Country First

CNN cut away from the opening statements of Laura Bush as she played the videos made by the Gulf state governors. They did hurricane coverage until Cindy McCain came out on stage to make her statements.

"As John has been saying for the last several days, now is the time for us to take off our
Republican hats and put on our American hats. Please go to www.causegreater.com."
No flowery speech from Mrs. Bush reminiscing on her White House years. No "look, I'm just one of you" speeches from Mrs. McCain. Simply a large screen with web sites from different Gulf states which would appreciate donations to help the victims of Hurricane Gustav.

Country First.

You can also go to the McCain web site. When it comes up you will see the plea to help others. I know it is a boring, non-artistic and cool site, but, that's life. It's the right thing to do.

Senator John Cornyn, R-TX, also is helping the cause. I support his re-election. You can go to his web site, too, and contribute.

A story that will, no doubt, be overlooked today as the storm hits; as the Republican convention opens; and as the news of the pregnancy of 17 year old Bristol Palin, not yet married to her boyfriend, Levi is this one: Anbar Province was returned to Iraqi control today. From the statement released by the White House: "Today in Iraq, responsibility for security in Anbar Province was transferred to Iraqi civilian authorities. Iraqi forces will now take the lead in security operations in Anbar, with American troops moving into an overwatch role. Not long ago, Anbar was one of the most dangerous provinces in Iraq. Al Qaeda was in control of almost every major population center, and its leaders intended to turn Anbar province into a safe haven from which to plan and launch further attacks against Iraqis and others in the region, as well as here at home."

"Today, Anbar is no longer lost to al Qaeda - it is al Qaeda that lost Anbar. Iraqis - like countless other Muslims across the world- witnessed al-Qaeda's brutality first-hand and rejected it. As a result, Anbar has been transformed and reclaimed by the Iraqi people. This achievement is a credit to the courage of our troops, the Iraqi Security Forces, and the brave tribes and other civilians from Anbar who worked alongside them."

I haven't noticed a peep out of all those politicians and media types, who support the troops but not the mission, so they say, acknowledge the success of the supported troops. Joe Biden? Harry Reid? John Murtha? Jim Webb? Chuckie Schumer? Russ Feingold? Nope. Not one word. How about Barack Obama? He was a part of the disgraceful General Betrayus display.

"Twin Cities is a good place for those two." Obama on the continued lie that McCain will be the third term of Bush. Biden, the designated attack dog, belittled the economy. Odd, since while it is still a slow economy, we are still not at the dreaded 'recession' word and there has been a slight uptick in consumer confidence and productivity. Gas prices are down. The economy is slow but far from 'the worst economy in history', as the Democrats like to say. If it's not doom and gloom, (or ridicule), they aren't saying it.

Obama, while saying they would suspend political attacks today due to the events in the Gulf, again went back on his word. Common practice for him. He's been starting off his rallies by singing "Chain of Fools", because he is a rock star, you know. And not about petty politics as usual. I would have a whole different interpretation of that song he sings, and why.

Jon Voight, movie star (a real one) and former Hollywood liberal, gave an interesting interview about what turned him off the liberal Democrat party of the 1960's that he had so wholly embraced at the time. He said it was what happened as the American troops pulled out of Vietnam and 2 1/2 million people were slaughtered in Cambodia and Vietnam. He quoted Ho Chi Minh on how Marxism would spread to the U.S. He said it would spread through the school system and then politicians.

The Chicago political machine is a good example of this. Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were enthralled with the writings of Saul Alinsky. Hillary wrote a paper on him in her Wellesley days and Obama studied his writings, too and has utilized his strategies in this campaign. It was his model during his brief tenure in 'community organizing'. Also, Obama's mother was devoted to Marxist political thought and raised Obama with these values.

Jon Voight mentioned the strong connections between Bill Ayers and Obama and what will be exposed as the Annenberg papers come out. It is interesting to see all of that mystery play out, especially since the campaign has worked so diligently to claim Ayers is just a neighbor in Hyde Park and to have the papers sealed.

Chain of Fools, indeed. There's your hope and change.