Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground.
The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.
The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.
It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.
It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Debating Liberals
I enjoy debating liberals. They're more fun than a pull toy duck.
But sometimes while they're spouting drivel that they read in the New York Times (as though anything in that rag had real credence), I'm overwhelmed with the blizzard of commie propaganda to the point of brain freeze.
So while waiting for the sharp pain behind my right eye to subside, I try to ask some general questions to make them take a breath.
It also makes them think I really give a rat's patooty about their opinions.
Yeah, right.
Like that's gonna happen.
General questions I like to ask liberals while composing my thoughts:
1. So, did you ever learn anything in school besides hemp macrame?
2. So, what are your "crystals" telling you to feel about this?
3. So I see your yoga instructor is in the news again. I thought that girl was going to drop the charges?
4. Whoa! I guess I know who had beans and broccoli today! So does this count as part of your masters in "Aroma Therapy" dissertation?
5. Relax and breath! Did you forget how to swallow again?
But sometimes while they're spouting drivel that they read in the New York Times (as though anything in that rag had real credence), I'm overwhelmed with the blizzard of commie propaganda to the point of brain freeze.
So while waiting for the sharp pain behind my right eye to subside, I try to ask some general questions to make them take a breath.
It also makes them think I really give a rat's patooty about their opinions.
Yeah, right.
Like that's gonna happen.
General questions I like to ask liberals while composing my thoughts:
1. So, did you ever learn anything in school besides hemp macrame?
2. So, what are your "crystals" telling you to feel about this?
3. So I see your yoga instructor is in the news again. I thought that girl was going to drop the charges?
4. Whoa! I guess I know who had beans and broccoli today! So does this count as part of your masters in "Aroma Therapy" dissertation?
5. Relax and breath! Did you forget how to swallow again?
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
If you are a Democrat...
...you should read this post immediately.
If you are a Democrat and don't read this post over at mean ol' meany's place, you're stupid and in danger of Hell Fire.
Disclaimer: Reading this post will not guarantee that you escape damnation, or your even growing smarter. But it could well retard the inevitable odds of you slipping into a coma and swallowing your own tongue because you were too stupid to breath. And it does happen to Democrats all the time. What? You thought that Alan Grayson has always looked that way?
P.S. Ha! Take that, Sarah Palin! I said "retard"!
If you are a Democrat and don't read this post over at mean ol' meany's place, you're stupid and in danger of Hell Fire.
Disclaimer: Reading this post will not guarantee that you escape damnation, or your even growing smarter. But it could well retard the inevitable odds of you slipping into a coma and swallowing your own tongue because you were too stupid to breath. And it does happen to Democrats all the time. What? You thought that Alan Grayson has always looked that way?
P.S. Ha! Take that, Sarah Palin! I said "retard"!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Is being "moral" old fashioned ?
So I'm surfing over at iOwntheworld.com, and I come across an article about teenage girls exposing themselves, excuse me, flashing in public and a 30 something male is arrested for taking pictures of them. The question posed by an admin was: what's your opinion of this?
The arguments get hot and heavy concerning the law, whether 15 year olds are really children, etc. About 100 comments in I'm wondering why the idea of morality and "common" decency hasn't been brought up?
I made this comment:
We started this country as a nation of laws. But there was also an unwritten, but generally agreed upon standard of decency and moral obligation. For better or for worse, the laws have become relaxed, and decency and morality have been relegated to the ash-heap in favor of modernity.
Am I some kind of standard bearer for this decency?
Nope. I was a child of the 60's, and I stood warming my hands at the bonfire of "old fashioned values" like so many others.
But I think we lost something in our rush to free ourselves from antiquated notions like God, and shame, and modesty. We "progressed". We progressed to talking about 15 year old girls baring themselves in public. We're smarter, more hip, more sophisticated. We are a progressive nation.
And we are a poorer country for it.
I got mainly favorable votes for the comment, but this morning I had to ask myself: Did I come off as being a pompous ass? Am I just a kill-joy?
But I was truly bothered by the fact that no one seemed to think that this was unusual, and that no one seemed concerned about the very act of these girls, or the 30 something's response. Most were just concerned with whether the man should be charged as a sex offender. (And whether the girls had nice boobs.) Not whether the whole incident should be thought of as shameful and indecent.
I'm really feeling old today. Like a man who's time has passed...
The arguments get hot and heavy concerning the law, whether 15 year olds are really children, etc. About 100 comments in I'm wondering why the idea of morality and "common" decency hasn't been brought up?
I made this comment:
We started this country as a nation of laws. But there was also an unwritten, but generally agreed upon standard of decency and moral obligation. For better or for worse, the laws have become relaxed, and decency and morality have been relegated to the ash-heap in favor of modernity.
Am I some kind of standard bearer for this decency?
Nope. I was a child of the 60's, and I stood warming my hands at the bonfire of "old fashioned values" like so many others.
But I think we lost something in our rush to free ourselves from antiquated notions like God, and shame, and modesty. We "progressed". We progressed to talking about 15 year old girls baring themselves in public. We're smarter, more hip, more sophisticated. We are a progressive nation.
And we are a poorer country for it.
I got mainly favorable votes for the comment, but this morning I had to ask myself: Did I come off as being a pompous ass? Am I just a kill-joy?
But I was truly bothered by the fact that no one seemed to think that this was unusual, and that no one seemed concerned about the very act of these girls, or the 30 something's response. Most were just concerned with whether the man should be charged as a sex offender. (And whether the girls had nice boobs.) Not whether the whole incident should be thought of as shameful and indecent.
I'm really feeling old today. Like a man who's time has passed...
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Missouri is my home...
I’m from Missouri, and this morning to paraphrase the FLOTUS: “For the first time in my adult life I am proud of my state, because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback.”
You can quote me on that.
"Missouri voters reject key provision of ObamaCare in ballot measure..."
You can quote me on that.
"Missouri voters reject key provision of ObamaCare in ballot measure..."
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Ruminations on an Independence Day
"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid." Matthew 5:14
So last night I was watching "Ice Station Zebra".
Yeah, I know - not exactly an Independence Day film.
But I'm a fan of John Sturges, Alistair Maclean, and the Cold War genre in general, so this movie gives me a 3 for 1.
But I digress, and this isn't a review of the film anyway.
Watching the film got me to thinking about the Cold War with the USSR.
The Cold War got me to thinking about the Reagan era and the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Pretty convoluted, eh? Try and stick with me - I ain't done yet...
That got me wondering: what was it like for people of the satellite countries, and Mother Russia herself, AFTER it all came down.
Sure, from our point of view (the USA, that is), we were happy that it was all over. Our greatest enemy had been defeated without any big mushroom clouds sprouting, no need to see if those "Duck and Cover" videos would really, really work.
Dad could turn the bomb shelter out in the back yard into a wine cellar / cigar humidor and have the boys over on the weekend so they could smoke and joke and laugh about how silly they all felt now for building one in the first place.
But what must it have been like for the average citizen of some of those little eastern European nations that were told that the new order of the day was "Root Hog, or Die"?
No more military protection from Big Momma - Momma had problems of her own. No more subsidies, no more grain shipments, and don't try to cash that check from home - insufficient funds.
Security is, to paraphrase our current VP, a "big f-ing deal". Knowing that you have a roof over your head, the ability to feed you and yours, and that you have the means to do it again tomorrow is something that for the majority of us in the USA, taken completely for granted. And I thank G-d for it.
Even if I loose my job tomorrow, I have an excellent chance of finding another one. Sure, if worse comes to worse, I may have to switch from a cushy desk job, to flipping burgers, but I have a fighting chance to not only continue, but with the proper application of "skull sweat" and "elbow grease", I can not only survive, but maybe, just maybe, I can exceed.
But what about some of those little former satellite nations? To some, no doubt, The Bombs might as well have fallen in Moscow. They were suddenly cut off from the socialist teat that they had been originally forced to feed from, and later grew to expect and depend on.
The thought of me being trapped in that situation sends my mind into panic attack mode. G-d knows what it must have been like for them...
So what does all of that have to do with me watching a cold war thriller last night?
Well, my mind is full of nasty, tricksy hobbitses sneaking their way to Mordor, and they finally led me to that dark, spider filled cave of "What If ?"
Could something happen here in the United States?
Something that could crack the very foundation of this bright and "Shining City on a Hill"?
The sad truth is: Yes.
Even this brilliant invention created by the true geniuses of our Founding Fathers is neither invulnerable or eternal.
Is it strong? Absolutely.
I think history has shown and will continue to show that this "Grand Experiment" is the closest example to a perfect society that has ever been, and ever will be created by men.
But the sad truth is that our Republic's greatest strengths have also become our greatest weakness.
That of freedom itself.
The same freedoms that made us what we are, are being used against us today.
Freedom of thought, freedom of religion, and freedom of expression have been slowly twisted into a perverse mirror of it's original intent.
Can we fix it before it's too late?
Absolutely.
But it's not going to be easy, and it's going to take strong measures to reverse the damage done.
Vigilance is hard.
Today we celebrate Independence Day.
But the War for Independence didn't end with the defeat of the British in 1783.
It was fought then, and we continue to fight now for our Liberty every day.
May G-d grant us many, many more.
July 4, 2010
Post Script: Maybe for today, I'll sit back, give my fevered brain a rest, and just watch the musical "1776"
That ought to get my mind off this stuff...
So last night I was watching "Ice Station Zebra".
Yeah, I know - not exactly an Independence Day film.
But I'm a fan of John Sturges, Alistair Maclean, and the Cold War genre in general, so this movie gives me a 3 for 1.
But I digress, and this isn't a review of the film anyway.
Watching the film got me to thinking about the Cold War with the USSR.
The Cold War got me to thinking about the Reagan era and the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Pretty convoluted, eh? Try and stick with me - I ain't done yet...
That got me wondering: what was it like for people of the satellite countries, and Mother Russia herself, AFTER it all came down.
Sure, from our point of view (the USA, that is), we were happy that it was all over. Our greatest enemy had been defeated without any big mushroom clouds sprouting, no need to see if those "Duck and Cover" videos would really, really work.
Dad could turn the bomb shelter out in the back yard into a wine cellar / cigar humidor and have the boys over on the weekend so they could smoke and joke and laugh about how silly they all felt now for building one in the first place.
But what must it have been like for the average citizen of some of those little eastern European nations that were told that the new order of the day was "Root Hog, or Die"?
No more military protection from Big Momma - Momma had problems of her own. No more subsidies, no more grain shipments, and don't try to cash that check from home - insufficient funds.
Security is, to paraphrase our current VP, a "big f-ing deal". Knowing that you have a roof over your head, the ability to feed you and yours, and that you have the means to do it again tomorrow is something that for the majority of us in the USA, taken completely for granted. And I thank G-d for it.
Even if I loose my job tomorrow, I have an excellent chance of finding another one. Sure, if worse comes to worse, I may have to switch from a cushy desk job, to flipping burgers, but I have a fighting chance to not only continue, but with the proper application of "skull sweat" and "elbow grease", I can not only survive, but maybe, just maybe, I can exceed.
But what about some of those little former satellite nations? To some, no doubt, The Bombs might as well have fallen in Moscow. They were suddenly cut off from the socialist teat that they had been originally forced to feed from, and later grew to expect and depend on.
The thought of me being trapped in that situation sends my mind into panic attack mode. G-d knows what it must have been like for them...
So what does all of that have to do with me watching a cold war thriller last night?
Well, my mind is full of nasty, tricksy hobbitses sneaking their way to Mordor, and they finally led me to that dark, spider filled cave of "What If ?"
Could something happen here in the United States?
Something that could crack the very foundation of this bright and "Shining City on a Hill"?
The sad truth is: Yes.
Even this brilliant invention created by the true geniuses of our Founding Fathers is neither invulnerable or eternal.
Is it strong? Absolutely.
I think history has shown and will continue to show that this "Grand Experiment" is the closest example to a perfect society that has ever been, and ever will be created by men.
But the sad truth is that our Republic's greatest strengths have also become our greatest weakness.
That of freedom itself.
The same freedoms that made us what we are, are being used against us today.
Freedom of thought, freedom of religion, and freedom of expression have been slowly twisted into a perverse mirror of it's original intent.
Can we fix it before it's too late?
Absolutely.
But it's not going to be easy, and it's going to take strong measures to reverse the damage done.
Vigilance is hard.
Today we celebrate Independence Day.
But the War for Independence didn't end with the defeat of the British in 1783.
It was fought then, and we continue to fight now for our Liberty every day.
May G-d grant us many, many more.
July 4, 2010
Post Script: Maybe for today, I'll sit back, give my fevered brain a rest, and just watch the musical "1776"
That ought to get my mind off this stuff...
Friday, June 25, 2010
Should McChrystal run for President?
Soon after the Rolling Stone article on General McChrystal caused the resignation/retirement/firing of the same, I was asked, "Should McChrystal run for President?"
After the inner monologue of snarky Obama jokes subsided in my head, I considered an honest answer to that question.
For better or worse, this was the answer I gave:
Bottom line. EVERY soldier, from newly enlisted on up take an oath:
“I, (MY NAME), do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”
That’s a hard pill to swallow.
But notice that the President is SECONDARY to the Constitution.
If there is a conflict of the two, a soldier’s PRIMARY mission is to defend the Constitution over the orders of the POTUS.
Now, that having been said, should McChrystal have said the things he said? Yes – right AFTER he resigned his commission – not before. As citizen McChrystal – not as a general under the President’s command.
Would I vote for him if he ran for President?
Hell no.
Being a general is HARD.
But if he can’t do that properly and by the book, how could he properly run this country?
Being the President is HARDER.
But hey, that’s just me…
After the inner monologue of snarky Obama jokes subsided in my head, I considered an honest answer to that question.
For better or worse, this was the answer I gave:
Bottom line. EVERY soldier, from newly enlisted on up take an oath:
“I, (MY NAME), do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”
That’s a hard pill to swallow.
But notice that the President is SECONDARY to the Constitution.
If there is a conflict of the two, a soldier’s PRIMARY mission is to defend the Constitution over the orders of the POTUS.
Now, that having been said, should McChrystal have said the things he said? Yes – right AFTER he resigned his commission – not before. As citizen McChrystal – not as a general under the President’s command.
Would I vote for him if he ran for President?
Hell no.
Being a general is HARD.
But if he can’t do that properly and by the book, how could he properly run this country?
Being the President is HARDER.
But hey, that’s just me…
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)