I happened to tune Rush Limbaugh in the other day (not sure which day.) He was going on about the obscene extravagances of the Obama vacations, i.e. 3 lavish trips in as many months. That coupled with the intentional damage the Obama administration is pushing onto the American people via the “Sequestration cuts,” is enough to outrage anyone paying attention. Rush commented that he was surprised there wasn’t more of an outrage … more what? More ranting? More … This is exactly where a majority of Americans find themselves. Exactly HOW are we supposed to demonstrate our outrage? And HOW do WE-the-PEOPLE choose which of the many OUTRAGEOUS actions/policies/EX orders etc to go “ballistic” about even if we were to figure out how to GO ballistic!
Fact is, I believe the majority of the American people are awake. They SEE what is happening but feel powerless to DO anything constructive to halt the destruction. So many new organizations, groups, etc, each with their own agenda, plan, focus … NONE opting to work together with OTHER groups … WE-the-PEOPLE are too splintered, which is EXACTLY what the President wants. The more he and the media point out our DIFFERENCES, the more divided we are, and the easier it is to override OUR WILL. At some point, WE-the-PEOPLE must lay down our differences and realize it is AMERICA we need to save, AMERICA we must defend … at ALL costs, including the cost of OUR specific issue. We must unite atop the Constitution of the United States and demand our leaders obey it, comply with it, or change it legally – not by Executive order!
God birthed America with a purpose. It has been the most generous, most helpful, most innovative, the most compassionate nation on earth. Perfect? NO WAY! There are several dark chapters in our history, but the overall influence on the world has been positive … until now. Too many Americans have gotten lost amidst everyday life and circumstances. We must once again reach out our hands to one another … Hurricane Sandy victims are still without … Many are hurting in today’s economy and joblessness. REACH OUT & TOUCH … We must reach out and re-connect! Whatever else we are or are not we are Americans!
Below are a few related links to groups/organizations focused on Conservative goals. There are many other groups/organizations worthy of help, but these are the BIG THREE … IMHO. The more of us that get involved, the more authority our VOICE will have on the many issues vital to our nation’s future. Think of it as a Step of faith … We don’t know what will come of our effort, but the effort itself is a good thing! God is ultimately in control, so if we acknowledge His gentle guidance, and adhere to it, only good will come of it.
FREEDOM WORKS: FreedomWorks recruits, educates, trains and mobilizes millions of volunteer activists to fight for less government, lower taxes, and more freedom.
PATRIOT VOICES: Patriot Voices is a grassroots and online community of Americans from across the country who stand together to affect change that otherwise could not be accomplished alone. We know that standing on the sidelines is not an option. We are committed to promoting faith, family, freedom and opportunity. We believe that we’re one nation under God and all we do must be consistent with the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights. We support candidates who share our convictions and hold those accountable that serve us in elected office.
MERCURY ONE: “To inspire, organize and mobilize individuals to improve the human condition physically, emotionally and spiritually with malice towards none and charity for all.”
And for WE-the-PEOPLE … AND those who seek leadership among us …
CONTRACT FROM AMERICA: The Contract from America is a grassroots-generated, crowd-sourced, bottom-up call for real economic conservative and good governance reform in Congress.
Should we be fearful? Should we be stockpiling? “Be prepared,” for the worst, but don’t anticipate it! After all, we are Americans, the most innovative, creative, and self-reliant people on earth … right?
The last few months have seen troubling news of massive government purchases of ammunition. Agencies from the Social Security Administration to the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Homeland Security have purchased millions of rounds. But is the whole thing more hype than substance?
Ever since Barack Obama was first elected in 2008, he has been selling guns and ammunition at a faster clip than any gun salesman could hope for. And since his re-election, citizens have been faced with severe shortages of both. This can only be exacerbated by large government purchases. The Social Security Administration (SSA), for example, purchased 174,000 rounds and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) bought 320,000 rounds. More understandable in purpose but also perhaps more staggering in scale, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) put in a request for 450 million rounds, while the FBI intends to purchase 100 million.
The headlines are ominous, but some of the hype can be put in perspective by doing a little math. National Review’s Charles C. W. Cooke does just that. The SSA’s request for 174,000 rounds amounts to just 590 rounds for each of its 295 inspector general agents “who investigate Social Security fraud and other crimes.” Some of us might go through 590 rounds in an afternoon at the range. As for the USDA, 320,000 is enough to provide the same number of rounds for 542 agents, and, through the Forest Service, those agents have an area the size of Pakistan to cover.
When it comes to the bigger orders, Cooke writes, “The FBI and DHS’s apparently vast orders are deceptively presented by the conspiracy theorists. It is true that in 2011, the FBI ordered up to 100 million bullets for its 13,913 special agents (which works out to 7,187 per agent). And, yes, the Department of Homeland Security — a composite department that oversees USCIS, Customs and Border Protection, FEMA, ICE, the TSA, the Coast Guard, the Secret Service, and the National Protection Directorate — placed a request for up to 450 million rounds for its 65,000 armed personnel (which works out to 6,923 per agent). But in the real world, ammunition is not divided up and handed out on such a basis. What is bought is stockpiled and then allocated on the basis of need. The DHS’s order is expected to last for at least five years, and it was placed up front primarily as a cost-saving measure.” Indeed, DHS is not bound to buy that much; they merely have a tab on which to order more rounds as needed. And each agent would have just under 1,400 rounds per year over that span.
That certainly doesn’t mean there aren’t questions or that we should simply shrug and look the other way. For starters, the Department of Education recently placed an order for “27 Remington Brand Model 870 police 12-gauge shotguns.” This might lead any reasonable person to ask, as Cooke does, “Whether it is in possession of one bullet or 1 million bullets, should the federal Department of Education be armed in the first place? If so, why?” We would add, should there even be a Department of Education? But that’s a topic for another day. The DoE has been known to botch raids when it was the wrong enforcement vehicle from the start.
The same questions could be asked of any number of bureaucracies. Does the Social Security Administration really need an armed enforcement division? We’ve known some unruly seniors in our day, but that seems to be overkill.
Then there’s the information that’s just plain false. Reports have been circulating that DHS has procured 2,717 Mine Resistant Armor Protected (MRAP) vehicles. The truth is, DHS has had retrofitted MRAPs since 2008, and now has 16 of them for serving “high-risk warrants.” The figure of 2,717 comes from a delivery to the Marine Corps, not DHS. None of that, however, takes away from the problem that these are more properly military vehicles for war zones, not law enforcement tools. The militarization of law enforcement is undeniably troublesome. Furthermore, DHS is the same bureaucracy that claims right-wing extremists pose a threat, and it’s run by an administration that thinks that “weapons of war” shouldn’t be on our streets. Unless they’re the ones driving them, apparently.
There are certainly troubling trends here and very real threats to our Liberty, but we must be careful not to exaggerate. While readers know that we never minimize the outrageous growth of government beyond its constitutional bounds, it also doesn’t seem to us that the government is, as some have put it, “stockpiling bullets in case of civil unrest.” Questions about procurements and functions? Absolutely. Apocalypse? Not yet.
MY RESPONSE: Pray like there is no tomorrow! Pray for America, for Americans to awaken to our heritage & our destiny! Seek God’s wisdom for you and your family. That is what me & mine are doing!
“Yes,” he replied, “the same tolerance that overtook ancient Israel…a tolerance for immorality and a growing intolerance for the pure–a tolerance that mocked, marginalized, and condemned those who remained faithful to the values now being discarded. Innocence was ridiculed and virtue was vilified. Children were taught of sexual immorality in public schools while the Word of God was banned. It was a tolerance that put the profane on public display and removed nativity scenes from public sight…contraband, as if somehow they had become a threat–a strangely intolerance tolerance.” from The Harbinger: The Ancient Mystery that Holds the Secret of America’s Future
Above is an excerpt, a taste of an inspirational book. I have never been much for conspiracy theories, but neither do I believe in coincidence. Nothing happens by accident, so everything has a purpose at least one purpose, sometimes multiple purposes. I’ve only just started the book, but there is so far, nothing NEW in it, just a different presentation, a New Organization of the same things many of us have been saying for some time.
God has always sought a People to call His own. He is a God of Covenant. He made a Covenant with ancient Israel, but Israel repeatedly broke Covenant. Their rebellion brought about their own destruction – not a punishment, but the consequence of their own actions. Will America repeat Israel’s defiance and destroy herself, or will she heed the Harbingers, the warnings, the signs and even history? I pray we will humble ourselves, turn from our wicked ways and seek our loving God.
Not long ago, I remember a discussion that posed this song, The Battle Hymn of the Republic, as our National Anthem. It’s a powerful lyric with a musical score that understands the lyrics. But what does it mean?
It means … America is a nation of individuals. Each of these men and women had their own stories, their own reasons to take a stand, and their own aspirations. None were professional soldiers. None were trained in the art of “building a new nation.” The only thing they had in common was a desire to live FREE, unencumbered by government restrictions and regulations, guided only by what was “RIGHT.” They’d had enough of a tyrant – the King – ruling over them and making decisions for them… for their own good. When the king decided to disarm them, telling them he (the government) would keep them safe and take care of them, they knew better. They’d seen how the King “took care of the people” before, and they knew there had to be a better way to live. They knew!
Now, flash forward 236 years and our government today is copying the same legislative pattern Britain’s King George III followed all these years ago. We have been lulled into complacency by the power-grabbing elite of both parties, and in the process we have compromised our values, our morals, and now, we stand for NOTHING!
If only we could remember that our neighbor is just like us. We are all the same in our basic needs. Even the major religions all believe the same basic moral values and strive to improve both the individual and the culture by helping each other. If only we could remember what it feels like to do the “RIGHT” thing instead of the most profitable thing. If only we could remember the things our gramma taught us …
If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
You have two ears and one mouth, so you should listen twice as much as you speak.
Be nice to the stranger, because you may find yourself in a strange place sometime in need of help.
And so on …
There is a TRUTH that supersedes all other thought. There is a Law that is universal, fair and honest. There is a morality that governs LIFE. It is God’s Law of Love.
This is NOT a requirement to be a CHRISTIAN, but simply a point of contact, a guideline, measurement stick. Each of the major religions hold to the same basic MORAL tenets, even if other aspects differ. Buddhism, Hinduism, Paganism, Judaism, and Christianity all respect LIFE. Even Islam respects life, although they define it differently. The point is … KINDNESS, RESPECT, HONESTY, CIVILITY, INTEGRITY … there is no LAW against any of these, nor any other society that abhors any of these things. They were once vaunted here, in the United States of America, a mere generation ago. Many remember … Can we not recapture these VALUES to put VALUE back into our daily discourse with one another? Hatred is such an ugly thing! Even uglier on the streets and in the homes of … US!
God’s Law of Love is the ultimate fulfillment of Biblical law, including the Ten Commandments, as it fulfills the intent of such laws. “All the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Galatians 5:14). Through Christ’s salvation and His Law of Love, Christians are released from the Mosaic laws in the Old Testament and are no longer bound by them. Instead, they are held to a higher law—Christ’s Law of Love, which should guide all our interactions with others. It is from this place that real liberty springs!
Only WE can change America. It’s not up to the government, or Big Business, or Walmart, or the oil companies. It’s up to US… you and me. We must decide. We MUST choose … Liberty of die!
By all appearances, America has joined the ranks of Socialist nations like the UK and Italy to open wide for Islam’s welcome in spite of the volumes of evidence that decry such a move. No other “religion” (and I use the term loosely) has such an extreme “exclusivity” clause as Islam which commands “JIHAD” on all who will not convert. No exceptions, no other criteria, no other religions accepted.
“Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word, equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude.” Alexis de Tocqueville
It cannot be a good thing, an evolutionary bonus for one nation to open its doors to it avowed enemy, even in an attempt to “understand” them. We in the West, cannot get inside the heads of these people because we haven’t lived their lives, their morals, their life standard. I’m not talking about rich v poor here. Afghans, for example, have never tasted personal liberty. They teach their children hatred of the Jews and the West from their births. Americans are not familiar with this even if we “know” it with our minds. it is something totally foreign to us.
“Given the history of mankind, few generations escape the threat of civilizational darkness in one form or another, and the Free West has had perhaps more than its share of challenges. If blessed or fortunate, these forces of destruction are met when a people are in their ascendency or vigor and able to command their virtues as a counter to subjugation or annihilation. In contrast, societies which have forgotten their martial fortitude and love of self-determination, a trait that all healthy higher cultures manifest, telegraph unmistakably that they are exhausted and ripe for concessions. Having waxed luxurious and insensate, such peoples grow to believe that the world was forged on the day they were born and will end when they have passed through the ether. In obliterating the past, the future is reduced to a fool’s dream that is as unworthy of concern as the beating of a butterfly’s wings in the Sudan. I believe that we find ourselves in this latter age.
“And who can doubt that America is quickly becoming such a people? Although possessing a military-technical prowess that has been the envy of the earth, the prerogatives and prudential will to utilize that power has been diminished by the preoccupations of self-doubt and the insane crippling fetish for equalization that invariably accompanies the debilitated spirit. To be sure, nothing exemplifies such moral enervation as the schizophrenic Obama foreign policy of “leading from behind.” Indeed, this passive-aggressive policy funnels money and arms to our sworn enemies while it disengages into the persona of a sideline spectator — creating a power vacuum that is enthusiastically filled by foreign seats of power that revel in our enfeeblement and contemplate our impending humiliation with gusto.”
One of the FACTS children today are not being taught is that our decisions, thoughts, and actions all have CONSEQUENCES! Consequences can be positive or negative. When written, consequences are posed in “If – then” form: If it rains, then the ground will get wet. If I smile at the stranger, then she may smile back. If you eat lots of sugar, then you may develop diabetes. If you are lazy, then you most likely will not become wealthy (unless you get into politics!)
The moral decline that is lauded by the left and decried by members of the Tea Party will have consequences. Some are already showing in the rapid rise in the numbers on food stamps and disability. A civilization that is encouraged not to work, will soon stop working, or at least, stop working well. But there’s far more to it than “giver-ment” dependence.
“When, in the 1950s, Nikita Khrushchev said, “We will bury you,” and, “Your children will live under communism,” Eisenhower’s America scoffed.
“By 1980, however, the tide did indeed seem to be with the East. America had suffered a decade of defeats. Southeast Asia had fallen. The ayatollah had seized power in Iran. Moscow had occupied Afghanistan. Cuban troops were in Ethiopia and Angola. Grenada and Nicaragua had fallen to the Soviet bloc. Eurocommunism was all the rage on the continent.
“Just a decade later, the world turned upside-down. The Berlin Wall fell. Eastern Europe was suddenly free. The Soviet Union disintegrated. China abandoned Maoism for state capitalism.
“Now, 20 years on, the wheel has turned again — toward darkness.
“In an essay, “The Return of Toxic Nationalism,” Robert Kaplan, a geopolitical analyst for Stratfor, writes that Western elites are failing to see the larger, darker picture of our evolving world.
“Out of the Arab Spring will likely come an “Islamist-Nasserite regime” in Cairo, writes Kaplan.”
Though it may seem a bit redundant, I believe with the Founders that …
“Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith.
Alexis de Tocqueville
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
For Such a Time as This
It’s time, it’s time for Americans
To quit playing round,
It’s time, it’s time, to find our way through
To the land of the free, the home of the brave.
Where men and women, young and old,
Are rich within themselves,
And plenty they have to share and enjoy,
When respectfulness abounds.”
For such a time as this, we have been created!
For such a time as this, we’ve been equipped,
To tear down strongholds or share a friendly smile,
To destroy hatred in our streets.
So think for yourself, for a change, my friend,
And dare to remember when …
In spite of our differences, or maybe because of them,
Americans were actually FRIENDS!
Stop listening to the pundits
Who posture with pretty words,
But listen instead to your heart of hearts,
And hear the heart of the God of your youth.
For such a time as this, TRUTH has been revealed,
For such a time as this we have endured,
We know what hardship feels like and brokenness, too,
But more, we understand God’s GRACE.
Have you heard the sounds of battle in the distance? Have you heard the call to arms? Listen! The cry has sounded to confiscate arms even as it did in 17770′s. But where are the Minutemen? They should be ready! Armed and ready!
“Although the terms militia and minutemen are sometimes used interchangeably today, in the 18th century there was a decided difference between the two. Militia were men in arms formed to protect their towns from foreign invasion and ravages of war. Minutemen were a small hand-picked elite force which were required to be highly mobile and able to assemble quickly. Minutemen were selected from militia muster rolls by their commanding officers. Typically 25 years of age or younger, they were chosen for their enthusiasm, reliability, and physical strength. Usually about one quarter of the militia served as Minutemen, performing additional duties as such. The Minutemen were the first armed militia to arrive or await a battle.”
The “mission” of the Minutemen was evident in their selection. They were the elite, the best trained of all the militia. “Militia were men in arms formed to protect their towns from foreign invasion and ravages of war. Minutemen were a small hand-picked elite force which were required to be highly mobile and able to assemble quickly. Minutemen were selected from militia muster rolls by their commanding officers. Typically 25 years of age or younger, they were chosen for their enthusiasm, reliability, and physical strength. Usually about one quarter of the militia served as Minutemen, performing additional duties as such. The Minutemen were the first armed militia to arrive or await a battle.”
By the time the Revolutionary War began, these Minutemen had several years experience. During the French and Indian War and other local conflicts, these ready-in-a-minute soldiers played a crucial role.
“On the morning of April 19, 1775, Captain John Parker was 46 years old as he stood beside 76 other colonists and opposed 700 British Regulars. At the time he was terminally sick with tuberculosis. His illness forced him to bed early the night before (April 18, 1975). It was around 1:00AM when a messenger arrived informing him that the Regulars were marching to Concord. Parker and his men assembled on the Lexington Green and around 5:30AM three advance companies of British Regulars burst on the scene commanded by Major Pitcairn.
“Many, many times historians have debated how the events unfolded that morning, but several things are indisputable…
Parker lined his men in two ranks, a proud stance for freedom challenging the world’s most dominant superpower… and the captain and his brave men weren’t looking for fight that morning, but they weren’t going to back down if one came …and it did.
“Here is the text of Captain John Parker’s actual deposition given several days after the battle:
Lexington, April 25, 1775.
I, John Parker, of lawful age, and commander of the Militia in Lexington, do testify and declare, that on the nineteenth instant, in the morning, about one of the clock, being informed that there were a number of Regular Officers riding up and down the road, stopping and insulting people as they passed the road, and was also informed that a number of Regular Troops were on their march from Boston, in order to take the
Province Stores at Concord, ordered our Militia to meet on the common in said
Lexington, to consult what to do, and concluded not to be discovered, nor meddle or
make with said Regular Troops (if they should approach) unless they should insult us;
and upon their sudden approach, I immediately ordered our Militia to disperse and not to fire. Immediately said Troops made their appearance, and rushed furiously, fired upon and killed eight of our party, without receiving any provocation therefor from us.
The Colonies in the 1770′s were ruled by King George III from Britain. All was fine until he started to see the PEOPLE of the Colonies as a source of INCOME. He raised taxes and treatment of the Colonial people declined.
While there were many causes for the war, the events listed here are agreed as the most volatile issues that sparked the flame of Revolt!
French and Indian War (1754-1763): This war started between Britain and France and ended with the victorious British deeply in debt, so they demanded more revenue from the colonies. The French were defeated, but the Native Americans that fought alongside the French merged tensions among the Native American tribes of the New World with a new collection of allies and rivals that developed as the political battles of Europe continued.
Proclamation of 1763: This prohibited settlement beyond the Appalachian Mountains. While Britain did not intend to harm the colonists, many colonists took offense at this order and understood it as unnecessary restriction and intrusion into their lives.
Sugar Act of 1764: This act raised revenue by increasing duties on sugar imported from the West Indies for American colonists who enjoyed sweetness in the tea along with sweet cakes. Again, the Colonists perceived the hand of tyranny reaching further into their private lives.
Currency Act of 1764: Parliament argued that colonial currency had caused a devaluation harmful to British trade. They banned American assemblies from issuing paper bills or bills of credit.
Committees of Correspondence (1764): Organized by Samuel Adams, these helped spread propaganda and information through letters. This was a letter-writing campaign meant to do two things: to inform the people, and to unite the people. Thus the rallying cry, “No taxation without representation.”
Quartering Act of 1765: Britain ordered that colonists were to house and feed British soldiers if necessary. This was seen as yet another intrusion into the private lives of citizens of the Crown, supposedly under the protection of the Crown.
Stamp Act (1765): This required tax stamps on many items and documents including playing cards, newspapers, and marriage licenses. Prime Minister George Grenville stated that this direct tax was intended for the colonies to pay for defense. Previous taxes imposed by Britain had been indirect, or hidden.
1765 – Stamp Act Congress – In 1765, 27 delegates from nine colonies met in New York City and drew up a statement of rights and grievances thereby bringing colonies together in opposition to Britain.
Sons and Daughters of Liberty (1765) – Colonists tried to fight back by imposing non-importation agreements. The Sons of Liberty often took the law into their own hands enforcing these ‘agreements’ by methods such as tar and feathering.
Townshend Acts (1767): These taxes were imposed to help make the colonial officials independent of the colonists and included duties on glass, paper, and tea. Smugglers increased their activities to avoid the tax leading to more troops in Boston.
Boston Massacre (1770): The colonists and British soldiers openly clashed in Boston. This event was used as an example of British cruelty despite questions about how it actually occurred.
Tea Act of 1773): To assist the failing British East India Company, the Company was given a monopoly to trade tea in America.
Boston Tea Party – In 1773, a group of colonists disguised as Indians dumped tea overboard from three ships in Boston Harbor.
Intolerable Acts (or Coercive Acts; 1774): These were passed in response to the Boston Tea Party and placed restrictions on the colonists including outlawing town meetings and the closing of Boston Harbor. Furious at the December 1773 Boston Tea Party, Parliament in 1774 passed the Coercive Acts. The particular provisions of the Coercive Acts were offensive to Americans, but it was the possibility that the British might deploy the army to enforce them that primed many colonists for armed resistance. The Patriots of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, resolved: “That in the event of Great Britain attempting to force unjust laws upon us by the strength of arms, our cause we leave to heaven and our rifles.” A South Carolina newspaper essay, reprinted in Virginia, urged that any law that had to be enforced by the military was necessarily illegitimate.
First Continental Congress (1774): In response to the Intolerable Acts, 12 of the 13 colonies met in Philadelphia from September-October, 1774. One of the main results of this was the creation of The Association calling for a boycott of British goods.
Lexington and Concord (1775) In April, British troops were ordered to Lexington and Concord to seize stores of colonial gunpowder and to capture Samuel Adams and John Hancock. At Lexington, open conflict occurred and eight Americans were killed. At Concord, the British troops were forced to retreat with the loss of 70 men. This was the first instance of open warfare.
Second Continental Congress (1775): All 13 colonies were represented at this meeting in Philadelphia beginning May. The colonists still hoped that their grievances would be met by King George III. George Washington was named head of the Continental Army.
Bunker Hill (1775): This major victory for the Colonists resulted in George III proclaiming the colonies in rebellion.
In the end, the American Revolution grew out of increasing restrictions placed upon the colonies by the British. One interesting side note: It is estimated that only one-third of the colonists were in favor of rebellion. One-third continued to side with the British. The last third were neutral concerning the rebellion and break from Great Britain.
We don’t hear much news about the men and women serving abroad whether in Iraq, Afghanistan or Kosovo or Germany. We just don’t hear anything. I guess the military is only important to the media when it’s about to be SLASHED by a President/Actor who wants us to believe he really cares. [gag]
This is a TRIBUTE, a loving, respectful tribute to those still fighting and dying for the cause of FREEDOM even though many Americans don’t appreciate the liberties we have nor the men and women throughout history that have sacrificed to preserve them for us.
Our brave and dutiful young men and women sacrifice their lives, their families, and their comfort to fight for AMERICA in places similar to our nation and as different as one could possibly imagine. Their family and friends also sacrifice their loved one to our nation’s service. I don’t know if you understand what they give up, that they endure many discomforts we take for granted … running hot & cold water, healthy food, toiletries, shelter, entertainment options … But perhaps the biggest thing they sacrifice is … HOME.
These men and women are gone for a year or more. When they have done their service and return HOME, THIS is what they find? FEMA training our children, making them into … into WHAT???
They return to see our government, lead by the President, with uninformed Americans in tow, trashing the US CONSTITUTION they swore to support and defend. “Shall not be infringed” means … what?
In previous decades, Hollywood helped foster support for our Military members by offering their entertainment abilities and in some cases, even joined. Elvis Presley, even, as popular and “cool” as he was, saw it his duty to pay his dues in service to the nation. Now, Hollywood does everything it can to mock or ridicule, or at the very least, portray the military in an unflattering light.
Might we not demonstrate a little curiosity about what our Military members are doing in, say, AFRICA? Might we not pressure our legislators to push for answers on Benghazi? Might we not demand the media keep us informed about where our soldiers are sent and why? Might we not push for Hollywood to support our TROOPS just a little in exchange for their lavish lifestyles.
There are other issues that concern VETS returning Home … Homelessness among Vets is outrageous. Many, many Vets are not receiving the mental and physical support they were promised. Why do we not hear about these issues?
The Constitution of the United States has a uniquely defining role in American life. It serves as a sort of “blueprint” for the US government, as the foundation of Law in the US, and as a symbol of the enduring strength of our nation.
Our Constitution defines the basic structure of the government, and determines how the three branches function. The three branches, Executive (president), legislative (Congress), and judicial (Supreme Court) are designed to balance each other, to check the power balance, and to share the responsibility of governing in accordance with their specified duties. It also establishes the separation of power as a watch-guard between these three branches and between the federal and state governments. The Constitution does more than just outline the structure, it sets up a standard against which all other laws are to be judged. Article VI states that the Constitution, together with the other laws and treaties of the United States, “shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby.”
“The Obama Administration is developing a new socialist constitution for America to replace the original Constitution written by our Founders. Every single one of these huge bills being rammed through congress is simply another article of the Obama constitution which allows no amendments by Republicans.
The people need to understand that these huge 1000 to 2000 page bills – the 111 Congress agenda – are all parts of one master blueprint for a new socialist government. The master plan has been split up into different component pieces so that the people won’t notice how they will all fit back together until after they become law.
In a building blueprint for example, you have a page for the foundation, a page for the framework, a page for the plumbing, a page for the electrical system, etc. It doesn’t become a building until all of the drawings and diagrams are built and integrated together.”
in Order to form a more perfect Union, (improve government) establish justice, (define a national court system) insure domestic Tranquility, (maintain order) provide for the common defense, (defend the country against enemies, both foreign and domestic) promote the general Welfare, (create a good climate for commerce and industry)
and Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity …
“Several reports are coming in of voter fraud by the Democratic Party, particularly in key states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Colorado, and Florida where in St. Lucie County, the unofficial vote count showed 175,554 registered voters but 247,713 vote cards were cast coming to 141.10% .
At one particular polling place in the same county, they recorded 158.85% voter turnout which turned out to be the highest in the county.”
In the wake of the 2012 General Election, not only were the results of the Presidential race questionable, but many of the other races as well. Reports came from several places with 100% district votes for President Obama … 100%? Why did the Election Commission make no challenges in the light of the many inconsistencies?
Obama Telling Federal Court To Go To Hell!
“Obama appointees who were appointed ILLEGALLY according to a federal court still sit and are still making MANY decisions that will effect all of us.
THE PRESIDENT IS RENOMINATING THESE CANDIDATES FOR THE NLRB! NO CONSITUTIONAL POWER GIVES THESE PEOPLE THE RIGHT TO CONTINUE!
Lou Dobbs says it’s starting to look like the President doesn’t have much regard for that co-equal branches of government stuff or checks and balances.”
President Barack Obama has nominated two of the recess appointees he installed on the National Labor Relations Board last year, setting the stage for a likely battle with Senate Republicans over their confirmations.
The White House said Mr. Obama nominated former Democratic Labor Department official Sharon Block and former Democratic union lawyer Richard Griffin Jr. to the NLRB. In January 2012, Mr. Obama installed them on the board while Congress was on a holiday break in a move that sidestepped the Senate, angered Republicans and led to legal challenges.
“A few days ago, the Blaze reported on the low-key plans of the Obama administration to increase the penalties for certain gun law violations, and add steps to the background checks for legal gun ownership.
Today the administration’s plans are beginning to come into effect. Through an Executive Order, the Obama administration is implementing new restrictions on the sale of certain weapons in border states, and increasing the penalties for violating certain firearms laws.”
Some Americans are aware that President Obama has proposed 23 Executive Orders outlining his objectives for Gun Control. This is nothing less than Constitutional rewrite.
President Obama understands the power of a well-armed citizenry. He knows if there is any hope of achieving his goal – the destruction (or Socialization) of America – he must disarm as many Americans as possible. He also knows actual door to door confiscation is impracticable, but “terrorization” of Americans, playing our emotions with high profile events that fit (or are manufactured to fit) into the prescribed agenda (Aurora, Sandy Hook, and even Gabby Gifford’s near fatal injury,) events used to inspire the voluntary surrender of weapons is well within his skill set even though the evidence refutes is conclusion. He is, after all, a community organizer!
The Second Amendment says: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,
the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. (emphasis mine)
Seems pretty clear to me. SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED is self-explanatory to most of us. Apparently, it is only confusing to those with little or no acquaintance with weapons,or with those with little understanding of human nature. It’s natural for people to be afraid of what they don’t know or understand, so a lack of familiarity with weapons produces a superficial fear. The media and the administration feed into that fear with sensationalized – and even fabricated media blitz completely distorting the meaning and intent of the 2nd Amendment. It’s not about safety or the protection of privacy, but about self-defense against tyranny.
“Once again we have Obama and his fellow travelers attempting to interfere with law-abiding citizens and their God-Given rights to self-defense — and their Constitutional Second Amendment rights to own and bear firearms.
Most progressives follow the socialist/communist dictum that individuals in the United States must be disarmed in order to bring about a change in core political ideology. At stake is the promotion of socialism/communism and the defeat of capitalism. Many believe, and rightly so if one follows historical precedent, that gun registration is a prelude to taxation and then confiscation.”
CONCLUSION: This is FORWARD? It may mean progress to a few ideologues, people who don’t have to make a living in the REAL world, but America can do better. We blew a very good opportunity to define our future last November, but it’s not too late. Not yet. There is, however, a bullet we must swallow if we are to preserve Liberty, as we have known it:
we must realize that our gaudy, lascivious lifestyles, as evidenced by the top viewed TV shows and films, must change, and we must learn gratitude.
We must once again admit that selfishness and self-indulgence, while pleasant in the short term, are not healthy in the long run and learn honest service and sacrifice.
We must realize that we can enjoy life without abusing it, we can aspire to greatness by fostering humility and honor in our own character and demanding it in those who seek to represent us in government.
In short, we must decide what kind of nation, what kind of people we want to be: greedy and selfish or kind and compassionate. We must choose because they cannot coexist!
If you agree, please share.
“The aggregate happiness of the society,
which is best promoted by the practice of a virtuous policy,
is, or ought to be, the end of all government . . . .”
George Washington
US President Barack Obama applauds outgoing Defense Secretary Leon Panetta during an Armed Forces Farewell Tribute in honor of Panetta at Joint Base Myer-Henderson in Arlington, Virginia, February 8, 2013. Panetta will retire once his likely successor, former Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel, is confirmed by the US Senate. Credit: AFP/Getty Images
An All-Over-the-Board Conservative Rant
The conservative is concerned, first of all, for the regeneration of spirit and character — with the perennial problem of the inner order of the soul, the restoration of the ethical understanding,
and the religious sanction upon which any life worth living is founded.
This is conservatism at its highest. Russell Kirk
So, are we all holding our breath to hear the President’s speech? Yea, that’s what I thought. We’ve heard it all before, several times, in fact. Yes, we know JOBS is this administrations #1 Priority … so where are they? Unemployment is a big issue, so why hasn’t it changed much? In fact, among minorities and women, unemployment is higher now than when Obama took office! Oh, and then there’s the war and how’s he’s going to end the war in Afghanistan. How about the war throughout AFRICA that no one ever talks about?
I cannot well express the deep seated angst that broils within me as I hear the daily resounding drum beats of destruction echoing across the airways: “Look how the mighty America is falling!” Though some still wave the flag and recite tales of heroism from our illustrious past, these few are spat upon and ridiculed in thought, word, and deed. So we hang our heads. We mope. We gripe. We kick the dirt not realizing, not grasping the absolute truth that WE are the MAJORITY!
Yes, WE are the MAJORITY
What we aren’t is the “squeaky wheel.” You remember, “it’s the squeaky wheel that gets the oil!” We’re not the squeaky wheel. It’s the “It’s not fair!” folks, the “I need more,” folks, and the “I can’t do that” folks that get the oil, the attention, and the pandering arm of the government.
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There’s a woman that swims at the same pool as me. We became friends but all we do now is smile and nod an understanding nod in acknowledgement of our shared conservatism. We’re there, after all, to swim, not to gab. But we share a camaraderie in hoping for a positive turn each day only to hear more and more lies, more and more bad policy, and more and more evil motivated actions (not just other party-ness) on the part of this administration. She is a paralegal in a major law firm in Pittsburgh. I need say no more.
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I received the popular memo from my place of employment as follows:
Dear Barbara,
As of January 1, 2013 paid vacation time will be based on 30 average hours per week after eligibility achieved. Vacation pay can be received once in a twelve month period, and is calculated on your current hourly rate. This change is a result of the Affordable Care Act.
These are Marines from Marine Barracks 8th and I marching in the 2013 Immaculation of The One. Notice anything missing? Yup, the bolts have been removed from the rifles. This isn’t just removing firing pins or some other manner of rendering them inoperable, which is a prudent move for a perfumed potentate hell bent on destroying everything these warriors are sworn to defend. To me this is a blatant, deliberate and public emasculation of those whom the pretend emperor knows he can not [or ought not] trust. This goes hand in hand with the purge of the senior leadership of the military, and is a clear message to the Corps, following hard on the heels of the disgraceful way in which Gen. Mattis was sacked from CentCom.
This slap was matched by the slap that came with the death of Chief Chris Kyle, the most highly decorated military sniper shot while hanging out with a fellow vet suffering from PTSD. Now I love the music of Whitney Houston, and certainly her voice is unmatchable, but for the nation to memorialize her drug-induced death and NOT the heroic life and death of Chief Kyle is inexcusable. With the various cuts and threats of cuts aimed squarely at the military, President Obama leaves little doubt about his feelings toward them as they “serve” him as CIC!
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I happened upon a facebook page yesterday called The Imaginative Conservative and a whole new world opened up for me. I was welcomed by the quote to the top of this post by Russell Kirk. I had never heard to Russell Kirk before nor known he was a foremost thinker and writer of Conservative thought. His thoughts, at least those initially found on his site, confirm my gut yearning, my overwhelming urgent cry to ring in the rebirth of our nation by cleaning up our own lives: MORALITY!
My heart cries for this nation. I’m ashamed to be part of the generation that stood by and watched our nation go down in the flames of immorality. Unless we, as Americans, can throw off the shackles of perverted, pseudo-freedom we see around our nation today … Oh God, unless we can take a righteous stand and usher in the mercy of God, we have seen the end of government sanctioned FREEDOM. Freedom, however, is an eternal longing built into every man, woman, and child. FREEDOM, itself, cries to be released among the peoples of the earth.
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This I know:
There is no freedom without responsibility.
There is no freedom without morality.
There is no freedom without the Source of Freedom: GOD
Man cannot take away what God has given. If we believe our Rights, our freedoms are unalienable, bestowed on us by our Creator, then no matter the Laws of men, our Freedoms remain untouched!
Can morality exist without religion, YES! Can morality exist without GOD, NO! Morality cannot be a changeable thing. What is right is right, and what is wrong is wrong, and these are written on our hearts and minds. It’s called Natural Law. Look it up!
“The poorest Americans today live a better life
than all but the richest persons a hundred years ago.”
James Q. Wilson, an American academic, political scientist, and an authority on public administration.
In today’s “fairness” political arena, there is a language that has developed. It is a PC language – politically correct. It is a despicable thing, because it limits FREEDOM in the name of “tolerance!” There is a horrible irony in the politically correct language that is supposed to reflect tolerance, it instead is bullying incarnate! It rewards agreement and punishes disagreement! It is defined by whatever position of power exists – and changes with the wind of political change. The sobering thing is that it’s a relatively new development in America. It’s virtually impossible to speak these days without “offending” someone about something, so our response is to remove the object of offense from our language whether it is Christmas, abstinence, or Islam.
We’ve been made afraid. We’ve been made afraid to speak up, to speak our mind on any number of issues we face today, if our opinion differs from those in positions of power. If we do not speak our mind, the argument SEEMS to be solved, but it really just simmers below the surface until the threat is lifted. The abortion argument is a perfect case in point. It never really went away like it was supposed to, it just went “underground” for a time.
Fear, my friends, is VERY telling!
We’re supposed to avoid talk of religion and politics, right? Why? Usually, the answer revolves around ruffling someone else’s feathers, upsetting the balance, the quiet, the calm. Right? Religion (or our personal belief system) and politics are our most personal thoughts, feelings, and ideals. We might even call them intimate.
If I say I am opposed to gay-marriage, it is ASSUMED I hate gays.
If I say I am opposed to “Obamacare,” it is ASSUMED I am unsympathetic to the needs of the poor.
Neither is accurate. I AM poor, for pete’s sake! But I am also rich! FAMILY makes us rich. FAITH makes us rich. WORK makes us rich. STRUGGLE makes us rich. HARDSHIP makes us rich in compassion. ACHIEVEMENT makes us rich. FAILURE makes us rich. INTEGRITY makes us rich. SELF-RELIANCE makes us rich.
In between the liberal position on the LEFT which is allegedly “fairness,” and their accusation of “hate-mongering” directed at certain people-groups, there is a wide expanse of options.
The REAL issue isn’t “fairness” or “equality,”
but the issue is unanimity, conformity, the making of clones!
Think about it.
If you have a home you wish to sell, one of the first things a Realtor will tell you is … NEUTRAL COLORS, right? Whites, creams, beiges … nondescript colors with occasional “splashes” of color. CONFORM!
The same applies to autos. If you look at the cars on the road, most are white, gold, silver … no color. CONFORM!
More seriously, in spite of educational research, curricula is designed to “fit” only a small percentage of our students. Teachers are taught how to present materiel and then assess the student’s grasp of it by narrow questions with specific answers. No critical thought, no independent thought is encouraged. If a student offers an idea, a response different than the one asked for, it is wrong. Sometimes it is word-specific, so that even if a different WORD is used than the one issued, it is wrong. CONFORM!
We are told Religion is fine, but only within certain perimeters.
Fifty years ago, all children were given the tools necessary to mature into responsible, productive citizens. Children with hearing or vision impairment were put into “special” schools where they were given tools to enable them to co-exist in society. Blind children were taught Braille and perhaps the use of a cane or aid-dog. Deaf children were taught sign language and often, lip-reading. Children with other different learning disabilities or mental illness were also given skills to help them be self-sufficient. That was the goal: self-sufficiency. This was the goal for ALL schools and students, to become responsible, productive citizens.
What are the goals today? We have children even graduating from the most prestigious universities with no literacy in world or American history, with sketchy reading skills, and most importantly, with little or no ability to THINK for themselves. Percent of high school graduates who can’t read in 2012 is 19%!!! But they are encouraged to participate in the “Occupy” movement! They are taught a “state ideology” (generally, Secular Humanism, which translates politically into Socialism) from Preschool through any ivy league school you choose while simultaneously, they are taught that “independent thought” is bad. But the goal is … exactly what? When 44% of college freshman don’t make it to graduation, what does that say? With a population gravitating toward government handouts instead of jobs and the benefits inherent in work, with schools that look more like high security prisons, and with a culture that is learning to FEAR freedom, what is the goal of education, of government “social justice” programs, of unanimity?
To encourage able-bodied Americans to become unwittingly enslaved to a system that encourages deeper dependence on government programs rather than encouraging independence is outrageous! THIS is a “unanimity” problem. If I can’t afford what my neighbors have, it’s “not fair! This becomes a moral problem AND a fiscal problem.
Unanimity (conformity) is NOT liberty!
Homosexual lifestyle is now introduced to children of kindergarten age. Instead of working on academic skills, pre-reading skills, early math skills, teachers are mandated to talk about “sexual orientation” with children too young to have ever had a sexual thought! This is NOT responsible education!
In reference to gay marriage, the Bible clearly opposes homosexuality. The fact that it is ISSUE is indication that homosexuality is NOT the norm. (Gal 5: 16-21; Genesis 19:1-13) Now, here’s the rub. We, as Christians, are COMMANDED to LOVE one another, not just those with whom we agree.
We often hear the phrase, “Hate the sin, but love the sinner!” Sadly, most Americans, believers or not, have not learned how to separate a lifestyle from a person. Matthew 7 has some very specific instruction, though, for how we should interact with one another. There is NO HATE directed at the person, only any “unholy” behavior, but is homosexuality worse than gossip? or adultery? or gluttony? Perhaps harder to conquer, but sin is sin. It is NOT for us to judge, but to love! Period!
The same applies to the poor. I believe free handouts to the poor do not serve them in any way. Jesus declared, “For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always.” (Mt 26: 11; Jn 12: 8; Mk 14:7) There will always be some people that are unable due to physical or mental challenges to maintain a job. This does not necessarily mean there isn’t something they can do to help on occasion. Our self worth as humans is determined, built, or maintained by our ability to contribute to a family, a community, or a specific situation. WORK is not an evil thing. It is a beneficial thing for humans. The Bible teaches the individual believer to share, John (the Baptist) said, Luke 3: 11-14
“11 If you have two shirts, share with the person who does not have one. If you have food, share that also.”
12 Even tax collectors came to John to be baptized. They said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?”
13 John said to them, “Don’t take more taxes from people than you have been ordered to take.
14 The soldiers asked John, “What about us? What should we do?”
John said to them, “Don’t force people to give you money, and don’t lie about them. Be satisfied with the pay you get.”
No place in there do we see anything about government or mandates. It is not government’s job or responsibility to oversee charitable donations of substance or time & talent. “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” (2 Thes 3:10)
Which brings me, finally, to abortion-on-demand as paid for by public funds via Federally sponsored programs including, but not limited to Planned Parenthood. It’s OUTRAGEOUS! It has been for 40 years since the decision was rendered that was supposed to silence the opposition! Clearly, it hasn’t as over 500,000 Americans gathered in DC for the 40th Anniversary March on one of the coldest days this winter. The President’s HHS mandate has stirred up more anguish and dissension than ever. Nothing is settled because, as reminded by the Founders, any law that is not in agreement with the “Law of Nature and Nature’s God” will not stand by virtue of the very definition of Natural Law.
No one is debating the instances of rape, incest, or medical emergency. Those are NOT the procedures in debate! As a Conservative, the promiscuity that has taken over our culture via the media blitz is maddening. Our young people can’t get away from the images and ideas of sex, even if they are inclined to try to avoid them. The tools that COULD be used to bring about so much positive change are misused by those wielding liberal, unhealthy ideas of sexuality and relationship, among other things.
CONCLUSION: Though we’re not crazy, we can, as wise humans, recognize the benefits of hardship, if we trust God. We know that God uses everything that happens (there are no accidents) for our benefit but also for the benefit of others around us. We are promised “tribulations!” (Rom 8:28)
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10
If the CHURCH (the organized institution of all Christian & Catholic congregations) was doing its job correctly, there wouldn’t be the need for any government programs to tend the needs of the poor. Even so, the job of helping those in need falls on We-the-People, the neighbors, the community … NOT the Federal government via need-oriented programs like food stamps, welfare, and medicaid! EVERYONE has something they can contribute, some talent to share, some richness to give no matter how old or young, how rich or poor, how strong or weak. Allowing each person to contribute, allows each one the blessing of giving, as well as receiving. Though it may not always FEEL like it, work and even hardship are beneficial to our human condition!
While political correctness has made huge changes within our society, we can still – that’s WE-the-PEOPLE – can still turn our great ship of state toward a more humane greatness simply with a restoration of a solid moral code that resists PC language. Political correctness comes and goes, but true moral standards stand against the tides of political debate.
“Do you have a BRAIN?
Yes? Then THINK your way out of your mess!”
There is help available, but it’s the responsibility of each individual to grow and become responsible, productive, self-reliant, and contributing Americans!
Further reading:
CONTRACT FROM AMERICA: The Contract from America is a grassroots-generated, crowd-sourced, bottom-up call for real economic conservative and good governance reform in Congress.
