Blog Archives - North Florida Writer

NORTH FLORIDA WRITER LIVE: WILL AMERICA DEFEND HERSELF?

11/16/2015

As we Americans watched and listened with horror to TV and radio programming Friday night highlighting the disaster in Paris, President Obama closed his ears and eyes and continued with his delusion. As a result, another big group of overseas "refugees" arrived in the United States, this time in Louisiana after travel from Syria. Never mind that it is known that a number of the Paris Islamic radical terrorists were from Syria, Obama continues with his blah-blah about how we must save these "refugees". It doesn't matter that the overwhelming majority are males between eighteen and forty-five, prime jihadist candidates, and that upon arrival in destination countries they demand their way on everything from food and lodging.

Meanwhile, we have open borders with unlimited acceptance of illegal aliens courtesy of willful and unlawful government action, our support systems are being overwhelmed by the influx and their costs and, at the same time, our military is hollowed out. And since our President seems oblivious to the potential threats and their cause, even after watching the carnage Friday night in Paris, we Americans find it difficult to escape the conclusion that he either doesn't care or is on board with the future that is sure to follow.

So now the French are bombing ISIS while America, the supposed leader of the free world, won't even acknowledge who the enemy is. Sadly, folks, this is World War III and it has been underway since 9/11 and no one seems to care. And I figure that as long as Obama speaks of ISIL, not ISIS as it is self-proclaimed, he is signaling that their territory includes Israel, which is part of the Levant, the L in ISIL. Does Obama truly seek the destruction of Israel or is he just naive? I know what I think but I'll leave to each of you your own conclusion.

Join me with my guest, Mark Collier, on tonight's North Florida Writer Live as we discuss the threat to America and what we should do about it. Time's a wastin' and in just the few days since our discussion last week on Saving America, the situation we face has rapidly deteriorated. To do what is needed to protect America, we've got lots of work to do. Stand for America while we still can. Looking forward to talking with you tonight. Here's the link:

tobtr.com/s/8075139

SUNDAY MORNING COMING DOWN: IS THERE LIFE AFTER LIFE?

11/14/2015

Jesus welcomes someone Home.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 6:23

The picture shown is something that we who call ourselves Christians pray will be our ultimate victory: attaining everlasting life in heaven above with our Lord and Savior. Yet despite our best efforts, we know that the ultimate decision is based on our faith in Him, for without faith we can never witness His grace in our lives. And we still have worries about death even though we know in our hearts it is the beginning of real life, life without pain or suffering.

The end of life should be looked at as a normal consequence of earthly life and while it has caused man many a sleepless night, it should not be such a concern if our heart is in the right place. You see, the only way to get close to Jesus our Savior is through the heart and when we surrender our life to Him and commit to do our best to live as He wants we open ourselves up to an entirely new realm, eternal life, a life without the constraints of our body, time or space. God knows that it is so wondrous that we can't even imagine just how great it will be but we can certainly dream and pray that we are good enough. And even that we don't have to worry about if we believe because Jesus knows we are sinners and through His death we were offered forgiveness by his grace. All we have to do is accept His offer and believe Him and in Him.

And while absolutely scientific proof of life after life is not available, we do have some comprehensive studies and analyses that have been conducted to give us evidence short of proof. Coupled with the Word of God, some of the evidence found in the Middle East by archaeologists and historians, we have been blessed with a comprehensive medical study by a renowned psychiatrist giving us reason to believe in eternity.

This week on Sunday Morning Coming Down we will talk about the life and work of Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, a Swiss-American psychiatrist who studied a heavy volume of near death and death experiences, including talking with the patients themselves, their families and witnesses and focusing on their transition through the five stages of death and published in her book, Death and Dying, which came out initially in 1969. She was a pioneer in this subject as, just like the rest of us, she had questions that had not been answered, hence, she performed the study herself.

A favorite quote from her really sums it up: "Live so you don't have to look back and say, 'God, how I wasted my life' ".

I hope you'll tune in at your convenience on Blog Talk Radio. The show is available on demand, 24/7. Here's the link:

tobtr.com/s/8072337

Sunday Morning Coming Down was created to give another easy way to make contact with God through words, prayer and music. I hope it will help you in your journey toward your own eternal life. God bless you all.

IS HIGHER EDUCATION KILLING ITSELF?

11/13/2015

Professor Click calling for "muscle"

Be careful what you wish for, it just might come true.
- Anonymous

It's almost a sure thing that all of us have heard this quote although the origination of it is not known, but it does have a significant amount of truth in it. It refers to unintended consequences, those troublesome things that come about from events that were not planned and not expected. Nowhere today is it more accurate than describing the happenings on the University of Missouri main campus in Columbia. Affectionately known as Mizzou by students and alums alike, the school has been thrown into turmoil by the very people who are supposed to be providing a quality education for young adults preparing for life in the real world.

Why do I say this? Well, it's really quite simple. The very professors and administrators tasked with leading and providing a quality education under the very name of the state where they operate have taught their ideological views, propaganda and dogma in the name of truth. What's more, the "instruction" is delivered in an environment where differing opinion and yes, factual data to the contrary, is ridiculed at best or banned at worst and college administration has largely gone along with the professors, largely because their positions are filled with personnel of a similar view.

Traditional education where students of differing views would meet in a non-combative setting and allowed to carry on debate and discourse is a thing of the past. Speakers and students who are not of the liberal persuasion are shouted down if they stand for what they believe. One of the critical requirements for a full education, open and enthusiastic debate with differing ideas and opinions, has been eliminated. And sadly, Mizzou is not alone, for this trend has been ongoing for years while those footing the bill were either not aware or purposefully kept in the dark.

This is not the case in all schools, as there are some which remain independent of government and accordingly operate in that fashion. Schools like Hillsdale College or Liberty University are just two of many private schools with high standards for educational excellence come to mind. As an example, conservative Liberty invited Bernie Sanders to visit and speak in a forum on campus which was received cordially and fairly. Can you imagine in today's madness a Ted Cruz speaking at Missouri. Not likely, folks.

Can this be changed? Yes, but it will be difficult. I do think that if alumni organizations require freedom of expression for continued gift giving, that would go a long way to turning the corner. A good example was at The College of William and Mary a few years ago where the President decided that the Christian Cross should be removed from the Wren Building, an historic facility on campus. After the uproar from past graduates, he quickly realized that he had stepped in quicksand and rescinded his decison.

And it was a positive sign at Mizzou that Professor Melissa Click, the wild eyed "professor" shown in the picture with this commentary, was forced to resign after calling for the crowd to provide "muscle" to remove an unwanted reporter. Please tell us, Professor Click, what did you have to hide? Was it your agitation for tyranny and hate at a time when you were complaining about hate that you didn't want to be revealed? Ironic, isn't it?

But despite all of the malarkey instead of education going on, there is a bit of silver lining in the events. For despite the turnout of agitators and protesters, many not even knowing why they were protesting, the vast majority of Mizzou students were busy with classes and studies getting themselves to take their places in the world after college. These students will surely be better prepared for the workforce after college than the protesters, don't you think? After all, a degree in engineering, physics or chemistry will certainly prepare them for the needs of the world better than learning how to master underwater basket weaving or some other non-speciality.

Like so many of the problems which the Left has caused on the road to socialism and anarchy, it's time for the taxpayers and the tuition payers to take America's colleges back. What say you?

NORTH FLORIDA WRITER LIVE: WHO'S GONNA' SAVE AMERICA?

11/12/2015

Obama fiddles while Washington burns

The caption for this article, a modern rendition of the "Nero fiddling while Rome burned" while sad, is so much closer to the truth than most of us want to imagine. It seems like everything that used to be right is now wrong and everything wrong is now right. Our moral code has been destroyed, no one is held accountable for their actions and even this week football jocks and misguided young students threw the University of Missouri into chaos over what is turning out to be a farce used to create anarchy.

Last night on North Florida Writer Live, my regular guest, Mark Collier and I discussed the question, "Who's Gonna' Save America?" And while many of us say that our favorite presidential candidate can solve our problems, deep in our hearts we all know that no one individual regardless of qualifications can save America. Saving America is going to take each of us to get out of our complacency, study and analyze the problems we face and then get together with like minded citizens to push the politicians to do the right thing. The only things that most politicians truly understand is money and votes, and since the crony-capitalists provide them with the money it is up to us to demand solutions in order to receive our votes.

This isn't easy because of the nearly 50-50 divide in the population but somehow we have to face each other sincerely and honestly so that we can assess the truth of what is going on.   That means political correctness must be stopped at all costs, for only then can we discuss the real issues instead of spewing talking points at one another.

Mark and I had a free ranging discussion last night. We looked at our hollowed out military, our lowered ethical and moral standards, the burgeoning One World Order that would destroy our sovereignty, debt, open borders and much more. But the main thing we realized is that until political correctness is brought under control we can never get anywhere.   Only the truth will set us free and since the truth sometimes hurts, many don't want to face it. But once you get over the pain of realizing just how far from the truth we've gone, it becomes easier each day to face reality.

I hope you will tune in and listen. Perhaps it will open your eyes even if it might upset you at the outset. Facing the truth frequently does that when the truth is unpleasant but it's the first step on the road to positive change and success. Here's the link to the show which is available on demand 24/7:

                 tobtr.com/s/8062783

Let's get busy and make America a winner again. She is worth it. God bless each of you and God bless America.

TONIGHT AT 9:30: A THANK YOU TO OUR VETERANS

11/10/2015

Lt. Cdr. McCain's capture in the water

Tonight at 9:30 North Florida Writer Live will honor those who have served, living and dead, in our Armed Forces. They include people from all walks of life who answered the call when they were needed. Many died are were seriously wounded. Some were captured and spent years of torture and torment, such as Lieutenant Commander John McCain, shown here in a North Vietnamese enemy photo of his capture after just being shot down.

Senator McCain is just one of millions of servicemen and women who have honored America with their service in far reaching places. From Valley Forge, to Gettysburg, Verdun, Bastogne, the Chosen Reservoir, Cu Chi, Baghdad and Afghanistan,, they sacrificed and displayed courage and determination as patriots for liberty and freedom. It is for them that Veterans Day was created and to them our nation is indebted.

We'll also mention some of the hardships that so many of our veterans still face today and what needs to be done to give them the help and attention that they deserve. It is only fitting that our military veterans receive priority in resolving their problems which have been brought about by the anguish of war. We must never forget that obligation.

We'll talk about a few of our many heroes, play some patriotic music and even offer a short prayer for the commitment they made. I hope you will join us for this early tribute on the night before Veterans Day. For those of you who can't join us live, the program will be available on demand 24/7 shortly after the live broadcast is completed. Here's the link:

tobtr.com/s/8060591

WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO LEAVE BEHIND?

11/9/2015

In our hustle and bustle world, with all of the materialistic advertising bombarding us while we try to keep up with the "Joneses", sooner or later each of us will come to a very dramatic conclusion. No matter how hard we try and how hard we work, none of us can really have IT all. Despite the ads telling us we deserve it, there are limits to our wants and if we don't realize it we find ourselves in a financial nightmare.

So why not slow down, take a deep breath and look at all that we have before we ask for more. After all, if you consider the picture displayed, when our time is up, we can't take it with us, not even the bills we might pile up without the money to pay for them. Surely we don't want to leave that with our loved ones and, of course, we want to leave them with enough of value so that they can live reasonably after we are gone. But there is certainly something much more important.

And you ask, What could be so important for us to leave behind? And the answer is our legacy and our reputation. A reputation of being a good person, living a life leading to Eternity and memories that are positive, inspiring and ones that bring a smile. Those are the real things of value that not only represent us well, but lead to our loved ones developing the strength and courage to live on without us, no matter how much we might be missed.

Live your life with that in mind, friends. Don't focus on the "stuff", but on that which will keep you in their heart and mind after you have gone, something that will help them to realize that you want them to live on and be successful in the proper way. After all, if you've handled your life well, you will be well taken care of in heaven above, and if you have helped develop those beliefs in those you love, you will be waiting for them when there time is done.

Live for God and let the whole world know. Your actions will live on in their hearts even though you are physically gone. God bless you all.

SUNDAY MORNING COMING DOWN: WHAT ARE WE DOING TO GOD'S WORLD?

11/7/2015

Clearcutting of timber in Florida

Woe to those who join house to house; they add field to field, till there is no place where they may dwell alone in the midst of the land! In my hearing the Lord of Hosts said, "Truly many houses shall be desolate, great and beautiful ones, without inhabitants, for ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath , and a homer of seed shall yield one ephah."
--Isaiah 5:8-10

America has truly been a land of opportunity. Colonists and immigrants with courage and a powerful work ethic populated the new and seemingly endless land, determined to improve themselves and become part of a nation designed to provide freedom under God for her new people. But somehow over time we have to a great extent lost our way, moving from a society where all who worked hard could share in the riches of the land to a crony capitalist society where the favored few dictate to others what their lifestyle and their hopes and dreams would be limited to.

The Prophet Isaiah in Old Testament times, considered to be the first and greatest prophet due to his connection with God, warned of this seven hundred years before the birth of Christ. He understood the mortal and weak nature of man and the ease with which he could succumb to a quest for personal riches and opulence far beyond anything he could ever need. And no place was this more readily seen than in his use of the land, a gift from God to be used wisely by humans who would be occupying it only for the duration of their life on earth. And rather than using it wisely, realizing that others would follow who would need a livable land, they chose to squander and abuse it instead in support of their opulence. Today we might say it is just a display to show that they are better than the "Joneses". That is the nature of the scripture cited at the beginning of this commentary and it is so prevalent today here in America.

Men of connection and power conduct huge land grabs, taking beautiful land which has a very important part in our ability to live and thrive and using it recklessly to improve their position of power and wealth. Beautiful forests, pristine wetlands and habitat for native species are clearcut, drained, and remolded into tightly packed residential units resembling a colony of automatons in their cookie cutter and architectural simplicity. Concrete and macadam cover beautiful fields of flowers and formerly productive farmland with a result that certainly does not proclaim the sense of proper dominion over the earth that God had in mind in Genesis.

We'll talk about that in this weekend's Sunday Morning Coming Down. We will not approach it from the view that all development and change is bad for God expected man to grow. But we will talk about it from the perspective of excess and the impact that excessive use of resources and the impact thereof has on the quality of life for mankind. Since this is truly God's world, He is watching and He expects us to do a much better job of stewardship over His property than we have certainly shown.

I hope you'll join us. We'll also have some good Christian music and prayer as we celebrate Our Father's World and what we should be doing with it. The show will be available late Saturday night and then on demand, 24/7. Here's the link:

tobtr.com/s/8055269

ANOTHER DEMOCRATIC ATTACK ON A BLACK CONSERVATIVE

11/6/2015

Remember a few years back when the Democrats and their media PAC (that's what it is, folks, a Democratic PAC) went out of their way to trash Michael Steele when he was Chairman of the Republican National Committee? Or how about in the last primary cycle when Herman Cain, a good man with great ideas, was brought down with a hush-hush attack campaign of innuendo? Well, folks, they're at it again and we knew it was coming, we just didn't know when. They're attacking Ben Carson by claiming he lied about his relationship with West Point, fabricating a story out of nothing. And what is common in all of the attacks? The three victims were black Conservatives, not catering to the pandering and shameful Democratic Party.

Politico, a shameless left wing internet site trying to call itself objective, came out with a story which took a little bit of factual information and turned it into an outrageous lie. They stated that Dr. Ben, a good Christian man with a stellar reputation, lied about his relationship with West Point, the United States Military Academy. They claim that it was based upon his recently published book but the real story was quite different.

Here's what Politico says: That Ben Carson claims he applied and was accepted to attend West Point and that he actually attended the esteemed academy. They also said he talks about a scholarship and that West Point doesn't give scholarships.

Here's what Ben Carson says: That at age 17, he was the top high school ROTC cadet in his city and that he had many visits with high ranking officers and others asking if he was interested in attending the military school. He seriously considered it, but in the end decided his goal was to attend medical school after undergraduate schooling and he never requested any support in receiving an appointment to the school. And whether the term scholarship is totally accurate, the academy does offer appointments which cost the cadet nothing and they even earn a spending stipend while in school. I don't know about you, but when I was 17 I would have called that a scholarship as well.

Then I found that in a brochure that the academy offers to prospective candidates, it even uses the term scholarship in the narrative. So take that, Politico.

Now they've made a big deal of it in the mainstream media, led by CNN, even though they don't have anything here. Accordingly, Dr. Carson has made the rounds on TV and radio explaining the truth clearly and honestly. And folks, remember one important thing. The entire West Point story took place nearly fifty years ago so every detail is beyond the memory of a mere mortal, yet Dr. Carson did a good job. He certainly has a high degree of character and honor, traits that I'm sure are in short supply at Politico.

So what will this do? Well, with the media being rated extremely low by most Americans when it comes to truth and reliability, I think Carson will actually get a bounce out of this. I hope he does and I hope in the end the media is shamed by this event. And just think about this: Will the media ever treat any Democrat, even someone with a record of half-truths and outright lies like Hillary in a similar fashion? Of course not, for they are in the tank for her, and since it is not in their thought process to recognize a truly smart and accomplished black person who happens to be conservative, then we should expect nothing different.

Don't you think it's way past time to stop giving them a pass for filling the airwaves with lies? That answer is one that each of us must make for ourselves, but regardless, I hope you will join me in standing with Ben Carson, a good and accomplished man who is God fearing and America loving. Along with Ted Cruz and Donald Trump, he's a candidate I will support.

CONSERVATIVES WIN IN OFF YEAR ELECTIONS

11/4/2015

KY Gov-Elect Matt Bevin

Last night was another good night for conservatism in America. Despite the liberal media saying the Tea Party was dead, two devout Tea Party Republicans, Matt Bevin and Jeanine Hampton were elected to the two highest offices in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Matt Bevin will be only the second Republican governor in the last forty years in Kentucky and Jeanine Hampton will be the first black woman to occupy a statewide elected position there. And what's truly dramatic is the fact that both were elected doing just the opposite of what the Republican Establishment recommends to win.

In addition to this good news, there was more in Virginia, Texas and even California. In Virginia, despite the extensive funding by Michael Bloomberg and heavy campaigning by Governor McAuliffe, the Democrats were unable to capture the one seat to gain control of the State Senate, thereby stopping another gun control effort in the Old Dominion. In Texas, Houston voters by a large margin overturned a city ordinance which would have allowed transgender males to use women's restrooms in public facilities with massive fines for violations. And finally, in California, the San Francisco sheriff, the man who put full support behind the sanctuary city movement, was surprisingly defeated. It seems that even in the City by the Bay people are becoming disillusioned with the policies of political correctness which are destroying our nation's future.

But back to Kentucky, where Bevan was about a five percentage point underdog before winning by nearly nine points, this hard working businessman who has never held elected office stuck to his conservative Christian values and found them to be popular. It just goes to show that standing on principle and for what is right works when you know how to tell your story and follow it up with the way you live. Bevan and his wife have a total of nine children, four of whom are adopted from Africa. He puts his money where his mouth is and bases what he does in life according to his Christian beliefs.

As for Lt Governor-elect Hampton, she is a former military officer and active in the Tea Party, also a first time elected officeholder. If she were a Democrat, we would have seen the news full of stories about her but, as a Conservative, there are none. But she is a good example to show how conservatism works regardless of race, creed or whatever, as long as you stick to your guns and work hard.

So congratulations to the victors as well as to all of those who provided support to their causes. It was indeed a good day for conservatism and it sends a strong message to both Democrats and RINO Republicans that the soft winds of change are beginning. Look for a gale or maybe even a hurricane next year. Let's keep the pressure on nationwide and with God's guidance we will carry the day.

THE REVOLT OF THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES

11/4/2015

I've watched Republican presidential debates for years and I've always wondered why they have been so compliant with formats and moderators who clearly are not unbiased. In the last election cycle, it became downright obnoxious when Candy Crowley directly sided with Barack Obama while Mitt Romney just stood there in a daze and took it. And it looked like it was happening again this past week until Ted Cruz finally spoke up and fired the shot heard 'round the campaign trail, a shot which appears to be reverberating throughout American politics.

While each of the first three debates had a decided bias in the questioning, the work of John Harwood from CNBC was totally beyond belief and actually showed just how pathetic TV journalism has become in our country. A debate dubbed to be on financial issues turned into an "insultathon" by Harwood. He started with Donald Trump, asking why he was running a clown campaign, asked Jeb why he was such a failure and jabbed inappropriately at many others on stage. But when Ted Cruz finally called him on it, it was as if a bright light came on and others spoke up as well. And the result? Republican candidates will no longer blindly sit back and assume that the National Republican Establishment will look after their best interests on the campaign trail. They are now going to actively insert themselves in the debate formulation process effective with the upcoming Fox Business debate next week.

It's about time, folks. The process has become more unsavory over time and the Republican National Committee has done a horrific job of looking after what should be its own interests. Reince Preibus should be ashamed of himself. And for those who claim that this is just a show led by Donald Trump for his own glory, I might remind you that Donald Trump has done more to bring public view to the Republican primary system than any candidate since Ronald Reagan. He has energized the party, speaking in a way that the average American can understand and therefore has changed the political equation from the outside. And along with Ted Cruz, the insider who is really on the outside, and Dr. Ben Carson, a plain spoken and highly intelligent man, the closed door experience of Republicanism is being opened for the world to see. And it's refreshing and it will result in a much better party and candidate.

It will be interesting to see how the debate process learns from this and whether or not it responds with much needed change. I think that somehow it will because the energy of the "outsiders" far outshines the same old, same old of the Establishment and the base, independents and yes, even Reagan Democrats are liking what they see.

Contrast that with the coronation that is underway in the Democratic Party with an aging Hillary who shows it and it's hard to imagine that the change won't get results. After watching the sleeper of a first Democratic debate, with the fawning and "milquetoast" questions thrown her way, any thinking man or woman is bound to see the difference and respond in kind. But the problem can be summed up in a question: Do we have more thinking citizens in America or more who don't want to be bothered and will vote for whoever gives them the most stuff? I guess only time will answer that question.

Get involved, pay attention and truly listen for the truth before you make your decision. I think the decision will be obvious. God bless America.