Moscow Mayor says NO!

Moscow's mayor, Yury Luzhkov, vowed Monday never to allow a gay rights parade, calling such events "satanic". Speaking at a Kremlin event attended by the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Luzhkov said, "Last year, Moscow came under unprecedented pressure to sanction the gay parade, which can be described in no other way than as satanic, we did not let the parade take place then, and we are not going to allow it in the future."
He then charged the Western countries saying they are facing a crisis of religious faith and were corrupting children. "Some European nations bless single-sex marriages and introduce sexual guides in schools. Such things are a deadly moral poison for children,"
London Mayor, Ken Livingstone, said he strongly opposed a ban. "It is the right of gays and lesbians to demonstrate peacefully and this should be upheld by Moscow," He said last year's decision not to allow a parade "led to scenes of fascists parading in Moscow and assaulting gay and lesbian people."

Of many things Russia does, I do not approve, however, I commend Yury Luzhkov for standing firm to God's laws and principles. I only wished we had a government that would do the same. May the Mayor of Moscow be an example of the standard needed in America. (article)

2008 Presidential Race

Jake and I got into a discussion about the 2008 Presidential race for the US this morning and I thought I would post some info to get some info. First of all, I think the President on 2008 will have another war or be in the hot seat of war in their term. With that being said, I have found a lot of input on the races, I will link a few pages but hopefully if your interested you can go look at it yourself.

Right now the leaders of the Democratic party are as follows: (ranked in recent poll of who would win primary if voting today)
Hillary Clinton - 40%
Barak Obama - 21%
John Edwards - 11%
Al Gore - 4%

Other people are listed, but I am not going to put them all on here. That and John Kerry has stated he will not run for again.

Right now the leaders of the Republican party are as follows: (ranked in recent poll of who would win primary if voting today)
John McCain - 30%
Rudy Giuliani - 26%
Newt Gingrich - 14%
Sam Brownback - 3%

Who would win, if voting today, between:
McCain vs. Hillary = McCain 48% Hillary 42%
Giuliani vs. Hillary = Hillary 49% Giuliani 47%

These are dependent on which poll you look at. The site has hundreds of different polls on the site, so feel free to check them out. http://www.pollingreport.com/

I am stuck right now between a couple of those running. But I would like to Gingrich for pres and Giuliani as VP. I think that would be a great combo. Maybe even McCain and Giuliani. After thinking about it a little, I am thinking Giuliani would be a better VP than president. He would also strengthen either of the two listed above. I think it would be good thing to see him run as vice president. I am kinda tired of seeing great people run for President, and not really knowing the VP, so that would be great. Gingrich and Giuliani! Oh wait, even better Condoleezza Rice and Giuliani!

Democrats, um.. Hiliary and Edwards would probably be the best choice there. I wouldn't vote for them, but I think it would create the most opposition. Hillary is going to pull a lot of votes, a lot of women's votes. Liz Taylor is already telling people to vote for her.


So what do you think?

Iran & Venezuela ::Quick Note::

Iran has recently converted one of its most powerful ballistic missile into a satellite launch vehicle. There are concerns in the West that space launch upgrades, however, could eventually create an Iranian intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a range of nearly 2,500 mi., giving Tehran the ability to strike as far as central Europe, well into Russia and even China and India. Which of course we know they wouldn't be attacking Russia, China, or India. So really, it would hit Europe, Israel and Spain. (article)

Venezuelan President Chavez warning US Ambassador to shut up or leave. "...if he continues meddling in the affairs of Venezuela that do not concern him... he could be declared persona non grata and would have to abandon the country," Chavez said in a speech this week. He has been in power since 1999, in January he began a new six-year presidential term with his allies controlling Venezuela's unicameral legislature. On January 18 the legislature voted unanimously to grant him the power to rule by decree for 18 months. On another note, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, visited Venezuela over the weekend. (article)

Big Talk?

After a brief conversation with Craig, a.k.a. "bob", I am curious to know how many think that Iran is actually up to the task of backing up their claims. Do you think that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would actually attack Israel & America (article) or is he just shooting off his mouth? Below is my reasoning that it is more than hot steam.

Former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, has said that this is the greatest threat to Israels survival since the Six-Day War in 1967, adding that nuclear-armed Iran would lead to a "second Holocaust.” Sen. John McCain added that "Military action is not our preference. It remains, as it always must, a last option; There is only one thing worse than a military solution, and that is a nuclear armed Iran." (article) Maybe this is just a rallying cry for republicans and the American people to stand behind the president once more, or for a little longer.

I see it like this:
Iran has beefed up their "defensive systems" by way of purchases from Russia (article).
N. Korea is sharing nuclear information with Iran on their nuclear test explosion last year (article). Why does Iran need this for a peaceful nuclear energy system??
Russia aids Iran in building the Bushehr nuclear power plant (article).
Russia defends ally, China, in recent dispute over a ballistic missile test in space (article).
Venezuela tells US to "Go to Hell" (article).
Russia makes deal with Venezuela to sell $1 billion in combat aircraft (article).

See the trend? Russia has major influences. The "Axis of Evil" is working together quickly in their best efforts, right under own nose. Meanwhile the media is stuck on the war in Iraq, as is our congress and the American people, diverting our attention from the truly dangerous enemies lurking at all sides.

I think it is time for the US to strengthen our military, and our ties with our allies (as well as enemies). We should focus on our defenses by kicking out illegal immigrants, (note: I recently learned of a part of the constitution called the 3/5's rule. It is there because a state receives more representatives for the House dependent on population. This is important because the 3/5's rule was setup for slaves, which of course, has been abolished. The rule has not. Illegal immigrants, can not vote, but under the 3/5's rule, they are still counted as part of the population, thus increasing the reps in some states.) and increase our borders defense. Put a tighter hold on immigrants and "green cards". Stop giving out health care and education to illegal immigrants and give them the BOOT!! Focus on the foreign battles we are in, to finish them, and pull our troops hope for preparation to defend against attacks. Let us make bio-fuels and alternate energy options a priority and tap into our own oil reserves in the meantime. Work towards paying off the national deficit, and put the power back into the states governments.

Lastly, America needs to remember to speak softly, and carry a freakin' huge stick.

Russia Fulfills Iran Missile Deal

Russia agreed to work with Iran a long time ago. They have made deals not only with supplying arms, but also provided Iran with Nuclear technology. Recently Russia has completed their agreement to supply 29 sophisticated missile systems (article). These systems are called the Tor M-1. I questioned, much as you are right now, "what the heck does that mean?" I took a look around, and this is what I found out:

1. Is a low to medium-altitude, short-range surface-to-air missile system.
2. Designed for engaging airplanes, helicopters, cruise missiles, precision guided munitions, unmanned aerial vehicles and ballistic targets.
3. Designed to protect targets from attack at all times and in any weather, not only by shooting down attacking aircraft but also by destroying any munitions before they reach their target.
4.It is air-portable and equipped with NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical) protection.
5. 8 missiles which are stored vertically, ready to fire.
6.Target tracking range is 24 km (15 miles), engagement range is up to 12 km (1-7.5 miles).
7.Reaction time (from target detection to engagement) is stated as a rapid 5-8 second.
8. Targets can be acquired and tracked while moving, and missiles can be fired without stopping; However, the reaction time is somewhat longer (around 10 seconds rather than 4) Darn!.
9. It has a power supply unit so the main engine does not need to be running, allowing long periods of readiness.
10. Missiles reach Mach 2.8; Missiles can be fired against surface targets.

The Defense system isn't your typical looking system, what I mean by that, is this system is portable. It looks like a tank with a large antenna on it. In fact, that's what it is. To me this is VERY important. Anyone who has played Command & Conquer knows that if you send out a huge army to attack your enemy, you need to put 5 missile launcher guys in your hummers, and 1 sniper. Then you have to either modify the hummer with the hellfire missile or the little guy that fixes it. I digress. My point is however, this would be a great, GREAT tool if you were going to send a large army someplace.... like Israel. It would protect your other tanks, that could possibly hold short range nukes. Of course Iran has told Russia that these are merely defense only. (picture of Tor-M1)

Much of my information (points 1- 10) is information from Wikipedia. (here)

Rediculously Similar

I have been hearing a lot lately about how wonderful the Governor of California is. I mean, it is amazing how this guy can balance the budget without raising taxes, and can still give more money to education. Not only that, but in his State of the State address, he said he was going to do something about Healthcare and Global warming, and he did it... I mean, he is a politician right?? How is all this possible? It just sounds too good to be true. I mean that is just about as crazy as some scientist creating a supreme agricultural invention to make Israel rich. It was only a matter of time until someone said it, and CNN has done it (article). Arnold for President! Well maybe not yet, but a potential candidate yes. There is a strong support behind him to push for a new amendment in the Constitution. He is a republican by party yet he still cares about the same issues as the Democrats. He is near perfect in all eyes. Obviously California supports him strongly, and he did make some great accomplishments there, so why not run for president. As the above cited article states, we are already looking at 26 candidates for president. Who better to run and win than the guy who has the track record for success.
To me this sounds wonderful, yet something in the back of my mind is saying: "careful, he might just be TOO good to be true." As I emailed my wife about the subject (she sent me this article) it hit me; He sounds a lot like Nicolae. Maybe you know who I am talking about, the "Anti-Christ" from the Left Behind series by Tim Lahaye & Jerry Jenkins. I'm sure many of you might be saying, "come on, that's crazy" or "you have lost it", but wait a moment. Isn't that what everyone in the book thought? Its impossible. I'm crazy. What was I thinking?
Nicolae, from a small country no one has really heard of, appeals to many types of people, does amazing things. Arnold is from where? (Austria) He appeals to both Republican and the Democrat parties, and he ... balanced California's budget without raising taxes.
If he was able to run for president, the publicity alone would get him into office. The world is on the edge of her seat watching as things unfold in the middle east, Will Israel and Iran go to war? What is Russia doing with all their arms? How big is the Chinese army? Only One Man Can stop it all and bring peace to the world. THE TERMINATOR!

Terminating Terror since 1984.

America in 2007

This year has just barely started, and already we are facing threats. As the UN starts the resolution to Iran's nuclear program, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned on Tuesday that the Western countries would face a "historic slap" in the face if they confront the Islamic Republic over the disputed nuclear issue (article). America leads the push for restrictions on Iran. President Ahmadinejad has always been vocal about his feelings toward the US and Israel, and now there maybe someone else who is warning of the impending threat America faces.
Pat Robertson, an evangelical broadcaster for the 700 Club's news-and-talk television show, said that during a retreat, God spoke to him and told him of this up coming attack. Pat claims that God said that major cities and possibly millions of people will be affected by the attack, which should take place sometime after September. "The Lord didn't say nuclear. But I do believe it will be something like that." (article)
It may be a coincident, however, I feel that it is a very possible threat, and it may not be a new threat, but one that looms over the US for quite some time.

Holidays

I pray that all who read this has enjoyed their holidays, Christmas and New Years. I look forward to this new year with excitement to see what God has in store for us. One more year until the big elections in 2008, both USA and Russia. This year will also hold interesting turn abouts in the Iraq as well I am sure. We will also see the effects the democrats will hold for our country.