Saturday, March 26, 2005
Friday, March 25, 2005
An Appeal to Federalist #78 Southern Style:
(With additional musings from Rerum Novarum)
Yes, the contingent over at Southern Appeal have reminded people of the actual status of the judiciary in the Constitutional sphere of things by citing Federalist #78.{1} We at Rerum Novarum commend them for doing it for this is a text that seems to be unknown (or "conveniently ignored") to many of those in the Schiavo case who appeal to "the Constitution" in trying to see Terri Schiavo sacrificed on the altar of utility.{2}
In truth, the executive branch has the authority to refuse to execute the judicial overreach of the judicial branch of government. This is a concept that needs to be recaptured if we are to get a handle on the continual perversions of the law that have become commonplace in this society the past fifty years -particularly since 1973. But that is a subject to be handled in more detail at another time. In the meantime, kindly read and reflect upon the wisdom of the late great Alexander Hamilton in Federalist #78 on the proper role of the judiciary. Hopefully then, those of good will will see the abominations taking place in Florida for what they really are.
Notes:
{1} To remind the readers of this humble weblog, this is something that We at Rerum Novarum covered in mid 2003. (In the inaugural and thus far only weblog thread from the Framers Know Best series.) Like Our posting of it then, Southern Appeal does so in the context of yet another perversion of justice from the judiciary in this country. Those who wonder why the subject of law and its role in a just society has taken up so much of Our efforts at Rerum Novarum need look no further than what we are seeing in the Florida courts right now.
{2} As far as the latter goes, the present writer has joined with a number of Catholics of the "Generation X" crowd in an open letter on this subject. Though written for publication in The Wanderer, Our friend Pete Vere has also posted it at Envoy Encore and at Catholic Light.
(With additional musings from Rerum Novarum)
Yes, the contingent over at Southern Appeal have reminded people of the actual status of the judiciary in the Constitutional sphere of things by citing Federalist #78.{1} We at Rerum Novarum commend them for doing it for this is a text that seems to be unknown (or "conveniently ignored") to many of those in the Schiavo case who appeal to "the Constitution" in trying to see Terri Schiavo sacrificed on the altar of utility.{2}
In truth, the executive branch has the authority to refuse to execute the judicial overreach of the judicial branch of government. This is a concept that needs to be recaptured if we are to get a handle on the continual perversions of the law that have become commonplace in this society the past fifty years -particularly since 1973. But that is a subject to be handled in more detail at another time. In the meantime, kindly read and reflect upon the wisdom of the late great Alexander Hamilton in Federalist #78 on the proper role of the judiciary. Hopefully then, those of good will will see the abominations taking place in Florida for what they really are.
Notes:
{1} To remind the readers of this humble weblog, this is something that We at Rerum Novarum covered in mid 2003. (In the inaugural and thus far only weblog thread from the Framers Know Best series.) Like Our posting of it then, Southern Appeal does so in the context of yet another perversion of justice from the judiciary in this country. Those who wonder why the subject of law and its role in a just society has taken up so much of Our efforts at Rerum Novarum need look no further than what we are seeing in the Florida courts right now.
{2} As far as the latter goes, the present writer has joined with a number of Catholics of the "Generation X" crowd in an open letter on this subject. Though written for publication in The Wanderer, Our friend Pete Vere has also posted it at Envoy Encore and at Catholic Light.
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
On Terri Schiavo and The Face of Evil:
(Musings of your humble servant at Rerum Novarum)
I began to see quite clearly that there was corruption involved...that evil was not something you merely read about in newspapers and novels but that it was all around us. [Michael J. Mentzer]
I do not at the present time intend to reiterate anew why I have been right all along in recognizing the need of a consistent principle of social and ethical argumentation for combatting the sort of evil that we witnessed in recent days.{1} Nor do I intend to go into a long drawn out dissertation on subjects such as "lies, damn lies, and federalism" as occurred yesterday when The Secret One woke from his long blogging hibernation to rant justifiably on the aforementioned matters.{2} No, what I want to focus on at this time is the switch that was possibly thrown on over the weekend with the United States Congress and President Bush cutting their Easter vacations short to pass emergency legislation to transfer Terri Schiavo's case to federal jurisdiction.
After reading and listening to a plethora of complaints from some factually/logically/charitably-challenged persons the past couple of days, I started reflecting upon something that occurred to me upon hearing that the legislation passed and was signed by the president. The thought that came to mind at that point was the adage about evil and light.
A common theme that permeates the Christian traditions (as well as perhaps some other religious traditions) is the one about evil loving darkness and hating the light. That point was one that I was pondering late Sunday night into early Monday morning. And if society works its way back on track after this, it is possible that historians will point to this event as a kind of definitive watershed event in the entire paradigm shift. Having noted that, let us consider some of the ramifications of what recently happened.
To start with, it bears recalling that the late mass murderer (and all-around bastard) Joseph Stalin once noted that "one death is a tragedy and a million deaths is a statistic." And to some extent that applies in the situation we have here with Terri Schiavo. It also points out something that I blogged on in a different context last year about the problem with "humanizing" our formal enemies in the war on terror.{3} My concern at that time was the way the media was reporting on Saddam Hussein in ways that cloaked him with a bit of humanity. During war, one cannot take this approach with their formal enemies{4} if they hope to avoid being defeated. And it bears reminding that there is more to warfare than the utilization of armies, munitions, and the like.
Indeed, wars can be fought on the battlefields, in boardrooms, and in numerous other contexts. Pope John Paul II is one of several social commentators who has noted with no small amount of astuteness that we are engaged today in a war for the culture. This war is generally a war of ideas and how they are to be implemented in society. And the divergences cannot be starker in the example of those who are on opposite sides of the Terri Schiavo controversy. Setting aside for a moment the blatant hypocrisy of the Kill Terri Contingent (KTC){5}, what we have here is those seeking to protect her life and those who are seeking to insure her death. Much as Moses proclaimed to Israel "I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse" (Deut xxx,19), we have in this case the same sides being drawn up.
Now it is true that oftentimes those who promote evil find a number of ways of applying camoflage to their (objectively true) positions. But Sunday night and into Monday morning, there was a stripping away of these coverings. We were able to see and hear (if following the congressional proceedings) the most horrifying of propositions from the KTC. Granted, they tried to hypocritically dress it up as a "states rights" issue but that is not the point I want to focus on here. No, I want to focus on the face of evil as it presented itself Sunday night and Monday morning. The arguments advanced by the KTC were among those which were uttered in the early twentieth century by those promoting eugenics, so-called "racial hygiene", and by the Nazi Third Reich{6} all the way down to the idea of making doctors the determiners of who lives and who dies.{7}
In other words, we had these promoters of a cult of death brazenly calling for this woman to be sacrificed at the altar of utility. And perhaps for the first time in recent memory, the face of evil was unmasked in all of its hideousness. It is uncertain at the moment how many people actually noticed this or how many people will realize it in the weeks and months to follow. But the grace of a genuine potential turning point was given to us in the final hours of Palm Sunday 2005. Let us pray that people of good will can be given sight on this matter and those of ill-will may be given the grace of repentence and conversion{8} before it is too late.
Notes:
{1} To say nothing of the numerous posts to Rerum Novarum at sundry times and in divers manners (on various subjects) which have filled in some (but nowhere near all) of the existing lacuna previously noted.
{2} A sample of which reads as follows:
...If leftists and nationalizers really think that federalism forbids savimg Terri's life, then let them say that federalism requires the immediate overruling of Roe -- and let them sic their ACLU attack-dogs on that job without delay. Let's see them stop crying for national "Brady Bills" and "Assault-Weapon Bans" and see them rebuke the gun-control lobby with talk of federalism. Let's see them hold hearings on the continued tenure of Supreme Court justices who use Finlandian jurisprudence to interpret the federal Constitution. Let's see the Senate's Democrats shut down the judicial-nominating process over those issues.
Until then, I say let the leftists and nationalizers live in the unitary national system they've so eagerly built. If this illegal, ridiculous mess of a government, created by 150 years of special pleading, moral jerrymandering, brute force, and disregard for the truly-republican vision of citizenship, can produce even one saved life, then more good will have come of it than was ever likely to... [Excerpt from SecretAgentMan's Dossier (circa March 21, 2005)]
{3} Miscellaneous Musings on the Media and the Humanizing of Formal Enemies (An Audio Post circa July 27, 2004)
{4} I go over the distinction between formal and material enemies in the audio post linked to footnote three.
{5} For some quick examples of this, consider the dissertation of The Secret One (linked to footnote two above) and also the most recent Points to Ponder thread from this humble weblog.
{6} It is true that I suspended the Men Behind Hitler series before the sections pertaining directly to Hitler and the Nazis were posted. However, for those who doubt my veracity here, those sections are in draft form at Rerum Novarum and ready for posting should I deem that the circumstances with the Terri Schiavo case again warrant it. (Meanwhile, what was posted thus far more than lays the foundation for defending your weblog host's assertions on these matters.)
{7} This was a subject that was to be covered in the aforementioned series that was suspended yesterday. Thus, if it is deemed necessary to continue that series, this will be covered in resuming that series (and in the very next installment at that).
{8} Repentence and conversion are after all a significant purpose of the Lenten season.
(Musings of your humble servant at Rerum Novarum)
I began to see quite clearly that there was corruption involved...that evil was not something you merely read about in newspapers and novels but that it was all around us. [Michael J. Mentzer]
I do not at the present time intend to reiterate anew why I have been right all along in recognizing the need of a consistent principle of social and ethical argumentation for combatting the sort of evil that we witnessed in recent days.{1} Nor do I intend to go into a long drawn out dissertation on subjects such as "lies, damn lies, and federalism" as occurred yesterday when The Secret One woke from his long blogging hibernation to rant justifiably on the aforementioned matters.{2} No, what I want to focus on at this time is the switch that was possibly thrown on over the weekend with the United States Congress and President Bush cutting their Easter vacations short to pass emergency legislation to transfer Terri Schiavo's case to federal jurisdiction.
After reading and listening to a plethora of complaints from some factually/logically/charitably-challenged persons the past couple of days, I started reflecting upon something that occurred to me upon hearing that the legislation passed and was signed by the president. The thought that came to mind at that point was the adage about evil and light.
A common theme that permeates the Christian traditions (as well as perhaps some other religious traditions) is the one about evil loving darkness and hating the light. That point was one that I was pondering late Sunday night into early Monday morning. And if society works its way back on track after this, it is possible that historians will point to this event as a kind of definitive watershed event in the entire paradigm shift. Having noted that, let us consider some of the ramifications of what recently happened.
To start with, it bears recalling that the late mass murderer (and all-around bastard) Joseph Stalin once noted that "one death is a tragedy and a million deaths is a statistic." And to some extent that applies in the situation we have here with Terri Schiavo. It also points out something that I blogged on in a different context last year about the problem with "humanizing" our formal enemies in the war on terror.{3} My concern at that time was the way the media was reporting on Saddam Hussein in ways that cloaked him with a bit of humanity. During war, one cannot take this approach with their formal enemies{4} if they hope to avoid being defeated. And it bears reminding that there is more to warfare than the utilization of armies, munitions, and the like.
Indeed, wars can be fought on the battlefields, in boardrooms, and in numerous other contexts. Pope John Paul II is one of several social commentators who has noted with no small amount of astuteness that we are engaged today in a war for the culture. This war is generally a war of ideas and how they are to be implemented in society. And the divergences cannot be starker in the example of those who are on opposite sides of the Terri Schiavo controversy. Setting aside for a moment the blatant hypocrisy of the Kill Terri Contingent (KTC){5}, what we have here is those seeking to protect her life and those who are seeking to insure her death. Much as Moses proclaimed to Israel "I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse" (Deut xxx,19), we have in this case the same sides being drawn up.
Now it is true that oftentimes those who promote evil find a number of ways of applying camoflage to their (objectively true) positions. But Sunday night and into Monday morning, there was a stripping away of these coverings. We were able to see and hear (if following the congressional proceedings) the most horrifying of propositions from the KTC. Granted, they tried to hypocritically dress it up as a "states rights" issue but that is not the point I want to focus on here. No, I want to focus on the face of evil as it presented itself Sunday night and Monday morning. The arguments advanced by the KTC were among those which were uttered in the early twentieth century by those promoting eugenics, so-called "racial hygiene", and by the Nazi Third Reich{6} all the way down to the idea of making doctors the determiners of who lives and who dies.{7}
In other words, we had these promoters of a cult of death brazenly calling for this woman to be sacrificed at the altar of utility. And perhaps for the first time in recent memory, the face of evil was unmasked in all of its hideousness. It is uncertain at the moment how many people actually noticed this or how many people will realize it in the weeks and months to follow. But the grace of a genuine potential turning point was given to us in the final hours of Palm Sunday 2005. Let us pray that people of good will can be given sight on this matter and those of ill-will may be given the grace of repentence and conversion{8} before it is too late.
Notes:
{1} To say nothing of the numerous posts to Rerum Novarum at sundry times and in divers manners (on various subjects) which have filled in some (but nowhere near all) of the existing lacuna previously noted.
{2} A sample of which reads as follows:
...If leftists and nationalizers really think that federalism forbids savimg Terri's life, then let them say that federalism requires the immediate overruling of Roe -- and let them sic their ACLU attack-dogs on that job without delay. Let's see them stop crying for national "Brady Bills" and "Assault-Weapon Bans" and see them rebuke the gun-control lobby with talk of federalism. Let's see them hold hearings on the continued tenure of Supreme Court justices who use Finlandian jurisprudence to interpret the federal Constitution. Let's see the Senate's Democrats shut down the judicial-nominating process over those issues.
Until then, I say let the leftists and nationalizers live in the unitary national system they've so eagerly built. If this illegal, ridiculous mess of a government, created by 150 years of special pleading, moral jerrymandering, brute force, and disregard for the truly-republican vision of citizenship, can produce even one saved life, then more good will have come of it than was ever likely to... [Excerpt from SecretAgentMan's Dossier (circa March 21, 2005)]
{3} Miscellaneous Musings on the Media and the Humanizing of Formal Enemies (An Audio Post circa July 27, 2004)
{4} I go over the distinction between formal and material enemies in the audio post linked to footnote three.
{5} For some quick examples of this, consider the dissertation of The Secret One (linked to footnote two above) and also the most recent Points to Ponder thread from this humble weblog.
{6} It is true that I suspended the Men Behind Hitler series before the sections pertaining directly to Hitler and the Nazis were posted. However, for those who doubt my veracity here, those sections are in draft form at Rerum Novarum and ready for posting should I deem that the circumstances with the Terri Schiavo case again warrant it. (Meanwhile, what was posted thus far more than lays the foundation for defending your weblog host's assertions on these matters.)
{7} This was a subject that was to be covered in the aforementioned series that was suspended yesterday. Thus, if it is deemed necessary to continue that series, this will be covered in resuming that series (and in the very next installment at that).
{8} Repentence and conversion are after all a significant purpose of the Lenten season.
Monday, March 21, 2005
Points to Ponder:
(On "Civil Disobedience" and "Freedom of Religion")
If "civil disobedience" aimed at ending racial segregation was so praiseworthy in the world's eyes, then how much more so is it to save an incapacitated woman's life from a total and systemic perversion of justice — particularly when this perversity reaches even unto the denial of this woman's right to Viaticum and the other Last Rites? [Charles de Nunzio (circa 03/18/05)]
(On "Civil Disobedience" and "Freedom of Religion")
If "civil disobedience" aimed at ending racial segregation was so praiseworthy in the world's eyes, then how much more so is it to save an incapacitated woman's life from a total and systemic perversion of justice — particularly when this perversity reaches even unto the denial of this woman's right to Viaticum and the other Last Rites? [Charles de Nunzio (circa 03/18/05)]
The Suspension of a Weblog Series:
I have decided in light of last night's actions by the United States Congress and the President (to provide for the saving of Terri Schiavo's life) to suspend the weblog series on The Men Behind Hitler for the indefinite future. Whether or not it is restarted will depend on how the judgment of the federal judge in the Schiavo case.
In the meantime, I will follow this notification up with a short "points to ponder" installment that really summarizes this entire issue. Basically, there is some serious hypocrisy at the foundation of the outlook of those who would have Terri Schiavo killed while they would chant the mantras of "liberty" or "freedom" in various other contexts. (Many of which are of a dubious nature at best.) But that will be touched on in the aforementioned "points to ponder" followup to the post you are currently reading.
I have decided in light of last night's actions by the United States Congress and the President (to provide for the saving of Terri Schiavo's life) to suspend the weblog series on The Men Behind Hitler for the indefinite future. Whether or not it is restarted will depend on how the judgment of the federal judge in the Schiavo case.
In the meantime, I will follow this notification up with a short "points to ponder" installment that really summarizes this entire issue. Basically, there is some serious hypocrisy at the foundation of the outlook of those who would have Terri Schiavo killed while they would chant the mantras of "liberty" or "freedom" in various other contexts. (Many of which are of a dubious nature at best.) But that will be touched on in the aforementioned "points to ponder" followup to the post you are currently reading.
Sunday, March 20, 2005
Recapitulating Threads on the Recent War, the Politics Involved, and War in General:
(Musings of your humble servant at Rerum Novarum)
The following thread{1} is intended to outline in chronological order (from oldest to newest) a significant number of the threads posted to Rerum Novarum on the subject of war and war in general. While there are others in the archives of this weblog than these which are being posted, what is noted here is intended to show the broad outlines of the position of your web host on war in general and the war on terror (including the Iraq war) in particular.{2} Nonetheless, without further ado, let us get to it...
Tying Together Some Strands Viz. "Just War" Theory, Etc. (circa October 22, 2002)
Though this was not the first Rerum Novarum war post, it was nonetheless the one where your host first began explicitly noting some of the factors he was considering which were fundamental to the issue in question. The threads previous to this one were mainly public reflections on some of the several internal hurdles still in place at that time.{3}
Nonetheless, by the point of this post, your host with the benefit of hindsight sees the outlines of his realist perspective in this subject beginning to take a discernable shape -though admittedly more musing was needed before a definite position on the matter was to emerge.
Why I Am Becoming A Reluctant Hawk (circa January 25, 2003)
At the time of the above post, significant reflection had been given on the subject of the proposed invasion of Iraq by US forces. However, there were still a few hurdles to clear before this writer could support it without qualms. One of those was a review of the actual postitions of the United Nations on this matter in the form of their own resolutions. The UN's history of talking tough and doing nothing was by this time the stuff of legends. Nonetheless, the aforementioned review was taking place prior to the posting of the above thread. It would be completed in the days prior to then-Secretary of State Colin Powell's address to the UN.
Why Those Who Hold Out For Peaceful Solutions With Iraq Are Wrong (circa February 9, 2003)
At the time of the above post, all the threads were tied together in this writer's mind and all that was needed was a systematic exposition on the position that had taken shape. The readers can note that what was not focused on in the above post was any mention of Secretary Powell's "evidences" to the UN. Nor for that matter was the subject of WMD's mentioned except briefly in passing.
This is an important facet to consider because WMD's and whether they were there or not was never a fundamental constituent to your host's position on whether or not the United States should involve itself militarily in Iraq. And for those reasons, when various other commentators waffled on the aforementioned subjects -or at times made an aboutface as a result of aparent evidential controversions in those areas- We at Rerum Novarum were able to stand solidly in favour of the war option being utilized in Iraq.
Why I Disagree With the Pope on the War and Remain a Faithful Catholic (circa February 14, 2003)
The above post was viewed as a necessary complement to the previous thread outlining the war in Iraq position of your weblog host. (Because some very irresponsible Catholic commentators were positing the fallacious notion that there was a binding nature to the apparent position of Pope John Paul II on the war in Iraq; ergo seemed appropriate to Us to dispense in short order with that noxious prevarication before the outset of the upcoming conflict.)
On Possible New Ultramontanism With Lane Core Jr. (circa March 18, 2003)
The above post was posted in the days prior to the war. We sensed (much as Lane Core Jr. did) that several of those who were in favour of the pope's position were engaging in a modern form of Neo-Ultramontanism in trying to present their view as the only viable (or only "truly Catholic" one).{4} The latter needed to be nipped in the bud for the sake of the truth on the subject in question not being blurred by those who imprudently sought to dogmatize their particular positions on that issue.
Taking The JunkYard BLOG To Task on the Iraq War and the Vatican (circa March 23, 2003)
The above post was blogged to correct another extreme viewpoint on the war subject as it pertained to a properly Catholic assessment of the situation. Essentially, just as some had erred to one extreme (in dogmatizing the pope's personal opinion on the war's conformity to just war criteria as binding on Catholics), others had erred to the extreme of presuming that the pope's position against the Iraq was bereft of principles altogether. It was the latter extreme to which the above thread sought to dispatch with. At the same time though, it was viewed as necessary to point to the freedom that Catholics did (and do) have with regards to the subject of the war in Iraq and the prudence (or lack thereof) of that military action.
Iwo Jima Tribute and Some Points of Reflection on War in General (circa March 26, 2003)
The above post contains some reflections on the early stages of the conflict which were posted to provide some historical context for many critics who demonstrated a serious lacuna in that area.
War Musings on Possible Media Sedition (circa March 29, 2003)
The above post was intended to outline how many of those so-called "protestors" would have been viewed in the years when the US Sedition Act had the force of law. Basically, the letter and the spirit of that law were violated by many from the fringe of the antiwar movement: the intention of the above post was to make this quite clear.
The So-called "Bush Regime" and the "Free Tibet" Hypocrisy of theBraindead Communists and Their Sympathizers Progressives (circa April 13, 2003)
The above post intended to deal with the hypocrisy of certain antiwar activists (particularly so-called "progressives") on the subjects of the Iraq war and "freeing Tibet."
On JYB, Props for the Pope, Societal Problems, Etc. (circa April 13, 2003)
The above post contains a brief outline of the pope's predominent approach to combatting societal problems and a hermeneutical key to understanding the pope's war weltanschauung. Basically, the argument being advanced here was that the pope's analysis of the factors that create monsters like Hussein, Jong II, and others was not to be dismissed lightly just because his assessment of the Iraq war and its prudence or lack thereof might have some serious problems to it.{5}
On "Rights" and "Free Speech" Part I (circa June 27, 2003)
The above post was a response to someone who tried to posit a kind of "equivalence" between certain positions where such arguments were subject to no small number of problems. The war subject is covered very briefly in this post but what is noted is of no small significance.
"Lie to Me" Dept. (circa July 11, 2003)
The above post deals with the hypocrisy and blatant double standards of the Democratic party on the entire WMD issue: a subject that would be revisited in greater detail later on in other posts to Rerum Novarum.
The Canard of Conservatives Being "Opposed to Progress" (circa July 25, 2003)
The above post encapsulated a musing from your humble servant at the Libertarian Samizdata weblog circa October of 2002. (Which was found amongst drafts in his notebook and deemed appropriate for weblog posting at the time it was posted.) What is noted there highlights (in retrospect) a lot of the problems with the weltanschauung of the bulk of those who were opposed to US actions in Iraq.
"JunkYard Blog" Dept. (circa August 29, 2003)
The above post contained fourteen parts -seven of which pertain (or pertained) to the war on terror and various points which undermine the position of the extremist antiwar contingent.
Briefly on the War and "Manifest Destiny" Philosophies (circa September 15, 2003)
The above post contained a brief reminder post for those who were heavy war supporters to not go beyond the intention of fighting the war on terror militarily into philosophies of "manifest destiny." (Which some seemed to be doing.)
A Public Service Announcement for the Soldiers in Iraq (circa November 01, 2003)
The purpose of the above post was an unambiguous reaffirmation of this writer's support for the troops.
Briefly on Colonel Muammar Khadafi's Situation (circa December 22, 2003)
The above post was intended to point out that Khadafi was only persuaded to do the right thing under the threat of military action being taken against him. Eighteen years between President Reagan's bombing of Lybia and President Bush's invasion of Iraq did nothing to persuade Khadafi to bring his nation into the family of man. But the threat of military action was the true deterring factor in persuading Khadafi to back down: a strong affirmation of President Reagan's "Peace Through Strength" philosophy of dealing with totalitarian dictators.
On David Kay and His Testimony (circa January 30, 2004)
The above post pointed out what David Kay actually said versus what the irresponsible MSM (and certain antiwar toadies who had frequent recourse to the latter in their public screeds) sought to contort David Kay's words to say.
On the Pope, Moral Principles, the UN, and Stephen Hand (circa February 05, 2004)
The purpose of the above post was to cover four different threads at once which were to a certain extent connected. It was also the first public acknowledgement on the part of Rerum Novarum pertaining to an unfortunate (but growing) trend with a friend of this writer.{6}
John F-word Kerry's Voting Record Revisited (circa March 12, 2004)
The purpose of the above post was to provide a template for assessing Senator Kerry on several significant election subjects. As far as the war subject goes, it is the 0-24 trackrecord on War and Peace on the part of Senator Kerry that pertains to the purpose of this current post.
On Al Queda, Spain, John Kerry, Etc. (circa March 15, 2004)
The above post covered some very discomforting information pertaining to many of those who were (and are) opposed to the involvement of the United States military in Iraq and the war on terror.
More on John Kerry, Spain, Terrorism, Etc. (circa March 20, 2004)
The purpose of the above post was to continue along the lines of thought from a previous posting. Though it was a followup to the previous post on "Al Queda, Spain, John Kerry, Etc", it also contained some additional information worth reviewing.{7}
Rerum Novarum Pays Tribute to Pat Tillman (circa April 28, 2004)
The above post was a bit of a tribute to a great man who made the ultimate sacrifice.
On Nick Berg and the Animals Who Killed Him (circa May 12, 2004)
The above post was dyspeptic thread of sorts providing an analysis of the enemies we are facing in the war on terror. There is also a bit of chastizing the extremists in the antiwar movement for their illogical idiocies and how they would (if followed) seal our defeat.
Briefly on the Iraqi Prison Scandal (circa May 15, 2004)
The above post deals with why so many of those who kvetch about Abu Ghirab were (and are) hypocritical in their attempt to moralize on this subject matter. (And frankly why Abu Ghirab -while not commendable- nonetheless was not the big deal that many in the media sought to make it out to be.)
Briefly on the UN and Their Latest Abomination (circa June 9, 2004)
The above post contains yet another reason why the UN should be shut down and fumigated.
On Paul Johnson and the Worthless Human Debris Who Murdered Him (circa June 18, 2004)
The above post was a followup to the Nick Berg post -and in some respects was an even more strident chastizing of those who continue to miss the forest for the trees.{8}
Miscellaneous Musings on the Media and the Humanizing of Formal Enemies --An Audio Post (circa July 27, 2004)
The above thread is to an audiopost where the dangerous trends in the media coverage of formal enemies in the war on terror -and why continuing that thrend would virtually guarantee an Islamo-fascist victory in the war on terror- are briefly enunciated.
On Democrat Lies and WMD's (circa August 04, 2004)
The above post serves as a reminder of what the Democratic leaders said about WMD's and Saddam Hussein prior to March of 2003. (And why those same people claiming that "Bush lied about WMD's" are a bunch of lying frauds bereft of credibility on this subject.)
More on President Bush and Arguments For His Re-Election (circa August 04, 2004)
The above post deals with arguments for President Bush's re-election from a liberal columnist who -though he admits to despising Bush personally- has the capability of seeing the forest for the trees a lot better than most of his ideological allies.
More on Democrat Lies and WMD's (circa August 5, 2004)
The above post is a sequel to the first thread on Democrat lies and also includes a timeline on the progress of that conflict for the sake of providing some badly-needed historical perspective for the extremists of the antiwar outlook.
On the War, Moral and Constitutional Principles, "Supporting the Troops", Etc. With SecretAgentMan (circa August 20, 2004)
The above post is a systematical defense of the war in Iraq against one of the very few intelligent interlocutors opposed to the war on principle.{9}
More on Extreme Ideologues (circa August 31, 2004)
The above post deals with the subject of finding weapons in Iraq -and highlights why those who were singing a "no WMD's" chorus were revealing their own facile understanding of history and postwar locating of weapons.
On the Media's Treatment of the Breslin Hostage Situation --An Audio Post (circa September 1, 2004)
The above thread is...well...somewhat of a livid rant on the part of this writer to put it mildly.
On the Breslin Hostage Situation and its Aftermath (circa September 3, 2004)
The above post was a recapitulation of the pathetic excuse for "reasoning" that permeates the outlook of the most vocal of the lunatic antiwar contingent.
Briefly on the Founding Fathers and Propagandistic Uses of Their Words (circa September 5, 2004)
The above post was frankly intended as a direct refutation of Stephen Hand for his shameless abuse of the words of some of the Founding Fathers to defend an extremist antiwar position.{10}
A September 11th Confutation of Extremist Liberal Canards Viz. the War on Terror (circa September 11, 2004)
The above post was a dismantling of various canards commonly paraded about by those with an obvious hatred of President Bush, the military efforts in Iraq, and the war on terror in general using the lenses of history (in this case WW II) to point out why those who fail to learn from history will consign themselves to repeating it (cf. Santayana).
On the False Notion of "Equal Weight" Catholic Voting Issues (circa September 14, 2004)
The above post set forth to deal with the false notion (circulated even by some Catholics who pride themselves on being "party to the living magisterium alone") that all voting issues were of equal weight for Catholics.
The Iraq/Al Queda Connection, WMD's, Etc. (circa September 18, 2004)
The above post is another admonishing of those who were too quick to try and render a verdict on WMD's in Iraq. Oh, and for those who think that issue has been resolved, the above post points out why this issue is not as simplistic as most in the MSM (not to mention the antiwar zealots) would like it to be.
Miscellaneous Musings on War and Disarmarment --Part I of an Audio Post (circa September 19, 2004)
Miscellaneous Musings on War and Disarmarment --Part II of an Audio Post (circa September 19, 2004)
The above two threads deal with the core flaw in the weltanschauung of the antiwar/gun control/"nuclear freeze" crowd and why their approach is logical and actual suicide. Included in the above threads are examples from both the distant and recent past of where the gun control/antiwar crowd's approach were utilized with horrendous (and predictable) results.
Miscellaneous Reflections on the Most Recent Beheadings and the War on Terror --Part I of an Audio Posting (circa September 22, 2004)
Miscellaneous Reflections on the Most Recent Beheadings and the War on Terror --Part II of an Audio Posting (circa September 22, 2004)
The above two threads deal with (i) the manner whereby the war on terror was (and is) being dealt with in the media, (ii) the seditious behaviour of the so-called "progressivists" and the so-called "antiwar activists" in their disgraceful attempts to undermine a sitting president during wartime, (iii) the strengths and weaknesses of the blogosphere and the alternative media, and (iv) other related subject matter.
Briefly on the Vatican Diplomatic Corps and the War in Iraq (circa September 27, 2004)
The above post was directed towards those Catholics whose approach to the Vatican Diplomatic Corps shows a serious unfamiliarity with history. In this case, it was again Stephen Hand whom this writer had explicitly in mind in writing the above thread.
"Carthago Delenda Est" — What about Now? (circa September 28, 2004)
The above posting was a guest editorial on the war on terror by Charles M. de Nunzio. Though the posting of a guest editorial to Rerum Novarum is not contingent upon this writer's concurrence with the material posted; nonetheless, with this posting it seems appropriate to note for the record that We at Rerum Novarum to a large extent concur with what Charles had to say.
Briefly on Hanoi John Kerry, the First Debate, and What President Bush Needs to Do in the Second Debate (circa October 08, 2004)
The above post pointed out a key reason why Senator John Kerry would have made a horrible commander in chief.
Miscellaneous Threads For Viewing (circa October 18, 2004)
The above post includes a number of articles from other writers which are (to put it mildly) quite critical of the lunatic antiwar fringe protestors types.
"Anybody But Bush" Dept. (circa October 27, 2004)
The above post contains some more articles for voters to consider but also some commentary from your humble servant on his own ambivalence about President Bush being re-elected.
"Orwellian Doublespeak" Dept. (circa November 11, 2004)
The above post dealt with yet some more ignorant canards from the gallary of foaming-at-the-mouth Bush haters.
"My Kingdom For a Viable Third Party" Dept. (circa November 11, 2004)
The above post sets forth a proposed revamping of the third party concept to make it truly viable in the future as an alternative to the Republicans and the Democrats.
"Post-Election Potpourri" Dept. (circa November 20, 2004)
The above post interacts rather irenically with a self-styled "progressivist" who is far saner than so many of his contemporaries on the election and why things went as they did.
Musings on the Election and its Aftermath (circa November 24, 2004)
The above post provides the kind of analysis of the election and its aftermath that you are unlikely to find anywhere else. (The war subject is touched on slightly in the above thread.)
"JunkYard BLOG" Dept. (circa November 30, 2004)
In the above post, eight of the ten threads apply either directly or by logical extension to Iraq, national security, the war on terror, and the imprudence of listening to Europe on anything of significance.
Points to Ponder on the United Nations (circa December 07, 2004)
The above post contains a summation of the UN that mirrors what this writer has long thought about that institution. (In light of how the UN factors into the war on terror, this thread can be considered a "war thread" insomuch as the position this writer takes on the UN amounts to as much.)
Miscellaneous Thoughts on the 9/11 Commission, the Bush Administration Appointees, and Two Examples of Blatant So-Called "Progressivist" Double Standards --An Audio Post (circa December 07, 2004)
The above post deals with a plethora of issues -some of which pertain to the war subject (ala a discussion on the 9/11 Commission and its recommendations).
Miscellaneous Notes on the Upcoming Inaugural, Recent Comments From President Bush About WMD's, and the Reform of Social Security --An Audio Post (circa January 17, 2005)
The above post involves a whole cornucopia of subjects which are opposed to those of the so-called "antiwar activists" -including a reaffirmation of the war position as enunciated at Rerum Novarum on February 9, 2003.
On Victor Davis Hanson, Donald Rumsfeld, and Why History is Not on the Side of the AntiWar So-Called "Activists" (circa January 19, 2005)
The above post is pretty clear on where this writer stands on the war subject and so-called "antiwar activists" who delude themselves into thinking they are on the side of history in this conflict.
On the Inaugural Speech, The President's Use of the Word "Freedom", and Self-Styled "Progressivist" Reactions Thereof --An Audio Post (circa January 21, 2005)
The above thread dispatches in audiopost form with the common pseudo-"progressivist" shibboleth of "freedom" and outlines why their appeal to being "promoters of freedom" is a facade.{11}
Political Potpourri (circa January 26, 2005)
The above post contains three threads that are solidly set against the position of so-called "antiwar activists" and the "anybody but Bush" crowd -one of which is a pretty good parody admittedly. But all three are worth a read by those interested in the "war on terror" and "war in Iraq" subjects.
Briefly on Iwo Jima at the Sixtieth Anniversary (circa February 25, 2005)
The above post is another perspective thread for those who continue to kvetch about the toll of lives in the military actions of Iraq and Afghanistan without seeing the bigger picture involved.
"JunkYard BLOG" Dept. (circa March 11, 2005)
In the above post, seven of the ten items directly pertain to the subjects of the war in Iraq, national security, Al Queda, "progress" in the war on terror, and the face of evil: none of which are to the benefit of those who believe that the Islamo-fascists can be "negotiated" with in light of the pitiful trackrecord of the past thirty odd years of trying to do just that.
Briefly on Iraq, WMD's, and Another Pseudo-"Progressivist" War Dogma Bites the Dust (circa March 14, 2005)
The above post contains some logistical "sixteen penny nails" for the coffins of the "Bush Lied" and "No WMD's" canards are supplied in the above post.
Notes:
{1} For the first time in the history of Rerum Novarum, a thread has been "backposted." The thread you are about to read was compiled little by little in spare moments starting around November of 2004 shortly after the election. The descriptions of each of the threads were written mostly in early to mid March except for two of them which were written on the day this thread was posted. (Though many of them were adjusted slightly on the day of posting as well.) It did not seem appropriate to post this thread either shortly after Easter, during the Terri Schiavo tragedy, or at the time of the death of the pope except in the following backdated format -essentially the date on which this post was started was left in the timestamp rather than being moved forward or pasted to a fresh "compose post" thread as is the standard approach for material posted some time after it was written. One of the purposes for this thread being compiled will manifest itself after the election of a new pope. Until then, that is all that this writer will say on the matter. [ISM 04/05/05 5:33pm ]
{2} The Afghanistan war preceded Rerum Novarum and (unlike the Iraq war) was supported without any degree of intellectual struggle whatsoever on the part of your weblog host.
{3} Including a reflection on the horror of war often overlooked by many who were itching a bit too much to go to war in Iraq in late 2002.
{4} Neo-Ultramontanism was a movement of the nineteenth century that held that the pope was virtually infallible in everything he says. This position was rejected by the First Vatican Council. Nonetheless, many Catholics opposed to the war in Iraq were showing signs of Neo-Ultramontanism in their publicly stated views on the war and giving the pope's presumed position on the matter an unwarranted dogmatization. On this point as it pertained to the war issue, one of the personages that your host had in mind was his friend Stephen Hand of TCR.
{5} For the record, this writer agreed with the pope's overall analysis and even with the pope taking the position he took for tactical reasons.
{6} Though this writer had Stephen in mind to some extent all along, it was in later months (after February 2004) when subsequent public statements by the latter really began to be matters for concern.
{7} Including a revisitation of some of the pointers which were set down by this writer in his February 2003 defense of the military intervention in Iraq by the United States and other coalition forces.
{8} Viz. the nature of the war on terror and what drives the enemy that we are facing.
{9} This is a rare commodity among the contingent of those opposed to the war in Iraq unfortunately.
{10} The present writer decided at the last minute to not mention Stephen by name in the above post; however for those who wondered whom it was directed at, they now have their answer. [Update: Since Mr. Hand has given this writer many reasons to wonder if he has any original ideas of his own, it was looked into sometime after this post was put up and discovered that the same kinds of pathetic arguments and abuse of the Founding Father's words were utilized by Patrick J. Buchanan - ISM 7/07/05 6:29pm]
{11} In light of the war on terror and our involvement in the Middle East in two recent wars, this thread pertains to the war subject as contents of the post make clear.
(Musings of your humble servant at Rerum Novarum)
Tying Together Some Strands Viz. "Just War" Theory, Etc. (circa October 22, 2002)
Though this was not the first Rerum Novarum war post, it was nonetheless the one where your host first began explicitly noting some of the factors he was considering which were fundamental to the issue in question. The threads previous to this one were mainly public reflections on some of the several internal hurdles still in place at that time.{3}
Nonetheless, by the point of this post, your host with the benefit of hindsight sees the outlines of his realist perspective in this subject beginning to take a discernable shape -though admittedly more musing was needed before a definite position on the matter was to emerge.
Why I Am Becoming A Reluctant Hawk (circa January 25, 2003)
At the time of the above post, significant reflection had been given on the subject of the proposed invasion of Iraq by US forces. However, there were still a few hurdles to clear before this writer could support it without qualms. One of those was a review of the actual postitions of the United Nations on this matter in the form of their own resolutions. The UN's history of talking tough and doing nothing was by this time the stuff of legends. Nonetheless, the aforementioned review was taking place prior to the posting of the above thread. It would be completed in the days prior to then-Secretary of State Colin Powell's address to the UN.
Why Those Who Hold Out For Peaceful Solutions With Iraq Are Wrong (circa February 9, 2003)
At the time of the above post, all the threads were tied together in this writer's mind and all that was needed was a systematic exposition on the position that had taken shape. The readers can note that what was not focused on in the above post was any mention of Secretary Powell's "evidences" to the UN. Nor for that matter was the subject of WMD's mentioned except briefly in passing.
This is an important facet to consider because WMD's and whether they were there or not was never a fundamental constituent to your host's position on whether or not the United States should involve itself militarily in Iraq. And for those reasons, when various other commentators waffled on the aforementioned subjects -or at times made an aboutface as a result of aparent evidential controversions in those areas- We at Rerum Novarum were able to stand solidly in favour of the war option being utilized in Iraq.
Why I Disagree With the Pope on the War and Remain a Faithful Catholic (circa February 14, 2003)
The above post was viewed as a necessary complement to the previous thread outlining the war in Iraq position of your weblog host. (Because some very irresponsible Catholic commentators were positing the fallacious notion that there was a binding nature to the apparent position of Pope John Paul II on the war in Iraq; ergo seemed appropriate to Us to dispense in short order with that noxious prevarication before the outset of the upcoming conflict.)
On Possible New Ultramontanism With Lane Core Jr. (circa March 18, 2003)
The above post was posted in the days prior to the war. We sensed (much as Lane Core Jr. did) that several of those who were in favour of the pope's position were engaging in a modern form of Neo-Ultramontanism in trying to present their view as the only viable (or only "truly Catholic" one).{4} The latter needed to be nipped in the bud for the sake of the truth on the subject in question not being blurred by those who imprudently sought to dogmatize their particular positions on that issue.
Taking The JunkYard BLOG To Task on the Iraq War and the Vatican (circa March 23, 2003)
The above post was blogged to correct another extreme viewpoint on the war subject as it pertained to a properly Catholic assessment of the situation. Essentially, just as some had erred to one extreme (in dogmatizing the pope's personal opinion on the war's conformity to just war criteria as binding on Catholics), others had erred to the extreme of presuming that the pope's position against the Iraq was bereft of principles altogether. It was the latter extreme to which the above thread sought to dispatch with. At the same time though, it was viewed as necessary to point to the freedom that Catholics did (and do) have with regards to the subject of the war in Iraq and the prudence (or lack thereof) of that military action.
Iwo Jima Tribute and Some Points of Reflection on War in General (circa March 26, 2003)
The above post contains some reflections on the early stages of the conflict which were posted to provide some historical context for many critics who demonstrated a serious lacuna in that area.
War Musings on Possible Media Sedition (circa March 29, 2003)
The above post was intended to outline how many of those so-called "protestors" would have been viewed in the years when the US Sedition Act had the force of law. Basically, the letter and the spirit of that law were violated by many from the fringe of the antiwar movement: the intention of the above post was to make this quite clear.
The So-called "Bush Regime" and the "Free Tibet" Hypocrisy of the
The above post intended to deal with the hypocrisy of certain antiwar activists (particularly so-called "progressives") on the subjects of the Iraq war and "freeing Tibet."
On JYB, Props for the Pope, Societal Problems, Etc. (circa April 13, 2003)
The above post contains a brief outline of the pope's predominent approach to combatting societal problems and a hermeneutical key to understanding the pope's war weltanschauung. Basically, the argument being advanced here was that the pope's analysis of the factors that create monsters like Hussein, Jong II, and others was not to be dismissed lightly just because his assessment of the Iraq war and its prudence or lack thereof might have some serious problems to it.{5}
On "Rights" and "Free Speech" Part I (circa June 27, 2003)
The above post was a response to someone who tried to posit a kind of "equivalence" between certain positions where such arguments were subject to no small number of problems. The war subject is covered very briefly in this post but what is noted is of no small significance.
"Lie to Me" Dept. (circa July 11, 2003)
The above post deals with the hypocrisy and blatant double standards of the Democratic party on the entire WMD issue: a subject that would be revisited in greater detail later on in other posts to Rerum Novarum.
The Canard of Conservatives Being "Opposed to Progress" (circa July 25, 2003)
The above post encapsulated a musing from your humble servant at the Libertarian Samizdata weblog circa October of 2002. (Which was found amongst drafts in his notebook and deemed appropriate for weblog posting at the time it was posted.) What is noted there highlights (in retrospect) a lot of the problems with the weltanschauung of the bulk of those who were opposed to US actions in Iraq.
"JunkYard Blog" Dept. (circa August 29, 2003)
The above post contained fourteen parts -seven of which pertain (or pertained) to the war on terror and various points which undermine the position of the extremist antiwar contingent.
Briefly on the War and "Manifest Destiny" Philosophies (circa September 15, 2003)
The above post contained a brief reminder post for those who were heavy war supporters to not go beyond the intention of fighting the war on terror militarily into philosophies of "manifest destiny." (Which some seemed to be doing.)
A Public Service Announcement for the Soldiers in Iraq (circa November 01, 2003)
The purpose of the above post was an unambiguous reaffirmation of this writer's support for the troops.
Briefly on Colonel Muammar Khadafi's Situation (circa December 22, 2003)
The above post was intended to point out that Khadafi was only persuaded to do the right thing under the threat of military action being taken against him. Eighteen years between President Reagan's bombing of Lybia and President Bush's invasion of Iraq did nothing to persuade Khadafi to bring his nation into the family of man. But the threat of military action was the true deterring factor in persuading Khadafi to back down: a strong affirmation of President Reagan's "Peace Through Strength" philosophy of dealing with totalitarian dictators.
On David Kay and His Testimony (circa January 30, 2004)
The above post pointed out what David Kay actually said versus what the irresponsible MSM (and certain antiwar toadies who had frequent recourse to the latter in their public screeds) sought to contort David Kay's words to say.
On the Pope, Moral Principles, the UN, and Stephen Hand (circa February 05, 2004)
The purpose of the above post was to cover four different threads at once which were to a certain extent connected. It was also the first public acknowledgement on the part of Rerum Novarum pertaining to an unfortunate (but growing) trend with a friend of this writer.{6}
John F
The purpose of the above post was to provide a template for assessing Senator Kerry on several significant election subjects. As far as the war subject goes, it is the 0-24 trackrecord on War and Peace on the part of Senator Kerry that pertains to the purpose of this current post.
On Al Queda, Spain, John Kerry, Etc. (circa March 15, 2004)
The above post covered some very discomforting information pertaining to many of those who were (and are) opposed to the involvement of the United States military in Iraq and the war on terror.
More on John Kerry, Spain, Terrorism, Etc. (circa March 20, 2004)
The purpose of the above post was to continue along the lines of thought from a previous posting. Though it was a followup to the previous post on "Al Queda, Spain, John Kerry, Etc", it also contained some additional information worth reviewing.{7}
Rerum Novarum Pays Tribute to Pat Tillman (circa April 28, 2004)
The above post was a bit of a tribute to a great man who made the ultimate sacrifice.
On Nick Berg and the Animals Who Killed Him (circa May 12, 2004)
The above post was dyspeptic thread of sorts providing an analysis of the enemies we are facing in the war on terror. There is also a bit of chastizing the extremists in the antiwar movement for their illogical idiocies and how they would (if followed) seal our defeat.
Briefly on the Iraqi Prison Scandal (circa May 15, 2004)
The above post deals with why so many of those who kvetch about Abu Ghirab were (and are) hypocritical in their attempt to moralize on this subject matter. (And frankly why Abu Ghirab -while not commendable- nonetheless was not the big deal that many in the media sought to make it out to be.)
Briefly on the UN and Their Latest Abomination (circa June 9, 2004)
The above post contains yet another reason why the UN should be shut down and fumigated.
On Paul Johnson and the Worthless Human Debris Who Murdered Him (circa June 18, 2004)
The above post was a followup to the Nick Berg post -and in some respects was an even more strident chastizing of those who continue to miss the forest for the trees.{8}
Miscellaneous Musings on the Media and the Humanizing of Formal Enemies --An Audio Post (circa July 27, 2004)
The above thread is to an audiopost where the dangerous trends in the media coverage of formal enemies in the war on terror -and why continuing that thrend would virtually guarantee an Islamo-fascist victory in the war on terror- are briefly enunciated.
On Democrat Lies and WMD's (circa August 04, 2004)
The above post serves as a reminder of what the Democratic leaders said about WMD's and Saddam Hussein prior to March of 2003. (And why those same people claiming that "Bush lied about WMD's" are a bunch of lying frauds bereft of credibility on this subject.)
More on President Bush and Arguments For His Re-Election (circa August 04, 2004)
The above post deals with arguments for President Bush's re-election from a liberal columnist who -though he admits to despising Bush personally- has the capability of seeing the forest for the trees a lot better than most of his ideological allies.
More on Democrat Lies and WMD's (circa August 5, 2004)
The above post is a sequel to the first thread on Democrat lies and also includes a timeline on the progress of that conflict for the sake of providing some badly-needed historical perspective for the extremists of the antiwar outlook.
On the War, Moral and Constitutional Principles, "Supporting the Troops", Etc. With SecretAgentMan (circa August 20, 2004)
The above post is a systematical defense of the war in Iraq against one of the very few intelligent interlocutors opposed to the war on principle.{9}
More on Extreme Ideologues (circa August 31, 2004)
The above post deals with the subject of finding weapons in Iraq -and highlights why those who were singing a "no WMD's" chorus were revealing their own facile understanding of history and postwar locating of weapons.
On the Media's Treatment of the Breslin Hostage Situation --An Audio Post (circa September 1, 2004)
The above thread is...well...somewhat of a livid rant on the part of this writer to put it mildly.
On the Breslin Hostage Situation and its Aftermath (circa September 3, 2004)
The above post was a recapitulation of the pathetic excuse for "reasoning" that permeates the outlook of the most vocal of the lunatic antiwar contingent.
Briefly on the Founding Fathers and Propagandistic Uses of Their Words (circa September 5, 2004)
The above post was frankly intended as a direct refutation of Stephen Hand for his shameless abuse of the words of some of the Founding Fathers to defend an extremist antiwar position.{10}
A September 11th Confutation of Extremist Liberal Canards Viz. the War on Terror (circa September 11, 2004)
The above post was a dismantling of various canards commonly paraded about by those with an obvious hatred of President Bush, the military efforts in Iraq, and the war on terror in general using the lenses of history (in this case WW II) to point out why those who fail to learn from history will consign themselves to repeating it (cf. Santayana).
On the False Notion of "Equal Weight" Catholic Voting Issues (circa September 14, 2004)
The above post set forth to deal with the false notion (circulated even by some Catholics who pride themselves on being "party to the living magisterium alone") that all voting issues were of equal weight for Catholics.
The Iraq/Al Queda Connection, WMD's, Etc. (circa September 18, 2004)
The above post is another admonishing of those who were too quick to try and render a verdict on WMD's in Iraq. Oh, and for those who think that issue has been resolved, the above post points out why this issue is not as simplistic as most in the MSM (not to mention the antiwar zealots) would like it to be.
Miscellaneous Musings on War and Disarmarment --Part I of an Audio Post (circa September 19, 2004)
Miscellaneous Musings on War and Disarmarment --Part II of an Audio Post (circa September 19, 2004)
The above two threads deal with the core flaw in the weltanschauung of the antiwar/gun control/"nuclear freeze" crowd and why their approach is logical and actual suicide. Included in the above threads are examples from both the distant and recent past of where the gun control/antiwar crowd's approach were utilized with horrendous (and predictable) results.
Miscellaneous Reflections on the Most Recent Beheadings and the War on Terror --Part I of an Audio Posting (circa September 22, 2004)
Miscellaneous Reflections on the Most Recent Beheadings and the War on Terror --Part II of an Audio Posting (circa September 22, 2004)
The above two threads deal with (i) the manner whereby the war on terror was (and is) being dealt with in the media, (ii) the seditious behaviour of the so-called "progressivists" and the so-called "antiwar activists" in their disgraceful attempts to undermine a sitting president during wartime, (iii) the strengths and weaknesses of the blogosphere and the alternative media, and (iv) other related subject matter.
Briefly on the Vatican Diplomatic Corps and the War in Iraq (circa September 27, 2004)
The above post was directed towards those Catholics whose approach to the Vatican Diplomatic Corps shows a serious unfamiliarity with history. In this case, it was again Stephen Hand whom this writer had explicitly in mind in writing the above thread.
"Carthago Delenda Est" — What about Now? (circa September 28, 2004)
The above posting was a guest editorial on the war on terror by Charles M. de Nunzio. Though the posting of a guest editorial to Rerum Novarum is not contingent upon this writer's concurrence with the material posted; nonetheless, with this posting it seems appropriate to note for the record that We at Rerum Novarum to a large extent concur with what Charles had to say.
Briefly on Hanoi John Kerry, the First Debate, and What President Bush Needs to Do in the Second Debate (circa October 08, 2004)
The above post pointed out a key reason why Senator John Kerry would have made a horrible commander in chief.
Miscellaneous Threads For Viewing (circa October 18, 2004)
The above post includes a number of articles from other writers which are (to put it mildly) quite critical of the lunatic antiwar fringe protestors types.
"Anybody But Bush" Dept. (circa October 27, 2004)
The above post contains some more articles for voters to consider but also some commentary from your humble servant on his own ambivalence about President Bush being re-elected.
"Orwellian Doublespeak" Dept. (circa November 11, 2004)
The above post dealt with yet some more ignorant canards from the gallary of foaming-at-the-mouth Bush haters.
"My Kingdom For a Viable Third Party" Dept. (circa November 11, 2004)
The above post sets forth a proposed revamping of the third party concept to make it truly viable in the future as an alternative to the Republicans and the Democrats.
"Post-Election Potpourri" Dept. (circa November 20, 2004)
The above post interacts rather irenically with a self-styled "progressivist" who is far saner than so many of his contemporaries on the election and why things went as they did.
Musings on the Election and its Aftermath (circa November 24, 2004)
The above post provides the kind of analysis of the election and its aftermath that you are unlikely to find anywhere else. (The war subject is touched on slightly in the above thread.)
"JunkYard BLOG" Dept. (circa November 30, 2004)
In the above post, eight of the ten threads apply either directly or by logical extension to Iraq, national security, the war on terror, and the imprudence of listening to Europe on anything of significance.
Points to Ponder on the United Nations (circa December 07, 2004)
The above post contains a summation of the UN that mirrors what this writer has long thought about that institution. (In light of how the UN factors into the war on terror, this thread can be considered a "war thread" insomuch as the position this writer takes on the UN amounts to as much.)
Miscellaneous Thoughts on the 9/11 Commission, the Bush Administration Appointees, and Two Examples of Blatant So-Called "Progressivist" Double Standards --An Audio Post (circa December 07, 2004)
The above post deals with a plethora of issues -some of which pertain to the war subject (ala a discussion on the 9/11 Commission and its recommendations).
Miscellaneous Notes on the Upcoming Inaugural, Recent Comments From President Bush About WMD's, and the Reform of Social Security --An Audio Post (circa January 17, 2005)
The above post involves a whole cornucopia of subjects which are opposed to those of the so-called "antiwar activists" -including a reaffirmation of the war position as enunciated at Rerum Novarum on February 9, 2003.
On Victor Davis Hanson, Donald Rumsfeld, and Why History is Not on the Side of the AntiWar So-Called "Activists" (circa January 19, 2005)
The above post is pretty clear on where this writer stands on the war subject and so-called "antiwar activists" who delude themselves into thinking they are on the side of history in this conflict.
On the Inaugural Speech, The President's Use of the Word "Freedom", and Self-Styled "Progressivist" Reactions Thereof --An Audio Post (circa January 21, 2005)
The above thread dispatches in audiopost form with the common pseudo-"progressivist" shibboleth of "freedom" and outlines why their appeal to being "promoters of freedom" is a facade.{11}
Political Potpourri (circa January 26, 2005)
The above post contains three threads that are solidly set against the position of so-called "antiwar activists" and the "anybody but Bush" crowd -one of which is a pretty good parody admittedly. But all three are worth a read by those interested in the "war on terror" and "war in Iraq" subjects.
Briefly on Iwo Jima at the Sixtieth Anniversary (circa February 25, 2005)
The above post is another perspective thread for those who continue to kvetch about the toll of lives in the military actions of Iraq and Afghanistan without seeing the bigger picture involved.
"JunkYard BLOG" Dept. (circa March 11, 2005)
In the above post, seven of the ten items directly pertain to the subjects of the war in Iraq, national security, Al Queda, "progress" in the war on terror, and the face of evil: none of which are to the benefit of those who believe that the Islamo-fascists can be "negotiated" with in light of the pitiful trackrecord of the past thirty odd years of trying to do just that.
Briefly on Iraq, WMD's, and Another Pseudo-"Progressivist" War Dogma Bites the Dust (circa March 14, 2005)
The above post contains some logistical "sixteen penny nails" for the coffins of the "Bush Lied" and "No WMD's" canards are supplied in the above post.
Notes:
{1} For the first time in the history of Rerum Novarum, a thread has been "backposted." The thread you are about to read was compiled little by little in spare moments starting around November of 2004 shortly after the election. The descriptions of each of the threads were written mostly in early to mid March except for two of them which were written on the day this thread was posted. (Though many of them were adjusted slightly on the day of posting as well.) It did not seem appropriate to post this thread either shortly after Easter, during the Terri Schiavo tragedy, or at the time of the death of the pope except in the following backdated format -essentially the date on which this post was started was left in the timestamp rather than being moved forward or pasted to a fresh "compose post" thread as is the standard approach for material posted some time after it was written. One of the purposes for this thread being compiled will manifest itself after the election of a new pope. Until then, that is all that this writer will say on the matter. [ISM 04/05/05 5:33pm ]
{2} The Afghanistan war preceded Rerum Novarum and (unlike the Iraq war) was supported without any degree of intellectual struggle whatsoever on the part of your weblog host.
{3} Including a reflection on the horror of war often overlooked by many who were itching a bit too much to go to war in Iraq in late 2002.
{4} Neo-Ultramontanism was a movement of the nineteenth century that held that the pope was virtually infallible in everything he says. This position was rejected by the First Vatican Council. Nonetheless, many Catholics opposed to the war in Iraq were showing signs of Neo-Ultramontanism in their publicly stated views on the war and giving the pope's presumed position on the matter an unwarranted dogmatization. On this point as it pertained to the war issue, one of the personages that your host had in mind was his friend Stephen Hand of TCR.
{5} For the record, this writer agreed with the pope's overall analysis and even with the pope taking the position he took for tactical reasons.
{6} Though this writer had Stephen in mind to some extent all along, it was in later months (after February 2004) when subsequent public statements by the latter really began to be matters for concern.
{7} Including a revisitation of some of the pointers which were set down by this writer in his February 2003 defense of the military intervention in Iraq by the United States and other coalition forces.
{8} Viz. the nature of the war on terror and what drives the enemy that we are facing.
{9} This is a rare commodity among the contingent of those opposed to the war in Iraq unfortunately.
{10} The present writer decided at the last minute to not mention Stephen by name in the above post; however for those who wondered whom it was directed at, they now have their answer. [Update: Since Mr. Hand has given this writer many reasons to wonder if he has any original ideas of his own, it was looked into sometime after this post was put up and discovered that the same kinds of pathetic arguments and abuse of the Founding Father's words were utilized by Patrick J. Buchanan - ISM 7/07/05 6:29pm]
{11} In light of the war on terror and our involvement in the Middle East in two recent wars, this thread pertains to the war subject as contents of the post make clear.
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