Irate, Tireless Minority

First they came for the Walnuts....

2012-02-02T17:55:00.008-06:00

... but I didn't speak up, because I was not fond of walnuts...

It was mildly amusing when the FDA told Diamond Walnuts that they could not sell walnuts because they are making statements about the health benefits of walnuts on their packaging. Surely this would be cleared up in a few weeks. Surely the FDA wasn't really going be this foolish and nit picky. Walnuts are a natural food-of course they are going to have health benefits. How wacko is this nation's zeal for imposing more regulations?

Then they came for the cherries and products containing cherry juice, but, again I didn't speak out because I didn't use a lot of cherry containing products and only ate cherries once in a while...

There came the article about the FDA making the same demands on the producers of cherries. Because cherries have been said to have an anti-inflammatory effect on arthritis and gout, if the growers of cherries should attempt to say so on the packaging of any cherries or cherry products, that makes cherries a drug and they must have FDA approval before they can be sold.

By this point, rational people are saying "riiight" and having a decent chuckle at the expense of the bean counters and nit-pickers at the FDA. Hold onto your hats, folks because this next one is going to floor you.

Then they came for me, and I couldn't speak out because all of the conventional foods had been declared to be illegal drugs by the FDA and I was too weak from lack of good, nutritious, natural food to speak out...

The FDA, in it's infinite maze of regulatory burdens waiting to be imposed, is now saying that your own stem cells are drugs—and stem cell therapy is interstate commerce, possibly because it affects the bottom line of FDA-approved drugs in other states.

So, if you are going to travel across state lines to have your own stem cells removed from your own blood to treat yourself, the FDA thinks they have the authority to regulate you.

"(This is the FDA's) latest claim in its battle with a Colorado clinic over its Regenexx-SD™ procedure, a non-surgical treatment for people suffering from moderate to severe joint or bone pain using adult stem cells.

The FDA asserts in a court document that it has the right to regulate the Centeno-Schultz Clinic for two reasons:

Stem cells are drugs and therefore fall within their jurisdiction. (The clinic argues that stem cell therapy is the practice of medicine and is therefore not within the FDA’s jurisdiction!)

The clinic is engaging in interstate commerce and is therefore subject to FDA regulation because any part of the machine or procedure that originates outside Colorado becomes interstate commerce once it enters the state. Moreover, interstate commerce is substantially affected because individuals traveling to Colorado to have the Regenexx procedure would “depress the market for out-of-state drugs that are approved by FDA.”"

Where is all this nonsense originating? In the court documents for the stem cell case, the FDA says straight out that they want to protect the market for FDA approved drugs. That would seem to indicate that crony capitalism is alive and well in the FDA. However, things are seldom so simple. It seems that the FDA lost a case in 1999, Pearson vs Shalala, because the court ruled that the FDA had no evidence demonstrating that disclaimers could not correct for deceptiveness and overturned existing regulations as not giving sufficient deference to first amendment considerations.

In order to address that defeat, in 2000, the FDA sent out notices that they would be exercising "enforcement discretion" with regard to certain categories of dietary supplement health claims. Then, not satisfied with that degree of "helpfulness", (or one could say, not content with any infringement of it's overarching power) the FDA, in 2002, expanded that "enforcement discretion" action to include conventional foods as well as dietary supplements. No one paid much much attention and, Viola!, here we are today.

Hmmm..... Seems to me that we have a self evident right to choose our own food, supplements and health care procedures whether the FDA approves or not. It is not the job of the FDA, (at least not as I understood it) to provide a market monopoly for themselves or for particular businesses. It is the job of the FDA to say whether or not something meets their safety guidelines for an intended use. They are supposed to be a safeguard, giving us information regarding the safety and efficacy of those drugs and treatments which they have looked at and found to be reasonably safe and effective. Not to block the use of drugs and treatments that people may turn to because they don't like the ones so approved.

In other words, they are to act as an information provider, not a dictator. We have the self evident freedom to make our own choices. Do people get upset when they find that they are occasionally duped by snake oil salesmen when they are desperate for a cure? Yes. That's one of the inherent risks of the choice to avoid the FDA approved products and procedures. But really-cherries, walnuts, all conventional foods and our own stem cells?

I don't need the FDA to approve walnuts, cherries or my own cells. There is a legitimate place for an agency that tests food and drugs to see if they are safe, but this is not it. Simply because something is not included in the Constitution, does not mean it is not a self evident right. I have the self evident right to feed myself and make my own medical decisions. I may choose to consult with a doctor or other health care professional, but, if I do, it is always MY decision what to do with regard to their advice.

My stem cells are none of the FDA's business. Neither is what I eat. And I encourage my fellow Americans to let congress know that the FDA is exceeding their authority.

"And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat." ~ Genesis 1:29

Fighting Evil

2012-02-01T19:46:00.006-06:00

I have been asked by family/friends in Dane county to post this in the hopes that these people can be found. The reward is now up to $5,000.

MADISON (WKOW) -- A $300 reward is being offered for information that leads to whoever is responsible for killing a 4-month-old chocolate lab.

The anonymous donor and volunteer of Dane County Humane Society offered to put up the money after hearing about the dog who was found in a ditch in the town of Rutland. The animal was suffocated and bound with packing tape.

If you want to contribute to the fund donations can be made online at www.giveshelter.org by putting ‘Animal Protection Fund' in the comment field. Checks can also be sent to DCHS at 5132 Voges Road in Madison.

DCHS is appreciative of those who have offered to donate so far and looks forward to being able to thank many more contributors. Should no one come forward with information about this cruelty case, the funds will be used to help other animals who are harmed or neglected.

"The connection between animal cruelty and human violence is well documented," says Gayle Viney, Public Relations Coordinator for DCHS. "We are hopeful that establishing a reward fund can help bring forward additional information that can lead to the arrest of the people involved in this horrible act of animal abuse."

Studies show a correlation between animal cruelty and all manner of other crimes, from narcotics and firearms violations to battery and sexual assault. "At DCHS, we invest in youth education so that kids grow up with the knowledge and understanding of appropriate and humane animal care," says Viney.

If you have information about this case, the Dane County Sheriff's Department asks you to please contact the Tip Line at 608-284-6900.

"And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.

And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour." ~ Matt 15:22-28

Endorsements Anyone?

2012-01-29T20:23:00.004-06:00

My readers may have noticed by now that I have not endorsed any particular candidate. Nor will I, in this space. It is the opinion of this blogger that you need to do your own research.

We are blessed to have the internet at our disposal. We can sit comfortably at home and look up all the candidates and their records(if they have any). We are without excuse. We will get the government we deserve and I think that it is time for those of us who vote to step up to the plate and do our research. On an earlier post, I stated that voting is an act of faith. It is. It is your opportunity to do what is right - without witnesses even. When you go into that voting booth, your choice is between you and God. This is yet one more plea to my fellow Americans to ignore the msm, the DNC, the RNC and anyone else who is trying to dictate your candidates to you. They do this by the simple expedient of ignoring all other candidates.

They do not know everything and the choices they give us are not the complete list of available candidates. I am praying that the American people step up and show our mettle by voting in someone who is not even on the radar of those who would dictate our candidates to us. Someone of strong character and high integrity with Christian values. (Yes, personal life counts. If your spouse and children cannot trust you, why should I?)

Of course I am also praying that the Senate steps up to their duties and charges mr. obama with treason and removes him and his cronies from office long before the election. I'm not sure why they haven't, except for cowardice and corruption among the ranks of senators.

"And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason.

Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her forth of the ranges: and whoso followeth her, let him be slain with the sword. For the priest said, Slay her not in the house of the LORD.

So they laid hands on her; and when she was come to the entering of the horse gate by the king's house, they slew her there.

And Jehoiada made a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the LORD's people." ~ 2 Chron 23:13-16

Just a Quick Note

2012-01-18T19:28:00.013-06:00

My apologies to those who follow my blog for the dearth of posts in the last few weeks. Life has filled my schedule with holiday preparations, celebrations and illness.

I have also signed up with Verify the Recall to do my duty as a citizen to ensure that the recall efforts are clean. (And you do not have to live in WI to help with this effort.)Given my conservative leanings, I'm sure that some would be surprised by such a move. Part of conservatism, true conservatism is supporting clean and honest elections. This will keep me busy for a few more weeks, but in the meantime, please feel free to listen to my BTR radio show.(Link in the sidebar)

There are so many items to call to attention.
The possible release of Guantanamo Bay inmates for the privilege of negotiating with terrorists. This shocks me as during my youth, I heard repeatedly that "the USA does NOT negotiate with terrorists" and now here we are. Sounds like giving aid and comfort(AGAIN) to the enemy by this administration to me.
There were a few articles that indicated that the release of a US POW-possibly Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl- might be a part of these talks, but so far that seems to be just a rumor. As I note in my BTR show (Negotiating with Terrorists), the disappearance of Sgt. Bergdahl is not without questions. But the bottom line is that this young man needs to be found and returned to America before those questions can be addressed properly.

The upcoming vote on SOPA and PIPA, legislation that will allow the government to censor web content without due process. Just for the information of my readers, as I note on the sidebar, you may use any of my posts as long as you note from whence they come. I tend to prefer to write my own rather than reposting someone else's articles. That said, there are a few posts that were generously shared with me and I would ask my readers to respect those. If SOPA and/or PIPA should pass, and blogger gets shut down for any reason, I will do my best to be moving this blog to www.iratetirelessminority.com within a reasonable span of time. I will do my best to keep posting.

Then there is the Enemy Expatriation Act. For those who were reassured by the exception for American citizens in that egregious additions to the NDAA(section 1021 and 1022), be alarmed, be very alarmed. The EEA has the potential to strip groups of Americans of their citizenship without due process. Of course, you can appeal, but that assumes that you haven't been picked up under the measures in the NDAA. This bill was sponsored in the House as H.R. 3166 by Rep. Charles dent of PA. And sponsored in the Senate as S by Sen. Lieberman of New Jersey. Although Senator Lieberman contends that "an expatriating act must be committed with the intent of relinquishing citizenship status for loss of citizenship to occur.", I view this addition to the existing law as a slippery slope down which America does not need to go.

I think, that with the links supplied, this should give my readers enough to ponder on for a bit. :)

"So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." ~ Luke 17:10

"A Black Day for Austria"

2011-12-30T18:32:00.005-06:00

"A Black Day for Austria"

Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff has been convicted of "denigrating a religion" because she commented that muhammad "had a thing for little girls". The fact that the man married a 6 year old and consummated that marriage when the girl was 9, apparently doesn't justify the utterance by Mrs. S-W of such an "excess of opinion" according to the judge. This is because the pedophile also had other wives that were not children. I am appalled.
If you would care to donate towards her legal costs, you may do so here.

Austria, by this ruling, seems to me to be giving the Islamic religion a form of legitimacy for its most unsavory and immoral elements. May God bring them to their senses quickly, because this is a very bad precedent for a civilized nation. There are some things that richly deserve to be denigrated, whether part of a religion or not. Shame on them.

"Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed." ~ 1Chron 22:13

Exercise: It Does a Republic Good.

2011-12-23T05:28:00.017-06:00

A little bit ago, my family and I successfully completed the NRA's basic pistol shooting course. We did this because, well, because I insisted that, now that we have a concealed carry law in WI, it was our duty, even though all of us have had a modicum of training in the past, to become more knowledgeable about firearms. Those who choose not to carry should take such a class as well because it is a duty consistent with the right to bear arms to know how to use a firearm should you be put in a bad situation. Even though all the classes I had seen on-line in our area were full, a friend told us about some openings in his class, so off we went.

I'm so proud of my boy.

In addition to being a lot of fun, the class struck me as a picture of our larger rights and responsibilities as American citizens. We have self evident God given rights, yes, but they come with an equally self evident duty attached to them. That duty is to exercise those rights appropriately and responsibly. This is something that people tend to understand immediately when speaking about firearms, but not so much when it comes to our other self-evident rights. One of the most important duties that is required to maintain our rights is to exercise them appropriately at every opportunity.

We often don't think of exercising our freedom of speech, or our freedom of religion or our freedom from unreasonable search and seizure and all the rest as duties. We are usually all too happy to give them up at the drop of a hat when challenged. Just as it is an uneasy feeling to carry a firearm around with you, it is just as uneasy to exercise any of our other rights in the face of opposition or authority. Just look at how many people have tamely submitted to the TSA's unconstitutional searches. This is to say nothing of exercising our other self evident, but unnamed Constitutional rights, like the right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children.

He's a good shot, too.

Think about that. We have a whole slew of other unnamed, yet self evident rights, to which we often do not lay claim, due to the fact that they are not named. Not only that, but we often give up our named rights out of ...what? Is it a wish to be nice? Is it a wish to be perceived as cooperative? Is it sheer ignorance of how those rights are to be appropriately exercised? Or is it cowardice?
I tend to think it is a combination of all those reasons and more. Whatever it is, we need to stop it. We are at, and possibly past, a tipping point, beyond which America no longer exists as the land of the free. We need to be exercising our rights. All of them. Every time it is appropriate to do so. What's more, we need to help each other stand up for those rights as well.

As you can see, those who exercise their rights, understand their responsibilities.

At first it will be scary, but, as you become more familiar with the process and the likely results, you will come to understand what the phrase "We The People" really means in the Constitution. Far from being a hindrance to the exercise of freedom, acceptance of that responsibility is what gives us the power to remain free. I know we've come a long way from the days of our founders, but I think we can still handle the risks and responsibilities that go along with the power to direct our own lives, don't you? Try it, you never know, it may be fun.

Even though he grumbled about it at first, if you enlarge the photo, you'll see that "Dad" enjoyed the class too.

"And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.

Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough" ~ Luke 22:35-38

Gates of Vienna: Just Announced: Iran's Current and Future Foreign ...

2011-12-06T19:15:00.000-06:00

Gates of Vienna: Just Announced: Iran's Current and Future Foreign ...: Hassan Rahimpour Azghadi is a member of the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution in Iran and a famous ideologue and Islamic theorist in th...

"The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying,

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.

And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come.

For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek their life: and I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger, saith the LORD; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them:

And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the LORD.

But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the LORD." ~ Jer 49:34-39

Voting is an Act of Faith

2011-11-16T16:01:00.012-06:00

Voting is a concrete demonstration of faith. Faith in our form of government and faith in our fellow man. It is a necessary demonstration of that faith because freedom isn't safe. Our fellows may do with their freedom that which we would rather they not do. That's the biggest danger of freedom. To vote to keep all of our freedoms intact is a vote that says "I trust my friends and neighbors to do that which is right, rather than that which is expedient for them or easy."

The two party system is killing us. Literally. It is nothing less than an easy button which the msm and the major parties have used to hijack the system. It is a lie and the most insidious of lies because it plays on the wish we all have to be winners.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to be a winner. There is something terribly wrong with allowing that wish to degrade your character. The truth is that there are over 200 presidential candidates registered with the FEC. How many of their names do you know? Have you heard of Samm Tittle? How about Gary Johnson or Phillip G. Pflughaupt? Have you done your due diligence to find the BEST candidate without regard to the one that the msm or either party declares is the only one that has a chance of winning? (Of course, if you believe them they will turn out to be right because you will vote how they tell you to, R or D, instead of voting for the best candidate.)

How faithless are we that we allow ourselves time after time after time to be deceived by this lie? This is the most concrete demonstration of our lack of faith in God, as a nation, that we could possibly make. Will people make fun of you for voting for an other than mainstream media candidate? Yes. Will they blame you for the wrong person being elected due to their own lack of faith, because you didn't join them in their comfortable lie? Yes. Are we the "Home of the Brave" or the Home of Timid"? Are we the "Land of the Free" or the "Land of the Lazy"? If we continue to use the two party system to direct our votes, then we are timid and lazy and we deserve the government we get.

I think we deserve better. Have faith that God, having given us such an exceptional nation, wants us to keep it. Do your part to keep it and restore it. The same God who told Noah to build the ark gave us this nation. We have the same choice as Noah, do the necessary work, or be destroyed along with the rest of the world.
Your choice.

"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."~ Matt 12:36

"Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants." ~ Matt 18:23

Taking Back Our Republic

2011-10-05T14:49:00.015-05:00

Just an update. I have not added content to this page recently, not because there isn't anything worth adding or because I am busy or ill, but rather because I happen to think that this declaration is more important than anything else I could post at this point in history. See for yourself. Read it, Sign it, Share it and then Do it. Make sure your state's governor has a copy. Make sure they read it and give you feedback. This is our nation. It has been usurped and we must restore it. This, in my opinion is the last chance for We the People to do so peacefully.

Have you been waiting for a "Call to Arms" to restore and defend our republic? This is the call to action that we, the silent majority, have been awaiting. Our veterans defended us, now is the time to stand shoulder to shoulder with them and take our country back.

Find this Declaration at http://www.veterandefenders.org/DECLARATION-RESTORE-THE-CONSTITUTIONAL-REPUBLIC.pdf
Print it off and share it with any veterans you may know, your county sheriff, local, state and federal legislators and your clergy.
Then pressure your state legislators to collect federal taxes at the state level to use to restrain this sort of behavior by Washington now and in the future.
Pressure them to get the state's financial house in order and stop taking money from the federal government.
Get yourself and your neighbors prepared to take care of yourelves and each other in the event of civil unrest/ breakdown of services.
Sign up at http://www.veterandefenders.org/ or at http://www.patriotsunion.org/ .

Requests for information or interviews should be sent here! The links in the original may be found at the original site for the Declaration. Here it is.:
A DECLARATION TO RESTORE THE
CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC
NATIONAL CALL FOR UNITED ACTION

―When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the
political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the
earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle
them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes
which impel them to the separation.‖
―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. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their
just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government
becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to
institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in
such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.‖ – from the U.S.
Declaration of Independence
An undisclosed number of American Veterans and former service members have come together to
prepare and present this Call-to-Action on behalf of the U.S. Constitution, the Republic, the Rule of Law
and equal justice for all freedom loving citizens of the United States of America. Acting together as one,
via The Veteran Defenders of America, co-sponsored by civilian patriot group The Unites States Patriots
Union, LLC – we issue the following CALL for peaceful disobedience.

1. We CALL upon every member of federal, state and local government, legislative, judicial, law
enforcement and military, who have taken an oath to protect and defend the Constitutional
Republic from all enemies, foreign and domestic, to act upon those oaths for the stated purpose of
restoring the Constitutional Republic.

2. We CALL upon ALL veterans and veteran organizations in America, who still believe in their
oath to protect and defend, to unite with us at once - in this Declaration to Restore the
Constitutional Republic.

3. We CALL for ALL citizens who still desire freedom and liberty, to stand with us in peaceful
protest, and carry our demands to right the wrongs against our nation in the preservation of
freedom, liberty, justice and the rule of law.

This is a NATIONWIDE Call-to-Action!

“We are Facing a Battle That Will Decide our Fate as a Nation!” – Maj. Gen. Paul Vallely (Ret.)
The time to unite and fight for the American way of life has arrived… We did not choose this fight, or
this time. The fight has come to us in our time and we will not shrink from our responsibility to protect
and defend the United States of America, our Constitutional Republic, and the American way of life. We
CALL upon ALL freedom loving Americans to JOIN US in this honorable endeavor. We do so on the
following basis…

Abuses and Usurpations
Barack Obama’s once strong approval rating now stands at only 19%. The approval rating of congress is
no better. The people have lost all faith in their government…
The demise of our Constitutional Republic has been underway for nearly a hundred years. As the people
placidly accepted intolerable offenses against the republic, the states, and the Constitution for decades, the
Central power in Washington D.C. grew ever more powerful, ever more abusive, and ever more
disconnected from the very people it was formed to represent.
During the last three years, the current administration has committed the most egregious offenses against
the people, the states and the Constitution, since the founding of our country and today, they operate as a
virtual dictatorship, against the governed, beyond the scope and authority the people granted them in the
Constitution and at odds with the will of the vast majority of American citizens.
The actions of the Obama Administration in total, rise to the level of treason against the United States and
its people.
The Democratic Socialists of America are currently running Washington D.C. and they recently issued
this statement in a Call-to-Action for their millions of members –
“We are the alternative to the tea party conservatives, the Republicans whose only program is to say no,
the Democrats who have forgotten what progressive politics really are and the progressives who think
that they can stand apart from the left.”
This must not be permitted to stand…
Among other offenses, abuses and usurpations, is the following list of transgressions – (detailed in
Appendix A) - altering our constitutional form of government and system of justice without authority…

 Violations against Article I of the U.S. Constitution - Congress
 Violations against Article II of the U.S. Constitution - The office of President
 Violations against Article III of the U.S. Constitution - Judicial Powers
 Violations against Article IV of the U.S. Constitution - The State
 Violations against Article V of the U.S. Constitution - The Amendment Process
 Violations against Article VI of the U.S. Constitution - Oath to the Constitution
 Violations against the 1st Amendment of the Bill of Rights
 Violations against the 2nd Amendment of the Bill of Rights
 Violations against the 3rd Amendment of the Bill of Rights
 Violations against the 4th Amendment of the Bill of Rights
 Violations against the 5th Amendment of the Bill of Rights
 Violations against the 6th Amendment of the Bill of Rights
 Violations against the 7th Amendment of the Bill of Rights
 Violations against the 8th Amendment of the Bill of Rights
 Violations against the 9th Amendment of the Bill of Rights
 Violations against the 10th Amendment of the Bill of Rights
 Unlawful use of Military force, here and abroad
 Violations of International Treaties and Laws
 Numerous violations of the public trust
 Misuse of the people’s resources
 The bankrupting of the nation, the states and the people
 Taxation without representation
 Confiscation and Redistribution of the people’s earned assets
 Abuse of Judicial power

At this late date, the individually itemized list of abuses and usurpations would require an encyclopedia of
unconstitutional offenses to the Republic and there is no evidence to suggest that there remains even one
legitimate honest courtroom in the country to which all evidence could be presented.
There is no Article or Amendment of the U.S. Constitution which the current leadership in Washington
D.C. has not abused and/or usurped over the last three years.
As a result, the normal courses of action for redress may not be adequate to solve the problem today, as
all three branches of the federal government are currently acting as one, all of them beyond the scope and
power granted them by the Constitution, against the principles of freedom, liberty and self-governance,
and at odds with the vast majority of citizens.
Yet the Constitutional Representative Republic must be restored, no matter the means or the cost.

It is on this foundation that we morally and rightfully call for all good people to rise up, stand together,
move to restore the Constitutional Republic, and hold those who have and would stand against the people,
fully accountable.

WE THE PEOPLE

On behalf of the Veterans and former Service Members of America, who fought and died for freedom and
liberty here and abroad, and all good and decent American citizens from sea to shining sea, we the people
of the United States of America hereby demand the immediate restoration of our Constitutional Republic
and an end to the Democratic Socialist abuses and usurpations which have become commonplace in the
daily corruption of our governmental offices. As the true American people sit idle, the enemy grows in
number and strength.
No longer will we sit idly by and tolerate the utter destruction of our country, at the hands of anti-
American elitists in Washington D.C. who have mistaken the people’s peaceful tolerance for acceptance
of their ill-advised behaviors. The time for all good and decent Americans to stand together, in defense of
the Constitution, the Republic, freedom and liberty, has arrived. The Rule of Constitutional Law must
prevail.
We call upon all who have taken an oath to protect and defend, to take appropriate measures now.

We the people hereby demand

1. The immediate and unconditional orderly resignation of Barack Hussein Obama, II

2. The immediate and unconditional orderly resignation of Joseph R. Biden
In addition to the known fact that the Obama/Biden ticket was advanced by way of fraudulent
representations concerning the constitutional eligibility of Barack Hussein Obama II, under Article II
requirements for the office of President, the Obama/Biden has committed countless crimes against the
U.S. Constitution, our Republican form of government and the American people while in control of the
Executive Branch.
They are not able to do this alone, but with the help and cover of many anti-American players, who have
also acted at odds with their oaths to protect and defend the Constitution, our Republic and the people of
the United States. As a result, these players must be removed from office and held accountable for their
actions as well.
This group includes, but is not limited to the following individuals -

3. The immediate and unconditional orderly resignation of the entire Obama Cabinet, including but
not limited to;
 the White House staff and unelected Czar’s
 Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton
 Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner
 Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta
 Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr.
 Interior Secretary Kenneth L. Salazar
 Acting Commerce Secretary Dr. Rebecca M. Blank
 Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis
 Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius
 Energy Secretary Steven Chu
 Education Secretary Arne Duncan
 Homeland Security Secretary Janet A. Napolitano
 EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson
 Office of Management & Budget Director Jacob J. Lew
 UN Ambassador Susan Rice, the entire Council of Economic Advisers
 Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan
 Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor
 House Speaker John Boehner
 House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi
 Senate Leader Harry Reid
 Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell – all of whom have committed treasonous acts
against the people, the states and the U.S. Constitution.

Further, to reinstate the rule of law and the Law of this Land, the U.S. Constitution and our constitutional
republic -

1. In compliance with Article II – Section I of the U.S. Constitution for the Removal of the
President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and
Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, -- the Congress may by
Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and
Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act
accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.

2. That every verifiable member of The Communist Party USA, The Socialist Party USA and The
Democratic Socialists of America be immediately publicly identified and removed from office for
overtly acting against freedom, liberty and the Constitutional Republic.

3. That in the event that these individuals refuse to immediately resign in an orderly fashion
designed to serve the best interests of the United States, we demand that the 66 members of the
people’s House who voted against the recent raising of the nation’s debt ceiling, to immediately
begin impeachment proceedings against every member of the Obama administration.

4. That the seven remaining members of the U.S. Supreme Court place an immediate stay on all
Executive and Legislative actions taken under the term of the unconstitutional administration
beginning January 20, 2009.

5. That remaining members of the House and Senate immediately act to name new majority and
minority leaders of congress, and work with the U.S. Supreme Court in the assigning of new
temporary Executive Branch members, acting on behalf of the people and the will of the
American majority until such time that the citizens of the United States can elect their new
representatives in 2012.

6. The immediate and unconditional dissolution of all special interest congressional caucuses,
including but not limited to The Progressive Caucus, The Black Caucus. In addition, the
immediate closure of any and all congressional committees which have been given
unconstitutional powers, including the Debt Committee of twelve just formed. Individuals are
elected by the people to represent ALL of the people, not special interest groups.

7. That each state government immediately act to enforce its 10th Amendment right to protect and
defend the people of their state against a tyrannical central power in Washington D.C., by
recalling all State Guard troops home to protect the sovereignty and security of their respective
citizens, as well as state resources and governments.

8. That each state government act immediately to cut itself off from federal funding, and take the
necessary actions to balance their own state and local budgets immediately.

These are our initial demands and nothing less than complete compliance with each of these demands is
acceptable to the people of the United States. These demands have been published for public support and
delivered to all members of Congress.

Further, it is our position that the normal constitutional line of succession to the presidency does not apply
in this circumstance, due to the widespread complicity by members of congress, regarding both the
original fraud that placed this administration in power and the ongoing effort to cover up the greatest
fraud ever perpetrated on the American citizens.
The abuse and usurpation of the U.S. Constitution will not be allowed to stand. It is on this basis that We
the People make these demands, in full compliance with the law of this land, the Constitution of the
United States of America.

It is our sincere desire to affect these immediate and unconditional changes to the people’s government
through peaceful processes, causing a minimum degree of disruption to the vital ongoing business of the
people and their representative government.
The individuals named in our demand for immediate and unconditional resignations have acted directly
and overtly against the people, the states and the Constitution and they must be held fully accountable for
their actions.

Call for the People to ACT Now

We are openly calling for the American people to draw a final line in the sand and take a moral and
righteous stand for the Constitutional Republic, the rule of law and the future of freedom and liberty.
The time to be tolerant and silent has passed and the time for serious action has arrived. Only the people
can restore the Constitution as the Supreme Law of this Land. We must do it peacefully if at all possible
and our Founders provided all the tools necessary for peaceful corrections of a ship set off course by
internal enemies.

We are calling for the following specific actions, by every active and former service member and
every patriotic citizen, no matter their political stripe...

 We call upon all members of the U.S. Military, the U.S. Supreme Court, Federal, State, County,
Local Law Enforcement, and all Intelligence agencies, to direct all assets of the people of the
United States towards the restoration of the Constitutional Republic and stand with the American
citizens in compliance with their oath to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution and the people
of the United States.

 We call upon ALL American citizens to provide necessary pressure on all law enforcement,
judicial, intelligence and military agencies, until those who have sworn to protect and defend the
Constitution begin to act upon those oaths.

 The current administration has done all it can to whip racial tensions and class warfare into fullblown
riots and civil war, including scheduling a ―U.S. Day of Rage‖ for communists, labor
union socialists, illegal immigrants, Muslims and blacks across the country. Their ―Day of Rage‖
was scheduled for Constitution Day, September 17, 2011, and although it was a total flop, they
will continue to rage against America. It is an open assault on free-market capitalism, waged by
modern day Marxists who must be stripped of their entitlement mentality. The LEFT is also
planning a ―Cairo style occupation of Washington in October, on the ground on Wall Street now
and headed towards Washington D.C.‖ These events are being run by the Obama White House,
via a number of left-wing front organizations.

 We The Veteran Defenders of America and The United States Patriots Union call for a
“unified march” from ALL fifty (50) states to Washington D.C. on Friday November 11, 2011,
Veterans Day - led by American veterans and former service members with a clear purpose – to
demand the immediate restoration of the U.S. Constitution, the removal and prosecution all of the
individuals named herein, by voluntary resignation or articles of impeachment, and the end to
Sharia Law on American soil. The Veterans March on D.C. Day – In defense of freedom,
liberty and justice.

 We call for all Americans who truly do support our troops to march on D.C. with our veterans.
We call upon ALL independent truckers, independent contractors, all non-union workers,
all independent business owners, agents and investors, all who support free-market
capitalism and the right to work, earn and own, to march together with our veterans and
former service members on November 11, 2011 – Veterans Day!

 To be prepared to act as citizens to protect and preserve the Constitutional Republic, in the event
that our public servants, who have sworn an oath to the Constitutional Republic, refuse for any
reason, to act upon those oaths.

 To act peacefully, but prepared for a violent reaction from our nation’s enemies. To avoid if
possible, the RACE WAR being incited by the Obama Administration and the Black and
Progressive Caucus’s.

 Locally, to confront all anti-American infringements upon our Natural Rights with boots on the
ground whenever and wherever local, state or federal officials act beyond their scope of authority,
or at odds with the Constitutional Rights of the people.

 To begin to openly identify and address government corruption at the local, county and state
levels, too often found in both governmental and law enforcement offices, also sworn to protect
and serve the people of the United States.

 To be ready and willing to end the taxation without real representation by refusing to fund the
anti-American regime currently in control of Washington D.C., until such time as the taxpayers of
this nation are once again properly represented.

 To make the necessary provisions to secure and protect your families and neighborhoods in the
event of economic instability and social chaos, similar to events already witnessed abroad, by
stocking up on cash, food and water supplies, as well as personal protection items.

 In the event that the current administration or its thug supporters attempt to use government or
civilian force and violence to silence the people, as in the cases of Syria, Libya, Yemen, China’s
Tiananmen Square, the Bonus Army of 1932 in the United States, or the UK presently wrestling
with black and Muslim violence, the people must be prepared to defend themselves against such
tyrannical tactics. We cannot expect that the federal government will act in the best interest of
American veterans or citizens.

This CALL FOR ACTION is being issued as a joint initiative, by the leaders and members of The
Veteran Defenders of America, The United States Patriots Union. All citizens who want to see the
Constitutional Republic restored immediately are encouraged to immediately join one of these unified
organizations and become directly engaged in our joint missions to restore America to that shining city on
a hill, and beacon of freedom and liberty around the world. We the People are the solution!

Volunteer leaders across the country must join one of these organizations to take part in leading in their
local areas. All supporters who do not wish to join these organizations but who do support the initiative
can keep up with information concerning the action here.
Foundation for Our United Action
Our Declaration of 1776 establishes the principles upon which The United States of America was
founded. On September 17, 1787, our nation’s Founders ratified The United States Constitution, forming
a Constitutional Representative Republic as our system of self-governance. From that day forward, the
American people are guaranteed a Constitutional Representative Republic of, by and for the people,
which was to at all times, operate within the confines of the limited authority provided the government by
the people and their respective states.
For decades, our federal government has been operating beyond its constitutional authority, infringing
upon the Natural Rights of every American citizen and every American enterprise, until our government
has indeed become destructive of the common cause of freedom and liberty.
In its usurpations of the Constitution, it has committed atrocities against the people for which it was
designed to protect and serve, until the people are forced to rise up in the name of freedom and liberty,
casting off the shackles of soft tyranny and it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to
institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such
form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
When a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to
reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and
to provide new Guards for their future security.
Our United Mission
We are finished with changing America to suit every anti-American whim… This time, the change is
coming to Washington D.C.

It is not our intent to separate from any foreign King, nor to abolish or alter our Constitutional
Representative Republic, but rather to restore it, as the Supreme law of this land, under which both the
government and the governed must live.

Our united mission is to end the march of democratic socialism, which has become the most dangerous
modern threat to American peace, prosperity, freedom and liberty and reinstate the republican form of
self-governance guaranteed every citizen in the U.S. Constitution.
To accomplish this objective, the people responsible for the usurpation of the Constitution must be
immediately removed from office and held fully accountable for their actions, setting an example for
future generations, who must also be forever vigilant in the common defense of freedom and liberty.

The long train of abuses and usurpations must be brought to a swift end and the Constitutional Republic
must prevail, or the United States of America will soon cease to exist.
Our mission is just – it is moral – it is legal and constitutional and it is necessary…

This is not a call to overthrow our entire institutions of government, or subvert the Law of the Land, but
rather to restore those institutions to their honorable constitutional forms. As such, and under their oaths
to the Constitution and the people whom they are sworn to protect and defend against all enemies, foreign
and domestic, it is incumbent upon every citizen, veteran, soldier, officer and agent to use the tools of the
people to protect the people and return our government to a Constitutional Republic of, by and for the
people.

Let Freedom Ring! May the Creator, who endowed each of us with certain unalienable rights, among
them the right to Life, Liberty and the individual Pursuit of Happiness free from government tyranny,
bless this mission of, by and for the people of the United States, and may the Lord let freedom ring in
America, once again.
We demand an end to government corruption, an end to despotic leadership in D.C., an end to the current
assault on all decent and honest American taxpayers, businesses and honorable public servants of the
people.

We demand the peaceful return of the people’s government, and we will remain resolute in the defense of
the Constitution and the United States of America until the people can once again, feel secure in their
nation and government.
IN GOD WE TRUST!
JOIN the MISSION HERE - http://www.veterandefenders.org/ or HERE -
http://www.patriotsunion.org/
Non-member supporters can follow the mission here -
http://www.facebook.com/groups/262343767138128/
Sign your name in support of the mission here!
Requests for information or interviews should be sent here!
(To see Appendix A-please reference the original document here.

"We shall never be abandoned by Heaven while we act worthy of its aid and protection."~ Samuel adams

"If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth." ~ Num 30:2

Another Country Heard From

2011-09-30T14:03:00.004-05:00

Yes, the people in India have weighed in on the Gibson Guitar Raids.

"India's Timber Exporters' Association members say they will seek the intervention of Department of Foreign Trade and Chemical and Allied Export Promotion Council of India (CAPEXIL) to settle the issue. Association members are also planning to take up the issue with the Indian Embassy in the US."

Indian wood exporters see these raids as the work of disgruntled European Luthiers who sell inferior quality ebony and rosewood from other countries. That may be so, but it is American authorities who continue to have a problem with Gibson.

Upon reading the case file for the suit to regain possession of the wood that was seized in the first raid, I have to say that it looks to me like there is something else going on and that the government is behaving in a punitive fashion towards Gibson. For what reason, I am not as sure. Upon reading (at least the parts of the records that weren't sealed) it seems as though the government is trying to make Gibson "an offer they can't refuse".

Before the records on the case were sealed, it was made apparent that the government wished to retain possession of the wood as evidence in another long running case that they have been investigating. It looks very much to me as though there was to be an informal type of meeting to discuss that possibility when the government decided to raid Gibson again in August.
If that were not enough, now the Government is demanding that Gibson hand over yet more of the wood to them. If I were Mr. Juszkiewicz, I would cease to be very cooperative at that point.

That bare facts of the matter are that the government has seized two shipments of wood that was certified under the forest stewardship council. The government of India as well as India's Timber Exporters' Association say that the wood is legally a finished product under their laws and that the American government misinterpreted their laws and now the government wants Gibson to give up more of this legally finished, exported and purchased wood without having charged Gibson Guitars with any crime.

Now, I'm not saying that Gibson is pure as the driven snow, but in order for the law to be effective, it must be clear. The Lacey act is neither clear, nor set up for ease of compliance.

Doesn't sound like America to me. Okay, maybe a little like Chicago.If you would like to keep informed on this issue, check out these two facebook pages:Support for Gibson Guitars against DOJ intimidation and Musicians For Gibson Guitars And if you're in the Nashville area next weekend check out the Gibson Guitar rally

The reason I am so intent on this case is because it is demonstrating how we are losing our freedoms incrementally across the board. What can't be done with over criminalization and over regulation will be accomplished with intimidation. It behooves us all to keep an eye on this one. Perhaps I am overstating the case here, but a goodly part of the government's effectiveness depends upon the trust of the people. How much do you trust the government these days?

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;" ~ 1 Tim 2:1-3

Don't Ask but Tell all You Like

2011-09-23T03:54:00.003-05:00

“The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other guy die for his.”― George S. Patton Jr.

The recent repeal of the 1993 military personnel eligibility act went live a few days ago. It went live in spite of the fact that it was unconstitutional for the judicial or the executive branch to address a matter that is quite clearly delineated to the Congress and no one else. (US Constitution, Article 1, section 8)

The quote at the beginning of this post is pertinent and timely. Everyone does not have a right to serve in the military. There are and always have been strict entrance requirements. There is a reason for those requirements and that quote says it as eloquently as can be managed. But for those who don't understand the reasoning, who would label me homophobic or other less prettified names, the point of those entrance requirements is to limit the number of casualties incurred by our military.

I know a fine young man who planned to make the military his career after high school. he was denied admission due to a hearing defect. Surely those with hearing defects should be able to serve if they have that desire. Yet there is no outcry about the hearing impaired not being allowed to serve.

I know others who didn't meet the height/weight/intelligence criteria required to enlist. Where are the political movements for them? There are none. Why not? Because we recognize the value of being able to hear orders clearly in relation to a unit's ability to survive in combat. Because we recognize the ways in which these other things can cost our military lives.

The problem here is that unit cohesion is not seen as being just as vital to that struggle to "make the other guy die for his" as are the physical/mental requirements I mentioned above. This action on the part of the executive and judiciary branches, along with the badly skewed survey on how this change will affect our military will cost lives. Some of the highlights of the flaws that Congress ignored are :

"The Pentagon report admits “the majority of views expressed in [140 focus group sessions] were against repeal of the current policy.”

It based its “no-risk” assessment of open homosexuality for military effectiveness on a panel of 11 unidentified, nonscientific personnel.(emphasis mine)

It dismissed 67% negative views expressed by combatants by suggesting their lack of service with homosexuals feeds the negativity."

Shame on us for not speaking out more, but more shame on Congress for allowing their Constitutional powers and authorities to be so usurped. We have failed our military. I can only pray that the cost is not more than we can pay.

"Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." ~ Matt 15:14

All for One and One for All

2011-09-16T16:29:00.011-05:00

Maybe a better title would have been "A Tale of Two Guitars" but it seems as though Gibson is suffering from an increasingly common malady. Whether it goes by the name of over legislation or over criminalization, the results are the same. The law becomes increasingly more of a "Sword of Damocles" than a structural component of a freedom loving and stable society.

Gibson Guitars, if you are not familiar with the facts, has been raided twice. Once in 2009, when much of their stock of wood was confiscated supposedly because they were in violation of the Lacey Act. Gibson cooperated fully with the government, went to court and proved that they had not violated the Lacey Act. Their property has yet to be returned.
Then, in August of this year, Gibson Guitars was raided again. Raided by Government agents with automatic weapons. Again, supposedly because of violations of the Lacey Act. (For a more comprehensive overview, please check out the Gibson site.)

The next component to this story, is that Gibson's competitor, Martin Guitars, uses the same wood, from the same supplier in Madagascar, and yet, has suffered no raids. What's the difference? At the moment, the suggestion is that they made contributions to different political parties.

Whether or not this is the case, there is a significant interest in this case for all Americans.

First, the suggestion of political favoritism or even political motivation is particularly troubling. In other years, under other administrations, such could be dismissed as sour grapes far more easily. Statements from the head of the DOJ and Mr. Obama, among others seem to indicate that there is rampant, unethical use of government power and funds to reward and punish Americans at the whims of the current administration.

Then there is the matter of the confiscated property. How long should it take for property to be returned when charges have been proven to be unfounded? How long could the average American survive if their house or car were confiscated in this way? Would it significantly impact their standard of living? Where is justice in this situation?

Then there is the matter of the armed raids. Is it necessary to use that sort of force in a case where the company has been 100% cooperative with the government?
When the company has a good reputation in the community and there are no indicators that there would be any sort of resistance?

I know, it is important to be prepared for the unexpected in law enforcement work, but a little common sense and courtesy can go a long way. This was not a drug bust with people known to have weapons and engage in violence, it was a raid on a legitimate business that had already demonstrated full cooperation.

Finally,(at least for this post)there is the issue of the Lacey Act itself. In 1981, Congress removed the heightened proof standard of "willfully" from the statute, making "knowingly" the standard. There is an increasing amount of legislation making crimes out of things that most people would not ordinarily think of as criminal. It used to be said that ignorance of the law is no excuse. But, the law used to be fairly straightforward. An individual could deduce, with common sense, what was likely to be illegal and what would be fine. Not so any longer. In addition to the increased number of laws criminalizing actions, there is a lack of the requirement to show criminal intent in those laws.

Bearing all that in view, it appears that Gibson guitars is fighting the good fight for us all. Their case demonstrates all of these challenges at once. Do support Gibson by signing their petition here. And do keep an eye on how this case is handled. This is our nation. The duty to keep it free is ours. Do call your legislators...before it becomes illegal.

Gibson does make some lovely instruments.

"Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness." ~ Isaiah 59:9

9/11 A Day of Remembrance

2011-09-11T23:23:00.010-05:00

Remembrance, NOT service.
A day to remember that we were viciously attacked by those following the dictates of their god. That's right, their god, not our god, because no matter what nonsense you may have seen, heard or read, allah and the God of the Bible are not one and the same.

It is a day for remembrance, and well do I remember that day. I turned the television on only because the lesson I had planned for my son that morning was to watch a newscast and discuss how today's events turn into tomorrow's history. It was a very effective lesson.

That day's events spurred me to learn about Islam. Because the first rule of war is "know thy enemy", and Islam, by that attack had made itself clearly and unequivocally the enemy of America. I listened to President Bush call Islam a religion of peace and urge us to be tolerant and careful of one another. I was willing to give American muslims the benefit of the doubt. To say to myself that, surely, this was the work of radicals and extremists.

Ten years later, I am well versed in the inconvenient and politically incorrect truth. The truth that Islam, true Islam is every bit as violent and bloody as those who had been sounding the warning klaxons towards America's vulnerability had claimed and worse.

Am I saying that all those who call themselves and think themselves muslims are violent jihadis? No. Many are simply poorly informed and the victims of taqiyya or following a fad. Many are what Christians would refer to as "casual" followers. You know, the sort who only attend church on Christmas and Easter and call themselves Christians because that's how they were raised and they never saw any point to getting upset about it, or to study it enough to know what they believe and why. Those muslims are probably just as nice and normal as any other American.

The problem is, that because Islam not only permits, but encourages lying to advance the cause of Islam (Which, by the way, is nothing short of world conquest)you and I cannot tell which ones are which and so the only ethical and responsible course of action is to assume that all are devout followers of the true Islam and therefore cannot be trusted at their word.

This is not me being racist - Islam is not a race. This is not me being hateful - I love all people, and the God I follow, Jesus Christ, died for His love of ALL people. This is not me committing slander or libel against the followers of Islam, as by their own holy texts, they are to engage in some form of jihad (yes, there is more than one form, many of the most insidious forms of jihad are peaceful.) and do whatever it takes to conquer the world for allah. This is simply the truth.

I find it more than a little sad that we have come ten years from that attack (And more than that from many other jihadist attacks against America)and we still are not willing to stand up and speak these simple truths about Islam.

We did not choose this battle, but we will fight it. I suggest that my fellow Americans stop calling the watchmen on our walls names and start getting to know our enemy.

One last thing. To Mr. Obama, I know you were raised during your young life in Indonesia, a very different culture, and by communists when you came to live in this one, so you are a bit out of step with traditional Americans, but this must be said. You should cease your attempts to re-cast 9/11 as a day of service. We resent it. I resent it. I resent even more your administration's direction to downplay the role of Al Quaeda in that vicious attack. You can say all you like that America is not and never will be at war with Islam, but saying it doesn't make it true. We know who attacked us and some of us have been taking the trouble to learn the truth of why. It is an insult to the people of this nation to pretend that the followers of Islam, represented by those jihadis,weren't making a declaration of war by that attack. Doing so divides us further, when we need to be unified.

Know thy enemies America...before it's too late.

"Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.
" ~ Judges 16:23

Sheboygan TEA Party

2011-09-05T17:59:00.010-05:00

This is just a posting of my videos from the event. Some of them are cut off, because my memory card was running out of room and I wanted to be sure to have some left for the keynote speakers. To those who were cut off, my apologies and I offer you the option of e-mailing me to set up an interview on the BTR show to give my readers the opportunity to hear what they missed.

I hope to set up interviews with many of the speakers soon.

Pastor David King I arrived a bit late, so I missed the first part of this:

Oriannah Paul:

Matt Seaholm:

Bruno Behrend part 1:

Bruno Behrend part 2:

Ethan Hollenberger:

State Senator Glen Grothman:

WI Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefish:

Vicki McKenna:

Orville Seymer of the CRG network also spoke, but I only had 8 minutes left for Mr. Johnson, so I just took his photo to paste here. But check out their site: www.crgnetwork.com . If you need guidance to organize about an issue, they can help you.

Senator Ron Johnson pt 1:

Ron Johnson Pt 2 (all 17 seconds that the full memory card would let me get.):

"But wisdom is justified of all her children." ~ Luke 7:35

Sheboygan 3rd annual TEA party

2011-09-03T05:52:00.005-05:00

Just passing it along. This is today, Saturday, Sept. 3rd 2011.

"Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them. " ~ Neh 5:7

Zero Tolerance for Pedophilia is the Proper Level

2011-08-27T04:46:00.015-05:00

First there was the conference. A conference was held with the goal of bullying the American Psychiatric Association into dropping the classification of pedophilia as a mental disorder in the same way as they were bullied into dropping the the classification of homosexuality in the early 70's. The changing of that classification was one of the most unethical things I have ever seen. By not double checking the studies that were presented to them, by not holding to their own ethical standards, they made it clear that those standards were to be viewed as relative and therefore questionable.

Now, in addition to the many people who might have lived longer lives had they been informed about the risks inherent in that behavior, the deviant community wishes to inflict itself upon our children as well. ( Yes I said deviant - look it up.) Not just in pushing the idea that homosexuality is normal, when it clearly is not, but by redefining pedophilia as normal as well. They want to be referred to as "minor attracted" rather than pedophiles because that sounds more "reasonable" and less...awful. But the fact is that pedophilia is a monstrous behavior that causes irreparable damage to the children upon whom it is perpetrated.

The argument is being made that people should be tolerant of this behavior. The words that crossed my mind when I read that are best left to the imagination. There are some things in life that are and should be intolerable and this is one of them. It is one thing to say that two adults should be allowed to make their own decisions regarding risky sexual behavior. It is entirely another to suggest that adults should be allowed to harm children under the umbrella of tolerance.

This ties into a report of a school in Norway employing a "sex box" in a kindergarten classroom. Such a thing should have that community up in arms. These "parents" should have removed their children from school until the abomination was removed and all administrators and teachers who approved of it were fired. Instead, we hear that the parents are going the petition route. (Really!? Aren't your children worth more than that? I know mine is and I would never have allowed him to be subjected to this kind of abuse.)What kind of place is Norway?

Contrary to the HHS declaration that children are sexual beings,(Since scrubbed from the HHS website.) they are not. A baby's fondling of him/herself is no more sexual in nature than is their grabbing of their toes or sucking on their fingers. They are simply learning where everything is. They do not have the hormonal or emotional resources to be sexual.

Ms. Sebelius should be fired, she should be shamed out of office as was Jocelyn Elders.(Apparently, even the Clinton administration had more moral convictions than the current regime.) Such a statment is an abomination coming from anyone in a position to influence our children's health by the policies and regulations with which they may burden us.

If you don't think so, then go back and read that article linked to in the previous paragraph on Norway. But be warned, it is disturbing. That is what American schools will look like if we don't stop it now. So if you are not willing to stand up for your values on this one, I hope you will choose to move to Europe and leave the rest of us to protect our children from this horror by driving out those who would accept it as normal. There are some lines that should not be crossed and this is one of them.

In a section of this article from The Blaze, Peter Sprigg, a senior fellow for policy studies at the conservative Family Research Council agrees.
" “The idea that ‘children are human beings and therefore sexual beings’ is one of the most destructive myths of the sexual revolution,” Sprigg told CNSNews.com. “To a large extent, this myth may be traced to the ‘research’ conducted by Alfred Kinsey, including the infamous ‘Children of Table 34’ experiments, which involved the deliberate sexual abuse of children as young as 6 months old under ‘experimental’ conditions.”

“The fact that young children are aware that their bodies include genitalia hardly makes them ‘sexual beings,’ and it is improper (and potentially dangerous) to treat them as such before puberty,” he said."

Call your legislators, or better yet, protect your children from the mechanations of this ever more tyrannical and amoral government by homeschooling. Then call your legislators and show let them know that zero is the correct and proper level of tolerance for pedophilia in America.

"But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." ~ Matthew 18:6

Executive orders and Senator Kohl's reply to my concerns about the TSA and etc.

2011-08-17T04:34:00.008-05:00

In this week's radio show, I'll be looking at a recent order signed by Mr. Obama that will affect long haul trucking and a proposed rule change that will affect farmers. Then I will share Senator Kohl's response to my "concerns" about the TSA. Specifically, my call to his office during which I requested that the TSA be abolished.

Given his response, I think it is a very good thing that Senator Kohl is not running again. Let's not replace him with somebody worse, WI.

It's enough to make me think halfway seriously of running myself. Of course, I am saved by the knowledge that I am totally unqualified for the office-except for having actually read the Constitution. Nor do I have the millions of dollars that most people seem to think a requirement for having a successful campaign. Praise the Lord.

Perhaps I am merely being cowardly. I am fairly certain that whomever is left in place to deal with the fallout from this administration is going to have to do the cleanup from the ...stuff... hitting the fan. And, while I have shoveled enough manure and cleaned up enough baby vomit to remove most of my squeamishness, I object to cleaning up other people's messes on principle. But someone has to do it.

Surely we must have a better candidate than a Constitutionally conservative stay at home mom out there. Bueller?...Bueller?

"For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed." ~ Is 9:16
"Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
" ~ Matt 15:14

The Maritime Sentry: Support the Republic, Fly Your State Flag

2011-08-13T05:12:00.000-05:00

The Maritime Sentry: Support the Republic, Fly Your State Flag: "I would strongly advocate that everyone fly their state flag as a symbol of respect for your state and for the Republic we were intended to be. For most of this country's history state pride was taught in the home so much so that a lot of people identified themselves as Virginians, Texans, Wisconsinite or whatever state they were from. Sadly, today most people only refer to themselves as Americans. Which is why they probably refer to our Republic as a democracy. It's nice to see some Tea Party groups talk about the Tenth Amendment. Let's say them start flying their state flags too. What more scary symbol to big government politicians than millions of Americans taking pride in their states and saying no to the federal government when it overreaches?"...

For the rest of this very well done post, please visit the Maritime Sentry. I couldn't have said it better myself. Especially this bit:"Our devotion and undying loyalty should be to God, family and our God-given rights because without them we are all slaves."

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."~ Ecc 12:13

Hobbits and Helicopters and a Curious Lady

2011-08-09T03:42:00.008-05:00

Join me on Wednesday as I welcome back blogger Curious Lady to the show. She has asked to join me to discuss the question of whether or not a Christian should be friends with someone who embraces the homosexual lifestyle. Have an opinion? Call in and share it with us.

In other news I would like to offer my condolences to the friends and families of those who were lost in the downing of the helicopter transporting members of SEAL team 6 and others.

I must also harshly condone the actions of those who revealed that information BEFORE the families of those service members were properly notified. Loose lips sink ships applies to everyone, including the White house.

Whomever leaked this information needs to be jailed. Tell your legislators as much.

I would also like to address Mr. McCain's name calling against the TEA Party. He called us hobbits. He contributed to the msm narrative that the TEA party, instead of screaming from the rooftops(as we were) that raising the debt ceiling was an invitation to the downgrading of the US credit rating, were responsible for it. No sir, the idea was not to create enmity against Mr. Obama, as you would have us believe, but rather to give us some indication that you have an inkling of the amount of debt you and your fellows in Congress are foisting upon generations of Americans as yet unborn. This was not a political ploy, but a command to rein in the uncontrolled spending that has been the rule of the day for far too long.

You engage in political ploys. We live in reality. The reality is that we have no more money to give to taxes. You, Congress and this administration have exceeded your authority by far too much. Authority that is granted and can be rescinded by We the People. We want our credit cards back, sir. You (by which I mean the Congress) clearly need to be cut off from any sources of funding as you have once again demonstrated that, not only do you not respect the Constitutional limits under which you have been placed, but that you have no concept of reality when it comes to spending either. Our status was downgraded because we deserved it and richly so. Not because of the TEA party, sir, but because you and your fellows cannot understand basic math and apparently lack the moral decency to avoid saddling future generations with the burden of supporting our own.

Beyond that, I would like to remind Mr. McCain and the rest of Congress and this administration, that the hobbits were the good guys. You might want to think about that for a bit.

"Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?" ~ Proverbs 22:26-27

"Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye." ~ Ezekiel 18:30-32

We The Stupid

2011-08-03T03:03:00.002-05:00

We The Stupid
"Back to the $2 Trillion that Obama is being handed. I honestly think that most people in this country have no understanding of simple counting numbers. Do you not understand how much a trillion is? Where do you think this money is going to come from -- who has two trillion dollars to loan us? China? Nope. Not even close. China's entire GDP is only $6 Trillion. Do you honestly think that China is going to loan us one third of their total annual economic production? China was a huge creditor to us back when $100 Billion was considered a staggeringly large amount of money - which was four years ago. Now $100 Billion is literally a rounding error. Do you realize that there are only a handful of nations of this planet that even have a GDP in excess of $2 Trillion? If these countries loaned us every penny of their GDP, it wouldn't even be $2 Trillion:

Canada ($1.57 T)
India ($1.54 T)
Russia ($1.46 T)

Are you starting to understand the scope of what we are talking about now? Obama is going to embezzle considerably more than the entire economic output of Canada, India or Russia to his cronies before the 2012 election -- and that is just counting this round of spending. This doesn't include the other $5 Trillion he has already burned through since 2009.

China is not going to lend us this money because they simply don't have anything close to that much money to lend. This $2 Trillion is going to come from the Federal Reserve. Where is the Federal Reserve going to get $2 Trillion? They are going to print it out of thin air. We are in the midst of the largest currency debasement ever seen in human history. There is only one result that can come of currency debasement: hyperinflation and total economic and societal collapse."

This excellent article from The American Thinker site should be required reading for all Americans - TODAY! Call your legislators and get involved people! And if they refuse to listen? Recall them. If your state has no provision for recall? Get your state legislators to introduce one.

"While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage."
~ 2Peter 2:19

The Federal Reserve and Imaginary Money

2011-08-03T02:30:00.006-05:00

Join my guest, Arkady Faktorovich, for a second week. This week's show will address the Federal Reserve Bank. (Not part of the government, it has no reserves and it's not a bank, so how does that name work?)
Learn about the history and why it matters that you know.

"And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth." ~ Gen 47:15

Gates of Vienna: Night in the Face of Daybreak

2011-07-31T21:51:00.000-05:00

Gates of Vienna: Night in the Face of Daybreak: "Be not afraid when the pack starts to scream and shout.
For nothing in this world is more hated and feared
than the truth...."
See more of this excellent translation by following the link.

"Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding." ~Proverbs 23:22-24

To Default or not to Default?

2011-07-30T12:27:00.003-05:00

That is the question. Whether tis nobler in the congress to suffer the slings and arrows of profligate spenders who scream "the sky is falling" or to stand your ground and ensure that future generations of Americans do not have to bear the burdens of our own.

To stand, perchance to win, aye, there's the rub. For by winning, we could make a respectable start to reclaiming our nation and our freedom. For too long we have allowed unchecked power brokers in Congress to steal our freedoms incrementally through compromise. Compromise is nothing but a steady incremental loss, unless one is strong enough to own the label "uncompromising."

I should hope that the people we elect are of strong enough character to realize that a little bit of name calling is nothing compared to the incremental loss of this nation.

Is the challenge before us with the debt ceiling question really that dire? I think it is. The damage to our fiscal credibility as a nation has already been done. The analysts who watch these kinds of things have indicated that we have been given a great deal of leeway solely because the dollar serves as the world's reserve currency. If we do not show them that we have the resolve to be fiscally responsible but slashing our spending, (And don't even propose a paltry few billions in cuts over 10 years - are you serious? Clearly not.) then they will move, as has been strongly urged by more than one government, to make something else the world's reserve currency.

Think that can't happen? Have a look at the pound sterling. That was the world's reserve currency before the dollar. It can and will happen. We are not entitled to be the world's reserve currency, we have to earn it. Abuse of that status will not be tolerated any longer.

Don't listen to the talking heads or the power brokers who think things are still the way they were ten or even 5 years ago. Listen to your own common sense. We cannot spend our way out of debt and attempting to do so will lead us to ruin.
This debt ceiling debate, right now, is, in my opinion, the tipping point. No more compromise. If our legislators don't understand that cutting spending and cutting it drastically is the only acceptable resolution to this challenge then let them step down and let others with more fiscal sense, responsible attitudes and backbone take their place. This is it. If you haven't called your legislators, do it now.

Let them know that that if there are any raises to the debt ceiling or taxes there will be consequences. Find out if your state allows the recall of federal legislators. If it doesn't, call your state legislators and ask them to make some. There is no acceptable compromise on this issue if America is to remain the land of the free instead of the land that spent itself into slavery.
"To sleep, perchance to dream..." indeed, we have been sleeping too long. Let us awake and take back our nation and our Constitution...before it's too late.

"Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?" ~ Prov 22:26-27

Standing Like a Rock

2011-07-25T21:44:00.005-05:00

In an earlier post, I quoted Thomas Jefferson when he said "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock".

I am taking this opportunity to declare where I stand. I stand solidly in support of the folks at Gates of Vienna, including Fjordman. They have done a mighty work of good in attempting to inform this nation of the perils involved in welcoming the followers of Islam into our nations unchecked.

The people at the Gates of Vienna blog have served for more than ten years now as watchmen on the walls of America. That the msm has elected to make their work into a scapegoat for the actions of a man who has taken so many lives is beyond despicable.

I am a long time reader of the Gates of Vienna, and they have done nothing to warrant such an attack. The Baron has been a guest on my BTR show to bring attention to the situation in Lampedusa, which continues to worsen. His concern was not just for the tiny Island of Lampedusa or the nation of Italy which is being bankrupted by this influx, but also for the refugees themselves, most of whom are followers of Islam.

I have had issues with the msm and I've made no bones about it, but this is beyond the pale. To divert American attention from the very real issues that confront us in order to persecute those who have served us faithfully, and in a way that threatens the freedoms of every American citizen is the last straw.

I no longer regard those outlets of the msm who are doing this as credible or trustworthy. They are corrupt and undeserving of my patronage. Shame on them. To take this tragedy and use it to push some sort of sick, progressive agenda before the funerals have even been held for many of the victims of this attack, is ghoulish at best.

The only coverage that is appropriate at such a time as this, is the mourning of the people of Norway, the condolences shared by other nations and the news of the day. Decency commands it. Just as it commands me to stand by those who have attempted to serve this nation by their, mostly unheeded, warnings.

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." ~1Cor 13:1

My Condolences to the People of Norway

2011-07-22T23:14:00.007-05:00

My posts have been rather sparse(okay, nonexistent ) of late, because there has been so much happening that I get a bit overwhelmed. However, decency simply requires that I post on this.

May I extend my deepest condolences to the families and friends of those involved in today's attacks against any shred of human decency and all that stands for good in this world. While the press madly searches for scapegoats in today's events, I feel only sorrow that such things still happen. This is the reality of which I attempt to inform people in on-line debates and my postings here. The reality which trumps every form of idealism or philosophy.

Sometimes people just kill others and no degree of regulation, manipulation or indoctrination will stop that. It is part of the human condition. It is part of the nature of man. (I will grant you that some ideaologies inspire more evil than others.)

As a Christian, I can define it as the sin nature that we all have because Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This allows me to understand that, even though I may not realize it, I have a sin nature. The law, as given in the Bible, allows me to see that I have sinned as well as the necessity of acknowledging my sins and repenting of them. This allows me to see the need for the acceptance of Christ's sacrifice.

I know that this is not something that only belongs in the realm of the mad. I know that, under the wrong conditions, any and every human being is capable of this level of evil. To deny that fact of human nature is to deny human nature itself, and this is why I do not and will not subscribe to any form of communism, be it never so wonderful looking and sounding. It simply does not work, has never worked and will never work because it denies the truth of what we are.

I know this won't be a very popular post and that many will disagree with my basic assessment of human nature. To those people I say, it is not my assessment, but the Lord's. I have only been given the opportunity to see the truth of it in ways that many have not.

To those grieving in Norway tonight, my deepest and most heartfelt condolences again. You are in my prayers and in my heart as I contemplate the evil that has touched you today. May the Lord be with you in your sorrow. In the coming days may He comfort you and may you rise above your worst selves to wrest some good out of this tragedy.

For those who are looking to cast blame, I urge you to wait until all the facts are in.

"And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done."~ Gen 8:21

"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. " ~ Gal 3:24-26

Happy Independence Day!

2011-07-04T16:28:00.011-05:00

Independence Day. What does it mean? Officially the fourth of July marks the day this nation declared it's independence from England. It was a declaration that we were going to form our own nation because England was not fulfilling its' duties towards us. That's what the bulk of the declaration of Independence is, a list of the grievances of the colonies against their homeland.

It was a list that contained far more than the simple "taxation without representation" that was thrown to us in school when I was a girl. I wonder how many Americans will take the time, today, to read the entirety of that document to their children? I wonder how many will look at that list of grievances and note that many of them are stunningly appropriate to be said about our current federal government?

"He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us." Seems to be appropriate for the people of Arizona who are being denied federal enforcement of immigration laws and denied also the ability to enforce their own laws.

"For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury" This would seem to apply to the case of the TSA's invasive and unconstitutional searches and seizures at airports, bus and train stations and now, even random searches of private vehicles.

"He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance." Can anyone say Czar? Or obamacare?

"He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation" Why are we in Libya again? And how dare Mr. Obama, in acting as the Commander in Chief of a voluntary military turn over the command of that military to a foreign body? (NATO)

"For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments" Does anyone remember a campaign promise to "fundamentally transform" our government and nation? It is the job and place of the president of these united states to MAINTAIN and PRESERVE our form of government, not to transform it. Yet, the people, through greed, ignorance, apathy or a combination of those and others voted for this man.

Yes, Happy Independence Day to all, but while you are celebrating, remember that we are facing a crisis in our republic. A crisis that may leave our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren paying for our greed, ignorance and apathy.

We celebrate, today, the efforts of men who chose to make the sacrifices they did so that we could have independence and freedom. They left it to us to maintain and preserve this nation through constant vigilance and the education of our young people in the form and maintenance of this republic. We must not shirk our duties now, when so many have paid so high a price. We can preserve our republic and we must. The alternative is not to be considered except with sorrow and shame.

(On a personal note, the horseback photos used in this post are photos I took years ago of two dear friends. They took risks and died young, as the result of some of those risks. We all acknowledge that freedom is not free. Freedom is not safe either, and may we all be bold enough to grasp the risks with both hands and be willing to pay the price. I could wish they were still with us, but not at the expense of their freedom to make such choices. My world is better for having had them in it. R.I.P John and Johnny. I look forward to meeting you again, and my thanks to Jesus Christ for making it possible.)

"So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. " ~ Luke 17:10

After the Cross

2011-06-28T18:43:00.007-05:00

Join me on Wednesday's show for an interview with Mike Lynch. He is the co-author, with Brandon Barr of a new, fast paced book that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The book is "After the Cross", a tale of two archaeologists chasing a legendary Biblical artifact.

"And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet."~ Luke 11:29

Big Sarge Could Use a Hand

2011-06-16T18:18:00.006-05:00

If you're able to listen to CP and Annieb's Blog Talk Radio show tonight, please do so. If not Here's a link to Big Sarge's site. Americans are the most generous people on Earth. Here's a chance to take care of our own.

"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." ~ Matt 25:34-40

Just a Quick Visit and Entitletown

2011-06-14T19:13:00.022-05:00

When I go to visit my family in Madison, I like to visit the capital as well. It gives me the opportunity to talk to my legislators(if they are in - it helps if you call or e-mail first)This trip was no different. So, for those of you who are farther away from Madison, here is a quick rundown and some photos of my visit to the capital. (capitol/capital, I can never remember which one is the proper one to refer to the building itself.)

To start, I wanted to see the "tent city" that the inhabitants have dubbed Walkerville, but that conservatives refer to as Entitletown. As you can see, it's not too imposing. That may be because of the lovely thunderstorm that went through the evening before, or this may be the size it always was. (I'm assuming that those tents I saw had been taken down and put up again after the storm passed through, because with the tornado warnings and the hail, it would take a really stupid person to stay in a tent when they had better shelter available.)

The sign said "Welcome to Walkerville pop: awesome". I don't doubt they were motivated by some degree of self interest as they had signs and other supplies available for the "campers".

"Solidarity City" was next in line. these folks seemed to be truly enjoying their stay.

And the last group was on the next block up. There were no tents on the capital grounds, for which I was thankful.

This is where the drummer was sitting for a short bit before I snapped the photo. I suspect he or one of his fellow war protesters were responsible for the noise complaint call from Mrs. Risser. (Yes, that would be Mrs. Fred Risser, wife of one of the fleebaggers.)

There was also the usual unique types of people common to Madison. (I would kind of like to see a kitty circus.)

I saw no chalked messages on the sidewalks.

And the lawns seem to be recovering.

While I still had to go through the metal detector, the atmosphere was markedly different. There were signs posted on the doors and near the security screening area, but they were helpful and informative signs to let visitors know what is and is not allowed in the building.

It was lighter and much closer to the dignified and welcoming feel of pre-protest visits.

A far more amenable atmosphere in which the actual business of the building may take place.

Even though the day I visited was overcast, the rotunda still felt much airier and lighter than on the day I visited towards the end of the protests which had been a bright and sunny day. I've always enjoyed standing under the rotunda dome and lookiing up. If you happen to be visiting Madison, stop in and see your legislators. They are, for the most part, personable and polite when they disagree with you and downright welcoming when they agree or are looking for input before making up their mind how to vote. It's a participatory process, folks. Participate. You'll be glad you did.

"And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord GOD." ~ Eze 16:14

A Happy Flag Day to Wisconsin indeed.

2011-06-14T18:21:00.009-05:00

Quick update: "
The Senate has backed the measure dubbed the "bill to pay the bills" on a unanimous vote.
The legislation now heads to Gov. Scott Walker after Assembly passage last week. Among its provisions:
- the bill would repeal $29.8 million in lapses that were planned under the collective bargaining changes, but not realized because it had been held up by a Dane County judge.
- it would reduce required lapses to $67 million; they were originally to be $200 million.
- it would transfer $235 million to the Patients Compensation Fund by June 30, 2012, to pay back the fund with interest for the illegal $200 million transfer made as part of the 2007-09 budget that was invalidated by the state Supreme Court."

Happy Flag Day! If you don't know the history of our flag take a minute to review it.

There is other good news to report on the Wisconsin front.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has overturned judge Sumi's ruling on the collective bargaining bill passed by the senate earlier this year. (The one with the fleebaggers in absentia.) You may read the decision here. The significant line of the judgement is: "This court has granted the petition for an original action because one of the courts that we are charged with supervising has usurped the legislative power which the Wisconsin Constitution grants exclusively to the legislature."

Also the Senate passed the concealed carry bill. That would be Senate Bill 90. I can't help but note that the current law(until this is signed by the governor) is in violation of the State Constitution of Wisconsin, which states in Article 1, section 25: "The people have the right to keep and bear arms for security, defense, hunting, recreation or any other lawful purpose." So it is a relief to have the law brought a little bit more into line with the Constitution. Next step - Constitutional Carry.

Last week the Assembly voted to approve, by a vote of 84-12, Assembly Bill 148, also known as "the bill to pay the bill." Although it doesn't mean exactly what you would expect it to mean, it has a reassuring sound to it. "The bill to pay the bill". Almost sounds serious about becoming fiscally responsible.

It's almost enough to inspire optimism. Now if only the Congress would behave as responsibly. I know there has been much disparagement of Mr. Obama and his administration(And rightfully so, in my opinion.), but the bottom line is that the Congress has the power and the authority to have stopped nearly every action of the executive branch if they only had the resolve to do so. (As well as a heaping helping of backbone, character, sound moral values and basic human decency.)

"But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows." ~ Luke 12:17

Stand Like a Rock

2011-05-28T15:10:00.012-05:00

RINOs, sellouts, big tent republicans. All names for those who have been elected by conservatives because we thought they shared our values, only to have them cave when they get into office. Why does this happen time and time again?

Is it that the party politics, team spirit of it all has corrupted our election process? That would seem to bear a large portion of the blame, but there is another component which bears examination. That component is the word and process of compromise.

Compromise, on it's face, seems like a good thing. It is a useful tool when negotiating in areas of disagreement. Often, in bitter negotiations, a compromise where no one is entirely happy is viewed as a proper solution.

Politicians are often encouraged to compromise in order to get "something" done. An alarming idea at best, since our system was designed to prevent our politicians from doing certain things unless they compromised their principles. Our founders have said over and over again what sort of people we ought to prefer in our elections. People of good character and Christian values. Trustworthy and high minded statesmen. In other words, people who will not compromise on matters of principle. And yet, here we are.

Why was it important to our founders that we elect the best among us to serve in Congress? I submit that it was to be sure that those who served would be those who understood the difference between principle and preference. Thomas Jefferson wrote "It matters of style, swim with the current, in matters of principle, stand like a rock."

Here's why it matters. Compromise in an area of principle is not a negotiation, it is a loss. Let me say that again, compromise in an area of principle equals a LOSS.

We are to elect Congressmen and women who know that matters of principle should never even be in the same room as the bargaining table, much less on the table itself. In our current culture of moral relativity, we seem to have lost the knack for differentiating between principle and preference.

This is one area where being a Christian is of service to a legislator. If he or she has an absolute against which to measure his/her actions and decisions, it is easier to tell which items are items of principle (Like our God given and Constitutionally affirmed rights) and which are matters of preference (like whether to spend allocated monies for one form of defense or another).

We need to elect people based on character and values, not party. Because anyone who is willing to compromise on principle just to keep their party in power is someone who is willing to lose all that makes this nation what it was intended by our founders to be. The freest, most independent nation on Earth. A nation of principled individuals whose understanding of personal responsibility and self determination would set them a cut above those of any nation that allowed their government to do their thinking for them. For too long we have seen our legislators lose, step by incremental step, the principles upon which this nation was founded. This is the battle we are fighting and every individual in this nation of voting age has a duty to vote accordingly.

To those who protest that by abandoning the "two party system" we will give the election to "the other side", so what? If we do not elect people of good character who will not compromise on principles, we are lost anyway. Because those "good, party members" will compromise again and again, until we stop electing them. The choice you offer is between an immediate loss and an incremental one. Again, a vote for the lesser of two evils is still a vote for evil.

"Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked." ~ Psalm 97:10

Usama Dakdok

2011-05-25T05:01:00.006-05:00

Join me and my guest Usama Dakdok of The Straight Way on this week's show.

The best and most effective and loving way of countering Islam, in my opinion, is to convert it's followers to Christianity.

If you find that statement offensive, then clearly this is not the blog for you - lol. But if you have questions feel free to call in.

The switchboard doesn't always show me when I have callers, but I'll do my best to let you ask a question, if there's time. As always, the rules are: no profanity and no personal attacks.
(Personal Note: My apologies to Mr. Dakdok for the, now corrected, misspelling of his name.)

"What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee." ~ Psalms 56:3

Unsigned Concert

2011-05-19T21:54:00.006-05:00

Just a quick plug for a local concert. If you like the intro music for my BTR radio show, here is a chance to hear it performed live. This will be a family friendly concert. (No drinkin, no drugs and if there's any foul language, it had best not be in my vicinity.) If you're looking for something to do with your young'uns or just to have a good time hearing some old favorites along with originals performed by some of this areas finest young and young at heart musicians, come on out to Lakeland College on Friday, May 20th at 7:00 pm. You'll be glad you did.

And here's a cover of Ben Fold's "Army" that 3 of the band members ran through while waiting for the other 3 to rehearse back in April.

"And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy." ~ 1Chron 15:16

Time, Mark Gungor and More

2011-05-04T01:34:00.003-05:00

My apologies to my regular readers for my lack of posts over the last few weeks. It is not that there has been a dearth of things about which to post, quite the opposite in fact. I would like to be able to say that it was simply too overwhelming to address the many interesting tidbits of the last few weeks.

The truth, however, is that I was seeing entirely too many health professionals. From the doctors to schedule and go through a medical test to look into the issues I have been having with my voice over the past several months, to the dentist for a sudden and unexpected root canal. I have been overwhelmed, but by my own frailties rather than the news of the day.

My week wasn't all challenges and no rewards though. On Tuesday, I was also granted the extraordinary opportunity to sit in on the taping and broadcast of one of my favorite Internet radio shows, The Mark Gungor Show. (Basically, I was listening and heard Pastor Gungor invite fans to send them an e-mail if they would like to sit in on the show and, shrinking violet that I am, I was sending an e-mail within a few minutes of the end of the show.)

Now this is a show that I have found to be both informative and amusing. It also gives me a greater appreciation for my husband and my son. I have often recommended it to listeners of my own program, family and friends alike. It is amusing and honest in dealing with relationships. Some people find it a bit too honest, too funny and much too brutal to fall within their limited understanding and/or prejudiced preconceptions of Christianity.

Let me tell you, it is much funnier when you can watch the co-hosts throwing things at each other and making faces and gestures. I haven't laughed so much in a very long time. My face still hurts.

In addition, Mr. Gungor was gracious enough to treat us to lunch. The demonstration of good manners on display during lunch was reassuring to me, as a mother who has insisted that my son open doors and allow ladies to go first. I don't know why, but seeing men with good manners makes me appreciate the role of men in society so much more than when I see men without them. There is something inherently masculine about men behaving with respect for women. (Also one of the qualities I found most attractive in my own husband while we were dating.)

It says " Here is a confident, stable and trustworthy person." (Which may or may not be true, but that's the impression I have always gleaned from good manners in anyone.) I always enjoy the opportunity to observe couples who love and respect each other in ordinary everyday situations and Mr. and Mrs. Gungor are such a couple, so sitting down to lunch with them was a treat.

It is also always, always a treat to see competent, people working as a closely knit team. I felt very privileged to be allowed to not only observe, but participate a tiny bit in their teamwork for this series of broadcasts.

It was also my honor to be the very first listener/fan to take them up on the offer to sit in on the show. I hope that my behavior and demeanor was such as to provide a positive experience for them as well. While I am sure that over time, they will develop a process for integrating their guest listeners into their routine that is as smooth as is their process for the show, it was fascinating to be the first. In addition to observing the dynamics of a close -knit and professional team, it gave me a glimpse into yet another facet of the scintillatingly beautiful jewel that is God's creation.

I know that I may seem overly positive in my review, and perhaps having such a treat after a week and a half of health challenges will result in a naturally positive view of an experience so filled with laughter(even though there was a reasonable degree of hesitation as there always will be with new people). However, one of God's greatest gifts to us is each other.

Having had many discussions over the past months, especially here, in WI, where there have been such displays of animosity over what is, essentially a difference of basic worldviews, I cannot help but note, once again that we are all infinitely precious to God. Intrinsically valuable for who we are. Every new person is a new opportunity to examine your life through their eyes and gain a new appreciation for it. An opportunity to ask yourself, how would this person see my life? And what might I have done differently if I looked at the world as they do?

I'm not just referring to the Laugh Your Way crew here, but the waitstaff at the restaurant and the other customers as well. The police officer monitoring I-43 as I traveled up to Green Bay, the friendly service station attendant at the gas station where I stopped to stretch my legs. (I'm not as young as I used to be-car rides of an hour or more leave me stiff and sore these days. Stretching is good.)

Maybe it's just that I need to get out more. I don't resent the fact that my car is most often with my son, but I do miss being around people. It's a relatively short term sacrifice to make as he goes through college and gets started on his own life. And really, when I think about how much more I appreciate the opportunities, to meet new people when the opportunity arises, it's a blessing too. No one is perfect but that's no reason that we cant, in the words of Pastor Gungor and the Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage team, "just be nice to each other."

"And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." ~ Mark 12:29-31

The Good News

2011-04-23T21:39:00.005-05:00

On this day of celebration for those of the Christian faith, it seemed appropriate to re-visit the reason for the celebration. We celebrate because Christ is risen.

Risen to show His authority over death.

Risen to show that the promises of the Lord have been kept.

Risen to show that we who hear, believe and accept His sacrifice are now and forever joint heirs with Christ in the kingdom of Heaven.

This is not to gloat over those who reject Christ, nor to make them feel guilty for their sins. We have and continue (in spite of our best and sometimes not so best efforts) to sin too. This is not an "us against the world" celebration. (Although it is often framed that way.)
It is simply a joyous celebration of relief and thankfulness that God is a God who keeps his promises.

Notice the lack of the word "our" in front of "God" in that last sentence. That is because there is only one God. The truth does not change for the preferences of those who dislike it. As Christians we celebrate today, the truth and faithfulness of God, while reminding ourselves that not all will believe. Knowing also, that of those who believe, not all will accept.

May the rest of the world see and accept the truth and sacrifice of God this year that we may all be together in Heaven.

A Joyous resurrection Day to all.

"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." ~ 1 Cor 20-26

Enough is Enough - Behave Yourselves!

2011-04-21T23:06:00.008-05:00

Madison conservative radio personality Vicki McKenna is under siege. She has had bomb threats and death threats. Someone is impersonating her on Twitter and posting vile things. Her home is being picketed and now someone has sent her a photo of a member of her family who lives in a different state.

Governor Walker is also receiving death threats on Twitter. Someone up in my area has called a business that they thought was being patronized by Sen. Leibham and told them that having Sen. Leibham as a customer wasn't good for the business.

Since when is this acceptable behavior? This is not a television show about the mafia, this is Wisconsin. Behaving in a way designed to terrorize a single woman? (Would you want your mother or your sister to be treated like that?) Threatening the governor? Making veiled threats to a business owner? What do these people think they will accomplish by behaving this way?

Let me just say that the light of day is the best disinfectant for this sort of infestation. I hope every citizen who has been threatened in such a fashion will stand up for American values and call the bullies out in public. Let their friends and neighbors see what kind of people they really are. And when you've done that, drag them into court and make sure there are consequences for such behavior.

This is my state, and people should behave themselves or leave. We can have all the differences of opinion we like, but taking that discussion into the arena of physical intimidation and death threats is unacceptable. "We will never be abandoned by Heaven while we act worthy of its aid and protection". While Samuel Adams was referring to the nation when he made that statement, it applies equally as well on the state and individual level. How is this "acting worthy of " anything except shame, fines and jail?

It is my sincere belief that the people of this state will not stand idly by while a small, badly behaved, bunch of unruly hooligans bully those who are doing their level best to save our state from bankruptcy or their supporters. For those who are the neighbors, friends and supporters of these people, keep an eye out for them. Call the police when necessary, and if,(as may, sadly and shockingly be the case in Madison-our capital city) they won't help, then step up and help out yourself. Do not allow such childish tactics to become a substitute for the rule of law. We are better than that here.

"Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed." ~ 1 Sam 2:3

Brian Brawdy interview

2011-04-19T17:20:00.009-05:00

This week I will be interviewing Brian Brawdy, survival expert and host of Liberty's Line in the Sand. Join us with your questions about preparation, survival and politics.

Wondering what's been going on with some of the other guests since they were on the show?

Josh Tolley has had an article picked up by GCN. You can read it here.

Alexandrea Merrell has been enrolled in God's boot camp. Read about it here.

DR and SR continue to blog at The Maritime Sentry. (There's a link in my blogroll.)

Suzanne Venker continues to do interviews to promote "The Flipside of Feminism".

I haven't heard from Mr. Lynch in a bit, but I'm keeping an eye out for the sequel to "American Midnight".

The Baron continues the excellent work he has been doing at the Gates of Vienna-also linked on my blogroll.

Rep. Kestell continues to work towards the vision of a fiscally secure and Constitutionally correct state.

Jake Speed did not win the special election to replace Mr. Huebtsch, but continues to work towards the restoration of the Constitution in his community.

Ethan Hollenberger continues to be politically active and is hosting a radio show at Marquette University.

Thomas is doing well in his first year at college and is planning a concert in May. For those who like the intro music to my show-he'll be playing that at the concert too. Come on down, hear some great music -originals and covers - and help him pay for college.

"And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do." ~ Luke 12:4

Paul Ryan's Budget and MSM Spin

2011-04-14T14:22:00.022-05:00

I just watched a report on MSNBC which stated that Paul Ryan's budget plan is going to starve and kill old people. That's the actual language they used. Shocking, isn't it? What kind of country would allow their old people to be starved and killed? (See minute 2:20 into the video.)

Apparently the folks at MSNBC think that the seniors of this nation are going to be imprisoned, starved and killed in order to bring government spending under control in Mr. Ryan's budget. What's that you say? That's not the case? Oh, the seniors and their families are just going to have to find another way to pay for their food and care than through government handouts? Well that's quite a bit different isn't it?

The assumption that, without a government handout, these older folks will be allowed to starve and go without their medications assumes quite a lot that may or may not be true.

It assumes that the senior citizens themselves will not take any action to replace the funds and health care plans that are currently being provided by the government. (And isn't Obamacare supposed to take care of all our health needs? But, wait, that's right, Obama care will be rationed and seniors, being at the end of their lives simply won't be eligible for the best treatments.)

It assumes that the families of these seniors will not be pitching in to help Mom, Dad, Aunt Mary and Uncle Joe either.

It assumes that our churches and community organizations won't be picking up any of that slack.

And, finally(at least for this post) it assumes that drug companies and doctors will deny these people the access they need to proper health care.

Those are a lot of assumptions and for the most part, I don't think any of them are accurate. This is the most charitable nation in the world and if we lack the character to help ourselves, as senior citizens, or our fellows, as younger people, then what hope is there for the world?

Doctors complain now that they are unable to donate their time and talents to help needy patients, because of government guidelines that demand that if they treat one patient for free, they must charge medicare nothing for treating medicare eligible patients. Does that sound like doctors are going to deny care to truly needy patients? (But, wait, I forgot about Obamacare again. Under Obamacare, if doctors don't limit themselves to prescribing only the government recommended treatments, they will be draconically fined and possibly jailed.)

Drug companies already offer free and reduced cost pharmaceuticals for the truly needy as well. That doesn't sound like people are going to be denied what they need for their lives by the greedy drug companies either. (In fact, it almost looks like the drug companies aren't quite so greedy as many have been led by the nose to believe.)

Certainly I am not saying that everyone's needs will be met in these or other ways by families and communities, but then, the government's entitlement programs are letting quite a few people "fall through the cracks" as well. The truth is, that no system is perfect. No system is going to truly meet the needs of everyone equitably. That's not even a realistic goal. If I have to choose between the two options, I prefer to choose a system that encourages people to get involved in the care of themselves and others, rather than a system that relieves me of the burden of caring for my fellow man because "that's what I pay my taxes for", so I won't have to be bothered.

Because, in the end, that's what government entitlement programs are, right? A way to foist our uncomfortable duty to our fellow man off on a faceless entity so that we don't have to be bothered when we see someone in need? We are better than that, and Mr. Ryan knows it. It's time the people at MSNBC knew it too.

The truth is that Mr. Ryan's budget is not going to yank these entitlement programs out from under people. It is going to slowly change the programs so that we can get our act together with regard to caring for our own at the local level.

It is a necessary plan if we do not want our children and grandchildren to live in poverty because they have to pay for our excesses. And that's the bottom line.

"And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing." ~ 1 Cor 13:3

A Vote of No Confidence

2011-04-05T02:42:00.014-05:00

Election day and the dutiful voter is faced again with making a decision which will affect their own future as well as that of their children. For whom should a vote be cast? The choices have been merrily chopping up each other's character and reputation for weeks, aided and abetted by special interests on both sides.

Mr. Prosser is painted as a man of bad temper for calling another judge names a year ago. The response of another justice to this outburst was to write an e-mail stating: "You are a very active participant in the dysfunctional way we carry-on. (As am I.) You often goad other justices by pushing and pushing in conference in a way that is simply rude and completely nonproductive. That is what happened when David lost his cool. He is not a man who attacks others without provocation." to yet a third justice who leaked the blow-up. (in violation of the law) His past as a D.A. is brought up and his integrity questioned over a case from 20 years ago that was handled in what was regarded as a reasonable fashion, with regard for the victims at that time.

Ms. Kloppenburg is painted as a raging liberal with no sense of ethics or decency because she used an abuse case in commercials to denigrate her opponent and refused to stop the ads even when requested to do so by the victims. Her supporters have the appalling slogan, "A vote for Kloppenburg is a vote against Walker", for a post which is supposed to be about the rule of law rather than partisan politics. She has also been described as: "Joanne Kloppenburg, a die-hard lefty with zero judicial experience who has all but promised the state’s thuggish public unions that she will be their firewall in stopping Governor Walker’s reforms via judicial fiat."

It is important to note that the ads were run by a third party. However, if I were the candidate in question here, I would have done everything and anything in my power, including dropping out of the race, to stop those ads and to avoid being characterized as unethical and biased. Any judicial candidate who would be satisfied to be elected with such commercials, (whether they were put out by the candidate or a third party), or to be portrayed as so very partisan is not fit to sit on the bench.

The hard, cold facts are that Mr. Prosser has served for years as a judge as well as holding several other posts. He is generally well respected and liked and regarded as an impartial judge who rules according to what the state constitution says.

Ms. Kloppenburg has served as a lawyer and, while in college, and assistant to Judge Abrahamson and Judge Crab. she has been passed over for judgicial appointments by governors conservative and liberal. (I would like to see a supreme court justice candidate with some actual time on the bench as a judge, but that is my personal opinion.)

For those who seek a test of character to decide for whom to cast their vote, let me say that Ms. Kloppenburg is supported by the unions who have been behaving so very badly over these past weeks and she is supported by Planned Parenthood. Mr. Prosser is not. Draw from those facts what conclusions you will as to the character of these two candidates.

The bigger questions to me, that this race has brought to light, are: 1.) The appalling behavior at and within the WI supreme court. Perhaps I am a bit of an idealist, but I always thought that judges were above that sort of petty squabbling and certainly above catering to any sort of partisan politics. That's their job, to sort out what the law says, not to create new law. (That's the job of the legislature, not the judiciary.)and; 2.)The appalling assertion of Ms. Kloppenburg's supporters (You know, those same folks who actually WANT a democracy-why anyone would prefer such an unstable and unfair form of government over the wonderful republic our founders gave us is beyond me. It must be sheerest ignorance of history and human nature.) that they prefer an activist judge, rather than one who will base their rulings on the law and the WI State Constitution. Really!? How dumb are we?

"He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination." ~Prov 28:9

River Rising Review

2011-04-02T17:49:00.008-05:00

You may have noticed a new addition to my blogroll and this post gives an excellent example of why River Rising Review has been added.

River Rising Review has a very clear summation of the whole Pigford situation. There has been too far too much imprecision and name calling in the discussions over this issue, which is one of the reasons I wasn't impelled to post on it. Rabbi Eukel does an excellent job of explaining just what it was about and why we should care. Do head on over to his blog and give it a gander.

"Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you."~ 1 Sam 12:24

Commander in Cheif

2011-03-31T14:32:00.017-05:00

That is the title given to the president of the United States. That title reflects the primary and fundamental duty of the presidency. It is the primary duty because if the United States is not protected and defended from our enemies then we will fall.

It is, therefore, troubling and more than troubling to see that Mr. Obama has ceded the command of the United States military to a foreign entity. Some may argue that NATO is part of the United States. Unless they can show anything that proves that NATO is under the legal authority of the United States, then NATO is a foreign entity.

For Mr. Obama to have ceded the command of the United States military to a foreign entity is a grave breach of faith with the American people, a betrayal of our military, and a violation of his oath of office.

Our military is made up of free men and women who have chosen, voluntarily, to give up many of their constitutional rights to be allowed to protect and defend this nation. To protect and defend this nation. Not to protect and defend the world. Not to be put under the command of a foreign entity. But to serve, protect and defend this nation.

If Mr. Obama is willing to cede the primary, fundamental duty of the office of the president of the United States of America, that of Commander in Chief, then he is unfit to perform any of the other duties of the presidency. Because he has done this, ceded the command of the military, for the first time in American history, Mr. Obama must be impeached and removed from office.

Call your senators and representatives in the United States Congress and let them know how you feel about this.

"If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth." ~ Num 30:2

Welcome Baron!

2011-03-30T04:09:00.008-05:00

Update:There was a mix up in communications(entirely my fault and my apologies to the Baron)and we are working to re-schedule this interview. We did have a classic example of American denial in the chatroom calling himself "sharia lawyer".

This week's show will have a guest that I am very excited to welcome. His pseudonym is Baron Bodissey. He is one of the founders of the blog "Gates of Vienna". If you have been to any site that talks about the dangers of sharia law and the steady rise of Islam in the world today, chances are, they will have a link to the Gates of Vienna blog.

There is an excellent reason for this.

This blog is a phenomenal resource for anyone wishing to know what is going on regarding the spread of Islam in the world outside of America, or indeed, just what's going on in the world outside of America. The articles are well written and researched. There are a number of contributors from overseas who are willing to translate news items from other countries and allow them to be posted there.

It is my hope that the other founder of the blog, Dymphna will also be able to squeeze us into her busy schedule, but we will make do without her if we must. These folks have also had their hands in the site "Elisabeth's Voice".

If you've ever had questions about what's really going on with all this Muslim/Mozlem, jihadi, creeping sharia, Geert Wilders and Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff stuff, tune in and start learning for yourself. The show will be rated mature, because many of the reasons Islam is presenting a challenge for the world are not for young ears. This blog is truly an example of an irate, tireless minority making a difference.

"Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked." ~ Psalm 97:10

Breach of Faith

2011-03-28T15:07:00.015-05:00

What are we doing in Libya? I have heard the question asked time and time again in chat rooms and on blogs. No one quite seems to know what we're doing in Libya. That's a good question but a better question is how are we doing what we're doing in Libya.

We have a voluntary military force. That means that our families and friends, our brothers and sisters, who sign up for military service, who sign up and in the process sacrifice their constitutional rights, (because they give them up to serve in the military), do so of their own free will, in order to serve and protect the United States of America. They enter that contract with the understanding that they will be working to protect and defend this nation. They sign up with the understanding that, although our Commander in Chief may order them to work with the military of other nations or under U.N. auspices, that they will always be under the command of the United States when they're doing so. They enter that contract with the faith that they will be held to the standards of the United States military.

Mr. Barack Hussein Obama, serving as our Commander in Chief, has ceded the command of our military, our United States military, to NATO. He did this without consulting Congress, without consulting the American people, and without consulting the other party to the contract of service in the U.S. military itself, our military personnel. This is a breach of faith. It is a serious breach of faith.

Our military personnel serve under the uniform code of military justice, also known as the UCMJ. Under that code, our military personnel are required to take under consideration the constitutionality of any order they are given. They are required to reject any order that they think would undermine, endanger or oppose the Constitution of the United States of America. That's all of our military personnel, from the highest star-rated general to the lowest deck scrubber and toilet cleaner.

I don't know the military code that governs NATO missions. Do our soldiers? Our military personnel are required, in basic training, to learn and memorize the uniform code of military justice. They are to know the parameters under which they serve and the conditions under which they must refuse to serve. The NATO parameters or the parameters of commanders from different countries who may now be commanding our troops, is a question mark. There should never be a question mark in our soldier's minds as to chain of command, disciplinary procedures or any other requirements for their jobs. For Mr. Obama to have put our soldiers under the command of a foreign entity without so much as a by your leave, is a breach of faith at a basic level.

A Commander in Chief who has served in the military will understand the requirements of a military chain of command in the United States military. Mr. Obama does not have that experience. So, perhaps he can be forgiven for, once again, making a mistake of inexperience. But being forgiven and suffering no consequences for mistakes are two different things. This is a decision that could spill American blood. This is a decision that puts Americans in harm's way, while not serving the vital interests of America. This is a decision that sets an unnerving precedent, if uncontested, for the use of the American military. Even Mr. Clinton's executive order PDD25 did not allow the command of our military to be ceded to a foreign power.

Mr. Obama has claimed to have a law degree, to have been a Constitutional scholar and yet, he seems to have had no problem breaching the contract under which our American military personnel serve. In the contract of service for our military, the offer is clearly to serve in this country's military, to sacrifice ones Constitutional rights, and to gain by that, whatever may be gained by way of pay, experience and training. Once you join the military, you are governed under the UCMJ, not the Constitution of the United States. That is a considerable sacrifice.

It is generally understood, that the military will be under the command of America's Commander in Chief and that it will serve the United States of America. There has never been any implication in that contract that the military of the United States of America would become the United Nations rent a cop, or a branch of NATO. There has never been any implication in that contract that our soldiers would be under the command of any one other than America's Commander in Chief, or that they would serve any purpose that does not serve the interests of America. Historically, American troops have never served under the command of a foreign entity.

There is an implication, however, that the blood, the sweat and the toil of American soldiers will NOT be used to serve the interests of a foreign entity. A president who understands the value of life would honor that implication. Mr. Obama, by his vote while serving as a senator for Illinois, has shown that he does not value life.(This is as concrete an example to demonstrate the value of promoting Christian principles and values in our nation and selecting Christian leaders for our nation as any one could wish.) To put our families and friends, our brothers and sisters, our sons and daughters under the command and disciplinary procedures of a foreign entity without their consent is a breach of faith and contract that is unconscionable.

Many people have spoken about whether or not Mr. Obama's putting our military at risk in Libya when we have no vital interests in Libya is an impeachable offense. Their reasoning is that they thought the president of the United States was required, as the Commander in Chief, to get Congressional approval to deploy the military. They believed that it was in the Constitution somewhere that the president must do so. It is not.

The call for impeachment is nonetheless valid, because Mr. Obama has breached the contract of the United States of America with every single service man and woman who signed up to protect and defend this nation.

To place our military under the command of a foreign entity, to risk spilling American blood for reasons beyond our vital national interests or our protection and defense, is a breach of faith between the office of the presidency and the American people.

For this reason, Mr. Obama does not deserve and should not be allowed to continue to act as the president of the United States of America.

"A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit" ~ Prov 29:23

The Flipside of Feminism

2011-03-22T17:57:00.004-05:00

The Flipside of Feminism:What Conservative Women Know - And Men Can't Say is the name of a book just released on March 15th. The authors are Suzanne Venker and Phyllis Schlafly.

This book examines the fallacies of feminism and the damage done to our society because of it. It also presents some solutions for repairing that damage.

I'll be interviewing Mrs. Venker on this week's show. You can join us in the chat room here or call in to listen live from 1:30 - 2:00 CST or comment at (347) 855-8134. (Of course, as always, the show will be available in the archives or for download on the player on the side of the blog.)

"Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands."~ Prov 14:1

A Visit to the Capital - Let's Move Forward

2011-03-21T03:39:00.011-05:00

I had the opportunity to visit the capital last week and I have a few photos to share along with some notes about the changes I noticed from when I was down for the TEA parties the last few years and now, in (What I sincerely hope is) the aftermath of these protests. The first thing I noticed is that there were more people than usual walking around outside the building itself. Many were carrying signs and stopping to engage in conversations with those they met as they were walking. Then I crossed the street and saw my first annoying thing. The sidewalks were covered with anti Walker, anti budget repair bill and pro-union graffiti. (Thankfully in chalk, at least I'm pretty sure most of the ones I saw were in chalk.)Perhaps that why the lawns were so torn up, people must have been attempting not to smudge the artwork of their fellow protesters. Yes, I'm sure that must be it, after all, what's a few million in sod and landscaping costs compared to chalk drawings on the sidewalk reviling our legislators?

Next was a man with a bullhorn walking around and around the capital building. His comments, at that time were addressed to Governor Walker, asking him to come out and speak to the people. (As I left after my visit, his tone had changed, he was taunting the governor, calling him a coward and saying:"Hey, why don't you hold your breath for 25 minutes?" Must be some of that new civility stuff.)

Then, it was time to find which door was open. (Another change, as during and after the TEA party rallies and pretty much for all of my life, the capital has been open to the people to come and go at will through all the doors during normal hours.) As I entered, it seemed much darker than I remembered it. and then there was the next shock, a metal detector with a table and bins for all pocket contents. Okay, a reasonable precaution given the death threats to our legislators, I went through it, it wasn't a virtual strip search machine after all. The beeper went off. After a thorough search of an otherwise empty, but deep pocket and three more beeping scan results from the wand, I found the errant penny and was allowed to pass into the capital building itself.

The hallway seemed unusually dim as did the rotunda chamber. All the usual lights appeared to be on and it was a sunny day, yet the hallways branching off the rotunda seemed dark and forbidding. Most with velvet ropes across them, not truly blocking, but definitely giving the impression that people weren't welcome to go that way. The capital has always been a rather solemn place for me to visit, but not like this. I don't know if it was some adjustments to the regular lighting, the obvious police presence throughout the building, the attitude of the other people inside the building or what, but it seemed very forbidding and dark, not at all like the capital I was used to. In the center of the rotunda chamber there were people laying out fliers in a circle as though someone on one of the other floors would be photographing them even though I was informed that the upper levels were closed to visitors at this time. As I looked around for the hallway leading to Representative Kestell's office, I saw a man sitting on the floor chatting cheerfully with the woman beside him. At his side was a sign saying he was on a hunger strike until the bill was thrown out or something. It said he was on day 11. He seemed awfully cheerful for someone who had gone without food for 11 days, but I often feel better when I'm fasting, so maybe he does too. In any case, I don't think that's going to work, since I hadn't seen or heard anything about someone on a hunger strike at all. I found Rep. Kestell's office fairly quickly and was greeted by Sara Mikolajczak, one of Rep. Kestell's staffers. I had been running late, so I had the opportunity to chat with this delightful young woman for a few minutes while Rep. Kestell finished up a meeting. She was able to confirm many of the more disturbing things I had heard about or read about the protest. (Things like the smell, the noise, the overall nastiness of the protesters towards anyone on the opposing side.) She showed me the budget and said that they expected it to get just as bad when the time for the vote on that comes around. We talked about the difficulty of removing the signs and tape from the many different, old and rare types of marble used in the capital building. Then I was able to see Rep. Kestell. I asked how he was doing and whether or not he was rethinking his career in public service. He said that he didn't think there was a single legislator on either side of the debate that hadn't been wondering if they really wanted to have this job after watching the behavior of these protesters over the past weeks. In my opinion, that is one of the biggest challenges that has come out of all this. How can we get good people to run for and hold office if the citizens are going to behave like spoiled little brats when they don't get their own way? When former Governor Doyle was in office, and doing some really egregious things, conservatives did not come and tear up the capital. Conservative citizens and legislators did not attempt to hold the entire state hostage. We did the right thing. The people contacted their legislators, expressed their opinions and voted in the next election. Conservative legislators held their noses and voted against horrible bills that they knew would pass anyway because that was their job. That is the way it is supposed to work. No disrupting offices with constant drumming, no pounding on doors and windows and certainly no spitting on those who have been elected to serve us. That is not how a REPUBLIC works. but then, perhaps the protesters can be forgiven, since they clearly believe we live, not in a republic, but in a democracy-poor things. Perhaps they'll learn some manners when they become informed about the difference between the two and why a republic is better. Then we talked about the fiscal issues facing the state. Rep. Kestell expressed great respect for the budget office, saying that the head of it treats having accurate numbers almost as a religion. This man will not fudge the numbers for anyone and he has been trying to get the legislature to cut spending for a number of years now with no luck. Now we are at the tipping point and all the hard decisions have to be made now, because no one was willing to make any of them earlier. He expressed a confidence that both the budget repair bill and the budget, while cutting a number of things that people will not like, are the right thing to do to get WI into a place from which we can start addressing some of the more serious and larger issues that face us. State Sovereignty education and health care came up as a few of those areas.

He then urged me to share the facts with people. Because we cannot continue to spend like we have been and no amount of protesting will make money fall from the sky. Nor will any amount of protesting about fiscal realities relieve us of the burdens placed on our economy by the hoops we are jumping through to get money from Washington.

The bottom line is that many of the demands placed on us, as a state, by Washington are costly and ineffective. In other words, my grandmother was right when she used to say that government money always costs you more than you get. The feds give us money(our own money) for our schools and other things - as long as we jump through their hoops and don't squawk about how much of the money that we could have had for our schools is going, instead, to the layers and layers of bureaucrats who spend their time thinking up ways to prevent us from getting more of our own money to put towards our schools. (And this, when the federal government has no Constitutional authority to have anything to do with the education of our children. That is supposed to be left to the state and local levels.)

After thanking Rep. Kestell and his staffers, I went to see Sen. Leibham, but he wasn't in. So I left a note on the sign in sheet and thanked his staffers for their service. Then I went to visit Sen. Grothman. Now Sen. Grothman is not from my district, but I felt so bad upon viewing the video of him being mobbed that I felt I must visit him and thank him for his service, particularly. Sen Grothman has been a staunch supporter of conservative values, fiscal responsibility and Constitutional government for many years and he deserved better from the citizens of WI than to be mobbed like that. Public sector union members aren't all thugs(Although, I now think a goodly number more than I would have ever credited before this protest began are very badly behaved indeed.)and the taxpayers are not robber barons out to enslave the "poor little union workers. (Who are apparently unable to stand up to their employers without unions-although they can take days off from work and engage in medical fraud and other less savory activities to defend their wish to have someone else to do it for them.How does that work?) I think it's time for us to remember that we are all in this together. "We must hang together or we will assuredly hang separately" if we cannot get our state back onto solid fiscal ground. If we can do this, then we can assert ourselves as a state and really make the changes that need to be made to make our state what it needs to be as our federal government runs amok and courts hyperinflation and ruin. Let's get our own house in order and then go after Washington. Because it's not about who's in the oval office or the legislature so much as it is about sustaining our nation. The time for hard decisions is now. Let's make them and move forward. That is our state motto as embodied by the statue of Lady Forward on the top of our capital building is it not?

"And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea."~ Exodus 14:15-16

Senator Leibham Explains His Vote

2011-03-18T21:34:00.005-05:00

I know that there are many still wondering what those who voted for the budget repair bill were thinking. (As though fiscal responsibility wasn't a good enough reason.) there are also those claiming, that because a judge issued an injunction to the implementation of the budget repair bill, that laws were broken to pass that bill into law. As I pointed out in the post "Not One Penny For Tribute" it is unlikely that any laws were broken.

The point of this post is not to address the legal nonsense that will surely go on for far too long and cost WI taxpayers yet more money, but rather to share the reasoning of one of the Senators who voted to pass this bill for those who still don't understand that WI is broke and that means there must be cuts somewhere. I am sharing Sen. Leibham's "Capital Connection" column. Rep. Kestell called into my radio show and the link to listen that or download it is on the player on the side of the page.

Capitol Connection

By State Senator Joe Leibham

February 24, 2011

~ Information on Senate Bill 11 ~

Governor Scott Walker has unveiled a proposal that seeks to provide local government elected officials (city council members, school board members, etc.) with the authority to make decisions regarding most issues related to the people they employ. In addition, the plan would specifically require most government employees, including myself, to pay a greater portion of health care premium costs and half of the annual contribution to pension/retirement plans. Governor Walker believes these changes are necessary so that state and local elected officials will have all the tools needed to best manage upcoming budgets that will receive less state aid due to our ongoing budget crisis and economic slow down.

Without a doubt, the Governor’s proposal (officially known as Special Session Senate Bill 11) has created an historic level of interest and concern. It has been an amazing week as tens of thousands of citizens from our state (and now on a daily basis – more and more people from across the nation) have decided to participate in the law making process by sharing input with their government, protesting or demonstrating in public rallies. While things have gotten a little intense at times, overall this has been a positive experience.

The amount of input provided to me and questions asked has also been amazing. Thousands of district residents have called, e-mailed, or visited with me personally to discuss the bill, ask questions, and share their thoughts both in support and opposition. While I have tried my hardest to return calls, meet with people personally, and respond to e-mails, the sheer volume has been a challenge to manage. I appreciate everyone’s patience as I work to read and respond while managing all of my legislative responsibilities.

Many of the contacts have included questions about the bill. In an effort to provide answers, below I have attempted to summarize the major questions raised and provide factual information regarding specific provisions in the bill:

Will existing public employee contracts be impacted by the provisions in this bill? Existing employee contracts cannot and will not be impacted by the bill. The provisions included in the bill will only go into effect after an existing contract comes to an end.

What is required in the bill regarding contributions to state pension plans? State, school district, and municipal employees that are members of the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) would be required to contribute 50% of their annual pension payment. The payment amount for WRS employees is estimated to be 5.8% of salary in 2011.

What is required in the bill regarding contributions for health insurance? State employees would be required to pay at least 12.6 percent of the average cost of annual health insurance premiums. Local employers participating in the Public Employers Group Health Insurance Plan would be prohibited from paying more than 88% of the lowest cost plan. Local government employers who use other health insurance plans or are self-insured would be able to set the contribution rate and the subject would be prohibited from the process of collective bargaining.

Will legislators and the Governor be required to participate in these changes to health care and pension contributions? All elected officials including legislators and the Governor will be required as of April 1, 2011 to make these contributions for health care and pensions. For elected officials the pension contribution is estimated to be 6.65% of salary in 2011.

Will public employees still be allowed to form unions? Public employees will still be allowed to form unions. An annual vote will be required to maintain certification as a union, and dues would be collected by the unions, not by the employer.

What will happen to the process of collective bargaining? The process of collective bargaining would continue for the establishment of the base wage for represented public employees.

Will there be caps on base pay? Base wage increases could not exceed increases in the consumer price index (CPI) unless approved by a referendum.

What will happen to items like overtime, premium pay, merit pay performance pay, pay schedules and automatic pay progressions? These items will be determined by the local employer (school board, local municipality, county board, etc.).

What will happen to various workplace rules that are currently bargained for collectively? At the local level these items will be managed and approved by the local employer. For state employees, work place rules would be developed by Office of State Employment Relations and approved by the legislature’s Joint Committee on Employment Relations.

What workplace protections will remain for public employees after passage of the bill? Wisconsin’s Civil Service System (WCSS) will not be changed by the bill. WCSS is a system for hiring, retaining, and promoting employees based on an objective assessment of their qualifications and ability to do their work. The system that has been in place since 1905 is grounded on two cornerstones: hiring decisions are merit based, and removal from service must be based on just cause. An employee cannot be discharged, suspended, or demoted except for just cause. The system includes two processes under which a public employee can pursue a grievance against their employer. The first is through the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission and is found in Wisconsin Stats s. 230.44. You can view this statute by visiting: http://nxt.legis.state.wi.us/nxt/gateway.dll?f=templates&fn=default.htm&d=stats&jd=230.44

Matters which affect an employee’s condition of employment are covered by a grievance procedure found in chapter ER 46 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code: http://nxt.legis.state.wi.us/nxt/gateway.dll?f=templates&fn=default.htm&vid=WI:Default&d=code&jd=ch.%20er%2046

In addition, the bill now requires, per an amendment I sponsored, that a local government employer either adopt the WCSS or establish a grievance system that covers at least all of the following: (a) a grievance procedure that addresses employee terminations; (b) employee discipline; and (c) workplace safety.

If a local governmental unit creates a grievance procedure under these provisions, the procedure must contain at least all of the following elements: (a) a written document specifying the process that a grievant and an employer must follow; (b) a hearing before an impartial hearing officer; and (c) an appeal process in which the highest level of appeal is the governing body of the local governmental unit.

Are law enforcement officers exempt from the provisions of the bill? Fire fighters, law enforcement officers, and members of the State Patrol are exempted from the provisions in the bill.

How many votes will be required to vote this bill out of the Senate? The state constitution requires twenty (3/5’s of the total members) senators present for the vote to take place, but only 17 votes (a simply majority of the total members) for the bill to pass.

As the legislative process and deliberation continues on this bill, I am hopeful this factual information will be helpful.

It is an honor representing the residents of the 9th District in the State Senate!

Sincerely,

Joe Leibham
State Senator
9th District

"And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
"~ Luke 12:32

"Quit Your Job or Die

2011-03-14T23:40:00.007-05:00

Discover the Importance of Self-Employment "

That's the title of a book by Joshua Tolley. I'll be interviewing Mr. Tolley on Irate, Tireless Minority on Wednesday, March 16th.

The point of this book is to get you thinking about how you are using your most important asset, your time. And how to find the courage to take the steps necessary to gain freedom for you and your family.

God may have closed the door Himself, but He asked Noah to build the ark. Noah did not go to his local government and beg for funding. He built the ark.

There has been too much talk of how the government is to take care of us or that if we just pray, God will save us from ourselves. That's hardly consistent with the founding principles of this nation or the Biblical precepts upon which it was founded. If we are going to restore our government to it's Constitutional limits, we need to dust off that entrepreneurial spirit and get to work.

(If they keep protesting, those public sector union employees down in Madison will soon find themselves in need of this book too. If so, let's hope they can rediscover the reason that a republic is better for us all than a democracy at the same time.)

Mr. Tolley is business/behavioral strategist and this may be a good place to start if you're tired of selling your most valuable asset, your time, to someone else.

"Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?"~ Psalm 89:47

The Assumption Behind the Question

2011-03-13T16:26:00.009-05:00

As my readers know, I have been very supportive of Gov. Walker's attempts to balance WI's budget and reduce government spending. This has created a bit of tension between myself and some friends/family who oppose those measures. I'm sure I am not the only one to face this challenge in the past weeks.

One of my family members, who opposes Gov. Walker, asked me a question today on facebook. The question was a relatively straightforward one of " How will the republican agenda help our families?". The thing is, that the assumption behind the question is the real heart of the matter in the battle for America.(Beyond the assumption that I am a republican, that is. I am not a republican, I am a conservative.)

The assumption behind the question is that the government exists to help us. To say that the government is here to help us is like telling a small child that a police officer is there to help them and never refining that statement as they got older.

While the statement is broadly true, in that government exists to create and maintain a stable society, which is indubitably helpful to individuals as well as families, it is not true in a specific sense. The government is not here to take care of you. (Just as a police officer's job is to enforce the law, not "to help you". They don't help robbers and murderers to steal and kill do they?)

We are not supposed to be looking to the government to "help us". We are supposed to be taking care of ourselves. To be depending upon the principles of self reliance and personal responsibility. That is why our founders put specific limits on the power and authority of government. To rely upon the government for the basic necessities of life is degrading to the character of the nation as a whole.

What business does government have telling us what toilets or light bulbs to use? What business does the government have using the tax code to manipulate the populace? What business does the government have making life and death decisions over my and my family's health care? What business does the government have in declaring what foods we may or may not eat?

NONE.

We are not to go running and crying to the government, willing to sacrifice our freedom for security, every time we face a challenge. We are to use our own personal responsibility and self control to live our lives as we see fit within the natural limits of our self evident, God given and Constitutionally affirmed rights. This is the true spirit of America. Let us grasp it fully, restore the Constitutional limits upon our governments, national, state and local, restore fiscal sanity to the nation and move on with our lives.

Let us set the example of a self reliant, free people for the rest of the world. Let us be the ones to show the world that this is how freedom is done. Let us accept the risks and embrace the personal responsibility necessary to be a free people. And, while we're at it, may we never forget the Creator who made this possible.

Here are a few choice quotes from our founders for you to consider.

"No country upon earth ever had it more in its power to attain these blessings than United America. Wondrously strange, then, and much to be regretted indeed would it be, were we to neglect the means and to depart from the road which Providence has pointed us to so plainly." ~George Washington

"...reason and experience both forbid us to expect that National morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle." ~George Washington

"Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day. But a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period, and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers, too plainly proves a deliberate systematic plan of reducing us to slavery." ~ Thomas Jefferson

"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." ~John Adams

"The two enemies of the people are criminals and government,so let us tie the second down with the chains of the constitution so the second will not become the legalized version of the first."Thomas Jefferson

"And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. "~ Psalm 119:45

A Day for Prayers

2011-03-11T14:33:00.005-06:00

Today is a day for prayers and healing. Please pray for those affected by the earthquakes. Pray that those who are afraid be comforted, that those who are lost be found, that those who are hungry and tired be given food and rest. Pray that those who are given extraordinary opportunities to show their character and mettle not only live up to their potential, but that they exceed it. And pray that God be glorified throughout.

Be thankful for what you have, and for what you do not. Be thankful for those who survived and for the time we were allowed to have with those who were lost. Be thankful for what remains untouched and for the opportunity to improve upon that which was destroyed.

The last few days have seen some remarkable events unfolding. Revolutions, protests, mobs and now earthquakes. Let's take this day to count our blessings and review our priorities before we move on.

Just as a quick update on WI; the assembly passed the budget repair bill on Thursday and Governor Walker signed it into law this morning. Yes, there was more bad behavior on the part of those who would prefer mob rule to the rule of law, but they pale in significance to the earthquakes in the Ring of Fire.

"In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth." ~ Psalm 18:6-7

Not One Penny for Tribute

2011-03-10T02:44:00.008-06:00

The senate met yesterday in a special session. They either addressed the portion of the Budget Repair Bill that dealt with collective bargaining or stripped out the fiscal portions of the bill. I suspect the latter. The logic here was that the bill they were voting on did not require a quorum because it had no fiscal impact(By which I think it means that it does not cost the state more money than is currently being spent -not necessarily that it really has no impact. Because truthfully a reduction in spending is an impact. Sorry if that doesn't make any sense, but it's been a long day here.)

Because it is a different bill than the one the assembly approved after 60+ hours of debate, it will go to the assembly later today. It is not substantially different, so there shouldn't need to be much debate on it.

The session was held quickly and in a highly irregular manner. Many are saying that it was not a legal vote, because the session and vote was not posted for a certain number of hours in advance of the session.This is what we will be hearing about until we are sick of it in days to come. The legislature says it met under the rules described in "Special and Extraordinary Sessions of the Wisconsin Legislature" .

I suspect, but not being a lawyer myself, could not say definitively, that the section under "The Call" gives them the authority to have called this vote the way they did and to have held the vote the way they did. The following is what I believe to be the pertinent section:

"In an opinion to Governor Emanuel
L. Philipp in 1918, Attorney General Spencer Haven indicated that the executive’s options in
calling a special session were quite broad:
It will be noted that this provision of the constitution leaves the matter wholly within your hands. You are hampered by no machinery, and no limitations. The time of issuing the proclamation, the time when the session shall convene, the subjects to be considered thereat, the length of notice to be given to the members, the method of notifying them, all are left entirely to your discretion. (7 OAG 49)
Attorney General Stewart G. Honeck’s opinion in 1948 (37 OAG 374) stated that the call may be issued in person or by mail, telephone or telegraph. He also added that failure to contact individual members who are out of the state or unavailable does not invalidate the special session. "(emphasis mine)

It looks to me as though they were under none of the limitations ordinarily governing the time of the session or the amount of public notice given before this meeting.

There are an awful lot of people out there making an awful lot of ridiculous statements about this. I saw a teachers union member on the news claiming that this was done because the republicans are out to "get our children". (Those were the actual words-can you believe that?) That, "teachers and the unions are the only ones standing up for our children's rights". If that were true, then why do teachers and administrators habitually deny our children their Constitutional rights during school hours, to say nothing of refusing to notify parents when their children need help to exercise those rights? If that were true, then why would the unions obstruct charter schools that are running more efficiently(i.e. more cheaply) and with better results(i.e. better grades) to keep them from succeeding? For that matter, if it were truly about the children, then why not endorse and restructure the educational system around homeschooling? I'll tell you why. Because it is not about the children, it is about power.

My speculation is that these people are so deluded that they cannot discern a lie even when it is told by themselves. But then what do you expect of those who embrace the Madison state of mind? Madison, a place where some of the people out here in the hinterlands say is the place that logic goes to die.

This is the right thing for our state and for the rest of the nation(Since they insist upon poking their noses into our business, I may as well include them.) The unions need to be restored to their reasonable role -that of ensuring reasonable wages along with healthy and safe working conditions - and leave politics to We the People.

"The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace." ~Isaiah 59:8

"And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand." ~Acts 29:3

Legislative Terrorism

2011-03-09T17:48:00.008-06:00

Update: The senate has stripped the collective bargaining measures out of Gov. Walker's budget repair bill. They then voted to eliminate the right to collective bargaining established in 1953(I think)for public employees.(Or at least this is how it was explained by one person) As this does not have a fiscal impact, they did not need 20 to vote on it. This measure will now go to the Assembly and if it passes there, they can go back and pass the budget repair bill.

That's what those 14 AWOL WI Senators are doing. They are engaging in Legislative Terrorism. Think that's too harsh? I do not. There were plenty of votes under Governor Doyle that were hard for conservatives to swallow, but they voted.

They did not run off and hold the entire state hostage to their whims. If you listen to today's radio show(see the player on the sidebar), you will hear Rep. Steve Kestell setting a standard of graciousness that is seldom seen in today's world. Even in WI. He is still willing to credit those missing legislators with the character to come back on their own. This, after he has spent weeks surrounded by protesters using obscenity and spitting on him because of the actions of these Senators.

They should be ashamed to share a building with this man. For that matter, the governor himself has been gracious in his descriptions of public employees. Taking the time to make note of all the state employees who have been showing up to do their jobs.

I'm hearing about compromise coming. That is unacceptable. It may be that our legislators are fearful for themselves and their families. Given the behavior they have seen demonstrated at the capital over the past weeks, that is a legitimate concern. If that is the case, I would urge our legitimate legislators to let us know. Let the people of WI be held to a higher standard.

There was a story about a German officer asking a young boy where the bodyguard of the Danish king was as he took his daily promenade. The boy was said to have replied that the king's bodyguard was every man, woman and child in Denmark.

If the mainstream media has any decency at all, they need to urge a display of graciousness on the part of all WI citizens towards our legislators. Voluntarily restrict your communication with your legislators to their office hours and do not go to their homes. Call their offices, e-mail their official e-mails and send letters to their offices, but leave them alone at home.

Further, if you are a friend or neighbor of a legislator, keep a sharp eye out for them, their families and their property.

When I heard that people had been spitting on MY Rep., I was shocked and appalled. I want to believe that only out of state hooligans would have done such a thing, but I realize that I'm probably wrong. And even if I am correct, what is wrong in the nation that this would be an acceptable method of communicating with a legislator anywhere? If you don't agree with a legislator, you do NOT spit on them, that's what elections are for.

We are better than this Wisconsin, we have to be. And if we are not, it's time to bring our game up until we are.

Not one penny for tribute, and that's all a compromise would be, tribute to an unconscionable and despicable act on the part of these 14 Senators and all the union hooligans that protested in such a disrespectful manner over these past weeks.

"That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee." ~Deut 16:20

It Depends on Where You Are When You Ask...

2011-03-08T20:15:00.007-06:00

That's what I said when I was asked how people in Wisconsin really feel about Scott Walker and what he's doing with the budget.

I said that because, as former governor Lee Dreyfus once said, Madison is "68 square miles surrounded by reality." So, the opinions of the people in Madison, or even Milwaukee, are not necessarily reflective of the opinions of the people in the rest of the state. (No, as a matter of fact, the rest of us do NOT want to pay for your train-you want it-you pony up the money yourself.)

I know that there are polls showing increasing disapproval of Gov. Walker and I thought those polls were in need of some balance. I saw a billboard that pretty well sums up the attitude of many up here in Kestell country. (I wouldn't presume to say everyone-because the teachers union members and their compatriots up here clearly-if you read my other posts- oppose him.)

So in the interest of balance, here is the billboard. Enjoy.

At least that's the post I was working on when I heard the Governor Walker had decided to compromise. So, who is representing the taxpayers in those contracts now? Congratulations, you've just taught the communists that they don't have to play by the rules.

I am disgusted. Texas, Oklahoma and Utah are beginning to look good. ( I would pick Alaska, myself, but my husband thinks it's too cold here.)

I feel betrayed. But maybe I'm jumping the gun here. I'll be calling my legislators and the governor's office tomorrow. I hope this is just a reporter, hoping for a scoop, behaving badly with privileged information.

Update: This morning,(3/9/2011) I called the governor's office to ask about reports of compromise on the part of Governor Walker. Tristan(an aide I assume) informed me, that, as far as he knows, the governor has no intention of compromising. I expressed my approval and asked that he relay my message of absolutely no compromise to Governor Walker. If we allow this sort of shenanigan to prevail, then we have no business calling ourselves a republic. Giving in to "pay for play" democrats who refuse to do their jobs and union thugs from across the country would be anathema to the vision of our founders and the continued existence of our status as a sovereign state.

If I went to work one day and found that my employer wanted me to do the most disagreeable job at the business, would I be justified in throwing a hissy fit, walking off the job-while still insisting that I be paid- and having my union send in people to vandalize the business and harass the other employees who are trying to do their jobs? Of course not. I should be fired for such behavior. And the union should be disbanded or heavily penalized. And yet, that is exactly what these 14 Senators have done. Add in that they have accepted rather a lot of union money to get elected and the true picture becomes even clearer. I say Illinois can have them. They should resign if they are not willing to represent their constituents above their campaign donors.

"When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.

"And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.

Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.

Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:

And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: "~ Exodus 18:16-21

The Maritime Sentry: No More - Wisconsin, Stand Up

2011-03-08T18:19:00.004-06:00

The Maritime Sentry: No More - Wisconsin, Stand Up: "In America, in Wisconsin, the only authority that will have any power is the one who has the approval and respect of the citizens they serve. The very second they do something to betray that trust, they lose that power. We are experiencing this situation in play in Madison. The unions, the teachers, the police, and the protesters have all betrayed the trust of the taxpayers by siding against them. The only thing they have prove is that we cannot trust the teachers to teach our children, we cannot trust unions to protect individuals, we cannot trust the police to protect us, and we cannot trust liberal protesters to abide by any rule, law, or the civil liberties of anyone on the opposing side.
..."
See the rest of this excellent post at The Maritime Sentry.

"And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down."~ 2 Sam 22:28

Responsibility and Consequences

2011-03-04T19:43:00.013-06:00

With freedom, a cherished American value, comes a commensurate amount of responsibility. Here in Wisconsin, we have free access to our capital building. We can take our children and guests and simply wander around, looking at the beautiful walls, ceilings, floors and artwork. We can pay homage to the fallen at various memorials or simply wonder at the attention to detail and craftsmanship in every aspect of this wonderful building.

With that freedom comes the responsibility to behave in a way that respects those memorials, the work of the craftsmen/women and the investment of the taxpayers of Wisconsin in this building. The capital building is the public face of the government of the state of Wisconsin. Just as we would treat the homes of people we visit with respect, so we are obligated to treat the people's house with respect.

If I were to visit a friend, it would not be appropriate to tape signs on the walls of that friend's house or to cause any sort of damage. If I were to cause damage accidentally, I would have an obligation to pay for it. (Or at the very least to offer to pay for any damages.)That is a minimal requirement of civilized behavior.

Now we have an estimate of the damages done by the protesters during this 3 week long and holding protest. And the damages are.....Approximately 7.5 million dollars from those "peaceful" and "clean" protesters.

According to several news reports, while some signs were put up with painter's tape to minimize any impact, many were not. The damage that tape is causing/has caused to the marble inside the capital building is going to cost around 6 million dollars to repair. The other 1.5 million? That would be for restoring the capital grounds outside the building.

I call on those who taped signs anywhere in the capital to come forward and offer to pay for these damages. If you were sent there by an organization of any sort, kindly provide the state's attorney general with the name and contact information for that group and the approximate number of signs put up by your group so that we may send a bill for your/your group's portion of this expense.

Speech is free. Vandalism, even unintentional vandalism, is not.

So, perhaps while union leaders are colluding with their favorite democratic legislators to circumvent the budget repair bill by quickly re-negotiating contracts before those AWOL senators return, they should take some time to behave in a civilized manner and offer to pay for the damages their people have caused.

Because, just in case you haven't heard, the taxpayers of Wisconsin are still broke.

"And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.

Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts." ~ 2Chron 19:6-7

Saying it Doesn't Make it So

2011-03-02T11:59:00.009-06:00

This morning, one of my first emails contained a link to this appalling video.

Notice a few things here.
1.) The crowd was rabid until a Democratic Rep., Brett Hulsey, stepped between them and Sen. Grothman. What would have happened if he had not been there?
2.) This crowd can chant "peaceful" as many times as they like-it doesn't change their behavior.
3.) One man shouts out "I want my democracy back". One more time. We don't have a democracy, we have never had a democracy, we have a REPUBLIC.
4.)Mr. Obama asked that we not "vilify" public employees. The only people vilifying these workers are themselves-by their outrageous behavior.

My prayers for Senator Grothman and the other legislators who have had to endure this kind of treatment over the past days. Stand strong. You are doing the right thing.

"Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;"~ 2Cor 11:25

Bad Behavior and Appropriate Response

2011-03-02T01:04:00.010-06:00

By now, the more informed among you already know about this little outburst on the part of a democratic representative after the assembly vote. For those who do not, it is to my sorrow that I must report such goings on.

The facts are these:
After 3-4 days of trying to get their normal work done, despite constant noise and being yelled and screamed at every time they had to walk the halls of the capital building, and after having been dismissed out of fear for their safety, the Assembly held 61+ hours of debate on the budget repair bill. Think about that. That's nearly 3 days, probably without more than a few minutes of sleep here and there. Then they voted.

After the vote, pandemonium erupted in the Assembly chamber, because the union supporters didn't get the vote they wanted and the Assembly republicans marched out quickly to finger pointing and shouts of "shame!, shame!" from their democrat colleagues.

But before they marched out, one democrat Assemblyman, Rep. Gordon Hintz, D-Oshkosh, was unable to contain himself and shouted out a threat which appeared to be directed at assemblywoman Michelle Litjens, R-Winneconne, but which she has graciously acknowledged as having been directed towards the group at large rather than as a personal sentiment towards herself.

Now, if you want to know what the threat was, you may click on the links contained in this post as I am disinclined to repeat it here. If you want to see the video, I must apologize for lacking such a link, but, to the best of my knowledge, that video was removed shortly after Mr. Jerry Bader and Mr. Glen Beck picked up on this story.

As though it were not bad enough that our lovely capital building and grounds have been invaded by hooligans intent upon providing such conditions that our legislators were distracted from their duties.

As if it were not enough that our public sector employees are acting as though the taxpayers of Wisconsin are greedy robber barons who are attempting to condemn them to serfdom, when in fact we have given them wages and benefits that are more than most of the rest of us get in our employment.

As if it were not bad enough that Mr. Obama, who should be the first person in this nation to applaud fiscal restraint(Although why I should think he would, given his own reckless spending and policies is a mere nod to courtesy out of respect to the office.)has made more than one statement to kowtow to unions rather than supporting our governor in our time of fiscal reckoning.

As if it were not bad enough that our state has become some sort of leftist battleground where fiscal reality has spewed it's two cents worth into the debate between reality and ideology.

As if it were not bad enough that families and friendships are being strained to the breaking point over this clash between reality and ideology.

As if it weren't bad enough that the media, which was so quick to portray the peaceful and generally cheerful TEA party protesters as violent thugs, now ignores signs with obscenities and far more vile things than I ever saw at any of the TEA parties I have attended. That they ignore the arrests of protesters, assaults and vandalism, by protesters, to our beautiful capital building as well as the use, by protesters, of a veterans memorial as a signboard.

As if it weren't bad enough that our teachers and doctors have behaved in a despicably unethical manner that has been displayed before the entire nation.("our teachers brought us here today"; "We are sick, we're sick of Walker" and let's not forget "These people are stressed, and I recommend that they spend today with like minded people" Or whatever that "doctor's" nonsense was.)

As if it weren't bad enough that our children have been revealed to have had a substandard education despite our high levels of educational funding. ("um, we're trying to stop whatever this dude is doing")

But now, we have to see that the stress of being a legislator in this situation has caused one of them to utter obscenities and threats to his colleagues.

While I absolutely applaud Rep. Litjens gracious treatment of her colleague, I am appalled that it was necessary. Such behavior in the halls of the legislature is unacceptable. I hope that the people of his district take appropriate action to make sure that he will not so shame himself or them again. And while I'm at it, I pray that the Lord will direct our legislators and people to heal some of this damage.

It is time for the out of state agitators to go home now, and let us heal our state.

"And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth," ~ Exodus 34:6

The LeMaHieu Report

2011-03-02T00:46:00.003-06:00

The following is the 31st edition of The LeMahieu Report which is the effort of State Representative Dan LeMahieu to keep his constituents informed of what is going on legislatively.
At this point in the game, I think it is imperative to disseminate every little bit of primary source information that is available as the media is clearly(See my next post) not covering anything that they think would hurt the union side of the discussion. Reality trumps ideology every time.
I have highlighted with red a few of the more important items to note.
And here is the report:

"Budget Repair Bill Passes Assembly

After two weeks, 17 hours of public testimony and over 61 straight hours of debate on the floor of the Assembly the Budget Repair Bill passed early Friday morning on a 51 – 17 vote.

Now the Repair Bill is in the State Senate waiting for 14 AWOL Democratic Senators to return from Illinois to debate and vote.

Wisconsin is facing a $150 million deficit in the current budget ending June 30th. This bill would have covered that shortfall and established a foundation for the next two year budget that faces a $3.6 billion deficit.

The last two weeks have been very frustrating with Democrat stall tactics in both houses, a lot of misinformation and a lot of intimidation. The Budget Repair Bill:
Does not eliminate pension plans or health insurance
Does not reduce pay
Does not continue mandatory furlough days
Does not eliminate vacation or sick leave days
Does not eliminate public or private sector unions
Does not totally eliminate collective bargaining

The bill does contain reasonable measures to control spending at the state level and for local governments and school districts. Wisconsin is broke. There will be cuts in shared revenue to local governments and schools in Governor Walker’s budget. The budget repair bill gives local governments the flexibility to control their budgets. This is what they have wanted for years and years.

What if this bill does not pass the Senate? The only other option is layoffs. We will find out this week what Governor Walker plans on doing if he has to go forward without the changes the Budget Repair Bill would give him. I believe it will be approximately 1,500 public sector layoffs. That is something none of us wants to see.

Last November, the voters told us they wanted things to change in Madison. No more out of control spending and no more smoke and mirrors to balance budgets. They asked for fiscal responsibility. No more passing the tough decisions to the next budget or the next generation.

This budget repair bill sets the groundwork for future budgets two, four, six years down the road. It gives local governments the ability to balance their budgets, and control their workplace. The people you elect to these boards and councils will be able to make the decisions you elected them to make.

Last Two Weeks

A few thoughts on the last two weeks in Madison.

First, it was very frustrating to see how a bunch of protesters took over the capitol building. The mess and the smell after nearly two weeks were hard to watch. Hopefully the capitol will return to normal this week and the mess will be cleaned up and any damage repaired.

Second, the noise was nonstop. It was hard to get any work done in offices, in caucus or in the Assembly chamber. When you walked the halls with a suit on you were yelled at, sometimes screamed at. Police were everywhere. They did a wonderful job keeping peace and a semblance of order.

Third, this issue is becoming a contest between public sector unions and taxpayers. Taxpayers want to have a voice in how their government is run through their local and state elected officials. Right now they don’t feel they have that voice.

My Vote

I have been on record supporting this legislation since it was introduced three weeks ago. I voted for this bill in Joint Finance making it possible that both houses of the legislature could vote on this important piece of legislation. This is exactly the bill we voted on last Friday in the Assembly.

When we took the vote at 1:00 am after over 60 hours of debate pandemonium broke loose. There was a quick electronic vote taken. When the rolls were closed my vote did not register and it shows me as “not voting”. Normally that would be corrected before the rolls were closed but with the chaos (screaming and yelling) in the chamber and the quick exit that did not happen. I found out an hour after we adjourned that I was recorded as “not voting.” You can see by videos taken of the Assembly floor I was at my desk pushing my button. The next time the Assembly is in session, I will have my vote corrected to say that in the official Assembly record that I want my vote to say Yes, that I supported the budget repair bill and I stand with Governor Walker.

I am on record voting for the bill in Joint Finance and I will continue to support fiscally responsible legislation that brings stability to state and local governments in Wisconsin. We do not want to face the massive layoffs and cuts in service that are happening right now in Michigan, California and many other states in this country.

We can do better in Wisconsin but that means making tough decisions now. We can’t continue to pass our problems on to the next budget and the next generation.

Governor Walker’s Budget Bill

Governor Walker plans on delivering his Budget speech to the legislature this Tuesday. Remember what we have been dealing with is a Budget Repair Bill that just gets us to July 1st. The next biennial budget starts on July 1st and runs through June 30, 2013. Governor Walker will present that budget that deals with a $3.6 billion shortfall. That budget will shine a light on just how bad the state’s finances have been for years and getting worse because no tough decision were made.

Stay tuned to what is happening in Madison. The financial viability of Wisconsin is at stake. We can’t continue to take a pass on the problems we face. Every year we wait the decisions get harder and more painful. Regardless of the opposition we need to take a stand right now."

"Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies." ~ Gen 42:16

Holger Awakens: Public TV Hijacked by Foreign Propagandists#links

2011-03-01T16:31:00.002-06:00

Holger Awakens: Public TV Hijacked by Foreign Propagandists#links
"I do agree that MHz Network Worldview is educational TV because the very first day that I watched it I learned that: (1) The U.S. spends too much money on intelligence gathering; (2) The U.S. is a fascist country; and (3) Harry Truman was a war criminal. Gosh, I didn’t know that!
These are examples of the propaganda being disseminated through the foreign networks carried by MHz.

One would think that the oil-rich Emir of Qatar, who bankrolled Al Jazeera, would already have enough of our petrodollars in his pockets to buy his own doggone airtime just like Rupert Murdoch did when he started Fox News Channel. If the Emir can’t find a commercial station stupid enough to air his twisted version of the world, he could always lease access on cable, just like the other infomercial kings do. That would satisfy any First Amendment concerns without forcing our great grandchildren to borrow even more money to buy airtime for him."

Please do read the rest of this post over at Holger Awakens and take the time to learn the legend of Holger Danske as well.

"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist." ~ 2 John 1:7

Ahh yes, Civility

2011-02-25T19:38:00.006-06:00

I have been informed, gentle readers, that there was a meeting last night in Fountain Park to oppose Governor Walker's bill. The Sheboygan Press article talks about the union people who were there, but they neglected to cover one of the uglier aspects of that meeting.

I have learned, that the people at this rally were being encouraged and instructed on how to incite violence at rallies around the state tomorrow. This is abhorrent.

If the unions think that by bullying the people of WI, they can get what they want, then they had best prepare to be painted as the violent hooligans they are. What part of "There is no more money" don't you understand?

My fellow patriots, be alert, be responsible and above all, do not allow yourselves to be baited into violence. If there is to be violence let it be among those who are promoting it only. Better yet, show your support for the governor and legislature by staying away from these rallies and calling or e-mailing your support to the governor and your legislators.

We are better than that. And if, as I suspect, those advising and pushing violence are out of state agitators, may I ask that those of our fellow citizens who were listening, soundly reject their calls to violence, out of self respect if nothing else. This is Wisconsin, not Egypt. You are citizens before you are union members. A free and independent people should not need to resort to violence to settle our legislative differences.

"The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth." ~ Psalm 11:5

FAQ's about the budget repair bill answered by Sen. Leibham

2011-02-24T16:57:00.007-06:00

This is the text of an e-mail I received from Sen. Leibham. I am sure that he is doing his best to provide a timely response to the many e-mails he has received over this legislation. I thought it might be a good idea to post his answers here for those who do not care to read the actual bill or who find themselves confused over the wording contained therein.

"By State Senator Joe Leibham

February 24, 2011

~ Information on Senate Bill 11 ~

Governor Scott Walker has unveiled a proposal that seeks to provide local government elected officials (city council members, school board members, etc.) with the authority to make decisions regarding most issues related to the people they employ. In addition, the plan would specifically require most government employees, including myself, to pay a greater portion of health care premium costs and half of the annual contribution to pension/retirement plans. Governor Walker believes these changes are necessary so that state and local elected officials will have all the tools needed to best manage upcoming budgets that will receive less state aid due to our ongoing budget crisis and economic slow down.

Without a doubt, the Governor’s proposal (officially known as Special Session Senate Bill 11) has created an historic level of interest and concern. It has been an amazing week as tens of thousands of citizens from our state (and now on a daily basis – more and more people from across the nation) have decided to participate in the law making process by sharing input with their government, protesting or demonstrating in public rallies. While things have gotten a little intense at times, overall this has been a positive experience.

The amount of input provided to me and questions asked has also been amazing. Thousands of district residents have called, e-mailed, or visited with me personally to discuss the bill, ask questions, and share their thoughts both in support and opposition. While I have tried my hardest to return calls, meet with people personally, and respond to e-mails, the sheer volume has been a challenge to manage. I appreciate everyone’s patience as I work to read and respond while managing all of my legislative responsibilities.

Many of the contacts have included questions about the bill. In an effort to provide answers, below I have attempted to summarize the major questions raised and provide factual information regarding specific provisions in the bill:

Will existing public employee contracts be impacted by the provisions in this bill? Existing employee contracts cannot and will not be impacted by the bill. The provisions included in the bill will only go into effect after an existing contract comes to an end.

What is required in the bill regarding contributions to state pension plans? State, school district, and municipal employees that are members of the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) would be required to contribute 50% of their annual pension payment. The payment amount for WRS employees is estimated to be 5.8% of salary in 2011.

What is required in the bill regarding contributions for health insurance? State employees would be required to pay at least 12.6 percent of the average cost of annual health insurance premiums. Local employers participating in the Public Employers Group Health Insurance Plan would be prohibited from paying more than 88% of the lowest cost plan. Local government employers who use other health insurance plans or are self-insured would be able to set the contribution rate and the subject would be prohibited from the process of collective bargaining.

Will legislators and the Governor be required to participate in these changes to health care and pension contributions? All elected officials including legislators and the Governor will be required as of April 1, 2011 to make these contributions for health care and pensions. For elected officials the pension contribution is estimated to be 6.65% of salary in 2011.

Will public employees still be allowed to form unions? Public employees will still be allowed to form unions. An annual vote will be required to maintain certification as a union, and dues would be collected by the unions, not by the employer.

What will happen to the process of collective bargaining? The process of collective bargaining would continue for the establishment of the base wage for represented public employees.

Will there be caps on base pay? Base wage increases could not exceed increases in the consumer price index (CPI) unless approved by a referendum.

What will happen to items like overtime, premium pay, merit pay performance pay, pay schedules and automatic pay progressions? These items will be determined by the local employer (school board, local municipality, county board, etc.).

What will happen to various workplace rules that are currently bargained for collectively? At the local level these items will be managed and approved by the local employer. For state employees, work place rules would be developed by Office of State Employment Relations and approved by the legislature’s Joint Committee on Employment Relations.

What workplace protections will remain for public employees after passage of the bill? Wisconsin’s Civil Service System (WCSS) will not be changed by the bill. WCSS is a system for hiring, retaining, and promoting employees based on an objective assessment of their qualifications and ability to do their work. The system that has been in place since 1905 is grounded on two cornerstones: hiring decisions are merit based, and removal from service must be based on just cause. An employee cannot be discharged, suspended, or demoted except for just cause. The system includes two processes under which a public employee can pursue a grievance against their employer. The first is through the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission and is found in Wisconsin Stats s. 230.44. You can view this statute by visiting: http://nxt.legis.state.wi.us/nxt/gateway.dll?f=templates&fn=default.htm&d=stats&jd=230.44

Matters which affect an employee’s condition of employment are covered by a grievance procedure found in chapter ER 46 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code: http://nxt.legis.state.wi.us/nxt/gateway.dll?f=templates&fn=default.htm&vid=WI:Default&d=code&jd=ch.%20er%2046

In addition, the bill now requires, per an amendment I sponsored, that a local government employer either adopt the WCSS or establish a grievance system that covers at least all of the following: (a) a grievance procedure that addresses employee terminations; (b) employee discipline; and (c) workplace safety.

If a local governmental unit creates a grievance procedure under these provisions, the procedure must contain at least all of the following elements: (a) a written document specifying the process that a grievant and an employer must follow; (b) a hearing before an impartial hearing officer; and (c) an appeal process in which the highest level of appeal is the governing body of the local governmental unit.

Are law enforcement officers exempt from the provisions of the bill? Fire fighters, law enforcement officers, and members of the State Patrol are exempted from the provisions in the bill.

How many votes will be required to vote this bill out of the Senate? The state constitution requires twenty (3/5’s of the total members) senators present for the vote to take place, but only 17 votes (a simply majority of the total members) for the bill to pass.

As the legislative process and deliberation continues on this bill, I am hopeful this factual information will be helpful.

It is an honor representing the residents of the 9th District in the State Senate!

Sincerely,

Joe Leibham
State Senator
9th District"

I have omitted the contact information for the Senator because, I am assuming his constituents already have it, and if others want his time, they can invest a little time in research to find it for themselves.

"Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day." ~ Psalm 25:5

Glen Grothman speaks on Gov. Walker's Budget repair bill.

2011-02-23T20:47:00.006-06:00

After the showing of the movie "The Cartel" by the Sheboygan Liberty Coalition on Monday, Senator Glenn Grothman arrived to speak and answer questions for the audience. He was running a little late because of the snow, and was subjected to (what I have been told was) somewhat hostile questioning from people who are not even his constituents. but he graciously allowed the questions. For an account of that, I recommend you visit Soapbox Jill's blog as I had a prior commitment and had to leave when he had finished his remarks.

What follows are the videos of Senator Grothman's remarks on:

The budget repair bill

Collective Bargaining, Badgercare and Medicaid

4K kindergarten and head start

Finishing of remarks and beginning of questions

"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."~Proverbs 15:1

The Alexandrea Merrell Show

2011-02-22T16:18:00.006-06:00

Just a quick note: I will be on the first part of the The Aleaxandrea Merrell Show tonight at 9:00pm CST on blog talk radio.
Alexandrea is the author of Rules for Republican Radicals and her new book, Civics is just out within the last few weeks.For more info on Alexandrea, you can check out her website: http://www.alexandreamerrell.com/

"Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."
~ Proverbs 27:6

Teachers Union Protests for Fun in Sheboygan

2011-02-22T14:49:00.009-06:00

The Liberty Coalition of Sheboygan started planning to show the movie "The Cartel" about a month and a half ago. Apparently frustrated by their lack of ability to be where the action is in Madison, the Sheboygan arm of the Wisconsin teachers union decided to protest and picket the showing of this movie. They certainly have the right to exercise their freedom of speech in this way, however I think it was just taking advantage of an event that had been scheduled before these protests broke out.

Upon arriving at the mead library for the showing of the movie, I was greeted by the sight of maybe 100 to 150 protesters standing in front of the library doors chanting and drumming. They were being led in the chants by a woman who would yell "tell me what democracy looks like". Then the crowd would chance back "this is what democracy looks like". I have to agree with them. Democracy by its very nature is the mob rule. This is why our founders gave us a Republic.

The following movie was taken while walking the gauntlet to get into the library. I'm not saying that the protesters were angry or threatening in any way other than the fact that they constituted a fairly large crowd and that's a little intimidating, which is the point of such protests. I found it a little odd that there were so many outside protesting who then came inside to watch the very movie they were protesting against.

The Roca room in the library had about 80 to 100 people, many of whom had brought their signs in with them. There was a very obvious police presence outside of the library as you can see in the video and there was a cameraman from TMJ 4 both outside and inside after the movie. The head of the Sheboygan Liberty Coalition, Oriannah Paul, announced the code of conduct for the movie. There were basically three rules, your signs must be placed so that they are not obstructing the view of others; you may not speak out unless you're recognized; and please silence cell phones and pagers.

The Cartel is a documentary by Bob Bowdon that takes a look at the role of unions in the school district of New Jersey. It basically details the huge amount of waste in school district's spending in New Jersey. Or at least it's assumed to be waste because, even though they spend the highest amount per student of any state in the nation, they have some of the worst results. Their eighth graders were 39% proficient in reading and 40% proficient in math. There is also a very high dropout rate.

The film compared the average cost of teachers salaries($50,000 plus benefits)to the average cost per classroom($300-400,000, and asked the question:"Where is the rest of the money going?" The conclusion was that the money was going to unions, unneeded facilities upgrades and unnecessary layers of administration and bureaucracy. There was a huge amount of corruption shown. The film also concluded that schools are big business for unions and others, because everybody wants their children to be well educated and not many people are paying attention to where the money is going.

When the movie presented an account of a teacher who was prevented by union rules from volunteering her time to do an extracurricular activity after school hours with the students, a parent in front of me leaned over to her daughter and whispered "That's not true". I don't know how she reached that conclusion. The account was almost certainly true and I have heard similar accounts from teachers in WI.

The bottom line of the film is that communities need to be aware of how their money is being spent and hold feet to the fire when funds are being misused. (Those feet can belong to the unions, the school's administrative bodies and/or legislators.)At least that's the message I got from it. Clearly, I was a minority in that conclusion as most of the teachers and union people present seemed to think the film was being shown as propaganda just to make them look bad.

This is one of the problems with holding onto an ideology without regard to the facts. I sincerely doubt that the teachers union would have shown up to protest this movie had it not been for the budget protests going on in Madison right now. That's why I labeled this post as I did. There seemed to be little regard on the part of the teachers for the facts presented in the film. I can understand disregarding statistics(the third kind of lie), but ignoring facts in favor of feeling hard done by because it makes the ideology or organization you claim as your own look bad, is denial.

One of the attendees remarked to those around her:"Why is it okay for corporations to have it[collective bargaining] and not us?" Because, as the film stated, the party paying the bills(the taxpayers)is often not being represented at the bargaining table in a public union situation.

When a private corporation sits down to bargain with their union, they all know a number of fixed facts. The cost of materials, the number of hours required for production, shipping costs, building maintenance, and etc, needed to produce whatever is produced. They know how much their sales are likely to be and how much they can and cannot raise prices to meet their costs. In other words, the money available to pay for all the necessary steps of production is a fixed amount and there must be a certain percentage of profit obtained or there's no reason to have a business.

When the unions are dealing with a government, those numbers are a lot more fluid. There seems to be an assumption that if the union demands more, the government can simply raise taxes and the money for those increases will fall out of the sky. That is the difference.

That may have appeared to be true in years past, but now it is crunch time. Taxes are as high as the people will bear and prices on goods and services are going up. This is the showdown that is occurring in WI and across the nation. This is not the taxpayer telling the public employees that they are bad people or that they don't deserve to be compensated with a specific amount, but rather that there is no more money available to pay more taxes. If that means that these public sector employees feel that they must seek employment that will pay them better, then so be it.

The taxpayers of WI are not trying to denigrate the public workers, we are simply saying this is how much we can pay right now. There isn't any more and no amount of protesting is going to make more appear. Do what is best for you. If you can't afford to work for us anymore, then best of luck to you in your new position, whatever it is and we will look for those who can afford to work for what we can offer.

"And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages."~ Luke 3:14

The Maritime Sentry: Democrats Side With Unions Over Taxpayers - UPDATE...

2011-02-17T18:42:00.001-06:00

The Maritime Sentry: Democrats Side With Unions Over Taxpayers - UPDATE...: "We have now learned that Democratic State Senators are refusing to come to the floor to vote on Gov. Walker's budget fix. The Assembly Democ..."

"...I have received two emails from staff in the Capital building both reporting the same thing, that police have advised them to lock their doors. Large groups of protesters are screaming and baning loud drums inside the building. Other protesters are banging on the glass windows. One of the emailers has asked for prayers for the state. I can think of nothing more needed right now."
Please read the rest of this excellent post at The Maritime Sentry

An open letter to Senate Democrats from one WI Mom

2011-02-17T18:07:00.003-06:00

Hello, Ladies and Gentlemen,

You were elected to vote.

Not to run out on your responsibilities like teenagers pulling a prank.
Not to run up expensive resort bills on the taxpayer's dime while you do so.
Not to make our lovely state the laughingstock of the nation.
And certainly not to leave our beautiful Capital building at the mercy of out-of-state hooligans brought in to act as Union Enforcers against the people of Wisconsin.

You may not like it that your vote will not change the outcome. That does not change your duty. You were elected to vote. I suggest, that you put your behinds back on that bus, get yourselves back to the floor of the legislature in Madison and do your jobs.

May I further suggest that you take up a collection amongst yourselves to pay the bills for the resort and the bus, so as to avoid further burdening the hardworking taxpayers of WI and shaming your electorates any further.

Your behavior is outrageous.

"The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.

Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest. "~ Micah 3:11-12

Budget Repair

2011-02-14T14:43:00.004-06:00

Update: The situation continues to worsen.

Democratic legislators have vacated the capitol in the hopes of preventing a vote.
The governor has instructed that police to look for them and bring them back.
The DNC and Organizing for America(Mr. Obama's replacement for ACORN) are busing in out of state protesters to add to an already strident situation. (There's a demonstration of civility and common sense-add to the danger of the situation by adding outside agitators to the mix.)
Protesters have apparently gotten onto the Senate floor.
Teachers across the state are calling in sick.
Former Senate candidate Dave Westlake is calling for a I Stand With Governor Walker rally at the capitol on Saturday.
Rush Limbaugh has called Madison WI, "Moscow West"
The Socialists have chimed in for the unions.
Mr. Obama has chimed in with his two cents worth, saying Governor Walker shouldn't have turned down the train money. (And exactly how would that have helped this situation? Unless it is Mr. Obama's contention that Mr. Walker should continue the shady accounting practices of former Gov. Doyle and have surreptitiously allocated some of that money to the general fund to make the budget look better.)
Mr. Obama has also said that Gov. Walker's bill seems like an assault on unions. Perhaps if the members of the state employee unions hadn't spent their time over the last several years alternately whining that they aren't paid enough and bragging to the rest of us that they had lifetime security in their jobs with no worries about health care or retirement thanks to their wonderful state jobs, we might agree. As it is, not so much.

It is time for the state union employees to remember that they are citizens first and union members second. If they had reigned in their unions demands, the governor wouldn't have to. As it is, they just seem greedy, selfish and power-mad. In these days of media inspired politics, that's not the message they should want to have out there. They could have stepped up to the plate and said we offer these reductions to the state out of a wish to remain consistent in our duty as citizens to keep this state fiscally solvent.

We're all in this together. They chose to continue business as usual. This is not a republican or democrat issue. this is a common sense issue. When there is no more money, the belt must be tightened and luxuries let go.

The Wisconsin legislature will be debating the merits of governor Walker's plan to repair the budget tomorrow and Wednesday. There's been quite a bit of coverage on this plan, and much of that coverage has been negative.

Unions, for a long time, have been dictating terms of employment for many, many people, not just in the state, but in the nation. I have written in the past that it is high time that the unions were reminded that they are made up of people. People whose first priorities, as far as employment goes, need to remember that, unless there's a job available, they will be unemployed. People who need to remember that they are citizens first and union members second.

In Wisconsin, the state's union workers have had about the best benefit package available anywhere, except those offered for Federal gov't workers. They will not find much sympathy for being forced to contribute to their own retirements, much less for being forced to pay a fairly low percentage of their own Health Insurance when compared to private sector workers.

There will undoubtedly be news stories covering the plight of the poor union workers forced, forced I say, to contribute in this way to their own benefits. The facts are, as Governor Walker stated, that there is no more money. The taxpayers have no more pennies to contribute to any more largesse that might be demanded in a collective bargaining agreement with these workers. The money simply isn't there.

Not only are there no more pennies to contribute to more benefits for these union workers employed by the state, but there is no more tolerance on the part of the people of the state for watching government workers whine about benefits that the private sector cannot afford to offer.

To their credit, I have seen many comments on articles, from state union workers who support Governor Walker in this effort. Many of them are also resentful that they have been forced to be part of the union in order to have these jobs. These are the people who understand what governments service is about. These are the people who understand that they are citizens first and employees second.

The state unions will be busing people to the capitol in Madison tomorrow and Wednesday, in an attempt to communicate to our legislators their strong disapproval of this action on the part of Governor Walker. AFP will also be busing people to the state capitol in Madison tomorrow and Wednesday, in an attempt to support the governor in his attempts to rein in the spending and to restore fiscal sanity to the state of Wisconsin.

My guess is that there will be more union members than regular citizens. Mostly because regular citizens from the private sector will not be able to take off work for the day to go down to Madison and be part of a demonstration. That does not mean however, that private sector employees and other citizens cannot make a difference in this debate.

This is one of those opportunities to exercise good citizenship by contacting your state legislators and giving them your opinion. It only takes a few minutes to call and your legislators will appreciate the input on what is sure to be a highly publicized vote. This is how participatory governments are supposed to work. Participate by calling your legislators and letting them know what you think, politely please. Remember, the aides who are answering the phone are not doing the voting. Call the legislative hotline at: 1-800-362-9472. Ask for your legislator. You'll be asked where you live, and transferred to the office of one of your legislators whether it be a senator or an assembly person. I would recommend that you make note of who your legislators are, and have your call directed from one to the next.

Citizenship in a free and independent Republic is a personal duty and a demonstration that we are worthy of the freedoms we have been given in this nation.

"So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." ~ Luke 17:10

Why only the GOP?

2011-02-10T13:16:00.004-06:00

"Keep the pressure on the GOP" "Fractures in the GOP" "We need you to call the GOP members of the House Rules Committee..."

Why am I only receiving alerts to call the GOP and hold their feet to the fire? Aren't all of our Congressmen and women supposed to be doing what is right for this nation? Do we think that those supported by the Democratic party or the independents are so far lost to reason that communication is not even possible?

Or have we just given up?

I ask that because, the last time I checked, there is still a democratic majority in the Senate. So, unless some of those democrats are brought to reason, this is all a losing battle. There's no reason to exclude democrats from those calls, they need to hear from us too. What they do affects us all, so don't be discouraged by the fact that you may not be a member of this one or that one's constituency. If you have valid points to make for why they should vote a certain way for the good of the nation, they need to hear from you.

Beyond that, this goes directly to the heart of why Mr. Washington warned us against adopting a party system of politics. The people we elect to these offices are to be doing what is right for the nation, not voting according to party lines.

It's shameful that we have a situation where pundits can predict the success or failure of a piece of legislation by counting up votes along party lines. This is NOT how our system is supposed to work. Call your congressman or woman, by all means, but don't refuse to call them or committee members simply because of their party affiliation.

"And he said, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake. " ~ Gen 18:32

What to do About Egypt?

2011-02-08T15:32:00.004-06:00

That seems to be the big question. Here's the answer. Support freedom and stand for our values.

That may be harder than it seems. First of all, who in Egypt is fighting for freedom? What do they mean by freedom? Is it the same thing we mean, when we discuss freedom here in the US? I don't think it is. Freedom here includes freedom of speech and religion and a number of other things that would be unthinkable to the followers of Islam. Since Islam is the majority religion in Egypt, it seems likely then, that the people in Egypt, demonstrating for "freedom", do not mean that same thing by it that Americans would.

Secondly, what are our values? Christian values are criticized left and right. We are told that the founders of this nation were not Christians at all, but by and large deists. (A deist is someone who believes there is a god or gods, but who does not subscribe to any particular religion.) The fact that this is untrue, as can be seen by a cursory study of the founders writings, doesn't seem to matter, since the lie is now so well known.

(The truth, in my opinion, is that unless we once again embrace the values of Christianity, we are lost as a nation. But that's not the point of this post.)

If we say, for the sake of argument, that our values are Christian values, then we have somewhere to go with Egypt. Just as individuals will behave differently around those who espouse certain standards of behavior, so too will nations.

There is nothing wrong with telling Egypt or the world that we support the kind of freedom that we want for ourselves and that we will act according to our values. If they don't want to deal with us under those terms, then we won't deal with whatever government ends up in power.

The biggest problem here is the question raised above: What are our values? Without a concrete set of consistent values, we have no place to stand in the world. We will constantly be defending ourselves from propaganda and hypocrisy charges. That's a reasonable response to an individual or a nation that is not consistent.

We have become a nation also of moral relativity. This gives us no place to stand. It allows us to look the other way when someone cheats us or is rude or a bully. Christian values demand that we confront such behavior within the law.

This is one of the things that enrages so many liberals/progressives about our nation. Perhaps because they believe that by standing on those values, we are de facto conquering the world. Where are the conservatives to speak up and tell them that it is within the rights of those sovereign nations to change to our system if they want to?

The Christian values that formed this nation have been so wildly successful that, of course, other nations will want to adopt them for themselves. Why wouldn't they? And who are we to insist that they not?

If the people of Egypt want to adopt Christian values and the same kind of freedom that we expect here, then we should welcome them as a trading partner in the world with open arms. If they want to adopt a more repressive Islamist government, then we should restrict our dealings with them. That doesn't mean we need to do anything beyond communicating our intentions to the world.

Of course, that would be seen as nation building and bullying by the progressives/liberals. But they would be wrong. It is no more bullying to avoid those of unpleasant character in one's daily life than it is character building to let those same unpleasant individuals abuse you because you have no rational reason to deny them. After all, that may be what they see as good behavior, who are you to dispute it?

Perhaps we cannot expect nations to behave as individuals. Perhaps my analysis is quite incorrect and we should be busily interfering in Egypt. Promoting this individual and undermining that one. In my opinion, that is not consistent with the values of this nation. But then, I tend to think the values of this nation are and should be Christian values, even if you are not a Christian yourself.

What kind of hypocrisy are we practicing when we insist we want Egypt or any other nation to adopt one form of government over another when we, ourselves refuse to adhere to our own founding standards? When other nations look to us for the example of how a nation of free and independent people ought to conduct themselves and all we do is shrug our shoulders and say, "I dunno, does it feel right? Then do it." That's not how this nation became great and we do ourselves and the world a disservice by allowing it to be the case on our watch.

"And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever. "~ 1 Sam 2:35

For Wisconson Voters - SB6

2011-01-24T17:27:00.004-06:00

We have a new republican majority in WI. (There are even some indications that we may have a conservative majority.) Senator Leibham has once again introduced a voter photo ID bill and it will be debated on Wed., Jan 26th. You can see the column Sen. Leibham wrote concerning this bill here.

Because this bill does not require a new type of ID for voting, but rather relies on types of ID that most people already have, while waiving the fee for those who do not currently possess such an ID and cannot afford to get one, this bill seems like a reasonable and necessary measure to protect the integrity of the voting process in WI. The text of the bill may be found here.

If you cannot show up in Madison for the debate, you may send your thoughts to Sen. Liebham at Sen.Leibham@legis.wi.gov to be included in the public record. (Of course, that's if Sen Leibham is YOUR Senator. If not, I recommend you contact your own senator. You can probably find an e-mail address for him or her here. Be sure to ask that your testimony be included in the public record.)

The opposition to this bill seems to be based on the fact that that we've always allowed people to vote with someone else to vouch for them and this bill will remove that convenience. There is an article here on that point.
(It seems like common sense, but the headline of that article, despite their "truth-o-meter" is incorrect. There have been several instances of voter fraud in WI in recent years.)

In the end, it's really up to us to let our legislators know if we think the integrity of our legislative process needs to be tightened or if we think it's fine as it is. Bearing in mind that the political climate of our day has become polarized and somewhat extreme, particularly on the progressive side of the aisle. (In my observation.)

I understand that those who believe in progressivism/collectivism believe passionately that we must become a more socialist nation. I disagree just as passionately, as do many in this nation. This is the struggle for liberty of our time. I don't think it can be peacefully won if the integrity of the voting process is undermined or left vulnerable. I prefer to trust the people of this nation as a whole, but I know that one bad apple can spoil a whole barrel, if left unattended. Let's make sure we are attending to our apples.

"And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully."~ 2Tim 2:5

Hear What the Unjust Judge Saith - A Test of Persistence

2011-01-21T14:27:00.007-06:00

In the book of Luke, there is a parable about an unjust judge. The lesson in this parable is that even an unjust judge will give in to persistence. Today I have started an experiment. An experiment of faith in which I hope you will all join me.

Today I have made the first of what I expect to be several calls to my senators. The first call was to Senator Ron Johnson. Senator Johnson supports the repeal of Obamacare. I called Senator Johnson to let him know I support him in voting to repeal Obamacare. I only expect that I will call Senator Johnson a few times. This call and perhaps another just before the vote is scheduled.

The second call I made was to Senator Kohl. Senator Kohl supported Obamacare. My call to Senator Kohl was to let him know that I would prefer that he would vote to repeal Obamacare. This was the first of what will probably be several calls to Senator Kohl. My intention is to call every single day until Obamacare is repealed.

Senator Reid has determined that he will not allow the repeal of Obamacare to come to the senate floor for a vote. He has said that he will not be influenced by the fact that the house has passed that repeal of Obamacare. In refusing to bring Obamacare to the floor of the senate for a vote, Senator Reid is engaging in parliamentary tricks.

This is not the purpose of such parliamentary procedures. Parliamentary procedures are to ensure that there is a reasonable pace to a meeting or proceeding, not to block the purpose of that meeting or proceeding. To use parliamentary procedures to block legislation that his party does not like or that his progressive colleagues do not like, is underhanded and unworthy of a senator of the United States of America. Mr. Reid is not my senator, but that does not mean that I cannot have an affect on senator Reid through my senators.

It is my intention to call my senator, Senator Kohl, every day until Obamacare is repealed or at least until the senate has brought it to the floor and voted on it. The point of the parable in Luke is that even an unjust judge will give in to persistence. I plan to see if that is so, and if by my persistence, Senator Kohl can be brought to vote to repeal Obamacare. Furthermore, I encourage every citizen of these United States, who has a senator that supports Obamacare, to do the same thing. I am not suggesting that you harass your senator. I am merely saying call them every day, once, and let them know that you want Obamacare repealed. Be polite and cheerful when you call. Be nice to the aide who answers the phones.

In this blog I have chosen to end if every post with a verse or two (or sometimes more) of the Bible. I have done this because I have a deep and abiding faith in the truth of the word of God. The Lord has assured us that His word will not return void. Perhaps I am being foolish, but I intend to test the notion that even an unjust judge will give in to persistence and I hope all of you will join me in this effort.

" And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? " ~ Luke 18:1-8

Have They No Shame?

2011-01-12T21:02:00.008-06:00

Is this a memorial service, a rock concert or a campaign stop? You tell me.

This is the answer posted to a question about etiquette for behavior during a memorial service: "Your presence, and respectful attention, as well as kind words for him to his family are all that are necessary.

The only other thing, if you feel inclined, would be to also send them a condolence letter, expressing your sympathy, your regard for him, and a story or two of your experience with him -- an act of kindness on his part; something funny he did or said (think whimsy or gentle humor, not gross or raucous).

When you arrive, greet them briefly, expressing sorrow for their loss.

Yes, respectful, serious clothes are essential. It used to be everyone wore black, but I gather that rule has been loosened. The thing is to not appear cheery and festive, so gray works. You don't want to jar their feelings by looking like you came to party."

Where was this etiquette in Arizona today? Apparently nowhere to be found in the memorial service where Mr. Obama was speaking.

Mr. Obama, his speechwriters and staff apparently felt it was appropriate to make T-shirts for the occasion. T-shirts for the memorial service for the victims of Saturday's shooting. This, in addition to the applause, cheering and standing ovation makes me wonder what kind of people did they ship in to attend this event? What kind of people would do such a thing?

I cannot imagine being the parent of little Miss Green or a relative or spouse of any of the others who were killed and walking into this travesty. Where is the sense of decorum? The sense of solemn remembrance? The consolation and sympathy for the families of the dead?

"Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt. "~ Samuel Adams

And those on the left can look at this, this ... campaign rock concert of a memorial service, held less than a week after the tragic deaths of those to be memorialized and praise the speaker/organizers? Not just the left either. Even Fox news has praised the speech as it was being given.

Our nation has surely gone mad, or else I must be.

" When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;"~ Esther 4:1

Even the Left can do Better

2011-01-10T17:56:00.008-06:00

My condolences to the families and friends of the victims of Jan. 8th's shooting. My prayers for a speedy recovery for those who may recover. My prayers too, for the family of the shooter as well as the shooter himself, for they are surely also in need of fervent and effectual prayer.

Shortly after reading of the tragic murders of Judge John Roll, Congressional staff member Gabrielle Zimmerman, young Christina Green, Dorothy Murray, Dorwin Stoddard and Phyllis Schneck, I looked to the comments section of the article and was truly shocked by what I read.

The majority of comments were using this terrible event to justify vilifying their political opponents. The majority of these comments were also of the "progressive" persuasion, thus the title of this article, although I saw a few from the other side of the spectrum as well. Have we really come to this?

Are we really so heartless and jaded that our first thoughts after such an event turn to ways to politicize it? Have we lost so much common courtesy and good sense so as to pass judgement without even having the facts available to us? And further to turn such horror into political expediency?

Even worse, I have seen articles today titled "Congress Reacts...". Is that really what Congress is to do? React rather than think? React with feel good, freedom crushing legislation rather than looking at the foundations of this nation and recognizing that our base position of freedom prohibits such a reaction? Apparently the reading of our nation's Constitution hasn't sunk in yet. In the words of Benjamin Franklin:"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."

The bottom line is that such tragedies will occur as long as there are people. Sometimes, people don't do what they ought or they are mentally ill, as was apparently, the case here. However, to take an isolated tragedy and use it to play politics before the people injured have barely even been helped is obscene.

In my own opinion, the removal of God and the derision of Christian values are at the heart of such callousness. I could be wrong, but no matter the cause, this is an indicator of something gone seriously amiss with those who would behave in this manner. In another quote, by Mr. Franklin, not the most religious of men by repute, he says:"I believe there is one Supreme most perfect being. ... I believe He is pleased and delights in the happiness of those He has created; and since without virtue man can have no happiness in this world, I firmly believe He delights to see me virtuous."

We can do better and I think most of us are aware that we should. For those, vocal few who are not, I suggest reading the Bible first and then a copy of Miss Manners guide to etiquette. While neither of these resources are likely to directly address the situation that unfolded Saturday, they should at least give those who lack one a starting place.

"And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. "~ 2 Sam 9:7

The 111th Congress will live in infamy

2010-12-18T16:19:00.004-06:00

I offer my sincere apologies to the men and women of our armed services. I called my senators and reps and let them know throughout this process that I opposed the repeal of the 1993 military personnel eligibility act. But it was in vain.

I know many conservatives will view this last lame duck session as reasonably successful, having defeated the omnibus spending bill and the DREAM act. Those were necessary for our fiscal health as a nation and I won't deny it.

I also know that this legislation will weaken our military and cause many who were of unquestioned good character to leave to protect their spotless reputations. I know that it will cause others of somewhat weaker character, bereft of the companionship of those who would have otherwise restrained them from rash actions, to follow less than honorable impulses.

I have no doubt that the vast majority of those troops who remain will do their best to serve with honor. I would not wish to be guilty of besmirching the reputation of those who remain and serve faithfully. However, I view this action on the part of the 111th Congress not just as an appeasement of those selfish enough to demand to serve regardless of the consequences to our military and our nation.

In truth, I view it as an attempt to not only demoralize our military, but as an attempt on the part of Mr. Obama to build a military that may regard their first loyalty to be to him rather than to the nation. There is an oath that is taken upon entering the military. One that specifies that the individual taking it will defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. I highly doubt that a group of people whose perspective is so skewed as to hold their own selfish wishes above the security of our nation will be willing to defend a Constitution that they have been alternately fighting and ignoring these many years.

Perhaps I am old fashioned. Perhaps I am a prude. Or perhaps, I just understand the difference between convenience and necessity. The difference between wants and needs. The difference in the character of those who act for selfish reasons and those who act for selfless reasons.
Character counts and we have just dealt a serious blow to the character of our armed forces.

May God help us, although I have no idea why, at this point, He would. This is as clear a message to the Lord that this nation no longer respects, serves or worships Him as the continuing shameful legality of abortion for any reason other than the life of the mother.

Perhaps He will see fit to remember and preserve that irate, tireless minority who, like myself, serve Him still. I know it is His wish that all would come to salvation, but actions have consequences. He would not be just to withhold such consequences from a nation who has abandoned Him after He has blessed us so richly.

" For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

"~ Rom 1:17-32

"Time's Up!": Filing Sexual Assault Charges Against TSA Screeners

2010-12-17T22:40:00.001-06:00

"Time's Up!": Filing Sexual Assault Charges Against TSA Screeners

"You can fight back with following explicit instructions. You have rights and by "fighting back" I am referring to via the Police Departments and Sexual Assault Investigators/Detectives within the police departments, FBI and the media.

Get to the airport early.

First, calmly and respectfully tell the TSA Screener that you are objecting to the invasive body search even though you are not being given a choice to either refuse it or leave the airport.
This means that you are being forced against your will to submit. If they tell you that you must submit, then it is like a man putting a knife to your throat and giving you no choice. You are forced either way."

Please read the rest of this excellent article on how to stand up for your fourth, fifth and eighth amendment rights with regard to the new TSA "enhanced pat-down" procedures/scanners.

We, as Americans have a duty to stand up for our rights, even if it is inconvenient, embarrassing and scary. It is our duty. I suggest that everyone who flies should download this article, print it off and do exactly as the article suggests.

"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
"~Job 13:15

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-12-11T11:46:00.005-06:00

I know this comes late as Thanksgiving has passed. I do, however want to recognize and give Thanks to God for the many blessings I have received. They include family and friends, the good fortune to live where I am generally safe and have food, clothing, shelter and clean water. I am truly blessed to be granted such a life of luxury and comparative ease.

But when giving thanks, I don't want to neglect my thanks for the many challenges and trials of my life. Some of them have been very painful and difficult, but I have learned valuable things from all of them. Sometimes the lessons I have learned have cost me dearly, but I would not trade them. They have shaped me into the person that I am today. Countless times they have saved me from worse trials or allowed me to help others avoid bad situations. They have also allowed me to offer counsel to others who are facing challenges of their own.

I have hope that these lessons will provide me with faith and hope in the trials to come.

I am truly thankful and bless and praise God for all the He has allowed me to learn and do in this lifetime as well as for His redeeming work on the cross.

"For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth."~Proverbs 3:12

Author Interviews

2010-11-30T16:32:00.006-06:00

I have been given the privilege of interviewing two authors in this two weeks.

My first interview was with Alexandrea Merrell, the author of "Rules for Republican Radicals". This is a book that examines the strategies developed and utilized by Saul Alinski as well as Mr. Obama. You can hear that interview by clicking on the BlogTalkRadio player in the sidebar. That show was on the 24th of November.

Then on Dec. 1st, I am interviewing Michael Lynch, one of the authors of American Midnight. This is a novel set in middle America. The book is realistic enough that I found myself becoming a bit paranoid towards the middle of the book. It draws you into the storyline very effectively and is a fairly quick read. For my regular listeners, please note that the Dec. 1st show will be at 6:30pm rather than 1:30. Feel free to call in if you have questions for this author.

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." ~1 Peter 5:8-10

Freedom or Security?

2010-11-18T18:15:00.007-06:00

We have, in this nation alone among the nations of the world, the unique opportunity to experience and maintain freedom. The thing of it is, that: "Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it." ~ Thomas Paine
It is our time to undergo the fatigues of supporting freedom. It is our time to insure that our soldiers do not come home to find that they are significantly less free then they were when they left.

One of the ways we support freedom is by resisting legislation that make us less free.

Legislation like S 510. The Food Modernization and Safety act which, while touting safety, may remove our ability to garden or buy food from local producers at farmer's markets and the like. The problem is not that people do not want their food to be safe, but rather that we believe ourselves able to make our own judgements regarding the safety of food from our gardens and local producers.

Legislation like the repeal of the military personnel eligibility act of 1993. This was unanimously approved by Congress less than ten years ago. Has our military or the world changed so significantly during those few years that this is a reasonable move? The bottom line is what will best serve the needs of our military, not what one special interest group, no matter how organized, wants. I rather imagine that there are groups within this nation that, were they organized, would constitute a larger segment of the population than this group, yet they are not organizing and demanding to be included in a military whose standards exempt them from service. Our military as it stands is the finest fighting force on this planet. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

One of the other ways we do our civic duty is to vote for our elected representatives. We are to vote for people who represent our values and who are of strong character. People who will not be swayed by political correctness or bribery or any thing other than what is best for our nation.(Or whatever level of government to which we are electing them.)

These examples show the ordinary actions needed to maintain our nation and it's freedoms. You call your elected representatives and let them know what you think. It's easy. It can be done with a minimum of fuss and time. Just a few minutes and you've done your duty. Voting takes a few hours out of every year to actually cast a vote and a minimum of research to decide for whom that vote should be cast. This is when it is easy to fulfill your duty as a citizen of this, most free of all nations.

This next example is about when it is not so easy. The TSA was established as a reaction to a terrible attack on our nation. The goal of the TSA is to prevent another such incident from taking place. However, the TSA has overstepped it's bounds by quite a bit. The authority of a federal agency may not exceed the Constitutional limits put upon the federal government itself and the TSA has done so.

In initiating these new screening procedures, as well as some that are probably not so new, by my count, the TSA has violated no less than three Constitutional amendments when they elect to put someone through the more stringent screening. Here is what I understand the procedure to entail.

The TSA selects an individual to go through extra screening, for a variety of reasons, all of which involve some degree of profiling. (Everything from "the metal detector beeped" to They were wearing a competing team's football Jersey" to "she was good looking" are among the reasons I have heard and I'm sure there are others.)
That individual is taken aside and asked to either go through a machine which will perform a virtual strip search or be subjected to an "enhanced" pat-down which includes the TSA agent touching intimate body parts, or possibly both. Possibly in full view of their fellow passengers.
Once an individual has been moved into the special screening area, they are subject to a fine of up to $10,000 if they leave before submitting to these procedures.

Now let's look at the amendments which, in my opinion, are broken by this procedure.

Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

I don't believe that a virtual strip search or intimate groping are reasonable searches when the only reason for the search is that the individual has chosen to travel by a form of mass transit rather in their personal vehicle. Nor have I seen or heard of any accounts where the TSA produced a warrant to search anyone.

Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

I think hijacking an airliner or attempting to do so would constitute a capital or otherwise infamous crime. If an individual is not allowed to leave the screening area without being subject to a fine, that demonstrates that the individual so selected has been presumed guilty. This is without a trial of any sort. Forcing an individual to go through this sort of invasive screening is also the equivalent to forcing the individual to testify against themselves if they cannot afford the fine for leaving.
(In addition, the definition of sexual assault in many states is something along the lines of unwanted touching under coercion or threat of force. I think the threat of a $10,000 fine qualifies as coercion in my book.)

Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

$10,000 dollars for refusing to fly if you must subject yourself to these screening procedures and leave the screening area before they have been inflicted on you. You have not been tried, nor convicted of a crime, merely decided not to have your privacy invaded for the convenience of flying. This fine, in my opinion, is excessive. It demonstrates as well that the government considers you to be guilty of a crime for merely entering an airport and deciding not to fly. We are not under martial law here. There is no epidemic that would restrict people from traveling wherever they want, so there is no justification for these procedures.

Oh some may argue that we are in a time of public danger. I assert that we have never had a time when terrorists did not have the ability or inclination to attack us. Indeed, there have been many attacks before the tragedy of 9/11 against this nation both abroad and on US soil. Why are these procedures more necessary/acceptable now? Simply because that was a spectacular event? Or simply because we are more aware of a threat that has always existed? I submit that it is the second and further, that these procedures do not make us any more safe than we were before they were implemented. We the People need to demonstrate that a free people does not give up their unalienable rights over such threats. That we are willing and able to stand against terrorism of any sort. And that we can defend ourselves without resorting to a police state.

It is our duty, our civic duty, as American citizens, to stand up to the TSA and refuse to allow them to violate our Constitutional rights. You do not give them up when you purchase a ticket or walk into the airport. They are unalienable. Yes, this will be scary and inconvenient. Blood has been shed to protect these very freedoms. We owe those who shed that blood the duty of being inconvenienced to protect what they have paid so dearly to provide for us.

The choice is ours: Freedom or Security?
Bear in mind that no one is really safe if they are not free.

"And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born. "~ Acts 22:28

Congratulations Wisconsin

2010-11-03T00:01:00.005-05:00

Ron Johnson has defeated Russ Feingold and Mr. Walker has defeated Mr. Barrett. Perhaps, just perhaps the Lord is willing to give us another chance to reclaim our nation from the socialists who have so boldly commandeered it. (I have heard one man describe the election of Mr. Obama as the result of a culture of infatuation, and I must say that does explain a lot.)

Now, we must not rest on our laurels, but instead remain steadfast in our opposition to the agenda laid out and relentlessly pursued by this administration. Stay in contact with those who are new to DC. Do not allow them to forget who elected them and why. Let them know that we expect the best from them and that we will be their support throughout their sojourn in the vice ridden cesspool that our nation's capital has become. Let them not regard with pleasure the honeyed utterances of those whose sole agenda has been to control the people and strip us of our God given and Constitutionally affirmed rights.

We must not underestimate the forces that oppose us, nor the damage that they may yet do. We must be vigilant in guarding our own freedoms and protecting those of our posterity. We must not leave our children and grandchildren in a state of debt slavery to other nations.

I commend Oklahoma for their vote to disallow the use of sharia in Oklahoma courts and I fervently hope the rest of the nation follows suit.

"Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: "~Exodus 18:25

Raising Our Voices

2010-10-25T20:34:00.005-05:00

A Call to Mobilize the American Blogosphere in Support of Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff

We, the undersigned — consisting of four European blogs, one Canadian blog, and one American blog — have written this post jointly as a public call for our American colleagues to take up the cause of the Austrian feminist and anti-jihad activist Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff.

Geert Wilders is well-known to most American conservative and libertarian bloggers, but Elisabeth’s case is not so prominent. Like Mr. Wilders, she faces trial for reporting factual information about Islam. Her “crime” was to conduct public seminars in which she described Islamic doctrine, quoted from the Koran, and explained to her listeners what she considers the dangers of Islam.

Like Mr. Wilders, Elisabeth has been charged with “hate speech” for her words. Unlike Mr. Wilders, however, Elisabeth is a private citizen, a wife, and the mother of a small child. She lacks the major resources necessary to defend herself against the well-funded organs of the state which seek to persecute her.

Elisabeth will go on trial in Vienna on November 23rd, in what is clearly a political action intended to silence anyone who dissents against the prevailing multicultural orthodoxy.

We, her European and North American supporters, have formed Elisabeth’s Voice to ensure that she is not silenced. By appealing for financial aid, we hope to ensure that her defense is well-funded. By appealing for publicity, we hope to ensure that her case is well-known, not just in Austria and the rest of Europe, but across the entire Western world.

Americans may think that Elisabeth’s is a uniquely European plight, and has nothing to do with them. But make no mistake about it: the same repression is on its way to the United States of America. As the recent cases of Molly Norris, Juan Williams, and Derek Fenton demonstrate, free speech may already be taken away by non-juridical means. Dissent is even now being silenced in schools and on college campuses, and politically incorrect expression is cause for dismissal from both public and private employment.

The same types of “hate speech” laws that were used against Elisabeth in Austria are being prepared for the United States through the work of the United Nations. At the initiative of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the UN is on the verge of requiring all member states to pass laws criminalizing “the defamation of religions, including Islam.”

Your president, Barack Hussein Obama, has indicated his support for the UN’s proposed resolution. Time is running out for all of us. If we don’t stand up now for people like Geert Wilders, Ezra Levant, Mark Steyn, and Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff, there will be no one to stand up for us later, when our turn comes.

Links to detailed information about Elisabeth’s case may be found at the bottom of this post, along with a link to her legal defense website where you may donate to her cause.

"And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land;" ~ Judges 6:9