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| Dr. David Marlett, Editor | 27 August 2001 | Vol II, No. 69 | ||
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| Dr. David Marlett, Editor | 27 August 2001 | Vol II, No. 69 | ||
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*** And if you don't like it, go back where we came from.
BY P.J. O'ROURKE
Are Americans pursuing a misguided course of unilateralism? Are we failing to cooperate and coordinate with other countries in matters such as the Kyoto climate treaty, missile defense, and peace processes in the Middle East, the Balkans and elsewhere? Are we telling foreigners to go pound sand?
But we are foreigners. Every person in America came from, or is descended from someone who came from, somewhere else, even if it was 30,000 years ago on a land bridge across the Bering Strait. Of course we're unilateral. If we Americans had wanted to be ordered around by English wig-tops, French functionaries, bossy Germans, disorganized Italians, tin-pot Latin American dictators, and Ice Age Siberian bureaucrats, we would have stayed where we were. And in the case of us Americans who were shipped here, due to slavery or exile, we could have gone back. Both the history of Liberia and the type of American who lives in Paris indicate this is a bad idea.
Being foreigners ourselves, we know what you other foreigners are up to with your Faustian bargaining sessions, your venomous covenants, lying alliances, greedy agreements, back-stabbing ententes cordiales, and trick-or-treat treaty ploys. Count us out.
And, while we're counting, let's count all the nations on the face of the earth that really count. The number seems to be one. Russia used to be a superpower but resigned "to spend more time with the family." China is supposed to be mighty. But the Chinese leadership sweats and trembles when a couple hundred Falun Gong members show up in Tianamen Square for a mass tai chi workout.
The United States, with 4.5% of the world's population and 6% of its land area, produces one-fifth of everything in the world. And we consume even more than that. No nation compares to America in wealth. Certainly not Japan. Japan turned out to be a macroeconomic Pokémon craze. Impoverished citizens of the developing world do not wade the Pacific in the middle of the night seeking a better life in Japan.
No nation compares to America in influence. American fashions, entertainment, aspirations and ideals dominate the planet the way Chandra Levy dominates Fox News Channel. Britain, France and Germany are obscure branch offices of American culture and may be closed in the interests of rational consolidation.
As for comparisons in matters of life and death, America spends more on defense than the next 12 top defense-spending countries combined. If the U.S. is going to be involved in military multilateralism, it should ask its partner nations that ancient question of diplomacy, "You and what army?"
Indeed, getting America involved in anything of a multilateral nature is like naming The Rock to an Olympic rowing team and giving the other oars to David Spade and Calista Flockhart. When America does manage to participate, as an equal, in the community of nations, the results are not pretty. Look at the stupid U.N. And somewhere in the hills of former Yugoslavia the ghost of Woodrow Wilson wanders Marley-like, dragging his chains and regretting the deeds of his life. Yet the foolish notion of one-worlders persists: Let the lion lie down with the lamb chop.
What is the point of multilateralism? Is it supposed to prevent wars? There aren't many wars at the moment--except in Israel, Macedonia and a few other places where multilateralism has been attempted. Is nuclear holocaust to be prevented? America's unilateral missile-defense system will do that, albeit unilaterally. And, by the way, how come all the people who were so in favor of unilateral nuclear disarmament are so opposed to unilateral protection against nukes?
Is the environment to be cleaned up? What's needed for environmental cleanup is money. America has most of it. A Kyoto treaty that damages the American economy is not going to leave us Americans with extra money to help you foreigners recycle your trash--like all those corrupt, deposed dictators you're always sending here.
Or is the point of multilateralism simply that America is expected to imitate the elder and better nations of Europe? They, in their wisdom, decided that their continent did not have enough government and needed one more big one. After Hitler, Napoleon and Attila the Hun, the Europeans should know where this leads. Undeterred by historical example, however, the EU looks to fulfill the age-old dream of having a country of English cooks, German lovers, French defense forces and Italian efficiency experts.
America is not an insular country. Unilateralism is not isolationism. America has always been outward-looking, as the beleaguered Sioux and high-tailing Mexican armies of the century before last could testify. An isolationist America would mean New York State champagne and Mississippi catfish caviar. And there is an intrinsic element of the multilateral in the American character. Look at our malls. We are perfectly willing to accept what the rest of the world deems good--if it comes in attractive colors.
But the rest of the world should not push America too far with claims upon international relations. The earth is not a family. And only an idiot would try multilateralism in a family, anyway. If you foreigners want America to join in a family marriage of nations, fine. But I warn you, we will be a strict dad. Because it's our planet. And we said so.
[ The Conservative Headquarters ]
*** Legislative Updates: In the House
The House of Representatives is scheduled to reconvene from its summer District Work Period on Wed., Sept. 5. At that time, action is pending on two bills that are needful of prayer.
** A. H.R. 2615, the "Patient Privacy Act," sponsored by Rep. Ron Paul, would repeal certain sections of a law signed by former President Clinton which calls for "the establishment of a standard unique health care identifier." The establishment of such an identifier would compromise the medical privacy of every American citizen. In addition, H.R. 2615 would bar any federal funds from being used in the construction or maintenance of a federal healthcare database. Pray for passage. (Matt. 18:19)
** B. H.R. 2357, "Houses of Worship Political Speech Protection Act," addresses the harassment by the IRS of churches that engage in conservative political activity. Specifically, the bill changes the tax code to clarify that no church or religious organization will lose its tax-exempt status because it participates in political campaigns or works to influence legislation. While some well-known leftist preachers routinely advocate socialism from the pulpit, many conservative Christian and Jewish congregations cannot present their political beliefs without risking scrutiny from the tax collector. The bill was introduced by Rep. Walter Jones, and has 52 cosponsors. Pray for passage. (John 8:36)
*** Legislative Updates: In the Senate
The Senate will also reconvene the week after Labor Day, on Tuesday, Sept. 5. At that time, the following action will require prayer:
** A. H.R. 7, "the Community Solutions Act," is the cornerstone of President Bush's faith-based initiative. It was passed in the House on July 19 by a vote of 233 - 198. Facing action in the Senate, H.R. 7 may hit a major roadblock. Homosexual activists are insisting that only those faith-based agencies that adhere to city and state anti-discrimination hiring laws be made eligible to receive these funds. An agency that adheres to traditional Judeo-Christian teachings, thereby refusing to hire a known homosexual onto its staff, would therefore be ineligible to receive these monies. The House version contains language to ensure the moral integrity of a religious organization; the Senate version does not.
Unfortunately, the President has indicated that he may be open to compromising on this important issue. Nineteen U.S. House of Representative members have recently sent a letter of concern to the President, asking that he not compromise on this issue. The letter noted, "Recent news reports regarding your meeting with Senators Santorum and Lieberman suggested that you might be willing to modify the language in H.R. 7 related to the hiring practices of religious organizations." The legislators urged him to keep the religious exemption so that religious groups can hire employees based on their religious beliefs. If the President caves on this point, most conservative groups will refuse to accept federal money, while liberal groups will eagerly access these funds to promote not only charitable work, but the promotion of homosexuality. It is absolutely essential that religious groups not be forced to comply with pro-homosexual laws if they receive federal funds. Pray for wisdom for President Bush on this important matter. (James 1:5)
** B. "Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)": Like a nightmare that won't go away, this bill is once again looming in Congress. Late last month, Senator Edward Kennedy and Rep. Barney Frank announced their intentions to introduce ENDA into this Congress again this year. And, as in last year, Sen. Kennedy has threatened to attach ENDA as an amendment to any other piece of legislation at any time this year. If passed, ENDA would protect the "special rights" of homosexuals and cross-dressers in the workplace, while violating the rights of free speech of other workers, who might object to this behavior. Intercede that the Lord stay the hand of the wicked in this agenda, and that momentum fail to build towards the passage of ENDA. (Psalm 97:10)
*** Legislative Updates: Bills Currently in Conference Committee
**A. "The Born-Alive Infants Protection Act" has a renewed chance at making it into law. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate have included the legislation as part of the Patients Bill of Rights. Now, the focus shifts to keeping the Born-Alive bill in play as House and Senate negotiators prepare to hammer out their versions of the Patients Bill of Rights into one bill that will go to the president. Those negotiations are slated to begin in September. The Born-Alive bill is aimed at protecting the lives of babies who survive abortion attempts. Intercede accordingly. (V: choose life) (Source: Citizens Issues Alert)
** B. "The Scouts Equal Access Act," allowing the Boy Scouts equal access to the use of public facilities while guaranteeing their right to exclude homosexuals from their ranks, passed both the House and the Senate this summer. But the battle to help the Scouts preserve their rights is not over. Now, this bill is in the Conference Committee, which is stacked against the Scouts (54% of committee members voted against them). Plus, the Scouts Equal Access Act could be replaced by the "Boxer Amendment" - an alternative bill that actually could open our schools to any group no matter their "sexual orientation!" What should rightly be a major victory for the Scouts could prove to be a crushing defeat! Pray that the existing language in this bill does not change, and for its passage intact. (Phil. 1:6)
** C. In similar fashion, the language of "The Sudan Peace Act," also passed in both Houses of Congress, is also in danger of being changed -- this time by the President. The administration is opposing provisions in the House version of the Sudan Peace Act that would block oil companies doing business in Sudan from raising money or issuing equity shares on U.S. capital markets. The measure would also force companies doing business in Sudan to disclose their activities in papers filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The dispute pits the administration against conservatives, evangelical Christians, the Congressional Black Caucus and others looking for some leverage to pressure the Khartoum government to end its war with largely Christian and animist southern Sudanese seeking greater autonomy or independence. Approximately 2 million Sudanese have been killed either by war or from starvation caused by the fighting. Charges that northern, predominantly Muslim Sudanese have enslaved thousands of southerners have made the civil war an emotional issue for many Americans.
The administration supports the Senate version of the bill, which omits language about U.S. capital markets. The House version, which the State and Treasury departments strongly oppose, contains two provisions about U.S. capital markets. Among the companies that might be affected are Talisman Energy Inc. of Canada, the state-owned China National Petroleum Corp. and the Swedish firm Lundin Oil AB. U.S. sanctions law already bars U.S. oil companies from doing business in Sudan.
"We have made clear that we oppose the capital market provisions of the House version," State Department spokesman Richard A. Boucher said last week. "We believe that prohibiting access to capital markets in the United States would run counter to global United States support for open markets, would undermine our financial market competitiveness and could end up impeding the free flow of capital worldwide." (Source: Washington Post)
Ask the Lord to turn the heart of President Bush so that the language in the House version of this bill would remain, and pressure can be placed upon the Sudanese to give up their policy of promoting the civil war. (Prov. 21:1)
"The Wall Street Journal pointed out that the Kyoto-Bonn accord 'is sketchy, and details are to be worked out over the course of the next year to 18 months.' In short, it's an excuse to keep the Kyoto process alive, save the face of bureaucrats who have built whole careers out of global warming hype, and justify domestic tax hikes and restrictions on energy use that just grow the power of government, domestically and internationally.
The United States doesn't escape the clutches of the new 'Kyoto-lite' accord just by virtue of Bush's opposition. Rules on energy use, agriculture, taxation and industrial activity that are imposed abroad in the name of Kyoto can be exported in many ways, especially to U.S. companies that have a growing presence in every corner of the globe.
The Achilles' heel of the Kyoto process has always been science, not politics, and not economics, devastating though this treaty would be to the world economy. Global-warming theory is built on uncertainty, and it's no closer to being proven than the proposition that the sun rises because the rooster crows. The science of climate change becomes less certain the more we know. ...Most government reports on climate change have ceased to be independent of global-warming politics. ...Climate change is the subject of debate within the scientific community. We still have a primitive understanding of the chemical and physical interactions between human industrial activity and the 'natural' climate. People are part of nature, too. We do belong on this planet, after all. It's too bad the Bush administration has not taken the issue of scientific uncertainty dead-on when it comes to global warming because it has left them at a political disadvantage.
In combatting the fear-mongering coming out of Europe, the president shouldn't hesitate to go after the pseudo-scientific underpinnings of the Kyoto mindset, using the genuine spirit of intellectual inquiry to ward off the attack of the global bureaucrats. Otherwise, more events like Bonn (next stop: Marrakesh) will strengthen Kyoto's status as a 'vampire' treaty -- dead, but still preying on the living." --Jack Kemp
[ The Federalist ]
"Congress spends far too much. In fact, Congress will spend nearly $2 trillion in 2002, 11% more than it spent in 2001. Until the spending spree is brought under control, we should fully expect Congress to exceed its budget and resort to accounting tricks year after year. American voters should understand that Congress will always find a way to spend every last dollar sent to Washington. Remember, politicians get votes by promising everything to everyone, always at the expense of some other invisible taxpayers. Most politicians are unashamed of their unconstitutional pork-barrel spending, even highlighting during campaigns their 'accomplishment' of spending more and more of your money.
The federal government cannot maintain a budget surplus any more than an alcoholic can leave a fresh bottle of whiskey untouched in the cupboard. We must change our perception that a budget surplus is healthy for the economy, because every dollar parked in the federal treasury ultimately is spent by Congress. Those dollars could have been spent, saved, or invested in the private marketplace. With a spendthrift Congress, high federal revenues simply mean more federal spending. The only way to end the unconscionable waste is to drastically reduce federal revenues by cutting taxes. Voters need to regain control of the nation's finances by rejecting the big spenders at the ballot box." --Rep. Ron Paul
"If a total nationwide ban on the possession of firearms is supposed to curb gun crime, then why is it that the English are increasingly the victims of gun-wielding criminals? According to a study released about a month ago and which formed the basis of a recent article in USA Today, the criminal use of firearms in the United Kingdom has increased by 'almost 40 percent in three years, to 3,685 incidents from 2,648.'
"Now, what makes this fact especially interesting is that three years ago was precisely when England passed a comprehensive ban on the private ban on the private possession of handguns. According to the logic of gun control advocates, there should have been less, not more gun crime. . A total, nationwide ban on the possession of firearms has not kept guns out of the hands of criminals. As the study by the Centre for Defence Studies at King' s College reveals, all that has been accomplished by the British gun ban is the disarming of people who obey laws."
[ Washington Times ]
"Sen. John Edwards, North Carolina Democrat, refused to accept money from political action committees when he won his Senate seat three years ago. But the likely 2004 presidential candidate is now busy setting up his own PAC, the New York Times reports. . Mr. Edwards had no comment on the formation of the PAC, but an aide to the senator told the paper that the Edwards PAC would accept no PAC money."
[ Inside the Beltway ]
"Bad news for American taxpayers: Thousands of government employees have been going on credit-card shopping sprees, buying everything from pornography and vacations to jewelry and pet supplies -- and sending you the bill. 'Who says government workers don't get any credit?' said Libertarian Party National Director Steve Dasbach. 'Unfortunately, they get plenty of it -- and they're sending us their credit card bills.' Last week, the General Accounting Office in Washington, DC acknowledged there had been a 'significant breakdown' in monitoring the abuse of credit cards by federal employees. The problem is especially significant, said the GAO, because federal employees are carrying more than 3.1 million government-issued charge cards -- and are using them to spend up to $19 billion a year."
[ Libertarian Party news release ]
"When President Bush returns to Washington, he'll face a carefully planned ambush by Democrats who will repeat their successful strategy of striking fear into the hearts of the uninformed. Congressional and party Democrats will accuse the Bush administration and Republicans of robbing Social Security and Medicare in order to pay for the tax cut.
"...Step One in a Bush counterstrategy should be to lay off his pledge to set a different tone in Washington and focus on changing policy. Being nice has not persuaded Democrat lions to lie down with Republican lambs. The 'tone' has never been the problem in Washington. Too many chicken-hearted and go-along Republicans have been the problem.
"...Step Two is for President Bush to take on waste, fraud and abuse in government in a serious way. This means he not only will have to criticize Democrats, he'll have to challenge spenders in his own party."
[ Columnist Cal Thomas ]
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