Fred Thompson Book Recommendation

Fred Thompson has recently started writing for Townhall Magazine. I disagree with Fred about many things, and wonder if he may not have cost the Republicans the election this year by undercutting Mike Huckabee in South Carolina and setting up the John McCain nomination. Nevertheless, I do appreciate his convictions and his straightforwardness. He has a unique Federalist perspective and I like reading what he has to say even when I don't agree with it.

He recently recommended Andrew McCarthy's book Willful Blindness. He said this about it, "Andrew McCarthy's Willful Blindness book is an important wake-up call to all Americans. The world changed forever on September 11, 2001 yet so many politicians and academics want us to bury our heads in the sand, ignore the enemy [who is] motivated by fanaticism, martyrdom -- and wish ourselves back to September 10th."

Sounds like a book we all need to read. Anyone want to share your thoughts about the book?

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Resorting To Violins

During the primaries there was a candidate who argued for education reform to include music and the arts. Mike Huckabee voiced the following;

"I want to provide our children what I call the "Weapons of Mass Instruction" - art and music - the secret, effective weapons that will help us to be competitive and creative. It is crucial that children flex both the left and right sides of the brain. We all know the cliché of thinking outside the box: I want our children to be so creative that they think outside the cardboard factory. Art and music are as important as math and science because the dreamers and visionaries among us take the rough straw of an idea and spin it into the gold of new businesses and jobs. It is as important to identify and encourage children with artistic talent as it is those with athletic ability. Our future economy depends on a creative generation."

Huckabee was not able to win his parties nomination and since that time there has been nary a voice from those remaining in the race about the importance of music and the arts for our children. Without the help of our government and our school systems, it becomes more important than ever that parents do what is necessary to see that their children receive proper music education.

The Academy of Music Performance can help fill the void. It is a private lesson studio and school of music specializing in the Violin and Viola. Current and former students learning how to play violin in the academy range in age from the very young to college age and above.

You can check out a sample lesson by visiting their website, or review the AMP DVD lesson catalog, read about their five step plan, and watch performance videos of current and previous students.

As Thomas Jefferson explained, we must endeavor to maintain peace, but when the government no longer represents the people, sometimes the people must resort to violins.

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Huckabee - The Belle Of The Cable Network Ball

During the Republican primary, former Governor Mike Huckabee gained a lot of attention due to his quick wit and insight. Even those who were leery of someone who had once been a Baptist minister (as if that simple fact should somehow make him suspect) and did not support him, were nevertheless impressed.

Since dropping out of the presidential race, he has been pursued by several cable channels. After looking over his many suitors, he has decided that FoxNews is the one to fill his dance card. He just signed a one year deal with FoxNews as a political commentator and will be appearing on a variety of programs.

While the conservative choice is probably the most natural, I still find it a bit ironic in that so many of the hosts and commentators at Fox went out of their way to undermine Huckabee's candidacy. Fred Barnes continually dismissed him. Bill O'Reilly did not invite him on The O'Reilly Factor for the longest time despite his climbing poll numbers and when he finally did, the segment was entitled, "Too Religious To Be President?", in which he attempted to corner Huckabee in the 'former Baptist pastor' box. Worst of all was Sean Hannity, whose treatment of Huckabee can only be described as downright sabotage.

I look forward to hearing Huckabee's views and commentary on Fox. Hopefully his new co-workers won't snub him too badly in the Fox Studio cafeteria. If so, Joe Scarborough at MSNBC will probably push for Huckabee to join him for Morning Joe or maybe Huckabee can become a regular on The Colbert Report.

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Mike Huckabee Saves Choking Victim

For years former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee has claimed to be pro-life. The other day he proved it while attending the North Carolina State Republican Convention.

Huckabee was the keynote speaker at a pre-event breakfast and sitting next to him was North Carolina Lt. Gov. candidate Robert Pittenger. The state senator began choking and when Huckabee noticed Pittenger wasn't breathing, he immediately swung into action began performing the Heimlich maneuver.

According to his daughter Sarah, he "instinctively reacted" based on the fact he was trained as an EMT in college and has performed the maneuver on others before.

In reporting the story, FoxNews quipped, "He may not be the next president, but he’s a savior to at least one."

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Missing The Humor In The Campaign

What is the one trait that always appears on lists of "things I want in a spouse" but rarely if ever appears on lists of "things I want in a President?"

You got it; a sense of humor.

And its a good thing, too, because ever since Mike Huckabee got out of the race the candidates have shocked us, cried, pandered, drank whiskey, and just about everything other than show any evidence of a sense of humor. Smirking doesn't count.

If you can want humor is a spouse, if you can want humor in a buddy, if you can want humor in a pastor (dare we go there?), then what is wrong with wanting your Presidential candidates to show a little humor.

For those of you who like me are finding much to make you aghast but little to bring a smile to your face, the following video might be a little shot in the arm.

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Huckabee Not Ready For Rodeo Primetime

I know its been a few months since Mike Huckabee dropped out of the Presidential race but I still get a bit melancholy when I think of what might have been. Don't get me wrong. I've worked through the customary 'stages of grief' and have come to acceptance of his defeat and I am now willing to support John McCain. However I still can't help thinking that Huckabee will re-emerge as a candidate at some point in the future.

Perhaps this is mom-wishful-thinking on my part because back in February I actually drove my kids to see and hear the Governor speak at a rally in front of the Stockyards in Fort Worth. "Look kids," I pointed. "That man might be your President one day."

"The President of Texas?" asked my four year old.

"No honey, the President of the UNITED STATES," I emphasized.

"Wow!" he replied in wonder.

Of course it was probably an ominous sign for Huckabee when we were at the Stockyards and an authentic cowboy had a rope and engaged Huckabee in trying to rope a fake steer. He tried and tried but after about a dozen attempts he had to abandon the cause. Humorously, his wife Janet, gave it a shot and managed to lasso the steer on the first try.

If I had the opportunity, I would have joked to Huckabee that this President of the United States thing better work out because he definitely has no future on the rodeo circuit. The closest he will come is using his clout to get National Final Rodeo tickets.

This year the Finals will be held in December in Las Vegas. Looks like Huckabee will have the spare time to attend. And anyway, who wants to be busy preparing for a stuffy old Inaugural Ball when you can enjoy an exciting week of Bareback riding, Steer wrestling, Team roping, Saddle bronc riding, Tie-down roping, Bull riding, and Barrel racing. Ye-haw!!

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Who Will McCain Pick For VP?

Plenty of intrigue in the news these days about the presidential election. All of the talk about Hillary staying in the race just in case Barack Obama is assassinated - - did she really say that out loud? McCain inviting potential VP candidates to his vacation home in Sedona to talk -- Charlie Crist, Bobby Jindal, and ... what? Surely not Mitt Romney. It shouldn't be a surprise that my preference would be Mike Huckabee.

Here is what Mike Huckabee had to say about the VP slot on a recent interview with Tavis Smiley:

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Mike Huckabee In The News

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In 2008 U.S. Religious Vote Fragmenting

The following is an excerpt from an article by Agence France-Presse:

Meanwhile the Democrats no longer escape to a secular refuge whenever religion enters into the political debate.

Obama this month pointed to Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, which starts "Blessed are the poor," as being a more fundamental tenet of Christianity than "obscure" passages of the Bible denouncing homosexuality.

And while dogged now by incendiary sermons by his former pastor, the Illinois senator has placed the "audacity of hope" squarely in a Christian tradition that does not embrace left-right divisions.

For her part, Clinton has described how her Methodist faith helped her survive the personal anguish of her husband Bill's affair with Monica Lewinsky.

The former first lady has accepted an invitation to an April 13 event in Pennsylvania called "The Compassion Forum," an inter-faith dialogue taking place just before the state's April 22 primary. Obama and McCain have also been invited, organizers say.

The success today of bestselling books such as "The Great Awakening," by nationally prominent preacher Jim Wallis, also suggests a blurring of the old divide in religion and politics.

"Those on the religious right did it wrong, allowing their religion to become too partisan, too narrow, and too ideological," Wallis writes.

"They were used by politics and did plenty of using themselves -- using both people and issues to further their own agenda. But I believe their day is over, and we have now entered the post-religious right era." (Read more...)

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McCain Captures Republican Nomination

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Mike Huckabee Withdraws From Race

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Who Will The Running Mates Be?

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Texas Is Voting

Early voting is going on in Texas
and the primary is on Tuesday, March 4.

Click on the image to enlarge it.

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Mike Huckabee On Saturday Night Live

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Texas Conservatives Like Huckabee

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Mike Huckabee On Why He Is Staying In The Race

One Last Twist

Tough Questions For Politicians

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Huckabee: No Cheesehead

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CCN: Inspiring Story Of Mike Huckabee

Chuck Norris - Facts and Favorites

Mike Huckabee's Favorite Books

Prestonwood Baptists Rise To Feet For Huckabee

Mike Huckabee On Why He Is Staying In The Race

Bloopers: Huck - Chuck Facts

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Huckabee Campaigning In Texas

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RELATED POSTS

Dallas Morning News Endorses Huckabee

Prestonwood Baptists Rises To Feet For Huckabee

I Heart Huckabee

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A Huckabee Surprise In Wisconsin?

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Tough Questions For Politicians

For even more penetrating questions about life check out Being Five.

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One Last Twist?

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