Bobby Alert, so mark your calendars, kids!

MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 2007

Please join …

Bobby Jindal for a Meet & Greet

2:30-4:00 PM, Monday, August 6, 2007

Dry Prong Community Center
(Behind Town Hall)

Dry Prong, LA

All are invited! Please invite your family and friends!

Hope to see you there!

Bobby’s comprehensive ethics policy.

Read all about it here.

Here’s another one to watch.

Interestingly, Treasurer John Kennedy, in a recent interview on The Moon Griffon Show, said something to the effect that if the news doesn’t come from him, we are not to believe it. Even so, throughout the interview, I sensed that Kennedy was being a tad coy.

However this shapes up (could give Royal a royal headache), I met Treasurer Kennedy, last May, after he gave the commencement address at the Paul M. Hebert Law Center. He’s a very nice man. Nevertheless, in listening to his speech, it became clear that, although he’s a spending watchdog, he’s a lib.

Read on:

Kyle ponders run for treasurer’s post

By MICHELLE MILLHOLLON
Advocate Capitol News Bureau
Published: Jul 31, 2007

After unsuccessful bids to become governor and insurance commissioner, Republican Dan Kyle is considering a race for state treasurer.

Kyle, 69, said Monday he will enter the race only if state Treasurer John Kennedy no longer wants the job.

“I think John’s done a good job and he has a very good approval rating,” he said.

Kennedy, a Democrat, is considering running for state attorney general rather than seek re-election this fall. Candidates must sign up in early September for statewide elected offices.

Kennedy’s aide, Jason Redmond, said Kennedy is weighing his options.

The state treasurer is responsible for overseeing, investing and disbursing state funds. The treasurer also chairs the state Bond Commission, which approves state-backed borrowing.

In the past several years, Kennedy sparred with Senate President Don Hines, D-Bunkie, over the state’s support of a syrup mill for Hines’ district.

Hines backed legislation during the recent session to lessen Kennedy’s influence over the Bond Commission. Kennedy accused Hines of trying to retaliate against him. Hines denied it. The bill ultimately died.

Kyle, who served as the state’s legislative auditor, said he wants to focus on finance and push politics aside if elected treasurer.

“I’m apparently not a very good politician,” he joked.

Kyle briefly ran for governor in 2003 before dropping out of that race to run for insurance commissioner.

He lost in the runoff to Robert Wooley.

Kyle now serves as a BREC commissioner and as deputy chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party.

He said there are only two jobs he ever wanted besides legislative auditor — treasurer and governor.

Kyle said his background as a certified public accountant fits the background a treasurer needs.

He describes himself as a numbers person who understands interest rates.

One financial area Kyle knows he will have to focus on is campaign finance.

His most recent campaign finance report from the insurance commissioner’s race shows a balance of $2,390.36 in cash on hand.

Kyle said he will have to commit personal funds and raise a “good portion” if he decides to run.

The election is Oct. 20.

Royal Alert!

A Central Louisiana fund raising event is planned for Royal Alexander, candidate for Attorney General.

When: Monday, August 20, at 6:00 pm

Where: At the home of Cynthia and Kevin Delaney, 3911 Pecan Drive, Alexandria

Contribution: $100 per person; * $500 for Host Committee membership

For more information: Karen Haymon at kkhaymon@aol.com or at 318/308-1361

* Deadline for Host Committee membership is Tuesday, July 31.

You da man, Boasso. (Expletive deleted)

Bobby's new ad.

The slap that wasn't. LOL!

It really is funny, so go here to have a listen. ;->

Newt is a hoot!

The Campaign to Elect Chris Hazel...

... is well out of the gate and CenLa GoPAC has endorsed him. Other endorsements are in the offing; but, as with all campaigns, Chris needs plenty of financial help. The incumbent in LA House District 27, who *has* to go, has a decent war chest, so please consider sending some help.

Go to Chris's web site, here. It's not quite complete, so please send your contributions to:

Campaign to Elect Chris Hazel
5930 Adrian Drive
Ball, Louisiana 71405

Please offer your muscle, as well. ;->

Mark your calendars.

FRIDAY JULY 20th

Please Join …

Bobby Jindal & Top NRA Officials (Wayne LaPierre & Chris Cox)

1:30 PM

Diamond Grill

Downtown Alexandria

924 Third Street

Alexandria, LA 71301

All are invited! Please invite your family and friends!

Hope to see you there!

Questions: blake@bobbyjindal.com

Neil Kavanagh...

... seconds Lee Fletcher by focusing on opposition researcher, Donna Brazile:

If You Strike At The King...

Now that the knee jerk reaction to Sen. Vitter's outing has subsided, more thoughtful minds are beginning to ask questions that were overlooked by the major media mouthpieces.

Here's a sample… Everyone knows that the last 10 days of a Louisiana legislative session are the most frantic. That's when the deals are cut and the money split. So, why would Governor Blanco travel to Washington during these last days of a critical session to meet with Donna Brazile and Mary Landrieu? Hmmmmmm!

We all remember Donna, she the New Orleans gal that rose to the pinnacle of the National Democrat party through her expertise on opposition research. In other words, she's a political dirt raker. She has a long and distinguished career working with the cream if the liberal crop. Names like Jimmy Carter, Jessie Jackson and Michael Dukakis. Brazile also has a long history of using sex-based rumors to attack her opponents. She was fired from the Dukakis campaign for making false accusations about George H.W. Bush, and is rumored to have given Larry Flynt the dirt on Rep. Bob Livingston. Brazile is the queen of Washington sex scandals.

So I have to wonder, why was Kathleen Blanco meeting with Donna Brazile and Mary Landrieu in a hurry up trip to Washington DC during the last 10 days of the session? Could it be that they were polishing up the plan to out Vitter? Could it be that Blanco was there to give her approval? Hmmmmmm!

And what about Larry Flynt and his million dollar reward for “dirt?” We all remember Larry…he's the bi-polar smut peddler who molested his own daughter, according to her. Flynt is famous for attacking conservative lawmakers who criticize the porn industry. He's also famous for his cozy relationship with the National Democrat Party. Flynt's tabloid reporter Dan Moldea took only 48 hours to comb through 15,000 individual phone records and cross reference them all to find five entries of David Vitter's phone number. Flynt also contends that there are other Washington politicians who are on the list and he will reveal their names as fast as they can find them. However, Flynt, his staff and the mainstream media have had a full week to disclose any of the other names. As of yet, nothing has surfaced.

Could it be that Flynt was instructed to target Vitter alone? Perhaps Flynt was even given the list by Donna Brazile with Vitter's number highlighted? Hmmmmmm!

What would Kathleen Blanco and the Louisiana Democratic party have to gain with David Vitter fighting a sex scandal? Consider this; the elections this year will be the best chance the Republicans have ever had for a complete take-over of Louisiana State Government. Up until now, David Vitter has had a 70% plus positive rating with Louisiana voters. That translates to very long coat tails that many state candidates were going to ride into office. Now, with Vitter crippled, it might not be that easy. Also, you can believe that prominent Washington Democrats are grinning at Vitter's embarrassment, a little pay-back for stopping the illegal alien amnesty bill.

Wouldn't these two factors be enough motivation to attempt to end Vitter's career by digging up old dirt? Who is better equipped to carry out this plot than the sex scandal queen of Washington D.C Donna Brazile? Hmmmmmm!

So how do we find the truth in all of this? Voters who have lived in this state know that Louisiana invented hardball, play for keeps politics. Present these observations to any political pundit in this state and they will tell you that these speculations come to no surprise, we've seen this type of political combat before... and this little war is far from over.

believe it was Machiavelli who said, “If you strike at the King, you must slay him, lest he rise and seek retribution…” Senator David Vitter is still very much alive. He returns to Washington this week, bloodied and broken, but still alive and very determined.

John Maginnis on the scandal.

LaPolitics.com:

July 18 2007

The Vitter Affair in Perspective

There's a joke, less funny than true, that puts most of the blame for the slowness of the state's recovery following the 2005 hurricanes on that woman, Monica Lewinsky. Had she not encouraged that easily tempted president, there would have been no impeachment proceedings, Hustler Magazine would not have exposed the extramarital affair of Congressman Bob Livingston, R-La., he would not have resigned, and then, seven years later, the 17th Street Canal levee would have broken in the district of the Speaker of the House.

Had he not been toppled, Livingston, then in line to be elected to the top leadership position, would have seen to it that Louisiana got all the federal relief money it needed the first time it asked, instead of trying for a third time, as is the case now.

That sad exercise of "what if" gives some perspective to Sen. David Vitter's troubles following his being linked to prostitutes in Washington and New Orleans. Compared to the effect of Livingston's departure, this is nothing. In Washington, it has provided a Congress fatigued by war debates and corruption scandals with the summer diversion of a good old-fashioned sex scandal. Even accusations that he is a hypocrite, given his past ringing defense of traditional marriage, are unfair, since married men going to prostitutes is as traditional as the institution itself.

Sure, it reflects poorly on his state, but what's new? As far as checks and balances on powerful Louisiana politicians go, the FBI polices the Democrats while Hustler takes care of Republicans.

Vitter won't go the way of Livingston, whose consolation prize is a multi-million-dollar income for lobbying his former colleagues. With less than three years service and now in the minority party, Vitter has not achieved the status that warrants a serious call for his resignation, though the Louisiana Democratic Party is taking a stab at it.

Most ambitious young politicians start out thinking they could be president one day. Their defining moment comes when they realize they won't be. That's Vitter's lot now as a former rising star. Republican leaders in the Senate are likely to pass him over for plum committee assignments, preferring to invest in undamaged goods. Taking a seat on the back bench is hardly the impetus to spring one out of bed in the morning.

Oddly, Vitter's indiscretion seemed to make bigger waves in the state than did Livingston's fall at the time, because the latter was overshadowed by the impeachment of the president. Also, though almost speaker, Livingston was less a commanding figure than Vitter in state politics, where the greater impact of this scandal will be felt.

Starting with Congressman Bobby Jindal, who fortunately scheduled his first statewide campaign swing for this week instead of last Monday, the Republican frontrunner has lost a mighty weapon in Vitter. The senator was set to run bruising interference for Jindal, allowing the candidate to stick to the high road. That loss could spell a crucial difference for Jindal come October if he is scrapping to hold off opponents to snare a victory in the primary.

Also, don't look for Vitter to be out campaigning for Republican legislative candidates this fall, despite having made winning a GOP majority in the state House of Representatives his pet project.

Next year, Vitter might be back to close to his old self, in time to lead the GOP charge against Sen. Mary Landrieu's re-election bid. Or perhaps not. As it appears now, she will be able to focus on her future opposition without having to take much lip from her junior colleague.

Yet, his detractors would be wise not to count out the tenacious Vitter as a force again in Louisiana politics, though for now he will assume a less combative role.

He's back on the job, remorseful but chin up, focusing anew on the state's recovery as part of the effort to recover his own career. But as with storm-ravaged communities, the Vitter restoration will be a long, hard slog, and though things will get better for him, they will never be the same.

Amazing Wendy hit it out of the park.

Thanks, Aaron. Pfft.

I doubt it, but hey...

From 99.5FM:

Broussard: Georges Could Make It A Race

Jeff Parish President says Jindal could face challenge if John Georges runs as Democrat
Monday, July 16, 2007

Jefferson Parish President, Aaron Broussard says Bobby Jindal could face a significant challenge if businessman, John Georges were to switch parties and seek the Governor's office as a Democrat.

In an interview on the Jim Brown Show on 99.5FM, Broussard says Georges is not well-known statewide, but he says "you could get pretty well known with $5 million."

Georges, has said he is prepared to spend $5 million of his own money in the race.

The way Broussard handicaps the race, "in an open primary race, 40% is to the right, 40% is to the left and the 20% that is in the middle is what elects you Governor.

Broussard says Bobby Jindal is starting on the right and with no major threat on the left, he takes the 20% in the middle.

But he says if Georges switched parties and ran as a Democrat he might galvanize liberal voters and in that case, Broussard says, "Jindal would be facing a different set of challenges."

Asked about the challenges facing Senator David Vitter, Broussard suggested that the Senator take a page out of Sheriff Harry Lee's playbook. Broussard says the Sheriff has been one of the most popular figures in Jefferson Parish history because "his credo has been honesty and he has always been straightforward."

Broussard, says he was speaking "generically" about the Vitter case, suggested that elected officials who might find themselves in Vitter's position need to "come out and talk frankly, face all the tough questions and lay it out on the line."

Senator David Vitter to Break Silence, 5pm News Conference. LIVE ON WAFB (BR)

Breaking news, from Louisiana News Link:

United State Senator David Vitter has scheduled a 5pm news conference in Metairie today where he is expected to finally speak publicly about his admitted ties to a Washington, D.C. prostitution ring.

WAFB 9NEWS in Baton Rouge will carry the press conference live, during WAFB 9NEWS at 5.

Thank you, Kathleen. Really.

Friday, Governor Kathleen B. Blanco signed into law the ban on the utterly brutal practice of partial-birth abortion.

For once, Louisiana being first – and, in this ban, we are – is an extremely good thing. We are leading on this and should be *very* proud.

Senator Blanco???

Be careful what you pray for, Vince and Jeff. However brazen, it certainly is possible.

From Roy Fletcher, via The Town Hall Show:

Blanco Wants to Be Senator

Several days ago, right after the David Vitter story broke, I opined to the esteemed journalist, John Hill, that I thought Senator Vitter could not last a week. Like everyone else, I took the reports of the Vitter debacle with amazement that Vitter engaged in such activity, compassion for Vitter’s four children and wife, and concern for David Vitter himself, and I did not think that anyone could survive such pressure. More importantly, I took the Vitter reports as simply the press uncovering facts about Vitter’s secret life.

Now, with the passage of time, there are obvious clues that something is rotten, as usual, in Louisiana politics. Yes, the clues are obvious.

There’s a political agenda going on that relates directly to the madam’s interview and Flynt’s comments. It’s an ugly agenda, and it’s an agenda that has no regard for four innocent children, a wife, a family, and the people of Louisiana.

If Vitter resigned, who would appoint his successor? Not Bush. Not Cheney. Not the Chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party. The appointment would be made by one Kathleen Blanco, thus demonstrating why some are salivating over Vitter’s possible resignation.

Who would Blanco appoint? She’s already told us in an indirect way. She has said the “Vitter scandal” has hurt Louisiana, because we need someone who understands our needs after Katrina. Ah! Who best to understand this than one Mrs. Blanco? What a wonderful way to finish your political career, because the person she appoints cannot run for the Senate seat in the special election that will be held.

Now, by appointing herself, Mrs. Blanco gets a “twofer” and so do the Democrats. What do I mean? Well, Mitch Landrieu, the Lt. Governor, then, becomes Acting Governor, and he is under no obligation not to run for Governor in this Fall’s election. Can you imagine the money he can raise from the Governor’s Office?

Suddenly, the Democrats have a new Senator and, perhaps, a better chance in the governor’s race. This potential makes it imperative that Vitter resign soon in order to give Mitch a chance to raise the needed funds, since qualifying is in early September.

The facts are beginning to suggest what we all know. Politics is a contact sport. It’s tough, mean-spirited and down right nasty. Vitter’s problems demonstrate that one has to be very careful in the image they project, but the corrupt part of this story is the manipulations of the situation for political advantage.

If someone is promoting the madam, as I strongly suspect, this is corrupt politics. If the timing of Flynt’s press conference was coordinated, knowing there were no more revelations, this is corrupt politics. If Vitter resigns and the events unfold as I suspect they will this was dirty, corrupt politics.

Yes, something is rotten in Louisiana politics. It’s no wonder more than a decade ago, a young congressman running for governor, Buddy Roemer, said: “I love Louisiana, but I hate Louisiana politics!” David Vitter, you should hate it too, so stand your ground, take public responsibility, continue to be a good Senator, and let those of us who do this for a living uncover the roaches under the rocks.

Interesting...

From Lee Fletcher:

Thursday, July 12th, 2007
Vitter Exposed as Payback For Killing Amensty Bill

Senator Vitter did the right thing by telling the truth, taking responsibility for his actions with God and his family, and apologizing to us. He deserves forgiveness. He also will face voters down the road who will make the ultimate decision on his future.

This hit is disturbing...here is why....

These incidents occurred many years ago in David's past - prior to his work as a U.S. Senator and have no connection to his service as a Senator.

David Vitter has accomplished a great deal while serving in the Senate including:

Effectively leading the charge to kill a bad amnesty bill
Fighting for access to cheaper and more affordable prescription drugs Securing vital highway and infrastructure project funding for the state
Fighting tireless for water resource and hurricane protection

It's unfortunate that political enemies and the news media have turned this past mistake/sin - before he was even in the Senate - into a feeding frenzy and a license to report false rumors.

David did the right thing as Senator but is paying a personal price on this one in my view.

Canal Street Story is Bogus:

The Canal Street Madam is pushing a book and television deal - effectively using David's situation to further her own financial gain.

All FOUR attorneys on the Madam case say Vitter wasn't involved - including U.S. Attorney Jim Letten, the madam's own defense attorney and the attorneys for her mother and daughter.

ABC 26 New Orleans aired the madam holding a black book insinuating Vitter's name was in it on Tuesday evening, and reported on Wednesday evening that the Madam claims she burned all Vitter's record... What's was the significance of the video of her holding the black book the day before?

Bottom line: Vitter is getting hit because he killed the Amensty Bill.

Where did this hit come from?

No question it is a professional political hit of the highest order executed with precision and targetted like an assassination attempt on David Vitter's career. It is clear that the hit was executed in DC circles and by DC operatives...

But....One may want to simply do the following:

Ask Kathleen Blanco what she was doing in DC recently and who all she met with and why...and what she and Mary Landrieu discussed in their most recent meeting....One specifc name you may want to also note is that of Donna Brazile (DC Political Operative and Former Al Gore Campaign Manager) who was in private meetings with Governor Blanco.

It is not hard to connect the dots but I leave it up to you to do so.

Sad.

Historical romance novelist, Kathleen Woodiwiss, born in Alexandria and a resident of Cheneyville, lost her battle with cancer, in a Minnesota hospital, on July 6, 2007. She was 68 years old.

Kathleen is one Republican who will be sorely missed.

Either this ad is very good PR copy or we should be scared. To death.

What follows is a frightening book ad from NewsMax and is especially chilling, in light of Secretary Chertoff's recent revelations:

Al-Qaida Plans NuclearAttacks on 7 U.S. Cities

The newly released book "The Day of Islam: The Annihilation of America and the Western World," (Prometheus Books) paints a frightening picture of al-Qaida's nuclear ambitions — one every American must read.

Seasoned investigative reporter and former FBI consultant Paul Williams reveals the alarming potential for nuclear terrorism on U.S. soil and the sinister connections among organized crime, illegal immigrants, and al-Qaida.

Recently, FBI Director Robert Mueller, in an interview with NewsMax, confirmed Williams' main claim. Mueller said al-Qaida's paramount goal is clear: to detonate a nuclear device that would kill hundreds of thousands of Americans.

Mueller told NewsMax that at times, the threat feels so real he lies awake at night thinking about the prospect.

Williams maintains that al-Qaida is not content on blowing up one nuclear device or even simply a "dirty" nuke — but wants to explode real nuclear devices in seven U.S. cities simultaneously.

Williams says these cities are New York, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, Miami, Boston, Houston, and Los Angeles.

Mueller seems to confirm this claim of multiple attacks, saying both New York and Washington would be likely targets. Already Williams says the U.S. government has Washington webbed by "choke" points to detect nuclear material.

For many Americans the threat of al-Qaida's nuclear ambitions begins in the time after the horrific 9/11 attacks.

But as Williams shows so clearly, al-Qaida has been devising its nuclear plan since the early 1990s — and the U.S. government and other intelligence services have been well aware of al-Qaida's plan.

For example, Williams quotes Michael Scheuer, a senior CIA official who headed the agency's bin Laden unit.

Scheuer admitted the CIA "found that [bin Laden] and al-Qaida were involved in an extraordinarily sophisticated and professional effort to acquire weapons of mass destruction — in this case, nuclear weapons; so, by the end of 1996, it was clear that this was an organization unlike any other one we had ever seen."

Remember, Scheuer is describing the period before 9/11, proving again that bin Laden had been investing enormous time, resources, and money into getting nuclear weapons for more than 10 years.

Bin Laden and his adherents believe this nuclear cataclysm will usher in "The Day of Islam," the dream of radical Muslims to see all of humankind fall in submission before the throne of Allah as the "Great Satan," America, is brought to her knees.

Williams is not surprised at all that bin Laden has planned to launch such nuclear attacks, suggesting his delay is consistent with his past pattern of activities. For sure, it is a plan that has been long in its hatching.

Based on the "forgotten testimony" of the FBI's "Confidential Source One," as well as other sources, Williams first presents evidence of bin Laden's purchase of highly enriched uranium in Sudan and nuclear devices from the Chechens and the Russian Mafia.

He then offers further information on the workings of Pakistani scientists and technicians from the A.Q. Khan Research Facility to maintain and upgrade al-Qaida's "bespoke nukes" (with explosive yields in excess of 10 kilotons) for the "American Hiroshima."

Williams explosive revelations are even more worrisome because they are not simply backed up by speculation and anonymous sources, they are sourced with government reports and comments made "on the record" by top officials.

Among the explosive revelations in "The Day of Islam":

• 
  In 1996, al-Qaida's "paymaster" and a top lieutenant for bin Laden walked into a U.S. embassy in Africa and spilled the beans on the terror group's activities — including that al-Qaida had purchased nuclear material in the Sudan
  
• The incredible story of a Brooklyn, N.Y., mosque that was receiving "stipends" from Uncle Sam for more than $2 million a year up until 1993 — when it was discovered the mosque was the nerve center for the first attack on the World Trade Center
  
• The fact that despite the hoopla about the war on terror, only one member of bin Laden's shura — or high command — has been killed
  
• The case of a Chicago charity that raised millions for bin Laden and even paid for one of his operatives whose sole job was to acquire nuclear weapons
  
• Evidence the Saudi intelligence service claims bin Laden has an arsenal of between 40 and 70 tactical nuclear weapons
  
• Russian sources that claim bin Laden bought 12 to 15 fully assembled nuclear weapons
  
• Ties between al-Qaida and the Chechen rebels who allegedly acquired nuclear suitcase devices
  
• Bin Laden's claim to a Pakistani journalist two months before 9/11 that acquiring nuclear was "not difficult" — claiming they were available from Russia for between $10 million and $20 million
  
• Author Tom Clancy's revelations he was "first bemused, then stunned" to find how easy it is for a wealthy person to develop a nuclear device equal to that dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
  
• How atomic blueprints are available from Amazon.com!
  
• Evidence bin Laden spent between $60 and $100 million to build nuclear devices with the help of scientists from Pakistan, Russia, and China
  
• The damage even a low yield "junk" nuclear device would do to New York — with an estimated 250,000 dead in several days
  
• The remarkable story of two British secret agents who penetrated al-Qaida's camps in Afghanistan — and reported to Britain that the terror group was finishing work on radiological weapons
  
• The stunning admission of the head of Britain's MI5 who confirmed that "renegade" scientists had provided al-Qaida with the knowledge they needed to build a nuclear device
  
• New Jersey: the strange case of a Pakistani who died of radiological poisoning soon after 9/11, a man who had apparently served as a "mule" to transport the deadly material into the U.S.
  
• Axis of Evil: the secret alliance between al-Qaida and Iran that brings together two religious groups with one common goal: destroying the U.S.
  
• And much, much more

In "The Day of Islam," Williams takes you on a virtual tour of al-Qaida and its global operations.

You will discover their operations not only cross through Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and other Muslim countries — but through Latin America, Mexico, and even our neighbor Canada!

What emerges is a harrowing picture of international terrorist activities, all aimed at the destruction of the United States and the collapse of the Western world.

Williams also reveals the man who has been tapped by bin Laden to lead the "Day of Islam" attack in the U.S. — a man who served as the "fixer" of 9/11 and yet has never been caught. He is believed to be here in the United States.

This dangerous man has wormed his way into American culture: He speaks perfect English and passes himself off as an Italian American. He is "the most dangerous man in the world."

FBI Director Mueller has called this man "the next Mohamed Atta" — but most Americans have never heard of him or seen his image. Williams expresses dismay that the FBI, well aware of this terrorist's threat, has not fully alerted the American public.

Indeed, al-Qaida reportedly had 42 operatives as part of its 9/11 attacks, and some 23 remain as "sleepers" in the United States.

Williams also reveals that al-Qaida's operations continue here in the United States, supported by supplies and personnel who simply slip through Mexico and across our porous border.

Williams names names — including top al-Qaida operatives that have admitted that Mexico remains the main conduit point for al-Qaida penetration into the United States. This includes the smuggling of nuclear materials.

"The Day of Islam" also offers a full translation of the "fatwa" — the religious order bin laden received in 2003 which "grants al-Qaida permission to kill 10 million Americans by way of nuclear weapons."

For those who think that al-Qaida has been disabled, dismembered, or neutralized, the "Day of Islam" will provide a wake up call like never before.

Jindal Alert!

ALEXANDRIA LEG OF BOBBY'S ANNOUNCEMENT "FLY AROUND TOUR"

Day/Date: Monday, July 16th

Time: 8:30am

Location: Conference Room at Million Air Terminal
Alexandria International Airpark
1037 Billy Mitchell Blvd.
Building 2502
Alexandria, LA 71303
*Enter under green Million Air Awning

Parking: Parking available across the street. NO COST


DIRECTIONS:

Take US- 165 N / US- 71 N/ MacArthur Drive
Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto LA-28 W / MONROE ST. Continue to follow LA-28 W (COLISEUM BLVD.)
Turn RIGHT onto LA-3054 / VANDENBERG DR. Continue to follow VANDENBERG DR.
Turn LEFT onto CHENNAULT AVE.
Turn RIGHT onto FAA AVE.
Turn LEFT onto WATTERBERG WAY.
Turn RIGHT onto BILLY MITCHELL BLVD.

How stupid do we want to be?

Jeff Crouere and Vince Bruno are calling for Vitter's resignation. Brilliant, kids.

In fact, Bruno wants Vitter to resign immediately. Why, so Kathleen can appoint a Dem to replace him?

How cool, Vince. That's exactly what we need, another Dem senator. Ya think Kate would appoint Mitch, since it looks like he's vulnerable to Kershaw? Great. Then, we'd have the Landrieu Senate Sibs. Now *that's* cool!

Why? Because such a scenario might (emphasis on "might") cause Bobby Jindal some trouble and we all know, Vince, that you're hoping Dave Treen will throw his hat into the gubernatorial ring. Nice.

As well, we all remember the bitter battle between Treen and Vitter, in their quest for Bob Livingston's House seat, in '99. And, you were a Treenie, weren't ya, Vince?

Another thing we know, Vince, is that you're not a Giuliani fan, either. Uh-oh, is Treen OK with that?

Oh, Vince... Somebody get the duct tape.

Read it and weep.

David Vitter.

We ain't done, yet, not by a long shot.

From NewsMax:

Pro-Immigration Forces Back North American Union

John O. EdwardsMonday, July 9, 2007

America is finished.

Mexico and Canada are gone too.

In their place: One massive country, the North American Union (NAU), bordered by the Bering Sea to the north and Guatemala to the south, the Atlantic to the east and the Pacific to the west.

NAU citizens no longer spend dollars or salute Old Glory. They spend "ameros," and the flag that waves over its capitals shows the entire Western Hemisphere.

The national borders of the United States have been forever erased. While that scenario may sound far-fetched, critics of the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) warn that future could be here sooner than anyone realizes.

President Bush, Mexican President Vincente Fox, and Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin informally agreed to set up the SPP in 2005.

Not so well known is the fact that supporters of the NAU concept slipped an initiative into the recently defeated immigration reform act. Largely unnoticed amidst the amnesty furor that ultimately sunk the Immigration Bill was the statement, "It is the sense of Congress that the United States and Mexico should accelerate the implementation of the Partnership for Prosperity to help generate economic growth and improve the standard of living in Mexico."

The bill called for measures to boost the economy of Mexico, including:

• U.S. support for Mexico, to strengthen its education and training programs.
  
• A call for better health care for "poor and underserved" people in Mexico.
  
• And U.S. assistance to "establish a program with the private sector to cover the health care needs of Mexican nationals temporarily employed in the United States."
  
• The bill also called for U.S. assistance to Mexican businesses and government to eliminate corruption, which it termed, "the single biggest obstacle to development."

"This was the first attempt by the SPP to go public, and it failed," says Dr. Jerome Corsi, author of The Late Great USA. They thought nobody would notice. They were wrong."

Corsi called the sPP "a coup d-etat by bureaucratic means," adding that it works underhandedly like a shadow government.

"It is an attempt to turn North America into something like the European Economic Community," he says, "which began with economic cooperation and expanded eventually to include a common market, and then a full-scale regional government replacing, in many ways, the governing powers of the member nations."

Documents recently obtained by public interest group Judicial Watch reveal that "working groups" of the SPP are developing plans for U.S. taxpayer-funded initiatives to improve Mexico's infrastructure, within just six to 18 months.

SSP plans include:

• Creating a North American Pandemic Influenza Plan;
  
• Facilitating cross-border travel;
  
• Establishing Social Security totalization for Mexican aliens working in the United States;
  
• Creating a Trans-Texas Corridor superhighway with truck, car, and train lanes running from Mexico to Canada.

Following the 2005 tri-lateral summit, the three leaders agreed, "We will establish ministerial-led working groups that will consult with stakeholders in our respective countries. These working groups will respond to the priorities of our people and our businesses and will set specific, measurable, and achievable goals."

The working groups include committees on "Manufactured Goods and Sectoral and Regional Competitiveness, Movement of Goods, Energy, Environment, E-Commerce and Information Communications Technologies, Financial Services, Business Facilitation, Food and Agriculture, Transportation and Health," according to the SPP Web, www.spp.gov.

"Basically, the SPP eliminates borders," Dr. Corsi tells NewsMax. "Just as in Europe, once free-flowing cross-border travel and full economic cooperation are established, the next step will be multi-national regulations and multi-national court systems to resolve disputes, with powers that supercede those of U.S. courts in many cases."

Opponents of the NAU slipping its provisions into a bill sold as way to strengthen the integrity of the nation's borders reflects the determination of those pushing a North American union.

The SPP has struck back with a FAQ section on their U.S. website, www.spp.gov, which attempts to counter "myths" of its ultimate aims, stressing that the SPP "does not change our courts or legislative processes and respects the sovereignty of the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The SPP in no way, shape or form considers the creation of a European Union-like structure or a common currency."

As to charges that the SPP is being undertaken without the knowledge of the Congress, the FAQs state, "US agencies involved with SPP regularly update and consult with members of Congress on our efforts and plans." SPP confirms that the SPP is a "White House-driven initiative. In the United States, the Department of Commerce coordinates the ‘Prosperity' component, while the Department of Homeland Security coordinates the ‘Security' component. The Department of State ensures the two components are coordinated and are consistent with U.S. foreign policy."

"They deny it – of course they do, but the ultimate direction of all these actions is driven by a one-world view," Dr. Corsi says. Corsi contends that President Bush has a secret agenda to dissolve the United States of America into the North American Union.

"However, as more people in the United States are becoming aware of the goals of the SPP, grassroots opposition to the SPP is growing very fast."

One example: 12 states are currently considering resolutions opposing the establishment of the NAU.

There is a federal effort to block the SPP as well.

It is spearheaded by a resolution, HCR 40, which states, "The United States should not allow the Security and Prosperity Partnership to implement further regulations that would create a North American Union with Mexico and Canada; and the President should indicate strong opposition to these acts or any other proposals that threaten the sovereignty of the United States." The resolution also calls for the U.S. to not "engage in the construction of a North American Free Trade Agreement Superhighway System."

The resolution notes that "reports issued by the SPP indicate that it has implemented regulatory changes among the three countries that circumvent U.S. trade, transportation, homeland security and border security functions and that the SPP will continue to do so in the future."

The bill is sponsored by Rep. Virgil Goode, R-Va., who tells NewsMax, "I hope that more Americans will become aware of the Security and Prosperity Partnership, which will lead to a North American union and the destruction of the sovereignty of the United States."

Cong. Goode, who opposed the Immigration Bill saying it would be "a disaster to our nation if it were to become law," says his resolution has attracted over two dozen co-sponsors so far.

"Defeat of the Immigration Bill was a setback for the supporters of the SPP, but they won't just give up and go away," Corsi warns. "There is a huge amount of international capital driving this. They will not give up easily."

No More Dynasties. ;->

This is profound.

It is so profound – profound, I tell you – I may swoon... perhaps at some point later this week... if I have time.

From the Goracal in The Independent, UK, on “Live Earf Concert” Saturday:

"We are in a transition time in history when the only way we can get to where we need to be is by starting from where we are," [Al Gore] said.

Stunning, huh? This dunce was Vice President of the United States, for cryin’ out loud. Embarrassing…

And this, from a genius in the audience, about measures to compensate for the energy used at the Live Earf Concerts:

"People leaving their lights on at home when nobody's there is going to eat up electricity," [Jayme Fine] said.

"If we all just remember to shut those off, it's OK for us to have an event like this."

Now, *that’s* rocket science.

RPRW TGIT (Thank God It's Thursday)

When: Thursday (duh), July 12, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Where: Logan's Roadhouse, 2820 MacArthur Drive

Who: All local, Republican candidates, armed with campaign materials, have been invited to attend

Fare: Appetizers, iced tea and water will be provided; if dinner is desired, it will be Dutch treat

RSVP: 640-3811 or 664-6116, to determine the amount of appetizers and so forth

Pricey, but hey.

From Louisiana News Link, via The Dead Pelican:

New Frontrunner- Senator Fred Thompson Coming To Louisiana July 18th!

Fred Dalton Thompson, the former United States Senator from Tennessee who is officially exploring a run for the Republican presidential nomination, will visit Louisiana on July 18th. He is expected to formally announce his candidacy soon.

Fred is a fiscal conservative who has been critical of the Washington, DC establishment and the huge increase in federal spending during the past decade.

"People ask me why I left Washington; I said I longed for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood," Thompson has joked.

Thompson stars as Arthur Branch in NBC's "Law and Order." He also has had roles in two dozen motion pictures including "The Hunt for Red October."

Thompson, who has moved ahead of Rudy Giuliani in two recent national polls to become the new GOP frontrunner, will make a stop at the historic Hilton Capitol Center (the recently restored Capitol House Hotel) in Baton Rouge for a fundraiser.

The admission price is $2,300 per person, the maximum contribution allowed under Federal law.

Tickets to Thompson events have become some of the hottest political items in the country.

If you are interested in participating, or if you wish to obtain additional information about the event, please call (225) 910-6187.

Message from Bobby

Celebrating Independence Day

This 4th of July, I am excited to be visiting Moreauville, Bunkie and Sieper's Independence Day celebrations. My travels this week have already included wonderful events in Monroe, Dubach, Lake Charles, Grand Lake and Baton Rouge.

The 4th of July is an important opportunity to reflect on the many blessings we have as Americans, and the holiday also gives us a chance to spend treasured time with our family, friends and neighbors. During our nation's birthday, we should take time to give thanks for the fact that we live in the greatest nation in the world. I hope you enjoy your 4th of July this year and take a chance to discuss with your friends and neighbors how important it is to bring our state a fresh start this Election Day. With your help, I know we can move Louisiana to the top of all those national "good" lists where we below.

Legislative Session's "Missed Opportunities"

A Sunday editorial in the Lake Charles American Press summarized the recent legislative session as one that was "marred" by "missed opportunities." They are right. There were some needed accomplishments - such as teacher pay raises and crucial funding for increased law enforcement - but so many opportunities for reform and economic growth were simply passed up.

The American Press said, "Most alarming was that Blanco and lawmakers' spending spree of a healthy $2.8 billion surplus lacked fiscal responsibility. Lawmakers failed to do what financial planners advise clients to do with a windfall..." They concluded by adding that "In three months, Louisiana voters will have their own opportunity to demand that Louisiana stay the course or sail in a new direction on the winds of reform."

Similarly, the News Star pointed out that we cannot wait any longer for serious ethics reform in our state. Their Sunday editorial said that, "Lawmakers buzzed through some $30 billion"..."more money than ever due to a one-time influx of funds related to the 2005 storms. What they gained is difficult to discern, especially because of the madcap activity exercised by lawmakers in the Legislature's last days."

The News Star went on to say that, "absent an elevation in state ethics laws and practices, potential out-of-state investors for our state's economy may remain wary about investing money here. Too little is known about how lawmakers are spending our money, and this session did not improve that situation. We expect the days and weeks to come to unveil some unholy spending and ill-advised allocations by the Legislature. The wake of every session seems to unveil examples of that."

There is no doubt that the most pressing issue facing our state which demands immediate attention and reform is our ethics system. We cannot allow the impression that, in Louisiana, who you know is more important that what you know stand for a moment longer. Our public officials are elected to serve us, not themselves. We need an ethics system overhaul so serious that Louisiana becomes a model for every other state in the country. The time for a fresh start is now.

The News Star concluded that, "There's simply too much public cash bouncing around Baton Rouge to allow the old-time pols to stay in charge, free to abuse the public's trust. It's time to look ahead toward better days and better ways."

Jindal Amendment to Fight Gulf Coast Dead Zones Passes

The House of Representatives last week unanimously passed an amendment I offered that will help fight a problem that has become a serious threat to commercial fishing, shrimping and recreation industries off our coast - the hypoxic zone, or Dead Zone, in the Gulf of Mexico. This Dead Zone forms each summer in the Gulf of Mexico when pollutants are released into the Mississippi River and flow down to the Gulf, with large amounts of algae accumulating along the way. The growth and decomposing algae then proceed to consume the water's oxygen, making it uninhabitable for fish, shrimp, and other marine wildlife.

My amendment doubles the existing funding and directs an additional $2.5 million to the Environmental Protection Agency's "Gulf of Mexico Program," which provides grants to states, universities, and private entities to develop techniques and science needed to restore and protect the Gulf of Mexico. I am pleased that my colleagues realize that approximately 40 percent of the U.S. commercial fish yield comes from the Gulf of Mexico and the livelihoods of thousands of people and their communities are at risk, as is the large marine ecosystem on which they depend.

I have also included an editorial by the Times Picayune expressing the seriousness of this issue to Louisiana.

Bobby

No surprise. At. All.

From James Quinn, Executive Director LAGOP:

Mary Landrieu’s Campaign Fundraising Efforts Have Been Focusing on Liberal Groups and Out of State Interests

(Baton Rouge) “It’s hard to ignore the truth. Senator Mary Landrieu has been busy soliciting money from far left interest groups while claiming that she is fighting for Louisiana.” stated Republican Party of Louisiana Chairman Roger F. Villere, Jr. “It’s easy to see why she has caste so many bad votes against Louisiana families and conservative principles – it seems as though the liberal donors in New York are funneling donations through her campaign account are holding her accountable.”

“I think it’s time for Senator Landrieu to start focusing on the issues that are important to our state: Insurance reform, coastal restoration, the recovery effort, and economic development,” said Villere. “How can we expect her to do her job and represent our state when she spends so much time pandering to her out of state contributors?”

Below is a record of what she has been doing:[1]

“In a campaign email Landrieu said to her supporters, “I’ll never stop fighting for Louisiana. That’s why I’m seeking re-election.” [1] …She Requested A $150,000 Appropriation For A Soros-Funded Organization Located In New York City.

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee report on S. 1710, Landrieu requested $150,000 for the Robert H. Clampitt Foundation (CPL) which is located in New York City.[2]

According to 990 forms filed with IRS, the Open Society Network, an organization funded by George Soros, gave CPL $70,000 in grants.[3] [4]

NEW YORK RESIDENTS FILL LANDRIEU'S COFFERS WITH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS!

According to PoliticalMoneyLine, Landrieu has received $391,545 from residents of New York from 1995-2007.[5]

More specifically, as of March 31, 2007, New York residents have $129,800 in 2007 alone.[6]

CPL'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAVE DONATED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO DEMOCRAT'S CAMPAIGNS

Robert H. Clampitt Foundation, Inc.

According to PoliticalMoneyLine, the board members as of June 29, 2007 of the Clampitt Foundation have donated over $37,520 to Democrat candidates and committees.[7]

CLAMPITT CAMPAIGN HAS LINKS TO STAFF IN LADRIEU'S PERSONAL OFFICE

Landrieu’s communications director, Adam Sharp, worked with CPL in 2004 producing a video which interviewed Democratic presidential candidates.[8] [9] [10]

Adam Sharp is also listed in CPL’s “Individual and In-Kind Supports.” [11]

REFERENCES

[1] “Fighting for Louisiana,” Senator Mary Landrieu Campaign Email, June 27, 2007

[2] “Report of the Committee on Appropriations: U.S. Senate,” S. 1710, June 27, 2007

[3] “Return of Private Foundation: Open Society Institute,” Form 990-PF, 2003, 2004

[4] Howard Fischer, “Anti-Clean Elections Group Secures Nov. Ballot,” Arizona Daily Star, June 25, 2004, p A4

[5] “Campaign Finance Info: Mary Landrieu,” PoliticalMoneyLine Web site, 1996-2008 Cycles, Accessed June 27, 2007

[6] “Campaign Finance Info: Mary Landrieu,” PoliticalMoneyLine Web site, 2008 Cycle, Accessed June 27, 2007

[7] “Clampitt Board Dem Donations Spreadsheet,” PoliticalMoneyLine Web site, All Cycles, Accessed June 28, 2007

[8] “Salaries: Mary Landrieu 4/1/06-9/30/06,” LegiStorm Web Site, Accessed June 27, 2007, http://www.legistorm.com/member/Senator_Mary_Landrieu/61/8.html

[9] “Meet My Staff,” Official Landrieu Senate Web site, Accessed June 28, 2007, http://landrieu.senate.gov/about/staff.cfm

[10] “The Children’s PressLine Update,” Children’s PressLine Web Site, Accessed June 27, 2007, http://www.cplmedia.org/newsletter010904.php

[11] “Funding >> Funders and Supporters,” Children’s PressLine Web site, Accessed June 27, 2007, http://www.cplmedia.org/funders.html

Great "think piece."

From Steven M. Warshawsky at American Thinker:

What Does It Mean To Be An American?

"Undocumented Americans." This is how Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid recently described the estimated 12-20 million illegal aliens living in America. What was once a Mark Steyn joke has now become the ideological orthodoxy of the Democratic Party.

Reid's comment triggered an avalanche of outrage among commentators, bloggers, and the general public. Why? Because it strikes at the heart of the American people's understanding of themselves as a nation and a civilization. Indeed, opposition to the ongoing push for "comprehensive immigration reform" -- i.e., amnesty and a guest worker program -- is being driven by a growing concern among millions of Americans that massive waves of legal and illegal immigration -- mainly from Mexico, Latin America, and Asia -- coupled with the unwillingness of our political and economic elites to mold these newcomers into red-white-and-blue Americans, is threatening to change the very character of our country. For the worse.

I share this concern. I agree with the political, economic, and cultural arguments in favor of sharply curtailing immigration into the United States, as well as refocusing our immigration efforts on admitting those foreigners who bring the greatest value to -- and are most easily assimilated into -- American society. (See generally here, here , and here.) But this essay is not intended to rehash these arguments. Rather, I wish to explore the question that underlies this entire debate: What does it mean to be an American? This may seem like an easy question to answer, but it's not. The harder one thinks about this question, the more complex it becomes.

Clearly, Harry Reid has not given this question much thought. His implicit definition of "an American" is simply: Anyone living within the geopolitical boundaries of the United States. In other words, mere physical location on Earth determines whether or not someone is "an American." Presumably, Reid's definition is not intended to apply to tourists and other temporary visitors. Some degree of permanency -- what the law in other contexts calls "residency," i.e., a subjective intention to establish one's home or domicile -- is required. In Reid's view, therefore, a Mexican from Guadalajara, a Chinese from Shanghei, an Indian from Delhi, or a [fill in the blank] become "Americans" as soon as they cross into U.S. territory and decide to live here permanently, legally or not. Nothing more is needed.

This is poppycock, of course. A Mexican or a Chinese or an Indian, for example, cannot transform themselves into Americans simply by moving to this country, any more than I can become a Mexican, a Chinese, or an Indian simply by moving to their countries. Yet contemporary liberals have a vested interest in believing that they can. This is not just a function of immigrant politics, which strongly favors the Democratic Party (hence the Democrats' growing support for voting rights for non-citizens). It also reflects the liberals' (and some libertarians') multicultural faith, which insists that it is morally wrong to make distinctions among different groups of people, let alone to impose a particular way of life -- what heretofore has been known as the American way of life -- on those who believe, speak, and act differently. Even in our own country.

In short, diversity, not Americanism, is the multicultural touchstone.

What's more, the principle of diversity, taken to its logical extreme, inevitably leads to a rejection of Americanism. Indeed, the ideology of multiculturalism has its roots in the radical -- and anti-American -- New Left and Black Power movements of the 1960s and 1970s. Thus the sorry state of U.S. history and civics education in today's schools and universities, which are dominated by adherents of this intellectual poison. Moreover, when it comes to immigration, multiculturalists actually prefer those immigrants who are as unlike ordinary Americans as possible. This stems from their deep-rooted opposition to traditional American society, which they hope to undermine through an influx of non-western peoples and cultures.

This, in fact, describes present U.S. immigration policy, which largely is a product of the 1965 Immigration Act (perhaps Ted Kennedy's most notorious legislative achievement). The 1965 Immigration Act eliminated the legal preferences traditionally given to European immigrants, and opened the floodgates to immigration from less-developed and non-western countries. For example, in 2006 more immigrants came to the United States from Columbia, Peru, Vietnam, and Haiti (not to mention Mexico, China, and India), than from the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Greece. And once these immigrants arrive here, multiculturalists believe we should accommodate our society to the needs and desires of the newcomers, not the other way around. Thus, our government prints election ballots, school books, and welfare applications in foreign languages, while corporate America asks customers to "press one for English."

Patriotic Americans -- those who love our country for its people, its history, its culture, and its ideals -- reject the multiculturalists' denuded, and ultimately subversive, vision of what it means to be "an American." While the American identity is arguably the most "universal" of all major nationalities -- as evidenced by the millions of immigrants the world over who have successfully assimilated into our country over the years -- it is not an empty, meaningless concept. It has substance. Being "an American" is not the same thing as simply living in the United States. Nor, I would add, is it the same thing as holding U.S. citizenship. After all, a baby born on U.S. soil to an illegal alien is a citizen. This hardly guarantees that this baby will grow up to be an American.

So what, then, does it mean to be an American? I suspect that most of us believe, like Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart in describing pornography, that we "know it when we see it." For example, John Wayne, Amelia Earhart, and Bill Cosby definitely are Americans. The day laborers standing on the street corner probably are not. But how do we put this inner understanding into words? It's not easy. Unlike most other nations on Earth, the American nation is not strictly defined in terms of race or ethnicity or ancestry or religion. George Washington may be the Father of Our Country (in my opinion, the greatest American who ever lived), but there have been in the past, and are today, many millions of patriotic, hardworking, upstanding Americans who are not Caucasian, or Christian, or of Western European ancestry. Yet they are undeniably as American as you or I (by the way, I am Jewish of predominantly Eastern European ancestry). Any definition of "American" that excludes such folks -- let alone one that excludes me! -- cannot be right.

Consequently, it is just not good enough to say, as some immigration restrictionists do, that this is a "white-majority, Western country." Yes, it is. But so are, for example, Ireland and Sweden and Portugal. Clearly, this level of abstraction does not take us very far towards understanding what it means to be "an American." Nor is it all that helpful to say that this is an English-speaking, predominately Christian country. While I think these features get us closer to the answer, there are millions of English-speaking (and non-English-speaking) Christians in the world who are not Americans, and millions of non-Christians who are. Certainly, these fundamental historical characteristics are important elements in determining who we are as a nation. Like other restrictionists, I am opposed to public policies that seek, by design or by default, to significantly alter the nation's "demographic profile." Still, it must be recognized that demography alone does not, and cannot, explain what it means to be an American.

So where does that leave us? I think the answer to our question, ultimately, must be found in the realms of ideology and culture. What distinguishes the United States from other nations, and what unites the disparate peoples who make up our country, are our unique political, economic, and social values, beliefs, and institutions. Not race, or religion, or ancestry.

Whether described as a "proposition nation" or a "creedal nation" or simply just "an idea," the United States of America is defined by our way of life. This way of life is rooted in the ideals proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence; in the system of personal liberty and limited government established by the Constitution; in our traditions of self-reliance, personal responsibility, and entrepreneurism; in our emphasis on private property, freedom of contract, and merit-based achievement; in our respect for the rule of law; and in our commitment to affording equal justice to all. Perhaps above all, it is marked by our abiding belief that, as Americans, we have been called to a higher duty in human history. We are the "city upon a hill." We are "the last, best hope of earth."

Many immigration restrictionists and so-called traditionalists chafe at the notion that the American people are not defined by "blood and soil." Yet the truth of the matter is, we aren't. One of the greatest patriots who ever graced this nation's history, Teddy Roosevelt, said it best: "Americanism is a matter of the spirit and of the soul." Roosevelt deplored what he called "hyphenated Americanism," which refers to citizens whose primary loyalties lie with their particular ethnic groups or ancestral lands. Such a man, Roosevelt counseled, is to be "unsparingly condemn[ed]."

But Roosevelt also recognized that "if he is heartily and singly loyal to this Republic, then no matter where he was born, he is just as good an American as any one else." Roosevelt's words are not offered here to suggest that all foreigners are equally capable of assimilating into our country. Clearly, they aren't. Nevertheless, the appellation "American" is open to anyone who adopts our way of life and loves this country above all others.

Which brings me to the final, and most difficult, aspect of this question: How do we define the "American way of life"? This is the issue over which our nation's "culture wars" are being fought. Today the country is divided between those who maintain their allegiance to certain historically American values, beliefs, and institutions (but not all -- see racial segregation), and those who want to replace them with a very different set of ideas about the role of government, the nature of political and economic liberty, and the meaning of right and wrong. Are both sides in this struggle equally "American"?

Moreover, the "American way of life" has changed over time. We no longer have the Republic that existed in TR's days. The New Deal and Great Society revolutions -- enthusiastically supported, I note, by millions of white, Christian, English-speaking citizens -- significantly altered the political, economic, and social foundations of this country. Did they also change what it means to be "an American"? Is being an American equally compatible, for example, with support for big government versus small government? the welfare state versus rugged individualism? socialism versus capitalism? And so on. Plainly, this is a much harder historical and intellectual problem than at first meets the eye.

Personally, I do not think the meaning of America is nearly so malleable as today's multiculturalists assume. But neither is it quite as narrow as many restrictionists contend. Nevertheless, I am convinced that being an American requires something more than merely living in this country, speaking English, obeying the law, and holding a job (although this would be a very good start!). What this "something more" is, however, is not self-evident, and, indeed, is the subject of increasingly bitter debate in this country.

Yet one thing is certain: If we stray too far from the lines laid down by the Founding Fathers and the generations of great American men and women who built on their legacy, we will cease to be "Americans" in any meaningful sense of the word. As Abraham Lincoln warned during the secession era, "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." Today the danger is not armed rebellion, but the slow erasing of the American national character through a process of political and cultural redefinition. If this ever happens, it will be a terrible day for this country, and for the world.