Is 2015 Worth Remembering

How shall we remember 2015? Or shall we try to forget it?

It is always hard to know when a turning point has been reached, and usually it is long afterwards before we recognize it. However, if 2015 has been a turning point, it may well have marked a turn in a downward spiral for America and he West.

This was the year when we essentially let the world know that we were giving up any effort to try to stop Iran from getting a nuclear bomb and gave them lots of money. Surely it does not take much imagination to foresee what rests at the end of this tunnel. Does it really matter if we have more nuclear bombs than they have, if they are willing to die and we are not? That my friend may determine who capitulates. And ISIS and other terrorists have given us grisly exhibitions of what capitulation would mean to non-Muslims.

Putting aside, for the moment, the fateful question whether 2015 is a turning point, what do we see when we look back instead of looking forward? What portrays the year that is now ending? More than anything else, 2015 has been the year of the big fib. There have been lies in other years, and some of them big, but even so 2015 has set new highs (or is it new lows).

This is the year when we learned, from Hillary Clinton's personal e-mails, after three years of prevaricating, skirting the truth and circumvention, that Secretary of State Clinton lied, as did President Barack Obama and others under him, when they all told America in 2012 that the terrorist attack in Benghazi that killed the American ambassador and three other Americans was not a terrorist attack, but a protest demonstration that got out of hand. Then again, “What difference does it make?” Lying, by itself, is obviously not new. What is new is the growing acceptance of lying as "no big deal" by self-righteous sophisticate literati types, so long as these are lies that advance their political and philosophic causes. Many in the media greeted the exposure of Hillary Clinton's lies by admiring how well she handled herself. Does the media not realize that lies are a wall between us and reality -- and being walled off from reality is the biggest deal of all? Reality does not disappear because we don't see it. It just hits us like a roadside IED blast when we least expect it.

Does anyone truly expect that misrepresentations or falsehoods will simply vanish from political articulacy? If you took all the lies out of politics, how much would be left? If there is anything that is bipartisan in Washington, it is deceit. The most recent budget deal showed that Congressional Republicans lied in a big way.

Then there is "Hands up, don't shoot" and its counterpart, "Black Lives Matter." Both had repercussions in 2015, with the open promotion of the killing of police officers, in marches across large metropolitan areas around the country. But the bushwhack assassinations of Law Enforcement Officers that followed aroused no such outrage in the media as any police use of force against thugs. Nor has there been the same outrage as the murder rate shot up when the police backed off, as they have in the past, in the wake of being condemned by politicians and the media. Most of the people murdered have been black. But apparently these particular black lives don't matter much to activists and much of the media alike. No surprise there.

Bundled, Aromatized, Gift-wrapped and Peddled

Why do millions of Americans today accept ideas and behaviors that would have horrified all previous generations? Why have thousands of years of Judeo-Christian moral standards suddenly been abandoned? What's behind today's divorce epidemic? Why is public prayer being criminalized? Why are 3,000 innocent unborn children aborted daily? What are the publicizing strategies that have turned America upside down?

Within the space of our generation, much of what Americans once almost collectively abhorred has been bundled, aromatized, gift-wrapped, and peddled to us as though it had great value. By adeptly playing on our deeply felt national values of equality, big-heartedness, and forbearance,  these peddlers have induced us to embrace as enlightened and noble that which every other generation has regarded as grossly self-destructive—in a word, malevolent.

"Where is He Who has Been Born King"

The Bible tells us that the wise men asked, "Where is He who has been born King?" (Matthew 2:2). That’s a good question to ask ourselves this Christmas day—where is Jesus Christ in our lives? Are we living for Him? Is He a priority or have we put that relationship in a corner of a darkened closet, out of sight? He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, but is He truly reigning in your life this Christmas?

As this Christmas comes to a conclusion, let us remember that God sent His Son to the world. Born in a manger and later persecuted and killed, so we might live. Today, as it has been in the past, and will be in the future, countless Christians around the world are persecuted for the sake of the Christ we worship. Our brothers and sisters often feel isolated and alone, as they courageously suffer so much for walking in the footsteps of Jesus. Undeniably maltreatment, harassment and oppression are a Christian’s everyday reality in much of the world. Many followers of Christ were persecuted yesterday, the same persecutions will again transpire today and unfortunately continue tomorrow. Through prayer, word of mouth and giving of yourself, let them know that they will never walk alone.

Come to Him today, bow before Him, and let Him restore your soul. Remember, wise men sought him in the past, they seek him in the present and will continue pursuing him long after this day ends.

Overcoming Christmas Downheartedness

Keep in mind, Christmas is not a blissful season for everybody. Grief, whether from the passing of a loved one, loneliness or both, crests around this time of year for many, and the deep, heart-rending pain can seem like nearly too much to bear.

Isaiah 53:4 states, “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” Jesus carries as much of the burden as we let Him. But in addition to falling into our Savior’s loving arms, here are some suggestions to ease your personal Christmas melancholy or empower you to help someone else dealing with grief and loneliness: While reading one of Billy Graham’s books following the death of my first wife and later my father, I remembered how he related the death of a loved one to a major medical procedure. But that can also be true regarding the death of a relationship, say an engagement or divorce. Recuperation from any medical procedure takes time, and so does finding a new way of life after losing someone close. Leave the Christmas decorations in storage this year if you need to. Most importantly, perhaps, allow yourself to cry out to God as you process. Your tears aren't a sign of faithlessness. They are an inherent and crucial response to your bereavement. Allow God to mend you. 

Anticipate and accept the fact that Christmas will not be the same without your loved one and be sensible about your emotional wellbeing. Don’t live in fear of your emotions, but take stock of your heart. Sometimes the best way to lift your spirit is by helping someone else. As I have experienced, isolation turns your focus inward. Then again, if you know someone dealing with grief or loneliness, do your part. Offer the gift of your time. Memories linger in your loved ones’ absence. Reminisce the amusing stories. Let somebody in on them. Laugh and cry with your family members and friends as you muse over these recollections. Memories are precious gifts from God, and they are one of the few ways a loved one’s legacy lives on. As men and women of God have often proclaimed, cling to the promises of God. Especially, when you don’t feel like it. Consider John 14:18, which says: “No, I will not abandon you or leave you as orphans in the storm—I will come to you.”

Congress has "Scrooged" America this Christmas

Last weeks $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill, handed the Obama administration the gift it was looking for one week prior to Christmas. The Republican House Speaker who negotiated the bill with Rep. Nancy Pelosi should be censored, as should those who voted in favor of the measure. The negative impact on the American people will be felt for generations to come. Last week I wrote a blog post condemning the bill. Following further study and revelations made public, I elected to summarize the main points of the measure in not 2000 pages but 2 sentences. The summation follows: The mentioned bill provides full funding for Obama’s executive actions shielding 5 million illegal aliens from deportation, supports his refugee resettlement program, Planned Parenthood, Obamacare, sanctuary cities and the United Nations climate-change agenda. It also allows for up to a quadrupling of low-skilled foreign “guest workers” to enter the country every year and work in non-farm blue-collar jobs.

A Change in Christmas Mindset

For many people, Christmas is financially the most taxing time of the year. You may find yourself wondering … is it really worth it? How can I adjust my Christmas list to use it for God’s glory?  Is this how God meant for us to celebrate the birth of His Son—by spending and/or expending more money and energy than is necessary until there’s no financial resources and joy left? 

When Jesus was born, wise men came to offer gifts to the newborn King, the Savior of the world. Today, we can’t literally give a gift to Jesus, but we can give of our time and to causes that are near and dear to our Lord. Jesus said, “as you did it to one of the least of these my brother, you did it to me." (Matthew 25:40) 

Are you one who is stressed out about checking off your children’s or grandchildren’s lengthy Christmas lists? Are you wondering how you can afford to have the kind of holiday season you want? If you answered ‘yes’ to these last two questions, it might be time for a healthy dose of perspective. 

Living in America or for that matter any country that celebrates Christmas can numb us to the truths outside our world of plenty and excess. I suggest to you, do not lose sight of how fortunate we are. I am knowledgeable enough to understanding most of the people in the world live off less than a few dollars a day. You can mortgage your first child they aren’t stressing over Christmas gifts; they are likely preoccupied on where their next meal will come from. In the United States, millions of people live below the poverty line and can’t afford to purchase gifts. These are but a few things to keep in mind when holiday stress makes its annual appearance at this time of year.

How can one amend a Christmas list to use it for God’s glory? Think about finding ways to impact your giving for God’s Kingdom. Two questions immediately arise; How do I do this? Where do I start?  Think about people in your life that distance serves as a barrier for relational interaction. Think about those people you who do not know the Savior or who may have wandered away from God. Then think about how you can build relationships with them over the holidays. Something as simple a phone call or as inexpensive as a tin of Christmas cookies can be evangelistic if it gives you a chance to spend a few moments with a grandchild, a sibling, a parent or a neighbor. Whatever you decide to do, make an effort to give gifts or words of encouragement that point people to Jesus Christ, the greatest gift this world has ever known.

Christmas Hype and Anxiety

Sure there’s a lot of hype to Christmas, understandably, it becomes a burden to countless persons and many will be glad when it’s concluded. For numerous people, the celebration of Christmas is filled with apprehension and anxiety, Billy Graham once said. “...it shouldn’t be this way. Christmas should be a time of joy and thankfulness, for it celebrates the greatest event in human history: the coming of Jesus Christ into the world. On that night over 2,000 years ago, God stepped down from heaven’s glory and took upon Himself our humanity, so we could come to know Him.”

Ponder this for a few moments: Christmas celebrates the God of the universe who came down to our level in the form of Jesus Christ so we can know Him in a deep, personal way. That’s why, when Jesus was born, angels praised God, saying, “Glory to God in the highest!” (Luke 2:14). How can we not find joy in such a selfless act of love toward us? Don’t let this season slip by without making a concerted effort to keep Christ at the heart of Christmas.

Business as Usual--The Washington Way

For some insufferable reason it appears the Republican leadership, believe the U.S. electorate are unaware of the contents of this recent Omnibus spending. Well, with mere routine research, I am no longer unaware. And I’ll highlight why. I am now fully aware the current bill contains an insurance bailout, for the short-comings within the construct of the unsustainable Obamacare bill as it was originally adopted. Is this not more structural deficit?

I am also fully aware the current bill contains taxpayer deficit spending to benefit illegal aliens, non-U.S. citizens/residents, who are mostly Mexican nationals. Common sense tells me this bill is essentially using U.S. taxpayer funds to pay foreign nationals from other nations. Oh, and by the way, are you, our elected GOP legislatures really up in arms over a provision in the Omnibus Spending bill that could allow more than ¼ million temporary guest workers into our country on top of what we already have? I suggest those identifying with the GOP read the contents of a bill prior to approving it.

Is this not lunacy? This is irresponsible fiscal policy. This recklessness is with Republicans in control of both the House and the Senate. It gets worse. The current Speaker of the House, "Boehner 2.0" (Paul Ryan) condemned the leading candidate for President who proposed a temporary halt to some Muslim immigrants until a failsafe vetting process can be put in place.

Is it really any wonder why the leading U.S. Presidential candidate would be distant from the Republican brand?   Is it any wonder why many American voters are distancing themselves from the Washington establishment? If I were to use this bill as a litmus test for defining the GOP and its leadership, I am uncertain I could adequately say what a republican point of view is?

I am fairly certain republicans’ control the House and Senate. Actually, I am certain. I also fully understand when constructing actual budgets through ‘reconciliation‘, the legislative branch only needs a simple majority in both the House and Senate.  The GOP has that simple majority, yet chooses not to put a budget for fiscal year 2016 on the desk of the President. By choosing Omnibus spending approach, the GOP essentially indebts our descendants, to finance lawful foreign nationals, refugees and illegal aliens; and presenting the bill to legitimate American residents. Is this not ludicrous?

As stated earlier, I am aware. Hopefully this post generates additional awareness to its readers. The Omnibus Spending bill is an albatross around those American residents who pay taxes. Additionally, the GOP, for the most part has continued business as usual--the Washington way.

Thoughts Following The Debate

After taking a few days to mull over the last GOP Presidential debate I came away with several key points of agreement between the contenders, of which I find solidarity with. In summation: First, failure to detect radicalized Islamic extremists’ rests at the hands of a reticent Obama administration. Second, political correctness is killing people. Thirdly, many Americans, particularly those angry with the establishment (of which I am one), believe America has become weaker because Obama and other leaders are too afraid of alienating people — at home and abroad. Finally, Obama’s administration’s strategies or lack thereof has created a perilous power vacuum in the Middle East.

Should Believers Deal in Reality

They’re marked for extermination in the Middle East. They’re banned from practicing their faith in many nations around the world. They’ve been subjected to violence, intimidation and hatred from the very beginnings of the faith until the present day. Christians are no strangers to persecution. But such treatment largely hasn’t erupted in the United States of America. Until now. American Christians need to prepare for persecution. One could reasonably argue that Christians are increasingly becoming targets for both political harassment and outright violence. This being the case, should we not as believers prepare ourselves for sinister times that await?

There are disturbing trends I believe that tend to lend credence to my supposition that American Christians will in all probability face real domestic threats from radical movements and our own government. Are we not in the middle of a fairly substantial Islamic incursion? How about those organizations and individuals with radical agendas, are they not a menace? Because of these type movements political and cultural opposition to Christianity is likely to intensify in coming years.

Undoubtedly, individual believers may find their businesses targeted for destruction by politically motivated activists and secular humanists. However, political persecution may be the least of Christians' concerns. I believe that in the future Christians could very well be specifically targeted for violence. Let us not forget the recent shootings (executions) of those Christians in both Charleston, SC and Umpqua Community College in Oregon. Was not the anti-Christian motive of the attacks largely ignored by what many see as a liberal left media eager to shift the blame to firearms or worse yet racism? What if the victims had been adherents to a different faith, do you suppose it would have been a much bigger story and the motivation would have been beyond what was discussed and debated? The hypocrisy of this seems to know no boundaries. And of course we know what the Left is going to say. The hypocrisies that will come forward, it's on display right now before the eyes of the world.

Indeed, it is this writer’s belief that the Obama administration consciously ignored the way Christians were targeted. There appears to be little concern by the current administration for the victims, the deepest concern is for the agenda, and the Obama administration's agenda, was to attack the Second Amendment Rights of law abiding citizens. Was it not politicized out of Obama's mouth within hours of the tragic events?

The situation is especially dire, because of an increasing terrorist threat against churches and Christians in particular. Though currently unsubstantiated, I have read and heard that we have a number of ISIS cells in America. I have little reason to believe otherwise, that radical Islamic terrorist are present within our borders. Thus, Christians are right to fear direct persecution, or, in some cases, death. Based on happenings of the last several years, I am of the mindset, political persecution and violent attacks are simply part of a larger, united effort to undermine Christianity and attack believers. Christian America, is progressively understanding that there is an increase in the targeting of Christians and it's a part of this long process of degradation. You ridicule and satirize them first, and then you get to the point where eventually it's banned.

Does not one find this climate surrounding attacks on Christian’s contemptible and confirmation of America's spiritual and cultural decline? I think there was a time in America not too many decades ago when government officials, federal agencies, even media would have addressed that specifically and would have declared it an outrage. Such silence is especially outrageous and frankly an affront to those of us who cherish freedom as constituted in our Founding Documents. Lest we forget, we would not have experienced religious freedom were it not for the country's Judeo-Christian heritage. As Christians, we can take solace in the church's long experience with persecution and look to history for lessons to apply today. Take but a glance at history’s chronicles of Church persecutions and one is able to realize what is imminent and approaching. One need look no further than the early church and see what they dealt with and deal with the biblical principles that transports us to these present days.

Admittedly, many Christians, to include myself may be unnerved with the idea of preparing to defend themselves against persecution. If recent international and domestic events are any indication, we as Christians are being besieged. Do you get it? Do you understand what is said in this commentary? We may very well be subjected to violence, intimidation and hatred in the future. Given everything that's happening, I think it would be incumbent upon Christians to prepare for an eventuality that I pray never happens. I think it makes biblical sense, I think it makes common sense, I think it makes logical sense. The secular Left loathes it and would exclaim, that by taking the mentioned preparations or precautions, we as believers are reacting to something with disproportionate action or excessive emotion. But, should we not deal in reality? Think about it!

Not Everybody's Life Matters as Much as Others

Some people see Capital punishment as vengeance. I see it as justice. Others see it as retribution. I do realize it can be arrayed with the accoutrements of justice. We can point to the revulsion of the offence and claim that death is the only fitting redress. For those who see it exacting revenge, so be it. I do realize that our maximum security correctional facilities are not the place one would choose to socialize and neither are these correctional facilities equivalent to a pat on the back and a ticket to a Disney resort. Moreover, there’s the possibility, however slight that the person secured to the gurney didn’t do it. Granted, the odds are nowhere near what the amateur defense attorneys on the left would suggest.  But I am content with the death penalty when there is unquestionable and substantial physical evidence that the individual committed a crime deserving execution.  

I am of the belief there is no shortage of people whose continued existence is an affront to the dignity of the species, not to mention an irresponsible waste of oxygen. Some of them like members of ISIS, Boko Haram, the likes of Michael Brown, aggressively throw themselves into the crosshairs. Some might suggest, though I am not one of them, we contort ourselves to keep every murderous madcap or crazy from meeting his or her maker. If, as our Pontiff (Pope Francis) entreats, we were to eliminate Capital Punishment as an outcome, why not guarantee the cage that houses the animal is pretty damn miserable. An additional point that is valid concerning the topic discussed; dead animals cannot make license plates. 

In conclusion, is not Planned Parenthood a taxpayer-funded human butcher shop? Has not the so-called “Black Lives Matter” movement been transformed into a pillaging and cop-killing mob? Has not our beloved, Nobel laureate president genuflected and scraped us into a face-off with the Russians across the searing Syrian sands? Is it just me or does not life seem quite cheap to the people in power these days? Perhaps we should consider a moratorium on executions for a while or perhaps not.

Fearlessness and Courage Trumps Evil

Should America accept in open arms Syrian refugees on "humanitarian grounds"? Is that not a fair question considering what just took place in California? The United States of America is without doubt the most caring and giving nation on earth. But there comes a point in time when one has to say, No! Nein! Het!  And this is the time to say stop. One may ask, why halt the mass resettlement of Syrians now? Because in the midst of these people, if they're allowed to resettle here, some are going to kill us. Not all of them, but the radical Islamists among them will take pleasure in doing so.

And the same thing with Barack Obama, the only reason Obama has been able to get away with doing all the undertakings he's implemented is that no one has said 'no' to him. The GOP has been afraid to say it for fear of being called racists or xenophobes. It's the same reason that too few white people are standing up to the Black Lives Matter horde or rabble. 

Is not the situation getting dire? Is there hope Americans will finally find the courage to stand up to both the president and the racially charged activists. Are you not like me, an American patriot who really cares what happens to this nation that owes its very existence to Jehovah-God? Do you not realize whatever happens to our Republic happens to all of us? I have little doubt that if we do not say ‘no’ to the president, if we do not say ‘no’ to Black Lives Matter and all these other radical groups that are seeking America’s destruction, it's going to only get more acute. 

However, as upright, nice, and wise as we may be, we as a whole must possess one other trait that makes us different than those who refuse to say ‘no.’ There are many admirable traits that a good person may possess – integrity, sense of justice, dependability, kindness, among others – but there is one trait that very few good people have. That trait is courage, both moral and physical.

One of the great tragedies of the human condition is that all the goodness that people have in their hearts and express outwardly adds up to very little without courage. There were undoubtedly many good Germans. The reason the Nazis prevailed was that few had courage. The same holds true whenever evil takes over a society. It is rarely an absence of decent people that enables the triumph of evil. It is that few of those virtuous people have courage.

And here is where we must stand and hold the standard high. We must be fearless. Or to be more accurate, we must not allow fear to govern our conduct or discourse. I have no idea whether those who read this post have fears. I only know that fear plays little or no role in an American patriot’s work. He or she answers to God and their conscience.

Liberal Media Knows Not What They Speak Of

Oh how the liberal media speaks their own version of “O let it be how I think it should be.” I was taken back, though not surprised to see the New York Daily News front page flaunting their anti-Christian sentiments by stating “God isn’t fixing this” in regards to the California mass shooting. On top of that they have the audacity to disparage political leaders who had openly offered prayers and asked for God’s comfort following the Islamic radical terrorist inspired killings, calling them “cowards who could truly end gun scourge.” The NY Daily News has yet again proven to be an newspaper of disrepute. Shame on them for writing such meaningless drivel as it relates to Christian faith, its followers and gun control. Likewise, shame on those of us who continue to buy the tableau. Is it not evident that this secular humanist leaning group is condemning the importance of prayer in order to promote their own gun control agenda? Here’s some “news” for the NY Daily news—prayers are not “meaningless platitudes” as they say on their cover. Using Franklin Graham's words; "Prayer is direct access to Almighty God and is the most powerful tool a Christian has. Prayer does make a difference in heartbreaking situations like this." May I add, don’t knock it, especially those who have yet to try it.

PIST-AWS is A Disease

Dear Friends and Readers,

I am sorry that I have not been consistently responsive lately to your
emails.  I have been somewhat under the weather since my doctors informed me
that I have an acute case of Post Islamic Stress Trauma with Apologetic
Whitehouse Fatigue (PIST-AWF).  For those of you who are not familiar with PIST-AWF,

it is a newly defined disease that is found to be widespread and highly contagious.

Symptoms include, but may not be limited to:

Severe pain of the scalp from pulling your own hair, while viewing the
President pander to Muslim terrorists; loose bowels from swallowing the fact

that gullible and uninformed Americans elected Obama twice; Extreme hunger due to vomiting

from nightly seeing Islamic extremists (terrorists) murdering innocent people.

If you feel you have Post Islamic Stress Trauma with Apologetic Whitehouse
Fatigue, please notify your local election board and place your name on the
list for a cure. It is hoped that the cure will be available in November of
2016.

Thanksgiving Blessings and Dangers from Within

As I celebrated Thanksgiving this week, I reflected on God's many blessings. I'm ‎thankful this year for the gift of life, my wife, children, grandchildren, friends and my Church. I'm also thankful for two of the greatest gifts I have received--Salvation and Liberty.

Unfortunately, America is now under attack as never before—not just by enemies outside our borders, but also by a dangerous enemy within. The danger at home is liberalism or progressivism, and its leaders are pulling off the theft of the century—they are stealing America from us with all of the capital (wealth) and control (power) they can get their hands on.

Obamacare is a perfect illustration of this fraud being perpetuated against the American people. I like others am of the opinion Obamacare was a conspiracy not between Obama and the American people against the insurance companies, but rather, between Obama and the insurance companies against the American people. Ultimately, Obama approached the insurance companies and made an offer they could not refuse. Then he advanced a proposition worthy a Mafioso Don. How did Obama pull this off? He guaranteed the insurance companies that a key component of Obamacare was to force millions of Americans who did not want to purchase health insurance, to buy health insurance. In other words Obama waylaid the American public. Obama said, in effect, we’ll use the power of the state to force them. And this, the insurance industry recognized, meant millions of new customers which translated into hundreds of millions of dollars in profits. So the insurance companies got what they wanted, more money, and Obama got what he wanted, effective control over the health care industry, which comprises one-sixth of the entire economy. And America got waylaid, especially the working and retired middle-class who were shafted yet again.

Thanksgiving Message in an Age of Moral Relativism

Have you observed, as I, that too many Americans and for that matter much of the world, no longer believe in the God of the Bible, we no longer have any standard for truth. Some even quarrel whether there is such a thing as truth. That’s how foolish it can get. The latest evidence of this assault on standards and reality comes in the form of turmoil about what to teach regarding Thanksgiving in America’s schools. A holiday that was designed to bring all Americans together is now itself a point of division and controversy. This is what happens when we accentuate our differences rather than our common ground. This is what happens when people who are in a constant state of anxiety, unhappiness and lack of gratitude gain influence. Observing Thanksgiving was once so easy. It was once so pleasing. It was once so … pure.

Did you know there are over two dozen references to the word “thanksgiving” in the Bible – all but six in the Old Testament? For the ancient children of Israel, thanksgiving was a time of feasting and fasting, of praising God, of singing songs. The Pilgrims took them seriously. The idea of giving thanks to God with a feast was inspired by that knowledge of the Bible. In a very real way, the Pilgrims saw themselves as a chosen people of God being led to a Promised Land. At the table, they acknowledged God’s good providence and blessed the God of Heaven who brought us over the furious ocean. For what could sustain us but the Spirit of God and His grace? Contrary to what the historical revisionists might say, those first Pilgrims did not murder their Native American friends. They invited them to dine with them.

It wasn’t until George Washington, the republic’s first president, proclaimed Nov. 26, 1789, as a day for thanking God for bringing America through its trials, that an official holiday was marked. Apparently, Washington, also, was a student of the scriptures. He believed that America would be blessed only if it acknowledged the source of all blessings. Here is what he proclaimed in 1798:

“Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection and favor; and whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to recommend to the people of the United States a day of Public Thanksgiving and Prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God...Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the twenty-six of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that Great and Glorious Being, who is the Beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country, previous to their becoming a nation; for the single manifold mercies, and the favorable interposition’s of His providence...

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the Great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private institutions, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discretely and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us) and to bless them with good governments, peace and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue..."

These ideas could only become controversial in an age of moral relativism. There is no God. There is no truth. There is no right and wrong. Is that what we want to teach the next generation? As for me and my house, we will be thanking the Lord for all He has provided for us. How about you, the reader?

Do We Really Want Another Yes Man

We do have a legal process whereby immigrants may become citizens. A process, I may add was followed by my grandparents and two uncles in the1920’s. Ignoring this process is a slap in the face to all the immigrants who have complied with this process. And lamenting the fact that some immigrants struggle to achieve the American Dream is disrespectful to the millions of American citizens who are unemployed, underemployed or drowning in student loan debt while non-American citizens—the “Dreamers”—are awarded amnesty and free college tuition.

Would it not be refreshing if GOP elites would abandon their foolish phobia of being called racists, sexists or throwbacks who “cling to” guns—and nominate a winner? As Rush Limbaugh has said, Republicans inside Washington's Beltway, really do believe that it is a negative to fight back, to oppose Obama… Trump does nothing but criticize them, and he does it in politically incorrect ways, and he is soaring, and still the establishment does not learn (or words to that effect). It is apparent Trump and Carson’s politically incorrect policies endear them to everyday Americans while causing GOP elites to the obvious.

If you ask the American people, they’ll say Donald Trump and Ben Carson are the most electable. Some even prefer Carly Fiorina over the rest of the field. Though Cruz is considered an insider, he is loathed by many in his own party for refusing to dance to the GOP establishment music. This in itself puts him near the head of the GOP presidential hopefuls line. Those within the GOP elite establishment will play a different tune. They will claim that a Washington insider has the orchestra behind him and he has “staying power.” Even a DC insider should realize “staying power” is different from electability. Independent and Republican voters want a leader whose presence brings the house down. They want someone who dances to a new tune. They desire a new vocalist with the tenacity to croon out and shout “no,” not another yes-man who sings off-key and is guaranteed to lose.

Sheer Delusion or Malignant Narcissitic Personality

Obama states that ISIS was not gaining in strength, though many in his own party said to express such words are essentially delusional. Of course it’s gaining in strength. But the reason that ‘delusion’ is the gentlest interpretation, I think the more likely explanation is, he knows that opposition is weakening, he knows that ISIS is robust and that it’s a menace, but in the end, he doesn’t think it matters. He’s never thought the war on terror was important or existential. I contend there is a difference between millions of people suffering and an existential threat to the West, which is what it is, and which is what he denies. Obama’s actions and attitude with regard to radical Islam as surreal.

I was reading a piece written by a psychologist, reference the Paris terror attacks. The author states “Some good people have a hard time grasping that these people could go into a crowded theater and start shooting innocent men, women and children…That’s just malevolent in our time.” This president’s not recognizing or worse yet, won’t recognize the danger for what it is. Is this not pathological that he will not recognize radical Islam? Obama’s lack of action or inaction in response to the Paris Islamic terrorist attack makes it apparent that failure to recognize the truth for what it is, is absolutely pathological. And it’s not just pathological; it’s imprudent and it’s perilous, one might even say stupid.

For numerous years, many rational Americans have been trying to explain Obama and his thought process. Some people have made inferences, including the possibility that he’s a genuine sociopath that is without conscience. I read where one columnist, George Will described Barack Obama’s intellectual sociopathy –“his often breezy and sometimes loutish indifference to truth.” Now, does the term sociopathy actually fit Obama’s profile? Are not sociopaths often well-liked because of their charm and high charisma, but they do not usually care about other people. Do they not think mainly of themselves and often blame others for the things that they do? Do they not often display a complete disregard for rules and tell untruths constantly? Though my memory may have faltered somewhat since graduate school at Boston University, my understanding is that sociopaths seldom feel guilt or learn from castigation. Seems like a pretty good fit, but let’s resume this discourse.

I have read where a forensic psychiatrist has described Obama in terms of “malignant narcissistic personality disorder.” The modifier “malignant” signifies the version of narcissistic personality disorder that may cross over into criminality. Malignant narcissism is characterized by a capitulated will. All adults who are mentally healthy submit themselves one way or another to something higher than themselves, be it God or truth or love or some other ideal. They do what God wants them to do rather than what they would desire. “Thy will, not mine, be done,” the God-submitted person says. They believe in what is true rather than what they would like to be true.

In summary, to a greater or lesser degree, all mentally healthy individuals submit themselves to the demands of their own conscience. Not so the evil, however. In the conflict between their conscience (guilt) and their will, it is the guilt that must go and the will that must win. Are you not struck by the extraordinary willfulness of evil people? They are men and women of obviously strong will, determined to have their own way. There is a remarkable power in the manner in which they attempt to control others.

Elusive "Religion of Peace"

Are you, like me still rifling around for substantiation of this vague, elusive, and likely mythical or make-believe “religion of peace” Obama and his liberal minions keep talking about, but just like the imaginary leprechaun, the unicorn or the Wizard of Oz, it’s nowhere to be found.

The UC Merced, Garland Texas, Chattanooga and Little Rock Recruiting/Reserve Center, Fort Hood, and more recently downing of a Russian passenger airliner and Paris bloodbath, Islamic perpetrated terrorism incidents proves two points, liberals would rather bury their head in the in the sand or up their posterior than admit; One, weaponries, if used can save lives, and two, radical Islam is a serious threat to our nation and for that matter the world.

 Since the unbalanced noninterventionist liberal left are so into all of this dialogue and discourse drivel, how about we have a discussion on those two topics? If recent world events are an indication, discussion and conciliation with adherents of the "religion of peace" are now more than ever non-negotiable. Indeed, to pursue the just mentioned is silly and irrelevant foolishness.

Medieval Theocratic Ideology is at War with Civilization

The global jihadist or Islamic extremist movement is intent on eliminating every non-radical Muslim civilization’s way of life, pronounced and straightforward, and as free people it is up to those nation’s citizens who are under attack to use every resource at their disposal to eliminate them first. This being the case, we must, as a civilized people also recommit ourselves to doing everything in our power to defeat the medieval theocratic ideology that led not only to the most recent Russian passenger airline and Paris carnage, but is directly responsible for other widespread and indiscriminate slaughter around the globe.

Veterans Day 2015, Numbers Paint a Poignant Portrait

Do you have any idea how many men and women have served America in our Armed Forces? I had no idea until I did some elementary research and number crunching.  Did you know there are 19.3 million U.S. veterans living today? Roughly half are 65 and older. Nearly 2 million are under the age of 35.

Still interested? Here is some more numbers to chew on. Those older than 70 served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam and the 2 million under 35 served mostly in Iraq and Afghanistan after 911. According to statistics World War II vets are dying at a rate of approximately 492 a day. This means there are approximately only 855,070 veterans remaining of the 16 million who served our nation in World War II. “The greatest generation” is dying off.

Of the 5.7 million who served during the Korean War, 2 million veterans are still with us. And, then there is the Vietnam War. Of the 8.7 million veterans who served in that disturbing conflict, 7 million are still breathing. To round out the numbers, 5.5 million veterans served during the Gulf War era, which spans 1990 to the present. Roughly 4.4 million veterans served during peacetime.

Sometimes we forget that other veterans had it extremely rough. How so? Nearly 63,000 living veterans served during the Vietnam War and both periods of the Gulf War. They served from August 1990 through August 2001 and then from September 2001 and beyond.

Some of our living veterans served through three wartime periods! Nearly 37,000 served during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

The makeup of the armed services is changing as our demographics change. Though nearly 80 percent are 'non-Hispanic white,' nearly 12 percent are black, 6 percent are Hispanic, 1.5 percent are Asian and nearly 2.5 percent are Native Americans, Alaskans and Hawaiians. What about women who serve? Those numbers are growing, too. There are currently 1.6 million female veterans in our country.

We are lucky to still have these men and women with us and the purpose of Veterans Day is to honor all of those who have served. But what about the people who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country? It is estimated nearly 1 million Americans have died for their country? Approximately 4500 soldiers died during the American Revolution. Then there is the Civil War, this nation’s bloodiest. Nearly 370,000 Union soldiers and 135,000 Confederate soldiers died during that war. We lost nearly 120,000 veterans in World War I and nearly 405,000 in World War II. The Korean War claimed 34,000 and the Vietnam War 48,000.

Are these not sobering numbers? Is there not a silver lining as far as war goes? There is somewhat of a silver lining. Our war-fighting techniques and medical technologies are resulting in fewer battlefield deaths. Of the 1.5 million who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq, we have suffered approximately 6,500 losses. However, nearly 50,000 were wounded and unfortunately, many of the casualties are still suffering from their disabilities.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then numbers paint a poignant portrait of memories past and history worth recalling. The numbers mentioned are a reminder of what Veteran’s Day is all about. It is a special day when we honor all of those who have served.

Attack and Demean Carson or The Gig is Up.

Does Dr. Ben Carson's life story help black Americans overcome the falsehood that they're targets or victims of the system? One would think Carson’s narrative would inspire rather discourage black America and those who claim to represent their interests. I can say with some certainty that with Carson now rising in the polls, look for the attacks on him to become progressively more malicious.

One might even ask why attack a Black American who has risen from privation or want to accumulation or gain. It is a matter of power and control. The children of deceit and distortion have to stop their fellow blacks for the reason that they do not want them to catch on that they are being used by their black leaders, they're being used by the Justice Department, and white liberals in the Democrat Party, because if they cannot keep them down they will not maintain control of the power they get by using them and their victimhood. For that reason Carson is seen as a threat to the liberal cause.

He is dangerous because he reveals that black people are being deceived by their black leaders, some of their Black Church leaders and the racist white Democratic Party leaders, who tell them they cannot make it in society because of racism. When individuals, regardless of ethnicity confront their own difficulties and cease blaming others for their problems, they can overcome almost any situation in life, and that's why the parasitic liberal left feel compelled to demean Dr. Carson. They absolutely do not want black Americans to wake up, and to know they reside in the greatest nation in the world and if they work hard they can make something of themselves. That's why the parasitic liberal left go after Dr. Carson, because if he's successful in spreading his message, they lose their power base. They lose Democrat votes. They lose a group of people they can use to create anger, victimhood, and they have nothing left once they lose that. The gig is up, the power is no more.

Conservatives Can be Annoying

You do realize that there are only a few dozen staunch Constitutionalists within the GOP, but today they are in the driver’s seat. Because of conservative citizens like myself and hopefully, you the reader, are forcing the non-conservative or quasi-conservative, albeit, reluctantly to the right. They are the ones who pummeled the House GOP into transforming from the old status quo-reinforcing transactional archetype based on trading earmarks into an ideological paradigm based on fighting the liberal agenda. The conservatives have won. We need to understand and accept that so we can move on to the next phase. For this conservative and writer the ensuing stage or phase is to terminate progressivism and restore America.

The fact that conservatives have taken the reins away from the moderates makes people mad, mostly moderate people. Their problem is that we conservatives just won’t accommodate, concede and be defeated.

Yeah, conservatives can be annoying. Hell, they sometimes annoy me, and I’m so right of center that I would oppose workfare for welfare, Electronic Balance Transfers (EBT cards) with community soup kitchens because I think that’s still too plentiful to the ne’er-do-well secular progressive left voting horde. If one is physically and mentally capable of working then they should toil in the fields for the betterment of the community they reside in. If one chooses to sit on their ass rather than work their ass, so be it-- no money, no Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, no housing allowance, no nothing. Then again, those of us who actually believe in something often are annoying as well as opinionated. Are you annoyed yet?

Demonization of Traditional Judeo-Christian America

The secular Liberal left have succeeded in demonizing ideas and words they disagree with and led our culture into steep decline as a result. The goal of this ongoing effort is clear and disturbing. The bottom line of all of these groups, and they all work under the umbrella of anti-hate and anti-racism, is to subvert traditional Judeo-Christian America. I recently read a piece asserting liberals label anyone who defies their orthodoxy: racist, denier, sexist, Islamophobe, classist and homophobe. There appears to be validity to the piece I recently read.

Indeed the political left has been dictating our speech and trying to change our thinking on the mentioned issues for several decades. How have they done this? Largely through the control of academia and through the media, the left has been able to dictate our morality. It's a novel extempore morality that adds new sins with practically every passing day.

However, in recent months, hope has sprung for those of us who believe in traditional Judeo-Christian America. Two persons of some renown taught us how to fight against these liberal commands upon our culture. We have Donald Trump and Ben Carson to thank.

Trump set the standard for how to respond to this. Early in his campaign, he is essentially accused of xenophobia, in his comments about Mexico. He does not apologize. He does just the opposite. He doubles down. So when Ben Carson's accused of being anti-Muslim, he also does not apologize either. People are beginning to see the way out of this.

Carson took heat for suggesting a strict adherence to Islam, particularly Sharia law, was incompatible with the U.S. Constitution. He admits the heinous actions of some people ought not to brand every adherent to a given religion, but he says there are some clear facts. Their religion just happens to be responsible for 99 percent of the terrorism in the world and you'd be a fool not to draw inferences from that. In fact, you'd be suicidal not to. And that's where we are. The media and other liberals don't hesitate to paint Christians with a broad brush, even when the perpetrator is not a Christian.

In addition, to Trump and Carson refusing to play by politically correct rules, there is also hope for reversing the PC trend as a result of the left overplaying it's hand. The undercover Planned Parenthood hearings are a perfect example. People are beginning to ask themselves, 'Let's see, I'm evil if I don't say Caitlyn Jenner but the people telling me I'm evil are fully capable of dismembering babies and trafficking in baby parts? Makes perfect sense to me.

News Flash: Nation Going to Hell in A Hand Basket

News Flash follows: Palestinians continued to murder Israelis, using cars, knives and whatever else they can find. When Israeli security forces killed those in the act of slaying their citizens, the Obama administration, and the president himself, equated the two acts. ISIL continues to rape, pillage and behead Christians and Obama remains silent. Meanwhile, an ex-basketball star, celebrated junkie and former reality show husband overdosed on cocaine and sexual enhancements or augmentations in a Vegas brothel, spent several days in a stupor, and the week in headlines. If he fully recovers and if the recent history of our continuing devolving society remains as is, he will be more commended and make more money than he ever has. The above are but three examples…

Are we as a nation going to hell in a handbasket? No, we are going there in glitz and panache definitely not a handbasket. It’s a Stretch Cadillac with a stripper pole extending through the sunroof, “Save the Planet” and “Coexist” bumper stickers, and enough room for a camera crew to capture everyone’s face buried in their cell phones as they post selfies on social media.

Forget the debt. Never mind the Middle East, the piles of bodies in our cities, etc. Screw it all, some precocious urchin is offended! In a world full of troubles, serious troubles, if these are what we focus on we might as well just admit we really have no problems at all. If we’re going to go down, we might as well go down in flames.

The Democratic Party, The Bottom Line and It is Dark

Democrat politicians and Democratic presidential candidates continually proclaim they are standing up for the middle class, for the "little guy," for minorities and other "victims" of prejudice and injustice. They want to defend the fairer sex against the ravages of "the GOP's war on women" and to counteract conservative Republicans' "racism," "bigotry" and "hate." Have you not heard this administration and other DC Progressives say that Congressional Republicans want to "shut down the government," "deny healthcare to women," "give us dirty air and water" and "throw the family Matriarch over the cliff." On every issue, the Left blames conservatives while posing as the protectors of society's victimized underdogs – women, students, blacks, Hispanics, gays, the poor, workers, minorities and migrants. In reality it is the left that is causing most of the "victimization" of Americans it decries.  I contend it is Obama and the secular progressive left that has unleashed wave after wave of havoc and misery on America. From the metastasizing sexual anarchy the cultural Left has visited on a once Judeo-Christian nation; to the rampant family breakdown and fatherlessness leftist policies promote; to the growing violence in urban black communities shamelessly encouraged by the left; to the growing demoralization of the American military as a laboratory for far-left social experiments; to the decimation of the American economy with its rampant unemployment, unpayable government debt and destruction of savings under Obama's leadership – the leftist agenda of today's U.S. government and culture have all but destroyed America. In a word, victimized it.  Yet even while causing such massive chaos and suffering, liberal-leftists merrily– as in a trance – blame it all on conservatives and Christians, the one segment of American society that wishes to "conserve" the moral, spiritual, economic and constitutional foundations of the impressive American success story.  Here is the bottom line: Today's Democratic Party, under sway of the socialist/Marxist ideology that has largely captivated it, is at war with reason, historicity, nature of humankind, common sense and truth – indeed, at war with God and His laws. In fact, the far left cannot operate without violating the Ten Commandments. For example, leftist radicals continually elevate and excuse murder (abortion), adultery (sexual liberation), stealing (wealth redistribution), lying (constantly hiding their real agenda) and covetousness (Churchill called socialism 'the gospel of envy') – thereby wiping out five of the ten Commandments, all in the pretext of fighting for freedom, justice, equality, and the American way. If there is good news, it is that the better we understand the lunacy that has captured us – both as a nation and as individuals – the more clear becomes our means of exfiltration  back to the God fearing nation we once knew, and would know again if we could find the way back.