Jefferson and Obama:
American Citizens have unique powers to affect change in our Government, but with this opportunity comes the profound responsibility to preserve our way of life.
Here are a few quotes attributed to one of America's founding Fathers, the brilliant statesman and it seems, gifted PROPHET, Thomas Jefferson.
204 years ago, in 1802, Thomas Jefferson said:
"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks, will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered."
More thoughts from Jefferson, that seem especially prophetic in the 21st Century:
"My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government."
"When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe."
"To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes, the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical."
Regarding fiscal responsibility, the great man said:
"I predict future happiness for Americans, if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."
"It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world."
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."
Perhaps today's confusion about gun control can be cleared up by understanding why Jefferson was especially adamant about the second amendment:
"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."
A primary reason why the latest assault rifles and military weaponry should not be removed from the hands of honest and responsible citizens is illustrated by this Jefferson quote:
"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."
AND this remark:
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
Along the side of my computer monitor I have printed this homily: "There is not one Monument honoring a famous pessimist."
My personal optimism remains intact and I sincerely hope that each of us will work together to successfully navigate the rough waters ahead. I urge everyone to support our new President, Barack Obama, but please don't just sit back and expect your Government to take care of you. Do the things you know are responsible and RIGHT to protect our great land. AND for goodness sake.... Take time to be THANKFUL for all we have in the U.S.A.
"To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes, the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical."
Regarding fiscal responsibility, the great man said:
"I predict future happiness for Americans, if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."
"It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world."
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."
Perhaps today's confusion about gun control can be cleared up by understanding why Jefferson was especially adamant about the second amendment:
"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."
A primary reason why the latest assault rifles and military weaponry should not be removed from the hands of honest and responsible citizens is illustrated by this Jefferson quote:
"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."
AND this remark:
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
Along the side of my computer monitor I have printed this homily: "There is not one Monument honoring a famous pessimist."
My personal optimism remains intact and I sincerely hope that each of us will work together to successfully navigate the rough waters ahead. I urge everyone to support our new President, Barack Obama, but please don't just sit back and expect your Government to take care of you. Do the things you know are responsible and RIGHT to protect our great land. AND for goodness sake.... Take time to be THANKFUL for all we have in the U.S.A.
ARE AMERICANS STUPID or JUST LAZY?
Henry L. Mencken reputedly said, "No one ever went broke, underestimating the intelligence of the American public."
Political Correctness has become an excuse to avoid facing anything challenging or unpleasant. Media avoids the truth with entertaining, and "marketable" news stories. Government treats us as if we are too simple-minded to understand the facts.
YES... it"s true that over 5000 American and allied soldiers have died in Afghanistan and Iraq over the past few years.
However, last year in the good ole USA, over 30,000 people died in traffic accidents and 30,000 more died in gun related fatalities.
Does that mean it's SAFER in Iraq than in Detroit?
I ask you this; if the good old USA doesn't want to accept responsibility for maintaining World peace and order... Who do you see waiting in line to take on the role?
Henry L. Mencken reputedly said, "No one ever went broke, underestimating the intelligence of the American public."
Political Correctness has become an excuse to avoid facing anything challenging or unpleasant. Media avoids the truth with entertaining, and "marketable" news stories. Government treats us as if we are too simple-minded to understand the facts.
YES... it"s true that over 5000 American and allied soldiers have died in Afghanistan and Iraq over the past few years.
However, last year in the good ole USA, over 30,000 people died in traffic accidents and 30,000 more died in gun related fatalities.
Does that mean it's SAFER in Iraq than in Detroit?
I ask you this; if the good old USA doesn't want to accept responsibility for maintaining World peace and order... Who do you see waiting in line to take on the role?
Look Closely, it's SCARY!
ON GLOBAL WARMING:
The 21st Century is beginning to unfold and it's not a very pretty picture. The reality we must face is that every problem we perceive cannot be resolved by human effort.
One example is Global Warming.
Climate is cyclical and even predictable over periods of thousands of years, but the most powerful super computers cannot make reliable models to predict what will occur in such a complex and chaotic system over the next 10-20 or even 1000 years.
Data we have just begun to gather in the past 100 years can measure and record avg. atmospheric temperature. Indeed, it rose gradually during the latter part of the 20th Century; however It has actually declined a bit since 1999.
Energy from the Sun and residual heat radiating from the Earth's core are the dominant factors in Global Temperature and Climate. As for so called "greenhouse gases," Volcanic eruptions inject more pollution into the atmosphere than Human activity and water vapor holds and transports well over 90% of the heat in the atmosphere.
The simple truth is; Human activity does not and probably cannot, have a significant effect upon Global Climate change.
The 21st Century is beginning to unfold and it's not a very pretty picture. The reality we must face is that every problem we perceive cannot be resolved by human effort.
One example is Global Warming.
Climate is cyclical and even predictable over periods of thousands of years, but the most powerful super computers cannot make reliable models to predict what will occur in such a complex and chaotic system over the next 10-20 or even 1000 years.
Data we have just begun to gather in the past 100 years can measure and record avg. atmospheric temperature. Indeed, it rose gradually during the latter part of the 20th Century; however It has actually declined a bit since 1999.
Energy from the Sun and residual heat radiating from the Earth's core are the dominant factors in Global Temperature and Climate. As for so called "greenhouse gases," Volcanic eruptions inject more pollution into the atmosphere than Human activity and water vapor holds and transports well over 90% of the heat in the atmosphere.
The simple truth is; Human activity does not and probably cannot, have a significant effect upon Global Climate change.
ON GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY:
Like it or not, there are many problems facing us and the USA is the leading technological culture in the World. America is uniquely positioned to deal with some of them and it's time to STOP whining and take responsibility.
Americans need to focus upon what we CAN do as Earth's Population continues to climb; fighting pollution and recycling makes sense; safe drinking water should be available to all; providing modern efficient technology to the third world is important; we can all find useful ways to contribute our time and talents.
Here's an example: Rotary International began a program called Polio-Plus in 1985 and as of 2007 had raised $637 Million to fund the worldwide effort to eradicate Poliomyelitis. Not a dime of this money was from taxes and this program is a example of how public and private resources can be brought to bear on a problem with amazing results. The UN Estimates 5,000,000 Children have been saved and only 4 nations on Earth reported ANY cases of Polio in 2007. Recently the Gate's Foundation pledged $200 Million to help complete the Rotary International Polio-Plus Project.
What have you done recently?
Like it or not, there are many problems facing us and the USA is the leading technological culture in the World. America is uniquely positioned to deal with some of them and it's time to STOP whining and take responsibility.
Americans need to focus upon what we CAN do as Earth's Population continues to climb; fighting pollution and recycling makes sense; safe drinking water should be available to all; providing modern efficient technology to the third world is important; we can all find useful ways to contribute our time and talents.
Here's an example: Rotary International began a program called Polio-Plus in 1985 and as of 2007 had raised $637 Million to fund the worldwide effort to eradicate Poliomyelitis. Not a dime of this money was from taxes and this program is a example of how public and private resources can be brought to bear on a problem with amazing results. The UN Estimates 5,000,000 Children have been saved and only 4 nations on Earth reported ANY cases of Polio in 2007. Recently the Gate's Foundation pledged $200 Million to help complete the Rotary International Polio-Plus Project.
What have you done recently?
ON ISLAM:
Philosophers and Physicists agree "Change" is a simple one word description of the universe. Change is occurring all the time and will continue as long as Space/Time exists.
What politicians refer to as change is simply a way to avoid dealing with reality. Unfortunately many US Citizens seem to prefer an entertaining myth with a fairy tale ending!
Ask yourself this: Do we allow Muslim Extremists to dominate the World?
When a Nation is significantly influenced by Islamic culture, "changes" occur. Human rights are revoked, educated people are persecuted, women fall to the status of chattel, and poverty soars.
Our allies in Europe face this threat RIGHT NOW! A Danish publication that dared to run a cartoon poking fun at Islam is threatened. The Spanish Government is intimidated. The Netherlands faces constitutional changes forced by Muslims. German citizens are afraid to speak out. France's population is nearly 15% Muslim.
Don't forget... This is an enemy who isn't content to merely RULE us. They have made it clear their goal is to spread Islam and eradicate every non-Muslim from the globe. (Does anyone remember the Nazis?)
I agree that happy endings are nice, BUT it's time to Wake-up and Grow-up.
Philosophers and Physicists agree "Change" is a simple one word description of the universe. Change is occurring all the time and will continue as long as Space/Time exists.
What politicians refer to as change is simply a way to avoid dealing with reality. Unfortunately many US Citizens seem to prefer an entertaining myth with a fairy tale ending!
Ask yourself this: Do we allow Muslim Extremists to dominate the World?
When a Nation is significantly influenced by Islamic culture, "changes" occur. Human rights are revoked, educated people are persecuted, women fall to the status of chattel, and poverty soars.
Our allies in Europe face this threat RIGHT NOW! A Danish publication that dared to run a cartoon poking fun at Islam is threatened. The Spanish Government is intimidated. The Netherlands faces constitutional changes forced by Muslims. German citizens are afraid to speak out. France's population is nearly 15% Muslim.
Don't forget... This is an enemy who isn't content to merely RULE us. They have made it clear their goal is to spread Islam and eradicate every non-Muslim from the globe. (Does anyone remember the Nazis?)
I agree that happy endings are nice, BUT it's time to Wake-up and Grow-up.