The battle against "smear" tactics is present in any political campaign. More often than not for a candidate a smear is easily defended against because the tactic is so off-key and ridiculous that even a third grader can determine the illegitimacy of it. Usually, the strategy for handling smears is simply to produce evidence that states otherwise, or to make a statement that exposes the smear for what it really is.

Barack Obama, like any other candidate, has been the victim of a number supposed smear tactics, some of which may very well be nothing more than smears, while others may have some credibility. The problem for Barack is, however, often the supposed smear turns out to be closer to the truth than expected by the accusers. And, more often than not, Obama's campaign does not provide proof to the contrary. Or, Mr. Obama himself utters statements that are shaky at best, and sometimes even confirms the alleged smear without him even realizing it.

The so-called smear-tacticians proclaimed that Obama's church of twenty years was one of hate and anti-Americanism. Obama proclaimed that to be false. Then Reverend Wright and Father Pfleger said their peace, and suddenly Barack Obama was back-pedeling, and saying he was never at church when such anti-establishment things were said. When he realized nobody was buying it, Barry proclaimed in an interview that yes, Wright sometimes said things that were controversial, and things he did not agree with. He added, for confirmation he's like everyone else, I suppose, that "I don't think my church is actually particularly controversial," and that folks don't always agree with everything their pastor says.

Part of what began the concept of religion, a man-made concept I have a serious problem with (religion is man-made, Faith in Christ is God-made), is because like-minded people tend to congregate together. If you don't agree with your pastor on something, you go out and find a church, or pastor, where you do fully agree, or you just stop attending religious services altogether. However, one basic universal principle of Christianity is that Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father. Christ says exactly this in the New Testament Book of John, Chapter 14, Verse 6: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

This brings up the next alleged smear. Barack Obama's Christianity has become a topic of consideration. Barack, after slamming Mike Huckabee for wearing his faith on his sleeve in a political campaign, is now doing everything he can to convince the public that he is a devout practicing Christian. However, in line with his good friend Oprah Winfrey, Obama has continually stated that he believes there are "many paths to Heaven." Though there are many who "claim" to be Christian that claim the same, the above verse in the Book of John is quite clear in declaring that Jesus Christ is the Only Way. Call me what you may, I didn't decide personally "that's the way it is." I am simply pointing out the scripture that confirms it. If you have a problem with it, take up your beef with God.

Amidst the questions about Obama's claim to Christianity is another bone of contention. Obama's possible ties to Islam have been the concern of many. Obama has said repeatedly that he is not a Muslim, nor has he ever been a Muslim.

I honestly believe that Obama thinks he is a Christian, firmly believing that all it takes to be a Christian is to attend a church that says it is Christian (regardless of whether or not the doctrine is truly Biblical), read the Bible before you go to bed (even if you think some verses are obscure), be baptized, say a prayer every now and then, and maybe even have an on-going conversation with God that may or may not be performed while on his knees. I don't think he has a personal relationship with Christ, based on things that he has said, but in the end, that is between him and God, so we shall leave it at that.

However, I do not like the fact that he lies and covers up bits and pieces of the "Are you Muslim" question. If he was Muslim at any point in his life, even when he was a young man and didn't have much control of how people listed him, why can't he just fess-up and admit it? I am sure the mainstream media won't give him too much grief, and I am sure folks will understand if he was a Muslim at one point, but decided not to be later. But he lies continuously, calls any accusation of anything regarding him in a manner other than magically messiah-like a smear tactic, and then later the evidence arises that he was full of crap all along. This makes him look worse than if he'd just been willing to say from the start something like, "Yeah, I was listed as a Muslim at a school in Indonesia when I was a kid, and my dad was a Muslim. But as I grew up I realized that's not what I wanted to be, so I decided to try to be a Christian," or perhaps anything along those lines.

Instead, we get from Obama, "I am not, and never have been, a Muslim."

Once again, let me indicate that his statement is a complete lie.

Evidence? The evidence is in black and white, and shown below.

What does that document say?

1. Nama murid (The name of the pupil): Barry Soetoro
2. Tempat dan tanggal lahir (The place and date of birth): Honolulu, 4-8-1961 (August 4, 1961)
3. Bangai: a. Warga negara (Citizenship): Indonesia
b. Ketarunan asing (Foriegn?): (blank)
c. Saku bangra (The pocket?): (blank)
4. Agama (The religion): Islam
5. Alamat murid (Address of the pupil): M*** Dalson? R001/R003
6. Dari sekolah mana (dipiadahkan) dan kelas becapa (From what school (dipiadahkan?) and the class becapa): ?
7. a. Diterima disekedah inl tgl. (Date Accepted): 1-1-1968 (January 1, 1968)
b. Ditermpatkan dikelas (Grade): I (First grade)
8. a. Nama grang tua Alah/Ibu (The name of the parents Mr/Ms): L. Soetoro M A (Lolo Soetoro) b. Pekerdjam (?)
(name ibu dsi, haaja djika ajah sudah meninggal) (Name of the mother ? if died)
c. Alamat (The address): M*** Dalson? R001/R003
9. a. Nama wali (The name of the guardian): (blank)
(hanja diisi, djika orang tua murid tak ada, sudah man’nggal alah karena hal lain)
(? was filled up, ? parents of the pupil were not available, already ? because another thing )
b. Pekerdjaan (???): (blank)
c. Alamat (The address): (blank)
10. Meninggalkan sekolah ini. (Left this school) : (blank)
a. Belam tamat. Keluar dari kelas (? was finished. Outside from the class): (blank) tanggal (The date)
b. Temat, menerima idjarah tanggal (?, recieved ? the date): (blank) No. (blank)
c. Melandjutkan sekolah ke (?? the school to): (blank)
11. Keterangan lsim (Information ???): (blank)

Okay, it says he was born in Honolulu, so that may be some additional evidence to clear up the Birth Certificate fiasco. . . but it lists him as being an Indonesian citizen? I wonder what the current status of that citizenship is.

His name is listed as Barry Soetoro. Does his birth certificate say Barry Soetoro? Did he ever legally change his name from Soetoro to Obama? And why did he later state in writing that his name was never any different than it is now?



So apparently Barack Obama lied to the Illinois Supreme Court when asked to provide former names on the above document. Hmmmm, seems like "lying" is nothing new for Barack Obama.

And notice on line four of the first document above his religion is listed as Islam.

Wait, Barry, I thought you have "never been" a Muslim.

I guess his Muslim step-father (oops, that makes two Muslim dads) considered the boy’s religion to be Islam.

Hey, Barry, that's fine. If you aren't Muslim, we'll believe you, but don't lie to us and say you "never have been" Muslim. You see, Barack, in presidential candidates character is an important thing to voters, and your inability to tell the truth repeatedly (not to mention your uncanny ability to hold opposing positions on issues simultaineously) is hardly evidence of moral standards, common decency, or any semblance of strong character.

War has broke out between Russia and Georgia. On the surface Russia is making it out to be all about the break-away provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. In truth, these provinces are pro-Russian, and desire a return to being under the socialist control of Moscow. Russia has promised to spend at least $400 million in 2008 on restoring South Ossetia's battered capital Tskhinvali, and is doing all she can to convince the world that the Russian invasion is all about those provinces.

Little is being said about the "ethnic cleansing," or about how Georgians in the provinces are being pressured to abandon their homes and businesses and leave the provinces.

The war has little to do with these provinces, in the end, however. The provinces are the excuse for the Russian military move into the region. The invasion of Georgia is really about bringing down pro-western Georgia. The attack is about Russia flexing its muscles and showing that it "can" do what it is doing, without international consequences. Believe me when I say that it won't be long before you see a puppet government, pro-Russian (of course), established in Georgia.

American support for Georgia's democratic government includes a humanitarian airlift to Georgia, and the threat that this military invasion by Russia may place at risk Russia's membership in world organizations.

For those liberal people out there (like Lance, Ken, Ballbuster, Tina, and Tom to name a few) trying to compare the U.S. invasion of Iraq to this military operation by Russia against Georgia, remember this: Saddam Hussein was a genocidal madman that killed for pleasure. Granted, he should have been removed much earlier, but was not because of his opposition to previously Soviet-backed Iran (enemy of your enemy is your temporary friend?). Mikail Saakashvili is a freedom loving leader who has the country of Georgia on the fast-track to economic stability, and NATA membership. Iraq housed a large number of Weapons of Mass Destruction that both Democrats and Republicans believed were there based on intelligence reports, some of which were shipped to Syria, some of which remained in Iraq. Of the WMDs remaining in Iraq, hundreds have been found. Georgia has shown the willingness to be a pro-western ally, and was even the third largest contributor to the coalition of forces in Iraq. Russia, the invader of Georgia, has a history of totalitarian aggression, and the leader, Vladimir Putin, is KGB and an old system hardliner. The U.S. invaded Iraq to remove Hussein, free the people from an oppressive leader, and then allow the people to vote in the leadership they desired. The U.S. goal is to eventually stabilize Iraq, and leave the country under the complete control of Iraqi leadership. Russia has moved in beyond the provinces they claim to be protecting, and will undoubtedly set up a puppet-government in Georgia in order to expand their influence in the region. History is the indicator of this tendency.

John McCain understands the complexity of this situation. Barack Obama pretends to. The evidence of each of their level of understanding of the complexity of this war is perfectly characterized in their responses regarding the appropriate American action that needs to be taken.

McCain stated that he believes NATO's North Atlantic Council should convene an emergency session to demand a cease-fire, and begin talking about a peacekeeping force for South Ossetia.

Obama said he thinks the U.N. Security Council should pass a resolution calling for an immediate end to the violence. He also thinks a U.N. mediator should join efforts to try to end the fighting.

Barack Obama, in that statement, showed his obvious ineptness regarding matters of this nature, which in turn proves he is not capable of holding the office of the presidency of the United States.

"How did I come to that conclusion?" you may ask.

Russia has veto power in the U.N Security Council. Calling for the U.N. Security Council to pass a resolution is an obviously failed idea in that respect.

Point for McCain.

Obama, go back to planting daisies, painting peace symbols of VW vans, or whatever it is that your inexperienced, unworthy, far-left self does when you're not making an obvious dope of yourself.