Dressed for the War Room

If you haven't visited the GOP War Room, McCain's rapid response media facility at 2810 Speer Boulevard, it's worth a look today or tomorrow as the DNC approaches its climax (orgasmic pun intended) with Obama's big stadium speech. I stopped by there on Tuesday to gather news, not make it, but Myung Kim of the Rocky was intrigued by my pro-Bush tee shirt and posted this short item about it. She also snapped a photo, but since that didn't appear, here's one of my own:

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The War Room is an impressive operation and was buzzing with activity when I was there. Mitt Romney was in front of a bunch of TV cameras in the inside studio, and Rudy Giuliani was in front of a bunch more outside, sweltering in his NYC dark suit. The place is a bit tricky to find: go north on Speer from I-25, past Zuni, then right on Firth, which curves into a sort of alley from which you enter the 2810 building on the rear, away from Speer.

As for my "10 of 10 Terrorists" shirt, the last time I wore it for anything but yard work was at the 2007 Bolder Boulder, where I figured it would stir conversation among fellow runners -- and perhaps incentivize me to run faster, lest the Bush-haters beset me. And it must have worked; I almost ran my age, 64 minutes for the 10K. Here's hoping it brings my side good luck in the much bigger race of these next ten weeks.

Counsel for a college freshman

A young friend of mine started at Hillsdale College this week, and his dad, with whom I attend church, gave the new freshman a unique gift. The father asked a couple dozen people whom he respects to email our thoughts on two questions, for inclusion in a virtual scrapbook that will accompany the Class of 2012 entrant to campus. Those questions, and my answers to each, were as follows: 1. What is one thing that you did (or wished you had done) to make your college experience great?

My years at a Midwest liberal arts college with high ideals and a small student body, picturesque rural campus (much like Hillsdale in all those ways), were golden in part because I was led to (a) take the smaller, more challenging classes where I could get full benefit of personal tutoring from the professor and (b) participate to the fullest in many extracurricular activities, which often provided me better learning experiences and more lifelong friendships than the academic side of college.

2. What is one "truth" (adage or scripture or quote) that was important to you back then or today?

Very early in college I came across the Latin motto, "Navigare necesse est, vivere non necesse est." It was the by-word of explorers setting out from Europe into distant unknown oceans centuries ago. The translation is roughly, "To sail is imperative, to live or merely survive is not." In other words, risk it! Aim high, go beyond your limits, follow your star. That served me well as a undergrad and ever since.

Endnote: If you want to feel ancient, try confronting the fact that it's been 46 years since you were in this young guy's shoes, diving into college with all the excitement and trepidation that includes. For me that meant August 1962, heading off to my parents' alma mater, Principia College in Elsah, Illinois. The dad's question about "what made your college experience great" was on target in my case; those turned out to be four of the best years of my life. Two decades later, as it happened, I had another great four years working as a vice president at Hillsdale, to which I must regretfully give the edge over my beloved Principia in terms of conservative principles and fidelity to biblical truth.

Vegans for McCain

The campaign grows ever more bizarre. Today the segmented electorate and micro-targeting reached a new extreme. The latest exotic demographic is McCain voters who use no animal products, have no sense of humor, and listen to NPR. It started Saturday morning when Scott Simon of "Weekend Edition" asked me for a Republican's take on what DNC delegates should see and do. I recommended something broiled at the Buckhorn, especially for those vegetarians who don't get out much; something cold from New Belgium Brewery; a visit to the Mint where Obama's deficit dollars will be created; and a trip up one of our Fourteeners. Here's the audio.

No sooner had this hit the airwaves than the following angry email, unsigned, hit my inbox:

I am a McCain supporter. However, your comments on vegetarian tofu-eating liberals today on PBS were stupid and unnecessary. I am a proud vegan as is my wife, daughter, son, and their spouses. We are all for McCain. But your stupidity may make me rethink this. Maybe I am more liberal than I think I am, and maybe all my family members should ponder our positions.

Horrors! What if his is the one family in the one state whose votes, if indeed I've alienated them forever, will tip the electoral college to Obama-Biden? Must placate, must conciliate, must use conflict-resolution skills, not a moment to lose. So I quickly replied this way, under the subject line, "Soybean Curd Forever:"

Dear Friend: Can't you take a joke? I eat tofu myself sometimes. Did I insult vegans? That was not intended. My grandfather never ate meat in his life. He's one of my greatest heroes, and would have smiled, I'm sure, at the teasing about our Buckhorn Exchange steakhouse in Denver. Please tell me your name and where you're writing from. And consider that if Obama becomes President, many of the freedoms we both cherish -- including choosing what we eat -- will be in jeopardy. So don't let one guy's kidding on the radio run you off a sensible vote for McCain.

It was my best effort in haste, friendly and folksy yet firm, but as always the ideal rejoinder to a vegan came to me only later. I should have told him: "Don't have a non-cow, man." Anyway, no reply from the offended NPR listener as yet, so we may have lost him and all his herbivorous kin. Either this is a very dry put-on, or he's one peeved PETA member.

How will I live with myself if this costs Republicans the White House in November? My self-esteem is already down after realizing I misspoke on the air with Simon and spoke of driving up Pike's Peak or Long's Peak. Any flatland fool knows the summit auto road closest to Denver goes up Mount Evans, while Long's Peak is accessible only on foot.

First Bob Schaffer gets his mountains mixed up, now me. Hope it's not an omen. "Dark clouds gather; the pinnacle you will reach is not the one you imagined you would." Know any vegan astrologers I could consult about the horoscope for 11/4/08?

One American's Credo

I am of Scottish and Danish stock: what could be sterner stuff? Yes, Braveheart and Norsemen. My people made Europe with their blood and sweat–and the Faith that elevated the Continent and the British Isles. That point in time came in the early 1700’s when my people felt and bore the crushing weight of religious persecution. As Scots and Danes imbued with the Love of God burning deep within, they faced the stormy dangers of the unpredictable Atlantic to leave Europe behind and come here, Philadelphia and Omaha respectively. They forged iron and steel to make their homes, churches and schools.

They fought for Independence and then for Freedom of the Slaves. They fought to rescue Europe from tyranny twice, only to be faced with World-wide Communism. By their efforts, because by their sides were thousands and thousands of other Americans of like-mind, the Soviet Union collapsed under the weight of its Evil Empire.

Now, our Great Nation is being fed the pap that all that should be forgotten and replaced with the very fallacies, weaknesses, and “-isms” from which our forefathers had fought and freed themselves.

I am proud of America and I have devoted my life, as have my brothers and sisters in Faith, to preserving and improving Our Nation within a framework of respect for the Fact that “we are standing on the Shoulders of Giants” !! Europe needs us more than we need its profound exhaustion and declining birthrate, which are the natural consequences of their diminishing Faith.

Let us all grasp the fact that Europe’s reliance on faithless solipsism and nihilism cannot endure long and even now is being pulled from beneath their complacent feet. Healthy societies are either moving forward responsibly or they are sliding into chaos, confusion and inescapable vulnerability. One would have thought a Lenin, a Hitler and a Stalin sufficient to warn Europeans “to stand guardians at the doors” of their Freedoms.

Our Faith, Our People, Our Land and Our God-Given Inalienable Rights as Citizens of this Great Nation (as confirmed in and meant to be preserved by the U. S. Constitution) are the most solid reasons for relentlessly protecting and exercising to the fullest Our Freedoms. Turn back the assault by going on the offensive !!

Jim Ritchie is a practicing attorney in the Atlanta area, and President of Georgia Media Matters, Ltd.

Fritz: "To the banqueting house"

Marshall Fritz of the Alliance for the Separation of School and State is one of the most effective freedom advocates and brilliantly buoyant human beings I've ever known. Now 65, he's been been given only a matter of months to live with a cancer diagnosis, his second. Before founding the Alliance, Marshall was instrumental in the growth of the California Libertarian Party, created the still-vigorous Advocates for Self-Government, and birthed an experimental school, Pioneer Christian Academy, in his hometown of Fresno. Celebrations of his life, attended by friends, family, and associates from the political wars, have recently been held in Atlanta, Fresno, and Hollywood. I attended the latter on June 21 with about 60 other Fritz fans, and found it an amazingly joyous and lighthearted occasion. But that's Marshall for you. The father of four, grandfather of 12, and longtime husband of Joan has that effect on any group under any circumstances. Part of it is probably his glowing Catholic faith; the rest is simply innate. Unique and irreplaceable to be sure.

His getting-ready-to-die website is at MarshallFritz.com. On the close of that evening, I was moved to quote Song of Solomon 2:4..."He took me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love." Marshall Fritz's earthly life, however much longer it may last, has been a vivid enactment of love for God and man -- which is now being repaid with lavish testimonials of their love for him. The banners of that banquet, I won't soon forget.