YOU WORRY ME!

By American Airlines Pilot - Captain John Maniscalco

I've been trying to say this since 9-11, but you worry me. I wish you didn't. I wish when I walked down the streets of this country that I love, that your color and culture still blended with the beautiful human landscape we enjoy in this country.

But you don't blend in anymore. I notice you, and it worries me. I notice you because I can't help it anymore. People from your homelands, professing to be Muslims, have been attacking and killing my fellow citizens and our friends for more than 20 years now. I don't fully understand their grievances and hate, but I know that nothing can justify the inhumanity of their attacks.

On September 11, nineteen ARAB-MUSLIMS hijacked four jetliners in my country. They cut the throats of women in front of children and brutally stabbed to death others. They took control of those planes and crashed them into buildings killing thousands of proud fathers, loving sons, wise grandparents, elegant daughters, best friends, favorite coaches, fearless public servants, and children's mothers.

The Palestinians Celebrated, the Iraqis were overjoyed as was most of the Arab world. So, I notice you now. I don't want to be worried. I don't want to be consumed by the same rage and hate and prejudice that have destroyed the soul of these terrorists. But I need your help. As a rational American, trying to protect my country and family in an irrational and unsafe world, I must know how to tell the difference between you, and the Arab/Muslim terrorist.

How do I differentiate between the true Arab / Muslim-Americans and the Arab Muslim terrorists in our communities who are attending our schools, enjoying our parks, and living in OUR communities under the protection of OUR constitution, while they plot the next attack that will slaughter these same good neighbors and children?

The events of September 11th changed the answer. It is not my responsibility to determine which of you embraces our great country, with ALL of its religions, with ALL of its different citizens, with all of its faults. It is time for every Arab/Muslim in this country to determine it for me.

I want to know, I demand to know, and I have a right to know, whether or not you love America? Do you pledge allegiance to its flag? Do you proudly display it in front of your house, or on your car? Do you pray in your many daily prayers that Allah will bless this nation, that He will protect and prosper it? Or do you pray that Allah will destroy it in one of your Jihads? Are you thankful for the freedom that only this nation affords? A freedom that was paid for by the blood of hundreds of thousands of patriots who gave their lives for this country? Are you willing to preserve this freedom by also paying the ultimate sacrifice? Do you love America?

If this is your commitment, then I need YOU to start letting ME know about it. Your Muslim leaders in this nation should be flooding the media at this time with hard facts on your faith, and what hard actions you are taking as a community and as a religion to protect the United States of America.

Please, no more benign overtures of regret for the death of the innocent because I worry about who you regard as innocent. No more benign overtures of condemnation for the unprovoked attacks because I worry about what is unprovoked to you. I am not interested in any more sympathy. I am only interested in action.

What will you do for America - our great country - at this time of crisis, at this time of war?

I want to see Arab-Muslims waving the AMERICAN flag in the streets. I want to hear you chanting "Allah Bless America " I want to see young Arab/Muslim men enlisting in the military. I want to see a commitment of money, time, and emotion to the victims of this butchering and to this nation as a whole.

The FBI has a list of over 400 people they want to talk to regarding the WTC attack. Many of these people live and socialize right now in Muslim communities. You know them. You know where they are. Hand them over to us, now! But I have seen little even approaching this sort of action. Instead I have seen an already closed and secretive community close even tighter. You have disappeared from the streets. You have posted armed security guards at your facilities. You have threatened lawsuits. You have screamed for protection from reprisals. The very few Arab/Muslim representatives that HAVE appeared in the media were defensive and equivocating.

They seemed more concerned with making sure that the United States proves who was responsible before taking action. They seemed more concerned with protecting their fellow Muslims from violence directed towards them in the United States and abroad than they did with supporting our country and denouncing "leaders" like
Khadafi, Hussein, Farrakhan, and Arafat.

If the true teachings of Islam proclaim tolerance and peace and love for all people, then I want chapter and verse from the Koran and statements from popular Muslim leaders to back it up. What good is it if the teachings in the Koran are good, and pure, and true, when your "leaders" are teaching fanatical interpretations, terrorism, and intolerance?

It matters little how good Islam SHOULD BE if huge numbers of the world's Muslims interpret the teachings of Mohammed incorrectly and adhere to a degenerative form of the religion. A form that has been demonstrated to us over and over again. A form whose structure is built upon a foundation of violence, death, and suicide. A form whose members are recruited from the prisons around the world. A form whose members (some as young as five years old) are seen day after day, week in and week out, year after a year, marching in the streets around the world, burning effigies of our presidents, burning the American flag, shooting weapons into the air. A form whose members convert from a peaceful religion, only to take up arms against the great United States of America, the country of their birth. A form whose rules are so twisted, that their trav eling members refuse to show their faces at airport security checkpoints, in the name of Islam.

We will NEVER allow the attacks of September 11, or any others for that matter, to take away that which is so precious to us: Our rights under the greatest constitution in the world.

I want to know where every Arab Muslim in this country stands and I think it is my right and the right of every true citizen of this country to demand it. A right paid for by the blood of thousands of my brothers and sisters who died protecting the very constitution that is protecting you and your family. I am pleading with you to let me know.

I want you here as my brother, my neighbor, my friend, as a fellow American.

But there can be no gray areas or ambivalence regarding your allegiance and it is up to YOU, to show ME, where YOU stand. Until then. "YOU WORRY ME!"

Recieved by email from family, thanks.

Do They Have A Clue?

If you listen to the news and pay attention to what is going on in congress, do you wonder if they live in the same world as you? Americans have some key concerns that we voice loud and often. If you were to go on a tour of the US and ask people what are the big issues congress should be doing something about, you are probably asking the same question.
Here is an article that I found that gave me some hope.

What I’m Hearing
By John Boehner Thursday, August 23, 2007

There’s no better way to get a beat on what Americans are thinking than to get out of Washington, DC. I’m halfway through an 11 state swing in support of House Republicans that’s taking me to 18 different Congressional Districts throughout the Midwest. So far, the questions I’m hearing most are “who will secure the borders?” “Who has a plan to reduce gas prices and make us less dependent on foreign oil?” “Who will make health care more affordable?” And “who will defend America from the threat of terrorism?”
The voters I’ve met on my road trip want leaders with practical solutions to today’s problems and a commitment to securing America – but that’s not what they’re getting from the Democratic Congress.

You Admit It

I wish I had a penny for the number of times I have heard people talk about our borders and the fact they are still open. I can't go a day without reading or talking about the 800 pound gorilla in the room. If it isn't a direct talk it is indirect. How many times does the word illegal come up if you are not involved in law everyday?
Everyday thousands of crimes are committed by illegal aliens. These crimes are as small as trespassing to as big as murder. Thousands die needlessly and often brutally by those who shouldn't even be here. You would be hard pressed to find a day in the last 5 years when some horrific catastrophe doesn't have and illegal alien attached to it in some way. Given this vast body of evidence that our borders need closing, we still can't get it done.
Since 9/11 the effort put forth by common citizens to close the border has been huge. Groups such as the Minute Men have establish a presence on our border to assist the government in doing what our constitution says is there primary function. Congress has handed out billions of our dollars for every secondary, tertiary and so on project imaginable with out doing the main job. PROTECTING THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Sure they spend lots of money on defense but if you don't close the door how can you keep those unauthorized out. Heck, we have the door completely ripped from the hinges.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that our enemy can use this route to further attack and destroy us. There is no doubt in my mind that they are and to further prove the point our own National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell, has said so himself in a recent interview.
If we have captured one there are probably hundreds. Our borders are so porous that we don't have a clue how many sneak in and out every day. Any fisherman will tell you that if you catch one there are others.

McConnell's office did reveal some numbers, during fiscal 2006, there were 14 Iraqi nationals caught trying to enter the U.S. illegally, while so far in 2007, that number is 16.
"Now some we caught, some we didn't," McConnell
told the newspaper. "The ones that get in – what are they going to do? They're going to write home. So it's not rocket science; word will move around."
Also revealed was that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection intercepted 60 Iraqis crossing the nation's southwestern border in 2006 who were seeking asylum in the U.S., while that number so far in 2007 is 178.
The Times report said a U.S. intelligence analyst said there's been evidence that human smugglers, or coyotes, are telling Iraqis to ask for amnesty if they are caught.
The typical scenario is this: Forged documents are used to get an Iraqi into a country in South or Central America. Since travel from country to country is allowed without vises in many locations there, they work their way north to the U.S. border.
McConnell told the newspaper the numbers are classified, but
there have been a relatively small number of people with known links to terrorist groups who have been caught at that point.

Did you catch that -- people with known links to terrorist groups. Do you think they carry a resume and a phone directory and list there friends under "T" for Terrorist? I don't think so.
We, the American citizen deserve better. We need to continue to press our leaders to do their sworn duty to protect us and our nation. We need to elect leaders who have this as there first goal. I don't want to hear about any of that other stuff until you have a plan on dealing with the number one priority of government, Protection of its citizens. I am tired of feeding everyone else at the trough of government and then not doing what needs done. Write and let those power thirsty politicians know that their reign ends next election if they don't get their priorities straight.

A Current Message From God

I know you have been wondering what God is thinking about today. Let me help you answer the question.

Hello everyone, this is God. Most of you know who I am though there’s that weird Dutch Bishop character, Martin Muskens, who seems to think that I don’t care what I’m called. I apologize for using a third-rate novelist as my mouthpiece, but all the good ones have been taken – by me! Ha! Seriously, you people seem to have a very strange way of treating the treasures that I have sent you. I loaned you Edgar Allen Poe and you let him die a raving lunatic but after a hundred years or so you claim him to be the master of the short story. I sent you Herman Melville and you let him complete his earthly life bored and depressed; a hundred years later his Moby Dick becomes known as the “Greatest American Novel”. Yet, I decide to throw you a curve ball and unload a few blonde bimbos your way and your media types cover them like they were a gift from God! Sorry, no pun intended.
I tried being patient with you people, most patient in fact. You just don’t seem to listen now do you? Abraham was cool; I gave him a single instruction and he carried it out to a tee – well, almost; I preferred roast lamb with a smidgeon of lemon juice. Anyway, I told Noah to build an ark and he followed through much to the disgust of his neighbors. Did you follow their example? Uh uh. I had to send the Egyptians ten plagues before they listened. Have you any idea on how hard it is to come up with those critters in the desert? That was the whole purpose of creating the desert in the first place; sanitized everything under a blazing sun so it would be nice and clean. What of the Jews? My people, huh? It took Ten Commandments written down in stone and they still didn’t listen until I got angry. Finally, I had enough and came down to earth myself.

You have got to read the rest of this.

Cautious Optimism

I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard Bush talk about enforcing current immigration policy. I have been begging for this for a long time. We have plenty of laws on the books we don’t need any more laws on illegal immigration. If we don’t use and enforce those that we have, what good are new ones? So far all the new laws proposed seek to eliminate the laws that are on the books. We have been a nation of laws since our humble beginnings. Over the last 50 years we have eroded our foundation of law. We have taken clear thinking and made it all fuzzy.

The thing that bothers me currently though is why the Bush Administration would, after six years in office, suddenly take a stand on this issue? In my opinion, they have done everything possible to stand on the opposite side of the issue they are proposing now. Even after 9/11 our country has failed to close and lock its own doors. We have left them wide open so that anyone can come and go as they please. What has changed his mind?

The Kennedy-McCain (Bush) Immigration bill was the direction of choice for this administration. We the people had to rise up to be heard. Our elected leaders, who were put in office to do the will of the people, got a clear and very loud message. This message said No to Amnesty and demanded the current law be followed. The message was so loud and clear even the Bush Administration heard it. Or Did They?

I have heard that it is really a push to make it difficult for us Americans. They are gambling that we will fold when the chips are down. This administration hopes that we will be begging for the return of this cheap labor force. Big business has already begun the low murmurings. Some groups are already starting to panic about the soon to be rising cost of food prices.

Everyone is focused on the loss of labor and the rise in wages to draw a new force. We seem to be missing the other parts of the equation. Before I delve into what they are not looking at, what about the mixed message in the argument. Did anyone notice that those who complain the most about the minimum wage and the low paying jobs are now complaining about changing this for the better? I have written several articles on the minimum wage. I have even debated scholars on this topic. It is not the minimum wage that is the problem.

What everyone seems to be overlooking are the standard rules of supply and demand. They also fail to notice that it is not a closed system. Just because the cost of labor goes up, doesn’t mean other factors don’t go down to balance the equation. I will admit that these factors will result in cost increases at the beginning, but time will balance out the equation. I would be willing to wager a net decrease in cost on society. How? If this vast population of illegal workers suddenly disappeared, how would that effect education, health services, corrections and financial assistance organizations? Many major expenses that are tearing down the infra-structure of our American society can slowly be restored and revitalized.

The question is, can we the people take the initial increase without complaining. The balancing scales may take a couple of years to settle out. Are we willing to bet on the future? Are we willing to stand on the side of law? Many times the people of our great nation have stood up to the challenge over the years. Do we still have what it takes to do it today?

I have high hopes that we can, but the liberal mindset and the immediate gratification crowd will be whining. It will take a continuous effort by the people to hold political temptation at bay. We need to remind our leaders that the greater body who has elected them to office wants things done a certain way. We spoke loud and clear about amnesty and we can do it again. This time it is not a single item issue but a constant drumming that keeps them in check. The minority crowd will be waiting for any opportunity to overturn our will. We must be vigilant.

Article of Interest
The Minimum Wage Isn't The Problem

Our Forgotten Past

Many of the issues we are battling today have been addressed by our founding fathers. The wisdom of their words still ring true. Our society has advanced in many ways but the basic fundimentals have digressed.

A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue
then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.
Samuel Adams, letter to James Warren, February 12,
1779

We watch the morality of the left tearing us apart while they quote the Bill of Rights.

And it is no less true, that personal security and private property rest entirely upon the wisdom, the stability, and the integrity of the courts of justice.
Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution, 1833

Our liberal justice system is slowly tearing down this nation.

As our president bears no resemblance to a king so we shall see the Senate has no similitude to nobles. First, not being hereditary, their collective knowledge, wisdom, and virtue are not precarious. For by these qualities alone are they to obtain their offices, and they will have none of the peculiar qualities and vices of those men who possess power merely because their father held it before them.
Tench Coxe, An American Citizen, No.2, September 28,
1787

Seems that those who are in office that come from a line of politicians are the real nuts. Nobility and heredity seem to be working its way back into America.

An occasional glimps at the wisdom of our founding fathers may do much to restore the quality and greatness of our nation.

It's The Small Stuff

One evening a father comes home to find his young teenage children anxious to discuss some family policy.

Son: "Dad we need to discuss our movie policy."

Daughter: "Yeah, there is a movie that all of our friends have seen that we want to see too."

Dad: "What is the issue that you need to meet me at the door?"

Son: "The movie is 'R' rated but everyone has seen it. It is the main topic of discussion among all my friends at school."

Daughter: "Even our pastors kids have seen it! It only has a few bad words."

Dad: "You both know the rule, NO 'R' movies!"

Son: "I really think we need to make an exception in this case."

Daughter: "This is really cutting into my social circles. I am, like an outcast."

Dad: "Alright, I hear your pain. I am willing to discuss this tomorrow after school. We will meet in the kitchen and you two can present your case. I don't want to hear any more about it until tomorrow."

The children run off in a whirl of excitement. They feel they finally will be able to get a fair shake. They have high hopes since Dad is actually willing to discuss it.

The moment arrives and the children rush in from school. They quickly gather in the kitchen. When they arrive they find Dad sitting at the table with three glasses of milk and a large plate of fresh brownies. The house is filled with the smell of freshly baked goods.

As they gathered around the table, Dad started the conversation.

Dad: "Before we get started or you eat them let me tell you about these brownies. These are perfect brownies! I measured the ingredients to perfection. Every ingredient was carefully chosen and prepared. I followed the instructions to the letter. I took great pains to carefully mix and remove all lumps. The batter was as smooth as satin and smelled fantastic. These are perfect in every way, but one. It's really a small matter but for the sake of honesty and rating these brownies, I should tell you about this little insignificant part of the brownies. You probably won't notice after all it is a really small thing. You see in these brownies in a really small, very finely chopped I might add, piece of, dog poop. You probably would have never noticed being so small and chopped up so fine but I am going to have to give these brownies an 'R' rating. So, who would like to try these perfect brownies?"

Sometimes life is thrown into complete chaos because of one small seemingly insignificant detail. The details matter. I hit many topics here but it is the details that make or break them. Many of us overlook the details everyday. You may have a great car but it is the tires that ultimately make the car stop and go. The details matter in each of our lives. Don't loose sight of what is really important.