#808 Sept.21, 2014

The Islamic State (ISIS) has declared war on us. They beheaded two Americans, but the President is still reluctant to say we are at war with them. He not only won’t call it a “War”, he won’t call them Islamic either. He promised we will not have “boots on the ground” in Iraq and Syria, so the 1600 soldiers already over there are required to wear sandals.

Obama promised voters in 2008 that he would end the war in Iraq and bring all our soldiers home. He does not want to reverse course and send them back, no matter what. Maybe we can persuade the “not-Islamic State” to move to another part of the world. If they were somewhere else, like in South Africa, or New Zealand, or even New Mexico, President Obama might feel different. He could fight ‘em not only with boots, but guns, bombs, and missiles.

I don’t blame Obama for not calling it a War. After all, President Johnson started the War on Poverty 50 years ago, and $22 trillion later, Poverty seems to be winning. We have 40 million receiving food stamps so they can eat, but a substantial number of those folks somehow find money to buy a car or two, a flat screen TV, computer, cell phone and other things that are more associated with luxury than poverty. What’s needed to reduce poverty is more jobs, and more people who would rather work than live on the dole.

Scotland held a vote on separating from Britain. We separated from Britain with a Revolution, but Scotland, being quite frugal, wanted to do it with a vote. Well, the vote failed. But England promised them the opportunity to set their own taxes. According to newspapers, the members of Parliament from Scotland are all Liberal and favor raising taxes. However, I think the old time Scotsman would prefer to keep their taxes low, but raise ‘em on England.

Have you heard of KAIROS? In church this morning the preacher told about this volunteer organization that arranges for a group of church members to visit a prison and talk with the inmates. The idea is that if a prisoner learns about Christian principles and the Ten Commandments he might reform and live a useful life when he gets out. The minister also added, “The ACLU opposes KAIROS activities.” That got me thinking; the ACLU also opposes religion in schools. Maybe if students learned some Christian principles in school, fewer of them would end up in prison.

Historic quote by Will Rogers:

“Scotsmen are the most liberal and hospitable people you ever saw. Grouse is Scotland’s principal export. You’ve got to rent a castle, then rent some drivers to drive the grouse by the castle. The grouse have been shot at so much they know just about who can hit ‘em and who can’t. It’s a racket, and the grouse and the Scotsman work together and the Americans and the Englishmen pay the bill.” DT #2535, Sept. 19, 1934