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,” 

Keep Your Guns and Buy More!

Editor's Note: Somehow while tryng to make my pages look better to the readers, this page became damaged and I was unable to fix it  so I deleted it and reposted. Now it is no longer in its original order but and I hope my readers don't become confused by my doing so. Thank you, James

Katie Worthman 

Published on Feb 19, 2013

Katie Worthman was born in Austria, and lived there for seven years under Hitlers brutal regime, and after world war II, she also lived three years under Soviet communist occupation. Needless to say, but Mrs. Worthman is someone who has an acute awareness of how media distorts things and tyranny comes to power. Mrs. Worthman, not only says that the media was wrong about how Hitler came to power, but she says that "In the beginning, Hitler didn't look like, or talk like a monster at all. He talked like an American politician."

She says that the story of Hitler overthrowing governments and people in order to come to power just simply isn't true, but rather the Austrian people elected Hitler with 98% of the vote at the ballot box. Mrs. Worthman then goes on to say that the Austrian people had guns, but the government began to say that they were dangerous, so they began to implement gun registration. Then she said this was followed by turning in their weapons to the police station in order to cut down on crime, and if citizens didn't... there would be capital punishment.

Mrs. Worthman says that the dictatorship, "didn't happen over night, but it took 5 years, gradually, little by little, to escalate to a dictatorship."

She then goes on to say that, "When the people fear the government, that's tyranny, but when the government fears the people, that's liberty."

As a Nazi survivor, what is her advice to us... "Keep your guns, keep your guns and buy more guns."

God....Is He or Isn't He?

I endeavor to not wear my religion on my sleeve but this has become necessary because of one person. I belong to “social” web site that’s dedicated to discussions, sometimes arguments about current events in subjects of entertainment, politics and family. Recently I came across a comment by a lady named “Sue”, no last name given. The following is her comment:

“Learn more of science. You may become enlightened. Some 'god' did not 'create' everything. Some 'god' does not 'cause' weather conditions. Some 'god' does not give children to couples. The bible is not based on fact. Much of it has been proven myths & stories from other cultures or just plain wrong. Death wasn't 'caused' because some woman who was 'created' from a rib ate an apple. Death always existed. A rib cannot grow arms, legs, etc; THAT'S a proven. 'God' is an invention of man to explain how things started as well as to control people. Give me ONE PROVEN piece of factual evidence. Whenever I ask that basic question, no one answers. I wonder why? Religion is responsible for most of the wars fought in the world. Your comments are senseless. You are just repeating the things you have been indoctrinated in.”

That was in answer to my statement to a previous anti-God statement she had made. Below is my answer to her “learn more of science” comment:

“None of you non-believers have any factual evidence that He isn't running things? The Bible was written over a period of 1500 years by more than 66 men and all of them agreed that there was but one all knowing, all seeing, ever present God who created this whole universe and all that is in it. Once He set things into motion, it's reasonable that according to Genesis, on the 7th day he rested. Maybe He isn't "running things". Maybe we're living in the 7th day and He isn't actively doing anything accept being God. See my explanation in the paragraph above. I cannot say anything more or second guess what God has on His Mind. The sad thing is that people do not really know GOD and think of him as a benevolent old man sitting on a throne somewhere. They are very mistaken.” I also stated that: “God is God, and being God, He can do whatever He wants to whomever He wants, whenever He wants. No reason needed for His actions. Another fact is that there is no way a book that took 1500 years to write by many different men could be so much in agreement. No other such book has been written in our entire history. The Qu’ran was written by one man and it has parts in it that are in total disagreement with other parts. God's followers have fed more hungry, provided medical facilities to more poor nations, put themselves in danger to go to the aid of people who have been devastated by hurricanes or floods than any other of earth's community. That's a proven. The IRS reports that Conservative Christians donotate more money and time helping others as shows on their tax forms each Apriil 15th.

And her “learn more science” statements leads me to think of her as too young to remember all the mistakes science has made over the years. How many things have they claimed causes cancer then changed their minds. And I’m old enough to remember when the Milky Way was considered the whole universe until Hubble and the Hubble telescope started looking deeper into space. Scientists think they can look far enough back into the universe to find the beginning of the Big Bang. My question for science is which way do you look? The universe is a gigantic sphere with no end. We can look at the north star but which way is it to the beginning of the universe, the Big Bang if you wish. And if the Big Bang happened at the speed of light, some scientists say it was faster, how can we, looking back at the speed of light, see something that happened 400 million years ago. Another thing scientists were wrong about is the expanding-collapsing universe. When I was in school, they thought that the universe would eventually start collapsing back into itself. Now they are saying we are living in an ever expanding universe.

As I sit here in my glorious stupidity glad that I’m a Christian, I don’t need to worry about tomorrow, whether the universe is collapsing or even what causes cancer. I know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hand.

Freedom Isn't Free...You Have To Work At It

As I observe the events occurring in our nation and around the world, I cannot help but to worry that something is very much amiss. I’ve lived long enough to have seen times when doors were seldom locked, church bells rang on Sunday morning, people watched out for each other’s children, children were taught to respect their elders, teachers read scripture and had morning prayer in classrooms, and the pledge of allegiance was recited by students with hand over heart, including the words Under God. I was witness to a nation, whose citizens sacrificed their time, money, sons and daughters to a world war on foreign soil for the freedom that united we stand, stands for. Again I saw men and women go, not to war but a “police action”, to save the small country of South Korea from the threat of communist North Korea. Thousands gave the last full measure of their life to this cause. President Kennedy gave us reason to be proud when he faced down Castro and Kruschev during the Cuban missile crisis. 

Then came, possibly our histories most unpopular conflict, Vietnam. France had already been there and was soundly defeated, so the USA decided to take up the task. At first, we were only going in as advisors to the South Vietnam military. Nevertheless, things kept escalating. For some unknown reason, our political leaders were afraid to win this “conflict” because it might offend our other enemies, namely the USSR. If memory serves me correctly, they were afraid that it might escalate into a nuclear conflict. Our returning soldiers, who had endured the “don’t fire unless fired upon” rule and clawed their way through mud and jungle and survived, were jeered and spat upon as they disembarked their ships. They were exhausted and demoralized from having lost, and yet they were treated like the “bad guy” when they finally made it safely back to the land of the free and the home of the brave. It was a sad thing to see.

The Jane Fonda type “peaceniks” bravely mistreated our returning soldiers with impunity. Only in America could they have gotten away with such atrocious behavior, protected by the same men who were offering their lives for freedom around the world. Only in America are people free to be obnoxious and belligerent as they please.There have been terrorists, both foreign and domestic all the while thinking a bomb placed here or there every now and then to kill a few innocents would make all the difference in the world. What kind of difference do they really want? America is the one nation where every citizen has the freedom to speak his peace, practice his religion, make his life pretty much of what he wants it to be without any interference from anyone. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is guaranteed in the Constitution.

America’s war against terrorism is far from over and yet our citizens tire of it. It is beginning to look like another Vietnam. No real ambition to be winners again. Pogo author, Walt Kelly said it best in 1970 when he wrote: “I have seen the enemy and he is us.” We have no leadership in Washington; congress, the senate, the president, all seem to have their heads in the sand thinking things will eventually get better. Of course, it is not really too bad for them; they all have a job with a good salary and benefits. From the top looking down, it does’t look too bad. While I am not at the bottom, I can see it from where I sit and it looks really bad down there. Moreover, from my point of view looking up, it is beginning to look really bad up there; no one up there seems to be paying attention. Yet it is really the fault of the citizens, us, we the people. We are too busy to pay attention and vote as though our very freedom and liberty depend on it. Yet it really does. Freedom loving Americans should start paying attention to the matters at hand. I hope it is not too late, some people think it is. As one who believes in the Judeo-Christian principles the founding fathers built this nation on, I say that if we citizens cannot rescue America from its perceived destiny, then look to the last verse in the Bible, Revelation 22:20 -- He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.