Is somebody watching over you today? Is there someone somewhere that is willing to put your well-being ahead of theirs? Those are powerful questions that we seldom ponder here in America. Why? The answer is that safety, security and most importantly freedom, the delicacies sought in so many places in the world, are things we in America nonchalantly pile upon our plates daily like hungry diners at an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord. Say what you will, but the reality is that even in the worst of times we really have it good. However, America, the magnet for so many people of the world, has been maintained and has flourished by the blood of the American soldier. The soldier’s willingness to fight and if need be, die on foreign soils against vicious enemies for the nation’s survival is often underestimated.

            The war on terror brought a realization to most Americans through the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, that we had to take a stand against radical Islamic extremism. In one of President George W. Bush’s best moments as the leader of the free world, Americans took an overdue offensive stance against terrorism. American fighting forces, along with others across the world, have been fighting a brave battle against the scourge of Islamic terrorism. Unfortunately, the battle to defeat terrorism has been as much a battle within as on the outside. In a political environment not seen since Vietnam, the American soldier has been placed in the very untenable situation of being charged with finding victory in the battle zone, without being able to incorporate the normal tools by which victory is attained. Political correctness on the battlefield handed down by those in government without the belly for war or simply American victory, has threatened the lives of American soldiers in more ways than one.

            About a year ago I learned about 1^st Lt. Michael Behenna, a sterling military officer that is now in the military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, for killing a known terrorist in self-defense in the war zone of Iraq. The injustice that took place in the Behenna case was so counter to logic, let alone fairness, that it calls into question the whole military justice system. I soon found out that nine other soldiers find themselves imprisoned in Leavenworth for similar situations. In a surreal move to appease the desires of political correctness, a mindset that is awash with liberal guilt and anti-Americanism, our soldiers are now given prison sentences instead of their deserved medals of honor. The shame of these actions will come back to haunt this nation for decades.

            One of the pressing fears of those that wish to find recourse to free these imprisoned soldiers is that public attention may become focused elsewhere with the upcoming downturn in military forces in Iraq. In a move to increase public attention to the plight of what has been coined the “Leavenworth 10,” a freedom ride has been schedule in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, for September 4, 2010. Among those that will speak at the event is Lt. Col. Allen West.

            I spoke with West on my radio program Conscience of Kansas and was impressed with his commitment to these soldiers despite being involved in a busy political season. In 2003, West was serving in Iraq and during an interview with a suspected Iraqi terrorist, the battalion commander fired his weapon near the individual that was refusing to give up critical information. These actions lead to an accumulation of intelligence being collected which no doubt saved lives from West’s battalion. The actions of West were aggressive and for the liberal weak-kneed of the world, not politically correct, but they were effective and American soldiers were saved at the cost of scaring a terrorist. Many would say, myself included, a more-than-fair trade. Lt. Col. Allen West was relieved of command and had to struggle to avoid being sent to prison himself. Again, reward was replaced with punishment for American soldiers that are looking out for you and me. It was easy for me to find common ground with Michael Behenna and Allen West, as their heartland ties and love of country shine through immediately in their words, actions and the ways in which they have fought to do right for those they have sworn to protect.

            Americans would serve themselves and this country well to meet the soldiers that make up the Leavenworth 10 at L10freedomride.com. In doing so I believe you will find a reflection of the American spirit that we must support and defend until these soldiers are freed in these backward days of political correctness.

Paul A. Ibbetson is a former Chief of Police of Cherryvale, Kansas, and member of the Montgomery County Drug Task Force. Paul received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Criminal Justice at Wichita State University, and is currently completing his Ph.D. in Sociology at Kansas State University. Paul is the author of the books “Living Under The Patriot Act: Educating A Society” and “Feeding Lions: Sharing The Conservative Philosophy In A Politically Hostile World.” Paul is also the radio host of the Kansas Broadcasting Association’s 2008, 2009 and 2010 Entertainment Program of the Year, Conscience of Kansas airing on KSDB Manhattan 91.9 FM, www.ibbetsonusa.com. For interviews or questions, please contact him at ibbetson91.9@gmail.com

What do Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney and Lon Chaney Jr. have in common? They are forever known as the faces of the classic monsters Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster, Phantom of the Opera, and the Wolf Man. Whether you were frightened by these classic representations or the continual evolutionary adaptations that have followed, we all know these monsters when we see them and we all do the same thing when they are thrust into our faces: we take a big step back.

            As interesting as the creatures themselves is the construction in how they are perceived. With this in mind, no relevant “monster talk” would be complete without addressing the most prevalent but least identified monsters of today. This identification is made if we are smart enough to expand our minds to enlightened ways of thinking and bold enough to shine our torches into the deepest, dankest recesses in which these illusive modern ghouls take refuge. The problem in the end is that when we finally take a bold look, we are more likely to find a beast with a three-piece suit and briefcase than a creature in rags and chains. In place of ravenous, blood-sucking fangs, we are likely to find smiling faces, stacks of ambiguous laws and a well-manicure hand that can whip out a signature in total darkness. Who are these new slithering, sinister surrogates of evil? Without a doubt it is the modern-day politician.

            This is not an indictment of all those who go into this field of public service, rather the recognition of a framing process that takes place where some politicians seem to shine while others are deformed by the monster politician persona. The term “monster politics” serves to describe an environment beyond normal debate and division that highlights the power of the psychological to supersede the theatrical. It is the process by which a politician embraces political circumstances in a way that generates a negative persona, alienating the politician from his or her constituents and creating a dangerous air of unpredictability that is not conducive to future political service. We can appropriately call this the “terminal term,” or the building of the non-re-electable politician. While this is not the inevitable ending point for all who serve in public office, it seems to be the unfolding story of Barack Obama.

            For perspective we should understand that all politicians come into office with a certain population that will always oppose them. Equally assured, all presidents through the course of their term have historically made pressing decisions that inflame segments of their own base constituency. Additionally, all presidents fall prey to the occasional faux pas, but monster politics is not evoked from these actions. Like the theatrical characters from which our perception of the monster arises, it is the actions after the critical incident—the bite, curse or lightening-induced creation itself—that frames the individual as the monster we know. It is the same with the president and it is here that Barack Obama, through his own actions, pushes the polls’ numbers of public sentiment toward the dark, dank depths of monstrous non-re-electability.

            CNN’s August 4, 2010 poll shows that 27 percent of Americans have doubts that Barack Obama is an American citizen. Also, the most recent Pew Research Poll shows that 18 percent of Americans believe the president is a Muslim. This is a 7 percent increase from 2009 poll results. From Democracy Corps’ July 2010 polling results, 55 percent of Americans think Obama is a socialist and 56 percent think he is too liberal. Arguably, both charges may be one in the same. For Obama supporters it is not just the existence of poll classifications such as these that should be disheartening, but also the fact that Obama’s numbers are increasing in these areas over time.

            It is the Obama administration’s inability to deflect, and often its overt actions, which perpetuate these negative attributes that have emboldened the classic monster politics scenario that now surround the president. Is the president a Muslim? Doubtful, but like an overactive Dr. Frankenstein, Obama has created his own monster persona through his own book quotes, Middle East apology tour, anti-Israel stance, and forceful, non-solicited statements such as those recently heard on the issue of the mega mosque fiasco near ground zero in New York. Like the fear and hatred generated by our classic monsters, the motivating force is the same in monster politics. It is the grouping of calamitous actions with alienation and unwanted mysteriousness, the latter two points exacerbating the first, which bring about such negative outcomes.

            That is, in simple terms, the monster truly does bad things, but that is not enough to bring about its bad reputation. It must be in combination with personal characteristics that are in opposition with, or simply alien to the general populace, as well as a mysterious nature that creates an environment of unpredictability. Welcome to the world of Barack Obama. With this knowledge there is little wonder why Obama’s two decades of attendance at a radically socialistic church under the tutelage of Reverend Jeremiah Wright fails to give him public identification as a Christian with a growing number of Americans. It is in part a lack of personal Christian identification, if not hostility toward Christian conservatives in America, which has prompted more and more people to speculate Obama as having alternative religious affiliations.    

            Is Obama an American-born citizen? Probably, but like a vampire that refuses to stand in front of the mirror to be justified, Obama’s secretive, if not deceptive, actions on this important issue breed the mistrust from which caskets are torn open, castles are stormed, moors are patrolled, and approval numbers plunge into the abyss. Is Obama a socialist? The president has done nothing here but reinforce the affirmative by his actions and rhetoric, but even many of the socialists of today have avoided being caught up in the career-ending calamites of monster politics. If the president continues to separate himself from the American people by attitude, rhetoric and policy, he will do more than open  the door to more grim conjectures about his future policies and personal character; he will have created his own forever-told horror story of the one-term president from the depths of monster politics.

Paul A. Ibbetson is a former Chief of Police of Cherryvale, Kansas, and member of the Montgomery County Drug Task Force. Paul received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Criminal Justice at Wichita State University, and is currently completing his Ph.D. in Sociology at Kansas State University. Paul is the author of the books “Living Under The Patriot Act: Educating A Society” and “Feeding Lions: Sharing The Conservative Philosophy In A Politically Hostile World.” Paul is also the radio host of the Kansas Broadcasting Association’s 2008, 2009 and 2010 Entertainment Program of the Year, Conscience of Kansas airing on KSDB Manhattan 91.9 FM, www.ibbetsonusa.com. For interviews or questions, please contact him at? ibbetson91.9@gmail.com

In a recent court decision, California’s Proposition 8 initiative, which stated that marriage was to be between a man and a woman, has been struck down as unconstitutional. As reported by Fox News, the decision that overruled the voters of California was made by openly gay U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker. Walker, one of three openly gay federal judges in the country, said that the people’s choice in California for traditional marriage was unconstitutional because “Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples.” Of course, homosexuals around the country dance in glee at the new court decision amidst the flutter of rainbow flags, while appeals and other court battles over the gay marriage question prepare to begin.

Today, to oppose the destruction of traditional values is to violate the less-than-silent-but-always-growing edict of political correctness. So in the spirit of being overly fair to gay marriage proponents, let us revisit Judge Walker’s rationale for overturning the country’s long-standing tradition of marriage. Judge Walker states on the issue of marriage that opposite-sex couples must not be seen as superior to same-sex couples. The word “superior” is commonly defined as having a higher importance, above the average in merit, or being of higher quality, to name a few. So using Judge Walker’s argument on couples, is traditional marriage of higher importance than gay marriage? From the standpoint of Californians, it most certainly is. In one of the most liberal states in the country the people rose up to defend traditional marriage in November 2008. The importance of this issue was so strong that the people took action to correct the decisions of their liberal courts within five months of the state Supreme Court’s legalization of gay marriage. They did this legally through the voting process, and traditional marriage won because of its importance to the voters of California.

Is opposite-sex marriage higher in merit than same-sex marriage? Turning to our Judeo-Christian foundations, the answer is swift and absolute. Homosexuality is stated clearly within the Bible as an act of sin and an abomination to God (Leviticus 18:22). Furthermore, Romans 1:26-27 observes the shameful, unnatural indecency of the homosexual union. If merit, the claim to respect and praise, is still in question, 1 Corinthians 6:9 leaves no doubt that homosexuality is unrighteous, and those who engage in this activity will be rejected from the kingdom of heaven. Far beyond damning what Judge Walker wishes to lift up in gay marriage, the Bible, from its opening pages (Genesis 2:24) throughout (1 Corinthians 7:2-16, Ephesians 5:23-33), clearly states that marriage is between a man and a woman.

Lastly, is opposite-sex marriage of higher quality than same-sex marriage? Since Judge Walker has rejected the will of the people of California to decide this issue, and he undoubtedly would wish to avoid addressing the biblical ramifications of his court decision, we are left with the matter of the constitutionality of gay-ifying the institution of marriage in America. Unfortunately for Judge Walker’s position, like a remote island filled with only gays or lesbians, in time you are left with nothing but the truth. The truth is that Judge Walker’s constitutionality argument is brought around again to face the findings from points one and two.

Despite the attempts of liberal activist judges to recreate the Constitution as a morally relativistic reed that blows wildly in the direction of their personal agendas and deviant desires, the law remains steadfast as a document of the American people infused with our culturally engrained Judeo-Christian values from its inception. It is from these values that the Constitution is unique. It is from these values that we as a nation have been blessed so fully. Most importantly, it is from these values that the people fight today to maintain the fundamental viability of American culture through the observance of traditional marriage.

The court decision from U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker is far worse than an improper reading of the Constitution, it is an over attack on American culture, which the Constitution was meant to safeguard. This attack on traditional marriage is nothing short of more legislation from the court benches of Sodom and Gomorrah. So, while gays and lesbians exalt Judge Walker’s court ruling in all its glitter-covered, spandexed glory, the judge’s own words are revisited, and a conclusion can be extracted. Yes, Proposition 8 did “enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples” on the matter of marriage. It does so factually, reasonably, biblically, and constitutionally. Meanwhile, the majority of Americans have to decide either to take on a long, nasty battle to keep marriage traditional, or to stand silently as pillars of salt while America quickly becomes something radically other than America. 

Paul A. Ibbetson is a former Chief of Police of Cherryvale, Kansas, and member of the Montgomery County Drug Task Force. Paul received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Criminal Justice at Wichita State University, and is currently completing his Ph.D. in Sociology at Kansas State University. Paul is the author of the books “Living Under The Patriot Act: Educating A Society” and “Feeding Lions: Sharing The Conservative Philosophy In A Politically Hostile World.” Paul is also the radio host of the Kansas Broadcasting Association’s 2008, 2009 and 2010 Entertainment Program of the Year, Conscience of Kansas airing on KSDB Manhattan 91.9 FM, www.ibbetsonusa.com. For interviews or questions, please contact him at? ibbetson91.9@gmail.com