Throughout my life I have come across folks who seem to have a very limited sight. Not physically, but time-space continuum-wise.
I've known people that are clueless about history, both world-wide, or even recent. I'll be the first to admit that I mostly ignored high school history classes, but when I joined the Air Force, and realized that what is happening in the rest of the world could instantly affect me, I began to follow the news closely.
Now, I watch/read/listen to the news all the time. My mind is constantly in tune with what is going on within our country, and the rest of the world. There is a genuine interest in who I vote for come election day, with sound reasoning why.
People within my close circle of friends, and my family, don't seem to grasp even the simplest of concepts about our country. What this country has gone through just to exist, and what sacrifices many of the people have endured to see that it remains one of the best countries on this planet.
They're too busy listening to their iPods, watching sitcoms, and wondering who will win American Idol.
Hey, I do all of those things too! I just don't make that the only thing I do in my life.
Frustration wells up inside me when someone argues their point based on something from some casual speech they have heard, or some gossip they're regurgitating from an insignificant source.
After more years then I care to admit following talk-radio, news channels and reading many books, here's one thing I know for certain.
Glenn Beck is digging deeper then any news source I have known to get at the truth of what is happening in this country. I recommend anyone watch him for a week, and with an open mind, to really understand what is going on.
If you want to make snide remarks about talk-radio, Glenn Beck, Hannity, etc, then back them up with hard facts, or don't even bother attempting a discussion with me.
The left tends to whine emotionally about anything but reality. They will call people names, make fun of folks, cry about this and that, but what you NEVER hear them do is actually speak with substance and facts.
Have you ever asked yourself why they complain all of the time that talk radio needs to be stopped? They originally thought they could just start their own talk radio shows to do the same thing to combat this threat. It was a miserable failure.
Many times I would turn on the talk radio shows that the left had spun up and heard nothing but cry-babies and liars spreading information that was seemingly pulled from thin air because there was literally zero basis in fact in any of it. I thought to myself, this is what the left side has to offer this country? No wonder I have never been attracted to their side on anything in the past.
Realistically, talk radio isn't really about the right or left, it's always been about right and wrong. Almost everyone I listen to had given George Bush's presidency just as much scrutiny as they are now giving Barak Obama's. Anyone who has been listening for more then just a passing interest would know this to be true.
Left leaning talk radio does not do well because they have no message based on the facts, and the majority of the American people are not as stupid as the left seems to be. So their answer is to try and put an end to talk radio. Nice plan. You suck, so you try and kill free speech. This tactic alone makes me want to say, "I rest my case". Idiots!
Those who know me well are aware that I never fall into just one side of an argument. When Barak Obama became president I thought it was great, and that he had an opportunity to not just be the first African-American president, but to really make a name for himself and be someone that children could be inspired by. That was until he started the job, then all hell broke loose. He is currently on his way to becoming one of the absolute worse presidents this country has ever seen.
In fact, it's not just Barak Obama, but it was George Bush as well toward the end of his run!
The way this country was designed to run, this should never happen.
We the people have elected who we thought were honest men to represent our states issues in Washington DC. The main problem, is these folks go to Washington and overstay their welcome. They become hookers for the pimp special interest groups, and seem to forget all about why they were sent there to begin with. They're no longer working for their constituents, but apparently for organizations such as unions. Imposing term limits on these people will help stop this.
When I see congressmen say that they hear their constituents not wanting a government run health care system, but then say that they will vote for it anyway because they know what's best for their constituents, something is seriously wrong.
When I hear a congressman say that they really can't be expected to read the bills they are voting on, something is seriously wrong.
When I see the president continually bringing people on his staff who have failed to pay their taxes, not just once, but multiple people, something is seriously wrong.
When I see our government adding a bunch of new positions that answer only to the president, completely bypassing our government check and balances, something is seriously wrong.
When I see those same people are radicals, Communists, Marxists, Socialists, etc... The very things we have died protecting ourselves against. SOMETHING IS SERIOUSLY WRONG!
These days I can't get what Abraham Lincoln said out of my mind.
"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." -- Abraham Lincoln
People, you need to wake up. The Federal Government is currently seizing too much power. It is bordering on the brink of unstoppable.
I really don't care what most of your political views are. The foundation of this country was built to be run by the people, not a few in Washington DC.
Become interested, become active.
I have the ability to look at the big picture. Both in the past, and in the future. Right now, the future looks grim unless we can bring this country back to where it belongs. Run by the people, not special interests.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Keeping Our Oath
I have recently joined the Oath Keeper's Organization. Rather then make you read any comments by me about this organization, I'll merely regurgitate the information from their website. After all, they say it best!
Orders We Will Not Obey
“The time is now near at hand which must probably determine, whether Americans are to be, Freemen, or Slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own; whether their Houses, and Farms, are to be pillaged and destroyed, and they consigned to a State of Wretchedness from which no human efforts will probably deliver them. The fate of unborn Millions will now depend, under God, on the Courage and Conduct of this army” -- Gen. George Washington, to his troops before the battle of Long Island
Such a time is near at hand again. The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the Courage and Conduct of this Army -- and this Marine Corps, This Air Force, This Navy and the National Guard and police units of these sovereign states.
Oath Keepers is a non-partisan association of currently serving military, reserves, National Guard, peace officers, fire-fighters, and veterans who swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic … and meant it. We won’t “just follow orders.”
Below is our declaration of orders we will NOT obey because we will consider them unconstitutional (and thus unlawful) and immoral violations of the natural rights of the people. Such orders would be acts of war against the American people by their own government, and thus acts of treason. We will not make war against our own people. We will not commit treason. We will defend the Republic.
Declaration of Orders We Will NOT Obey
Recognizing that we each swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and affirming that we are guardians of the Republic, of the principles in our Declaration of Independence, and of the rights of our people, we affirm and declare the following:
1. We will NOT obey any order to disarm the American people.
The attempt to disarm the people on April 19, 1775 was the spark of open conflict in the American Revolution. That vile attempt was an act of war, and the American people fought back in justified, righteous self-defense of their natural rights. Any such order today would also be an act of war against the American people, and thus an act of treason. We will not make war on our own people, and we will not commit treason by obeying any such treasonous order.
Nor will we assist, or support any such attempt to disarm the people by other government entities, either state or federal.
In addition, we affirm that the purpose of the Second Amendment is to preserve the military power of the people so that they will, in the last resort, have effective final recourse to arms and to the God of Hosts in the face of tyranny. Accordingly, we oppose any and all further infringements on the right of the people to keep and bear arms. In particular we oppose a renewal of the misnamed “assault-weapons” ban or the enactment of H.R. 45 (which would register and track gun owners like convicted pedophiles).
2. We will NOT obey any order to conduct warrantless searches of the American people, their homes, vehicles, papers, or effects -- such as warrantless house-to house searches for weapons or persons.
One of the causes of the American Revolution was the use of “writs of assistance,” which were essentially warrantless searches because there was no requirement of a showing of probable cause to a judge, and the first fiery embers of American resistance were born in opposition to those infamous writs. The Founders considered all warrantless searches to be unreasonable and egregious. It was to prevent a repeat of such violations of the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects that the Fourth Amendment was written.
We expect that sweeping warrantless searches of homes and vehicles, under some pretext, will be the means used to attempt to disarm the people.
3. We will NOT obey any order to detain American citizens as “unlawful enemy combatants” or to subject them to trial by military tribunal.
One of the causes of the American Revolution was the denial of the right to jury trial, the use of admiralty courts (military tribunals) instead, and the application of the laws of war to the colonists. After that experience, and being well aware of the infamous Star Chamber in English history, the Founders ensured that the international laws of war would apply only to foreign enemies, not to the American people. Thus, the Article III Treason Clause establishes the only constitutional form of trial for an American, not serving in the military, who is accused of making war on his own nation. Such a trial for treason must be before a civilian jury, not a tribunal.
The international laws of war do not trump our Bill of Rights. We reject as illegitimate any such claimed power, as did the Supreme Court in Ex Parte Milligan (1865). Any attempt to apply the laws of war to American civilians, under any pretext, such as against domestic “militia” groups the government brands “domestic terrorists,” is an act of war and an act of treason.
4. We will NOT obey orders to impose martial law or a “state of emergency” on a state, or to enter with force into a state, without the express consent and invitation of that state’s legislature and governor.
One of the causes of the American Revolution was the attempt “to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power” by disbanding the Massachusetts legislature and appointing General Gage as “military governor.” The attempt to disarm the people of Massachusetts during that martial law sparked our Revolution. Accordingly, the power to impose martial law – the absolute rule over the people by a military officer with his will alone being law – is nowhere enumerated in our Constitution.
Further, it is the militia of a state and of the several states that the Constitution contemplates being used in any context, during any emergency within a state, not the standing army.
The imposition of martial law by the national government over a state and its people, treating them as an occupied enemy nation, is an act of war. Such an attempted suspension of the Constitution and Bill of Rights voids the compact with the states and with the people.
5. We will NOT obey orders to invade and subjugate any state that asserts its sovereignty and declares the national government to be in violation of the compact by which that state entered the Union.
In response to the obscene growth of federal power and to the absurdly totalitarian claimed powers of the Executive, upwards of 20 states are considering, have considered, or have passed courageous resolutions affirming states rights and sovereignty.
Those resolutions follow in the honored and revered footsteps of Jefferson and Madison in their Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, and likewise seek to enforce the Constitution by affirming the very same principles of our Declaration, Constitution, and Bill of Rights that we Oath Keepers recognize and affirm.
Chief among those principles is that ours is a dual sovereignty system, with the people of each state retaining all powers not granted to the national government they created, and thus the people of each state reserved to themselves the right to judge when the national government they created has voided the compact between the states by asserting powers never granted.
Upon the declaration by a state that such a breach has occurred, we will not obey orders to force that state to submit to the national government.
6. We will NOT obey any order to blockade American cities, thus turning them into giant concentration camps.
One of the causes of the American Revolution was the blockade of Boston, and the occupying of that city by the British military, under martial law. Once hostilities began, the people of Boston were tricked into turning in their arms in exchange for safe passage, but were then forbidden to leave. That confinement of the residents of an entire city was an act of war.
Such tactics were repeated by the Nazis in the Warsaw Ghetto, and by the Imperial Japanese in Nanking, turning entire cities into death camps. Any such order to disarm and confine the people of an American city will be an act of war and thus an act of treason.
7. We will NOT obey any order to force American citizens into any form of detention camps under any pretext.
Mass, forced internment into concentration camps was a hallmark of every fascist and communist dictatorship in the 20th Century. Such internment was unfortunately even used against American citizens of Japanese descent during World War II. Whenever a government interns its own people, it treats them like an occupied enemy population. Oppressive governments often use the internment of women and children to break the will of the men fighting for their liberty – as was done to the Boers, to the Jewish resisters in the Warsaw Ghetto, and to the Chechens, for example.
Such a vile order to forcibly intern Americans without charges or trial would be an act of war against the American people, and thus an act of treason, regardless of the pretext used. We will not commit treason, nor will we facilitate or support it.”NOT on Our Watch!”
8. We will NOT obey orders to assist or support the use of any foreign troops on U.S. soil against the American people to “keep the peace” or to “maintain control” during any emergency, or under any other pretext. We will consider such use of foreign troops against our people to be an invasion and an act of war.
During the American Revolution, the British government enlisted the aid of Hessian mercenaries in an attempt to subjugate the rebellious American people. Throughout history, repressive regimes have enlisted the aid of foreign troops and mercenaries who have no bonds with the people.
Accordingly, as the militia of the several states are the only military force contemplated by the Constitution, in Article I, Section 8, for domestic keeping of the peace, and as the use of even our own standing army for such purposes is without such constitutional support, the use of foreign troops and mercenaries against the people is wildly unconstitutional, egregious, and an act of war.
We will oppose such troops as enemies of the people and we will treat all who request, invite, and aid those foreign troops as the traitors they are.
9. We will NOT obey any orders to confiscate the property of the American people, including food and other essential supplies, under any emergency pretext whatsoever.
One of the causes of the American Revolution was the seizure and forfeiture of American ships, goods, and supplies, along with the seizure of American timber for the Royal Navy, all in violation of the people’s natural right to their property and to the fruits of their labor. The final spark of the Revolution was the attempt by the government to seize powder and cannon stores at Concord.
Deprivation of food has long been a weapon of war and oppression, with millions intentionally starved to death by fascist and communist governments in the 20th Century alone.
Accordingly, we will not obey or facilitate orders to confiscate food and other essential supplies from the people, and we will consider all those who issue or carry out such orders to be the enemies of the people.
10. We will NOT obey any orders which infringe on the right of the people to free speech, to peaceably assemble, and to petition their government for a redress of grievances.
There would have been no American Revolution without fiery speakers and writers such as James Otis, Patrick Henry, Thomas Paine, and Sam Adams “setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.”
Tyrants know that the pen of a man such as Thomas Paine can cause them more damage than entire armies, and thus they always seek to suppress the natural rights of speech, association, and assembly. Without freedom of speech, the people will have no recourse but to arms. Without freedom of speech and conscience, there is no freedom.
Therefore, we will not obey or support any orders to suppress or violate the right of the people to speak, associate, worship, assemble, communicate, or petition government for the redress of grievances.
— And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually affirm our oath and pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor. Oath Keepers
The above list is not exhaustive but we do consider them to be clear tripwires – they form our “line in the sand,” and if we receive such orders, we will not obey them. Further, we will know that the time for another American Revolution is nigh. If you the people decide that you have no recourse, and such a revolution comes, at that time, not only will we NOT fire upon our fellow Americans who righteously resist such egregious violations of their God given rights, we will join them in fighting against those who dare attempt to enslave them.
NOTE: please also read our Principles of Our Republic We Are Sworn to Defend
More About Oath Keepers
Oath Keepers is a non partisan association of currently serving military, peace officers, fire-fighters, and veterans who will fulfill our oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, so help us God.
Our oath is to the Constitution, not to the politicians, and not to any political party. In the long-standing tradition of the U.S. military, we are apolitical. We don’t care if unlawful orders come from a Democrat or a Republican, or if the violation is bi-partisan. We will not obey unconstitutional (and thus unlawful) and immoral orders, such as orders to disarm the American people or to place them under martial law. We won’t “just follow orders.” Our motto: “Not on Our Watch!” or to put it even more succinctly, in the words of 101st Airborne Commander General Anthony McAuliffe at the Battle of the Bulge, “NUTS!”
There is at this time a debate within the ranks of the military regarding their oath. Some mistakenly believe they must follow any order the President issues. But many others do understand that their loyalty is to the Constitution and to the people, and understand what that means.
The mission of Oath Keepers is to vastly increase their numbers.
We are in a battle for the hearts and minds of our own troops.
Help us win it.
Orders We Will Not Obey
“The time is now near at hand which must probably determine, whether Americans are to be, Freemen, or Slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own; whether their Houses, and Farms, are to be pillaged and destroyed, and they consigned to a State of Wretchedness from which no human efforts will probably deliver them. The fate of unborn Millions will now depend, under God, on the Courage and Conduct of this army” -- Gen. George Washington, to his troops before the battle of Long Island
Such a time is near at hand again. The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the Courage and Conduct of this Army -- and this Marine Corps, This Air Force, This Navy and the National Guard and police units of these sovereign states.
Oath Keepers is a non-partisan association of currently serving military, reserves, National Guard, peace officers, fire-fighters, and veterans who swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic … and meant it. We won’t “just follow orders.”
Below is our declaration of orders we will NOT obey because we will consider them unconstitutional (and thus unlawful) and immoral violations of the natural rights of the people. Such orders would be acts of war against the American people by their own government, and thus acts of treason. We will not make war against our own people. We will not commit treason. We will defend the Republic.
Declaration of Orders We Will NOT Obey
Recognizing that we each swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and affirming that we are guardians of the Republic, of the principles in our Declaration of Independence, and of the rights of our people, we affirm and declare the following:
1. We will NOT obey any order to disarm the American people.
The attempt to disarm the people on April 19, 1775 was the spark of open conflict in the American Revolution. That vile attempt was an act of war, and the American people fought back in justified, righteous self-defense of their natural rights. Any such order today would also be an act of war against the American people, and thus an act of treason. We will not make war on our own people, and we will not commit treason by obeying any such treasonous order.
Nor will we assist, or support any such attempt to disarm the people by other government entities, either state or federal.
In addition, we affirm that the purpose of the Second Amendment is to preserve the military power of the people so that they will, in the last resort, have effective final recourse to arms and to the God of Hosts in the face of tyranny. Accordingly, we oppose any and all further infringements on the right of the people to keep and bear arms. In particular we oppose a renewal of the misnamed “assault-weapons” ban or the enactment of H.R. 45 (which would register and track gun owners like convicted pedophiles).
2. We will NOT obey any order to conduct warrantless searches of the American people, their homes, vehicles, papers, or effects -- such as warrantless house-to house searches for weapons or persons.
One of the causes of the American Revolution was the use of “writs of assistance,” which were essentially warrantless searches because there was no requirement of a showing of probable cause to a judge, and the first fiery embers of American resistance were born in opposition to those infamous writs. The Founders considered all warrantless searches to be unreasonable and egregious. It was to prevent a repeat of such violations of the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects that the Fourth Amendment was written.
We expect that sweeping warrantless searches of homes and vehicles, under some pretext, will be the means used to attempt to disarm the people.
3. We will NOT obey any order to detain American citizens as “unlawful enemy combatants” or to subject them to trial by military tribunal.
One of the causes of the American Revolution was the denial of the right to jury trial, the use of admiralty courts (military tribunals) instead, and the application of the laws of war to the colonists. After that experience, and being well aware of the infamous Star Chamber in English history, the Founders ensured that the international laws of war would apply only to foreign enemies, not to the American people. Thus, the Article III Treason Clause establishes the only constitutional form of trial for an American, not serving in the military, who is accused of making war on his own nation. Such a trial for treason must be before a civilian jury, not a tribunal.
The international laws of war do not trump our Bill of Rights. We reject as illegitimate any such claimed power, as did the Supreme Court in Ex Parte Milligan (1865). Any attempt to apply the laws of war to American civilians, under any pretext, such as against domestic “militia” groups the government brands “domestic terrorists,” is an act of war and an act of treason.
4. We will NOT obey orders to impose martial law or a “state of emergency” on a state, or to enter with force into a state, without the express consent and invitation of that state’s legislature and governor.
One of the causes of the American Revolution was the attempt “to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power” by disbanding the Massachusetts legislature and appointing General Gage as “military governor.” The attempt to disarm the people of Massachusetts during that martial law sparked our Revolution. Accordingly, the power to impose martial law – the absolute rule over the people by a military officer with his will alone being law – is nowhere enumerated in our Constitution.
Further, it is the militia of a state and of the several states that the Constitution contemplates being used in any context, during any emergency within a state, not the standing army.
The imposition of martial law by the national government over a state and its people, treating them as an occupied enemy nation, is an act of war. Such an attempted suspension of the Constitution and Bill of Rights voids the compact with the states and with the people.
5. We will NOT obey orders to invade and subjugate any state that asserts its sovereignty and declares the national government to be in violation of the compact by which that state entered the Union.
In response to the obscene growth of federal power and to the absurdly totalitarian claimed powers of the Executive, upwards of 20 states are considering, have considered, or have passed courageous resolutions affirming states rights and sovereignty.
Those resolutions follow in the honored and revered footsteps of Jefferson and Madison in their Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, and likewise seek to enforce the Constitution by affirming the very same principles of our Declaration, Constitution, and Bill of Rights that we Oath Keepers recognize and affirm.
Chief among those principles is that ours is a dual sovereignty system, with the people of each state retaining all powers not granted to the national government they created, and thus the people of each state reserved to themselves the right to judge when the national government they created has voided the compact between the states by asserting powers never granted.
Upon the declaration by a state that such a breach has occurred, we will not obey orders to force that state to submit to the national government.
6. We will NOT obey any order to blockade American cities, thus turning them into giant concentration camps.
One of the causes of the American Revolution was the blockade of Boston, and the occupying of that city by the British military, under martial law. Once hostilities began, the people of Boston were tricked into turning in their arms in exchange for safe passage, but were then forbidden to leave. That confinement of the residents of an entire city was an act of war.
Such tactics were repeated by the Nazis in the Warsaw Ghetto, and by the Imperial Japanese in Nanking, turning entire cities into death camps. Any such order to disarm and confine the people of an American city will be an act of war and thus an act of treason.
7. We will NOT obey any order to force American citizens into any form of detention camps under any pretext.
Mass, forced internment into concentration camps was a hallmark of every fascist and communist dictatorship in the 20th Century. Such internment was unfortunately even used against American citizens of Japanese descent during World War II. Whenever a government interns its own people, it treats them like an occupied enemy population. Oppressive governments often use the internment of women and children to break the will of the men fighting for their liberty – as was done to the Boers, to the Jewish resisters in the Warsaw Ghetto, and to the Chechens, for example.
Such a vile order to forcibly intern Americans without charges or trial would be an act of war against the American people, and thus an act of treason, regardless of the pretext used. We will not commit treason, nor will we facilitate or support it.”NOT on Our Watch!”
8. We will NOT obey orders to assist or support the use of any foreign troops on U.S. soil against the American people to “keep the peace” or to “maintain control” during any emergency, or under any other pretext. We will consider such use of foreign troops against our people to be an invasion and an act of war.
During the American Revolution, the British government enlisted the aid of Hessian mercenaries in an attempt to subjugate the rebellious American people. Throughout history, repressive regimes have enlisted the aid of foreign troops and mercenaries who have no bonds with the people.
Accordingly, as the militia of the several states are the only military force contemplated by the Constitution, in Article I, Section 8, for domestic keeping of the peace, and as the use of even our own standing army for such purposes is without such constitutional support, the use of foreign troops and mercenaries against the people is wildly unconstitutional, egregious, and an act of war.
We will oppose such troops as enemies of the people and we will treat all who request, invite, and aid those foreign troops as the traitors they are.
9. We will NOT obey any orders to confiscate the property of the American people, including food and other essential supplies, under any emergency pretext whatsoever.
One of the causes of the American Revolution was the seizure and forfeiture of American ships, goods, and supplies, along with the seizure of American timber for the Royal Navy, all in violation of the people’s natural right to their property and to the fruits of their labor. The final spark of the Revolution was the attempt by the government to seize powder and cannon stores at Concord.
Deprivation of food has long been a weapon of war and oppression, with millions intentionally starved to death by fascist and communist governments in the 20th Century alone.
Accordingly, we will not obey or facilitate orders to confiscate food and other essential supplies from the people, and we will consider all those who issue or carry out such orders to be the enemies of the people.
10. We will NOT obey any orders which infringe on the right of the people to free speech, to peaceably assemble, and to petition their government for a redress of grievances.
There would have been no American Revolution without fiery speakers and writers such as James Otis, Patrick Henry, Thomas Paine, and Sam Adams “setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.”
Tyrants know that the pen of a man such as Thomas Paine can cause them more damage than entire armies, and thus they always seek to suppress the natural rights of speech, association, and assembly. Without freedom of speech, the people will have no recourse but to arms. Without freedom of speech and conscience, there is no freedom.
Therefore, we will not obey or support any orders to suppress or violate the right of the people to speak, associate, worship, assemble, communicate, or petition government for the redress of grievances.
— And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually affirm our oath and pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor. Oath Keepers
The above list is not exhaustive but we do consider them to be clear tripwires – they form our “line in the sand,” and if we receive such orders, we will not obey them. Further, we will know that the time for another American Revolution is nigh. If you the people decide that you have no recourse, and such a revolution comes, at that time, not only will we NOT fire upon our fellow Americans who righteously resist such egregious violations of their God given rights, we will join them in fighting against those who dare attempt to enslave them.
NOTE: please also read our Principles of Our Republic We Are Sworn to Defend
More About Oath Keepers
Oath Keepers is a non partisan association of currently serving military, peace officers, fire-fighters, and veterans who will fulfill our oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, so help us God.
Our oath is to the Constitution, not to the politicians, and not to any political party. In the long-standing tradition of the U.S. military, we are apolitical. We don’t care if unlawful orders come from a Democrat or a Republican, or if the violation is bi-partisan. We will not obey unconstitutional (and thus unlawful) and immoral orders, such as orders to disarm the American people or to place them under martial law. We won’t “just follow orders.” Our motto: “Not on Our Watch!” or to put it even more succinctly, in the words of 101st Airborne Commander General Anthony McAuliffe at the Battle of the Bulge, “NUTS!”
There is at this time a debate within the ranks of the military regarding their oath. Some mistakenly believe they must follow any order the President issues. But many others do understand that their loyalty is to the Constitution and to the people, and understand what that means.
The mission of Oath Keepers is to vastly increase their numbers.
We are in a battle for the hearts and minds of our own troops.
Help us win it.
Friday, September 11, 2009
To Your Health
The President is eloquent in his ability to speak.
In fact, I agree with most of what he claims he wants to do with our countries health care system in the speech he delivered on Wednesday. The reality is, that in true political fashion, he can't do what he claims he can.
There is currently not one bill that does what he says he wants to do. The current bills are all a huge mixture of the usual crap.
It's like saying, "I want world peace". Saying something like that does not make it a reality.
Before you get your undies in a bunch I do realize the scale difference of global peace compared to the Health care system of the United States. The point is that things are easier said then done. I'm tired of politicians promising one thing, but actually delivering something else.
Our governments, both federal and state, tend to come up with ideas that require them to raise taxes to sustain. Then they take the money that was marked for that new project and spend it on everything else. Later, they come back to the people crying that they don't have the funds to sustain the original project. This is a pattern that happens over and over again. The amount of data to support this would be unimaginable if you tried to assemble it. And that's probably for just one states government. The federal government is astronomically worse.
By letting the government try to run our health care, even a little, here's what I see happening. (Dusting off my crystal ball).
1. The health care plan is voted in, which will be chalk full of additional crap which probably has nothing to even do with health care, because that's how bills roll.
2. Taxes will have to be raised from someplace, because the government cannot possibly pay for this with their current allotment and deficit they have already created.
3. Health care in this country, like every other government run health care country, will still not be able to afford to help everyone as promised. Why? Because they have spent the additional taxes on something else. It's what they do!!!!!
4. Because the government run health care system has turned to crap, you find yourself having to get additional insurance so you can see a doctor and get the test and care you need in a timely manner.
Do you see the problem? In the end we will STILL be paying for our health insurance, although now the government is sucking even more money from your paycheck that is not helping you at all!
Again, IT'S WHAT THEY DO!!!!!!
There have been great ideas proposed to help people get and retain health insurance that DO NOT INVOLVE GOVERNMENT RUN OPTIONS. That's the important part.
Our government needs to stay out of anything that they are not mandated to do by the Constitution, which is to basically defend this country so that are country can thrive without having to worry about destruction from abroad.
Don't get me started on the fantasy that the government is going to pay for this by cutting waste and abuse from Medicare and Medicaid.
If our government gets control of their own poor spending habits, shows improvement in how they run their other government programs (Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Post Office, to name a few) then maybe they can come back and talk to us again.
The plain truth is that until they can show some sense of responsibility in running this country, the last thing I want them running is our health care system.
Yes, we need to reform our current health care system. There are many problems with its current incarnation. And might I add that the current problems were caused by government intervention.
If the government wants to improve our current system here's what they need to do to make me happy.
Bring one bill up at a time to fix one issue at a time. Don't add in fluff and garbage. Something straight forward such as Americans can buy health insurance across state lines so that competition with insurance companies will drive down costs.
That's just one example, but I don't want to ramble on all of the other good ideas that are out there. Moderate searching will show you a ton of ideas that will help our system.
The point is, bring these changes about intelligently, and logically.
The president is correct in saying that this has been going on long enough, but the reason it never gets passed is because they try to do it in the usual government slimy way.
Make it simple, make it logical. If they don't, then they are just trying to add crap and screw over the American people.
I invite you to tell me why rushing through this process with a bloated bill full of a ton of extra crap is ultimately going to help us.
Focus not on how Utopian the president makes it sound, but on how they can do this so that it makes sense and actually DOES what they say it will do.
Right now, I don't see it.
In fact, I agree with most of what he claims he wants to do with our countries health care system in the speech he delivered on Wednesday. The reality is, that in true political fashion, he can't do what he claims he can.
There is currently not one bill that does what he says he wants to do. The current bills are all a huge mixture of the usual crap.
It's like saying, "I want world peace". Saying something like that does not make it a reality.
Before you get your undies in a bunch I do realize the scale difference of global peace compared to the Health care system of the United States. The point is that things are easier said then done. I'm tired of politicians promising one thing, but actually delivering something else.
Our governments, both federal and state, tend to come up with ideas that require them to raise taxes to sustain. Then they take the money that was marked for that new project and spend it on everything else. Later, they come back to the people crying that they don't have the funds to sustain the original project. This is a pattern that happens over and over again. The amount of data to support this would be unimaginable if you tried to assemble it. And that's probably for just one states government. The federal government is astronomically worse.
By letting the government try to run our health care, even a little, here's what I see happening. (Dusting off my crystal ball).
1. The health care plan is voted in, which will be chalk full of additional crap which probably has nothing to even do with health care, because that's how bills roll.
2. Taxes will have to be raised from someplace, because the government cannot possibly pay for this with their current allotment and deficit they have already created.
3. Health care in this country, like every other government run health care country, will still not be able to afford to help everyone as promised. Why? Because they have spent the additional taxes on something else. It's what they do!!!!!
4. Because the government run health care system has turned to crap, you find yourself having to get additional insurance so you can see a doctor and get the test and care you need in a timely manner.
Do you see the problem? In the end we will STILL be paying for our health insurance, although now the government is sucking even more money from your paycheck that is not helping you at all!
Again, IT'S WHAT THEY DO!!!!!!
There have been great ideas proposed to help people get and retain health insurance that DO NOT INVOLVE GOVERNMENT RUN OPTIONS. That's the important part.
Our government needs to stay out of anything that they are not mandated to do by the Constitution, which is to basically defend this country so that are country can thrive without having to worry about destruction from abroad.
Don't get me started on the fantasy that the government is going to pay for this by cutting waste and abuse from Medicare and Medicaid.
If our government gets control of their own poor spending habits, shows improvement in how they run their other government programs (Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Post Office, to name a few) then maybe they can come back and talk to us again.
The plain truth is that until they can show some sense of responsibility in running this country, the last thing I want them running is our health care system.
Yes, we need to reform our current health care system. There are many problems with its current incarnation. And might I add that the current problems were caused by government intervention.
If the government wants to improve our current system here's what they need to do to make me happy.
Bring one bill up at a time to fix one issue at a time. Don't add in fluff and garbage. Something straight forward such as Americans can buy health insurance across state lines so that competition with insurance companies will drive down costs.
That's just one example, but I don't want to ramble on all of the other good ideas that are out there. Moderate searching will show you a ton of ideas that will help our system.
The point is, bring these changes about intelligently, and logically.
The president is correct in saying that this has been going on long enough, but the reason it never gets passed is because they try to do it in the usual government slimy way.
Make it simple, make it logical. If they don't, then they are just trying to add crap and screw over the American people.
I invite you to tell me why rushing through this process with a bloated bill full of a ton of extra crap is ultimately going to help us.
Focus not on how Utopian the president makes it sound, but on how they can do this so that it makes sense and actually DOES what they say it will do.
Right now, I don't see it.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Uninformed Masses
I tend not to argue with the uniformed much these days. It's too exhausting.
No matter the topic there are some people who like to argue while wielding a weapon fashioned from stupidity.
Most topics that interest me, such as religion, politics, scuba diving, etc... I research well. It's not because I'm trying to be a know-it-all, it's because I want to be well informed in things that I find important in life.
Of course, some say I am well-informed about many meaningless topics too, and that's probably true. My family can verify, I read all the time, and some of the choices just make them scratch their head.
What's the point of this ramble? Why am I discussing reading and knowledge? Because it's extremely important.
My kids have been raised to love reading. My philosophy with my daughters is that if they can read and write well, they can do anything they want.
I've known too many people who have not written anything since they have graduated high school. Or the only thing they write is their signature in their checkbook. That's sad.
With today's technology there are people who have criticized things like email and text messaging claiming that this is removing the personal contact between people.
I feel just the opposite is occurring.
If anything, the technology is helping us stay in touch with people better then ever before! Add to this the benefit of people reading and writing more then they used to, and it's a win, win situation!
Being a consummate geek I have accounts on many different services. I had a Facebook account for a long time but did not use it much until a friend from my old neighborhood looked me up and added me to her list. I then found others from our neighborhood, and then many folks from my high school. I'm currently friends with many people I have not spoke to in about 20-30 years! How cool is that? And it's all because of technology and the knowledge it brings.
So yes, you can sit in your house alone and grumble that you don't do email, or text, or interact with anyone in any fashion using technology because it's evil and will ruin society.
It's your right to do so!
My recommendation for you is to do the opposite. Get a nice computer, sign up for Facebook, search for your friends (if you still have any you grumpy recluse), and join the rest of the planet that is embracing the new era.
Don't want to be social? That's fine too!
Hop on Google or Wikipedia and research whatever interests you.
Do you like old cars? How about Flying? Or what about your secret attraction to salt and pepper shakers? You can find a ton of things online!
It's never too late to learn something new, and you're never too old to start.
Unless, of course, you're just a whinny-butt pain that is hosting your own pity party!
Come on in, the technology is fine, and we're all waiting for you.
The network world is a surprisingly friendly place. Even old grumpy farts like you will find fun and information you can relate to.
hmmm, this article took a turn in a completely wrong direction then how I started it. The initial intent was to complain about people who argue without really knowing any of the facts on the topic they are arguing about. Instead, I took a right turn someplace along the way and went off on folks who are anti-technology.
I thought about breaking this up into two separate articles, but the heck with it. After all, these articles are my ramblings, and that's exactly what this is.
Besides, you get what you pay for! ;)
No matter the topic there are some people who like to argue while wielding a weapon fashioned from stupidity.
Most topics that interest me, such as religion, politics, scuba diving, etc... I research well. It's not because I'm trying to be a know-it-all, it's because I want to be well informed in things that I find important in life.
Of course, some say I am well-informed about many meaningless topics too, and that's probably true. My family can verify, I read all the time, and some of the choices just make them scratch their head.
What's the point of this ramble? Why am I discussing reading and knowledge? Because it's extremely important.
My kids have been raised to love reading. My philosophy with my daughters is that if they can read and write well, they can do anything they want.
I've known too many people who have not written anything since they have graduated high school. Or the only thing they write is their signature in their checkbook. That's sad.
With today's technology there are people who have criticized things like email and text messaging claiming that this is removing the personal contact between people.
I feel just the opposite is occurring.
If anything, the technology is helping us stay in touch with people better then ever before! Add to this the benefit of people reading and writing more then they used to, and it's a win, win situation!
Being a consummate geek I have accounts on many different services. I had a Facebook account for a long time but did not use it much until a friend from my old neighborhood looked me up and added me to her list. I then found others from our neighborhood, and then many folks from my high school. I'm currently friends with many people I have not spoke to in about 20-30 years! How cool is that? And it's all because of technology and the knowledge it brings.
So yes, you can sit in your house alone and grumble that you don't do email, or text, or interact with anyone in any fashion using technology because it's evil and will ruin society.
It's your right to do so!
My recommendation for you is to do the opposite. Get a nice computer, sign up for Facebook, search for your friends (if you still have any you grumpy recluse), and join the rest of the planet that is embracing the new era.
Don't want to be social? That's fine too!
Hop on Google or Wikipedia and research whatever interests you.
Do you like old cars? How about Flying? Or what about your secret attraction to salt and pepper shakers? You can find a ton of things online!
It's never too late to learn something new, and you're never too old to start.
Unless, of course, you're just a whinny-butt pain that is hosting your own pity party!
Come on in, the technology is fine, and we're all waiting for you.
The network world is a surprisingly friendly place. Even old grumpy farts like you will find fun and information you can relate to.
hmmm, this article took a turn in a completely wrong direction then how I started it. The initial intent was to complain about people who argue without really knowing any of the facts on the topic they are arguing about. Instead, I took a right turn someplace along the way and went off on folks who are anti-technology.
I thought about breaking this up into two separate articles, but the heck with it. After all, these articles are my ramblings, and that's exactly what this is.
Besides, you get what you pay for! ;)
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