Choice or force?

What a great time to be alive, if you love liberty. I'd rather be fighting for the survival of all we hold dear, as now becomes imperative in America, than coasting along in tranquil times with our mettle untested. Facing Obama's naked power grab to veer this country left, we have the privilege to participate in a decisive moment almost like 1861 or 1787. Writing in Federalist No. 1, Hamilton said his generation must "decide the important question, whether societies of men are really capable or not of establishing good government from reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend for their political constitutions on accident and force." You and I are in a similar fight today against the coercive utopians seeking to force us toward a European-style future. The battle rages on many fronts, and we'll survey them on Backbone Radio this Sunday. Please join us.

** Global warming adversaries James White of CU and Chris Horner of CEI will be along to preview their upcoming Denver debate. Tickets for the April 8, 730pm event at Centennial Institute are free if you click here.

** Ryan Frazier pitches his US Senate candidacy... Mike Littwin reviews the Ward Churchill trial... and John Fonte unmasks the latest hard-left Obama appointee on Hillary Clinton's team.

** Plus Prof. Richard Reeb on the moral foundations of freedom... and Marya DeGrow on parental rights in homeschooling.

Some may wish for a more placid politics and hang back. But those who step up will remember these dark days of 2009 as bright days. They'll be bonded forever in the American cause as "we few, we happy few, we band of brothers," like Henry V's men at another glorious hour. Let's answer the call.

Yours for the Constitution, JOHN ANDREWS

Let's make a deal!

"Part of the success in Iraq involved reaching out to people that we would consider to be Islamic fundamentalists," said Obama, "but who were willing to work with us." That's from President Obama's interview with the New York Times on March 7, 2009. I guess he didn't get the memo about Islamic fundamentalism not being the kind of ideology that lends itself well to compromise and deal making. Of course, when you are The One and operate on a higher plane closer to God (and Muhammad, presumably), you come to really believe that your words are capable of doing the impossible -- the things that mere mortals (like George W. Bush and other conservatives) could never possibly do. Barack Obama belongs to the Monte Hall school of foreign policy: if you have five hair clips and a thimble in your purse, we can certainly make a deal!

The truth in Iraq, of course, is that we reached out to religious leaders who wanted to restore security and who had tired of the radical violence of Al Qaeda in Iraq and other Islamic fundamentalist groups. We weren't working with the radicals who were beheading hostages and killing American troops. Rather, the surge (which Obama opposed, still can't bring himself to call a "success" and apparently doesn't fully understand) convinced Shia and Sunni tribal leaders that it was a better bet to cooperate with us than with the Islamic fascists who didn't care how much innocent Iraqi blood they had to shed in accomplishing their goal of a totally lawless, unstable Iraq. These tribal leaders made a rational calculation that it was better to be "with us" than "against us" -- and helped to turn the tide againt both Al Qaeda and some of the more radical internal militias that were working to destabilize the country. We didn't sit down with Al Qaeda in Iraq and "work together" as the President apparently believes.

This is typical idealistic nonsense from the new president -- who firmly believes that symbols backed by the power of his presence can turn the world inside out into a better, kinder place. We've now dropped the term "war on terror" so as not to further upset the Islamic world (which would love us if we just spoke nicely to them), we're pulling out of Gitmo and making efforts to join the UN Human Rights Commission -- the sole purpose of which is to bash Israel while giving a pass to Iran, Syria, Libya, North Korea and other human rights abusers. Its all in the effort to change the "tone" of our dealings with the world. Lots of soft music and dim lighting.

Unfortunately, this president is full of intellectual hubris, and is absolutely, positively certain that he knows best. He believes that Islamic fundamentalists are people he can "work with", as if they are folks at the local PTA meeting who are parsing the menu for school lunches. He doesn't seem to understand that Islamic fundamentalism is the heart of a radical belief system that seeks to create a world Islamic state governed under strict Sharia law. It represents a total rejection of Western culture, society and religion. It is a radical, revolutionary ideology. You can't "make a deal" with those who want to utterly destroy you.

Do women legislators rule?

Listen to my radio special exploring the question. Our state legislature has the nation's highest percentage of women. Thirty-nine of 100 members in this year’s General Assembly are women. So are we better governed because of the female factor? Does one party speak more for women than the other? Is the political playing field really level for skirts and shirts? Listeners got firsthand perspectives from the Capitol when they tuned in on Thursday, April 2, at 7:00 pm for "Under the Dome," my issue special on 710 KNUS in Denver, also streaming live at www.710knus.com.

You can hear the podcast by clicking here

"Under the Dome: Women Speak Out" is my conversation with State Reps. Claire Levy (D-Boulder) and Amy Stephens (R-Colorado Springs), State Sen. Nancy Spence (R-Centennial), and Jessica Corry of the Independence Institute. Krista Kafer is along as co-host to help me avoid male brainlock.

To contact my guests via email, click the names.

Rep. Claire Levy

Sen. Nancy Spence

Rep. Amy Stephens

Jessica Corry

Sign up for alerts from Ritter Watch

With Gov. Bill Ritter already positioning for a 2010 reelection bid, and Republican challengers lining up, here's a handy clipping service with weblinks on Ritter's media coverage, emailed to you regularly upon request. To sign up, send an email to Colorado Springs political consultant Patrick Davis.

Six rules for financial backbone

Editor: This quick primer for recession survival was offered on our 3/29 radio show by David Bradshaw of Swiss America, the gold firm. 1. Don’t borrow: The U.S. is suffering from a chronic debt addiction of monumental proportion. We've now amassed $1 trillion in bad mortgage debt, $1 trillion in weak consumer credit card debt and nearly $10 trillion in government debt. Debt enslaves us to an economic system in a chronic state of collapse. Learn to live within your means.

2. Own hard money: If you have money, put a portion of it into tangible assets before the dollar’s value is further destroyed by inflation. Precious metal and U.S. rare coin prices recently corrected and today represent an excellent value buy for both safety and long-term growth.

3. Think for yourself: Search for reliable information about the economic and political situation. Read books and turn off the TV and video games. Discuss ideas and issues with your kids, family and friends.

4. Develop new skills: Learn to be more self-reliant. Do your own household repairs. Grow and cook your own food. Shop at thrift stores. Start your own part-time business. 5. Become politically active: Register, vote and demand honest elections. Support politicians with integrity, who favor smaller government, lower taxes and the Constitution. Reread the Constitution as a reminder of your rich American heritage. Demand changes in accordance with your core values.

6. Fear not, God is in control: We tend to be overwhelmed by external forces such as government, corporations, banks, credit ratings, the economy, media, armies and technology. In reality, God is the only source of power in the universe. The more we realize God's presence, the less we fear externals. By God’s grace we can reverse the trend from being a bailout nation to being a blessed nation again.

Bradshaw's website has the original piece here.

He also provided this link to Swiss America's free DVD offer with short trailer.