Ann Coulter

"Since the attack of 9/11, we've won two wars, liberated millions of people from monstrous regimes, presided over one election in Afghanistan and are about to see elections in Iraq and among the Palestinian people. Focusing like a laser beam on the big picture, liberals are upset that, during this period, the secretary of defense used an autopen. " Ann Coulter

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=108&ncid=742&e=10&u=/ucac/20041224/
cm_ucac/happygivingtreefestivaltoallandtoallagoodnight

And so goes Ms. Coulter's rant on Yahoo today. I am not sure where else this publishes except on her website. In the first paragraph, I guess I find a couple of well, lets just say, differences of opinion.

The first being our victory in two wars. I am pretty sure that several thousand American families would wonder at that statement as they care for their wounded or bury their dead. If the war is over...why the heck are our people still being bombed while having lunch?

The Iraqi civilians of Falluja may wonder at the benefits of the regime change from Saddam to George. Under Saddam, they had water and electricity...and a roof over their head. Under George, they have no water, holes in the walls, no electricity and dead bodies in the courtyards. I am not sure that represents a big improvement in their eyes. And that could be a problem.

The US had little to do with Palestinian elections...we were not speaking to the Palestinians because we didn't like Arafat... with some reason. Now we are pretty big...but give credit where credit is due. The Palestinians decided elections are a good thing. Iraqis, on the other hand, face many problems regarding their elections. The largest one, I am sure, is that they may be wearing bullseyes on their backs as they vote. Shoot, US voters can think of many reasons to stay away from the polls and we are in little danger of being shot, blown up or beheaded by crazy people.

The real theme of this Ms. Coulter's rant however seems to be "how dare the peons of this country dare to criticize the Great Mr. Rumsfeld about his lack of simple good manners by signing condolence letters himself rather than by autopen" giving them the same personal touch as a piece of that ever popular "junk mail" all Americans love to get. The peons I am talking about include the retired Colonel who first posed the issue and then wrote his own op-ed piece which included comments from families of deceased soldiers from this war which Ms. Coulter claims is won.

http://www.sftt.org/cgi-bin/csNews/csNews.cgi?database=Unlisted%2edb&command=viewone&id=25

Now Mr. Rumsfeld hot-footed it over to Iraq to serve up Christmas turkey...and schmooze with the soldiers stationed far from home and family for Christmas. Certainly, he needed a couple of photo-ops to buck up his image as a caring individual who really doesn't think of our kids as chess pieces on an ever more bloody game board. I saw the picture where he awarded the Purple Heart to a soldier lying on a hospital bed. Wonder if he was riding around in one of those non-armored humvees that have FINALLY made it to the attention of the American people thanks to a Reservist and a journalist - way to go guys!

And Ms. Coulter, a word for you: maybe you would understand how the mother of a soldier might feel receiving a form letter on the death of her child if you were out buying Elmo dolls for your children's Giving Tree rather than "Ann Coulter action figures" for yourself.

The grief and pain felt on the death of a beloved child feels the same no matter if one is conservative or liberal...and soldiers from Red and Blue states are dying and being injured as you make flippant remarks.

Time to Study Peace

I am struck by the fact that as a society, there are many resources to study war. In a search on the internet, I found very few that study PEACE. Only one University that I found has a "minor" formal study in Peace.

In this season where we speak of Peace and Goodwill toward all people in the context of the celebration of Christmas - have we actually decided what that would mean. Can people actually achieve that goal? Do we have the capability as people to "Turn the Other Cheek" as Christ commanded even when the provocation is great? Can we as a nation that was founded on Judeo-Christian principles follow those lofty goals we have set to promote democracy in all parts of the world? Do we have the right to impose our values on all nations of the world? Or for that matter, our neighbor across the street?

There is a small but growing group of people who have suggested that the United States should withdraw from Iraq because our presence is part of the problem. Certainly we have heard the negative responses to that idea. Even those who believe that we should have never gone to war believe we have a moral obligation to "fix" what is wrong in Iraq using a military option. Certainly LEAVING would take a great leap of faith on the part of our Administration, our Military and our PEOPLE. There would almost certainly be chaos with the various factions trying to seize power. Our vision of a democratic Iraq may never come to be.

But IF we believe that God is in control and IF we believe that part of democracy lies in the ability of a state to determine its own fate is not withdrawl a viable option? Long after we leave, the people of Iraq must determine their own form of government and learn to live together in their small corner of the world. In our own history, that was not achieved in a short defined time line nor on a single election that may not even be viewed as legitimate. We are still working at getting it right.

So maybe it is time to promote the study of Peace and Conflict Resolution from the earliest grades possible across the United States. War does not seem to work in the Christian ideal of bringing Peace on Earth and Goodwill to Men. War does not work for the enemy. War does not work for those killed and injured, nor does it work for their families. Maybe Peace will work.

Wishing All A Blessed Christmas

"For God so loved the world, he sent his only begotton Son"

May the celebration of the birth of a Child
Inspire the light that God placed in all people.

May that Light which is the Spirit of God
Drive all darkness from the Earth.

Have a Blessed Christmas full of Peace, Joy, Faith, Hope and Love.

Christmas at the Fisher House

Army Sgt. Dale Beatty kisses his 6-month-old son, Lucas, while he recovers at the Fisher House at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. (Michael Williamson -- The Washington Post)


What's Daddy getting for Christmas?" Belinda Beatty asked her 2-year-old son, Dustin, as he spun around the tree Tuesday evening, beyond tired after a long day.

"Legs!" the little boy answered.

To link to the story, click here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21062-2004Dec22.html