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 But I think I'm experiencing a similar "hold up." Back in June I was told I'd be sued if I didn't remove some information I had posted on this website (information I believe was and is absolutely true). The libel and slander lawsuit was the big, cold revolver. I quickly did as the bandit demanded. But acquiescing to his demands did not satisfy him. Although he said he wouldn't sue if I removed the information, he went ahead and sued anyway. (Lesson 1: bandits lie.) Now, six months, thousands of dollars, and two court hearings later, I still feel the big, cold revolver pressing menacingly against my forehead. (Lesson 2: Although the Constitution says every American has a right to a "speedy trial," don't believe it.) Wherever I go, whatever I do, the barrel of that weapon is "on my mind." Will the trigger be pulled? Perhaps I should say, when will the trigger be pulled? How much damage will result? Will I "survive?" I am not guilty of libel or slander, because those charges only apply if I intentionally published information I knew to be untrue. Let me repeat myself: I believe all the information I posted on my website was and still is true! (Lesson 3: Just like the hold-up victim, innocence is irrelevant; you can still be robbed blind.) Let's say the justice system works in my case (contrary to so many cases nowadays). Let's say my case goes to court and I win! Justice prevails! But, wait! Will my attorney's fees be paid for me? No. Will I recover those many sleepless nights? No. Will months of "gun-to-the-head" worry be eradicated from memory? No. (Lesson 4: Those in power can win even when they lose.) Alone at night I would never wish to be robbed at gunpoint. However, in a sense, I suppose I am being robbed on a bright, sunny day with a crowd of onlookers witnessing the larceny. (Lesson 5: Our justice system isn't working if justice isn't served even when justice "prevails.") He has an intimate understanding of the U.S. Constitution. I suspect the others do not. He intuitively uses the Constitution as a first test for all proposals, policy ideas, and initiatives. The others haven't advanced this far in their thinking; they instinctively use political implications as their only test. He's unflappable, confident, a quick thinker, and a powerful communicator. I don't know if America is ready for President Keyes, but I think he's ready and qualified for the job. [The Keyes website.] Do you have any additions? I'd like to know what they are. Please send a note describing any developments and/or achievements you think give us cause for hope, optimism, and good cheer. Thanks. Here’s a man who dedicated enormous energies, unquenchable determination, and much of his life to the protection of this great country of ours, and here’s a man who has been rewarded by his government with harassment, threats of court marshall, and was even targeted for assassination. Read his book, First SEAL (Pocket Books, a division of Simon & Schuster Incorporated, 1230 Avenue of the Americans, New York, New York 10020, 1997; available from Amazon.com) and you’ll be amazed at his achievements and experiences (they’re truly incredible). You’ll be thankful there are proud and passionate patriots like First SEAL Roy Boehm [Website]. Happily, those who severed under the command of Roy Boehm and alongside him give him the honor and respect he so richly deserves. They have heaped upon him appreciation and good wishes in abundance. What an inspiration for me to listen to his tales, see some of his many treasured memorabilia, and witness his inspiring charisma. Roy Boehm: leader, patriot, innovator, motivator, and proud, brave, fearless, yet humble American. And in 1998, 84 were stopped for drunk driving, but released after they claimed Congressional immunity. Here are a couple of short quotes I found interesting: "On July 23, 1973, a sitting United States president was subpoenaed for the first time in 166 years. . . . That same day, three thousand miles away in San Francisco, Monica Lewinsky was born." [Page 25.] "In 1995 and 1996 alone, the White House, in cooperation with the DNC, held at least 103 coffees for 358 selected guests. These meetings, held in the White House Map Room, generated $27 million for the Democratic Party (that's an average of more than $75,000 per attendee)." [Page 219.] "There's just no such thing as truth when it comes to him. . . . He just says whatever sounds good and worries about it after the election." [A statement by Bill Clinton about President Bush during the 1992 campaign. Page 309.] I introduced Daniel Flynn, Clark Bowers, and Cliff Kincaid, each of whom gave 15-minute presentations, and then there was time for questions and answers. What an honor and thrill to participate in the program! The second panel (Reed Irvine was moderator) engaged in rather heated debate over the issue of truth in reporting. It appears the mainstream media view "news" in either of two categories: the liberal perspective, which is endorsed, and the conservative perspective, which is belittled. The "Truth" is apparently irrelevant. Bill O’Reilly (The O’Reilly Factor, Fox News) said he wouldn’t dare endorse the idea Vice Foster was murdered, even if it was true, because the 60 Minutes TV program said it was suicide, and his reputation would be damaged if he contradicted such a powerful and influential "authority." Before lunch I was shocked when Howard Phillips appeared out of nowhere and spoke to me, remarking that he thought my book (You Don’t Say) was very good. Wow, indeed! Larry Klayman (Chairman, Judicial Watch) spoke at the luncheon. He gave us an update regarding his many lawsuits now underway and told us a couple of Republicans will also soon be recipients of Judicial Watch legal action. He mentioned the senators’ names, but I won’t disclose them here. The two afternoon panels were also very informative, featuring Michael McNulty (producer, Waco: the Rules of Engagement), Jim Sanders (author, The Downing of TWA Flight 800), M. Stanton Evans (director, National Journalism Center), and John Lott (author, More Guns, Less Crime), among others. During the reception before dinner I was pleased to be able to talk to General Ben Partin about the TWA 800 and Oklahoma City disasters. Associate Justice Clarence Thomas spoke at the dinner banquet. His comments were "off the record," and consequently his warm humor was much more in evidence than the speech I heard him give a year or so ago in Palm Beach. His praise of Reed Irvine and AIM was lavish and unrestrained. It was thrilling to witness such a powerful testimonial. Bob Dornan’s flight was delayed, causing him to miss participating in one of the panel discussions, but I was able to introduce myself to him at the banquet and give him a copy of my book. (Chris Ruddy’s flight was also delayed, preventing his arrival at the conference until late afternoon.) Paul Shanklin (frequently heard on Rush Limbaugh’s radio program) performed some of his renowned satires, much to the delight of the conference participants. The program ended with a special video created especially to commemorate AIM’s 30 years. When I got back to my hotel room I was reeling from the day’s excitement. What an incredible conference! I stayed up until after one in the morning reveling in the experience. Sunday I slept in (thank goodness for the time change), then spent the day taking pictures of the Capital, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Viet Nam Memorial, and the White House. My flight back to Florida departed at about 7:20 and I got back home before 11:00. What a weekend! Wow! When you do contribute money, how do you know it'll be used wisely? What portion (10%, 50%, 90%?) will be siphoned off for "administrative expenses"? How much will really be used for the cause you support? Will large amounts be used for purposes you don't support? Do you care one way or another? Each day in the mail I receive up to 10 requests for money, sometimes more, but I've decided to consolidate my (tax-deductible) contributions and make once-a-year distributions. I'm now trying to establish a foundation (the Gielow Family Foundation) for that purpose. Although it's not yet operational due to lengthy delays (since February) in obtaining 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS, I hope it will become active some time next year. When it does, I'll include on this website additional information about the Gielow Family Foundation. [Speaking of delays, I submitted my Form TX for copyright protection of my book on April 13th. It was logged in at the Copyright Office April 22nd. I received my Certificate of Registration last week, October 18th. The speed and efficiency of the federal government is awesome.] I decided to take a little survey myself, so I asked ten questions of some people I know. The results (obviously not a representative sample) were quite interesting, I thought, proving that most of these people are expecting Y2K to be a major calamity. "OBE godfather Benjamin Bloom indicates that a student attains OBE's 'higher order thinking' when he no longer believes in right and wrong." [Now do the recent high school killings make sense?] "The student's value to the state is measured according to the progress he or she makes with each new test." [Emphasis added.] ". . .The age of individualism is closing, and a new age of collectivism is emerging, with an enlargement of the functions of government." "With OBE, academics truly disappear." "Students must be made to feel so frustrated, so defenseless, so lost, so futureless in the prevailing system that they are willing to let go and take a chance on the future." Have you ever watched a caged animal in the zoo, repetitively moving about listlessly in a constant, habitual pattern? The animal's movements are restricted to the confines of the zoo keeper's cage, its freedom has been denied, and its lust for life has consequently been drained. Our government is now a zoo keeper and we are its caged animals. Of course it used to be, but it "ain’t no more." Recently I saw a video titled "Certain Failure" (Part I), distributed by the American Policy Center. (Get this video -- call 703-925-0881 -- and get a real education about education.) It tells us what’s going on in our government (i.e. "public") schools: "Every reform program beginning in the fall of 1994 in every school is federally monitored Outcome Based Education [OBE]." "OBE represents a body of federal law that requires each individual citizen to think and act in ways outlined by bureaucrats." [Note that’s each individual citizen, not just the kids in school.] "OBE outcomes are attitudes the government wants every citizen to have about politics, government orders, and individuality." No wonder the teachers can’t find time to teach the "three Rs" any more. They’re too busy fine tuning student feelings and attitudes. We certainly don’t want anybody thinking any unapproved thoughts, do we. This is not happy news because it means that somewhere down the line our debt payments will become so large they will completely bankrupt the country and totally destroy our entire economy. Not a happy thought. "But," I protested, "I'm recycling these boxes. They were sent to me as Priority Mail boxes and I'm reusing them." "It doesn't matter," he said.. When I expressed frustration over the idiocy of such restrictions, in as calm a manner as I could muster, he added, "Look, these are the regulations." Then he hinted that it was only through the goodness of his heart that he didn't return the boxes to me and demand that they be completely repackaged. Realizing that logic and common sense count for nothing in a bureaucracy, I gave up the argument, commenting as I departed that I don't appreciate the regulation that forces me to make a special trip to the post office every time I mail a box or envelope weighing more than 16 ounces. We used to be allowed to deposit such "weighty" items in the nearest mail box. By the way, were you aware you can't reuse a stamp once it has been affixed to a letter or parcel, even if it hasn't been canceled? Had I been forced to repackage my two boxes, I would have been forced to throw away all the stamps I'd used on them. And another thing: it's against regulations for clear tape or any tape to cover up even a tiny portion of any stamp or a parcel. The nonsensical rules overwhelm. Yet in spite of long post office waiting lines (an average of about 10 people every time I go to my post office) and other inconveniences and inefficiencies, there are people all over the country who want a federal bureaucracy to administer our health care. Guess what. It already does. . .after you reach Medicare age. Some time later when my friend returned from a trip out of state, she discovered her home again had been entered and valuables had been taken. This time the perpetrators were captured on video tape! Who were they? They were the two people who were renting the front portion of my friend's house! They were not the same people who had committed the first robbery. But no matter, at least these thieves would be brought to justice. Well, no they wouldn't. The police explained that the surveillance camera was installed in conjunction with paperwork designating specific suspects. Since the targeted suspects were not the robbers caught on tape, the tape couldn't be used as evidence against the "renter raiders." My friend never recovered the stolen goods, the crooks were never arrested (there was "no evidence"), and justice has become a more hollow, elusive concept. Moreover, the thieves still reside in the front portion of my friend's house. The law has thwarted every action my friend has taken to evict them. Regarding policy, I think my book, You Don't Say, and this website describe my political philosophy more effectively and comprehensively than has been described by any other Presidential candidate presently in the race. Now, regarding personal matters: First, I've never used cocaine. Not in the last 25 years, the last 50 years, or the last 100 years. I haven't used drugs of any sort, except an occasional Tylenol or other medication. I've never smoked marijuana. Not one marijuana cigarette, not one pipe full, not even a puff. (I was in a car once with a friend, Tony, who was smoking marijuana, but I didn't accept his invitation to join him; I even tried to escape his second-hand smoke!) I've never had sexual relations outside of marriage. I've never had extramarital sexual relations. I've never had sexual relations with anyone other than my wife. (Does that make it clear enough?) I've never had phone sex. I've never even had the kind of sex the President considers isn't sex. I've consumed a few beers (literally, just a few) during my life time. I enjoyed a few tom collins drinks when I was 20 years old. I've drunk some wine and champaign, but very infrequently, and none during the last 20 years of so. I don't partake in alcoholic beverages. I've never been drunk. I've never even been woozy from alcohol. I've received a couple of parking tickets (one in White Plains, New York, another in Boca Raton, Florida) since I've been driving (over 45 years now). I've even been ticketed for J-walking. Twice! (When I was a reckless teenager.) But I've never been jailed. I've never even received a speeding ticket. I have a high regard for the truth. I work constantly to be 100% truthful, though I sometimes fall short of my target. I believe honesty is a vital element of character. I agree with Henri-Frederic Amiel, who said truth is the secret of virtue and the basis of moral authority. I could go on, but I think you get the picture. Yes, it's clear, with my qualifications, I couldn't get elected to anything! Such as the amount of water allowed to be stored in toilet tanks. In 1992 Congress passed the Energy Policy Act, dictating maximum water flow rates for faucets and shower heads (2.5 gallons per minute) and maximum toilet flush capacities of 1.6 gallons, less than half as much as toilets up to that time. The 10th Amendment to the US Constitution states, "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the Staes, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." Is there any language in there that says the federal government can specify toilet flush capacities? I don't think so. One would naturally conclude that while we weren't looking, someone stole our Republic and inserted in its place Socialism. Recently we heard that our Vice President needed a dandy photo op in a canoe gliding down the Connecticut River, and so 4 billion gallons of water were released from the New Hampshire reservoir, despite a severe drought throughout the state. For an administration so concerned about toilet flushes, it consumed what amounts to 2.5 billion flushes for that wonderful canoe picture. In 1996, to create a rich, lush backdrop for Mr. Gore's visit to the South Platte River, Denver officials released 92 million gallons. It would seem the term "Watergate" takes on an entirely new meaning for the veep. [Statistics from The Washington Times National Weekly Edition, August 2-8, 1999, pages 16, 32, and 36.] On our hurried departure from the courthouse after the verdict was rendered, I commented to the jury foreman, "Lucky the kid was white. It would have been a lot harder to decide if he were black." It was an offhand remark, but a rather insightful one. If he were indeed black, we would have been forced to consider our prejudices. Did we make our decisions based on facts and testimony, or did bias cloud our thinking? Should a black man be given more leniency because he's black? Whites are so often criticized as being prejudiced, any "guilty" verdict is always considered racist. We hear ever louder demands that court case outcomes and jail populations should reflect the black/white proportions in the country at large today, regardless of who's guilty and who's not. Some "leaders" have even suggested that blacks should be found innocent of crimes simply to compensate for past racial injustices of decades or centuries ago. "Equal justice under the law" is a concept less and less respected, so it seems. However, when black/white ratios in major sports (football, basketball, baseball, etc.) grossly misrepresent census ratios in favor of blacks, I don't hear impassioned pleas to right great wrongs. The industry of racial division flourishes. Racism increases, political votes are harvested, power gravitates to those who fan the flames of black/white unrest, and the country and its people are the losers. This book is a strong wake-up call for parents who presently have no idea what their kids are experiencing in school. It should also be a wake-up call for all Americans who are unaware of the transformations going on in public education and in the very foundation of American thought and attitude. Order book. All this has occurred as a result of my trying to help a friend in need. Needless to say this development will largely take over my life for some time to come. I must find a good lawyer, explain the details of the case, and we must reply to the lawsuit (Case Number 99012500) within "20 calendar days". Now (Monday) it's 17 days! I tell you all this to alert you to the fact that updates to my website will probably be less thorough and less frequent because of other demands on my time. Please be patient while I work through this crisis. The lawsuit advises me "If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case, and your wages, money, and property may thereafter be taken without further warning from the court." This doesn't sound to me like the kind of justice I thought our Constitution specified. But, that's a moot point, I guess. I must just have confidence that justice will prevail. I must believe that truth will ultimately win out. Thanks for your understanding while I try to navigate through the troubled waters ahead. A couple of months ago I went back to this friendly, supportive, community-minded book store. This time I asked if my new book, You Don't Say, could be sold there. You Don't Say is a conservative book. It has achieved impressive sales results with the Conservative Book Club. This book has been read all across the country and is of growing significance as we approach the coming presidential election. Liberties' response: no way. It seems to me the whole "endangered species" campaign provides a revealing demonstration of liberal ideology. Liberals believe they know better then even Nature what should be protected. With their consummate wisdom they will impose their opinions, agendas, and will on not only mere mankind, but on all living things. They will anoint themselves with positions of power to decide how man must compromise his life style to accommodate any given beetle, bird, or bug. The law of survival of the fittest must therefore be repealed, apparently, because it interferes with the power, influence, and egos of our liberal elite. The radical environmental movement is ingenious. It takes a concept – the environment – which everyone is concerned about, and stretches it, twists it, and reshapes it to achieve socialistic goals. It’s sort of like saying legislation is "for the children" whether it is or not. It gets everybody in favor of something before they know what it’s really all about. It’s like passing anti-terrorism laws. Who can be against them? But take a look behind the name and you’ll find all sorts of measures that increase government’s power and restrict individual freedom. The liberals’ march to socialism is gaining strength. I read Barry Goldwater's "The Conscience of a Conservative" (Copyright 1990 by Regnery Gateway, 1130 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036; originally published in 1960) and also David Horowitz's "The Politics of Bad Faith" (Copyright 1998 by The Free Press, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020). The former reads like a soothsayer's prediction (with amazing accuracy) of the consequences of liberal philosophy and liberal governance. The latter gives penetrating and shocking insight into the thought process of the liberal activist. With compelling arguments and irrefutable evidence, Horowitz demonstrates that over a period of decades now, the liberal cause has been debunked and discredited and has been shown to be a proven failure. Yet the crusaders refuse to concede defeat; rather, they intensify their campaign. Even worse, Horowitz shows that what drives the Left is not reason (that's no surprise), nor reform (that is a surprise),j it's radical rebellion. Liberals, socialists, communists seek a transformation of society into a Marxist "utopia," but a utopia that permits only liberal-approved thought and liberal-approved action. Such a culture can only be achieved, as has now clearly been demonstrated, by a totalitarian regime, which can impose its will upon the people in spite of the will of the people. Thus, freedom, liberty, and justice are the inevitable casualties of liberalism. In the face of Russia's horrific "experiment" with communism, resulting in the death of tens of millions of people, and unimagined poverty and misery, the world continues its march to the left. Governments pass ever more intrusive and restrictive laws that sap power and motivation from the citizens. The United Nations accelerates its actions toward an all-powerful one-world socialistic government. And the United States, which created a unique form of government that allows more freedom, opportunity, and prosperity than had ever before been achieved, appears willing to follow the crowd to oppression, tyranny, and oblivion. But the good news is that my flight's two-hour delay is now concluded and the plane is about to take off for our 40-minute hop to Cincinnati. Whether I make the connecting flight to West Palm Beach, however, is another matter entirely. [Miraculously, I did, since its departure, too, was delayed.]  The way back home. |