The Appointed Time Has Come...

It is now time for all Americans to take the fate of their country into their own hands. Do we want a president who has served for four years to secure America's prominence in the world or do we want someone who will prostitute our sovereignty to the international community?

I understand that we have many other issues to consider this election season, but I believe that the number one deciding factor in this time and place is the preservation of America's role as the governmental, moral, and financial leader of this world. Many people, including countries like France, would like nothing better than to see us crumble as a world superpower. We must not let that happen.

Vote: November 2, 2004

George & Laura Bush

America acts like a pious giant

This is part one of a three-part series of articles
written by or responded to by me.

This was a letter to the editor of the West Valley View published on October 20, 2004. I submitted a rebuttal to this entry and have it posted here under the headline "Who will lead, if not America?" This gentleman has been published a number of times in the past and gives me the impression that he sees all religious people as dividers of humankind rather than as genuine seekers of God. I have not included any of his other writings here because they are not directly related to what I have responded to. Have fun!

To the editor:

Admittedly, I am utterly incapable of understanding the view that one can best support the troops by not questioning the egregiously wrong-headed policies that put, and keeps, them in harms way. But, it is even more difficult for me to comprehend the arrogant imperialistic belief that only this Great Christian Nation has the "God-given?" right to devise, produce, stockpile and/or use weapons of mass destruction. Nor can I fathom the idea that we (and only we) must save people from tyrants -- even if we have to kill them to save them.

Every one of the inane rationalizations used to "justify" the debacle in Iraq is a rehashing of the horrific rationalizations for the Vietnam disaster.

When will this super-moralistic nation stop wasting its dwindling resources and its precious youth to destroy, and then rebuild (to our own demands) smaller and weaker nations?
I'm not sure that the rest of humankind will tolerate this pious giant much longer.

C. Victor Gabriel
Tonopah

Who will lead, if not America?

This is part two of a series of articles
written by or responded to by me.

This is a copy of a letter I had published in the West Valley View published on Wednesday, October 27, 2004.

To the editor:

I would like to respond to C. Victor Gabriel’s commentary headlined “America acts like a pious giant.” Mr. Gabriel has been published many times in this section of the View and has even submitted a very respectful, oppositional response to one of my previous letters. I find him very thoughtful and well-spoken but have been stirred by a common thread that I have seen in many of his writings.

Mr. Gabriel, please do not make the error in believing that those with Judeo-Christian values are merely in the business of trampling the world in the name of dispensing God-given freedom or that we place ourselves at the apex of morality as we look down with disdain on those below us.

With that said, I understand that many people view any war or any display of superior power as a black mark on a good reputation. You mentioned in your last article that you couldn’t fathom the idea of America taking the super-moralistic role of ridding the world of tyrants. You also mentioned an arrogant imperialistic belief that leads us to “devise, produce, stockpile and/or use weapons of mass destruction.” While I understand the approach you take to opposing these things, I have yet to hear a better solution.

If America does not take an active role in standing up to dangerous, irresponsible dictators, then who will? You may not like the idea of the U.S. having the most superior arsenal of firepower in the world, but who would you rather have wielding that sort of power? No matter what happens, some country will have to have a superior military. If I had to give that power to someone, I’d give it to America in a heartbeat. Who would you choose?

Michael Gray
Avondale

Who will lead? How about the U.N.?

This is part three of a series of articles
written by or responded to by me.

This response was submitted to the West Valley View in reply to my previous article entitled "Who will lead, if not America?" (posted below). I find this gentleman very respectful, very well-spoken, and very wrong. While I can appreciate this man's conviction and resolve, I can't help but fear for America's sovereignty as more and more people begin to take viewpoints like these. This man's worldview is very clear. He would rather be ruled by an organization that appoints and recognizes Lybia as the head of the Human Rights Council than by an authentically good, religious Texas cowboy.

"Let man solve man’s problems"

To the editor:

While I certainly do not believe that it would be apropos to enter into a protracted debate with Michael Gray in the “Letters to the editor” columns, I must confess that if I were to debate any person, I would much prefer it to be Mr. Gray, or somebody of that caliber.

Mr. Gray’s approach to discussion is civilized, urbane, honest and rational. If everyone chose that approach to debate, this would be a much nicer world.

With that in mind, let me respond to some of Mr. Gray’s — largely just — criticisms.

I do not believe that only those with Judo-Christian values “Trample the world in the name of dispensing God-given freedom.” But, I do believe that the fanatics of every religious persuasion seek to justify, instigate and promulgate wars on moral grounds. As for a better solution to resolving disputes between nations, Sigmund Freud said it best: “There is but one sure way of ending wars. That is the establishment, by common consent, of a central control which shall have the last word in disputes [between nations].”

I have long argued that only all of mankind — working together — can solve the common problems of mankind.

Fortunately, as I pointed out in my essay: “Novo Ordo Seculorum: A New order Is Born,” more and more of Earth’s peoples are coming to realize that mankind must re-examine the philosophical precepts … to acknowledge that instead of uniting mankind, religion tends to fragment and alienate peoples into hostile and warring camps.

Mankind now stands upon the threshold of a bright new world of peace and prosperity for all. The door is ajar. All that we need do is to push it open, step through and slam it shut forever on hate, bigotry, superstition and fear.

C. Victor Gabriel
Tonopah

The Art of Writing

"What, are you working on your book?"

"Mm-hmm"

"I find writing very gratifying. I must -- I've written
seven books on my years at the helm."

"Well, you've obviously got a great knack for fiction."

My Fellow Americans

Well this is my very first blog entry on my very first blog site. I am dedicating these pages to the art of the written word. I love writing. I communicate best through writing. I feel that non-oral communication can oftentimes be more effective than listening to two people talk over each other in conversation. This is a medium for me and others to promote ideas, discuss interesting topics, and basically have a place to vent if the need ever arises.

I want this site to be multi-faceted. I am very interested in politics and, because we are in a peak political season, I will likely spend some time on that topic. I do, however, wish to try to juggle many different genres of discussion.

I may spend one day lamenting the fact that I had to hear another one of John Kerry's mind-numbing flip-flops, and spend the next day lamenting about my mind-numbing dog chewing up one of my flip-flops. I may write on a Sunday about the practice of religion and how I find some people's practice of their faith relatively ridiculous, and then write on Wednesday about the Disneyland fan cult I am trying to organize.

No matter how you look at it, this should be an interesting place. A place where people can express ideas. A place where people can come for a laugh. A place where clothing is entirely optional. This is my dream.