Pennsylvnia Federation of College Republicans

Here is the big one, Iran, specifically Iran’s quest for a nuclear weapon. This is a very difficult and complex situation, which neither I or to my knowledge anyone really has a perfect solution to. I think I could write a small book on this topic, but instead I will do my best to briefly touch on some of the major issues.

First off, Iran as I have stated in numerous other posts is the major problem and issue for Israel, America, and the rest of the peaceful world.

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I was forwarded this link from a good friend, and I am at a loss for words.

The fact that this can get zero coverage clearly demonstrates that some people are blind to there own hypocrisy. I urge you to digg this story so that it gets seen by as many people as possible.

Lebanon is an interesting situation, and in many ways is in a pickle of sorts. As of now you have Iran and Syria controlling the country. Iran and Syria made an agreement of sorts. Iran said to Syria you can milk Lebanon and its natural resources for all its worth, you can tax the citizens as much as you want, just let Hezbollah into the country and leave them alone. Syria agreed and that’s essentially where we are today. Today Iran gives Lebanon approximately 1 billion dollars to keep the economy afloat and treats Lebanon as its backyard. It is for these reasons President Bush has listed Lebanon in the “Axis of Evil.”

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I’m willing to bet that no less than 96 percent of those reading this article are on facebook at least once a day. And even further, I am willing to bet that of those 96 percent, at least 99 percent end up leaving facebook groups that send persistent messages to the group repeatedly. I know that I have, and will in the future if they continue. This becomes a problem for chapter chairmen (and chair women) when we try to mobilize our members. Facebook is the quickest and easiest way to do so, but it must be done in a way that will not overwhelm members.

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Yesterday President Bush dropped the executive branch’s moratorium on offshore drilling. Today crude oil futures dropped by more than $9 a barrel. Coincidence? Economist and syndicated columnist Larry Kudlow doesn’t think so.

One of the Democrat Congress’ more oft-repeated excuses for not allowing off-shore drilling is the notion that it will take at least ten years to begin producing oil from offshore sources and at least that long for oil prices to come down as a result.

Instead, oil companies haven’t even fired up their drills and oil futures for next month have dropped 6.3%. President Bush, Senator McCain and the responsible members of Congress have come out in favor of offshore drilling and the price of oil is dropping - that price drop can only continue when the rest of Congress finally feels the heat, sees the light, and lifts their ban on offshore drilling. Once that happens, Wall Street researchers predict it’ll take less than a year to start pumping oil from beneath the shallow oceans off the coast of California.

We have to get a jump on domestic oil production to see a sustained drop in oil prices - but as President Bush proved today, simply showing that we are serious about domestic production is enough to get the prices headed downward.

Last week I had one of the coolest experiences of my fledgling political life. When John McCain came to Pittsburgh for two days, I got to drive press van #2 in the motorcade.

To paraphrase Karen Hughes, former counselor to President Bush, in her terrific description  of campaign life, driving in a motorcade is long hours of tedium punctuated by moments of frantic activity and, occasionally, sheer terror.

We picked up Senator McCain at the airport last Tuesday. Actually, when Straight Talk Air landed and we headed off for our first stop, I got to haul some gear and luggage belonging to the press corps. (This is why this is only one of the coolest things I’ve ever done, and not the coolest.) Because I initially didn’t have any people in my van, I wasn’t inside the official police escort, which means that as we sped down the highway a number of cars jumped in between me and the motorcade. That’s where the “sheer terror” comes in - I was convinced that I was going to lose sight of the rest of the convoy and spend the rest of my life driving aimlessly around western PA in a large van with only some suitcases for moral support.

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You first need to understand a little about Iran in order to fully understand the situation and what I am about to say. Iran is run by the Shiite, which historically hate the Sunni, similar to how to Sunni historically hate the Shiite. Historically these two have committed terrorist acts against each other, exiled each other, and all around have a bad relationship.

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Let me preface this most recent article with the following statements: This is my last article/response on this issue. It’s taken me a while to decide whether or not I should post the following article, and I will tell you why. This country becomes more divided every day. Divided on issues simply because the other side thinks it is a good idea. The kind of bickering that has persisted thus far becomes only a portent to the future of this country. I have spoken with several close relatives and friends about this issue, and have reflected over the best way to handle it. Though I wrote an article filled with passion, I understand that we cannot agree on everything. However, when it comes to the point when we get to arguing on things we actually agree on, I get very frustrated with the situation. Therefore, our invitation to the Drexel College Democrats is still open, and will be until the Drexel College Republicans hopefully host the event. It wasn’t hard for us to honor those killed in other circumstances, I don’t understand why this is any different. Maybe you believe this is not the right time nor place, but please remember this invitation in the future.

My Response:

Rhetoric is the only thing the Democrats have to argue anymore. This early into the Presidential year, and we have not only the Democratic Presidential nominee drinking the Liberal koolaid, but the College Dems are too. The Drexel College Democrats have sought out any and every way to denounce our promotion of 9-11 Remembrance day. Not surprisingly, there is little substance to their argument, as is the same to any Democrat’s policy. They just throw in some buzz words here and there, and the job is done.

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One of the most powerful and valuable projects that I have ever participated in throughout my years in college is the 9/11 Never Forget Project. This program, which is sponsored by the Young America’s Foundation, centers around a memorial created to remember all of those who perished on September 11^th, 2001. The memorial involves a display of 2,977 flags, one for every person who died that day. It is important to note that this project, even though it is commonly sponsored by College Republican groups, is not a political event in nature; anyone is welcome to participate in this event.

As the President of the Robert Morris University College Republicans, I headed up this project on our campus. We brought together volunteers of every political belief and spent three hours on Monday, September 10^th, 2007, creating the tribute on the front lawn of our student center. On Tuesday, September 11^th, all of the students, faculty, and staff were asked to participate in a moment of silence (which was voluntary) as the bells on campus chimed at 9:11am. We left the memorial up until the afternoon of Friday the 14^th to give the campus community a time to reflect. We received several wonderful comments (from individuals of various political beliefs) and it is something that we look forward to doing again this year.

As I stated before, this IS NOT a political event. Those that try to make this project out to be a political event are missing the point. The point is to make light of a major event that happened in the lives of college students today. My parents can remember where they were when they heard that John F. Kennedy, Jr. had been assassinated; our generation can remember where they were when we heard that the Twin Towers had fallen. I have found that this particular event brings people of all beliefs together, regardless of what anyone may say.

If you are interested in hosting this event at your school, please contact Patrick Coyle from the Young America’s Foundation at 1-800-USA-1776.

Politico.com is reporting that the Democratic National Campaign Committee plans to spend $554,000 in TV advertising on behalf of current congressman Jason Altmire in the 4th district as he tries to fend off a challenge from former congresswoman Melissa Hart.

The DCCC is dispatching $35 million to buy ads in 31 districts nationwide. They’re spending less than a third of that money helping out their incumbents. It seems pretty clear that the Democrats are nervous about their ability to hold onto this seat. They ought to be! Congresswoman Hart is running a strong, issue-focused campaign and an excellent grassroots effort.

If you’d like to get involved, there are several opportunities to help with door-to-door efforts in the next few weeks:

Saturday 7/12, West Deer Township (Allegheny County), 4 PM - evening
 
Saturday 7/19, Pine Township (Allegheny County), 10:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday 7/20,  Indiana Township  (Allegheny County),12: 30 PM - evening
 
Saturday 7/26, Mercer County, meeting at 10:00 AM in Hermitage
Sunday 7/27, West Deer Township 12:30 PM - evening
 
Satuday 8/2, Murrysville, Delmont and Export (Westmoreland County), 1030am - evening
Sunday 8/3, Murrysville, Delmont and Export, 12:30 PM - evening
 
Also, on Friday 8/1, Congresswoman Hart will be walking in West Deer Township Community Day Parade and needs a few volunteers to walk with her. Line-up is at 6 PM.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Mike McMullen at mpmreferee@yahoo.com