Looting

FFQF: A Virtuous Man

To me, one of the most virtuous founders was George Washington (and perhaps only John and Samuel Adams succeeded him). A virtuous person is not a person without faults, but a person who does what is right and just despite his faults. I greatly admire Washington because of this. He was also a very humble man.

I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.

I also like William Penn. He was a very wise and virtuous man. Perhaps he isn't considered a "founder" of our American government, but he was certainly a founder of Americanism. His statement (below) concerns marriage, that most intimate of human relationships, but I believe one could also glean from it wisdom for any relationship.

In marriage do thou be wise: prefer the person before money, virtue before beauty, the mind before the body; then thou hast a wife, a friend, a companion, a second self.

Steeped within this statement is the sentiment of how we need virtue amongst us with our dealings between our friends, family, and countrymen. We would be wise to remember the things that made us great-- that made us free, and encourage these things amongst us.

Thanks to Hercules Mulligan; see more quotes at Meet the Founders.

I Pledge Allegiance to Atlantica?

I saw this at NYCO's Blog and vaguely remember hearing of it in my political science circles last year: Atlantica, the new North American region. It promises to wipe out state sovereignty (what isn't these days) and gobble up our Constitutional rights for another new-agey "feel good" money-making scheme.

As with everything, it's being touted as an economic stimulus plan. For now. I find the wording at the website very chilling.

Atlantica: the International Northeast Economic Region (AINER) is defined chiefly by geography, economic trends and trade patterns; common problems and experiences; and politics. Much of this wedge of territory has been outside the charmed circle of North American prosperity for years.

The reasons are buried deep in our history. Especially after the Americans rejected Reciprocity and Confederation was born, the continent was divided into two national projects. Each sought to open up its half of the continent on an east-west axis. Each had a funnel on the East Coast (Montreal and New York respectively) that caught the energies of Europe and channelled them toward the conquest of the continent. Atlantica was bypassed.

But now, continental free trade and globalization could put an end to the isolation of Atlantica. The east-west axis for development of North America is being supplemented by a drive to stitch back together the old north-south trade routes that had flourished across the continent before 1867.

The Atlantica movement has it's contenders, here. This is the position of the opposers:

While Atlantica acknowledges economic distressed regions of Newfoundland, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, it seeks to perpetuate local economic hardship in these regions by lowering minimum wage and concentrating economic wealth in a proposed Atlantica triangle.

This proposed triangle includes Connecticut and spreads to the three points of Boston, Albany and New York. Proponents of Atlantica, Atlantic Canada's business elite and their policy research arms, blame 'too much government' as economic burdens in our region when in reality it is the cheap sell off of our public resources, privatization of our public services and other concessions for large corporations.

Obviously, this is a movement created and backed by Canadian interests. It also coincides eerily with the NYRI situation, itself backed by shady Canadian investors and encouraged by the feds.

If Canada is having economic woes, it should seek to solve them themselves, not to stir up the financial misery of the Northeastern states, gain the advantage, and claim segments of the United States for their own benefit.

Bad economy or not, the Northeastern states of these United States are sovereign states within a sovereign nation. We have our own government, trade alliances, economy, and rights. I find this Atlantica idea very offensive, and any American citizen (or leader) in favor of it is a traitor to the United States of America. I despise the pseudo-intellectual yapping as if this is something to consider as a solution to our woes. Dear American, have you no principle? Have you no idea what has made this country great, something that goes beyond your bottom dollar and the cost of living? Are you serious when you insinuate that your materialistic comfort is more important than the blessings of liberty protected solely by the Constitution and American virtue?

Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it." Thomas Paine

A Good Political Cartoon Blog

Today's entrecard advertiser is PolitixCartoons. I don't think I have done this with an entrecard advertiser before, but I recommend paying a visit to the blog. The cartoons are witty and well done! I appreciated the laugh with today's cartoon, The Day After the Election; how true it is! 

And an older post, about grocery bags, hits the nail on the head. It's something I've noticed myself. If grocery stores desire consumers to be so "environmentally" aware, why do they stuff our goods in those disgusting plastic bags and not the paper bags we once used and loved? 

The dirty secret is that grocery chains want you to purchase their reusable bags. Why? Because it saves them money on paying for bags themselves. Sure, some may be environmentally conscious, but overall, money speaks the loudest. If it weren't so, then why is it so hard to get grocers to bag your products in paper bags? Paper bags are far more environmentally friendly than plastic, but most chains don't carry them, and the ones that do groan every time I ask for paper. It is because plastic is still cheaper than paper.

The stores in the Utica area don't even offer paper bags anymore, not that I am aware of.

Government Defined

From Demotivators.com

Dear Hillary: %@&*!

Once again Hillary Clinton opens her trap, and once again, it's all nonsense. The Utica Observer Dispatch headline is "Hillary Clinton in Utica vows to fight for aid for state, Mohawk Valley."

UTICA —U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton today addressed the economic struggles in the nation and state, calling for tough leadership.

“We’re tougher than the tough times we face,” she said, “but we have to have the leadership.”

Dear Ms. Clinton-- we do not want "aid." We do not want "tough" "leadership." We want LOWER TAXES. And we want you to all leave us ALONE.

There's a good reason why all my peers have left the state and why I am sorely tempted to be next in line. I wish you "leaders" would stop your bloviating for a moment to hear the pitter-patter of little feet running far, far away from you.

Publius Meeting Postponed

The Publius Society meeting tonight, hosted by the Alexander Hamilton Institute, is postponed until further notice. Unfortunately, I was hoping to attend this meeting, as my schedule permitted me a free moment. I may yet attempt to attend it. The topic is extremely relevant in these times.

Robert Nagel, a professor of constitutional law at the University of Colorado, Boulder, argues that political and judicial revolutions have usurped the power of the estates and thereby enervated local associational life. Although Kimberly Hendrickson, a public policy analyst, agrees with much of Nagel’s argument about the implosion of federalism, she lauds the emergence of a “moral federalism” through plebiscitary democracy on issues ranging from abortion to euthanasia to affirmative action to medical marijuana to homosexual marriage.

Is federalism dead? If so, should we mourn or celebrate its demise? Is the rise of moral federalism a sign of life for American democracy or a threat to individual rights?

It is very gratifying to realize that there are numerous others dedicated to good government and a virtuous republic. I'll try to post the reschedule date when I become aware of it. Do try to attend!

Thoughts on the NYRI Project

If you haven't heard of the NYRI Project being shoved down the throats of New Yorkers, see here for a website describing it. In a nutshell, NYRI is a front for some foreign and domestic investors who want to construct a 200-mile long, 13-story-high high-voltage DC power line through the heart of New York towns and cities. The reason is that "downstate" NY needs cheaper energy. For some very odd reason, the company wants to build their high-voltage power lines over the heads of the most populated areas of 84 towns. They refuse to consider traditional routes (the Thruway corridor) and are prepared to use eminent domain to uproot hundreds of thousands of New York citizens for this high-voltage power line. The entire situation smells.

If you do not live in New York nor the immediately affected area of this high-voltage power line, you might still want to consider yourself. These things are occurring throughout the entire country, whether it be high-voltage power lines, oil rigs, superhighway construction, or other. For some very odd reason, American citizens are finding themselved directly in the way of new, federally-deemed "national corridors" and traditional (areas with existing infrastructure for such corridors) are being completely disregarded.

1. Why are the traditional routes being ignored? It would certainly be less costly since infrastructure exists and snce a company wouldn't have to legally wrest private property from landowners and use eminent domain. Why would the federal government allow this-- yea, even encourage it by deeming these high-population areas as "national corridors"?

2. Why is NYRI rushing this project? Most projects begin with public input and years of filing papers and making reports. The only thing holding NYRI back from plunking their 13-story metal spikes over our heads is the public pressure.

3. Why place an untested high-voltage power line system within the most condensed population areas? This is not an AC high-voltage power line, but a DC high-voltage power line. Very little is known about the physical and mental effects on humans and human activity with these lines, particularly as relating to children. Most of thre children in the counties live within these highly-populated areas that NYRI (and the federal government) has chosen.

4. Why did NYRI not come to the public first, and why were their plans not well known until then-Utica mayor Tim Julian made headlines with his angry outbursts at a meeting? Was NYRI or the government-- or even New York State politicians-- going to mention this at all? This is not some project out in the Adirondacks among the beavers; this is within 10 feet of people's bedrooms.

5. Who are these people behind NYRI? Not even the New York State Public Commission Service knows who they are, only that some members are foreigners. Why is this a secret? Why is the federal government keeping them hidden?

6. Why does NYRI think that, if NYS will not allow them to build their high-voltage power lines here, the federal government will allow them? Why is the federal government supporting NYRI, and what does the federal government have to gain in doing so?

7. Why, when contesting against NYRI and their proposed high-voltage power lines, is there very little mention of private property rights? Why is the argument centered on aethestics or even health? What happened to our constitutional right to private property rights and why is it such a secret and so indefensible?

These are the initial questions that come up once again as I contemplate the NYRI project. These questions have never been, to my recollection, answered. And that itself is another question. Why not?

I do hope that you people living outside this area of New York realize that these foreign and federal interest groups are coming after you and your neck of the woods, as well. This is not an isolated incident, and I doubt it will be the last. We must speak up for others even when we are not personally affected.

The NYRI Meeting Notes

As promised, I am posting the notes taken by my friend Theophobe, who attended the NYRI public meeting at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, NY. I think you'll find his remarks informative.

Theophobe: This meeting was organized by the NYS PSC [Public Service Commission], as part of a law passed in 1970 (I believe it's Article VII) regarding these kinds of projects, and had two parts. The first hour was informational and hoped to answer any questions attendeeds had regarding the process NYRI must go through to get approval from NYS for its proposed project. Also, even if it is eventually disapproved by NYS, there may be some things that could happen at the federal level, being that the Federal government has deemed this area to be a National Interest Energy Transmission Corridor (NEITC) that could trump NYS's decision. After the intial hour, the meeting was opened to statements from the public regarding the proposed project.

The first hour got used up quickly by attendees' questions, many dealing with how much disclosure NYRI had to give the NYS PSC regarding who they actually were. Many voiced concerns over them being a conglomeration of mainly Canadian interests and also whether they had the financial wherewithal to actually fufill their plan (there seemed to be a concern that the project could get started but never see completion). The spokesman for the PSC responded that they did not know just who NYRI was, but that their financial condition was a very important factor in determining whether the project would be approved or disapproved. Another point that was mentioned more than once was that NYRI has proposed a DC power line (as opposed to AC), and attendees wondered how much study had been done on the effects of high-voltage DC transmission lines had existing in close proximity to humans and human activity--the large majority of these lines are AC). It appeared from the following conversation that there hasn;t been much study done on high-voltage DC transmision lines.

Anyone who desired to participte in the latter part of the meeting was required to fill out a small card stating their name, and which also gave them permission for their statement, or a portion of it, to be used in the mass media. The statements were made before two judges who were part of a five=person panel associated with the PSDC and who would be advising the PSC in its final recommendation regarding the NYRI project. (The three possible recommendations being 1-accepted; 2-accepted with a list of necessary changes; 3-denied). One of the judges let us know that 50 cards had been turned in by people wanting to make statements (out of about 400 attendees), and that this may cause some time pressures. They had gone through the cards and if any elected official had submitted a card, they would be given preference in the speaking order. Thus, Joe Griffo spoke first, then Anthony Picente, followed by James D'Onofrio (county legislator), Dave Roefaro (Utica's mayor), Brian Miller, another county legislator whose name I can't remember, Ed Welsh (WIBX Talk show host and county legislator), the mayor of Waterville, Felix Cardillo, Supervisor of the Town of Paris, and the mayor of New York Mills. I believe these were the elected officials who spoke, and then I stayed for 2 more speakers, both ladies from Clayville. I left about 8pm.

There were a few things that stood out in my mind. A great point that was often repeated and best expressed by D'Onofrio was that this project appears to have been hurriedly and ill-conceived. He talked about personally being involved in the process that became the Ava landfill. If I remember correctly, he said it took 12 years (!) from proposal to implementation. He noted that the beginning of of the process BEGAN with public input, and only after they had gathered the input did they begin to seriously develop proposals. Official after official noted the arrogance that NYRI displayed in completely leaving the public out of their designs. I really think this is what makes the opposition here as strong as it is- these folks are completely focused on $$$ and have forgotten (or calculatingly ignored) the human element in this. Athony Picente touched on this, and facing the NYRI folks, asked them to take their project and, "please, just go away."

Brian Miller brought up that he and some fellow county legislators were working on legislation disallowing the use of eminent domain for this projects. Ed Welsh argued that historically, if there has been a need for anything to be transported between upstate and downstate, that path has been where the NYS Thruway is today, and that would be the most common-sense path for a project of this kind to take, rather than the most populated areas of the our county. Griffo made many good points, but I thought the strongest was if there is a need for power downstate, then NYRI has not demonstrated that it is the answer.

These public meetings will continue through Nov. 6 in other towns and counties that this project proposes to pass through.

My Sincerest Apologies

I would like to offer my sincerest apologies to those within the Entrecard community. I have been very negligent with visiting others' websites. I logged in this afternoon to discover that half a dozen or more members have been patiently waiting for my approval for the ads. I apologize for my tardiness. It's just been one of those hectic months. I don't believe I ever visited Hercules Mulligan and the Founding Father's Friday group, either.

I do anticipate some time next month (vacation) when I can give my attentions to these matters more diligently. I will attempt to respond more quickly to advertising offers as well.

NYRI Public Meeting

Theophobe attended the public meeting at Mohawk Valley Community College last night. We've only met briefly since then and haven't had much time to discuss his impressions. I wish I could have attended, but pressing matters (namely, work assignments) kept me from attending. I've asked him to write his thoughts and impressions of the meeting to post here. I'm hoping to have it published within the next few days or so.

Very briefly, he said that about 400 attended, all resistant to NYRI's intentions, of course. For those not versed in Upstate NY matters, NYRI is a foreign-owned but federally-backed power company that desires to slice through the hearts of Upstate communities with a 200-mile power line. It is a terrific offense to the multitude of residents and private property owners who lay in the path of this "energy corridor."

New Yorkers are fighting this; I pray the battle is not in vain. The enemy is very large and well-funded. I'm looking forward to reading Theophobe's opinions on the meeting.

Is Blogger Really Worth It?

I've considered moving from the free Blogger, over to my own "property": paid web hosting. I've been undecided for a few months now. I had closed this blog several months ago, unsure if I really wanted to continue it or even continue it here. I opted to open it again after finding no satisfactory answers with shared web hosting. I've heard of numerous problems, and I really question if I can withstand the hassle in my busy life. Things for me haven't slowed down, but rather sped up.

I like Blogger because it's free and very, very easy to use. I am hesistant to become tangled in Typepad or Wordpress. I've heard some negative things about them. I'm wondering what is better-- to stay with Blogger and continue to free hosting (although I still have that "blogspot" hanging over me), or take the leap into shared hosting for this blog. Anyone have any advice for poor Cato?

FFQF Poor Ben Franklin

Poor old Benjamin Franklin. He gets a bad rap. He is touted as a deist guru, the epitome of the humanist perfection among the founders. But Franklin was far from it. He was a close friend of Reverend George Whitefield (responsible for instigating the Great Awakening in the colonies), and was a true friend of religion. In his autobiography, Franklin asks some very hard (and good) questions about religion and got some very lame answers from the religious leaders of organized religion. Perhaps Franklin's sentiments would have diverted in a better direction if he'd received the correct answers for his burning questions. 

Nonetheless, Franklin did call himself a "Deist"; but he was no atheist. He even blackballed Thomas Paine when the older, deluded Paine wrote "The Age of Reason." Franklin, like Jefferson, believed in God and believed in religion as a morally-sustaining force over society and the evil inclinations of man. 

"That wise Men have in all Ages thought Government necessary for the Good of Mankind; and, that wise Governments have always thought Religion necessary for the well ordering and well-being of Society, and accordingly have been ever careful to encourage and protect the Ministers of it, paying them the highest publick Honours, that their Doctrines might thereby meet with the greater Respect among the common People."  Benjamin Franklin, 1730.

Those revisionists who now claim that religion (more specifically, Christianity) has no place in a government such as ours err in both historical knowledge and in basic sociology. Even a glossary reading of the founders' primary readings make it evident that virtue powered by Christian religion was an absolutely necessary support and sister to a free republic. 

Trouble Shooting

Yes, I like both kinds of music: country AND western. This video was sent to me, a strange panacea for my computer problems of late. There's something beautiful about a song that blends the Second Amendment and Microsoft Windows so well. 

FFQF Never Be Enslav'd

Today's quote comes from Samuel Adams.

If Virtue & Knowledge are diffused among the People, they will never be enslav'd. This will be their great Security. -Samuel Adams, letter to James Warren, February 12, 1779

I read this and have nothing more to add. Adams says it all! For more quotes for today's topic, see Meet the Founders here.

The Golden Arches Parable

My sister used to work at McDonald's, as a manager. She always had the funniest stories to tell (she worked the overnight shift, from which spawned the strangest experiences). The McDonald's "Golden Arches" sign is not very tall and is located on a small portion of lawn next to the parking area. The sign below it (usually proclaiming how many customers served or other announcements, like "Now Hiring Days") was fodder for teenage pranksters. My sister described to me how one night the sign had been altered, most likely by the snickering group of teenage boys who had sauntered in earlier that evening.

The sign had previously read "NOW HIRING DAYS," but that night a middle-aged woman walked in to report that the sign was displaying "NOW HIRIN GAYS." My sister, who has an excellent but not politically-correct sense of humor, did her best to stifle the burst of laughter forming in her gut. "Oh my, that's awful," she laughed. "I think it's another teen prank; I'll have the maintenance guy get on it when he arrives." The woman stared at her, astonished that it wasn't an urgent matter, and walked back out.

About an hour later, an elderly couple walked in. They asked for my sister and timidly told her that something was amiss with the sign outside. Sis chuckled again (she does love pranks). "Yes, we know about it, and we're waiting for the maintenance man to get here." The couple apologized (for what, I don't know) and continued their breakfast order.

Throughout the night-- I was surprised to learn that so many people actually read McDonald's signs-- a few customers mentioned the sign. Some thought it was quite humorous, while others were miffed that McDonald's wasn't taking such "discrimination" seriously.

The policy for the night crew is that they are forbidden to leave the building from 11pm to 6am. This is why no one at the restaurant replaced the sign; and the maintenence man doesn't arrive until morning. So up the sign stayed until late morning, when it was finally restored to "NOW HIRING DAYS."

I remember that story because I read this headline at WorldNetDaily this morning:

"McDonald's surrenders! Boycott declared over; Family group says fast-food giant agrees not to promote 'gay' agenda"

A corporate executive for McDonald's restaurants who had been on board of directors of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce has stepped down following a boycott of the chain organized by the pro-family American Family Association.

McDonald's officials confirmed today to WND that Richard Ellis, who had been named to the "gay" chamber board after McDonald's contributed $20,000 to the organization, "made a personal decision to step down" after he accepted a new position with McDonald's Restaurants of Canada.

McDonald's officials also told AFA the company has no plans to renew its membership in the special interest group when it expires in December.

"We appreciate the decision by McDonald's to no longer support political activity by homosexual activist organizations," AFA chairman Donald E. Wildmon said in a prepared statement.

As much as I applaud the temerity of these pro-family groups, I've stated before that I wish these groups would clean their own houses before attacking sinners for their unclean houses (1 Corinthians 5:9-13). I'm tired of their "culture" war against homosexuality and etc, especially when I read that divorce, pornography, immorality, and humanism runs just as rampant in the churches as in the world. And as much as I believe in heterosexual marriage as the only definition of marriage, it is not the job of government nor politicians to define marriage-- it is the job of the church influencing society, which the church has obviously failed to do for the past century (see J. Gresham Machen's Christianity and Liberalism and Francis Schaeffer's The Great Evangelical Disaster). For even the churches to view homosexuality as a "political" issue is a disgrace as well as an error.

I have been against the Constitutional Marriage Amendment because it is beyond the scope and authority of the government to dictate the issue. I hope Christians who support altering such a serious document (the Constitution) know what they are truly doing-- they are creating a tyrant, just as the humanists are creating a tyrant. The Christians think that creating a tyrant in favor of Christians will somehow prove beneficial; but once you create your tyrant, beware; for you will find that the tyrant you create will one day rise up to control you. ("Give us a king!" they cried).

America's founders did not build our form of government to enact social change and dictate social issues. I agree with Clarence Thomas, who observed:

"America was founded on a philosophy of individual rights, not group rights."

Does McDonald's have the right to hire gays? Yes, they do. Do the pro-family groups have the right to protest and boycott the business? Yes, they do. Does McDonald's have the right to change their position? Yes, they do.

It is government that is restricted. Government does not have the right to force McDonald's to hire gays; government does not have the right to prevent protests and boycotts; and government does not have the right to dictate McDonald's business policies.

It is within the scope of government to acknowledge and enforce justice. Justice, as our founders stated, is found with the Ten Commandments and conviction that every individual will be held accountable to God for his/her actions. I'm sorry if some people don't like to hear that. Perhaps you should move to a country with the government you do like, rather than work to subvert this good form of government that has served us so well for two centuries. Tacitus had said:

The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.

If the churches were doing what they are supposed to be doing-- convincing hearts and minds rather than making our culture more palatable for themselves-- we wouldn't even have these problems and divisions and endless streams of laws now regulating our every move and thought. The answer is not more legislation, more government dictation. The answer is repentance, first in the church, then in society.

I Am Leaving the Republican Party

I joined the Republican Party because it was my only venue for voting for candidates in primaries. I've never considered myself a "true" Republican, not since the party completely abandoned the principles of Ronald Reagan and took on the cloak of the Democrats. I was too young to vote for Reagan (I don't remember much of his term, being too young for politics then), but I have always admired him and believed him to be the defining leader of the party of our time. It didn't take long for the GOP to forsake Reagan's federalist and conservative views; his seat was barely cold before they tossed out everything Reagan worked for.

But still, when the time came for me to register to vote, I chose the Republican Party. In New York, a citizen is forbidden to vote in a primary for candidates of a party unless one is a member of said party; namely, Democrat or Republican, as those were the only two parties recognized by the NY Board of Elections as large enough to qualify for voting booth space privileges. This had been in place for decades until only recently, when the Independence Party was finally given a platform for their candidate. Apparently there are enough Independents to deem them worthy of voting for their own candidate in primaries. I am not up-to-date on election processes; this may even have changed since I last heard about it.

My point is: I've decided to join the Constitution Party. I've always favored this party, but resisted joining it because it had no real voice in New York politics, and I was dismayed at their choice for president four years ago (Michael Peroutka- no doubt an able man but not a strong enough candidate to challenge the media glitz of Bush and Kerry). This year the candidate is Chuck Baldwin, an able and articulate man. I've admired him for many years. Here is Baldwin's candidacy website.

Pat Buchanan posted Baldwin's column about the Wall Street bailout here. Reading the article, I am won over.

At the time of this writing, the U.S. House and Senate are poised to pass a $700 billion bailout to Wall Street. At the behest of President George W. Bush, the U.S. taxpayers are going to be on the hook for what can only be referred to as the biggest fraud in U.S. history.

Virtually our entire financial system is based on an illusion. We spend more than we earn, we consume more than we produce, we borrow more than we save, and we cling to the fantasy that this can go on forever. The glue that holds this crumbling scheme together is a fiat currency known as the Federal Reserve Note, which was created out of thin air by an international banking cartel called the Federal Reserve.

According to Congressman Ron Paul, in the last three years, the Federal Reserve has created over $4 trillion in new money. The result of all this "money-out-of-thin-air" fraud is never-ending inflation. And the more prices rise, the more the dollar collapses. Folks, this is not sustainable.

I am also very gratified and encouraged that Ron Paul has endorsed Baldwin for president.

And I realize that the Constitution Party will never grow until we join it. It is too late to change parties this year but I will still be casting my ballot for Baldwin. As soon as the election is over, I'm in the Constitution Party. There is so little difference between the Democrats and Republicans- such has been for almost 50 years now, despite the glorious Reagan interim- and it is time to take bold stands for American government. I encourage you to look closely at the two humanist parties and look at the Constitution Party, and you tell me which party adheres to the principles of liberty and the greatness of American government. For me, the choice is finally crystal clear. I only wish I'd done it sooner.

Greatness

Some may wonder why a certain number of us are always quoting and referring to America's founders. The answer is easy: they were great and wise men. They understood history, were not short-sighted, had wide perception of human character and frailties, and were genuinely honest men. Certainly they had their foibles and flaws as we all do; however, these were great men. Moreover, they were not great men before the time into which they were called; they were rather ordinary-- educated but planters, lawyers, historians, preachers, doctors. These men became great men during those "times" that tried "mens' souls." They rose to occasion when posterity needed them to do so. 

I am reminded once again of their greatness and wisdom with pondering this statement this morning: 

"That the people have a right to keep and bear arms; that a well-regulated militia, composed of the body of the people trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defence of a free state; that standing armies, in time of peace, are dangerous to liberty, and therefore ought to be avoided, as far as the circumstances and protection of the community will admit; and that, in all cases, the military should be under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power."

Recommended Bill of Rights from the Virginia Ratifying Convention, 27 June 1778

So why should we care what white landowners thought and believed over 200 years ago? Because they have proved that they knew what they were doing, and many times they did what they did for us in the future, not for themselves and their own immediate comfort. And they were right. They were right about many, many things, and they were successful in building the best form of government this world has ever seen in its history, and will ever see until God closes up the world.

That, my friend, is greatness. So don't accuse me nor my friends that we are "conspiracy nuts." The founding fathers did the same as we are doing. And when the British army crossed their Rubicon, the fathers of old didn't turn on the ball game or discuss public school politics. Some of us are still awake enough to remember greatness. Is your peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?

The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. -Thomas Jefferson.

FFQF The Only Foundation

Today's quotes continue the theme of Virtue as stated by America's founders as an absolutely necessary component to liberty. I present one of my favorite quotes by one of my favorite founders, Dr. Benjamin Rush. For almost two centuries Dr, Rush was regarded as a primary player in the founding era, until he was booted from history books due to his outspoken faith in Christianity. (Christianity is now taboo when discussing the influences upon the founders, but it it taboo unjustifiably).

[T]he only foundation for a useful education in a republic is to be laid in religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty, and liberty is the object and life of all republican governments. -Benjamin Rush

I also happened upon a marvelous quote by Senator Daniel Webster. He is not considered a "founding father," as that era was before his time; however he is certainly an historical mouthpiece of what the founders did believe about the Constitution, liberty, and virtue. I have great admiration and respect for Webster. I am compelled to pass on his wisdom with these words:

No government is respectable which is not just. Without unspotted purity of public faith, without sacred public principle, fidelity, and honor, no machinery of laws can give dignity to political society. -Daniel Webster

Cynicism aside, it is with horrific dismay that I watch as our republic now rapidly erodes into an oligarchy. We are seeing our Constitution castrated before our eyes, and our liberties negated by new, corrupt legislation. I am very concerned for our future. What will happen when they finally deem our Constitution officially unconstitutional?

See Meet the Founders for more founder's quotes.

Sarah Plain and Pretty

There's a bit of scandal regarding Newsweek's cover photo of Sarah Palin. The photo was not retouched, showing all her wrinkles, imperfections, and "unwanted facial hair." All I can say is:

1. Well it's about TIME we got a REAL woman on a magazine cover.
2. Sarah Palin, unretouched as she is, is absolutely beautiful. Not even Newsweek and their stinking Photoshop groupies could mar her face.
3. So now an unretouched photo is unusual and considered scandalous. How thou hast fallen, America. Reality bites, doesn't it?

I despise McCain, and Palin's obvious charm and intellect cannot win me over. If only the ticket were the other way around, I'd reconsider. It's pretty obvious the liberals are almost insane with an attractive woman running as a conservative. I am having fun watching them foam at the mouth. Not even the superimpositions of her head on pigs with lipstick can eradicate her great smile and personality.

And secondly, there are even more scandalous gasps with this photo. She's got a-- a-- a GUN!


This is America, where weenies protest a red-blooded American with a gun? And a shotgun, no less? What the hell is wrong with that? Me thinks the propaganda machine ("guns are bad") is really working. What drivel.

YEAH, we Americans NEED them guns, to keep those weeny Hollywood elites and the butchy black-clothed government Inquisitionists to keep away from us. Bring on the guns! Go, Sarah!

Where's Jerome Corsi?

WorldNetDaily has been reporting the disappearance of Jerome Corsi, renowned whistleblower of government corruption. A few days ago, Corsi went incommunicado in Kenya, where he was doing research about Barack Obama's ties with Kenyan government there. Corsi has now surfaced.

Bribes totaling thousands of dollars were paid to facilitate WND senior staff reporter Jerome Corsi's departure from Kenya after immigration authorities there detained him and his publicist – holding them under armed guard and without food – to prevent Corsi from holding a news conference revealing what he had discovered about Barack Obama's controversial ties in the African nation.

Confirmation of the payments comes just as a report from Kenya Broadcasting Corp. admitted it was politics, not the contrived paperwork reason, for which Corsi was detained.

...Kenyan immigration officials and soldiers armed with automatic weapons prevented Corsi from holding a scheduled news conference about his investigation into Obama's Kenyan links. The Kenyan authorities detaining him later took him to his departure flight and made it clear he was not welcome to return.

"Don't ever come back. See you in hell," Corsi reported an unidentified official told him as the author of the No. 1 best-selling book "The Obama Nation" was delivered to a flight departing from Nairobi.

Corsi took the British Airways flight to London, from where he told WND he was tired but safe and working on assembling the results of his investigation conducted in Kenya into a report.

I have liked Corsi since he rattled the globalists cages when he reported Bush's renedevous with then-president Vincente Fox and the prime minister of Canada, who were scheming to produce a "North American Union." This union will essentially wipe out borders and provide a common currency, common defense, common roadways, and eliminate American sovereignty. I just cannot believe how successful Bush has been in destroying our country.

Cuckoo for Goggle

Can't think for yourself? Let Google do it! News from Breitbart:

Google has adapted its free email service to help those letting loose after a few evening cocktails or succumbing to lovelorn moments from firing off messages they might regret in the morning.

Mail Goggles software comes to life after dark and on weekends, when altered states of mind are more probable, and requires that five simple math problems be answered correctly in less than a minute in order to send a Gmail missive.

"Sometimes I send messages I shouldn't send," Gmail engineer Jon Perlow wrote Monday in a website posting announcing the optional new feature.

This is insane, nothing short of insane. Individuals are quickly becoming slaves to the system. We now exist to work for the machine, that great military and consumerist industrial complex. Hey Average Joe, how about a little self-control, self-resraint?

All societies of men must be governed in some way or other.

The less they may have of stringent State Government, the more they must have of individual self-government.

The less they rely on public law or physical force, the more they must rely on private moral restraint.

Men, in a word, must necessarily be controlled, either by a power within them, or by a power without them; either by the word of God, or by the strong arm of man; either by the Bible, or by the bayonet.

It may do for other countries and other governments to talk about the State supporting religion. Here, under our own free institutions, it is Religion which must support the State. --Robert Winthrop, Speaker of the House, 1849

I happened upon something last week; I haven't yet said anything about it because I wanted to check on it to verify that it is accurate. I've checked the Library of Congress, but they only have the recent records of the annals of Congress. Besides that, I haven't had the time to look elsewhere. I have yet to ask the college librarian about attaining them. Perhaps a reader would know about it.

So this is what I found, from Patriotickle.

Communist Goals (1963) Congressional Record--Appendix, pp. A34-A35 January 10, 1963

Current Communist Goals EXTENSION OF REMARKS OF HON. A. S. HERLONG, JR. OF FLORIDA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, January 10, 1963.

Mr. HERLONG. Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Patricia Nordman of De Land, Fla., is an ardent and articulate opponent of communism, and until recently published the De Land Courier, which she dedicated to the purpose of alerting the public to the dangers of communism in America.

At Mrs. Nordman's request, I include in the RECORD, under unanimous consent, the following "Current Communist Goals," which she identifies as an excerpt from "The Naked Communist," by Cleon Skousen:

[From "The Naked Communist," by Cleon Skousen]

1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.

2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war.

3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament [by] the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength.

4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war.

5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites.

6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination.

7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N.

The list reads like today's newspapers:

20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policy-making positions.

21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.

22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms."

23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art."

24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press.

25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.

26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy."

27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity, which does not need a "religious crutch."

28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state."

29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.

30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man."

36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions.

37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business.

38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand [or treat].

39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals.

40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.

41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.

I would like to know if this was truly presented in Congress. Not that it matters a great deal; Congress is attempting all of the above now, anyway. How times have changed. 

Patriotickle says his source is Rense.com. If this is indeed true and accurate, Congress would certainly have this in their records. Perhaps a reader would know more about this?

You're Right, Yeah, Right!

My new blogging friend, akaGaga at Yeah, Right, has come out with another post of perception and truth. I am enjoying this blog a great deal. The latest post concerns the issue of martial law in the U.S.

"Martial law?" you say. "That can't happen here!"
1. This is America! 
2. We have elections. 
3. We have a constitution with checks and balances that prevent the military from taking over.

"Unfortunately, it can," I reply.
1. This is America, but it's not the same America that our founding fathers established. It's not the same America that our ancestors fought and died for. It's not the America that our children are still fighting and dying for.
2. We do have elections, but they are no longer free elections. The republican and democratic machines, that are essentially identical, have a stranglehold on our political process. Anyone outside the republicrat system can't even get on the ballot, in most cases. In essence, we have a one-party system, just like Russia.
3. And our constitution - that grand old document designed to prevent excessive central control, to prevent any one individual from becoming a tyrant, designed to protect the life and liberty of the individual - has become null and void.

She lists the executive orders that have been passed (odd, I didn't see the media reporting these orders?) may cause you to pass out. No wonder she has the flag flying upside down at her blog.

She is one of many new Upstate New York bloggers speaking out about the coming storm unless there is rapid and immediate change (a revolution, of sorts). I encourage you to read her blog. I am very gratified that there are so many New Yorkers like Jean who are jumping in the trenches to defend our Constitution and fighting for liberty.

NYRI Hearings

For what it's worth (I think the power lines will push through), some hearings have been scheduled to protest and organize against the massive power line project for upstate NY. See more about the hearings here.

Communities Against Regional interconnect (CARI), a coalition comprising of seven counties and five citizens groups opposing the NYRI power line requested that the New York Public Service Commission hold Public Statement Hearings in all of the Counties affected by the New York Regional Interconnect (NYRI).

The Public Service Commission granted CARI’s request and scheduled additional hearings throughout the region.

When I initially heard about the power lines, I believed NYers had a chance in pushing it back. Now, I am not so confident. Perhaps I am more cynical, or perhaps I am feeling low due to the passage of that bailout bill. At this point in history, whatever the government wants, the government gets. Voting means nothing, protests mean nothing. I apologize for my bitterness. But I am so very angry about all the abuses and usurpations. What happened to my country? How could Americans have allowed these things to happen when they happened? Why were so few watching the tower and so many watching I Love Lucy?

We Have Seen the Enemy...Updated

Arkansas Watch has an interesting post about Congress' scandalous bailout proceedings. Rep Kaptur of Ohio warns against a bailout, as there are "enemies" in our midst. And as the old proverb goes, they are us.

"My message to the American people don’t let Congress seal this deal. High financial crimes have been committed. We are constitutionally sworn to protect and defend this Republic against all enemies foreign and domestic. And my friends there are enemies."

Unfortunately, despite only 6% approval for the bailout plan, Congress is determined to plow through this deal. So it's not really whether we "allow" Congress to do this. They are doing it whether WE the PEOPLE want it or not.

The post also says that Texas Rep. Michael Burgess mentions something about Congress declaring "martial law." This was absolutely shocking, so I did a little digging. Apparently, "martial law" is a slang word used by Congress for a time period they've set aside to hurry a bill along, without much debate and deliberation. I was surprised to hear that it was declared by them a few nights ago; hasn't the modern Congress always run things this way?

UPDATE: My apologies for misinformation. Excellent blogger akaGaGa at Yeah, Right has a much better finger on this issue. I recommend you read her post and see the video she has there.

It seems that Washington really, really wanted the $700 billion Bailout bill passed. In fact, they wanted it so bad that they threatened some House members with martial law, no idle threat now that the troops are at hand.

Good God, Congress can just throw around the threat of martial law like that? The government is just seething with baited breath, absolutely ready at a moment's notice to throw us into chaos and start their dictatorship, aren't they?

Here's the Alex Jones radio spot I found; Jones interviewed Burgess and asked him to explain the meaning of the term. Burgess has much to say about the bailout issue-- it's an excellent interview.

FFQF: Madison and Virtue

See what's up with today's FFQF at Meet the Founders blog

Call me old-fashioned, but I believe in the ideals and attainability of chivalry and virtue. Hercules Mulligan has informed me that this month's theme is "virtue." It is one of my favorite fruits of the Spirit.

James Madison, a virtuous man and perhaps one of the most learned and wisest men of the founding circle, said this:

"Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks -- no form of government can render us secure. To suppose liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea. If there be sufficient virtue and intelligence in the community, it will be exercised in the selection of these men. So that we do not depend on their virtue, or put confidence in our rulers, but in the people who are to choose them. James Madison, Speech in the Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 20, 1788

I've been perusing the blogs and have been very dismayed by the bigotry and scoffing afforded the Christian religion and the virtues thereof. I find it appalling that it is inappropriate to, for example, discriminatly mock different skin color, Jewish heritage, Muslim belief, and etc (and rightly so), but for some odd reason, it's always open season on Christians. Christians are attacked because of their strict moral beliefs, and claim that religion plays no role in government. Au contraire, and this betrays a full lack of perception and education. Pick up any one book filled with the writings of the founders, and there you will find quotes such as these:

". . . Virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and this alone that renders us invincible. These are the tactics we should study. If we lose these, we are conquered, fallen indeed . . . so long as our manners and principles remain sound, there is no danger." Patrick Henry

"In all those dispositions which promote political happiness, religion and morality are essential props. In vain does he claim the praise of patriotism, who labors to subvert or undermine these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest foundations of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public happiness.

Let it simply be asked, where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of moral and religious obligation deserts the oaths which are administered in courts of justice? Nor ought we to flatter ourselves that morality can be separated from religion. Concede as much as may be asked to the effect of refined education in minds of peculiar structure, can we believe, can we in prudence suppose, that national morality can be maintained in exclusion of religious principles? Does it not require the aid of a generally received and divinely authoritative religion?

It is essentially true that virtue or morality is a main and necessary spring of popular or republican governments. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to all free governments. Who that is a prudent and sincere friend to them, can look with indifference on the ravages which are making in the foundation of the fabric—religion? The uncommon means which of late have been directed to this fatal end, seem to make it in a particular manner the duty of a retiring chief of a nation to warn his country against tasting of the poisonous draught [sic]." George Washington

"[I]t is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue." John Adams

"[R]eligion, morality and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall be forever encouraged." Northwest Ordinance of 1787

"You have rights antecedent to all earthly governments; rights that cannot be repealed or restrained by human laws; right derived from the Great Legislator of the Universe." John Adams

"[T]he only foundation for a useful education in a republic is to be laid in religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty, and liberty is the object and life of all republican governments." Benjamin Rush

"Our citizens should early understand that the genuine source of correct republican principles is the Bible, particularly the New testament, or, the Christian religion." Noah Webster

"The politician who loves liberty ... knows that morality overthrown (and morality must fall with religion), the terrors of despotism alone can curb the impetuous passions of man, and confine him within the bounds of social duty." Alexander Hamilton

"[I]f we and our posterity reject religious instruction and authority, violate the rules of eternal justice, trifle with the injunctions of morality, and recklessly destroy the political constitution which holds us together, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us, that shall bury all our glory in profound obscurity." Daniel Webster

I am but a student next to the likes of Hercules Mulligan on this matter. If you wish to seek this topic out further-- if you wish to discover the truth of the matter-- I recommend his blog, The Foundation Forum. It's been an eye-opener for me.

See Meet the Founders for more on Favorite Founder's Quote Friday.

Dictatorship in 10 Easy Lessons; Step 8...

I finally see someone else talking about the tyrannical actions of our federal government, regarding the military patrolling of United States citizenry.

At Lew Rockwell.com:

"The Army Times reports that the 3rd Infantry’s 1st Brigade Combat Team is returning from Iraq to defend the Homeland, as 'an on-call federal response force for natural or manmade emergencies and disasters, including terrorist attacks.'"

See here for the complete story.

The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 forbids this, unless by an Act of Congress.

The militarization of civilian police and civil defense activities is an extremely serious warning signal of dictatorship coming to America, along with the federalization of the National Guard.

With such pieces in place, a government transformation to dictatorship could happen at any time and happen very swiftly.

Civilians now have an incentive to ramp up their own weaponry and their own resistance skills to counter this kind of threat.

In addition, this sort of move encourages capital flight from the U.S. as well as the flight of people.

It's unbelievable how the non-story about the Wall Street bailout is having everyone hop and jump around in circles, while this much more insidious act remains quite hush-hush.

Truly amazing. Ah, yes, and QUITE the coincidence, indeed.

Many thanks to Jean for alerting me of LewRockwell.com's story.