Who's To Blame?

I got an interesting e-mail about who's to blame for our country's problems from Earl Long of FairTax.org. He seems to be willing to except some of the blame and he issues a warning.

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Good morning FairTaxers,

Speaking in terms which are not easily misunderstood ain’t always easy.

Recently in conversation concerning the FairTax, I couldn’t resist a few
words about the miscreant politicians who frequently tell people that
all maladies economic, suffered by the general population, are someone
else’s fault. That is to say, ineffective government, inadequate
unions, greedy individuals and corporations, and sundry evil plots are
offered up to the old “blame game.”

The person to whom I spoke responded incredulously, “Isn’t that exactly
what the FairTax message is? It’s the government’s fault!”

Folks, for the record, this is my opinion: All, I repeat all, idiotic,
irresponsible and oppressive action taken by our government is our
fault. Period! We do still live under a constitutional republic. The
government can only do what we, by acceptance, will tolerate.

I have never lynched a congressman or senator, but I have seen many who
earned just such a fate. Nevertheless, I certainly should have done
something. The fact that until recent years I did nothing isn’t someone
else’s fault. If we continue to do nothing I guarantee we will get the
same result.

The Geezer

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How often does the media tell us about something the powers that be have planned and we go on with our daily lives without contacting our elected officials to let them know how we feel about the action they are about to take? If we don't hold their feet to the fire every time we feel they are trying to pass an unconstitutional bill we will have only ourselves to blame when our Republic comes crashing down.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Bill Of Rights Day 2008

I hope you hadn't forgotten this is or should be a special day. The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, our Bill Of Rights were ratified on December 15, 1791. Please give them some thought today.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Question Of The Week, 12/14/08

Good morning, or I guess I should say good afternoon since I'm a little late. Last night (right after midnight) I was reading the on line version of my local paper and thinking about this weeks question. I came across two articles that told about the ice storm that hit this area last winter, "Ice is gone, but lessons live on" and "Storm hit poor, elderly the hardest". While I was reading the second article our power went out for four hours. Last year we were without power and heat for four days. The two articles and last nights power outage caused me to think about some preparations we need to take around our house. That leads to this weeks Question Of The Week. How prepared are you, how long do you figure you could survive if a natural disaster left you without heat and power and unable to get out to get needed supplies?

I'll post my answer in the Comment Section Tuesday morning.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Thanks go to:
The St Joseph News-Press

Updated A New Home For Guantanamo Detainees

More has come out on moving the Guantanamo detainees to the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks on Fort Leavenworth. See the update below the original post.

Right after I read this St. Joseph News-Press article that mentions moving the Guantanamo detainees to the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks on Fort Leavenworth I decided to check out a Leavenworth, Kansas paper to get more information. I was quite pleased to see Leavenworth city officials were opposed to the idea. "Leavenworth city commissioners expressed their concerns regarding a national issue when they met on Tuesday." (Continue Reading) I live in Saint Joseph, Missouri and for some strange reason the idea of having approximately 250 would be terrorist housed 38 miles south of me just isn't all that appealing. I can think of a pretty much endless list of things that could possibly go wrong with this plan. I don't feel the Guantanamo detainees should be housed anywhere near an area that has a large civilian population unless we can be assured that the facility would be escape proof. I'm thinking we once had a prison in the United States that made that claim. Maybe we should talk to Speaker of The House Nancy Pelosi about turning Alcatraz Island into a Federal Prison once again.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Thanks go to:
St. Joseph News-Press
Leavenworth Times

12/10/08 Update.

A December 8 Leavenworth Times article says the Lansing, Kansas (Part of the Kansas City metropolitan area) City Council is also opposed to the idea of moving the Guantanamo detainees to the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks on Fort Leavenworth. "In a last minute addition to the agenda, the Lansing City Council passed a resolution on Thursday opposing the moving of detainees from the Guatanamo Bay facility to Fort Leavenworth." (Continue Reading) After I read it I contacted my United States Representative Sam Graves (R-MO) to urge him to oppose this move. I still do not feel the Guantanamo detainees should be held in an area with a large civilian population.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Thanks go to:
The Leavenworth Times


12/14/08 Update

After I learned that United States Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) had filed S. 3721, to prohibit the use of funds to transfer individuals detained by the United States at the Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to the United States Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas I contacted both of my United States Senators, Kit Bond (R-MO) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) to urge them to support S. 3721. I hope they will see the flaws in the plan to move the detainees and take action.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Thanks go to:
The St. Joseph News-Press.

12/19/08 Update

Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., continues to be criticized for his opposition to the move. I feel this St. Joseph News-Press editorial gives some pretty good reasons for not moving the Guantanamo detainees to the United States Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Thanks go to:
The St. Joseph News-Press

The Enemy Of All Free Men

A comment ("Sadly, too many Americans today take our rights for granted. As a result, we see more and more erosion of those rights.") Always On Watch left on my December 1, 2008 post "Celebrate Bill Of Rights Day, December 15, 2008" reminds me of a poem that was written by my old friend Jerry Hughes several years ago. I think you'll see why.

Apathy - The Enemy of All Free Men


I am your enemy, your nightmare and your destruction.

I am more powerful than the combined militaries of the world.

I have destroyed more men than all the wars of all nations combined.

I massacre millions of people each and every generation.

I have wrecked more homes than all other causes known to you.

I cause the downfall of the greatest civilizations in history.

I spare no one.

My victims are rich and poor, young and old, strong and weak.

I do not respect color nor creed.

Children shall know me to their eternal sorrow.

I cast my shadow over every thought of man.

I hide in unseen places and I go about my work silently.

You have been warned of my presence, but you do not listen.

I never sleep and I am everywhere you are.

You can not hide.

Illness, revulsion, disease and death follow me and are my friends.

I will give you nothing.

I will take everything you have and then seek more.

I will cause you to turn away from all you once believed in.

I will blind your eyes to the sins of your elected leaders.

I go where my master orders.

The Prince of Darkness alone sends me into your life.

Once allowed inside, seldom am I asked to leave.

America, won't you please allow me to enter and give me rest.

I will remove all your worries and concerns.

I will take away any concern for individual responsibility.

I will bring you bliss.

I am your friend.

I am Apathy .


Please don't allow our rights to become another victim of apathy. This December 15 share your thoughts on the first ten Amendments to the United States Constitution with everyone you come in contact with. Lets make December 15, 2008 a Bill Of Rights Day to remember for years to come.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Thanks go to:
Always On Watch
Jerry Hughes

Obama vs. Pope Benedict on Abortion

A November 30, 2008 Washington Times column By Jeffrey T. Kuhner "Obama vs. Pope Benedict" tells of a possible political revolt if Obama follows through with his plans to get the Freedom of Choice Act passed. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only non-Catholic that will be on the side of the un-born in this battle. I'm thinking now would be the time to contact our elected officials. Let them know that you are contacting them on behalf of those that can not yet speak for themselves. Urge them to oppose the Freedom Of Choice Act. Remind them of the fact that some former lawmakers found themselves out of work after they supported Bill Clinton's Assault Weapons Ban, something else that a lot of common folks opposed. Help them remember that history has a tendency to repeat it's self if we don't learn from it.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Thanks go to:
The Washington Times

Celebrate Bill Of Rights Day, December 15, 2008

I hope you are making plans to make December 15 a special day. The first ten Amendments to the United States Constitution, our Bill Of Rights were ratified on that day in 1791. If you have young family members take a little time to read the Bill Of Rights aloud with them. Ask them if they feel these rights are as important today (Dec. 15) as they were 217 years ago. Take it a little farther, talk to your friends, find out if they feel we are losing our rights. See if they feel some of them have been forgotten or are being ignored. Contact your Mayor and City Council. Urge them to pass a resolution making December 15th Bill Of Rights Day in your area. Have them place a copy of the Bill Of Rights and a copy of their resolution just inside the entrance to City Hall for all to see. What ever you do don't let December 15, 2008 pass without giving some thought to your God given rights.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.