THE MOUNTAIN OBSERVER

Vol. 1                                                   Issue 7                                                        08/25/01

             A FREEWHEELING CONSERVATIVE COMMENTARY DEDICATED

            TO THE DEFENSE OF FREEDOM AND THE NEXT GENERATION.

                                        READER DIALOG ENCOURAGED.

                      Where the air is thin and the hunting and fishing are good

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SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES:  "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."                             

(It's not about hunting ducks)

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Blowing off steam:

For at least the last 500 years or so, the unique strength of western civilization has been the pursuit of objective reality, wherever that was to lead. However, this came to be accompanied by a countervailing current, as manifested in the French Revolution, which has been widely and effectively asserted.  As a reaction to the challenges of objective reality we have witnessed the continuous unfolding of the "logic" of self-deception and intellectual relativism.  While the case could certainly be made that this tussle is traceable back to the Garden of Eden, I would argue that the western manifestation is unique.  It is in the west that the logical development and application of technology arose, and it is the west that gave us Rousseau and Karl Marx.  What is one to make of all this? I believe mankind is rapidly approaching a point of confrontation with itself, and I believe objective reality will prevail.  Mankind will discover, sadly the hard way, that the species did not create the universe. Stars die violent deaths, and so likely will we as a species.  I do not believe there is any conflict between God and true science, but rather the conflict lies within us, and a failure of our individual capacities to engage in intellectual and moral honesty. An ability to overcome this characteristic is the framework of personal character and a dialog with God. Relativism is a cop-out; the assumption of individual responsibility and the understanding of our capacity to exercise free will, constructively or destructively, is essential.  Each of us, individually, sooner or later, must answer to the higher authority that awarded us the ability to choose.

Ad Nausium:

A coalition group, The Alliance for Marriage, including Catholic, Muslim, Jewish and Protestant leaders, has announced their proposal for a new amendment to the Constitution.

"Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Neither this constitution or the constitution of any state, nor state or federal law, shall be construed to require that marital status or legal incidents thereof be conferred upon unmarried couples or groups."

I totally support this initiative except I would add the definition of life as commencing with conception.

In reference to a new book, RELIGION EXPLAINED: THE EVOLUTIONARY ORIGINS OF RELIGIOUS THOUGHT by Pascal Boyer:  I have learned this past month that my belief in God is apparently a consequence of gene conditioning, if not in fact a virus, that occurred during the Pleistocene Era in response to survival requirements necessary against predators. Goodness Gracious. This is a good thing to know because I need all the help that I can get against modern predators: Statist Liberals of Mr. Boyer's persuasion.  Is this just a coincidence?  I somehow doubt it.

I made comments in the previous issue about campaign finance reform that reflect my long held view that, in defense of the First Amendment, we should repeal all restrictions, but require full immediate disclosure of all contributions above a nominal amount.  Subsequent to that publication I have been made privy to some very informed thinking on this matter by Bradley A. Smith, a law professor, recently installed onto the Federal Election Commission by the Republicans.  He correctly points out, and cites specific case examples, that individuals can, and have, been intimidated into political inaction for fear of retaliation for their financial support of a political initiative.  For example, if you had kids in school, would you really want to make a publicly advertised contribution to an effort to remove an incompetent Principal or School Board member, or correct a flawed policy?  The fact that your kids might be vulnerable to retaliation might have a chilling effect.  Professor Smith is certainly correct about this, and I stand corrected.  Proper campaign reform consists of lifting all restrictions, including all disclosure requirements.  Abuse of contributions (free speech) is already more than adequately covered by laws against bribery.

I really miss Archie Bunker.  He really had certain daily practical matters figured out, even if Carroll O'Connor never did.

On the ability to think, reason and "connect the dots", I suspect a correlation between Liberals and an inability to master high school math.  It would make an interesting study.  Math, of course, is the basic discipline by which one is best able to develop the skills of logic, reasoning and systematic comprehension, i.e. objective reality.

The right GOP candidate for governor of California is William Simon Jr. not Richard Riordan, who has been thoroughly californicated.

Good luck to Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris in her upcoming bid to replace retiring Rep. Dan Miller in the 13th District (Bradenton).

Bush Score Card:

Good Job:

            - Standing up to complainers about missile defense.  Congratulations on a successful test.

            - Standing up to complainers about Kyoto.

            - Continuing to push for ANWR drilling, but not hard enough.

            - The Social Security Reform Commission rolls forward.

Not So Good:

- Judging by current budget requests, 43 is apparently backing away from his commitment to rebuild the military, Furthermore, a single conflict configuration will only invite trouble.  We shall see.

- With respect to the issue of allowing Mexican national truck drivers to run anywhere in the U.S., as someone familiar with the industry, I find it necessary to raise a flag.  What is exposed here is a basic flaw in the NAFTA Agreement.  While their true motives are suspect, the Democrats are correct in raising the issue of highway safety. Currently we do not have, nor have we planned for, sufficient resources to engage in the necessary levels of inspection and enforcement. Nor, does it seem, has anyone addressed the issue of language problems.  What assurance is there that American drivers will be treated in a truly reciprocal way south of the border?  Who will pick up the liability tab for American motorists killed and injured as a consequence? Unless these issues are squarely addressed by informed people, NAFTA boosters will someday have to explain the consequences.

I support orderly U.S. encouragement of a reformed Mexico, economically, politically and socially.  It is in our interest to see the development of a strong and healthy Mexico, and the real solution to our border problems.  However, more care needs to be given to the process.  I believe we have certain national interests that trump cheap imports, cheap labor and the backstabbing of those immigrants who persevered through the legal process.

- Bush’s "Faith Based Initiatives" proposals, while well intentioned, will, if "successful" get the government into the churches and synagogues and corrupt the message.  His proposals are the sort of thinking that defines a Republican, not a Conservative. I have a similar reaction to the new education bill.  What all this social engineering has in common is a further un-constitutional expansion of the Federal role in matters that belong at the community level.  Let's have another tax cut and allow citizens to find their own way on these matters back home.  George quit meddling.  What if Hillary (Eva Peron) Clinton gets a hold of this stuff?  Ted Kennedy is bad enough.

Terrible:

-Tax dollars going into stem cell research. Now we are on another slippery slope.  Ironically we defeated NAZI Germany on the same issue.

- Getting sucked further into the Balkans rather than getting out.  NATO was a resounding success with respect to its chartered mission, which was accomplished with the collapse of the Soviet Union.  However in the post Soviet era NATO is an anachronism and is becoming an engine of mischief in the badly needed redefinition of American foreign policy for the region.   Europe needs to stand on its own two feet and if those countries choose to go play in a sand pile with their European Union it should be understood that that is their problem, not ours.  We bailed them out twice in the previous century, and that is enough. The current European generation has turned hostile and ungrateful.  To hell with them.  Given their present socialist (soft fascist?) course, the Europeans are no threat to us economically or militarily.  Our concerns reside in the Far East.  As you can see, I am out of tune with the William Kristol types.  Again, I am attempting to define what I consider to be American National Conservatism. My priority is the defense, prosperity and spiritual health of the American Nation.  We have no other mandate or legitimate interest.

- Failing to confront and address honestly the true costs of "free trade" with the ChiCom empire.  Reportedly over a recent 3-month period (April-June) 1751+ people have been executed for political crimes (Amnesty International). It seems that much of this happens in public stadiums with firing squads (no lions yet).  I assume this will have to be temporarily suspended for the Olympics to proceed.  Will China's selection by the IOC prove to be a repeat of 1936?  But of course we don't want to interfere with all the good business, do we, or the contributions that may still be forthcoming to the Democrat Politburo, now or in the future.  George W. what were you doing with Hillary and up-Chuck Schumer on Air Force One the other day?  It all absolutely makes me puke.

Heartland rebellion update:

-La Verkin UT (pop 2000) and Virgin UT (pop 400) are planning votes to declare themselves UN free zones. Last year Virgin passed an ordinance requiring the head of each household to own a gun.

-Reportedly Oregon farmers are in a welding torch war with the Feds at the water gates that control irrigation to their fields.  Under current Federal law (Endangered Species Act) as interpreted by environmentalist bureaucrats, given the water shortages now prevalent, priority must be given to sucker fish and the farmers (and other "un-endangered" animal species) shut off.  Apparently the sheriff stood by while the farmers welded the gates open.  But the Feds are fighting back.  Stay tuned.

-In Nashville TN tax protesters have physically threatened members of the state legislature and the "Republican" governor for attempting to sneak through a state income tax.  A very hostile crowd of citizens and a few well-placed rocks through certain windows again stalled the latest attempt to create the new tax. Again, stay tuned.

-Cincinnati OH cops, witnessing the collapse of reason and civilization in their community, stand down and watch.  It's "payback" time, and only the most notable example of a phenomena seen increasingly across the country, the cutting edge of Balkanization.  Increasingly, people will have to choose between civilization and the jungle, and while cops are paid to do a job, they also are people.  You cannot expect public servants to continue indefinitely to absorb physical threats, ridicule, disrespect and law suites in return for doing their jobs.  It is reasonable to expect a 35-year-old cop or fireman at some point to recognize that his priorities reside with his wife and his kids, and the law-abiding portion of the community.

Bill Kristol and "National Greatness"

For those of you who may have followed this line of thinking as avidly as the mainstream Liberal press has, I want to clarify the sharp distinctions between what Mr. Kristol is advocating and what I mean by American Conservative Nationalism.  Mr. Kristol glorifies state power and a semi-aggressive proactive foreign policy.  To me that smacks of the internationalist fascism that I continue to warn you about.  I advocate maintenance of a strong military and international trade based on reciprocal bilateral agreements that reflect our national interest narrowly defined.  I believe that international intervention should only occur when our national interests, narrowly defined, are directly threatened.  American Conservative Nationalism to me means looking out for our own butt when threatened; not acting as an international police department. It is entirely consistent with conservative philosophy that we should expect others to look after themselves as we look after our own affairs.  A major foreign policy problem we face largely as a consequence of the Cold War era is that too many other countries have grown to be dependent on us, which is flattering to American foreign policy elites.  This is why, going into the post-Soviet era, I am uncomfortable with NATO, the UN, the WTO, international courts and Kyoto.  Contrary to Mr. Kristol's vision, I do not believe that it is either within our capacity or interest to attempt to run the world, because what will happen in time is that the world will run us.  You cannot attempt to consort with looters and expect to succeed in turning them into Boy Scouts, and why do we think it is our job to try?  Smacks a little bit of the old British "white man's burden", except in this instance the British seem to be part of the problem along with most of Europe, curiously Irish excepted.   The Irish supply-side victory over the EU bureaucrats is huge.

CURRENT READING RECOMMENDATION:

            1.) JOHN ADAMS

                        DAVID McCULLOUGH

                        SIMON & SCHUSTER                751 PGS                       $35.00

2.) BOMBERS, BOLSHEVIKS AND BOOTLEGGERS:

A STUDY OF CONSTITUTIONAL SUBVERSION

                        LEON F. SCULLY JR.   

(THE EXCLUSIONARY RULE,    ACTIVIST JUDGES & THE 4th AMENDMENT)

                        PUBLIUS                                  464 PGS                       $29.95

3.)  SPAIN BETRAYED: THE SOVIET UNION IN THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR

                        R. RADOSH, M. HABECK, G. SEVOSTIANOV, ED.

                        YALE                                        537 PGS                       $35.00

God Bless America

JIM

            JIM SOHMER

            AMERICAN NATIONALIST CONSERVATIVE

            JEFFERSON, CO 80456

                                            IN GOD WE TRUST