I have been away for some time now, but have been most apprciative for the time spent on Sarah Palin's website promoting the Conservative mesage.In coming back to my very first love, I reread a post I had done titled: "From out of the mouths of babes". The young grandson I spoke so admiringly of, is now a fifth grader, and a rather big boy at that. Yes, he has been carefully taught, and is quite cognizant of the many conflicting forces competing for his attention. He knows, and understands, our president and his proclivities the many, and he also knows and understands the precepts of that which will eventually save him and his country: Conservatism!
Winter is setting in here in the east (quite in spite of the enviros expectations), and the air is actually chilly. The Mayan winter of our existence is also anon, and I notice people around the world are taking note and preparing for exactly what? How are candles supposed to illuminate an empty world for these people? Yet, they go on their not-so-merry way preparing for the worst, but secretly hoping for the best. Talk about the conundrums one finds himself in, and you could go absolutely batty, couldn't you?
Not one to waste time dwelling over things so ephemeral, I spend most of my time simply thinking about the things we need to do in order to retain our American way of life. Admittedly, the president and John Boehner have made things more difficult, but America will survive. If you have doubts, just go back to the Founding period and read once more how difficult things really were for those responsible for our nation's birth. But especially, pay close attention to George Washington's brief period of retirement before he was called to Philadelphia in service to his country ojnce more. He had spemt the better part of eight years guiding the colonies through an exhausting war with King George III, and the British Empire. He had justly earned his retirement and the admiration of his countrymen and all he wanted to do was to restore his beloved Mount Vernon home.
Then, his country called, and he would not deny those who needed him the most. The original Articles of Confederation weren't working as well as had been hoped for, and many thought the young country to be needed something better in the way of self-governance. What an exhilarating period of time that must have been, and what a period of trial and tribulation lay before those assembled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during that hot summer of 1787.
What eventually became known as the Constitutional Convention, gave rise to a nation born of promise and a devotion to the ideals of a true Constitutional republic. Washington, ever the gentleman, was asked to be the country's president, which he accepted solemnly, and one of the first things he did was to limit himself to just two four year terms in office. What a great man he turned out to be, and we would have to wait another almost sixty years to have again another of our country's greatest men to guide us through perilous times---Abraham Lincoln.
These lessons my young grandson knows well, and why not, they are just that important now, as they were then.
This brings us to today. Really, where are we as a country after those many years? We live under the despotic rule of a man seemingly anxious to become a tyrant in residence in OUR House, presiding over the populace as would a king or an imperialist of some other designation. No thank you! We have had a king, George III, and we didn't like that so we purged him from our lives at great cost. These are the lessons that the youngest among us must learn and must be taught, if we are to survive as a free people.
Freedom. May it always ring loudly in the ears of a people yearning to experience it. May it always be there for us all, even when we do not thoroughly understand what its significance means to us. And, may it always be there for those to come after us that they too, may enjoy its sweetness, and yes, its demands for responsibility and accountability.
As we venture nearer to the time of our Savior's birth, allow us to live with the secularists and non-believers among us. Permit us to relive the thoughts of our Founders and their sacrifices for the betterment of the many who would follow them. In a word, this represents a continuity of purpose; an awareness of that which both preceeds and that which follows: The greatest country on earth, America!
Sic Semper Tyrannis!
Thus Always to Tyrants!
Saturday, December 08, 2012
Monday, August 03, 2009
Reflections...
So many thousands there are, working very hard to unravel the mysteries of Obama's health care plan. And, they are doing one heck of a job! As one of the many who have read HR 3200, the health care bill in the House, I find so much to be anxious about; so much to be afraid of. However, with anger and dismay roiling inside me, I had to take a break, and just think of other things for a minute. Not that the bill itself is a travesty waiting to happen, and perhaps I should stay the course, and inform the public further regarding the dirty details, I simply had to catch my breath.
So, I went to my front porch and sat and watched nature unfolding before me. Occasionally, while watching the birds flitting about, and the leaves of the trees shaking as if to break the tethers holding them to their assigned places on the branches above me, I would hear another sound. This sound was not of natures making, rather, of natures urging. It was different, and seemed out of place, but it persisted none the less. I leaned forward and looked up, and there I saw "old Glory", securely fastened to the overhanging roof. It was she who had been snapping, almost snarling, as if trying to waken me from a slumber. I gazed at this symbol of America, and thought of the days when I carried her on the parade grounds of Fort Hood, Texas, and Fort Gordon, Georgia, and even in Frankfurt, West Germany. I was proud to have been selected to carry the "colors", and did so with the greatest of reverence.
A car passed by, and I wondered if the occupant inside ever thought for a minute about our flag, and the storied history associated with it's inception into the public consciousness of America. Fourth of July parades, Independence day celebrations came into my mind, and I thought of my grandsons, and their learning how to properly show respect for the flag of their country.At first, they would uncover, removing their caps, and place their right hands over their hearts, somewhat in awe, and somewhat in confusion too.
Time has passed, and they now understand why it is they pause in honor, and the same pride I always feel, courses through their minds and hearts also. They know of the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution in an abstract way, but it is the flag itself that provokes their sense of wonderment, their pride in their country. The flag is beautiful to see any time at all, but especially moreso, when carried by men or women in the uniforms of our country's military. They are these same men and women who are at times called upon to defend their country from the intentions of evil throughout the world. An evil which cares not; an evil which threatens; and an evil these men and women know must be defeated. This lesson too, has been impressed upon these young minds, and they carry the message with them at all times.
Old Glory, has always been a source of pride, and a constant warning to those same people harboring evil thoughts about America. She flies high, and proudly so, a reminder that it is we who are embraced of her, and we, who embrace her willingly, as have many others throughtout the last 233 years of this country's history.
Yet, her travels have not always been the easiest kind, nor have her many victories come without a cost in human life. Freedom, we are told, comes not easily, and certainly not without a price to pay. Those best understanding this simple concept would tell you so, and someday, in God's Heaven above, we shall have the opportunity to meet these patriots, and ask them this simple question: Why did you sacrifice all? Their answers will surprise you, and humble you, still, we will know what they say, and why they answer us this way.
I urge you to read the famous American comedian, Red Skelton's recounting of how his grade school teacher explained the Pledge of Allegiance to he and his fellow students: I--me, a committee of one, PLEDGE--dedicate all my worldly goods to give without self-pity, ALLEGIANCE--My love and my devotion, TO THE FLAG--Our standard, Old Glory; a symbol of freedom, wherever she waves, there is respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts, Freedom is everybody's job!
Further along, Red said, " Since I was a small boy, two stars have been added to the flag, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance: "Under God." Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer, and that would be eliminated from schools too?
"Old Glory's name derives from one Captain William Driver, who was a shipmaster from Salem, Massachusetts, in 1831. He flew a brand new flag of twenty four stars from the Charles Doggett, a brig, and upon first raising her, proclaimed: Old Glory! Captain Driver's flag was recovered by Union soldiers in 1862, from his home in Nashville, Tennessee. He, and they took his beloved "Old Glory" and hoisted it over the capitol building in Nashville, replacing a smaller standard raised first by Union soldiers. They cheered together.
And what of Francis Scott key? The flag he saw by the dawn's early light was a flag constructed by Mary Young Pickersgill, "a maker of colors". This flag was commissioned by Major George Armistead, commander of Fort McHenry. He wanted a flag large enough to be seen by the attacking British, and he got exactly what he wanted. The flag sewn together by Mary and her 13 year old daughter, Caroline, measured 30 by 42 feet and cost a whopping $405.92. The British could not miss this flag, and neither did Francis Scott Key, either. When dawn broke, the "flag was still there!" So too, was Key's place in American history.
As the health care debate rages on, and may we savor victory soon, I leave you with two things to ponder over:
First, from Ruth Apperson Rous, and her work titled: "I Am The Flag", "... Americans, I am the sacred emblem of your country. I symbolize your birthright, your heritage of liberty purchased with blood and sorrow...Eternal vigilance is your price of freedom...Guard me well, lest your freedom perish from the earth...Dedicate your lives to those principles for which I stand " One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." Ms. Rous' admonitions are well taken, and keenly timely, aren't they
?Second, "The American's Creed" This was penned by William Tyler Page, a descendant of John Page, of Virginia, who had come to America in 1650. Another ancestor, Carter Braxton, had signed the Declaration of Independence. Yet another ancestor was John Tyler, the tenth president of the United States. The Creed is as follows:"I believe in the united States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people, whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign nation of many sovereign states; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.I therefore believe it is my duty to love it; to support it's Constitution; to obey it's laws; to respect it's flag, and to defend it against all enemies."This American Creed, written in 1918, is the summary of the fundamental principles of the American political faith. We must advance, not retard these precepts, and remember why they were written at all. You won't be hearing any of the preceeding at any of the next scheduled "apology tours", and you certainly won't be hearing them during the contentious debates(?) in our Congress, either.
Those are my thoughts this fine day, as my flag unfurled above my head, snaps and snarls. It warns me, and us, that we, as red Skelton warned, must not allow God to be taken from us and our Pledge. It beckons that we also see, as francis Scott Key saw, that the flag will still be there, not just there, but there in all it's glory. It cautions us too, that our government is comprised of people just like us, and we are the ones who are the authorizing power in America. We have nothing to be ashamed of, lest we lose our will and our determination.
None of that will happen any time soon, will it?
"Sic Semper Tyrannis!" (Thus Always To Tyrants!).
So, I went to my front porch and sat and watched nature unfolding before me. Occasionally, while watching the birds flitting about, and the leaves of the trees shaking as if to break the tethers holding them to their assigned places on the branches above me, I would hear another sound. This sound was not of natures making, rather, of natures urging. It was different, and seemed out of place, but it persisted none the less. I leaned forward and looked up, and there I saw "old Glory", securely fastened to the overhanging roof. It was she who had been snapping, almost snarling, as if trying to waken me from a slumber. I gazed at this symbol of America, and thought of the days when I carried her on the parade grounds of Fort Hood, Texas, and Fort Gordon, Georgia, and even in Frankfurt, West Germany. I was proud to have been selected to carry the "colors", and did so with the greatest of reverence.
A car passed by, and I wondered if the occupant inside ever thought for a minute about our flag, and the storied history associated with it's inception into the public consciousness of America. Fourth of July parades, Independence day celebrations came into my mind, and I thought of my grandsons, and their learning how to properly show respect for the flag of their country.At first, they would uncover, removing their caps, and place their right hands over their hearts, somewhat in awe, and somewhat in confusion too.
Time has passed, and they now understand why it is they pause in honor, and the same pride I always feel, courses through their minds and hearts also. They know of the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution in an abstract way, but it is the flag itself that provokes their sense of wonderment, their pride in their country. The flag is beautiful to see any time at all, but especially moreso, when carried by men or women in the uniforms of our country's military. They are these same men and women who are at times called upon to defend their country from the intentions of evil throughout the world. An evil which cares not; an evil which threatens; and an evil these men and women know must be defeated. This lesson too, has been impressed upon these young minds, and they carry the message with them at all times.
Old Glory, has always been a source of pride, and a constant warning to those same people harboring evil thoughts about America. She flies high, and proudly so, a reminder that it is we who are embraced of her, and we, who embrace her willingly, as have many others throughtout the last 233 years of this country's history.
Yet, her travels have not always been the easiest kind, nor have her many victories come without a cost in human life. Freedom, we are told, comes not easily, and certainly not without a price to pay. Those best understanding this simple concept would tell you so, and someday, in God's Heaven above, we shall have the opportunity to meet these patriots, and ask them this simple question: Why did you sacrifice all? Their answers will surprise you, and humble you, still, we will know what they say, and why they answer us this way.
I urge you to read the famous American comedian, Red Skelton's recounting of how his grade school teacher explained the Pledge of Allegiance to he and his fellow students: I--me, a committee of one, PLEDGE--dedicate all my worldly goods to give without self-pity, ALLEGIANCE--My love and my devotion, TO THE FLAG--Our standard, Old Glory; a symbol of freedom, wherever she waves, there is respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts, Freedom is everybody's job!
Further along, Red said, " Since I was a small boy, two stars have been added to the flag, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance: "Under God." Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer, and that would be eliminated from schools too?
"Old Glory's name derives from one Captain William Driver, who was a shipmaster from Salem, Massachusetts, in 1831. He flew a brand new flag of twenty four stars from the Charles Doggett, a brig, and upon first raising her, proclaimed: Old Glory! Captain Driver's flag was recovered by Union soldiers in 1862, from his home in Nashville, Tennessee. He, and they took his beloved "Old Glory" and hoisted it over the capitol building in Nashville, replacing a smaller standard raised first by Union soldiers. They cheered together.
And what of Francis Scott key? The flag he saw by the dawn's early light was a flag constructed by Mary Young Pickersgill, "a maker of colors". This flag was commissioned by Major George Armistead, commander of Fort McHenry. He wanted a flag large enough to be seen by the attacking British, and he got exactly what he wanted. The flag sewn together by Mary and her 13 year old daughter, Caroline, measured 30 by 42 feet and cost a whopping $405.92. The British could not miss this flag, and neither did Francis Scott Key, either. When dawn broke, the "flag was still there!" So too, was Key's place in American history.
As the health care debate rages on, and may we savor victory soon, I leave you with two things to ponder over:
First, from Ruth Apperson Rous, and her work titled: "I Am The Flag", "... Americans, I am the sacred emblem of your country. I symbolize your birthright, your heritage of liberty purchased with blood and sorrow...Eternal vigilance is your price of freedom...Guard me well, lest your freedom perish from the earth...Dedicate your lives to those principles for which I stand " One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." Ms. Rous' admonitions are well taken, and keenly timely, aren't they
?Second, "The American's Creed" This was penned by William Tyler Page, a descendant of John Page, of Virginia, who had come to America in 1650. Another ancestor, Carter Braxton, had signed the Declaration of Independence. Yet another ancestor was John Tyler, the tenth president of the United States. The Creed is as follows:"I believe in the united States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people, whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign nation of many sovereign states; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.I therefore believe it is my duty to love it; to support it's Constitution; to obey it's laws; to respect it's flag, and to defend it against all enemies."This American Creed, written in 1918, is the summary of the fundamental principles of the American political faith. We must advance, not retard these precepts, and remember why they were written at all. You won't be hearing any of the preceeding at any of the next scheduled "apology tours", and you certainly won't be hearing them during the contentious debates(?) in our Congress, either.
Those are my thoughts this fine day, as my flag unfurled above my head, snaps and snarls. It warns me, and us, that we, as red Skelton warned, must not allow God to be taken from us and our Pledge. It beckons that we also see, as francis Scott Key saw, that the flag will still be there, not just there, but there in all it's glory. It cautions us too, that our government is comprised of people just like us, and we are the ones who are the authorizing power in America. We have nothing to be ashamed of, lest we lose our will and our determination.
None of that will happen any time soon, will it?
"Sic Semper Tyrannis!" (Thus Always To Tyrants!).
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Gee, Who Would Have Believed It Would Be This Easy?
Calling the role has never been easier, has it?
That squishiness you hear is the sound of Republicans beating down the door of the Liberal palace, and demanding entrance into the festive party going on inside. That "sucking sound" you hear, (apologies to Ross Perot) is the sound of Republican elites, and assorted Rinos, drawing the life blood from the Republican party we once revered. The stampede has begun, and responsibility is a casualty of the mad dash to the circle of the "I wanna be loved too" crowd.
With only a few good men left, such as Congressman Mike Pence, and Senator John Cornyn, our party is largely bereft of adult leadership.
Still struggling with the notion of ridding the party of the dreaded NASCAR bunch, those gun lovin', Bible toting southern "hicks", northeast (it pains me to say) Republican wise men, want to recast the party in their vision of what is best. Kinda' like Obama wantng to "remake " America, I believe. The battle goes on, for OUR hearts and souls. Wait a minute there! That's MY heart, and MY soul they're talking about. Funny, nobody bothered to tell me we were in an important life and death struggle, how about you?
"No pastels!", Reagan warned us, and he was right on. Therefore, as I see it, the party, litterally, is up for grabs. This is one party I don't want to miss, nor should any of you either. It's there for the taking, what say we "git 'er done!" in the words of one of those same southern "hicks" so despised, but. yet, so loved by all of us. It makes me want to go out and buy a brand spanking new pickup truck, complete with gun rack and Bible. But should it be a Ford, Chevy, Dodge, or maybe a growling Toyota? The only auto manufacturing facilities making real money, and not with the help of "bailout" money, are those in, you guessed it---the Southern US! Let's be careful, we don't want to be called bigots, or snobs or racists of some kind, do we? No, that's best done by the Libs, and now, their willingly abetting partners, the former Republicans in good standing.
How about those defenders of the poor, and the oppressed? Today, President Obama stood proudly beside the "real" president, Greg Craig, and defiantly, and proudly asserted he was closing Guantanimo. Of course the very next thing to do was to suspend all actions taken against those poor detainees in the hell hole known simply as Gitmo. Like me, I'll bet you can't wait for those two hundred, help, I've fallen down, and can't get up, defenders of Islam, to be broought stateside, and placed in federal prisons. I know, I know, they will liven up those dreary places with their version of "here's why I hate America", ringing off the walls. Do you think it probable that real Americans incarcerated in those same facilities, won't take up the same kind of message? Nothing like having the next generation of home grown terrorists, cultivated right there within the walls of Sing Sing, or Leavenworth, is there?
And to think, we have none other than the merciful Obama to thank for all this. In the short space of seventy two hours, the man we were asked to just "give a chance", has outdone himself, and compromised the safety of America. All in two fell swoops of the presidential pen on two remarkable executive orders. (explained to an adoring public by Monsieur Gregg Craig, the one who knows what Obama thinks best, but can't articulate very well)
In short, The One, but not the Only, has done more to assure us of yet more acts of terror, and of uncertain days in our nation's schools. Will Obama be the next president to be told, while reading to a class of second grade students, that our nation is under attack once again? Don't ask, and I will not tell. Oops! That's another concern for another day, isn't it? Forgive me my insensitive nature. Just habit.
Take heed in the words of Omar Khayyam, in his Rubaiyat. The poem, "The moving finger writes, and having writ moves on" It goes on, "nor all your piety, nor wit, shall lure it back to cancel half a line, nor all your tears wash out a word of it" Brilliant in it's cociseness, and so prophetic indeed. We may cry, yes, but our tears shall not wash away, nor may we convince Obama, to cancel his executive orders. His finger has written, and it moves on to the next promise, the next act of defiance against America.
That squishiness you hear is the sound of Republicans beating down the door of the Liberal palace, and demanding entrance into the festive party going on inside. That "sucking sound" you hear, (apologies to Ross Perot) is the sound of Republican elites, and assorted Rinos, drawing the life blood from the Republican party we once revered. The stampede has begun, and responsibility is a casualty of the mad dash to the circle of the "I wanna be loved too" crowd.
With only a few good men left, such as Congressman Mike Pence, and Senator John Cornyn, our party is largely bereft of adult leadership.
Still struggling with the notion of ridding the party of the dreaded NASCAR bunch, those gun lovin', Bible toting southern "hicks", northeast (it pains me to say) Republican wise men, want to recast the party in their vision of what is best. Kinda' like Obama wantng to "remake " America, I believe. The battle goes on, for OUR hearts and souls. Wait a minute there! That's MY heart, and MY soul they're talking about. Funny, nobody bothered to tell me we were in an important life and death struggle, how about you?
"No pastels!", Reagan warned us, and he was right on. Therefore, as I see it, the party, litterally, is up for grabs. This is one party I don't want to miss, nor should any of you either. It's there for the taking, what say we "git 'er done!" in the words of one of those same southern "hicks" so despised, but. yet, so loved by all of us. It makes me want to go out and buy a brand spanking new pickup truck, complete with gun rack and Bible. But should it be a Ford, Chevy, Dodge, or maybe a growling Toyota? The only auto manufacturing facilities making real money, and not with the help of "bailout" money, are those in, you guessed it---the Southern US! Let's be careful, we don't want to be called bigots, or snobs or racists of some kind, do we? No, that's best done by the Libs, and now, their willingly abetting partners, the former Republicans in good standing.
How about those defenders of the poor, and the oppressed? Today, President Obama stood proudly beside the "real" president, Greg Craig, and defiantly, and proudly asserted he was closing Guantanimo. Of course the very next thing to do was to suspend all actions taken against those poor detainees in the hell hole known simply as Gitmo. Like me, I'll bet you can't wait for those two hundred, help, I've fallen down, and can't get up, defenders of Islam, to be broought stateside, and placed in federal prisons. I know, I know, they will liven up those dreary places with their version of "here's why I hate America", ringing off the walls. Do you think it probable that real Americans incarcerated in those same facilities, won't take up the same kind of message? Nothing like having the next generation of home grown terrorists, cultivated right there within the walls of Sing Sing, or Leavenworth, is there?
And to think, we have none other than the merciful Obama to thank for all this. In the short space of seventy two hours, the man we were asked to just "give a chance", has outdone himself, and compromised the safety of America. All in two fell swoops of the presidential pen on two remarkable executive orders. (explained to an adoring public by Monsieur Gregg Craig, the one who knows what Obama thinks best, but can't articulate very well)
In short, The One, but not the Only, has done more to assure us of yet more acts of terror, and of uncertain days in our nation's schools. Will Obama be the next president to be told, while reading to a class of second grade students, that our nation is under attack once again? Don't ask, and I will not tell. Oops! That's another concern for another day, isn't it? Forgive me my insensitive nature. Just habit.
Take heed in the words of Omar Khayyam, in his Rubaiyat. The poem, "The moving finger writes, and having writ moves on" It goes on, "nor all your piety, nor wit, shall lure it back to cancel half a line, nor all your tears wash out a word of it" Brilliant in it's cociseness, and so prophetic indeed. We may cry, yes, but our tears shall not wash away, nor may we convince Obama, to cancel his executive orders. His finger has written, and it moves on to the next promise, the next act of defiance against America.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The Poet, The Preacher, And Little Else
There was something borrowed, something old, but little new today at the inauguration of Barack H. Obama in Washington DC. For those who expected to get more, they'll have to settle for having gotten less.Let's be clear here. As inaugural speeches go, this one fell woefully short on substance, and most importantly, offered no visions for all Americans to wrap their hands, and their hearts around. The lofty oratorical skills prominently on display during his campaign, eluded President Obama on this, his most important day. One might suggest that anyone attempting to wring the kind of speech to last, while in the grasp of an ideology foreign to the best interests of his country, was doomed to failure from the get-go. And that would be a fair criticism.
President Obama, it has been said, wrote this speech himself, while ignoring the reality that even a lawyer, which he is, in defending himself, would have a fool for a client. There is absolutely nothing wrong at all with wanting to give one of the more memorable inauguration speeches in this country's storied history. This, I believe I could do. Not because I might be the better at it, but simply, because I would have history, and it's lessons on my side. How easy, how Reaganesque it would be to state emphatically that it is the greatness of America, and it's many citizens, which point the way out of the doldrums. Reagan's telling us that ""...We have every right to dream heroic dreams..." is one such vision that lingers still in the minds of those who heard him on that January day, in 1981, at his own first inauguration. In saying this, my very thoughts were validated, as I am sure, were yours also.
Yes, there were moments during Obama's speech, when he borrowed, literally, from Reagan. I find no fault in that, for anything evoking the memory of one of America's most venerable patriots, is welcome. Obama though, is no Reagan. Let that be understood. In his second inaugural address, Reagan opined that "...We will ever be vigilant, and never vulnerable...". How is that for a vision of hopefulness, and of determination?
In reading through the many previous inaugural addreses, made by the presidents past, it was never about them, but about us, and about America's rightful place in the world. And that brings us to today.
The poet, Elizabeth Alexander, gave to us her poem "Praise Song For The Day". It seemed to be little more than a recital of past sins, and of former grievances, as now having found their day forward to the sun shining brightly above. In his benediction, the "rhyming reverend, Joseph Lowery, said to a laughing audience, "We ask you to help us work for that day, when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around, when yellow can be mellow, when the red man, can get ahead, man, and when white will embrace what is right." This was more a political speech, rather than a benediction. Besides, who needs the likes of the Reverend Lowery? We have no need, nor desire to be lectured to on this very important day. Or were they admonitions of a sort?
The swollen crowds got their last chance to greet former President Bush one last time, and they did so gleefully with a one fingered salute, or to be fair, were the salutes given from the ends of arthritic stricken hands? Just wondering.
The appointed hour came, and the opportunity to strike conciliatory chords disappeared in but an instant. Then again, there is always the next inauguration, isn't there? Sarah, are you still there?
Today was a day of major disappointment, but not a disapponting day. Mount Rushmore is safer than ever, and the granite blocks will have to wait for better days. Engravers go home!
A moment of continuity assured, was cast aside in favor of a so-called "New Day Beginning". The only historical lapses are those never recorded by the people making what would become history. Yet, we are told, that we must "recast America". Into what, and from what?
Wouldn't you have loved to have heard Sarah give a similar speech? A speech truly drawing the strings of a divided country closer unto itself?
President Obama, it has been said, wrote this speech himself, while ignoring the reality that even a lawyer, which he is, in defending himself, would have a fool for a client. There is absolutely nothing wrong at all with wanting to give one of the more memorable inauguration speeches in this country's storied history. This, I believe I could do. Not because I might be the better at it, but simply, because I would have history, and it's lessons on my side. How easy, how Reaganesque it would be to state emphatically that it is the greatness of America, and it's many citizens, which point the way out of the doldrums. Reagan's telling us that ""...We have every right to dream heroic dreams..." is one such vision that lingers still in the minds of those who heard him on that January day, in 1981, at his own first inauguration. In saying this, my very thoughts were validated, as I am sure, were yours also.
Yes, there were moments during Obama's speech, when he borrowed, literally, from Reagan. I find no fault in that, for anything evoking the memory of one of America's most venerable patriots, is welcome. Obama though, is no Reagan. Let that be understood. In his second inaugural address, Reagan opined that "...We will ever be vigilant, and never vulnerable...". How is that for a vision of hopefulness, and of determination?
In reading through the many previous inaugural addreses, made by the presidents past, it was never about them, but about us, and about America's rightful place in the world. And that brings us to today.
The poet, Elizabeth Alexander, gave to us her poem "Praise Song For The Day". It seemed to be little more than a recital of past sins, and of former grievances, as now having found their day forward to the sun shining brightly above. In his benediction, the "rhyming reverend, Joseph Lowery, said to a laughing audience, "We ask you to help us work for that day, when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around, when yellow can be mellow, when the red man, can get ahead, man, and when white will embrace what is right." This was more a political speech, rather than a benediction. Besides, who needs the likes of the Reverend Lowery? We have no need, nor desire to be lectured to on this very important day. Or were they admonitions of a sort?
The swollen crowds got their last chance to greet former President Bush one last time, and they did so gleefully with a one fingered salute, or to be fair, were the salutes given from the ends of arthritic stricken hands? Just wondering.
The appointed hour came, and the opportunity to strike conciliatory chords disappeared in but an instant. Then again, there is always the next inauguration, isn't there? Sarah, are you still there?
Today was a day of major disappointment, but not a disapponting day. Mount Rushmore is safer than ever, and the granite blocks will have to wait for better days. Engravers go home!
A moment of continuity assured, was cast aside in favor of a so-called "New Day Beginning". The only historical lapses are those never recorded by the people making what would become history. Yet, we are told, that we must "recast America". Into what, and from what?
Wouldn't you have loved to have heard Sarah give a similar speech? A speech truly drawing the strings of a divided country closer unto itself?
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
From The Mouths Of Babes
Bet you thought I was going to dazzle you with a few utterances made by Hillary, or Janet, or Madelyn, or any of the other talented Liberals in America. No, these comments came from the mouth of a young lad of seven years. In addition to his being a bit fearful of losing some of his freedoms due to his class mates talkitiveness, he is interested in being home schooled, or so he says. I smiled at first, but halfway through the second smile, my mind turned seriously in the direction of Why Not?
Traditional schooling certainly has merits, and God knows they, the teachers, do a good job, or try to at least. This young first gader was full of questions. He wanted to know if I could be his teacher, to which I replied, "Of course!" He went all the way through grade school, and high school, wanting to know whether or not the work would be hard for him. In all honesty, I told him the work would be as hard, probably much harder than he currently experiences at his public school. I assured him that he would become much smarter, and would be in a better position to go on in life as a successful young man.
He went further. He asked me about college, and would I be his college teacher. No, was my reply. When you are ready for college, it is they who will come looking for you. They will do this for they can see you would be a very valuable asset to their school. Wait a minute, I thought. here we were but five minutes from his school, and already he was asking questions about college. Where did all this come from, I wondered?
Of course, in admitting that he would henceforth refer to me as Mister Pop Pop, his home school teacher, I sensed that he was very serious indeed. My sister, the one who likes to stick her pin into every bubble of youthful opportunity, squashed the idea by telling him that I could not be his teacher, for I was not qualified to teach. At this, I also smiled, but the smile gave way to thoughts of why the heck couldn't I be his teacher? Secretly, I have been doing just that for several years now, so, why not continue on pace?
Here we are. He, willing to be taught, and I, willing to teach. First, we set up a "home school" schedule for us both. Within that schedule, he gets to learn, and to play at appropriate times. He shall learn things not taught at his traditional school, things left behind so many years ago in the curricula of those times. No one may scoff at this idea, not even my sister who is herself, well qualified to speak of such things.
He shall first learn of the US Constitution, and he will learn that it is the law of the land. He shall also, learn that this revered document is not a "living "screed as many would have him believe. It is the most formal of declarations, one designed by free men, for free men. Never should this document, so consistent in it's assertions, be disavowed, or changed by the whimsical fantasies of men who do not completely understand it's relative importance to the vitality of our country, America. His shall be a respectful holding to the tenets therein laid out for him, and all other Americans as well.
He will fully know and understand the Bill of Rights, what they mean, and most importantly, why they were written in the first place. he shall understand "enumeration" as a principle, and how it relates to what government may, as well as may not, do. He shall learn that government exists for the sole purpose of defending our country in times of crisis, and assuring us we have the infrastructure upon which the wheels of commerce turn freely. He shall learn to look down upon government as being the provider of benefits to please him. His understanding shall be that it is he, who will best determine what benefits, and of which kind, shall be his. And those same benefits will be of his design, and not of surrogate others who purport to act only in his interest.
This young lad, by virtue of his enhanced understanding of things, will, in the future, be moved to act in the interests of others less fortunate than himself, and not because some one else made that decision for him, and those same others. His will be a life of purpose, a sense of which will not escape his knowledge any time soon.
In the fullness of adult maturation, will his having held to the principles of successful accomplishment become apparent to him. He shall teach others, and they too, will come to understand that his interests are their interests, and their country's interests. Many will they be, who follow his lead, and for that, shall we, as a people, be forever grateful. His teachers, all of them, will look upon him and his disciples with gratuitous pride, and perhaps the wisp of a knowing smile will emerge. Yes, the smiles shall also come, and they will be telling.
Be not afraid to dream the large dreams, I shall counsel him. By this time though, shall his own realization of the value of following your dreams, and your heart, be very well known. Others who have dreamed thus, did so for a person just like him, and for countless others. This would make them very happy. It is making me very happy just to dream as I am doing this minute.
And now? I've got to be getting back to the "home school" phase of this little man's education. He just now, walked into my room and requested my presence in his "classroom" across the hall. It has already begun...
Traditional schooling certainly has merits, and God knows they, the teachers, do a good job, or try to at least. This young first gader was full of questions. He wanted to know if I could be his teacher, to which I replied, "Of course!" He went all the way through grade school, and high school, wanting to know whether or not the work would be hard for him. In all honesty, I told him the work would be as hard, probably much harder than he currently experiences at his public school. I assured him that he would become much smarter, and would be in a better position to go on in life as a successful young man.
He went further. He asked me about college, and would I be his college teacher. No, was my reply. When you are ready for college, it is they who will come looking for you. They will do this for they can see you would be a very valuable asset to their school. Wait a minute, I thought. here we were but five minutes from his school, and already he was asking questions about college. Where did all this come from, I wondered?
Of course, in admitting that he would henceforth refer to me as Mister Pop Pop, his home school teacher, I sensed that he was very serious indeed. My sister, the one who likes to stick her pin into every bubble of youthful opportunity, squashed the idea by telling him that I could not be his teacher, for I was not qualified to teach. At this, I also smiled, but the smile gave way to thoughts of why the heck couldn't I be his teacher? Secretly, I have been doing just that for several years now, so, why not continue on pace?
Here we are. He, willing to be taught, and I, willing to teach. First, we set up a "home school" schedule for us both. Within that schedule, he gets to learn, and to play at appropriate times. He shall learn things not taught at his traditional school, things left behind so many years ago in the curricula of those times. No one may scoff at this idea, not even my sister who is herself, well qualified to speak of such things.
He shall first learn of the US Constitution, and he will learn that it is the law of the land. He shall also, learn that this revered document is not a "living "screed as many would have him believe. It is the most formal of declarations, one designed by free men, for free men. Never should this document, so consistent in it's assertions, be disavowed, or changed by the whimsical fantasies of men who do not completely understand it's relative importance to the vitality of our country, America. His shall be a respectful holding to the tenets therein laid out for him, and all other Americans as well.
He will fully know and understand the Bill of Rights, what they mean, and most importantly, why they were written in the first place. he shall understand "enumeration" as a principle, and how it relates to what government may, as well as may not, do. He shall learn that government exists for the sole purpose of defending our country in times of crisis, and assuring us we have the infrastructure upon which the wheels of commerce turn freely. He shall learn to look down upon government as being the provider of benefits to please him. His understanding shall be that it is he, who will best determine what benefits, and of which kind, shall be his. And those same benefits will be of his design, and not of surrogate others who purport to act only in his interest.
This young lad, by virtue of his enhanced understanding of things, will, in the future, be moved to act in the interests of others less fortunate than himself, and not because some one else made that decision for him, and those same others. His will be a life of purpose, a sense of which will not escape his knowledge any time soon.
In the fullness of adult maturation, will his having held to the principles of successful accomplishment become apparent to him. He shall teach others, and they too, will come to understand that his interests are their interests, and their country's interests. Many will they be, who follow his lead, and for that, shall we, as a people, be forever grateful. His teachers, all of them, will look upon him and his disciples with gratuitous pride, and perhaps the wisp of a knowing smile will emerge. Yes, the smiles shall also come, and they will be telling.
Be not afraid to dream the large dreams, I shall counsel him. By this time though, shall his own realization of the value of following your dreams, and your heart, be very well known. Others who have dreamed thus, did so for a person just like him, and for countless others. This would make them very happy. It is making me very happy just to dream as I am doing this minute.
And now? I've got to be getting back to the "home school" phase of this little man's education. He just now, walked into my room and requested my presence in his "classroom" across the hall. It has already begun...
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Lincoln "Logs"
Today. I was struck! No, not by lightning, nor anything else so sinister, but, struck I was. I received an email offer that solicited my money in exchange for a new coin. Not any old coin mind you, but an absolutely genuine Lincoln/Obama silver dollar coin. The coin is a non-circulating, of Liberian origin, coin. The offer is dazzling, and quite persistent in it's appeal to one who might be moved to collect such a treasure.
So, there I sat, struck by the striking of this magnificent coin, with it's message of direct linkage of these two men in all their presidential glory.I was struck by something else as well. The price. For only 19.95 dollars, you may have this inflated, valueless coin as your very own.Then I got to thinking. I wondered what old Honest Abe would have thought or said about this generosity? Well, let's take a closer look, and see what we find.
In 1832, after suffering the only defeat of his career in a run for the Illinois legislature, Lincoln said ths to his supporters, and to all the people of his district: "...Considering the great degree of modesty which should always attend youth, it is probable I have already been more presuming than becomes me..." He further noted that "...so soon as I discover my opinions to be erronious, I shall be ready to renounce them." This most humble man knew his limitations, and always seemed to be apologetic in discussing his decisions; his understandings.
And what of his ambitions? "Every man is said to have his peculiar ambition. Whether it be true or not, I can say for one that I have no other so great as that of being truly esteemed of my fellow men, by rendering myself worthy of their esteem." This, said in his concluding remarks of that day. March 9, 1832, tells us precisely how grounded Lincoln was. He held himself not above others, rather, labored at their will, and with their trust in him so paramount in his mind.
That Liberian coin I spoke of earlier, has of course, Lincoln on the obverse side, and Obama on the reverse(in glorious color no less). Upon hearing the president-elect's economic speech today at George Mason University, Virginia, one may not help but contrast the views of the young Lincoln, and the views of the young Obama. Lincoln held himself to the propiety of his actions, as they related to the good being done for the Union, or the country. He spoke often of each man in Congress, along with himself, as being accountable in specific and not general terms. None of them might escape history, nor the remembrances thereof. Obama speaks from the lofty perch of one with his party's goals in mind, and not the greater goal of betterment for all the people, all the country.
Today's economic speech was more a blueprint for disaster, than a plan for economic recovery. Government is at the apex of the menu tree, seen as the only means of correcting what is merely a market correction reacting to disastrous government decisions relating to social mandates forced upon the financial markets. Lncoln would have recognized his mistake, had he made one so profound, and would also have renounced his mistake, and himself.
Today, Obama's plan became ever more clear. Our leftward drift has become a pall mall dash in reach of the tentacles of an unforgiving socialism. Our collective futures are now officially at risk, and we have ony a blithe recognition made by members of the loyal opposition. Our tabula rasa has now been written upon, and on it are the instructions for economic decay, loss of sovereignty as a nation, and loss of pride. Pride in our country, it's ideals, it's traditions, and it's institutions.
In his annual message to Congress on December 1, 1862, Abraham Lincoln was preoccupied with his idea of "remunerative emancipation", however, he concluded his message with a warning: "Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history. We, of this Congress, and this administration, will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance, or insignificance, can spare one or another of us."Lincoln was speaking of events leading up to his signing the Emancipatiion Proclamation into national law one month later. He full well understood the implications of adherence to his humble nature, and his responsibilities to the country at large. He spoke for all men, for he was one of them. His words that followed may be used to underscore our current dilemma:" "...We shall nobly save, or meanly lose, the last best hope of earth...and God must forever bless."
In short, although Lincoln and Obama share the same state, they do not share Lincoln's vision for a UNITED America, an America of promise for all it's citizens, and not the selected few. Obama's range of vision is comparable to a horse running his race with blinders, not at the side, but covering it's eyes completely. This horse must lose, as it may not see it's way to progress of any kind, especially the kind America desperately needs right now.
No, I think I'll pass on that fantastic offer of the two-headed coin of improbability..
So, there I sat, struck by the striking of this magnificent coin, with it's message of direct linkage of these two men in all their presidential glory.I was struck by something else as well. The price. For only 19.95 dollars, you may have this inflated, valueless coin as your very own.Then I got to thinking. I wondered what old Honest Abe would have thought or said about this generosity? Well, let's take a closer look, and see what we find.
In 1832, after suffering the only defeat of his career in a run for the Illinois legislature, Lincoln said ths to his supporters, and to all the people of his district: "...Considering the great degree of modesty which should always attend youth, it is probable I have already been more presuming than becomes me..." He further noted that "...so soon as I discover my opinions to be erronious, I shall be ready to renounce them." This most humble man knew his limitations, and always seemed to be apologetic in discussing his decisions; his understandings.
And what of his ambitions? "Every man is said to have his peculiar ambition. Whether it be true or not, I can say for one that I have no other so great as that of being truly esteemed of my fellow men, by rendering myself worthy of their esteem." This, said in his concluding remarks of that day. March 9, 1832, tells us precisely how grounded Lincoln was. He held himself not above others, rather, labored at their will, and with their trust in him so paramount in his mind.
That Liberian coin I spoke of earlier, has of course, Lincoln on the obverse side, and Obama on the reverse(in glorious color no less). Upon hearing the president-elect's economic speech today at George Mason University, Virginia, one may not help but contrast the views of the young Lincoln, and the views of the young Obama. Lincoln held himself to the propiety of his actions, as they related to the good being done for the Union, or the country. He spoke often of each man in Congress, along with himself, as being accountable in specific and not general terms. None of them might escape history, nor the remembrances thereof. Obama speaks from the lofty perch of one with his party's goals in mind, and not the greater goal of betterment for all the people, all the country.
Today's economic speech was more a blueprint for disaster, than a plan for economic recovery. Government is at the apex of the menu tree, seen as the only means of correcting what is merely a market correction reacting to disastrous government decisions relating to social mandates forced upon the financial markets. Lncoln would have recognized his mistake, had he made one so profound, and would also have renounced his mistake, and himself.
Today, Obama's plan became ever more clear. Our leftward drift has become a pall mall dash in reach of the tentacles of an unforgiving socialism. Our collective futures are now officially at risk, and we have ony a blithe recognition made by members of the loyal opposition. Our tabula rasa has now been written upon, and on it are the instructions for economic decay, loss of sovereignty as a nation, and loss of pride. Pride in our country, it's ideals, it's traditions, and it's institutions.
In his annual message to Congress on December 1, 1862, Abraham Lincoln was preoccupied with his idea of "remunerative emancipation", however, he concluded his message with a warning: "Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history. We, of this Congress, and this administration, will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance, or insignificance, can spare one or another of us."Lincoln was speaking of events leading up to his signing the Emancipatiion Proclamation into national law one month later. He full well understood the implications of adherence to his humble nature, and his responsibilities to the country at large. He spoke for all men, for he was one of them. His words that followed may be used to underscore our current dilemma:" "...We shall nobly save, or meanly lose, the last best hope of earth...and God must forever bless."
In short, although Lincoln and Obama share the same state, they do not share Lincoln's vision for a UNITED America, an America of promise for all it's citizens, and not the selected few. Obama's range of vision is comparable to a horse running his race with blinders, not at the side, but covering it's eyes completely. This horse must lose, as it may not see it's way to progress of any kind, especially the kind America desperately needs right now.
No, I think I'll pass on that fantastic offer of the two-headed coin of improbability..
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
The Hard Pressed Press
With news this week from France, comes the revelation that President Sarkozy sees the following: "...from this current crisis, will a new world emerge." Of course, Sarkozy was referencing the many riotous actions occurring in many of France's cities. Cars ablaze, shops looted, and all in the name of displeasure over Israel's actions taken against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The press, although not underplaying the mayhem, did grossly under report the many events of national distress so evident to a casual observer.
Of course, there were similar occasions of boistrous denunciation of Israel here in America, notably in Florida. A woman, obviously in support of the Palestinians, was heard to say that " We need bigger ovens!", a reference to the Nazi extermination devices found in every liberated concentration camp in Second World War Germany. Nice talk coming from Americans one might think, but were these people really Americans, or were they merely pretenders wearing the image hiding Burkhas? Nor was Oklahoma City free of the dissenting protestors. About 200 mostly Islamic (Americans?) paraded in front of Oklahoma's capitol building also.
CAIR (Council on American Islamic Affairs) members were also visible, both on the streets, and on the tube. Quite naturally, the protests were framed by references made to the civilian casualties suffered by the Palestinians. Is it appropriate to wonder why there were not similar protests against the Palestinians when they were sending their child suicide bombers into Israel over the past many years? The press in it's haste to provide only the news they deem worth reporting, are caught within the horns of an 800 pound dilemma. TV, and youtube videos are better sources of instant news, though in the case of television, the networks also have an agenda of their own. They will simply not report real news when it is happening, unless a "fair" balance can be struck between warring parties.
Europe burns! But that is not the real story. Why can't everyone just "get along" they ask rhetorically? Today, a man, a real man, is tempted to ask where are this generation's "Horace Greelys"? Greely, a noted editor of the New York Tribune, a man who looked more like Benjamin Franklin, than did Franklin himself, is most known for having advised "Go west, young man, go west, and grow with the country!" Today, some 143 years later, fewer and fewer young men, and women too, are going in any direction which would allow them to "grow with their country".
So long as the press is held to agendae which support goals other than simple trruthful reporting, we shall never really know exactly what is happening within our world, unless it meets the standards of a Liberal template. You may thank God for the internet, and not Al Gore, you may thank yourselves for a willingness to seek out other reputable sources of honest news reporting. And they are many. Witness the failing circulation numbers of major American news papers, and the truth junps out at you. They are failing, because they fail to hold to the harsh standards imposed by men like Horace Greely. Call him what you will, he none the less established himself as a man of some distinction, and moral character, in the newspaper world.
When journalism students put aside their beliefs that they should do something "good" for the world upon graduation, and remember that their responsibility, their sole responsibility, is to the ferreting out of the "truth" in any story they are asked to cover, and report it that way, then may they become the doers of universal good.
When holding elected office, I actually feared the local, and regional press. In my idyllic state of mind they, the press, were bent on getting to the bottom of whatever it was they were pursuing as being newsworthy. Later, I learned whom it was I could trust, and who they were, that had something else in mind. Luckily, these days you don't need a trained eye to determine which reporters are in honest pursuit of the truth, and which are in it for personal, or devious reasons. It is no accident that the press has lost it's nose for the truth. The heavy scent of Democrat stink is more than not wafting from every room they occupy.
It really doesn't matter where they go. They may go west as Greely advised, but they are already there in the pressrooms of the Los Angeles Times. Or, they may go east to New York, but they are already there also, in the press rooms of the New York Times. My compass tells me to advise them to go north! All the way to the north pole, where they may commiserate with an advancing, and not declining polar bear population. They are called "cubs" as young journalists, are they not? The pole is befitting of their relegation to the darkest place on earth in winter.
That should be easy enough, for they have successfully kept us in the dark for years now.
Pity the press? Nope!.Don't forget to check out the Brussels Journal folks, That's where the real news is these days.
Of course, there were similar occasions of boistrous denunciation of Israel here in America, notably in Florida. A woman, obviously in support of the Palestinians, was heard to say that " We need bigger ovens!", a reference to the Nazi extermination devices found in every liberated concentration camp in Second World War Germany. Nice talk coming from Americans one might think, but were these people really Americans, or were they merely pretenders wearing the image hiding Burkhas? Nor was Oklahoma City free of the dissenting protestors. About 200 mostly Islamic (Americans?) paraded in front of Oklahoma's capitol building also.
CAIR (Council on American Islamic Affairs) members were also visible, both on the streets, and on the tube. Quite naturally, the protests were framed by references made to the civilian casualties suffered by the Palestinians. Is it appropriate to wonder why there were not similar protests against the Palestinians when they were sending their child suicide bombers into Israel over the past many years? The press in it's haste to provide only the news they deem worth reporting, are caught within the horns of an 800 pound dilemma. TV, and youtube videos are better sources of instant news, though in the case of television, the networks also have an agenda of their own. They will simply not report real news when it is happening, unless a "fair" balance can be struck between warring parties.
Europe burns! But that is not the real story. Why can't everyone just "get along" they ask rhetorically? Today, a man, a real man, is tempted to ask where are this generation's "Horace Greelys"? Greely, a noted editor of the New York Tribune, a man who looked more like Benjamin Franklin, than did Franklin himself, is most known for having advised "Go west, young man, go west, and grow with the country!" Today, some 143 years later, fewer and fewer young men, and women too, are going in any direction which would allow them to "grow with their country".
So long as the press is held to agendae which support goals other than simple trruthful reporting, we shall never really know exactly what is happening within our world, unless it meets the standards of a Liberal template. You may thank God for the internet, and not Al Gore, you may thank yourselves for a willingness to seek out other reputable sources of honest news reporting. And they are many. Witness the failing circulation numbers of major American news papers, and the truth junps out at you. They are failing, because they fail to hold to the harsh standards imposed by men like Horace Greely. Call him what you will, he none the less established himself as a man of some distinction, and moral character, in the newspaper world.
When journalism students put aside their beliefs that they should do something "good" for the world upon graduation, and remember that their responsibility, their sole responsibility, is to the ferreting out of the "truth" in any story they are asked to cover, and report it that way, then may they become the doers of universal good.
When holding elected office, I actually feared the local, and regional press. In my idyllic state of mind they, the press, were bent on getting to the bottom of whatever it was they were pursuing as being newsworthy. Later, I learned whom it was I could trust, and who they were, that had something else in mind. Luckily, these days you don't need a trained eye to determine which reporters are in honest pursuit of the truth, and which are in it for personal, or devious reasons. It is no accident that the press has lost it's nose for the truth. The heavy scent of Democrat stink is more than not wafting from every room they occupy.
It really doesn't matter where they go. They may go west as Greely advised, but they are already there in the pressrooms of the Los Angeles Times. Or, they may go east to New York, but they are already there also, in the press rooms of the New York Times. My compass tells me to advise them to go north! All the way to the north pole, where they may commiserate with an advancing, and not declining polar bear population. They are called "cubs" as young journalists, are they not? The pole is befitting of their relegation to the darkest place on earth in winter.
That should be easy enough, for they have successfully kept us in the dark for years now.
Pity the press? Nope!.Don't forget to check out the Brussels Journal folks, That's where the real news is these days.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Amazing! Barack Now More Popular Than Puff
As dragons went, Puff was clearly the most famous this side of King George, but Barack Obama has caught, and passed poor old Puff by. The furor this week over Paul Shanklin's portrayal of Reverend Al Sharpton's dismay over Democrats favoring Obama over Sharpton, way back when, was palpably noticeable.. Remember Joe Biden proclaiming Obama to be "clean, and articulate"? It seems Sharpton too, takes a shower often, and he fancies himself as being articulate in a special way. Shanklin's parody, done for Rush Limbaugh's radio show, was set to the tune of "Puff The Magic Dragon". You may remember this hilarious spoof, spawned by a Los Angeles Times writer named David Eherinstein, himself a black, when he wrote his now famous piece" Barack: The Magic Negro" in March of 2007.
Suddenly, this week, it seems that Liberals and even Republicans, certain Repblicans that is, have heard this song for the very first time. They are all appalled, naturally, and all are accusing Republicans of being '"racists". Seems to me, I've heard that old familiar refrain before..Nasty racist Republicans!
This satirical gem spoofed Al Sharpton, and every man, and woman in America knew it then, and and knows it now. The piety and the commensurate claims of foul play do not resonate with me, nor should they with you either. If Republican elites wish to hold hands dancing around the Democrat May Pole, then let them, and let them leave us alone.
Here's the sordid truth: It was the Democrat party which heavily opposed the 13th, 14th, and the 15th amendments to the US Constitution, in doing so, they opposed freedom, and citizen status for former slaves, along with voting rights..Some advocates for black Americans, wouldn't you say? Then, in 1965, it was Republians once more who guided the voting rights act through a wary Congress full of opposition Democrats. Why would anyone settle for the slice of bread not buttered?
Today, Senator Harry Reid dened the seating of the newly appointed Senator, Roland Burris, to replace Barack Obama in the US Senate. Reid believes he has the sole power to determine who sits, and who doesn't. The truth is, he favors one of two white potential appointees, and not the black man appointed by Governor Rod Blagojevich, of Illinois. Putting the taints aside, isn't it clear that the party of racists, the Democrat party, are free to do whatever they want to? And that includes charging Republicans with being the only racist party in town.
Remember Obama telling anyone within earshot that "...they will tell you I have a funny name, that I don't look like those other men on the dollar bills..."? Are we going to stand idly by and allow that kind of false representation to accrue to honest, law abiding, non-racist Republicans? John McCain thought we were a bit too harsh in our condemnation of the man and his policies, In John's mind,he could not separate fair and honest criticism from a denunciation of someone who happened to be black only. And John paid a terrible price for his lack of understanding.
Sorry, Puff old pal. You've been replaced by another dragon. This one does not breathe smoke and fire but the net effect of his actions, his very promises, are quite beyond the reach of anything you could do to harm us. The new dragon will live on the hill of course, with the kinds of protection you could only dream of.
I feel clean, how about you? Remember that Harry Reid thinks we are a bunch of "smelly tourists", fouling the air of the halls of Congress. The only stench in Washington, lies in the warped minds of these traitors to the Constitution. To think that there are many good, decent Conservatives, some of whom, who happen to be black, or hispanic, or Asian. That is the real sin here, and it is original. It belongs to Democrats, and their Liberal pals
Suddenly, this week, it seems that Liberals and even Republicans, certain Repblicans that is, have heard this song for the very first time. They are all appalled, naturally, and all are accusing Republicans of being '"racists". Seems to me, I've heard that old familiar refrain before..Nasty racist Republicans!
This satirical gem spoofed Al Sharpton, and every man, and woman in America knew it then, and and knows it now. The piety and the commensurate claims of foul play do not resonate with me, nor should they with you either. If Republican elites wish to hold hands dancing around the Democrat May Pole, then let them, and let them leave us alone.
Here's the sordid truth: It was the Democrat party which heavily opposed the 13th, 14th, and the 15th amendments to the US Constitution, in doing so, they opposed freedom, and citizen status for former slaves, along with voting rights..Some advocates for black Americans, wouldn't you say? Then, in 1965, it was Republians once more who guided the voting rights act through a wary Congress full of opposition Democrats. Why would anyone settle for the slice of bread not buttered?
Today, Senator Harry Reid dened the seating of the newly appointed Senator, Roland Burris, to replace Barack Obama in the US Senate. Reid believes he has the sole power to determine who sits, and who doesn't. The truth is, he favors one of two white potential appointees, and not the black man appointed by Governor Rod Blagojevich, of Illinois. Putting the taints aside, isn't it clear that the party of racists, the Democrat party, are free to do whatever they want to? And that includes charging Republicans with being the only racist party in town.
Remember Obama telling anyone within earshot that "...they will tell you I have a funny name, that I don't look like those other men on the dollar bills..."? Are we going to stand idly by and allow that kind of false representation to accrue to honest, law abiding, non-racist Republicans? John McCain thought we were a bit too harsh in our condemnation of the man and his policies, In John's mind,he could not separate fair and honest criticism from a denunciation of someone who happened to be black only. And John paid a terrible price for his lack of understanding.
Sorry, Puff old pal. You've been replaced by another dragon. This one does not breathe smoke and fire but the net effect of his actions, his very promises, are quite beyond the reach of anything you could do to harm us. The new dragon will live on the hill of course, with the kinds of protection you could only dream of.
I feel clean, how about you? Remember that Harry Reid thinks we are a bunch of "smelly tourists", fouling the air of the halls of Congress. The only stench in Washington, lies in the warped minds of these traitors to the Constitution. To think that there are many good, decent Conservatives, some of whom, who happen to be black, or hispanic, or Asian. That is the real sin here, and it is original. It belongs to Democrats, and their Liberal pals
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Ever The Children
Remember President Clinton's statement: "I must get back to work for the American people!"? As impious as his claim was, the idea that when caught wanting, all one must do is to proclaim that he needs to get back to work in a wholesome manner for the "people", or the "children". Ah yes, the children. To most politicians, children are the cloak of goodness to surround themselves with, during their moments of political crisis. Whenever you hear someone, almost tearfully, stating that what they are attempting to do is rooted in their interest of America's children, then beware, for they are taking you for a ride, and not necessarily on the old yellow bus.
If politicians had the true best interests of children in mind (as they certainly should) then the results of their decision makng would look a lot different, wouldn't they? How stupid do they believe we are? If our children's future mattered greatly to them, then why are not obstacles to a child's growth removed from it's path? Why are not these same children given an honest to God superior education, as children once received in America?
No, politicians use the children as foils for their grandiose schemes. At the same time as they purport to act in a child's best interest, they, by virtue of actions taken, are accomplishing what many accuse them of: dumbing down the population systematically, and quite efficiently. A close look at your child's curricula tells you all you need to know. The very things which would promote citizenship, and civic awareness, just can't be found any more.
Many schools, and those school's administrators, and even teachers, are duty bound in a professional way, to present countervailing views when discussing controversial topics. A current example is Al Gore's documentary film "An Inconvenient Truth". No mention is made of Lord Moncton's famous opposition theory, nor will it be allowed in our schools, for it does not fit the educational template of Liberal academia. That is but a single example. and the list goes on.
The utter tendentiousness, and vaingloriousness of these people bodes ill for our children, and for America's future as a great nation. Everything seems to be vested in an internationally inspired attempt to control not only the minds of people, but how best to control what the people think, and what the people do. True globalists want to train your children for jobs they deem necessary for global success, and for global supplanting of a nation's very sovereignty.
In 1837, Horace Mann, the famed Massachusetts education reformer, asserted that "...the more you educate the children of a community, the better off the community will be in the long run...."With this simple statement of obvious fact, universal public education caught on, and America was on her way. It is reasonably doubtful that Horace Mann would sign on to education in America as meeting his goals for an educated, and an informed populace. His dreams were the dreams of a nation realized. His dreams proposed healthy, invigorating curricula that not only educated the masses, but turned them into worthy citizens as well.
When it comes to thoughts of a school carrying out the traditions of Horace Mann, Hillsdale College, located in southern Michigan, cvomes to mind as a prime example. The college's mission is based on two important principles: 1. Academic excellence, and 2. Institutional independence. Hillsdale accepts no government monies, and thereby, maintains it's freedom as an educational institution. Hillsdale was President Ronald Reagan's favorite college, and he is revered there by all. Would it surprise you to know that Hillsdale has the temerity to teach, as a core subject, The US Constitution? Hillsdale students, and graduates are precisely the sort of people Horace Mann envisioned as being leaders in this country. So, all is not lost, at least in that southern corner of Michigan.
"...Teach your children well..." goes the song. Since 1965, when government began investing heavily in America's schools, government has also applied pressure to accept more and more uniform testing of our children. The government's 10% stake in the average school budget provides ample reason for this unhealthy intrusion into a schools affairs, and we get what we have today: Failing grades, failing students, and a largely failing educational system that was once the envy of the world. There is more than enough blame to go around, but pardon me if...
...I take time to get back to work for the American people. It is really that important. To your children, perhaps, but mostly important to me, your duly elected representaive of the people.
If politicians had the true best interests of children in mind (as they certainly should) then the results of their decision makng would look a lot different, wouldn't they? How stupid do they believe we are? If our children's future mattered greatly to them, then why are not obstacles to a child's growth removed from it's path? Why are not these same children given an honest to God superior education, as children once received in America?
No, politicians use the children as foils for their grandiose schemes. At the same time as they purport to act in a child's best interest, they, by virtue of actions taken, are accomplishing what many accuse them of: dumbing down the population systematically, and quite efficiently. A close look at your child's curricula tells you all you need to know. The very things which would promote citizenship, and civic awareness, just can't be found any more.
Many schools, and those school's administrators, and even teachers, are duty bound in a professional way, to present countervailing views when discussing controversial topics. A current example is Al Gore's documentary film "An Inconvenient Truth". No mention is made of Lord Moncton's famous opposition theory, nor will it be allowed in our schools, for it does not fit the educational template of Liberal academia. That is but a single example. and the list goes on.
The utter tendentiousness, and vaingloriousness of these people bodes ill for our children, and for America's future as a great nation. Everything seems to be vested in an internationally inspired attempt to control not only the minds of people, but how best to control what the people think, and what the people do. True globalists want to train your children for jobs they deem necessary for global success, and for global supplanting of a nation's very sovereignty.
In 1837, Horace Mann, the famed Massachusetts education reformer, asserted that "...the more you educate the children of a community, the better off the community will be in the long run...."With this simple statement of obvious fact, universal public education caught on, and America was on her way. It is reasonably doubtful that Horace Mann would sign on to education in America as meeting his goals for an educated, and an informed populace. His dreams were the dreams of a nation realized. His dreams proposed healthy, invigorating curricula that not only educated the masses, but turned them into worthy citizens as well.
When it comes to thoughts of a school carrying out the traditions of Horace Mann, Hillsdale College, located in southern Michigan, cvomes to mind as a prime example. The college's mission is based on two important principles: 1. Academic excellence, and 2. Institutional independence. Hillsdale accepts no government monies, and thereby, maintains it's freedom as an educational institution. Hillsdale was President Ronald Reagan's favorite college, and he is revered there by all. Would it surprise you to know that Hillsdale has the temerity to teach, as a core subject, The US Constitution? Hillsdale students, and graduates are precisely the sort of people Horace Mann envisioned as being leaders in this country. So, all is not lost, at least in that southern corner of Michigan.
"...Teach your children well..." goes the song. Since 1965, when government began investing heavily in America's schools, government has also applied pressure to accept more and more uniform testing of our children. The government's 10% stake in the average school budget provides ample reason for this unhealthy intrusion into a schools affairs, and we get what we have today: Failing grades, failing students, and a largely failing educational system that was once the envy of the world. There is more than enough blame to go around, but pardon me if...
...I take time to get back to work for the American people. It is really that important. To your children, perhaps, but mostly important to me, your duly elected representaive of the people.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
An Obama Survival Kit
We're down to nineteen days and counting. Let me repeat something I've said before. Let us all pray for America, for ourselves, and for our President-to-be. It is desired, and it is hoped, that the changes promised to us during the recent campaign, will not come to any fruition. Now, it is up to each of us, individually, to make our mark; to take a principled stand.
The arrogance of youth may be one of the most critical things to deal with this coming year. However, the presidency, and especially it's long history, can also be one of our greatest allies in the looming struggle. Many are the men who vainly attempted to do things not consistent with their current reality, and many are the men who perished on the rocky coasts of their dreams. Not even Mister Obama may be that blissfully unaware of past presidential history. The stakes are simply too great to allow glaring mistakes to be made. Eventually, the sheer magnitude of what exactly awaits him, will be perhaps our best, last hope for salvation.
\In attempting to make friends of your enemies, you lose your friends. In attempting to do more than the country will allow,you risk losing your constituency as well. It has been correctly said that the presidency is a very lonely, and unforgiving place. It has always been thus, and today is certainly no exception to that cold, hard fact. If anything recent presidential history suggests that the men who occupied the Oval Office were more than not interested, keenly so, in their public approval numbers. Only a true leader, a person of infinite wisdom, and guidance from somewhere other than the assembled masses, leads in a manner sure to bring a future acclaim, albeit not a current one. To such leaders are left not their intuitions, nor their inclinations, simply an informed knowledge of what it is that must be done now, this day.
Ronald Reagan exemplified that better than anyone in the last hundred years. He led America, we may not have understood where it was he was leading us, but we followed nonetheless, convinced we were by his ebullience, and his superior grasp of the problems confronting America. We trusted him, and we trusted his judgment. Our trust was never misplaced, was it?
Today, even President Bush, God bless him, a man of incontrovertible faith in the American spirit, seems to be on a mission of belated attending to his presumed legacy. It was much more than sufficient, that he led us through perilous waters, infested with the sharks of his personal destruction. For having done that alone, he should be assured of his place in our country's history, and not worrying about what went wrong with his "compassionate Conservatism"
.To survive the perils of an Obama administration, the man must be confronted with constant calls for doing only the things a president must do to protect our country, and it's institutions from harm done by enemies both within, and without our territorial borders. Any attempts to wreak havoc with the status quo, must be resisted forcefully, and with immediacy. By this, I mean attempting to socially re-engineer our society, and to supplant that which has made America great, with governmental changes left behind in Britain long ago. When America took it's place on the world stage, it did so not with blind confidence, but with the knowledge that we belonged there, side by side with all other worldly powers. This was in America's best interests, and praise the leaders with the foresight to see through the fog of countervailing opinion.
Ultimately, the question is: Will Mister Obama stride onto the stage with confidence, or will he too, be humbled by the complexities, and the history of the presidency? If the latter, then there is hope indeed. The former, will be determined by the amount of power and influence his base of support has upon his decision making.
Either way, we must be on guard, and cautiously optimistic that in the end, history will extract a correct behavior from him. Perhaps he has raised the bar to higher levels than he may actually achieve. What then?The dirty secret is that his surrogates, and the obliging MSM have already begun his re-election campaign for 2012, calmly asserting that we shouldn't expect much to change in the first four years of his administration. This acknowledgement of difficulty recognized is a slight indication that history has already begun to take it's toll on his plans, his goals, and his sun rise awareness beginning to creep in.
Let's not forget that 2012 is an important year for us. Hey, that's our year, the year of Sarah. Gentlemen, start your engines!.
The arrogance of youth may be one of the most critical things to deal with this coming year. However, the presidency, and especially it's long history, can also be one of our greatest allies in the looming struggle. Many are the men who vainly attempted to do things not consistent with their current reality, and many are the men who perished on the rocky coasts of their dreams. Not even Mister Obama may be that blissfully unaware of past presidential history. The stakes are simply too great to allow glaring mistakes to be made. Eventually, the sheer magnitude of what exactly awaits him, will be perhaps our best, last hope for salvation.
\In attempting to make friends of your enemies, you lose your friends. In attempting to do more than the country will allow,you risk losing your constituency as well. It has been correctly said that the presidency is a very lonely, and unforgiving place. It has always been thus, and today is certainly no exception to that cold, hard fact. If anything recent presidential history suggests that the men who occupied the Oval Office were more than not interested, keenly so, in their public approval numbers. Only a true leader, a person of infinite wisdom, and guidance from somewhere other than the assembled masses, leads in a manner sure to bring a future acclaim, albeit not a current one. To such leaders are left not their intuitions, nor their inclinations, simply an informed knowledge of what it is that must be done now, this day.
Ronald Reagan exemplified that better than anyone in the last hundred years. He led America, we may not have understood where it was he was leading us, but we followed nonetheless, convinced we were by his ebullience, and his superior grasp of the problems confronting America. We trusted him, and we trusted his judgment. Our trust was never misplaced, was it?
Today, even President Bush, God bless him, a man of incontrovertible faith in the American spirit, seems to be on a mission of belated attending to his presumed legacy. It was much more than sufficient, that he led us through perilous waters, infested with the sharks of his personal destruction. For having done that alone, he should be assured of his place in our country's history, and not worrying about what went wrong with his "compassionate Conservatism"
.To survive the perils of an Obama administration, the man must be confronted with constant calls for doing only the things a president must do to protect our country, and it's institutions from harm done by enemies both within, and without our territorial borders. Any attempts to wreak havoc with the status quo, must be resisted forcefully, and with immediacy. By this, I mean attempting to socially re-engineer our society, and to supplant that which has made America great, with governmental changes left behind in Britain long ago. When America took it's place on the world stage, it did so not with blind confidence, but with the knowledge that we belonged there, side by side with all other worldly powers. This was in America's best interests, and praise the leaders with the foresight to see through the fog of countervailing opinion.
Ultimately, the question is: Will Mister Obama stride onto the stage with confidence, or will he too, be humbled by the complexities, and the history of the presidency? If the latter, then there is hope indeed. The former, will be determined by the amount of power and influence his base of support has upon his decision making.
Either way, we must be on guard, and cautiously optimistic that in the end, history will extract a correct behavior from him. Perhaps he has raised the bar to higher levels than he may actually achieve. What then?The dirty secret is that his surrogates, and the obliging MSM have already begun his re-election campaign for 2012, calmly asserting that we shouldn't expect much to change in the first four years of his administration. This acknowledgement of difficulty recognized is a slight indication that history has already begun to take it's toll on his plans, his goals, and his sun rise awareness beginning to creep in.
Let's not forget that 2012 is an important year for us. Hey, that's our year, the year of Sarah. Gentlemen, start your engines!.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
21 Days And Counting
This post will be very short tonight. There is but one thing on my mind, and, I hope, yours as well.Today, two of President Bush's advisers carefully spelled out the starting points for the presidents plunge into mediocrity as this country's president( their opinions, not necessarily mine). The president's incoming aptitude for the job was compared to Sarah Palin's supposed lack of fitness to hold such high office. To think the president would have surrounded himself with such less than loyal men, is most difficult to understand. Typical Bush bashing, I thought, as I read the story. It concluded with the observation that Mister Bush had never sought a just and lasting peace between Israel, and Hamas, with the events this week in the Gaza Strip sorely underlining his failures, and any hope for a lasting, and favorable legacy.
Putting aside the presidents faults, alleged, perceived, and actual, he has it within his grasp to do something quite meaningful indeed. The nagging question is: Will he do it?
On this Christmas last, I spent more than a few moments contemplating the fate of Ignacio Ramos, and Jose Compean. Their families, too, were in my thoughts, and in my prayers. I still have not reconciled myself to the fact that these two men are suffering along with their families and friends, for actions taken against an illegal drug smuggling alien. Quite in spite of what I would guess to be hundreds of thousands of requests to commute the sentences of these two Border Patrol agents, and actually pardon them, nothing yet has been done, and time is running out quickly.
Yes, I have been sorely disappointed with President Bush, and his performance. But! I would be the first to congratulate him if he will simply do the correct thing here. Issue full pardons before his time runs out. His failure to do this will only serve to confirm the negative assessments made by those very close to him, and that would be a terrible shame.
If you have not already done so, then send your requests, if you agree, to comment@whitehouse.gov
Ignacio and Jose would be most thankful, as would be their families, and that is the very least we, in good conscience, can do for them at this time.
Happy New Year, everyone, let's make sure it is a good one for the Ramos, and Compean family as well.
Putting aside the presidents faults, alleged, perceived, and actual, he has it within his grasp to do something quite meaningful indeed. The nagging question is: Will he do it?
On this Christmas last, I spent more than a few moments contemplating the fate of Ignacio Ramos, and Jose Compean. Their families, too, were in my thoughts, and in my prayers. I still have not reconciled myself to the fact that these two men are suffering along with their families and friends, for actions taken against an illegal drug smuggling alien. Quite in spite of what I would guess to be hundreds of thousands of requests to commute the sentences of these two Border Patrol agents, and actually pardon them, nothing yet has been done, and time is running out quickly.
Yes, I have been sorely disappointed with President Bush, and his performance. But! I would be the first to congratulate him if he will simply do the correct thing here. Issue full pardons before his time runs out. His failure to do this will only serve to confirm the negative assessments made by those very close to him, and that would be a terrible shame.
If you have not already done so, then send your requests, if you agree, to comment@whitehouse.gov
Ignacio and Jose would be most thankful, as would be their families, and that is the very least we, in good conscience, can do for them at this time.
Happy New Year, everyone, let's make sure it is a good one for the Ramos, and Compean family as well.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Life In The Midst Of Turmoil
Today, Christmas day 2008, is seasonable enough, although forces are at work trying to diminish the significance of this day. Nativity scenes across the world, are beng desecrated, and the likenesses of the baby Jesus are being stolen. In one particularly bizarre incident, a bottle of beer was left where once the baby Jesus did lay. Secularists, atheists, and especially, non-believers are the cause of these acts of depravity in our town squares, and in our cities. Worse, they are engaging in acts of scornfulness, directed at those who truly believe in the existence of God.
As such, they are not a real threat to us, for their numbers are small. However, when a goverment body looks askance at these acts, without any real comment, they in effect, are condoning these behaviors, and abetting them. It seems no one knows what to do, and so, nothing is done at all. The proposition 8 opponents in California, exemplify this attitude by virtue of their constant attacks on the Mormon Churches of California.
Away in a manger, no food, no bed, nothing of material comfort for the baby Jesus. Yet, he does not cry, simply looks up at the stars, and sees the Star of The East, the star announcing his birth to a skeptical world. the Wise men came, drawn to the place of the baby's birth. King Herod, himself, was vitally interested, for he saw in the baby Jesus a threat to his hold on the Kingdom, to his very power.
Stillige Nacht, the Christmas carol given to us by Germany many years ago, stressed the calm of the evening, and the brightness too. Round yon virgin, lay mother and child. Tenderness abounded, and earth had at last, a new King, the son of God!
Good King Vaclav, also known as Wenceslas, was the King of Bohemia in the tenth century. A Catholic, Wenceslas looked out one evening from his castle window, and espied a poor man gathering winter fuel. So taken by this scene was Wenceslas, that he went out with gifts of food and other comfort for the man who had gathered the winter's fuel for his family's warmth. The feast of Saint Stephen is celebrated on December 26th in Czechoslovakia, and though no refrence was made to the Nativity scene in the lyrics, it has become one of the most popular Christmas carols, signifying man's inherent goodness, and his willingness to share his own gifts with others less fortunate.
If you think seriously but for a minute or two, you may understand how Christmas carols extoll the common virtues of generosity, and personal sacrifice. All these gifts, given by only God to man, are the soothing balms which never fail to inspire feelings of completeness, and of joy in us. What a contrast to the devilish actions of the defilers, and the antagonists of the Mormon Church. I, for one, do not fret over these people's actions, because, ultimately, they will answer to their God, our God, in spite of their throwing off the shackles of personal responsibility.
Yes, today is the most beautiful day of the year! Warmth is felt without the fire beside you. Joy is in the heart, and a Baby's birth is celebrated once more. Jesus came into this world pennieless, and He left it the same way. He never traveled more than 200 hundred miles from His home, and never acquired the higher learning of those most critical of Him, and His mission to save us. No other man in recorded history has had as profound an effect on the fortunes of man himself, than Jesus has.
It is "free will" that leads many of us to doubt, and to sin. Why is it that anger, is always an important component of the makeup of people who deny their place at the table of God? Why too, is it that when such people lie on their death beds, that they somehow are confronted by their personal demons, and realize that mere uncompromising faith would have saved their eternal lives?
The one thing that believers are not, is weak. Weak of mind, and weak of faith. This is why the tables turn for us, and why others of no faith sit alone.
Celebrate the Baby Jesus' birthday today. Do it with firmness, and with great faith in eventual outcomes. None of us likes to say, "I told you so!", for the apparentness of the moment of epiphany for all, is in itself a holy and glorious realization.
Merry Christmas, to one and to all. And remember that Ebenezer Scrooge himself, a cold-hearted man who despised Christmas, came around to his own belated understandings, through the impoverished Cratchitt family, and especially young, and lame Tiny Tim. It was not too late, even for Scrooge himself, nor is it too late for all the non-believers wreaking havoc around the world. Each has their own Jacob Marley to contend with, and each, certainly is worthy of final redemption.
Say prayers for them all, the Baby in the manger would smile knowingly at that act of human generosity, and human understanding.
As such, they are not a real threat to us, for their numbers are small. However, when a goverment body looks askance at these acts, without any real comment, they in effect, are condoning these behaviors, and abetting them. It seems no one knows what to do, and so, nothing is done at all. The proposition 8 opponents in California, exemplify this attitude by virtue of their constant attacks on the Mormon Churches of California.
Away in a manger, no food, no bed, nothing of material comfort for the baby Jesus. Yet, he does not cry, simply looks up at the stars, and sees the Star of The East, the star announcing his birth to a skeptical world. the Wise men came, drawn to the place of the baby's birth. King Herod, himself, was vitally interested, for he saw in the baby Jesus a threat to his hold on the Kingdom, to his very power.
Stillige Nacht, the Christmas carol given to us by Germany many years ago, stressed the calm of the evening, and the brightness too. Round yon virgin, lay mother and child. Tenderness abounded, and earth had at last, a new King, the son of God!
Good King Vaclav, also known as Wenceslas, was the King of Bohemia in the tenth century. A Catholic, Wenceslas looked out one evening from his castle window, and espied a poor man gathering winter fuel. So taken by this scene was Wenceslas, that he went out with gifts of food and other comfort for the man who had gathered the winter's fuel for his family's warmth. The feast of Saint Stephen is celebrated on December 26th in Czechoslovakia, and though no refrence was made to the Nativity scene in the lyrics, it has become one of the most popular Christmas carols, signifying man's inherent goodness, and his willingness to share his own gifts with others less fortunate.
If you think seriously but for a minute or two, you may understand how Christmas carols extoll the common virtues of generosity, and personal sacrifice. All these gifts, given by only God to man, are the soothing balms which never fail to inspire feelings of completeness, and of joy in us. What a contrast to the devilish actions of the defilers, and the antagonists of the Mormon Church. I, for one, do not fret over these people's actions, because, ultimately, they will answer to their God, our God, in spite of their throwing off the shackles of personal responsibility.
Yes, today is the most beautiful day of the year! Warmth is felt without the fire beside you. Joy is in the heart, and a Baby's birth is celebrated once more. Jesus came into this world pennieless, and He left it the same way. He never traveled more than 200 hundred miles from His home, and never acquired the higher learning of those most critical of Him, and His mission to save us. No other man in recorded history has had as profound an effect on the fortunes of man himself, than Jesus has.
It is "free will" that leads many of us to doubt, and to sin. Why is it that anger, is always an important component of the makeup of people who deny their place at the table of God? Why too, is it that when such people lie on their death beds, that they somehow are confronted by their personal demons, and realize that mere uncompromising faith would have saved their eternal lives?
The one thing that believers are not, is weak. Weak of mind, and weak of faith. This is why the tables turn for us, and why others of no faith sit alone.
Celebrate the Baby Jesus' birthday today. Do it with firmness, and with great faith in eventual outcomes. None of us likes to say, "I told you so!", for the apparentness of the moment of epiphany for all, is in itself a holy and glorious realization.
Merry Christmas, to one and to all. And remember that Ebenezer Scrooge himself, a cold-hearted man who despised Christmas, came around to his own belated understandings, through the impoverished Cratchitt family, and especially young, and lame Tiny Tim. It was not too late, even for Scrooge himself, nor is it too late for all the non-believers wreaking havoc around the world. Each has their own Jacob Marley to contend with, and each, certainly is worthy of final redemption.
Say prayers for them all, the Baby in the manger would smile knowingly at that act of human generosity, and human understanding.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
When In The Course Of Human Events...
Long ago, Thomas Jefferson opened up discussion with his partner Framers, by penning this most famous of phrases. In doing so, he set into motion the mechanics of revolution against an oppressive King George, and his policies of taxation without fair return to the original colonies in America.
What followed, is known history to most of us. To some others, it is as vague an understanding, as is trying to understand the laws of nature themselves. The former, quite naturally, are those who have captured Jefferson's vision for this new country. The latter, unfortunately, could probably never understand the importance of that phrase, nor it's significance to our history as a country.This is what we must contend with, both today, and tomorrow also. Yet, there are eerie parallels preceeding the revolutionary period, and another time in the long ago history of man.
Christ studiously avoided pronouncing himself as the Messiah for all of his life. he did this to the end, when he stood before Pontius Pilate, awaiting his judgement. It was only then that he acknowledged himself to be a king, and the son of God Almighty.
Robbin Webber, a writer, authored a column in "The World News and Prophecy", in 2006. The title was: "This is the Way: When in the course of human events..." Robbin saw the connection between Jefferson's time, and the period of the "Jubilee", when Jews were emancipated from debt; were given back land lost, as well as other lost freedoms. The Jubilee was a time of census taking, which occurred every 50 years on the Biblical day of atonement, Yom Kippur. This was a glorious state of revolution, for things denied were returned to rightful owners.
The Jews yearned for the coming of their new king, that they might reclaim lost lands, and lost glory as a nation of peoples. Generally speaking, it was Christ, who through his miraculous acts of allowing the blind to see once more, and healing the sick, was thought to be the "Messiah" or new king for the Jewish people. Unfortuntely, the people were not themselves impressed with the idea of Christ being the Son of God. They in effect, through their denials, brought about his eventual downfall, and crucifixion. It became a matter of believing, or not believing in the "Second Coming of Christ. From that day forward, many have chosen to not have the strength that such faith requires.
And the world waits, and waits some more.
Jefferson, and his fellow compatriots worked determinedly to establish the most unique, and the most intriguing form of self governance the world had ever seen. Their vision has survived a tumultuous history of war, ravages of nature, and of man himself---but barely so. We too, as the ancient people, seem to be in a perpetual state of denial regarding the fate of our country. The "Second Coming" will one day be upon us, but will we be ready, and be accepting?
Nations come, and they fade away into the vastness of a dark and foreboding history of mankind. For whatever reason, the skeptics among us often hold sway, and deter us from eternal truths, and eternal salvation. These same skeptics populate our seats of current day government, and we, the people, await the second coming of a saner approach to solving our problems, which by Biblical standards, are not so severe, but nonethless equally as important ot those suffering under the yokes of oppression.
The Liberty Bell was to be rung, to announce liberty at hand throughout our country. Today, that bell, sits alone in a protected environment in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It's pealing of righteous liberty for all has been muted by the actions of the few, against the many. Still, it stands as a symbol of the greatness; the firmness of the convictions held by brave men those many years ago.
So, yes, there is an interesting parallel here. We are at a cross road of decision making for ourselves. For those of us who believe in the original "Second Coming", we too, believe that any nation which professes itself to be a great nation, must endure the hardships, and render the sacrifices to be made in the name of goodness.
In the article, Robbin pondered whether or not the original phrase "when in the course of human events..." had lost it's meaning, and it's ultimate purpose as a guide to continuous prosperity as a people of this, the greatest nation in the history of the world.
All that is required is "Faith". faith in onesself to be the good and caring citizen. Faith in the collective abilities of those who lead us, to do so in full accord with the Founding principles
What followed, is known history to most of us. To some others, it is as vague an understanding, as is trying to understand the laws of nature themselves. The former, quite naturally, are those who have captured Jefferson's vision for this new country. The latter, unfortunately, could probably never understand the importance of that phrase, nor it's significance to our history as a country.This is what we must contend with, both today, and tomorrow also. Yet, there are eerie parallels preceeding the revolutionary period, and another time in the long ago history of man.
Christ studiously avoided pronouncing himself as the Messiah for all of his life. he did this to the end, when he stood before Pontius Pilate, awaiting his judgement. It was only then that he acknowledged himself to be a king, and the son of God Almighty.
Robbin Webber, a writer, authored a column in "The World News and Prophecy", in 2006. The title was: "This is the Way: When in the course of human events..." Robbin saw the connection between Jefferson's time, and the period of the "Jubilee", when Jews were emancipated from debt; were given back land lost, as well as other lost freedoms. The Jubilee was a time of census taking, which occurred every 50 years on the Biblical day of atonement, Yom Kippur. This was a glorious state of revolution, for things denied were returned to rightful owners.
The Jews yearned for the coming of their new king, that they might reclaim lost lands, and lost glory as a nation of peoples. Generally speaking, it was Christ, who through his miraculous acts of allowing the blind to see once more, and healing the sick, was thought to be the "Messiah" or new king for the Jewish people. Unfortuntely, the people were not themselves impressed with the idea of Christ being the Son of God. They in effect, through their denials, brought about his eventual downfall, and crucifixion. It became a matter of believing, or not believing in the "Second Coming of Christ. From that day forward, many have chosen to not have the strength that such faith requires.
And the world waits, and waits some more.
Jefferson, and his fellow compatriots worked determinedly to establish the most unique, and the most intriguing form of self governance the world had ever seen. Their vision has survived a tumultuous history of war, ravages of nature, and of man himself---but barely so. We too, as the ancient people, seem to be in a perpetual state of denial regarding the fate of our country. The "Second Coming" will one day be upon us, but will we be ready, and be accepting?
Nations come, and they fade away into the vastness of a dark and foreboding history of mankind. For whatever reason, the skeptics among us often hold sway, and deter us from eternal truths, and eternal salvation. These same skeptics populate our seats of current day government, and we, the people, await the second coming of a saner approach to solving our problems, which by Biblical standards, are not so severe, but nonethless equally as important ot those suffering under the yokes of oppression.
The Liberty Bell was to be rung, to announce liberty at hand throughout our country. Today, that bell, sits alone in a protected environment in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It's pealing of righteous liberty for all has been muted by the actions of the few, against the many. Still, it stands as a symbol of the greatness; the firmness of the convictions held by brave men those many years ago.
So, yes, there is an interesting parallel here. We are at a cross road of decision making for ourselves. For those of us who believe in the original "Second Coming", we too, believe that any nation which professes itself to be a great nation, must endure the hardships, and render the sacrifices to be made in the name of goodness.
In the article, Robbin pondered whether or not the original phrase "when in the course of human events..." had lost it's meaning, and it's ultimate purpose as a guide to continuous prosperity as a people of this, the greatest nation in the history of the world.
All that is required is "Faith". faith in onesself to be the good and caring citizen. Faith in the collective abilities of those who lead us, to do so in full accord with the Founding principles
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
A Camel And The Loss Of Faith
much as for the acquisition of raw power? With power, others may be influenced to believe as they believe. Power is intoxicating, and too often wielded poorly, with calamitous effects on the unknowing. Does the Madoff scandal come to mind?
Ordinary people manage to eke out a survivable existence based solely on their commitment to honest labor, and honest dealings with those with whom they trade. Devoid of such honesty, mortal life loses quite a bit of it's lustre, and it's appeal for us. Moments of despair are foisted on us by virtue of our own actions, actions that do not satisfy the standards of christian beliefs.
Christ, during a rare moment of anger, entered the Temple of the money changers, and drove out those who sold, and those who bought in the Temple. Christ sternly announced that, "...you have made it a den of robbers!" ( Mark 11:15-17 RSV)
Robber. Greed. Money Changers. All may be found today on Wall Street, in New York City. The ancient money changers were more business like than their contemporary counterparts, and they had to face an irate Christ in their temple. Todays money changers are not frightened of the likes of Congressman Barney Frank. No, they appeal to us through Barney for more and more money that their ship of capitalist state may stay afloat and on course. Now, not a soul is bashful about stepping forward and asking, at times demanding, more of our financial resources. With this money firmly in hand they go on about their lustful way. Company revenues underwritten with this infusion of new money, are now pronounced as fit vehicles for rewarding executives with seasonal bonuses and perks we could only dream of.
Greed is deadly to the soul. It is deadly to the health of a nation, And when we acquiesce to the greedy one's demands, we too, are accomplices, abeting the evil that surely follows.Many years ago, Liberalism, Classc Liberalism, was indistinguishable from modern day Conservatism. The Founders themselves were of the Classic Liberal mold, and a country was born, thrived, and became the envy of the world. In mid-century, it was John Kenneth Galbraith who preached in behalf of Liberalism, and we were on our way to a new kind of Liberalism---Modern Liberalism. At one time Liberals believed in liberty, individual liberty, and freedom too. Property rights were an important cog in this spinning wheel. Entrepeneurship was not only encouraged, it was looked upon with pride. Stocisim, and stiff upper lips guided a nation forward, but then came the rocks inhabited by the Sirens of greed, and of corruption. The end was near for Classic Liberalism.
Ali Baba, and his merry band of maurading Congressional thieves are working assidulously to dominate our every doing, our every thing in life. The money changers, too, from on high look down on us, contemptful of our very existence it seems. they will exchange "Holiday" greetings with one another this year, and pass us by on the sidewalks we share. Theirs will be an example of Godlessness on parade, for they have given up on Christ, and given up on the most meaningful things in life itself.
We are religiously instructed to tithe our meager monies in the name of goodness, and we do so. But no one ever told us we would be told that tithing doesn't always stop at our home, and in our pockets. Tithing, a metafor for taxation, is said to be noble in and of itself. The only thing noble about this is, the self styled noble aristocracy which seeks to enlist us as Knights of someone elses round table. All this, in the name of a new God, the god of wealth and power acquisition, for the privileged few, but not for the ordinary folk.
Wish yourself a very Merry Christmas this year. So great a number of people, bound inescapably to the gentried set, and not a peep is heard. It is long past the date when we should have taken more direct action against these people. The time is here, the time is now!
So, to Barney, and Chris, and Chuckie, and Nancy, and Harry, it is time for you to pull the Christmas sleigh through the darkened night.In your travels, may you gain the wisdom, and the strength to admit your failings, and tell us you seek repentance. Do it now!
Ordinary people manage to eke out a survivable existence based solely on their commitment to honest labor, and honest dealings with those with whom they trade. Devoid of such honesty, mortal life loses quite a bit of it's lustre, and it's appeal for us. Moments of despair are foisted on us by virtue of our own actions, actions that do not satisfy the standards of christian beliefs.
Christ, during a rare moment of anger, entered the Temple of the money changers, and drove out those who sold, and those who bought in the Temple. Christ sternly announced that, "...you have made it a den of robbers!" ( Mark 11:15-17 RSV)
Robber. Greed. Money Changers. All may be found today on Wall Street, in New York City. The ancient money changers were more business like than their contemporary counterparts, and they had to face an irate Christ in their temple. Todays money changers are not frightened of the likes of Congressman Barney Frank. No, they appeal to us through Barney for more and more money that their ship of capitalist state may stay afloat and on course. Now, not a soul is bashful about stepping forward and asking, at times demanding, more of our financial resources. With this money firmly in hand they go on about their lustful way. Company revenues underwritten with this infusion of new money, are now pronounced as fit vehicles for rewarding executives with seasonal bonuses and perks we could only dream of.
Greed is deadly to the soul. It is deadly to the health of a nation, And when we acquiesce to the greedy one's demands, we too, are accomplices, abeting the evil that surely follows.Many years ago, Liberalism, Classc Liberalism, was indistinguishable from modern day Conservatism. The Founders themselves were of the Classic Liberal mold, and a country was born, thrived, and became the envy of the world. In mid-century, it was John Kenneth Galbraith who preached in behalf of Liberalism, and we were on our way to a new kind of Liberalism---Modern Liberalism. At one time Liberals believed in liberty, individual liberty, and freedom too. Property rights were an important cog in this spinning wheel. Entrepeneurship was not only encouraged, it was looked upon with pride. Stocisim, and stiff upper lips guided a nation forward, but then came the rocks inhabited by the Sirens of greed, and of corruption. The end was near for Classic Liberalism.
Ali Baba, and his merry band of maurading Congressional thieves are working assidulously to dominate our every doing, our every thing in life. The money changers, too, from on high look down on us, contemptful of our very existence it seems. they will exchange "Holiday" greetings with one another this year, and pass us by on the sidewalks we share. Theirs will be an example of Godlessness on parade, for they have given up on Christ, and given up on the most meaningful things in life itself.
We are religiously instructed to tithe our meager monies in the name of goodness, and we do so. But no one ever told us we would be told that tithing doesn't always stop at our home, and in our pockets. Tithing, a metafor for taxation, is said to be noble in and of itself. The only thing noble about this is, the self styled noble aristocracy which seeks to enlist us as Knights of someone elses round table. All this, in the name of a new God, the god of wealth and power acquisition, for the privileged few, but not for the ordinary folk.
Wish yourself a very Merry Christmas this year. So great a number of people, bound inescapably to the gentried set, and not a peep is heard. It is long past the date when we should have taken more direct action against these people. The time is here, the time is now!
So, to Barney, and Chris, and Chuckie, and Nancy, and Harry, it is time for you to pull the Christmas sleigh through the darkened night.In your travels, may you gain the wisdom, and the strength to admit your failings, and tell us you seek repentance. Do it now!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Ophiophobia Anyone?
At home alone, I sit in the comfort of my surroundings, and reflect on life. Not any life in particular, but my life, and the lves of those I love. But! When it becomes apparent that we are not really alone behind our closed doors, my thoughts turn to what others are thinking of at this same time. In Sweden, for example, social reconstructionists are applauding that country's efforts to bring in outside foreign "workers" to answer their declining demographic status. You see, the Swedes, growing older, need the strong backs of someone, anyone, to care for them as they retreat into retirement. The result thus far? Rock throwing at buses has increased 66% in just one year! No one seems to know why, but the fickle finger of Swedish fate points it's forgiving finger at the immigrantt population new to the Swedish scene. Rapes of young Swedish women are also up, and the hand wringers fret foolishly, and wonder what has gone wrong.
Anti-semitism is on a steady rise in Europe, and in the sub-continent in Spain. Apologists in high places merely wish for the "Jewish" problem to go away, possibly Israel as well. Somewhere, there are other people smiling, one might think. Now, is not the time for their active participation in the demise of Europe, for the Europeans are doing that quite famously on their very own.
Here in America, we people are thinking of similar things. How to recover our grasp on our country, and how but to simply feed, and clothe our families. The grandeur of America stands as a symbol of a mighty people, and a strong and proud country. Our motto ought to be: "Laborare est orare", to labor is to pray. While we are at it, in keeping with the Latin frame of reference, we should also remember: "Soli Deo Gloria", The glory is in God alone.
Fitful men are hard at work, honest labor they believe, devising plans for the remaking of America. The night grows darker, and so do our chances for retainment of our values, and our way of life.Europeans are also fitfully working. Doggedly, they pursue a new and improved colossus of a revised European Union. This new Union based on the language precepts of the Lisbon Treaty, assure them of one simple new fact of life. They will lose, effectively, their national sovereignties. That is ok though, for the benefits heavily outweigh the negatives of membership they are told by the European elitists at the helm. Funny thing happened on the way to the dance however. The Irish (you can always count on the Irish to screw things up) decided that this newest version of the EU was not necessarily in the best interest of their country. As a result they are being labeled as being obstructionists by those in Europe who obviously know better than the Irish, what the best interests of Ireland really are.
Does any of this sound somewhat familiar? Hmmm...now that I think of it, these people might just as well be in Washington, where we are being told that they, the elitists (US version) know so much better what it is that is in our best interests.Amazingly, these squabbling Europeans are being held up on false idol pedestals by the elitists, and we are told we must emulate their work, and seek their forgiveness for eight long years of cowboy diplomacy by that evil one, himself, George Bush.
We are told further, that soon we will come to be loved and appreciated for whom we have become under the guidance of a much more understanding Barack Obama.
To our left, across that pearl water expanse known as the Pacific Ocean, the Chinese too, wait for signs that America is imploding upon itself. Then at the right moment, and not a minute sooner, they will pick up the pieces of a new Roman decay, and build anew right on top of Old Glory!
Unless.........we summon the ghost of Colonel Christopher Gadsden for an encore performance. You might remember the Colonel. He was the man from South Cariolina who presented that famous yellow flag, with the menacing likeness of a coiled eastern rattlesnake, over the words; Don't Tread On Me, to the secretary of the US Navy. As menacing as the snake appears, a rattler won't attack without provocation, after that, all bets are off.
We need a similar flag to represent us. Perhaps a yellow likeness with one of the fiercest descendants of that same snake, coiled and waiting, just waiting. The wording would be a little different however. This time the flag will read: Don't Tread On Us!!
Anti-semitism is on a steady rise in Europe, and in the sub-continent in Spain. Apologists in high places merely wish for the "Jewish" problem to go away, possibly Israel as well. Somewhere, there are other people smiling, one might think. Now, is not the time for their active participation in the demise of Europe, for the Europeans are doing that quite famously on their very own.
Here in America, we people are thinking of similar things. How to recover our grasp on our country, and how but to simply feed, and clothe our families. The grandeur of America stands as a symbol of a mighty people, and a strong and proud country. Our motto ought to be: "Laborare est orare", to labor is to pray. While we are at it, in keeping with the Latin frame of reference, we should also remember: "Soli Deo Gloria", The glory is in God alone.
Fitful men are hard at work, honest labor they believe, devising plans for the remaking of America. The night grows darker, and so do our chances for retainment of our values, and our way of life.Europeans are also fitfully working. Doggedly, they pursue a new and improved colossus of a revised European Union. This new Union based on the language precepts of the Lisbon Treaty, assure them of one simple new fact of life. They will lose, effectively, their national sovereignties. That is ok though, for the benefits heavily outweigh the negatives of membership they are told by the European elitists at the helm. Funny thing happened on the way to the dance however. The Irish (you can always count on the Irish to screw things up) decided that this newest version of the EU was not necessarily in the best interest of their country. As a result they are being labeled as being obstructionists by those in Europe who obviously know better than the Irish, what the best interests of Ireland really are.
Does any of this sound somewhat familiar? Hmmm...now that I think of it, these people might just as well be in Washington, where we are being told that they, the elitists (US version) know so much better what it is that is in our best interests.Amazingly, these squabbling Europeans are being held up on false idol pedestals by the elitists, and we are told we must emulate their work, and seek their forgiveness for eight long years of cowboy diplomacy by that evil one, himself, George Bush.
We are told further, that soon we will come to be loved and appreciated for whom we have become under the guidance of a much more understanding Barack Obama.
To our left, across that pearl water expanse known as the Pacific Ocean, the Chinese too, wait for signs that America is imploding upon itself. Then at the right moment, and not a minute sooner, they will pick up the pieces of a new Roman decay, and build anew right on top of Old Glory!
Unless.........we summon the ghost of Colonel Christopher Gadsden for an encore performance. You might remember the Colonel. He was the man from South Cariolina who presented that famous yellow flag, with the menacing likeness of a coiled eastern rattlesnake, over the words; Don't Tread On Me, to the secretary of the US Navy. As menacing as the snake appears, a rattler won't attack without provocation, after that, all bets are off.
We need a similar flag to represent us. Perhaps a yellow likeness with one of the fiercest descendants of that same snake, coiled and waiting, just waiting. The wording would be a little different however. This time the flag will read: Don't Tread On Us!!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Wall Street Good At..What Else?...Building Walls
ABC News is good for something after all.
The good fellow news gatherers of the much maligned MSM, have done themselves proud. They almost sound like responsible, and quite reputable members of the Fourth Estate. Should we applaud them, or boo them? Personally, I believe they are just rubbing our noses in the scummy mess created by Liberals and their MSM handlers.
In the western looking canyon atmosphere of New York City's financial district, aka Wall Street, the monied men in business suits are showing us how to do it, to US that is. ABC News asked 16 of the banking institutions receiving federal TARP money (bail-out money) how they planned to use that money, and whether they were gong to pay executive bonuses this year from those same funds.
Not surprisingly, only one of the 16 banks gave a straight answer to what must have seemed like a loaded question. American Express Group told that it would be paying 100 milion in bonus money to 168 employees. However, they cautioned that the bonus money would come from company revenues, and not from capitally invested federal TARP funds. Here I pause to offer a sigh of relief. They actually answered a question truthfully!
The other 15 recipients of TARP funds ranging from the 150 billion extended to American Express Group ( Exactly what is a GROUP anyway?) to Marshall and Isley on the lower end of federal largesse at 1.715 billion, all said the same thing. They were going to use federal money to extend loans to "credit worthy customers", assist mortgage holders who were having poblems repaying loans, BUT they would not use federal money to pay executive bonuses, rather, they would be paying the bonuses with company revenue money.
Let's see, two revenue streams, one federal, one company, each with a seperate purpose in mind. Nothing like clean books I always say. Still, something stinks in Denmark.
Anytime you read or hear the word "federal" used to describe a sum of money, large or small, think of it as YOUR money being spoken of. Money that you didn't specifically agree to be used in the manner the feds want to use it. Here's another way to look at this:
We, you, all of us here at TS, and others across America, are the benefactors, and not the beneficiaries, of this kind of federal thinking. For example, should these banking institutions NOT have received YOUR money where then, would the money have come from to pay these executive bonuses? From company revenues? But I thought we were told these companies were too big to fail, and that WE had to bail them out. Without money, how could they have justified paying exhorbitant bonuses to these top execs? Face it, this was all going to be done in spite of your objections, or mine. not that it was a fait accompli, simply that these institutions were TOO BIG to fail.
Weren't we the magnanimous ones? We came through right when our country needed us most, didn't we?
Congress, taking it's cue from Wall Street, afforded themselves a pay raise this week. I suppose this was because they too, were too big to fail, and here we came with buckets of additional money to their rescue. Now,don't you go looking for proclamations of acclaim for your actions taken in behalf of all those too big to fail, there won't be any, any time soon.
We the "suckers" got suckered by people just like us. People whom we pass on the street each day, people we keep re-electing to public ofice, and we keep coming back for more of the same.So, during this Christmas season, this holiday period, I will be going to Walter Reed Army Hospital with my grand children to commiserate, and honor the true brave souls who too, were suckered by those many who sent them to their places of personal enlightenment in a faraway land, and then were critical of them, and of their mission. As a matter of fact, we'll be doing this on January 20th, 2009, when not too far away others will be assembed to hear from the ONE, and the ONLY.
Wall Street builds additional walls, behind which decisions are made as to how best to use the funds we so graciously provided them with. These are walls that must be breached. We are Joshua, and those walls are no impediment to our energies, and to our will. Those walls will tumble down!
Merry Christmas everyone! May your days be bright and fulfilled of promise. Please say prayers for our fighting soldiers, especially those with bleak futures ahead of them. We will carry your thoughts with us.
The good fellow news gatherers of the much maligned MSM, have done themselves proud. They almost sound like responsible, and quite reputable members of the Fourth Estate. Should we applaud them, or boo them? Personally, I believe they are just rubbing our noses in the scummy mess created by Liberals and their MSM handlers.
In the western looking canyon atmosphere of New York City's financial district, aka Wall Street, the monied men in business suits are showing us how to do it, to US that is. ABC News asked 16 of the banking institutions receiving federal TARP money (bail-out money) how they planned to use that money, and whether they were gong to pay executive bonuses this year from those same funds.
Not surprisingly, only one of the 16 banks gave a straight answer to what must have seemed like a loaded question. American Express Group told that it would be paying 100 milion in bonus money to 168 employees. However, they cautioned that the bonus money would come from company revenues, and not from capitally invested federal TARP funds. Here I pause to offer a sigh of relief. They actually answered a question truthfully!
The other 15 recipients of TARP funds ranging from the 150 billion extended to American Express Group ( Exactly what is a GROUP anyway?) to Marshall and Isley on the lower end of federal largesse at 1.715 billion, all said the same thing. They were going to use federal money to extend loans to "credit worthy customers", assist mortgage holders who were having poblems repaying loans, BUT they would not use federal money to pay executive bonuses, rather, they would be paying the bonuses with company revenue money.
Let's see, two revenue streams, one federal, one company, each with a seperate purpose in mind. Nothing like clean books I always say. Still, something stinks in Denmark.
Anytime you read or hear the word "federal" used to describe a sum of money, large or small, think of it as YOUR money being spoken of. Money that you didn't specifically agree to be used in the manner the feds want to use it. Here's another way to look at this:
We, you, all of us here at TS, and others across America, are the benefactors, and not the beneficiaries, of this kind of federal thinking. For example, should these banking institutions NOT have received YOUR money where then, would the money have come from to pay these executive bonuses? From company revenues? But I thought we were told these companies were too big to fail, and that WE had to bail them out. Without money, how could they have justified paying exhorbitant bonuses to these top execs? Face it, this was all going to be done in spite of your objections, or mine. not that it was a fait accompli, simply that these institutions were TOO BIG to fail.
Weren't we the magnanimous ones? We came through right when our country needed us most, didn't we?
Congress, taking it's cue from Wall Street, afforded themselves a pay raise this week. I suppose this was because they too, were too big to fail, and here we came with buckets of additional money to their rescue. Now,don't you go looking for proclamations of acclaim for your actions taken in behalf of all those too big to fail, there won't be any, any time soon.
We the "suckers" got suckered by people just like us. People whom we pass on the street each day, people we keep re-electing to public ofice, and we keep coming back for more of the same.So, during this Christmas season, this holiday period, I will be going to Walter Reed Army Hospital with my grand children to commiserate, and honor the true brave souls who too, were suckered by those many who sent them to their places of personal enlightenment in a faraway land, and then were critical of them, and of their mission. As a matter of fact, we'll be doing this on January 20th, 2009, when not too far away others will be assembed to hear from the ONE, and the ONLY.
Wall Street builds additional walls, behind which decisions are made as to how best to use the funds we so graciously provided them with. These are walls that must be breached. We are Joshua, and those walls are no impediment to our energies, and to our will. Those walls will tumble down!
Merry Christmas everyone! May your days be bright and fulfilled of promise. Please say prayers for our fighting soldiers, especially those with bleak futures ahead of them. We will carry your thoughts with us.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Enough Is Never Enough
Rod "Blago" Blagojevich, the embattled Illinois governor has vowed that he will not step down from office, and will fight on to remain in office, in spite of an impeachment panel's moves to do just that---get him out of there. Oh, and by the way, the panel insisted that they will not impede, nor do anything to prevent federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald's efforts to bring an indictment in the corruption scandal raging in Illinois, and by extension, in Washington, DC.( know what I mean?)
Unfortunately, Mr. Fitzgerald seems to have already done what the impachment panel has promised it won't: namely, destroy the case against Rod and others. The jury pool is tainted they say, but how can you determine that from among all the stench invested in "the Chicago way" of doing things political?
Aren't there bigger fish to fry, you protest? Of course there are, so let's begin with a few of the most egregious out there. For the sake of sanity, not brevity, I'll list them in numbered order:
1. Caroline Schlossberg Kennedy, or is it Caroline KENNEDY Schlossberg?No less than former president Bill Clinton pronounced her as "qualified" to be a US Senator.Where does that leaveSarah Palin's qualifications in the former president's mind. I wonder? Hey! Let's not go there!
2. Bill Clinton himself.His library's list of money donors was released today. There are few surprises on the list: Saudia Arabia, Brunei,Kuwait, Oman and Qatar are all there, along with the usual suspects, i.e. the Hollywood elites, and sundry others.How's that for a potential conflict list, Hillary?
3. Barrack Obama
Enough said.
What a boring cadre of list seekers these are. There must be different fish in another section of the pond. Let's go look together. Ahah! Who are those funny men with the strange looking hats on? Oh, they are Amish people you say. Boy! I'll bet they would like to be on someone's list, wouldn't you think? Don't I remember them from somewhere? Some movie perhaps about nine years ago, I believe. Yes! Harrison Ford and kelly McGillis were the featured actors, and in the end Harrison was busy helping all the men with the funny hats, to build a new barn. I remember it clearly now.
Well, they've made someone's list. In fact, a county Supervisor's list in Jackson County, Wisconsin. It seems these Amish have the gall to build their own homes in accord with their traditons, and do not feel it necessary to abide by county and local building codes when constructing their new homes. That is just too much for Gary Olson, the Supervisor in question. He believes they must comply in spite of their religion's dictates, and has taken them to court to force compliance. Next thing you know, he'll threaten to huff, and puff, and blow their homes down. Simultaneously, other cases have been bought against more Amish folk in Wisconsin, and New York State. Inasmuch as the Amish never defend themselves, advocates have taken up their cause, in their behalf, and strong legal arguments have been put forward, defense attorneys agree.
Now we have the new Devil, and he is the Amish people! How dare they protest on simple grounds of religious beliefs? The world waited, and the world was given the "Annointed One". The Amish stay in the background of daily life, ask for nothing, but now get a dose of political reality in the form of a zealous county Supervisor in Wisconsin, of all places. And I thought they were famous only for their cheese, and cows.
Harrison Ford, old though he may be, must surely be seeing a sequel in his film future. The movie "Witness" starring he and Kelly, is the best choice for sequelization. We, I mean he, could call it "Next Witness Please!", or how about, "The Kingdom of The Crystal House Crunchers"? "Star wars" doesn't fit here too well, does it?
Hey! wait a minute! Instead of Amish advocates, how about enlisting the opponents of California's Proposition 8 in the defense of these affable farmers? Couldn't they stir things up a bit? Let's see, Rick Warren? Nah, he'll be too busy figuring out what in the heck Obama wants him to come to Washington for. How about John McCain, the man with time on his hands, and a certain willingness to cross the furrowed earth, if not in Washington, then certainly in Wisconsin's fertile farmland? Sorry, "I have to cross an aisle here today, and the traffic is not so bad here." John will say.
All in all, the Amish will have to reconcile themselves to this new day in America, or will they?Just as Ramos and Compean have not lost their lustre as American patriots, neither shall the Amish have to relinquish their tenacious hold on their religious principles (there's that word, principle, again)
The Liberals are hell bent on taking taking God and religion out of America, and now, the Amish have been added to their list of things to wrench from the hands of a proud, and free people. I pray the stink rising from the fields of Wisconsin are the remnants of a dying, and rotting corpse of Liberalism itself, and not the sacred beliefs of proud Americans.ps. might not the Amish affix the holiest of names, and call their individual home sites "Holy Houses, or Places"? That seems to work effectively against the Liberal "dhimmi" in Iran and other places in the near east.
Oh Grand Unifier, where are you when needed most?
Enough said!
Unfortunately, Mr. Fitzgerald seems to have already done what the impachment panel has promised it won't: namely, destroy the case against Rod and others. The jury pool is tainted they say, but how can you determine that from among all the stench invested in "the Chicago way" of doing things political?
Aren't there bigger fish to fry, you protest? Of course there are, so let's begin with a few of the most egregious out there. For the sake of sanity, not brevity, I'll list them in numbered order:
1. Caroline Schlossberg Kennedy, or is it Caroline KENNEDY Schlossberg?No less than former president Bill Clinton pronounced her as "qualified" to be a US Senator.Where does that leaveSarah Palin's qualifications in the former president's mind. I wonder? Hey! Let's not go there!
2. Bill Clinton himself.His library's list of money donors was released today. There are few surprises on the list: Saudia Arabia, Brunei,Kuwait, Oman and Qatar are all there, along with the usual suspects, i.e. the Hollywood elites, and sundry others.How's that for a potential conflict list, Hillary?
3. Barrack Obama
Enough said.
What a boring cadre of list seekers these are. There must be different fish in another section of the pond. Let's go look together. Ahah! Who are those funny men with the strange looking hats on? Oh, they are Amish people you say. Boy! I'll bet they would like to be on someone's list, wouldn't you think? Don't I remember them from somewhere? Some movie perhaps about nine years ago, I believe. Yes! Harrison Ford and kelly McGillis were the featured actors, and in the end Harrison was busy helping all the men with the funny hats, to build a new barn. I remember it clearly now.
Well, they've made someone's list. In fact, a county Supervisor's list in Jackson County, Wisconsin. It seems these Amish have the gall to build their own homes in accord with their traditons, and do not feel it necessary to abide by county and local building codes when constructing their new homes. That is just too much for Gary Olson, the Supervisor in question. He believes they must comply in spite of their religion's dictates, and has taken them to court to force compliance. Next thing you know, he'll threaten to huff, and puff, and blow their homes down. Simultaneously, other cases have been bought against more Amish folk in Wisconsin, and New York State. Inasmuch as the Amish never defend themselves, advocates have taken up their cause, in their behalf, and strong legal arguments have been put forward, defense attorneys agree.
Now we have the new Devil, and he is the Amish people! How dare they protest on simple grounds of religious beliefs? The world waited, and the world was given the "Annointed One". The Amish stay in the background of daily life, ask for nothing, but now get a dose of political reality in the form of a zealous county Supervisor in Wisconsin, of all places. And I thought they were famous only for their cheese, and cows.
Harrison Ford, old though he may be, must surely be seeing a sequel in his film future. The movie "Witness" starring he and Kelly, is the best choice for sequelization. We, I mean he, could call it "Next Witness Please!", or how about, "The Kingdom of The Crystal House Crunchers"? "Star wars" doesn't fit here too well, does it?
Hey! wait a minute! Instead of Amish advocates, how about enlisting the opponents of California's Proposition 8 in the defense of these affable farmers? Couldn't they stir things up a bit? Let's see, Rick Warren? Nah, he'll be too busy figuring out what in the heck Obama wants him to come to Washington for. How about John McCain, the man with time on his hands, and a certain willingness to cross the furrowed earth, if not in Washington, then certainly in Wisconsin's fertile farmland? Sorry, "I have to cross an aisle here today, and the traffic is not so bad here." John will say.
All in all, the Amish will have to reconcile themselves to this new day in America, or will they?Just as Ramos and Compean have not lost their lustre as American patriots, neither shall the Amish have to relinquish their tenacious hold on their religious principles (there's that word, principle, again)
The Liberals are hell bent on taking taking God and religion out of America, and now, the Amish have been added to their list of things to wrench from the hands of a proud, and free people. I pray the stink rising from the fields of Wisconsin are the remnants of a dying, and rotting corpse of Liberalism itself, and not the sacred beliefs of proud Americans.ps. might not the Amish affix the holiest of names, and call their individual home sites "Holy Houses, or Places"? That seems to work effectively against the Liberal "dhimmi" in Iran and other places in the near east.
Oh Grand Unifier, where are you when needed most?
Enough said!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Conservatism Is...
There are those who call themselves "Compassionate conservatives", but who are really Liberal more than not. There are those who say they are Conservative, but like the actors who do not live up to the billing, stray unavoidably from true Conservative principles often times. There are so-called "social" Conservatives, with a tendency to engage in profligate spending of public money to that end. Then there are the "fiscal" Conservatives, who are derided for lacking a social conscience caught in the rat trap because they dared to NOT spend the public moneys, and are labeled as being without a "social conscience".
This year in particular, the "Republican party elders" offer that it is time to redefine Conservatism, for it is no longer a winner for them as a party. None other than Colin Powell, has said recently that the republican party should "fire" Rush Limbaugh, purportedly, because Rush was a bad influence, and the party should disassociate itself pronto. Newt, among others, I think, believes that the Reagan Era is long gone, and rather effete, if not down right antithetical to modern day Conservative view points.
You get the picture. We lost an election by giving these people exactly what they demanded in a candidate for the presidency this year, and somehow, it is the Conservative base's fault for that loss. It was not so much that Conservatives acceded, Conservatives were unable to convince the party of the need for a principled individual to represent the party in 2008. Instead, Washington insider elitists got their wish, and when their wish bore not the fruits of victory, they looked elsewhere for someone to blame, ergo, the Conservative base.
We do not have to go back to the Founders discussions when implementing their vision for the greatest country ever to represent a people. We have only to travel back some 28 years to the nascent days of the man who was to become Conservatism's most eloquent spokesperson. Ronald W. Reagan was this man. Initially, he was not held in the highest regard, but how he prevailed over the rebirth of true Conservatism. His Conservatism was, and still is, contemporary with the Founders visions for America. Conservatives got a belated taste of Reagan's principles with the ascendancy of Sarah Palin to the vice president role in this recent election.
Many things Sarah is, and some things she is not One thing she is however, is a Conservative in the classic mold. In other words, when Sarah speaks, the world listens, and the Liberals denigrate her, her family, and hence, all Conservatives nation wide. Liberal fear is the root cause of this media hysteria, and the blatherings of the ONE, and the SECOND (Joe Biden). There is a fundamental reason for all this, and it is Conservatism itself.
So, what is Conservatism? If a reasonable man were to search his very soul, he would doubtless find his thoughts transforming themselves into very Conservative mouthings indeed! The very foundation of America was built upon Conservative ideas, Conservative ideals, and most importantly, Conservative principles of self governance.
How difficult is it to understand the nature of man himself? A yearning to be free, and especially free of the constraints of federal government. It has always been the other way around hasn't it? Government has always been constitutionally constrained from intrusions into personal life through the "enumeration of powers" as set forth by the Framers as a safeguard against a tyrranical government one day usurping the collective power of the people. States were left as the custodians of the bulk of the power, for the people, of the people, and by the people themselves. You wouldn't recognize this today, nor would the Framers either.
Conservatism as both a political, and personal philosophy, requires that no government, or group of individuals may impress their desires on those so governed, without the consent of the governed. Conservatives abide by the principle that we are free to succeed, or to fail in the manifold things we choose to do for ourselves, those things being both moral and legitimately engaged in. Liberty! Liberty is a Conservatives life blood, and it courses through the veins of our self sufficiency with the same effect that Warfarin, or Lipitor does in the veins of our mortal existence. Absent that liberty, our mortal existence remains very questionable.
Conservatism, Liberal protestations aside, is the most passionate of all political ideologies when it comes to individual rights, liberty and freedom. Charitable examples include the extending of a helping hand to those truly in need, and teaching those so afflicted to survive on their own that they too, may enjoy the fruits of their own labors. Conservatves teach others how to dirty their hands in honest labor, not do the work for them, thereby lessening their self dignity, and sense of worth or value to themselves and their families.
Since the 1994 Congress took their seats, there has been a steady reduction of dependency on government, especially through the Welfare Reform efforts of that congress. It is the Republican party which has lost it's ideological way, and not Conservatism. What is it that Rush always says defiantly, "Conservatism works every time it's tried!" How true
Ask yourself these questions: Do you simply want to go home at the end of a day of hard work, and be alone with a loving family? Do you want to simply be left alone to try alternative methods of advancing your family's future? Do you cherish your country's beliefs, and are willing to defend those beliefs with the sacrifice of your own life, if necessary? Do you believe in a future for your children and grand children uncomplicated by messy, and intrusive government mandates regarding your personal behavior? Do you believe in Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness?
If your answers are yes, then come on and confess, you are a Conservative!
This year in particular, the "Republican party elders" offer that it is time to redefine Conservatism, for it is no longer a winner for them as a party. None other than Colin Powell, has said recently that the republican party should "fire" Rush Limbaugh, purportedly, because Rush was a bad influence, and the party should disassociate itself pronto. Newt, among others, I think, believes that the Reagan Era is long gone, and rather effete, if not down right antithetical to modern day Conservative view points.
You get the picture. We lost an election by giving these people exactly what they demanded in a candidate for the presidency this year, and somehow, it is the Conservative base's fault for that loss. It was not so much that Conservatives acceded, Conservatives were unable to convince the party of the need for a principled individual to represent the party in 2008. Instead, Washington insider elitists got their wish, and when their wish bore not the fruits of victory, they looked elsewhere for someone to blame, ergo, the Conservative base.
We do not have to go back to the Founders discussions when implementing their vision for the greatest country ever to represent a people. We have only to travel back some 28 years to the nascent days of the man who was to become Conservatism's most eloquent spokesperson. Ronald W. Reagan was this man. Initially, he was not held in the highest regard, but how he prevailed over the rebirth of true Conservatism. His Conservatism was, and still is, contemporary with the Founders visions for America. Conservatives got a belated taste of Reagan's principles with the ascendancy of Sarah Palin to the vice president role in this recent election.
Many things Sarah is, and some things she is not One thing she is however, is a Conservative in the classic mold. In other words, when Sarah speaks, the world listens, and the Liberals denigrate her, her family, and hence, all Conservatives nation wide. Liberal fear is the root cause of this media hysteria, and the blatherings of the ONE, and the SECOND (Joe Biden). There is a fundamental reason for all this, and it is Conservatism itself.
So, what is Conservatism? If a reasonable man were to search his very soul, he would doubtless find his thoughts transforming themselves into very Conservative mouthings indeed! The very foundation of America was built upon Conservative ideas, Conservative ideals, and most importantly, Conservative principles of self governance.
How difficult is it to understand the nature of man himself? A yearning to be free, and especially free of the constraints of federal government. It has always been the other way around hasn't it? Government has always been constitutionally constrained from intrusions into personal life through the "enumeration of powers" as set forth by the Framers as a safeguard against a tyrranical government one day usurping the collective power of the people. States were left as the custodians of the bulk of the power, for the people, of the people, and by the people themselves. You wouldn't recognize this today, nor would the Framers either.
Conservatism as both a political, and personal philosophy, requires that no government, or group of individuals may impress their desires on those so governed, without the consent of the governed. Conservatives abide by the principle that we are free to succeed, or to fail in the manifold things we choose to do for ourselves, those things being both moral and legitimately engaged in. Liberty! Liberty is a Conservatives life blood, and it courses through the veins of our self sufficiency with the same effect that Warfarin, or Lipitor does in the veins of our mortal existence. Absent that liberty, our mortal existence remains very questionable.
Conservatism, Liberal protestations aside, is the most passionate of all political ideologies when it comes to individual rights, liberty and freedom. Charitable examples include the extending of a helping hand to those truly in need, and teaching those so afflicted to survive on their own that they too, may enjoy the fruits of their own labors. Conservatves teach others how to dirty their hands in honest labor, not do the work for them, thereby lessening their self dignity, and sense of worth or value to themselves and their families.
Since the 1994 Congress took their seats, there has been a steady reduction of dependency on government, especially through the Welfare Reform efforts of that congress. It is the Republican party which has lost it's ideological way, and not Conservatism. What is it that Rush always says defiantly, "Conservatism works every time it's tried!" How true
Ask yourself these questions: Do you simply want to go home at the end of a day of hard work, and be alone with a loving family? Do you want to simply be left alone to try alternative methods of advancing your family's future? Do you cherish your country's beliefs, and are willing to defend those beliefs with the sacrifice of your own life, if necessary? Do you believe in a future for your children and grand children uncomplicated by messy, and intrusive government mandates regarding your personal behavior? Do you believe in Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness?
If your answers are yes, then come on and confess, you are a Conservative!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
The jolly Green Giant Is Headed Your Way
Now that Barack Hussein Obama (it's ok to use his middle name now) has named Steven Chu, a professor at the University of California, at Berkeley, Ca,, as his energy secretary, Lisa Jackson, chief of Staff to Jon Corzine, Governor of New Jersey, as his administrator of the EPA, Carol Browner, former EPA head under Bill Clinton, as his White House energy and environmental policy "tsar", and finally, Nancy Sutley, Deputy mayor for energy and environment in Los Angeles, as his White House Counsel on environmental quality, well, we are in for one heck of a ride.
This cast of characters will be shepherding Obama's policys regarding America's future energy needs. Needless to say, our future appears to be one of greater dependence on foreign sources for the desperately needed oil of our country's economy. Further, it seems there will be more corn put into bio-fuels, and less corn into the tummys of the "hungry" Americans we hear so much about these days. Soon enough, we will be replacing the age old "aw shucks!", with a revised phrase to use called simply: "less shucks!" Compact fluorescent bulbs, notwithstanding their personal environmental perils, will be the order of the day, and I do mean ORDER! How in heaven's name are all the soon to be laid off workers in this free falling economic mess going to read the want ads, looking for new jobs?
Meanwhile, the American Petroleum Institute has submitted a new report regarding the nation's recoverable oil and natural gas supplies. This study recognizes the rather dire nature of our country's willingness to develop coastal areas, the ANWR, and proven western reserves. Without boring you with the details, let us focus rather, on what is in store for us as innauguration day approaches. Obama has announced repeatedly that he is not even lukewarm to the idea of America securing it's energy independence. In fact, with the four appointments noted above, so-called renewable energy schemes are to be put into place almost immediately. Doubtless, this will make the "greens" ecstatic, but Americans will continue to suffer in the face of a worsening economy. What can we do?
First, the president-elect must determine whether or not such policys are fully warranted. By this, I mean are the prospects of massive unemployment something to gloss over? When tens of thousands of American workers might find well paying jobs in the oil industries efforts to bring oil and gas to us, from within America's borders, should we not invest in that promise of needed employment relief? If the intent by Obama is to actually spend the trillions, not billions, of dollars he has proclaimed he would, then where is this money to come from? The Fed can print only so much valueless paper, and then the bottom falls out. Back at the ranch, the revenues flowing into federal coffers as a result of a committed drive to secure energy independence, would sky rocket.
Although the ONE and his administration seem to have no questions, there are answers waiting for the relevant questions to be asked. Perhaps, that's it. No person with an IQ of 100 can escape undetrstanding this, why then, is not the solution as apparent to them, as it is to the common people among us? It just might be a matter of policy after all, might it not? A policy of degrading this nation's wealth, and it's standing in the world of nations.
Many on the political scene have commented on the hypocrisy of Liberalism and it's goals. however, only one has spoken at length about what all this means for America. That person is Sarah Palin, and I surely hope she speaks out soon on these plans for the demise of a once proud, soon to be, nation. She understands better than most Washington insiders, that a man needs not only dignity, but an opportunity to dirty his hands at honest labor. At the end of a day of honest toil, that man wants nothing more than to be able to go to a warm, and comforting home, with his family beside him. Still, this incoming administration denigrates, and demonizes the great American dream.
Remember this, victims are not born victims, they are cleverly made into victims by those whose sole interest is in the preservation of political power. Haven't we had enough of this contemptful thinking? Let's create the jobs, and not the long welfare lines. Let's invest once more in the America we all love, and forget about the communal community of nations ideal about to be forced upon us.
America is at the precipice. Shall we simply fall over, or should we resist with the determination, and the resolve of the early pioneers? Such valiant people knew not the perils in their paths, they had a greater goal for themselves, and for their families, and ultimately, for America itself.
Drill baby, drill, has been a recent battle cry. First, we must "drill" that sentiment into the heads of the incoming administration. After all, this is America. Nothing is impossible here, a tad difficult possibly, but certainly, not impossible. Watch out jolly green giant, something's headed your way. Remember the battle cry of Larry the Cable Guy? Git 'er done!!
This cast of characters will be shepherding Obama's policys regarding America's future energy needs. Needless to say, our future appears to be one of greater dependence on foreign sources for the desperately needed oil of our country's economy. Further, it seems there will be more corn put into bio-fuels, and less corn into the tummys of the "hungry" Americans we hear so much about these days. Soon enough, we will be replacing the age old "aw shucks!", with a revised phrase to use called simply: "less shucks!" Compact fluorescent bulbs, notwithstanding their personal environmental perils, will be the order of the day, and I do mean ORDER! How in heaven's name are all the soon to be laid off workers in this free falling economic mess going to read the want ads, looking for new jobs?
Meanwhile, the American Petroleum Institute has submitted a new report regarding the nation's recoverable oil and natural gas supplies. This study recognizes the rather dire nature of our country's willingness to develop coastal areas, the ANWR, and proven western reserves. Without boring you with the details, let us focus rather, on what is in store for us as innauguration day approaches. Obama has announced repeatedly that he is not even lukewarm to the idea of America securing it's energy independence. In fact, with the four appointments noted above, so-called renewable energy schemes are to be put into place almost immediately. Doubtless, this will make the "greens" ecstatic, but Americans will continue to suffer in the face of a worsening economy. What can we do?
First, the president-elect must determine whether or not such policys are fully warranted. By this, I mean are the prospects of massive unemployment something to gloss over? When tens of thousands of American workers might find well paying jobs in the oil industries efforts to bring oil and gas to us, from within America's borders, should we not invest in that promise of needed employment relief? If the intent by Obama is to actually spend the trillions, not billions, of dollars he has proclaimed he would, then where is this money to come from? The Fed can print only so much valueless paper, and then the bottom falls out. Back at the ranch, the revenues flowing into federal coffers as a result of a committed drive to secure energy independence, would sky rocket.
Although the ONE and his administration seem to have no questions, there are answers waiting for the relevant questions to be asked. Perhaps, that's it. No person with an IQ of 100 can escape undetrstanding this, why then, is not the solution as apparent to them, as it is to the common people among us? It just might be a matter of policy after all, might it not? A policy of degrading this nation's wealth, and it's standing in the world of nations.
Many on the political scene have commented on the hypocrisy of Liberalism and it's goals. however, only one has spoken at length about what all this means for America. That person is Sarah Palin, and I surely hope she speaks out soon on these plans for the demise of a once proud, soon to be, nation. She understands better than most Washington insiders, that a man needs not only dignity, but an opportunity to dirty his hands at honest labor. At the end of a day of honest toil, that man wants nothing more than to be able to go to a warm, and comforting home, with his family beside him. Still, this incoming administration denigrates, and demonizes the great American dream.
Remember this, victims are not born victims, they are cleverly made into victims by those whose sole interest is in the preservation of political power. Haven't we had enough of this contemptful thinking? Let's create the jobs, and not the long welfare lines. Let's invest once more in the America we all love, and forget about the communal community of nations ideal about to be forced upon us.
America is at the precipice. Shall we simply fall over, or should we resist with the determination, and the resolve of the early pioneers? Such valiant people knew not the perils in their paths, they had a greater goal for themselves, and for their families, and ultimately, for America itself.
Drill baby, drill, has been a recent battle cry. First, we must "drill" that sentiment into the heads of the incoming administration. After all, this is America. Nothing is impossible here, a tad difficult possibly, but certainly, not impossible. Watch out jolly green giant, something's headed your way. Remember the battle cry of Larry the Cable Guy? Git 'er done!!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
A Day To Wonder
Many are the cares, many are the woes
facing each one of us day in day out
never it seems are the moments when
each one of us is tired and without
but a glimmer of hope that lies just ahead
around the corner and up on the hill
under a shade tree so bushy and tall
are the children Jack and his Jill
they laugh and they play joyfully so
in their world all is right or so it seems
these children two with eyes that shine
realizing no more than their dreams...
Yes, our children dream, and they have their dreams of future days and nights. In a perfect world theirs would be the fruits of our labors in their behalf. In a perfect world, they, none of them, would ever think of asking for anything save that which was rightly, and justly earned. But a perfect world is only a vision of what ought to be, and not what actually is. A perfect world being a simple idea that motivates people, is still but a dream, although one worth striving for, wouldn't you say?
Jesus Christ's birthday, Christmas, is one such example of an idea whose time is put before us as a sign of hope and of peace for all. It is much more than that though. To believe in Christmas, to believe in anything at all, is to exercise your faith in the inherent goodness of man, and in the guidance of a loving, and just God. Before any child is left alone to dream the dreams of children many, they must understand the implicit necessity of embracing faith in themselves, their parents and their God. By extension, they must have faith in the governments established, and in their resolve to be good citizens. At times, they must stand and question, loudly, and boldly, when they are witness to acts not in the best interests of themselves, their parents, and especially their country.
The task, not the chore, of educating our children will always bear fruitful results, providing that education is offered to them in meaningful ways. Our sincerity is their adopted sincerity. Our determination is their commitment to similar feelings of wanting to know more, and more about their world to come. Our shared love for the ideals set forth by the Founders, becomes their enlightened view of how to act and how to react to threats that threaten their way of life.
In time, the torch is passed, and comfort is derived by the teachers among us, from the newest examples of youthful accomplishments.
David, with but a sling, slew the Goliath, and the Jews were saved. Washington survived the winter at Valley Forge, crossed the Delaware, and a nation's future was born amid the swirling snows. Lincoln persevered, and carried the conscience of a nation across his strong shoulders, and a nation was saved from itself. Later, Johnny came marching home proudly, and a nations rightful place in the world was secured. A man named Churchill defied an onslaught from the east, and stirred the minds and hearts of Americans all. Another man named King lighted the way out of darkness, and another named Reagan taught a nation how to believe in itself, and in it's simple goodness. All these exampes of men bound by the common thread of faith, are illustrious, profoundly so, and more than worthy of being studied and honored by our children. They too, will one day add their own precious examples of accomplishments underwritten by a faithful resolve to do the correct things.
All being ephemeral, the fame and the famous too, pass away to other places, to other destinies. Jesus Christ is the lone exception. He survives in the mind, the heart, and in our souls. Each new day is a new day of promise, a new day of sacrificing for the better good. let this not be lost on anyone, principally our leaders, and especially our children. Glory in the highest is our constant refrain, and our greatest hope. May it never be said of us that we have failed. That we selfishly ignored the requisites of faith, and good will toward others. Above all, that we sacrificed the future for the peace of the moment.
In the movie, "The Bishp's Wife", the homily written for the Bishop by the Angel of God, stressed that a single stocking was hung, and that stocking was the stocking hung for the baby Jesus. There was nothing in that stocking on Christmas Eve. The question posed was, "What will you put in the stocking for your Lord, Jesus Christ?"
An empty stocking hangs from the mantel. It awaits you, and your faith in all that is good. What will each put into the stocking hung with the greatest of care?
facing each one of us day in day out
never it seems are the moments when
each one of us is tired and without
but a glimmer of hope that lies just ahead
around the corner and up on the hill
under a shade tree so bushy and tall
are the children Jack and his Jill
they laugh and they play joyfully so
in their world all is right or so it seems
these children two with eyes that shine
realizing no more than their dreams...
Yes, our children dream, and they have their dreams of future days and nights. In a perfect world theirs would be the fruits of our labors in their behalf. In a perfect world, they, none of them, would ever think of asking for anything save that which was rightly, and justly earned. But a perfect world is only a vision of what ought to be, and not what actually is. A perfect world being a simple idea that motivates people, is still but a dream, although one worth striving for, wouldn't you say?
Jesus Christ's birthday, Christmas, is one such example of an idea whose time is put before us as a sign of hope and of peace for all. It is much more than that though. To believe in Christmas, to believe in anything at all, is to exercise your faith in the inherent goodness of man, and in the guidance of a loving, and just God. Before any child is left alone to dream the dreams of children many, they must understand the implicit necessity of embracing faith in themselves, their parents and their God. By extension, they must have faith in the governments established, and in their resolve to be good citizens. At times, they must stand and question, loudly, and boldly, when they are witness to acts not in the best interests of themselves, their parents, and especially their country.
The task, not the chore, of educating our children will always bear fruitful results, providing that education is offered to them in meaningful ways. Our sincerity is their adopted sincerity. Our determination is their commitment to similar feelings of wanting to know more, and more about their world to come. Our shared love for the ideals set forth by the Founders, becomes their enlightened view of how to act and how to react to threats that threaten their way of life.
In time, the torch is passed, and comfort is derived by the teachers among us, from the newest examples of youthful accomplishments.
David, with but a sling, slew the Goliath, and the Jews were saved. Washington survived the winter at Valley Forge, crossed the Delaware, and a nation's future was born amid the swirling snows. Lincoln persevered, and carried the conscience of a nation across his strong shoulders, and a nation was saved from itself. Later, Johnny came marching home proudly, and a nations rightful place in the world was secured. A man named Churchill defied an onslaught from the east, and stirred the minds and hearts of Americans all. Another man named King lighted the way out of darkness, and another named Reagan taught a nation how to believe in itself, and in it's simple goodness. All these exampes of men bound by the common thread of faith, are illustrious, profoundly so, and more than worthy of being studied and honored by our children. They too, will one day add their own precious examples of accomplishments underwritten by a faithful resolve to do the correct things.
All being ephemeral, the fame and the famous too, pass away to other places, to other destinies. Jesus Christ is the lone exception. He survives in the mind, the heart, and in our souls. Each new day is a new day of promise, a new day of sacrificing for the better good. let this not be lost on anyone, principally our leaders, and especially our children. Glory in the highest is our constant refrain, and our greatest hope. May it never be said of us that we have failed. That we selfishly ignored the requisites of faith, and good will toward others. Above all, that we sacrificed the future for the peace of the moment.
In the movie, "The Bishp's Wife", the homily written for the Bishop by the Angel of God, stressed that a single stocking was hung, and that stocking was the stocking hung for the baby Jesus. There was nothing in that stocking on Christmas Eve. The question posed was, "What will you put in the stocking for your Lord, Jesus Christ?"
An empty stocking hangs from the mantel. It awaits you, and your faith in all that is good. What will each put into the stocking hung with the greatest of care?
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