Anne Northup was an upstanding voice for the citizens of Kentucky until she was defeated (unbelievably, I might add), by one John Yarmouth. I think now the people in her district are beginning to see the error in their judgment.

At any rate, Anne wrote this op-ed for the local newspaper, The Courier-Journal, and I wanted to include it here. Enjoy!

Mike Minton

Oil reserves in Alaska, elsewhere could ease crisis
June 17, 2007
By Anne M. Northup

Two years ago, Nancy Pelosi and the Democrat Congress promised to devise a national energy policy and lower the cost of gas, which was about half the price it is now. When asked what he and the other Democrats have done to fulfill that pledge, Congressman Yarmuth points to legislation they passed to suspend shipments to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. He initially claimed this legislation “could reduce prices by about…25 cents per gallon gasoline,” but later downgraded the expected effect of this action to only 5 cents per gallon. It’s a little surprising that anyone would boast about saving a nickel when gas prices have risen $1.63 since Yarmuth took office and the Democrats took control of Congress.

But there’s more. Just last week, our Representative joined ten Democrats who filed a “use it or lose” bill which would force oil companies to use the federal leases they currently have or forfeit them. The truth is, oil companies have had very little success with these leased lands, with 52 percent of the leases turning up no oil. Many more were leased for the purpose of recovering natural gas only. Other areas are prohibitive in terms of the cost to drill, and questionable in the amount recoverable oil. It is hard to fathom the thinking of a person who would propose forcing companies to drill all over the continent in places with marginal or no reserves, but refuses to allow drilling where there are plentiful reserves.

Other actions contemplated by the Democrats in Congress include suing OPEC to increase production. They also plan on launching their seventh investigation into “Price Gougers” and their fourth investigation into “Speculators”. In addition, they want $20 billion in windfall profit taxes on oil producers, a failed strategy tried by a previous Democrat Congress in 1980, and signed into law by Jimmy Carter. It stifled domestic oil production, resulting in an even greater dependence on foreign oil. One needn’t be an energy expert to understand that none of these actions will produce one more drop of oil for our country.

By halting shipments to the SPR, and trying to force OPEC or our own energy companies to increase production, the Democrats are at least indicating that they understand that increasing the supply of oil is vital to lowering our prices. The question is, why won’t they take realistic, concrete steps to do that instead of trying to demonize the oil companies and posturing against OPEC?

We do not have to look overseas for our oil. Alaska’s ANWR alone contains 10.4 billion barrels of oil. Likewise, the Outer Continental Shelf is estimated to contain 19 billion barrels of oil. There are other estimates that put our oil reserves in the hundreds of billions of barrels. When given the opportunity to tap these abundant resources, the House Democrats overwhelmingly opposed it while House Republicans overwhelmingly supported the increased production. Even when the Republicans were in the majority and passed it in the House, the Senate could not muster the 60 votes necessary to pass the bill and send it to the President because of Democratic opposition.

Recently, such large reserves of shale oil were discovered that some now refer the United States as the “Saudi Arabia of shale oil”. Yet last year this Congress banned all new shale oil extraction. That’s right: no matter where or how safely it could be recovered, this new reserve is now off limits nationwide.

We know where the major reserves of clean, light, easy-to-refine crude oil are located. Even though a majority of people in this country believe we can harvest our oil in an environmentally safe manner, this Congress seems to be too frightened of an environmental lobby that has become increasingly irrational.

The high price of oil is jeopardizing the entire economy and our balance of trade. It has triggered fears of inflation and a subsequent recession around the country. From Wall Street to the unemployment office to family dinner tables, the talk moves from higher gas prices to higher food prices to higher unemployment to greater inflation, and a real fear of the economy collapsing. As for our balance of trade, when we depend on foreign oil and the price goes up, we ship more of our American dollars overseas. Today we send $500 billion to countries, most of whom do not even like us. This is simply unacceptable.

Conservation is important, but it’s not enough. Some individuals can bike or carpool to work or consolidate trips or take a shorter vacation, but many people and many industries must depend on energy for their livelihood, and high fuel prices are threatening their survival. Hard working truck drivers, farmers and airline workers rely on oil to fuel their business, as do millions of other Americans. Energy underpins our whole economy and the long term need for energy is vital.

The U.S.must start drilling now. While it will take years for the new oil to enter the marketplace, that is no excuse for not starting now. Economists agree that passing legislation to open up drilling in ANWR, the gulf and the Outer Continental Shelf will instantly lower oil prices. It will send a clear message to speculators and other countries that we are serious and proactive about solving our energy problems. In seven to ten years, oil will start flowing from these and other explorations, will become an asset to our economy, improve our balance of trade, increase our international competiveness and ensure that our national security is unthreatened by the need for foreign oil.

This will give us the time we need to begin a national path towards energy independence using not only our own oil, but clean coal, nuclear, fusion, hydrogen, solar, and wind energy. There will be new economic confidence, a pride in our country’s “can-do” determination and new technologies to export around the world.

Affordable, dependable energy is not a new issue. Economists have been warning us for years that energy independence and the need for more oil are critically important. For ten years, I supported every effort to expand drilling in ANWR, in the Gulf and off our coasts despite the political and personal attacks – especially in the last election – because the people in this district deserve a strong, honest leader who says what needs to be said. But today, this issue is more than a campaign issue. It is a national emergency. To purposely stand in the way of an obvious solution to a national crisis is inexcusable. Let’s get going.



Paid for by Northup for Congress.

I got this email today. It is short amd succinct, but it drives home the message and gives you an opportunity to do something about it to regain a little power. As my girl Laura would say, "Pwer to the People!"

email:

Folks, if you're angry that a Congressional subcommittee rejected legislation for oil drilling, here are your contacts http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/cgi-bin/newcommittee.cgi?site=ctc&lang=&commcode=happrop_interior.

All Republicans said YES. All Democrats said NO.

Moral of the story: Democrats don't want domestic drilling. It is the party of communists and George Soros. They want to bring down the country. Republicans are not a whole lot better but they don't want the nation in the gutter like the lib Dems. Feel free to call or fax the Democrats on this subcommittee if you're fed up with high oil prices. And spread the word. We must at least get rid of the Democrats in Congress. Thanks.

Nedd

Leave it up to a California High School principal to make a liberal ruling on the flag, right? WRONG! Take heart, my fellow Americans. For, even in Academia, there still seems to be a struggling band of conservatives…even in California! Yes, they are small and struggling, but they are also bold and determined!

Now to the story, as told by the never-liberal Associated Press. According to the article, there was quite a raucous caused when the students who run the student body newspaper at Shasta High School, chose, as the front page of its final edition for the year, a picture of a student holding a burning American flag.

The first thought that really came to my mind when I read about this was, “where are all the patriotic kids?” Man, if that had happened in my high school, in my day, somebody would have taken a beating. Now, I’m not suggesting that should happen here. I am simply pointing out the change in loyalty that has occurred over the past twenty years.

I am happy to say, however, that the principled principal (can you tell I like saying that?) has laid down the law with these sad, confused young souls. He has not really taken a kinder, gentler approach to the situation. He has, as Barney Fife would say, nipped it in the bud. Nipped it, nipped it, nipped it.

Shasta High School Principal Milan Woollard said the newspaper “was embarrassing.” He also said that “the paper’s done…[T]here’s not going to be a school-run newspaper next year.”

One of the graduating seniors at Redding High School, Connor Kennedy, said in a phone interview as reported by the AP, “"I'm deeply saddened, and I find it terribly ironic a high school newspaper would be shut down for exercising free speech — particularly when the curriculum being taught was that this was free speech.”

Well, Mr. Kennedy, it amazes me to no end how kids today think they can just take whatever Constitutional liberties which apply to ADULTS in this country and twist them to fit whatever irrational thoughts may be running through their heads.

I personally find this to be a disgusting, repulsive act. And as I have said, had it happened when I was in high school, I feel pretty confident the two sides (if there even was another side) would be squaring off in the parking lot.

You are in a CONTROLLED, SCHOOL SETTING! You are not out with the stoners on a Friday night. The school has every right to deem what it considers to be appropriate and what it deems inappropriate. And if it were up to me, I would have the guilty parties hand-sewing American flags after school for detention for the next year’s first semester.

And parents, I hope you are proud of what your kids are becoming. You have raised your kids to believe that the best way to change something he/she doesn’t like about the greatest nation on the face of the Earth is to desecrate the one symbol that means more to true Americans than any other…Old Glory.

As for Principal Woollard, if you are worried about how the school board might come down on him…don’t be. Said he, “Eliminating the paper had been an option before it published the flag photo because the school expects to get less state funding next year and needs to save money.”

The students' decision to showcase flag burning ‘cements the decision’ to pull funding from the newspaper, he said.”

Score one for the good guys!

*As always, I would like to remind you that my new book, "Mr. Right Opinion-Unplugged & Unashamed," is now available at: http://www.51756.authorworld.com/, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble online, and many, many other online outlets--so check it out! Thanks!

Also, if you just can't get enough "right opinion," you can now hear Nedd Kareiva (founder, www.stoptheaclu.org) and me on the "Mr. Right Opinion and Nedd the Stop the ACLU Guy Show" on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:30-3:00 p.m.--Thanks!

Date / Time: 5/19/2008 10:04 AM

The Mr. Right Opinion and Nedd "The Stop the ACLU Guy" Show w/Mike Minton & Nedd Kareiva

A couple of don't miss shows are coming up for your political enlightenment. We WILL tickle your political funny bone (bet you didn't know you had one, huh?)

On Tuesday, May 20, 2008, we will have a a special guest, Ms. Kaite O'malley. Katie is a freelance reporter with Human Events rubbing elbows with Ann Coulter and the like. She has the job I always wanted!

Then on Thursday, May 22, 2008, Nedd Kareiva 's assistants will join us on the show. Debra "J.M." Smith, from www.infoming christians.com, will be on to tell us more about her website, her work with Nedd, and whatever interests her and us.

All shows and archived shows can be heard at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Mr-Right-Opinion

All that and your calls on the next Mr. Right Opinion and Nedd "The Stop the ACLU Guy" Show. Be there or be somewhere else!

Well, today, May 17, 2008, is a VERY BIG DAY! For it is on this day that the course of American history shall be altered forever! (OK, so that was a bit dramatic. But it is a pretty big day).

My book, "Mr. Right Opinion-Unplugged and Unashamed" becomes available to the general public. It can be purchased at its own website, http://www.51756.authorworld.com/.

It will also soon be available at your favorite online retailer; Amazon, B & N, and so forth. Please help me make the book at least pay for itself and get your own copy.

It really will be a source of enlightenment for the newcomer, and as one of my reviews states, will reaffirm what you, as a political junkie or a complete novice, believe to be great about America.

I appreciate everyone's support through the years, and I hope that you, especially during one of the most important elections of our lifetime, will benefit from the knowledge and insight this book brings to the table.

I hope that it will serve as a source of inspiration for you as we struggle within ourselves to decide who will become the next leader of the free world.

God Bless you, and God Bless America!

Michael A. Minton-a.k.a. Mr. Right Opinion

Man, is this the strangest election cycle you’ve ever seen, or what? First, on the Democrat side, we start off with what I felt was sure to be a shoe-in with Sen. Clinton. I just knew that with all the money, name-recognition (which is something money just can’t buy), and with all the influential people the Clinton’s knew, that the road to the White House would be a cake walk for Hillary.

In all sincerity, who would have thought that at this point in the game, there would even be a contender still standing? Much less one that could “KO” Sen. Clinton at any moment.

And what about Barack Hussein Obama? This guy spends a little time at the U.S. Senate, and before the paint on his “This space reserved for Sen. Obama” sign in the parking lot is even dry, he’s running for president. The nerve of this man!

I would have never guessed in a million years that this guy would be running for president, and I certainly would have NEVER seen him winning it. And no, for all you liberal talking heads out there, I don’t say that because I’m a conservative redneck. I say that because it’s true. Here is a man who is brand new to the national political scene, has no national record on which to stand, and he’s flipping winning. It’s just incredible!

And on the other side of the aisle, things are equally as strange. We had a strong field in the Republican party this year. The only problem is, you can’t elect them all, and there hasn’t been a single candidate that could unite the party enough to really rally the troops behind him.

For this Christian Conservative, I would have liked to have seen Fred Thompson in the Oval Office. Sadly, though, it seemed like everybody except for Fred Thompson wanted Fred Thompson to be the president.

So, looking down the list, yes, Rudy Giuliani appeared he would be tough on national security…but that was it. He reminded me of John Kerry running against Bush where whenever things got tough, he would always come back to “but I fought in Vietnam.” Except Giuliani always came back to, “I was the mayor on 9/11/01.

So I went on down the list, and I finally found one that I was reasonably happy with: Mitt Romney. Here was my hope. I knew he had some changes of positions in the past, but I felt he was sincere, and I knew he was confident in what he was doing.

He had both the government background and the business savvy to make things happen. I felt that, regardless of the rumors of his church, he had the moral fiber to lead our nation. What’s more, I knew he had the strength of his convictions. Yes, he was THE man.

Gov. Huckabee was one that I never really gave a lot of serious consideration. I was, at best, skeptical of his social conservatism. And I was convinced that he was not a fiscal conservative.

So, I immediately set to work on getting Gov. Romney a new address: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. I started writing all kinds of articles praising his good works and dedication to the preservation of the United States Constitution. My writings on Romney, and on most of the 2008 presidential field, can be read in my new book, “Mr. Right Opinion- Unplugged and Unashamed” which should be available within the next week at: http://www.51756.authorworld.com/. I hope you’ll check it out.

Anyway, I, and a whole slew of other folks, are hard at work trying to get Romney nominated when…BAMN! In his most Reagan-esque way to date, The Governor from Mass. Drops out of the race for “the good of the party.” I was disappointed by his decision, but I could respect it.

This news kind of knocked me back on my heels, as I’m sure it did many Republicans. It took me a while to figure out what to do next. I was not very impressed when the “Governator” Arnold gave John McCain his endorsement. Quite frankly, I don’t see Arnold as a Conservative. However, I knew if the Republicans didn’t do something, and do it pretty fast, we were going to be in trouble (ala today’s Democrat party). So I decided it was time to “rally round the flag” and support the man who would undoubtedly be our nominee: John McCain.

Since then, I have tried to point out positives about the Arizona Senator. You can go back to previous posts I have written about McCain, and you’ll see that I’ve said that even if you have to hold your nose to do it, if you are a republican, pull that lever for McCain.

But, John, you are NOT helping me here. Going to speak before a conference of La Raza, the pro-Aztlan and pro-illegal immigration group is not exactly a way to shore up your base.

And what about this little speech on global warming. Have you picked up a Science magazine lately? We are in the middle of a five-year cool down. Senator, I have honestly been telling people to hold their nose and vote for you because it would be better than a vote for Hillary or Obama, and it would.

But, sir, it is now reaching the point where we are not merely looking over a few disagreements. We are fast-reaching a point where, for me to tell my fellow conservatives to vote for you, even if they are holding their nose, crossing their fingers, standing on their heads and doing a jig, is for me to tell my fellow conservatives to vote against their own consciences. And I simply cannot do that.

PLEASE Sen. McCain, give us the kind of leadership we need so we can get behind you. If that’s not possible, then it looks like the Republicans are just going to have to miss out on a golden opportunity to keep the White House, even at a time when anti-Republican sentiment is so high that the cake walk that almost never happened may happen after all.

Hello fellow Opinioators! Well, it has officially been three weeks since my back surgery to have a pain pump installed. You know, I have to say that it is not as comforting as I thought it would be...at least not yet.

However, we still have some adjusting to do, the doctor and I, so there is still good reason to be optimistic. So I shall be!

I am hoping that I am going to be able to start posting more. My first post with any real significance will be out today, and I hope to continue from there.

I appreciate you all hanging with me through all this, and I hope you've been listening to Mr. Right Opinion on the air. My friend, Nedd Kareiva (founder of the Stop The ACLU Coailition) and I have a talk show on Blog Talk Radio on Tuesdays and Thursdays which can be heard here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Mr-Right-Opinion. And even if you miss the live broadcast at 1:30 p.m., you can always go back and hear the archive.

Also, don't forget my book which will be out probably next week. It can be purchased for a special price here: http://www.51756.authorworld.com/.

Finally, I mentioned my friend and co-host Nedd Kareiva. His Stop the ACLU Coalition can be found here: http://www.stoptheaclu.org/.

Thanks for your loyalty, and I promise to do my best to keep these ventures going as best I can now that I am slowly but surely feeling better.

God Bless,
Mike Minton

I got the following email today from the co-host of my radio show today, Mr. Nedd Kareiva. By the way, the show will be on from 1:30-3:00 p.m. every Tues. and Thurs. (yes today)! So check it out at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Mr-Right-Opinion.

Anyway, the matter discussed is of great import, and should immediately call all Americans to action. Something has GOT TO BE DONE to reign in oil and gas prices.

Please read the following, and then take the required action to at least TRY to improve our situation. One thing's for sure: IF NOTHING CHANGES, NOTHING CHANGES!

Subject: [FWD: Fw: Signs of the Times - It's a GAssssssssssssssssss]

Folks, have a good laugh here, it's worth it, despite how bad it is.

Also, fax the president a letter, tell him to issue an executive order to begin drilling in ANWR or somewhere here in America - (202) 456-2461. It's better than e-mailing, though you can also call the White House at (202) 456-1414 or 456-1111 for their opinion line. Faxes can't be easily ignored, calls can be forgotten

Please forward to as many Americans as possible, the more people that respond, the better. We need relief soon but until we do, enjoy the cartoons.

Also, if you can make a separate fax (or call) to the White House, urging the president to issue a pardon to Border Patrol Agents Jose Compean and Ignacio Ramos, it would be greatly appreciated. They desperately need our prayers and support and the president must act.

Thank you!

Regards,

Nedd

Greetings All,

I would like to apologize for my prolonged absence from posting on the blog. Much has been going on that is beyond my control.

The Good News:

The good news about what has been happening is that a good friend of mine, Nedd Kareiva (founder of http://www.stoptheaclu.org) and I have started our own online talk-radio show which can be listened to here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Mr-Right-Opinion.

The show runs on Tuesday and Thursday from 1:30-3:00 p.m., and is a conservative show. The plan right now is for us to get used to hosting the show, and then maybe have some guest interviews. If you would be interested in being a guest, leave me a message and I will get back to you.

The Bad News:

The bad news is that I had back surgery a couple of weeks ago, and it is taking me longer than expected to recuperate. That means I cannot sit at the computer for any length of time. This, naturally, means I can't write like I would like to.

However, I hope you guys will tune into the show, or check out the archived shows if you can't hear it live.

Also, my book, "Mr. Right Opinion-Unplugged and Unashamed," will soon be available at: http://www.51756.authorworld.com/, so check that out if you have a chance, too!

Thanks for bearing with me!

Mike

In keeping with my mission of trying to turn every American toward my way of thinking, I have decided to start a radio program. It will be hosted by yours truly Michael A. Minton (a.k.a. Mr., Right Opinion), and my dear friend, the founder of the National Stop the ACLU committee, Mr. Nedd Kareiva.

It will make for some interesting conversation, I’m telling you! The show will run on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s from 1:30 p.m. eastern until 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon.

Obviously, we are inviting conservative authors and other guests to appear. However, we also want to invite those of you with differences in opinion, too, for some clean, honest intellectual debate.

So please join us on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:30 eastern at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Mr-Right-Opinion, and be sure to look for Mr. Right Opinion.

Thanks,

Michael A. Minton and Nedd Karieva

This will be a one-time only offer on this website, the one that made “Mr. Right Opinion-Unplugged and Unashamed: one man’s musings during perilous times in America’s history” possible.

Anyone who sends an email to mrrightopinion@windstream.net between now and April 30, the time by which I hope the book will be printed, will receive, free of charge, a complete article/chapter out of the book so you can decide for yourself whether it is as enlightening as I feel it is.

To make this offer even more enticing, I have a “Topical Table of Contents,” from which you may choose the subject on which you would like to hear me pontificate.

This is a one-time offer to blog readers, although I may apply it to radio interviews I do at later dates.

The “Topical Table of Contents” consists of the following: Abortion; American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU); Anti-Americanism; Assault On Christianity; Clash Of Cultures; Culture Of Corruption; Culture Of Death-see also abortion; Efficiency In Government; Eminent Domain; Great Speeches; Holding Them Accountable; Homosexual Agenda; Honoring America; Illegal Immigration; Iraq War-Criticism; Iraq War-Rationale (including one that is a must-read for those with doubts of Saddam’s intentions); Late, Great Ronald Reagan; Legislating From The Bench; Light-Hearted; Media Bias; Middle East-War on Terror; 09/11/2001 (the day the world changed forever); PETA; Presidential Election; Radical Islam; Social Security and Mexico; State Legislatures; Statesmanship; United Nations Corruption!

Whew, what a list of topics. I got tired just ‘copying and pasting!

At any rate, just email me at mrrightopinion@windstream.net with your particular area of interest, and I will be sure to send you a TOTALLY FREE article I have written on the subject; an article which will appear with the other 124 other articles in the book (Mr. Right Opinion-Unplugged and Unashamed is 360 pages).

If, after viewing it, you agree, there will be a link provided which will take you directly to the page where you can get your copy of the book http://www.51756.authorworld.com/. I am telling you, for conservatives, it is a must-read. Even for liberals, it is at least a “should-read.”

Thanks and God Bless,
Mike Minton-a.k.a. Mr. Right Opinion

To order “Mr. Right Opinion-Unplugged and Unashamed,” please visit: http://www.51756.authorworld.com/.

(An aside: when I refer to and quote the United States Constitution in this artcle, unless otherwise noted, the information and quotes come from www.usconstitution.net)

In his trip to America, Pope Benedict XVI has said many profound things. However, this single sentence jumped out at me, and now I cannot get it out of my head. The latest Pontiff was quoting his predecessor, Pope John Paul II. And the entire quote from CNSNews.com’s story, “Pope Hails America’s Founding Principles“, by Terence P. Jeffrey, went: “Few have understood this as clearly as the late Pope John Paul II," he (Pope Benedict XVI) said. "In reflecting on the spiritual victory of freedom over totalitarianism in his native Poland and in Eastern Europe, he reminded us that history shows time and again that 'in a world without truth, freedom loses its foundation,'

and a democracy without values can lose its very soul.

What an insightful statement. What a prophetic use of language which should be a warning to us all. Not just the Chinese, who systematically suppress individual freedoms, not just the Taliban who suppress, or at least did, and are still trying to, an entire population under the guise of religion, an not just to the Castro brothers, who continue a brutal dictatorship under the guise of an equality for all system known as Communism.

No, this message must not be lost on the ears of Americans as being some very profound words that a lot of OTHER nations could really use. Folks, we could use them here at home, too. Maybe here more than anywhere as, we see the morality and teachings of our forefathers slowly, but steadily, slip away.

The United States of America was founded on certain basic Judeo-Christian ideologies which, in recent decades, have been totally turned on their head. One by one, we systematically pluck out truth from our society and replace it with lies, all in the name of progressive (i.e. liberal) ideals. One by one, we are undermining the very footers upon which this nation was built.

Was every forefather at those conventions perfect? Of course not. Did they sin, just as we do today? Naturally. They drank to excess, they murdered, both the enemy and each other, I’m quite sure many of them stole to feed their families, and some of them even committed what Barack Hussein Obama termed “America’s original sin”-- slavery.

However, that does not mean that the writings which laid down the very principles upon which this country was built were anything less than Divinely-inspired. But we, as a nation, have lost sight of that divine inspiration.

For instance, in the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, it addresses the process of becoming a U.S. citizen. The Founding Fathers wrote: “Becoming a citizen

 

A non-citizen may apply to become a citizen of the United States. At no time will such a person ever be considered natural-born (unless the U.S. Code is changed in some way). The process to become a citizen involves several steps, including applying to become and becoming a permanent resident (previously known as a resident alien), applying to become and becoming naturalized, and finally taking the Oath of Allegiance to the United States. Children of naturalized U.S. citizens generally become citizens automatically, though they will also not be considered natural-born. There is a time constraint before a permanent resident can apply for naturalization, generally either 3 or 5 years. The other requirements are that there be a minimum length of time in a specific state or district, successful completion of a citizenship exam, ability to read, write, and speak English, and good moral character. (http://www.usconstitution.net).

Nowhere in that original document did I see anything about being able to sneak across the border long enough to be given amnesty! We have lost track of the truth!

Another lack of truth when studying the Constitution is that the President does not have the power to “react to acts of war in an expedient fashion as he sees fit.” While this is a broad statement, it does, in fact, give the president the authorization to most-definitely strike Afghanistan, who, outside of your Michael Moore types, is known to be behind the tragic events of 9/11/01. Thus, the constitution absolutely gave President Bush the right to attack Afghanistan in his capacity to “react to acts of war in an expedient fashion as he sees fit.”

This, obviously, brings us to the question of Iraq. Did the president have the right to, along with a “coalition of the willing,” attack Iraq and bring down it’s regime?” Please allow me to enter Exhibit ’A’ if you will: S.J. Res. 23:Authorization for Use of Military Force (Enrolled Bill) found at: http://news.findlaw.com/cnn/docs/terrorism/sjres23.enr.html.

The act says, verbatim:

“Authorization for Use of Military Force (Enrolled Bill)

--S.J.Res.23--

S.J.Res.23

One Hundred Seventh Congress

of the

United States of America

AT THE FIRST SESSION

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday,

the third day of January, two thousand and one

Joint Resolution

To authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against those responsible for the recent attacks launched against the United States.

Whereas, on September 11, 2001, acts of treacherous violence were committed against the United States and its citizens; and

Whereas, such acts render it both necessary and appropriate that the United States exercise its rights to self-defense and to protect United States citizens both at home and abroad; and

Whereas, in light of the threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States posed by these grave acts of violence; and

Whereas, such acts continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States; and

Whereas, the President has authority under the Constitution to take action to deter and prevent acts of international terrorism against the United States: (emphasis added) Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This joint resolution may be cited as the `Authorization for Use of Military Force'.

SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.

(a) IN GENERAL- That the President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons.

(b) War Powers Resolution Requirements-

(1) SPECIFIC STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION- Consistent with section 8(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution, the Congress declares that this section is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution.

(2) APPLICABILITY OF OTHER REQUIREMENTS- Nothing in this resolution supercedes any requirement of the War Powers Resolution.

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Vice President of the United States and

President of the Senate. “

Once again, we have to look at the truth. Now obviously, you and I will never have access to the intelligence reports, at least the non-redacted ones, to know exactly what they said about Iraq’s involvement in plans to attack America, although there is plenty of taped evidence suggesting that they had plans to do just that.

Regardless, the TRUTH, as the Pope pointed out, “in a world without truth, freedom loses its foundation.” And the TRUTH, as hard as it is for some liberal…oops…progressives…to believe, is that Congress unanimously said that, “Whereas, such acts continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States; and

Whereas, the President has authority under the Constitution to take action to deter and prevent acts of international terrorism against the United States: (emphasis added) Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This joint resolution may be cited as the `Authorization for Use of Military Force'.

SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.

Having read Congress’s words, there is little doubt thay they gave President Bush the “`Authorization for Use of Military Force,” in SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE, and in SECTION 2. “AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.”

Yet we have lost sight of this truth, and as a result, and as the Holy Father said, 'in a world without truth, freedom loses its foundation.' And indeed, in losing what the truth on Iraq was, we are indeed losing our very foundation.

Just look how divided we are as a nation. We have the religious right-wing coming out that McCain isn’t’ conservative enough, we have moderate Republicans saying that he’s too conservative for their liking. And then there are the ‘Progressives’ or, as I still like to call them, Liberals.

They are just salivating to see which Democrat will screw up next so they can try to move in for the kill. It is a sad situation.

And the majority of this bickering could stop if we just take a lesson from the Pope and see that without truth, freedom loses its foundation. Think about it.

Don’t forget Mr. Right Opinion’s upcoming book “Mr. Right Opinion-Unplugged and Unashamed.” It will soon be available through authorHOUSE at: http://www.51756.authorworld.com/.