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."