Blog Archives - North Florida Writer

Don't Forget The Ones Who Need You This Christmas

11/30/2016

It's November 30th and that means tomorrow begins December and with us already in the first week of Advent Christmas is in the air. That means the Spirit of Christmas is upon us and it's important for us to live what that means. And one of the best ways to show that is to remember those who feel lost or alone.

I lost my dad on this date many years ago and I clearly remember that first Christmas after his death. Had it not been for those who stepped into the life our family at a time when we needed cheer and positive interest in our lives, I don't know how Christmas would have turned out. But I do remember those who took a special interest in me, my older siblings and my mother and helped make it a Merry Christmas despite our grief and sorrow.

Think about the little boy or girl who just lost their father or mother or the spouse who lost his or her longtime companion. Think about those in the military who are away from home and miss their families as well as the families that they left behind who miss them. Think about those who live alone and long for attention, particularly the sick and elderly who still need to know that we care. And in doing these things think about the meaning of the Christ Child, his birth, life and death and what it tells us about how we should live.

Christmas is indeed "the most wonderful time of the year" but it isn't seen that way by so many who don't see it in their lives. Each of us who is not part of that group need to recognize this and bring that recognition to our lives as we live this Christmas season. And even if you are not a believer of the Christian faith, you can still be infected with the Christmas Spirit, for we Americans of all types are fortunate to be blessed with what we have and should share that spirit of thanksgiving with those who need it. I'm not talking about money and material things although certainly many need that help, but I am talking about spending a little time to make someone alone and needing attention happier. Sometimes that is the most critical thing they need to get them through a time when so many of us are celebrating with friends and families. Little things can make a difference.

So take time to visit someone in a nursing home or hospital, touch base with that elderly person you know and cheer them up, or do something kind for that child who has lost the joy of life in his or her eyes because of something beyond their control that has changed their life. It's Christmas and we should all give a little bit of ourselves to share the joy.

YES, CHRISTMAS IS IN THE AIR, NOW LET'S MAKE IT PART OF OUR LIFE.

Christmas Season is Here: Time for Peace and Joy

11/29/2016

I don't know about the rest of you, but I've had enough turkey and trimmings for a while and I'm fed up to my eyeballs with politics. Oh, I'll still keep an eye on things and post comments on Facebook and Twitter from time to time, but I plan to use this blog for the next four weeks celebrating the beauty, joy and love that is represented by the birth of Christ. This is the real reason for Christmas and the joy and fun it should represent. Christ wants us to have fun but He also wants us to always remember just how important what He did for us is for our future.

The season according to we Christians officially began with Advent, which this year began this past Sunday. Advent marks the anticipation, joy and excitement that grows as the time of the commemoration of that blessed event arrives. On this past Sunday we lit the first candle of four placed in the outer ring within the Adventwreath, signifying an important part of our spiritual preparation. The wreath contains one additional candle at the center of the four, a white candle signifying the birth of the Christ Child. Often that final candle is lit on Christmas Eve services but this year it will be done on Christmas Day since it falls on a Sunday, the Lord's Day, this year.

And Christmas time brings memories of the more traditional Christmas of my earlier years, a time when stores were decked out in Christmas decorations announcing Christmas. Some even displayed the manger scene in the window as well as the Menorah representing Hanukkah, celebrated by our Jewish friends who share our belief in Jehovah, the one and only God. Of course Santa Claus was on display with the reindeer and what not, but it was always clear that the season was Christmas, not some politically correct alternative with no real meaning. It was a great time for shopping, parties and the most wonderful church services possible. Most of the churches had Christmas pageants, caroling and magnificent worship events near midnight on Christmas Eve. And everyone wished one another Merry Christmas, regardless of personal view. We didn't take offense to honoring of the majority belief and we wished our Jewish brethren Happy Hanukkah plus good wishes for all others as well.

In the Spirit of Christmas, I will devote my blog this month to all things Christmas. We might talk about some of the fun things added for children such as Santa and his elves but the thrust will principally be directed at the real reason for the Season, the birth of the Christ Child.

So if you are a believer speak up and out, don't be afraid to wish all about you a Merry Christmas, for think about it, it's one of the best wishes that we Christians could offer if we truly believe He is the King of Kings and the one who saves our souls. And to really get you in the mood, you might want to copy and paste the link below to a video of a beautiful singer, Becky Kelley, presenting a wonderful song in a thoughtful setting so appropriate for this time of year. If this doesn't focus you on what is really important, nothing will.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OExXItDyWEY

Merry Christmas, everyone. It's truly the wonderful time of the year.

Thankful for My Stand By Our Plan Friends

11/26/2016

I've been thinking a lot about what I'm thankful for over this Thanksgiving holiday as I watch our horses in the pasture with a backdrop of deer and wild turkey, perfect for the season. And as I think about the wonders, beauty and serenity of the natural setting, I realize how thankful I am for all of my Stand By Our Plan friends and our supporters. Our struggle against unfettered development in areas unsuited has been going on for about four years and we've held our own. Our "Band of Davids" has been strong against Goliath, but we know that the battle is far from done and will require much additional time and effort in the months and years ahead.

The friends I am talking about are not in most cases people that I routinely socialize with or see very often. I am one of a small minority in the group that has political views quite different from most, but we share a love for the land and the beauty of nature that binds us on these issues which so dramatically impact us directly. And I see it as evidence of how much all Americans who love their country have in common when they look at each other and communicate with one another instead of yelling and fighting. Diversity of viewpoints is very healthy and it exposes us to different views and attitudes. We don't have to always agree, but we do need to respect one another and work together on those things that we share in common. When we do not, we all lose and the community and nation loses with us.

So thanks to all of my friends here in Alachua County and immediate adjacent areas who are willing to Stand By Our Plan to Fight for Our Land. Private property rights are granted by God, but that does not mean the right to destroy the right to property enjoyment of our neighbors. After all, we all share this earth and her resources and God expects us to practice dominion over the earth in a good and honorable way. We just borrow the space that we "own" for our short time span on earth. Ultimately, it's His earth.

So thanks, friends, and know that I always stand ready for the next battle of the campaign since the push to eliminate all of the beauty of the natural earth will be with us as long as we walk the earth. Money, privilege and power are very strong aphrodisiacs and it's up to us to stand up against it when we are threatened. Have a glorious day and God bless you all.

The Bogus Attempt to "Audit" the Vote

11/25/2016

Waiting to vote

Here we are seventeen days after the election and a number of people on the Left are clamoring about the fact that Hillary Clinton won the popular vote but lost the electoral college vote. Now some are claiming that at least three states had irregularities in the vote and they are asking the Department of Justice to audit the vote. It's an interesting use of terminology and seems at variance from the traditional recount process. Furthermore, since election rules and processes are functions of state government the folks at Justice have no authority to do whatever their concept of audit means.

State laws vary somewhat since the Founders realized that each state is unique in differing degrees, but all of the laws are designed to make sure the findings are accurate. Most states at this date have done so, Michigan even completed a total recount due to the closeness of the election with Trump still coming out ahead. The final tally of electoral votes is 306 for Trump and 232 for Clinton, a vote in accordance with state law and in accordance with the nation's constitutional guidance and that signifies the election is over.

So now Jill Stein has decided to perhaps sue three state elections boards: Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The claim is that several computer "experts" have surmised that the irregularities in voting machine operations are such that the results have been skewed for Trump. Isn't it appropriate to identify these "experts" and look at their political ideology and funding sources before we take such a possible step? And thus far they've cited no definitive data just general statements, but if they plan to file a suit they are going to have to do better than that. And that brings up the question of why Stein?

Well, Jill Stein has standing because she was on the ballot in those states but why would she want to help Clinton, a woman who she criticized severely as being totally corrupt.? Why would she want to sacrifice her personal credibility with this change of heart?

The answer is very simple: liberals always stick together in the end, come hell or high water. Republicans in Washington usually never do, they are in the minority so often (just look at the statistics over the last nearly one hundred years in Congress) and it just becomes a habit that they have trouble breaking.

But Democrats had better be very careful how they handle this latest idea that they have, for lurking in the background are several important points about this past election that the mainstream won't even acknowledge. It is the impact of those who were either ineligible to vote or voted multiple times. A number of entities are studying this and find that it's very likely somewhere between three and nearly seven million votes were tabulated either erroneously or fraudulently. Large numbers are registered in more than one state, Obama gave illegals the go ahead to vote in public comments with many likely voting due to lax identification rules in California particularly but other states as well. And then, of course, there are the graveyard voters who always show up in large urban areas, magically returning to life just for election day.

Many attempts have been made to make easy corrections to such problem but have been met with lawsuits and challenges by ..... you guessed it, the Democratic Party. So, my friends on the Left, be careful where you tread for you really don't want to open this can of worms. If it turns out that some three million illegals voters as some analysts surmise, it will be all on you. And in the case of the other two categories, both actions are felonies and can be dealt with severely if proven true. Open the doors and the investigations will be under way and they will make your claim of computer errors look small by comparison.

And by the way, weren't all those irregularities, many of which were identified on election day, generally where straight ticket Republican voters found that their vote for Trump automatically switched to Clinton. It makes sense when you look back at many places where Republican Senate candidates clearly outperformed Trump even though both won. That's a factor that the computer "experts" neglect to discuss.

It's time to stop the shenanigans and acknowledge that Trump is the winner. After all, those of us on the right weren't gnashing our teeth, crying in public or throwing flaming bottles and rocks after Obama won twice. I can assure you, we weren't happy either but opted to live with it. It seems like it's past time for the Left to do the same.

The truth will always end up winning out in the end and when it does, the negative consequences of ignoring it just makes things worse for everyone in the long run. God bless America and may she ever be free.

A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING TO GOD ON THIS SPECIAL HOLIDAY

11/24/2016

The horn of plenty or cornucopia is shown to represent a bountiful harvest and all of the good things to nourish and grow the body thanks to a most merciful and loving God. No nation on earth has ever been blessed with the bounty of America and our being thankful to God for what he has given us is what this day is all about. Yesterday I blogged about Washington's Proclamation of Thanksgiving in 1789, clearly showing the ties of the Creator to America and her destiny. Today I hope you will join with me in prayer for our nation this day.
________________________________________________________

Dear Heavenly Father, On this special day we gather together to thank you for our blessings and we ask that you guide us in all that we do. We know that as Americans we need to be especially grateful, grateful for the wonderful country that you have given us, the beauty and grandeur of our home from sea to shining sea, the bountiful harvest that nourishes us so richly compared to so many others, and for the freedom and security that we have been so blessed with. And yet there is so much more when we ponder our lives and our good fortune.

We thank you for the inspiration that you gave to our Founders, brave souls who risked their all and fearlessly persevered from the first colonists right on through to the revolutionaries who freed us from the yoke of tyranny of the British crown. And we also thank you for all of those pathfinders and innovators, great thinkers and hard workers who took our founding and built on it this great nation that we find today. Without you, they could have accomplished nothing but with you the country became a symbol for freedom and opportunity for all who came here. We know there were bumps and bruises along the way, but we always overcame the obstacles with your guiding hand.

We also know that we falter at times and fail to live up to our obligations to you and we humbly pray that you will keep our hearts open to the Holy Spirit, our internal representative from you given to keep us godly. We ask that you have mercy on us and instill in us the determination to stay faithful and true going forward. We ask forgiveness for our errors and guidance from you in all that we do in our future here on earth.

And we know many are in great need today and help us to do what we can to make their lives better and help them on the road to a better life through you, not through a hand out but a hand up. We know that we are expected to love our fellow man and lead us to do what you expect for those who need us. So help us to remember the sick, homeless, the hungry, the lonely and all those who need help and reassurance and your guiding grace. And may travelers wherever they go to visit family and friends be safe in their journey and return home safely once their holiday is done.

Finally, help us to end the strife that tears us apart and infect those filled with hatred and animosity to find peace through your grace. In so doing we can deal with the issues we face openly and honestly, not with artificial barriers that keep us from finding real truth.

We ask in Jesus' name, Amen.
________________________________________________________
On this Thanksgiving Day, let's stop the screaming, yelling, cursing, and physical violence for the only outcome that will lead to is anarchy and chaos which leads only to disaster. If we turn to God and ask for His guidance and inspiration, we can honestly solve our problems and put our energy to a rebirth of this nation. With God, anything is possible.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, and may our land truly be the the land of opportunity and freedom once again.

In Memory of John F. Kennedy, Assassinated this Day in 1963

11/22/2016

Those of you with a little age on you probably remember this day in 1963 as well as I do. And more than likely you remember exactly where you were when the word was passed that our thirty-fifth President, John Fitzgerald Kennedy had been assassinated in Dallas. I was a sixteen year old junior in a boarding prep school, sneaking a cigarette between classes behind the recreation center with my buddies, hoping that neither the Headmaster or the football coach.

Now I grew up in a strongly Republican family, but like all Americans I felt a lump in my throat when I heard the news. Kennedy seemed like such a vibrant and energetic younger man than the usual President and I admired his service as a Naval officer in World War II which, at that time, really wasn't so long ago.

We were rapidly herded to the Chapel where a quick service was conducted by our Chaplain, he himself an ex-Naval officer from the great war. And as I listened to the somber music being played , I remember wondering how someone can have so much hate in his heart to kill a man like the President with his own young family left behind. It was just unfathomable to me. I mean, I understood the occasional fist fight in school and the dirty tricks being played, but murder? Well, that was just something that was so final, so tragic and so wrong.

But we didn't need "safe" rooms and we didn't wear safety pins back in those days. We also didn't have huge pools of counselors to talk it out with. No, we had each other, a bunch of boys away from home at boarding school to sort it out with and get on with our lives and we did.

I think the quote adjacent to Kennedy's picture above says best what he stood for. He loved his country and he loved freedom and liberty. And he believed that government as a constitutional democratic republic was responsible for responding to the needs of her people while always protecting the rights of the minority as well. Just like Thomas Jefferson, he believed that sometimes a little revolution was needed from time to time, not with violence but in peace and that is what we should strive for in memory of him. Stop the hate, talk to one another openly and honestly without the politically correct balderdash and bring America back on track to her destiny as a leader of the world with God at our side. Let's face reality and deal with the real problems we have openly and honestly. I truly believe President Kennedy would look down at us with a positive nod and a smile if we did just that.

He wasn't an angel and he wasn't a devil, he was a man who wanted America to be all she can be. Let's try and do that, shall we? Rest in peace, Mr. President. You've been gone a long time but we haven't forgotten you.

Denver Hiring Illegal Aliens to Enforce the Law, Really?

11/22/2016

n interesting article not covered by the mainstream media surfaced in World Net Daily, an excellent conservative site established and operated by Joseph Farah, a long time traditional newsman who decided to establish a conservative news platform a number of years ago. It seems that the Denver Sheriff's Department has been fined by the Justice Department for, get this, refusing to consider hiring illegal aliens as deputies. The fine was not a huge one, only ten thousand dollars, but they were told further violations would be treated harshly. It seems that Justice became interested in the Denver law enforcement agency while Denver was hiring two hundred new deputies several years ago and the challenge was underway.

Why would the Department of Justice seek to enforce the hiring of illegals to enforce the law? It's mind boggling, but it's just another symptom of what is wrong today with our DOJ. Law enforcement requires personnel who instill trust in the people they serve. When they don't it breaks down and like any other large entity, there will be a few who overstep their authority. But when you ask for taxpaying citizens to trust and sometimes take directions from those who are not even citizens of the land they are supposed to serve, the line between law and unlawful has not only been redrawn, it no longer exists.

We shouldn't be surprised, for over the last eight years of a DOJ under President Obama, we've had Attorney General Eric Holder refuse to answer questions by the Congress, a body by law having the right to question all who use appropriated funds for their federal duties. His actions eventually resulted in Holder being found in contempt of Congress.

In similar fashion, his follow-on replacement, Loretta Lynch made the choice to take the Fifth twice and was also "caught" by an observant local TV reporter in Lost Angeles holding an unethical meeting on the LA airport tarmac with former President Bill Clinton, a mere few days before James Comey decided not to pursue charges against his wife, candidate Hillary Clinton. Coincidence? Possible but not likely.

These two high ranking public servants have shown themselves to be political hacks of the worst order and should never be considered for any other government task again. Why would they not answer questions from Congress about how they carried out their duties? What did they have to hide? Their duty was to follow and carry out the law, not to become an impediment to it. A legal system which follows and carries out the law, not one which looks for ways to avoid its obligations is what we need.

If the Senate minority faces reality, moves out of the way and allows the confirmation of Jeff Sessions as Attorney General in January, that will happen. Sessions, a man with a great foundation in constitutional law and the experience to go with his knowledge will carry out the laws with diligence and fairness. Law carried out under what is the Law of the Land, the Constitution of the United States, is the only way to live up to the obligations of the oath an Attorney General takes upon assuming office. It's truly a shame that Mr. Sessions' two most recent predecessors chose to do otherwise.

God bless America and may she ever be free.

Coming up over the next two days: George Washington and the Thanksgiving proclamation and a prayer of Thanksgiving for all of that we Americans have been blessed with.

Trump Continues to Surprise His Media Detractors

11/21/2016

The President-Elect with Mitt Romney

It's truly amazing to listen to the pundits as they try to tell us what Donald Trump will do next and usually missing the mark in the process. Frankly, they are much of the cause for all of the "safe rooms" and fear talk of young and impressionable students who really haven't experienced much of the "real" world yet. All of the talk about Trump as a "Storm Trooper" or some type of evil villain who will destroy us all is just that, talk. And meanwhile, the President-Elect continues to surprise with his actions.

Take Mitt Romney for example. It was Romney, the 2012 Republican nominee who not only refused to endorse Trump during the recently concluded campaign, but went so far as to say he was totally unqualified to hold the office. Really, Mitt? The joke's on you as a gracious Donald Trump invites you in for a chat about world affairs, financial issues and even states he's considering you for a Cabinet post. Don't you feel foolish now, Mitt? But Donald Trump, showing more grace than the political class has welcomed a large and diverse group of superstars to talk about the future of America. He wants good ideas as he plans some major actions as his Administration will hit the Capitol running in January.

And then there's the mainstream press, continually trying to belittle Trump or find arguments to make, standing out in the cold this weekend in New Jersey as the the large number of visitors came to and from the Trump-owned golf clubhouse. They were standing out in the freezing cold with no scoop and nothing to write about but hearsay when Trump himself asked if they would like hot chocolate, which was brought out to them. Something kind and out of the ordinary in the political world for sure and it was provided by none-other-than President-Elect Trump.

Researching this little piece of data and listening to the pundits, it became crystal clear who the real FAKE NEWSters are. They are the very pundits and biased reporters who complain about the fake news that they blame on the alternate conservative press. And the fact that the public is catching on fast is found in the profit levels of the two former titans in written news, the New York Times and the Washington Post, two formerly great newspapers albeit of a slightly liberal bent who now are having trouble giving away ad space. They are going broke and they have no one to blame but themselves.

Look, folks, we get it that there are bogus items showing up in the news and they are coming from many different directions. But the mainstream has clearly lost all objectivity in its reporting and yet they continue to push the nonsense. Newspaper editorial pages are, of course, biased according to the whims of ownership, but when the news itself becomes doubtful as to truth, the Fourth Estate loses its luster. After all, it is supposed to keep the politicians honest, not take sides.

We can't forget the TV news business either, with CNN's ratings dropping to the floor after being found out for its bias as well as most of the mainstream networks. That they came so far from reality on the election just shows how far in the tank they were for the Hillary candidacy. Too bad they depended on their own biased methodology with a Democratic heavy basis for their polling while the Investor's Business Daily (IBD/TIPP), Rasmussen and the Los Angeles Times/University of Southern California polls were all very accurate. IBD/TIPP has now completed its third consecutive election cycle with an extremely accurate prediction of the winner and the margin. There are several others that are very good as well, but their track records are still in infancy.

The old saying "garbage in and garbage out" for computer data compilation also applies to election prognostication. If this writer was ever a politician running for office at the national level, the mainstream prognosticators would be kept at least a country mile from my campaign.

And to Donald Trump. Keep surprising them, Mr. President-Elect and keep selecting good constitutional patriots for your Cabinet. And maybe, just maybe, we might get a Secretary of Defense who has the nickname of "Mad Dog". If you don't know who he is, that will be on an upcoming post soon, but only if he is chosen.

Have a great week and God bless America.

SUNDAY MORNING COMING DOWN: What if No One Believes You?

11/19/2016

For your iniquity teaches your mouth, and you choose the tongue of the crafty. - Job 15:5

Have you ever been in a situation where you are discussing your beliefs that you know to be true yet no one believes you? And what if they respond with ridicule and disdain? It's a situation that many Christians have experienced and it can be very frustrating. If we don't reinforce our belief through faith with prayer, word and fellowship we can even find yourself doubting it ourselves. But we must always remember, if we truly believe in Him, we must never forsake Him and always keep our faith alive. Faith which leads to and sustains our belief in Him ultimately is the source of life forever when this life is done.

Consider the plight of poor Job, a man who was blessed with a wonderful family, a fine home and riches most could never attain. Then, suddenly, it is all gone. His children are killed and his property and riches are plundered, stolen and destroyed. The only thing he has left is his wife and as she watches his plight worsen with failing health, she tells him his faith is for naught and that he should just curse God and die.

Now Job is angry with God due to his pain and suffering and he wants to know what he has done to deserve this. But he never turns his back on God by cursing Him because he knows that He, the Creator, is the Father of us all. Job falters and weakens, but he still holds on to the basic reality that is his faith.

Three friends come to visit him from far away, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar and they are shocked to see this formerly great man in poverty and pain. They sit with him silently for a week, then they begin a series of discourses with him where they say he has obviously failed God seriously, otherwise this could not happen. Rather than give him comfort, they cause him even more grief for they do not know that sometimes suffering happens to good people, not just bad and it can build strength and character. After all, many years later that's what happened to the Lord Jesus Christ who suffered so terribly up until His death for all of our sins.

So remember when you feel alone and ridiculed because of your belief in Him, do not falter and do not be fearful. He is always with you and whatever sacrifice you have to give for Him will be worth it. And that's what happened to Job; God returned his prosperity and he would live on, wiser for the experience and stronger in his faith.

Sometimes the Lord does work in mysterious ways. We may not know why when it happens, but if we trust in Him our lot will be cast for a future more grand than we can ever imagine.

Have a blessed Sunday.

The Myth of Trump Transition Disarray

11/19/2016

The main stream media, stung by their lack of information out of the Trump transition team, have generated a myth that the transition is far behind schedule and in disarray. They watch visitors come and go to and from Trump Tower, all mum when they speak on the way out, and the reporters are frustrated, yet the transition is well on schedule, some might even say ahead of schedule. Some might say they are suffering from their lazy journalism, never working to scoop a real story but expecting the story to come to them.

We're less than two weeks past the election and Donald Trump has already named his National Security Advisor, Attorney General nominee, and choice to head the CIA. General Mike Flynn, Senator Jeff Sessions and Congressman Mike Pompeo are all highly qualified and excellent candidates picked for what their job is and major concerns must be. That in itself explains why the Democratic Party voices opposition. Trump was elected to "Clean the Swamp" and that is what he plans to do.

By contrast on timing, President Obama named his first choices only after three weeks, and Presidents George W. Bush, Clinton and Reagan took even longer. Furthermore, the change from Governor Christie to Vice President-Elect Pence as head of the transition was not unusual either since Trump plans to use his Vice President as an active liaison with the Congress and government and the government's apparatus. He will be an active Vice President, not the usual figurehead meeting ornament.

Word is already spreading that the new Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer, plans to make confirmation hearings difficult, especially for Senator Sessions. Senator Schumer needs to be very careful how he treads on this, since the antics of both former Attorney General Eric Holder and current Attorney General Loretta Lynch leave much open to display as part of Congressional hearings. Do Schumer and the Democrats want a rehash of what many call malfeasance in office by Holder and Lynch as part of the process. Such things as Fast and Furious, contempt of Congress and even the more recent runway meeting between Lynch and Bill Clinton prior to the FBI decision not to prosecute Hillary Clinton remain simmering right below the surface in the cesspool that is insider Washington politics. Attempts to falsely characterize Sessions and defame him would be sure to bring those to the surface.

Only time will tell but from the Conservative viewpoint, the President-Elect is to be congratulated for an initial round of great, highly qualified selections. We look for many more in the days to come. This is phase one of taking America back.