By Lee Culpepper

Remember Barbara Eden’s hit character “Jeannie” materializing from a cloud of pink smoke? Well, I wonder if Obama’s stupefied supporters envision the same vaporous entrance each time their candidate with the magic wallet pops up on stage. Seriously, how else can they explain their belief that Obama could actually grant and fulfill all their government-sponsored wishes? Only silly television shows, children’s fairytales, and socialist fantasies have the sort of hope where magic – or less believable, the government – can fix people’s problems.

Nonetheless, smoky entrances and Walt-Disney-like magic account for only two of Jeannie and Obama’s interesting similarities. Let’s examine where each of them lived — or more accurately, didn’t live. Jeannie never really resided in that antique bottle with the pink, plush, puffy-pillowed pad inside. No, Jeannie trivia reveals that Jim Beam Whiskey was the only resident ever to actually occupy Jeannie’s bottle. After spending some time in the show’s art department, the whiskey bottle acquired its more genie-like appearance. Today, as the product of a whiskey maker and a Hollywood show, the bottle will always be one part Jim Beam and one part Jeannie.

Similarly, Barack Obama never grew up in a poor, black American neighborhood. As we know, he occupied his non-black grandparents’ house and the dormitories of America’s best schools. His unique background and commendable education left a portion of black America questioning the “authenticity” of his “blackness” (whatever that definition may be). Apparently his authentic whiteness was half the problem. Fortunately, spending twenty years in the Trinity United Church of Christ solved Obama’s superficial problem. Once blessed by his racist, anti-American “preacher,” Obama magically became a black man, as opposed to an American man who happens to be half black and half white.
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It’s All About the Vice President Now

-By Lee Culpepper

While the mainstream media wallows in the unpleasant effect John McCain’s apparent nomination is having on the GOP, are liberals also intentionally ignoring the undeniable void of influence the two Democratic candidates pose in the Middle East? No, it’s not that Barrack and Hillary both completely lack foreign policy experience or that they have far-out, socialist ideologies. Their handicaps are even more outrageous than that.

Islamic terrorists hate average, American infidels pretty much equally — but how much do they hate the ex-Islamic infidel who converts to Christianity? According to the hadith (which is a collection of the words and deeds of Muhammad) Muslims must kill apostates. Naturally, Allah will reward the murderers on judgment day.

In fact not long ago, Michelle Malkin wrote about a British imam’s daughter who converted to Christianity. The woman (whose real name is not given) said, “[She knows] the Koran says anyone who goes away from Islam should be killed as an apostate.” The woman now lives under police protection. She says, “[Her Muslim family members] are following Islam to the word. But [she does] not think every Muslim would act on that” ( michellemalkin.com).
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What is a Hero?

-By Lee Culpepper

There are many heroes in this world, but the word “hero” itself has become a hackneyed label. Time and again it is circumstance that brings out an individual’s heroic qualities. Our military members who are serving our country and fighting for the freedom of people in a foreign land are undeniably heroes.

Frequently, many heroes pay the ultimate price while serving others, such as the brave firemen, policemen, and civilians who sacrificed their lives trying to save the victims of 9/11. For the heroes who survive their crucibles, they tend to continue serving with a degree of humility and meekness. How many heroes do we know that flaunt themselves as such? Heroes are modest, truthful, loyal, and selfless.

My previous article about John McCain mocked him for several reasons, including his constant reminder that he suffered as POW in Vietnam. I respect that John McCain served and sacrificed for our country. But I do not admire anything that is known about him before his time as a POW or after his release. It is impossible for us who have never endured such an experience to understand what McCain must have gone through. Having survived it, however, why does he so bitterly oppose the POW/MIA families (From Vietnam Veterans Against John McCain)? His actions and behavior are nothing short of disturbing. Why wouldn’t everyone question McCain’s motives concerning this subject?
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A Poster Boy for Democrats and Viagra: John McCain

-By Lee Culpepper

In the rare case of a “McCain” lasting longer than four hours, readers should seek immediate medical attention.

From McCain’s lackluster record at the Naval Academy to his self-important tenure as a United States Senator, John McCain has never missed an opportunity to stroke himself. Unfortunately, leadership is not about the size of one’s popularity. It’s about character, competence, and respect.

Like any poster child for the Democrats, former POW John McCain possesses the victim status necessary to insulate himself from factually transmitted criticisms – according to liberals anyway. However, most men are judged on how they conduct themselves throughout their lives, not on a moment of circumstance.

None of us know for sure what McCain experienced during his time as a POW. All we know is that he survived and came home while many other POWs did not. What was it about McCain that was different? Was it family heritage or was it his proclivity for compromising to get what he wants?

At the Academy, McCain rebelled and barely graduated. In The Nightingale’s Song (authored by fellow Naval Academy graduate Roger Timberg) McCain proves to be more of a playboy than a midshipman. Disobedience, demerits, and distraction mark McCain’s Academy days. Today, McCain continues to demonstrate that he lacks the self-discipline, tact, and integrity on which the Academy prides itself. The Academy’s honor code states clearly, “[Midshipmen] tell the truth and ensure that the full truth is known.”
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A Poster Boy for Democrats and Viagra: John McCain

-By Lee Culpepper

In the rare case of a “McCain” lasting longer than four hours, readers should seek immediate medical attention.

From McCain’s lackluster record at the Naval Academy to his self-important tenure as a United States Senator, John McCain has never missed an opportunity to stroke himself. Unfortunately, leadership is not about the size of one’s popularity. It’s about character, competence, and respect.

Like any poster child for the Democrats, former POW John McCain possesses the victim status necessary to insulate himself from factually transmitted criticisms – according to liberals anyway. However, most men are judged on how they conduct themselves throughout their lives, not on a moment of circumstance.

None of us know for sure what McCain experienced during his time as a POW. All we know is that he survived and came home while many other POWs did not. What was it about McCain that was different? Was it family heritage or was it his proclivity for compromising to get what he wants?
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Charter Schools: The Marine Corps of Public Education

Charter Schools: The Marine Corps of Public Education
-By Lee Culpepper

The Marine Corps’ mystique entices motivated recruits. Its battlefield ferocity strikes fear in the hearts of its enemies. The Corps is something nearly everyone admires, but only a few have what it takes to make the commitment.

Marines do not make excuses; they find ways to accomplish their mission – often without assets others require. Marines pride themselves on their ability to “accomplish more with less.”

Charter schools have benefited from a similar philosophy. They, too, “accomplish more with less.” They entice committed families and teachers searching for something better in public education. They also strike fear in the hearts of teacher unions and slippery politicians.

Overall, charter schools have produced at least as good — but typically better — results than traditional public schools. They have done so without assets their competition demands. Charters have succeeded despite receiving less taxpayer funding. They are completely on their own to pay for classroom facilities. Whether they build, lease, or restore property, charters own the problem.
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