THE NEW REPUBLICAN NEWSLETTER No. 71 - (October 20, 2008) Since leaving the teaching profession I miss the "intellectual" conversations I used to have - more so with my students, than that of the "teaching staff" - most of whom decided years ago that you are either a PC liberal or a "redneck right-winger." Yes, I was called that by one "teacher-administrator" with whom I worked in Japan a number of years ago. But she is still stuck in her "no future ESL job" and I have happily moved on. Since I live in the capital of California (Sacramento) I am able to sit in on group discussions around town and have had some pretty lively debates with various college kids in both formal and informal situations. I thought I'd share a couple such meetings that have taken place in just the past few weeks. Please bear in mind, these are our future "leaders" and are now attending either UC Davis or Sacramento State University and are not "dumb." This is what I am afraid is happening when it comes to the "informed level" of college graduates that are being churned out like so many bland sausages these days. I don't know about you but I find their level of academic debate somewhat disconcerting, not to mention what they "think" they know, as opposed to what they "really" know. ------------------------------------------------------------ ISRAEL/PALESTINE AND THE MIDDLE EAST CONUNDRUM About 10 days ago I was in a bar where people casually sit and discuss all sorts of "important" matters with regard to politics and the upcoming election. After hearing all the allegations and politically correct character assassinations of Bush and the current administration, the students, (five males and two females, 1 Hispanic, 1 black, and 5 whites - for those who place emphasis on gender/ethnic participation), I joined in by nodding my head in agreement and sipping on my beer. The conversation ran the gamut from the economy and unemployment to Iraq and the Middle East. All the "students" voiced their approval of Obama and vented somewhat disparaging remarks toward McCain, and his "druggie" wife. At that point of a very animated conversation I asked what they thought of Israel and how it related to peace in the Middle East. You could have heard a pin drop. For some reason none of these "enlightened, free-thinkers" even wanted to venture an opinion. I thought this was very odd, given their previous exchange of ideas. When I pressed for them for their thoughts, they actually looked at each other, almost waiting for someone to speak first. One of the two girls in the group wanted to know why I was "so concerned" about the Middle East. When I told her that Israel was one of our strongest allies in that part of the world, a relative democracy, and also the only Judeo-Christian country in the region, you could have heard a few more pins drop. I have asked this question to certain New Republican readers and have gotten virtually the same response. No one wants to say anything. Maybe it is because of the religious connotations involved. No one wants to even consider that perhaps we are in a religious war after all. I am still not convinced on this point either - but at least I am willing to address the situation. However, with regard to this question, I personally think it is because most people who are for Obama don't want to address the fact that Senator Obama is NOT a friend of Israel, nor of Jews in particular. There has always been, and still remains, a very deeply ingrained distrust (hate) of Jews by Americans of African ancestry. The main bone of contention seems to be that the two "groups" are always at odds as to who has "suffered" the most. But don't take it from me. Reference the "Reverend" Jessie Jackson - and "Reverend" Louis Farrakhan, not to mention Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X - to see how they have referred to Jews and the Jewish State in the past. That being said, I find it extremely curious that nobody wants to address this situation - and that includes the mass-media as well as people in general. If Obama is elected, I personally don't think he would give Israel nearly the support that Senator McCain would be willing to offer. So here we have the ever-present liberal/mental conflict that they simply don't want to address. On the one hand, so many people are very loud in their support of Obama - but when it comes to Israel, and the support of the Jewish State - they remain mum. To me, this is especially curious and very troubling at the same time. So here is a challenge to all the readers of the New Republican. Pose this same question to your liberal friends - and see how they answer - if, in fact, they answer at all. As of this writing, I can get no one to give me a definitive position on how Obama would treat Israel, if he were to be the next president. I know what Obama has said in public - but I am very concerned as to what he really thinks - in private, considering what he said in the past in San Francisco when he thought the microphone was off. ------------------------------------------------------------ THE SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM - REGISTER - IT'S THE LAW! This following conversation just happened over the weekend and I thought it extremely interesting that these guys were all college students, loved to drink and puff up their macho chests as they swigged down mugs of beer. They were harmless kids, the requisite tattoos and body piercings not withstanding. "What the hell are you talking about?" inquired the semi-belligerent guy in the group. A self-appointed expert on all things worldly, he was caught completely off guard when I inquired if any of them had registered for the Selective Service System. I don't know why that question came out of me, but come out it did. Maybe it was their way of acting tough. I have no idea what made me ask it, but it was funny as to what transpired from that point on. "They abolished the draft years ago," he snickered with an "I gotcha" nod to his college buddies. "That's right," I agreed. "But you still have to register." "Bullshit," came the instant reply. "What do you mean it is the law?" inquired one of the other, more level-headed kids in the group. "Just that," I said. "And I'm not bullshitting." After a few more minutes I finally convinced the other guys sitting in the pub that I wasn't kidding. I suggested that they check into it and take appropriate action. From that point on the discussion drifted to more important topics - the World Series and Sunday Night Football. So here I am today, wondering how many other people are not aware of this law. Realizing that these were college students - none of whom had registered for the draft - I thought I'd better spell this out for readers of the New Republican Newsletter. Here are some facts that you might not be aware of: All US male citizens born after December 31, 1959, who are 18 but not yet 26 years old, must register for the Selective Service System with certain exceptions. The abolishment of the draft has NOTHING to do with this law. Not registering is a FELONY. Young men who fail to register may be fined up to $250,000 and imprisoned up to five years, or both. If you fall into this age bracket, or know anybody who does, and who hasn't registered, please advise them to go to any U.S. Post Office and pick up a Selective Service form, fill it out and send it in ASAP. A quicker way is to go on line ( http://www.sss.gov) and register that way. For full clarification please check out the Military Selective Service Act, Section 6, 50 U.S.C. App.456h ------------------------------------------------------------ A FEW VERY INTERESTING "COINCIDENCES" Many thanks to New Republican reader, David, from Bellingham, for bringing the following information to my attention. IRS Tax and Audit Services Inc. Established July 12, 1933 For profit organization File # 0325720 FILED IN DELAWARE The IRS is a "for profit" organization. Central Intelligence Agency Established March 9, 1983 For profit organization File # 2004409 FILED IN DELAWARE The CIA is a "for profit" organization. Federal Reserve Established September 13, 1914 Not for profit organization File # 0042817 FILED IN DELAWARE The Federal Reserve, a private "not for profit" organization, was established precisely in conjunction with the 16th Amendment, which established the Income Tax, in 1913. I wonder how this can be a non-profit organization, and still charge interest on the money that they loan to the US Government. Does this seem strange to anyone else - or am I imagining things again? By the way Joe Biden has been a senator in DELAWARE since Nixon was president, has run for president TWICE and is now the vice-presidential candidate running with Barrack Obama. I guess it is just a coincidence after all. (Yes, I realize that most of the Fortune 500 Companies in America are filed in Delaware, too. And that Delaware is one of the best states to file incorporation documents along with Nevada. But that is not my point - or is it?) ------------------------------------------------------------ POWELL'S ENDORSEMENT OF OBAMA I find this an interesting development indeed. It was played very heavily on TV but I personally don't think it is really such a big thing. What was not played up was the fact that McCain has the backing of THREE past secretaries of state. But more to the point, I have gotten a lot of e-mails from readers that are freaked out at this development - and believe that the country is on the way to Socialism and possibly a Dictatorship. Well, for those of you who are losing sleep, all I can say is relax. We are ALREADY a Socialist State. Social Security, Social Welfare and Unemployment Benefits, Social Welfare for Corporate America with a $700,000,000,000 bailout just as a beginning, and Social Engineering in Political Correctness. Need I go on? As for becoming a Dictatorship, I simply don't buy it. Apparently, I have more confidence in the strength of the Constitution than a lot of "strict constructionists" actually have. ------------------------------------------------------------ A QUICK QUESTION AND ANSWER MEMO This information was just forwarded to me by a very good friend, high school buddy and Vietnam Veteran who served with the Special Forces from 1966 to 1968. Thanks, Kent! Q: What is America's first line of missile interceptor defense that protects the entire United States of America? A: The 49th Missile Defense Battalion of the Alaskan National Guard. Q: What is the ONLY National Guard unit on permanent active duty? A: The 49th Missile Defense Battalion of the Alaskan National Guard. Q: Who is the Commander in Chief of the 49th Missile Defense Battalion of the Alaskan National Guard? A: Governor Sarah Palin, Alaska. Q: What U.S. Governor is routinely briefed on highly classified military issues, homeland security, and counter terrorism? A: Governor Sarah Palin, Alaska. Q: What U.S. Governor has a higher classified security rating than either candidate of the Democrat Party? A: Governor Sarah Palin, Alaska Q: According to the Washington Post, what person first met with Senator John McCain in February, but nobody found out about it until much later? A: Governor Sarah Palin, Alsaka. It seems to me that Sarah Palin can be entrusted with our national security - because she already is being entrusted with it. And maybe, this is why the mass-media is so pissed off at her. She can keep a secret. Everyone was surprised by her selection as John McCain's vice-presidential candidate. I should say, almost everyone. And with that, I will leave all of you with one last prediction - a reiteration of one I made over two months ago - when Barrack Obama was surging. In a fortnight and a day - John McCain will win on November 4, 2008! Best wishes and keep thinking positive, Larry Klepinger Still, A New Republican Your ideas and comments are more than welcome. Many thanks again for taking the time and effort to read the New Republican Newsletter. ------------------------------------------------------------ If you wish to no longer receive this e-newsletter, please e-mail me directly at: lawrenceklepinger@gmail.com