2008 – A Year of Challenge

Please accept our sincere wish for a healthy and prosperous new year to you and your family, and all those who are close to you. The year 2008 undoubtedly will be a year of great challenge. Yet, if these challenges are addressed collectively by the nation, there is reason for great expectation and hope.

The challenges facing the nation are crystal clear. They include the current global war against Islamic extremists, who seek to destroy our nation; a war which must be fought and won to preserve America, and western civilization. Illegal immigration must be addressed within the context of upholding the rule of law, a foundational tenet upon which the nation is established; and the security threat posed by a border that is not secure from unauthorized entry. Although the economy has exhibited real growth, there are ominous financial challenges reflected in the impending Social Security and Medicare unfunded liability, and the huge trade deficits. The cost of health care services and energy continue to escalate at high levels, undermining the financial stability of American households. The nation’s secondary school system is failing to educate children effectively in the basic areas of reading, writing, mathematics, and science. Finally, the moral foundation upon which the nation was erected is at risk.

All of these challenges are formidable; yet they can, and must be addressed, given that they are vital to the national interests. Each of these important matters will be addressed in “The Video Lecture Series” this year, available at Sheet Anchor’s parent web site www.sheetanchor.org. You are certainly welcome to view the initial video lecture freely accessible at this web site entitled, “A Call to Arms,” an address delivered late last year to a WWII veterans’ organization.

Thank you for viewing this site, and contributing constructive comments. It is my abiding prayer that God will bless you, and our nation, throughout this year.

Pakistan on the Brink

In the aftermath of the assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan is a country on the brink of political and civil chaos, which could lead to anarchy, and an opening for a radical Muslim extremist takeover by al Qaeda; the Taliban; and/or elements supportive of these terrorists organizations. The prospect of any such takeover would be a national security disaster for the United States, the region, and the free world, given that Pakistan possess approximately 60-100 nuclear weapons, and intermediate range missiles to deliver them. The situation is rapidly deteriorating, with rioting having resulted in the destruction of 160 banks and 18 train stations, according to recent news reports, and the opportunity to regain stability is diminishing with every moment of continued civil unrest.

Pakistani President Musharraf, the former military leader who seized power by military coup, must act quickly and decisively to stop the chaos, and potential collapse into anarchy, with all of the attendant risk to security, including the grave risk of the country’s nuclear weapons being seized by the terrorist organizations, or their political allies operating within the nation’s current intelligence apparatus. The fundamental question centers on the measures Musharraf must implement to diminish further civil unrest and restore political stability. What action should the Pakistani leader pursue?

First, he must arrange to meet with moderate opposition political leaders, including former Prime Minister Sharif, who was also subjected to an assassination attempt. As an outcome of this effort, he must announce elections will be held within 30-45 days, with international observers present to establish credibility. Musharraf could simultaneously resign from office in deference to the best interests of his country. However, given his apparent predilection for power, a resignation is improbable. Secondly, he and the moderate political opposition elements must agree to aggressively pursue Al Qaeda and the Taliban, operating in the western tribal region of the country and destroy them. These organizations present the most dangerous threat to internal stability, and of course, to the civilized world as well. They will certainly attempt to sow additional civil uprising in their effort to further destabilize the country. Accordingly, the U.S. and its allies must pressure President Musharraf to act, and to do so immediately.