Christmas Banner Has Protesters in the Pits

Christmas Banner Has Protesters in the Pits

Commentary by Sanford D. Horn

December 15, 2011

Pitman, NJ is a quiet south Jersey borough roughly 15 miles south of Philadelphia boasting a population of just over 9,200 people. However that quiet has erupted into a din over the hanging of a sign across Broadway reading “Keep Christ in Christmas.”

According to Mayor Michael Patten, the Knights of Columbus sponsored sign has been hung for 60 years with nary a complaint. However, this year, an anonymous voice has expressed contempt for the sign saying that because the Borough fire department hung the sign and that the sign is hung on public property it is akin to an endorsement of Christianity by the Borough of Pitman.

This does not violate the Establishment Clause.

Borough attorney Brian Duffield confirmed that the sign is hung on a privately owned bank on one side and a utility pole on the other, which is also not owned by the borough.

Additionally, Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom from Religion Foundation claim that such a sign alienates and offends people of non-Christian faiths and those of no faith at all.

Once again, this is political correctness run completely amok. Christmas is a Christian holiday observing the birth of their savior Jesus Christ. Keeping Christ in Christmas is EXACTLY the correct thing to do. Show of hands: who, other than Christians, celebrates Christmas? If anyone other than Christians raised their hands, then they are enjoying the non-religious aspects Christmas has to offer – the tree, lights, decorations, egg nog and gifts.

As a non-Christian, let me assure Ms. Gaylor and the rest of her Freedom from Religion witch hunt, that I am not the least bit offended by the Knights’ sign. In fact, that is what Christmas is all about and should be revered and observed in the religious nature it was intended.

I am strong enough in my Jewish faith to neither be threatened by such a sign nor its message. I applaud its message because it hopefully will bring Christians closer to the real meaning of Christmas.

I will enjoy the lights flickering in and around my neighborhood, and not have to pay the electric bill, secure in the notion that freedom OF religion guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution will allow me to enjoy the lights flickering from my Chanukah menorah.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN.

Is Romney the GOP’s Kerry?

Is Romney the GOP’s Kerry?

Commentary by Sanford D. Horn

December 11, 2011

“One dollar. Fine.”

Thus the incredulous reaction of Dan Aykroyd’s Trading Places character Louis Winthorpe III upon finding out the value of the wager made by the uber-rich Duke brothers to maliciously toy with Winthorpe’s life allegedly in the interest of science.

For all their millions of dollars, the skin-flinted Duke brothers, played masterfully by Don Ameche and Ralph Bellamy, would never wager more than their usual – one dollar, a lesson that could be learned by GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

During the candidate debate held on Saturday, December 10 in Des Moines, IA, home of the first in the nation caucuses, the former Massachusetts governor challenged sitting Texas Governor Rick Perry on an issue of disagreement with an outrageous wager of $10,000.

Such an amount is unseemly to most Americans and certainly to most Iowans. With the median income in the United States at $50,221 and $48,065 in Iowa (2009 figure from US Census Bureau), it would take two and a half months of Iowa income to reach the $10,000 mark, but apparently that is pocket change for Romney.

While I do not begrudge anyone the money they earn, such an outlandish suggested wager by Romney is both insensitive at a time of high unemployment in this country and demonstrative of his being pretentious and perhaps out of touch with the so-called average American.

It is this kind of pretentiousness by Romney that is reminiscent of Senator John Kerry (MA), the Democrat’s vanquished presidential candidate in 2004. Whether the video of him windsurfing or his mishandling of a food order, Kerry looked out of touch with the folks.

At the famous Pat’s Steaks in Philadelphia on August 11, 2003, Kerry committed the major faux pas of ordering his cheese steak with Swiss cheese instead of the traditional Provolone or Cheez Whiz ® and looked painfully out of his element in his attempt to eat the Philadelphia sandwich.

I have been attempting to avoid attacking any of the GOP candidates, save for Ron Paul, whose foreign policy ideas are so off the beaten path they would frighten even the most ardent of isolationists, as per Ronald Reagan’s 11^th Commandment – thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican. The main reason for this is to avoid giving the Democrats fuel for their fire, especially knowing how Obama fights in the Chicago-style of campaigning. However, they will have all the firepower they need and want regardless of what I write here or anywhere else for that matter.

Hopefully, Romney will learn from this mild indiscretion. For if he is to be the GOP standard-bearer in 2012, Republicans nationwide will need to coalesce around him in order to take on Obama in the general election. It will be vital to support Romney in his effort to demonstrate why he is better suited to the presidency than the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Romney will need to point to the failed policies of Obama now that he has a record on which to run, unlike in 2008 when there was no record, no paper trail other than a long line of “present” votes.

In 2012 Obama will not possibly be able to stand on his record of failure and expect a second term coronation the media gave him prior to his first. Hopefully, if Romney is the GOP nominee, he will have learned his lesson during the playoffs and be ready for the championship.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN.

Obama's Inconvenient Chanukah

Obama’s Inconvenient Chanukah

Commentary by Sanford D. Horn

December 9, 2011

On Tuesday night, December 20 the worldwide Jewish community will gather around menorahs, light two candles, chant three blessings ushering in Chanukah – the Festival of Lights.

Except at the White House.

For at the Obama White House, Chanukah came early – “celebrated” last night – Thursday, December 8 – 12 nights prior to the advent of the actual observance.

This is just another insult from the Obama administration toward the Jewish people, not just in the United Stated, but the world over. Obama had his pick of eight nights from which to hold this so-called celebration. But because he feels compelled to take a 17 day vacation – the likes of which the average American who Obama claims to support would hardly be able to enjoy – he managed to squeeze in the Chanukah event to check off the box on his list of things to do.

Make no mistake, I don’t begrudge Obama, or any working person a vacation. In fact, the more time Obama spends driving golf balls is less time he can continue to drive the economy into the water.

Obama’s relationship with the Jewish community is approaching the critical list, as it should. He has demonstrated animus toward Israel, calling for a return to Israel’s 1967 borders, his cacophonous and insulting treatment of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and made overtures toward Israel’s enemies, who are also enemies of the United States. Why there are still members of the Jewish community who continue to support this man and this administration is completely nebulous. This should render the Jewish community apoplectic.

Obama proved his hypocrisy in his remarks, noting “our unshakable support and commitment to the security of the nation of Israel.” Not so, when calling for a return to the 1967 borders. It demonstrates his lack of historical knowledge and how obtuse he really is.

Obama also got it wrong when he said the Chanukah story is about “right over might.” Were it not for the Maccabees victory in war against the Assyrians, 167-165 BCE, the Jewish people may very well have been wiped out and there would be no Chanukah observance.

Liberal Jews, of which there are still far too many, will ebulliently praise this so-called Chanukah event. Look, he likes us; he likes us, a la Sally Field’s oft-mocked Academy Award speech from 1984. No, he merely gives lip service in an effort to placate the obsequious liberal Jewish community and protect a source of campaign funds. Obama is nothing short of licentious.

Does anyone believe Obama would schedule Ramadan or Eid celebrations on days other than the officially listed dates according to the Muslim calendar? Certainly not. He has bent over backwards and bowed down – literally to that community with which he so strongly identifies. What next – the Easter Egg Hunt in June? That just wouldn’t be kosher.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN.

GOP Should Play Trump Card

GOP Should Play Trump Card

Commentary by Sanford D. Horn

December 9, 2011

Donald Trump may be the modern day P.T. Barnum, but one thing that hasn’t changed is that when the circus comes to town the big top is typically standing room only.

What are Michele Bachmann, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry and Mitt Romney afraid of by rejecting an invitation to appear in a debate on December 27 in Iowa moderated by Trump and sponsored by Newsmax? Whose advice are they listening to in making this shortsighted decision?

In this age of reality television, more people would rather watch dancing with the nitwits and have some moron voted off some stinking sewer trap than pay attention to a political debate with candidates, of which one will be elected to the most powerful office in the free world.

The stiff-necked pundits and candidate advisors who have the sense of humor of a dead troglodyte are taking themselves way too seriously. Make no mistake, these candidates’ debates and forums are important, and this is a serious business, but in order to do business, there must be a clientele willing to buy the available product. The aforementioned troglodytes believe that the connection to Trump would depress viewership.

On the contrary; for the entertainment value alone people will tune in for what may be a capricious event where the candidates will castigate one another, possibly becoming cacophonous, all the while behaving in an obsequious manner toward their host. After all, five of the remaining seven GOP candidates have made the pilgrimage to Trump Towers to kiss his brass in hopes of securing his endorsement. Neither Huntsman nor Paul have been to Trump World.

While the candidates are busy falling all over themselves to appear on news programs with ratings so low they have to look up to see the bottom, why won’t they participate in what would be a ratings boon? They all need to increase their name recognition. A recent Pew Research poll indicated that 50 percent of American could not name even one of the then eight GOP candidates seeking their party’s nomination. (This poll was conducted prior to Herman Cain’s departure.)

The circus, to be sure, is coming to town. And it arrives one week before the Iowa caucus. Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum will be there. The other five hopefuls would be perspicacious have their presence felt. Let’s see those three rings ebullient with candidate wisdom, not vacuous – for that is what emerges from the White House.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN.

Keystone XL Pipeline is Win-Win

Keystone XL Pipeline is Win-Win

Commentary by Sanford D. Horn

December 9, 2011

Unaccustomed as I am to giving campaign winning advice to Barack Hussein Obama, the Keystone XL Pipeline project, to quote Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, is “a no-brainer.”

The Keystone XL Pipeline project should be the shovel ready dream this so-called leader of the free world has been clamoring for since before he moved into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. An immediate 20,000 jobs would be created before the ink is dry signing the deal into existence, with up to roughly a half million jobs to follow throughout the project and beyond, indicate industry experts. These are the same experts noting that industry unemployment is at 13 percent.

But, Obama has dismissed this instant job creator in lieu of clinging to, and appeasing, the leftwing extremist environmentalists who would prefer that motorized modes of transportation cease to exist. This is a sterling example of Obama’s hypocrisy of playing politics when he continues to make speech after speech decrying the GOP for doing the same thing.

“Here’s what I know. However many jobs might be generated by a Keystone Pipeline, they are going to be a lot fewer then the jobs that are created by extending the payroll tax cut and extending unemployment insurance,” said a convoluted Obama.

Convoluted because extending unemployment insurance creates zero jobs. In fact, it ensures that those out of work will remain unemployed until the extension expires. Why look for a job that probably does not exist when there is a guaranteed check from the government. If anything, Obama is an anti-growth job killer.

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels concurred, noting that the pipeline project has bi-partisan support and that Obama is “kissing up to those with extreme environmental views.” It’s a “pro-poverty policy.”

Even a half dozen unions support the pipeline project because of its job creation ability. Obama should at least listen to those folks as they are part of his eroding base.

Congress must force this issue and put it on Obama’s desk immediately because failure to do so would ship this project from Canada to the south to Canada to the west. Oil will be produced one way or another. Either the United States or Asia will benefit as this is a black-golden opportunity that should not be passed up. Should the plan proceed, it will run from Hardisty, Alberta, through Cushing, OK, through Houston to Port Arthur, TX to the Gulf of Mexico.

The United States simply cannot be timid when it comes to domestic oil production. This nation is a hostage to OPEC oil producers and it continues to drain our economy of money going into the pockets of despotic regime dictators who are not allies to the US and clearly seek to do this country harm. The United States is fueling unfriendly nations with the weaponry that will one day be used to destroy this country.

Instead, the United States should be drilling for its own oil in the Gulf of Mexico, in ANWR, from the shale in the Rocky Mountains and in Pennsylvania. This is win-win for all parties involved. Legitimate, long term, private industry jobs will be created – not government funded jobs for which the taxpayers ultimately foot the bill. Keystone is such a privately funded project, with no cost to the taxpayers. Additionally, the United States becomes less reliant upon enemy states for oil, thus stunting the growth of those economies, making them less able to harm this country. Canada, on the other hand is a historically dependable ally with whom more business should be conducted.

In spite of the Exxon Valdez and the BP disasters, which were tragic and should not be ignored, in order to make a good omelet, a chef must crack a few eggs. Care should always be taken whether in the drilling of oil or the making of the omelet but yes, accidents happen. Should the auto manufacturers close their doors because car accidents occur on the roads? Of course not, and neither should oil drilling be discontinued.

Obama said should the Keystone XL Pipeline project be linked to the extension of the payroll tax cut bill he would veto it. Obama should not be an obstructionist when it comes to job creation. There is enough support from both houses of Congress to overturn his veto, thus a win-win for his opposition – the pipeline project would be approved and Obama would not be able to take credit for it.

Obama has complained that with the lingering bills he is “stuck” in Washington. Congress needs to make the Keystone XL Pipeline a reality now and we the people need to ensure that Obama is no longer stuck in Washington and can hit the links fulltime as of January 20, 2013. This is not a potential bill on which Obama can vote “present.”

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN.

It's a Christmas Tree, Damn It!

It’s a Christmas Tree, Damn It!

Commentary by Sanford D. Horn

December 4, 2011

Alex, I’ll take “things that don’t make sense” for $100.

The answer is: “a holiday tree in America’s smallest state.”

“What is a Christmas tree in Rhode Island?”

Sadly, that is correct.

Never missing an opportunity to be a complete and utter bonehead, Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee (I, former RINO) emphasized his desire to refer to the state’s Christmas tree as a holiday tree. And just what holiday does this tree represent? There’s nothing nebulous about it. Christmas, you imbecile! It’s enough to make one apoplectic.

The tree certainly doesn’t represent Chanukah. I’ve been Jewish all my life and I’ve never had a tree in my house. The occasional cactus, sure, but that doesn’t make me a Druid.

When is all this ubiquitous politically correct nonsense going to stop? The Jewish population in the United States is roughly 1.5 percent and about 85 percent of the country identifies themselves as Christians; thus when people wish each other a Merry Christmas, there’s going to be an 85 percent chance that they are wishing it upon a fellow Christian. Those are pretty good odds. If I were a gambling man, I would take that bet. And if it is wished upon me, I take it in stride – after all, the odds – and it sure as hell won’t damage my self-esteem. I take it for what it is – a friendly gesture.

I wish my Christian friends a Merry Christmas and my Jewish friends a Happy Chanukah – it even says so on the cards I mail out. None of this season’s greetings crap. Greetings of what season? Are we actually celebrating winter? Winter is simply lugubrious. Pass. Anyone who knows me knows I hate the cold and the only season I celebrate is baseball.

Chafee claims his need to refer to the Christmas tree as a holiday tree is so not to offend anyone or impose any one religion on the populous. If Chafee is thinking of the Establishment Clause, he can go back to thinking of Santa Claus because calling the tall bushy thing a Christmas tree does not violate the Establishment Clause. Chafee is being obtuse and licentious in his pandering to the PC crowd.

The Establishment Clause refers to government’s imposing a specific religion upon the masses. A Christmas tree does no such thing. No one is required to pray to or before it. It in no way damages anyone’s precious self-esteem to have a Christmas tree at the town square, in front of city hall or in the governor’s mansion.

In my home town we had a large enough Jewish community that we took it upon ourselves to construct a menorah and gift it to the town. For years the tree and menorah were placed side by side, and lit in an ecumenical ceremony honoring both Christmas and Chanukah. This is the problem with the objectionists – they want to eliminate everything, while the inclusionists look to enjoin the community in the festiveness of both holidays.

The same goes for observing the holidays in the schools. Some school districts have gotten so outrageously PC that they have banned the simple greetings of Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah. With all the bullying going on in the schools, a little holiday cheer is the least we can all share and enjoy.

I am going to invoke my First Amendment right of free speech and expression and wish my readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy Chanukah. To do otherwise just wouldn’t be kosher.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN.

Newt in 2012

Newt in 2012

Commentary by Sanford D. Horn

December 1, 2011

Remembering Ronald Reagan’s 11^th Commandment, thou shalt not denigrate a fellow Republican; former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich has exemplified that credo masterfully throughout the debate season refusing to fall prey to the various moderators push for salacious headlines. Newt is also the brightest candidate running and would send Obama to a corner whimpering and wondering why his pants are wet after a debate with the former speaker.

That said Newt Gingrich is my choice for 2012. There is no point in deliberating the what ifs and who should be running, etc. That benefits nobody and takes away from the accomplishments of the slate of candidates who are putting themselves out there – subjecting themselves and their families to the slings and arrow that come from the media and the public.

In selecting Gingrich, I am trying to be mindful of what I have told so many throughout this campaign and not be hypocritical. I am trying to remember the bigger picture and that on the whole, Gingrich is the better candidate, despite one major issue that will no doubt continue to gnaw at me.

The issue is illegal immigration and that has been one of my top three issues for many years now – so much so, I supported former US Rep. Tom Tancredo (CO) during the 2008 primary season as this was his driving, if not, lone issue before dropping out of the race. But, Tancredo at least had the guts to address the issue head on and not hide from is as most candidates on both sides of the aisle continue to do.

Republicans don’t want to address illegal immigration for fear of alienating and losing the Hispanic vote. The GOP also does not want to lose the support of businesses that hire illegals. Democrats on the other hand, don’t want to address the issue because many in their ranks want to grant the illegals amnesty, give them a path to citizenship and expand their voter ranks.

I remain steadfast in my opposition to even one illegal alien invading the United States – and that is exactly what it is when people willingly and knowingly sneak across the borders from another country into the United States. For any illegal alien to be given free medical care, free education, food stamps and subsidized housing it is theft against the taxpaying citizens and legal residents of this country. Thus my support for deporting the illegals.

When faced with the ignorant argument and comparison that to deport 12 to 20 million illegals is akin to what the Nazis did to European Jewry during the Holocaust, it becomes imperative to give a history lesson. German Jews were legal German citizens. French Jews were legal French citizens. Austrian Jews were legal Austrian citizens. In fact, many served honorably for their native countries during World War I. With Hitler’s forced passage of the Nuremburg Laws revoking the citizenship of German Jews followed by his invasion of the other countries, Hitler rounded up Jews as part of his plan to systematically slaughter them. The deportation of illegal aliens from the United States is for the purpose of returning lawbreakers to their country of origin. As a Jew I am forever insulted that such a comparison be made.

Here it is vital to remember Ronald Reagan’s 80-20 rule: don’t dismiss a candidate with whom you agree 80 percent of the time just because you disagree with him the other 20 percent. There is no perfect candidate; and there is no candidate with whom we will agree 100 percent of the time.

On the issue of illegal immigration, Gingrich is being pragmatic. He recently said the GOP should not be the party to split up families, citing those illegals who have been in the United States over a quarter century, are paying their taxes and are active in their churches. While Gingrich is not calling for a path to citizenship and the right to vote, he is also not calling for their ousting from the country, but instead a path to legalization. Such a plan is being excoriated as amnesty, and it is – the illegals in Gingrich’s plan are not slated for deportation, but nor are they to be granted citizenship. As long as they are allowed to legally stay in this country, it is a form of amnesty, which I oppose. Gingrich does remain committed to the removal of those miscreant illegals not in the aforementioned category.

I am for Newt – he may be better known by his first name than his last – for myriad reasons. He knows how Washington works, which, for all the talk of needing more Washington outsiders, it is important to traverse the system successfully. I am for Newt because of his “drill here, drill now” energy plan. He continues to offer practical solutions regarding the budget, spending and the debt as well as personal responsibility concerning business, bailouts and mortgages. Newt is for a strong military in the Reagan style of peace through strength and understands the importance of a solid alliance with Israel – the only Middle East democracy and where the Arab-Israelis have more rights than Arabs in Arab countries.

I have been for Bachmann – and still like her. I have been for Cain – and still like him. Personal baggage aside, but not dismissing it, Newt Gingrich appears to be the experienced adult in the room who can help restore the United States to its former self. He understands and appreciates American exceptionalism (read his A Nation Like No Other) and will help restore the confidence needed to right the path toward economic recovery.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN.