As Iran Threatens to Hide its Nuclear Program - It's time for Wisdom! By Sharon Hughes

Things are definately heating up. Pressure is increasing around the world in how to respond the Iran. It's time for wisdom and discernment for our government and military leaders. Iran's leader is a bully in the schoolyard of the world. Bullies don't stop until they are stopped. The question is, how to stop them?

The Middle East Times reported April 25, 2006 that Iran has vowed to ignore the Security Council nuclear deadline to suspend its uranium enrichment, and threatened to hide its nuclear program if the West takes "harsh measures". Iran's top nuclear spokesman threatened to end any cooperation with the United Nations saying any increased pressure on Iran would harden their resolve: "If you take harsh measures, we will hide this program. If you use the language of force, you should not expect us to act transparently..." Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice responded saying by saying, "Iranians can threaten, but they are deepening their own isolation." Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad continues to call for the removal of Israel from the map, denies the holocaust, and accuses America of wrongly siding with Israel. Most recently he said, "Whether you like it or not, the Zionist regime is on the road to being eliminated." Speaking to visiting leaders of Arab terrorist groups which operate in areas under Palestinian Authority control, he said Israelis should leave Israel and go back to the countries they migrated from. "I tell the governments who support Zionism to allow the migrants [to] return to their countries of origin. If you think you owe them something [because of the Holocaust], give them some of your land. The Zionist regime is a rotten, dried tree that will be eliminated by one storm." Israel's Consul General, Arye Mekel says, "It's important that the world understands that this is not an Israeli issue, it's a world problem, and the world must stop Iran. Let's be clear: That country cannot, cannot have nuclear weapons." Q: What say you - Is Iran planning on making nuclear weapons? Will they bomb Israel? What will/should America do regarding Iran? What should the UN and of western countries do? Related: The Weekly Standard asks: To Bomb or Not to Bomb Red State talks of a Rush to War - 21st Century style Comment

No to Women in Black and Code Pink
Women Speak Out on the War
By Sharon Hughes

Dear Sharon,

I have heard you speak twice at Support Our Troops rallies in Santa Rosa.  You are right on the mark with your observations about the determination and expertise of the terrorists. I was especially impressed with your points this year.  There is no doubt in my mind that this is an all out battle for our country and our way of life. 

I was born in Sebastopol and have lived here all of my life. My family goes on for 6 generations in this area. Needless to say that Sebastopol and Sonoma County is where we worked and lived and went to local schools. Many in my family have served our country, and Uncle Louie was a POW.  Some of my family members are business owners, some are educated in area colleges and one was Mayor of Sebastopol. My husband and I have played golf with the current mayor and ex-mayor in the same foursome!   I have worked in a local Real Estate office with yet another former mayor.     

I have been standing on the corner of Main Street in Sebastopol holding our American flag and signs in support of our troops since shortly after 9/11.  I started demonstrating when the  "Women In Black " quickly appeared on our streets with their anti-war, anti-violence signs. 

It seemed like Jane Fonda and the anti-war 1960's all over again.  I did not want "our soldiers" to experience the lack of support from their country once again. Soldiers, coming home after facing the enemy and being spit upon.  Soldiers, watching their buddies killed then returning to the states only to have their bus tipped over and told that their tremendous sacrifice didn't mean a thing. I regretted many times, since, that I had been too immature to protest against the 1960's
anti-Americanism.  Now, here it is again!! 

The "women" I face each week are the entrenched remains of the 1960's anti-war, anti-American political groups.  I am positive that they are the very same women that protested in the 1960's.  Their position has not changed one bit and they have raised their children with anti-American, pro socialist, pro-communism beliefs.  They call themselves, Leftists.  This is not an assumption, I have heard this very word from their mouth. The adults conceal it very well, and it was one of their youth that took offense to my asking if his mother was a communist. The 17 year old loudly protested my question and reassured me that his mother was a Leftist!!

What most Americans don't get is that their movement is not so much anti-war as much as it is anti-American!  We are all anti-war as a bottom line. No one in their right mind runs around saying that I am a pro-war proponent!!  What would that mean anyway?   The anti-American leftists' are looking for the overthrow of our American democratic way of life. The Al-Quaida terrorists and the Leftists are both working and have been working for many years for the overthrow of America. Again, this is not a new spontaneous anti-war demonstration. 

From a Supporter

War in Iraq - Who Is Telling the Truth?
By Sharon Hughes

The American people have heard so many conflicting stories about the attitudes of the Iraqi people toward America, as well as soliders' attitudes about the war effort, that reporting such stories has become a battleground in and of itself.

There is no doubt in my mind that negative feedback about the war is emphasized by the mainstream media which, while accusing legislators of politicizing the war, in fact are as guilty, if not more, of doing the same. Case in point: Cindy Sheehan. Who would argue that the air and print time given to this anti-war poster-mom of the left was exhaustive? But hardly a mention has been given to the Blue Star Moms and others who have also lost sons in the war, but have a different attitude than Sheehan.

The headlines of major print media, especially online where articles are grouped by topic, could be enough to make the less informed think we are losing the war, that the effort and sacrifice paid already by our troops have been in vain. However, when you read the stories themselves, very often there's little substance to support the headline accusations, apart from spin.

That's why I like to read and hear it from the Iraqi people, our soldiers, and others who are not interested in politicizing the war.

Such as Officer Dan Maher of the New York Police Department, who recently spent a year helping to train an Iraqi police force. He took a tape recorder with him to record his experience, and NPR radio interviewed him on April 11, 2006. They also played short clips of what he captured on tape, which you can hear HERE.
He tells his experience straight, just like it is. Any many others have and are doing the same, but their voices are rarely heard.

I've interviewed several soldiers, officers and journalists who have been in Iraq on my show since the war began and they all echo Dan Maher's attitude.

No one wants to go to war, except aggressors who want to dominate the world. Not soldiers. Not officers. Not presidents. Not Americans. Not our allies. Not any civilized people or freedom-loving country. Nevertheless, when the safety of the people is at risk, both imminent and in the foreseeable future, the brave and understanding are willing to enter the fray.

There have always been, and always will be, the bullies of the world who will not stop, unless they are stopped. That's why war is a reality, unfortunately. And that's why the great majority of us who stay at home while our troops defend us are so grateful for their effort on our behalf. That's why "supporting our troops" is alive and well.

Oh, I know I'll get a ton of mail for saying these things from those who disagree. But I comfort myself with the knowledge that they represent a minority voice of those who do outrageous things such as protesting the war in front of Walter Reed Hospital where wounded soldiers are.

Yes, they're loud, but they are small in comparison to the vast majority of Americans who hate war, but understand the consequences of not standing up to the bullies of the world. If you can say anything about America, you can say this...we will not be dominated, or beaten in the school yard of the world.

Is war a seamless operation? No. Is the war in Iraq running smoothly? What a dumb question. War is hell. But who is telling the truth about the war in Iraq? Those who don't have a axe to grind. Those who are saying it like it really is.

Italy Offers Abdul Rahman Safety
By Sharon Hughes

I rejoice over the release of Abdul Rahman and thank all those who played any part in bringing pressure to this end. It is very important for Abdul's safety that he find refuge from those who would take the law into their own hands and murder him. Please keep writing and praying. This was emphasized last Friday by my guest, Professor William Wagner, author of "How Islam Plans to Change the World"

Breitbart reported: Premier Silvio Berlusconi said, "I say that we are very glad to be able to welcome someone who has been so courageous," speaking of Abdul Rahman, the Afghan Christian who faced death for converting from Islam.

Abdul was released from the high-security Policharki prison on Monday after the court dropped charges against him due to 'lack of evidence and suspected mental illness.'

The jailing of Rahman caused Pope Benedict XVI to appeal to Afghan leader Karzai for his release, and Italy, which has close ties with Afghanistan, (former Afghan king, Mohammed Zaher Shah), was allowed to live in exile in Rome for 30 years.

Hopefully the high-profile of Abdul's case will raise awareness to the hundreds of other Christians that are persecuted, tortured and even killed for their faith around the world. Bloggers can play a big part in this. This is not the first or only such case. Hundreds of Christians are persecuted daily in Arab countries. for instance:

2 more Afghan Christians reportedly thrown into jail - Muslims protest dropping of charges against man who converted from Islam.