Burt - look at the unPatriot Act that was passed Thur. The Republican Leadership (oxymoron) and Democrap Leadership conspired to pass it. When it came to Rand Paul's amendment to prevent the ATF from going after records of citizens with guns only ten senators voted for it and it included 2 Democrats. You can be sure of one thing when the democraps and RINO's agree on anything, the citizens will get screwed. As for the Supremes, Anthony Kennedy who wrote the decision to let prisoners in Kalifornia go free was nominated by Reagan. And it seems the former governor of Kalifornia by osmosis became a Kennedy. The hero of Chappaquiddick must be looking up (where he is everything is up).

Gingrich would actually put his foot in his mouth less than Biden. He's a perfect replacement.

"While I accept that not everyone is as revenge-driven as I am, I don't get their concern over how we deal with jihadists. And, frankly, when people such as John McCain and General Petraeus insist that our troops will suffer if we upset Islamics, I feel a reality check is in order"

Ask any WWII marine vet from the Pacific how they felt about the Japanese and their fanaticism to fight to the last man. THAT is a reality check. After a few battles they began to realize it was a no holds barred, all out war. Take and/or Give no quarter. This current batch of fanatics are no different. The first died for the Empire, the latter for Allah, let us help them along.

Typo correction;

That should have read "died for the Emperor", although Empire is a legitimate substitute.

Doktor RVZ

The way we got the Japs (I am not PC) to surrender was by making two of their cities glow in the dark. Maybe we should make Mecca and Medina glow in the dark also. Oops I forgot Islam is the religion of peace according to Bush the Younger.

"...how is it that so many seemingly intelligent conservatives will inevitably threaten to sit out the 2012 election if their own personal favorite doesn't cop the nomination?"

Well, Burt as a "seemingly intelligent conservative", I definitely won't sit out the 2012 election, but until then, I will champion the candidates that are more conservative than the RINOS you love, and I will do it with gusto, and you and the rest of the establishment do-nothings can kiss where the sun don't shine.

Maybe a lot of other Americans have reached the state of mind that I have: we're bone tired of voting for the lesser of two evils rather than for our values and principles, which you seem to lack. So, Burt, until the candidate is selected, many Americans like me will continue to support and back those who are closest to believing in small government, a constitutional government, and in the principles upon which our founders based the Constitution. You don't like it, Burt? It doesn't make sense to you to believe in something? Go take a flying leap.

"Savages," Yes Savages. Burt has it right.

As a majority, Muslims, extremists and otherwise, have not grown up one iota since the days of Mohammad. They are ignorant and cloistered, and demonstrate infantile, uncontrolled aggressive behaviors.

The greater majority of them around the world are infantile, brainwashed savages.

And although I know I will catch hell for this, the majority of religions, including Christianity, breeds for the most part ignorance and myopia.

If Islam is the kicking, screaming infant, Christianity is the uncompromising Adolescent.

All religions, and "their" peoples, need to grow up!

I will probably get pounded for my support for Gingrich. Yes, there was the global warming clip and lately right-wing social engineering comment. (I interpret that remarks that this humongous reform must be taken to the people and fully embraced. Remember what happend when Bush tried to fix social security?) Yes he is mercurial. BUT he is by far and away IMHO the most qualified to be our nominee. He has the breadth and depth of knowledge in all important areas: health care, foreign policy, economy, energy, education, and on. Newt actually has done research and developed solutions. From what I've read they're good ones. He's got the gravitas that I haven't seen from any of the GOP hopefuls yet.

Tex Horn: The next time you ask someone to read my articles to you, don't be ashamed to ask them what the words actually mean. I have never suggested that I love RINOs. If you had half a brain in your head, you would understand that I have always suggested that people vote for the most conservative candidate in the primaries...and do the same in the general, even if the more conservative candidate is a RINO. Better a RINO than a liberal.

Doktor Riktor: Perhaps you could volunteer to explain my commentary to Tex.

Regards, Burt

Reply to Fed Up:

Pertaining to your comment about Muslims being infantile and Christianity being an uncompromising adolescent. I got a theology degree from a Catholic university and there is absolutely no comparison. Truthfully, the Muslim religion is still living in the early centuries with no attempt to change, that's why they're so backwater. But Christianity isn't "uncompromising". You should read some of the encyclicals the Popes write. We also NEVER condone the type of violence perpetrated by fanatical sects. We have also never crashed planes into skyscrapers or any other violent act involved in killing people. Please don't make such a ridiculous comparison and show a little respect for a true religion of peace.

Sam K - Gingrich didn't put his foot in his mouth, that is the way he actually is and thinks. The truth just slipped out.

Burt - who pushed through the unPatriot Act? Why Reid, McConnell and Boehner. And who gave it to us originally, why Dubya. The gang of three also killed Rand Paul's amendment to prevent the ATF from gathering records on honest gun owners. Only ten senators voted for the amendment with two being Democrats. Remember it was that crazy guy Ben Franklin who said, "those that give up a little essential liberty for a little security deserve neither security nor liberty". We need RINO's like Caesar needed Brutus.

"...but the truth is that I will back anyone who winds up running against Obama."

Even the RINOS, Burt?

All us conservatives are tired of being stabbed in the back by politicians. If we listen hard enough, every candidate says something that is not in line with some conservative value we hold. The hard work doesn't come with picking a perfect candidate, it comes with picking the one we can better influence as voters.

As much of an idiot as McCain is, had he won, I know without a doubt we as conservative voters could have kicked his arse into submission. You try doing that with the current Narcissist in Chief, his ilk call you a racist and he puts his nose in the air and acts as though you don't exist.

It may seem as though Burt comes off as one who compromises his values in the name of expedience, I think it is a mistaken identity of his realism. We have to realize until the majority of Americans, who are more conservative leaning, are better educated about the Constitution, we will need to settle for the "lesser of two evils". A hell of a better sight than someone who has no understanding or desire to understand Constitutional rule of law.

OK everyone! I get it and Burt gets it. We KNOW we have to change things ASAP however, we have to get the bastard child out of the White House FIRST! No kidding, I'd vote for the first name in a rural telephone book (or any of the names in between) before I would cast a vote for Obama---even if he were the lesser of two evils. (Fat chance at that...) Sorry, prefer not to have a city dweller/smog mutant from Chitcago or L.A.

The upside to the dregs of humanity in the MSM who hate anyone with an R after their name is that even a RINO wouldn't try the crap that Oblahblahblah has done. They would be more than willing to skewer their behinds. We simply cannot have ANY president ignoring Congress, the Constitution, appointing "czars", and issuing executive orders to circumvent the rule of law.

While the people of this country focus on issues they are being distracted from the big picture--- the ringleader has got to go at all costs. Then we need to take every single one out of Congress who dares to mess with us. I read a piece by "Joe American" many years ago that clearly explained how we have all been duped into camps and causes at the greater risk of our most basic liberties. Forget the damned issues for once and pay attention to the candidate (local/State/federal) that promises, and if possible, demonstrates that he or she is willing to not only abide by the rule of law but also dismantle every affront to it. You KNOW BO couldn't care less---anyone HAS to be better.

Burt is right; we gotta start somewhere. Short of a revolution, we won't fix this country in one or two election cycles. And believe me, the Cloward/Piven Progressive Democrats want an armed revolution! They are not afraid---they are salivating. We will never get anywhere fighting about issues while the fox is in the hen house. I don't see Burt rallying for a RINO; instead I see him as mad as hell, as I am, with the most outrageous, infantile, arrogant, ignorant, and undisciplined human being ever to occupy the White House. Our charge ought to be "ANYONE but Obama 2012".

D-Mak,

No comparisons made. In fact, I called Islam infantile and Christianity, Adolescent. A big difference!

All I am saying is that in the name of religion, too many people are myopic and have taken life or been murdered over the centuries for their “uncompromising” beliefs.

Treat humans as humans, and religion is not needed except for one’s spiritual "peace of mind."

Bless you, Merry. You invariably make sense.

Yes, Tex Horn, even the RINOs. I recently stated that I would vote for a bag of potatoes if it were running against Obama. What does it take for some people to recognize that the greatest menace that our country has ever faced is sitting in the Oval Office? The barbarians aren't at the gates, they've got the key to the White House.

D-Mak: I am not a religious person, but even I am offended at swipes at religion and at Christianity in particular. It's one thing to condemn Islam, which has been a non-stop plague for about 1300 years, but when Fed Up (whom I suspect adopted that particular nom de computer because he thought the initials were clever) attacks Christianity, he is the one who is displaying adolescent tendencies.

Burt

I'm not sure why fed up has to drag Christianity into this discussion. If he knew anything about history he would know that Christianity is what brought the west into the modern age. islam, socialism, communism, atheism all killed more humans by far than Christianity could ever think about.

I went to catholic schools for ten years and the fear of hell kept me in line.Without some religious training I would have been a very bad boy.There would be no reason to follow any rules.I wasn't an angel but I wasn't taught to kill anyone.I was taught Jesus was the man.

Why do we "Americans" clarify (and undermine our arguments by) saying 95% of Muslims are decent, caring, law abiding citizens who follow the peaceful tenets of one of the great religions of the world, Islam?  Because we are not educated on the true tenants of Islam. Quite frankly it's a blessing that most Muslims are not good, devout, Quran reading Islam adhering Muslims, or they would be Sharia loving, caliphate demanding, world conquering, murderers like their prophet Mohammad and all those dangerous other Muslims that are taking jihad against the West.

Is Islam one of the great religions of the world, as some keep repeating?  I don't think history shows that at all.  Europe is reaping what it has sowed by allowing mass immigration of Muslims.  The lack of assimilation and social conflict is rising by the day.  Westernized Muslims - living in America and Canada - are living (what I would call) a secular quasi-religious faith - under the guise of being Muslim.  It's no different really than most American Christians.  It's a western secular lifestyle elixir, with a hint of Christian antiquity and tradition. It simply follows the progressive public mores of what remains of the postmortem Christianity of our Founding Fathers.

These are not really Muslims at all as defined by the Quran but rather something closer to Muslim agnostics or secularists.  They're like the vast church going Christian population in America who know's little of God's Word, fails to study the Word, rarely prays, refuse to teach and only keeps His commandments when it's convenient to do so.  Their confidence is easily shaken by antagonists; agnostics, atheists, evolutionists and other malcontents, and are generally poor defenders or advocates of the faith.

The so-called "radical" Imams, who take all the heat in the media, are not really radical at all.  I happen to respect them for their candor, because they tell it like it really is, without apology.  They are the orthodox teachers of Islam, following the edicts of the Quran.  They are genuine, yet the media blares the horn of confusion when they say they don't represent true Islam.  Oh contraire.  The 95% of non violent Muslims are the ones who are truly "radical" precisely for their non adherence to the true teachings of the Quran.

Correctly stated, our arguments against torture and murder and terror, should not be confined to the actions of "radical" Muslims, or "terrorists" as the media defines them or Imams who call for "Jihad".  Our arguments must be against Islam itself and it's book of false teachings, the Quran, it's false leader, Mohammad, it's false god, Allah, and all of it's negative ramifications it has hoisted upon this world.

When will the leftists ever learn that appeasement NEVER works? Burt, I'm surprised the politically correct media Nazis let you print such things and glad to see you getting away with it, while it lasts. I say go for it and I'm with you. If I was 'da man' I'd have all military ordnance tips dipped in pig blood, burn every muslim corpse after it laid around for 3 days, and if they ever pulled off another 9-11, I'd nuke Mecca. I would also bring back Trijicon scopes,the manufacturer of the rifle scopes that had Scripture references 'hidden' on them.

Burt,

As you mention, I too am not a particularly religious person. Attack is a strong word to use regarding my post, but if that's how you see it, so be it.

Obviously by your and some others’ responses, sensitivity doesn't just run rampant in liberals, it is also alive and well in some conservatives as well. ‘How Dare you say anything about MY religion.’ So I stand by what I said, Adolescent.

I suppose it is what it is.

And to clarify my pseudonym used, I don't use it because I think it is "clever" as you put it. I use it because if I didn't, liberals, and now seemingly those I thought were conservative compatriots, attack me and attempt to smear my name, because I don’t completely and blindly follow their dogmatic beliefs. It has been done in the past by a liberal leaning newspaper in my area, and did affect my business and family for a while. Shouldn't have to be that way, but it is what it is.

When you can’t even trust a fellow conservative for speaking their minds, you have just made my point. I would have likely lost some business with some particularly pious Christian conservatives. Sad, sad.

Adolescents, and apparently most religions and their peoples, respond to perceived attacks by lashing out and becoming defensive, as was done here. So I guess you too Burt, and the other sensitive readers, are adolescent. My theory about the mostly devout, either side, has been proven, thanks!

Obviously, as a few readers at the post felt over the years, there is seemingly no room for conservatives if they are not devout Christians. And we are wondering why we can’t elect a conservative for the white house? It is an exceedingly exclusive club here, isn’t it? As I said, time to grow up.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend all! I will be calling my old veteran friends and reliving so good memories while in uniform. Still love the majority of your articles Burt, so no offense! :)

Fed Up,

You certainly did compare Christianity to Islam by characterizing the followers of each as immature and saying "All religions, and 'their' peoples, need to grow up!" You also said that Christianity breeds for the most part ignorance and myopia. I was looking for you to provide evidence to back up your claims when questioned. Stand up and defend your original position, if you can.

No responders made your point for you as you have tried to suggest. D-Mak's credentials indicate that he would be one of those you characterize as ignorant, myopic, and juvenile. His response, however, was logical, informed, and mature. Your response was to start backpedaling and imply that your initial characterization only applied to Christians who murdered people centuries ago. Burt took exception to you post but indicated that he is not a religious person. Therefore, he is not included in the original group(s) of people that you denigrated.

Fed Up,

I agree with you that we should "treat humans as humans". The Bible tells us all we need to know about humankind - its relationships, its past, its future, its depravity, its need for a savior, and certainly how we should treat each other. God loves you and wants a relationship with you and every other human. Please examine your heart and consider accepting God's free gift to you.

Okay, I know that pigs are not kosher but they are still to good for the likes of Osama. I say stick him in a pair of Obama's dirty drawers and send him straight to hell.

It surpasses understanding that many people cannot realize that Islam has been at war with the non-Islamic world since the year 622. Folks should read a little history, and see that it has always been impossible to "play nice" with those who are bent on world domination.

If the conservatives' favored candidate doesn't win the primary and the RINO goes on to win an election on strong voter turnout from conservatives (e.g. TEA Partiers), the moderate establishment Republicans will feel no need to promote true conservative candidates in the future and will take the conservative voters for granted. The conservatives need to be willing to abstain from voting, instead of voting for a RINO in the general election, until the establishment (or their attitudes to truly conservative principles) has changed.

I understand that this may cause more short term damage but that can be good in the long run as more and more moderates see that liberal policies don't work. As a conservative, I am please with President Bush's Supreme Court appointments and am not pleased with those appointed by Democrat presidents. But, I am extremely disappointed with the RINO senators who didn't do more to try to block those Democrat appointments.

Fed Up: I am not religious. If I were, I would be Jewish, not Christian. But I think Christian-bashing is an abomination. It also shows a lack of appropriate gratitude. Even though we're not a theocracy, this is a Christian nation because 80% of the population identifies itself as believers in Christ; in much the same way, Israel is a Jewish nation, even though only 80% of its population is Jewish. The Founding Fathers were, for the most part, Christian, and those who keep saying deists are only out to deny the obvious. So I apologize for misinterpreting the reason for the name, but you could have disguised your identity in a million other ways, so please forgive me if I don't totally buy your reason for adopting those particular initials. Which, to be honest, seem to suggest your attitude and your prejudices.

David Whitley: I have no idea why you spent so much time making your point. I have never referred to Islam as a peaceful religion, and have never written anything in defense of the so-called good Muslims. To me, I see Muslims either as jihadists or jihadist enablers.

Regards, Burt

@ Fed Up: "And although I know I will catch hell for this, the majority of religions, including Christianity, breeds for the most part ignorance and myopia."

This is one 'ignorant' Christian who will pray for people like you. "Go ye and make disciples of every nation, baptising them in My name, and I will be with you always, to the end of the earth."

To whom it may concern:

I agree with John McCaine and General Petraeus. Thease are vicious men and it will not take much to have them take it out on our troups or this country. Some things we do not need to air inpublic. I am outraged at the atrocities that were committed but we need to look after the troups well being.

Elizabeth Schoeb

Fed-Up:

Although I totally disagree with you concerning your views on Christianity I can sympathize with the lack of any understanding on opposing views shown by what we thought were fellow Conservatives.

The accepted practice for Conservatives in the media seems to be to frame and arguement as the Conservative view and any contrary deviation to that view is liberal or an obviously left leaning mole.While Mr. Prelutsky gave me ample opportunities to respond in a previous column to our disagreement Conservatives in the electronic media are especially apt at shutting down and dismissing any opposing views when they control the "On the Air" button.

While Conservatives don't use name calling to counter arguements contrary to popular beliefs Conservatism isn't the "big tent","coat of many colors" President Reagan once descibed it as.Things will never change because they use the same trojan horse of "emergency" election after election to persuade us to vote the straight Republican ticket. It's the same country club ,good ol'e boy network and they intend to keep it that way.

You have hit the nail on the head. Actually, I think you have overheard me and repeated my words.

:-) As a 74 year old Christian great-grandmother it is no surprise to me that spiritual blindness is epidemic in America. You speak the truth. Pigskin shroud, yes. And yes to the rest. I just hope this time I don't have to vote AGAIN for the "lesser of two evils." Praying for someone I can truly support. I know our Saviour is not going to arrive on Air Force One, but I hope we can do better than we have done.

Burt,

Not sure what you mean by adopting these particular intials.

I am simply Fed Up with Obama, Liberals, our current government, Socialism, and the rest of the crap that comes out of Washington! Hence, my handle or "intials," Fed Up.

Am I missing something about the alias Fed Up? If so, please enlighten me. Thanks!

I would vote for a sack of potatoes over the MESS-iah, too. But I think we have an opportunity here to get that most conservative candidate nominated to the sack of potatoes spot. Since I really believe that almost anyone can beat the boy wonder, we should concentrate on making sure that that "anybody" is a staunch conservative.

Fed Up: You sound sincere, so I have to assume you are unfamiliar with the fact that F.U. is the less offensive way of saying f--- you.

Burt

Burt,

I didn't know, nor did I ever considered that.

Than what a better way to wave my middle finger at the socialists in the white house.

Perhaps though, I will consider a change in the near future so as not to confuse others. Thanks!

You say "...[John McCain] was a war hero 40 years ago but pretty much a dunderhead ever since"

Let me correct you. John McCain was a dunderhead then, someone who was never a good pilot, one who probably would never have flown a Navy aircraft but for his father and grandfather having been admirals. Getting shot down does not make one a hero, it only signifies his failure to complete his final mission.

I respect his mental and physical toughness which allowed him to survive the years at the hands of the North Vietnamese, but his attempts to parlay his portrayal as a "hero" into qualifications for the highest post in the land have not endeared him to me.

I like many others only voted for McCain because the "Messiah" and his friends told me he was real bad news for our country and I thought there was better judgement by the voters than to put this fraud in office. A close look at McCain to me revealed someone who shared some of the undesireable traits of Obama.

The comments by David Whitley previously posted here should be read and understood by those seeking to understand ISlam and the fanatics who follow it's teachings. Thanks David for your clear and accurate description of the problem. Until our leaders and others realize these truths, we will continue to be attacked and infiltrated by this godless hoard. Allah and G-d are not interchangeable !.

Perry: I was never a fan of McCain. He was a terrible candidate and the worst campaigner since Dukakis. But he was running against Obama. And I probably would have voted for Dukakis, given that choice.

Fed Up: I'm glad I could clear things up for you. Did you never see the play or movie version of "The Odd Couple"? There is a funny scene in which Oscar Madison is complaing about a note his roommate, Felix Unger, has left him, and he complains that it took him a long time to figure out that the "F.U." at the bottom of the memo wasn't intended as an insult.

Burt

Burt,

Yes I seen the movie but never put it together.

Thanks for the enlightenment!

I can see that everyone missed the whole point of "how much more danger can one be in, when engaged in war"? Maybe they would be put in "grave danger" rather than just danger? Perhaps they would be killed harder, than just plain killed? I know, they would be blown-up worser than just blown-up. I was in Viet Nam when Johnson stopped the bombing, and I didn't feel any more danger than when we were "blowing thier a---up" In fact the whole 2 1/2 years I spent there all felt the same, from day one until the last day. Maybe someone can help me out about being put in more danger.

Burt,

This has to be one of your best, both columns and reader comments. I love the way you banter with your readers. What a better way to explain your positions, and get a jab in every once in a while. Keep it up!

Oh yes, for my two cents, I think all our armaments, bullets, bombs, mortars, etc. should have a thin coating of lard applied to them at the factory. Perhaps they wouldn't be re-used if the situation came up, and what if someone was killed by of them? Ain't no seventy two virgins going to come near anyone who has lard on, er', in them.

Fed Up,

I'm with you man The more I read the more confused I got. What in the worls is this "initials" thing, I asked? However, I just kept reading and finally it was explained (another good reason for Burt to keep inserting his comments). Now, had you used the nombre "Fed Yup," that might have been a bit easier to figure out, but still a bit cryptic.

Burt,

This has to be one of your best, both columns and reader comments. I love the way you banter with your readers. What a better way to explain your positions, and get a jab in every once in a while. Keep it up!

Oh yes, for my two cents, I think all our armaments, bullets, bombs, mortars, etc. should have a thin coating of lard applied to them at the factory. Perhaps they wouldn't be re-used if the situation came up, and what if someone was killed by of them? Ain't no seventy two virgins going to come near anyone who has lard on, er', in them.

Fed Up,

I'm with you man The more I read the more confused I got. What in the worls is this "initials" thing, I asked? However, I just kept reading and finally it was explained (another good reason for Burt to keep inserting his comments). Now, had you used the nombre "Fed Yup," that might have been a bit easier to figure out, but still a bit cryptic.

Burt,

Sorry about the double post. Don't know how that happened.

MARINE: Thanks for covering my back. This isn't the first time that America has been warned not to do something because it just might rile up the Muslims. It takes nothing to rile them up. They are born that way. And whether it's Gitmo being kept open, enhanced interrogation being employed on these vermin or merely hiding their TV remaotes, they're going to try to kill us unless we kill them first.

As for the upcoming election, when people suggest that if a 100% tried and true conservative doesn't get the nomination, Republicans should stick to their principles and stay home on Election Day, I wonder if he's a liberal in sheep's clothing or just a run of the mill idiot. Anyone who is willing to stand by and let Obama have another four years to louse up the U.S. on all fronts, foreign and domestic, social and economic, in the hope that we will all learn a lesson, isn't a patriot, he's just a miserable excuse for an American.

Burt

I have a mixed response. I agree we have no business tip toeing around muslim sensibilities, though I wouldn't go out of my way to find a pigskin to bury a muslim either. My thoughts about that burial ritual are, that we are not tipping our hat to the fact that we are at war with that entire culture. We must be though for they are most definitely at war with us.

And I'm in the Hawkings camp regarding religion overall. I co-opted all the basic tenets as a child...whats right is right and whats good is good...but I don't need to have mine or anyone elses history laid out before me. The bottom line for me is...I just don't know...so I'm not about to live a life of uncertainty.

Lastly, I think your attitude toward how bin Laden was dealt with, left something to be desired, as I believe we should have captured him...made his capture and trial and imprisonment a priority;he wasn't on a battlefield. I know the world trade center wasn't on a battlefield either but as Americans, we have chosen a different path than, just going in strong and taking someone out.

Regarding David Whitley's last paragraph,Id say he inadvertently made the case against all organized religions claims to any authority over mens lives.

The point is...once we 'go there'...there we will find ourselves in a trap leading only to more and more dead ends. Just like fed-up was saying...adolescent. WE need to move on.

For, it truly is a weak man who, builds his house upon a two-thousand year old fabrication. Of course the religios rail at such an attitude.At such a perspective. It is a direct threat to their very core.To the only arsenal they have access to. Adolescent indeed. Inexperienced in the world. Ignorant of any culture except the one founded in a book.

As I stated before, there are valuable lessons to be learned from the teachings of Christ....but apart from how we behave toward each other, the rest is a walk in the park.

Collectively we are beyond the teachings of our ancestors. That's all there is to it. You got to feel for people who cling to specific lines out of the bible when relating to everyday situations. But we live here and now and not back then.

It's almost as if these people are saying flat out...no one can ever advance beyond the conditions of men of the past. Of 'sinners.'

We all must be made to be equal or 'humbled' in front of the lord as if thats the only way...the only appropriate way to act 'human' or 'christlike' or 'acceptable' as a human being in light of christs ever present existence among us all.

But we are no longer desperate like teenagers trying to accomplish something. We have libraries of tools.No end of idea's. We are at the brink of creating life itself. We have made so much progress 'toolmaking' that, our abilities confound even ourselves. We truly live in a world of our own creation.

The problem with Islam as I see it is, the theology of holy war...that it is good to kill in the name of Allah's wishes...that being the conversion of all to Islam by force and fear.

Though as Americans we are free and do not force anything upon anyone.'We' win their hearts and their minds. We don't teach our young that it's good to kill, nor do we approve of killing in order to spread our culture.Islam does. Thats what we are fighting. Not bin Laden. He was only one representative of millions of believers of the duty of all good muslims to wage jihad, or holy war so as to please their 'god,' Allah.

This is just one more reason why all organized religions need to be thoroughly disenfranchised for the benefit of all posterity.

They were all created to divide us, and to control us.They are now potentially the reason why we could all be destroyed together in a world war beginning with nuclear weapons acquired by terrorists or sold to them by unstable governments.

Like I said...we have come too far...too fast.And as much as I'd like to clean up the middle east....the real challenge ahead of us all, is to rid the world of nuclear armaments, and organized religions.They are the biggest threats to all of humanity.That is all.

T. Michael: Frankly, I think you protesteth too much. As my readers know, I am not religious. Most of them, whom you seem so eager to write off as ignorant and intolerant, seem okay with that. I see no reason to ridicule and insult believers. Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and most everyone, except Muslims, seem to have adopted a live and let live policy in modern times. The only real fanatics I ever come across are Islamists and atheists...and, frankly, I don't see that too many people in either group are contributing greatly to the advancement of civilization, and they are certainly the two most intolerant groups on this planet.

Burt

Re:Islam. It would be so much easier if people will learn a little history re: Otoman Empire.

Re: Christianity. We are not upset because you are atheists, we are upset because you are here trying to convince people who are Christian that they are idiots for beliving. I am fine with you being an atheist, as long as you don't call me ignorant for being a Christian. And on what do you base that "ignorant" call? I speak 3 languages, I bet I know more about history, literature and universal culture than you, so why am I ignorant because I believe in God?

Re: RINOs. I have to agree with Burt, we need to get rid of the America haters, even if for now we replace them with lukewarm conservatives. I understand Burt comment about voting for Dukakis over Obama. Dukakis is an useful idiot, but he is an American, and I bet he loves this country and appreciates what it stands for. Obama hates the country, and despises its values. And that, my friends, is the HUGE difference!

To those who agree with writers like Burt Prelutsky, you do realize that this ignorant version of the majority of Muslims, which is rooted in fear and seemingly outright ill hatred, looks the same on paper as do the views and desired actions of the extremist Christians and right-wingers in the United States right? I have many deeply devoted Christian friends and family who believe in compassion and humane behavior and are ashamed at what those who claim to follow the same faith thus the same set of values do and say in the name of Christianity. I also have many Muslim friends who are of the same cloth but follow a different version and who also detest what the ignorant extremists have done under the guise of Islam. Neither group of extremists represent either religion and certainly not the citizens of their respective nation-states. The most ironic thing in all of this: those that shout the loudest and fight the dirtiest in order to supposedly and illogically protect these common human values are the ones who show the least amount of value and worth or worthiness of space on our amazing planet yet they are also the ones who truly do have access to real compassion and forgiveness due to the true nature of man and our ability to evolve not just in nature but with our minds - because those most often delving out the compassion and forgiveness tend to have the most open ones.

@ Just Saying First.

A person can be ignorant in one language or ignorant in several. Sounds more like you hate Obama and despise his values rather than the other way around, that or your ability to comprehend that this nation consists of a diverse population with mixed and often opposing values which will never have a leader that can represent them all. People with extreme points of views and unwavering conviction to see them through no matter what the consequence or the rest of his or her fellow citizens believe, need or want are not seeking a representative democracy, they are asking for a dictatorship.