What follows is a wonderful reminder of the origin of the legal holiday we celebrate today, and also a testimony to the religious foundation upon which our country was built. A fact too often forgotten, and sometimes even dismissed by some today.
May we forever be a grateful nation, under God.
By the President of the United States of America. a Proclamation.
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor–and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.
”Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be–That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks–for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation–for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the tranquillity, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed–for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted–for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us, and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions–to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually–to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed–to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness onto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord–To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us–and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New-York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
Go. Washington
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
You Think??
Funny how this statement of the obvious came out of our brilliant commander from his current location in China. The Chi-coms must have given him a "teachable moment" of their own. I guess as our landlords, they might have a right to do so.
Note the words, "tax breaks". Can you believe that? Oh well, just as long as the advice comes from the communists and not some Reagan-conservative.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091118/ap_on_re_as/as_obama_economy
Note the words, "tax breaks". Can you believe that? Oh well, just as long as the advice comes from the communists and not some Reagan-conservative.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091118/ap_on_re_as/as_obama_economy
If Given a Choice...
Two high profile terrorist trials are about to begin. They will occur in two very different venues. Barack Hussein and Eric Holder have set up two different processes for them.
The group that bombed the USS Cole will go in front of a military court and face proceedings that are meant to deal with enemy combatants. These proceedings are typically sure and swift as the "defendants" are defined as an enemy force intending deliberate harm to the United States.
Then there is the group that masterminded and/or participated in the attacks of 9/11. (See my recent post, "What if?", Mr. President) This group will be tried under civil proceedings which will afford these "defendants" (with their confessions already in place) all of the Bill of Rights benefits that you or I would have guaranteed to us as U.S. citizens. There are so many principles being trampled in this process that it deserves a separate, future post.
But here is the bottom line to this, and a clear and disturbing message to terrorists world-wide:
If you are caught in an attempt to attack a U.S. military target, even with all of it's preparedness and ability to defend itself, you will face fast and sure justice at the hands of that same military. But if you are caught attacking an undefended civilian target, full of innocent victims, you will be given all of the rights and benefits that have been earned and defended with U.S. blood for over 200 years. Take your pick.
Thank you Mr. President for helping set the proper objectives for those who want to destroy us.
The group that bombed the USS Cole will go in front of a military court and face proceedings that are meant to deal with enemy combatants. These proceedings are typically sure and swift as the "defendants" are defined as an enemy force intending deliberate harm to the United States.
Then there is the group that masterminded and/or participated in the attacks of 9/11. (See my recent post, "What if?", Mr. President) This group will be tried under civil proceedings which will afford these "defendants" (with their confessions already in place) all of the Bill of Rights benefits that you or I would have guaranteed to us as U.S. citizens. There are so many principles being trampled in this process that it deserves a separate, future post.
But here is the bottom line to this, and a clear and disturbing message to terrorists world-wide:
If you are caught in an attempt to attack a U.S. military target, even with all of it's preparedness and ability to defend itself, you will face fast and sure justice at the hands of that same military. But if you are caught attacking an undefended civilian target, full of innocent victims, you will be given all of the rights and benefits that have been earned and defended with U.S. blood for over 200 years. Take your pick.
Thank you Mr. President for helping set the proper objectives for those who want to destroy us.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
"What if", Mr. President?
In this op-ed piece from Ed Morrissey on Obama's criminal trials for admitted terrorists, he asks some very legitimate questions that have the potential for some disastrous outcomes:
"What happens if the judge throws out key evidence over nitpicky technicalities? What happens if KSM and others get found not guilty because of gaps in the evidence chain resulting from national-security issues or “evidentiary issues”? Will Obama let them walk away? If that happens, look for a massive amount of anger to overwhelm the naive Commander in Chief. And if Obama isn’t prepared to let them walk after a potential acquittal, then it makes a mockery of the criminal trial, and of the justice system itself. These terrorists belong at a military tribunal, not the justice system employed for Americans to judge other Americans for civil criminal conduct. Instead of giving these men the oblivion they deserve, we’re incentivizing further attacks on the US by giving them the biggest possible PR platform. We may as well put them on TV and call it Dancing With the Terrorists, or So You Want To Be A Jihadist Martyr."
Someone might say that there's absolutely no possibility that our "commander" in chief hasn't already thought about these things, and it's scary if he hasn't. Even scarier is the thought that he has.
"What happens if the judge throws out key evidence over nitpicky technicalities? What happens if KSM and others get found not guilty because of gaps in the evidence chain resulting from national-security issues or “evidentiary issues”? Will Obama let them walk away? If that happens, look for a massive amount of anger to overwhelm the naive Commander in Chief. And if Obama isn’t prepared to let them walk after a potential acquittal, then it makes a mockery of the criminal trial, and of the justice system itself. These terrorists belong at a military tribunal, not the justice system employed for Americans to judge other Americans for civil criminal conduct. Instead of giving these men the oblivion they deserve, we’re incentivizing further attacks on the US by giving them the biggest possible PR platform. We may as well put them on TV and call it Dancing With the Terrorists, or So You Want To Be A Jihadist Martyr."
Someone might say that there's absolutely no possibility that our "commander" in chief hasn't already thought about these things, and it's scary if he hasn't. Even scarier is the thought that he has.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
11/11 at 11:00
"Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have grown not only gray, but almost blind in the service of my country." --George Washington, upon fumbling for his glasses before delivering the Newburgh Address, 1783
To all those veterans and current military in the service of the U.S.A.: Thank you.
To all those veterans and current military in the service of the U.S.A.: Thank you.
Monday, November 9, 2009
One Small Step onto Very Thin Ice
So it is done. Or is it?
Well, if you listen to Nancy it is. "As big as Social Security and Medicare", as she put it. It's her version of nationalized medicine, but it is far from done.
All you really have to do is look at the vote. The dems control absolutely everything, and yet after all of Nancy's celebrating, her House got this done with a whopping 50.6% of the vote. And that's supposed to be the mandate that NancyHarryBarry want us to believe exists for this? What I saw was that she had to bribe, wrangle, beg and threaten just to get that much done. And that's why she's going to have to rethink this on many more long nights and weekends, and perhaps before then, she might have to finally listen to the voice of the people too. If not, 2010 Election Day is less than a year away. She'll hear it then.
Well, if you listen to Nancy it is. "As big as Social Security and Medicare", as she put it. It's her version of nationalized medicine, but it is far from done.
All you really have to do is look at the vote. The dems control absolutely everything, and yet after all of Nancy's celebrating, her House got this done with a whopping 50.6% of the vote. And that's supposed to be the mandate that NancyHarryBarry want us to believe exists for this? What I saw was that she had to bribe, wrangle, beg and threaten just to get that much done. And that's why she's going to have to rethink this on many more long nights and weekends, and perhaps before then, she might have to finally listen to the voice of the people too. If not, 2010 Election Day is less than a year away. She'll hear it then.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
A Loser Without a Winner?
Tuesday's vote up in Maine which overturned same-sex marriage legislation has had some interesting press coverage.
Every article I've read starts out by describing it as a loss for gay marriage proponents. Some, but very few, might elude to it as a win for somebody far down in the text.
Now as I understand it, this was a referendum sponsored by opponents of the law, to overturn it. Seems to me that a fair and accurate reporting of it would have labeled the result as a victory, first and foremost.
Why does this keep happening with all of those unbiased news organizations out there?
Every article I've read starts out by describing it as a loss for gay marriage proponents. Some, but very few, might elude to it as a win for somebody far down in the text.
Now as I understand it, this was a referendum sponsored by opponents of the law, to overturn it. Seems to me that a fair and accurate reporting of it would have labeled the result as a victory, first and foremost.
Why does this keep happening with all of those unbiased news organizations out there?
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
One Year Later
It is often said that "a man is known by the company he keeps". That was evoked often, and appropriately, when our current president was only a candidate. Not so much anymore. All of those radical old friends that he "barely knew" didn't seem to matter to the voters anyway, and now Ayers and Wright and the like are pretty much off the radar.
But it might be even more appropriate now to examine who he consults with as president. The old adage still applies, even more importantly. We're talking about those outside of his immediate circle whom he decides to invite into the White House. Remember, you do need to be invited; walking up and ringing the doorbell without one is almost guaranteed to be instantly fatal.
This question really came to mind when it was revealed how little time he had spent since his inauguration in discussion with his commander on the ground in Afghanistan. To this day, General McCrystal has only been called to the White House twice.
So out of all the diplomats, ambassadors, advisers, royalty, celebrities, statesmen, dignitaries, businessmen and women, etc., etc., that have been invited in, who tops the visitors list? The answer: Andy Stern, President of the SEIU, the Service Employee's International Union. One of Obama's best buddies, his power base, and his chief fundraiser. 20 times to be exact.
General McCrystal, fighting a war on global terror and commanding 25,000 of our troops in the deadliest land in the world: 2 times.
Andy Stern, fighting in the streets of our cities to organize labor and spread social activism in a war on capitalism: 20 times.
Sort of defines this president's priorities doesn't it?
This president has never been a commander. He still isn't. He's always been a community organizer. He still is.
But it might be even more appropriate now to examine who he consults with as president. The old adage still applies, even more importantly. We're talking about those outside of his immediate circle whom he decides to invite into the White House. Remember, you do need to be invited; walking up and ringing the doorbell without one is almost guaranteed to be instantly fatal.
This question really came to mind when it was revealed how little time he had spent since his inauguration in discussion with his commander on the ground in Afghanistan. To this day, General McCrystal has only been called to the White House twice.
So out of all the diplomats, ambassadors, advisers, royalty, celebrities, statesmen, dignitaries, businessmen and women, etc., etc., that have been invited in, who tops the visitors list? The answer: Andy Stern, President of the SEIU, the Service Employee's International Union. One of Obama's best buddies, his power base, and his chief fundraiser. 20 times to be exact.
General McCrystal, fighting a war on global terror and commanding 25,000 of our troops in the deadliest land in the world: 2 times.
Andy Stern, fighting in the streets of our cities to organize labor and spread social activism in a war on capitalism: 20 times.
Sort of defines this president's priorities doesn't it?
This president has never been a commander. He still isn't. He's always been a community organizer. He still is.
The Pendulum Swings
The people have spoken. Yesterday's gubernatorial wins for the Republican party were very, very telling, and don't let the mainstream media tell you any different. It was amazing how the downplaying of these races began with about 1% of the voting counted!
All summer, the discontent with the administration's nationalist/socialist policies were being protested and rejected in the form of negative polls and tea parties everywhere, yet these were summarily dismissed by the dems and press, as meaningless actions by a few "angry mobs".
But now, those protests have materialized into something real; maybe not in a big way, but in a small, yet very significant first step. And those first steps are always the hardest. The pendulum, which is never motionless in U.S. politics, is starting to swing the other way. What Obama, and the democrats in Congress must now realize, and they will, is that with every vote they cast which moves us in such dramatic fashion away from our historical "centrist" government, is a nail in their political coffins. Our liberty is being hijacked and the great majority are now realizing it. Shame on them though, that they couldn't see it in the candidate Obama, but it's not too late.
Like in most elections, most registered voters went to the polls last year having put no more thought into who they were choosing, than they do when they decide what movie to see next. That's the way it is when we live in a country so comfortable, so stable and so predictable. We take so much for granted. We think to ourselves that democrats and republicans are really only inches apart on the spectrum of politics that's a mile wide, and that's probably accurate 98% of the time. And heck, "...that Obama guy looks pretty good. At least he's not another Bush!"
But by now, we can all see that this president is far from center. Way too far. And the signs were there, but only in little bites, thanks to his entire career being only months long, and no mainstream press willing to examine it.
Now Americans are going to have to use the only tool they have to erase and correct a mistake. And yesterday they began the proven process. I'm tempted to say that for the first time, I'm really proud of my country, but that would be a cheap shot wouldn't it? More than that, it would be absolutely untrue.
All summer, the discontent with the administration's nationalist/socialist policies were being protested and rejected in the form of negative polls and tea parties everywhere, yet these were summarily dismissed by the dems and press, as meaningless actions by a few "angry mobs".
But now, those protests have materialized into something real; maybe not in a big way, but in a small, yet very significant first step. And those first steps are always the hardest. The pendulum, which is never motionless in U.S. politics, is starting to swing the other way. What Obama, and the democrats in Congress must now realize, and they will, is that with every vote they cast which moves us in such dramatic fashion away from our historical "centrist" government, is a nail in their political coffins. Our liberty is being hijacked and the great majority are now realizing it. Shame on them though, that they couldn't see it in the candidate Obama, but it's not too late.
Like in most elections, most registered voters went to the polls last year having put no more thought into who they were choosing, than they do when they decide what movie to see next. That's the way it is when we live in a country so comfortable, so stable and so predictable. We take so much for granted. We think to ourselves that democrats and republicans are really only inches apart on the spectrum of politics that's a mile wide, and that's probably accurate 98% of the time. And heck, "...that Obama guy looks pretty good. At least he's not another Bush!"
But by now, we can all see that this president is far from center. Way too far. And the signs were there, but only in little bites, thanks to his entire career being only months long, and no mainstream press willing to examine it.
Now Americans are going to have to use the only tool they have to erase and correct a mistake. And yesterday they began the proven process. I'm tempted to say that for the first time, I'm really proud of my country, but that would be a cheap shot wouldn't it? More than that, it would be absolutely untrue.
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