Time to give thanks!

It is not thanksgiving, but I want to express my thanks.

First to, President Obama. At a Florida Fund Raiser, he repeated his recent comedy routine of disparaging the Tea Party movement. Thank you, Mr. President! I hope you do that at least every few weeks to keep reminding decent, loyal Americans everywhere, that you are a complete loser.

Second, to former president Clinton! In a newspaper interview, he compared the Tea Party protesters to Timothy McVeigh, a home-grown terrorist who murdered scores of innocent people. I hope you keep up that rhetoric, Bill. Keep reminding us that we must never again elect your likeness to lead our great and noble nation.

Finally, I at last agree with Amadi-Nejad,

or Amadinejad, or "Ah'm a dinner jacket", or whatever he calls himself! He says America is collapsing! This clown was a leader in the blatant violation of civilized behavior when he led the attack on the American embassy in Teheran. Mush mouth Carter was in the White House, and the Iranian felt, instinctively that he could get by with it. He did.

Then, along came a guy named Ronald Reagan, with a more serious bent, and Amadi-nejad's rag heads quickly backed off. Bush 41 kicked Saddam's army out of Kuwait, destroying it in about a week - something Iran was unable to do in eight years of war. A cautionary note.

But, along came slick Willie, who destroyed our intelligence capability and George W. who seemed so determined to achieve the approval of congress. This was followed by Barack Obama, intent upon being nice.

Amadi Nejad said, "They're done. They are afraid of me! Little old me and my little black beard! America is Collapsing!"

He may be right!

President Roosevelt, RIP

65 years ago today I heard the news while I was pumping gas at a filling station in Kansas City, Kansas. When I was told that President Roosevelt was dead, I said, "Thank God".

Outrageous? Hardly.

I was sixteen years old, had quit high school, and was admittedly not educated. To tell the truth, not very smart. But I had lived through Roosevelt's first, second and third terms. Now we were in his fourth term. The most popular cigarette brand of the day, Lucky Strike, had the slogan "Lucky Strike Means Fine Tobacco", which they represented with LS/MFT in massive advertising campaigns. On the street, people were interpreting that to mean "Let's Start Mentioning Fifth Term". Oh, God forbid!

We had recently observed Franklin Roosevelt at Yalta, old, senile and sick, nodding and drooling his way through meetings with Churchill and Stalin, stupidly relinquishing America's rights around the world.

Russia had done virtually nothing to help in the war with Japan, yet they were given jurisdiction over the north half of the Korean peninsula... an action which would later cost over 50,000 American lives. Am I the only person alive who today holds FDR personally responsible for those American deaths?

For 60 plus years, I have heard what a great president Roosevelt was. I remember it differently. I remember being raised in a home with no electricity, no running water. I remember when my sisters and I picked weeds - polk and lambsquarter leaves which my mother boiled with a dimes worth of salt pork to feed our family.

I remember going to school with a homemade shirt and bare feet.

I remember Roosevelt's alphabet soup of bureaus (NRA, CCC, WPA, etc.) which he promised would make things better. They always made things worse.

Thankfully, today some others are telling the truth about Roosevelt and his ruinous policies. Glenn Beck, for one, has guts enough to stand up and say Roosevelt was a disaster. In fact, it is largely because of Glenn Beck that I now feel okay to finally admit that, sixty five years ago today, I was happy that Roosevelt was dead.

A Pleasant Surprise

I wanted to share something with all of you.

Yesterday, my husband, John, and I attended Sean Hannity's "Taking America Back" tour stop at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. As we were leaving, walking back to our car, we passed a black couple, poorly dressed and possibly homeless, standing on the sidewalk. The woman said something to us as we approached - I didn't catch what she said for sure, but thought it was some sort of greeting, so smiled and asked how she was doing today. Both she and her male companion said they were fine, and started walking along with us.

John was carrying a Kris Kobach yard sign, and we were both wearing "Don't Tread On Me" t-shirts. We weren't exactly comfortable with their company...and were uncertain what to expect. As we walked, the man asked what the event was that we had just left. I told him it was a rally of sorts - he asked if it was politicians. I said no, that it was Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham and Karl Rove. He asked who they were and I told him they were TV and radio personalities. He wanted to know what it was about. I hesitated, and John answered that it was about taking our country back.

To our great surprise, the man launched into a rant about how much he agreed. He spoke at length about the government "screwing" us, said Bush had, too. I agreed, and said they had been for 100 years. He went on to say that he was glad I knew that, but it had never, ever been as bad as it is today. He went on to say that we, regardless of skin color, had to unite, we are all brothers and we need to get back to our principles. We talked briefly about the Constitution and founding principles before parting ways with a smile and a wave.

It was an eye-opening experience for me - the most unexpected event of the day - and I wanted you all to know about it. We are making a difference, my fellow patriots. And we have allies in some very unexpected places.

About that I-Pad

Apple introduced I-Pad, their newest technical marvel, this weekend and the response verged on hysteria.

One guy traveled all the way from Australia to buy his I-Pad on the first day of sales. Others camped out ahead of time to be sure they were first in line. Apple says they will sell 350,000 I-Pads this weekend.

What's wrong with that? I wish it were 3.5 million! Personally, with my bad vision, bad hearing and unsteady hands, I wouldn't have one of the things. But millions of people will and I think that is wonderful! This is the perfect example of American ingenuity, American enterprise that makes this nation exceptional. The I-Pad will create (has created) more jobs - create more profit income for the American economy, draw more attention to American creativity than anything that our government could ever hope to equal.

The only thing surprising about this news is that the government has failed to do anything to delay or diminish the magnitude of the event.

Too many people of the world are too dense to understand and appreciate that America has brought freedom and Independence to millions around the world. But they sure can understand cool American gadgets.

Congratulations and thank you to Apple. What American company will be next to step up and demonstrate America's greatness to the world?

Just Doodlin'

April and I got up early, had Brian and his soon to be wife Sheree join us, and drove to Lawrence to pick up Mackenzie. We started toward Topeka and the skies opened and the downpour came. We found a parking place close to the capitol building and got out of the car. We quickly donned jackets, raised umbrellas and strode across the street to await the arrival of the Tea Party Express.

While waiting, one of the volunteers picked up a bull horn and asked us to join her in a short prayer to ask God to end the rain. As the busses arrived with the Tea Party touring members the rain slowed and stopped. The 2 hour presentation, with too numerous to count interuptions for cheering and applause, went on in a dry, if not sunny, atmosphere. It wasn't what we saw in Wichita last fall, but it was every bit as inspiring. I even heard a "rap" performance without any sexual conotation or f bombs. It was a conservative presentation that was spot on.

Despite the rain and dreary weather there were close to one thousand attendees. It was inspiring and helped me to feel that there is a chance to regain our country. If you haven't attended a Tea Party Express presentation, I urge you to do so. Drive for a few hours if necessary but go. You will be inspired and carry that enthusiasm home with you to share with your neighbors. Please do that. Share with your neighbors. The number of people that don't know what is going on with our country is staggering. Spread the word... Pass on the importance of reading and understanding the Constitution. Help the conservatives at the polls in November.

WE NEED TO TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK!!! jc

Inciting Violence

As a kid, I accompanied my parents to church services every Wednesday night and twice on Sunday. Here are some things I learned:

"The fight is on, oh Christian Soldiers and face to face in stern array..."

"Onward Christian Soldiers, marching as to war..."

"Over the top for Jesus, bravely we shall go. Over the top for Jesus, thwarting every foe,
Never delaying when we hear the bugle blow, we'll fight for right with all of our might...."

"Fight the good fight..."

"Stand up, stand up for Jesus, Ye soldiers of the cross..."

Very militaristic language, but only an idiot would say those old gospel hymns were intended to incite violence.

Today some liberal Dems are accusing Sarah Palin and other conservatives of inciting violence when then speak of "targeting" political opponents, but these Dems are not idiots. They, however, ARE inciting violence.

They know the conservative movement is a bottom-up phenomena. They know that it is the greatest possible threat to their political power. And they know the best way to defeat this movement is to discredit it in the eyes of those millions of American voters who are not really paying attention. Discredit the Conservatives... win the votes of the inattentive Liberals and Independents.

What would instantly discredit the Conservatives more quickly than a true act of violence?

And what will incite that act of violence? When persons in power flaunt their power and refuse to even acknowledge honest, non-violent citizens who disagree. By jamming legislation "down the throats" of good, hard-working people who disagree, you make them really angry. Then, when you mock them, taunt them, and dare them to protest, their anger becomes hatred. Now, all you have to do is accuse them of being what they are not: radicals, terrorists, a violent, undisciplined mob... you are pushing too hard. If you can just get a few to reach the breaking point and explode in an act of violence, the discrediting can become complete.

The Tea Party followers, the Conservative "stars" like Sarah Palin, are not taking the bait. We can only hope that no one else does.

Sucker Punch

You have to be 60 years old to remember 1959. You have to be older than 70 to have been aware of what was happening politically in 1959.

So, there are fewer and fewer of us who remember political events of that year. I happened to have been heavily involved in a career move in that year, so my memories may involve a bit of a peripheral view. I clearly remember the event... perhaps not every detail.

In Cuba, a guy named Fulgencio Batista (a former President of Cuba) had seized power in a bloodless coup and installed himself as dictator of that island nation. Another guy, son of wealthy sugar plantation owners from Spain, a guy named Fidel Castro, was planning to run for office in upcoming elections. When Batista took power, he cancelled the elections.

Castro was so infuriated, he gathered a group of supporters and led an attack on a government military installation. The attack failed, Castro was captured, convicted and sentenced to fifteen years in prison. Batista had failed to learn what many dictators before him knew... when you have political opposition inclined to violence, you don't forgive them and turn them loose to commit future violence. Batista did just that. In an amnesty deal of some sort, he released Fidel.

Castro fled to Mexico where he met and formed a tight bond with Che Guevara, a big time Communist rabble-rouser. Together they returned to Cuba and conducted a guerrilla operation against Batista's government. Batista was a dictator who had seized power illegally. Castro cast himself as the savior of the Cuban people. Hope and change! I, and many Americans, cheered him on.

Eventually Batista fled in exile and Castro took power. He insisted he was not a Communist, but did seize American-owned businesses, assumed more and more power for himself and did, eventually declare Cuba to be a Socialist State. President Eisenhower smelled the rat Castro was and broke diplomatic relations with his government.

Finally, Fidel Castro 'fessed up and admitted he was a committed Marxist. Having urged support for Fidel Castro, the only thing I could think was that we had been sucker-punched! A lot of people were upset about that, and any number of attempts were made to remove Castro from power - none successfully. Castro once said that if avoiding assassination were an Olympic sport, he would be a gold medalist.

Frankly, I doubt all the stories of assassination attempts. The leftists always use the victim card to divert attention from their own misdeeds.

Fast forward today to a young American president whose parents and grandparents were Communists; who was mentored by Frank Marshall Davis, a notorious Communist; who wrote of seeking out Marxist professors and students in college; who has strong friendships with admitted Communists; is gobbling more and more power for himself; is assuming more and more control over American enterprise and the American people; is repeatedly appeasing America's enemies and alienating her allies; who seems ignorant of the most basic American principals. It all seems so familiar, I am forced to remember Cuba of seven decades ago.

We know that Barack Obama is a Socialist. Even Rev. Al Sharpton says the American people "voted overwhelmingly for Socialism when they elected Barack Obama."

I am forced to ask... are we about to be sucker punched once again?

Leaderless, but not Rudderless

As Democrats prepare to launch a full frontal assault on the Tea Party movement, it seems appropriate to go on the record with a few thoughts.

Public opinion of the Tea Party movement is mixed, but growing steadily more favorable. Media depiction is, by and large, intensely derogatory, degrading and delirious. Those we oppose have called us every name in the book, even making up a few new ones especially in our honor.

A recent poll of Tea Partiers gives some insight. The heart of the movement is our belief in the United States Constitution, and the grand, unique experiment in liberty which it facilitated. The primary concerns of our members lie in the arenas of finance and defense. I always think of the goal as being "to put government back in its box." In my head, government is like a giant, living ooze that was once a child's toy, like Silly Putty, but has mutated into a suffocating, ever-expanding force for evil. I want to shrink it by about 80%, put it back in its box. Note that I do not specify a level of government - they are all much too bloated and oppressive. The poll painted us as a leaderless group, implying that we might be drifting without purpose or course. We are leaderless, in the traditional sense of the word, but we are certainly not without leaders.

Who are the Tea Partiers? We are the best that America has to offer, in many ways.

We are strong, self-reliant people who work hard, spend responsibly and help those less fortunate than ourselves because it feels good and is the right, moral thing to do.

We are all leaders - or nearly all of us. Each of us is involved in this fight because we believe it is our solemn duty as citizens, as "We The People," to speak out, loudly, when the supreme law of our land is being used to line the bottom of the birdcage.

We are passionate about our country and its rare and precious freedoms, we believe in our fellow Americans. We believe that, left to their own devices, with no safety net, most men would rise to the challenge and make decent lives for themselves. We wish there had never been such things as Income Taxes, Social Security and Medicare. We certainly don't want government healthcare! We believe in the goodness of Americans, and the ability of private churches, charities and other organizations to take care of the less fortunate infinitely more efficiently than government.

Though the majority of our members are Christian, and virtually all strongly support Christian values and morals, those issues are not leading our fight. This seems to have caused some confusion. It shouldn't - it's really quite simple and logical. If we do not rein in the growth of government and government spending, there will be no country left. The ooze will suffocate all who produce. What good will it do to battle abortion if we are leaving the child we save with a future of indentured servitude to pay for our generation's fiscal irresponsibility? We believe in the power of a free America, and we know the contagious nature of success. We know that by bringing our nation closer to her founding principles, we will be improving her morality as a natural consequence.

This is the epic battle of our lifetimes. We aren't playing games, we won't "get bored" and go home. Losing is simply not an option. It is cold, hard, statistical fact that the growth of government in the last two years - even the last ten years - has been exponential in both size and spending. It is impossible - not merely difficult or uncomfortable - impossible to continue this behavior indefinitely. What do you think will ultimately happen to the debt our government is incurring? Have you thought about it? This government continues to borrow ever more every year, and they never pay a penny of the principle. The debt never shrinks. Borrow more, pay this year's interest...hmm, the interest is a lot higher this year than it was last...

We do not see this as a partisan problem - both parties have been guilty of budgetary abuse. We are sick and tired of politicians who buy votes with our money. We have a fair understanding of the Constitution, at least enough to know that the founders never intended any branch or level of government to serve as a cradle-to-grave nanny, standing ready to kiss our boo-boos when we fall down.

We believe in personal responsibility and self-determination. We ask only the freedom to make our own choices and follow our chosen course with as little bureaucratic involvement as possible, and we pledge to accept whatever consequences our choices bring, for better or worse. We do not believe that we, through the simple fact of our existence, are entitled to any worldly goods purchased by the production of others. We believe ourselves adequate to such tasks as deciding, based on our personal health and circumstances, whether to purchase health insurance or take a chance and pay our doctors out of pocket, as needed. We resent deeply any implication that we aren't smart enough to understand the wisdom of the political class, or appreciate their grand designs. We understand, quite clearly, and we reject, quite completely.

We reject the government's vision of this country as composed of feckless incompetents incapable of self-sustenance.

Ours is the ultimate "big tent party." Our platform is the Constitution, our only requirement is love of liberty.

We do not have leaders because we do not need to be led. We are each on our own personal crusade to save the nation we love. We all have different pet causes and passions - this tends to happen among strong, fiercely independent thinkers - but we are all working toward the grand goal of restoring America to her former glory as the land where all things are possible because free men are encouraged to grow wealth through hard work and ingenuity.

This video illustrates the point beautifully. We are "We The People."

Why's He Doing It?

I keep getting emails from patriotic conservative groups warning that we must kill the Health Care bill now. What's the rush? Didn't Mitch McConnell just warn that, if Obamacare passes, every Republican candidate will campaign on repealing the monster?

And isn't almost everyone saying the Democrats are committing political suicide by pushing for passage? Doesn't that foretell a Republican landslide in November? Will that not assure a big push in Congress to reverse the legislation before it even becomes effective? The "R"s may even regain control of both sides of Congress - may even gain enough seats to override a Obama veto.

Do Reid, Pelosi and friends have a death wish? Is Obama wacky?

Am I the only one old enough to remember Jimmy Carter? Has everyone forgotten his soft, Southern drawl reminding us that we have no national energy policy, and proclaiming "That's ridiculous!" So, he gave us The Department Of Energy. We all said, "So what? We'll get rid of Jimmy and then we'll get rid of The D.O.E."

And, how about the Department of Education? I recall many voices promising to dump that department, also!

Well, we got rid of Jimmy. We've had eight years of Reagan; four of Bush 41 and eight of Bush 43. And we have had a host of Republican Congresses.

And.... we still have D.O.E.! We still have the Department of Education! We still have E.P.A.! We still have the I.R.S.! We still have a lot of Progressive crap we swore we'd get rid of.

The fact of the matter is, an ounce of prevention outweighs many tons of cure. The Progressives know well how this all works.

In case you are still not quite clear, Mark Steyn is much more lucid in his IBD explanation of Why's He Doing It? Check him out. Kill the bill now!

We Need A Man (or woman) Like This:

Imagine a young man meeting a young girl, falling in love and proposing marriage. The young woman accepted and they were engaged to be married.

Then, as they became better acquainted, it was immediately apparent that their personalities were so opposite, a compatible life together would be nearly impossible.

The young man broke off the engagement. But, he had given his word, and the thought that he was going back on his promise troubled him greatly. So greatly, in fact, that he was unable to do his work - a work about which he was extremely passionate. Finally, he came to realize he could not live his life knowing that he had broken his word. He reconciled with the young woman and they were married. As the years passed, the marriage was as troubled as he suspected it would be, but he endured that marriage as the preferred alternative to breaking his promise.

That is a true story, recently related by Lewis C. Lehrman, author and historian. The young man's name was Abraham Lincoln, the young woman was Mary Todd.

The concept of treasuring one's "word" was not uncommon in Lincoln's day. During his presidency, on May 10, 1862, my grandfather was born. At age 31, his son, my father, was born on April 17, 1893. My father often said, "If a man doesn't have his word, what does he have?" It is just the way it was in the 19th century, and for a few decades beyond. If a man looked you in the eye, shook your hand and made a promise, you could put it in the bank. Literally! Many significant business transactions were sealed in just that way, with a handshake. Either party would rather die than break their word.

Is there such a man or woman today who would lead our nation? We can hope.