Celebrate American Freedom!

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The Star-Spangled Banner

“In 1807, Britain introduced a series of trade restrictions to impede on-going American trade with France, with which Britain was at war. The U.S. contested these restrictions as illegal under international law. The British did not wish to allow the Americans to trade with France, regardless of their theoretical right as neutrals to do so.”(Wikipedia) The tensions increased and the wealthy politicians in Britain exercised their influence and put pressure on the America to bow to their wishes. An unstated but powerful motivation for the Americans was the desire to uphold their newly won national honor in the face of what they considered to be British tests and insults.

It is this war “whereby the fledging, in-fighting, unprepared baby United States cemented its status as an independent nation by defeating the most powerful military power in the western world. The final battle waged in Baltimore, Maryland, was the one celebrated in Francis Scott Key’s famous poem, which was made into our national anthem: “Star Spangled Banner”. READ MORE

The Battle for Ft McHenry

The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire, including those of present-day Canada.[nb 2] The Americans declared war in 1812 for a number of reasons, including a desire for expansion into the Northwest Territory, trade restrictions because of Britain’s ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant sailors into the Royal Navy, British support of American Indian tribes against American expansion, and the humiliation of American honour. Until 1814, the British Empire adopted a defensive strategy, repelling multiple American invasions of the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada. However, the Americans gained control over Lake Erie in 1813, seized parts of western Ontario, and destroyed Tecumseh’s dream of an Indian confederacy. In the Southwest General Andrew Jackson humbled the Creek nation at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend but with the defeat of Napoleon in 1814, the British adopted a more aggressive strategy, sending in three large armies along with more patrols. British victory at the Battle of Bladensburg in August 1814 allowed the British to capture and burn Washington, D.C. American victories in September 1814 and January 1815 repulsed British invasions of New York, Baltimore and New Orleans.” CONTINUE READING

Scribbled lyrics by the inspired F.S.Key

“During the rainy night, Key had witnessed the bombardment and observed that the fort’s smaller “storm flag” continued to fly, but once the shell and Congreve rocket barrage had stopped, he would not know how the battle had turned out until dawn. By then, the storm flag had been lowered and the larger flag had been raised.

During the bombardment, HMS Erebus provided the “rockets red glare”. HMS Meteor provided at least some of the “bombs bursting in air”.

Key was inspired by the American victory and the sight of the large American flag flying triumphantly above the fort. This flag, with fifteen stars and fifteen stripes, came to be known as the Star Spangled Banner Flag and is today on display in the National Museum of American History, a treasure of the Smithsonian Institution. It was restored in 1914 by Amelia Fowler, and again in 1998 as part of an ongoing conservation program.
Aboard the ship the next day, Key wrote a poem on the back of a letter he had kept in his pocket. At twilight on September 16, he and Skinner were released in Baltimore. He completed the poem at the Indian Queen Hotel, where he was staying, and entitled it “Defence of Fort McHenry.” (Wikipedia)

“The Star-Spangled Banner” was written in a time of great national crisis. The Capital of the United States had fallen to the enemy. Its most important Federal buildings were charred ruins in the wake of the British occupation. There seemed to be nothing separating Britain’s vaunted military power from complete victory, except the small bodies of scattered and disorganized militia. American morale was at a low ebb. It required a bold man at that time to prophesy the spiritual rebirth of the American Nation as Francis Scott Key did in “The Star-Spangled Banner.” CONTINUE READING

The Star Spangled Banner Lyrics

By Francis Scott Key 1814

Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
‘Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

We still enjoy more liberty than any other nation, but that arguably has begun to change. The Stars and Stripes still wave over this land, but are Americans still “the brave?” Do we have the courage to maintain our liberty?

This week, we have witnessed Egyptian people rising to the occasion and overthrowing the undesirable government we President Obama helped to install. They are fighting for their FREEDOM! Their courage is evident. Regardless how it turns out, I am impressed with their resolve. They want FREEDOM! Do we even realize our freedoms are being slid under the proverbial rug to disappear in time?

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No Heroes in Sight, so We-the-People – Each have to do our Part

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American

It’s been a few days and most of the dust has settled after the fairly disgracing show put on by our Republican candidates at the Las Vegas debate. I was frustrated and embarrassed by their behavior. The 2012 election is so vitally important, and yet few of those on that stage reflected the enormity of the that.

Even though this was a most discouraging debate (Las Vegas debate), the encouragement is this — it has happened before, and often. Our Founding Fathers got into an even worse brawl at the Constitutional Convention. It got so heated, and the attacks so personal, that many feared fistfights, or even duels. When just about everyone was threatening to go home, and there was a real possibility that the fragile union would dissolve, a remarkable breakthrough happened. How? The same way we can get through the present state and come out into a remarkable place.

At the height of the vitriol Benjamin Franklin prevailed on the delegates to take three days off to go to church and pray for Divine intervention. After this time of prayer such a unity came that the delegates returned to the convention hall and quickly drafted the Constitution that has preserved our nation to this day.

Capricious, immature leaders is what the Lord told Israel they would have if they departed from Him. We are a nation that has departed from the Lord. Our leadership, in virtually every field, reflects just such a condition. We are not going to be able to get ourselves out of this one — but we have One who will most gladly help us if we will turn to Him.

Let’s face it — there is no champion on the horizon that can save us. That is not a negative confession, but rather it can be an acknowledgement that causes us to turn to the only One who can get us out of this. PLEASE READ MORE

The Eagle Will Soar Again

Right now just getting conservatives to quit fighting and turning their energy to giving us solutions would be a major miracle. Could we stretch even more and bringing the whole country together? I know that takes incomprehensible faith just to consider, but an eagle needs both a left and a right wing to fly. Think about it.

I would never advocate compromising our convictions, especially on moral and social issues. However, our entire ship of state is sinking, and if we don’t quickly decide that we are going to work together to fix some of the biggest holes in the ship we’re all going down.

The divisions are so great right now that only a move of God could bring us together, and if we wake up to this it would end up being the best thing that could have happened to us. The solution:

Pray

Humble ourselves

Turn from our wicked ways

Seek His face

No heroes in sight, so We-the-People – each have to do our part. If WE don’t, it won’t happen!

A Sweet Way to Make Everyone Smile

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The Halloween Candy Buy-Back Program!

Every kid loves Halloween! So do adults.
As responsible dentists, community members, and US citizens, Halloween Candy Buy Back dentists have found a way to keep the fun, while helping kids and our troops deployed overseas.

How does the program work?

Participating dentists “buy” back kids’ Halloween candy at a scheduled event

“Buy” with cash, coupons, toothbrushes, creative exchanges – They can partner with local businesses to give away coupons for food, services, goods, etc. They can give away the Hygiene Kits, they can set up an Opportunity Prize–each kid gets a ticket per pound of candy for an opportunity drawing to win special prizes, etc.

Dentists send the candy to Operation Gratitude or other Military support groups

Operation Gratitude sends the candy to U.S. Military deployed in harm’s way

MORE INFO HERE

Get into the spirit of giving a little early this year
and help our TROOPS, too!!!

Gratitude or Resentment – Your Call!

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"life lessons", American

Of plymouth plantation - William Bradford et al thanking God for a safe passage and asking God's blessing upon this new land.

Above, is a portrait of the few who survived the crossing to land near Plymouth, MA. If you take the time to read their journals (Of Plymouth Plantation, written by William Bradford,) there is a fundamental truth that is obvious. These people possessed a profound ‘attitude of gratitude’ toward the Almighty God who guided them to the new land. The entire culture was built upon this foundation. These would be the leaders of the Plymouth Colony.

GRATITUDE!
vs
RESENTMENT

The current democratic leadership has chosen a vile and base pathway as their desired course along which to lead WE-THE-PEOPLE. They desire us to believe the contemptible language and images they create is the norm. They hurl this vulgar language at the right, the TEA Party, the conservatives, and blame them/us for the stalemate in Congress. I contend, this pseudo political elite itself is deluded.

So I ask you, mt friends, which do you choose:

Gratitude or Resentment
Your Call

We can be thankful for what we have, because even the poorest among us is significantly better off than the richest in many, many other nations … OR We can be resentful that there are some who have more than we have.

Seems like a pretty easy choice to me. I am grateful for ALL the blessing God has shared with me and mine. How about you?

Morality ~ Rules of the Strong Heart

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Have you ever noticed that lighting one match in a dark room is all one needs to chase the darkness away? One small flame and darkness is gone. It doesn’t require a spotlight or a bonfire, just one small match.

I am convinced that the ills of our nation run much deeper than our political ties. We have abandoned our faith. We have allowed IDOLS to be erected around our nation, and whether it’s celebrities, athletes, or even knowledge, they cannot replace faith. We have allowed our common ground of morality to be widdled away, sliver by sliver until there seems to be no common ground left (or right.)

I do not buy the fabrication of life as portrayed by the Left, because I believe the American people remain a people of faith. You see, it really is not about WHAT faith, because most major faiths have moral principles that are shared in common with others, with the exception of Islam. But that is no reason why Jews, Catholics, Protestants, Mormons, 7th Day Adventists … etc can’t come together on the common ground of the 10 Commandments or even the “Greatest Commandment.”

At age 16, George Washington began to accumulate and memorize what has become known as “George Washington’s Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation.” In reality, George Washington did not compose these rules. “They are based on a set of rules composed by French Jesuits in 1595. Presumably they were copied out as part of an exercise in penmanship assigned by young Washington’s schoolmaster. The first English translation of the French rules appeared in 1640, and are ascribed to Francis Hawkins the twelve-year-old son of a doctor.”

The folks in biblical times wanted a summary of the commandments, kind of like us, they sought a shortcut. This is that discussion!

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied:

“‘Love the Lord your God
with all your heart and with all your soul
and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it:
‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets
hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:36-40

If each Americanreconnected with their faith, and those who chose to live between faiths found a common moral ground or with simple rules of Civility… the evils we see encroaching into our lives and our culture would lose their power over us. If we, as neighbors, reached out to our neighbors, got to know them, and maybe even became friends, we might begin to regain trust and fear would diminish. When the light shines, the darkness fades!

Morality (or civility) is not just a bunch of rules and regulations. It is a compass by which we chose to live. It is a system by which we can intelligently guide our life and steer our heart. Traditionally, our Judeo-Christian morality was the glue that held Americans together in spite of our profound differences. People from all over the world were able to come together on this foundation and build a new, improved life as Americans. It was the unnamed presumption of our Founding Fathers. This morality is not gone, it has merely been hidden beneath the weight of everyday life and the lies of Progressivism.

It is for such a time as this that we need our morality, our faith, our foundation and our common ground. We must find a way to come together in spite of our differences! When the gales of daily hardship blow against us, it is our morals, our faith, our basic kindness that will serve as the light that will see us through the storm. Without it, we are lost to the storm.

Shock Value – John Adams on Man’s Lust for Power, 1763

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“[D]emocracy will soon degenerate into an anarchy, such an anarchy that every man will do what is right in his own eyes and no man’s life or property or reputation or liberty will be secure, and every one of these will soon mould itself into a system of subordination of all the moral virtues and intellectual abilities, all the powers of wealth, beauty, wit and science, to the wanton pleasures, the capricious will, and the execrable cruelty of one or a very few.” –John Adams, An Essay on Man’s Lust for Power, 1763

You mean like this???

Ft. Ligonier, PA – The Blustery British vs French Battle Young Gen Washington lost!

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On this lovely, windy autumn day, some friends and I drove up towards the mountains of Pennsylvania to enjoy “Ligonier Days“ at Ft Ligonier, PA. I knew we would not be able to stay long since my friends are Seniors, but we wanted to go. We arrived just in time for the re-enactment of the battle that took place at Ft. Ligonier, a turning point in the French & Indian War.

Ft Ligonier Museum

Today at the Fort Ligonier Museum visitors can see the latest exhibition about the most significant and decisive conflict of the 18th century, which Winston Churchill called the first world war. This long-term installation, The World Ablaze: An Introduction to the Seven Years’ War, represents a significant addition to the permanent collections of Fort Ligonier, especially in British, French and Native American items. READ MORE

The history of Fort Ligonier began in September 1758 and was concluded in March 1766, embracing the period of the French and Indian War and Pontiac’s War. Today, the story of this time period is told through the remarkable Fort Ligonier museum exhibits and a fully reconstructed and restored fortification. MORE HERE

By 1758, General John Forbes was assigned the daunting task of seizing Fort Duquesne, the French citadel at the forks. He ordered construction of a new road across Pennsylvania, guarded by a chain of fortifications, the final link being the “Post at Loyalhanna”, fifty miles from his objective, to serve as a supply depot and staging area for a British-American army of 5000 troops. The fort was constructed in September 1758. By late October, Washington had arrived at Loyalhanna, but not before the defeat of a British force at Fort Duquesne on September 14, and the successful defense of Loyalhanna from a French attack on October 12. Heavily outnumbered, the French abandoned Fort Duquesne, which Forbes occupied on November 25. He designated the site “Pittsburgh” in honor of Secretary of State William Pitt. Forbes also named Loyalhanna “Fort Ligonier” after his superior, Sir John Ligonier, commander in chief in Great Britain.

Brigadier General John Forbes gave his name to a challenging military campaign and to a remarkable road. Follow the Forbes Trail through Pennsylvania’s history.

"British soldiers manning the Fort!"

On the grounds of the Fort you will find a living history encampment showing frontier life, military tactics, drills, cannon firing, ceremonies, Highlanders, redcoats, French troops, frontier men and women, Indians and music from 1758. (Ft Ligonier website)

The fourth and final French and Indian War, fought between Britain and France over control of North America, that eventually became part of the Seven Years War. The French had colonies in Canada and Lousiana, and were attempting to link them by taking control of the Ohio Valley. This would have encircled the British colonies on the coast, and stopped any expansion on their part. The war begin with conflict between the French in the Ohio Valley and the Virginians, led by George Washington, who was forced to withdraw by the French. The war started well for the French. A British campaign in 1755 led by General Braddock met with disaster, and saw the death of Braddock, while 1756 saw the French led by General de Montcalm captured Fort Oswego and Fort George and 1757 saw the fall of Fort William Henry. The war turned in 1758, first with the capture of Louisburg and then Fort Ticonderoga, followed on 13 September 1759 by the Battle of the Plains of Abraham (Canada), in which General de Montcalm was killed and by the fall of Quebec on 18 September. Finally the French lost Montreal (8 September 1760), ending their interest in Canada, and removing the French threat to the American colonies. The British occupation of Canada was confirmed by the Treaty of Paris (1763).

French & Indians VS British

After General John Forbes arrived at the Post at Loyalhanna, later known as Fort Ligonier, in early November 1758, he decided to spend the winter here. Intelligence gathered on the day of a friendly fire incident, however, prompted him to change this strategy.

George Washington in 1772

At dusk on November 12, Colonel George Washington, then 26 years of age, led on foot a detachment of 500 Virginia soldiers from Fort Ligonier. Shortly afterward, Lieutenant Colonel George Mercer led an additional 500 men by a different route. The two leaders planned to surround a force of 140 French and Native American warriors which, they believed, was trying to steal the British army’s cattle and horses. Three prisoners were captured; the rest withdrew to Fort Duquesne, 50 miles to the west.

Soon, the two Virginia units encountered each other in the darkness, and, mistaking each other for the enemy, engaged in friendly fire that killed or left missing 38 soldiers and two officers. Intelligence gathered from the prisoners indicated that Fort Duquesne was weak. Forbes accordingly countermanded his orders and led 2,500 troops, including Washington, to the forks of the Ohio River. Fort Duquesne, blown up and abandoned by the French, was captured on November 25, 1758 and renamed Pittsburgh by Forbes. He also renamed the Post at Loyalhanna, Fort Ligonier.

The Seven Years War was the first global conflict. It had two main fronts. The first, in Europe, was the hostility between Prussia and Austria, still simmering after the War of the Austrian Succession , which expanded through alliances to include all of Europe. The second was the colonial rivalries between Britain, France and Spain, known in America as the French and Indian War, which begin in 1754 with conflict over control of the Ohio valley. The Seven Years War started in a flurry of diplomatic activity which resulted in a diplomatic revolution and the reversal of the alliances of the War of the Austrian Succession. First Britain and Prussia formed an alliance (January 1756), followed by France and Austria, who had been traditional enemies. The fighting started with Frederick II of Prussia‘s invasion and defeat of Saxony (August-October 1756), although the main conflict did not start until the following year. MORE HISTORY HERE

View of the Fort from the town of Ligonier

Our overcast, blustery morning, broke into beautiful, sunny day, just as the battle got underway. We had a lovely time learning more about our local history. The Pittsburgh area boasts many local historical sites, Ft Ligonier is just one!

Freedom and Virtue are Inextricably Entwined

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"life lessons", American, American Conservative, American Heroes, American history, American Interests, American Moral Character, American Morality, character training, Committment, Conservative opinion, Human nature, spiritual

"Ah forget it! If it feels good, do it!"

Today in America, about 75% of adults identify themselves as Christian. In comparison, the next largest religions in America are Islam and Judaism. Combined they represent only about one to two percent of the United States population. ReligiousTolerance.org

That says that nearly 225,000,000 Americans believe they are Believers in the One True God. And, after all, virtue does not require belief in God (or does it?) Still, immorality floods our streets, our homes, our schools, and our churches, cathedrals and synagogues. That is a problem! From suicide to abortion, from euthanasia to childhood abuse, what happened to all the “good” neighbors? How can we expect our children to learn virtue, if we, as adults, are not moral (including humility!)?

This graph was posted originally March 9, 2004 HERE. I’m sure the results would be even more exaggerated now. All one need do is watch 5 minutes of local news or pick up the front page of any newspaper to see that self-control is out the window, and self-indulgence is the rage! (pun intended!) Immorality is easy! Virtue is work!

Freedom and Virtue are Inextricably Entwined

Think about it! They go together like bees and honey! How can one exist without the other? It can’t! Freedom requires that each individual “respect” the rights of his neighbor. Virtue thrives amid personal freedom where it can be freely expressed. Without one or the other, they BOTH wane. This is the fundamental reason America is where she is today! We live under “relative” or “situational” ethics/morals/virtue! We look at how our neighbors live and use that as a reference point. Or we use our boss, or some political or entertainment or athletic figure as a sort of guideline.

Morality … Virtue cannot be relative (or situaltional.) It cannot depend on each situation. Murder is either right or wrong. Drug dependence is either right or wrong. Rape is either right or wrong. Gossip is … yea, that is harder. Or is it? Anger … Right of wrong? Beating up another person … right or wrong? Even if they cut you off in traffic?Drinking and driving … right or wrong? Lying … ooooh another hard one. Is lying right or wrong?

You see … We KNOW what is right and what is wrong. It’s almost instinctive. That is not to say we don’t ever tell lies or allow others to make us angry, but we know it is not right … it is not a good thing! We know it is not virtuous to engage in over-indulgence of any kind. What do we do about it? Do we push it aside and say (like we did when we were 10) “Everyone else is doing it!” or “Johney’s mom let’s him do it!” Yea, I know!

So the next time someone cuts in front of you in traffic, smile and say, “Thanks! I needed that reminder! I’m not perfect either!”

The grace we show will come back to us when we need it most!

What Would the Founders Do or Think?

“Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.” Benjamin Franklin

“When public virtue is gone, when the national spirit is fled […] the republic is lost in essence, though it may still exist in form.” John Adams

“Without Freedom of Thought, there can be no such Thing as Wisdom; and no such Thing as publick Liberty, without Freedom of Speech.” Benjamin Franklin

“Dependence begets subservience and venality, suffocates the germ of virtue, and prepares fit tools for the designs of ambition.” Thomas Jefferson

“The truth is, all might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they ought.” Samuel Adams

“Political freedom includes in it every other blessing. All the pleasures of riches, science, virtue, and even religion itself derive their value from liberty alone. No wonder therefore wise and prudent legislators have in all ages been held in such great veneration; and no wonder too those illustrious souls who have employed their pens and sacrificed their lives in defense of liberty have met with such universal applause. Their reputations, like some majestic river which enlarges and widens as it approaches its parent ocean, shall become greater and greater through every age and outlive the ruins of the world itself.” Benjamin Rush

You’re Right to Stand

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What is Economic Freedom?

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