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.