David Barton, One Nation Under God

This folks, is REAL and TRUE American history; the actual tenents that the United States is founded upon. Now, there will be some who watch this and shout that this is not real, but fabricated to appease the movement behind a Christian heritage. You can do that. But ultimately, this history shows the inspired men who founded our great country, and why we are the most prosperous nation on the earth.
Like it or not, this is each citizen's history.

Please take the time to watch this incredible and enlightening presentation!

Guilty By Association: The LGBT Community Sinks to a New Low

Today, the HGTV network had to issue a statement that they support the LGBT community and do not tolerate any homophobic actions by anyone in their employ, blah, blah, blah. This in response to a report that network stars Chip and Joanna Gaines (Fixer Upper) happen attend the church of a pastor (Jimmy Seibert) who has dared openly oppose homosexuality and the LGBT movement in general. (Gasp! How dare he!) Someone looking for an excuse to attack the Gaines has basically made them guilty by association, without any proof whatsoever other than knowing the church they attend.

Chip and Joanna Gaines, to their credit, have not responded to the allegation instead, allowing the network to issue a response. This whole thing smacks of intolerant hatred.
Here is my response...

"Let me get this right...

The Gaines attend a church service whose pastor is anti gay....so they are guilty by association.

They have done nothing--so far as we know--against anyone....but are guilty by association.

They treat everyone on their show with dignity and respect...but are guilty by association.

As far as we know, they have never said a word about their stance on the LGBT thing, so they are still... guilty by association.

Now, the HGTV Network must defend their employees who are nothing more than...guilty by association.

This is ludicrous! The LGBT folks need to just leave people alone. In their quest for "Equality," they are damaging lives, the income of families, the business reputations of many, and for what? To salve their hurt feelings that someone may not agree with their chosen personal lifestyle? Seriously?!

This country is, and always has been, a melting pot of cultures and thoughts. What these LGBT groups just don't get is that it takes everyone in this great melting pot to respect their fellow citizens even when opinions run contrary to their own.

With Chip and Joanna Gaines, someone seems to be looking for a way to bring pain to this good couple simply because of the church they attend. Where is the respect in that? Without a shred of proof, they declare the Gaines guilty by association and expect everyone to jump on their band wagon of hate...which is exactly what they wanting.

"Oh no, this person is homophobic so we're going to go out and destroy their income just so we can feel better about ourselves!"  That line of thinking is all about HATE. Plain and simple hate. The very groups that worked against hate for so many years, are resorting to using hate against anyone they deem 'hateful, bigoted, homophobic, whatever.' How they can sleep at night with a clear conscience is beyond me.

The term "Live and let live" is aptly applied here. The LGBT groups just need to leave people alone. They need to stop looking for offences and go about bettering their own lives. Instead of any real and substantial fact, they are now seeming to go on insinuation and guilt by association. Again, they just need to stop. If not, their antics could be seen as that of hate groups whose only goal is to punish those who fail to support their line of thinking. Sound like any real hate groups in our history?"

Another Athiest Attack on Religion

A story today from the Washington Post ("A Court’s Cross to Bear: Memorial Monument or Religious Endorsement?" by Ann E Marimow)  highlights the fight of an atheist group to declare a WWI war memorial in Maryland an endorsement of a single religion by the government. Though I won't go into the specifics of the case, the whole thing just seems to be a whine-fest by a few atheists who are demanding they get their way rather than accommodating a memorial display that has been in public view for nearly a century.

I responded to the article with the following post:

"No one is making the atheists look at memorials; no one is making anyone pray; no one is forcing anyone to believe in anything. A cross is a cross and does NOT endorse a single religion. If one checked, I'm positive that all the men that memorial represents are NOT from a single religion.

The First Amendment has been twisted from its original mean of Freedom OF Religion to Freedom FROM Religion. The intent was to allow all people to worship freely--if they choose, and to allow others to not worship. However, for those that DO worship, they should be allowed to practice their faith without restraint, or fear of retribution or intimidation.

For those who scream 'Separation of Church and State,' I remind everyone that this phrase is NOT FOUND ANYWHERE in the Constitution, Bill of Rights of the Declaration of Independence. In Fact, God is mentioned no less than five times in the Declaration. While God is not reference in the Constitution (aside from the inference in the First Amendment), EVERY State Constitution DOES reference God in some manner. (Look it up for yourself.)

Christianity itself is NOT a single religion, as these groups claim. There are many religions here in the US, as there always have been. The government does in no way endorse a single religion. Therefore, the cross cannot be an endorsement of a single religion, as is forbidden by law; just as the Ten Commandments is NOT an endorsement of a single religion. The Commandments are embraced by most religions as they are a moral compass that makes us all good and decent people. After all, who can argue that murder is bad, that lying is unethical, that adultery can have dire consequences, that treating your fellow man with dignity and respect is a good thing, etc?

I have never told an atheist that they are foolish, or bad or unworthy of friendship or in any way less than anyone else. Can the atheists say the same about those they attack?

Freedom of Religion is not just about those who worship. It is a give and take between those who do, and those who do not. Respecting the "inalienable rights" is vital to both sides; yet the atheists seem intent on destroying the opposing side even though the freedom to worship is guaranteed by law. How is their (the atheists) goal of limiting religion just so they can feel comfortable NOT an impingement of the rights of those who choose TO worship? They demand their "Rights" yet give no leeway so others can enjoy theirs. How is this a fair and equal treatment under the law? If these various atheist groups have their way, Freedom of Religion would be nonexistent  just so they could go about life without having to be subjected to thoughts, ideas, sights and sounds that make them "feel less," or like supposed "second class citizens."

If atheists feel like that, then just maybe they place too much importance on the opinions of others rather than taking it upon themselves to accept the responsibility of respecting the rights and beliefs of others and accordingly, accommodate the Rights of every other citizen.  After all, no one is forcing anyone to believe in religion, no one is forcing them to read the Ten Commandments, step foot in a church, evoke God in any way, to pray or any other invocation, recitation or involvement in or of religion or personal belief.

Both sides of the argument have a point. However, by seeking to restrict Freedom of Religion, the balance is lost and the power of the First Amendment is diminished, and the will of our Founding Fathers is trampled upon. The specifics of the First Amendment were written for a reason. The history behind their inclusion is well documented. All you need to do is read legitimate historical [non-secular revisionist] sources to understand the reasons our Founders placed such importance on "Freedom of the Press, Freedom of Religion, Freedom to Petition the Government, Freedom of Assembly and the Freedom of Speech" (Article III of the First Amendment--NOT in order).

I completely agree that atheist have their rights. However, when they trample of the rights of fellow citizens, then their position is tenuous and the legitimacy of their claims is lessened.

Unfortunately, the Courts will decide the outcome of the argument rather than simply referencing our Founding Documents and allowing the foresight of the Founding Fathers to guide us all."

The Newly Elected President of the United States

Wednesday, 09 November, 2016.

The latest U.S. General Election is finally over. All those months of political bickering and grandstanding are finished. All the lies coming out of Hillary Clinton's mouth are silenced...for now. All the mud smearing television ads are suddenly off the air. America can finally get back to what's most important...
...our families and day to day living.

In the end, the President-Elect turned out to be Donald Trump, the businessman with zero political experience candidate who was unbelievably elected by voters who are sick and tired of the lala land so many D.C. politicians live in that they no longer seem to represent "the people," instead serving up their best legislative efforts for Special Interests, Big Business and just about everything else that works against the best interest of the American people.

As for Hillary Clinton, her loss came at her own hands. All the lies, scandals, selective memory lapses, attacking the Constitution and Bill of Rights, serious healthy questions and so much more; these all came back to haunt the former First Lady, denying her the chance to become the first woman elected as President. In the end, she has innumerable character flaws that voters just could not ignore. While Trump may not have been a good alternative to Clinton, the issues broiling around the Democratic nominee were just too questionable to pass off as the rumors or innuendo of political activists intent of destroying "Killary," as she is called in various political videos produced to deny her the presidency.

In Congress, the Republican party is enjoying dominating both Houses for the first time in years. Along with a Republican in the White House, it will be quite interesting to see the cooperation between the two on partisan legislation and possibly getting this country back on the right track following the disastrous eight years of King Obama's reign.

While the Republican Majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate may not be a huge number, the fact that a single Party controls Congress is great for the American people who have seen nothing but bipartisan bickering on every issue since Obama was first elected.

This election cycle will also have a very long-lasting impact on the US Supreme Court. With one judge already missing, and six more who are over the age of 80, the next President will shape the future of the United States by their selections of Supreme Court Nominee's and their political leanings. With an Obama nominee already selection awaiting possible confirmation hearings, the likelihood of the Senate even convening for the Hearings is minuscule, at best.

President-elect Trump must make a selection as soon as he is sworn in, as the Confirmation Hearings can take months to complete.

Then, sometime in the next four years, President Trump will be called upon to nominate up to six more men a/o women to fill the vacated seats. If these nominees were all liberals, we could expect a High Court that regards the Constitution as a so-called "Living Document" that changes with the times and takes in the societal mores that most citizens rebuke, but a few of whom would push their personal agendas on the whole Country via what I term, "Legislation through Litigation."

By nominating Conservative-leaning judges to fill any seat of the US Supreme Court, President Trump will be returning to the days when the rule of law actually meant something, and the Supreme Court upheld the principles the United States was Founded upon, laying aside agendas and Legislation through Litigation.

This election, once thought to be historic with the possible election of a female President, is still historic in nature...it's just not how most everyone assumed it would be; instead potentially historic in cooperation and legislation between the White House and the Capitol building, and in the legal landscape decades from now through careful nomination and selection of Supreme Court Justices.

Now, more than ever, we need the blessings of Almighty God to rain down upon us to straighten our course, reaffirm our national priorities and set us once again firmly atop the pillar above the world upon which the Government "of the people, by the people and for the people" will continue to thrive, and the Republic which was founded so long ago, will regain its strength and purpose and elevate all men in ways we cannot comprehend. 

Excuses for Baseball Pitcher's Jose Fernandez's Death

Last month Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez was killed when his speed boat impacted a jetty in a waterway somewhere in the Miami area. Along with Fernandez, two friends also lost their lives. It was called a tragedy, baseball fans and players alike mourned his death as this young man had just begun to see the potential that lied within him.

Today, we get the autopsy results that showed Fernandez was legally drunk (twice the legal limit!), and had cocaine in his system, as well. So instead of being a mere tragedy, we see that this was a totally preventable incident. However, instead of people addressing the cause of the accident, they are making excuses for Fernandez, summing up his actions as 'youthful indiscretion' and other such ridiculous excuses.

In an article this morning on MSN Sports entitled, "Autopsy Can't Alter Grief in Jose Fernandez Death," the writer of the article, Bob Nightengale from USA Today Sports, asserts with an attitude that can only be described as sensational excuse-making writes,

"Still, no matter what comes out of all of the investigations, one thing will never change: It won’t bring back Fernandez, 24, or his two friends.

   It also should not change our feelings, the excruciating heartbreak, the outpouring of grief we all felt when the moment we found out he was killed.
   Sure, Fernandez and his buddies never should have been on that boat that night, stopping first at a bar, and then getting back into his boat at 2:30 in the morning, speeding along Miami Beach, until hitting that jetty at full speed, instantly killing all three.

  Still, haven’t we all done something stupid in life? Haven’t we all been careless?

  It was no different two years ago when St. Louis Cardinals prized prospect Oscar Taveras was killed in a car accident in the Dominican Republic during the World Series. We grieved, and several weeks later, the autopsy report revealed that he was drunk when he crashed, killing himself and his girlfriend.
  “People make mistakes,’’ St. Louis Cardinals GM John Mozeliak said. “But when you’re dead, you’re dead.
   “The worst part about Oscar’s death, is that another person died.’’
...That Fernandez had cocaine and enough alcohol to significantly impair his decision-making shouldn’t take away our pain.
...Sure, we can be mad. We can scream to the heavens, asking why no one bothered to stop these three young men from getting into that boat? We can direct anger towards Fernandez for being so careless, particularly as a soon-to-be father with a girlfriend five months pregnant.

   But, please, don’t let the results of an autopsy alter your grieving process.
   When Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock was killed in a one-person car accident on Interstate 64 in St. Louis in 2007, the Cardinals were devastated. When it turned out that his blood-alcohol level was 0.157, nearly twice the legal limit, with 8.55 grams of marijuana found in his SUV, nothing changed.
  “Everybody makes mistakes,’’ said Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa, who was arrested for drunk driving a month before Hancock’s death. “Most times, you don’t pay that kind of price.’’

  Cardinals scouting director Randy Flores, one of Hancock’s closest friends, who spoke at his funeral, called it one of the most difficult, challenging times of his life. When the autopsy report came out, it didn’t change a thing.
  The tears didn’t dry up. The heart didn’t hurt less. The pain remained the same.
   “All you knew was that your friend, who we all loved,’’ Flores says, “was gone.
   “That’s all that mattered.’’

    It’s no different now.
   All that matters is that Fernandez, Macias and Rivero are gone.
   And no amount of autopsy reports, lawsuits, or blame, can ever bring them back.
   That’s the tragedy."

The tragedy here, unlike the assertion that Nightengale makes, is that the death of Fernandez and friends was 100% preventable. Making excuses for bad choices only exacerbates the problem of drugs and alcohol.

I made the following comment on the story:

"Excuses, excuses, excuses.
With this revelation we now know that Fernandez made an obvious series of choices that led to his death, along with two others.
I hope this is a wake up call to people who believe themselves above the consequences of poor decision-making. It may not catch up to them now; but it WILL catch up to them, leaving families to grieve, and/or be impacted financially for decades with hefty medical bills in order to care for a son or daughter, husband or wife left paralyzed and unable to breath on their own, move or speak.
Excuses for Fernandez's behavior will only encourage similar choices in others.
This needs to be talked about frankly, openly, truthfully and in no uncertain terms...directly and bluntly. Maybe, if talks about this happen in that fashion, a few teens/young adults/everyone else will make better choices when it comes to using drugs, alcohol and anything else they use to "have fun."
Let's hope so."

The War on Religion and the First Amendment is Well Underway

As I stated in an earlier post, the war on religion was the next great activist battlefront once same sex marriage was forced down the throats of Americans of every creed, religion and ethnic upbringing. The following snippets from Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal advocacy group, illustrate just how real this issue has become:

"A lot has changed since many of us were on a college campus. What was once celebrated as a marketplace of ideas has now become a place where only university-approved concepts and speech are tolerated. This does not bode well for our children and grandchildren who are forced to either comply with university demands or put their futures at risk.

That's why we're so thankful for brave young people like Robert Dunn. Robert is a student at Iowa State University. He is also a Christian and the president and founder of the campus' politically conservative student group ISU Young Americans for Freedom.

When the university announced a new mandatory training on the school's "non-discrimination policies and procedures," Robert found that school policies allowed punishment of "First Amendment protected speech activities … depending on the circumstances." And student speech could be deemed "discriminatory harassment" if other students thought it was not a "legitimate topic," "not necessary," or lacks a "constructive purpose."

When Robert asked the school's Office of Equal Opportunity what the consequence would be if he or any other student did not sign a document certifying compliance with the policy, he was told that it would result in a hold on his graduation and subsequent review by the dean of students.  A hold on his graduation? Unbelievable.

Alliance Defending Freedom filed a federal lawsuit on Robert's behalf earlier this week. No university policy trumps the First Amendment, and students like Robert cannot be silenced just because they hold religious or conservative views.

If we don't stand up to this censorship on campus, an entire generation of students will continue to be infected by this idea that bureaucrats have the power to give and take away freedom of speech on a whim. These same students will then graduate and implement this worldview in their own professional careers. We can't let that happen.

Unfortunately, this is just a snapshot of the intolerance on America's campuses. And Robert is just one student of many who are standing up to their universities and fighting for their freedom."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Discrimination against Christians on campus continues to rise:

• Eastern Michigan University student Julea Ward was expelled from her school’s graduate counseling program because her Christian convictions would not allow her to affirm same-sex relationships.
• Dr. Kenneth Howell was a much-beloved professor at the University of Illinois. But when he presented the Catholic perspective on homosexual behavior as part of a course called "Introduction to Catholicism", a student complained and Dr. Howell was first removed from his position and later officially terminated.
• When a group of students, including Angela Little, tried to host a pro-life event at Eastern Michigan University, they were told that it was too “biased” and too “controversial,” and would not be allowed — even though other events that advocated politically correct or left-leaning viewpoints had been permitted.

And if you think your child or grandchild will escape this kind of oppression by attending a private Christian college or university, you need to think again, because …

The government campaign to legally and financially destroy Christian colleges that remain faithful to biblical teaching has already begun."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The situation has been especially grave in California. Activists there convinced their collaborators in the state legislature to propose a new law that could have dramatically damaged Christian higher education in that state … and led to similar attacks in other states. The proposed law targeted schools that practiced what the state calls “discrimination” based on religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression in both student and employee relations.
This is the kind of attack that Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Clarence Thomas warned about when the U.S. Supreme Court imposed same-sex marriage on the country last year.

The state is essentially saying to Christian colleges and universities, “Abandon what the Bible
teaches, or we will shut you down!”

Worse, if California had succeeded in punishing Christian colleges for upholding Christian moral teaching, the effort could have quickly spread to other states."----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For those of you who scoff at any supposed "war on religion" I ask that you look no further than the whole "Christmas" issue. President Obama, the man elected to lead our Country (and uphold and defend the Constitution--including the Bill of Rights) last year called the Annual White House Christmas Tree the "National Holiday Tree." His omission of the word Christmas was glaring to everyone.
State Capitals are being sued for allowing any mention of Christmas on their grounds as it is deemed an endorsement of a single religion--which is ludicrous.

Add in the legal attacks against small business owners who politely decline to participate in same sex marriage ceremonies, and who then have their livelihoods destroyed. Why not just go to another business? Why do people have to act vengefully when service is refused? The answer is simple...

There is a double standard when it comes to the War on Religion. Those who are offended are allowed to vehemently attack the so-called offenders, and to destroy businesses simply because of a refusal of service, even though they were kindly given the names and phone numbers of competing stores, which the offended could --and should--have easily patroned.
In this day and age of political correctness--a movement which has been destroying Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Religion--anyone who disagrees with the prevailing line of thinking will have their businesses destroyed, have threats of retribution thrown at them, receive death threats and numerous harassing phone calls to their place of employment, among other horrible things. How is THAT garbage allowed? How does the government turn a blind eye to these efforts of those behind the LGBT and PC movements, while blithely punishing people who stand up for their own Freedoms, as guaranteed by the Constitution?
A double standard indeed.

As I alluded to in earlier posts, this War on Religion is real, and spreading every day. The Courts in this country are demanding various religions accommodate the PC crowd on a variety of issues under duress of losing funding or Tax Exempt status from the Federal Government.
What was not so long ago a hallowed Right of the vast majority of Americans is now under legal siege by a vast minority who obviously believe that their opinions should hold sway over everyone else in the Country. This sounds a lot like why our children no longer recite The Pledge of Allegiance in our schools, why displays of the Ten Commandments have been removed from the public sphere, why children are no longer allowed to pray over lunch at school... I could go on and on.
The fact is, Freedom of Religion, so important to our Founding Fathers that they created an "inalienable right" for all citizens to cherish by including it in the First Amendment, is indeed under attack. The worst part is that the attack on the basic Right of every American--if they choose religion--is just beginning. From here, the attacks will only get worse and the Government, those who are sworn to protect the Constitution, are standing idly by while lawyers use the legal system, including the Supreme Court, to twist and nullify the First Amendment into something it was never intended to be.

Our First President, George Washington, stated, "Laws made by common consent must not be trampled upon by individuals."

If this issue concerns you as much as it does me, PLEASE, Call, Write or Email you elected Senators or Representatives on bothy the State and National levels. Demand that they protect our First Amendment Rights! This Country was founded on the ideas of personal freedoms. Activists today would have that mean 'freedoms as they see fit, and NOT as it is intended to be.'

Please, do something, or sit back and watch your personal freedoms continue to erode in favor of politically correct thinking and living, as those behind all of this twisting of the Bill of Rights into nothing it should be resemble so that a vast minority of citizens can feel comfortable in their everyday lives, continues unabated.

It's YOUR choice. Speak up, or go like a lamb to the slaughter and watch our once great country fall under the sway of the self-serving, 'I'm more important than you' thinking that is destroying the freedoms our Founding Fathers set down in paper as inalienable rights that all men should live by.

Donald Trump Remarks

The recently released taped conversation involving by Donald Trump--from 2005--are unfortunate, at best. The language is foul, and is in no uncertain terms plain and simply wrong.
That being said, I in no way support such language, nor in the objectifying of women. However, this wholly private conversation is being used as a political tool to degrade the Trump campaign in the final weeks prior to the US Presidential Election. Accusations are flying, endorsements are being pulled, and the Clinton campaign is just sitting back, watching the whole thing explode...with glad hearts, no doubt.

Why? Because this obviously pre-planned release had the effect they were hoping for in order to sweep Hillary Clinton's numerous scandals under the proverbial rug; at least for a while. The public gaze moves off of Clinton, lessening the heat she is rightfully feeling, giving her whole campaign a much needed boost in these final weeks. The recording tears a HUGE hole in the momentum of Trumps move towards the White House. It is yet to be seen if the damage is irreversible.

To his credit, Trump has apologized for this "locker room banter," and his apology seemed to be sincere. His body language and use of verbiage also backs that up. To me, he truly seems to be a man humbled by this past misdeed, with no intent to mislead voters.

My issue with this tape is manifold.

First, the timing. The Clinton campaign has likely had this recording in their possession for some time. The release of the tape is purely strategic. It was timed to do significant damage to the Trump campaign, which it has. In these final weeks ahead of the election, this tape will indeed sway many voters away from Trump and into the Clinton camp. The release of this tape is mudslinging politics at its worst.

Second, this private conversation was had eleven years ago. Who remains the same over the course of eleven years? Trump was unmarried at the time, blowing off steam in a true locker room bit of male ego bonding. While that is not an excuse for such language, I must ask every person who is jumping on the hate wagon, 'How many times have YOUR private conversations gone to places, talked about people and subjects that you later found to be an embarrassment?' 

The Biblical phrase, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone" is aptly applied. Yes, this even refers to women who often get caught up in mean-spirited gossip, or who talk about people and events with catty disregard and contempt.

In eleven years, no one stays the same! We all change attitudes and outlooks as life teaches us, shapes us and leads us to being better people in many aspects of our lives.

Third, by releasing this tape, at this time, the Clinton campaign managers are, as I've already stated, diverted public attention away from the many scandals embroiling Hillary, which only favors her chances in November.

   -Her husband, former US President Bill Clinton has been revealed to be a sexual predator. How can he possibly command any public trust anymore?

   -In the years since the Clinton White House, many opponents and whistle blowers of anything Clinton have turned up dead under always suspicious circumstances.

   -Judicial Watch, a DC watchdog group, has proven through Freedom Of Information releases that then Secretary Clinton used her State Department role to garner millions of dollars of pledges for The Clinton Foundation in exchange for access to State Dept favors for private individuals around the globe, as well as special appointments to various Departments in the Federal Government. This so-called "Pay for Play" scheme not only violated Federal Laws, but also raises serious questions about Integrity, as well as Special White House Access by people who would carry significant influence over policy should Clinton be elected.

   -The latest WikiLeaks release has unilaterally proved that Hillary Clinton, as Sec of State, intentionally sold weapons to the Islamist jihadi group ISIS--a serious violation of the law. Yet, it too is being swept under the rug.

   -Clinton, rather than comply with a Federal Court Order, destroyed laptops, phones and servers she used in her time as the Head of the State Dept. Plus, she intentionally destroyed public emails that implicate her in various scandals--again, another illegal move that was intentional. Clinton's claims that she didn't know the designator of "Classified" on Dept emails is ludicrous, and a flat out bold-faced lie.  This raises monstrous concerns of her handling the biggest secrets in America. How can she possibly be trusted?

   -Lastly--though certainly not the last in a VERY long list--is Hillary's health. She is obviously hiding something. Everyone sees it, yet she blithely excuses issues as a cold, or pneumonia, or fatigue or whatever her handlers come up with. Her hands tell me that she has advancing Parkinson's Disease. She cannot control what her hands do, and often places them against her chest in order to keep them still.

Then there are the times she seems to lose conscious thought, seeming lost and unable to talk or respond. She often seems dazed and involuntarily and inappropriately laughs out loud, her face distorted in what would normally be highly uncomfortable positions. Her handlers will jump in, soothing her, talking quietly. Bill, if there, will talk quietly in her ear, guiding her with is hand on her back. Something isn't right with her, and her campaign is definitely withholding that from the publics' right to know.

These are only the tip of the iceberg! Hillary Clinton has too many questions and issues to be our President, and the release of this Trump conversation has done its job in diverting the attention of the voters away from her many scandals and squarely onto the shoulders of a recalcitrant Trump. Meanwhile, Hillary has now begun to scream how unfit Trump is for the Presidency. She attacks, attacks, attacks.

I have yet to hear from her about ANY policy she will be trying to achieve, if elected. All we hear from her is how unfit Donald Trump is to run the Country. If THAT is her stand, why would anyone vote for a candidate with zero plans to improve this the US?

Oh, wait...

The voters chose to elect Barack Obama, an empty-suited orator with no clear policy reform or other plans. Well, other than tearing down the American way of life, place the "rights" of illegal immigrants over those of American citizens, enacting the horrible Obama Care, erode the Bill of Rights, destroy the trust of countries around the world of the United States, act like a weakling in political negotiations, embarrassingly support the violent Black Lives Matter movement, ignore serious domestic issues--or open his mouth when he shouldn't, undermining local and national law enforcement, take highly expensive and extravagant vacations, make constant end around movements in order to make laws without Congress, and...you get the point.

We've had eight years of a worthless bozo that is Barack Obama supposedly leading this Country. Hillary would do nothing more but push us further and further away from where we should be, continuously working to destroy our Rights as guaranteed by the Constitution. And that would be on top of unforeseen political scandals, corruption and who knows what other awful things her Administration would do.

The Trump tape release has done its job. I can only hope the American people can look past their complacency and see Hillary Clinton for what she truly is..a dishonest, corrupt, conniving, hateful woman who will use any method, any tactic to destroy her opponent, or to protect herself with redundant "I don't remember" statements, yet claim to be fit to lead the United States.

I am NOT saying that Donald Trump would be any better. He has many serious character questions that he would have to disprove. However, between the two, I cannot clearly vote for either one. For the first time, I may have to do a "Write-In" vote. At least I could vote my conscience and not merely settle for who is the best of the worst we have seen in a long, long time.

NCAA, North Carolina and LGBT Rights

An article on the AP wire entitled, "NCAA Relocates Seven Events Pulled from NC Due to LGBT Laws" goes on the tell everyone that North Carolina is basically being punished for its stand on the LGBT "Rights" issue when the State Legislature passed a law stating Birth Gender to determine which restroom to use in public facilities. This article is nothing more than a propaganda piece meant to sway readers to a place of sympathy towards LGBT people.
This law, passed and signed by Representatives of The People, clearly favors the Rights of the vast majority who see the very possible use of the law for sexual predators to use restrooms for their own licentious purposes, and that the privacy and moral rights of the majority outweigh the desires of a relatively few citizens to use the restroom of their chosen identity. This is the way laws are made in this country, and circumventing the process does nothing but trampling on the Rights of everyone else.
Below is my response:

"So the rights of a few outweigh the rights of the majority? Passing laws that give power to a few is one of the reasons this country is in a downward spiral as lawyers have twisted the Bill of Rights into something that was never meant to be. Now, every person with a gripe can get laws changed to make them feel "comfortable," while everyone else has to change their views to accommodate one--or a few. The LGBT groups are so vocal that they are drowning out the bigger picture and instilling judicial fear in everyone who opposes them.
Litigation through coercion is not equal rights. Unfortunately, the NCAA and others fail to see that these groups are trampling on the "Rights" of the vast majority so that these relatively few people can feel 'comfortable.'
President George Washington said, "Laws made by common consent must not be trampled on by individuals." In this case, the North Carolina Legislature--the voice of the people--created a law. Now, the LGBT folks want to trample on that law in favor of a few people. How is their position right? Why should local businesses suffer from lost revenue (by the NCAA's actions) because a small minority wants to trample on the rights of the vast majority?
Unfortunately, these groups only see their "Rights" instead of the bigger picture. Rather than wait for the slow, inevitable changes that occur over time, they seek to force everyone into a position of acquiescence through litigation, and literally making the voice of the people moot just so they can 'feel' comfortable. How completely ridiculous.
The NCAA is wrong to punish the small businesses in the areas that surround the lost events. The people spoke, a law was passed and a few don't like it so they whine and complain like an impertinent child and scream so loud that people begin to pay attention rather than seeing them for what they are. THAT is why the position of the LBGT backers are wrong. Rather than working within the system they claim to support, they run screaming and crying to the courts and overturn the will of the people. Can anyone else see that this approach is wrong? Or do they just run and cower because the child is throwing a temper tantrum?
I am not say the LGBT folks don't have rights. I am only stating that they should be doing things the right way, and to stop coercing everyone through the litigatory process. How is that a bad thing?"

The Coming Election and Poor Voter Choices

With the coming 2016 Presidential election only a few brief weeks away, it is vital that every voter take a hard look at the candidates and decide for themselves who the best choice would be.
Donald Trump, businessman and Republican Nominee, has many good points, has good plans, but is divisive in his attacking rhetoric on several issues.
Hillary Clinton, former First Lady, NY Senator and Secretary of State, has no clear agenda for the White House and Democratic Nominee, is embroiled in numerous scandals that  revolve around a "Pay for Play" scheme in seeking "donations" for the Clinton Foundation in exchange for personal meetings and favors from Sec. Clinton. There is also the Benghazi fallout and Ms. Clinton's constant denial of events. In many ways, she is not fit to lead this country.
There is also Third Party Nominee Gary Johnson, a Libertarian who advocates a Constitutionalist approach to governing. In other words, that we get back to the original intent of our Founding Fathers and have a smaller Federal Govt., bigger State's Rights and less governmental interference in the lives of Americans everywhere.
There are no clear, good choices in this election. In a response to an article about the divisiveness between the two main candidates, I addressed the simple question of who is actually the best candidate in this years' election.

"Does anyone else notice that only Trump is actually addressing issues facing this country? Hillary, as far as I know, has not. She only attacks Trump, telling everyone why he would be a bad choice. Meanwhile, she remains silent on the numerous scandals enveloping her campaign. She also conveniently has coughing fits when she actually "speaks" to reporters.

If people thought Bush and Obama were empty suits, how can they look at Hillary and not reach the same conclusion?

Now, I am in no way saying Trump is the better person for the job; he has many drawbacks that are concerning. However, he has plans, ideas and a desire to help this nation get back on track and away from the disastrous eight years of King Obama.

Let us also remember the Libertarian candidate, former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, a Constitutionalist who advocates smaller government, more State's Rights and getting back to actual Constitutional governing rather than the warped rendition we see today. His positions definitely have a great appeal.

Which choice is better? That's up to each voter to decide. And this years' election will carry either great hope or great dread in the coming Presidential term. But whatever you do, please vote on election day!"

President Obama's Continued Mismanagement of the United States

An article in the NY Times highlighted the current Asian Rim trip President Obama is on during which his staff and himself have committed numerous international relations faux pas, in pretty much every country he has visited. In my response (below), I got a bit off topic, but the course it steers is right on, and hard to dispute. Please read...

"Obama and his cabinet and staff are a bunch of damned idiots. They can't even get through one foreign diplomacy trip without looking like a gaggle of inept morons. Collectively, they have set this country back probably sixty plus years in every political, economic, social, militarily and world leadership ways that can be measured.

The United States is weaker, less cohesive, untrustworthy; our leadership is filled with corruption and a disdain for our Constitution, our educational system is a wreck, our personal freedoms are nearly gone, religion is under siege like never before, our President would take away the 2nd Amendment if he could; social experiments that ultimately degrade this country are thrust upon us by a President more interested in equalization of everyone, than in helping us all grow and be better citizens; and Obama ignores Congress almost constantly, instead acting like a Monarch on his Royal throne.

Meanwhile, Congress does nothing to reign in the Presidents' recklessness regarding his responsibilities, and voter confidence in Congress is pretty much gone as our elected leaders constantly distance themselves from everyday Americans by giving themselves big yearly raises while insulating their incomes from taxes, and most are in corporate pockets so deep that legislation benefiting the populace is impossible, instead favoring corporate interests at every turn.

It is really no wonder that the majority of Americans feel that the Government can no longer be trusted, that Special Interests are more important than the people, that the Constitution is teetering on the brink of collapse.

As a people, it is OUR responsibility to demand change, and to hold our leaders accountable for their poor governing. Email, write or call our Senators and Representatives and demand that they do better! Ask that they set aside political differences and do what is best for our country, and NOT for special interests. Demand that they hold our President accountable for his actions. Most importantly, VOTE!  Sitting by and assuming there is nothing you can do is the absolutely worst possible thing you can do. If the current state of the US concerns you, get up, speak out and demand change! As a US citizen, that is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!

If we fail to do this, nothing will change and our country will continue to devolve into something that no longer resembles the representative democracy we have enjoyed for the last 240 years.

It's your choice. Do something, or do nothing."

Stupid Is As Stupid Does: The Dangers that Stupid Humans Pose to Wildlife

The following story appeared on the AP (Associated Press) wire regarding ill-advised human interaction with wildlife in our National Parks.
My comment follows the article.

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. — Tourist John Gleason crept through the grass, four small children close behind, inching toward a bull elk with antlers like small trees at the edge of a meadow in Yellowstone National Park.

"They're going to give me a heart attack," said Gleason's mother-in-law, Barbara Henry, as the group came within about a dozen yards of the massive animal.

The elk's ears then pricked up, and it eyed the children and Washington state man before leaping up a hillside. Other tourists — likewise ignoring rules to keep 25 yards from wildlife — picked up the pursuit, snapping pictures as they pressed forward and forced the animal into headlong retreat.

Record visitor numbers at the nation's first national park have transformed its annual summer rush into a sometimes dangerous frenzy, with selfie-taking tourists routinely breaking park rules and getting too close to Yellowstone's storied elk herds, grizzly bears, wolves and bison.

Law enforcement records obtained by The Associated Press suggest such problems are on the rise at the park, offering a stark illustration of the pressures facing some of America's most treasured lands as the National Park Service marks its 100th anniversary.

From Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains to the Grand Canyon of Arizona, major parks are grappling with illegal camping, vandalism, theft of resources, wildlife harassment and other visitor misbehavior, according to the records obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.

In July alone, law enforcement rangers handled more than 11,000 incidents at the 10 most visited national parks.

In Yellowstone, rangers are recording more wildlife violations, more people treading on sensitive thermal areas and more camping in off-limit areas. The rule-breaking puts visitors in harm's way and can damage resources and displace wildlife, officials said.

Often the incidents go unaddressed, such as when Gleason and the children approached the bull elk with no park personnel around. Gleason said he was "maybe" too close but felt comfortable in the situation as an experienced hunter who's spent lots of time outdoors.

These transgressions add to rangers' growing workload that includes traffic violations, searches for missing hikers and pets running off-leash in parks.

"It's more like going to a carnival. If you look at the cumulative impacts, the trends are not good," said Susan Clark, a Yale University professor of wildlife ecology who has been conducting research in the Yellowstone area for 48 years. "The basic question is, 'What is the appropriate relationship with humans and nature?' We as a society have not been clear about what that ought to be, and so it's really, really messy and nasty."

Recent events at Yellowstone grabbed national headlines:

— A Canadian tourist who put a bison calf in his SUV hoping to save it, ending with wildlife workers euthanizing the animal when they could not reunite it with its herd.

— Three visitors from Asia cited on separate occasions for illegally collecting water from the park's thermal features.

— A Washington state man killed after leaving a designated boardwalk and falling into a near-boiling hot spring.

The flouting of park rules stems from disbelief among visitors that they will get hurt, said Yellowstone Superintendent Dan Wenk. "I can't tell you how many times I have to talk to people and say, 'Step back. There's a dangerous animal,' and they look at me like I have three heads," he said.

Inconsistent record keeping, including a recent switch to a new criminal offenses reporting system, makes it difficult to identify trends that apply uniformly across the major parks.

But the records reviewed by the AP reveal the scope of visitor misbehavior is huge. In Yellowstone, administrators and outside observers including Clark say the park's problems have become more acute. That threatens its mission to manage its lands and wildlife "unimpaired" for future generations.

Beyond incidents that lead to citations are many more that result in warnings. More than 52,000 warnings were issued in 2015, up almost 20 percent from the year before.

Washington state resident Lisa Morrow's son was among the children Gleason led toward the elk. Despite safety advisories — and numerous examples of visitors getting gored by bison, mauled by bears and chased by elk — Morrow declared herself unafraid of the park's wildlife. She said she was eager to see a grizzly up close.

"I want to see one right there," Morrow said, pointing to a spot just feet away. "I'd throw it a cookie."

The top 10 parks by visitation collectively hosted almost 44 million people last year, according to National Park Service figures. That's a 26 percent increase from a decade earlier, or more than 9.1 million new visitors combined at Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Yosemite and the other national parks on the list.

Yellowstone boasts the most large, dangerous carnivores among those parks, but each has its risks. In Rocky Mountain National Park, it's elk that become more aggressive during mating season. In Yosemite, it's towering waterfalls where visitors insist on swimming near the edge. In the Grand Canyon it's squirrels habituated to humans and sometimes quick to bite an outstretched hand.

Wenk said the rise in popularity of social media complicates keeping visitors safe.

"You take a picture of yourself standing 10 feet in front of a bison, and all of a sudden a few hundred people see it, and it's reposted — at the same time we're telling everybody wildlife is dangerous," Wenk said. "They get incongruous messages and then it happens. They get too close, and the bison charges."

(Response)
These idiots--and that is a nice name--endanger not just themselves, but the animals as well. In defending themselves, their offspring or their territory, repeated aggression against humans will result in the animal being killed for fear of more attacks that result from human stupidity.
I'm sure most of these rules violators would think the killing justified, while at the same time ignoring the safety rules to get that perfect selfie that could end up in another animal death.
You just can't fix stupid, and the push for social media stardom only enhances the stupid and cancels out even the smallest inclination of safety. Oh what a moronic generation technology has created.

Early History of the US Navy

From The Wall Builders comes a bit of real US History. please read...

United States Navy

The U. S. Navy dates its origins back to 1775. It began with an August 26, 1775 instruction from Rhode Island to their representatives in the Continental Congress to call for the establishment of a navy, explaining that "every principle, Divine and human, require us to obey that great and fundamental Law of Nature -- self preservation -- until peace shall be restored upon constitutional principles."
The Continental Congress, not in session at that time, took up the issue when it returned and on October 13, 1775, the Continental Navy was created. By the end of the War for Independence, the Navy peaked at 31 ships and was disbanded when the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783.

This action, however, left American commercial ships in the Mediterranean unprotected. So in 1784, five Muslim nations began attacking American ships and killing and enslaving sailors. With no Navy to deter these terrorists, the United States government's only recourse was to make huge extortion payments to the terrorists in exchange for their promise to limit future attacks. President George Washington, infuriated by this policy, requested that Congress rebuild the Navy. Congress agreed and President John Adams executed that plan. President Thomas Jefferson then used the Navy to launch America's first war on Muslim terrorists, defeating them and ending their attacks against American citizens and interests.

Following this, the Navy slowly shrank in size until it numbered only 40 ships by the beginning of the Civil War (the Confederates had none). The War resulted in a naval build up on both sides, with several major naval battles. (Pictured on the right, is the Battle of Hampton Roads, the first encounter between ironclad armored ships.)

After the War, the Navy once again shrank, but during WWII, it was rebuilt. By the end of 1945, the U. S. Navy consisted of over 1,300 major combat ships (such as battleships, cruisers, aircraft carriers, destroyers, and submarines), 90,000 mine laying ships and landing craft, with over 3.3 million naval personnel.
Military cutbacks over the last six years have once again dramatically reduced the size of the Navy, which currently numbers only 275 ships and 330,000 active duty naval personnel, with 100,000 reserves.

The pattern is clear: when we dramatically cut the military, we invite outside attacks.
So today, while remembering the origins of the U. S. Navy, let's pray for all those that serve in that branch -- and indeed, for those who serve in all branches of our Armed Forces to keep Americans safe around the world!

The Hypocricy of Those Behind Supposed Equality

In the news today, according to the Houston Chronicle, a group called "White Lives Matter" has been labeled as a Hate Group by the Southern Poverty Law Center for promoting the fact that, along with Black Lives Matter, those of caucasian decent matter just as much. However, the group promotes peaceful interaction which is opposite of the Black Lives Matter movement who have endorsed violence to get their message across. This violence includes rioting, harassing people of other races, denying passage down a public sidewalk to elderly folks walking home, and the premediated murders of our police officers, amongst other things.  As their (BLM)activities have been well documented in the news, I will not go into any of that. If you read my blog regularly, you will know that I am not racist, and look only for truth amidst the chaotic sea of rhetoric on both sides of the aisle on any subject.
In my response, I posed a question to see just where true racism will rear its ugly head.
It will be interesting to see where it goes...

"So, along this line of thinking...
Our brothers and sisters of African decent have created a Black History Month, and other events that show the unique culture their anceastors came from. If I created a White History Month, to celebrate the history of causasion ancestory, I would NOT be given fair time and representation in the eyes of Americans of other races, but would instead be labeled a racist, bigot and other defamatory names; just because I am proud of my heritage, just like everyone else?
Isn't that called Hypocricy? What one celebrates, the others should, as well. You can't scream racism, then turn around and not give others a forum.
Here's a great thought...
How about we ALL celebrate being Americans? No colors, no agendas, not hatred for wrongs committed generations ago...just pride in being American. That we were ALL blessed to be born in the greatest country in the world, and that TOGETHER we can we can grow, as a nation, to be greater in every way. How about celebrating THAT?"

Pennsylvania Legislature Sued Over Prayers

From a story in today's Salt Lake Tribune, a group of atheists is suing the Pennsylvania State Legislature over prayers that are offered at the beginning of each days' business. Of course, they are horrified by the practice--which, by the way, has been in place [in Pennsylvania] since before the United States even existed, and are seeking to instill their will on the whole population of the State.

The following is my response to this ridiculous lawsuit:

"The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.

These atheist groups fail to grasp that concept. And accordingly, they fail to grasp that, just because a prayer is offered, they by no means must participate, as the lawsuit claims. They do not have to bow their heads and follow along. They are all perfectly capable of leaving their heads up, keeping their eyes open, leaving their arms at their sides, and thinking about other things while any prayer or invocation is given before the Legislature. After all, acting respectfully is not a difficult task.

How difficult is it to respect the beliefs of others? Or, are they so caught up in their zeal to eliminate religion from the public square that the rights of others mean nothing to them?

The Constitution forbids the establishment of one single religion that is endorsed by the State. How is a belief in God the endorsement of a single religion? If the Federal Government took say, the Baptist religion and said, “This is the preferred religion,” then they (the atheists) would have a case. However, the offering of the invocation from various religions is NOT an endorsement of one religion.

These atheist groups need to stop trampling on the rights of the vast majority that believe in religion and put more effort into getting along with everyone. After all, the Freedom of Speech is not just about your opinion, but about also the opinions of everyone who disagrees with your position. If you can’t accept that everyone else has an equal voice, then I suggest you move to another country."

Our National Motto

60 Years as America's National Motto

On July 30, 1956, President Dwight Eisenhower signed legislation establishing "In God We Trust" as America's national motto. As religious rights of conscience continue to be attacked, this is a good time to remember our national motto and renew our efforts to defend our religious rights.
The idea of America as a Christian nation has often been scoffed at by modern academia, religious leaders, and others. However, past Americans have acknowledged that America is a Christian nation and that the rights of religious conscience should be protected.
The United States Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling declaring America to be a Christian nation, and hundreds of other American courts have acknowledged the same. In fact, Justice David Brewer, a member of that Court said:

"[I]n what sense can [America] be called a Christian nation? Not in the sense that Christianity is the established religion or that the people are in any manner compelled to support it. . . . Neither is it Christian in the sense that all its citizens are either in fact or name Christians. On the contrary, all religions have free scope within our borders. Numbers of our people profess other religions, and many reject all. Nor is it Christian in the sense that a profession of Christianity is a condition of holding office or otherwise engaging in public service, or essential to recognition either politically or socially. . . . Nevertheless, we constantly speak of this republic as a Christian nation – in fact, as the leading Christian nation of the world."

Secretary of the Treasury Salmon Chase, when looking into what should be printed on the currency of the nation, acknowledged:

"No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins. You will cause a device to be prepared without unnecessary delay with a motto expressing in the fewest and tersest words possible this national recognition."

There are many reasons that America has long been seen as such an exceptional nation -- but those reasons are tied to the religious beliefs and the moral principles of the people that established America. On the anniversary of the national motto, it's appropriate to recognize these religious beliefs and moral principles.
As George Washington told the nation when he left the presidency:

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of man and citizens."

George Washington: Patriot, Leader and Founding Father

I've been wanting to post this one for some time, but with how I've been feeling [while awaiting transplant], this has not been accomplished. Here is some fascinating history on Founding Father and our First President, George Washington.

George Washington First Becomes a National Leader

On July 3, 241 years ago, George Washington took command of the newly formed Continental Army. Congress had selected him -- one of its own members -- to organize the farmers and local militia groups into an army capable of defeating the world’s greatest military power. Quite an undertaking!
One of his first orders to the new American military set a clear tone of what he expected from his troops and also told us much about his character. In that order, Washington urged that

"...every officer and man will endeavor so as to live and act as becomes a Christian soldier, defending the dearest rights and liberties of his country."

That his troops display Christian character was important to Washington, and he later additionally charged them:

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

He also issued orders prohibiting swearing, profanity, and gambling. He clearly set a very high moral standard for his troops, but it was not more than what he expected from himself. In fact, while just a young boy, he copied out 110 maxims concerning good behavior and manners. Called his "Rules of Civility," he lived by them throughout his life, and they were especially apparent during his time as a soldier.
Washington longed for military life from the time he was a young boy, and he got his first experience during the French and Indian War, two decades before the American Revolution. He should have been killed in the Battle of the Monongahela, but his life was saved by God's Divine intervention. As he told his brother:

"[I] now exist and appear in the land of the living by the miraculous care of Providence that protected me beyond all human expectation; I had four bullets through my coat and two horses shot under me and yet escaped unhurt."

(Similar instances of his life being spared during the Revolutionary War are in the The Founders' Bible article, "George Washington: The Soldier Who Could Not Die").
It was as a result of what he did in the French and Indian War that he was first vaulted into the national spotlight. In fact, a famous military sermon preached in 1755 by the Rev. Samuel Davies (considered the greatest pulpit orator in American history) specifically singled out the young George Washington for special attention because of what happened in that battle.
It was largely because of Washington's experiences in that early war that he was chosen by his fellow citizens as a member of Congress, and then chosen by his peers in Congress as Commander-In-Chief. He led America on to a successful conclusion of the Revolutionary War, oversaw the formation of the U. S. Constitution, and guided us through the implementation of our new government as our first president. He is rightly honored as "The Father of His Country."
Washington fully understood that the important part he had played in America’s formation was by the direction of God, acknowledging:

“I have only been an instrument in the hands of Providence.”

As the anniversary of America's independence draws closer, let's honor one of the key individuals responsible for that independence: George Washington.