Yesterday, Hillary spoke to the Senate against the "Military Commissions Act" which ensures  terrorists can be prosecuted for their crimes in full and fair trials. She said...

"By allowing this Administration to further stretch the definition of what is and is not torture, we lower our moral standards to those whom we despise, undermine the values of our flag wherever it flies, put our troops in danger, and jeopardize our moral strength in a conflict that cannot be won simply with military might."

First, I don't think sleep deprivation (or other "torture," I prefer to break a few bones) lowers us to the moral standard of killing innocent people. Are these the same moral equivalence to Hillary? Helping provide bombs to people in order for them to blow themselves up in marketplaces packed with civilians, and inflicting pain upon one of these people in order to stop the killing of the innocent. Those are equal?!?!?!? Torture in no way lowers "moral strength" to the depth of the extreme killing fanatics.

Second, she believes we are in a "conflict." I was in a conflict the other day. Only the other party in this conflict didn't want to invade my culture and world, destroy my home,  and kill me and my family. I wonder how Hillary would define a war. I suspect that she would acknowledge there is a war against "this administration." Dum Dum Duuuummm.

Third, I'm not sure where Hillary stands on the wire tapping issue, but I wish her and her Dem friends would embrace her thoughts that we are "in a conflict that cannot be won simply with military might." Isn't that what Bush has been saying all along. Yes, we need intelligence to fight this war. So why are the Dems stopping that from happening?

Third and a half, forgive me but I was listening to Air America today. And the program was playing multipe Dems who wanted to put more troops in Afghanistan. Apparently that would fix everything. Hillary should tell them that it cannot be won simply with military might.

I just began reading Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee's book Character is the Issue. I have to admit, since I'm a native of Arkansas I might be have a predisposition to support him . But the more I'm learning about him the more I truly do like him, even esteem him. Yes, I think he'd be a great candidate for 2008. He has strong conservative Christian values. He used to be a minister. And best of all he's a runner!!! Woo Pig Sooie! 

The following is a line form a speech he gave back in July of 1996 in a historic day in Arkansas. The speech was delivered to the state when Huckabee was expected to be governor, but out going Gov. Jim Guy Tucker had suddenly announced he would not be resigning despite the criminal convictions against him regarding the Whitewater trial. Addressing the entire state, Huckabee had just announced that an impeachment process had begun, and said...

"If there are court challenges, let them come. We're more than ready to face them. If there are challenges from those who write columns or make opinions, let them come. We have not been elected to take a poll or check with opinion writers, or even to be threatened with legal action. He have been elected to serve you and represent you."

I like his attitude toward the polls. He didn't care what the numbers would say. He wanted to do what was right. And what was best for the state of Arkansas. I definitely think this man has the stuff to follow in Bush's steps. He's got my vote.

Yesterday, I hiked Mt Shavano with a buddy of mine. Just wanted to pass along to all of you Coloradans that it's not too late to get a hike in...SUMMERS NOT OVER YET!!
It's fading, I know. But I'm in partial denial. That is until I start boarding in a few months. Sweet.

Any how, for those that want to know more about the hike and to see some pictures, go the 14ers site.

It was a beautiful day. I feel bad for all of you who don't get to see the wonderful Rocky Mountains everyday. But you probably get to see another great aspect of our majestic country. Enjoy wherever you are. Right? ...something that's easy to do when living in America.

If you're interested in joining the fight on cancer, here are a few places to get started -

www.cancer.org

www.livestrong.org

www.teamintraining.org

Some not so good news has developed for the Harp family recently. Yesterday I found out that my dad's cancer has returned again. This will be the third time in three years. When we first found out, I wasn't too concerned about this stuff affecting my dad. This year he turned 60. But looking at my him, most people would be surprised that he's over 40. He is one of the most fit, in shape guy out there. You have to have a good body and sound mind to be a farmer. Nonetheless, the cancer has returned. Here's a few things that are great about my dad.

My dad has served his country. He served in Vietnam. He's always had a love for this country. And has been respectful and grateful for this nation of freedom we live in. Recently, since I've been taking up the responsibility of being engage politically, we've had some great talks and I gain more wisdom from his insight. Yes, my dad has served his country, but more importantly...

My dad has served his family. He has raised me and my two older brothers with steady devotion. Psalms 23 begins "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want." This would be an adequate tribute to my dad as well. Not many people enter the 'real world' without debt or college loans. This is just one area that my dad has been a provider for me. Yes, my dad has served his family, but more importantly...

My dad has served God. His duty to his country and commitment to his family are not unique to the rest of his life.In every aspect my dad reflects a man that walks humbly with his God.

Popular Mechanics ran an article called Debunking Katrina Myths (http://www.popularmechanics.com/specials/features/2315076.html).

This article, that ran back in March, counters the misleading statements that were made in regard to the Katrina disaster. It's frustrating to think that so many people still believe these lies/myths to be true. Anyone that uses these misleading, fallacious myths as talking points about our government does not know the truth about this situation. And I would gather that these people don't care to know the truth.

The myth that this was "the worst abandonments of Americans on American soil..." and that our government failed in all areas of a rescue effort are completely absurd. The article states that the response was by far the largest and fastest rescue effort in U.S. history.

The article did not debunk the myth that the government blew up the levees. But does something so idiotic need to be disproved?

Have there been any other publications out there like this that debunk what the leading media led America to believe? Way to go Popular Mechanics. Science Rocks!

I was in the library the other day and was shocked to see an article in Christianity Today titled "5 Reasons Torture Is Always Wrong." http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/002/23.32.html

The first reason the article gives that torture is wrong is that it violates the dignity of the human being. Doesn't immoral killing of innocent people constitute a violation of this same dignity. Even more so. We are made in the image of God, as the article states. Thus I would conclude that human beings living is more valuable than a human being having to endure broken fingers or scalding burns.

The second reason the article gives that torture is wrong is that it mistreats the vulnerable and violates the demands of justice. I can't believe these reasons were used in the same sentence and the author didn't make the connection that usually those that we "torture" are out to KILL the vulnerable. Which demands justice.

I could go on about the absurdity that this article is arguing for. But I am perplexed at the stance that torture is ALWAYS wrong.

Torture is wrong when it is unjustly done to innocent people. Unjustly would be when there is no chance of good to come from the torture. Deviating the plans to murder our troops, citizens or innocent people who don’t hold a certain point of view IS GOOD. And often "torture" or "enhanced interrogation techniques" leads to information that prevents such plans. Which justifies this "torture."

The author concludes by stating...

It is past time for evangelical Christians to remind our government and our society of perennial moral values, which also happen to be international and domestic laws. As Christians, we care about moral values, and we vote on the basis of such values. We care deeply about human-rights violations around the world. Now it is time to raise our voice and say an unequivocal no to torture, a practice that has no place in our society and violates our most cherished moral convictions.

The author is forgetting a superseding perennial moral value - the sanctity of life.

I have a question to all Christian who claim that we shouldn't get mildly, overly, or even excessively into politics. For those that think we shouldn't be influencing the world through legislation. To those who believe Christians shouldn't seek power in politics. The question is: Do you support President Bush?

I think it's safe to say that the overwhelming majority of Christians do support W and his administration. And W is obviously a man of faith, and you can't get into politics any more than being the president.

So if Christian should not be in politics, then we should have opposed our fellow brother and voted against him in 2000. There would have been no question about the results, Gore would have won in a landslide.

There is inconsistency in the claim that we should not seek involvement in politics and then vote for someone who has professed his faith, like W.

Here's an analogy - Let's say that it was wrong for Christians, for whatever reason, to be in the sheep shearing profession. And their was a organization that gave college scholarships to graduating Christian seniors. This organization found a very promising young student and offered him a full ride to any college. So when he chooses Oklahoma Shearing Technical University, should the organization still support him? I doubt they would.

Can this inconsistency be explained?

I recently heard a debate on the discontinuation of the American penny. There seemed to be valid points on both sides, but then I looked into the facts a little more.

Checkout Americans for Common Cents at - http://www.pennies.org/. They have a posting from 8/6 under 'What's New' that seperates the Myths from Reality. My biggest reason for wanting to keep the penny is for children.

Children don't have much access to money, if any. But usually they can scrounge up a handful of pennies. At my church we let the children bring in offering during their classes. And the buckets are often glowing with a copper color. Just over this last summer the kids brought in $800, most of it being in pennies.

One other thing comes to mind. Let's say that sales tax is $0.07 per $1.00. Well, what would stop merchants from strategically pricing the merchandise to round in their favor? So they take everything that used to cost $1.00 ($1.07 with sales tax, that would then be rounded DOWN to $1.05), and they change the price to $1.01 ($1.08 with sales tax, that would then be rounded UP to $1.10). They would then gain an extra $0.02 for every single purchase.

The latest polls show that most Americans are in favor of keeping the penny around. Yeah!

The apostle Paul says in Romans 12,
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. (NKJV)

Most people know of "that guy." You know. That guy at the party that always swings his arms around your neck and says "I love you, man" or "You're the Greatest." Yeah, that guy. But when that guy sobers up, the praise soon ceases or at least become less frequent.

There are several who would sing these accolades to America. But do these praises come as a result of sober thinking? Or are those who think America is the greatest country in the world drunk on freedom, incapable of seeing a clear sane estimate of our nation?

There's a list of things that America has done or is doing now that is immoral. And I'm sure there will be more immoral acts committed by our country in the future. However, the amount of good, moral living that America has brought and established to itself and the world is uncontested in this world.

No other country has promoted and spread freedom (and with it God's Word) than the USA. The majority of our living, thinking and relationships are morally sound. I will acknowledge, within our borders, it seems that America's culture is slipping away from God. Yet there are many who are still God-fearing citizens that are committed to the values and morals that this country was built on - those of God.

If God went through this planet and poured our His wrath on every country, and destroyed them all one by one, then I would wager that America would be close to the end of the list, if not last.

Just before we are told to have a sober judgement of ourselves, Paul says,
... do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (NKJV)

America certainly hasn't conformed to the world and world opinion. I believe the freedoms that we established and are establishing all over the world is work to prove God's will.

Yes America has room for improvement. And we certainly can be a country that walks closer with our Lord. But, to this amazing country that I call home, I have to say to her, soberly, "I love you, America" and "You're the Greatest!"