http://www.soldierofthemind.com/ Truth Is Not Relative en-us 2005-04-08T18:13:29-05:00 http://www.soldierofthemind.com/archives/2005/04/08/funeral_homily_for_john_paul_ii.html None of us can ever forget how in that last Easter Sunday of his life, the Holy Father, marked by suffering, came once more to the window of the Apostolic Palace and one last time gave his blessing urbi et orbi. We can be sure that our beloved pope is standing today at the window of the Father's house, that he sees us and blesses us. Yes, bless us, Holy Father. We entrust your dear soul to the Mother of God, your Mother, who guided you each day and who will guide you now to the eternal glory of her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Primary Source publius 2005-04-08T18:13:29-05:00 http://www.soldierofthemind.com/archives/2005/02/04/how_bad_is_modern_art.html proof that it is rotten (or at least rotting). ]]> Culture publius 2005-02-04T22:51:24-05:00 http://www.soldierofthemind.com/archives/2005/02/04/debating_jihad_in_yemen.html Another example, even more hopeful, comes from Yemen where an Islamic judge has successfully debated al Qaeda prisoners over Koranic support for violence in a high stakes contest that results either in his undertaking jihad, or the prisoners renouncing violence. Worth reading. ]]> Religion publius 2005-02-04T22:05:37-05:00 http://www.soldierofthemind.com/archives/2005/02/04/a_case_in_point.html This story is a perfect example.]]> Politics publius 2005-02-04T22:05:17-05:00 http://www.soldierofthemind.com/archives/2005/02/04/fighting_for_democracy.html A marvelous story from Iraq. So-called insurgents, more accurately referred to as terrorists, threatened residents in a small village with violent reprisals if they voted in Sunday’s election. The villagers chose to participate in the election anyway, and when the terrorists came round to exact the promised revenge, the villagers met force with force, killing 5 of the terrorists, wounding 8 others, and destroying their cars.]]> Politics publius 2005-02-04T17:19:31-05:00 http://www.soldierofthemind.com/archives/2005/02/03/the_good_and_bad_in_the_state_of_the_union.html The State of the Union Address was good. I liked the larger themes woven through the speech, but disliked the concessions to liberalism that were apparent in the details. The federal government should be much concerned with national security and balanced budgets, but has no business meddling with the cost of health care or education, or the training of lawyers. Politics publius 2005-02-03T06:51:22-05:00 http://www.soldierofthemind.com/archives/2005/02/02/2005_presidential_state_of_the_union_address.html In these four years, Americans have seen the unfolding of large events. We have known times of sorrow, and hours of uncertainty, and days of victory. In all this history, even when we have disagreed, we have seen threads of purpose that unite us. The attack on freedom in our world has reaffirmed our confidence in freedom's power to change the world. We are all part of a great venture: To extend the promise of freedom in our country, to renew the values that sustain our liberty, and to spread the peace that freedom brings. Primary Source publius 2005-02-02T23:54:43-05:00 http://www.soldierofthemind.com/archives/2005/02/02/john_kerry_does_a_180.html During a Meet the Press interview on Sunday, John Kerry told Tim Russert that he will sign a Form 180 releasing all of his military records for public scrutiny. Politics publius 2005-02-02T07:28:03-05:00 http://www.soldierofthemind.com/archives/2005/02/01/saudi_arabias_primary_export_hatred.html In fact, the distinction between Wahhabist ideology and the Islam of al Qaeda amounts to little more than the difference between loading a weapon and handing it to one who will use it for nefarious ends, and actually using the weapon to commit mass murder. Religion publius 2005-02-01T07:43:54-05:00 http://www.soldierofthemind.com/archives/2005/01/31/hope_in_north_korea.html Times of London.]]> Politics publius 2005-01-31T08:36:48-05:00 http://www.soldierofthemind.com/archives/2005/01/31/elections_in_iraq.html Successful elections in Iraq yesterday made obvious winners of the people of that country, and the Bush and Blair administrations. The clear losers from the advancing cause of freedom and democracy in the Near East were Islamism, the Western powers- especially France and Germany, and the leeches in the United Nations that actively opposed the liberation of Iraq. Politics publius 2005-01-31T07:00:25-05:00 http://www.soldierofthemind.com/archives/2005/01/20/george_bushs_second_inaugural_address.html By making every citizen an agent of his or her own destiny, we will give our fellow Americans greater freedom from want and fear and make our society more prosperous and just and equal. Primary Source publius 2005-01-20T14:28:42-05:00 http://www.soldierofthemind.com/archives/2005/01/03/harry_reids_reality.html Harry Reid has put his other foot in his mouth, and perhaps demonstrated that he is unfit to lead the Senate Democrats. Politics publius 2005-01-03T18:58:12-05:00 http://www.soldierofthemind.com/archives/2004/11/12/they_are_terrorists_not_insurgents.html The media insist on labelling those who American and Iraqi forces are battling in Fallujah as "insurgents." This improper use of language legitimizes what is a repulsive collection of Islamists and facists united in their determination to deprive the Iraqi people of representative government and fundamental freedoms. War publius 2004-11-12T18:29:39-05:00 http://www.soldierofthemind.com/archives/2004/11/12/remembering_arafat.html Yasir Arafat really was and what he really stood for.]]> publius 2004-11-12T12:40:51-05:00