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POLITICS 2020: A MAN WHO IS UNAFRAID TO SAY WHAT IS ON HIS MIND

7/30/2020

Never afraid to say what's on his mind, Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) has served for thirteen years.

As a lifelong Conservative Republican, I have often been upset with my party for being so passive in times of adversity while Democrats hunker down and go for the jugular vein. Well, on this Tuesday past we saw once again the one Republican who is never afraid of adversity and takes on his opponents with gusto whenever it is needed. Republican Jim Jordan of Ohio's fourth district is the leading hard charger in the House of Representative. We saw it earlier in the sham impeachment in the House and we saw it Tuesday in his passionate defense of Attorney General Barr. The House Democrats hate Jim Jordan, throw everything at him including the kitchen sink, but he doesn't care and he takes them on with undisputed truth and they seethe and plot in their discomfort. Jordan, the one time college wrestling champ and coach, just shrugs them off and continues with his quest for truth.

But yesterday, the day after his strong stand for Barr, he again showed what he was made of and it was done in another hearing, this time regarding the charges that giant high tech and/or Silicon Valley corporations , including Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Google's new acquisition, UTube, and Twitter have used their size and power to limit the open market as well as limiting free speech on their platforms the world over. The leaders of all of those businesses, excepting Jack Dorsey of Twitter who was conspicuous by his absence, were grilled by a House subcommittee on their actions. Now both political parties have some major concerns about what they do, but in the case of putting limitations on conservative and libertarian speech, the Dems, of course, see no problem. Meanwhile, Republican and Conservative platforms, including Breitbart, the Daily Caller and many more have seen their ratings drop to the bottom based upon community standards which are never defined and used at their will. These standards are used to limit the visibility of their materials when they vary from what the corporations consider to be accurate. But by what standards really? That is the question. They hide behind their fact checkers, never identified yet claiming they are from across the viewpoint spectrum, but the results of what they do show clearly otherwise. What else would cause a 99% drop in placement associated with Breitbart which was singled out by Google. As a small scale blogger myself, I have noticed significant reductions in reader volumes associated with materials which are said to be not in conformance with their standards, yet liberal materials, regardless of subject, never suffer the same fate.

It was a very contentious hearing, but when it really went south was when, not too long before its conclusion, Democrat Jamie Raskin (D-MD), fired up the conservative side when he stated that the Republicans were obsessed with things that were clearly not true. This got Jordan concerned, but he held his fire until another Democrat used her time to try to add to the fire by talking about "Republican conspiracy theories" that Jordan had actually shown to be true, so he fired a comment out during her performance since he knew the chair would never have allowed him to rebut. When the chairman asked Jordan to stop, that he was out of order, while Raskin then yelled at Jordan to put his mask on, Jordan did what only Jordan can do. He responded with his own version of the shot heard around the country.

Jordan said, "Speaking of unmasking, why would the Deputy Secretary of the Treasury unmask General Flynn?"

The room went silent and then the chairman moved on. Now I'll admit that Jordan stepped outside of the rules of procedure which were designed for order and comity, but, folks, there has been absolutely no order or comity within the House of Representatives since Nancy Pelosi assumed her post for the second time and her committees are run like a biased pack of jackals. And, by the way, the Deputy Secretary of the Treasury of whom Jordan spoke was none other than Jamie Raskin's wife. So, the Maryland Congressman who so vigorously involved himself in calling Republicans consumed by conspiracy, was himself fully cognizant of exactly some of the things that were going on heretofore below the radar. Jordan merely want to bring them out for all the world to see. Good job, Mr. Jordan and that's why we need a whole bunch of Jordan's in the next Congress.

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THE HEARING THAT WASN'T: Rude, Crude and Unattractive

7/29/2020

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Even AG Barr knows sometimes you've just gotta' laugh.

Yesterday Americans had the opportunity to witness one of the most disgusting excuses for a hearing that I've ever seen in my lifetime. The sitting Attorney General of the United States, William Barr, sat there largely stone-faced as the parade of Democrats, eager to make sound bytes for their reelection campaigns, berated him asking staccato questions while seldom allowing him time to answer. It was nothing but a campaign rally for the radical left of which the Chairman, Gerald Nadler, completely approves.

Look, America, if the Democrats wanted a hearing, that's fine. But Nadler made it clear that was not the purpose and one little tidbit that made it clear was when he berated a Republican on the committee for taking a sip of coffee, removing his mask in the process. When a Republican Congressman complained not allowing Mr. Barr to respond, Nadler told him his question was irrelevant. Even when the Attorney General asked for a recess, it was denied, with Nadler only realizing finally that he was showing himself to be what he was as Barr reminded him that he (Nadler) himself had been an hour late to the so-called hearing. Perhaps the best statement made was by Barr himself when asked if he could get a fair hearing by the body and he smiled while saying that no, he obviously couldn't in this body. And so it went on and on. I hope the good Attorney General had a nice relaxing adult beverage waiting for him when he got home, for he certainly deserved it.

There is, however, a silver lining in yesterday's so-called hearing. Many Americans were able to tune in and see it and I don't care whether you are a Republican, Democrat or Independent, you couldn't watch the hearing objectively without realizing how far the Democratic Party has moved to the Left. It doesn't represent the majority of Americans, it represents those who truly want to change this country into something we won't recognize. I am just hopeful that the good Democrats, you know, those who don't really get involved but vote for the party because it is just their family tradition, wake up and smell the foul odor emanating from Capitol Hill. It is overwhelming.

America was founded by people who had varying views and, hence, we ended up with a two party political system. In the old days, while the two parties disagreed, they both loved America and were seeking the same ends, but only by the used of varied means. But something happened after the assassination of John Kennedy that changed that. The movement leftward all began with Lyndon Johnson. We began to excuse bad behavior and expect the hard working to take care of the others. And the plans designed never resulted in pulling people out of poverty, but actually making the situation worse as families broke apart, huge numbers of children were born in a single parent home and the deterioration of our society was furthered. And each generation that followed until the Democratic Party looked back into the dustbin of history to find their desired solution in the traditions of Karl Marx. That's where we find ourselves today. It is true that Republicans often disappoint, yet they don't preach that which only a generation or two would have been considered unthinkable even to Democrats.

Use your own eyes and ears and hear and listen and read. Try some new sites other than those that are ninety-three percent in the grips of limiting free speech and independent thought. Read the American Thinker, Breitbart, Conservative Review and many more and get an understanding of what Conservative America thinks. Do so with an open mind and it might just surprise you. It is all about a hand up and not a hand out where individuals who work hard and produce do well. And that idea comes right from the Bible itself which teaches that salvation is an individual decision and that helping others learn to help themselves was a worthy cause. And speaking of the Bible, studying it and learning what it means enlightens you and when combined with earthly rational thought, it can provide discernment. Just a thought at a time when we American need so much thought, along with patience and the awareness of what the Golden Rule means in action. No such process was within a thousand miles of Chairman Nadler's hearing room yesterday and it was truly a disgrace. Please think about these things and apply it to what we say and do. We will be much better for it.

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Come On, Americans, Let's Not Allow Ourselves to be Frozen by Fear

7/27/2020

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A morale booster: Flying HIgh 24/7

How many Americans are totally fed up with what is being thrown at us in the United States of America today? Seriously, aren't you tired of being given edicts that waffle and waver all over the place after which our so-called health experts wonder why we doubt what they tell us? Let's be honest. We've been told not to wear masks, then wear masks, then wear masks that meet certain specifications, and then we are told that anything covering our nose and mouth will do, no matter how thin or of what material. And noone of these address the other major opening on the face for viral infection, the eyes. We close, then open, then re-close businesses which cost time and money for small business owners who really don't have any available funds left. Despite this, our officials live with full salary and benefits while those who are forced to comply begin to grow desperate and hungry. And if that's not enough, then protests start over a very tragic overreaction by a police officer, a white man against a black suspect, even though black men, women and children are slain in the streets nightly by other blacks with nary a care from the protesters other their fawning media. The protests, as is not uncommon, quickly turn to riots which have no relationship to the so-called cause for action and buildings and businesses burn, are damaged and looted while many who should know better try and neuter the police who are charged with maintaining public order and safety. Then, after all of this, the Democrats, the party of choice for the mayor in question and the protesters, for that matter, wonder why the economy is suffering as they continually stall and push proposals largely seeking support for things unrelated to the problem. And they continually foment the problem on the streets with there daily pronouncements.

As if those things aren't enough, the madness grows further. The leaders of the very communities that are being destroyed cast their lot with the looters, saying they merely seek justice and they do all in their power to block police action or, when a looter or one who has committed bodily assault or arson is arrested, they have the suspect released with no charges within hours. This is being done while good and decent taxpayers in those cities lose their livelihood and their property while these same leaders just look the other way and return to their homes with heavy round the clock protection. Citizens, on the other hand, are left with no protection since the cities are, of course, strong advocates for heavy gun control. This is madness, my friends, and today many Americans are cowering in fear for they have no idea what to do or where to turn for answers and solutions. They are frozen by this fear as they worry about where they can go for help. Let me provide a couple of examples of what I am talking about. It's readily available right before our eyes.

There was a young mother on Facebook, voicing her opinion about the issue of COVID. She said she had to work and she had two young boys in elementary school and she was torn between opening or closing schools.

"I know my boys need to go to school," she said, "but I worry about them getting sick because this is serious. They could die and I don't know what I would do, so I guess I'll just have to find a way to have them stay at home while I go to work. I hope I can find someone to stay with them."

Think about that. She worried that they might die and that froze her mind. But from what we know about COVID, they have a much greater chance of dying in the school bus taking them to school every morning due to a serious accident with no passenger seat belts to use. And come on, folks, people die every day, not nearly as many of young ages, but it happens routinely. Life gives us no guarantees, but if we live it in constant fear which can result in paranoia, that life will certainly not be joyous for we will be living under wraps and not experience the wonders that are life itself. And then there's the rioting, with pictures showing mayhem and destruction and some others are frozen by fear and unable to do anything because of that. And the media continually tells us that it is all the fault of the President who is overstepping his authority and violating the Constitution by bringing federal law enforcement officers, not troops, into the situation. The reality is that the President, as Chief Executive of the federal government has every right to protect federal facilities throughout the land. Federal court houses are under siege in all of these cities. As President of all the people, he also has the authority to maintain safety of citizens in the area if local leaders won't and we've seen so many examples of mayors tying the hands of police so they can't do their jobs with the result being destruction of property and violence against citizens. This can't continue if we want a country. Sadly, it appears some leaders don't care. Even House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer both have publicly stated that they won't support a condemnation of violence is the cities of America. Really, leaders? Think about what that means and what it says about both of you. This is madness and every day it becomes more obvious that both of these situations, COVID and the riots are tied together. If you think it's a coincidence that these things are both happening as we get close to the election, maybe you need a good reassessment. The same people pushing this are the same ones who pushed both the Mueller action and the failed impeachment. So, stay safe, but think about things carefully. The truth is close at hand for all who truly want to seek it out.

In the meantime, fly your flag, 24/7 if you can, as a symbol of your support for peace, harmony and law and order in the United States of America. This is one thing that is front and center on the table in this election and we all need to recognize that. Do we want a nation of laws or a nation of men (and women) who are faulty and weak. If you don't know the answer, open your heart to God and let Him enlighten you. Then you, like all of us if we do the same, will all know what to do.

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SUNDAY MORNING COMING DOWN: Add a Touch of "Soul" to Your Train of Faith

7/26/2020

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Remember Don Cornelius from Soul Train in its early days?

Every week as I ponder what to write for Sunday I am amazed at how the Spirit works in me. This week I was stumped, but then I found myself thinking about a summer job I had in the late 1960's while in college. I was home fo the summer and worked for R.C. Cola in Hampton, Virginia, servicing vending machines (drinks and snacks) all over the Peninsula and one of my favorite stops was a black barber shop on Queen Street in Hampton. This was in the days when soul music really wasn't yet defined, but those barbers could sing up a storm, sounding as good as Marvin Gaye or the Temptations ever could. And it made me think about Don Cornelius, the genius who founded Soul Train in 1971 and personally served as master of ceremonies until 1993. Those early days, including much of the '70's was when soul music did just what it says, it captured your soul and it was a natural coming from the earlier versions of pop music as black America found its niche in something directed toward them and quickly enjoyed by all of us. In the process, it captured most of us with the great talent and rhythm and feeling that so many black performing artists have and display.

Cornelius was an interesting man with an eye to his future. Born in 1936 in Chicago, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1954, later worked in sales and as a Chicago Police officer, but in 1966, despite having a wife and children, he quit his job with nearly no savings and attended broadcasting school. He became active in the civil rights movement and knew he had the gift of gab with his deep voice and he wanted to use it to help his people. His first broadcast job was as a reporter and disc jockey in Chicago, then later he was picked up by local TV where he did reporting and also was given the opportunity to host a show presenting a black perspective on local news. Then his big chance arrived as the station started Soul Train in response to Cornelius' prodding and it was a hit. The next year it was picked up by a national syndication, moved to Los Angeles and Cornelius and his pet show were on the way. It quickly became popular around the country among not only blacks, but whites and other groups as the burgeoning new sound of soul music became popular. Soul Train was the first national talent show featuring blacks exclusively and that was his dream. He knew that black entertainers needed their own venue, not the gracious but limited appearance given on the traditional shows, including Ed Sullivan and Dick Clark's American Bandstand. It's a great example of a man exemplifying the best of the beliefs of Martin Luther King as Cornelius worked hard, maintained a positive outlook and never let violence enter his heart on his road upward. And it allowed for some of that sweet, sweet music that I heard in that Hampton barbershop years ago to beckon to all of us.

So, why am I writing this on a Sunday in my Sunday Morning Coming Down commentary? Well, it's very simple, for you see, I don't know whether Don Cornelius was a man of faith or not, but I do know that in a time that was very tragic for many people in places in the turbulent times of the most active phase of the civil rights movement, Cornelius never was downtrodden and never gave up in his quest to help his people and it paid off big time for him and for all of us. Entertainers like Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Gladys Knight, Isaac Hayes, Sam and Dave and many, many more got great recognition and identification by a public that otherwise might not have noticed them. And it was good for them and good for us. And remember, the final words of every Soul Train show ended with Cornelius telling the audience to live with love, peace and soul. Pleasant words, comforting words, words that could never be associated with hate and violence. We can all take something most positive from that in our current times. And perhaps we can do better than that, for as I know in my heart, good music has a way of opening us up to the Spirit. So, maybe, just maybe we can get some soul in our celebration of faith. I remember my days in the Army in Europe when we held fun parties at the Officers Club to celebrate return from a long training mission or even the Army birthday. Sometimes we got just a little carried away in the celebration and to the beat of some good music, perhaps even some of that soul music, we formed a conga line and danced throughout the club, even through the kitchen, showing our Army Spirit. Just think, maybe we could one day have a soul train of faithful souls, gathered together like that party, only this time at church, dancing a soul train through His House in joy for the Spirit of the Living God. Would God think that to be irreverent in His House. Not at all, as long as it was an expression of our faith, for He wants us to be joyous and happy in our love for Him and I think He would smile down and in His own way join us with the Spirit. A Soul Train for our Lord and Savior. Wouldn't that be something special and joyous? Have a blessed day.

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Oh, The Glorious Days of Childhood Back in the 1950's

7/24/2020

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Remember those days, my friends?

We definitely live in trying and stressful times these days, my friends, and I know that most of us are very concerned with what the future might bring. But too much time dwelling on such things can make us surly, angry or just plain sad, so I find the best solution is to think about pleasant things along our way to keep us on an even keel. And nothing can do that better than looking back to the good old days of our childhood, a time when things were much simpler, much easier to comprehend and much more peaceful. No time could be better than those days in the 1950's when little boys were boys, girls were girls and parents were the boss. We had direction, we could focus accordingly and we understood the limits of what we could do and what the consequences were if we came up short. So, picture yourself as a child, pre-teen or even young teen in many instances, in hometown USA on a nice summer afternoon or any day for that matter and perhaps your life will have some similarities to what I'll describe today. I'm not going to talk about special times here, but those routine days when we boys always could find a group to gather and do something which was healthy, built camaraderie and was plain and simple fun.

From the beginning of spring right through the summer, boys being boys meant boys playing baseball. I can remember getting home from school and immediately changing clothes and heading out for baseball. After school let out, it was almost every day. Sometimes it was at a real ball field but as often as not it was in an open vacant lot. We would find whatever was available to use as base markers, sometimes cardboard or small pieces of wood, but we improvised as needed. I was blessed to live in a home right next door to a large vacant lot. Our property line consisted of a long row of mature ligustrum, creating a thick bush backdrop for our ball field. If a ball got by the catcher and went into the thick bushes, it would be found lying on the ground and those thick bushes served as well. What didn't serve us well was when a player, running over from the third base line and attempting to snag a long foul ball, crashed into the ligustrum, sometimes breaking branches or literally stirring up a hornet's nest. And I can also tell you, it didn't serve Mom well either and I was in the doghouse for awhile. But it was fun and we spent hours playing ball, staying out as late as we could. That, of course, wasn't possible on weekdays during the school years as parents were sticklers about getting the homework done.

In those early years, little boys had no idea what the girls did during those times and, frankly, we didn't care. They were the last thing on our minds, but it wasn't long before we noticed girls and the girls noticed boys and, VOILA, an audience of girls would find their way to the old ball game. We, of course, also enjoyed organized baseball, playing in little leagues, church leagues and city recreation leagues, including both baseball and softball, wearing uniforms and imagining we were playing for the Yankees or the Dodgers, or team of our choice. But it was fun, it was healthy and it kept us busy. That was very important to my mom who often reminded me that "an idle mind is the devil's workshop." I guess that's why she put up with us crashing into those bushes for baseball was the least of the problems. Come football season, a missed flying tackle created much more havoc than a baseball. And come to think of it, I can remember telling my own children that line about the devil many years later.

Looking back at those times and comparing them to today, I am saddened when I drive by so many wonderful playgrounds that are not being used routinely. The sporting events are still seen on the weekends in organized games, but the old sandlot variety, playing in vacant lots and on school yards is just not seen very much these days. The elimination of so much routine athletics on the fly, often replaced by video games certainly can be seen in more obesity in children today than ever before. I know it's a different time with different concerns today since we never had to worry about schoolyard shooting or drug sellers hanging around playgrounds. Oh, yes, there was perhaps the occasional pervert showing up, but parents always were able to take care of those things usually without violence but by making others aware and the culprit usually disappeared. And if that didn't work, the police who were always respected by kids and adults handled it in a jiff. Those were the days, my friends and I thought they'd never end but, alas, they did. But at least those of us who experienced them have the memories. They live on within us.

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If You Question the Validity of Political Polls, You Have Good Reason

7/23/2020

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Opinions come and go over time and the only one that counts is on election day.

Here we are in the busiest of election seasons with the once every four year Presidential election cycle now in full gear and, of course, the pollsters are polling everywhere. But over the last few years, they seem to continue non-stop as they have become the basis for news instead of just a component of the news after the fact. It's been sad over time to see journalism turn from reporting the news to creating the news. This has brought almost all news organizations into the poll generation business as newspapers are more interested in finding support for their viewpoint in their polls instead of analyzing independent polls to see what they say about the future. The entire newspaper industry has become activist, the prime mover of things they would like to see happen through the people who can make them happen. And for those of conservative viewpoint, it's now wonder they are skeptical of polls administered by those of a different viewpoint and that's validated by the knowledge that 93% of journalists, both print and visual media. consider themselves to be liberal. Add to this the biased influence of organizations like Twitter and Facebook, it just adds to the problem.

Think back a few years to how polling used to be conducted. As a college student studying political science way back in the '60's, I was involved in a number of projects drawing up polling questionnaires and conducting field polls and I can tell you that you can design a poll to ask questions in a way that will result in a favorable response. But back then, we tried not to do that, we tried to keep them as objective as possible to draw an honest answer, for candidates back then used them to mold their views. Today, it is just the opposite. Polls are prepared in a way to elicit the desired result and then turned over to the campaigns and journalists to use them to point out why they are favored in the campaign. People generally to like to go with those they perceive to be winners and if they can convince the public that their guy is the winner, well, the obvious follows. But that doesn't yet address one other factor that has raised its ugly head in recent years and that is fear. Make no mistake about it, there is a fear factor in America today where a majority of Americans would prefer not to express their public views on politics to anyone.

Recently, the respected CATO Institute, a libertarian-leaning think tank, came out with a survey reporting that a majority of Americans, 52%, are afraid to express publicly their views on political matters. They are concerned due to the rise in social disorder and the trends toward violence being taken against those who don't support the message of those carrying out the violence. The media has played a part in this situation as it has been used to publicize names and addresses in certain instances of those having views which oppose their positions. This was witnessed just in the last few days as we have witnessed the battle that Fox New opinion show host Tucker Carlson has taken to the media when threatened with such a tactic. It was the New York Times and they have previously used this tactic and it caused Carlson to move due to the threats to himself, his family and his home. The average Joe and Jane certainly is aware of this and other examples, like the McCloskey family in St. Louis, defending themselves on their private property from a mob taunting and yelling ugly comments in their front yard. Media slanted coverage was the reason this happened and they stirred up a frenzy. This adds to the reason why, in the CATO survey, Republicans showed a 77% reluctance and Independents measured in at 59%, even Democrats register a slight majority being unwilling to respond to polls 52% of the time. Only those considered to be extreme on the liberal scale show a an eager willingness to participate and as the news cycles show more and more of violence out of control in large American cities, why should we be surprised. The extreme liberals, like Mayor Ted Wheeler of Portland, are the ones so vigorously supporting the destruction of the city he is sworn to protect. I know that right now if I were called by a pollster, I would decline to participate also. So, if that is the case, how can we put much stock in today's polling which, after all, consists of nothing but opinions at the moment? Where are the opinions coming from? The answers are very clear: we can't and we don't know?

Perhaps we'd be better of in using our time more effectively by digging deep into what our candidates say and what they have done in their past to back up that position. And we'd be better to analyze facts about the poll organization and its viewpoint and the sources for the poll. Let's apply logic and reason instead of emotion to the process and stop accepting fifteen second sound bytes as truth as well as statistics that very well could have been drawn out of thin air. Remember, politicians can lie on their campaign promises since the law doesn't require them to be truthful.. In the case of President Trump, it's easy to evaluate him for you can read his old campaign promises in the summer of 2016 at his Gettysburg address and compare them with his actions in the Oval Office. That's easy. But with Biden, a man who is now pushing positions that he never supported in the past, he needs to be seen in front of the nation where the questions can be asked. And we can also see him and determine of he has the mental awareness to even hold the job. That's why having the debates is so important, for right now he is just the unseen candidate in the basement, making big gaffes with almost every statement he makes. Trump, on the other hand, has been tested under fire for four year, it's time to put Biden under fire by having him debate with the President where he has to answer questions, not just walk away from the mike when his comments are done. Whether or not these requirements are carried out or not is, of course, up to us and what we demand. Think about it and decide what you want, then lets get it done. But please, please, don't jump on the bandwagon based upon what you've read from a poll sponsoring by a source that actually created it. That is just folly.

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Safety and Security: The Primary Purpose for Government

7/22/2020

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These are not peaceful demonstrators looting an upscale Portland store

It's hard to miss the destruction of so many cities in America these days, as violent extremists night after night burn, loot and destroy, and injure others. We've seen it in Seattle and New York, Chicago and Dallas and many more, but today Portland, Oregon is in the spotlight. Portland is a city of nearly seven hundred thousand in an area which has seen its share of violence in recent years. It is a city which sits in a beautiful area of the northwest which finds itself on the receiving end again of violence. This violence is the result of anarchists, thugs and an assortment of miscreants who either truly seek to destroy America as we know it or just enjoy creating havoc and pain to others as their jaded form of entertainment. To compound the problem, or maybe as its primary cause, Mayor Ted Wheeler, a far left activist, has been sitting on his hands while the carnage continues, ordering his police to be passive. And the extremists who now wield power in the Democratic Party, supplemented by their friends in the biased mainstream media, lie and distort events to try to shift the blame to Donald Trump, the President of the United States. Why? Because the Administration of Donald Trump is actively working to bring the destruction to an end whether Mayor Wheeler wants it or not.

The Left tells us that action by the United States government is not only not wanted, but that it violates the Constitution. They claim that Trump taking action against "peaceful" demonstrators indicates that Trump might even be using this as a trial run for what he will do if he loses his reelection bid in November. They claim that the actions are being carried out by soldiers. Not only is this hogwash, it is delusion of the worst order and I find it important to briefly discuss what is the truth and what should be done.

Contrary to the Left's constant diatribes and the media hype with each network using the same talking points, the President is doing exactly what the Constitution authorized him to do. The first and foremost duty of a President is to keep the nation and her citizens safe and secure. And this has traditionally been honored by government leaders at all lower levels, including states, municipalities and county governments since they all are expected to subscribe to the Constitution as well. President Trump, in carrying out his duties to restore order and safety in places under duress, has invoked the Insurrection Act, which not only gives him the authority to protect federal property and facilities across the land but also to provide safety and security of residents throughout when local officials refuse to do so. Elected officials at all levels are expected to honor and defend the law of the land and when they turn a blind eye toward violence, they fail to carry out their duties honorably.

Last night, Chad Wolf, the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, appeared on Martha McCallum's show on Fox and explained very clearly what is going on and what his agency is doing to quell the violence. Using the Federal Protective Service, a civilian agency of law enforcement professionals under the auspices of the department as well as a number of federal marshals and FBI agents to identify riot leaders. They have been in Portland throughout the now fifty-two consecutive night riots. Their charge is to defend federal properties, including the federal courthouse, identify culprits, and when clearly identified, to arrest them. Why? Because Mayor Wheeler's concept of a peaceful demonstration is false since each night it turns into a riot.

Here's what Acting Secretary Wolf said took place and judging from both his demeanor, his consistency and his handling the difficult questions from Ms. McCallum, they make good sense. He didn't hesitate and the response matches up with reports from several honest internet sites that haven't yet drunk the leftist Kool-Aid. Mr. Wolf explained that during the early evening hours, all is peaceful with protesters expressing their free speech rights without any extensive taunts or threats of violence. But, around eleven in the evening, the front rank of protesters becomes a woman only spot, using their bodies as human shields to block the ranks immediately behind them from being seen as black unbrellas come open behind them and protesters change from their regular street clothes into black attire with helmets and faces covered and brandished batons, ball bats and other items to use violently. Molotov cocktails appear, rocks are made available in abundance, frozen water bottles are added and such things as PVC pipe that is sharpened into a spear are also handed out. When the women leave the rank, the protesters fill in the void, ready for action and the violence begins. The melee of burning, beating and looting continue until about five in the morning, when finally they disperse after more are hurt and injured, federal officers are hurt and the courthouse and businesses in the area are destroyed. This has gone on for fifty-two nights, but finally some of the culprits have been identified for arrest and detention pending further punitive legal action, including federal felony charges. Mayor Wheeler, of course, is nowhere to be seen during the violent assault and perhaps he just goes home to feel comfortable in his delusion or perhaps its to hide from the mob, which at some point will likely turn on him as well. These people don't care, they just want to destroy and it is becoming more apparent that the peaceful protesters, while not committing the violent actions, clearly support those who follow them. They are complicit by their own actions.

As mentioned early on, this is not limited to Portland. It has been happening in New York, Seattle, Atlanta, Dallas, Washington, Chicago, Philadelphia, Kansas City, St. Louis and many more large cities. The common denominator is that the cities are run by Democrats who share the value structure of the violent. If they didn't, they wouldn't support the actions by their inaction as their cities go up in flames. And if it doesn't stop, don't be surprised if it shows up in a place near you. It doesn't have to be large and it doesn't even have to be a city, for hate and violence have a way of making their own path when they find no resistance. And this is why our President is doing what he is doing and why our federal law enforcement officers are bravely answering the call. Federal officers are anticipating being dispatched as well due to the massive violence that is ongoing there which the media ignores. Isn't it interesting that in Chicago, a city so enamored with Black Lives Mater as it shows such rage for the death of black humanity when it involves the police, yet doesn't shoe any concern for the black on black border that is so rampant in that city. It's time for the police in these cities to step up to the plate and support the actions being taken to support them and the good people who reside in these places. God bless America and support those who are trying to keep us free from this war of tyranny on so many doorsteps.

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"This Little Light of Mine, I'm Gonna' Let it Shine"

7/21/2020

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Do you remember times like this in your childhood? They were magical

The words above come, of course, from the old Christian Negro spiritual which was also sung by youngsters in Sunday school very often. The Light has always been special and for those of you who grew up by faith, you know that the Light is the Light of Life, our Savior and Lord. As a young boy I spent many times like the young girl shown above, walking with a sibling or a parent on the golden beaches of Nags Head with a light on a night when the moon wasn't out. We often would sit on the beach, smelling the briny air and enjoying the rhythmic sound of waves coming ashore as we wriggled our door in the soft, often still warm sand. And then, we used the light to guide us back to the safety of our cottage in the blackness of the night.

Another memorable experience was returning from Roanoke Island to the beach late at night after visiting family in Wanchese. As we crossed the Baum Bridge from the island to Nags Head, off to the right was small but distinctive sight of Bodie Island Light about eight miles away, penetrating the dark night sky and its result was often our breaking into a chorus of the words of the spiritual as well. Special moments they were and they created a mindset that led to furtherance of my understanding of the Light of LIfe. Both cases were most enjoyable moments that we just took for granted at the time, but with maturity it became clear why they were meant to be.

The Light of Life is what we all need, for no one wants to live in darkness. But if not exposed to this magical Light, we seek something to replace the darkness but don't know what to do and without His love and guidance, we often falter. And the sad part is that to find the Light, we don't have to look far, for it is right inside us. All we have to do is to activate it, and the Spirit of the Living God then comes alive inside us. How do we activate it? Simply put, all we have to do is open our heart and seek it out and we'll find it readily there, waiting to help us connect with the Light of Life, our Lord. If you learned that little hymn as a child and as you matured you realize what it really meant, then it should today be in your heart and keeping you strong and on track to eternity. If not, just take it from me, and put a little WD-40 on that rusty old hinge to your heart and open it wide. You have to swing it open and shut a few times to make it work effectively, but over time, it will provide what we all seek. It does take practice like anything worthwhile. But with that practice, when you seek, you shall find and the Spirit will come out and smother you with the warmth and comfort of the Light of Life. That Light is also the Light of the World and when we put Him in control of our lives, we will all begin to really live with purpose, joy and love. I'm going to keep that Little Light Shining in my heart and and I hope you will, too.

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PROVOKING THOUGHT: A PICTURE IS, INDEED, WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

7/20/2020

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A thought provoking morning sky in Rodanthe, NC (courtesy Jim Feaster, PlanetRodanthe.com)

Since childhood, I have always been enamored by the morning sky and especially when in wide-open places where it can be seen so clearly. And, of course, nowhere is it more open to view than on the ocean shore. My interest began due to my good fortune of being able to spend summers at Nags Head on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The early morning was so clear and vivid that I would get up early each morning and trek over the beachfront dunes to see it up close and personal. Each morning it had its unique flavor and appearance, but some days were like the picture displayed here which had so much meaning in the symbols and colors which provide so many possible stories. So, what can we make of the picture above?

Now I have to declare that my views of nature and all of its beauty are very biased, yet I think it is the best bias that we humans can hold and it originated and was ingrained in my soul as a young boy. On those glorious summer mornings so many years ago, when I looked at the glory of an ocean sunrise, I thought about what the Creator of all things, including nature, was trying to tell me and my thinking came from the influence of my dear Aunt Sylvia, a very devout believer in God and His word. Also interesting is that the artist with a camera, Jim Feaster, who captured this picture, obviously thinks in a similar fashion as he stated in comments that it looked to him like a priest giving last rights to a dying soul. I certainly see in my mind from the picture a minister tending to a member of his flock as he faces death, but I also see something much deeper in the picture and this I know was because of my relationship with that dear aunt who is long gone. And what might that be?

Look at the picture very closely and notice that the clouds containing the images are very gray, what I would call a gray representing the pall of death awaiting the person awaiting death. But, above the two people talking together as death approaches, notice the golden light of the sky and clouds compared to the fiery red sunrise filtered by some cloudiness below. To me, the contrast represents Good (the golden sky) and Evil (the red sky below) and it's easy to recognize heaven and hell. The dying human is likely pondering what will happen to him after death. Will he see the Light of heaven or the Darkness of hell? And that will only be determined by whether or not he believes by faith in He who sacrificed His life for him and all of us. But also remember, the minister is praying and talking and encouraging him. If he is already a believer, he is likely being told he has nothing to fear. But, if he is not, he still has the deathbed chance to change his fate if he believes by faith truly in his heart before his last breath is breathed. It's a lesson for all of us, for it tells us of the love, grace and salvation we can receive if when we die on this earth, we believe in Him by faith. If not, well, I'll just let the inferno below the gray clouds express what it means to me.

What we do with our life and how we live it is important, but there is hope for all of us if, no matter who we've been and what we've done as long we make the commitment to our Savior while we are still on earth. That's what the beautiful picture tells me and I thank Jim for allowing me to use his beautiful picture to express these thoughts. A picture is, indeed, worth a thousand words and while I haven't used that many, I hope they might be useful to some of you. Have a blessed day.

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SUNDAY MORNING COMING DOWN: Do Not Be Fearful of the End Times

7/19/2020

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At some point the world will die, but we don't have to.

But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. -2 Peter 3:13 (NLT)

There is no doubt we are living in troubled times. What is right is now adjudged wrong, with wrong being judged as right and we even find many changing what biology is all about, claiming to understand the weather with models, only going back some one hundred and fifty years telling us the truth about climate changes on a planet which has existed for millions of years. Nature has shown that it doesn't cooperate with man-made models and time and time again those models come up woefully short for many reasons. Some push ideological agendas on others that don't make sense and many just hide away, cowering in fear over the unknown about all of it and tremble in doubt. Meanwhile, the same God who is always with us, who is as near as a word from us if we need His help, is so often never asked. He has even provided for us His Word in a grand book put together with those given His Spirit and that very Spirit was also installed inside of each of us, yet we still look the other way, looking for someone with all the answers when He is, in fact, the One with the answers we need. And, of course, remember that He gave us His Son to give us forgiveness, and it was that Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who provided the Spirit since He knew that once He departed we weak humans would need some super-human internal support. Yet, many still don't get it, while those who do watch things crumble as we continue to think that man has all the answers.Why do so many of us act this way, in fact, it could be more than don't? Why can't we see the forest for the trees and know that He is available to answer our questions and guide us? Well, simply put, its because He gave us free will to choose for ourselves and so many of us are looking for complex and deep answers that we think only great scientists and earth can provide.

Our problem is a simple one and I think it is one that comes with too much being assumed by too many about the strength and capability of man to solve all things. Perhaps it is self-worship or perhaps it comes from seeing so many great things created by man that we forget that the very genius we see also came from God since as the Creator, He is the generator of all the components of man. When we make that mistake, it opens us up to real stupidity, and no example of that today is more exemplary of it than the thought patterns we see today which some call being "Woke" or the "Cultural Revolution." What it should be called is "Madness" since it is nothing more than an attempt to overturn order and reason by a combination of groupthink and violence. That will never be something that God intends, for God gave us a brain to think through problems. He also has the answers that will allow the thinking through to discern the correct answers, but we have to use the Good within free will to do that. The madness we see today is because free will has been used to take the opposite approach as God watches, hoping that enough of us will use Good free will to ask him for guidance and direction to quell the problem, not responding to Satan who is in the midst of all strife and violence on earth. And if we don't, does it mean we are in the End Times? Well, we just don't know because He tells us we won't know, but we must be ready if we want peace in the valley in our own lives. And that peace ultimately comes from the Salvation that he grants to those who place their lives in him through believing by faith.

So, don't be fearful, be faithful. Don't cower in the corner, make a determination to work with others who want Goodness and Light in this world, not disorder, despair, darkness and agony. If we work for that, the ultimate reward is permanent peace and tranquility for each of us who so believes and the End Times, well, they'll come eventually but it will not be of bad consequences for us. Remember, the time we spend on this earth is just a blip on the timeline of Eternal Life which will last forever. We must quell your fears and place our energy, thought and talents under the tutelage of Almighty God. That will settle us, comfort us, and give us everlasting peace.

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POLITICS 2020: A MAN WHO IS UNAFRAID TO SAY WHAT IS ON HIS MIND

THE HEARING THAT WASN'T: Rude, Crude and Unattractive

Come On, Americans, Let's Not Allow Ourselves to be Frozen by Fear

SUNDAY MORNING COMING DOWN: Add a Touch of "Soul" to Your Train of Faith

Oh, The Glorious Days of Childhood Back in the 1950's

If You Question the Validity of Political Polls, You Have Good Reason

Safety and Security: The Primary Purpose for Government

"This Little Light of Mine, I'm Gonna' Let it Shine"

PROVOKING THOUGHT: A PICTURE IS, INDEED, WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

SUNDAY MORNING COMING DOWN: Do Not Be Fearful of the End Times

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