Conservative Judge Samuel Alito has been nominated for the Supreme Court by President Bush.

Bush Nominates Alito for Supreme Court

copyright Associated Press

Conservative federal Judge Samuel Alito nominated for U.S. Supreme Court

WASHINGTON — President Bush nominated veteran judge Samuel Alito for the Supreme Court Monday, seeking to reshape the judiciary and mollify conservatives who derailed his previous pick. Ready-to-rumble Democrats said Alito may curb abortion rights and be "too radical for the American people."


Drawing an unspoken contrast to failed nominee Harriet Miers, Bush declared that the appeals court judge "has more prior judicial experience than any Supreme Court nominee in more than 70 years."

CLICK HERE for entire Associated Press report on the Alito nomination.

Michael McCafferty comments:

I am very pleased that President George W. Bush has nominated a genuine 'conservative' -- Judge Samuel Alito for the United States Supreme Court.

These are extra-ordinary times in the history of the United States and Judge Alito brings with him a remarkable and outstanding conservative record. Judge Alito is truly an excellent choice for the Supreme Court.

The time is now for the US Senate to confirm Judge Alito.

Rosa Parks - a woman of courage.

Rosa Parks - a truly great American.

Rosa Parks to lie in honour in Capitol Rotunda


Associated Press Copyright

WASHINGTON — In death, Rosa Parks is joining a select few, including presidents and war heroes, accorded a public viewing in the Capitol Rotunda. It's the place where, six years ago, President Clinton and congressional leaders lauded the former seamstress for a simple act of defiance that changed the course of race relations.

On Sunday, Parks becomes the first woman to lie in honor in the vast circular room under the Capitol dome.

CLICK HERE for entire CTV NEWS report on Rosa Parks.

MICHAEL McCAFFERTY comments:

Rosa Parks was truly a 'profile in courage'. She was a good and decent lady who stood up to the dark forces of rascism in the USA. Rosa Parks will go down in histyory with Martin Luther King as a person who had the courage to defy the bigotry that was part of segregation in the old south. I believe it is a fitting tribute to Rosa Parks that she will lay in state in the rotunda of the US Capitol building. May God bless Rosa Parks.

Michael McCafferty is a friend of Israel.

Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad calls for Israel to be "wiped off the map".

BBC News copyright

UN raps Iran's anti-Israel remark

Ahmadinejad said his words were the words of Iranians . The UN Security Council has condemned the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over his call for Israel to be "wiped off the map".

CLICK HERE to read entire BBC NEWS report on this dangerous verbal attack on Israel.

MICHAEL McCAFFERTY comments:

Those who stand for freedom and democracy must take serious heed of the crazed and dangerous verbal attack on the State of Israel by Iran's president. I am pleased the United Nations has condemened the Iranian President.

Israel is a sovereign and free nation and I for one am proud to call myself a

FRIEND OF ISRAEL.

CLICK here to visit the website of

AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

-- the number one pro-Israel organization.

Harriet Miers and President George W. Bush

HARRIET MIERS WITHDRAWS HER NAME FROM UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT NOMINATION

Harriet Miers Withdraws Nomination
Bush Is "Deeply Disappointed



Harriet Miers withdrew this morning as a nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court.

CLICK HERE to read entire WASHINGTON POST report on the decision by Harriet Miers to withdraw her name.

MICHAEL McCAFFERTY comments:

I blame 'far right' conservatives like US Senator Sam Brownback for the downfall of Harriet Miers. Christian conservatives were being way too demanding. I believe that Harriet Miers was eminently qualified to be a Justice of the US Supreme Court and that she is a very outstanding and remarkable woman.

President Bush should 'not' bow to pressure from the far right and he should nominate a conservative like John Roberts.

WORLD SERIES CHAMPS !

Chicago White Sox sweep the world series !

The White Sox swept the Houston Astros Wednesday night, bringing aWorld Series championship back to Chicago for the first time in 88years.



MICHAEL McCAFFERTY comments:

Three cheers for the Chicago White Sox. I watched all 4 games and am so very happy and delighted that the Chicago White Sox swept baseball's world series.

Canada's Prime Minister Paul Martin calls for world plan on avian flu.

Canada's Prime Minister speaks out on avian flu.

World must 'act now' - PRIME MINISTER PAUL MARTIN

Copyright
CBC News

Fear and economic disparity could defeat the world's efforts to control avian influenza unless developed nations share their knowledge and drug stockpiles, Prime Minister Paul Martin said as he opened an international conference in Ottawa Tuesday.

INDEPTH: Avian Flu

"All of us recognize that the risk of a flu pandemic requires the world to act now," Martin told health ministers and medical officials gathered together from 30 countries.
"An unprecedented task of emergency preparedness and response is called for."

CLICK HERE for entire CBC news report on avian flu conference.

Michael McCAFFERTY comments:
Canada's Prime Minister Paul Martin is showing real leadership in speaking out clearly about the risk of a flu pandemic. As a person with very poor health I want to be assured that governments are doing everything humanly possible to get a control on the spread of avian flu.
I commend the Canadian Prime Minister for his commitment to this world wide effort.

Professor Ben Bernanke has been named Chairman of the US Federal Reserve by President George W. Bush.

President Bush names next chairman of the Federal Reserve

Bernanke to succeed Greenspan as Fed chief

Copyright Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Ben Bernanke, a plain-speaking former economics professor, was chosen Monday by President Bush to be the next chairman of the Federal Reserve, the most influential economic policy job in the world.

If approved by the Senate, Bernanke would succeed Alan Greenspan, who has spent 18 years at the helm and is expected to step down Jan. 31. Bush called Greenspan a "legend," and Bernanke promised to continue the chairman's policies.

CLICK HERE to read complete ASSOCIATED PRESS report on the appointment of Ben Bernanke as United States Federal Reserve Chief.

MICHAEL McCAFFERTY comments:

President George W. Bush has made an excellent choice in naming Ben Bernanke as the next Chief of the United States Federal Reserve. Mr. Bernanke has outstanding and remarkable credentials to head the US Federal Reserve. I am very impressed by the appointment of Mr. Bernanke.

Poland's president-elect Lech Kaczynski

Poland elects a conservative president

BBC World News (copyright)

Kaczynski to be next Polish head

Conservative Lech Kaczynski will be the new Polish president, consolidating his Law and Justice party's narrow win in parliamentary elections last month.
With 60% of votes counted, he had polled 55%, compared to 45% for his liberal rival Donald Tusk.

CLICK HERE to read entire BBC NEWS report.

MICHAEL McCAFFERTY comments:

What splendid news. Lech Kaczynski campaigned on family values, law and order and
free enterprise -- all solid conservative values -- and he won in Poland.

My heartfelt congratulations go out to Polish President-elect Lech Kaczynski.

David Cameron -- next Leader of the British Conservative Party.

Conservative Party leadership race in Britain

David Cameron should be elected as new
Leader of British Conservative Party.

David Cameron website click here.


Over in Britain the British Conservative Party is in the middle of picking a new Leader.

The British Conservatives have an amazing system to elect their new Leader and it has produced an exciting series of events.

At their recent National Conference the UK Conservatives were swept to their feet with applaus for 38 year old Member of Parliament David Cameron -- who gave a very patriotic and inspiring speech.

Cameron's speech drew all sorts of positive reviews in the British press -- and so the other day when the Conservative Members of Parliament went to vote for their choice for leader
David Cameron came in a strong second to David Davis.

Kennth Clarke who had been perceived as a front runner was eliminated. By the way the way the British Conservatives elect thir Leader is by the Members of Parliament voting until 2
candidates are left.

Then the entire membership of the Conservative Party will vote for the new leader.

CLICK HERE for the BBC website on the Conservative Party leadership race. Lots of excellent and up to the minute information.

MICHAEL McCAFFERTY comments:

David Cameron the 38 year old British Member of Parliament is on the verge of becoming elected as the new Leader of Britain's Conservative Party. Mr. Cameron is a brilliant young man with a brilliant future.

David Cameron has the leadership ability and vision to bring Britain's Conservatives back to power.

Not since 1975 -- when Margaret Thatcher was elected Conservative Party leader -- have I been so excited about a new leadership choice for the British Conservatives. His speech to the recent Conservative party conference was absolutely inspiring !

Bythe end of Thursday -- today -- David Cameron will be one step closer to becoming the prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

David Cameron is my choice for British Conservative Party leader.

Bill Clinton urges Canadian Prime Minister to stand up for Canada in dealing with the Americans.

Bill Clinton gives good advice to Paul Martin

PM right to talk tough on softwood: Clinton

Tue, 18 Oct
Copyright
CBC News

Former U.S. president Bill Clinton says Canada's Paul Martin has no alternative but to stand up to the United States on the softwood lumber issue.
INDEPTH: Softwood Lumber

Former U.S. president Bill Clinton in London, Ont. Monday night.

"In view of the American position, how hard it's been, I don't see how your prime minister can be anything but really very publicly tough on this," Clinton told about 4,000 people in London, Ont., after a speech that drew a standing ovation.

CLICK HERE to read entire CBC NEWS report on Bill Clinton's speech.

Michael McCafferty comments:

President Bill Clinton is a wise statesman. I very much appreciate the very wise advice he gave to Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin on the softwood lumber issue.

Right on !

No wonder Bill Clinton got a standing ovation from the crowd of 4,000. People recognize wisdom when they hear it.

Condoleeza Rice to visit Canada.

Condoleeza Rice to visit Canada

Copyright
Canadian Press
Monday, October 17, 2005

OTTAWA -- Under the cloud of unabated violence in Iraq and a battle with Canada over softwood, Condoleezza Rice is coming to Ottawa next Monday for her first official visit as U.S. secretary of state.

Rice's Oct. 24-25 visit is not about damage control, insisted Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew.

CLICK HERE for the entire Canadian Press report on the visit of US Secretary of State Rice to Canada.

Michael McCafferty comments:

The state of relations between Canada and the USA is poor. There was a time when our two nations were the two friendliest neighbours in the world. That day and age is over.

Canada can no longer be expected to be a 'yes man' kind of neighbour to the USA.
Canada is a free and independent nation and as such our autonomy should not be questioned by the US Secretary of State.

While I would expect the Prime Minister of Canada to stand up for Canada I hope he does so in a firm but 'diplomatic' manner. Simply stated I hope Secretary of State Rice has a positive visit to Canada. And at the end of the day we see progress towards the start of a new era in Canada USA relations.

TEAM OF RIVALS: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

Abraham Lincoln book by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

Copyright Publishers Weekly

Pulitzer Prize–winner Doris Goodwin (No Ordinary Time) seeks to illuminate what she interprets as a miraculous event: Lincoln's smooth (and, in her view, rather sudden) transition from underwhelming one-term congressman and prairie lawyer to robust chief executive during a time of crisis. Goodwin marvels at Lincoln's ability to co-opt three better-born, better-educated rivals—each of whom had challenged Lincoln for the 1860 Republican nomination. The three were New York senator William H. Seward, who became secretary of state; Ohio senator Salmon P. Chase, who signed on as secretary of the treasury and later was nominated by Lincoln to be chief justice of the Supreme Court; and Missouri's "distinguished elder statesman" Edward Bates, who served as attorney general. This is the "team of rivals" Goodwin's title refers to.

MICHAEL McCAFFERTY comments:

Abraham Lincoln has been an inspiration to me ever since I was 9 years old and read my first book about America's 16th president. Lincoln,in my opinion, was one of the greatest leaders in the history of the world -- and for the past 45 years I have read as many books about Abraham Lincoln as possible.

Doris Kearns Goodwin is the author of Team of Rivals : The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln . Goodwin who is a very remarkable and outstanding American historian is the author of several great books about American presidents -- and her book about Abraham Lincoln will be I predict a NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER.

Happy 80th birthday to Lady Margaret Thatcher.

Margaret Thatcher celebrates her 80th birthday

Friends and ex-foes pay tribute to Margaret Thatcher at 80

By George Jones, Political Editor
THE TELEGRAPH LONDON

Political friends and many former foes paid tribute to Lady Thatcher, the former Conservative Prime Minister, who celebrates her 80th birthday today.

Michael Howard, the outgoing Tory leader, placed her alongside Winston Churchill in the gallery of national leaders.

"What Churchill did in wartime, Margaret Thatcher did in peacetime. Her political will and her iron courage saw off the threats to our way of life that Britain faced in 1979. We all owe her an enormous debt. I wish her well for her birthday and for many years to come," Mr Howard said.
Lord (formerly Sir Geoffrey) Howe, whose attack on her in the Commons in 1990 played a key role in her downfall, said her "11 years of triumph, which ended in tragedy, still stand as a period of astonishing achievement."

Her real triumph was to have transformed not just one party but two, "so that when Labour did eventually return, the great bulk of Thatcherism was accepted as irreversible," Lord Howe said.

***********************

Thatcher's 80th expected to draw royals and more

By BETH GARDINER
Associated Press

LONDON - Margaret Thatcher is holding an 80th birthday bash with a guest list that includes one of her successors at No. 10 Downing St. — current Prime Minister Tony Blair — and Queen Elizabeth II, Thatcher's office said.

Britain's first female prime minister has grown frail after suffering a series of small strokes, and she increasingly avoids the limelight.

But she'll turn 80 on Thursday, celebrating with about 680 guests at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, her assistant Gilly Penrose said. "She is very much looking forward to the day, it's a chance to see everybody that she has mixed with over the years," Penrose said.

John Major — who succeeded Thatcher when she was ousted by her party in 1990 — is expected to attend, and the queen will be there with her husband, Prince Philip, Penrose said. Many members of Thatcher's Cabinets will be present.

MICHAEL McCAFFERTY comments:

Margaret Thatcher is a 'giant in history' who in my opinion ranks with Winston Churchill as one of the greatest prime ministers in Britain's history.

I had the honor to meet Margaret Thatcher in 1975 and treasure a hand written note she sent to me.

I am very happy and delighted that Margaret Thatcher is being honored on her 80th birthday.

Lady Margaret Thatcher truly is one of the great world leaders of modern times. A very remarkable and extraordinary lady.

GOD BLESS MARGARET THATCHER !

Brian Mulroney is Canada's elder statesman !

Brian Mulroney still very respected and admired.

Mulroney still revered, sought out for advice by Conservatives

COPYRIGHT
macleans.ca
DAN DUGAS

OTTAWA (CP) - When Peter MacKay went searching for someone to ease his angst about his future last week, he followed the weathered path to Brian Mulroney's tony doorstep.

Despite a dozen years in the wilderness and a scathing best-selling book that depicts the former prime minister warts-all, Mulroney remains the Oracle at Westmount for those who believe he safeguards the Holy Grail of Canadian conservative politics: the ability to win.

To read this wonderful article about Brian Mulroney from macleans.ca click here.

MICHAEL MCCAFFERTY comments:
Brian Mulroney is truly a great Canadian statesman, and i admire him very much. Mr. Mulroney is a genuine patriot with great leadership abilities.

I am happy to know that his wise counsel is sought by many -- and I am delighted that Mr. Mulroney is respected and held in such high regard.

It is my heartfelt hope that Mr. Mulroney's health improves because Canada needs a wise elder statesman.

German Chancellor designate Angela Merkel.

Merkel to become German Chancellor

Conservative leader would become Germany's first female chancellor

Monday, October 10, 2005
Copyright - Associated Press


Berlin —

Conservative leader Angela Merkel on Monday confirmed Monday that a coalition deal has been reached to make her Germany's first female chancellor under the terms of a power-sharing agreement that would end Gerhard Schroeder's seven years in office.

The deal was "good and fair," Ms. Merkel said at a news conference, adding that the parties agreed that "there is no alternative to a reform course" for Germany.

CLICK HERE to read entire ASSOCIATED PRESS report
on German Chancellor designate Angela Merkel.

michael mccafferty comments:

This is a great day for Germany. Angela Merkel is about to become Germany's first female Chancellor. She is a remarkable leader and an outstanding person. Chancellor Merkel --
this is a great day for German conservatives -- because German will begin a new era of leadership.

I admire Angela Merkel and it is my heartfelt hope she will have great success as the German Chancellor.

Republican National Committee letter in support of Harriet Miers for the US Supreme Court.

Christian Conservatives support Harriet Miers

A letter from the REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE

On Monday President George W. Bush nominated Harriet Miers to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on the United States Supreme Court.

Harriet Miers has a long and distinguished career as one of the foremost lawyers in the country which makes her exceptionally well qualified to serve on the United States Supreme Court. As a Justice on the Supreme Court, she will strictly interpret the Constitution and laws of the United States, not legislate from the bench.The President has once again nominated someone to the federal bench who stand strong for our shared principles. Like Chief Justice John Roberts, Harriet Miers will bring to the Supreme Court modesty, humility, and a conservative judicial philosophy.

In recent days, many conservative leaders are rallying to support her nomination.

Dr. James Dobson:"We welcome the president's nomination of Harriet Miers to the U.S. Supreme Court. He pledged emphatically during his campaign to appoint judges who will interpret the law rather than create it. He also promised to select competent judges who will 'not use the bench to write social policy. To this point, President Bush's appointments to the federal bench appear to have been remarkably consistent with that stated philosophy."

David N. O'Steen, Executive Director - National Right to Life Committee:"President Bush has an excellent record of appointing judges who recognize the proper role of the courts, which is to interpret the law according to its actual text, and not to legislate from the bench. We believe that Harriet Miers is another nominee who will abide by the text and history of the Constitution."

Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel - American Center for Law and Justice:"At a time when the High Court is facing some of the most critical issues of the day - including a number of cases dealing directly with abortion and life issues - the person who replaces Justice O'Connor is critical. She [Harriet Miers] is bright, thoughtful, and a consummate professional and I enthusiastically endorse her nomination. Once again, President Bush showed exceptional judgment in naming Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court to replace Justice O'Connor"

Roberta Combs, President - Christian Coalition of America: "She [Harriet Miers] was the first woman to be elected the Texas State Bar Association President and the first woman to be hired in her law firm and to become President of the law firm. I trust that she will be an excellent addition to the High Court and all Americans will be proud of her."

Dr. Richard Land:"I'm supporting her because I know this president. There is no issue he is more committed to than turning around the role of judges in this culture and his commitment to strict-constructionist, original- intent jurists. There is no promise he has kept more faithfully."

Take Action! Let us know why you are supporting President Bush and his nomination of Harriet Miers. Email Republican National Committee and let them know why you are supporting her nomination.

Sincerely,
David Rexrode
Director of Conservative Development
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE

michael mccafferty comments:

The left wing secular liberal media in the USA would have you believe that Christian conservatives do not support the nomination of Harriet Miers to the US Supreme Court.
You have to ask yourself, since when did liberals start worrying about who Christian conservatives support ?

I was so impressed by the letter from the Republican National Committee that I wanted to share it with others including you.

Stephen Harper exposes 'secret' gas allowance for Canadian politicians and civil servants.

Secret gas allowance for Canadian Members of Parliament and civil servants

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper exposes 'secret' gas allowance for politicians and civil servants -- and demands it be stopped.

Copyright CTV NEWS

OTTAWA

The federal government is reconsidering a plan to compensate MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT and federal workers for rising gas prices through a hike in their mileage allowance.

There had been reports that the public service would be getting a 10 per cent boost to their travel allowances, to compensate for higher gasoline prices.

The report said that effective immediately, MPs of all political stripes could claim 50.6 cents a kilometre, up from 46 cents, resulting in an allowance of $400 for a return drive between Ottawa and Toronto.

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper seized on the story and demanded answers in Thursday's House of Commons question period.

"Today, we find that the government does favour a break on the high price of gas -- but only if you're a politician or a civil servant. This does nothing for ordinary Canadians except cost them money," he said.

"So will the government show some respect to taxpayers by cutting gas taxes and cancelling this mileage bonus for civil servants and politicians?"

CLICK HERE to read entire CTV NEWS report on gas allowance for Canadian politicians and civil servants.

michael mccafferty comments:

Right on ! Stephen Harper. Why should Canadian Members of Parliament (politicians) and civil servants get a heft gasoline allowance ? Why should these people get an allowance paid for by Canadian taxpayers when the minimum wage worker at Tim Horton's gets no help whatsover.

If you are mad as hell at the Liberal government in Ottawa about this then send an email to Prime Minister Paul Martin at pm@pm.gc.ca . Tell Mr. Martin there should be NO special gasoline allowance for politicians and civil servants paid for with tax dollars.

Three cheers for Stephen Harper for standing up for Canadian taxpayers!

Harriet Miers is a born again Christian !

US Supreme Court nominee Miers found Christ -- turned Conservative.

copyright THE NEW YORK TIMESOctober 5, 2005

By EDWARD WYATT and SIMON ROMERO

DALLAS, Oct. 4 -

By 1979, Harriet E. Miers, then in her mid-30's, had accomplished what some people take a lifetime to achieve. She was a partner at Locke Purnell Boren Laney & Neely, one of the most prestigious law firms in the South, with an office on the 35th floor of the Republic National Bank Tower in downtown Dallas.

But she still felt something was missing in her life, and it was after a series of long discussions - rambling conversations about family and religion and other matters that typically stretched from early evening into the night - with Nathan L. Hecht, a junior colleague at the law firm, that she made a decision that many of the people around her say changed her life.

"She decided that she wanted faith to be a bigger part of her life," Justice Hecht, who now serves on the Texas Supreme Court, said in an interview. "One evening she called me to her office and said she was ready to make a commitment" to accept Jesus Christ as her savior and be born again, he said. He walked down the hallway from his office to hers, and there amid the legal briefs and court papers, Ms. Miers and Justice Hecht "prayed and talked," he said.

She was baptized not long after that, at the Valley View Christian Church.

CLICK HERE to read the entire NEW YORK TIMES aricle on the faith and political faith of Harriet Miers.

michael mccafferty comments

I am so happy and delighted to learn that Harriet Miers is a born again Christian. Her faith in Jesus will make her an extraordinary member of the United States Supreme Court.

Praise the Lord and God bless Harriet Miers.

President Bush has nominated White House Counsel Harriet Miers to the US Supreme Court.

Harriet Miers nominated for US Supreme Court

White House Counsel Would Replace Retiring Sandra Day O'Connor

copyright
WASHINGTON POST

President Bush named White House counsel Harriet Miers, 60, to be associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court today.

Miers, who was Bush's personal attorney in Texas, was the first woman elected president of the Texas bar association and was a partner at the Texas law firm of Locke Liddell & Sapp before coming to Washington to work in the Bush administration.

CLICK HERE for entire WASHINGTON POST coverage of the Supreme Court nomination of Harriet Miers.

michael mccafferty comments:

What a truly remarkable woman Harriet Miers is. I have nothing but praise for this outstanding American lady from Texas. She will bring great honor and integrity to the US Supreme Court.

Australia's Prime Minister John Howard condemns terrorist bombings.

Australia's Prime Minister condemns terrorist bombings.

The Australian Prime Minister John Howard has said he is ''horrified" by a series of bomb blasts on the Indonesian island of Bali that have killed at least 25 people and injured more than 100. An Australian teenager is among the dead and other victims include Indonesians as well as tourists from Korea, Japan and the United States.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard said the apparent suicide bombings of three crowded restaurants were "an indiscriminate, murderous attack."

CLICK HERE to read the entire VOICE OF AMERICA report on the Bali terrorist bombings.

michael mccafferty comments:

Australia's Prime Minister John Howard is right - the Bali bombings - are the acts of cowardly terrorists. Once again the world is shocked by what terrorist suicide bombers can do.

I stand behind Prime Minister Howard in condemning these bombings. Freedom and democracy must not surrender to these evil monsters.