It's Time to be Thankful

The house is full of young’uns and there’s the smell of a feast being prepared in the kitchen. Just think, a couple dozen years ago none of this even existed. Remember, back when it was just you and your most favorite person in the world. Remember…you married that one and…well a lot of family history began to happen. Look around. You can find your oldest in the crowd somewhere. Remember when he was born? How you walked the waiting room floor and fretted…hoping both mom and child would be alright. Take a minute and dwell on that thought. 

  

Thanksgiving Dinner on the foot.

While you were learning to be a parent to one, number two comes along. Now you have two — two mouths to ask you dozens of questions, beg for ice cream or candy when you would rather they eat something more nourishing. You also have four eyes that watch your every move. Like good little primates; well, not really primates but you get the idea; they learn by watching and watch you they will. And those four little ears don’t miss a word. Mash your finger with the hammer…you had better say something nice.

  

After the boys reach a manageable age, along comes a daughter. Now a completely different set of rules kick in. The mouth still asks the same questions but the answers might need to be a little different for feminine ears. Two more eyes watch every move so care must be taken.

   

And getting this crew through school was one heck of a job. Looking back now I don’t know how mom and I managed to do it. I remember that it took a lot of effort to maintain our sanity and deal with two boys and a little lady and school studies which had so drastically changed since mom and I went to school, we were not much help with homework.

  

That seems to have been only yesterday. Today, I have three children, 9 grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. 

  

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for all the great and good things God has provided for you and your family, but for me…But I’m also thankful that I lived through it and don’t have to do it again.

Now go and eat your turkey and be Thankful.

How One Man's Death Can Change History

Fifty years ago today I had gone the pharmacy picking up my wife something for her discomfort. When I returned home she said JFK has been assassinated. I told her she had to be kidding. Presidential assassinations are very rare and there must be some mistake. But there was not. As I sat watching Walter Cronkite on the television telling the details and time of death I felt as though the blood drained from my body.

I was a communications specialist in the United States Air Force stationed at Andrews Air Force Base. Even though I was not a democrat I liked the man. He didn’t know me but I felt he and I had gone through a bad time together. Remember the Cuban missile crisis? I do. When it started to look serious I got a call to report to base prepared to travel and be gone for a while. I packed my duffle and reported to the operations building and they told me to be prepared to leave at sunrise the next morning.

The next morning we took our duffle and were issued parachutes and put on old World War II C47's. We didn’t know where we were going but we were in the air at low altitude headed north. After a couple of hours we landed at a small field near an Army base. We boarded army buses and were carried to Fort Ritchie, Maryland. Our security clearances were reviewed and then we were fed and allowed to lounge around the rest of the day. We were told that after breakfast next morning we would continue our trip by Army bus.

I took time to write my wife and tell her were I was but I didn’t know where I was going next. After breakfast the next morning we again boarded the bus which drove some few miles and a mountain opened up and we went inside. For several miles we drove through a long, wide tunnel until we arrived at an area large enough for buses and other vehicles to make a wide turn around to go back out. They stopped in front of a large steel door which swung open to allow our admittance.

Once inside there were elevators and many levels in nuclear proof building. We were told which elevator to take to what level and to report to a particular Sergeant. We were told where we would sleep, eat, work, and take our showers. This place was filled with nearly all branches of the military plus many officers. As a communications specialist who handled highly classified information I was working in the communications room with a great number of teletype machines and radios. Even though I gave thought to my wife and children living just outside Washington, DC, I was far too busy to worry. The thought crossed my mind if Khruschev decided to go to war with us then my wife and kids may not be safe.

Eventually, after calling Khruschev’s bluff, JFK won out and Khruschev backed down.

Not many knew that there were nuclear armed Russian submarines off the coasts of Florida and Cuba who were on standby orders to attack. Our submarines, equipped with our sophisticated sonar picked them up and gave chase. Their every move was followed and one was captured. The commander of that submarine said he would rather surrender than to be the one who launched a nuclear attack against the United States. I don’t know what happened to that commander but I’m thankful that he didn’t launch his nuclear torpedo and start a nuclear war. The other two submarines, knowing they were being followed closely, turned and sailed away from our shores.

After all was over and things were back to normal, I was proud of how John Fitzgerald Kennedy had handled the situation. I know he must have had a long worrisome time wondering if he was making the right decisions. I can imagining him sitting in the oval office reading over the reports and studying over all of his options knowing there were nuclear armed Russian submarines off our coast and Cuba had long range missile sites aimed at us. It could have ended catastrophically. But JFK was, in my eyes, the hero of the day for his ability to think clearly and avert a disaster.

I had great admiration for John Fitzgerald Kennedy after that and his assassination was a great disaster for the country. It placed Lyndon Baines Johnson on the throne of the United States and Robert McNamara as his secretary of defense led us to the greater disaster for our country, the Vietnam Conflict. They refused to call it a war. McNamara ran the war in favor of the Military-Industrial complex and spent millions of tax dollars and the lives of tens of thousands of our young men on a war they had no intention of winning.

While John Fitzgerald Kennedy rests in peace in Arlington Cemetery, our country is much worse off because of his assassination. Isn’t it strange that one man’s death can change the history of a Nation?

The History of the Pledge of allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was written in August 1892 by the socialist minister Francis Bellamy (1855-1931). It was originally published in The Youth's Companion on September 8, 1892. Bellamy had hoped that the pledge would be used by citizens in any country.

In its original form it read:

"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

  

In 1923, the words, "the Flag of the United States of America" were added. At this time it read:

  

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

  

In 1954, in response to the Communist threat of the times, President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words "under God," creating the 31-word pledge we say today. Bellamy's daughter objected to this alteration. Today it reads:

  

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

  

Section 4 of the Flag Code states:

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.", should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute."

  

The original Bellamy salute, first described in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, who authored the original Pledge, began with a military salute, and after reciting the words "to the flag," the arm was extended toward the flag.

  

At a signal from the Principal the pupils, in ordered ranks, hands to the side, face the Flag. Another signal is given; every pupil gives the flag the military salute — right hand lifted, palm downward, to a line with the forehead and close to it. Standing thus, all repeat together, slowly, "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands; one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all." At the words, "to my Flag," the right hand is extended gracefully, palm upward, toward the Flag, and remains in this gesture till the end of the affirmation; whereupon all hands immediately drop to the side.

  

Shortly thereafter, the pledge was begun with the right hand over the heart, and after reciting "to the Flag," the arm was extended toward the Flag, palm-down.

  

In World War II, the salute too much resembled the Nazi salute, so it was changed to keep the right hand over the heart throughout.

I Am One Angry Person Today

Let's just say I've had an ANGRY morning. I was watching videos and reading news articles on the internet and a video of a group singing the "Star Spangled Banner". Since I've been studying the founding our our nation and writing a book which is not yet half finished, I became inflamed at things I was hearing from our liberal friends (idiots) who do not respect the Constitution nor the Pledge of Allegiance.

When Obama was elected president he didn't wear a flag emblem on his lapel He said he didn't want to show favoritism for any country in the world. Now that his polling numbers have fallen to 37% I noticed a flag on his lapel during one of his recent speeches. I don't know what motivates this man — I have my opinion — but when he ran in 2004 he said his government would be transparent, he said there would be no back room deals, he said he would save us tax payers money. It appears to me that he's done everything except keep any of his promises.

I remember someone — I can't remember if it was a news comentator or not — who said that when a politicians is running for office he can lie about anything...including his opponent. Well, it seems we've been lied to.

Our First Amendment is under attack — the liberals want freedom "from" religion. Christians are told what they can preach and if they violate that they are subject to fines or arrests for promoting hate. It seems that the only religion that has any freedom in this country now is Islam. They can practice their Shiara law without interference in France, England and now the United States. Have you heard of any one going to jail for honor killings?

And "free speech only applies to the liberal media". If our speech offends someone then we are subject to being arrested or some other punishment.

Why in the name of our Creator are our elected officials not defending our Constitution. It is the law of the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.

The Oath Taken By the President:? "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

The oath taken by Senators and Representatives: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.

This oath is also taken by the Vice President, members of the Cabinet, federal judges and all other civil and military officers and federal employees other than the President.

This is the oath I took when I entered the military: I, ''[name]'', do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.

Where in the name of our Creator are our politicians heads...do they not take oaths seriously, or do they hold one and behind their back with their fingers crossed?

Columbus Day

In a few weeks, the U.S. will celebrate Columbus Day, but it’s likely many Americans don’t know that this holiday commemorates Christopher Columbus arriving in North America in 1492. That’s because a series of recent studies have found that when it comes to our own history, Americans don’t always make the grade. A 2010 survey found that more than 25% of Americans did not know that we had gained our independence from Britain. China, Japan and France were all given as incorrect answers. 

And the results were even worse in a study by the U.S. Mint, which found that only 7% percent of Americans could name the first four U.S. Presidents in order: George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. In 2011. Newsweek magazine gave the official U.S. Citizenship Test to 1,000 Americans and found even more gaps in our collective knowledge. Only 27% of Americans knew which country we fought in the Cold War – the Soviet Union — and even fewer, 25%, knew the name of the current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, which is John Roberts. Scholars agree that one reason for the poor results is that America has a complex political system, which can take years to fully understand. And our unique government may never have happened if Columbus had not sailed across the ocean on the Titanic. At least, I think that’s the ship he took. I’m a little rusty on my U.S. History…

In The Immortal Words of Walter the Ventriloquist Dummy

We pay our congressmen and senators $174,000 each per year. The majority and minority leaders $193,400 and the speaker of the house, $223,500. That is just their salaries. They also have an allowance. In 2008, the most recent year I could find, they received allowances ranging from $1,299,292 to $1,637,766 for office space, secretaries and aides, and mail. Consider that we have 100 senators and 435 congressmen plus their expense accounts, we’re looking at roughly another $500 million. Then there’s those travel allowances. The congressional travel budget is somehow combined into a larger budget involving State Department and Military travel and is never made public. When a representative travels, he can pocket as much as $3,000 per trip in per deim for food and lodging due to an accounting system that does not require itemization nor demand return of unused cash.

Some lawmakers can pocket up to $3,000 a trip in cash, thanks to a system that does not require itemization and rarely demands refunds of unused cash.

They will not defund their income or benefits. They are, in my words, greedy dumb asses and think we are not watching them.

Social Security: Part Two

I have long been angered by politicians and news media calling Social Security an entitlement as though it is a FREE GIFT from the government. Yes it is an entitlement because senior citizens who paid into the fund are ENTITLED to receive the promised income from it.

Since 1937, American citizens have been involuntarily paying a percentage of their income, now up to 7%, matched by their employer, into a fund set up to provide for people who live past 65 years, or in some cases younger. They are to the point of insolvency they are considering raising the age. Yet, politicians such as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a democrat, will stand and tell lies to mislead taxpaying citizens. Following is some of Reid’s misspeaking I found recently in a news blog.

In my previous, Social Security: Part One, I presented some harsh evidence and truth on the matter. Read the following lies the democratic Majority Leader had to say about the matter. Do you think he is lying again?

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on disputed warnings that Social Security is headed for bankruptcy, calling those assertions an “outright lie.” And he says the huge federal entitlement program has not added “one penny” to the federal deficit.

Both of Reid’s claims are misleading.

Reid made the comments at a “Back Off Social Security” rally at the Capitol on Monday. Reid was joined by other Senate Democrats and liberal activists, who accuse Republicans of plotting to privatize Social Security. Democrats have used similar tactics in the past to scare senior citizens, who vote in large numbers.

“Social Security has not contributed one penny to the debt or the deficit ever in its 75 years,” Reid said at Monday’s event.

The claim is false. According to the actuaries for Social Security and Medicare, the Social Security program ran a deficit of approximately $41 billion, excluding interest on the bonds in the Social Security trust funds. Those bonds, which are a special type of Treasury bond, are placed in the trust funds in place of the cash surpluses Social Security has taken in from payroll taxes.

Because there is no cash in the Social Security trust funds, any deficits the program runs, including the 2010 deficit – and those projected into the future – must be repaid from current tax revenue.

Since the federal government was already running a deficit in 2010, and ran one in 2009, the money required to pay the Social Security deficit would have had to be borrowed, meaning it was added to the deficit and the national debt, contrary to Senator Reid’s claim.

Reid also rejected warnings that Social Security is going bankrupt, saying that the New Deal-era entitlement program was in sound fiscal shape. 

“We hear pundits and politicians take the bait that’s been thrown to them by these Republicans over the last few decades,” Reid said. “You throw it to them, and they grab it. They grab it, and they claim Social Security is headed for bankruptcy. It’s not just an exaggeration that Social Security is headed for bankruptcy — it is an outright lie.”

This statement is misleading. According to the Social Security actuaries, the program will no longer be able to pay out full benefits beginning in 2037, at which time it will have exhausted both its dedicated tax revenue and the value of the interest from the government bonds in its trust funds. 

“The annual deficits will be made up by redeeming trust fund assets in amounts less than interest earnings through 2024, and then by redeeming trust fund assets until reserves are exhausted in 2037,” the actuary reported in August 2010.

What this means is that Social Security will begin using income tax revenue to make up the difference as it runs continual deficits from now until 2037. In 2037, the program will have completely exhausted the Treasury bonds in its trust funds – meaning it will not be able to take any more extra tax revenue. At that point, the income from the program’s dedicated payroll taxes will only be able to pay approximately 75 percent of promised benefits.

The statement is misleading because if Social Security were a private-sector pension, the federal government itself would consider it insolvent or bankrupt. 

According to the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation – the federal entity that manages and bails out bankrupt or defunct pension plans – a pension must be taken over if it is insolvent and does not have enough money to pay out current benefits, or if it will go bankrupt.

“PBGC must terminate a plan if assets are unavailable to pay benefits currently due,” the agency states on its website.

In other words, Social Security is heading towards a level of insolvency that the federal government itself considers to be of such danger to its beneficiaries that – were it a private pension – the government would step in, take it over, and bail it out.

MY NOTE: When FDR established SSI (Social Security Insurance) in 1937, It was understood by most that it would be a separate fund managed by the government and would not be dipped into to pay America’s overspending appetite. In other words, it would used only for the purpose it was intended. HAS IT? There has been more abuse and vote buying with this fund that can be understood or even completely discovered by the average American. People drawing disability who are not disabled, illegal imigrants drawing SSI who didn't pay into it nor even deserve it. If the SSI funds had been used as intended...as promised years ago...there would still be plenty of money go to around.

Social Security: Part One

The Social Security Act was signed by FDR (that’s Franklin Delano Roosevelt to you uninformed about who the presidents were), on August 14, 1935. Taxes were collected for the first time in January 1937 and the first one-time, lump-sum payments were made that same month. Regular ongoing monthly benefits started in January 1940. 

History Lesson on Your Social Security Card Just in case some of you young whippersnappers (& some older ones) didn't know this. It's easy to check out, if you don't believe it. Be sure and show it to your family and friends. They need a little history lesson on what's what and it doesn't matter whether you are Democrat or Republican. Facts are Facts. Social Security Cards up until the 1980s expressly stated the number and card were not to be used for identification purposes. Since nearly everyone in the United States now has a number, it became convenient to use it anyway and the message, NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION, was removed. Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat, introduced the Social Security (FICA) Program. He promised: 

(1.) That participation in the Program would be Completely voluntary, No longer Voluntary. 

(2.) That the participants would only have to pay 1% of the first $1,400 of their annual Incomes into the Program, Now 7.65% on the first $90,000

 (3.) That the money the participants elected to put into the Program would be deductible from their income for tax purposes each year, No longer tax deductible. 

(4.) That the money the participants put into the independent 'Trust Fund' rather than into the general operating fund, and therefore, would only be used to fund the Social Security Retirement Program, and no other Government program, and, Under Johnson the money was moved to The General Fund and Spent. 

( 5.) That the annuity payments to the retirees would never be taxed as income. Under Clinton & Gore Up to 85% of your Social Security can be Taxed Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are now receiving a Social Security check every month — and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of the money we paid to the Federal government to 'put away' — you may be interested in the following: 

Q: Which Political Party took Social Security from the independent 'Trust Fund' and put it into the general fund so that Congress could spend it? 

A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the democratically controlled House and Senate. 

Q: Which Political Party eliminated the income tax deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding? A: The Democratic Party. 

Q: Which Political Party started taxing Social Security annuities? 

A: The Democratic Party, with Al Gore casting the 'tie-breaking' deciding vote as President of the Senate, while he was Vice President of the US .

Q: Which Political Party decided to start giving annuity payments to immigrants? 

AND MY FAVORITE: 

A: That's right! Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Party. Immigrants moved into this country, and at age 65, began to receive Social Security payments! The Democratic Party gave these payments to them, even though they never paid a dime into it! Then, after violating the original contract (FICA), the Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your Social Security away! And the worst part about it is uninformed citizens believe it! If enough people receive this, maybe a seed of awareness will be planted and maybe changes will evolve. Maybe not, some Democrats are awfully sure of what isn't so. But it's worth a try. Actions speak louder than bumper stickers

Gun Control

I want to share this letter to the editor written by Walter “Digger” of New Shady Grove (Newspaper and state not mentioned)

To The Editor:

Today I swung my front door wide open and placed my Remington 870 right in the doorway. I gave it four sells and left it alone and went about my business

 .

While I was gone, the mail gal delivered my mail, the trash man pick up the trash, a girl walked her dog down the street, and quite a few of my neighbors drove past.

Well, after about an hour, I checked on the gun. It was still sitting there on there, right where I had left it. It hadn’t killed anyone, even with the numerous opportunities it had been presented to do so. In fact, it hadn’t even loaded itself.

Well you can imagine my surprise, with all the media hype about how dangerous guns are and how they kill people. Either the media is wrong, and it is the misuse of guns by criminals, or I have one of the laziest shotguns ever made. I must hurry off now and check on my spoons. I hear they are making people fat.

Walter “Digger” New Shady Grove.

The High Cost of Representation

Every time I hear politicians talk about reducing government spending, the next word I hear is “entitlements”, Social Security and Medicare. Social Security is the only retirement many of our nation’s lower income citizens have and since people are living longer and healthier lives, politicians think that changing the age of eligibility to 70 is the right way to solve the problem. Raising the retirement age to 70 will cause many to have less than cat food to eat. The fact that people are living longer and healthier doesn‘t mean they will be able to keep a job or find another job if replaced by a younger person. There may be a few who have jobs past age 65 but I doubt if many of them are in the lower income bracket. This sounds more like a “from the bottom up” effort in finding places to cut back government spending.

I have been thinking more about a “from the top down” spending cut. We pay our congressmen and senators $174,000 each per year. The majority and minority leaders $193,400 and the speaker of the house, $223,500. That is just their salaries. They also have an allowance. In 2008, the most recent year I could find, they received allowances ranging from $1,299,292 to $1,637,766 for office space, secretaries and aides, and mail. Consider that we have 100 senators and 435 congressmen plus their expense accounts, we’re looking at roughly another $500 million. Then there’s those travel allowances. The congressional travel budget is somehow combined into a larger budget involving State Department and Military travel and is never made public. When a representative travels, he can pocket as much as $3,000 per trip in per diem for food and lodging due to an accounting system that doesn’t require itemization nor demand return of unused cash. That would allow a lawmaker to pocket quite a hefty sum of left-over cash. Is it any wonder that most of our elected leaders are millionaires.

But all this generosity did not start with this year's crop. Benefits payments for some 400 retired members of Congress, who receive an average benefit of $45,000 a year, cost taxpayers about $20 million annually, says the National Tax Payers Foundation. Future costs depend on the turnover rate: The more who leave before they reach the five-year vesting threshold, the lower the annual payouts are required. Over time, congressional pensions are expected to accumulate more modestly as fewer members stay on beyond six to 12 years, according to the NTUF.

My Flag

By Ray Rogers

This is my flag, I mean that in the sense that not only is this my flag it is the flag of the greatest country that ever was or ever will be and I'm proud to call it my flag.

Everyone should memorize the preamble to the Constitution.

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

It has been the greatest experiment of all time: a nation where the people govern themselves. Not only was it a success we became the richest nation on the planet with the most powerful military in the world. Where people would come from all over the world to achieve for themselves the American dream. Some countries loved us, others feared and hated us. We were a proud people, we were free.

For years I can remember saying the pledge of allegiance to this flag, not knowing the full extent of why. As I grew older and became more educated I understood more of why I was pledging allegiance to our flag.

This flag represents strength, honor, courage, purity, innocence, perseverance, vigilance, and justice.

To me it's a symbol of freedom and sacrifice. The sacrifice that our forefathers (patriots) made for us.

A patriot is a person who has committed their self to realizing a vision for their country, no mater what it cost them. They would give everything they had for freedom and liberty.

Great patriots like Patrick Henry who said at the end of a very powerful speech "give me liberty or give me death."

Throughout the history of our country there were times when father, son, and brothers fought together side by side for the same cause (freedom). Sometimes seeing one another fall and would still counted all as righteous.

If it weren't for our patriots fighting for freedom around the world tyrants would be able to take a foothold and take over the weapons and forces of our allies and use them against us. This is why we have troops stationed at strategic locations around the globe.

So next time someone refers to our military as war mongers think about the price that was paid by these brave men and women that made it possible for them to have the freedom to speak their mind.

Our flag has changed 26 times throughout our history. Starting out with 13 white 5 pointed stars in a circle on a blue background, with 13 stripes, 7 red and 6 white. Also known as the Betsy Ross flag. Still having the original stripes we now have 50 five pointed stars to represent our 50 states.

These flags have flown over the battlefields of our victories and our defeats. They have flown proudly over our schools, court houses, capitols, fire departments, police departments, and other public buildings. They have draped over the coffins of our fallen soldiers, our presidents, and other of our public servants. For some reason even though I was only 3 years old I can still remember seeing pictures on TV of our flag covering the coffin of President John F Kennedy.

Our flag has been stomped on, spit on, and burned by people who hate us and hold our nation in contempt, all the while being adored by other people because this flag gives them hope.

Here lately I've seen people change our flag to their own version to suit themselves. As for me, I'll stick with a winner. 'Old Glory'. The flag that my great grand father, grand father, and father served in the military under.

I don't understand how anyone that was born in this country could hate it. Do you really believe that you would be better off in another country? We have such a great history. I'm proud of our history, our heritage, and our flag. God bless America once again.

Hate Crime

By Ray Rogers

I’ve heard the term hate crime for years even as far back as the 1990’s. First of all I’m a middle aged white male. I hold all life to be precious regardless of the color of someone’s skin or their sexual preference. I don’t agree with everything that other people say or do, but I believe that we will all stand in judgment for ourselves alone. No one else’s behavior or action is going to give anyone an excuse for what we do in our own lives.

I noticed that when George Zimmerman shot and killed Trayvon Martin certain people in the main stream of the media immediately started calling it a “hate crime.” Now I’m not going to get involved in the whole debate whether or not it was self-defense or murder. I just want to talk about the term “hate Crime.” It is my understanding that the hate crime bill was introduced to protect certain ethnic groups.

What I’m wondering is how calling something a “hate crime” is helping anyone. I thought that all innocent people are supposed to be protected by the law no matter what color, religion, or sexual preference they may happen to be. Doesn’t the statue of lady justice have a blindfold on? Why are we trivializing one crime and holding other crimes to be more serious because some form of racism is involved.

How many people were severely beaten, stabbed, or shot, or dragged to death by someone who loved and cared for them? It would seem to me that all crimes of this nature are “hate crimes.” What difference does it make to the victim or the victim’s family if the crime was motivated by this type of hate or the other? Would you refer to the attack on the twin towers a hate crime or a war crime? I’m almost certain that people of the protected classes were in this building.

I think that when we are allowing some crimes to be labeled with the term “hate crime” which is usually done when the news media decides that a particular crime was motivated by racism I think the only thing that is being accomplished is stirring up more hate.

Don’t get me wrong. I know that racism is alive and well, but remember racism comes from all directions. It’s not just white people who can be a racist. I refuse to associate with people who are racist. I learned from that bible that all of men are created in God’s image. So according to God’s word if we choose to hate someone we are the same as a murderer. 

God’s first commandment is for us to love him with all of our heart mind and strength and our neighbor as our selves. Jesus went a little further by saying love one another as I have loved you. Now think about that for a few minutes. He died for us and called us his friends.

WARNING: Don't Tell Your Doctor Anything He Doesn't Need To Know

I had a doctors appointment today, I will not say what doctor and what his specialty was because you can’t have any secrets anymore under this administration. I was somewhat taken aback when the nurse came in with her computer and discussed with me why I was there and what procedure they wanted me to undergo. I don’t know what possessed her to tell me what I had told a different doctor a couple of weeks before when I had a routine checkup and blood and lab work done as a part of my normal semi-annual health care program. But to my dismay, she read things to me that I had told one of my other doctors. 

I could not believe these things were now in my personal medical records for anyone in the medical field and probably DOJ, IRS or NSA to read. Dumb me, thought any discussions with my medical doctor were confidential, not to be released without my permission to anyone. I was informed by the nurse that was no longer the case. The way things were set up now all doctors computers were interfaced with a main-frame system so that each doctor could call up your name, age and SSN and read what you had talked with any other doctor about.

Apparently, under the Obama administration and the possibility of Obama Care becoming factual you really didn't have any secrets from one doctor to another. So from now own I will not talk to any of my medical practitioners about anything except what they are doing to me for whatever ailment I went to them for.

 At my age if have had the same doctors for many years and we often exchange jokes and talk about things that I sometimes I might consider are not necessarily a part of my medical problem. I have one doctor who likes to tell jokes while he is examining me and we often exchange the most recent funny stories we have heard. Quite often we might even discuss personal things around my life style. I thought patient confidentiality was a sacred trust. 

From now on, I plan on not going to a doctor unless it is a dire necessity. I absolutely do not like any kind of public knowledge of what I say to my doctor in passing being recorded on his damn computer, which is main-framed into the rest of the medical network, for the rest of the medical world and others to see at their will. This country is going to hell in a hand basket with this administration’s spying on everyone and I guess, since I’m 76 years old and on Medicare, they would like very much to euthanize me to keep me from going to the doctor and costing them money. My personal doctors require me to visit them every six months and the one I went to today I am supposed to see him once a year. I would like to never go to him again, nor the one before him that put that personal information in his computer. But it is there now and there is no way to get it removed.

We The People

George Washington's Inaugural Address

George Washington's inaugural address in 1784

At his first inauguration, George Washington took the oath of office for the presidency on April 30, 1789. He was standing on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City with his hand on an open Bible.

"Such being the impressions under which I have, in obedience to the public summons, repaired to the present station, it would be peculiarly improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations and whose providential aide can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes; and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success, the functions allotted to his charge.

In tendering this homage to the Great Author of every public and private good, I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own; nor those of my fellow-citizens at large, less than either. No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States.

Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency; and in the important revolution just accomplished in the system of their United government, the tranquil deliberations and voluntary consent of so many distinct communities, from which the event has resulted can not be compared with the means by which most governments have been established, without some return of pious gratitude, along with an humble anticipation of the future blessings which them past seem to presage.

These reflections, arising out of the present crisis, have forced themselves too strongly on my mind to be suppressed. You will join with me I trust in thinking, that there are none under the influence of which the proceedings of a new and free Government can more auspiciously commence.

We ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained; and since the preservation of sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered as deeply, perhaps finally, staked of the experiment...

I shall take my present leave; but not without resorting once more to the Benign Parent of the Human Race, in humble supplication that, since He has been pleased to favor the American people with opportunities for deliberating in perfect tranquility, and dispositions for deciding with unparalleled unanimity on a form of government for the security of their union and the advancement of their happiness, so His divine blessings may be equally conspicuous in the enlarged views, the temperate consultations and the wise measures on which the success of this Government must depend."

Freedom Isn't Free, It's a gift from God

When you know the truth, the truth will make you free — John 8:32

Truth is the one thing that is hard to discover and a lot of people are just not interested. If we are the least bit interested in the truth, we listen to news broadcasters each evening or morning. The word of that is that if you are a channel flipper like me you hear different tales about the same news on different news organizations. They just can't seem to come to some agreement as to what the truth is. The maddest I believe I have ever been is when I learned that our politicians do not have to tell the TRUTH while campaigning. Why do we bother listening to campaign speeches or advertisements during elections because they are all LIES designed by people in advertising to make their man look good. I know, I spent 20 years in advertising.

The Mayflower Compact was a document establishing a Christian colony at Plymouth Rock, Va. in 1620:

"In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Sovereigne Lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britaine, France and Ireland king, defender of the faith, etc. having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honour of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the Northerne parts of Virginia, doe by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civill body politick, for our better ordering and preservation, and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enacte, constitute, and frame such just and equall laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meete and convenient for the generall good of the Colonie unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape-Codd the 11. of November, in the year of the raigne of our sovereigne lord, King James, of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fiftie-fourth Anno Dom. 1620."

And the document is followed by forty one signatures.

Following are some quotes that should be taught to every man, woman and child of the United States of America because we are FREE and FREEDOM comes from God and so does the UNITED STATES.

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As we celebrate the birth of our nation it’s important to know the truth that set our freedom free. This nation was founded not by religionists but by Christian faith. 

— the Mayflower Compact of 1620.

This nation was founded not by religionists but by Christians; not religion, but by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

— Patrick Henry

We recognize no sovereign but God and no king but Jesus Christ — John Hancock

[The Constitution] A system, which without the finger of God could not have been suggested. 

— Alexander Hamilton

The Lord is our judge [Judicial]; The Lord is our lawgiver [Legislative]; The Lord is our King [Executive]. 

— James Madison inspired by Isaiah 33:22

"God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever. Commerce between master and slave is despotism. Nothing is more certainly written in the book of fate than these people are to be free. Establish the law for educating the common people. This it is the business of the state to effect and on a general plan." 

— Thomas Jefferson 

"To the distinguished character of patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian." 

— George Washington

Inscribed on the Liberty Bell: 

"Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the Land unto all the inhabitants thereof" 

— Leviticus 25:10

I now make it my earnest prayer that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection; that he would incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow-citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for brethren who have served in the field; and finally that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind, which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation. 

— George Washington

The Gettysburg Address, 2013 Version

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.  

(These are the words delivered by Abraham Lincoln in 1863 at the Gettysburg Battle Ground paying tribute to those who had died there. Lincoln was referring to our founding fathers who founded this nation in 1776 (Four score 7 years before 1863). It has now been eleven score one decade and seven years that this great land became a nation.)

The direction this nation has been moving the last few decades makes me wonder if we are about to become engaged in a great civil war, testing whether this nation, so conceived and dedicated, can long endure. We could very well meet on a great battle-field to determine if we are able to keep our freedoms that were so bravely fought for in 1776. 

A Nation dedicated to the peace of the world fought in many more wars. The war of 1812 (which few if any remember), the civil war in 1861, the battle of San Juan Hill in 1891, World War I in which started in 1914 and ended in 1918, World War II from 1938 until 1945. Since then we have fought in Korea, Vietnam, Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Up until the end of World War II we fought not only for our freedom but for the freedom of others. In World War II we defended the Netherlands, Belgium, England, France, Algiers, and the desert of North Africa from German invasion for their natural resources. We also defended hundreds Pacific islands including Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii and far too many to name in this short writing from Japanese aggression.

The freedom of the world has long been placed in the hands of the United States of America and in the past our citizens have fought bravely for God, country and freedom. But we have now reached a point of selfishness and greed that seems to have quieted our desire for the liberty of others.

As other nations lose their God given freedom and liberty, so will we. Eventually we will find ourselves wanting to regain what we have selfishly given away because of our lack of interest in our Constitution and what our country was founded for. We have taken for granted that things will only get better while we do nothing to insure it. All we have to do is vote for politicians who promise to do their best to keep our Nation strong. It is obvious to anyone who is paying attention to the economy, the uncontrolled growth of the government and the social programs which are rampant that this once great nation is in dire distress.

There are many of us who feel that way who are now being called radicals and terrorists. We have reached the point where there are people desirous of removing God from the Pledge of Allegiance are the radicals and terrorists.

Yes, there are terrorists in the United States and you can readily identify them. They are wanting to change our laws to coincide with their radical laws which, in our minds, we find abhorrent. But it is not politically correct to call them by their name nor mention their political affiliation. Let's just call them progressives.

In my humble opinion there will come a day when we will have to dedicate a portion of some great battlefield, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that this nation might be saved from the progressive ruination. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. Let me now finish with the last paragraph of the Gettysburg Address which I think is totally fitting.

“But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground or any other ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will long remember what we say here, but it will never forget what they do here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

The Tenth Amendment

While we are concerned about our First and Second Amendment rights, very little has been said about the Tenth Amendment. While the current administration is doing its best to quiet religion and what it terms as politically incorrect speech in the face of the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of religion and speech and almost at the same time are trying to ban the freedom to own weapons for defense, hunting and sports to the extent of considering encouraging the United Nations to get involved with weapons control. This is the United States, not a suburb of the United Nations. As far as I'm concerned the United Nations can move out of the United States to a more socialist country where they would probably be more welcome.

Now for the Tenth Amendment. I'm beginning to wonder if our state elected officials are even aware that such an amendment exists. I'm pretty sure our federally elected representatives for the most part are Constitutionally ignorant. I'm afraid most are they like Nancy Pelosi and have to pass a law before they know what's in it. 

Now back to the state and the Tenth Amendment which reads: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." That statement says as lot but I'm old enough to remember when our politicians were bought off by federal grants.

I went to school  back in the day when our educational system was locally run and paid for by local tax payers. Under President Jimmy Carter, the Department of Education Organization Act (Public Law 96-88) was signed into law in 1979. The Federal government began setting goals and curriculum for our schools to teach and promising us money to help pay for the cost of such subjects. State politicians, not wanting to turn down federal grants and telling their constituents how much money they were saving them locally were happy to give up a little of the state's freedom. But as things turned out we gave up a lot of freedom.

But as all things federal do, the Department of Education grew and grew and even became unionized and unionized all of our teachers. They are now paid even more to teach even less. As long as what they teach turns our children into good little obedient, mostly ignorant voters. I saw a video tonight where a reporter asked young college age people about the revolution of 1776 and most of them thought we had won our independence from China. Other's didn't even know who we won our independence from. And a large number just thought it was another federal holiday.

Our state politicians could just tell the Federal government to keep their grants, raise our taxes and run our state as we the people under the Tenth Amendment would like to be left alone to live. It makes me wonder why we have 50 states in the first place. Arizona lost their right to protect their own borders. Looks to me like the federal government is endeavoring to turns us into one Soviet Socialist Regime with no state borders at all. Everyone will obey the new set of laws put forth by the United Nations and the One World Order. I know most of you don't believe a word I have said but I hope I live long enough to says "I told you so." I hope it doesn't come to this but the more I remember of history and the more I see the future in the writings and speakings of our political leaders, the more I see something bad coming down the road.

The End

T. S. Elliott, wrote, “The greatest proof of Christianity for others is not how far a man can logically analyze his reasons for believing, but how far in practice he will stake his life on his belief."

Those are strong words. I've heard all the arguments that there is nothing after this life. We all become worm food and that's the end of us. I used the expression that there is nothing after this life. Makes me wonder just what is life? We, us, millions of people, each one an individual with his own thoughts, beliefs, imaginations. We are ALIVE. What is being alive? We make friends, we eat, drink and make merry. We put forth a great effort to find a good job and make money to buy  THINGS to make us happy, comfortable, entertained and attract like minded friends.

What makes us want to live and put forth great effort to being happy. For the most part we seek love of others. A life lived alone is unimaginable to most of us. We not only desire, but we seek out similar minded persons who will love us and be our companion. I personally have never met a hermit or anyone who likes living alone. I've met people who live alone because their loved-one died and they chose not to re-marry or take in another companion. 

One thing has crossed my mind a lot lately and it is this: No matter how many loved-ones you can amass and I have many. No matter how many people who calls you their friend. When you are lying on your death bed, no matter how may people are gathered around, you are going to die alone. No one can take your place or go with you, you are on your own. That's when most Athiests have last minute thoughts of "what if I have been wrong all these years. Will I just cease to exist or is there something good or bad waiting for the spirit of life that occupies my body.” Will you stake eternity on your belief in Atheism?

God and Apollo 11

Editor's Note: This is in regards to an article I wrote some time back entitled "An Essay for Many Athiests and Others Who Have Doubts"

By Ray Rogers

My father James Rogers wrote an article (a very good one I might add) in response to a woman who doesn't believe in God. She advised my father that the existence of God had all been proven false. That most all wars are fought over religion and that he should trust more in science.

Well I'd like to add that God is not religion He is God and there is none other. Religion is something that was created by man. I also agree that religion was invented to control people. God does not control people, if he did you would not see all this sin, murder, hate and debauchery that exists. Instead he made us individuals with free will. We are all stewards over what God has given us charge over to do with whatever our free will leads us to do.

Look at how many times that science has been wrong throughout history. Now lets consider the Bible. It has been consistent since the first book was written. Many of the books such as Psalms predicted the coming of the messiah and how he would suffer. Obadiah 1:4, says: "Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,” declares the Lord. Now how would the a prophet of God know about the space program thousands of years before a man landed on the moon? July 20, 1969 Apollo 11 lunar excursion module landed on the moon. Neil Armstrong said, "the eagle has landed." The base of that module is still sitting on the moon's surface today. Could that be the nest that God was speaking of?

The Bible has predicted many things which most all have already come true. Only a few things left before Jesus comes to set up his throne here on earth. God's word tells us to be witnesses. So I'm going to witness. When I was a small boy of seven my aunt prayed the sinners prayer with me and while we prayed I physically felt a cleansing around my heart. I felt great joy in my heart, after that there was no doubt that God was real. I was too young to imagine such a thing and no one gave me any indication of what to expect.

The Bible says that the Holy Spirit would be poured out on all flesh. This is that spirit that gave me the cleansing feeling I felt that night, this is also the spirit of truth that Jesus said we would be baptized with: Matthew 3:11. Jesus said blessed is he who believes though he has not seen: John 20:29. The bible says that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen: Hebrews 11:1.

God tells men to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute you: Matthew 5:44. Religion tells men to hate and to kill the infidel. God's people don't have to be controlled. They do good because they love God and want to bare witness to his love. Our faith is not based in science, but in the fact that we have felt his love.

So if you choose to believe in science rather than God. Don't worry I'm not going to cut your head off or blow you up, but imagine opening your eyes one day and realizing that your free thinking mind has taken you to a horrible place and you've never been so afraid before. Then it will be too late, because like the fallen angels there is no redemption outside of the flesh. God's word says also that it is appointed for us once to die and then the judgement.

God doesn't want this for you and neither do we his children. After all He sent his only begotten Son to die for our sin. Please put your faith in the Creator of science, not just science itself. Just look at the Apollo 11 insignia and remember Obidiah 1:4 "Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,”