Books, Books and More Books!

Well, I did it! Way back in December of last year, I told you about a challenge that Karl Rove and then President Bush had regarding how many books each had read during the year.

I challenged myself to read twenty-four books. It seemed a reasonable goal. I homeschool my children, I have other pursuits-politics is just one, and I felt like two books a month was going to be a stretch.
Surprise! Or not I suppose; I know I am a fast reader, but really, I read 33 books! I had no idea I could read that many, and still provide a hot meal for my family on a regular basis! I’ve read two just since Christmas; Ok, so one was like eating cotton candy and I read it in less than 12 hours, but I DID read it!

I thought I would read mostly nonfiction, that is my “preferred” genre, but I surprised myself.
I read a wide variety of books, including “The Hobbit” that I read for the very first time, and “The Screwtape Letters”, both of which I enjoyed very much. I read two from Michael Crichton, and two from Shannon Hale; Hale being the cotton candy type, Crichton being more of the “makes you wonder” kind of book.

I read a series from the LDS market: “The Brothers.” The series of six books is by Chris Stewart and starts out in the Preexistence, moves to the days after a nuclear attack on Washington D.C.; very interesting series.
Book 6(or is it seven?) in my favorite series “Outlander” came out in September, and while usually the world stops when Diana Gabaldon’s books come out, not so this time. I had a much harder time with this one; I’m still anxious for the next one however.

I read a couple of books with a spiritual message or theme, one about the women in the Scriptures, and one about Moroni, an ancient prophet from the Book of Mormon. Both recommended. I also read “The Life of our Lord” by Charles Dickens; a lovely little book.

I will admit a few failures-well, not failures so much as “ugh! I am going to finish these if they kill me” kind of books, and I really WILL finish them, but they were not terribly engaging, and while mostly interesting, I did move on to other things; they do still have the bookmarks in them though, making finishing them easier to do!

I have numerous books on my “shelf”, waiting their turn. I’ve also just started Sarah Palin’s “Going Rogue” which I received for Christmas, and am quite excited to read. I’m on chapter four and I love it already. I’m also reading “The Real George Washington” which I am enjoying immensely; we need more heroes like him.

In the next couple of weeks, I’ll be listing what’s on my shelf, and taking down the “Books read in 2009”, so if you’re interested in any of the titles, you can find them on the sidebar for now.

I also challenged those of you who were reading this blog last year to do the same. Did you? I’d love to know what you read, what you liked, and what you put down. Care to share?

Merry Christmas

Well, the stockings are empty, the packages opened; it will be a few hours until Grandpa arrives, and there is calm in the air. Books are being read, movies are being watched, and I have a few minutes to wish you all a Merry Christmas before I have to get busy in the kitchen in earnest.

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas. Whatever your political leanings, this is the one time of the year when, hopefully, we can put aside our differences, pull up a seat, and have a lovely day.

May your day be "Merry and Bright", and if you are lucky enough to have a White Christmas, all the better!

Hate Mongers

Today brings news that the far left is attacking Mrs. Lieberman-Joe Lieberman's wife. Why you ask? Well it seems that Mr. Lieberman is opposing government run health care, and Mrs. Lieberman is the carrot to rein old Joe in.

Mrs. Lieberman is the global ambassador for the Susan G. Komen breast cancer foundation. I have no idea what her duties and responsibilities are, but that's not really the point.

For at least a generation, we, as women, have been told we don't need a man to complete us; we don't need to be defined by a man, we can stand on our own two feet and be independent; successful in our own right. Here we have a woman doing just that, and they want to tack her on to her husband’s coat tails in order to smear her.
I thought we didn’t need a man to complete us? I thought we were good to stand alone and be counted.

The hypocrisy of the left is staggering. Mrs. Lieberman has NOTHING to do with her husband’s job; nor he with hers. Why this good, successful woman should be excoriated because of her husband’s politics is beyond me.

The left is even calling in the big guns-Ellen DeGeneres and Neil Patrick Harris-both homosexuals, to join in the fight to get Mrs. Lieberman canned. This is an odd tactic. Does their being homosexuals make them better judges of character? Do they know something we don’t about ambassadorships?

What we see here is nothing more than liberal hypocrisy. It makes as much sense to smear Mrs. Lieberman for her husband’s voting record, as it does to blame Sean Hannity for Nancy Pelosi being a runner up for Time Magazines “Person of the Year” award.

People, liberals: call somebody, write somebody. Call off the attack dogs; the hate mongers. This good, sweet woman should be off limits, as should be any spouse or child of a politician or celebrity.

She doesn’t deserve to be attacked, and you all know it.

The Sky Isn’t Falling—Yet

The world is a crazy place right now. We have an out of control government, spending like drunken sailors on shore leave; we have communists and genuine radicals running said government, making decisions that are at once, equally outrageous and unconstitutional; we have unemployment numbers that are staggering despite seasonal improvements; our liberties and freedoms are under assault at every turn. We should be, and are rightly so, horrified. Yet through it all, we have hope. Not the kind of hope that Obama’s “fundamental transformation of America” (his words, not mine) imagined, but real hope.

Whatever your Christian denomination, this season is a season of hope; the promise of a brighter day. We know our Savior lives; He was born to rescue us, His children, from our lost and fallen state. We also have the promise of scripture that the wars and rumors of wars are not a surprise to Him; that these, the Last Days, have been accounted for, prophesied of long before our country and our very way of life came under attack.

In this season of giving, we also need to think about renewal. We need to renew our efforts in behalf of our country. We need to step to higher ground, get out of our comfort zones, and fight for our freedoms.

December 15, marks the 218 anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights. TWO HUNDRED EIGHTEEN YEARS! The Bill of Rights has withstood assault after assault, and now, today, December 15, 2009 it’s nearly unrecognizable; the Constitution specifies three federal crimes: piracy, counterfeiting and treason. Just three, yet the current administration would make it a crime for you to not buy health insurance.

I recently challenged a liberal friend of ours to read the Constitution and check everything coming out of Washington against it; he’d find very little that will hold up to Constitutional scrutiny. Since he has yet to report back, my best guess is he blew off my valid challenge.
So I challenge you. Read the Constitution; read the Bill of Rights. Know what legacy was given to us, and make the effort to do what it will take to put this country back on its Constitutional footings.

These are perilous times no doubt, but we have hope. My worldview is that our Constitution is a divinely inspired document; that the Founding Fathers were raised up specifically for their task; a country with a divine document as its firm charter will not be smitten by the hands of men. The Lord knows our plight, and will come to our aid if we prove worthy.

So, while the sky isn’t falling just yet, we must be prepared to stand firm and strong against the buffeting winds.

For today, our common motto is “Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward Men,” yet the adversary never sleeps. Be watchful this Christmas season, sleep with one eye open; try to have a Merry Christmas, to relax a bit, but use this season of rest and hope and love to fortify yourselves for the coming battles; they will be intense.

Spelling Software

My friend Ritsumei, also a homeschool mom, has a give away on her blog for some spelling software that looks pretty cool. I thought some one else might be interested too.
I am wondering if it will help my not so good older speller.
Check it out:


SpellQuizzer software works with any spelling program, whether homeschool or public. Click to enter Ritsumei's giveaway on Baby Steps for a chance to win SpellQuizzer!

George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation 1789

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.


G. Washington

Progressivism

I was chastised today by a blog reader who made a comment about my post yesterday regarding Glenn Beck, and the new plan for refounding America.

This reader, a self described progressive Democrat, said I was dead wrong; progressives love this country as much as we (conservatives) “say we do”.

I hope today, to set the record straight; to clarify my comments and to expound a little on what Progressivism really is.

First, I said that Democrats as well as Republicans love this country, but to make no mistake, Progressives want to see the downfall of this great country.
I stand by this comment.

Progressivism, by definition is a plan for reform, egalitarian style. You’ve heard the term “Share the wealth”? That is egalitarianism, leveling the playing field if you will, which is at the heart of progressivism.

Progressives believe that we should all be equal; and cite the Declaration of Independence as proof:
“We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal…”

What they are missing, is the word “created”. We ARE all CREATED equal; we have the same rights across the board as the next guy. We have the same opportunities as the next guy.
What we DO with that gift of equality is what sets us apart; makes each of us unique. It’s also what makes us rich or poor, bond or free, contributing or criminal.

Progressivism is lock-step with Communism; it’s one in the same and it’s all about control.

Think about the health care “reform” that will save us from the greedy insurance providers; think about Cap and Trade that will save us from those rising temperatures and those who use incandescent lightbulbs(which we found out yesterday is one of the biggest hoaxes perpetuated on mankind-yes, even bigger than the balloon boy hoax.).
The progressives have taken over our banks and our industry, now they want our health care and our lifestyles.

It isn’t possible to legislate charity or goodwill; it isn’t possible to legislate wealth for the masses, but these things are what Democrats have been after for generations. Progressives want to take it a step further, and not only legislate, but regulate every aspect of our lives; they want to control us.

Progressives want to stifle free speech and dissent. They want to control what you hear and what you read. Cass Sunstein and Arianna Huffington have said so in the last few days. I’ve watched the video and read the transcripts, so don’t try to tell me it’s not being debated.

So, JeanB, I can accept that you are a Democrat, and I’m sure I’d even enjoy a lively discussion with you.
If you are a fiscally responsible Democrat, whose policies are constitutionally sound, I’d even consider voting for you, but do you really want to be a Progressive?
Do you really think controlling the population is a good plan? A Godly plan?
Do you really want to align yourself with those who would overthrow the Constitution?

Nancy Pelosi herself said in a recent press release that objections to the MANDATE to make you buy into the government health care plan are “nonsensical”, that the “power of Congress to regulate health care is essentially unlimited”. That is Communism; think USSR.

Are you sure you want to be part of THAT?

I don’t think that's part of the America that either of us love.

Glenn Beck at the Villages

Please watch this Glenn Beck rally. He was in Florida over the weekend, and gave an impassioned speech, with ideas and plans for taking our country back from the Progressive downward spiral we are on.
There are no doubts that Democrats as well as Republicans love our country, and that each of us wants what's best; please have no illusions that the Progressives feel the same way. They want the complete downfall of our country, we can't let that happen.

There are five parts, please watch them all, it will take about 45 min.

I will be joining Glenn in D.C. in August. Meet me there.


Thanks to www.therightscoop.com for the video feed.

Another Failed Presidency

I have an article to share. I love The American Thinker blog, I read it almost every day. I think this article is relevant, maybe more so than when it was written 3 months ago--that's forever ago in political terms :D

Another Failed Presidency

Course Correction

It seems we are on a course correction in this country.

We’ve let the far left have a chance; we are good about taking turns in this country, but alas, finally, we’ve found it to be the wrong course. I could have told you as much.

Whether the far left likes it or not, we are traditionally a “center right” country. Here is the Gallup from October 26th of this year:
Gallup Poll

We like limited government, and maximum freedoms. We like to run our lives according to the dictates of our own conscience, and we like others to do the same. We like to give a hand up, not a hand out.

We believe in freedom of choice, but once you’ve made that choice, you should live with it, and make the best of it.

We believe we are the best ones to decide how our money should be spent, and who should receive it.

We believe we have the right to own a firearm, to discharge it in the protection of our homes and families; to guard against tyranny of all sorts.

We gave the Democrats a chance, they stuck us with a far, far left ideologue, in a word, a Marxist, and the tides are turning. The most recent Gallup poll from today, shows that 48% to 44% people-largely independents, are planning to vote Republican.

Well wahoo. The only thing that’s good about this will be watching the left go batty. It’s not a good thing, if we just hire a democrat lite for our next elected official, whoever he may be.

Did you see the fiasco in New York 23 by any chance? The Republican candidate, had taken money from Acorn, was pro abortion, and endorsed the DEMOCRAT when she dropped out of the race. This is NOT the kind of Republican we need.

We need solid CONSERVATIVES to come to the fore,(NOT solid Republicans, there is no such thing anymore) and lead this nation back to peace and prosperity; back to limited government, and Constitutional principles.

It’s going to take some research, some footwork and some letter writing campaigns, but I believe firmly there ARE genuine conservatives out there; those willing to fight for right, because make no mistake, it IS about right vs. wrong, not right vs. left.

Pay attention to your elected officials. If you feel that a candidate is a true conservative, then open a dialogue with them. Go to the Town Halls and other forums where they are speaking. Go to their offices, make appointments with them. Get to know them. Find those conservatives who hold the same values as you. You don’t have to agree with them on everything, but if you agree on 75-85 percent of the issues, then that’s a pretty darn good indication that they will be someone you can feel confident about voting for. And, if you find they are trying to subvert the Constitution, make sure they know they'll be fired.

We can maintain this course correction but it will take all of us, and it will take time and effort; it can be done, and I believe firmly God will be on our side.