Amendment II

I had been pondering yesterday what to talk about relating to the Second Amendment when I ran across this article at FoxNews.com:

Fusion Centers Expand Criteria to Identify Militia Members

According to this, if you are part of what is known as a "third party" in politics, if you have a Ron Paul sticker on your vehicle, or if you support one of the said third party candidates, you are on the fringe, and are considered a member of a paramilitary group, and possible terrorist.
Not only does this violate your freedom of speech, and privacy, but it is possibly a catalyst for further infringement on your Second Amendment rights.

Here is the entire Amendment II:

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

Thomas Jefferson had some things to say about the issue as well:

"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms . . . disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes . . . Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man."

--Thomas Jefferson, quoting Cesare Beccaria in On Crimes and Punishment (1764).

"The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people; that... it is their right and duty to be at all times armed."

--Thomas Jefferson to John Cartwright, 1824

George Mason:

"I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people...to disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."

--During Virginia's ratification convention, (1788.)

Lastly, from Samuel Adams:

"The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms."

--During Massachusetts' U.S. Constitution Ratification Convention, (1788.)

So, where does that leave us?

For starters, the U.S. Supreme court recently struck down the D.C. gun ban. Thankfully the citizens of our Nations capital will again be able to legally own guns. I have no doubt they had them, now they just won't get arrested for having them.

The NRA has begun going after other unconstitutional bans, and hopefully they will be struck down as well.

Make no mistake however, the liberals and wackos still do not trust you and I, and they are still scheming to take this fundamental right away.

Currently we have H.R. 45 The Blair Holt Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act.

Essentially this bill is about taking away your right to buy a gun privately. Blair Holt was a young man in Chicago who valiantly gave his life to shield a girl on the school bus as a shooter came aboard and began shooting. I have no doubt Blair Holt will have a special place in Heaven, and the shooter will not. However, as Thomas Jefferson says in the first quote above, taking guns from the law abiding citizen will do nothing to dissuade the random shooter who wants to board a school bus and wreak havoc.

This bill would give the government access to your guns, to check how you store them, to make sure you know how to operate it, and to make sure you keep it away from children.

I'm not saying that the correct operation and storage is a bad thing, but to have the government think it knows better than you or I, is quite and infringement on my privacy, something we'll talk about in Amendment IV.

The infringements going on are too numerous to post, so you'll need to do some research. Search under Second Amendment Infringements, or any kind of wording you can think of. Also search for bills pertaining to ammunition. There was/is one that would require all ammunition to be marked and cataloged somehow. I guess they figure if they can't take our guns, they'll make getting ammunition for them damn near impossible.

You have the right to own a gun; by definition, "militia" is the ordinary citizen, you and I.

Stalin and Lenin both disarmed the population by way of registration. It is the first step.

I would advise GETTING a gun, but that's really a personal decision, and honestly, we need the government to REMEMBER that it's a personal decision.
Please read the article above, and be informed. Read up on what's happening. Find out what bills are pending in the Federal system as well as your State system. Be informed, and be prepared.

Feinstein: Don't Spoil Our Desert With Solar Panels

My comments: More liberal double speak: "We need more alternative energy" "Oh wait, not there!", "No, not there."PLEASE let's get a new set of clowns in Washington!


California's Mojave Desert may seem ideally suited for solar energy production, but concern over what several proposed projects might do to the aesthetics of the region and its tortoise population is setting up a potential clash between conservationists and companies seeking to develop renewable energy.

read more digg story

Debt Star

I LOVE Star Wars, I got a good giggle out of this:

Debt Star

I'm thinking of making a T-Shirt! lol

Happy Spring!

Here is a poem I wrote a couple of weeks ago when it was dreary and rainy. It's still dreary and rainy, but it IS Spring now :D

Oh! Spring!

I looked out my window today;
It's soggy and windy and gray.
But crocuses peek out and birds are about;
Spring is coming our way!
Soon it will come forth with it's glorious chorus;
Daffodils, roses and bluebells before us!
Oh! Glorious Spring!
What a Wonderful Thing!
2/24/09

Amendment I, Part 2

Amendment I of the Constitution of the United States of America:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to the petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

In the last post, we addressed the freedom of religion, and the mythical "wall of separation".
I think the Constitution is clear enough and unambiguous enough in language to give us a clear understanding. We'll turn our attention to the second of the two points that I feel are the most abused; the right to freedom of speech.

What IS freedom of speech? It should be simple, after all; again the language is unambiguous. However, after years of abuse, who can tell.

These abuses started way back in America's infancy. In 1798 the "Alien and Sedition Acts" were passed; said to be needed because of the skirmishes with France. The Sedition Act expired in 1801, and the meddling was minimal until about 1917 when the Espionage Act of 1917, and the Sedition Act of 1918 were passed. These were said to be needed to quell any public outcry against The Great War. So, in order for the government, with President Woodrow Wilson leading the push, to follow through with it's agenda, it was thought that muzzling the people was the best plan. We couldn't have people speak out against the President, it might make others begin to wake up and take notice.

Fast forward to modern day. We have restrictions all around us. We have "McCain-Feingold", restricting how much money you can give to the candidate of your choice--you know, the free market is one of the best uses of freedom of speech out there, you like a product, you speak up with your purchase, if not, the product will soon disappear if not enough people want it. We can't have those pesky conservatives getting more support now can we?

We have the restriction of mentioning God in public places. I read an article yesterday of a Minister that left her post because the Hospice she worked for forbade using "God" in some prayers and counseling situations. This should actually class as religious infringement as well.
We have infringement in how we are supposed to talk about race, disability, gender and sexual orientation. Laws are being passed that make it a "hate crime" to disagree with the homosexual agenda. Just try to speak up with a conservative viewpoint. You'll be harangued and vilified. Our children are being taught that the homosexual lifestyle is acceptable against parents wishes. Parents are told in essence "too bad, we don't have to inform you." We have college professors being fired or for even bringing Intelligent Design into the classroom discussion. (Watch "Expelled" by Ben Stein, it's fabulous)
Freedom of speech seems only to apply if you agree with the liberal point of view.

The words ring out at me "...or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press..."
This is happening everywhere. Conservative columns are being dropped, the "Fairness Doctrine" is trying to be brought in through a back door, and everywhere conservatives are demonized by their liberal counterparts.

But it won't work. You have the freedom to speak your mind. You have the right to conservative, God-fearing views. And we have a great need for people to speak up. Please don't let the "other side" make you feel that you need to back down. Know the facts of your topic, and stick to your guns.
"They" won't win. This is a continuation of the battles fought in Heaven, and God will prevail, but He needs us to do our part; to uphold that sacred document we call our Constitution, and once again, that means becoming educated; learning exactly what your rights are. Knowing the Constitution.

The other two points, the right to peaceably assemble, and to petition the government for redress of grievances are also being trampled. Pay attention to what's happening in your communities and your states. Write letters. Call your elected officials. Speak up when you see abuses happening. "They" need to know we are watching. Please, please take notice.

Amendment I, Part 1

A while back I said I would talk about the Constitution; the time has come.
I thought I'd start with the first ten Amendments, also known as the Bill of Rights; these Amendments are what we usually think of the most in the context of our rights, and the usurpations by the government.

Amendment I :
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

The two that get the most "press" are religion and speech.
I would like to point out here that it does not say anything about the SEPARATION of Church and State anywhere in the Constitution. Thomas Jefferson made the comment in a letter to the Danbury Baptists Association in 1802. The letter in it's entirety is below:

"Gentlemen,

The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction. My duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, & in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.
Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.
I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves & your religious association, assurances of my high respect & esteem.

Th Jefferson
Jan. 1. 1802"

Jefferson never said we couldn't pray in our schools, our football games, our graduations; never said God should be banished from public display; from public discourse. Don't EVER let anyone tell you there is a WALL OF SEPARATION between Church and State, there isn't.
Our government has imposed itself into our lives and has tried to abolish religion, which in effect Unconstitutionally creates the "Civic Religion" I mentioned before found in Arthur Henry King's "Arm the Children."

Don't ever believe that the Founders EVER meant for us to not be able to hold Religion foremost in our hearts and minds. To be told that we can't invoke God in any setting is a violation of your First Amendment rights. Your children CAN write about God in school, they CAN pray before a football game, they CAN pray at Graduation, they CAN pray at their desks. They CAN! If someone tries to tell you that they can't, ask him or her to read aloud Amendment I of the Bill of Rights. Know your rights! The wording is not ambiguous, and maybe you can teach someone something in the process. Carry a copy of the Constitution in your purse, briefcase or glove box, so you can whip it out and help others learn what they don't but NEED to know.
Our schools are failing in teaching the Constitution, if you went to public school, it's very likely you never got the whole story of the Founding of this country. Take time now to learn the Constitution, it's the only thing that can save us from the ongoing march of Socialism.
You can order "pocket" Constitutions easily from either the National Center for Constitutional Studies at www.nccs.net, or from the Heritage Foundation at www.heritage.org.

The National Center for Constitutional Studies is cheaper by far, offering 100 copies for $30.00 .
Please get some, pass them out, or just get one for yourself. Study it. Education is essential to retaining what's left of our freedoms, and regaining those that have been lost.

The next post will be part 2 of Amendment I, this got a little long :)

John D. Rockefeller

Sean Hannity had a segment on "Hannity" tonight on Fox News that quoted John D. Rockefeller. I couldn't hear it well, so I looked it up. I think in today's' political climate, it's a fabulous quote, and one we should commit to memory
Here is the entire John D. Rockefeller, Jr. quotation as inscribed at the Rockefeller Center in NYC:

“I believe in the supreme worth of the individual and in his right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

"I believe that every right implies a responsibility, every opportunity, an obligation; every possession a duty.

"I believe that the law was made for man and not man for the law; that government is the servant of the people and not their master.

"I believe in the dignity of labor, whether with head or hand; that the world owes no man a living but it owes every man an opportunity to make a living.

"I believe that thrift is essential to well-ordered living and that economy is a prime request of a sound financial structure, whether in government, business or personal affairs.

"I believe in the sacredness of a promise, that a man's word should be as good as his bond; that character-not wealth or power or position-is of supreme worth.

"I believe that the rendering of useful service is the common duty of mankind and that only in the purifying fire of sacrifice is the dross of selfishness consumed and the greatness of the human soul set free.

"I believe in an all-wise-and all-loving God, named by whatever name, and that the individuals highest fulfillment, greatest happiness, and widest usefulness are to be found in living in harmony with His will.

"I believe that love is the greatest thing in the world; that it alone can overcome hate; that right can and will triumph over might.”

Charlie Reese Article

I don't know anything about Charlie Reese, other than he was a journalist, and he has retired. I received this as an email today, and felt I needed to share it.
There really isn't much I can add, except maybe "Amen".

545 PEOPLE
By Charlie Reese
Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then
campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are
against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and
high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does.
You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations.
The House of Representatives does.
You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.
You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.
You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president, and nine Supreme Court
justices 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally,
morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague
this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was
created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional
duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private,
central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They
have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a
congressman, or a president to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if
they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash.

The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what
the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to* *determine
how he votes..

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what
they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless
of party.

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount
of gall. No normal human being would have the gall* *of a Speaker, who
stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The president
can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole
responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving
appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? Nancy Pelosi.
She is the leader of the majority party.

She and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they
want. If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree
to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million can not replace
545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and
irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not
traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain
truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it
must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.
If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red .
If the Army & Marines are in IRAQ , it's because THEY want them in IRAQ
If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan
not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.

There are no insoluble government problems.

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire
and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they
can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from
whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the
belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy,"
"inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an
oath to do.
Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.
They, and they alone, have the power.
They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their
bosses.
Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.
We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!

Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper.

A Homeschooler's Point of View

As a homeschool mom, I am drawn to articles on education. This one caught my eye this week:

Ed. Chief Favors Longer School Year

I would have to disagree 100% that this will be of any benefit to America's children.

Here is the Lord's plan for families:

The Family: A Proclamation to the World

The Lords plan is frustrated when children are away from their families. This is one of Satan's many tools, and longer days will only further the degradation of society.
I understand what some are saying, thinking that this will help us "catch up" to our International neighbors and peers, but I think it's a false notion. Satan wants our children, and the primary way he goes after them is through institutionalized schools, filling their little and not so little heads with the "Civic Religion" as Arthur Henry King says in his book Arm the Children; indoctrinating them in the liberal agenda that is decidedly anti-family; anti-God.

Keeping them there, in the institution, and away from home longer will only help The Adversary, and hurt us; as families and as a nation.
We need to help families understand that children need to be home if at all possible, and that Mother's need to be home. Toys and vacations are NOT part of the Lord's plan.
Mother does not NEED to work outside the home in a large majority of situations; which is usually to provide *luxuries*.
I recognize that some Mothers MUST work outside the home, and I believe with all my heart that the Lord will fill in the gaps if she does. But Largely children should be WITH their Mothers, with their families, NOT in longer, drawn-out, tiring days. I think this is one of the reasons some kids "snap,"they are just worn out from the assaults of the world.

Some may not believe themselves capable of homeschooling. I tell you now, if you desire it, you can do it. If you feel inspired to do so, but have some lingering trepidation, I promise you, you CAN do it; the Lord knows what is best for your children, take the matter to Him.

If you feel that public school is the right and proper place for your children, be as involved as is humanly possible. Do not allow them to keep your children any longer than they already do.
Review the textbooks that they will foist upon the children. Review them with a critical eye. Talk to your children about what they learned today, CORRECT the errors they bring home immediately!, and in general make their education your priority in life.
Our knowledge and associations are the only thing we can take with us when we leave this life.
Make sure the information they are getting is true.

Multiculturalism

Here is an interesting article on FoxNews tonight:
Critic Says Islamic Extremism Gets Whitewashed in American Textbooks

Now I have huge issues with the Public School system, so we homeschool; this is one reason why.
Part way down the article is this quote:
Khan said when it comes to teaching about Islam, "I think the more important issue is American values of tolerance, respect and mutual understanding," which can best be imparted with accurate information about the religion.

I'm sorry, did he just say that our tolerance, respect and "mutual understanding" is more important than the safety of my family and all the families of America??? Because I'm pretty sure that's what he wants us to get from his comments.
I KNOW that all Muslims are not created equal, but it's imperative that we teach about both sides of Islam.
I'm NOT GOING TO BE TOLERANT of terrorists, The End! I'm not going to try to UNDERSTAND them, or be their friend!

We have been politically correct for far too long. Multiculturalism is what got us into this in the beginning.
America is and always has been the "Melting Pot" of the world. I'm fine with that, my Great Grandmother immigrated to America from Austria when she was three years old. I have other family that came from Scotland. I'm good with legal immigration. What I'm not good with is people coming here, not learning the language, not trying to BE Americans.

OK, so that's a tad off subject. But just a tad, because trying to get along with everyone, trying to play nice all the time, trying to make everyone like us is part of the problem.
We have to help our children understand that there are people who want to kill us just because we are free; just because we are prosperous; just because we are a largely Christian nation.
Tolerance, respect and understanding will only get us killed with these wackos. Really.
Do you suppose that the grocers, the gas station attendants, and the flight instructors, were nice, tolerant, respectful and possibly understanding of language barriers to any of the 19 terrorists who flew planes into our buildings?
Bombed our Naval ship, or our World Trade Center? Don't you imagine that people were NICE to them in the daily course of their lives? I do, and where did it get us?

We have to teach tolerance yes, but let's do it with an eye to common sense. Our citizens need to understand the danger is real, and our children need it as well. We can't allow them to grow up in this saccharine society.
Teach them about Islam if you WANT to, but teach them about RADICAL Islam because you must.

Green Eggs

Today is Dr. Seuss's birthday. The man who probably inspired more modern day children to learn to read than any other modern author.

Normally on this day we have green eggs and ham for dinner. The fact that I neglected to purchase a small enough ham for tonight's dinner is not going over so well. I have a HUGE ham in the freezer that I refuse to cook for just four of us, as Erin is out of town nannying for the week.

SO, in honor of the day, our homeschooling day will consist of reading, reading, reading.

Anything they want--within reason, I do not consider comic books to be "reading"!

I'm going to finish "The Naked Communist" by W. Cleon Skousen, and start "Next" by Michael Crichton. Katelyn has "The Scarlet Letter" by Hawthorne, the next "Wizard of Oz" in the series, I believe she is on book 6, and "Enchantment" by Orson Scott Card that she will be working on today. Erin is working on "Brinsinger" by Christopher Paolini. Ethan is working on "The Hobbit."

When Craig gets home from work, he'll have "Timeline" also by Crichton in hand.

It's going to be a good day!

If you'd like to learn more about Theodore Giesel AKA Dr. Seuss, you can go here:

Dr. Seuss

As for the eggs in the photo, yes they are really green, this is an untouched photo of the eggs one of my hens lays. I'll be getting more of this breed soon, so hopefully the photo next year will have a larger variety of greens.

Happy Seuss Day!