FINALLY--LEADERSHIP AND COMMON SENSE COLLIDE

FINALLY--LEADERSHIP AND COMMON SENSE COLLIDE
By Andy Weddington
Friday, 14 May 2010


"What was ever thought in these modern times to be less likely than a giant meteor striking planet earth--the long-awaited collision between leadership and common sense--is happening; albeit only in one country on one continent in the Western Hemisphere--that being the land of hope. From such chaos will emerge change--toward the heart and soul upon which the United States of America was founded and built. Our Founding Fathers, with glint in their eyes and cautiously sighing relief, are surely nodding and smiling, if ever-so-slightly, in approval."



Yet again looking unpresidential the president made a scripted mocking joke about the state law. Shameful. Hmm, wasn't Mr. Obama's mug on a campaign poster doctored to look like Heath Ledger's darkside Joker in the latest Batman film? How appropriate.

His inaccurate and inappropriate crack not so surprising since he's demonstrated a tendency to speak without thinking and has yet to produce a birth certificate proving his origin of birth. Though not aligning with the hard-core "birthers"--newspaper birth announcements and "the word" of officials from the state of Hawaii do not count. Let anyone else try presenting newspaper clippings of their birth announcement or "the word" of someone else to government agencies that require a notarized birth certificate. Fat chance.

The governor of California likewise made a scripted sarcastic joke about the state law. Odd, he immigrated legally. And only in America could he have achieved his fame in Hollywood--he made a Batman movie--and proven his complete ineptness in politics. Arnold only plays a leader in Sacramento. Of course the state's mess is not solely his fault but he does occupy the high chair. Gossip has it his next film will be titled "Terminated."

Others--from politicians to clueless actors to community organizers to camera-hungry activists to plain old loons--have likewise made condescending jokes about the state law. Many have viciously attacked it. Still others have called for boycott of the state--one includes an Illinois High School girls basketball team who will not be playing in a tournament in the Grand Canyon state. All stupid, nonsensical assaults without teeth. What happened to the post-9/11 slogan, "United We Stand"? Oh, and there's the little matter of our Pledge of Allegiance.

What state law?

Arizona's new law--State Bill--cracking down on illegal immigration. That would be SB1070.

Finally, a governor has taken the lead doing what recent presidents and our domed-house full of bumblers would not and will not do. But could and certainly should solve; it's their duty. And one so far shirked.

Governor Jan Brewer (R, AZ) signed into law measures that align with her responsibilities, her oath, to protect the citizenry of her state--and such starts with securing the border, locating those in the state illegally, prosecuting them, and sending them packing. How can any sensible, rational person take issue with her and SB1070--a move to enforce existing federal law?

Not only will enforcement of the law begin cleaning up disturbing crime approaching lawlessness but undoubtedly dramatically slow, if not end, leeching of the state budget. If here illegally, "rights" and "benefits" and "entitlements" do not apply. That they've been extended in the past is ludicrous and insane. Do the math--enough blood-suckers eventually kill the host. And that is exactly what is happening. And not only in Arizona.

The unhappy are whining and crying foul and citing "racial profiling." What the hell? The words "race," "profiling," and any of the other incendiary buzz words do not appear in SB1070. Read the law. It's a mere 10 pages and easy to understand. It's sensible. Besides, exactly what is "racial profiling"?

If the law says pink and purple striped elephants are legal but purple and pink striped elephants are not (and the stripes are the same width on both) then guess what? Right, all things considered, some pink and purple striped elephants are going to be checked. Let legal documents sort it. If here legally then two basic points pertain: 1) There should be no concern whatsoever proving legal status; 2) There is a responsibility--a duty to country--to not tolerate anyone here illegally. It is that simple. It's common sense.

The concept of "racial" profiling is flawed. "Profiling" is a valid identification tool. Meet sundry variables established for id'ing a target and there you have it. It matters not if white, black, Hispanic, Asian, Middle Eastern or an elephant--pink and purple striped or purple and pink striped.

Here legally and don't like it? Fine, so goes freedom. Really don't like it? Exit doors abound. Opine and vote with your feet--leave the country! Likewise goes freedom. But don't expect anyone to shed a tear.

Hooray for Governor Brewer! And bravo she is not backing down. Why should she? At least two-thirds of the country, many Hispanic, supports her. California, New Mexico, and Texas best follow suit--and polls indicate their citizenry will support same--or they are going to see their problems, crime and budget deficits among them, worsen.

With the majority behind Brewer, neighboring states (and those to the north) will either eventually acquiesce to the citizenry or politicians will be thrown out of office; government as it should be. It's already happening.

Governor Brewer's leadership and the people's voice is resonating.

Senator John McCain (R, AZ) heard the message. The man who fronted one of the worst presidential campaigns in recent history is now fighting for political survival; though many question his relevancy. Suddenly, there's a sense of urgency and border security is now of utmost importance to McCain and he's put out a ridiculous tough guy--even wearing a Navy ball cap--ad to announce he's in essence found 'religion' and 'seen the light.' Baloney! Too late. He had his chance; for decades. Nothing. Or is it "nada?" His ante reeks of political expediency.

What he's seen is the public's overwhelming support for Governor Brewer and that no nonsense J. D. Hayworth is a legitimate GOP contender for the Senate seat. And it's not just about immigration. America has had it with wishy-washy politicians (pardon the redundancy). Tea leaves are hinting Mr. McCain is done. Arizona doesn't need a sailor. It's time for a gunslinger--one with a scowl, black hat, packing six-shooters with posse and heavy guns in support; figuratively speaking, of course--a character out of Tombstone.

In Utah the Republican party's once-popular and three-time incumbent, Senator Bob Bennett, was recently tossed from office during the state's GOP convention. As have Democrats, he fell victim to the nation's growing conservative movement. The message is clear--if not committed to conservative American values and principles, party affiliation notwithstanding, you are done. The silent majority--the folks who have finally had it, who have seen and had enough--is roaring.

In the Deep South a Republican candidate for governor in Alabama, businessman Tim James, is running on a campaign theme of "common sense" solutions. Among his more high profile pledges is a vow to end the practice of multilingual testing for a driver's license. Learn English--and that applies equally to Billy Joe, Bobby Sue, Biff, Buffy, Alfonzo, Danita, Hector, Jose, Felicia, Abdul and Aadila, and even Bubba. Unreasonable? Hardly. James has a great chance of being elected.

As for Governor Charlie Crist (R, FL), whose term expires in 2011, sinking polls indicated he stood no chance running for the Senate as a GOP candidate. So, and contrary to his word, he recently tossed his hat in the ring as an independent. If Floridians have their act together, he'll "show"--distantly--in the three-way race.

More to come. Much more.

Last week I rolled for more than 30 hours along highways and byways in three states--California, Arizona and New Mexico. I do not recall seeing a single pro-Obama bumper sticker. Not one. The big retreat? Uh, no. More like the rats abandoning ship. Sure looks that way. However, there were plenty opposing and an ample sampling of Tea Party related messages. A sign of things to come? Undoubtedly.

The latest "Gallup Daily" of Mr. Obama's job approval indicates 51% approval and 42% disapproval. Not so good. And other polls specifically targeting immigration reflect less than 40% approval and nearly 50% disapproval. Not so good, either. Time to wise up.

Sensible Americans are not opposed to immigration. In fact, this powerful country was built on the backbone of immigration. But it had better be done per the law with rigorous enforcement--to the letter and in the spirit. An "open society" does not imply "open borders." Monitoring who enters our country is not a half-hearted, convenient sound-bite and photo-op event. A diligent, thorough, continuous process is required. 

There is strength in diversity but that diversity must speak with a single tongue and pledged loyalty to one set of colors--red, white and blue--our stars and stripes. There's that Pledge of Allegiance thing again. If not willing to adopt the language, customs and courtesies, history and culture of the country to which fleeing--in this case, to become an "American"--seek citizenship elsewhere.

Times they are a changing; so say the tasseographers. And it's refreshing though tempering with a dose of guarded optimism is prudent. For there's a tough road ahead. Next obstacle that's not insurmountable--throwing the bums out of office in November.

Imagine--a resurrection of government by the people. Amen! Though that exclamation may cross the line of church/state separation, I'll risk it. Why not, Speaker Pelosi--fully qualified for casting in the role of Scare Crow in the 'Wizard of Oz' if ever a politician was, opened the door by blurring the line this week. Good grief.

Pardon the crassness but forget cojones. America needs leaders--gender moot--with balls. Governor Jan Brewer doesn't fit the anatomical mold but she's sure packin'. In gentlemanly terms it's known as "courage." Finally--leadership and common sense collide.
 
Post Script

Add Nelson DeMille's "The Charm School" to your reading list. Chilling when assessing the Obama regime and direction they're hell-bent on taking our country. "Charming"--not so much. "Alarming" indeed. A work of fiction? Or is DeMille a prophet?