Guidelines on Turning Fact into Fiction

For my fellow authors and writers seeking to incorporate real-life experiences into fictional novels and/or stories, I have started a multiple-part series on my Dariaanne blog. Today's post revolves around Water Signs' hero, Ken Lockheart.

Fact into Fiction: The Pitfalls and Positives

Over at my Dariaanne Wordpress blog, I am offering tips to my fellow writers on everything from self-publishing to the unusual evolution of my loosely autobiographical tale, Water Signs. Based on a back-and-forth email conversation with a friend, I was inspired to write today's latest update, chronicling copyright laws and respect for the real-life inspirations behind my characters.

Bottom line: Copyright laws only offer protection when authors comply with them. Therefore, I will NEVER divulge real-life identities. It's not a matter of "trust" but a matter of legal protection in a town where there's "six degrees of separation", particularly in the business community.

Tim Graney - Ron Paul's Worthy Opponent in Texas CD-14

For those of us fed up with the 9/11 Truther-Anarchist crowd and their blind devotion to a 20-year incumbent whose foreign policy outlook can be summed up by the simple phrase, "Blame America first," there is a wonderful alternative. Social, fiscal and national security conservative, and small businessman Tim Graney is challenging Ron Paul in the Republican Primary in Texas Congressional District 14. Please click here for my full interview with Tim, now posted on Parcbench. Join his Facebook page here.

As I've repeatedly pointed out, the kook fringe on the right is just as bad as the left -- actually, they are even more dangerous because many are avidly trying to usurp the Tea Party Movement to achieve their own ends. In most cases, this involves pushing for third-party candidates who have absolutely zero chance of winning, and whose candidacy would only serve to push the government even further to the left by splitting the vote on the right.

Moreover, when it comes to intelligent, respectful debate, let's just say the far-right is just as incapable as any troll I've encountered on the left. Just last night on Facebook, a Ron Paul supporter called me a CU&*^% because I have the audacity to believe that 9/11 was caused by radical Muslims, and not the US Government. By the way, this person was a female, and probably one of the only US Marines on the planet to buy into the Truther nonsense.

And if you attempt to explain that you are not simply a "blind sheep" but someone who vehemently disagreed with President Bush on a number of issues, yet still supported him in his efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq, you are derided as a "neo-con", their favorite pejorative for anyone who disagrees with them.

Forget about explaining the intertwined concepts of freedom and responsibility; these people want nothing to do with that. In their minds, liberty means doing anything you want, whenever you want, and to hell with how your actions affect other people. If they had their way, we'd all live in complete chaos, without the benefit of a criminal justice system, police force or military.

On that last point, these folks conveniently forget that the United States is the only country in the history of the world to use our force in the defense of freedom -- not to plunder land from other countries. Further, we are the only country whose outstanding military conducts humanitarian missions for the benefit of mankind, such as their efforts in Haiti immediately following the devastating earthquake.

And yet, some Ron Paul supporters had the audacity to accuse the United States of occupying Haiti!

If there's any difference in terms of foreign policy between left and far-right, I've yet to discern it based on countless interactions on Facebook and Parcbench. Just look at the comments following my piece on Palin's Tea Party Convention speech -- instead of engaging the arguments, they resort to the kind of petty, nasty name-calling that would make any Daily Kos commenter beam with pride.

But I'm a big girl, and I can take it. My larger concern is for our efforts in 2010 to rid Congress of socialists and communists who want to "remake" America. And Ron Paul's enthusiastic, bordering-on-paranoia followers pose a real obstacle to that worthy goal.

I don't know what part of "Death to America!" these people don't understand; or how they can reconcile the fact that freedom cannot exist without the protection of our men and women in uniform. We can reduce the size of government, uphold states' rights, slash taxes, drill for domestic oil and implement free-market health insurance reforms and meaningful immigration reform. That's all welcome and fantastic. However, none of it will do us any good if we don't remain vigilant against radical Islam for whom the left and the far-right are perpetual, useful idiots.

So be sure to choose your candidates carefully in the primaries. 9/11 Truthers may have a right to free speech and expression, but they have absolutely no place in government.

UPDATE: Via Newsbusters, National Geographic special debunks 9/11 conspiracy theories.

Don't Be Fooled GOP

Poll after poll confirms that the vast majority of Americans oppose Obamacare. Americans are a free people and instinctively know that Obamacare has nothing to do with health care, but is simply a big government takeover of one - sixth of the US economy. Could there be any further repudiation of Obamacare than the election of Scott Brown, in deep blue Massachusetts?

Remember the summer recess when ordinary, freedom - loving Americans appeared en masse at town hall meetings across the country and let their elected representatives have it about Obamacare. These largely Democratic legislators were clearly taken aback by the public reaction. They had never had anyone stand up to them before. Democrats in Washington are used to elected Republicans playing dead and rolling over, and capitulating to their every whim. What a shock to them when they discovered that the American people are a much more formidable opponent than the Republican Party.

Which brings me to the upcoming Presidential summit on health care scheduled for later this month. While I disagree vehemently with the President on virtually every issue, he is very intelligent and an extremely skilled politician. No doubt he has learned from the set backs he suffered in New Jersey, Virginia, and Massachusetts. The health care summit could be a stroke of genius on his part, if the GOP allows it to be. Remember the Trojan horse? The President clearly wants to make it look like Republicans are simply the party of no,and are just playing politics.

However, it is Mr. Obama who is playing politics here and there is a way that the GOP can expose his trickery. Republicans must continually emphasize that the summit is a sham because the President won't scrap the House and Senate bills and start from scratch. Remind people about the evils of socialized medicine. Talk rationing and death panels. The GOP has to keep reminding the public that they are willing to start anew at ground zero and work in a bipartisan manner to help improve what is clearly the best health care delivery system in the world. Steal a line from Bill Clinton, "mend it, don't end it."

In advance of the summit Republicans must reduce their plan to writing in simple form, and insist that all of the issues on the table in their plan be up for discussion. Then they have to put their plan out on the Internet. Most importantly Republicans must not back down. If the President, won't agree to these conditions, the GOP should refuse to appear. The same public which has stopped Obamacare dead in its tracks to this point, is solidly with the Republicans on this one. If the President insists on ramming one of the current bills down our collective throats despite the fact that the vast majority of Americans don't want it, then let the Democrats own it.

All you have to do GOP is show a little gumption and "strategery" this month, the American people will take care of the rest come November.

Palin, Paulnuts and the Tea Party Movement

If you are so inclined, head on over to Parcbench for my latest post on Governor Palin's excellent Tea Party Convention speech, which in typical fashion, has attracted all of the 9/11 truther trolls. Did you know that Sarah Palin is "bloodthirsty" simply for demanding that enemy combatants be treated as such? Or that she's single-handedly "driven a stake" through "Ron Paul's" Tea Party Movement? I know it to be true because the Paulnuts tell me so.

As I've been repeatedly pointing out, the far-right poses just as big of a threat to the successful take-back of Congress in 2010 as liberals -- actually, I submit they are even more dangerous. While promoting the concepts of limited government, individual liberty and low taxes, they inexplicably fail to acknowledge that none of that amounts to a hill of beans if radical Islam gets it way with the west. I don't know why these people refuse to face the reality of a rabid ideology wrapped up in a cloak of religion that demands total allegiance to Allah, subjugates women and infidels, and salivates over the imposition of Sharia Law worldwide.

If there's any conspiracy going on, surely it's Global Jihad. How many successful attacks, nearly successful attacks, beheadings, honor killings and screeds of "Death to America"! is it gonna take?

Ironically, Debra Media, candidate for governor in Texas, has finally been "outed" by Glenn Beck as a 9/11 Truther today. Having been familiar with Medina, and being Facebook friends with those well-acquainted with her, it comes as no surprise. But now at least the rest of the country is on to her loony trutherism, thanks to her own bumbling of a perfectly reasonable question.

Finally, I am hosting Diane Student on The Liberty Belle Hour tonight at 7 p.m. And as with last week, I am prepared for the troll calls, which will most certainly arise with the publication of my latest Parcbench article.

Bring it on!

And Happy Birthday, Governor Palin! God bless you!

Whither Al Gore?

This past Friday the Philadelphia area got hit with the second biggest blizzard in recorded history when 28.5 inches of snow blanketed the Delaware Valley on Friday and Saturday. The biggest snow storm in Philadelphia history occurred in January 1996 when 30.7 inches of snow fell. The third biggest storm in our history occurred just six weeks ago in December, 2009, a few weeks before Christmas. At that time we got with 23.2 inches of snow.

Let's see, the second and third biggest snow falls in our history occurred within two months of each, and another large snow storm may be on its way this week. Curious isn't it, that the biggest snow fall occurred during the Clinton Administration while the second and third biggest occurred during the Obama Administration. Can you say global warming, Al? Compare this with the recent email controversy, whereby the global warming hoax was fully exposed, and you have the perpetration of one of the biggest frauds since Orson Welles announced that Martians were invading.

What is even more infuriating is that Al Gore has become a multi - millionaire selling this snake oil. Hey Al, the gig is up. It's almost Lent. Why not be a man and confess publicly that this whole global warming thing is a farce. Also, if you really want to make amends Al and do something for the planet, why don't you take a couple million dollars of your ill gotten gains and donate it to the suffering people of Haiti.

Sarah Palin's Fabulous Speech at the Tea Party Convention

On the eve of Super Bowl Sunday, Palin delivered a knockout speech to the Tea Party Convention in Nashville. Enjoy!

Ron Paul's Campaign for Lunacy

The editors at Parcbench liked my latest piece so much, I am featured prominently next to Dick Morris on the home page! Head on over to the site to read it.

A special note of thanks to commenter Doug for mentioning my book: It has a five-star review from Amazon and has been well-received by everyone who reads it, including a very dear evangelical Christian friend. Oh, and how could I forget to mention -- Sarah Palin herself, a devout Christian who took the time to send me a signed thank-you note! If my scanner was working right now, I'd post it here, but suffice it to say, it was a thrill to receive such encouraging words about my first novel from the Governor herself.

So thank you Doug for telling all of your friends about it, too. If you'd like to read more excellent reviews, you can visit my freelance blog here.

Not sure why my book has any relevance to my well-documented and sourced position on Ron Paul, but I sure do appreciate the free advertising!

Lastly, I am in good company: my views on the Texas congressman are shared by such prominent Reagan conservatives as Michelle Malkin, Allah at Hot Air, and Jim Hoft at Gateway Pundit. I'm proud to count myself among their ranks on this, and many other issues. And whether the Ron Paulnuts like it or not, I will continue to call him out on his treachery.

Thanks again, Doug! God bless you.

P.S. Do you think we should "take out" the CIA, too?

P.P.S. What's with Ron Paul's disdain for Sarah Palin, a politician you claim to support?

The "Scott" Heard Round the World

OK, I admit it. I stole this title from Doc Paul. Although to be fair you must cut me some slack, as I am still ecstatic over Scott Brown's historic victory. No doubt about it, this was truly historic. A conservative candidate winning in deep blue Massachusetts. This election was quite simply the first salvo in the Second American Revolution. We now have Obamacare on the ropes and we must now knock it out for good.

This victory was only the first of many battles to come. We must be relentless in our defense of freedom and traditional American values. We must now work even harder. We must be prepared for Democratic and White House tricks in delaying Mr. Brown's taking his seat, and in continuing efforts to bribe and muscle a health care bill through Congress.

Also Republicans need to learn from this election. Mr. Brown ran a flawless campaign because he ran on conservative ideas. In a state with a huge Democratic majority, he appealed to Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike. It was the only way he could win. But note how he appealed to these groups. He didn't do it by pandering to every interest group that came down the pike, like RINO candidates do. He ran as a conservative and these groups were drawn to him. They were drawn to him because conservative values are American values. They are the values of Ronald Reagan, and the values of our Founding Fathers. They are enduring. Limited government, individual freedom, religious tolerance, strong national defense, term limits, transparency, and control of government spending. Quite simply a recipe for success.

Viva Scott Brown, and thank you good citizens of Massachusetts. God Bless America. Let freedom ring in 2010.

Yes We Did!

The title of my post comes from a popular Facebook profile photo that began showing up everywhere in the exhilarating aftermath of Scott Brown's incredible victory last night. Along with many other South Florida conservative activists, I cheered the election returns at Wings Plus in Coral Springs, where we took over an entire room and greeted every election update with the same kind of uproarious exuberance I recall from childhood and adolescence -- whether watching Ronald Reagan give a speech, or the Philadelphia Eagles score a touchdown.

That Brown's Rocky-style victory in the final round occurred on the one-year anniversary of President Obama's inauguration, and as a result of the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy earlier this year only intensifies the satisfaction and excitement among tea party activists across the country. It is also quite fitting that Massachusetts -- site of the original Boston Tea Party -- would fire the opening shot in a crucial mid-term election year.

Building on the momentum of New Jersey and Virginia's gubernatorial races last fall, the second American Revolution ushered in 2010 by electing a candidate who believes in cutting taxes, limiting the size and scope of government, defeating Obamacare, and keeping the USA on offense against radical Islamic terrorism (even going so far as to defend waterboarding) -- in the most liberal state in the country!

Who'd have thunk it?

Now I understand that many of us are to the right of Scott Brown on some significant issues. Like the majority of my tea party friends on Facebook, I too wish he held a pro-life stance, although he opposes partial-birth abortion and supports parental consent for minors. However, given the perilous circumstances we as a nation find ourselves in as a result of "hope and change", it is even more critical to judge each race on its own merits.

A special-election senatorial race in liberal Massachusetts is quite different from a special-election congressional race in upstate New York. In the latter case, Republican party bosses -- not the people -- hand-picked a candidate who was at least as far to the left as her Democratic opponent. The situation was further exacerbated when Newt Gingrich inexplicably endorsed Dede Scozzafava for simply having an "R" after her name, but otherwise supporting odious legislation like Card Check, among other affronts to American freedom.

In that particular situation, supporting a true conservative like Doug Hoffman, the man the Republican establishment should have coalesced around, sent a clear and necessary message to the GOP elites in Washington that their conservative base was no longer willing to go along to get along. And they've further crystallized that message by refusing to donate to the RNC, in favor of donating their hard-earned money directly to conservative candidates.

But with the USA on the precipice, quibbling with Scott Brown for not being an ideologically pure candidate in a liberal state where "unaffiliated voters" (i.e. Independents) and Democrats far outnumber registered Republicans would've been counter-productive and self-defeating. Aside from the fact that abortion is a states' rights issue, in an age of radical Islamic terror, out-of-control deficit spending, government takeovers of private industry, Cap and Trade, Obamacare, milquetoast foreign policy and disturbingly weakened national security, it is but one of many in a long list of evils.

As the cliche goes, battles must be chosen wisely, and in politics, strategy sometimes trumps ideology. In the areas that matter in terms of defeating the Dems' statist agenda -- strong national defense, fiscal responsibility, lower taxes and limited government -- Scott Brown is in alignment with conservatives. And the fact that grass-roots conservatives have mastered the internet (a medium previously utilized almost exclusively by the left), is a testament to the power and determination of everyday Americans when they recognize the urgent need to fight like hell for their freedom. If we didn't see it before, we now know for certain that no matter where the race is run, its outcome affects us all.

Will Scott Brown possibly disappoint conservatives at some point in the future? Given the fact that, like everyone else in public office, he is also a politician, chances of that are pretty high. There are no perfect human beings, and therefore, no perfect candidates.

However, with Obama and the Dems in meltdown mode, Obamacare on the ropes and the rest of the administration's radical plans for America in jeopardy as a result of a principled guy in a pick-up truck who didn't consider it beneath him to shake hands with his fellow citizens outside in the cold at Fenway Park (and otherwise work his tail off to actually earn their votes), any future disappointment will be tempered by the euphoria of the moment they called the race for Brown.

Between that and the fact that the "truthers" on Facebook are having hysterical fits over Brown's "we win, they lose" approach to Global Jihad, it's a richly satisfying victory, indeed.

I can hardly wait for November.

Scott Brown for US Senate

What is happening now in Massachusetts is the greatest "ride" since Paul Revere rousted the colonists out of their warm beds to warn that the Red Coats were coming. Scott Brown is now warning the locals that Obamacare is coming and that we can and will defeat it. His clarion call has propelled him into the lead, in a race for a Senate seat once held by Ted Kennedy for 47 years. Of course, Mr. Brown also had the line of the year and perhaps the decade, when he responded to a question about running for Ted Kennedy's old seat. The essence of his response was that the seat did not belong to Ted Kennedy but rather to the people of Massachusetts. Brilliant!

With 48 hours to go however, this is no time to slack off. All Republicans, and freedom loving Democrats and Independents must hit the phone lines, and make sure they assist their friends and neighbors in getting to the polls. This is not a race against a Democratic candidate, this is a race against the socialists/Marxists who have hijacked the Democratic Party.

I don't think I exaggerate when I say that this may be the most important race in our history to date. If Mr. Brown wins we stand a good chance of stopping Obamacare in its tracks. It will deny the racist Harry Reid the 60 votes he needs and most likely cause some moderate Democrat defections in the Senate.

I say a good chance of stopping socialized medicine and not totally stopping it because even if Mr. Brown wins, the White House and the Democratic party will not "accept" it. They will gin up fraudulent reasons to delay his swearing in so that they can ram in a vote in the interim. Hopefully, the RNC and Republican Party have lawyers at the ready to file petitions in court to prevent such a farce and to enable Mr. Brown to get sworn in promptly should he win the election.

We are now on the one yard line. Let's not settle for a field goal. Freedom requires a touchdown.

Truth(er) and Consequences, Facebook-style

One of the few silver linings in the otherwise dismally bleak consequences of the 2008 Presidential Election has been the nationwide revival of commonsense conservatism. With a renewed appreciation and respect for the United States Constitution, Americans from coast-to-coast have joined forces and channeled their energies into a productive, passionate movement now recognized as tea party activism – inspired by patriots like Seattle mom Keli Carender, and further incited by CNBC’s Rick Santelli. Throughout 2009, the momentum steadily increased in size and scope, as cities and towns all across America held passionate protests against massive government spending.

In tandem with this revitalized sense of patriotism, concerned right-leaning citizens finally mastered the medium that the left had used so effectively to propel their chosen “historic” candidate into office – social media and the internet. From Facebook to twitter to countless excellent blogs, conservatives began to employ technology to effect meaningful “change”.

Using this powerful, 21^st Century medium, they found other like-minded Americans with whom they could disseminate important information on issues, candidates and meetings; take action wherever necessary and possible (e.g. donating to grass-roots candidates, flooding the Senate switchboards); and generally keep each other energized and motivated for the long battles ahead.

As one of the aforementioned, I joined Facebook and twitter sometime in 2008, right around the time House Republicans took a stand for domestic drilling, but weeks before John McCain thankfully chose Sarah Palin as his running-mate (a woman whose career I’d been following for the better part of a year). I delighted at the ease with which I located other well-informed members of the citizenry, who were also horrified by the prospects of an Obama presidency, and equally angered by the fiscal recklessness we’d witnessed with the previous administration and congress.

Having the ability to communicate, plan, instruct, and otherwise commiserate with them was a welcome source of comfort and strength in an age of stimulus, czars, government takeovers of private industry, tax cheats, apology tours, and slobbering media sycophants.

And then came the truthers.

Oh I’d read about these folks on reputable blogs like Hot Air, Michelle Malkin and Gateway Pundit, who documented nut-job radio host Alex Jones’ attack on Malkin at the DNC in August, 2008. Along the way, I’d even come across an excellent City Journal piece, Conspiracy of Crackpots, by John Avlon in which he chronicles the surreal – but not to be underestimated – nature of the movement, which at the time of his September, 2008 article, comprised over thirty percent (!) of the population, according to a Scripps poll.

In spite of YouTube evidence of their self-appointed hero Ron Paul’s attendance at a 9/11 Scholars for Truth meeting in 2007 – during which he promised to investigate the “real” cause of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks with none other than Dennis Kucinich – it just never occurred to me I’d inadvertently “friend” any of these conspiracy loons on Facebook, thanks to a philosophical overlap on economic policy. For this same reason, I’d also friended “non-truther” but in most cases, no less fanatical, Ron Paul supporters. However, for the most part, we’d all co-existed in harmony, mainly focused on curtailing and ultimately destroying horrid legislation like Cap and Trade and Obamacare.

That all changed the day after the underwear bomber from Yemen tried to blow up Northwest Airlines Flight 253 on approach to Detroit on Christmas Day, 2009. Object of truther-worship Ron Paul appeared on CNN where he openly – and might I add, stupidly – blamed the attack on “US occupation of Yemen and Nigeria”, a statement that is patently absurd. No matter: immediately following Paul’s treacherous appearance, the truthers who’d been lurking in the shadows of my friends’ list took it upon themselves to post video of the entire Ron Paul versus Ben Stein spectacle on my profile page, enhanced with paeans to Paul’s alleged “brilliance”, and Stein’s apparent ignorance in branding the Texas congressman an anti-Semite.

The debate threads that ensued contained such delusional comments as “Al-Qaeda is a CIA fantasy”; the Tea Party Movement was started by “libertarians” but hijacked by “neo-cons” (every truther’s favorite pejorative for anyone who accepts the reality of Global Jihad); and my personal favorite, “Everyone knows Bush and Cheney hired the Israeli Mossad to fly the planes into the buildings!”

Needless to say, it is impossible to employ logic with those who are willfully illogical. After many painstaking attempts, most of which included a timeline of terror predating and following September 11, 2001 (1993 WTC bombing, Embassy bombings, USS Cole, Madrid bombings, London Subway bombings, etc); and then inquiring as to whether all of these were also “inside jobs” on the part of the US government, I finally gave up. They would simply ignore my question and respond with another rant about Israel, or another diatribe against “Darth” Cheney.

Good riddance to trash, right? You betcha!

However, there is one aspect I find terribly disturbing—the holier-than-thou, Bible-quoting Ron Paul supporter. This type uses scripture to back up the insane belief that we have no right to defend ourselves against radical Islam, as God is “punishing” us for the scourge of abortion. Now, let me state forthrightly: I am ardently and fervently pro-life. I believe life begins at conception. I believe that innocent life is sacred, regardless of circumstances (e.g. handicaps, financial situation of the parents, etc). I also believe that from a procedural standpoint, Roe versus Wade is unconstitutional, and should be overturned, thus sending the abortion issue back to the states, where it rightfully belongs. Sounds libertarian enough, no?

Voters of each state should determine the legality of abortion for their state, as well as decide on the ancillary issues, like restrictions on the procedure after the first trimester, and parental consent for minors. Yes, abortion is evil. So are beheadings, honor killings, rape rooms, stonings, destructive and deadly riots over Danish cartoons and suicide bombs strapped onto two year-olds. But try explaining that to a true Ron Paul believer.

To attribute the cause of Islamofascism – a rabid, hateful and oppressive political system wrapped up in a strident religious ideology – on the legalization of abortion in America is beyond ludicrous. Muslims have been attacking western civilization for centuries, long before the United States even existed. The difference is that they now have the benefit of modern technology to assist them, requiring evermore vigilance on the part of freedom-loving people everywhere. And as the leader of the free world, the American President has a solemn duty to do everything within his power to prevent the United States and our allies from experiencing further acts of bloody, murderous aggression at the hands of Jihadists.

As a self-professed Christian, Ron Paul has an obligation to speak out against evil. It may be enough for the Christian Paulnuts I’ve bumped into that their guy is “pro-life”, but it’s certainly not enough for this lifelong Catholic. Paul was the ONLY Republican to vote against sanctions on the Iranian regime; I guess he’s ok with the mullahs unleashing a brutal reign of terror against their own people for the “crime” of wanting their freedom.

Hey, if President Obama can go out for ice cream on a hot summer night while innocent Iranians are shot and killed on the streets of Tehran, why shouldn’t Paul vote against sanctions?

When my Christian Ron Paul supporter sanctimoniously inquired if I was a follower of Christ, my response was “Yes, and I’d like to stay that way. However, the ultimate goal of Global Jihad is to impose a worldwide Muslim caliphate in which infidels either submit to Allah or die. Therefore, I will only vote for candidates who espouse a sane foreign policy that includes staying on offense against radical Islamic terror.”

Again, no response to my statement; just some blathering about how it’s all God’s will anyway.

I patiently replied that obviously, whatever God wills ultimately prevails, but that the Almighty also expects us to speak out against evil; that we have an obligation to confront it. I then asked why she wouldn’t support Paul’s primary opponent, Tim Graney, a man who is simultaneously pro-life, pro-limited government and pro-national security. Why settle for someone who may be economically sane, but woefully naïve at best and perilously ignorant at worst, in matters of foreign policy? She offered no useful rebuttal, other than to malign me for my dislike of “the good doctor” who is after all, a “Republican” like me.

Gee and all this time I believed groupthink was only a requirement for lefties!

Needless to say, I’ve been exercising my God-given and Facebook-approved right to approve or deny friend requests, delete and block friends who’ve become abusive or simply illogical, and screen all friend requests for truthers and Ron Paulnuts prior to approving. For that I’ve also been condemned by some as (you guessed it) “un-Christian” and in many cases “anti-American” (Choosing the friends with whom you associate is now considered “blacklisting” in some circles. Who knew? My poor mom, a woman who always taught me that people judge you by the company you keep, will be devastated).

In the meantime, while this avid Tea Party protester will continue to fight against statism, socialism, Obamacare, Cap and Trade, and every other travesty the “gangsta” congress and president try to ram down our throats, she’ll also continue to stand up for freedom by calling out “truthers”, condemning Global Jihad and supporting only candidates with the moral rectitude to do the same.

The Liberty Belle Hour Photo Montage

At a good friend's suggestion, I decided to create a photo montage to use for my new show on wafs. It's far from perfect, but nevertheless, a good retrospective of the past year that includes Water Signs book events, tea party protests and family gatherings.

I tried to incorporate enough symbolism to reflect my birth in the City of Brotherly Love, traditional upbringing in a nearby suburb and conservative activism in South Florida.

"I've Got A Name" by Jim Croce (another native Philadelphian) was selected, since it is a tribute to the power and strength of the individual when allowed to live in freedom. "Independence Day" by Martina McBride, a metaphor for domestic violence, is also rather appropriate, since our tyrannical federal government is behaving very much like an abusive spouse.

Hope you can tune into the show next Thursday, January 14, when my guest will be the author of Blue Water Comic's Reagan Comic Book, Don Smith.

The Liberty Belle Hour debuts tomorrow night!

I am very excited to announce the debut of my new show on Thursday, January 7 at 7 p.m. Eastern on wafs. My first guest will be beautiful, talented singer/songwriter, Ava Aston, whose "We The People" video is an anthem to American freedom and the tea party movement.

Last month, Steve and I interviewed her on Conservative Republican Forum, and it was such a pleasure to speak with her, I decided to bring her back for my own show's kick-off broadcast. You can also read my Parcbench interview with her, here.

A huge thank-you to John Sottilare for offering the invitation!

Join my FB Group page here.

Introducing the Reagan Comic Book

The latest edition to Blue Water Comic's Political Power series hits the stands at the end of this month. Recently, I sat down with Reagan Comic author Don Smith to get his take on America's 40th president as a man, leader, husband, father and architect of the collapse of the "Evil Empire".

Click over to Parcbench for the full interview, but here's an excerpt:

“Was the Soviet Union an ‘Evil Empire?’ Was President Ronald Reagan at the right place and right time when it collapsed? Or was he one of the shrewdest occupants of the White House? Find out how this Mid-Western-turned-actor-turned-President went from B-movies to orchestrating the total collapse of the Soviet Union.”

Such were the questions comic book writer Don Smith sought to answer in his brief re-telling of the story of the man countless Americans remember with utmost pride, respect and admiration.

I recently had the privilege of interviewing Don about his latest effort, his foray into comic-book writing from newspaper journalism, and any future Blue Water projects he’s collaborating on.

In the interest of Full Disclosure, I also had the opportunity to read and review the Reagan comic back in October, per Smith’s request:

“In his own inimitable mixture of wit, creativity and humor, Don Smith pens a striking comic book biography of the man I consider to be America’s greatest modern President,” said author Daria DiGiovanni.

“Both those old enough to remember Ronald Reagan and those for whom he’s simply a chapter in a history textbook will delight in Smith’s vivid recollection of out 40th President’s remarkable life and impressive eight-year tenure. Thank you Don, for introducing him in such a brilliant way to a new generation of Americans, and for reminding the rest of us about Reagan’s patriotism, courage and integrity,” she noted.

Note: Don provided the first professional review for my book, Water Signs for Temerity Magazine back in May, 2009.

Delray Beach Library Eleventh Annual Author's Showcase

How exciting to be chosen to participate in this event this year! On January 10, 2010, I will be one of several authors speaking at the Delray Beach Library Eleventh Annual Author's Showcase. Later today, I will be interviewed by a local Boca Raton reporter - also a native Philadelphian - which should be a lot of fun.

If you live in South Florida, I hope you can join us on January 10. In the meantime, you can find Water Signs on Amazon.com and my website. Within the next few months, I plan to launch a site for my forthcoming sequel, Sea To Shining Sea. If I can keep myself on a disciplined track, the new book will be available by late-spring/early-summer.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

A Christmas Gift for the GOP

The vile, anti- American health care bill that recently garnered 60 Democratic votes in the Senate, may in fact turn out to be quite a Christmas gift to the GOP. Maybe, that is, and I do mean maybe. Why do I say, maybe? Because a gift is only valuable to the receiver if he or she chooses to accept it. Are you listening Mr. Steele, because Santa has just come down your chimney. If you heed this advice, you will not only save your party but save your country.

What is the ghost of Christmas future telling you, Mr. Steele? The ghost is telling you to nationalize the congressional elections of 2010 and make the center piece of your campaign the reversal of this abomination. If you do so, you will not only gain majority status for the Republican Party you will do no less than save the nation. This is a purely Democratic bill without a single Republican vote. It will be easy to attack given its complete lack of bipartisanship, and the illegal backroom deals employed to buy the votes of key senators. There are no excuses now Mr. Steele. Expose the perpetrators, name names, go after the dinosaur media. On this Christmas 2009, now is the time for bold action. On the other hand, your failure to act boldly will result in the complete diminishment of your party and doom for America.

Merry Christmas

During this Christmas season of profound hope, peace, and joy we wish all of you, and most especially the heroes of our great American military, a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and Happy New Year. May all of our troops return home safely to their families some day soon.

Broward Tea Party Thank You Vigil for the Troops

The longest running Tea Party in the USA organized a thank you vigil for the US Military tonight at the corner of US 1 and Oakland Park Blvd. What a pleasure it was to stand with like-minded Americans in support of our troops and their families. We cannot thank them enough for all they do! May God bless our men and women in uniform this Christmas Season and throughout the year. We love you and support you always!

For more photos, click here.

UPDATE: My friend Donna Dunn took this wonderful video. Enjoy and God bless America and our Troops!

Sea To Shining Sea

I've been hard at work on the sequel to my debut novel, Water Signs: A Story of Love and Renewal, which is available on my website in PDF and paperback, and on Amazon.com in Kindle and paperback. Hey, if you're looking for a Christmas gift that doesn't require a trip to the mall, check it out!

For those who've read Water Signs, Sea To Shining Sea picks up six months later in the lives of newly married couple, Ken and Madeline. Unlike my first effort, this second novel will take more of a political turn, reflecting current events and culture through the trials and tribulations of my main characters:

After sixteen tumultuous years, destined lovers Ken and Madeline Lockheart finally have it all—a blissful marriage, a beautiful home, two healthy children, fulfilling work and a renewed sense of faith and patriotism. But during one significant business trip abroad, the couple will personally discover just how treacherous and absurd the world has become.

When a joyous event becomes a source of contention with the “medical experts”, and an important telecomm deal implodes thanks to government-imposed political correctness, Ken transitions from successful sales executive to determined candidate for office. And while he’s always enjoyed a good reputation and the respect of his community, he’s in for a rude awakening as Sunshine State politics quickly turns friends into enemies.

Having landed her man at last, Madeline valiantly endeavors to create close bonds with his offspring, in spite of their mother’s endless attempts to discredit her. In the wake of unexpected and simultaneously uplifting and tragic news, she’s forced to summon the same strength and courage that has always guided her in the past.

Spurred on by steadfast faith in God, genuine love of country and unwavering fidelity to each other, Ken and Madeline will ultimately come to understand the broader significance of their star-crossed union and the esoteric value of their journey to shining sea.

UPDATE: Somehow I'd forgotten to post a link to photos from my book signing at Saquella Cafe last month in Boca Raton. A big thank you to Avi, the owner and to Facebook friend Denise Righetti for setting it up.