This is pretty long, but I thought well worth sending to you.
Who's Smarter?
by Cindy Osborne
The Hollywood group is at it again. Holding anti-war rallies, screaming
about the Bush Administration, running ads in major newspapers, defaming the
President and his Cabinet every chance they get, to anyone and everyone who
will listen. They publicly defile them and call them names like"stupid",
"morons", and "idiots". Jessica Lange went so far as to tell a crowd in
Spain that she hates President Bush and is embarrassed to be an American.
So, just how ignorant are these people who are running the country?
Let's look at the biographies of these "stupid", "ignorant", "moronic"
leaders, and then at the celebrities who are castigating them:
President George W. Bush
Received a Bachelors Degree from Yale University and an MBA from Harvard
Business School. He served as an F-102 pilot for the Texas Air National
Guard. He began his career in the oil and gas business in Midland in 1975
and worked in the energy industry until 1986. He was elected Governor on
November 8, 1994, with 53.5 percent of the vote. In a historic re-election
victory, he became the first Texas Governor to be elected to consecutive
four-year terms on November 3, 1998 winning 68.6 percent of the vote. In
1998 Governor Bush won 49 percent of the Hispanic vote, 27 percent of the
African-American vote, 27 percent of Democrats and 65 percent of women. He
won more Texas counties, 240 of 254, than any modern Republican other that
Richard Nixon in 1972 and is the first Republican gubernatorial candidate to
win the heavily Hispanic and Democratic border counties of El Paso, Cameron
and Hidalgo. (Someone began circulating a false story about his I.Q. being
lower than any other President. If you believed it, you might want to go to
Urban Legends.Com and see the truth.)
Vice President Dick Cheney
Earned a B.A. in 1965 and a M.A. in 1966, both in political science. Two
years later, he won an American Political Science Association congressional
fellowship. One of Vice President Cheney's primary duties is to share with
individuals, members of Congress and foreign leaders, President Bush's
vision to strengthen our economy, secure our homeland and win the War on
Terrorism. In his official role as President of the Senate, Vice President
Cheney regularly goes to Capital Hill to meet with Senators and members of
the House of Representatives to work on the Administration's legislative
goals. In his travels as Vice President, he has seen first hand the great
demands the war on terrorism is placing on the men and women of our
military, and he is proud of the tremendous job they are doing for the
United States of America.
Secretary of State Colin Powell
Educated in the New York City public schools, graduating from the City
College of New York (CCNY), where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in geology.
He also participated in ROTC at CCNY and received a commission as an Army
second lieutenant upon graduation in June 1958. His further academic
achievements include a Master of Business Administration Degree from George
Washington University. Secretary Powell is the recipient of numerous U.S.
and foreign military awards and decorations. Secretary Powell's civilian
awards include two Presidential Medals of Freedom, the President's Citizens
Medal, the Congressional Gold Medal, the Secretary of State Distinguished
Service Medal, and the Secretary of Energy Distinguished Service Medal.
Several schools and other institutions have been named in his honor and he
holds honorary degrees from universities and colleges across the country.
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld
Attended Princeton University on Scholarship (AB, 1954) and served in
the U.S. Navy (1954-57) as a Naval aviator. Congressional Assistant to Rep.
Robert Griffin (R-MI), 1957-59; U.S. Representative, Illinois, 1962-69;
Assistant to the President, Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity,
Director of the Cost of Living Council, 1969-74; U.S. Ambassador to NATO,
1973-74; head of Presidential Transition Team, 1974; Assistant to the
President, Director of White House Office of Operations, White House Chief
of Staff, 1974-77; Secretary of Defense, 1975-77
Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge
Raised in a working class family in veterans' public housing in Erie. He
earned a scholarship to Harvard, graduating with honors in 1967. After his
first year at The Dickinson School of Law, he was drafted into the U.S.
Army, where he served as an infantry staff sergeant in Vietnam, earning the
Bronze Star for Valor. After returning to Pennsylvania, he earned his Law
Degree and was in private practice before becoming Assistant District
Attorney in Erie County. He was elected to Congress in 1982. He was the
first enlisted Vietnam combat veteran elected to the U.S. House, and was
overwhelmingly re-elected six times.
National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice
Earned her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, Cum Laude and Phi
Beta Kappa, from the University of Denver in 1974; her Master's from the
University of Notre Dame in 1975; and her Ph.D. from the Graduate School of
International Studies at the University of Denver in 1981. (Note: Rice
enrolled at the University of Denver at the age of 15, graduating at 19 with
a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science (Cum Laude). She earned a Master's
Degree at the University of Notre Dame and a Doctorate from the University
of Denver's Graduate School of International Studies. Both of her advanced
degrees are also in Political Science.)
She is a Fellow of the AmericanAcademy of Arts and Sciences and has been
awarded Honorary Doctorates from Morehouse College in 1991, the University
of Alabama in 1994, and the University of Notre Dame in 1995. At Stanford,
she has been a member of the Center for International Security and Arms
Control, a Senior Fellow of the Institute for International Studies, and a
Fellow (by courtesy) of the Hoover Institution.
Her books include Germany Unified and Europe Transformed (1995) with
Philip Zelikow, The Gorbachev Era (1986) with Alexander Dallin, and
Uncertain Allegiance: The Soviet Union and the Czechoslovak Army (1984). She
also has written numerous articles on Soviet and East European foreign and
defense policy, and has addressed audiences in settings ranging from the
U.S. Ambassador's Residence in Moscow to the Commonwealth Club to the 1992
and 2000 Republican National Conventions. From 1989 through March 1991, the
period of German reunification and the final days of the Soviet Union, she
served in the Bush Administration as Director, and then Senior Director, of
Soviet and East European Affairs in the National Security Council, and a
Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.
In 1986, while an international affairs fellow of the Council on Foreign
Relations, she served as Special Assistant to the Director of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff. In 1997, she served on the Federal Advisory Committee on
Gender -- Integrated Training in the Military. She was a member of the
boards of directors for the Chevron Corporation, the Charles Schwab
Corporation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the University of
Notre Dame, the International Advisory Council of J.P. Morgan and the San
Francisco Symphony Board of Governors. She was a Founding Board member of
the Center for a New Generation, an educational support fund for schools in
East Palo Alto and East Menlo Park, California and was Vice President of the
Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula.
In addition, her past board service has encompassed such organizations
as Transamerica Corporation, Hewlett Packard, the Carnegie Corporation,
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, The Rand Corporation, the
National Council for Soviet and East European Studies, the Mid-Peninsula
Urban Coalition and KQED, public broadcasting for San Francisco. Born
November 14, 1954 in Birmingham, Alabama, she earned her bachelor's degree
in political science, cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of
Denver in 1974; her Master's from the University of Notre Dame in 1975; and
her Ph.D. from the Graduate School of International Studies at the
University of Denver in 1981. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of
Arts and Sciences and has been awarded Honorary Doctorates from Morehouse
College in 1991, the University of Alabama 1994, and the University of Notre
Dame in 1995. She resides in Washington, D.C.
So, who are these pompous, outspoken celebrity critics?
What is their education? What is their experience in affairs of State
or in National Security? While I will defend to the death their right to
express their opinions, I think that if they are going to call into question
the intelligence of our leaders, we should also have all the facts on their
education and background:
Barbra Streisand
Completed high school
Career: Singing and acting
Cher
Dropped out of school in 9th grade.
Career: Singing and acting
Martin Sheen
Flunked exam to enter University of Dayton.
Career: Acting
Jessica Lange
Dropped out college mid-freshman year.
Career: Acting
Alec Baldwin
Dropped out of George Washington U. after scandal
Career: Acting
Julia Roberts
Completed high school
Career: Acting
Sean Penn
Completed High school
Career: Acting
Susan Sarandon
Degree in Drama from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Career: Acting
Ed Asner
Completed High school
Career: Acting
George Clooney
Dropped out of University of Kentucky
Career: Acting
Michael Moore
Dropped out first year University of Michigan.
Career: Movie Director
Sarah Jessica Parker
Completed High School
Career: Acting
Jennifer Anniston
Completed High School
Career: Acting
Mike Farrell
Completed High school
Career: Acting
Janeane Garofelo
Dropped out of College.
Career: Stand up comedienne
Larry Hagman
Attended Bard College for one year.
Career: Acting
While comparing the education and experience of these two groups, we
should also remember that President Bush and his cabinet are briefed daily,
even hourly, on the War on Terror and threats to our security. They are
privy to information gathered around the world concerning the Middle East,
the threats to America, the intentions of terrorists and
terrorist-supporting governments. They are in constant communication with
the CIA, the FBI, Interpol, NATO, The United Nations, our own military, and
that of our allies around the world. We cannot simply believe that we have
full knowledge of the threats because we watch CNN!! We cannot believe that
we are in any way as informed as our leaders.
These celebrities have no intelligence-gathering agents, no fact-finding
groups, no insight into the minds of those who would destroy our country.
They only have a deep-seated hatred for all things Republican. By nature,
and no one knows quite why, the Hollywood elitists detest Conservative views
and anything that supports or uplifts the United States of America. The
silence was deafening from the Left when Bill Clinton bombed a
pharmaceutical factory outside of Khartoum, or when he attacked the Bosnian
Serbs in 1995 and 1999. He bombed Serbia itself to get Slobodan Milosevic
out of Kosovo, and not a single peace rally was held. When our Rangers were
ambushed in Somalia and 18 young American lives were lost,not a peep was
heard from Hollywood. Yet now, after our nation has been attacked on its
own soil, after 3,000 Americans were killed by freedom-hating terrorists
while going about their routine lives, they want to hold rallies against the
war. Why the change? Because an honest, God-fearing Republican sits in the
White House.
Another irony is that in 1987, when Ronald Reagan was in office, the
Hollywood group aligned themselves with disarmament groups like SANE, FREEZE
and PEACE ACTION, urging our own government to disarm and freeze the
manufacturing of any further nuclear weapons, in order to promote world
peace. It is curious that now, even after we have heard all the evidence
that Saddam Hussein has chemical, biological and is very close to obtaining
nuclear weapons, their is no cry from this group for HIM to disarm. They
believe we should leave him alone in his quest for these weapons of mass
destruction, even though it is certain that these deadly weapons will
eventually be used against us in our own cities.
So why the hype out of Hollywood? Could these celebrities believe that
since they draw such astronomical salaries, they are entitled to also
determine the course of our Nation? That they can make viable decisions
concerning war and peace? Did Michael Moore have the backing of the Nation
when he recently thanked France, on our behalf, for being a "good enough
friend to tell us we were wrong"? I know for certain he was not speaking
for me. Does Sean Penn fancy himself a diplomat, in going to Iraq when we
are just weeks away from war? Does he believe that his high school diploma
gives him the knowledge (and the right) to go to a country that is
controlled by a maniacal dictator, and speak on behalf of the American
people? Or is it the fact that he pulls in more money per year than the
average American worker will see in a lifetime? Does his bank account give
him clout?
The ultimate irony is that many of these celebrities have made a
shambles of their own lives, with drug abuse, alcoholism, numerous marriages
and divorces, scrapes with the law, publicized temper tantrums, etc. How
dare they pretend to know what is best for an entire nation! What is even
more bizarre is how many people in this country will listen and accept their
views, simply because they liked them in a certain movie, or have fond
memories of an old television sitcom!
It is time for us, as citizens of the United States, to educate
ourselves about the world around us. If future generations are going to
enjoy the freedoms that our forefathers bequeathed us, if they are ever to
know peace in their own country and their world, to live without fear of
terrorism striking in their own cities, we must assure that this nation
remains strong. We must make certain that those who would destroy us are
made aware of the severe consequences that will befall them.
Yes, it is a wonderful dream to sit down with dictators and terrorists
and join hands, singing Cumbaya and talking of world peace. But it is not
real. We did not stop Adolf Hitler from taking over the entire continent of
Europe by simply talking to him. We sent our best and brightest, with the
strength and determination that this Country is known for, and defeated the
**** regime. President John F. Kennedy did not stop the Soviet ships from
unloading their nuclear missiles in Cuba in 1962 with mere words. He stopped
them with action, and threat of immediate war if the ships did not turn
around. We did not end the Cold War with conferences. It ended with the
strong belief of President Ronald Reagan... PEACE through STRENGTH.
Jean , 03-28-2003 05:25 PM
Good Afternoon, Flowers!
Another school week is over and done . . . we have a vocal concert tonight which will be awesome. The only bad part is we have to go very early to get a seat and DH isn't very good at just sitting.
It has been very windy and cold today; so far there is no snow nor rain which is good!
Donna -- I had to laugh out loud at your description of your cat at night!
DH says that's why our cats hate the ride to the vet; every time they go they come home missing some parts! Thank you for posting the "Who's Smarter?" I get so angry at people who bad mouth anyone with authority. I wouldn't want GB's job for anything. DH always makes the comment that if someone doesn't like the way things are run, they should run for office or be chairman or whatever. He reminds me of that periodically when I complain about something at church.
Maggie -- The wind must be heading eastward!
I can tell you have your determination back since you posted your
FOCUS ! You have done so well, I am sure you will be back on track in no time.
I need to sweep up some loose wood chips and decide on what's for supper. It will be fast and easy since we will leave early for the concert.
Have a super OP weekend, Flowers!
Jean --
in Iowa!
Good Evening Fleurs,
We had 14" of snow overnight! The forecast was for 1-3 with little or no accumulation.........oops
It melted pretty fast on the roads, but we were without power for about 5 hours this AM. Some people won't get it back until sometime tomorrow
As tired as we are of this stuff, can you imagine how the poor state road guys must feel? A couple of rather large limbs broke off my neighbor's pine tree and did a number on my fence. I'm hoping they didn't wipe out my dogwood as well.........I can't tell from the house, and didn't want to wade through 14" of snow to find out.
I went down to the river yesterday to let the tree men into my friend's property.......she keeps the gate locked when she's not there. The front was moving in, and the tree guys never did show up. As I was backing out from under the house, I backed into a #*&% tree
The car hasn't had its first oil change yet, and I've creamed the back corner..........I can't believe it. The good news is, I had the sense to "rescue" all the daffodils which were in bloom, so now my house is filled with them........there must be 50-75 blossoms. left the ones which were only budding, so it'll be interesting to see if they survived. I went out with a rake and got as much of the snow as I could off the bushes in front of the house.........they're evergreens, and I might be able to figure out the name if I were taking a multiple choice test:~}
Tell me which model of NB shoes you have, Donna. I bought some online and I really like them. They were recommended by Health magazine for Cross training. I also bought a pair of Merrell Sandals for this summer, which are the most comfortable sandals I've ever worn. Pricey, but worth it if they're comfortable
My feet are worth it.
Lord help, I've found a new solitaire game.........not good! Talk about a timewaster!
My rescued Cocker has hit the Lottery
Good friends have her, and she's been vetted, groomed, and spoiled rotten. She isn't allowed on their new sofa
, but sleeps on their bed. Dave has recently retired, so she and he will be big buds. I love it!
Gloria, I'll be interested to hear how much snow youall get. Enough is enough already!
Have a great week you all.
Fondly,
Bubs
I feel more like steel than magnolia this AM! It too shall pass I guess.
The cat and I are butting heads this morning. He is doing his psycho routine! Now he is sitting right here on the computer desk meow at me, like "Hey, I am a sweet kitty, I don't do anything wrong!"
Joyce: You do get the snow and obviously late in the year, too! I grew up in snow, but then lived all across the southern part of the country during our Navy life, so I got used to the warmth and gave up the cold!
Bubs: I have, I believe they are 440's. I was so amazed at how light they are. I used to have a pair of Reebok walking shoes and they must have weighed 5# a piece. I hated them and never wore them. I eventually just got rid of them. I have seen a couple brands of summer shoes on the shopping channels, but my feet are not the kind you can shop from home!
Jean: I have been having a really rough time with menopause AGAIN, and felt pretty rotten yesterday. I am too frightened to take HRt so I just suffer and hope sooner or later the stuff will just quit. I have tried soy and progesterone cream, but nothing really helps much. I seem to go through stages where I have no symptoms then pow several days of them, usually around my cycle. I have to tell you, sometimes, I think Eve got the short end of the deal....
Well, I have to get some things done in the house and get a shower.
You ladies have a great day!
Donna