Jon Christian Ryter

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ideaman@wissamerica.com—March 19, 2008

How we arrived at $1,000 gold and why has gold has become a new asset class?
Gold touched $1,000 an ounce today in anticipation of the Fed slashing rates, further lowering the U.S. dollar's value. Millions of Americans are wondering why gold prices have tripled since 2001.

The Carlyle Group, which recently defaulted on $16 billion of bad mortgage debt, was on the verge of collapse after failing to agree to a new financing deal. This news shattered already fragile confidence and sent investors running into safe havens like oil and gold.

Gold is telling the world inflation is back. In recent years investors have relied on real estate to serve as their primary inflation hedge, but now that housing is in decline, they're turning instead to precious metals.

The U.S. government's official 'strong dollar' policy has failed. When the dollar traded at $1.18 euro in 2006, I said to expect $1.50 euro. The euro is headed toward $1.70 and oil is headed to $125 a barrel. The Fed now faces a 'mission impossible' task of navigating the U.S. economy between a recession and rising inflation.

Expect tough inflation talk, but a flood of paper money in 2008. We also have trillions in bad mortgage debt and a ticking derivatives "time bomb". In the 80's and 90's cash was king. But in the 21st century gold became an alternative to the soft dollar, lower returns and higher market volatility.

A major economic paradigm shift occurred in 2001 and has gained momentum every year since. The era of paper currency and complicated structured investments is giving way to a new era of tangible assets. Gold is emerging as a preferred asset class in a world drowning in debt. Gold serves the public as a true barometer of the dollar's value worldwide.

In reality, gold's value hasn't gone up. The dollar's value has gone down, driving gold prices up. For example, between 1792 and 1933 either a $20 gold piece or a $20 bill would buy a fine suit of clothing. A $20 gold piece will still buy a fine $1,000 suit, but today's $20 bill will not even buy a nice tie.

Long-term dollar weakness also puts U.S. security at risk. Trillions of dollars are now held by China and Mideast funds. CBS reports Israel and Iran are on the verge of war. Gold is the ultimate trump card against geopolitical wild cards. A weak dollar is just one of a seven major reasons why gold is rising. For the latest gold news, go to Swiss America.com.

mistymtn@urisp.net—January 25, 2008

Jon, I have been reading your articles for a long, long, time and have found them most helpful for the people of our Great Nation! You just tell it like it is and therefore very enlightening! Please keep up your good work and know there are many, many people out here that read your articles and thank you for them! If we wait for the politicians to enlighten us there is no telling what we would be advised to do! Keep them straight!

fdewaay@msn.com—January 23, 2008

Who Said It: Al Qaeda, Or A Democrat?
The latest edition of "Who Said It" in Rush Limbaugh's monthly newsletter is a withering assault on the Democrats' handling of the war against Al Qaeda. In Limbaugh's characteristically poignant way, he prints a series of quotes, some from Al Qaeda and some from defeatist Democrats, challenging readers to determine who said what.

Using their own words (which may be paraphrased), Limbaugh illustrates exactly how in synch Democrat leaders are with Osama bin Laden and his thugs. Take a look:

(1)—This is George Bush's war. He is responsible for this war. He started the war. He mismanaged the war. He escalated the war. And he refuses to end the war.
(2)—George W. Bush will go down in history as the President who embroiled his nation in a series of unwinnable and bloody conflicts.
(3)—After several years of the tragedies of this war, the vast majority of Americans want it stopped. Thus, they elected the Democratic Party.
(4)—The public spoke at the last election, very overwhelmingly, and they said they want the US out of Iraq.
(5)—President Johnson did not want a war loss on his watch. And so he surged in Vietnam. After the surge was over it added to 34,000 more dead Americans to the 24,000 already killed.
(6)—The Soviet Union was overtaken by pride and arrogance and refused to look at the facts on the ground in Afghanistan. The mistakes of Brezhnev are being repeated by Bush.
(7)—We know the cost of the war is going to exceed $2 trillion. We know that the US military is almost at its breaking point.
(8)—The spending of tens of billions to continue the killing and war in Iraq has led to the vast majority of [Americans disappointment.
(9)—Victory is elusive. Victory is subjective. What does President Bush mean by "victory?"
(10)—Today, nearly four years after Bush hastily declared victory in Iraq, things aren't going too well for the coalition. In fact, things are going really bad.
(11)—The image of President Bush standing in front of the "Mission Accomplished" banner is a metaphor for the Bush White House's misleading and dangerous incompetence.

Now, here are the answers:
1—Democrat: Hillary Clinton, 6/3/07
2—Al Qaeda: Azzam al-Amriki, 5/29/07
3—Al Qaeda: Osama bin Laden, 9/07
4—Democrat: Jack Murtha, 11/20/07
5—Democrat: Harry Reid, 4/19/07
6—Al Qaeda: Osama bin Laden, 9/07
7—Democrat: Harry Reid, 12/3/07
8—Al Qaeda: Osama bin Laden, 9/07
9—Democrat: Nancy Pelosi, 11/8/06
10—Al Qaeda: Azzam al-Amriki, 5/29/07
11—Democrat: Harry Reid, 5/1/06

Think about this. If the Democrat leaders are this in synch with our enemies, do we really want them running our country and "protecting" America from thm?

kd_mcguffey@sbcglobal.net—December 13 , 2007

This is the most reassuring message I've received all year. Read and moan all ye bleeding heart liberals. If more illegal as well as home-grown criminals were given the same treatment....maybe there will be less break-ins and assaults in the good old U S of A—and maybe those illegals might just migrate back to their country of origin.

Butte, Montana November 5, 2006—Two illegal aliens, Ralphel Resindez, 23, and Enrico Garza, 26, probably believed they would easily overpower home-alone 11 year old Patricia Harrington. The two crooks learned two things that day. One, they were in Montana. And, two, Patricia had been a clay shooting champion since she was nine.

Patricia was in her upstairs bedroom when the two men broke through the front door of the house. She quickly ran to her father's room and grabbed his 12 gauge Mossberg 500 shotgun. Resindez was the first to get up to the second floor only to be the first to catch a near point blank blast of buckshot from the 11-year-old's knee crouch aim. He suffered fatal wounds to his abdomen and genitals. When Garza ran to the foot of the stairs, he took a blast to the left shoulder and staggered out into the street where he bled to death before medical help could arrive.

It was later discovered that Resindez was armed with a stolen 45 caliber handgun he took from another home invasion robbery. That victim, 50-year-old David Burien, was not so lucky. He died from stab wounds to the chest. Ever wonder why good stuff never makes NBC, CBS, PBS, MSNBC, CNN, or ABC news. Thought for the day—calling an illegal alien an "undocumented immigrant" is like calling a drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist."

\hardcas@mchsi.com—October 16 , 2007

(Author unknown)
Washington, DC (AP) -- Congress today announced that the office of President of the United States of America will be outsourced to India as of August 1, 2007. The move is being made in order to save the President's $500,000 yearly salary, and also a record $521 trillion in deficit expenditures and related overhead the office has incurred during the last 5 years.

"We believe this is a wise move financially. The cost savings should be significant," stated Congressman Thomas Reynolds (R-WA). "We cannot expect to remain competitive on the world stage with the current level of cash outlay," Reynolds noted. Mr. Bush was informed by e-mail this morning of his termination.

Preparations for the job move have been underway for some time. Gurvinder Singh of Indus Teleservices, Mumbai, India will be assuming the office of President as of August 1, 2007. Mr. Singh was born in the United States while his Indian parents were vacationing at Niagara Falls, thus making him eligible for the position. He will receive a salary of $320 (USD) a month but with no health coverage or other benefits. It is believed that Mr. Singh will be able to handle his job responsibilities without a support staff.

Due to the time difference between the US and India, he will be working primarily at night, when few offices of the US Government will be open. "Working nights will allow me to keep my day job at the Dell Computer call center," stated Mr. Singh in an exclusive interview. "I am excited about this position. I always hoped I would be President of the U.S."

A Congressional spokesperson noted that while Mr. Singh may not be fully aware of all the issues involved in the office of President, this should not be a problem as President Bush was not familiar with the issues either. Mr. Singh will rely upon a script tree that will enable him to respond effectively to most topics of concern. Using these canned responses, he can address common concerns without having to understand the underlying issue at all. "We know these scripting tools work," stated the spokesperson. "President Bush has used them successfully for years."

Bush will receive health coverage, expenses, and salary until his final day of employment. Following a two week waiting period, he will be eligible for $140 a week unemployment for 13 weeks. Unfortunately he will not be eligible for Medicaid, as his unemployment benefits will exceed the allowed limit. Mr. Bush has been provided the outplacement services of Manpower, Inc. to help him write a resume and prepare for his upcoming job transition. According to Manpower, Mr. Bush may have difficulties in securing a new position due to limited practical or successful work experience. A Greeter position at Wal-Mart was suggested due to Bush's extensive experience shaking hands, as well as his naturally goofy smile.

leon1monetaryportfolio.com—August 28 , 2007

My son sent this to me. It's very graphic. It is not for the faint, so if blood and gore upsets you, don't scroll down. I sent this because its important for people to see—very graphically—what can easily happen to any of us if we do something so stupid like "drink & drive." If you are not faint-of-heart, take a very deep breathe, and scroll down.This is a very horrific glimpse of what can happen to any of us in one very stupid, and very fatal moment when we let booze control our brain.

This is from a fatal crash on the 241 toll road at Alton Parkway on the afternoon of Halloween last year. The driver was an 18-year old girl who took her father's brand new Porsche out for a spin—without permission after getting drunk.

Two 9-1-1 calls came in about three minutes apart just before she crashed. One was from her dad saying she just left the house with his car—without permission. The other call was from a neighbor saying the young girl peeled out at about 60-plus mph around the corner in the neighborhood. Within five miles from her house and a three minute time frame, she managed to get the car on the 241 at well over 100 mph. Her problems started when she ran into an unsuspecting driver in a Honda, and then, trragically, into one of the toll booths. Her dad's Porsche hit the toll booth The next picture (we chose not to use) is of her brains scattered along the side of the toll booth. In the next two pictures you can see that the majority of her face is missing. Her head was almost ripped off. Her head appears to be split into two pieces. PLEASE, EVERYONE...even if you are convinced you are invincible...THINK BEFORE YOU DRINK!

flivingston3@nc.rr.com—June 12 , 2006

President George W. Bush's administration is not working to stop illegal immigration. Here are some facts. For example, in 1997, during President Clinton's administration, INS conducted 17,554 worksite arrests of employers and issued only 865 notice of intent file. In 2004, under President Bush, employer worksite arrests dropped drastically to only 159 arrests, with just three (3) notice of intent to file.

IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT: Weaknesses Hinder Employment Verification and Worksite Enforcement Efforts, (GAO-05-813, August 2005.) In addition, the number of work-years for workforce enforcement dropped from 240-years (1999) to only 90-years in 2003. How is this enforcing our laws? It is not—so why should we pass more useless immigration laws that will not be enforced?

When the magnet—JOBS—is shut down, illegal aliens will go home.

Right now, illegal aliens are flooding our country and all Congress and the president want to do is to try to pass more useless laws that go against the will of the people. First, they need to enforce existing laws. It is obvious nobody is interested in doing their jobs by protecting America.

When I hear someone in the Administration say, "our borders are broken;" all I am hearing is another elected or appointed official failed to do their jobs.

The president, many in Congress and our mainstreet media has framed this issue as: Juan and Maria are only here to take jobs Americans' will not do. This is bunk!

Look at the Swift & Co meatpacking raids last year. Approximately 1,800 illegal aliens were rounded up and deported. In Greeley, CO for example, once ICE arrested and removed 180 illegal workers from the meatpacking plant, the next day, wages jumped from $9.80 and hour to $11.00, with long lines of Americans' lined up applying for jobs. Many of those applicants had been on welfare—so don't tell me Juan and Maria are only taking jobs no one else wants.

One might want to look at the lawsuit of 18-former Swift & Co employees who lost their jobs to illegal aliens from Guatemala who could not speak English—but had names like "Jones" and "Smith." Employers were required to fill out I-9s on the new employees who went to work in the Cactus, Texas meatpacking plant for less money. There is a lawsuit in place that contends the wages in 1986 was $20.00 and hour and reduced to less than $11.00 and hour for illegal aliens.

ICE worksite arrests of employers

1992: Worksite arrests 8,027. Notices of intent 1,461

1993, Worksite arrests 7,630; Notice of intent 1,302

1994, Worksite arrests 7,554; Notice of intent 1,063

1995, Worksite arrests 10,014; Notice of intent 1,056

1996, Worksite arrests 14,164; Notice of intent 1,019

1997, Worksite arrests 17,554; Notice of intent 865

1998, Worksite arrests 13,914; Notice of intent 1,023

1999, Worksite arrests 2,849; Notice of intent 417

2000, Worksite arrests 953; Notice of intent 178

2001, Worksite arrests 735; Notice of intent 100

2002, Worksite arrests 485; Notice of intent 53

2003, Worksite arrests 445; Notice of intent 162

2004, Worksite arrests 159; Notice of intent 3

2005, Worksite arrests 81, only 7-months available; Notice of intent NA

Frank Livingston, EFO TOP ASSISTANT 207 Avery Street Garner, NC 27529 (919) 757-7779

lamacher@comcast.net—Nov. 29 , 2006

Once again, you have outdone yourself and said it just like it is. You have boldly taken out all of the kinks and exposed the hidden things that mess us up. I am so proud of you and hold you in high esteem that you tackle the hard road and are consistently speaking the TRUTH and exposing the hidden treachery lurking behind the media face.

curtgomes@comcast.net—July 7, 2006

Great July 6th article on Real Estate. I live in San Jose, Calif. and it's totally crazy here. Our home, purchased in 1995 for $315,000, is now appraised at well over a million. Insanity! We were lucky, but what about others? We could never afford to live in our home town if we had to buy now. So many people with their finger in the money pie. Don't forget the realtors. Them and NAR have worked to drive prices increasingly higher. I hope the whole thing collapses. Some people act as if homes were play toys to be bought and sold. Someone's going to get left holding the bag. People are starting to get worried around here as reality slowly sets in. Its going to get interesting. Curt

KmaMedPR@aol.com—Apr. 3 , 2006

As usual, we only get the whole story from you—and what a story it is! I met Tom Tancredo last year in D.C. (FAIR meeting), and was immediately impressed by his refreshingly honest attitude on all political matters. Over time I have come to realize that my respect for this man is not only due to his position on illegal immigration, but more so because he is one of the very, very few in Congress who consistently stands up for our Constitution, established laws, and the American people versus "the Party," big business donors, or other sources that ensure their self-serving need for power (remaining in office). So happy to see that my favorite writer endorses my favorite candidate!

MSRnlds@aol.com—Feb. 18 , 2006 <<Humor>>

Dear Tide:

I am writing to say what an excellent product you have! I've used it all through my married life. My Mom always told me it was the best. Now that I am in my fifties, I find it's even better!

In fact, about a month ago, I spilled some red wine on my new white blouse. My inconsiderate and uncaring husband started to berate me about how clumsy I was, and generally started becoming a pain in the neck.One thing led to another and somehow I ended up with a lot of his blood on my white blouse. I tried to get the stain out using a bargain detergent, but it just wouldn't come out.

After a quick trip to the supermarket, I purchased a bottle of liquid Tide with bleach alternative, and to my surprise and satisfaction, all of the stains came out! In fact, the stains came out so well the detectives who came by yesterday told me that the DNA tests on my blouse were negative and then my attorney called and said that I would no longer be considered a suspect in the disappearance of my husband.

What a relief! Going through menopause is bad enough without being a murder suspect! I thank you, once again, for having such a great product. Well, gotta go. I have to write a letter to the Hefty bag people.

Hey, guys...is there a message here? If the menopausal wife comes home from the supermarket with Tide and trash bags, treat her nice.

ribec@comic.com—Nov. 22 , 2005

Get out if you want Sharia law, Australia tells Muslims...CANBERRA—Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia, as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.

A day after a group of mainstream Muslim leaders pledged loyalty to Australia at a special meeting with Prime Minister John Howard, he and his ministers made it clear that extremists would face a crackdown. Treasurer Peter Costello, seen as heir apparent to Howard, hinted that some radical clerics could be asked to leave the country if they did not accept that Australia was a secular state and its laws were made by parliament. "If those are not your values, if you want a country which has Sharia law or a theocratic state, then Australia is not for you," he said on national television. "I'd be saying to clerics who are teaching that there are two laws governing people in Australia, one the Australian law and another the Islamic law, then that is false. If you can't agree with parliamentary law, independent courts, democracy, and would prefer Sharia law and have the opportunity to go to another country which practices it, perhaps, then, that's a better option," Costello said.

Asked whether he meant radical clerics would be forced to leave, he said those with dual citizenship could possibly be asked to move to the other country. Education Minister Brendan Nelson later told reporters that Muslims who did not want to accept local values should "clear out." "Basically, people who don't want to be Australians, and they don't want to live by Australian values and understand them, well then they can basically clear off," he said. Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spies monitoring the nation's mosques. Editor's note: Finally—a nation which understands that Islam in the hands of Wahabbists poses a threat to every man, woman and child in the world—including moderate Muslims. The people of the United States should follow Australia's lead and let the Islamists know that America is a diverse nation built on a Christian foundation. If Jesus irritates them, they need to go back to the nation of their roots where everyone points their prayer rugs to Mecca at noon each day.

KmaMedPR@aol.com—Oct. 18 , 2005

http://www.jonchristianryter.com/2005/101405.html

I must discipline myself to never read any of your articles prior to bedtime. Part I (of the above article on News With Views) was enough to keep me up past my bedtime; Part II accounted for a restless night's sleep!

I directed Dom Giordano, a talk show host on 1210AM (also features Limbaugh and Hannity) and included the question as to why this administration's (and previous) globalization quest is kept secret from the public. With the exception of die-hard John Birch Society members and those who read your articles, the majority of people are unaware of the ulterior motives of elected officials. Kathleen M. Appell Medical PR Consultancy

tpeck49@cableone.net—Oct. 16 , 2005

I was reading your very interesting two part article about cronyism and ran upon your May 2004 article about my old friend John F. Kerry. After reading the piece I want to respectfully point out some errors in your facts. My name is Tedd Peck and I too was a Officer in Charge of a Patrol Craft Fast (Swift Boat). I served in country from April 1968 until my medical evacuation in February 1969.

Most importantly, I knew John Kerry and what I knew about him was unsavory at best. In November 1968 I was transferred, along with my boat (PCF 57) and crew, to Cam Ranh Bay (CRB). The riverine war was starting up and boats from I Corp and II Corp were being sent south to replace boats that were being sent down to the Delta from CRB. Kerry arrived on 17 November without a crew and subsequently began conducting indoctrination patrols with other officers in order to qualify for patrol status. You mention that Kerry did in fact volunteer for action in the Mekong Delta. This is not true. Prior to late October 1968 Swift Boats were assigned inshore patrol areas along the coast of Viet Nam.

The Navy implemented a three tier barricade around Viet Nam consisting of USN destroyers seaward, Coast Guard WP's (80 foot patrol boats) closer to shore and Swift Boats inshore. While I tried to penetrate rivers in the summer of 1968 I was forbidden to do so by my superiors. The reason being that Swifts were not designed for river warfare.

Officers requesting duty to Swift duty prior to November 1968 knew this and had high expectations of serving in country with out the fear of loss of life or limb. In fact only two officers had died up to that time. One death was caused by a gunnery accident in October 1968 and the other was the result of a booby trapped mine detonation. Kerry must have volunteered prior to August 1968 with this assurance of safety. Swift Boat training was three months long, therefore he was in training during August, September and October 1968. The Swift Boat mission had changed just weeks prior to his successful completion of training and subsequent arrival in CRB. Kerry was shocked when he heard the news.

I met Kerry the day he arrived and found him aloof and introverted. Traits common to most rookies. On the night of 25 November Kerry (still under training status) went on a special operation under the guidance of Lt. William Schachte. This operation consisted of taking a Boston Whaler manned by three volunteers under the leadership of one qualified patrol officer. I refer you back to his training status. The whaler was carried to the op-area by a Swift Boat that also served as a rescue craft if the whaler came into stressful situations.

That night Schachte, Kerry and one unknown enlisted man crewed the boat into Nha Trang Bay. Lt. Schachte thought he saw some movement on the breach and opened fire with a machine gun followed by salvos form Kerry's M16. Both guns jammed and Kerry turned and picked up the M79 grenade launcher. He fired the weapon and the shell detonated close aboard. Schachte realizing that there was no enemy present returned to the awaiting Swift a few miles away. Kerry had indeed felt the burn of a shrapnel in his arm but to all accounts did not seek medical treatment.

The next morning Kerry approaches LCDR Hibbard the division commander in CRB and requests the Purple Heart citation. Schachte had already informed Hibbard about the mistaken sighting and recommended that there was no need of a "after action report" since there was no enemy present. Hibbard rejected Kerry's request out of hand and all was silent for a day or so. I actually asked to see the scar since it was not in a private part of his body but Kerry turned down my request. I immediately smelled a rat because, as I told Lisa Myers in an interview last year, when a young combatant receives his first "red badge of courage" he tells everyone and proudly displays the wound, when in good taste, to all concerned. Kerry, aside from requesting the citation, refused to brandish his wound.

Some people may ask why he conducted himself in such a manner. Your article answers this question. However, a few days later Kerry petitions Hibbard for the citation with a renewed intensity. On the 27 November Kerry threatens to write his Congressman if his request is turned down. My distain for this man intensified because I knew what he was up to. 28 November was Thanksgiving and a few of the other officers were grousing about his antics and I heard the infamous words that he was the "next JFK".

On 2 December I conduct a patrol south of CRB. Aside form the rough seas and heavy rain all was quiet about the deck. No radio transmissions or any other sign that trouble was brewing for JFK. I notice this day because it was on this day that, the non-qualified, JFK claims to be hit by shrapnel according to his medical records and reports from the medical officer LCDR Lew Letson. Kerry could not have been in Nha Trang Bay that night because the seas were heavy and foul weather. He did indeed go to sick bay and report his wound, however, the incident occurred one week earlier while on the patrol with Schachte. John F. Kerry did not go on his secret mission on 2 December for three obvious reasons.

First, JFK was not qualified to take a Swift Boat on patrol let along requisition two enlisted men and a covering Swift Boat for his acts of daring. Second, JFK would have been required to write an "after action report" describing the action and giving finite details of the time and location. There was no such report ever written. Third, I conducted the identical spec-op on the night of 4 December in the same location that is stated in the second paragraph. Not one word of caution was ever given to me regarding hostile fire in Nha Trang Bay. There was no mention due to the fact that there was no action. Kerry must have kept the shrapnel from the 25/26 November and stuck it in his arm prior to seeing Dr. Letson. Yes, I am speculating but how else could he have maneuvered a medical report substantiating his would?

In addition if you read his "Tour of Duty" you will read about his mission but there are no details such as the names of his crew, the date or location of the action and mention of the cover boat officer. This contrasts with what Kerry said to Tim Russert on Meet the Press on 18 April 2004. He says that it was the "scariest night of his life". He must have been so scared that he suffered amnesia. I remember all of this information as if it happened yesterday. Then again I had a higher GPA than he did in college.

On 5 December the division skipper calls a special briefing at 1600 hrs. All patrol officers are present except two. Ltjg. Don Droz is still returning from patrol and Kerry is visiting the Navy Exchange. In fact this is where Kerry purchased the infamous 8mm Kodak camera that he used to film his combat footage seen in his campaign commercials. Hibbard and Schachte inform us that there is order that calls for two boats and crews to transfer to An Thoi for further duty in the Mekong, U Minh forest and Ca Mau peninsula. Dangerous place to be working in and a far cry from the safety of Cam Rhan Bay. Not one officer volunteered for this assignment, including me because my Mother did not raise a fool, leaving Hibbard with no alternative but to pick the two officers who were absent. Kerry found out and complained to all of those who would listen but there were few interested parties. He did not volunteer for the Delta, he was ordered to go and he groused about his fate. Later that evening Don Droz came to me and begged me to take his place. See the award winning documentary "Be Good, Smile Pretty". This is story about Don's plight and why he asked me to volunteer in his place. In the short haul I did agree to take his place on 6 December for three bottles of Johnny Walker Black scotch. I packed my bags and Droz and I consumed a third of a bottle "neat". He drove me down to the pier at approx 1730 in time for the 1800 departure. I walked up to Kerry, on the 44 boat, and warned him not to come within 1000 yards of me while we transited to An Thoi.

This vignette is defined in "Unfit for Command" but in a PG rating. Being a sailor I gave the wimp a good piece of my mind in the saltiest of language. Kerry and I left CRB on that day and arrived in An Thoi at 0800 on 8 December. He stayed the mandatory 1000 yard behind me throughout the journey. If you care to waste your time reading Kerry's autobio by Doug Brinkley you will see an entirely different version describing a midnight departure and arriving in An Thoi on 7 December.

This error in his written memoirs demonstrates how loose Kerry played with truth. In closing I want to assure you that Kerry was not in possession the Purple Heart when we left CRB. It wasn't until after Hibbard and Schachte left Viet Nam in late December and I was wounded on 29 January 1969 while in charge of the 94 boat did Kerry submit his medical record and request for the PH to someone other than Hibbard or his current division C.O. George Elliott.

The award materialized without recommendation from anyone in his chain of command. That's why Hibbard was so confused when questioned by the press. I have since talked to Hibbard and he totally agrees with my explanation of how Kerry manipulated the system for his own glory. I was medivaced to St Albans Naval Hospital the first week in February by way of Saigon, Yokohama, and Andrews AFB. I spent 89 days in a hospital recovering from my wounds and Kerry spent approximately 89 minutes in sick bay which consisted of 80 minutes in the waiting room.

By the way, Kerry was placed in charge of the 94 boat when I departed. I know my tome is not timely but I do hope you find in interesting. In April 69 I run into Kerry in a passageway at St Albans.

When he approached me I bellowed "What the hell are you doing here?" Mr. Kerry dressed in his summer dress khaki uniform informs me that he received his third Purple Heart and the Navy sent him home. I recoiled at him and asked "Did they count the first one, John?"

My question went unanswered. He did not end up in Washington, DC as you article asserts. He was assigned to an Admiral who at the time was Commander US Naval Service Atlantic located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. It was the equivalent of today's Military Sealift Command. Kerry came to the Hospital twice a day bringing the Admiral his messages and occasionally pop into my room located next door to the Admiral's room. He was insistent on talking to me but I always told him I was busy. Recovering from wounds is a full time job. Finally, I agreed to meet him in an upper eastside tavern in Manhattan on 4 May 1969. It was here that he informed me of the status of my crew (the stiffs standing with Kerry during the campaign). He followed up with a dissertation regarding the war and an invitation for me to join the Veterans Against the Viet Nam War. I looked him the eye and asked him about the men (supposedly his friends) who were still in country fighting. Kerry showed no concern for these men as he told me he was a leader in the VAVW.

Mind you, we were on active duty and he is propositioning me to side with the enemy. The distinction I want to make is that Kerry was involved with miscreants long before he was discharged or resigned from the Naval Service. Thank you for your time and I hope I have enlighten you about some to details in Kerry's ruse. Tedd Peck Capt. USNR-R

KmaMedPR@aol.com—July 12, 2005

I've replaced reading the daily horoscopes with reading your Website. Much more accurate prediction of what the future holds!

to: snyman@jamadots.net—July 3, 2005

This is a departure from me, since the question here was raised during a phone call with my kid sister. Since I feel this is a general interest question, I thought it might be one that scores of people might have found puzzling and want to read the answer.

The question you raised when we spoke yesterday was why Acts 8:37 was missing from the New International Version of the Bible, but not from the "standard" traditional versions. More aptly, the question should have been framed as "...why are Matthew 17:21, 18:11, 23:14; Mark 7:16, 9:44. 9:46; 11:26, 15:28; Luke 17:36, 23:17; John 5:4; Acts 8:37. 15:34, 24:7, 28:28, Romans 16:24 and 1 John 5:7 missing from the NIV text?

My first point of reference for an answer to this puzzling question was the Greek-English New Testament which was based on the Literal English Translation © 1958. (It should be noted that Zondervan purchased the text in 1975 and published their first version of the Greek-English New Testament in 1978.) The Greek-English New Testament is missing the same scriptures as the NIV. THE REASON: Some of the deleted verses in the NIV were omitted because they were not found in the ancient Alexandrian codices, and did not appear in most of the texts used up until the 7th century AD.

However, those verses were all found in what is known as Codex E (in the 8th century AD). Some of them are found as early as the Vulgate of Jerome (4th century). Some of the passages deleted from the NIV were found in texts cited by Iranaeus (202 AD) and Cyprian (258 AD).

Keep in mind that the Bible was not divided into verses until 1448 AD. The first Bible to use the chapter and verse format was the Geneva Bible, printed in 1560. The question remains unsettled today which verses, chapters and/or books of the Bible are "canon," and which are construed by church leaders throughout the world today as apocryphal. Because the most popular bible in the world is the King James Version, it is viewed as proper canon, and all other versions are judged by it.

It should be noted that, of the Old Testament, 4% of the KJV Old Testament text comes from the Wycliffe Bible; 18% from the Tyndale Bible; 13% from the Coverdale Bible; 19% from the Geneva Bible; 4% from the Bishop's Bible; and 3% from lesser known translations. Only 35% of the King James Old Testament came from copies of the Hebrew manuscripts.

In the New Testament, 85% of the King James Version of 1611 was taken, word for word, from the Tyndale Bible. The remaining 15% came from the other versions listed above. None of it came from the original Greek text (which did not arrive in England until 1628—17 years after the KJV was printed. The original 1611 text contained some 4,765 marginal notes and references concerning the literal meanings of many of the Greek and Hebrew words used in the text.

By 1760, an additional 30,000 marginal references were added. Most of the more recent Bibles—the NIV included—were transcribed from the original Greek and Hebrew texts. While I personally prefer the KJV, I would be in error if I did not acknowledge that few of the ancient texts contain the verses excluded from the NIV. it is interesting that when the New King James Version was published in 1982, it used footnotes to point out that the above referenced verses did not appear in the earliest texts.

seeerrorclub@npgcable.com—June 27, 2005

Dear Mr. Ryter:

My husband and I are great admirers of your writing. I just read your excellent piece on identity theft, and thought you might be interested in the letter I recently sent to the Arizona Republic regarding an article they had published on the same subject. The article was written by Andrew Thomas, who is the Maricopa County attorney.

I found it interesting that you referred to the banks' treating us like "human capital." I have been saying for several years that when the term "human resource" (instead of "citizen" or "person" or "human being" or "individual" or - my personal favorite - "child of God") came into common usage, there was a corresponding shift in the way government and business treated us. You are right - to our "masters" we are now mere "human capital"... i.e. "human chattel."

Keep up the great work, and God bless you, sir!

MikeyRVP@aol.com—June 25, 2005

Great article. Living in Tennessee, people still rely on their good ole mailbox for their pickup service. My financee is one of them. I hope this article will open her eyes, and a few others I passed it along to. Good read. Mike

df44az@cox.net—June 9, 2005

Jon, you are giving me so much knowledge as to the legislative operation. I just love it and I thank you for it. I am retired and have coffee every morning with retirees from around the country and being a little polish boy from Albany N.Y. I AM STARTING TO SHINE. Thanks to you. Jon, thank you again—Dan

jbramlett@earthlink.net—June 7, 2005

Thanks so much. I enjoyed our chat immensely and found you most interesting and informative. I am still chewing on some of the things you said. Your Web site is fascinating, and your graphics amazing. I attended the NRB some years ago and helped a ministry friend with a booth, but not lately. Let us stay in touch. God bless you, Jim

GotyouinitsSway@aol.com—May 23, 2005

Sir: I see that on your home page you express a strident policy of only promoting the truth. In light of that, you need to update the following paragraph which is devoted to the death of Pat Tillman:

Twenty-seven year old Corporal Pat Tillman was killed in a firefight around 7:30 p.m. local time on April 22, 2004. He died on a dusty road near Sperah, Afghanistan, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) southwest of a U.S. military base at Khost. Tillman's patrol came under heavy fire. The Rangers got out of their vehicles and gave chase. A firefight with Muslim extremists, lasting 15 to 20 minutes, ensued. Tillman was killed. Two other coalition soldiers were wounded. Tillman has been awarded the Silver Star for his actions that day.

We now know that he died from friendly fire. The Army lied about the incident in order to make him seem even more heroic than he already was. CPL Tillman's parents are both very upset at the administration for spreading these lies. You can read a good article about their reaction to this on WashingtonPost.com or Yahoo news.com

Thank you, Frank Paul Venis; Virginia Beach, VA

Author'S NOTE: A one sentence correction was added to the article at the time it was revealed that that Tillman was killed by friendly fire. A more noticeable correction has been made to the article.

c.e.lovell@worldnet.att.net—April 22, 2005

Property rights are seriously threatened by these Globalist secular socialists in Congress and state legislatures—what with "no smoking" laws, the Homosexual Agenda to accomplish recognition and acceptance., etc. Privately I have a right to discriminate —a mark of good breeding and good taste—to refuse association with those or that which offends my moral conscience. This is a good reason to pass the Marriage Amendment between one man and one woman and to stop this so-called marriage substitute called "civil union." Please circulate. Thanks, Clarence Lovell; Jewish World Review April 20, 2005 / 11 Nisan, 5765

robert_morningstar@yahoo.com—Mar. 21, 2005

Mr. Ryter: I am very proud of the Congress and the President tonight. Both have affirmed once again that "America stands for Life." Can you imagine what our country's enemies around the world would have done with this issue if the Congress had not made its position clear? I am sure that this story is far from over and I would like to share with you some ideas which I have pondered in regard to this subject a few days ago in an effort to move Congress to action, if only "symbolic action", an action which may yet be reversed by Federal courts. Warm regards, Robert Morningstar

DarylIFS@aol.com—Mar. 1, 2005

RE: The Thrift Savings Plan...Great article, very informative. I've sent it on to my other senior friends. Some of them need a hard look in the mirror.

One factoid you didn't mention, I'll share with you in case you didn't happen to know this already: The majority of the Board of Directors of AARP are former union bosses of the NEA or the AFT (American Federation of Teachers).

You said: "illegal immigrants by granting them work visas that legalize their status in the United States, doing so will move the incomes they receive from under the table and into the light of day." I agree wholeheartedly with this.

The key concept for a viable immigration reform is to incentivize voluntary compliance. Any immigration and undocumented worker policy based on punitive or coercive means requires curtailing everyone's—citizens and non-citizen resident alike—civil liberties and privacy, and giving the INS more powers. In the real world, this will lead inevitably to abuse, corruption, and capricious enforcement. An idea I have is to make residency permits automatically renewable on an annual basis, for a $500 fee and presentation of the past years state and Federal tax returns. A second idea is to create a system of tax-free Federal savings accounts parallel to Social Security for them (requiring more documents). The key is to give immigrants an incentive to be in documentary compliance with our laws, which will help the INS and Homeland Security to keep track of them. The coercion comes from instituting a confiscation penalty for non-compliance. If we can get 95% of the non-citizen population to register voluntarily, it will make it possible for the INS and the Border Patrol to actually accomplish their missions. Anyone who remains non-compliant in this system should have their motives for being in this country scrutinized carefully before expulsion/imprisonment. Daryl

segroves@hotmail.com—Feb. 22, 2005

Re. your News and Views piece: very well done, easy to understand, and shocking. I hope that you continue with such explanations. And, if you have more ideas on what we can do to turn it around, they will be appreciated. Thank you. Kenneth L. Segroves, Ph.D.

jfw31@wowway.com—Jan. 10, 2005

I have just finished reading your report of the demise of the American Labor force and while I agree with most of what you imply, I think you are misguided by blaming the American consumer for this problem.

Put the blame where it belongs. Do not deride the hapless consumer for buying a product from abroad when he can't get it from America. My job was lost to Mexico when my employer decided that it was in his best interest to pay slave wages to Mexican nationals rather than an honest wage for the high tech job that was being performed in America, and the Government allowed him to do it. **** Wallis, private unemployed citizen