Blog Archives - North Florida Writer

Tonight at 9: What Happens After Boehner, Republicans?

9/30/2015

Remember the night during Obama's first term when Obamacare passed the House? I'll never forget it; then Minority Leader John Boehner took to the floor and voiced the view of the majority of Americans and said that somehow, some way the Republicans would turn it around? He was elegant, forceful and spoke with passion and the hopeful believed him. Sadly, it was probably the first and last convincing speech he ever gave as we were soon to find out.

Later that same year the voters spoke out loudly. Electing a large number of Tea Party Conservatives to Congress, Boehner garnered a majority in the House and became Speaker, only to completely change his tone and actually be seen over the years as working more closely with President Obama rather than listening to the needs of his party's constituents. And here we are five years later and nothing has changed excepting his announced resignation. So what happened to Boehner, why did he become so meek and unresponsive, ultimately leading to where he finds himself today?

Tonight at 9 on North Florida Writer Live I will be joined by my regular Wednesday night guest, Mark Collier, as we discuss the events of the last five years leading up to Boehner's decision to call it quits. We will look at his timidity, the part the Republican Establishment played in this period and where the party in Congress is likely to be led from here. Will the new leadership team respond to the demands of the base and the growing Conservative House membership or resort to the same old control tactics that played a large part in Boehner's loss of power? And will the action here put a push on for a similar outcome for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a man who since his elevation to that position has shown no willingness to stand on principle for anything?

Join us for a rousing discussion. The show begins live at 9 pm and will then be available on demand thereafter. Here's the link:

tobtr.com/s/7961151

The Amazing Things of Nature

9/29/2015

Flooded pasture due to excessive rain

Here in North Florida it's been an excessively wet summer, particularly in the latter half of the season. We measured over twenty inches of rain on our little farm in August and now at the end of September we've almost received a like amount. So living in a naturally rain blessed area, receiving nearly seventy-five percent of an annual rainfall in two months is quite dramatic.

Due to the rain, the pasture shown in the picture has been continually wet. The standing water shows itself after a very heavy rain, when three or more inches falls in one storm. Usually, however, it recedes quickly into the drainage channel when the sun comes out. But with the rain daily and relentless this summer, it has maintained itself as a temporary pond practically all summer.

But yesterday I noticed an amazing phenomenon that I had never seen before. I probably wouldn't have paid attention had I not noticed the large flock of white egrets strutting about in the water. Where there are egrets, there is a food source, but never would I have guessed that fish would have populated the area. Shiners, the silvery bait fish commonly used for recreational fishing, were leaping and jumping in large numbers. And even after the egrets had made a great meal of them, there were thousands left. Even raccoons were seen wandering through the water looking for a tasty meal. I guess the fish eggs had been lying dormant in the damp earth and the standing water provided them with the perfect opportunity to hatch.

Now I'm wondering if we'll start to find some crawdads in the mix soon, for several years back after a hurricane we had a bumper crop of them in the wet fields as well. That's one thing that is definite in Florida; if it rains and stays wet, things will grow, both plant and animal form. And it further shows how God has designed the earth to adjust to whatever befalls it. It's just a shame that mankind isn't so adept.

So I guess the moral of the story is we must learn to live with what we have. Instead of complaining when it's not the way we want, look for the little things that show the beauty, creativity and glory of the living earth and its inhabitants that the good Lord has given us.

All creatures great and small, in rain and sun, cold and heat, God has a place for all of them. And if we are smart, we'll learn from the things that He does, for He is truly magnanimous. Have a blessed day, everyone.

What Direction Will We Take?

9/28/2015

The frightful picture that is shown posted today is representative of Armageddon. We are told in the Book of Revelation that it will take place, a final struggle between good and evil, before the Savior comes for the second time and with his arrival reclaims the world from satan. I show it today because I think each of us must answer the question of what direction will we take, what answer will we give as our final answer to determine our ultimate future. The answer to that question is so important because it determines our finality; will we choose to spend eternity with our Lord and Savior or in eternal darkness. It's a question that only we can answer with God's gift of free will.

America is on the ropes. We're nearly broke, we've already spent all the money that was supposed to be in a "lock box" for payment of social security, our military is being stripped down while given more and more difficult overseas assignments, the border is wide open and we likely have terror cells waiting for a call to action right here in the USA. The government fudges the statistics to make it look like things are going well when they aren't and instead of turning to God for our salvation we fall for gimmicks and schemes from politicians who are self-absorbed despite their soaring rhetoric.

But we need not look to the future with gloom and doom for we have the Way, Truth and Life right at our side. Additionally, there are signs that we as a nation are awakening. Whether or not you do or don't like Donald Trump, he has risen to prominence because of this awakening, for the promises and the hype of our leaders on the Republican side have fallen flat with their lack of accomplishment and substance, and even the Democrats have shown that the given of a Hillary nomination is by no means a sure bet. And then there was the announcement by Speaker Boehner that he was going to resign, finally realizing that the people are energized against his weak leadership.

I certainly don't have a crystal ball, but I would bet that Mitch McConnell will be facing a similar situation to that of Boehner although it is at best an uncertain bet. And whether or not Trump continues in his lead or a Carson or a Cruz or someone else comes to the forefront it is likely that it won't be Jeb Bush, the odds on favorite in the early days despite Establishment yearning. And Hillary is in for the challenge of her life and it is just a question of whether or not the Establishment can protect her sufficiently to survive.

But here's the thing: whether it's now or later, Americans are very disgusted with their choices and are not likely to go silent if the Establishment of both parties pulls it out again. So the political aspect of our future could very easily show a positive change. Now if only we could get our spiritual side in order and once again realize the important of a godly America. Then we could prosper again as never before. But be that as it may, the future will include the return of the Savior, and for the sake of all of us, I hope each of us has our heart in the right place before it is too late. Will we face victory or defeat? Well, unless we call for His guidance and grace in dealing with what we face, defeat is inevitable. But with the Way, the Truth and the Life as our guiding force, we cannot fail.

Bring America back to God and our Savior, His Son Jesus Christ. As the wonderful hymn of the same name says, There's Victory in Jesus.

ISN'T IT TIME TO RECONNECT WITH GOD: LIVE AT 2

9/27/2015

We Americans find ourselves facing many serious challenges these days and we wonder why so many difficult problems are facing us simultaneously. We have the highest percentage of working age citizens who have given up looking for work since the 1970s. Violence and torture threatens us like we can't remember in our lifetimes. Pay doesn't keep up with our living costs. And we are besieged by a surge of illegal immigrants demanding that they be treated better than our own citizens. So what in the world is causing all of this to happen?

Well, maybe the answer is right in front of our nose and we just don't want to admit it. A great nation that was founded under God has in so many ways rejected His guidance. We have modified our culture to make "anything goes" acceptable, look away from evil and ignore its presence, and put our own life first when we should be putting God first. Every day that passes seems to bring with it some new travesty or outrageous form of human behavior, yet we go along with our own selfish lives as if we have no power to do things differently.

On today's Sunday Morning Coming Down devotional we are going to talk about these things. We're going to talk about how we were created in the image of God by a loving God who expects us to live for Him. And if we understand that by putting Him first, our second place standing not only offers to greatly change our lives on earth but offers a heavenly ending as well. After all, folks, we were put on this earth by the Father who had great plans for us. Each of us has a mission that he wants us to perform, but we're not likely to understand what it is unless we open our hearts to Him.

I hope you'll join us for the short time we have to discuss how we can improve our lives by living for Him. The show will be broadcast live at 2 pm Eastern and thereafter on demand 24/7 on North Florida Writer Live. Here' the link:

tobtr.com/s/7956125

Sunday Morning Coming Down draws it's name from the great song by Johnny Cash of the same title. It is devoted to providing a few words each week to hopefully help point the way to a lasting love of God in Three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Join us for devotions and some good Christian music. It's never a bad time to worship our Lord. God bless you all.

Ding Dong, John Boehner Is Gone!

9/26/2015

Yesterday I was up very early and I was nervous. My wife had to undergo outpatient surgery and even though I trust her doctor and knew things would be fine it still worried me. So I didn't check the news before leaving home and was sitting in the waiting room at the hospital when a friend called.

Right out of the blue he asked if I had heard the news and then he blurted out that John Boehner had announced he was resigning as Speaker of the House and from Congress on October 31. I must confess that I forgot momentarily where I was and let out a little cheer. I mean, really, we are finally getting rid of the most hapless Speaker of the House, a man who really has no core, and it didn't even take a protracted fight. I guess he was reading the tea leaves and finally realized that his "jig was up".

It's a great start to changing the culture of the Republican Establishment but it is just a first step. And it's very important for those of us who are happy with this change of events to realize that who is selected to replace Boehner by the Republican caucus is critical to the future. Sadly, one of the names at the top of the list, Kevin McCarthy of California, Boehner's hand picked House Majority Leader, would be no improvement. Sadly, he could be even less receptive to the conservative conservative cause judging from his voting record.

It is important for the Republican caucus to pick a new Speaker who is either a true conservative or one who is open to fairness in dealing with the conservative wing of the party. One of my favorites is Jim Jordan of Ohio, a man who is outspoken in support of conservative cause but I would even accept Daniel Webster of Florida, a more moderate man who is, however, open to conservative views and solutions in an open discourse.

Whoever is selected, we must have a Speaker with courage and conviction and one who is not a patsy for the Chamber of Commerce. If the Chamber of Commerce wants to run the Congress, let it run candidates who win office, not try to buy off cash hungry moderates who will support nearly any cause if the price is right.

So Republicans of the heartland, get on the phone and call Congress and let them know what you expect. If you don't, complaints after the fact just won't do. Get involved, speak out and do it quickly. Tomorrow might be too late.

What Were Boehner and Biden Thinking?

9/25/2015

So yesterday the Pope spoke before a joint session of the Congress, something not previously done. As he spoke, I watched Vice President Biden and Speaker of the House Boehner seated behind him, wondering what they were thinking. The Vice President was either in a trance or his mind was somewhere else from the look on his face and the Speaker, well, he cried as he so often does. But underneath their outer shell, what was really going on. Let's look at them and ponder that individually.

First the Vice President, a man whose political fortunes seem to be on the upswing as the Clinton campaign becomes even more deeply mired in scandal. Is Biden pondering the words of the Pope, words which in my opinion were both missing the target and forgetting the role that America has played in the world? Or was he planning his future campaign and what he would try to do to make things better for so many Americans who are deeply hurting after Obama's failed programs and promises?

And Speaker Boehner, why is he crying? Is he buying the climate change mumbo jumbo and figuring out how he can force his caucus to push it through or is he wondering why the Pope has chosen to emphasize that program which is losing public support? Or maybe is he just crying because he had a few "belts" before entering the Chamber and then becoming melancholic as so many who drink routinely do?

And what about the Pope himself? Does he truly believe that America has provided insufficient aid to those in need around the world and that America should open her borders to all comers, no matter how many, where from and what their intentions? In his mind is Climate Change truly the big issue of our time instead of the slaughter of Christians which he only mentioned in passing?

As you can see, I have many more questions than answers and I truly think Pope Francis missed a golden opportunity to connect with Americans, Catholic, Protestant and others alike, when he criticized the nation that has saved the earth in two world wars and has taken in more immigrants than the other nations of the world combined. I find it detestable that he didn't thank America, instead of leveling criticism while pushing a socialist agenda that most good Americans find inappropriate. Frankly, his speech sounded to me as if it could have been written by one of Obama's delusional speech writers. Wealth redistribution, climate change and immigration advocacy are issues which really are not what America needed to hear from the Pope, but I am sure that Obama will try to use his remarks to push even harder for his absurd agenda that will only further the destruction of the United States.

If I have offended anyone by these remarks I am deeply sorry, but I felt as if they had to be made. I feel no guilt for being an American and I am proud of what this great country has done. And since we are still a sovereign state and a free one at that, although sometimes I worry for how long, I will say what's on my mind when I feel it to be appropriate. I wish the Pope well and a safe trip home when his visit is done, but I truly feel he has done America a great disservice. After all, he mentioned nothing about the abuse and horror of Cuba when in that country, yet he turns his animosity toward the greatest nation on earth, and that is truly unfortunate. Perhaps it comes from his growing up in socialist Argentina, a nation which used to be rich and prosperous before the Peronistas came to the fore. But I hope that he hasn't bought the hype from Obama hook, line and sinker.

God help and bless America and may she ever be free.

Army Brass Wrong: Captain Dan Quinn, Hero

9/24/2015

I want to salute former Army Captain Dan Quinn, a Special Forces officer who represented the best of good moral behavior while in Afghanistan and was then relieved of his position because of it. It just shows how our most senior leaders in the military have lost the courage and perseverance to do what is right, instead following orders that at best are faulty but at worst should be criminal. Maybe that's part of the reason that they won't stand on principle any longer as our military is being torn asunder in the name of social experimentation.

Let me explain. Captain Quinn was an Army Special Forces commissioned officer who was required to work directly with Afghan military counterparts. On one of his assignments he came upon something very troubling: an Afghan operative had chained in his office a young boy, a sex slave. Upon learning this Captain Quinn quarreled with the Afghani and an ensuing fight broke out during which the captain beat his counterpart into submission.

When his Army superiors learned of it, they relieved Quinn of his duties and removed him from country. He subsequently ended his service rather than be limited in his duty. After all, Special Forces officers area a special breed with unique skills and they are never happy with a desk job. Now the Captain, a civilian, has gone public with his story and it is out in the open that the Army has told military to ignore such situations, that they know this behavior is a cultural norm by warlords and the powerful in Afghanistan. Really? A good and moral American military officer is supposed to ignore child abuse of the most heinous variety.

And now more such stories are coming out, one with even more tragic results. It seems that this kind of abuse is even taking place on American military installations in Afghanistan when foreign military are also billeted there. Lance Corporal Gregg Buckley, Jr. became aware of a similar situation, reported it to his superiors and was also told to ignore it. He could actually hear the screams of a child and tried to take his complaint up the chain of command. Three days later the young Marine was found dead, murdered. Some say he was possibly killed by the young boy since his report made conditions worse while America did nothing but we really don't know what actually took place. And now the lance corporal's father has come out with the story, telling the press that his son had told him of the situation and just couldn't sleep knowing what he knew.

When I was in the Army, stories like this would never have become a scandal. As a matter of fact, if I had known of such a case, I would have been likely been charged if I hadn't reported it. My how the Army has changed the way it does business and certainly not for the better. Can we as a nation expect to be supported by God above if we operate like this? I dare say not.

I just thought it was important to pass this along. America is at a crossroads on so may moral issues and this is just one. But if we turn our back on evil and let it continue to fester and grow, it will only get worse. Think about this story and think about how you would feel if a child like this boy was one of your own, for situations like this are common in many places of the world. Would you accept your own child being placed in bondage and abused in this way? It's a question the answer to which should govern our actions.

God help America.

TONIGHT AT 9: THE CONSTITUTION VS SHARIA LAW

9/23/2015

Donald Trump was again the subject of a press corps witch hunt for not defending the President in response to questions from a man attending one of his New Hampshire events. Now the pressure has even been applied to the soft spoken and affable Dr. Ben Carson when he made the comment that he personally wouldn't advocate a Muslim candidate for the Presidency. The media, took his statement completely out of context in an attempt to challenge him, but Carson learned from Trump that sometimes you just have to hold your ground.

As we look closely at the actual comment that the good doctor made, we find that his response was really quite accurate, for he was referring to the conflict between the Law of the Land, the Constitution, and Sharia Law, something which is clearly not in compliance with American values and laws. And what Carson was referring to was a Muslim who would require the imposition of Sharia Law which violates the clear standards of our legal system. His explanation was clear, yet the media and many on the left, as well as some of the RINO types, refuse to acknowledge the truth of what Carson has said. It was telling when he told one press representatives that he thought the media had a real problem with understanding good English.

Tonight at 9 we'll talk about the Constitution and Sharia and why America should never accept such a contrary view to gain sway in the Land of the Free. And we'll also spend some time on the Pope's visit to America following his short stay in Cuba. The question on our mind is why the Pope said nothing about the Communist travesties facing Cuba while he at the same time criticizes the American experiment? America wants to know.

Join me with my regular guest, Mark Collier as we address these issues. The show will be available on demand 24/7 once the live broadcast is completed. Here's the link to it:

tobtr.com/s/7946001

Scott Walker Drops Out, Victim of a Lousy Format

9/22/2015

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker dropped out of the Republican Presidential race yesterday and I am truly sorry to see him go. While I didn't agree with him on some issues, I admired the spunk and fire that he devoted to his job in Madison and the milestone changes that he brought to a state that is the home of the Progressive Movement. He ran for Governor on a platform that he stuck to through thick and thin and in the end he won the big battles. He deserves a lot of credit and perhaps his star will rise later since he is a very young man.

The good news is that the people of Wisconsin will have him back home to continue with the progress that has been made to date and the Badger State will be a better place with more opportunity for all of her people. And he should understand that with the crazy format that the Republicans established, it was inevitable that some good candidates would get knocked out early. What we need to hope for is that some of the RINOs in the mix will be next to drop out as well. With a starting group of seventeen, it was impossible from the outset for all to get a fair opportunity to tell their stories.

The biggest problem I see over the next few months is getting the Establishment to come to their sense and realize that the base is not interested in another moderate candidate after back to back weak nominees in the immediate past. Jeb Bush does not inspire and the likes of Christie, Kasich and others of similar ilk will not be acceptable. That's why the base is so enamored with outsiders like Trump, Carson and even Fiorina; they really want some fresh blood that is not tainted by the stain of Washington politics.

Of those three, Fiorina is probably the one they would most likely support since in reality she is certainly no conservative from a review of her background. And the sitting Senators in the running offer a mixed bag, from Ted Cruz, a real conservative who is clearly an outsider, to Marco Rubio, a man who started his Senate term with so much promise, only to be used by Chuck Schumer as a pawn to push an immigration program which the people don't want. In my mind, Rubio will never recover from that and his continuing push for a huge increase in H1B1 visas despite a large number of people already here and citizens who should be filling those jobs. And he is likely to be the one with strong support from the Establishment since he has maintained a working relation with them due to his immigration stance.

Now we find both Trump and Carson under fire for standing their ground on the immigration issue, particularly as it pertains to Muslim "refugees", most of whom are coming not from the battlefield but refugee camps outside of the war zone and number over seventy percent male in make up. Not exactly what many would call true refugees. a factor which makes many support either Trump or Carson. And while Ted Cruz's performance has been disappointing largely due to his inability to get enough air time, his star could quickly rise if he can gain camera time. The silent majority is restless, folks, and I don't think they are going to readily accept the status quo and longer, they are looking for major change and focus on helping American citizens first.

I only hope that when the field gets winnowed we have left standing a person who has the fortitude and the strength to stand for the America that has been left behind by the Establishment, for they certainly don't seem to represent our views and hopes. And at this point in time I see Trump as the one most likely to fill that bill, not as a conservative but as a man who will put America first in all that he does. He is the leader to date and he has a bullseye on his back and the left wing compliant media will do all it can to eliminate him from the competition.

It's going to take a while to get this thing settled but regardless of the outcome, remember one thing. Any of the candidates will offer a better likelihood of making America change directions, for we know that if Hillary is the Democratic nominee she could possible even go further to the left than Obama. And someone like Bernie Sanders, well, that would just hasten the final destruction of America, financially and otherwise. Stay informed, stay involved, and keep your head screwed on for it's bound to be a rocky road ahead. May God stand strong with America, may we be successful in nominating a strong pro-America candidate and may we ever keep our allegiance to a nation under God foremost in all that we do.

So Where Do We Go From Here?

9/21/2015

So we have two Republican primary debates under our belt and what have we found out? Well, to hear the main stream media tell it, Trump has reached his pinnacle and is beginning to slide, Carly Fiorina is the new favorite on the political scene but, of course, Jeb and his handlers will begin to recover with their resources and ground game? Really, and what about Dr. Carson and some of the others, journalistas? Are they now toast?

It's hard to know where to begin but let's just start with the fact that it is way too early for anyone to really know what will happen. But this much is known. Despite what the pundits are reporting or what they are prognosticating, Donald Trump is still leading the Republican pack. And while Carly Fiorina made some significant strides in the second debate, it is questionable that the luster she gained will remain. Why? Because a look at her record reveals that her traditional views don't match with the conservative hype. If anything, she is more of a moderate in the RINO mold as she was when she ran against Barbara Boxer for the Senate in California a few years back. But we'll see.

And then there's Ben Carson, a soft spoken, brilliant and good man, who is now under heat similar to Trump for his statement that a Muslim would not be in his mind good for the Presidency since that religion is not compatible with the Constitution. Frankly, I don't see why the fuss since a review of Muslim views and actions which call for Sharia Law are not compatible with our Law of the Land. But then again, since Trump was criticized without saying a word what should we expect from the press.

It's just crazy the effort the media puts on trying to destroy any politicians who doesn't agree with their agenda while they turn their eyes away from any scrutiny of the Left. So they try to idolize the more moderate among the Republican field, hoping that they will catch fire so that the can destroy them when the general election comes along. Let's face it, folks, there is not now or ever will be a Republican that the main stream media support over a Democrat; there is no unbiased reporting by the mainstream media.

And that brings me to my major point. Does the average American even care what the media thinks? Well, judging from some recent general polls the media ranks near the bottom of the barrel when it comes to trust. And the drop in newspaper and magazine circulation, replaced by the new media (internet blogs and even blog radio) is getting more and more attention by the average America who sees the media for what it is. This is even true to a lesser degree on TV and radio. After all, look around you wherever you live and it becomes obvious that what is being reported by the mainstream media just doesn't match with what we see in our daily lives.

Let's watch this trend during the upcoming election cycle. If it proves to be as important as I think it might it means that Americans are not happy with the status quo. And if that translates into votes as the polls are already saying it might, then we could be looking at a monumental shift in voting patterns in 2016. Keep your eyes open and watch carefully, folks. We're just getting started.