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Can America Afford Another Jimmy Carter?

by Amil Imani

The current presidential election is reminiscent of the presidency of Richard Nixon; one cannot help but be reminded of the Watergate Scandal, the biggest political scandal in American history. Watergate caused the American public to lose faith in the presidency and especially the Republican Party. As a result, in 1977 Democrats and some conservative Christian voters rushed to the polls to elect a virtually unknown political figure outside of Georgia and one of the most unqualified liberal presidents in the history of America, Mr. Jimmy Carter. 

"Carter began the race with a sizable lead over Ford, who was able to narrow the gap over the course of the campaign, but was unable to prevent Carter from narrowly defeating him on November 2, 1976. Carter won the popular vote by 50.1 percent to 48.0 percent for Ford and received 297 electoral votes to Ford's 240."

During the Watergate crisis, the American public's faith in the government had been severely tarnished and reduced to its lowest level and the work of many federal agencies had been disrupted by the Nixon impeachment fiasco.

Ironically, history seems to be repeating itself. Again, after 30 years or so, we are faced with a similar dilemma. By now, many Americans believe that President Bush's two terms in office have been a profound failure. For months, Bush's approval ratings have hovered around 30 and now at 24 percent, the same as President Nixon when he left office.

Once again, as a result of these approval ratings, the Democrats are tripping over each other to put another highly unqualified man, Senator Hussein Obama, in the White House. Ironically, with his past ties to racism, terrorism and hating America, America's survival remains at peril.

Currently, the foremost topic on the mind of the voter is the economic mess. Finger pointing goes in all directions without a clear understanding of who is to blame. Some goodhearted, naïve Americans again think that Democrats can indeed be the answer. Unfortunately, their answer, most likely, will be disastrous and will lead America to the biggest quagmire in its entire history. We do well to recognize that shortsighted people with short memories are prone to make terrible choices, even when they have the best of intentions.

Therefore, we want to refresh the voters' memory and help them in making wise decisions. The vote you cast will not simply replace one politician with another. Today, every vote has great existential implications. The economic crisis aside, whether we like it or not, we are truly in a war of survival with Islamofascism and Mr. Obama is not the man who can defend this country.

Now, is all the above just fear-mongering and Democrat-bashing at election time? You are free to see it that way. Nevertheless, it is always more prudent to go with the facts than fiction. In order to understand Obama, we must first re-examine the preeminent presidential negotiator with the dictators and terrorists, Mr. Jimmy Carter.

Continue reading "An examination of "the preeminent presidential negotiator with the dictators and terrorists, Mr. Jimmy Carter" (until Obama, that is)" »

Posted by Amil at 12:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Obama is known by what he's done - not so much.  Hardly a half year of being the junior senator from Illinois, he started in on being the leader of the most powerful country in the world. And he wants to spend it's treasure and single handedly commit the US to the UN Millennium Development Goal.  This is an effective UN tax which demands that national governments spend 0.7% of their nation's GDP on fighting world poverty.

How? By spending $845 Billion of your money.  Overseas.  No longer is is "I gave from my wallet and heart"; we are now past "I gave at the office" and have now traveled to "I gave with my taxes" (which is neither charity nor voluntary).

And that vote is coming up soon in the Senate - this week! Once again, it is time to call your Senators to see where they stand on this legislation.  I will call my Senators, Gregg and Sununu, and ask them to vote to kill this ill-advised legislation.

While Obama's only effort at any kind of legislation be an admirable goal in the philisophical area, it ignores a couple of real factors:

• Americans are the most charitable people on the planet - none of the money that we willingly send to those in need is counted in this fee.  In fact, Europeans look down their noses at this largess - so it seems that Obama is more European than American in this regard.
• It fails to realize that much poverty in the world is due to corrupt and incompetent government leaders (more the former than the latter), ignoring the philosophy of private property, the Rule of Law, and free speech (among others) in a true democracy.

From WorldNetDaily (H/T: Jane):

Obama's $845 billion U.N. plan forwarded to U.S. Senate floor
'Global Poverty Act' to cost each citizen $2,500 or more

By Bob Unruh © 2008 WorldNetDaily

The U.S. Senate soon could debate whether you, your spouse and each of your  children – as well as your in-laws, parents, grandparents, neighbors and everyone else in America – each will spend $2,500 or more to reduce poverty around the world.

Remember, this is not charity and this is not voluntary.  This $2,500 is money that I can longer direct to charities of my own choice.  This is money that I would rather give to my church for overseas work (like the blankets my church sent to an orphanage in Africa this past summer) or to Samaritan's Purse that helps kids in foreign lands.

This is government deciding that it knows how to do charity better than you do.  And we should say "NO"!

The plan sponsored by Sen. Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, is estimated to cost the U.S. some $845 billion over the coming few years in an effort to raise the standard of living around the globe.

S.2433 already has been approved in one form by the U.S. House of Representatives and now has been placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar for pending debate.

WND previously reported the proposal demands the president develop "and implement" a policy to "cut extreme global poverty in half by 2015 through aid, trade, debt relief" and other programs.

This has as much chance of success as the Kyoto global warming treaty had in actually reversing global emissions - absolutely none.

Continue reading "Obama - Charity begins with taxes" »

Posted by Skip at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

As we celebrate the Fourth of July, it is worth a few minutes to reflect on what the birth of this “great experiment”, known as America really means. Consider these words from The Declaration of Independence:

“We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness…”

Are there any “self evident truths” and “unalienable rights” here in our modern age, or are these things just merely quaint, outdated ideas from a bygone era? Do these words somehow mean the “Creator” gives a woman the right to “terminate” pregnancies? What about the unborn child’s right to “Life”?  How many Americans even acknowledge some sort of “Creator”? Does “pursuing Happiness” give a person the right to the fruits of the labor of others?

In dissolving the ties of government with Great Britain, our forefathers created this document, listing as the reason “a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations,” intended “to reduce them under absolute Despotism…” They further point out that because of these “Abuses and Usurpations,” it is “their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such government…”

What were some of these abuses considered so onerous that our Founding Fathers chose to risk life and property to eliminate? From the Declaration, here are just two:

“For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent…”

and because the King

“has erected a Multitude of new Offices, and sent swarms of Officers to harrass our People, and eat out their Substance.” 

Do you feel that the New Hampshire Supreme Court’s ordering of the NH House to fund a so-called “adequate education” borders on “taxation without representation?” Do you believe that the constant addition of more rules and regulations to control every aspect of our lives ever-growing numbers of government agents could be considered harassment?

While wishing all readers of this space a fun-filled Fourth of July celebration, we ask everyone to take a few moments in remembrance of the Founders of our great Nation and ask, "Are we twenty-first century Americans upholding the ideals put forth for all posterity on this fateful day in 1776?"

Posted by Doug at 12:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I found this at Powerline:

President Calvin Coolidge rose to the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1926, with a speech providing a magisterial review of the history and thought underlying the Declaration. His speech on the occasion deserves to be read and studied in its entirety. The following paragraph, however, is particularly relevant to the challenge that confronts us in the ubiquitous variants of progressive dogma that pass themselves off today as the higher wisdom:

 About the Declaration there is a finality that is exceedingly restful. It is often asserted that the world has made a great deal of progress since 1776, that we have had new thoughts and new experiences which have given us a great advance over the people of that day, and that we may therefore very well discard their conclusions for something more modern. But that reasoning can not be applied to this great charter. If all men are created equal, that is final. If they are endowed with inalienable rights, that is final. If governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, that is final. No advance, no progress can be made beyond these propositions. If anyone wishes to deny their truth or their soundness, the only direction in which he can proceed historically is not forward, but backward toward the time when there was no equality, no rights of the individual, no rule of the people. Those who wish to proceed in that direction can not lay claim to progress. They are reactionary. Their ideas are not more modern, but more ancient, than those of the Revolutionary fathers. 

(H/T: Payton Wolcott for the flag!)

Posted by Skip at 9:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The following letter was sent by the flag-removal lawsuit filer Claude Roessiger's lawyer to one of the veteran activists expressing displeasure over what he tried to do to Wolfeboro's public display of Old Glory. You'd think the guy would have simply crawled back under the rock from whence he came following his withdrawal of the suit. But nooooooo...

Writes the letter's recipient:

Believe it or not I got an email this morning from Roessiger's attorney trying to convice me that his client is a Patriot, and that the displaying of American Flags in Wolfeboro was a partisan display. Here is Attorney William Chapman's actual comments:

Mr. Howe-

I am the attorney who represented Claude Roessiger in the now-terminated suit against Wolfeboro. He brought suit because the town refused either (1) to remove the American flags it is permitting a resident to display on town utility poles or (2) to allow Mr. Roessiger to display his own banner on those poles containing advice from George Washington that our country should avoid foreign entanglements.

Please be assured that Mr. Roessiger is a patriotic American who believes in what our flag stands for. What he objects to is someone using the flag and town property – public property – to advance a particular political viewpoint: support of the Bush Administration invasion of, and continued troop presence in, Iraq. It is clear from minutes of the meeting at which the selectmen approved the display of flags that they both understood and agreed with the reason for displaying the flags.

Mr. Howe, who is organizing tomorrow's American Legion Flag Day motorcyle ride through Wolfeboro, replied, putting the whole thing in context:

Continue reading "Flag Flap Update: This guy just won't stop stepping in it!" »

Posted by Doug at 5:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

While the man seeking to have the Court force the town of Wolfeboro, NH to remove the American flags adorning the lighted street poles throughout town might have backed down, the legions of enraged military families and veterans have not.

Saturday is Flag Day. Every June 14th since 1916, Americans have commemorated the anniversary of the adoption of the flag of the United States by the Second Continental Congress on that same date in 1777. In his 2001 proclamation (done by the president every year since 1949), President Bush stated,

The Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of our young republic on June 14, 1777. Describing the new flag, the Congress wrote, "White signifies Purity and Innocence; Red, Hardiness and Valor; Blue signifies Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice."

Which, as we learned with a certain cranky Wolfeboro resident named Claude Roessiger, when displayed in an "excessive and unusual" fashion apparently, in his mind, "constitutes the expression of a political opinion on public property and upon public space, and this cannot be supported."

Rubbish!

As noted at the top of this post, the military families and veterans and supporters have not backed down on this. In fact, The Blue and Gold Star Families, veterans, and supporters will stand in support of that town’s defending its right to fly Old Glory this Saturday, Flag Day (June 14). The gathering starts at 1:00pm at Mathew Stanley’s bench located at Brewster Academy Field.

Additionally, some enthusiastic motorcyclists from the American Legion have decided Flag Day is an appropriate day and time to operate a Patriotic Flag Ride through Wolfeboro, to show support for the town and their Patriotic Spirit. The American Legion Post at the Alton Circle, has offered to host any riders for this event, and the American Legion Riders Post from Rochester has offered to lead the ride through Wolfeboro. The ride will start and end at the American Legion Post. Assembly time is 1 PM.

Posted by Doug at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Route 28, Wolfeboro, NH

I just got off the phone with Wolfeboro Town Manager David W. Owen who told me that, regarding the flag-removal lawsuit,

"It's our understanding that it's been withdrawn."

Though the Selectboard has not yet seen it, they were informed by a reporter at last night's regular meeting that the Granite State News of Wolfeboro is in receipt of a letter stating Mr. Claude Roessiger is planning to withdraw his suit filed against the town. Asked by GraniteGrok for a statement, Mr. Owen said the Selectmen

"are pleased he's withdrawn what would have been a waste of the taxpayers' money."

While earlier this morning Carroll County Superior Court Clerk Patricia Lenz indicated nothing had changed with regards to the lawsuit's status, a check with Mr. Roessiger's legal counsel's office has confirmed that the Town Manager and Selectmen are indeed correct. The attorney on the case, William L. Chapman of Orr & Reno P.A., is out of the office for the rest of the week, but,

"upon his return on June 9th will notify the Court that the case will be withdrawn."

There are a few additional facts that are part of this story...

Following the initial letter to the Wolfeboro BOS in November asking removal of all flags except those on public buildings (posted here), Mr. Roessiger waited for a response from the town. In the absence of any, he followed it with a second letter at the beginning of December asking for their response to his complaint. Again hearing nothing, he sent them a third letter, in which he threatened a lawsuit, writing that they engage in dialogue,

or we can-- once again-- find ourselves in a situation which will involve our attorneys, a certain acrimony, and-- to be sure-- publicity. I will see to it.

At this point, Mr. Roessiger claimed he would file suit simply because they hadn't responded to him, not because of whether the BOS agreed with him. Fair enough, although it seems odd to me that Mr. Roessiger was good at sending letters, but never bothered to show up in front of the Selectmen in person. I don't know about you, but if I were sending correspondence to my Selectmen and they didn't respond, I'd go to a meeting and get right in their face. The folks at the Wolfeboro Town offices confirmed that Mr. Roessiger never appeared in person before the board regarding the matter. A check of the meeting minutes shows public input is taken at every single meeting.

The town responded to his letters a few days following the litigation threat:

Continue reading "Flag flap over as Wolfeboro man withdraws lawsuit. Score one for the good guys!" »

Posted by Doug at 11:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBacks (0)

Downtown Wolfeboro June 4, 2008

With all the attention here in the Blogosphere regarding the flag-removal lawsuit filed by a Wolfeboro man against that town, I decided it was worth taking a ride to see if I could learn anything more. As was reported, indeed a Mr. Claude Roessiger has filed a lawsuit in Carroll County Superior Court against the town of Wolfeboro

"for violating his federal and state constitutional rights of freedom of speech and for violating its limited delegated power under New Hampshire Law."

How so? He claims that when the town approved the installation of some 100 or more American flags by a private citizen on lighted utility poles on April 2, 2003 as noted in the official minutes,

"to increase recognition of the current events and the efforts of our service men and women"

it violated his rights as noted above. How? Well, before diving into the legalese, let's just consider the initial letter Mr. Roessiger sent to the Board of Selectmen on November 7, 2007:

Continue reading "Flag banning lawsuit update: The plaintiff's initial complaint" »

Posted by Doug at 10:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBacks (0)

(not Wolfeboro... just a random pic)

It's been a while, but the coveted GraniteGrok Dope of the Week Award begs to be presented once again...

As found in yesterday's Citizen newspaper:

A Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, man is suing the town over a downtown display of American flags.

The town has about 100 U.S. flags affixed to downtown utility poles as a way to show support for American troops fighting in Iraq. But Claude Roessiger claims the Bush administration's foreign policy has turned the flag into a symbol of what he calls "in-your-face, with-me-or-against-me patriotism."

In his lawsuit filed Carroll County Superior Court, Roessiger says the display is excessive, unusual and unlawful.

What do you say? What kind of person is offended when travelling through small town America lined with flags? I always found the sight uplifting. Even when Clinton and Carter were president...

[Read an update to this story by clicking here.]

[Update # 2: Lawsuit has been withdrawn!    Click here]

Posted by Doug at 9:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (45) | TrackBacks (0)

Are You Sleeping?

by Debbie Lee

Military helicopters vandalized in Pennsylvania, recruiting offices attacked in over 42 cities, funding denied for our troops, Code Pink sending 600,00.00 to the enemy. How many more treasonous acts need to occur before we stand up and say enough is enough?
 
Spineless, gutless, Politicians who are using our troops as pawns in their political power struggle playground repulses and disgusts me. They are willing to jeopardize and put our troops in the crosshairs of the terrorists by there lack in funding our troops.
 
They are more concerned with getting their own way and proving who is in charge of Congress instead of allowing every Senator and Representative to be part of the process on the Hill. They by passed the Appropriations Committee and didn't allow the Republicans to be part of a serious matter like funding our troops. I'm sure you could hear them loudly singing a very prideful rendition of "I did it my way."
 
I'm sure the troops, including my son who gave up their lives, would love to have done it their way. They knew the attacks on our nation on 9-11  required that the right way was to fight for our freedoms and defend America. In the most unselfish act any American could give they sacrificed their own lives for the freedoms of a nation, for you, for me.
 
They gave their tomorrows, their futures, so that we could have our today. Everyone of our brave men and women serving know that the same price could be required of them too. What did the leadership on Capitol Hill do with their today? What gratitude did our liberal politicians show them? They yank their funding and play political suicide with the funding bill by attaching the ag amnesty bill to it.
 
What kind of games are they playing with our the lives of our brave men and women serving? Yet they'll be the first to say they "Support our Troops."
 
It's time for us to reclaim America and clean house from the self-centered egotistical politicians who have lost there love for America. Our founding Father's would rise up from their graves if they could to smack some sense into these politicians to get them to remember the basic principles this nation was founded on. Certain members of Congress are acting like jealous children fighting to get the most attention.
 
I have had it with the traitors in America who continue to do acts that are Anti-American and are destroying our Nation. It's time we hold them accountable and prosecute them for their treasonous acts. We have become a nation that is so tolerant of everything, that we stand for nothing. We have become a spineless nation with no moral compass to direct us to make wise and selfless decisions. We are so myopic and "me" focused that we can't see we are handing this nation to our enemies on a platter.
 
It is time for us as Americans to flood the switchboards of Capitol Hill with our demands to fund our troops. The must prepare a clean bill with the involvement of both parties and through the proper channels.
 
We also need to demand that strong measures be taken to arrest and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law those who are committing acts of treason during a time of war by inciting lawless actions.
 
Your today has been paid for by those who gave up their tomorrows. What will you do with your today to honor those who gave it all?
 
Debbie Lee
 
Remembering His Sacrifice
Marc Alan Lee
First Navy SEAL killed in Iraq 8-2-06

Posted by Doug at 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

                                        "Do not question my patriotism!"

...is what we on the Right hear from the Left.  Often, it is hurled as invective before any mention is made from the opposing side.

Not in this case!  The example is clear.  At the University of Maine - Farmington, a Ms Susan Crane decided that a perfectly dandy art project was to put the American Flag along the UMF's corridors and have people walk on them as a deliberate act of desecration.

This story is literally exploding across the blogosphere as Lance from Maine Web Report informed many of us about the story by sending a link to the Maine College Republicans (see the video there).  A few  comments:

Note - I wound up with a bunch, so see their excellent comments after the jump (and get more of the story - and emails / phone number to call! 

Stop The ACLU                           LeslieCarbone

Grizzly Groundswell                     Blue Collar Muse

ARRA New Service                       Fort Hard Knox

Gateway Pundit                          Stix Blog 

Thurber's Thoughts                    Neptunus Lex

           Mario Burgos
 

UPDATE:  The MilBlogs are picking this up and the branching out is starting.....check a couple out:

BlackFive                                  Castle Arrgh
Op-For 

After the jump was my response that I sent to the Administrators of University of Maine at Farmington.  With all that is written above, the most responsible one is not Ms Crane but the professors and Administrators that have failed in giving her a complete education.

BTW, you, too, can send them emails:

President Theo Kalikow                                     kalikow@maine.edu
University Provost Allen "piece of cloth" Berger
                                            aberger@maine.edu     207-778-7279

Continue reading "Rights, Responsibilities, and Respect - guess which two are ignored in the Academy?" »

Posted by Skip at 8:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

In 2002 during the controversy over the phrase "under God," which had been added to U.S. Pledge of Allegiance in 1954, a recording of a monologue Skelton performed on his 1969 television show resurfaced. In the speech, he commented on the meaning of each phrase of the Pledge. At the end, he added: "Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer and that would be eliminated from schools too?" Given that Constitution advocates were arguing that the inclusion of "under God" in a pledge recited daily in U.S. public schools violated the First Amendment separation of church and state, Skelton suddenly regained popularity among religious conservatives who wanted the phrase to remain.

I give you Red Skelton's Pledge of Allegiance:

"I've been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you.  If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each word?"

I

me, an individual, a committee of one.

Pledge

dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self pity.

Allegiance

my love and my devotion.

To the flag

our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there's respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job!

of the United

that means that we have all come together.

States

individual communities that have united into 48 great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose; all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that's love for country. 

And to the republic

a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.

For which it stands, one nation

one nation, meaning "so blessed by God"
 

Indivisible

incapable of being divided.

With liberty

which is freedom -- the right of power to live one's own life without threats, fear or some sort of retaliation.

And Justice

the principle or quality of dealing fairly with others.

For all

which means, boys and girls, it's as much your  country as it is mine.

***~~**~~***

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country and two words have been added to the pledge of Allegiance...

UNDER GOD

Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer and that would be eliminated from schools too?

God Bless America

Continue reading "I Pledge....." »

Posted by Skip at 9:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

First this, and then this from Mario over at (what else)  MarioBurgos.com: 

t's like District Attorney Kari Brandenburg is purposely flaunting all of the reminders of why she should not be re-elected to another term in office (subscription):

The prosecution and defense squared off in Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court on Tuesday in the case of a University of New Mexico student who ripped down a Mexican flag in September.

Student Peter Lynch has said he did so because it was flying at the administration building unaccompanied by the U.S. flag, a breach of flag protocol.

The incident sparked a firestorm last fall, with supporters of the student asserting that his actions were proper given the violation of flag etiquette. Others accused him of being racist.

Let's see - racist?  How is taking down a foreign flag "racist"?  Oh yeah, I forgot - in our multi-culti world, EVERYONE ELSE'S culture (and obviously, flag) takes precedence over ours.

Let me see if I have this straight - our flag not flying where it should is OK.  That's patriotic.

Complaining that someone else's flag (sorry to be redundant, but I'm trying to go slow for the slow among the Libs) is no longer flying is - patriotic?

Among those in the gallery were camera crews from four television news stations.

Lynch is charged with a count of criminal damage to property. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $500.

If you need a reminder of what the real issue is here, go back and look at this original post about the U.S. flag code. This is the second time it has come to light that D.A. Brandenburg is prosecuting veterans to the fullest extent of the law for protecting their rights and standing up for the laws of the land. Is she on a vendetta against our veterans?

Of course, when it comes to her judicial cronies, D.A. Brandenburg is only too happy to look the other way. There is something seriously wrong here. A change has to be made.

So, we have a situation where a VETERAN is once again defending our flag - the flag the he showed that he was willing to lay his life down for.  For defending that flag, he does not receive a medal but a prosecution. 

Get that - court time instead of a parade time. 

Mario, thanks for letting us know! 

Posted by Skip at 9:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

There are two snippets that I have committed to memory.  The most highly valued one is this:

For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotton Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.   For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 3:16,17 (King James, as that is how I learned it long ago).

The next one is the United States of America Pledge of Allegiance:

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.

There are fewer words that stir me more than saying either of those phrases. One is because of my belief in God and that His hand is on my life and is guiding my life according to His plan.  There IS Someone far greater than I - a truth that our Founding Fathers recognized when they stated that our rights come from Him and not from mere mortals or "the State".  His laws and His rights are immutable.

That means that I will be accountable for my actions (or inactions) and attitudes.

Given that our country was founded on those principles, our Pledge is our acknowledgement, our fealty, to our country, established because of the rights and privileges granted by God.  Acknowledging our patriotism towards our country should be a simple affair.  Some, however, say the Peldge as mere rote - a mere part of a process. 

Every time I say it, though, I think about those words and the ideas and ideals behind those words.

Yes, words mean things and words can and should stir mens' souls. 

Does this mean that I am a better patriot than those to which it is mere words at the beginning of a meeting or of the school day?  No, as someday, they may really think about the meaning and the essence of what they are saying. 

But when I saw this, my thought was "but not these folks".

[snip]

Further proof of this: There was some time to kill as multiple tallies of the delegates and alternates were done, and when the time-killer of taking audience questions had run its course and the idea of teling jokes had been nixed, someone suggested doing the Pledge of Allegiance to pass the time. (Are you listening, right-wing bloggers? This is going to get good.)

At the mere mention of doing the pledge there were groans and boos. Then, when the district chair put the idea of doing the Pledge of Allegiance up to a vote, it was overwhelmingly voted down. One might more accurately say the idea of pledging allegiance to the flag (of which there was only one in the room, by the way, on some delegate’s hat) was shouted down.

my first reaction is: YES, I AM QUESTIONING YOUR PATRIOTISM!  When Democrats believe that the Pledge is not worth their time, and deserves only their scorn (what else can you call it when people VOTE to NOT say the Pledge).  I have HAD it with people who keep redefining words to suit their purposes!

Given that the article stated that most there support Obama, I guess I'm not surprised (e.g., "I am patriotic when I act like I'm not") given the reports about his "patriotism".

Now I'm wound up!  Before I type something intemperate, I'll go off and cool down.  But believe you me, the Liberal / Democrat meme "dissent is patriotism" schtick is a crock!

I'll be back, for more. 

(H/T: Instapundit) 

Posted by Skip at 9:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (1)

Politically, California is often thought of as the home of Hollywood, Berkley, San Francisco and lots of other "different" places (think Venice Beach).  Shows like Bay Watch and bands like the Beach Boys have given rise to a certain "cache" in living there - sometimes "the American Dream".

Conservative? Nope, not these folks! Yet, there are Californian conservatives out there - after all, the one of the archtype political conservative came from California - Ronald Reagan.

One such group are these ladies:

These are ladies that are not to be trifled with - that cartoon is not there by accident!  They love this Country heart, soul, mind, and spirit and are bound and determined to see it through this century and onto the next no matter what by holding onto the truths and traditions that have made this country great.  Indomitable, indefatigable, and irascible.  We salute them (and watch out for their talons)!

I think the 'Grok should do this kind of thing more often. Let us know if you belong to, or know of, other local conservative groups that deserve a little applause!

Posted by Skip at 9:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

“On the morning of December 7, 1941, that Fleet’s planes bombed all the US military air bases on the island (the biggest was the US Army air base at Hickam Field), and the ships anchored at Pearl, including ‘Battleship Row’. Nearly every plane on the ground was destroyed; only a few fighters got airborne and opposed the attacking planes. Twelve battleships and other ships either were sunk or damaged, 188 aircraft were destroyed, and 2,403 Americans lost their lives. The battleship USS Arizona exploded and sank with a loss of over 1,100 men, nearly half of the American dead.”

“Yesterday, December 7, 1941- a date which will live in infamy- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”

“As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.”

“Always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.”

Continue reading "Days of Infamy. What a difference sixty six years makes..." »

Posted by Doug at 8:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The kick off fund raiser for the NH Gold Star Mothers was a huge success. While the final numbers are not yet calculated; it's in the thousands of dollars. We bikers gathered at Nault's Honda in Manchester around 8 am. Registration was brisk, perhaps it was the free coffee and donuts provided by Dunkin Donuts of Manchester, with approx. 100 motorcycles registering (many of whom couldn't ride but paid for registrations regardless)...most bikers are affiliated with a veterans motorcycle association, not "club" as reported by WMUR. There's a difference. Nam Knights are a true motorcycle club, but Combat Veterans is a motorcycle association. Hubby and I belong to the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association where serving in combat is the only requirement to join. The Nam Knights have alot more stringent requirements to join and require alot more commitment; i.e., helping handicapped vets at the VA play bingo twice monthly, etc. All of the groups, however, are highly commited to veterans causes and spend countless hours for charities. There were the US Marine Riders, Rolling Thunder, Patriot Guard Riders, and American Legion Riders in attendance as well. 

Continue reading "Zoom! Motorcycle Rally for Gold Star Mothers" »

Posted by Judy at 10:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Please click here and read about this extremely important kick-off event for the NH Gold Star Mothers Memorial to be erected in 2008 in Manchester.

Even if you're not participating in the ride, please join us at Veterans Park in Manchester at 1 pm. There will be food, music, raffles, etc.

Bring the kids! This is a family friendly event to honor the mothers of our fallen military and the best thing is that there will not be any long political speeches, just a couple of short ones honoring the Gold Star Mothers. Then you can enjoy the food, music and fun from 1pm until 4 pm...rain or shine!

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS! If you can't attend, please think about sending a tax-deductible donation in any amount to help build this memorial for our generation and future generations. Make us proud New Hampshirites! Skip a cup of coffee, and send the money instead to support this worthy cause run totally by volunteers so every penny goes to the actual cause. There are no professional fund raisers to take their cut of your donated money. Thank you for your help. It is sincerely appreciated.

Posted by Judy at 4:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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Senator Barack Obama states he doesn't wear a "Flag Pin" because,"It has become a substitute for True Patriotism".  I think that's a cop out and an excuse for getting caught without it. It's like saying,"I wanted to serve my country but..."

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Pretended Patriotism is standing in front of any number of flags as a candidate for President of the United States(Republican or Democrat) and Talking about "True Patriotism" and using that Flag Covered area to down "True Patriotism".

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Maybe Senator Obama could place a POW/MIA Pin on his lapel and SHOW True Patriotism and demand that DOD change terminology from the now "Missing-Captured" to what we all recognize..POW/MIA.

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Maybe one of his aids could update him on the fact that there is evidence of 5 American sons that he cares about being held POW/MIA in Iraq but most Americans are not aware of that because of the terminology change that hides that fact.

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Maybe he and ALL the candidates that say they"Support The Troops" could wear a POW/MIA lapel pin and learn the names of those 5 American sons!!!

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If Pretended Patriotism is wearing an American Flag lapel pin or standing at a POW/MIA Awareness Vigil or saying the Pledge of Allegiance or Saluting as a Veteran any time I damn well please, with or without a hat, or saying ,"I'm Proud Of Being an American and I'm TRULY PROUD of those that serve IN UNIFORM and their Families, then that would make me as phony as those running for the office of President and PRETENDING they care about those who serve this Country.

Bob Jones
Meredith
Northeast POW/MIA Network
Vietnam Veteran
Independent voter

Posted by Doug at 8:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

First read Skip's recent posting of The Old Paths. 

And for those of you who still refuse to "get it" click here. Perhaps this will help you understand why our new path needs to change back to the old path.

If we are to survive as Americans, we need to show our honor to our Armed Forces. Anti-war protestors need to start putting America and Americans first and truly support our troops by showing our support for them and their mission. Stop telling them they've lost, but tell them you know they can win the global war on terror. There is no peace in the land without getting rid of what threatens western civilization as we now know it.

Our troops haven't asked you to Bring Them Home so take down your completely contradictory, stupid signs that say: "Support The Troops, Bring Them Home." This is not showing your support or appreciation for those who fight for you; it only shows your presumptious arrogance.

Our troops sacrifice for you, why can't you sacrifice for them from the comfort and safety of your lazy boy? Your life isn't on the line to keep America free, but their lives are on the line for you and your continued freedom. Wake up you traitors, and yes, that's exactly what you are, or feel free to leave America if you can't love and support The American Armed Forces. Freedom isn't free, except perhaps for you unpatriotic cowards.

Posted by Judy at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This past Sunday, my hubby Dick and I hopped on our motorcycles at 7:30 am here in Bradford to meet up with some of the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association members, click here for their website, to ride to Littleton for their monthly meeting. It was about 40 degress when we left home so I pulled out the long underwear, winter riding gloves, face mask, leathers, etc. Believe it or not, I wasn't too cold although I was happy to arrive in Tilton to meet up with the CVMA members to warm up a tad and grab a bite to eat before we left for Littleton.

My husband is the Campaign Director for the Gold Star Mothers Memorial Association (honoring the mothers of NH's fallen heroes), click