Socialists win in a big way the elections in Spain

[rainstorm]

in this country devout christians are scorned and ridiculed by the mainstream media

[Aslkahuna]

is that in my opinion, by the time we celebrate the 300th Anniversary of our Independence we will be a second or third rate Country and that this Country will not be around to celebrate the 400th Anniversary in 2176. The forces of the dark side will win sending Civilization into a long night of darkness, death and despair and it probably doesn't matter who wins the election because it's inevitable that we lose.

Steve

[rainstorm]

i think we are in decline, but i dont think its inevitable that we lose. look what happened to the soviet empire.

[coriolis]

It would take a serious external threat to unite this country.

The European countries are going to cave, one at a time. They already have large populations of immigrants that aren't assimilating. The "liberal" democracies wll get what's coming to them. They are already second rate contries, and like it or not the only reason they still exist is because of the USA. They are going to turn away from the US and go down. I am hopeful that Americans will see what's going on over there and wake up. We need some serious housecleaning over here.

[azskyman]

History teaches us so very much. Those who have ridden the crest of good times at the expense of others...in indulgence and even arrogance, have been dethroned over time. I suspect Steve's reference to 2176 was simply the recognition of a continuing decline of our values, our commitment, and perhaps even the heart and soul it will take to resist ever-increasing, ever bloody, attacks on our country and the system it employs to sustain itself.

We have already seen that a vastly superior military can not so much as find one simple mountain man. We have seen as well that less than two dozen rogues among the masses can nearly bring the economy to its woeful knees.

Indeed, as Ed points out, we pre-occupy ourselves with the insignificant trials and tribulations, of show and tell, and even package our news around colorful presentations of pomp and circumstance.

What we don't really know is just how deep our heart, our gut, will dig to save the country and save that which we say we value so much.

I believe there is an unmeasured resilience that has yet to be tested. Resilience of the good of man, and resilience to save the foundation of this nation. Too, we are not sure which allies among those on our list might really come to lead, not follow, by example and change the course.

The world is a dark place...R-rated on its good days. Yet it is full of light and hope and good people who can find ways to bounce back and fight the good fight for all the right reasons.

These election results are the most important news in years for they cue up the players from that dark side and give them fodder for their next move. A more bold move than this one.

They lay in waiting while we dismiss it as insignificant for taking place in a country so very distant from us in many ways.

The stage has been set before. Now the real play will begin.

And while it won't be pretty, it can serve to bring the best out in all of us along the way...and THAT is the power that is so unkown and unmeasured thus far.

May God be with us all to encourage us and smile upon us even in the darkest of times.

And may we find strength to carry an ever-increasing burden in our lives so that this country remains a beacon of strength and hope for all who search.

I would agree...it is beginning these days, but I would disagree that the darkness will necessarily take something away. It may make it easier for us to see the light.

[GalvestonDuck]

At least the Moslems are devout and live their faith.

Eh?

By following some nut who leads his group of blind sheep to the slaughter? IMO, al-Qaeda is nothing more than a large-scale cult of the Muslim faith and OBL is like David Koresh, who brainwashed his believers and twisted the truth of their faith and holy book.

I believe the true Christians in America as just as devout and strong in their faith as the true Muslims are in theirs.

[coriolis]

True, True, Duck, I was just pointing out how committed people can accomplish much with little. I really don't think that "God is on their side", but I'm thinking Soddom and Gommorah.

[GalvestonDuck]

So, you're speaking in terms of doomsday? Are you saying that you believe God will destroy the US instead of them destroying us? Or you think He'll let them destroy us? Are you saying one or two cities or the entire country? Don't forget Babylon and things mentioned in Revelations also.

Pride, greed, lust...it's not exclusive to the US.

IMO, the Biblical predictions of false prophets don't just apply to those who claim the Christian faith. I think there will be false prophets in other religions also. And their worship of idols and fake gods could very well be there demise.

[Stephanie]

Once again Steve, your reply speaks volumes.

I think that our heart and gut already spoke volumes in the days and months after 9/11. I think that we still need another "test" or two to finally rise above and unite as one over the "two party" concept.

To me, this gives me even more reason to believe that we need to find Osama NOW and worry about Iran and spreading ourselves to thin.

[coriolis]

Duck, you're making me think, here.....

Going back to the first thing I said: Many Christians believe that the US is a special place.
It was founded by Christians, Christian values permeated the founding principles, and the country
was overwhelmingly Christian, of all flavors. There are many places in scriptures that talk about
"righteousness" in a nation. I remember one verse that says "Righteousness exalts a nation."
Conversely, an evil nation will be humbled. So what is god's plan and purpose for the U.S?
Does (or did) the US have a destiny? I don't know. Taking Israel of the Old testament as an example,
the fortunes of the nation rose and fell, as the righteousness of people rose and fell. I was trying
to see some sort of parallel between that and our situation. Even in the non-spiritual realm,
nations go through the periods of advance and decline. My favorite example is Classical Rome.
Decadence, Decay, barbarians, you know the routine....

One thing to keep in mind is that Islam, has a relationship to Judiasm and Christianity. They come from the same root, Abraham. So at some level, we are all recognizing the same God. We happen to believe that Christianity is the right direction, and that especially, Islam, is like a brother that has lost his way. I hesitate to
condemn Islam for that reason. (Have you ever heard the saying "they fight like brothers?" It's true some of the nastiest fights are between relatives)

Now is al-Qaeda the true Islam? No. I need to do some homework here, because I don't know if they are a religeous or a political group. I would guess that they would compare to the Aryan Nation or something that is a corruption of Christianity. So I guess that would mean that they are a kind of cult. More information needed.

Doomsday? Doomsday is a worldwide thing. The world's been through good and evil empires before. It very well could be that America's fortunes are waning. Whether its because we are fat, arrogant, preoccupied, and are collapsisng from our own weight and lack of will, or whether this is a divine judgement, or whether this is a severe test, or just a ripple, time will tell.

[GalvestonDuck]

LOL @ your first line, Ed. I'm sorry I made you think.

I'm glad you explained in more detail though. I fully agree. A lot of the fighting goes all they way back to Isaac and Ishmael.

As for al-Qaeda being a cult, I need to correct myself. I suppose I should have said the Taliban, being more of a religious-based organization, is more like a cult. al-Qaeda is more like what you said...the KKK or Aryan Nation -- they're political, but they also speak in terms of their religion and try to use it to justify their actions.

[coriolis]

Whew! Glad we got that worked out. I thought we were heading for a rumble.

[Corona]

Unfortunately this has set a bad precedent in Spain for the rest
of the EU and with the terrorists themselves. They will now be emboldended.
Influencing an election? People get big heads for less. Hold on to your hats
because the winds of change just blew down the billboard which was
showing them the way.

[rainstorm]

what the spanish pm did was sign the death warrants of thousands. weakness in the face of an enemy leads to more death. he will go down in historyas a disgrace.