Welcome!

...and let down your nets for a catch. These words from Pope John Paul II illustrate the need to renew culture today and illustrate his extraordinary ability to transform and renew culture. I hope to write not only about culture, but also religion, politics, current events, sports, and entertainment. I also hope this is not only a one-way narrative but the beginning of a dialogue..


Sunday, November 15, 2009

Thoughts on Ft. Hood

Major Hasan’s motivations are very troubling and appear to be similar to other “Al Qaeda sympathizers.” A few months ago Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad shot two military recruiters in Arkansas. One of these recruiters was fatally wounded. Abdulhakim, who converted to Islam, told authorities that his reason for shooting these recruiters was his disapproval of U.S. policies toward Muslims.[1] The Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad case is one example of what Sara Carter calls “sudden jihad syndrome.” She explains how this “syndrome” poses a great risk to America’s domestic security: “Sympathy for al Qaeda has produced ‘sudden jihad syndrome’ in domestic terror cells unaffiliated with foreign terrorists and people seeking to carry out attacks in the U.S. […] The intelligence analysis says homegrown groups are not purely “domestic,” as their ideology is similar if not exactly like those of international terrorist groups, and cited examples such as the Lackawanna Six.”[2]

As with Abdulhakim, I am not sure whether Hasan is directly linked to Al Qaeda or other terrorist groups. There is still much to decipher about Hasan's motivations despite his sympathy for suicide bombers and his disgruntlement over the military’s role in Afghanistan and Iran. Both men, however, became radicalized Al Qaeda sympathizers and emerged as “home-grown terrorists.” They bought into a violent and global Islamic jihadist movement that seeks to empower localized terrorism within the United States.

The scary part of these “sympathizers” is that they appear to be increasing. Over the past few years there have been other foiled attacks by similar people adhering to jihadist principles (the Fort Dix Plot, the Lackawanna Six, and the group of jihadists found in North Carolina a few months ago). Has anyone heard about Abdulhakim’s case recently? We can no longer ignore these kinds of threats. They are as serious as those that directly follow terrorist groups like Al Qaeda. Our policies must be structured to find these “Al Qaeda sympathizers” before they attack us. This policy seems like common sense but it also appears that Hasan openly criticized the military’s role in Afghanistan and Iraq, called the War on Terror a War on Islam, and expressed empathy for suicide bombers. These red flags can’t be ignored again.

[1] Bob Drogin, “THE NATION; Taking the pulse of extremist groups; Is domestic terrorism on the rise? Is there a trend in the recent violence? Experts on the subject disagree.” Los Angeles Times, (June 2009).
[2] Sara Carter, “‘Sudden jihad syndrome’” posed domestic risk: Report warns against dismissing al Qaeda sympathizers.” The Washington Times, (Jan. 2008).

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Real Reform?

For those who have not been glued to CSPAN or the news, the House version of healthcare reform passed last night, 220-215. This was another step toward a government-run healthcase system (aka. the public option). Just before this vote, the House also approved the Stupak-Pitts Amendment ensuring that abortion would not be covered by this House version of healthcare reform. At the very least, I hope this Amendment stays in the Healthcare bill, if it gets to President Obama's desk. There is still a long way to go and those with practical, deficit decreasing, and common sense reforms can still work to stop a bill that increases government's power. This leads me to my next point that some wonder: why do I oppose the House version of healthcare reform?

There are a few reasons:

- The essense of the bill: The Government gaining even more power than it already has after bailouts, a stimulus package, and the takeover of automobile companies and banks.
- Its Cost - how much will it really cost (1.2 Trillion? 1.5 Trillion? 2 Trillion or more?) and who will have to pay for it. Is it just a tax on the rich? Or will the middle class inevitably have to pay for it? Remember, the basic economic principle: there is no such thing as a free lunch.
- Will Abortions be covered? I know the Stupak-Pitts Amendment seeks to block federal funding for abortions but will this amendment be stripped when the Senate bill (if it makes it to Reconcilation) and House bill are reconcilied?
- Will there be any kind of Tort Reform?
- Will Illegal Immigrants be covered?
- How many government agencies will be created for support this bill?

These are the questions which makes me disapprove of the House version. There are others but these are the main ones. The fact is I have not read the 2,000+ page bill. Who has? Seriously. I am really concerned that whatever final version of Healthcare reform that gets to President Obama's desk will not be deficit neutral but a massive increase of our national debt over the next few years and beyond.

Yes, there are problems will our current healthcare system. It would be ideal for every legal American citizen to have healthcare. Yet, I know two things for sure: 1. The Government is never the solution, and 2. there is no such thing as a free lunch.
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6 Weeks Left...

Dad and I have been doing P90X for about 8 weeks now which means that we only have about 6 weeks left. If you have not heard, P90X is a 90-day workout/diet plan focused on muscle confusion; there are 12 different workouts including plyometrics, kick-boxing, yoga, and all different push-ups, fly presses, and pull-ups. It has been a test for both of us. Yet, I think both of us are in the best shape in a long time. For those who wish to perform this 90 day plan be prepared. It tests every part of your body and mind. I think the diet is easily the hardest part because it takes discipline and determination to resist Mom's good baking!! I encourage those who have a real desire to improve their fitness/health and 3 months to sacrifice sweets, to do this program. You do not have to do P90X to lose weight (thats me) since it increases your flexibility, agility, and discipline. This workout plan is no doubt Xtreme.