Steve MacDonald

Steve is a long-time New Hampshire resident, an award-winning blogger, and a member of the Board of Directors of The 603 Alliance and the National Heritage Center for Constitutional Studies. He is the owner of Grok Media LLC and the Managing Editor, Executive Editor, assistant editor, Editor, content curator, and more (yes, there's more) at GraniteGrok.com. Steve is also a former board member of the Republican Liberty Caucus of New Hampshire, the Republican Volunteer Coalition, and has worked for or with many state and local campaigns and grassroots groups, and is a past contributor to the Franklin Center for Public Policy.

McCain to VFW: “What they [Democrats] are really proposing, if they mean what they say, is a policy of withdraw and re-invade.”

John McCain

John McCain (GG file photo)

JOHN MCCAIN ADDRESSES MEMBERS OF THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS (VFW)

 

Today, John McCain will make remarks in Kansas City, Missouri about the mission in Iraq. Ahead of this week’s testimony by General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker, he will outline the progress being made in Iraq, the work left to be done and the consequences of withdrawal. Here is the text of the speech as prepared for delivery:

Thank you. It is an honor to be here today. I’m always grateful to be in the company of Americans who have had the burden of serving our country in distant lands, and the honor of having proved your patriotism in difficult circumstances. Your example is a constant reminder to Americans that we have obligations to our country that are greater than our personal ambitions, and that our self-respect will owe more to how faithfully we keep those obligations than any other success we achieve in life. Among those obligations is to debate honestly issues that involve America’s future security because so many Americans have sacrificed everything to keep us secure. All that is asked of the rest of us is that we do not dishonor their sacrifice by treating the cause they served so bravely as an opportunity to argue without wisdom; to divide us without care for the consequences; to advance our individual or partisan interests at the expense of America’s security .

At the beginning of last year, we were engaged in a great debate about what to do in Iraq. Four years of a badly-conceived military strategy had brought us almost to the point of no return. Sectarian violence in Iraq was spiraling out of control, life had become a struggle for survival, and a full-scale civil war seemed almost unavoidable. Al Qaeda in Iraq was on the offensive. Entire Iraqi provinces were under the control of extremists and were deemed all but lost. Faced with the prospect of defeat, we had two fundamental choices. We could retreat from Iraq and accept the horrible consequences of our defeat. Or we could change strategies and try to turn things around. It was, I believe, a critical moment in our nation’s history, and a time of testing for our nation’s political leadership.

In the year that has passed, our nation showed its strength, and its deep sense of global responsibility. Instead of abandoning Iraq to civil war, genocide, and terror, and the Middle East to the destabilizing effects of these consequences, we changed strategies. We sent to Iraq additional troops, many of them on their third or fourth tour, and a great, seasoned general to lead them, with a battle plan that, at long last, actually addressed the challenges we faced in Iraq.

Within six months, the men and women who have made such enormous sacrifices for the rest of us dramatically turned around the situation in Iraq. From June 2007 through my most recent trip last month, sectarian and ethnic violence in Iraq has been reduced by 90 percent. Civilian deaths and deaths of coalition forces fell by 70 percent. The dramatic reduction in violence has opened the way for a return to something approaching normal political and economic life for the average Iraqi. Political reconciliation is occurring across Iraq at the local and provincial grassroots level. Sunni and Shi’a chased from their homes by terrorist and sectarian violence are returning. The "Sons of Iraq" and Awakening movements, where former Sunni insurgents have now joined in the fight against Al Qaeda, continue to grow.

 

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“Complete Disregard”

WASHINGTON – Today the RNC released a new Web video, titled “Politics vs. Petraeus.”  The video highlights Senators Clinton and Obama’s politicization of the War on Terror and complete disregard for the facts and the warnings made by General David Petraeus during his last congressional hearing on September 11, 2007.   After consistently promising to “always … Read more

Mr. Dean, have you no shame?

Earlier today I participated in a Bloggers’ Conference Call with senior members of Senator McCain’s campaign team in which they outlined his upcoming "Service to America" tour, or as our friend Pat Hynes called it, McCain’s "bio tour." As reported by Hugh Hewitt,   McCain Senior Advisor Steve Schmidt outlined next week’s "Service to America" tour.  … Read more

Jeanne Shaheen: Aiding and Comforting America’s Enemies (Again!)

Osama bin Laden.Jeanne Shaheen.Mohammed Khatami

Jeanne Shaheen & a couple of friends…

Oh that Jeannie, there she goes again! Despite the fact that at one time she claimed to support the President’s action and responses to the September 11 attacks, and the Iraq war that followed, as we all know, she now wants to end the war and bring the troops home. Being a Democrat in the Clinton mold by changing her "core beliefs" depending on what will curry the most favor at a given moment, this is certainly no surprise. Given the rabid antiwar peaceniks that make up a good chunk of the Democratic Party base here in the Granite State, what other position could she possibly take? By playing it safe on this, she has avoided any serious primary challenge in her quest for the US Senate seat presently held by John E. Sununu. In Democrat circles, this is a smart move.

As reported by our friends at PolitickerNH.com, in an article the Valley News, a spokesman for Mrs. Billy Shaheen stated

"When it comes to the war in Iraq, John Sununu is taking a page from George Bush and John McCain," said communications director Kate Bedingfield.  "Sununu continues to support the Bush-McCain agenda in Iraq while ignoring both the advice of military officials and the facts on the ground.

Like the time she blamed President Bush for the wildfires in California, this is pure hogwash. Which military officials? What facts on the ground? Maybe she should read more of Major Luedeke’s Dragon Soup writings from Iraq to get some real facts from the ground about the progress that’s being made. Maybe she should click here to watch the video interview I did with Senator Sununu nearly a year ago to find out where he stands on the war. While generally supportive, I would not say that his level of enthusiasm comes close to some like Senator McCain. No, Shaheen has no basis for the above characterization other than it’s what the DNC talking points have been over and over again practically since the war’s inception. Ms. Bedingfield went on:

 

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Catholics for McCain

Catholic Church

Anybody that watches TV and follows politics at all knows that the Democratic candidates seemingly spend inordinate amounts of time campaigning in churches and would have to admit we don’t see the same on the Republican side. While we generally associate faith and Christian values with conservatism, we just don’t find Republicans as publicly mixing it with politics– at least within houses of worship with cameras rolling.

As Catholics, we just don’t do politics in Church. It’s God’s house, and of course, the purpose of Mass is to worship Him– period. But that doesn’t mean that people who are Catholics cannot still have an opinion when it comes to politics. In fact, we are encouraged to be active and involved– we just don’t bring it into our Churches. Instead, we are asked to seek out politicians who will best reflect our beliefs and values in line with the teachings of our faith.

Yesterday, the McCain campaign released the following report announcing he has won the support of many Catholics from across America. And why not? When you look at the core teachings of the Church regarding life, forgiveness, and respect for our fellow man, Senator McCain stands head and shoulders above the Democrats candidates who are, after all, representing "the Party of Death." I am glad that our religion is more low key when it comes to politics within the confines of our Church walls. I am glad that my pastor won’t stand in front of the Church and tell us who to vote for– that way there, it is up to US to venture forth into the world and make our own decisions using our best judgement. I am proud to call myself a Catholic, and I am proud that many of my fellow brothers and sisters have joined with me in publicly announcing support for John McCain.

ARLINGTON, VA — Today over 100 prominent Catholics nationwide have come together to support John McCain for president. The National Catholics for McCain Committee, led by U.S. Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Former Governor Frank Keating (R-OK), is growing rapidly. The group is represented by elected officials, businessmen and women, grassroots organizers, students, and Catholic leaders from over two dozen states.

"John McCain has a common sense vision for America based on faith, freedom, and families," said Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), National Co-Chair of the National Catholics for McCain Committee. "Committed to the protection of innocent human life, he is a leader Catholics will be proud to support. John McCain knows from experience what it means when a society tramples on the truth of the value of the human person. He is committed to defending the dignity and value of every person, regardless of their status."

John McCain expressed his deep appreciation and stated, "I want to thank Catholic voters today, who have played a vital role in electing me as the Republican nominee for the presidency. I am humbled by the support of such a diverse group of Catholic leaders who are dedicated to the defense of traditional marriage, advocate for the protection of innocent human life, and share my vision for a stronger, safer and more prosperous America. I stand firmly with those Catholics who believe that human rights are natural rights for all people, in all places, and in all stages of life."

The National Catholics for McCain Committee is actively recruiting Catholics at the national, regional, state, local, and parish levels to help share John McCain’s vision and pro-Catholic message. 

Here is the list of those officially signed on: 

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Bizarro Republicans

Bizarro World

Republicans ‘destroying’ Belknap County… (and themselves, in the process)

Fans of the various Superman incarnations might recall the minor character, Bizarro, failed clone of Superman. After being hit by a meteor, Bizarro’s “powers” were the reverse of Superman’s. Leaving Earth, the evil clone moved to a world known as “Htrae” with “Bizarro-Lois,” creating “Bizarro World.” According to the Wikipedia

In the Bizarro world, a cube-shaped planet known as ‘Htrae’ (Earth spelled backward), society is ruled by the Bizarro Code, which states that it is a crime to do anything well or to make anything perfect or beautiful. In one episode, for example, a salesman is doing a brisk trade selling ‘Bizarro bonds. Guaranteed to lose money for you.’

Simply put- it is a world where up is down and in is out and good is bad. Come with me as I pay a visit to “Bizarro World…”

Writing in a post at our local blog, GilfordGrok, I noted that here in the Granite State, it is the job of the County Convention– comprised of the county’s delegation of NH house representatives– to review and approve the county budget that is proposed to them by the members of the County Commission. The Convention has much the same power and function as a municipal budget committee, with one difference: Unlike a municipal budget committee’s decisions, which are subjected to one final layer of checks and balances– the voters, who get the last word, the Convention’s vote is the ultimate and final authority. As our elected representatives, the Convention members form a purely republican (small “r”) form of government, in that we completely rely on them to act on our behalf. They are the eyes and ears of the taxpayers of the county. Let me repeat what I wrote last week at GilfordGrok: “Based upon my recent observations, they have failed us miserably.” After what I witnessed this past Tuesday night, I stand pat by that observation.

It is no secret that fiscal matters at all levels of government are facing extra scrutiny lately. With a slowing economy, and rising costs of energy and other necessary items of life, taxpayers are getting pinched, and are looking for relief wherever possible. In Laconia, the citizens have enacted a tax cap, vowing to live within their means. The practical result is that the city is now choosing how it spends its resources carefully, in some cases going without—much like any average family. Dittoes for neighboring Gilford, where the Selectmen, the School Board, and the Budget Committee have all worked to lighten the load on the taxpayers. Not so for the County. Over there, it’s “taxpayers be damned, business as usual.”

 

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But they made the trains run on time…

Nobody disputes the fact that the National Socialists ruling Germany in the Thirties till the mid- Forties weren’t anything, if not efficient. Despite that, you don’t find many folks who would define that regime as "good" in any sense of the word. By now, everybody’s heard of the recent Pew Center study ranking the Granite … Read more

So, this is what happens when we “fix” global warming?

From the "be careful for what you wish for" files… This is a photo I snapped this morning (yep-Sunday) of the crew of guys removing snow from my commercial building here in Central NH. While "manmade" global warming’s hucksters and fanatical religious zealots continue to beat their drums in typical frenzied fashion, the reality is … Read more

President Bush to members of the House: Empower the trial bar, or empower the intelligence community.

Pres Bush

Pres Bush (GG file photo by Doug)

In his radio address this week, President Bush again implores the House to pass legislation protecting valuable intelligence tools necessary to fight a resourceful and determined enemy.

I hope Carol Shea-Porter and Paul Hodes are listening!

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This Thursday, Laura and I returned from an inspiring visit to Africa. In Benin and Tanzania, we met leaders who are fighting HIV/AIDS and malaria — and people whose lives have been saved by the generosity of the American people. In Rwanda, we saw a nation overcoming the pain of genocide with courage and grace and hope. In Ghana, we met entrepreneurs who are exporting their products and building a more prosperous future. And in Liberia, we saw a nation that is recovering from civil war, led by the first democratically elected woman President on the continent. Laura and I returned to Washington impressed by the energy, optimism, and potential of the African people.

Members of Congress will soon be returning to Washington, as well, and they have urgent business to attend to. They left town on a 10-day recess without passing vital legislationgiving our intelligence professionals the tools they need to quickly and effectively monitor foreign terrorist communications. Congress’ failure to pass this legislation was irresponsible. It will leave our Nation increasingly vulnerable to attack. And Congress must fix this damage to our national security immediately.

The way ahead is clear. The Senate has already passed a good bill by an overwhelming bipartisan majority. This bill has strong bipartisan support in the House of Representatives, and would pass if given an up or down vote. But House leaders are blocking this legislation, and the reason can be summed up in three words: class action lawsuits.

 

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Not a dime’s worth of difference? Think again.

John McCain..Barack Hussein Osama

                    John McCain = reality.                                          Barack Obama= fairy tale.

In his speech following yesterday’s Wisconsin primary victory, John McCain made the case in favor of conservative based government and contrasted it with the… well, nothingness, really, of the Obama candidacy. Talking about the general campaign ahead, the Arizona Senator said,

…now comes the hard part and, for America, the bigger decision.  Will we make the right changes to restore the people’s trust in their government and meet the great challenges of our time with wisdom, and with faith in the values and ability of Americans for whom no challenge is greater than their resolve, courage and patriotism?  Or will we heed appeals for change that ignore the lessons of history, and lack confidence in the intelligence and ideals of free people?
Exactly. Government versus the individual. McCain sets the demarcation line:
I will fight every moment of every day in this campaign to make sure Americans are not deceived by an eloquent but empty call for change that promises no more than a holiday from history and a return to the false promises and failed policies of a tired philosophy that trusts in government more than people.  Our purpose is to keep this blessed country free, safe, prosperous and proud.  And the changes we offer to the institutions and policies of government will reflect and rely upon the strength, industry, aspirations and decency of the people we serve.
Obama and his supporters talk the talk, but fail to walk the walk. What he touts as "change" is simply nothing more than a massive shift to the left, embracing many of the failed, worn policies of days gone by. Whether it’s foreign policy, or domestic matters, when we do discern any real proposals or facts that might have accidently found their way into his bag of promises and rhetoric, they turn out to be nothing that haven’t been previously heard before. As noted by Robert Samuelson, writing in the Washington Post,

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“Fearmongering” and “Scare Tactics” [Updated]

.9-11..Jumping Man- September 11, 2001.the future? (?)
Paul Hodes.September 11.Carol Shea Porter
                Paul Hodes                               Only a dream, apparently…        Carol Shea Porter
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Sunday’s Union Leader had a story that, once again, clearly demonstrates why it is imperative, given the dangerous world in which we live, New Hampshire must send its two current Congressmen packing come November. Reacting to President Bush’s warning this week about the danger of not renewing the intelligence bill providing for electronic surveillance of potential threats, the antiwar peacenik turned Congresswoman brushed it off as if it was of little importance…

DERRY – U.S. Democratic Rep. Carol Shea-Porter accused President Bush of fear-mongering yesterday, insisting the nation is not more vulnerable to a terror attack without the electronic surveillance legislation he wants in place.

"This really is a big scare tactic. Nothing terrible is going to happen" New Hampshire’s 1st District representative said at a town hall meeting in Derry’s Municipal Center.

Really? How does Ms. Shea Porter know this? Does she believe that the lack of further attacks following September 11th, 2001 is simply because our enemies have somehow seen the light? Let’s remember Osama bin Laden’s words from his 1996 "Declaration of Jihad against the United States" in which he takes note of how he and his followers will engage the US:

 

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McCain’s CPAC Speech. The turning point?

John McCain
John McCain (GG file photo)
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ARLINGTON, VA — U.S. Senator John McCain’s presidential campaign today released the following remarks by John McCain as prepared for delivery:
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Thank you. Thank you for inviting me. It’s been a little while since I’ve had the honor of addressing you, and I appreciate very much your courtesy to me today. We should do this more often. I hope you will pardon my absence last year, and understand that I intended no personal insult to any of you. I was merely pre-occupied with the business of trying to escape the distinction of pre-season frontrunner for the Republican nomination, which, I’m sure some of you observed, I managed to do in fairly short order. But, now, I again have the privilege of that distinction, and this time I would prefer to hold on to it for a while.
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I know I have a responsibility, if I am, as I hope to be, the Republican nominee for President, to unite the party and prepare for the great contest in November. And I am acutely aware that I cannot succeed in that endeavor, nor can our party prevail over the challenge we will face from either Senator Clinton or Senator Obama, without the support of dedicated conservatives, whose convictions, creativity and energy have been indispensible to the success our party has had over the last quarter century. Many of you have disagreed strongly with some positions I have taken in recent years. I understand that. I might not agree with it, but I respect it for the principled position it is. And it is my sincere hope that even if you believe I have occasionally erred in my reasoning as a fellow conservative, you will still allow that I have, in many ways important to all of us, maintained the record of a conservative. Further, I hope you will grant that I have defended many positions we share just as ardently as I have made my case for positions that have provoked your opposition. If not, thank you for this opportunity to make my case today.
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Ten Reasons why I won’t join the McCain Derangement Express…

runaway train
Derangement Express
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While Skip has decided to climb aboard the McCain Derangement Syndrome Express in concert with Rush, Michelle, and the rest, I have taken a decidedly more sober approach. While I agree that certainly McCain has been a pain in the @$$ for Republicans on some issues through the years, when I consider the lay of the land and the current reality of the public’s mood, the Arizona Senator represents the best shot we’ve got at defying the conventional wisdom that puts a Dem in the White House come January 2009.
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Rather than join the anti-McCain chorus like some mind-numbed robot repeating the talking points, I have come to my own conclusions about the man. To do this, I applied the first hand contact I had with the most likely GOP nominee when he was campaigning here in the Granite State for almost a full year and considered the people that I greatly respect that have endorsed him. I have spoken directly with Senator McCain and asked him specific questions about things important to me, and was pleased with his answers. Skip had the same opportunities as well, and yet, given his recent postings on the subject, apparently was dissatisfied. I’m wondering why he didn’t address his concerns when he had the chance. It appeared to me at the time that Skip was OK with the exchanges he had with the man. I guess that the 88 blogs he reads daily weren’t interested in McCain enough at the time to be distributing memos of what to think. 
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When all things are considered, and then combined with his electability given the current zeitgeist, we could do a whole lot worse than John McCain. Here’s ten reasons to be optimistic about the possibility of a McCain presidency…
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John McCain
10) He’s a fighter. The present administration has inexplicably decided that it would never defend itself or its decisions when attacked by the opposition. Perhaps if they had taken more strong steps to explain things to the American people, Bush, and by extension, the Republicans wouldn’t be playing catch-up to the Democrats. I don’t see a McCain administration enfeebled in this area like Bush. I don’t see McCain allowing his opponents to define him.
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9) He can plausibly represent "change" in an election where people want "change." This is important, unless your idea of "change" means electing a Democrat, which I think would be disastrous for America. The few "sticks in the eye" of Bush through the years paints McCain as one marching independent of the present administration. People are tired of Bush, as they would be after any two term president.
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Dragon Soup: Front page of USA Today reports: 75% of Baghdad Secure

Colonel Ricky Gibbs, commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division
Colonel Ricky Gibbs, commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, talks to Iraqi children in the Masafee neighborhood of East Rashid, Baghdad during a recent visit there. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Kirk Luedeke, 4IBCT Public Affairs)

 
Kudos to USA Today reporter Jim Michaels, whose front page story in the Jan. 18-20 edition of the paper reports that 75% of Baghdad’s neighborhoods are secure as opposed to just 8% exactly one year earlier.
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This is an important story because it quantifies the progress that has been gaining momentum in mainstream media reporting since General David Petraeus issued his Iraq War progress report to the House and Senate back in September.
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My boss, Colonel Ricky Gibbs, commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division stationed here in Southern Baghdad, was interviewed for the story and I sat in on the telephonic interview he conducted with Michaels. Here are some points that didn’t make the final cut in the story, but provide further context for Michaels’ fair and accurate reporting:

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“In the Iranian context…” Aid and comfort from Mike Huckabee?

Iranian hostages
Members of "Iranians for Huck" attend political rally. (just kidding– well, maybe not…)
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Among the topics covered during our Saturday radio program, Meet the New Press, we discussed the recent published article by Mike Huckabee in which he refered to the foreign policy of the Bush Administration in a rather blunt, disparaging way. A December 14th AP News piece has the details:
"American foreign policy needs to change its tone and attitude, open up, and reach out," Huckabee said. "The Bush administration’s arrogant bunker mentality has been counterproductive at home and abroad. My administration will recognize that the United States’ main fight today does not pit us against the world but pits the world against the terrorists."
During the roundtable exchange, I stated that such pronouncements "feed into the detractors and the anti war people." This is, of course, something we don’t need during a time of war, especially when we are on the verge of some success and a turnaround of fortune in its main front in Iraq. You can download an .mp3 of the segment here, or use the handy player below, to listen. The Huck talk starts about a minute or so into the converstation…
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Well guess what? Now, several days later, it turns out that while my observation was somewhat close, Huck’s words might be, unfortunately, more harmful that I had originally imagined. Instead of merely feeding into President Bush’s political opposition here at home, Huckabee’s sentiment appears to be bringing a level of "aid and comfort" to one of our main enemies in the present world-wide terror war: Iran.
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The confirmation comes from the Iranian Fars News Agency (FNA) in a December 25th article discussing the American presidential campaign entitled "Top Republican Wants Dialogue with Iran". Care to guess which "top Republican" they are refering to? (No, not Ron Paul…)

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Dragon Soup– Baghdad’s Christians: An island in the sea of Islam (Part 3 of 3)

Baghdad Christmas
PHOTO (by author): Christmas trees are alight just outside the 4th Brigade, 1st Infantry Division Tactical Operations Center (TOC) on Forward Operating Base Falcon, Baghdad in 2007.
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[Blogger’s note to the readers]
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It is Christmas Eve here in Baghdad as I write this.
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Tomorrow, I will go to Christmas mass at the St. John’s Church in Dora. What could be more perfect than sharing in the celebration of Christ’s birth in the middle of what was once a war-torn neighborhood? A place overrun with fanatics who would shoot a person dead on the street because she didn’t have on a hijjab, the traditional head covering worn by Muslim women?
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This is the final installment of my series on Christians in Baghdad. As you look back on the work as a whole, understand that this is just a snapshot of what I have personally seen and experienced in one part of Baghdad. The situation in Dora and the Rashid District is not a template that can be applied to Christians everywhere else in Iraq. But in reading these dispatches, I hope that you can at least come to appreciate that like many Iraqis, be they Sunni, Shia or Kurd- the Christians have done their share of suffering in this war. Yet at the same time, this year, more than any other, is a time for celebration and hope.
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This is why I can feel God’s presence here, at this most holy of times for our faith, as we witness firsthand Christians returning to neighborhoods they had fled in terror, and their Muslim neighbors reaching out to embrace them. If that is not a sign of the Lord at work, then I don’t know what is.
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-Major Kirk
Forward Operating Base Falcon
Baghdad
Dec. 24, 2007

A light shines in the darkness

They came from all over Baghdad to see Auxiliary Bishop Shlemon Warduni conduct mass at the St. John’s Chaldean Church in Dora Nov. 15.
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Christian families came not only from the immediate neighborhoods in southern Baghdad, but from other locales after having left their homes because of the Al Qaeda and other Muslim extremists groups’ threats and intimidation.
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Full Circle in Iran?

Protesting at Tehran University Sunday 12/8/07 (H/T Drudge) . This is a rather interesting pic given the slogan on the sign, and the fact that it is IRANIAN students waving it in protest AGAINST their fundamental Islamic overlords. As a citizen of the Granite State, it gives me pause to see our state’s motto hoisted for the world to … Read more

Mitt Romney: Faith in America

Mitt Romney
Mitt Romney (GG file photo)
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Here is Mitt Romney’s speech on faith in its entirety:
College Station, TX – Speaking at The George Bush Presidential Library, Governor Romney addressed the American people about his views on religious liberty, our country grand tradition of religious tolerance and how faith would inform his Presidency.
Governor Romney’s "Faith In America" Address (As Prepared For Delivery):
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"Thank you, Mr. President, for your kind introduction.
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"It is an honor to be here today.  This is an inspiring place because of you and the First Lady and because of the film exhibited across the way in the Presidential library.  For those who have not seen it, it shows the President as a young pilot, shot down during the Second World War, being rescued from his life-raft by the crew of an American submarine.  It is a moving reminder that when America has faced challenge and peril, Americans rise to the occasion, willing to risk their very lives to defend freedom and preserve our nation.  We are in your debt.  Thank you, Mr. President.
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"Mr. President, your generation rose to the occasion, first to defeat Fascism and then to vanquish the Soviet Union.  You left us, your children, a free and strong America.  It is why we call yours the greatest generation.  It is now my generation’s turn.  How we respond to today’s challenges will define our generation.  And it will determine what kind of America we will leave our children, and theirs.
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