The Art of Conservatism

That “Racist” Weapon (and how to deal with it)

Written around December 1, 2015

Racism has been around for seemingly ever, and it didn't start with the capturing of many members of the population of Africa for use as indigenous slaves in the New World (not just in the United States, but in the entire Caribbean 'lake'). Racism in this country did not even begin to recede until the passage of both the Civil Rights Law of 1964, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. As Walter E. Williams, Professor Emeritus at George Mason University, and a preeminent black educator put it, “The Civil Rights war is over, and folks, we won!” I'll accept his assessment on that, but for a lot of folks who are profiting from the continuation of a war already won, the Civil Rights war is not over, mainly because so much ammunition is left to use. And, there seems to be an unlimited supply of it. I'm referring to the word “Racist”, that epithet which is used, not for its intended purpose, but as a weapon against truth. There, I said it.

The definition of Racist is not what it was originally intended to be. First of all, those use the word make it abundantly clear that only one race or political belief can ever be considered 'racist'. No matter what a Louis Farrakhan or an Al Sharpton may say, no matter how inflammatory or false they speak of anyone whom they see as an enemy, or who tells the truth about them or a favored cause of theirs, no tag of 'racist' must ever be applied to them, or any other of their ilk. On the other hand, Conservative public servants, commentators, and media members, anyone whom they see as 'getting in their way', or are too close to telling the truth about them, is an instant target for a 'racist bomb' attack. And usually, many more than one. And it's usually a lie. Why not? It's what the Left usually does---a form of political correctness gone amok.

And that's a key as to how the Conservative must fight back. Get used to it: the word “Racist” is code talk for “Shut your damned mouth!”, slung at Conservatives, or anyone else with whom the thrower of the “R” bomb deems as an enemy, all for one purpose—to falsely shame them into submissive silence. 

 

Don't take it! Don't play nice. When the race-baiters hurl the epithet, 'Racist!' at their 'target' (i. e., you), the response of the 'target' (you) should be the plain and simple truth: “Liar!” Repeat it, over and over and over, scream it, or not, as you wish. Indeed, if I ever get to run for public office, that's how I plan to deal with the 'R' bomb. Anyone who would call me a 'racist' (which is a lie), would get the response of the 'Liar' bomb. Remember, it took decades for the 'R' bomb to gain its illegitimate legitimacy in the public discourse. It's far past time that we start to refute it in with real energy. In short, When someone lies to or about you, it's time you help re-invented the backbone that it takes to properly, truthfully, refute and deflect it. Tell the truth, tell it with conviction, and do what it takes to shame them. 

 

And yes, damn the media: full speed ahead! Use the 'L' word on them, too. Research their lies and their lives, and reveal them for what they are. Expose them legitimately, and make it known. Make sure that what you find in your research is the truth, and then make it stick. It shouldn't be hard. You can learn to research to uncover the truth about them. 

 

Remember: if you're going to hope to win the day, you can do worse than fight back. You can't do any better. We can no longer afford to 'play nice' anymore. Neither can this country.

For Art of Conservatism, I'm Art Reis

The Art of Conservatism

Lying about God (“...Isn't Fixing This!”)

Written around December 4, 2015

As a classical music lover, I came to appreciate Rock music relatively late in life, around age 15, but ultimately I came to love it like the rest of my generation did. It was fun, and still is. In my entire classic rock experience, I was only truly offended once. The song was, “The Soft Parade” by the Doors. As the song begins, lead singer, the late Jim Morrison, says arrogantly, “They Say, that you can petition the Lord in prayer.......petition the Lord in prayer.......” repeated several times. And then, at the top of his voice, he screams, “YOU CANNOT PETITION THE LORD IN PRAYER!!!”

 

I was so offended that I felt distinctly uncomfortable. I soon got over it, and I didn't think of it again--until now. It came back to me via the front page of the December 3^rd New York Daily News, where the headline screamed, “God Isn't Fixing This!”

“How dare they??” Those were the very words that popped into my head the moment I saw that front page headline. I know exactly where those words came from, too. It wasn't from either this world, or from anywhere in the drive-by media, either. 

 

My grandfather, the theologian Dr. P. E. Kretzmann, once taught me, “Anything you say about God, limits him, at least in our minds”. It isn't that the headline writer on the Daily News is saying that God isn't fixing this. Rather, the writer doesn't want God getting involved. Limiting, arrogant, and fruitless. 

 

Oh, God will fix it, all right, despite what that atheist headline writer says. But, He needs us as well. That writer hasn't a clue about God, about His abilities, and more importantly, about those of us who believe. God does indeed 'fix this', and a lot more, including other disasters, both of world proportions, and tiny ones, especially when it comes to those which are created by evil people. Always has. And, while He will use all of us as he sees fit to do his Will, He 'fixes it' best through those who will listen and believe. 

 

All of us who believe further understand that 'God fixing this' usually starts with prayer. But all too many who would pooh-pooh the idea of prayer, like that aforementioned Mr. Morrison, don't get the secret that prayer works because prayer is a conversation. It's never just one way, from us to Him. At some point, God will talk back to us, and we have to listen. Maybe not in so many words, although He can do that (remember, do not limit him in his ability to communicate, either). Rather, as I've come to find, He also talks back to us through opportunities, through circumstances, through momentary co-incidents, and yes, too, with that legendary 'still, small voice' of His. But when people, such as the folks at the Daily News, are so into themselves that they've shut out the ability to conceive of God as a necessary part of their lives--well, as the daughter of Billie Graham once put it, “Being the gentleman that he is, God goes away from where He's not wanted.” 

 

The history of the world is rife with examples of what I'm talking about. As just one example: I personally don't believe that World War II could have been won by the Allies without God's help. Too many circumstances and co-incidents happened which tipped the battle in favor of the Allies, at just the right time, which, if they hadn't have happened, would have made the Allies World War II lose. God knew which side to be on, and it wasn't the one of tyranny, cruelty and genocide. I believe that, in the final analysis, God will fix this, the war on the haters of His Word, and on the genocidal, will be won, and that includes with the help of those within that hijacked faith, because there will be those of all faiths who will listen to that still, small voice within them, or see the circumstances, and be able to discern the truth. That's where I think God is working to mend this and end this, and for that is what we should all be praying, whether we be Christian, Muslim, or Jew. 

 

In another commentary I mentioned that the excesses of ISIS is sowing the seeds of their own destruction. I say it again, because within this context I see that as an opportunity, for God, and for us, if only we will see the truth, and believe, and pray to God to let us know how each of us, in our own way, can help “fix this”. And leave those who disparage our, and His, efforts, to rot in their own unbelief, while at the same time, wondering how He, and we, fixed it.

For Art of Conservatism, I'm Art Reis.

Art Of Conservatism

December 15, 2015

An Song for the present in Chicago

This is closed-circuit for Chicago.

As many of you know, the Holiday Season has been impacted by what can only be considered as a sort scandal in the Windy City, involving a police shooting, an alleged cover-up by the Mayor's office, and all the resulting trimmings. The situation here has reached such proportion that I felt it necessary to put my own two cents worth in, in the form of a little one-verse song, sung to the tune of “Oh Come, O Come Immanuel.” Yes, you can probably see where this is going:

Resign, Oh Rahm Emanuel,

You've turn into the Mayor from hell.*

We morn LaQuan McDonald here,

And now we wish you'd di-i-isappear.

Resign, O Rahm Emanuel.

It's come to this,

And tha-a-at is real.

There. Now I feel I've contributed something to the discourse. Sing that through a couple of times and you just might feel a little warm inside, too. 

Right....

For Art of Conservatism, I'm Art Reis

(PS. Dont' show this to Kathy)